fatty

For some reason when he lays down he gets really fat.

some things never change

Last year:

This year:

Big Babies.

Shirley and Frank are Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.   They are hunting dogs.  So, loud noises and guns shouldn't bother them, right?

Wrong.

What do Shirley and Frank do when they here loud noises?



Head for the trailer and drool.  (As you can see in the picture of Frank above.)

125 wasn't enough

Even though we had almost 125 acres to hike on, what we call, Tildon Hill,  it wasn't enough.

My parents own another 79 acres in another town called Dansville and one afternoon Jeb, my dad and I decided to go for a hike there.  When I was younger, my family moved on this property and built a log cabin.  My parents still own the house and land, but rent out the house and surrounding area.

The closest thing to wildlife that we came across on this hike however was deer poop.  :( But,  once we got to the property line, we came across some cool old tree stumps that were put up probably over 100 years ago as property line markers.

Pretty awesome.

is three blogs too much?

I currently have three blogs. This one.

My blog about my life with my silly pets.

And then a private blog that only I can access.

I have thought about combining this one and my pet blog. But every time I get ready to type a post non-pet related, it just doesn't seem right.

My original goal/hope was to blog in one spot about my crazy pets and every day life.

Hm. What to do. What to do.

Vibram 5 fingers

In the spring Jeb and I purchased our very first pair of Vibram 5 Finger shoes. We Started using them to run and exercise in and we both have noticed a difference in our performance. We also have less aches and pains after working out!

On our trip last week we pretty much wore them all day every day. I even have a sweet tan line from them. They were awesome to hike with. Going down any slopes felt much better when wearing my 5fingers versus my Salomon hiking shoes. My feet felt as if they were one with the earth. Only down side? Any grass gets caught between your toes. :)

I am thinking that when fall hits I will need to purchase a pair that cover the tops of my feet. I don't want my feetsies to be frozen when I run. :)

camping trip

Our camping trip this year was a lot of fun. We did so many things. From fishing to hiking to riding ATV's. We had a blast. One thing we really enjoyed was going out on the canoe.

go fish

One of the many things we did while on vacation was go out on the canoe and fish.  There is something amazing about being on the water.  Watching ever ripple that is made.  Looking into the water and seeing fish swim below you.  It is almost a different world.

I was lucky enough to catch a fish on one of our adventures.  (Don't worry, we released him back into the water!)

Along with fish there was plenty of other wild life that we encountered.  I was able to snap a couple pictures of the deer that hung around as well as the garden snake:

In the summer deer  have an awesome orange-y red coat that makes them easier to spot.  As for this snake.  I think he had a nest right by our camp fire so for the first few days he pretty much hung around fairly close to us!

Almost ever morning we heard a woodpecker hard at work on a tree.  And the last day we were at camp we saw a hummingbird land on an apple tree branch.  Pretty cool.

vacations all I ever wanted

And it is what I got last week!

Last Saturday we headed up to upstate New York for our annual family camping trip.  We had so much fun.  So did Shirley and Frank.  I have lots of things I would like to share, starting with where we went.

In a little town called Arkport, New York, there is approximately 125 acres of this:

Well, not 125 acres of water.  This is just a part of it. :)

But, isn't it amazing?  I really think I could live here.  And of course the first thing Shirley did was head straight for the water.

We did tons of things the week we were here.  We rode ATV's, hiked, fished, and explored.  It was amazing.  We saw and heard tons of wild life, including a deer, woodpecker, hummingbird and a snake!

It was very hard to come home on Sunday.  I miss it already.

birthday schmirthday

Birthdays.

I used to enjoy birthdays.

Well, I guess I still do.

But, this year was not one of my better birthdays.

Major downers about this weekend/my birthday:

• I lost my wedding band (at least it was a simple band with no diamonds!)
• Our really nice tent got run over by an atv.
• We went out to dinner last night to celebrate and ended up waiting for over an hour at a japanese steakhouse for our cook to come out!
• This week is my brother pre-deployment leave :(

But, I guess this birthday wasn't horrible.

I was lucky enough to be surrounded by many loved ones. And for once in a long time, my whole family was together.

That probably outweighs all those downers.

back to the grind

As I was putting things away from our camping trip this weekend, I realized that I have neglected my home lately. Not in a cleanliness sort of way, but in a creative and decorative sort of way. As long as I have time this weekend, I may take on some painting of furniture projects that I wanted to accomplish months ago. Starting with a little hutch/cabinet in my kitchen. It is currently white...and I think that I want it to stay white. But it is in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint and possibly some stylish hardware.

Next on the list is a really ugly brown bookshelf I took from my work when they were going to throw it away.

Key words "throw away"...

...meaning it is pretty junky.

But, I think some wood putty, some sanding, a couple coats of primer and a lot of semi-gloss white paint might just do the trick.

I need some lighter things in my life.

Maybe some lighter furniture will help.

Anyway, today was my first day back to work in 11 days.

It wasn't as bad as I though it would be.

home sweet home

Home never felt so good. Jeb and I headed back from New York last night at 9:30 p.m. Why so late? Jeb was just ready to be home I guess. He drove the whole way. And we didn't hit any traffic. Took us 8 1/2 hours.

As soon as I get some pictures uploaded, I will post them.

gone.

I will be MIA in the blog world for a little while.

Here is a hint as to why...

two more days

I cant wait to be here in TWO DAYS!

this cat...

...loves Jeb more than me.  :(

Protector of shoes

Chessie's are usually protective of their owners.  And sometimes of their owners shoes...

Or, at least Jeb's shoes. :)

Father's Day

Jeb and I celebrated Father's day by going to Bass Pro in Hampton with my sister and father.  We left Shirley at my parent's house so she could play with Frank.  I LOVE letting them have play dates.  Shirley is always so tired out after.

She is going to be super wore out after our camping trip next week!

new

I am getting ready to go through something I thought I would never have to go through again.

My brother Jake is getting ready to leave for Afghanistan in about a month.

I have started a new blog. But, it is not public. I need to write my way through this. But I am not ready to show the world. Not just yet at least.

We leave this Saturday for our annual camping trip.

I cannot wait.

pretty in pink

We have been having some nice weather in Virginia Beach recently...not.  It has actually been sweltering HOT.  But about a week ago, we did have a not so hot day, and I let Lynx outside to play.  I could only find Luci's collar and leash...which both happen to be pink...  But Lynx was okay with it.  He is comfortable enough with his masculinity that he can wear pink.  ;)

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="448" caption="check out that tail!"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="402" caption="he LOVES being outside."][/caption]

Of course, Shirley had to be outside as well, and she happened to step all over Lynx when we were playing fetch.  Good thing Lynx's collar was one of those breakaway ones, it snapped right off his neck when he ran off.  I might have choked him if it hadn't.

FRIDAY! again!

We never used to have problems with fleas.  Not until we brought Lynx into our home, anyway.  Him and Luci used to be the same size, so I could just get two months worth of cat flea medicine from our vet and split it between them.  But, I have recently discovered (and I pretty much knew this when I purchased the medicine) that Advantage for a 9 pound cat will NOT work on a 13 pound cat.  *sigh*  Looks like I have to suck it up and buy a big pack at PetSmart or amazon for EACH cat.   But, it's not his fault.  So, I can't be mad at him.  Plus he is just so darn cute!

Milo and Max

Our friends Tommy and Marie have two Chihuahuas.  Milo and Max.  They are good little buddies.  Even Max, who likes to hang out under blankets. :)

http://www.vimeo.com/12628173

raining cats and dogs

Seriously, it rained so hard last night!  We also had some thunder and lightning and I think the animals were a little bit freaked out.  Shirley especially...

http://vimeo.com/12628173

She seriously kept following me around wherever I walked in the house.  And she would bark and growl  at the thunder.  Weirdo.

pottery barn, why are you so wonderful?

Was just browsing The Pottery Barn website and came across these:

Really wish I could get this for Shirley.  She currently has a plastic food holder and it looks cheap (it was cheap).  Maybe I could find something similar at Target or PetSmart, because these ones go up to $39.00.  A little bit too pricey for me. ..

Forgivable Friday

Luci hasn't let me sleep in the past two days.  She lays on me and purrs and rubs against my face.  I guess I should look at the positive though.  At least she isn't hiding under the bed...

under cover Lynx

Remember when I posted about Lynx burrowing under the covers?  Well, he is still doing it.  And now he is laying under the covers, just like we do.  So weird!



I did not stage this picture at all!  Somehow he is able to position himself like that!

best friends

Fur cut was a success!

Shirley's professional fur cut was a success!!!  I am very happy with PetSmart.  It ended up costing a little bit more than I would have liked to pay ($84.00), but it was definitely worth it.  Here is a before:



Annnnndddddd after!



They did leave her tail a little puffy, so I trimmed that when we got home, but overall, they did an awesome job!!!

Love my girl. :)

First time for everything

This Saturday Shirley will have her first appointment with a groomer...ever.  Jeb and I usually try and groom her ourselves, but this year it is just too much.  I used to just trim her fur with scissors.  And last year we bought inexpensive pet clippers and were able to shave her.  But this year they didn't seem to work as well.  So, tomorrow, we are off to PetSmart.  I am a little bit nervous.  I am worried Shirley might freak out.  Or that the groomers might cut her too short.  I am getting the express service done so I can wait and watch.  Fingers crossed that they can tame this wild beast, without making her look silly.  Oh wait, she is already kinda silly looking.   So I guess they can't mess up too bad.  :)

The cat(s) did it...

...or maybe Shirley.  But, Jeb said the cats.

And I only wore them for about a week.  At least they were cheap.  This was kinda of a tough one to forgive....but, I did forgive.

Closet kitty

I recently took out my paint stuff because I thought I might start painting again.  Well, the container has been out for a few weeks and I have yet to paint.  I have also yet to put the container back where it belongs (in my very messy closet).  Luci doesn't mind though.

one weird cat

Lynx has recently developed a new...routine in the morning.  Once I start waking up, he leaps up on the bed with a quiet "meow" and starts to dig/paw at the covers and try to burrow himself under them next to me.  Weird cat.

story of my life

Every.  Morning.



Can you spot all three animals?

he's a follower

I have noticed over the past 5 years, Luci has gone through many different sleeping phases.  When she was just a kitten, she used to sleep right by my head.  Then she slept in between Jeb and me.  Then she slept at our feet.  Once we got more pets, she slept under the bed...and now she sleeps on Jeb's feet.  I always thought she was just weird, but maybe this is something all animals go through...or maybe just cats?  Lynx has done a lot of those same things.  Now, he sleeps right next to me.  And usually wherever we are in the house, he is not too far behind.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="655" caption="smack dab in the middle of the kitchen!"][/caption]

Even though I love his attention....sometimes he can get in the way.

busy bee

I have been so busy recently.  And so tired.  I can't wait to go home and relax after work today.  At least these two have been hanging around more recently.



Animals make everything better...

No sleep till....the weekend?

This past week Jeb has been helping a friend install flooring at their new house.  So, Jeb has been gone from 8 in the morning to about 11 at night.  I haven't slept very well without him there.  And I think since he has been gone late at night, all the animals won't leave me alone!  Lynx and Luci used to sleep at the end of the bed, then they stopped.  Then this week Lynx started sleeping right next to me and Luci on my feet.  It's sweet, but I cannot sleep well.   I would think that when I move, they would move away from me.  Nope.  They just roll into where I moved from.  sigh. I hope Jeb finishes this job by the weekend!

new friend

I have seen a grey cat wandering around our neck of the woods recently.  I have also seen him in our back yard a few times.  Well, on Saturday we saw him lounging in the sun out back.  When I went out to see him, he came right to me!  He definitely doesn't look like your typical stray.  He looked very healthy, so he has to be someone's pet or everyone on my street is feeding him.  Jeb was able to get a few good shots of him.

CHECK OUT THAT FACE!

We do not know if kitty is male or female.  Too much fur to be able to just peak when he/she was walking around.  Hopefully kitty comes back!

five years

Guys, today Mr. Britton and I are celebrating our 5 year anniversary!!!  I must say these past five years have flown right on by.  And I couldn't ask for a better husband.  He has been there for me in every way possible.  That man is my heart and soul.   We were so anxious to be husband and wife that we ran off and married in San Diego, CA (Jeb was stationed there at the time).  I do sometimes wish we had had a "real" wedding, and that our parents had been there, but we did what was right for us at the time.

And, here are more pictures of us.  Because I can.   :) And what are we doing to celebrate?  We are going to a Tides game with some friends.  Possibly eat out all weekend.  Nothing crazy, but we will have fun.

I'm a lucky girl.  :)

escape kitty

I caught Luci trying to escape a couple days ago.

Happy Birthday Lynx

Just like Luci, we don't exactly know Lynx's REAL birthday.  We kinda figured he was born in the beginning of May.   He really has been a joy this past year.  I never thought I would ever love a kitty like I love Luci.  Here are a couple pictures of when he was a kitten and what he looks like now.  :)

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="529" caption="from scraggly kitty to handsome cat!"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="598" caption="he is much bigger than Luci now!"][/caption]

Happy birthday, Big Boy.