I checked with a breeder in Brentwood whose dog Kalli was expecting puppies this week and found out that there was a single female puppy. Not just one female in the litter, a litter of one female. She looks cute and her markings are really pretty. I turned out OK (don't burst my bubble if I didn't) but I don't know how being a singleton will affect this little dog.
Friday, January 30, 2009
An only puppy
I checked with a breeder in Brentwood whose dog Kalli was expecting puppies this week and found out that there was a single female puppy. Not just one female in the litter, a litter of one female. She looks cute and her markings are really pretty. I turned out OK (don't burst my bubble if I didn't) but I don't know how being a singleton will affect this little dog.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Postmaster General: Mail days may need to be cut
Oh no! What will Lexi do from 12 to 3 if this happens? It's hard enough explaining Sunday to her.
By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON – Massive deficits could force the post office to cut out one day of mail delivery, the postmaster general told Congress on Wednesday, in asking lawmakers to lift the requirement that the agency deliver mail six days a week.
If the change happens, that doesn't necessarily mean an end to Saturday mail delivery. Previous post office studies have looked at the possibility of skipping some other day when mail flow is light, such as Tuesday.
Faced with dwindling mail volume and rising costs, the post office was $2.8 billion in the red last year. "If current trends continue, we could experience a net loss of $6 billion or more this fiscal year," Postmaster General John E. Potter said in testimony for a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee.
Total mail volume was 202 billion items last year, over 9 billion less than the year before, the largest single volume drop in history.
And, despite annual rate increases, Potter said 2009 could be the first year since 1946 that the actual amount of money collected by the post office declines.
"It is possible that the cost of six-day delivery may simply prove to be unaffordable," Potter said. "I reluctantly request that Congress remove the annual appropriation bill rider, first added in 1983, that requires the Postal Service to deliver mail six days each week."
"The ability to suspend delivery on the lightest delivery days, for example, could save dollars in both our delivery and our processing and distribution networks. I do not make this request lightly, but I am forced to consider every option given the severity of our challenge," Potter said.
That doesn't mean it would happen right away, he noted, adding that the agency is working to cut costs and any final decision on changing delivery would have to be made by the postal governing board.
If it did become necessary to go to five-day delivery, Potter said, "we would do this by suspending delivery on the lightest volume days."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090128/ap_on_go_ot/meltdown_post_office
By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON – Massive deficits could force the post office to cut out one day of mail delivery, the postmaster general told Congress on Wednesday, in asking lawmakers to lift the requirement that the agency deliver mail six days a week.
If the change happens, that doesn't necessarily mean an end to Saturday mail delivery. Previous post office studies have looked at the possibility of skipping some other day when mail flow is light, such as Tuesday.
Faced with dwindling mail volume and rising costs, the post office was $2.8 billion in the red last year. "If current trends continue, we could experience a net loss of $6 billion or more this fiscal year," Postmaster General John E. Potter said in testimony for a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee.
Total mail volume was 202 billion items last year, over 9 billion less than the year before, the largest single volume drop in history.
And, despite annual rate increases, Potter said 2009 could be the first year since 1946 that the actual amount of money collected by the post office declines.
"It is possible that the cost of six-day delivery may simply prove to be unaffordable," Potter said. "I reluctantly request that Congress remove the annual appropriation bill rider, first added in 1983, that requires the Postal Service to deliver mail six days each week."
"The ability to suspend delivery on the lightest delivery days, for example, could save dollars in both our delivery and our processing and distribution networks. I do not make this request lightly, but I am forced to consider every option given the severity of our challenge," Potter said.
That doesn't mean it would happen right away, he noted, adding that the agency is working to cut costs and any final decision on changing delivery would have to be made by the postal governing board.
If it did become necessary to go to five-day delivery, Potter said, "we would do this by suspending delivery on the lightest volume days."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090128/ap_on_go_ot/meltdown_post_office
Monday, January 26, 2009
Very cool license plate seen on truck parked along Dolores Park
Seen on a red, slightly lowered pickup truck with no bumper parked on 18th Street today.
Or maybe this one
Bird Bath and Waterer
Providing a fresh supply of water is every birder's concern. First Nature's Bird Bath and Waterer features a durable water reservoir that holds over 100 ounces of water, then releases it into four separate drinking pools on demand. The First Nature Bird Bath and Waterer can be mounted on a 4' x 4' post or can be hung with a chain and 'S' hook. (Chain not included.)
Simply remove the colorful light blue water reservoir and fill it with fresh cool water. In between fillings, both the reservoir and the drinking pools can be washed with warm soapy water. As the birds bathe in or consume the water, it's instantly replenished from the reservoir.
Regular: $21.95
Sale: $18.95
Save: 14% off
Maybe we need a bird bath
Sunswept Terra Cotta Hanging or Standing Bird Bath - Royal Blue
This durable hand-finished terra cotta bird bath has a 14.5' diameter. Rust-resistant hanging hardware and black enameled steel stand are included. It has an easy to clean, lead free glaze.
Regular: $39.95
Sale: $36.95
Update: first published photo of new microwave
Stainless steel exterior, 1100 watts of power, 1.2 cu ft interior and a soften button for accurate butter softening
Oh, oregano, you look so good I could eat you!
Oh wait, we just did. Thanks for seasoning our homemade pizza sauce.
Grow back quick!
Huh?
Like banana flavored beer, I'm not sure why pink grapefruit flavored yogurt exists.Emmi Swiss Premium Yogurt
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Cafe Finch opened today following on the wild success of Hummingbird Habit
It was a slow day though as word hasn't gotten out about the yummy wild finch food from the same chef who prepares the delicious nectar at Hummingbird Habit. In case you haven't been to Goleta, CA for a burger lately (or ever) and don't understand, the name Hummingbird Habit is a play on the popular Hamburger Habit on Hollister in Goleta.
Monday, January 19, 2009
She's making the rest of us look bad
Woman with multiple sclerosis will attempt Everest
By MARK MORICAL | The (Bend) Bulletin • Published January 18, 2009
BEND, Ore. — Wendy Booker’s left side is numb from her toes to the top of her rib cage.
Yet somehow, she has managed to climb the tallest peaks on six continents. For Booker to complete the climbing feat known as the Seven Summits, just one peak remains: Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth.
Living with multiple sclerosis, Booker says, is much like climbing a mountain.
“I wanted to show what life with MS is like,” she says. “It’s a struggle. You can’t always get to the top.”
Booker, 54, will strive to become the first person with multiple sclerosis to climb the highest mountain on each of the world’s seven continents when she attempts Everest this spring.
http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/story/728273.html
By MARK MORICAL | The (Bend) Bulletin • Published January 18, 2009
BEND, Ore. — Wendy Booker’s left side is numb from her toes to the top of her rib cage.
Yet somehow, she has managed to climb the tallest peaks on six continents. For Booker to complete the climbing feat known as the Seven Summits, just one peak remains: Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth.
Living with multiple sclerosis, Booker says, is much like climbing a mountain.
“I wanted to show what life with MS is like,” she says. “It’s a struggle. You can’t always get to the top.”
Booker, 54, will strive to become the first person with multiple sclerosis to climb the highest mountain on each of the world’s seven continents when she attempts Everest this spring.
http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/story/728273.html
Sunday, January 18, 2009
It's a little messy...
in the dining room but I can't wait to clean up so I'm posting photos of our new artwork now. We put up four of the planned six photographs today! They look really cool.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Shopping begins...
Cuban Dog Collar
* every seam is sewn down for your pet's comfort
* made of 100% polyester (what seat belts are made of)
* light-weight yet extremely strong
* quick-drying and resistant to mold and mildew
* permanently dyed so colors will never run
* constructed with ultra-strong Wienerlock ® buckle
* solid metal d-ring
This might be a little strange. I'm considering Cuban names but I'm not so sure about this collar.
And to think I voted for him...
Excerpt from Barbara Walters' Exclusive Interview with Barack and Michelle Obama:
WALTERS: I have one final, very important question. I, Mrs. Obama, I sent you a picture of my dog, Cha Cha…
MICHELLE OBAMA: Uh-huh.
WALTERS: Who is a Havanese, and a very perfect dog, and…
BARACK OBAMA: Cha Cha?
WALTERS: Cha Cha. Cha Cha is a dog, he's a Havanese, he's from Havana…real name is "Cha-cha-cha."
BARACK OBAMA: Cha-cha-cha.
WALTERS: Yeah. (overlap)
BARACK OBAMA What is a Havanese?
WALTERS: Oh, it's like a little…it's like a little terrier. And they're non-allergenic, and they're the sweetest dogs in the world.
BARACK OBAMA: But, but it's a…it's like a little yappy dog.
WALTERS: Yeah, you don't want (overlap)…
MICHELLE OBAMA: Don't criticize.
BARACK OBAMA: Yeah, it like sits in your lap and things?
MICHELLE OBAMA: (Overlap) Yes, it's a cute dog. (Laughs)
BARACK OBAMA: It sounds kind of like a…a girly dog.
MICHELLE OBAMA: We're girls. We have a house full of girls.
WALTERS: We know… we…what about whatever you were saying?
MICHELLE OBAMA: (Laughs)
BARACK OBAMA: Well…well, we're gonna have a big, rambunctious dog.
WALTERS: Okay. Well, what (Overlap)…
BARACK OBAMA: Of some sort.
WALTERS: What I was wondering, is are you being inundated with pictures of funny-looking dogs? I mean, is everybody like me? Is everybody sending you a picture of their dog?
MICHELLE OBAMA: Yeah. I mean, yes, we are (overlap)…
BARACK OBAMA: As a matter of fact…
MICHELLE OBAMA: …getting lots of (overlap)…
BARACK OBAMA: We're getting more advice about this than my economic policy. (laughter)
No doubt about it.
WALTERS: I have one final, very important question. I, Mrs. Obama, I sent you a picture of my dog, Cha Cha…
MICHELLE OBAMA: Uh-huh.
WALTERS: Who is a Havanese, and a very perfect dog, and…
BARACK OBAMA: Cha Cha?
WALTERS: Cha Cha. Cha Cha is a dog, he's a Havanese, he's from Havana…real name is "Cha-cha-cha."
BARACK OBAMA: Cha-cha-cha.
WALTERS: Yeah. (overlap)
BARACK OBAMA What is a Havanese?
WALTERS: Oh, it's like a little…it's like a little terrier. And they're non-allergenic, and they're the sweetest dogs in the world.
BARACK OBAMA: But, but it's a…it's like a little yappy dog.
WALTERS: Yeah, you don't want (overlap)…
MICHELLE OBAMA: Don't criticize.
BARACK OBAMA: Yeah, it like sits in your lap and things?
MICHELLE OBAMA: (Overlap) Yes, it's a cute dog. (Laughs)
BARACK OBAMA: It sounds kind of like a…a girly dog.
MICHELLE OBAMA: We're girls. We have a house full of girls.
WALTERS: We know… we…what about whatever you were saying?
MICHELLE OBAMA: (Laughs)
BARACK OBAMA: Well…well, we're gonna have a big, rambunctious dog.
WALTERS: Okay. Well, what (Overlap)…
BARACK OBAMA: Of some sort.
WALTERS: What I was wondering, is are you being inundated with pictures of funny-looking dogs? I mean, is everybody like me? Is everybody sending you a picture of their dog?
MICHELLE OBAMA: Yeah. I mean, yes, we are (overlap)…
BARACK OBAMA: As a matter of fact…
MICHELLE OBAMA: …getting lots of (overlap)…
BARACK OBAMA: We're getting more advice about this than my economic policy. (laughter)
No doubt about it.
Our new puppy might be from this litter!
These puppies are all female and were born on December 22. They'll be ready to come home in February. Yes, I would rather have a new puppy than a counter-depth Bosch washing machine and dryer.
Link to nursery page on breeder's website
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Featured kitty: Journey
Journey is my husband's sister's cat which makes him Lexi's cousin. Journey lives with my husband's parents in Clovis, CA. He had a recent health scare and now gets an insulin shot each day. Let's hear it for subcutaneous injections!
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