Have you ever tried to adopt a pet? Geez. A very extensive application and a home visit… and finally we were approved. (But they’ll let anyone have a kid!)

Perry will be 4 in April, they say… he seems to really like us so far… he’s adopted the Steelers Blanket as his own when he lays on the couch… he enjoys sleeping on the bed… he doesn’t mind riding in the car – and seems to like being at work all day with us!
Having a young dog is so different for us – Perry is full-of-life… he practically walks us… plays with toys and (sort-of) fetches a tennis ball… he loves laps and just about everyone he’s met so far.
His only downfall – he is afraid of cameras… or anything that looks like a camera – he is definitely not photogenic, in fact, he turns his head or hides when we try to take his picture. So that’s a future goal for us…

I’ve been putting this post off, because I really don’t know what to say… and sometimes still fight tears when I think of Vincent.
SB and I lost Vincent on January 15. He was 16-and-a-half years old.

We know he is so much better off now, but it’s still so strange to come home and not see him on the couch- or have him beg for food, or want to go outside. Pets can never be truly replaced, and we are thankful to have memories of Vincent that will last forever.

While I was looking for the perfect thing to say… I came across this wonderful website http://www.recover-from-grief.com/loss-of-a-pet-poem.html - it says everything I could ever want to say. But don’t read it unless you have tissues nearby – and don’t read it at work. Geez.
I leave you with….

RAINBOW BRIDGE
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies who has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

Author unknown…

In the next 12 months, do you plan to
1. Buy a car
2. Travel for leisure
3. Go to a sporting event
4. Refinance a mortgage
5. Buy a tractor

Wow. I wonder how many respondents plan to buy a tractor. That’s one choice I have never seen in any survey.
I just found it humorous – hope you did, too.
Happy Friday!

2011 was a pretty good year… some good times, and of course, some bad times… (here, though… the bad times aren’t worth mentioning anymore)
We had more crazy weather in January, at one point, we measured just over 5″ of snow here in Georgia. As in the past, we ‘hiked’ up and down our hill… and luckily, had several good friends that were willing to brave the snow and ice to give us rides to the bar store.
We were lucky enough to be able to accomplish several home improvements this year… from painting, to some new light fixtures, and even a completely rebuilt chimney! Wow. There’s so much more we want to do… hopefully 2012 will give us even more opportunities to do so.

In March, SB and I celebrated our 5th anniversary – we were among our favorite friends, and Steven even bought an awesome chocolate cake to celebrate. Also, in March, we bought a new car… we were looking for something more gas-efficient with less repairs.
In May, we traveled to New York City for Memorial Day weekend. Neither of us had been to NYC in many years, and were excited to go together! We saw so many things- Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Ground Zero, Brooklyn, Coney Island, Little Italy… I saw my first Broadway Play, “Born Yesterday” … and even had the chance to take a private tour of FoxNews Channel. Our guide, weekend host Clayton Morris, was wonderful – we saw so many things that most people never get to see… and even got to sit on the Fox and Friends “curvy couch.”
In June, my parents and sister came to visit… as always, it was a nice time. SB grilled out for them one night, and the next we enjoyed dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant, Alfredo’s.
Also in June, we finally broke down and entered the world of the SmartPhone. I resisted for so long… and when my old phone began to die… I decided to jump in. Quickly I got addicted to Angry Birds -which sometimes is a relief for SB, because it keeps me quiet for a while!

The last week in August, SB and I embarked on another cruise… this time, we flew to Miami… and traveled on the Majesty of the Seas to Nassau, CocoCay and Key West. I hadn’t been to Key West in 16 years, so it was nice to visit again.
In September, Steven’s grandmother turned 90, and we had a 90-person party for her! How amazing – she is truly a special woman.
In October, my parents and sister visited again for my Dad’s birthday. Dad, never willing to stop working, helped us install a new garage door opener and a new ceiling fan…
On that same weekend, we were excited to show them our pond waterfall, and let them see how our fish had thrived and grown. Alas, upon returning home from work – Steven found our largest fish, Copernicus, floating. And the goldfish and another koi were ‘missing.’ Only one live fish remained that afternoon… we are certain a circling heron enjoyed them for a mid-afternoon snack. By Saturday, the lone koi had also disappeared. We miss them, but have decided that we will not replenish the pond until Spring.

In November, we celebrated Thanksgiving with Steven’s family – we had a large crowd, since many cousins came in to visit from out of town – we also had two babies with us that weren’t there last year. I think the final count was 26 people.
In December, I began some de-cluttering of the house… and managed to sell a good bit of my clutter on eBay! Our holidays were very low-key… we spent time with some family, and of course, all of our friends. I also enjoyed some well-deserved time off work- mental health days, you could say.

Today is New Year’s Eve – the weather is amazing… I could definitely get used to these 60+ degree days!
This evening we will enjoy dinner out with some friends… and eventually retire to our place for drinks… we’re looking forward to being with our friends – and welcoming 2012 all together!
To all of our family and friends… we wish you all the best for the new year! Bring it on!

The reasons our computers at work are slow-
You might have a virus!
Did you do a disk cleanup?
There are too many icons on your desktop!
Did you clear your cookies?
Have you defragmented lately?

The real reason-
Most computers here at work are 512 MB Ram, with a 256 MB here and there…
running on a 512 mB server.
Hmmmm. You think?!

On a semi-unrelated note… but kind of…
A few months ago, at work… our boss offered to buy the staff some snacks. He said that way, we’d always have a little something to eat in the afternoons… and it would give us more energy to continue working.
(Side note –> I do have to throw in, that a few years ago… we all agreed to take a small percentage pay cut in order to help out the company – and contribute to paying for supplies, utilities, etc… whatever… we, of course, didn’t really willing agree – but I suppose there’s really nothing we can do about it.)
Okay – the office kitchen is always stocked with Cokes, Bottled Water and Coffee for our employees. And then the snacks… at first, it was some individual bags of crackers or cookies… maybe some popcorn… just nice little pick-me-up snacks.
Lately, it’s becoming somewhat ridiculous, in my opinion – as we now have popcorn, cookies, chips, dip, cracker jacks, fruit snacks, donuts, grits, oatmeal, candy bars, crackers, peanuts, cashews… the list goes on….
I understand that us employees, in a roundabout way, are paying for these snacks – but when does it end? And of course, there are some employees who have maybe one snack a day – maybe one snack every other day… but there are other employees who have a snack every hour – just because it’s there.
They are turning into little piglets, who have to eat all the time. (And of course, some little piglets eat all the “good” snacks first… and the crumbs, or “unpopular” snacks are left for weeks.) I am truly surprised that they boss hasn’t put a stop to this – or at least put a limit on the amount of purchases every week.

I know I’m (mostly) wrong on my opinion… but I feel like taking advantage of someone is not cool. We are here to work – make a living – not to eat.
(By the way – the boss doesn’t personally make these snack purchases – they are made by a trusted source with the company credit card.)
File this under: I’m Just Saying

BUT.
I want to tell you a story.
SB and I have a good friend who lost his mother to breast cancer several years ago. He was only 15 or 16 years old at the time… we didn’t know her very well, but our hearts went out to him - no one should have to lose a parent that young.
Our friend has grown up to be a great person – he works hard and gives his all to everything he does. He’ll be 26 next month (which makes me feel really old, because I’ve known him since he was 14). We still keep in touch, and when he can, he comes to visit us.
For the past several years, our friend has participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, in honor of his mom. SB and I are proud of him, and try to give what we can to help him.

Oh. Here’s where I’m going to get mean.
Yesterday, our friend posted his donation link on his Facebook page.
He writes, “For those of you who know me and knew my mom, you know this hits home and means a lot to me. I would appreciate your help in raising money toward my goal. Thank you!”

When SB and I saw the post, we noticed 4 people ‘like’ it.
We clicked the link so we could make a donation… and noticed our friend has a goal of $500. At that moment, he had raised $25. – which he donated himself.
Really?!
Let me tell you something – ‘liking’ his post doesn’t help this organization. If the 4 people who ‘like’ that post would give just $5… our friend would have $20 toward his goal. FIVE bucks. One Starbucks coffee. One pack of cigarettes. One lunch at McDonald’s.
Never think that your donation is too small to help!
Please remember what I’ve said next time you think about clicking the ‘like’ button.

(If you’d like to give a small donation to our friend, please leave a comment and I’ll be happy to pass on his link.)

You know when your parents or teacher told you that There are no stupid questions?
They lied.
When you’re a customer emailing me an order… it would be a great idea to have your company name in your signature line. Especially if you’re a new contact, and have never emailed me before. Yep, that would be helpful.
And, most (if not all) states have 10 digit phone numbers now – use all 10 digits please! If your state still only uses 7 digits, wow. For future reference, though – either way… use all 10. It’s also helpful in figuring out who you are… just in case you forget to include your company name in your email.
Morons.

I hate that couponing has gotten so popular.
About 6 years ago, when SB and I lived in Tennessee… we received the paper every Sunday, and always clipped out coupons for things we would use. Our friends pretty much laughed at us… because we were so young, and so interested in saving any money we could.
And now, we still clip coupons sometimes… but now it’s so freaking popular. It’s annoying. But I do love that we were ‘cool’ before cool was cool.

I hate the word ‘bestie.’ You sound like an idiot.
Seriously, it’s worse than B-F-F … which oddly has made a comeback recently. Whatever just happened to calling someone your best friend?
It ranks up there with referring to your husband as “your boo.” Really?!

I hate that running marathons is trendy – or something.
You’ll see me running when someone is chasing me. With a knife.
I hate those stupid stickers on the back of cars – 13.1 and 26.2 - who cares? Oooh and a 5K – why are we using kilometers? Why not miles – this is America, after all?

Okay. I promise I’ll be nicer next time… I do have some nicer ideas in my head, which I hope to have up soon… but for now, it’s just quicker (and easier) to write hates.

Last week, I had an excellent shopping experience. Most of you know I hate to shop. Moreso, I hate the people that shop – they stress me out because most of them are idiots.
Anyway,  I need a dress for our upcoming vacation… so I visited Macys.com – I bought 3 different dresses… had them shipped to me… tried them on at home, in my own mirror, in my own lighting… with only my husband to give me advice.
It was so relaxing to make the decision without hearing idle chatter or screaming children from the fitting rooms in a store.
I’ve picked my dress… and the remaining ones have been boxed up and will be shipped back out for return. No stress - just a dress!

Friday evening, we had some friends over to watch the first preseason game for the Atlanta Falcons. It was a quiet evening… BYOB… and everyone brought a snack to share…
My snacks included my ‘famous’ taco dip and a vegetable tray, consisting of carrots, celery and broccoli. By the end of the evening, it was pretty obvious that no one likes broccoli as much as I do! Wow. Next time, I guess I’ll just pass on the broccoli and buy more carrots.

Did you know that suntan lotion / sunscreen expires? My sister-in-law and I were discussing this a few weeks back… and neither of us really had a definite answer. So, yesterday, while SB and I were out… we went ahead and bought a new bottle, which I noticed carried an expiration date of 6/13. So – we’re good to go. And, upon returning home, realized that our supply of sunscreen was, in fact, expired. Just goes to show you learn something new every day.

I leave you today with my favorite quote.
To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.