So what do I do?

I'm having a bit of a conundrum about these shoes. Here is the story...

About a month ago I got a package delivered by UPS. It wasn't mine. See I had a PO Box when I lived in the crazy lady's house in Preston. So the person who now has the box ordered ink for his printer to the box but UPS doesn't deliver to PO boxes. So since I had a forward on the box they sent it to me.

At first I didn't notice it was UPS so I took it to the post office, they wouldn't take it even though I was in the post office where the box was located. So then I went to the place you can drop off UPS packages, they wouldn't take it. They said the driver wouldn't take it and I had to call for a pick up or just keep it.

So I went home and tried to google this guy and found his facebook page. I figured if he lives close I'd go give him his ink. I gave him a day or two to respond. He didn't. So I went to UPS with the plan of explaining the situation and if they refused I was going to throw the box at them and run away! I was spending way too much time trying to do a good thing. I explained, the clerk seemed to understand and I left the box.

Two weeks later it was back on my doorstep. So this time I opened it trying to find maybe a phone number, nothing. So I called Kodak and explained the situation. They put me on hold for so long I got irritated and hung up. I decided to give up and wait and see if UPS came looking for it.

That night the guy emailed me from my email to him on Facebook and asked if I still had the ink. I said yes and since I was passing by his work the next day I agreed to drop off the ink. The next day I did. He was very sweet and gave me a bag from his work (report shoes), an umbrella and some other stuff. When I looked in the bag there was a letter from him offering me a pair of shoes for being so nice. I looked at the website and boy I wanted these shoes, totally cute.

But I turned him down explaining that it wasn't necessary. He insisted as I frankly hoped he would. I picked out the above shoes and picked them up. Truthfully I felt a little uncomfortable taking them because I feel his gift to me was out of proportion with what I did for him but pleased with the shoes.

Here's the rub...they don't fit. Every shoe in my closet is an 8.5 but they don't fit. I was disappointed, I like the shoes. Mark says to call him but I feel weird about making him work more on something he didn't have to do.

What would you all do? I don't think I can call but before I tried them on I sent him an email thanking him again. If he responds and asks if I like them I may tell him then but I don't think I can call. Is that weird?

What I never say but would like to...

I generally don't work with serious aggressive dogs. I did once and this is what happened.

Now granted that was five years ago and now I feel better equipped to deal with what may happen but I mostly refer on to a person who has been training dogs for over 20 years... not five.

When I worked in the Home Decor store I could sell an ugly vase with a smile on my face and know the consequences weren't dire. Sure the neighbors might whisper behind the home owners back but it wasn't life or death.

Now it is.

Recently I had two cases of aggression come to me. The first was a Border Collie mix who would basically try to kill any other dog she met while leashed. The owner called and said they just eeded a little "brush up" on their manners. Slowly I pulled out of her that the dog had bitten a dogwalker, menaced her three children (backing one into a corner) and the whole murderous rampage while walking thing. She seemed dedicated to this little dog named "Tulip" and scheduled an appointment quickly with my referral person.

The second was a mini schnauzer named "Annie" who came to me through a shelter referral. Annie was exhibiting strange repetitive behavior, circling exclusively to one side, and had recently rushed out to rip at the pants of a neighbor. She as of that point hadn't bitten anyone...yet. I referred her on too. She too quickly made an appointment.

Now I come to find out both owners scheduled one appointment and then never followed through. Never made another appointment, never worked with their dogs and ow want to "rehome" these aggressive pooches. Here's the letter the other trainer got from one

We have tried to use the clicker more, but since we are not home that much it has been hard to train her. She is better around strangers while we walk the dog but still ballastic with people coming to our house unless they have the time to get to know her.-and most of the time they don't-Kid's friends (in and out of the house ) and solicitors, repair people. We put her in the crate. I'm afraid she might run out the door with the kids not being that careful. She was doing so good at the park that we let her off leash and she plays with the other dogs. Unfortunely a couple weeks ago she bit a runner that just entered the park. His pants did not tear, but had a small flesh wound. After the bite he still kept on running in the park. He filed a police report. We are planning to bring her back to the shelter. I emailed SPRD to see if she is adoptable through their organization. Do you know of anyone who is capable of controlling her with strangers and wants a sweet mini schnauzer who is now potty trained? she does not bark at home at all and just loves to cuddle. Thanks for all your help.

Here's the other

> After much agonizing deliberations, we have realized> that we need to find a new home for Tulip :(> As you know she is a very sweet dog. But> unfortunately, due to her size and aggressiveness with other> dogs, she is to much for us to handle (w/ 3 kids). > She's not getting the attention and walks she needs> because we can't take her everywhere with us like we> used to do with our old dog. We used to take our old dog> to soccer games, parks, etc.. with us but we can't with> Tulip. She was suppose to be my son's dog (as he> picked her out at the shelter) but because of her size and> aggressiveness (& pulling) we can't let him take her> for walks. So after a few tears, we've decided we need> to find a new loving home for her. She deserves the best> and we were hoping maybe you could help. If you know any> one who would be interested (or any organization I should> call) please let me know. I think she can be better if> someone has time to train her and work with her more,> but she might always be a bit aggressive with some> dogs.>> She is such a sweet girl and still sleeps with my son> at nights, so this will be hard but we know its the right> thing to do. So if you know any interested parties let me> know.

Basically these two families took on the responsibility of owning this pet and when it got too hard they want to give that responsibility to someone else.

This the response I want to give...

Dear asshole owners,

I'm so sorry that little Fido turned out to be more than you can handle. I'm so sorry that when cute ball of fluff grew up and was ignored for long periods of time he turned aggressive. Who knew that was going to happen? That's right we all did. And when you saw a problem coming, as you did many months ago when you called me, you chose to ignore it.

You were given tools to work on the problem why did you choose to let it slide? Did you not understand that when you adopt something you are committing for life? Do you understand that this problem is your fault? You caused this...YOU! So now you want to pass off your mistake onto someone else? Will you tell them the truth or will you lie about sweet little Fido to get him out of your house?

Do you know that Fido eventually will more than likely end up in a shelter? That is after three or four other new homes, escalating problems and more than likely a bite incident. Oh and just to be clear that bite victim is likely to be a child. I know you are trying to protect your child but by doing that you are endangering someone elses.

So, no I will not help you to re home Fido. But I will tell you what to do. Take responsibility euthanize your dog yourself. March over to the vet explain that you were an asshole (he'll believe you, like me he has seen a lot) and kill (no more euphemisms) your dog yourself. Let him have the luxury of not spending his last days shivering in a concrete kennel in fear. Let him be warm and in your loving arms one more time. Let his last moments be with the person he loves the most, you....you horrible asshole. Then as you wipe the tears from your eyes promise me you will NEVER own a dog again because you don't deserve one.

Cute!

Our Second Room

The next night we were moved to a corner rom with breathtaking views of the lake, even from the toilet!

Crater Lake

Frankly I didn't think this vacation was going to happen...then when it started I wasn't sure it should continue...

In the weeks leading up to this vacation the cat got sick, Lola pulled a muscle, my 100 year old grandmother died and Mark had to have nose surgery. I was running ragged all over town to vet and doctors appointments. Plus Mark had a big project to be finished the day before we left. So we had a huge fight the night before we left. I think we were both just stressed and not sure the other was appreciating each others plight.

We managed to smooth that blow up over and got ready to leave friday. The pet sitter came at 930 in the morning and it took me almost two hours to explain the weird quirks of the house and the 7 different medications the cat needed to survive the weekend.

So we left, then the check engine light came on in my car and then the air con quit...it was ninety degrees for eight hours. Well about 120 in the car. It would work for ten minutes and then have to go off for ten minutes. The GPS tried to send us off on dirt roads and my clutch kept slipping. Eight sweaty hours later we arrived at the hotel.

Breathtaking huh?!

Well we got there at 9:00 at night (just in time to miss the last seating at dinner) and they had given our room to someone else. Well this is where our luck changed for the better. They said the magic words....Upgrade.

Our original room was a deluxe lakeview. This was a loft, one of only four in the hotel.

Two floors, two beds two breathtaking views. Marks only complaint? There was no bathroom on the second floor...shockingly primitive.

Mark and Mary Kay

Well Travis posted about the "Hot for Teacher" night at a pioneer square bar last week. So Travis I blame you!

Mark decided that he wanted to go see the spectacle. I thought he was kidding but Saturday night rolled around and he told me to get ready. Honestly I didn't want to go but this is what he said

So knowing someday I would ask him to do something he didn'twant to I went. We arrived and the nedia was everywhere. I'm pretty sure they outnumbered the club goers whih makes me believe they were part of the reason for the spectacle.

We met the mayor and the deputy of the bar (drunk as skunks)

...and finally caught a glimpse of the man of the hour Vili Fuluaa

I immediately felt bad for him and slightly ashamed that I was part of the spectacle but at the same time he is 26 years old and if he wanted a quiet life, well he could have it. But you have to wonder if he feels badly that people are there merely to gawk at him. Mark says I repeated that over and over and I guess I did but I felt uncomfortable. Oh and notice the song lyrics playing right before she got there.

She arrived

She was wearing a tight black mini dress and seemed to bloom in the attention. People took pictures with her, touched her and wanted just to be near her. Frankly it was a bit horrifying but she looked ecstatic...fortified.

Then it happened, she approached Mark and complimented him on his shirt

I don't know if you can hear it in my voice but I was really quite grossed out by the whole thing.

Here is my five minute amateur analysis. More than her being a pedophile I think she probably is just a total narcissist who needs, wants, craves attention and this person gave her what she wanted and is still giving it to her, evidenced by this freak show. But he had better keep giving it to her if he wants to keep her. Unfortunately she won't lack it for long.

Oh and in a great show of "Instant Karma" our car battery was dead when we got back to the car. Gotta Love the universe:)

Lola vs. A Towel

All I Ever Needed to Know I Learned from my Dog

Yesterday I was fishing around a very large Amoire in the kitchen and I found the above Gingerbread man toy that we had lost track of at Christmastime . Lola was thrilled to see a"new"toy and proceeded to rip it to shreds. It reminded me of Christmas 2006 or rather February of 2007.

My dad had given Lola a grunting rubber chicken with a pompadour hairdo, a cigarette and wearing a wife beater t-shirt. We all laughed hysterically at it. It was truly hideous. The same thing happened to the rubber chicken it ended up somehow under a couch.

In January my dad died and the rubber chicken was forgotten. In February for some reason or another it reappeared and I took it from my dog fearing she would rip apart the last thing my dad gave her. I put it on the counter while he plaintively woofed at it. She really wanted to kill it. I kept it from her for quite awhile until I realized that was just stupid. It was ugly and the reaon my dad bought it was because he wanted her to have the joy of ripping it apart. The moment we laughed I had in my head I didn't need the chicken. So I let her have it and it was pink shreds in minutes.

So what have I learned from Lola?

-It's the people who matter not the stuff they give you.

-It's how people really are, not how they look that matters. Weight, height ,clothes, hair all that stuff doesn't matter in the least. She doesn't notice.

-Sometimes it's ok to be stinky

-Wait for people to show you how they really are before you form an opinion.

- Forgive freely and immediately

-Nap frequently but play hard before you do.

-The wind in your face feels really good

- It's ok to act goofy

- It's ok to growl when you don't want to be humped

However, she is wrong about a few things

-Rolling in dead things

-Chewing on a Bull's Penis

-Unabashed begging

-I will never sniff a butt to say hello

-Eating your own vomit

I saw this posted tonight and found it funny. It's an argument between two churches on if dogs go to heaven. If with the catholics which is funny because I'm usually never on the side of catholics. That whole misogynist, ignore the pedophiles and refuse to talk about birth control rubs e the wrong way but this is funny. Click to enlarge

I've been busy lately and been a bad blogger. I will try harder please don't stop visiting

More Puppy Pics

Please contact me through the comments if you know anyone who may be interested

Puppies

I need to help a new client find homes for six puppies. If my blogging pals would be so kind to ask around or even repost this clip with my contact info (I will provide that via private email) I would really appreciate it. They need new homes! Her neighbors are about to kill her:)

Aknot

I finally got a good shot of the third kitty:)

Okay Travis here is my dream car.

Iconoclast

My mother has always called me an iconoclast.

From Wikipedia...

People who engage in or support iconoclasm are called iconoclasts, a term that has come to be applied figuratively to any person who breaks or disdains established dogmata or conventions. Iconoclasm, Greek for "image-breaking," is the deliberate destruction (or defamation) of important symbolic images (or icons) recognized within a culture, religion, or society. An act of iconoclasm usually implies that the activity was public, rebellious, and originating from within the respective group.

The first time she called me an iconoclast was when I got Christmas cards with Elvis in a Santa hat. I don't even remember what the card said. I remember being rather proud of the label. Afterall at the time I was a teenager trying to be rebellious and it felt cool. Over time I have come to realize the label is true.

Not in a FU sort of way but more conventions never felt necessary or right to me. I felt it keenly recently at the wedding of a friend. While I am completely on board with getting or being married, all the trappings of the wedding seem silly to me. Now let me say that this is not to say I felt any disdain for her wedding, it was lovely. I just can't see myself doing those things. I am easily bored with convention and tradition

She held to all the old traditions. The white dress, the first dance, the cake (although she broke slightly with cheesecake, kudos:) and all those things you expect to see at a wedding. She and her now husband do all sorts of Norma Rockwell type activities...dance lessons, singing around the piano, big family dinners. My sister too we have to have Turkey on Thanksgiving, Ham on Easter chocolate on Valentine's day. Her Christmas tree is the same as the tree we had when I was growing up.

Sometimes I feel strange surrounded by these people. I could see myself never being married or being in an unconventional relationship (I'll keep those details to myself). I don't really like things and acquiring wealth has never been an interest of mine. I don't believe in God. My mother asks if things are appropriate to wear to church and I am dumbfounded...why does she care?

I guess what it boils down to is that there have to be people like this bride to keep old traditions and there have to be people like me or nothing would change.

Green Porno

Ahhhh hmmm ummmm interesting?

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid18011345001?bclid=17841335001&bctid=18005808001

Shower

Mark is close to being done with the new upstairs bathroom. We can now take civilized showers. I am completely impressed with all that he has done so I had to post a video and show off his work. I hae to say I have never had a shower this luxurious before and I don't now how I will eer go back

I've got a blogging block. Any suggestions?

Lost and Found

There has been an unexpected side effect to living in a house that is being remodeled, I lose things. Nothing really has a permanent place in our home so my belongings are in a constant state of flux. Most of them are still in boxes and plastic crates.

I met Mark in November of 2006 and by the following July he started remodeling the house. I moved all my stuff in last August from a storage unit. The problem is that the rooms are inconstant. What was the bedroom one month is the office the next. He finishes a room and everything that was in that room leaves and goes to a different room. Things that don't belong somewhere are there. For instance for a long time we had the dining room table in the bedroom.

The consequence of this is that no thing has a "place" so if you set something down you run the risk of it disappearing. In order to clean house for a guest or party you cannot put things away in their proper places because there are no proper places. Stuff gets stuffed into the nearest drawer or box never to be seen again. Or a room that was one thing quickly becomes another thing and you lose track of your stuff.

I have lost track of several bras. Strange...why bras? I know they are here because I generally don't take them off outside the home. It's not like I'm at an appointment and just get...comfortable. People tend to frown on that kind of behavior. I've lost probably three or four ear buds for my phone and a couple for my I-pod. Plus twice now the chargers. I have coats I haven't seen for months and shoes that seemingly walked away unassisted. My flatware is missing three spoons, a knife and four forks. Pillowcases, my health insurance information, DVD's and makeup, it's getting more and more frustrating.

We now have two mostly finished rooms, the master bedroom and dining room. I find myself jealously guarding the neatness and state of these rooms. I'm very careful to put everything in the "right" place in these rooms. I do wonder if someday all my lost belongings will finally reappear and I will have five ear buds for my phone and my bras back.

What If God Disappeared?

Very funny!