Pappy!

The birthday boy!



Monday was my grandfather's 89th birthday!  What an amazing age - to live 89 years and have the stories to tell!  Can you imagine??

Anyway - we went over for an impromptu dinner to celebrate with my sister, Anna, her two kids my grandfather and our family friend Marion.

 

Me and my
Pappy


In other news... I've been pretty busy this week.  I've missed a few workouts but I'm ok with that.... I need to jump back on the bandwagon but right now I feel good about where I'm at and what I'm doing.  I need to get through a test next week and then I will feel much better. 

Pappy and 2 of his 6 great grand kids


 I mentioned on twitter that I'm going vegetarian starting Monday June 13, for one week - I've tried this is something that I've wanted to do and it's on my 30 before 30 list.  I need to put together recipes for 7 days of a meat free diet... I plan on blogging along the way as well.  Any ideas or recipes you want to share you can email me at allie0662 {at} yahoo {dot} com.

Thank you for the sweet notes on Monday's post... June 4 is never an easy day and I'm thankful I have a forum that I can openly express my feelings... you guys are truly TRULY the best.

Don't forget tomorrow JUNE 10 is MRS. ADVENTURE'S DAY OF GIVEAWAYS.... Go visit her for a new giveaway at different intervals throughout the day. 

AND - I lost a follower....booooooo. 

  

 

How to deal...

I'm having a very "out of body", weird feeling.  I've never experienced it before. 

In short - my grandmother is dying.  As in, will probably pass today.

I have really never had a "real" relationship with her.  She is my father's mother, and if you know me, you know that the relationship I have with my fathers side of the family is strained (or non-existent) to say the least.  I have never been close with them.  The last time I actually remember seeing my grandmother was my high school graduation party.  That was 12 years ago.

This is very different from when my maternal grandmother passed.  I was a basket case.

I'm not sure how to feel.

My aunt called me last night to tell me that they were making her as comfortable as possible and if I wanted to come see her I better come quick.   I didn't know how to react.  Of course, I'm sad, it's death.  But I've never had "these" feelings before.

It's strange.

I felt like if I didn't go I would feel guilty, but I didn't want to go only to make sure I wasn't going to feel guilty.  I didn't want to be uncomfortable.  I'm still working on the relationship with my Aunt that called me in the first place; and my other aunt and uncle I haven't spoken to since my dad passed away in 2006.  Overall, it was going to be an awkward, strange experience.  Plus, what would I say to my grandmother, my aunts, my uncle?  It was all too strange and a situation that I wanted to avoid.  I stayed home.

My sister, Paige, called me this morning and told me that more than likely it is going to be today.  Her oxygen levels have depleted and are very low.  She continues to respond only via eye blinks. 

I have dealt with death often.  From my maternal grandmother, my father, Bill's mom and Jess it seems like I should be good at grief; but this time it is different.

I know there is no "right" or "wrong" way to feel.... they are YOU'RE feelings and no one can you tell that they are right or wrong; but what if you don't know HOW you feel?

Disconnected...and tribute tuesday

I have been very very disconnected in blog land lately (as in the last month) and it's bled over into twitter, fb and all other forms of social media I once perused with diligence and excitement...but lately getting on a computer to type, or read, or interact has been more of "a thing on my to do list" rather than something I've wanted to do or even had the energy to do.

I tweeted a while ago that I lost my groove..... I was speaking to my "wanna be triathlon" groove - but my "groove" has now taken on the definition of anything outside of work. 

I've been exceptionally busy at work; which is a GREAT thing - more responsibility = more pay but that also means earlier/later hours - more events - less time to train - less time for laundry - less time for general housekeeping -less Bill time - and less time all together.... this typically means blogging, FB, and Twitter gets pushed to the back burner; which makes me sad b/c I loose track with all my virtual friends.

I feel like a BAD BAD blogger but my blogging funk has got to pass - right?

Until then - I may be a little sparse...... hold tight - this to shall pass.........

Tribute Tuesday Week 8 - (I kinda stole this one from my 30 day challenge too - but updated it a little)
(not sure what TT is... click HERE...)
My sisters.....

I am the baby of three girls.  (all of us are blonde) :)  Paige, Anna and Allison....
Paige:
We all share the same dad but Paige has a different mom.  We are technically half sisters - but our relationship is anything but half..... Anna and I grew up with Paige at family events etc but she was raised by her maternal grandparents .  They adopted her when my Dad and her mom divorced. 

As we got older the separation grew and eventually the relationship was non-existent.  I remember the first time I saw her after being an adult, at our Aunt's wedding a few years before our dad died.  It was awkward but I longed to get to know her.  The last time I remember seeing her before that was at her wedding when I was in the 8th grade.  She is 10 years older than me.

Of course when our dad died we were thrown together like strangers in a locked room.  What do you talk about...what do you say?  We had two totally different (yet totally similar) relationships with our deceased father...talk about a loss for words. and I rarely have those....like EVER!

I remember walking up to the front door holding hands with Bill to our "family" meeting regarding services for my dad and I looked at Bill and said "Oh by the way I have another sister" - we had been dating 12 months and I never told him about my sister!  He was so freaked out.... Is there a need that early in a relationship to air all of your families laundry?  We laugh about it now and more times than not when going to any family function, even 6 years later, he asks "So, are there any other sisters I don't know about" - at least we keep it humours.

From that moment my relationship with Paige has never been the same.  We are so close.  I was in the delivery room with her and my brother in love when my precious baby girl Shelby was born.  A little over a year prior we hadn't spoken and now I was helping her deliver a baby!!!! It was THE most surreal moment of my life.  Paige and I have become more than sisters...we are friends and I'm super proud to call her both.  I love her and her family so much and am thankful everyday that with such a hard situation of loosing a parent brought me a sister.  She is my silver lining.......
Anna:
Anna and I are more "typical" - we are separated by 3 years and 10 months.  We had the typical sibling rivalry growing up. She hated me for a period of about 6 years when I wanted to do everything she did.  I was always a round bugging her and annoying her and she hated loved every minute of it.  She is outspoken, opinionated and fiercely loyal.  She is 6'0 - strong and every ounce of dedicated.  When she puts her mind to it she can WILL accomplish ANYTHING!  She has two great kids, Kaylee and Cooper that I am so proud of. 

When we were kids she was so mischievous.... I on the other hand was by the book (more times than not).  She was 16 (maybe 17) and had her own phone line...that puts me around 12/13....

I had an old school radio (that played REAL actual vinyl records) - it was plugged into the same wall that her phone line was on.  If you tuned the radio to the right station you could tune in her conversation...I'm totally serious - not exaggerating AT ALL.  I would listen - get some good juicy gossip and then use it against her when she would try and call me out on something I had done wrong.  It took her FOREVER to figure out what was going on - It was golden for me :) Until my parents found out - then I got in trouble.

Anna loved to see me get in trouble... I think it was satisfaction for her in some form.... She is my biggest cheerleader and the best advice giver.  You can ask her anything and she will have good advice for you.

My sisters are my best friends... each of them are independent, loving, and special to me in their own ways.  Without either of them I would be lost on a daily basis (and not be an aunt -which would s.u.c.k.).  I love them more than chocolate cake - and that's a whole freakin' lot.

To my sisters - I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW!

Tribute Tuesday - Mother's Day edition

Tribute Tuesday – Week 7 – Sorry I missed last week; things just got away from me…..Not sure what we are doing? Click HERE

In honor of Mother’s Day I thought I would tribute my Mom (my mommy, mother, patti, meme, and so much more!)

I wrote this below – a while ago during my 30 day challenge about my parents and thought it was perfect to repost today with pics!

My Mom:

The youngest of two children, the only girl.  She grew up riding horses and was more than once the rodeo queen.  She raced barrels competitively and loved being around her horses.  She was a cheerleader as well and was every young man's dream.

She went to college for a short time and decided it wasn't for her.  She ended up graduating from secretarial school at the advice of my grandfather who said "you don't have to go to college, but you have to do something".  She was employed shortly after graduation at Southwest Airlines where she continues to work today.

My mom is the prime example of hard work, dedication, unconditional love and acceptance.  She had a strong disciplinarian hand but a soft heart.  There was always more love than you could imagine, even when she was exceptionally pissed off.  She can put anyone in their place...from jackasses to CEO's and attorneys.  She is completely fearless, a pillar of strength, and every ounce of what I hope to be as a mother.

She is timeless, the perfect MeMe(grandmother), the perfect and BEST mom I could ever ask for.  She gave me my determination, drive, and every strand of my blonde hair.  She can't deny me - we look way too similar.  She is my mother, my best friend, and mentor.  I am lucky to call her MOM and I hope she feels like she won with me!

Me and Mom

Our family

At my first half Marathon!

Christmas Eve - wine is ALWAYS included!

At Jess' wedding

Always there to support me!

And have a few coldies....

And then do a little jig....

I love you MOM!!!!

11 in 2011

What a great weekend! I had an awesome week off last week..... mainly because I hit 100% of my workouts.  Let me tell you; it's a hell of a lot easier to get in two workouts a day when you don't have an 8 hour gig in between.  Not only did I maintain a 100% completion of workouts, I had all the laundry done, the house cleaned and dinner was on the table at a respectable time each night.  GO ME! But I am glad to be back at work today and have my routine back.  However, it didn't start off very well... I slept through my alarm and missed my Master Swim.  Way to go.... 24 hour fitness - I'll see you when the quitting bell rings.

I haven't recapped my numbers from 2010 - so expect that at some point this week.  Also I started reading a pretty amazing book which I'm sure some of you have read.  The Long Run - Matt Long.  It's pretty awesome and you can enter to win it over at Running with Whit's continuation of the Pay It Forward Giveaway Jason started.  I read 12 chapters in one day - that should say something.

Yesterday I was scheduled to run 6 miles at an 11 min mile pace.  It was cold, I was tired so I opted to channel my inner EMZ and run on the treadmill at the gym.  This was the farthest I've ever run on a treadmill and 63 minutes later I felt awesome.  It was a 10:30 pace a little faster than coach wanted but I felt good and by the end of the run was ready to get it over with.  The last 1/2 mile I kicked it in and was running 7 mph so says the treadmill.  I was a hot sweaty mess but that was my longest run since White Rock (due to being sick, etc) and gave me some confidence for my 15K this weekend.

So to follow suit with all the other bloggers in blog land I guess it's time to put out my goals for 2011.  YIKES...this makes them real you know.  (In no particular order besides the order in which my brain thought of them)... 11 goals in 2011 which I feel I can adequately achieve.  No 50% this year......

Athletic:
1.  Complete the Run for the bling of it challenge....12 races in 12 months

2.  New Orleans Half Ironman....enough said

3.  Run a marathon...this was initially a goal in my 30b430 list but seeing as 70.3 training is more important to me right now this will have to wait.  Hoping to run White Rock 2011 26.2.

4.  Become a spin instructor at the gym. Another one on my 30b430 list....

5.  Run 1000 miles in 2011

Life

6. Spend more time with my nieces and nephews..... take each of them once a month to do something fun (by themselves)

7.  Organize a race in honor of Jess and donate all the proceeds to her scholarship fund. (I'm going to need help with this one)

8.    Take an amazing - unplugged - vacation again this year.  Cabo was so awesome in 2010!

Nutrition

9.  Limit eating out

10.  Limit desserts...this one is going to be tough

11.  Achieve my goal weight....15 pounds to go

Semi-Wordless Christmas......

It's been crazy around here.... I'm on vacation this week which totally rocks my socks off.  I love not having anything to do this week besides take the Christmas tree down and clean up around the house.  I can sleep in (and not feel guilty), play with my pups, and workout whenever I want to.  Oh yes and make sure dinner is ready when Bill gets home from the gym :)

Christmas was awesome at the compound!  Shall we review in pictures?  They speak louder than words anyway...

Kaylee and Cooper Making Christmas Cookies

 The table set up

 Coop helping me make the cheesecake

A good glass of cab

 homemade oreo truffles - by yours truly!

 My mommy and me!

 Lyla picking up crumbs

 A 17 pound, 7 rib, bone in prime rib - DELICIOUS! Marinated Christmas Eve...consumed Christmas Day!

 The spread on Christmas Eve

 Oh yes there was wine...

 Opening the goods...

 My sisters!

 Youngest niece Shelby (terrible pic of me)

 Shelby got a new gymnastics outfit from Kaylee

Freeze Dance Tag!

 The gang (minus Bill he was working)

 Coop and Shelby

 Me and my oldest niece Kaylee

My precious little loves

 My three little loves in our Christmas PJ's.

 The girls...

 Tracking Santa...

 All of the crazies...

 Part of Christmas morning...

 21 stockings were hung by the fire..... (all animals included...dogs, horses, etc)

 Coop was giving Bill a back massage...

 Me and my Pappy

 Pappy, Kaylee, and Coop

Who will get the wish from the wishbone?

 Christmas day...

And my favorite of Shelby........ Instead of saying Cheese....she was saying yelling "DONUTS!!!"

Dallas White Rock Half Marathon Race Report

It is finished…… I did it!  I completed my first half marathon!  13.1 miles of smiles, high fives, cheers, and all around goodness!

Sunday morning my alarm went off at 5:15am.  I jumped out of bed anxious to start the day.  I hopped in the shower (to wake up); this has become customary before any race… I always shower.  For triathlons it helps if my hair is wet to braid – for run races I just like to fully wake up in a steamy shower…. I know who showers before a sweaty endurance race?

After my shower I dried my hair and pulled it back into a pretty good ponytail, if I do say so myself….. dressed and headed downstairs to eat breakfast.  Breakfast consisted of some pineapple chunks (about a cup) a medium sized orange, and a Smores Luna Bar. 

It wasn’t much but I knew it would be OK on my stomach and the Port-a-potty God wouldn’t be calling for me come start time.  I peed before we left the house and didn’t pee again until after the race….be jealous of my bladder J (enough icky talk)

Bill was less than bright eyed and bushy tailed on Sunday morning.  He had a late guy’s night out on Saturday and let’s just say I saw a McDonald’s bag in his front seat, he didn’t get home until nearly 2:30am AND there was advil by the bed…… drunk? Yes!  Hungover…. You betcha!  But he was such a trooper – so sweet to me that morning.  He drove me to Fair Park and by this time I may or may not have been a little cranky.  Traffic on I-30 was terrible….traffic tends to make me nauseous (only if I’m not driving) so I kind of snapped at him and said something to the effect of “WE ARE NEVER GOING TO MAKE IT”….his response…. We have an hour and half… which was a true statement.

We made it, as Bill had indicated, with lots of time to kill before the race start.  It was cold and crowded but I was so pumped to be there.

I headed back for the corrals and Bill went to find everyone who was meeting him there.  On my way back to my corral (M) I ran into Jason and Karen and was stoked to have actually found them in the 20,000+ racers.  Jason headed to his corral (just behind the Kenyans…so jealous of his speed) Karen and I stayed back and waited….and waited….and waited…..

I ran into a friend from high school, Kristen, who conveniently I ran into the day I did my nine miler at White Rock.  It was great catching up with her and I was able to meet her boyfriend Garrett.  (He took a pic of us which I will steal from FB and post here).  She is such a sweet sweet girl!  We ran together for the first 2 miles then she took off at her 9:40/mile pace and I set in for the long haul….

So before the start – I took this picture….

The balloons, the fire, the volunteers…all AMAZING.  Seriously this is probably one of the most well organized races I’ve had the pleasure of participating in.  (The Turkey Trot should take some lessons)  As we inched up closer to the start I started my playlist…. Ready for it? 

You know want to know what I listened to …don’t judge….. this is in no particular order…I always hit shuffle right before a run….. BUT I made my own playlist specific to White Rock b/c I knew that the last thing I was going to want to do was to pull out the iphone and try and skip through songs….here we go…

Big and Rich – Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy

Imma Be – Black Eyed Peas

My Humps – Black Eyed Peas

Womizer – Britney Spears

Crazy Bitch – Buck Cherry

American Boy – Estelle and Kanye West

Single Ladies – Beyonce

Undo It – Carrie Underwood

Accidentally in Love – Counting Crows

Like a G6 – Far East Movement

Watcha Say – Jason Derulo

Dirt off Your Shoulder – Jay Z

Leavin’ – Jess McCartney

Natchitoches Blues – Joey Green

Don’t Stop Believein’ – Journey

There it Go (The Whistle Song) – Juelz Santana

California Gurls – Katy Perry

Tik Tok – Ke$ha

Let it Rock –Kevin Rudolf

Shake It – Metro Station

Say Hey – Michael Franti

Party in U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus

Work It – Missy Elliott

Grillz – Nelly

I know you want me – Pitbull

Crazy Eddie’s Last Hurrah – Reckless Kelly

Subterranean Homesick Blues – Reckless Kelly

Disturbia – Rhianna

Shake That Thing – Sean Paul

1234 – Schwayze

Stuck Like Glue – Sugarland

Bring Em Out – T.I.

Semi-Charmed Life – Third Eye Blind

Proud Mary – Tina Turner

That’s Not My Name – The Ting Ting’s

I Do!! – Toya

Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla ICE

Blister in the sun – Violent Femmes

Hey Mickey – Toni Basil

Sexy Back – Justin Timberlake

Holla Back Girl – Gwen Stefani

Hit Play – and set it for a comfy 13.1 mile run…

Miles 1 – 3

I checked my watch for the first time as I crossed the timing mat at the 5K mark….32 min. 46 seconds….. 10 seconds faster than the Turkey Trot…. I’ll take it (10:33 per mile) I was feeling great!!!  My friend Ashley had met me at mile 2 (she’s training for a half in January in Austin).  I was so excited to see her and have her run with me!

Miles 4 - 8

I set in a good pace at mile 4.  I was warmed up my calf/shin wasn’t hurting and it was awesome running through uptown.  At one point we saw a bar, The MAT (McKinney Avenue Tavern) selling $1 jello shots… who on earth would take a $1 jello shot during a half/full marathon is beyond me but perhaps it was more for the spectators.  I was becoming jealous of all the Starbucks cups along the race route…all the warm spectators with their coffee and signs….but then I remembered…. I get to finish under a balloon arch and say I ran a half marathon….what do you get to do with your warm hands, ears and toes……hahah j/k.

At the 10K mark I remember saying “I’m half way through” – I still felt great!  I was high fiving the crowd, I had taken ½ a pack of chomps at mile 4.5 so I was fueled and feeling good.  At mile 8ish we hit an uphill that sucked….but I pushed through and ran it.  It helped to have Ashley there, even though we didn’t talk much I knew she was there next to me and supporting me.

Miles 9 -11

I think this is when I hit the “Runners High” – I don’t really remember them; I remember seeing the 10 mile flag b/c Ash said she was peeling off at 11 to head back to her car.  We hit 11, half-way hugged and said goodbye….. she headed for the car and I headed for the finish….

Miles 12 – 13.1

This 1.1 mile was the hardest mile of my life.  I had come down off any sort of “high” and felt every jarring pound of the pavement.  My knees were hurting, my shoulder was hurting, and I wanted water and a hug from Bill.  Miley Cyrus Party in the U.S.A. brought me into the finish….thank God for Miley!  I think I finished with a smile through my tears…. I was certainly smiling on the inside … I really want a good finishing picture.  Call me vain but I want a fun one for the blog.  I ran the entire 13.1 miles…. I didn’t stop and take a walk break; I didn’t stop b/c I was tired, I didn’t stop just to stop.  I ran and I conquered every fear I’ve ever had of running, every pain I’ve felt for the last 10 weeks was so worth crossing that finish line.

2:20:07 seconds was my official half marathon time. 

STATS:

Overall: 5465 / 9581

Sex: 2704 / 5692

Division (25-29): 536 / 1090

5K Rank and Time:  6018 – 32:46

10K Rank and Time: 5902 – 1:06:08

15K Rank and Time: 5628 – 1:39:32

Runners passed – 238

Runners that passed me – 113

For the fun of it – I was ahead of 29% of men finishers J

At the finish we were escorted into the Automotive building for medals, t-shirts, food/water.  I was so out of it…. I got my medal/shirt from the volunteers and then I think I cut in front of like 10,000 people in line for food and water.  If any of you read this, I’m sorry – I wasn’t trying to be rude; I was seriously disoriented.

I called Bill and met the family and Cayla outside the building.  My stomach was starting to turn and I needed to walk it off.  After a few minutes of walking I felt great again and began to crave pancakes.  I.love.pancakes.

We rode the little sky thing-y at the fair so Shelby and Coop could have some fun and then all of us headed to breakfast/lunch at my favorite Café Brazil.  A classic breakfast with pancakes did it for me!  I was a happy ½ marathon finisher!

Bill and I headed home… he had a work dinner Sunday night at an AMAZING steak house in town…. I was looking forward to rest and relaxation.  I iced on and off for about three hours during the Cowboy game (BOO-YA we won in OT), and oh yes – I showered…a hot hot shower!!

I made Chicken Noodle Soup for dinner which was just what I needed…. I curled up on the couch with soup, hot chocolate and my two ice packs for a night of Sunday television by the light of the Christmas Tree.  The only thing I was missing was Bill……..

What I learned:

1. I can do it – b/c I did
2. I’m a middle of the packer….. not showing off/not falling behind
3. My body is capable of ANYTHING I put my mind to….it’s getting my mind in the place of believing in myself to do it (Bill’s been telling me this for YEARS!)
4. Everything is worth it when I hear Bill say – “I love you Al and I am so proud of you”

Here's today at work:

More pics to follow tonight (I only uploaded the iPhone ones) I'm getting a massage at 6 so we shall see :) If not tomorrow for sure!

Furry and Real families......

That's us... from L to R - Me, Kaylee, Mom, Randy, Cooper, Anna, Paige, Shelby, Nick

This was the last time we had family pics taken in 2008....

My recent favorite picture, however, is this one:

Thanksgiving 2010 at the compound... it describes us perfectly!

Last night I had a nice swim at the gym.  I slept through my alarm for master's swim (SHOCKER!) but I packed all my gear and headed to 24 hour after work.  I got in a good 1500 yds before I had to quit so the aqua class could start.  It really was exactly what I needed to work out the soreness from Sunday's run and Saturday's baseball adventure with Bill.

Saturday I loaded up all three dogs and met Bill at the baseball park where he was hosting tryouts for his select team.  Let me just say, me, three dogs (110pounds, 55 pounds, and 25 pounds), and a Pontiac sedan make for quite the show driving down the turnpike.

While Bill finished up tryouts I let the dogs out and we played fetch for about 15 minutes.  By fetch I mean - I threw the ball and Shakes retrieved it.  Deuce and Lyla ran around like enraged crazy rabid beasts.

When Bill was done we headed to the nature preserve at the end of the park and did the 1 mile loop trail run with the dogs.  They liked it - I liked it - Bill liked it - except for the large sign that said "POISONOUS SNAKE HABITAT STAY ON TRAIL"

I live in Texas people - and that only means one thing....rattlesnakes.... my pace increased.  Pretty sure I ran that bad boy in about 7 min. flat.

After that we walked back over to the baseball fields (but not the most direct way).... we went through other trails and inevitably Shakes found water.

Shakes is a very well behaved dog..... except when it comes to bodies of water.  Shakes will ignore every command if he is around water.  It's not even worth your breath to try and get him away from it... he sees it - he's in.

Before too long (like 30 seconds) all three dogs were in the water having a nice Saturday swim.  All Bill and I could do was sit down and watch.

When they were done - Lyla ran around and got all muddy and gross (she is not very cute dirty).  Not having any towels in the car (swim was unexpected) we decided to hit balls for a little while on one of the fields and let the dogs dry off.  Again - I drive a Pontiac sedan and Bill drives a Honda.....  if ever a need for a truck...Saturday was the day.

I hit two buckets of baseballs (I was good might I add) and then I pitched to Bill (he was way better)... it was super fun...but Sunday I woke up s.o.r.e.

Long story short...... the run Sunday was difficult b/c my body was sore and the swim yesterday just about fixed it I think :)  I feel great today....

So in keeping with the 30 day challenge - Day 27 was pets.... Here are our fur baby's... Deuce, Shakes and Lyla

Shakes - will be 8 in February.  Bill got him when he was six weeks old.  At 8 weeks he had his first seizure.  Irony at it's finest?  He is still epileptic today and we keep him on a constant dose of phenobarbital for severity.  It will never completely eradicate the seizures but helps with the severity of them.  He's 110 pounds of pure sweetness..... he has the bark of a mean dog - but immediately tucks his tail and runs as soon as he sees someone he doesn't know.  Yes, he's THAT scary...  Bill and Shakes have been through alot together.... he's Bill's best companion :)

Deuce - turned six in June.  I got him after my fifth year in college (my extra senior year...what have you).  he was the only yellow one in the litter and I just fell in love with him.  He's been my buddy through so much. 

Lyla -  The newest addition to our little family.  Bill's rule has always been "Animals can not out number humans"... all it took was laying eyes on her for five minutes and he was hooked.   We adopted her from a shelter that saves animals before they are euthanized.  Since Nov. 1 she has stolen our hearts... .(I'm so glad I finally have a LAP dog!)

So there it is.... my family -- furry and otherwise :)