What Did You Want To Be?

What did you want to be when you were growing up? What were your dreams? We lose sight as we get older. It scares us.

In 2 months, I will be 40! It still tugs at me, I always wanted to be a photographer.

I went to USU to study it. I took classes like The Zone System (Ansel Adams' system of light scale), I had a photojournalism internship at a newspaper. I worked as a child portrait photographer for years.

I had a professor that said "The more you shoot the more you see". Not every photo I take is good, but then there are some that I do that just keep me wanting to take more. If you get a chance go to my FlickR and look at my set named "My Best Of Album".

I'm not doing it professionally but I am enjoying it back in my life. I am more of a photographic historian now. I am not so artsie-fartsie. But still a Photohead. It will always be part of me as long as I can still see.

A couple weeks ago, I was clicking through the Chipping family Blogs, I found this on Oliver and Emily's Blog: http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=ithct48cqw

What was your dream? It is still there.

More Magic! Worth Every Cent!

I have just recently purchased and used 2 products that kick butt!
#1 – I had spilled a Frosty (chocolate of course) on my almost new white work shirt. I washed it and even dried it. I thought I would give an oxygen spot remover a chance. But this time I thought I would try to be environmentally friendly. I bought “Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Oxygen Bleach Stain Remover is made with natural Sodium Percarbonate Mineral that promises to be tough on stains but gentle on the environment and your pet.”
I soaked the shirt in the sink overnight with it and it worked! It is about $8.

#2 – I bought this back a month ago and finally broke it out of its wrap. I found it at PetCo for about $8 to $10. “Magic Pet Hair Remover helps remove hair from pet beds, carpets, furniture, clothing and more. The Magic Pet Hair Remover can be easily washed with soap and water.” Just like the “Magic Eraser” for walls, floors, etc, it took a little elbow grease but it worked on the couch and the carpet on the stairs. Why didn’t I invent that?!

These are not paid advertisements (yet!). Try them!

Creepy Magical Seat With Mind of It's Own!

Things that you COULD learn if you read the owners manual....we have had the Ford F150 King Ranch for over a year now. I never noticed before but today when running an errand, I unlocked the truck with my key set. The seat moved! To my preset that I thought that worked only when you push the button. So if Joe presets his seat with his key it will move.

The World’s Sweetest Dog is Now Gone

Susie called me (I can’t remember the year):
Susie - We got a pug puppy!
Me - pug? Those are ugly and worthless! Ankle biters! Why?! They have big bulgy eyes!
Susie – You’ve got to come see her! She is so cute!
Me – Okay, I’ll be over.

Later, Susie handed me a margarita and a pug puppy. The puppy was no bigger than my glass. And I fell immediately in love with her.

I’ve had the honor of dog sitting for them a few times over the years as well as spending weekends at our cabins.

She was their first child. Being her aunt, she always got away with murder with me, always on my lap. We would give each other loves. I will miss her little snorts, watching her “Pug-a-tona” (Pug Daytona) around and “Puggy-back rides on Barry’s back.

Cosmo has been struggling with pancreatitis and diabetes onset by it for the last couple of months.

Little sweet Cosmo, Susie, Barry and Katie’s pug is gone, I can’t believe it. My heart has a tremendous ache, but always a spot for sweet “Schmo”. She is playing with Griz up in doggie heaven right now, sharing her camel toy with him like she always did.

I’m going to miss Cosmopolitan Martini Horne!

Apparently I Am Starving My Dog

Ozzy is a healthy dog and a perfect weight for his age, etc. Ever since he was a puppy we chose to feed him one time a day in the evening, usually around 6 pm. This mainly came about because it is a hunting dog thing. You shouldn't feed then work a dog. It could make them twist their intestines and the result could be fatal. Yes, it turns out Ozzy isn't a hunting dog but he is very active, especially now that he walks with me almost daily.

Every day when I am around home, starting as early as 1 pm, Ozzy starts working on me. He wears me down until I give in. He follows me around the house. He stares intensely at me, softly whines then turns to a growl. Some days I give in early like 3 pm. Today I have held him off until just after 5:30 pm.

Doobie is staying with us and joins in too. Griz used to bat his eyes at me. They act like they are dying! What BRATS!

They're Home Again

They got home yesterday and had a good normal night.

You can read more on Jamie's Blog http://www.dillier.net/ and
John's new Blog http://jmelee.typepad.com/the_dillier_man_blog/ .

Enjoy.

Homeward Bound?!

With cautious optimism, Jamie and John are packing their stuff up at the hospital. The doctor told them that Max can go home today! Hopefully by this evening, the family of 4 (or 5 with Kitty) will be together under one roof to stay.

They have a few hoops to jump such as the regular required parenting checklist hospitals have to do when a newborn is leaving for home the first time. They have to show they can: change a diaper, correctly place the baby in a car seat/car, etc.

John brought the car seat up into their room to do another test. They want Max to sit in the car seat for an hour to see how he manages with it.

When they go home they will also be sent with oxygen for Max as a precaution. There will be additional tests later down the road (figuratively).

Here are some things I am sure they are looking forward to:
Going home/being home with Max and being joined by Alex!
They are beyond excited to be home with their kitty.
Their own bed instead of a chair.
No 24 hour interruptions from nurses and doctors.
The luxury of being woken up by Max for nursing or diaper changing.
Being a normal family again and getting into a routine.

Again, as much as we all want to run and be with them to celebrate, we are all going to try to stay away. They’ll need to figure out the visit schedule so they can get rest and be together.