Am I the only one confused as to what these stairs are for? Oh well, I took the pic anyways and it looks cool I think. 

A Tale of a Puppy

Someone was asking me today how I ended up getting Belle. If you have already heard this story, my apologies.

Ever since I met Chris I was constantly telling him how much I had always wanted a dog. And he was always telling me he was allergic to dogs. This made me sad cause I was thinking...."I really like this guy, but man I want a dog." lol. Anyways we had been dating for 6 months and Chris took me out to dinner in Seattle. Afterwards we were walking around Seattle Center which is where the Space Needle and stuff is. Chris turns to me and says "you know, I have never been to the top of the Space Needle do you want to go?" Now me being terrified of elevators AND heights my immediate answer was NO. I mean really, how on earth did he think he was going to get me in an elevator that is on the OUTSIDE of the building with glass windows. So we sat there and looked up for a while and finally he says "would you go up there with me if I promised you that you can get a puppy someday?" This really got me thinking, but I was convinced that if I agreed and did it that he was not serious. That would have sucked. lol. After a long time (at least an hour) of sitting and thinking and shaking I was so scared I finally said ok. He kept asking me if I was sure and I just said "don't give me a chance to change my mind." We bought our tickets and there was no turning back once I stepped foot on the elevator. I was terrified...and the cheesy jokes from the elevator dude didn't help. Sorry buddy but "this is a great job, but it has its ups and downs" is NOT funny. We got to the top and I was so glad I went, it was beautiful, the view was amazing. However when we got back on the ground I was darn near kissing it.

On Valentines Day 2004, 6 months before we got married...Chris says to me "wanna get a puppy?" Just out of the blue like that, I thought he was kidding because I was certain he was not going to let me get a dog till long after we were married. I figured he would put it off as long as possible. Anyways he was like "i'm serious," when I finally realized he was I got so freaking excited. Immediately I went on petfinder.com and started looking around. We had decided that whenever we did get our first dog that we would adopt one. So after about 5 minutes I came across Belle's 'ad.' I fell in love with her immediately and I said to Chris THIS IS THE ONE I WANT. He agreed that she was pretty darn cute. So we called the shelter where she was to see if they still had her. Of course they did. So the next day we drove a few hours to a place in Eastern Washington to see her. She was so cute and she looked so scared sitting in her kennel. It was a no brainer, we knew the minute we saw her that she was the one we wanted. And that was that....we paid for her and came back two days later to pick her up after she was sent to the vet for shots and to be fixed and stuff.

Annabelle was actually the name they had given her at the pound, we liked it so we decided to keep it. She was about 10 months old when we got her and we have enjoyed every moment. She has her issues (she doesn't get a long with other dogs), she is hyper and super energetic. But we love it. I wouldn't trade her in for any dog.

And I must point out that Chris who was NOT a dog person before we got her is such a huge dog person now. He even calls me when he is driving to tell me about "the cute dog he saw hanging out a car window" or "the cute dog he saw being walked". haha.....and let me tell you Belle is definitely a daddy's girl, she adores him. She even bites her nails just like dad. lol

This is Annie....she is our landlords little girl and she is so stinkin cute. She just turned 3 a few months ago and Chris and I just love her.We live in a basement suite and our landlords live upstairs....so last night Annie was peeking down at us:) 

Chris took Belle out to pee tonight...all was normal....Belle was going pee only to realize she was not alone. She was being watched. Mid pee she started freaking out at the wonderful kitty sitting up in the trees in our backyard watching her:) So I went out and snapped a couple of pics. Don't the cats eyes look freaky?!

Belle was NOT impressed

FREAKY eyes

I am so proud of my husband....We moved out here last year for him to start a job he had never done before, a job he had no knowledge in. Many people told us we were crazy for taking such a huge risk. But we didn't listen and I am so glad we didn't. He has essentially gotten THREE raises this year. The first was inevitable because of his job change he got paid a little more money. But then about 6 months ago out of the blue they gave him a raise. Then a few weeks ago he got his yearly raise. Not only did he get his yearly raise but his was 5%, which is the highest. I am so proud of him, he has worked so hard this past year and it shows.

Alright, I saw this over on Amanda's blog and thought I would do it here. So here you go. I am not going to tag anyone on this one, but if you do decide to do it let me know. Ok........

Go to http://www.google.com/ and select Images. Type in your responses to the questions below and choose a picture from the first page only that represents your answer.

Your home town?
The town/city where you now live?
Last years favorite Christmas present?
Your occupation?
Your hobby or pastime?
What's your favorite meal?
Favorite smell?
Your ideal vacation spot?

Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta








Town/city I now live: Boston, Massachusetts









Last years favorite Christmas present: My leather purse Chris got me













Your occupation: I used to be an Esthetician and hope to be a Vet Tech























Hobby or Pastime: reading, watching movies, going to Starbucks with friends/hubby

Favorite Meal: Steak

Favorite Smell: Lavender

Ideal Vacation Spot: Scotland (since i was born there and all)

Am I the only one who has my Christmas shopping list all written out and ready to go? Some people have looked at me funny when I tell them this. Last year we didn't do our shopping early and it was a big old rush to get things done. Then of course we had to ship 2 separate boxes....One to Seattle and one to Edmonton. So I decided this year that we would do our shopping early. I would rather have it done now, that way I don't have to be part of all the craziness that is shopping in December.

This weekend Chris and I were at Target and we found The Aviator and Elf for TEN dollars each. So of course we had to buy them, we have not seen The Aviator yet but we have seen Elf. I love that movie, it makes me laugh everytime I watch it.

I am super boring today....no exciting stories of the weekend to tell you So this will have to do. Maybe I will post some pictures later or even a video or something. We shall see....

FINALLY!!

We got a digital camera. I am not even really sure why it took us so long. Just never really got around to it. Anyways today we went out and decided to just go ahead and get one. I am so excited to not have to buy film or anything like that every again.

This is the picture they took of us right before we got on the boat. We picked it up after the cruise....it was included in the price we paid. It might look a little out of focus because I actually took a picture of the picture with our digital camera. 

I love this picture 

From Left to right starting in the back....
Travis, Rob, Jeff, Stephen, Brian, John, Curtis, Chris M.
Front row left to right...David, Chris S, Troy, Mark, Deland

Most of you know Chris played softball with the guys from church this past summer. Fun times! This is the team picture.....my hubby is the unhappy looking one on the far right standing. They lost that night and he was bummed cause he couldn't play cause of his knee.

Rain Rain GO AWAY!!!

Ok, so it is STILL raining. I don't think we have seen the sun in over a week....no joke!! The whole New England area has been hammered with rain for like 9 days straight. Last night it was POURING and when we were driving home it was like driving through rivers the roads were so waterlogged. We shoulda had a boat. When we got home we knew Belle was going to have to go to the bathroom, but we also know what a wuss she is when it comes to rain. She HATES rain...so much that it does not matter how bad she has to "go" she will not until it is beyond waiting anymore. So we get home and Chris immediately takes her out hoping she will go.....YEAH RIGHT!! She ran out and turned right back around and back inside without evening going down one step. She had the look of "are you kidding me?" Anyways over the next hour or so she kept pacing and whining and jumping at the door. So each time we took her out we had a little more hope that she would actually go. I mean, we actually have to drag her down the stairs in this weather and make her stand in the yard. Finally after about 6 tries, I opened the door and I knew we were good cause I didn't have to drag her out and down the stairs.....she RAN down the stairs, found her spot and we no longer had to worry about her leaving us a nice chocolate surprise on the carpet:) So yeah the rain affects us all. lol. I hope it stops soon.....they say it's supposed to taper off after the weekend. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

On another note, last night we went out with some friends and saw "The Greatest Game Ever Played." Was a good movie. After we went to Friendly's and had some Ice Cream Cake....it was our friend Jeff's birthday. His parents and Carolynne got him a game used Johnny Damon baseball bat. Nice!! I told Chris not to get any ideas....he is not getting a cool gift like that;)

I have a mountain of laundry I need to fold and we are going to go looking at camera's today...so who knows by the end of the day I might have one finally.