Spoooky...

You know what I find spooky? People driving their vehicles while wearing masks.

Actually, I find it creepy and slightly unsafe.

So what scares you this Halloween?! ;)

Tonight

We had some BEAUTIFUL weather today and happened to be out catching the last of the light tonight. Oh my gosh, it was just so pretty!

Check out Moanie-Bonies! He is living up to the second part of that nickname, looking so thin. He was skinny when he came to us just over 2 weeks ago, but then a couple days ago he got quite sick. Complete loss of appetite, diarrhea, and he vomited too. All he could do Monday morning was lay on one of the dog beds, no interest in anything. I was so scared! I was afraid he had parvo and if so, we would have almost certainly lose him, largely because the rescue doesn't have the funds to go through treatment, especially since it doesn't always work.

Anyway, after a morning and afternoon of me pretty much crying every time I looked at the little guy, he came alive and romped with Paisley in the yard and I knew Moanie was going to be okay. ;) So, turns out, I think the little guy got stopped up by high grass and stick consumption. YUM, huh?! He's obviously on the mend, but still oh so skinny.

Isn't he a gorgeous little boy though? =)

Oh and here you can see some of our new paver patio! We love it, though I can't say I'm loving the dirt that is the lawn now all around it. Oh well, grass will grow eventually. ;)

Love playing in the dirt Momma!

Even Turdie joined in the fun, from safe inside his perch on the lounger. Don't feel bad for him, this big boy wouldn't have wanted to be outside if we coated in all in cat food. He gets completely freaked by the outdoors.

Speaking of big boy and food, he is officially on a diet. Though since we don't own a scale, I'm not sure how I'll know for certain it is working. Based on his harassment of all of us, I'm pretty sure it's making at least some impact. ;)

My stunning Pai-Pai girl.

Joined by foster-bro extraordinaire. =)

I would have loved to get some shots of Bugga and the dogs, but I had the 50mm on the camera and they were all on the move so much, I rarely could get them all in the same frame. Such is life with kid(s) and dogs. ;)

Not much to say tonight I guess, but I will forewarn that I may go missing from blogland again because our computer is so sick now, it really needs to go to the tech doctor. ={ Poor thing. So many things aren't working and it is just acting funky, so...it's time. Wish us luck!

Moanie-Moanie

So yesterday was Pit Bull Awareness Day and since I took Bugga and our newest foster dog to a little pittie potluck, I didn't get the blog up introducing the newest member of the gang around here.

Can you believe I've kept this cutie under wraps for almost 2 weeks?!

Introducing....Timon!!!

(No, Timon didn't actually write his bio on the ARLP site. I know it's silly, and I promise I try not to be too anthropomorphic, but we gotta pour all the sugar we can into getting these little cuties into their potential new homes, right?! Yes, I linked "anthropomorphic" in case anyone thought I was making crap up there. Haha.)

Seriously, could he be much cuter?!

Yes, he immediately brings to mind our very first foster boy, Pumba. And much like Pumba, he is a total sweetheart, very snuggly, and Paisley even approves. =)

Don't they make a handsome pair???

Many a nickname for this boy already, as always. Timoni-zamboni, Timoni-spimoni, Timoni-Moanie. Most of the time, he's must "Moanie" around here. He has such a wiggle body--forget wiggle butt--his whole body wiggles in utter joy and will only begin to ease if he can lean up against you while you scratch his neck. And that's when you'll get the "moans" out of Mr. Timoni.

Timon already had a meet-and-greet yesterday, so we'll see if that goes anywhere. Early on, I was quite nearly ready to say "okay, we're done, you're home little buddy." ;) I'm not sure what it was, he was just melting my heart so fast. I think I've shored up my resolve again though and when the right family comes along, I'll be able to hand him over. I think. I hope. =)

In the meantime, I'll enjoy our nightly snuggles on the downstairs couch (i.e. the dog couch, hehe) after Bugga goes to bed. He's already mastered most of the house rules, so he's been easy to bring into the fold. We were due an easy one, nothing against sweet Libs and the Mischief man, but they were definitely more work than Moanie. ;)

Speaking of bed...okay, that was a stretch, but I do think it is calling to me. G'night all! =)

Oh and bonus points to anyone who can guess what Timon's theme song is... ;)

Part Tres: "No fee for looking"

Finally, whew! On to wonderful Mexico we go!

So there was a beautiful wedding (see Part Dos and Part Dos, Subsection B) and then way too early the next morning, we sadly bid adieu--or should I say adios--to Kelvin and Danelle and the kiddos (actually, I think the kiddos were in bed; I know, details, details) and Memaw, Papaw, Chris, Nichole, Kaylee, J, Bug, and I headed to the airport and flew to Puerto Vallarta. =)

By the time we finally waded through customs--complete with one member of our party (I'm leaving names out to protect the innocent) yelling to the customs officials inspecting his/her luggage that a certain brown powdery substance was so he/she "could poop" (hey, don't ask if you don't want the answer, right?!)--then waded through all the people trying to sell us tours and found our way to the people that were supposed to be taking us to the resort...

Hmm, I forget where I was going here. Oh yeah, by the time we actually got to the resort, I was so wiped out. ;) We got to our rooms, got our luggage, met up for supper and then hit the beach to find the most gorgeous sunset! Sadly, I was so wiped we didn't even go back to the room to get our camera. Huge bummer, because it turned out that first night was probably the best sunset we saw the whole trip. =(

Okay, on to the pictures. I just love the unintended censorship here. ;)

Yes, there was a nekkie toddler on our balcony. Hey, that's nothing, the night the resort lost power between the time that I--ahem, I mean someone--got all sandy down on the beach and returned to the room, there was a nekkie 20-something out on our balcony. ;)

Don't worry, there was a towel and it was dark. When your choices are 1) sand in various, eh, places or 2) naked on the balcony...well, let's just say you might surprise yourself. That's how someone explained it to me anyway, I mean I wouldn't know or anything...

At the pool...click for up close of the Hobbie tongue. =)

Bug in his ring, Kaylee in hers. Really, they were interchangeable. Such good share-ers, those 2. ;)

One day at the pool, this group of Mexican children were completely fascinated with Grady, it was so cute! They didn't speak English--like any--and I don't speak much Spanish, but they hung around and kept talking to me anyway, it was so sweet.

We were able to establish ages, the little girl's (you can't really see her in this picture) name was Rosa and the boys were her cousins. I realized a while after we were home that the one little boy was teaching me "boy" in Spanish, not telling me his name was Nino as I thought. ;) HAHAHA. The revelation came while waiting in line at Sears in the kids section, oh my!

Bugga took his naps every day we were there because boy did he need them! I joined him often enough too.


Papaw Jackson and Kaylee get hit by a wave. =)

The beach around sunset one night, looking toward Bucerias (north of Puerto Vallarta).

Beach snuggles. ;)

And some more...

This photo cracks me up. Look at Nichole and her Dad--the SAME posture as they stand in the water and await that wave. Life Father, like Daughter I guess! =)

Sunset and smooches, doesn't get much better than that.

One day, Danny, Chris, and J were all jumping into the ocean as the waves came in, it was pretty hilarious to watch! I'm sure I couldn't have gotten my feet off the ground if I tried.

"Whew, it's still there..." ;)

Danny went para-sailing (is that right?! I can't remember now if that's the right term) and this is his approach back down to earth.

Kaylee playing with her Grandma Laura's visor. Don't be alarmed by the highchairs, no one got sick. Okay wait...the little ones who sat in them didn't get sick. ;)


Same meal, one table over, Bugga played with Memaw's visor. =)

On the first day and the final day, some of us walked into Bucerias to check out the flea market and just get a feel for the place.

There were buildings going up or being rehabbed all over the place. Let me just say, I am no architect, but the things I saw didn't really inspire great confidence in me. Could just be my take, who knows?!

I don't have pictures from the actual market, but the line from the title of this post, "no fee for looking" came from one of the many lovely things the vendors call out to you to lure you into their little tent of wares. Very fun!

Trees on a truck. I don't know, just seemed picture-worthy. ;)

And evidently, interesting enough for me to end my post with it too. =)

It was such a great and memorable trip. We can't THANK YOU enough Chris and Nichole for inviting us along.

I'm serious people, December 2009...where are we going???!!! Someplace warm, I know, but we gotta narrow it down a little more than that, hehe. ;)

Tomorrow is Pit Bull Awareness Day. Betcha didn't know that huh?! In celebration, I will be preparing to finally unveil the new little sweetheart among us--TIMON! We picked him up not 48 hours after arriving safely home from our adventure. I know, barely enough time to breathe the "I'm home" sigh, but it's really been great having him. ;) Libby is doing well and her adoption will become final in the next couple of weeks, I'm so excited to see her again (I'll be going to the final paper signing).

Okay, off to enjoy my Bugga boy! I'm sure I'll be bringing more of him to the blog soon too. Just feels good to be (almost) caught up. =)

Nothing new???

Okay, taking a break from my attempts to catch up on our trip and what's going on these days to post a question...or a concept...or something just potentially wacky enough to land us squarely on the other side of sanity. ;)

Jeremy just came to me and posed this idea:
Make the year of 2009 a year of "nothing new." We buy nothing new for a whole year. Exempt are consumables like food and personal hygiene items of course.

This isn't a new idea, we've heard of people doing this. And succeeding. So it's obviously possible.

I'd have to become the master of second-hand stores, which would require me to really work on my patience. That's what I lack that keeps me from utilizing such stores as much as I could, though every now and again I'm in a suitable mood to take advantage.

Hmmm...what do you all think?!

I know it's do-able, it's just quite a plunge. Maybe someone out there reading this has actually done this...do share!!!

Okay, off to clean the kitchen and ponder this possible new quest. ;)

Part Dos, Subsection B

I think this is the largest number of photos I've loaded into one post, so get cozy. =)

After the wedding, we headed outside for some pictures. Wouldn't it be cool if that had been a "J" instead of a "C." Oh well. ;)

There were some teenagers hanging out in this little tunnel, and I'm not afraid to admit I was a little nervous to run down and ask them to move for a bit. What can I say, I'm afraid of teenagers! HAHA. What?! Bugga is going to be one some day...agghhh. ;) Just kidding, anyway, they were totally nice little skater kids and just moseyed on. =)

There was a playground near by...

Doesn't her bouquet look vibrant here?

And a slightly different view...

The wind was fierce that afternoon!

We didn't blow away thankfully, so we made the most of it by gathering the Jackson crew for a picture.

The nephews and niece all were taking lots of photos too, so the event was thoroughly covered. ;)

Chris risked it and did the classic cake-smashed-in-the-face of his bride. ;)

The first dance. I think I'm out of order here, oops!

Nichole and her Dad Pat and little Kaylee. =)

Chris and Mom Linda, just a tad emotional. ;)

Jedd cracking me up some more!

I LOVE this photo of Aunt Kim and Uncle Kirk!

Papaw and Jenna share a dance...awwwwww. =)

Playing with a wiffle bat...what?! What do you do during a wedding reception?! ;)

Brothers!

The rings.

And being silly with the rings! =) I wasn't getting what I wanted out of the rings shot, so we just decided to be ridiculous instead.

Awww...aren't Kelvin and Danelle cute?! Yup, 11 years and 3 kids later, still lookin' good you 2!

The award for funniest pic of the night goes to...

I have no idea what Laura, Nichole's Mom, was talking about, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't what it looks like. You follow?! ;)

Chris kept playing with his ring. And he continued to do this all through our Mexican adventure (not sure if he realized it though, hehe).

We headed outside again later. The wind had died down, yay.

While we were outside taking photos, there was never any shortage of honking and waving by the cars driving by, wishing the happy couple well in their own way. =)

Whew...still with me?! Mexico is next! We didn't take near as many photos there. The heat and humidity tempered our desire to lug the camera around, that and our desire to just relax and enjoy ourselves. =)