I got glasses....

... so everyone else did too.

Winter Wonderland

We're a little excited about snow in these parts, as we didn't get any last year!  Some of us more than others.  Tucker is absolutely at home in the snow and seems to want to stay out and play in it forever.  Pete... much prefers his warm doggie bed on the couch.  Rigby is somewhere in the middle. 

"AHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming."

Majestic suburban snow dog, this one contains a "where's Waldo" type of bonus for those looking.

"Don't mind me, just catchin' snow flakes on my tongue"

Merry Christmas!

We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas with family and friends!  I waited too long to get my act together on cards this year...so here is a virtual version of what would've been! Here's to a great 2012!

Brilliant Insight from an Irishman

Very interesting and honest look at how people from foreign countries, specifically Ireland in this post, view us as Americans.  I can honestly say the only thing I didn't agree with was the part about smiling.  I love smiling and being smiled at.  That was one of the very few things I didn't like about Europe, although I do see his point about them losing meaning.  Sort of a long list, but well worth a read even if you haven't traveled outside the U.S.!

"17 Cultural Reasons Why this European Never Wants to Live in America"

http://www.fluentin3months.com/no-usa-for-me/

Most of his perspective is spot on.  For me, especially #11, Religious Americans.  It's one of the things I adored about Europe and despise about America!  I used to have a little saying at a previous company. I had a coworker that had to insert "Jesus" into every conversation.  I finally got fed up and said "You need to keep your Jesus in your pocket".  I wanted to hear about that as much as he wanted to hear the facts we currently have about how our universe was ACTUALLY created...  Anyway, I'm off topic but read the post :)

Excerpt:
"11. Religious Americans

Look – I grew up in a religious town in Ireland, went to an all boys Catholic school, and some of my friends in Europe are religious. Even if I’m not religious myself, it’s up to everyone to decide what they believe in. I find religious people in Europe to be NORMAL – it’s a spiritual thing, or something they tend to keep to themselves, and are very modern people with a great balance of religion and modernism.

But I can’t stand certain Christian affiliations of religious Americans. It’s Jesus this and Jesus that all the bloody time. You really can’t have a normal conversation with them. It’s in your face religion, and they replace hard science with scripture in the classroom. They really need to tone it down."

And Then, There Were Five.

It's probably no surprise I snuck another little furry critter on here with no announcement!  With all of the negativity of the election this year, and America being a seemingly divided and angry place, I/we needed to do something positive!  Both for the world, and for ourselves. Think globally, act locally I always say. With room in our hearts and in our home, we adopted 2 year old Tucker, a 4 pound Pomeranian.  Tucker was left at a no-kill shelter by a family that claimed to have moved to a place they could no longer have pets.  He wasn't neutered (is now), wasn't regularly groomed, and in my opinion wasn't very well cared for.  I understand people go through hard times, but how can you leave your family member?  Animals are my passion and I want to do anything I can to help those who cannot help themselves.  Tucker has been with us since November 10th, and has already brought immense joy into the house!  So worried we'd disrupt our perfect harmony of pets that all got along, that was quickly dispelled as little Tuck fit right in.  He seemed fine with the cats, and wasn't skittish of either dog.  Just made himself right at home, actually.

He is such a hoot with a big personality.  For four pounds thirteen ounces, he packs a punch in that little package.  He is just so loving!  He wants to be with you, play and cuddle all the time.  He makes the most adorable noises when he's playing, which to me sound exactly like the squirrel, Scrat, from the movie Ice Age.  This is our first Toy Breed of dog, but I'm sold.  Toy breed's are all have been bred to be strictly companion animals and it truly shows.  This little guys is my buddy!  I might be biased, but he's probably the best dog ever :)  Since no one wants to read about nothing but Tucker 24/7, I'm posting all of his pictures and cute videos for other Pomeranian Enthusiasts like myself (I am a crazy Pom lady with way too much time on her hands) on his own page.  However, please keep in mind that we RESCUED Tucker, and did not buy or get from any breeder.  Please always consider rescue first, there are many great pure bred dogs that need homes from rescues.  We are proof of that!  The fact is, that when you adopt a pet from a rescue you save TWO lives.  The life of the pet you adopt, and you've made the space for the shelter to bring in and help one more animal.  We have five wonderful fur kids and they are all from a rescue or humane society.  Welcome to your new home, Tucker!

Tucker's hobbies include...

Watching TV

Chillin' with his homeboy Mr. Duck

Cruising with Dad

Getting awesome new haircuts

Looking fashionable

And not playing fetch very well...

The Difference Between Cats & Dogs...

...as interpreted by these guys.  Hilarious for both cat and dog owners and lovers.  And alarmingly accurate...

Why did I vote for Barack Obama today?

Granted I don't have that many presidential elections under my belt, but I don't recall one being this heated, or this personal.  When someone of a different school of thought asks, "So why are you voting for Barack Obama?", I have plenty of answers for them. 

Why I voted for Barack Obama today:

1.  I do not believe in "trickle-down" economics.  I believe it's a myth, and it has proven to not work for decades.  A 2012 study by the Tax Justice Network indicates that wealth of the super-rich does not trickle down to improve the economy, but tends to be amassed and sheltered in tax havens with a negative effect on the tax bases of the home economy.

2.  I believe in the separation of church and state.  Freedom of religion means I don't have to have someone else's religious views affecting laws and legislation that affect me.  Forcing your religious beliefs on someone else isn't "Conservative", it's "Authoritarian".  Unless you want to honor ALL religions, not just Christianity, keep those beliefs in church on Sunday, because some day it will affect you in a way you don't like.  

3.  I believe it is unfair that a person that earns less than $30,000 a year pays a higher percentage of taxes than a multi-millionaire.  

4.  I believe in a woman's right to choose, and a woman's right to plan her family.  

5.   I believe that it's our duty as a developed nation and as human beings to help those in need.  That is MY definition of being "pro-life".  (Those truly in need, not those that abuse the system - there is a difference)

6.  I believe that love is love.  Regardless if it's between two men or two women it's just as valid as any other kind of love and should be treated as such.  It's a sad, sad day when a life partner cannot visit a dying loved one, because they couldn't legally marry.  

7.  I believe that no matter what a woman is wearing, no matter how late she was out, it is never her fault that she was raped.   

8.  I believe if we have the knowledge and ability to save someone's life with stem cells, it shouldn't become a "moral" issue.  (Being "Pro-life", NOT just about fetuses)  You can't be "pro-life" and deny people healthcare, or lifesaving treatments.  

9.  I believe that women are not second class citizens.  I believe I am an equal that deserves equal pay.  So does the Lily Ledbetter Act, signed by President Obama.

10.  I believe in exercising our Second Amendment rights, but I also believe in gun control.  We need to ensure common sense rules, and ban semi-automatic and assault weapons.  You don't need those to hunt, or defend your home. 

11.  I believe male politicians over the age of sixty should not be making my healthcare decisions for me.  I  want to pay for your Viagra, as much as you want to pay for my birth control.  

12.  I believe in teaching our children truth.  Keep Creationism out of our public schools.  If you want religion in your curriculum, send your child to a private school, unless you want ALL religions taught to our children, along with evolution, to make their own decisions. “We keep on being told that religion, whatever its imperfections, at least instills morality. On every side, there is conclusive evidence that the contrary is the case and that faith causes people to be more mean, more selfish, and perhaps above all, more stupid.”

― Christopher Hitchens

I'm not a radical liberal, I just believe in common sense.