We Are That Neighbor...

Have you ever been woken up in the middle of the night by a barking dog?

One that just won't quit barking?

And you're wondering how on earth the owners can let their dog out in the middle of the night and allow it to bark and keep the neighbors awake?

Finally, it gets so bad that you feel you have no alternative.  You call the police in the hopes that they can stop the incessant noise.

Well, apparently one of our neighbors felt this way a few nights ago. (Ha! Gotcha!  You thought that was about us.  Heck no, we're the offenders in this little story!)

Jim and I let the dogs out as usual before heading upstairs for the night.  I was busy rounding up some items to help us rig up a way to hang Eden's wedding dress so that it would hang nicely and not wrinkle.

I did not pay attention when I let the dogs back inside and we all headed upstairs.

We finished our task, got ready for bed and read for a bit before falling asleep.

We were woken up a few hours later by a bright flood light streaming through our upstairs bedroom window and a knock at the front door.

As soon as Jim opened the bedroom door he heard the barking.  A quick cursory look around our bedroom confirmed that only two dogs were sleeping in their dog beds.

Oy. Vey. (That is the publishable version of what went through our minds.)

Jim apologized profusely to the very nice City of Frederick police officer and immediately let Bleu inside.

Bleu was a little put out that we'd (me) left her outside (obviously).  She'd waited for us to let her in (for a few hours), and when we didn't come she started barking.

It's times like these that I miss our five acre hobby farm in the country.

You're probably wondering how on earth we didn't hear her barking.  It's really no excuse but our bedroom is on the front side of the house and she was in the backyard. We shut our bedroom door so the dogs can't wander around the house at night.  We also have a small machine that plays the sound of falling rain to help us sleep.  It mutes the house sounds that wake us up.  We just didn't hear her.

From the bottom of our hearts, we apologize profusely to our neighbors.  We are (usually) very responsible dogs owners...we don't really even let any of our dogs bark outside during the day.  We feel horrible that we didn't realize we'd left her outside and that someone had to call the police because we didn't hear her.

Needless to say, I've been overly friendly, waving and smiling at every neighbor I see.

Bleu, standing next to the sliding glass door that we didn't open to let her in. 

Til next time ~ find your joy!
Kelly

Thursday Randomness

I've been a bit lax at posting lately, not so much for lack of time, but more so for lack of organization. Throughout the day, most everyday, things will pop into my head and I'll think, I really should do a post about that.  But, I don't write it down and then when it comes time to actually sit at my keyboard and type I have all of these random thoughts bouncing around in my brain and I don't know where to begin.

So, today, in honor of those random thoughts bouncing around in my brain,  I give you Randomness Thursday, or loosely translated, Tidbits I Was Able To Put Together In Somewhat Coherent Sentences.

Let us begin...

It's a beautifully sunny day today, with much less haze hovering from the wildfires up Indian Gulch (west of Golden, CO near Lookout Mountain).  It's extremely dry here and we've had gale winds on and off for the last few days.  High winds are forecast again today.  They're hoping to have the fire 50% contained by tonight.  Luckily, no homes have been damaged, and it appears they are out of imminent danger.  Let's hope it stays that way.

Update:  Another fire reported in Franktown, which is west of Parker, CO.  911 reverse calls go out.  Oy vey.

* * * * * * * * * *

My lack of organization (which is NOT my normal modus operandi) is spilling over into everyday life....today I forgot my cell phone on the counter and I headed to work in my flip flops (had intended to change my footwear before I left for work). While they (said flip flops) don't necessarily match my outfit (which is pretty darn casual today), it could be worse.  At least it's supposed to be near 60 degrees today so I won't freeze my toes off.

* * * * * * * * * *

Twitter is a social media phenomenon.  And I love it!  I currently follow 164 other Twitter-ers (which is a pittance compared to most others!) that run the gamut from news to marketing/business gurus to inspirational speakers to writers to food bloggers to probloggers.  I follow a few celebs like George Stephanopoulos, Arianna Huffington and Martha Stewart, but I draw the line at crazy Charlie Sheen.  What I'm trying to say, is there is no rhyme or reason to who I follow.  I don't twitter to promote/gain business, I do it mainly to gleam knowledge from others.

I've tweeted 805 times in a year and a half, which in the big picture is not very much.  I am sporadic, at best, in the frequency of my tweets, although I do retweet the interesting things I come across.  I don't have to check it on a regular basis, just when I want to or have time.

It keeps me in the know, ya know?  Do you Twitter?

* * * * * * * * * *

'til next time, find your joy!
Kelly

A Little of This, A Little of That

It's been a long time since I've written a post, other than posting a picture for my 365 Project.  There's a very good reason for that.  Well, not that good a reason, but a reason none-the-less.

My computer died.  About two weeks ago.  I'd just spent another $165 to have the hard drive wiped and reloaded.  It worked great for 5 days.  Then, after I downloaded the most recent HP/Windows update and had to restart the computer, it went into a 45 minute perpetual logging off, then the screen went white and it shut off.  After that it wouldn't turn on again.

It's back at the computer doctor, so he can extract my files. Maybe he can perform a miracle.  I'm not holding my breath.

So, I have to abscond with Jim or Haley's computer to get anything posted.

Liar

What?  Did you say something?  Yeah, I know.  As much as I'd like to use that as an excuse, I can't.  Life is just busy right now.

Without further ado, I'll share a few tidbits...

1.  We have a new TV station...Antenna TV.  They show classics like The Three Stooges, The Monkees, The Flying Nun, Gidget, Hazel, Maude, Good Times and Here Come the Brides among many others.  I've caught bits and pieces of a few of the shows.  While many are even before my time (at least I was too young when they were originally on to watch them) it offers a nice alternative.  We gave up Dish a few years ago and have regular antenna TV.  Surprisingly, we have survived. I do miss Food Network, but I just check it out online.

2.  I'm heading to Vegas on Wednesday for work for a client's annual convention.  I haven't been to Vegas in 20+ years.  It should be interesting.  Hopefully, I'll get some good pictures.

3.  I'm heading to Vegas again in February for work for the IFA Convention.  Joy.  I love traveling with my family, but for work? Not so much.  I was born under the sign of the crab.  Cancer's love food and are homebodies.  What can I say?

4.  Luna will be 9 months old on Thursday.  We're guessing she's pushing 95 pounds.  None of the pictures I take seem to capture how big and long she is.  I'll keep trying.

5.  I just started the last book (at least the last one that's written) in the 14 book J.P. Beaumont series by J.A. Jance.  It's a great series...I'm very sad.  What will I read next? Hmmm...

That's my update for now.  Gotta go, Harry's Law is premiering!  I just love Kathy Bates!  But, I'll be back again soon.

'Til next time...

Kelly

Happy Halloween!

I couldn't resist reposting this little funny from last year. Have a wonderfully scary Halloween!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!


Kelly

Friday Humor - The Good Attorney

I stumbled upon the following humorous anecdote on Joey Tamer's blog.  I couldn't resist posting it.  Not sure if it's true or not, but as Joey points out, if I'm ever in need of an attorney, I hope he/she is just like this one.

A New Orleans lawyer sought an FHA loan for a client who lost his house in Hurricane Katrina and wanted to rebuild. He was told the loan would be granted if he could prove satisfactory title to the parcel of property being offered as collateral. The title to the property dated back to 1803, which took the Lawyer three months to track down.

After sending the information to the FHA, he received the following reply.

(Actual letter): “Upon review of your letter adjoining your client’s loan application, we note that the request is supported by an Abstract of Title. While we compliment the able manner in which you have prepared and presented the application, we must point out that you have only cleared title to the proposed collateral property back to 1803… Before final approval can be accorded, it will be necessary to clear the title back to its origin.”

Annoyed, the lawyer responded as follows (actual letter):

“Your letter regarding title in Case No. 189156 has been received.  I note that you wish to have title extended further than the 194 years covered by the present application. I was unaware that any educated person in this country, particularly those working in the property area, would not know that Louisiana was purchased, by the U.S., from France in 1803, the year of origin identified in our application. For the edification of uninformed FHA bureaucrats, the title to the land prior to U.S. ownership was obtained from France, which had acquired it by Right of Conquest from Spain. The land came into the possession of Spain by Right of Discovery made in the year 1492 by a sea captain named Christopher Columbus, who had been granted the privilege of seeking a new route to India by the Spanish monarch, Isabella. The good queen, Isabella, being a pious woman and almost as careful about titles as the FHA, took the precaution of securing the blessing of the Pope before she sold her jewels to finance Columbus’ expedition. Now the Pope, as I’m sure you may know, is the emissary of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and God, it is commonly accepted, created this world. Therefore, I believe it is safe to presume that God also made that part of the world called Louisiana. God, therefore, would be the owner of origin and His origins date back to before the beginning of time, the world as we know it AND the FHA. I hope you find God’s original claim to be satisfactory. Now, may we have our damn loan?”

He got the loan.

A little humor for this fine Friday!  Have a great weekend!

Kelly