Equal Opportunity Pet Owner

You've got your self-proclaimed "cat people" and your self-proclaimed "dog people".  I like to think of myself as an equal opportunity pet owner, giving equal love to all my species, and being just simply, an "animal person".  I enjoy the company of dogs and cats for different reasons.  Sometimes I love it that Pete and Rigby (dogs) are needy and up in my face, but other times it's completely annoying.  I love that Spencer (cat) lays on my lap all night because he wants to, and not because I've called him over to me and he obeys. I love that I never get any privacy in the bathroom because Fergie (cat) just loves to tag along because she knows that's her designated belly rub time.  Cats and dogs are very different and I don't think I could imagine life without either one.  Statistics show that there are more cats living as pets in the United States, but more dog owners.  This means more people have multiple cats in one household, versus just owning one dog per household.  Makes sense to me as cats are much more low maintenance!  I got these statistics from The Humane Society.org's website, and I thought they were interesting:

Dogs:

• There are approximately 78.2 million owned dogs in the United States
• Thirty-nine percent of U.S. households own at least one dog
• Most owners (60 percent) own one dog
• Twenty-eight percent of owners own two dogs
• Twelve percent of owners own three or more dogs
• On average, owners have almost two dogs (1.69 percent)
• The proportion of male to female dogs is even
• Twenty-one percent of owned dogs were adopted from an animal shelter
• On average, dog owners spent $248 on veterinary visits (vaccine, well visits) annually
• Seventy-eight percent of owned dogs are spayed or neutered

Cats:

• There are approximately 86.4 million owned cats in the United States
• Thirty-three percent of U.S. households own at least one cat
• Fifty-two percent of owners own more than one cat
• On average, owners have two cats (2.2)
• More female cats are owned than male cats (80 percent vs. 65 percent respectively)
• Twenty-one percent of owned cats were adopted from an animal shelter
• Cat owners spent an average of $219 on routine veterinary visits
• Eighty-eight percent of owned cats are spayed or neutered

Pets offer so many benefits to us and enrich our lives.  Yeah, they can be a pain in the rear when it comes to pet hair, boarding costs, the occasional "mistake" in the house.  But what we yield in return is priceless!  Lower blood pressure, exposure at a young age actually reduces allergies, and unconditional love!  

Our Brood

 I like to link to this once a year, just in case someone has missed it.  This Dog vs. Cat Diary has been around for years, but it still makes me laugh every time I read it.  

 The Dog's Diary

•   8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
•   9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
•   9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing! 
• 10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
• 12:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
•   1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
•   3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
•   5:00 pm - Dinner! My favorite thing!
•   7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
•   8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
• 11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

The Cat's Diary

Day 983 of My Captivity

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now ...

Best of the interwebz, August 2012

The internet has not only changed the way we all communicate with each other, it's also been a creative outlet for millions who previously would've been undiscovered.  I know I thoroughly enjoy making my daily checks of the blogs and sites I follow.  You might be aware of some of my favorites, but I hope I at least tell you something new.  No matter your pleasure, be it cute animals with captions, funny commentary about celebs, a 32 year old man criticizing children's artwork, there is something for all palates out there.  Here are just a few of the sites I enjoy on a weekly basis:

1.  The Cheezburger Network.  What's not to love here?  There are numerous sites all rolled up into one here.  Failbook, LOLcats, Memebase, and many more.  A favorite of mine, Business Cat!

2.  Warming Glow/UPROXX.  Warming Glow is one of many sites on Uproxx.  I like it because it does funny commentary, spoilers, discussions on TV shows.  There is one for movies too, Film Drunk.  The writing is generally pretty good and so is the information.  One of my absolute favorites on this site is a blogger who writes like he's a Southie from Boston in a phonetic way.  Being that I despise the Patriots, it's especially comical.   Here's TAWMMY FROM QUINZEE. 

YOU WILL REMEMBAH THE DAY BRADY GAWT IN A FACKIN’ CAHHHH WRECK!

3.  Maddox, The Best Page in the Universe, I Am Better Than Your Kids.  Maddox is one of the originals.  He's had a site since 1997 and it's barely changed in look and feel.  He doesn't post as much as he used to on the original site, but does weekly updates on his critical analysis of children's artwork on the other site.  This guy has brought me to tears on numerous occasions.  He is unapologetic about his views on everything, and that's what makes it so damn funny.  Some of his funniest posts are when he responds to hate mail.  Oh, if you're sensitive and/or easily offended, I wouldn't go to this site.

4.  The Oatmeal.  The Oatmeal is fantastic.  Full of comics that are cleverly drawn and extremely well written fill this site along with a blog and some quizzes.  It's impossible to pick an absolute favorite on this site, as you can spend DAYS going through all of their comics.  They take no prisoners when making fun of people much like Maddox.  The one where he describes how he'd rather be punched in the testicles than call Customer Service, a feeling we can all relate to, even if you don't have testicles.    

5.  McKayla Is Not Impressed.  You'd have to be living under a rock to not hear about this, but I'm mentioning it anyway.  Olympic Silver Medalist, McKayla Maroney wasn't very happy about coming in second...here's a meme that's gone viral about her reaction to various famous situations.  It's a lot like Texts from Hil.   McKayla is not impressed with The Beatles on Ed Sullivan.

  

Turning over a new leaf.

As of today, I'm turning over a new leaf.  No more getting political on Facebook.  I think it gets worse on election years, but man, I can't even stand to login to Facebook lately.  I have hidden about 60% of my friend list so I don't even see their propaganda anymore, and all we're really doing is alienating each other.  Has anyone EVER changed ANYONE else's political and/or religious affiliations from a Facebook post?  Or more accurately, incessant Facebook posts?  No.  If someone doesn't agree with your stance, it's probably doing nothing but irritating you or making you roll your eyes.  At least, that's what I do.  I'll let a few posts slide... but if you're a constant offender, I'm done, unfriend.  If you're a family member, I've hidden you.  I can guarantee I've been hidden and deleted due to the exact same reasons.  People don't like where I'm coming from and nothing I say or do will make them see things my way.  

I'm extremely guilty of trying to get people to see things my way.  Not just as it relates to politics or religion, but to anything in general.  I'm a very persuasive personality and it's just how I'm built.  (Ask my boyfriend!) I was in sales for several years and had great success due to that personality trait.  It's going to be difficult to not "share" those liberal agenda articles I read, but I'm going to try.  Not everyone agrees with me, and that's okay...if they did it would be an "extreme" world, and we need both sides so we can hopefully come to the middle.  Where we probably should be.  Extreme anything is typically not a good thing.  I don't think Facebook should be a sounding board to push your religious and political beliefs onto others.  If you're like me, you have a very mixed company audience and someone is going to be very turned off by it.  Those two things are personal and private to a lot of people, and you might not even know you're alienating them.  I'm not saying we should be PC, always be trying to not "offend" people...lord knows that's not me.  What I am saying, is that there is a time and a place to discuss politics and religion and in my humble opinion, Facebook isn't one of them.  That's why I have Twitter, too :)  All kidding aside, it's great to be passionate about what you believe in and stand for.  I'm very passionate about my beliefs and if asked, I'm happy to share them and the reasons behind them to anyone who will ask.  The thing is, on Facebook, no one is asking.  You have a captive audience if you haven't been hidden from someones wall!  Don't abuse it.  It's a shame to lose touch with someone over something that doesn't need to affect your relationship with them.  

I'm going to try my best to stick to this new resolution.  It's going to be tough, seeing that it's an election year.  It's all in an effort to be the best Lindsey I can be, and shoving what I think is right down other people's throats is exactly what I don't like about other people.  I've been a hypocrite and I'll admit it.   Don't preach to me, and I won't preach to you.  Unless of course, you post something...then you're asking for it, right?  :)  

2012, pretty busy so far!

I've really slacked off on the updates lately.  2012 has proved to be a pretty intense year so far, especially as work goes.  That being said it's already brought forth tons of exciting opportunity and we're both eager to see what the months ahead will bring!  I'll leave that somewhat cryptic for now, but onto more fun things to discuss.

The Superbowl!  Everyone was giving Madonna a hard time for her lip synching.  I thought she gave a great, tasteful performance and for being 53...the woman has still got it.  No doubt about that.  She did confess to lip synching the first three numbers, but did give a live performance of "Like a Prayer".   Perhaps I'm biased as she has been and will always be an icon and favorite of mine.  Naturally as a die hard Colts fan I was ecstatic to see the Patriots lose.  Them losing in Lucas Oil Stadium added a little more sugar on top!  The commercials this year were much better than in recent years too, in my opinion.  The dog in the fat suit, the french bulldog racing the greyhounds, the baby in the slingshot stealing Dorito's...so many good ones!  I was so disappointed that they didn't play my favorite Volkswagen one.  If you haven't seen it, check it out here:

Dogs, Star Wars...what's not to love?!

 

In the realm of reading, I have just started Stephen King's, "Under the Dome" at my Dad's recommendation.  I am about 100 pages in (it's 1400 pages!) and so far so good.  This one will take a while to get through, especially at the pace I'm currently going to a review is probably pretty far off.  It takes place in a small rural town in Maine and just as the title would indicate, a mysterious force field suddenly appears over the city preventing anyone inside leaving, and vice versa.  Tons of interesting characters so far, and I'm still in the character development stage.  Stephen King has been hit or miss for me.  One of my favorite books of all time is Salem's Lot, however he really missed for me personally with "Duma Key".  I didn't get it...at all. 

I hope everyone has had a great and successful start to 2012!

Year in Review

But you're saying, "Hey!  2011 isn't over yet!"  Well, I have no more travels planned and that's what I'm  mostly reviewing...it's technically the 4th quarter anyway.  So get off my back.  You weren't on my back?  Maybe I'm just paranoid.

Overall I'd say this past year has been a success.  It's also been a decent year for travel.   A trip to Louisiana before my Mom and Stepdad retired back to the Midwest, Seattle twice in one month, Las Vegas to celebrate my 30th birthday, a week on the beach in Oak Island, NC, and finally a long Labor Day weekend to visit Jennifer in Boston.  I have covered this country from coast to coast in 2011 and I've had a great time.  No international travel this year but I'm hoping to fix that in 2012!

Click to enlarge

Another huge event took place this year, I purchased a house in my new hometown of Louisville, KY.  Not knowing the area that well, we rented for a year so I could find a part of the city that jived with my needs.  Leaving the north side of Indianapolis wasn't easy...it's repeatedly voted as one of the best places to live in the country.  Also, the fastest growing.  I'm liking the east end of Louisville almost as well.  It definitely beats I-69 N traffic!

I also left my longtime comfort zone of being a sales person, to moving to the operations side of things managing our marketing department.  I'm really enjoying not having to travel all of the time, but do sometimes miss the thrill of the close!  No complaints though, I work for a great company full of great people.  I hope I'm always fortunate enough to be a part of the tech industry.

Here's to looking back on a fantastic 2011, and hoping that 2012 is half as good!

Buddah in the middle of a swamp - Avery Island, Louisiana

At the famous fish market- Seattle, WA

30th Birthday - Las Vegas, NV

July 2011 - Oak Island, NC

Labor Day weekend - Boston, MA - Harvard Yard

Living Room Wall Project

Thanks to Esty I've discovered a treasure trove of new art for the house.  A French artist called Coco de Paris repurposes antique 1920s Parisian periodicals for her canvasses:

Thumbnail versions, cropped some of the images off

"Mixed media of my original artwork in real acrylic hand painting and ink print. It's on an authentic antique paper from around 1920s of the famous Parisian magazine “La Petit Illustration” , a weekly French literary journal that published plays, novels and short stories.

Every creation is unique, you will receive the image as you see in the picture. Every artwork is handsigned and dated." 

At a going rate of about $10.00, I wasn't expecting much.  When I received these beauties in the mail (I ordered 6) I was blown away at the quality.  The pictures on the Etsy store do not do them justice, you really have to see them in person.  I was having a difficult time finding frames for these that I liked.  I ended up ordering online because when you're looking for 6 nice frames that sure adds up!  Kohls  had a buy one get one for $1 sale so I ended up getting six of these to put them in:

 

The idea is to incorporate lots of ledges and elements to go with the prints in the living room.  I've picked up several things here and there.  Large letters as seen below, ceramic figurines, smaller frames, and the like. Here is a few examples of my inspiration:

I can't wait to get this living room wall project finished!  Present home of empty walls.  Future home of awesomeness:

Looking for a fun girls or date night?

Bored with the same old dinner and a movie?  Want to spice it up on a weekly girls night?  I had a blast this past Tuesday at a new franchise of Sips 'n Strokes that opened in Louisville less than two months ago.  In Indy the chain was called Wine and Canvas, but same concept.   You go check out their event calendar, pick out a painting that you like (they have two for "date nights" so you don't come home with 2 identical paintings), make your reservation, and show up to paint and drink!  They'll have an instructor that shows you step by step how to mix your colors, technique, and walk you through to your individual masterpiece!  Everyone's ends up being one of a kind to a certain extent.  Check out how different the three of ours turned out!

Allyson (right) and Erica (left) hard at work!

Starting to come together

Erica, me, and Allyson with the finished products!

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Oh, and Pinterest!

The Clash asked a very important question in their 1982 hit "Should I Stay or Should I Go?".   I'm asking myself the very same.  I've been blonde for the vast majority of my life.  Started out blonde as a kid...then it slowly turned darker in my grade school years.  I quickly put a stop to that when I turned 14 and haven't looked back since.  I'm feeling... bored.  Is it just the change of the season, is it time for a change, or will I just go back to blonde again in 6 weeks.  Who knows!  I did have some fun trying out some new colors though...

Repurposing a map.  Pin special places. 

So, what's this Pinterest thing all about anyway?  Sarah Richards, the person also guilty of introducing me to Picnik (Photo editing software) has now brought on a whole new addiction.  Pinterest is a virtual pin board that helps you collect and share things you love.  It could be anything from a good book, a handbag, an ingenius DIY project, to a wedding hairstyle you're fancying.  All I know is, it's addictive!  It's sort of a virtual and viral way of sharing hobbies, recipes, home improvement/DIY ideas and so much more.  Maybe even discovering a new pair of heels or two.  Or twelve.   All I know is that I can't get enough! This repurposing map idea is one of the first things I discovered on Pinterest...can't wait to do this!  I've already been to Hobby Lobby's website to print off coupons for frames.  Now... where to find the maps?  I think it's a great way to showcase sentimental places you've traveled, while also being a pretty trendy display in any room. 

It's Fall, ya'all!

Mom & I at Huber's Winery

Michael & I trying the Spiced Apple

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year!  It's home to football (Go Colts!), Halloween, changing leaves, brisk mornings, and the reemergence of boots!  I love everything about fall...well, except the turning into winter part.  Other than that, bring it on.  As always I get a bit over zealous about decorating.  I broke the fall decor out yesterday, which was hard enough waiting until September 17th.  I picked up some carving pumpkins, pie pumpkins, and a healthy selection of gourds on our trip to Huber's Winery yesterday.  It was the epitome of a perfect fall day. Sunny and just the right temperature.  We started out by sampling a few seasonal wines - their Spiced Apple, Harvest Blush and Trimmanette.  Then fed the hoards of gigantic koi and catfish they have - whoa.  Finally took a stroll over to the Harvest Market.  They make tons of local products like jellies, jams, candies in addition to their wine.  You may also pick your own fruit and vegetables if you so choose to take the wagon ride out to the orchard.

Jumbo pumpkins!

Holy koi fish and catfish!  These things were HUGE!

I can't wait to get creative with our Halloween costumes this year.  We've got several ideas in the works, but I'm already getting excited.  I'm ready to bring on the ghost tours and haunted hayrides.  Here is some of my seasonal flare around the house!

Out by the street.  

Spooky signs

Only temporarily replacing the Colts flag.

Ferg playing Where's Waldo

Foyer

Scarecrow Sunroom

Creepy Kitchen

Haunted Houses

Warning: Crazy Cat Ladies Only.

As all cat owners know, the downside (and only downside if you ask this crazy cat lady) of having indoor only cats is well...the dreaded litter box.  It's a chore that no one enjoys doing but must be done nonetheless.  I have 2 strictly indoor cats and for years have been a loyal Tidy Cats user.  No more!  I stumbled upon a new product at the grocery from Arm and Hammer.  It is all natural made from corn fiber and plant extracts.  I have noticed a very significant decrease in litter box odor, and the cats don't track it around like the clay based litters.  I'm raving about this product.  Reviews online have for the most part been positive, with the exception of a few picky kitties that don't care for the cedar/pine like fragrance.  It's priced at around $14 for an 18 pound bag at most stores.  This is more expensive than most other brands but I can tell you its lasts longer.  Much longer.  I'm raving about this and if you are having an issue...or just want to try it out I highly recommend this product!  Here is another blog post regarding it.

Meow!  The Duchess Ferguson approves this product!

They grow up so fast.

First day home! 1-23-11

It seems like yesterday our roly poly little puppy, Rigby, came home for the first day. It's hard to believe that she was 6.8 pounds, and about 1/3 the size of her big brother Pete.  She is now 45 pounds and about three times his size.  She's now 10 months old and I'm hoping she has finished growing!  It's crazy to look back at how very teeny tiny she was!  She was a very smart little puppy that made less than a handful of accidents in the house, and started going to the door on her own after about a week.  Pretty amazing for a 7 week old puppy.  I was looking back at some videos of her today "sitting" and "laying" at 7-8 weeks of age.  I'm positive we had a little genius on our hands.  She turns 1 year old on November 12th this year here is a look at her first 10 months!

Before and after.  January 2011 and September 2011.

Starting to catch up.

Her Gene Simmons phase.

 

 

The bows didn't stick.  

 

Playing with big bro Pete on the farm.

Exact same dog bed.  No more room for sharing!