Happy Halloween!

My husband bought "crappy" Halloween candy so we wouldn't eat it. He bought something called, “Swedish Fish.” They are pretty bad. Unfortunately, being “pretty bad,” won’t deter me from eating the bag. They are tasteless gummy fish. I told him he should’ve bought a flat of eggs and set in the driveway.

What's Bugging My Marriage?

We have ants. I got home today a little before my husband and saw them in the kitchen sink. I knew I was in the race of my life to get them cleaned up. I tried to spray them with Windex and clear away the evidence before “HE,” got home. Frankly, I am more grossed out by ant spray than ants. (They don’t scare me. I saw the movie.) I sprayed and cleaned and wiped everything down. I thought I was out of the woods and then I heard him walk in. A minute later I heard, “OH MY GOD! THERE ARE ANTS IN THE KITCHEN!!!!” It was the same tone I would’ve expected to hear, “OH MY GOD! THERE ARE BADGERS IN THE KITCHEN!!!!”
Crap. I knew I wouldn’t get away with it. A minute later I heard the ant spray covering every inch of the countertops, sinks, or anything else that comes in contact with our food.

I am in a mixed marriage. Or should I say a “mixed up,” marriage. Not that I am a delight to be married to -- but I am the optimist in the family. My husband is the eternal pessimist. Not only does he think the glass is half empty – he thinks there is lipstick on the rim and a bug in the bottom. The things that make him interesting also make him exhausting. This is a typical exchange: We were driving down the Del Dios Highway. I told him a story about 30 years ago when the dam was overflowing and how there was a crowd of people watching the dam overflow. A man pulled up and got out of his car and forgot to put it into gear and the car went over the cliff into the canyon below. My husband’s first question: “What kind of car was it?” Huh? This is the type of thing that makes me insane – but never bored.

Ain't Love Grand?

I was sitting in the Jacuzzi this evening with my husband. It was so nice and relaxing and we were watching the sunset. I turned to him and said, "Do you mind that I am away from home so much?"
He looked at me with love in his eyes and said, "Hell, no. I just told Dave to buy his wife a trailer. I told him it's at least 6 weeks of quiet every year."

I am in Kernville, CA with The Sisters On The Fly. This place is gorgeous. I didn’t realize Kernville is a cute little town --- kind of like Julian. Joyce, Debbie and Margo are the sisters who organized this event and they did a fantastic job. The food is wonderful and I have laughed so much.

I have really been roughing it --- yesterday, we watched Dr. Phil and Oprah on a big screen in my campsite. There are some photos to the right of this post.

I wanna hang out with Debra Jackson

I LOVE A Happy Ending!!!!!

A friend of mine owns a kennel in Vista. A dog named Shelby, a yellow lab/golden retriever mix, was dropped off in June, 2008 and the jerk owner never picked him up. He owed thousands of dollars in back fees. The kennel owner would’ve gladly waived the fees. He contacted him and I even went to the guy's door looking for him. It was a tiny one bedroom UPSTAIRS apartment. He promised to pick Shelby up and pay the bill but never showed up. Shelby was a really nice dog, but kept to himself because of his situation. He lived at that kennel for almost a year. He was fed, but a kennel is definitely not a home!! We tried to find a home for Shelby. He wasn’t very “adoptable,” because of his age (8-10 yrs). He was also out of shape from being in a cage for a year. My cousin Bill decided to adopt Shelby. After a week or so, Bill decided Shelby was just too big a dog for him. I was disappointed --- but I understood. Bill was kind enough to give Shelby a home until the right people came along. We put an ad on Craigslist and well, keep the faith, the right people came along!!!!!!!! (Nice people actually do read Craigslist!!!!) A wonderful couple named Bill and Mary ended up adopting Shelby. They have kept me updated and just sent this picture today. Shelby looks so different! He looks so happy. I am so happy for Shelby!! Thanks Bill and Mary!!!!!!!!

Here is Mary's email: " Anita: Here's a picture of Shelby on the trail to Crystal Lake from our trip to Mammoth. We all had lots of fun and did lots of day hikes. The weather was spectacular. Shelby seemed to enjoy all the smells and sights of Mammoth. We stayed in a cabin (Mamie) at the Crystal Crag Lodge on Lake Mary which has a really great view of the lake from our cabin deck. We thought you would enjoy seeing how great he looks!! Mary"

I Think She Nailed It

This year on my birthday, I was feeling a little “down.” Hitting 53 wasn’t the thrill I had hoped for. I decided to treat myself and get my nails done. I went to one of those little places in a strip mall near my house. It was nice little place with several manicurists and "spas" for the pedicures. I was assigned to, “Kim,” an attractive Asian woman. We chit chatted a bit as she soaked my hands and filed my nails and massaged my arms. As I started to relax and forget the fact I was turning 53, she stopped, looked at me carefully and said, “You want me to wax yo’ face, Honey?”

Well.....here it goes

OK……I am taking the leap and sending this out to my friends. I am still not sure what the point of this whole blog thing is, but if nothing else, I will get the pictures on my laptop all in one place! I have resisted Facebook for so long. (OK, so I am just too dense to figure it out). I still don’t know what Twitter is, but I think it’s something where you record every single thing you do? Sounds too much like Weight Watchers.

Steve Gunton. Man of mystery.

My son, Joe, eating Uncle Dwain's homegrown watermelon.

MY BOYS

Nelson

Howard

Arthur

Pet Sitting Can Be The Pits

I do a lot overnight pet sitting. Last night, I had an avocado with dinner. I set the avocado pit on the counter. This morning, I woke up, started coffee and noticed one of the dachshunds had the avocado pit in her mouth. She was chomping and crunching on it. I tried to get her to give it to me. She thought it was a game and ran around the house with it in her mouth. I kept telling her to give it to me and then pried her mouth open and pulled it out. I thought it seemed a bit "mushy," but figured she had just been chewing on it for awhile. Imagine my dismay (and horror!) when I realized it was a rat's HEAD! I am still grossed out!!