This is SOOOO funny!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everybody! Today is the day to celebrate and be thankful for life, love and liberty. (No, this is not a political blog) I'm thankful that:

• I have 3 amazing kids
• I have a great husband
• I have a great job
• I have 3 great pets
• I am healthy

My Office Is Moving

So - tomorrow is the big moving day for AE...they have been in this suite on the Country Club Plaza (in MO) for 10 years now. I have been here for 6.5 years of that 10. We are moving to 107th and Mission (in KS) tomorrow. I'm really glad we are moving; and even happier that all of my "affairs" will be in KS. No more 1% of my income City of KC!!!

I get to be closer to work AND get a 1% raise...gotta love that.

The best part is...I get an OFFICE! Yes, an office with an actual door. I'm sooooo excited. My last job I had a nice, big office but made no money at all....so when I quit there and started working here, I made more money but immediately went to an out in the open desk. A few years later we had some fancy "cubes" built and I am in one of those. I have a real desk, a nice leather chair and 3 walls....but no door and no privacy. I am being given the smallest office in the suite....but that really doesn't bother me ... I'm grateful I even get one since I work PT. I have gotten all of my "decor" ready at home....a few paintings and some framed pictures. I've gotta get my new digs looking sharp!

So- as I sit in a sea of packed/1/2 packed and in progress boxes ....tape...labels...and "who get's what" conversations....I can take a moment to reflect on my time here at AE, and realize how lucky I am to be a part of such a great company. I've enjoyed working on the Plaza tremendously ...and it's helped me to get to know a part of town that I never knew before. I'll never ...never drive by One Ward Pkwy. again without thinking of all the good memories I have in this building.

Hurt

NIN

Saw NIN last night in Columbia, MO...it was AMAZING!!!!

If you can find a thing wrong with these photos never call me again...because clearly, you are not my friend. :)

(Sorry Johnny Depp, you've been knocked off a pedistal)

I like Pop music???

I went to see New Kids on the Block in concert Tuesday night...haha...laugh it up all you want...it was free and in a Suite- with food provided. I never turn down a free night of entertainment! Anyway, NKOTB was eh....not really all that interesting....bordering on pathetic really, but it was fun to see them I have to admit. BUT....I discovered that I like a "pop" artist. The opening act was a gal named "Lady GaGa" - (what a dumb name)...anyway, she considers herself "pop art" and to be honest, that's exactly how I would describe her show. It was very visual- and I discovered I kind of liked the music. Here is a the song I liked the best:


I also discovered I REALLY like Natasha Bedingfield. I have heard her before, but she is a FABULOUS singer live....even better than on CD- which is rare to find. Here she is:

Title?

I'm not sure how to title what's happened in the last week. I've been thinking about posting about this but it's a lot to go through...and quite frankly it's daunting to even think about how to post about this without going on and on about things that don't matter. Let me just begin...

Tuesday night my sister Penny and her boys were over....we were having an "election party" with our kids. Everything was going along well until....my dogs broke out in a fight in my kitchen. Jeff was not home so Penny and I had to break it up ourselves- that was NOT easy. Penny did a fantastic job of remaining calm and being extremely helpful. My older dog, Sumo was hurt. He had a puncture wound on his right paw. When Jeff got home he took him to the ER vet. Everything was fine...no stitch- $92 (not bad).

This is the 4th fight my dogs have gotten into. I was very startled about this.......I pretty much decided that Sophia had to go. I decided that before I made that final decision that I would consult with our vet first. The vet told me that this would probably happen again, but to call a dog behaviorist first before we made that decision.

Well I did jump the gun a bit and post an ad on craigslist. I cried and cried all night over this decision..... The next day Jeff and I decided to call a behaviorist. I called a man named Earl http://evnewland.com/

He came over on Sunday of this week and helped us with some dicipline and training issues. He was very complimentary on what we have been doing already- and suggested some things we can try. He did say that he tought that Sumo and Sophie did not need to be split up...that was a relief. They are now wearing Halti collar when in the house. This is a training tool that we will use inside of the house at all times- and on walks. Dogs cannot do anything without the use of their head to lead and this collar gives us the control of their head. Also- when the leash is pulled, it shuts the dogs mouth- so if there is a fight, we can more successfully end it. We have also bought an air horn to scare the shit out of them if the do fight.

Because Sophies dominant personality is the root of the problem, we've taken away all toys- picked up food and water and are minimizing things that could allow her to dominate Sumo. For instance, she is dominant in our bedroom. So- at night she now sleeps in a kennel in our room and Sumo sleeps outside of it.

Oh- one more thing....we found out that Sumo has a bad hip. New diet for him.

I remain cautiously optimistic about the situation. I have discovered just how much I love Sophie and am willing to work very hard to keep her and Sumo in a safe environment.

This experience has helped renew doggie dicipline in our house, which will help everyone.

I saw them!

Last night about 7pm I drove through DT Overland Park on my way home from taking Jewel to the Dr. (once again...4th trip in 5 weeks...another story).....and I saw them! We drove past the Culinary Center of KC and I saw a cooking class in session. The class was in session...the chefs had their coats and toques (chefs hat). It was a cool sight ...especially knowing that will be me someday.

Oh yeah by the way ...it's election day!

Today

I had a great day today. I took my daughter, Jewel to take her Senior pictures at various places in KC. We went to a few spots on Ward Pkwy., Loose Park and the Plaza. Not bad shots for a mom holding a digital camera eh?

Here are my favorite shots...of course once again...I'm a proud Mom!!