Chumley enjoying some broccoli

I haven't posted any videos in soooo long so I figured I would share this little clip of Chum enjoying one of his favorite treats.

This time last year...

We were renting a cold house, didn't know many people, and were pretty miserable (ok I was pretty miserable)

Now, we are still in a cold house (our heat broke) but, I have soooo many blessings to be thankful for.

It's even rainy and crappy as crap today but what a difference a year makes.

We have met some amazing people who have warmly welcomed us into their lives and I feel so blessed to have formed these friendships that will carry us through a lifetime.

Getting involved in the community has helped too. I've been volunteering since June at the Senior Center, teaching internet and email classes to the seniors in the community. I'm now going to start working there in January, teaching a Creative Writing/Poetry class which I'm really excited about. Was supposed to start in November but they just got new computers so alas...2 more months of computer classes. God, give me patience. But really, I do love it and the "students" have enriched my life in ways I never thought possible.

I'm also freelancing on a couple projects which is another great outlet for staying current in the business world and also maintaining contacts in the tv/film industry. Again I have been very blessed and am grateful to the people who have not given up on me, even though I am no longer living in S. Cal.

My mom had a health scare about a month ago, and thankfully she is doing well. She has now been diagnosed with Diabetes and has to completely change her eating habits but this was another blessing because had she not had the emergency surgery on her intestines, we would have never known about the diabetes. Her doctor just gave her the OK to come out and visit us for Thanksgiving as well as my birthday and we are very happy about this. Tom's mom will be out here too and Tom is running the Seattle marathon on Nov. 29th and we will be there to cheer him on! He ran the Chicago marathon 10 years ago so his mission is to beat his time and qualify for Boston. One minor thing he needs to realize...Seattle has HILLS!!

Anyway, I just wanted to stop and count my blessings today. I'm sitting here, by the fire (since there's no heat), watching the leaves blow and the waves flow to the shore. I've got Wrigs to my right and Chum atop one of the shower curtain covered chairs to my left and right now, life...is really good.

Take care and think about the blessings in your life too.

xoxo


(starting to knit some holiday gifts too. this is Little Blue Bear)

The story of Nubs

Nubs

letters to the animals

Dear Sweet Wrigley,

I love you so much you Big Lug, Grape Ape, Noodle bodied- yellow beast. You are the most entertaining and comical dog I have ever had in my life and I could kiss, no, EAT your paws off, that's how much I love you. Thank you for giving me a soft place to fall when I need you.

And now, Chumley,

I can honestly say that thanks to having you in my life for 15 years... I will NEVER have another cat. Sometimes, I think you are an alien spy or an evil terrorist disguised in a cat's body. I will never understand why you do some of the things you do and why when you're sitting atop the kitchen counter, gently pawing at my cell phone, then looking up at me to make sure I'm watching and when I see you I say, "STOP IT CHUMLEY!" and with that you literally WIND UP your paw and slap my phone to the ground. And now, my screen is black. I am done trying to figure you out. We will co-exist in this house for the remainder of our lives. Tom is convinced you are going to outlive all of us. Btw, happy birthday. There is no liver/salmon souffle this year. Sorry. Ass.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

"I COME TO SUCK YOUR BLOOD!"

Something's up

I obviously interrupted these 2. They were just sitting on the couch looking at each other, then I walked in and they quickly turned to look at me. My guess is it was a stare off. They make me laugh out loud at least 10 times a day.

this will make you laugh!

Karyn and Bev made an ecard of us during their visit to Seattle:

The Monster Mash

It's nice to know...

Someone's always watching over you.

(thank you Karyn for these AMAZING photos)

Chumley

doing what he does best.

SCANDAL!

Wrigs moved in on Chum's woman. More to come...

Prayers please

My mom is having emergency surgery tonight. This came as a huge surprise to all of us. She was taken to the ER today and admitted to the hospital. Her surgery is going to be at 9 pm central time. Please say prayers. I am here in Seattle and feel helpless. Brings back way too many memories of my Dad. Please say prayers. THank you.

SURGERY WAS SUCCESSFUL! We are so relieved and thankful for the prayers. Now we can focus on recovery. SO HAPPY about that!

Truly Amazing Art

A letter to Beverly, From Wrigley

(as a result of this)

BEVERLY,

I saw the photos you sent to my brother Chumley (I hacked into his email) and I think they are very, very naughty. You can't come dressed that way to our house. No way.

I have a girlfriend and her name is Ruth and she will not be happy with you parading around half naked flaunting your seven nipples. If you try to disrobe at any point while you are here I will throw my Snuggie on you.

Here's a picture of Ruth. She's really stunning.

I also have a boyfriend, his name is Norm but I don't think he'd mind seeing your nipples so let's just forget about him for right now.

Anyway, Chumley wanted me to tell you he's really looking forward to your visit.

Fondly,
WRIGLEY

ATTENTION THOSE IN DALLAS, TEXAS

(and surrounding areas too!)

My friend Jane is looking for a good home for her sweet cat Shadow. Please see below and if you know anyone looking to adopt a cat, please pass along. I know there are quite a few animal lovers out there so I thought I would use this blog as a way to reach out because you just never know. Shadow is an 8 year old male.



Meet Shadow! He's a big lover boy who loves to snuggle and sunbathe.
He's good with other cats and dogs, but would prefer to be the center
of attention and be in a home where he's king of the castle without
any other furry friends. Because he's such a big boy (approximately 18
pounds), he doesn't know his own strength and is not good with little
children. Shadow has slightly elevated liver functions and takes a
half a pill to keep them regulated daily. These pills are very
inexpensive and he takes them very easily without putting up any kind
of a fight. He loves to snuggle and purr. We have a new baby in the
home, and unfortunately, he has not adjusted well. I would love to
find him a new home where he will be loved on and cared for. Please
e-mail me with any questions at janebrauscher@gmail.com.

homeless

I see you
But then, I quickly turn away.
Afraid our eyes will meet
And connect our hearts.
Why are you here?
Where is your home? Family?
Have you ever felt love before?
I don't want to think of you
Cold and hungry in the darkness of night.
You deserve so much more
What can I do?
I've now met your gaze
And feel hopeless.
All I can do
Is offer you love.
A pat on the head,
You are loved, sweetheart.
You are loved.

The battle over the new toy

The concert

was a lot of fun.

But pics did not turn out so good.


Need to be better prepared for next time.

Mr. Lucky is a FABULOUS album. Was worth the 7 year wait!

tonight

Is the Chris Isaak concert and I am thrilled to bits! His latest album, Mr. Lucky is awesome.

Here is one of my favs:

We've Got Tomorrow

Best played REALLY loud.

And for a little more mellow mood this song is perfect:

Breaking Apart

I'm not a fan of country music at all and I don't think this really classifies as true country even though it sort of has that sound. I just love his lyrics, the melodies and of course his smooth as silk voice. Sooooo excited for tonight!

dirty little secret (update to an update!)

ALERT! ALERT! I do NOT like the Buddy Rinse Conditioner. Used it today and the smell was not the same smell as the spray when applying to wet hair. Sort of smelled like it at first but then had a meat sort of smell. Not only that, I didn't like the way my hair dried after using it. My hair doesn't smell bad now that it's dry, but it's very dull, not shiny at all and limp. I still do LOVE the Spray but I'm only going to use the rinse on those with fur in this house. Tom???

------

Wrigs and I went to the pet store to get the animal's essentials so of course I had to stop at the shampoo/spray area and check out some more of the goodies. I'm opening bottles, sniffing them, then showing them to Wrigs so he could have a sniff too, (didn't want to appear too obvious that I'm buying this stuff for myself) and I found Buddy Rinse Conditioner, in the same scent as the spray. I popped it in my cart and headed over to the register. The sales girl says to me, "Oh have you tried the shampoo on him?" I tell her that no I think we'll just stick with the conditioner for now. Then she says, "The stuff smells so good I want to use it on my own hair." I think, should I go there?? Oh what the hell so I say, "Well actually, I'm buying this to try myself." I wait for strange looks but get none. She says, "I know people who do that. One of the girls who works here uses the spray on her hair all the time." I blurt out, "I LOVE THE SPRAY! I use it all the time and that is why I'm buying the conditioner!" She laughs at me and says, "Did you know there's also a bar soap?" I tell her, "SHUT UP I NEED IT NOW" and she takes me back over to the aisle. But unfortunately, the bar soap is sold out. Now I'm starting to wonder how many people are really using this stuff on their dogs. I think the secret's out. Has anyone been able to find it yet? If so, please let me know what you think! It's delicious.

Oh and I'll let you know how I like the Buddy Rinse, probably within the next 3 days or so.





Since I'm a lazy ass and don't like to wash/dry/style my hair unless birds start taking up residence... I read somewhere that it's damaging to the hair follicles if you wash your hair too often so I typically wash and dry no more than 3 times a week. When my hair starts to get icky I use a conditioning spray that works WONDERS and makes it smell fresh and clean while adding a little sheen to the surface.

This spray is only sold in select stores. You won't find it at your high end salons, discount beauty suppliers, drugstores, Targets, etc. Nope, none of those places will carry it. But waltz into your local pet store and low and behold there it is...

Buddy Splash Pet Spritzer

My favorite is the Lavender Mint splash and I'm usually not a fan of lavender but it's so subtle and is one of the cleanest smelling sprays I've ever tried. Oh and Wrigs likes it too! Our local pet store carries it for $5.95 and I'm tempted to try some of the other scents.

I'll bring Wrigs along as my decoy.

this is toooooooooo cute!

I love when he squeaks towards the end. What a baby!