Announcement

Robby and I have a very exciting announcement to make. We've been trying to decide when would be a good time...I suppose now is as good as any.

No, I'm not pregnant.

But, we will be adopting instead. We will likely begin the process in 3-6 months after we make some adjustments around the house: downsizing on pets (...anyone want a cat?!), finish painting our bedroom, move a little furniture around, etc.

You can follow the process on the blog I set up specifically for our little journey. http://babyjakola.blogspot.com/ I'll try to make a little note on here each time it's updated, though.

In the mean time -- if anyone does come in contact with someone (at church, friends, etc) who is considering placing their infant for adoption...let us know. We will be adopting domestic (US born) - but have not settled on an agency, yet. Sometimes people end up signing with an agency and then come in contact with a birthmother through a relative or friend that ends up working out better.

The Walk, Sawyer Brown

Cause I took this walk you're walking now
Boy, I've been in your shoes
You can't hold back the hands of time
It's just something you've got to do
So dry your eyes I understand just what you're going through
Cause I took this same walk with my old man
Boy, I've been in your shoes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i3pqJ2jqLo

TSO, Snow, and more

TSO was totally amazing. Front row seats were AWESOME!!! Robby didn't like it because the lights were right in his eyes at times, but that didn't bother me! Al Pitrelli was right in front of us for most of the concert (yay!) It was so awesome, you get a lot more personal view of the concert from front row. At the beginning, Al looked down towards the first/second row and was warming his hands because "it's freezing!!" Angus was being his usual self and yelled "What's up?!" during a few of his center-stage moments. Just a totally awesome experience.
Work was really busy last week, trying to get ready for the 13th Month which started today (and I realized I forgot to pass on the information for lunch today...haha, oops! One of the sales managers called and asked me what was planned a little bit ago.)

The snow we have gotten is amazing. I really didn't expect anything like this, and compared to last year's Christmas Day record high of 76...! Yep, it's Oklahoma for sure. Most of the dogs are enjoying the weather, especially Cloud. Skye plays in it if she doesn't see you watching her. Lexi is just concerned where he ball is. There's been a few times it's gotten kicked into a drift and she's had to go digging for it. Holly isn't sure what to think, and has taken a couple nose-dives into the drifts!
Robby and I went out to rescue my aunt and finish getting her home Christmas Eve because of the weather. That was about a 2-hour trip to go a total of about 20 miles, there and back. When we pulled in the neighborhood there was an SUV stuck in the drifts, so Robby dropped me off and went back to help pull her out.
We spent yesterday shoveling a lot of the driveway, playing with the dogs, and watching movies. We both fell asleep on the couch while watching Hamlet...except I ended up watching the first half while Robby slept, and then I dozed off right as he was waking up and he watched the last half! Go figure.
The dogs enjoyed their Christmas gifts. Each one got a puppy-safe rawhide chewie, the big dogs each got a stuffed toy, and Holly got a rope toy with a teether bone on it. The cats each got a Christmas catnip toy. I don't think they've paid much attention to it, yet. Having fun playing with their other Christmas toys I scattered out a few weeks ago.
I had made plans to pick mom up and take her shopping with me today, but that got scrubbed because of the weather. I think Robby and I are going to Wal-Mart and PetSmart to do some shopping tonight, though. I need to get some stuff for the rabbit. I believe we're still going to go look at them tomorrow. We're getting a baby holland lop -- there are about three to choose from and the pictures are just adorable. Can't wait to see which one we end up with. The cage was supposed to be delivered on Thursday, but because of the weather, that was delayed to Monday. I'll just set up a temp cage in one of the extra dog crates for the night. Pumpkin has been laying on my lap while I've been typing this whole thing, just purring away. There's someone who wants Lizzie, so we're probably meeting them tomorrow. The cats don't like each other and we couldn't decide which one to part with, so I put them both up and decided we would keep whoever was left. Ends up that will probably be Pumpkin, which I'm happy with. She's such a good kitten and Holly just loves playing with her, still.

One month later...!

Ok - so it'd been busy!! I didn't realize I hadn't posted in over a month. Dogs are doing well -- Lexi and Cloud (especially) have taken to guarding Skye, now. We caught Cloud watching over Skye a few weeks ago -- too funny.
Holly is awesome. We've started her in puppy class with Lynne - she's doing well. Finally walking like a little trooper on the leash. But, she is still learning not to be a little pirannah puppy. Whenever I'm off and running errands, she gets to go with me. Typically that involves a trip to PetSmart and if we find something on sale, then miss priss gets a goody. Today we bought two stuffies and a bag of puppy-safe chewies. They had their Christmas stuff 50% off. Still trying to figure out an ILP name for her...we certainly have time, but I like planning early. Likely going with a TSO themed name.

Work is going well -- love my new boss. The store has definitely taken a positive turn since he's been here. We had our Holiday Party last Sunday and it was amazing. The committee really pulled together to have a great pary, we had pretty high attendance, and enough food (which I was really worried about!) I also won Store Champion at our last quarterly communications meeting. Really cool surprise and definitely a confidence booster in my position. I had kept hearing from various people that I was doing a good job, but now I know for sure I have been, lol. Speaking of work, I bought a new car there yesterday. Robby is taking my truck and we're selling his old Monte Carlo that we got as just a temporary car this summer. My new car is an 05 Mustang GT -- it's a blast to drive! And yea, it's red. I keep getting reminded of that! I couldn't resist the deal, though. Super associate discount, great options, crazy low miles for the model year, awesome sound system, sweeeeet sounding exhaust system, yep...it's FUN! I heard from at least three other associates that they were thinking of buying it themselves...but I beat them to it!
TSO concert is Sunday! I am super-excited, but certainly better watch my scream level this year! In anticipation of the event, I lost my voice Wednesday, haha. Still don't have it back, so I'm headed to the doctor in a bit to get some meds.

Welcome Miss Holly!

Robby and I added to our fur-family yesterday. We brought home a cute little pembroke welsh corgi. So far she's doing really well...the dogs don't mind her and Pumpkin thinks she's fun to pick on...but Holly got her back this evening. Now for the pics...!

And another week is over

Pretty crazy week.

We had a temporary LGM (location general manager) in this week. We're being told we'll have a new permanent one hired by the end of the month. Let's hope so! However, I did like his temporary LGM. He taught me a lot about my position in only a few days! Just hope that the next one is just as good.

"Pumpkin" - the stray kitten - is doing good. She's starting to warm up to us. She'll still hiss when we walk into the room, especially if we startle her, but we can walk right up and pick her up and she starting purring up a storm. She was even perched on my shoulder for about 20 minutes this week while I was on the computer. Toooooo cute! Lizzie can't decide if she wants to like her or not, yet. Skye just wants to give her kisses...and the other dogs haven't met her, yet. I want her to get bigger first. I did find out while petting her one day that she's had her tail broken. Poor thing. Doesn't bother her any and seems like it's fused back with a little crook in it.

Made my way down to Norman to start volunteering at Second Chance. I'm really excited about it and loved my first day down there. I only stayed for a few hours because I was getting really hungry. I had always thought about volunteering at a shelter/rescue - but Carmax jump-started it for me. I found out that our Foundation will donate $10 for every hour I volunteer as long as the organization is a 501(c)3. I'm trying to get Robby to go with me - but he says he can't take them all home, so he doesn't want to go. lol -- I'll get him down there eventually. Today I cleaned up some kitty areas, walked three dogs (an 8 month old GSD/Lab mix, a pointer, and a standard poodle,) then trimmed nails on about seven cats. Folded some laundry too. I got the hours that I can volunteer -- so I'll be able to start going down quite a bit on the weekends or during the week if I'm off one day.

Saaaaaturday!

Went to Hillcrest this morning and did statements. I picked up a cat carrier while I was there because mine is at mom & dad's house for some reason.

Left Hillcrest and went to Petsmart to get a couple cans of smelly cat food and a dual food/water dish, then headed up to Robby's work.

The past few days they've had a kitten running around the front lot area. Now, a refresher for those who aren't familiar. Robby works downtown. Across from the Ford Center...at the corner of Robinson & Reno. Can we say...BUSY BUSY area?! Not to mention there have been several events going on this week and going on into next week. Our biggest concern was the kitten going into traffic and getting run over. Goal number one was to not let that happen.

Robby had mentioned that kitten looked to be around 2 months old. When I pulled up and started getting the food ready, I heard it meowing. So I wandered around until I found it sitting on the curb a few cars down from me. As soon as it saw me, it darted away. But, I saw it long enough to see that it was younger than 2 months.

Larry, one of the salesmen up there (who also has an awesome book coming out next month...can't wait to read it) grabbed all of the keys for the cars the cat has typically been under and helped me open the hoods on all of them and look underneath. We were honking horns, shaking the cars, etc to see if it ran underneath them.

No luck there -- so I sat the food out where I had initially seen the cat, put the crate in another spot, and then went and hid out in the showroom for awhile -- sitting in a spot where I could see the places the kitty had typically been going. Fast forward a couple hours...people were starting to leave the event at the Ford Center so I decided to go out and sit on the curb. I had a feeling the cat wasn't up at the new cars, but rather out by some customer cars around where I had the food. So I sat down on a curb just across the parking lot and waited.

Forty-five minutes later I hear it meowing so I start walking around trying to figure out where it's coming from. I ran into Larry, who was coming back from lunch, and talked to him about his book. I happened to glance just over the banner promoting it and saw the kitten eating out of the bowl. Larry stayed behind the banner and I walked around to the other side.

It took about 15 minutes of each of us inching up slowly, stopping and letting the kitten come out and eat some more, then getting closer. I was finally able to grab it and after a little bit of a wrestle, I had it secure in my hands. Popped the little one in the crate and off we went.

It is in the front bedroom right now hiding behind the big stuffed bears -- but there's a litter box, plenty of fresh food and clean water, and some warm, soft bedding for it. I've been sneaking in there every now and then to check on it.

That's all for now -- I'll try to put a couple pics of it up later once it doesn't immediately run off when it sees me.