Indie has taken a shine to Bella's toys.

They have no idea how much their little doggie worlds are about to change...

A picnic photo shoot.

Tuesday of late week was our friend Carla's birthday. To celebrate, we went for a picnic this Sunday. SK made all the food. We asked Carla to take some pictures of SK and me for the care package (I am a big fan of outdoor photos). We are using the following 4 photos in our care package.









The last one is of my BIL Todd, and it's older (2003-NYC), but he wanted me to use this one. We cropped it out from this photo of Todd and me on top of the Empire State Building...my hair was whipping around making me look like a crazy woman.



See? I kid you not.


This last picture is a picture of Carla, with our dog Indie. Carla declined to have her picture taken with Darth Buca. Shocking.

The Dogs Days of August.

20 Months.

This is the 20th month anniversary of our log in date. Is it the final anniversary before referral? God, I hope so. Please, please, please.

Let's see: an update of SK's karate class. He hasn't gone yet. So I have nothing fun and embarrassing to report. I think he is going to start next Monday instead.
I am hoping to find someone that can sneak in with a video camera. In all seriousness, I am proud of SK for starting this. He says that he doesn't want to rival me in breast size, and I wholeheartedly support that goal. Let's face it, women: we don't want our men to weigh less than we do, be prettier than we are, or have bigger breasts than we do. I don't have the self-confidence for any of that.

We have started a dog training class on Tuesday evenings. Let's just say both our dogs need some work. Specifically, they need to learn to stop jumping up and going into a wild barking frenzy when people arrive at our home. So, we are starting with mini-schnauzer Buca, in a class taught by this woman. I have to admit I am kind of crushin' on her. She's very good at what she does, with a funny, strong personality. But I digress. So, Buca is in this class with maybe 5-6 other dogs. And he is the star of the class! The instructor actually said "Buca is a little more advanced than the rest of the dogs". I nearly passed out. Those of you that have actually interacted with Buca in real life know why. This is a dog that jumped on our dear friend Carla so much one day that he actually pulled her pants down. I wish I were making this up. Carla no longer wears drawstring pants to our home. Clearly, Buca must be crushin' on this instructor as well, as he refuses to reveal his evil true self.

I have been thinking about what you all have been saying regarding needing strength for the baby. I also know that I am about 20 pounds heavier than I should be and some days I feel like I look like a human bowling ball. Not a good feeling, although I am all for man-made bowling balls. I happen to own my very own purple one, with sparkles. But again, I digress.

I am determined to get in better shape. A healthy lifestyle is something I'd like to model for Isabella. I've always struggled with my weight, and it seems the only way I can stay at a size 6 is to A.) Run 4 miles a day and do Nautilus 4 times per week, or B.) Get a divorce.

Seriously, divorce is the best diet plan I've ever been on. If you are such despair that you never sleep, and go at 90 mph all day long to hold off your grief, then DAMN...those pounds really come off! However, Option B is out because I actually really enjoy being SK's wife. Option A is unrealistic for every day...I managed it when in graduate school, but that was to avoid writing my dissertation. Nonetheless, I am going to make a more serious effort. I am happy to report that yesterday SK did the grocery shopping so that I could go to the gym. I ran, I walked at a steep incline (practice for the Great Wall), and I did the full Nautilus circuit. Listen to me roar!

Finally, I want to thank you all for some great comments. I often try to respond personally, but some of you have profiles that do not link to either a blog or an email. The commenter I am most curious about is Galen. I have a friend whose middle name is Galen, so I thought that was him, but it turns out that this is not the case. Very, very funny comments. If you are so inclined, email me at crazyredheadedwoman@gmail.com.

Because I need a Buca pick-me-up.

A very happy birthday to a special girl.

My sweet Indie is 5 years old today! I've loved having her in my life, and being a part of hers.

Dog Parents.

Those who are still waiting for their first child feel compelled to take lots of pictures of their dogkids...
And I hope we always do, even after the arrival of Isabella.

The Westminster Results

Ok, so if you aren't into dogs, this post isn't for you. If you are, and you watched the Westminster Show, what did you think? We like comments, people.

We always start off the show rooting for the Bichon Frise and the Miniature Schnauzer to win their groups, the Non-Sporting and Terrier groups, respectively, but it was not to be. Buca did show a real interest in the dog show this year though, and actually seemed to be watching for a while before he became "Buca Ball", curled up, sleeping in Daddy's lap.

The seven Best of Group dogs were an Akita (Working Group), a Dandie Dinmont terrier (Terrier Group), a Standard Poodle (Non-Sporting Group), a Toy Poodle (Toy Group), a Petits Basset Griffons Vendeen (Hound Group), and English Springer Spaniel (Sporting Group), and a Bouviers des Flandres (Herding Group).

Now, Tim and I like most dogs. However, as the Best in Show competition started warming up, the phrase "F***ing Poodles" kept coming out of the SchnauzerKing's mouth. In fact, he started to fantasize about the Akita winning Best in Show and then attacking and eating the standard and toy poodles in celebration. It's not so much that we hate poodles, as we hate how they are made to look for these shows.

Exhibit A...The Standard Poodle for Best in Group


Need I say more? That doesn't even look like a dog.

I was rooting for three dogs, and I really couldn't decide on my favorite for Best in Show. One of the dogs, the Bouviers des Flandres, was named INDIE. How amazing is that? I've never met another dog that shared my sweet girl's name. Here is the Bouviers des Flandres:



Kinda looks like a terrier, which in my book is a good thing. However, I have always loved the Dandie Dinmont breed, something Tim has teased me about for years. This year, a Dandie Dinmont made it to the best in show competition. Here's Harry:



How can you not love that cutie?

At the same time, another one of my favorite breeds is the PBGV, which SchnauzerKing refers to as the "HeeBeeGeeBee". Here's the PBGV:


This dog had a lot of style. She was workin' it.

I really thought the PBGV would win. But it was not to be. The judge chose the English Springer Spaniel, James.


Certainly a nice looking dog, but no Indie namesake, Dandie Dinmont, or PBGV.

And thus ends another year of Westminster. I can't wait to indoctrinate Isabella into the madness.

Going to the dogs.

It's that time again...time for the Westminster Kennel Club Show. C'mon. You know you want to watch.

When you love a mini-schnauzer...

For now, a different kind of car seat...

Tim to Buca: I wish I knew how to quit you.

Meet the Family-Meet the Dogs

Tim with Buca and Indie
This is Tim with our two dogs, Buca (a mini-schnauzer) and Indie (a Bichon Frise).
Buca is a lot bigger now ... he weighs about 22 lbs and is 9 months old.
Indie weights about 10lbs and is 3 years old.