Thank you to those who sent their good wishes to me this week. It has been really hard since losing Walter my pug, but my husband and I are trying to keep our spirits up.

I think I have also become an overprotective mom to Perry. I have been watching him like a hawk and getting freaky if he doesn't eat his breakfast or dinner. I am worry he is going to get depressed, but, he is also one of those dogs who always seems depressed. So I don't know what to look for.

I have been taking him on longer walks and today took him on a special "mommy, doggy" day. We went to the dog park and then I took him to Petco for some shopping. Walter had a habit of peeing on the displays when we would go, so I could never take them. Perry seemed really excited to sniff around. At the dog park he met up with two other puggles. One was a little girl and Im pretty sure he quite fancied her.

We are just going to be low key on this Halloween night. Hit up some Italian food and maybe do some gambling at the casino near our home. Not really feeling like I need to party.

Anyway, happy Halloween to all of you!

In loving Memory of Walter

Sad News

Thank you to all who sent good thoughts for my puppy who had surgery, but I am sad to report that my puppy Walter passed away yesterday due to complications. It's probably one of the worse things my husband and I have had to go through. Walter was only two, but he touched our lives deeply. His brother Perry has been sad and we are just trying to give him a lot of love and attention. Walter will be missed terribly.

My Crazy Saturday

This morning I ran the Four Seasons Halloween Run for Cancer Research 5k at the Nevada Cancer Research Institute. My Grandfather with whom I was really close died last year of lung cancer and my husband's sister in law is in remission. So this was a fundraiser that I did not want to miss.

I haven't run a 5k race in about 6 months. The last one I ran was a disaster and ever since I had been a little wary about running another one. Today my time (unofficial) was 27:28. Not the greatest, but it was about 75% uphill. I really need to work on my speed work. I have been a bit lazy in that area.

After the Four Seasons had a buffet spread for us. Of course it was all pastries and food a running should not be stuffing their face with at the end of a race. Well, thinking of my husband always, I grabbed a few fruit kabobs for myself and loaded up on all the pastries I could for him. You should have seen the crazy looks I was getting...

So that was my early morning. My mid morning was spent taking my little baby pug Walter for tummy surgery. He has been throwing up for about a week and not eating or going to the bathroom. At first the doc just gave him a shot to stop his throwing up but that didn't work. After more x-rays they determined that there was a blockage in his stomach so they did surgery. Let me tell you, I am either crazy or love my pup A LOT cause that surgery set us waaaaay back!

Now, I am really trying not to gross anyone out, but they kept what was taken from his stomach for us to see...IT WAS CRAZY!!!!!!! totally gross! Like a huge, huge, huge hair ball from a cat. (sorry, i will stop with the gross details)

Well, he is now sleeping and I feel so bad for him. My puggle Perry is cute and is being really gentle with him and trying to give Walter space. Its pretty precious.

Anyway, have a good rest of the weekend I will be taking care of my pup and hopefully will find time to bake.

Maybe a little Mean

So, my new Besties and I at work have made up nick-names for some of our fellow new employees. There are about 40 of us, so there of course are going to be those in the training class that may have some quirks and may be a bit annoying. Now I know this may sound mean, but when you are listening to lectures for 8 hours a day you tend to use nick naming as a mechanism to stay some what sane in an insane environment.

First of all we have who we like to call "Starbucks." He is a middle aged man who likes to make as many comments as possible in class. We call him "Starbucks" because in the morning, at every break, and lunch, this man get Starbucks Iced Coffees (Vente, of Course). He doesn't just get one at a time either, he gets two. We kept a tally, added it up and totalled the cost of his addiction. He spends roughly $125 a week...That my friends is quite ridiculous!

Next we have Ms. Los Angeles. This woman is probably in her 60's and has just moved from LA. I think she said she has been here about 4 weeks. LA had the same job in California and every single speaker that comes in gets a lecture about how she is from Los Angeles and how things were done in their county department. She also says "uh, huh," under her breath with every comment the instructors make. At the end of a long day, I want to pull my hair out!

At the table next to us is whom we like to refer to as "Puerto Rico." For obvious reasons we call him this because he is from Puerto Rico. He also just recently retired from being a New York Police officer. He likes interrogations and making false accusations. He also talks really loud and makes a lot of inappropriate comments. He has formed a liking to me and calls me by my last name as if I was one of his "bros" on his softball team.

My favorite is "Olympic Gardens." This is the name of an "exotic dancing establishment" in Las Vegas. The poor girl really fits the part, and in order to not be too mean, I will leave it at that.

Handle Bar J, is a man from Louisiana. He actually makes me laugh a lot. He likes to impulsively yell out silly comments in his gentile southern drawl. He has a great mustache and wears a kick ass members only leather jacket to class...Oh, and he is a bowlegged cowboy.

Lastly, a boy that is near and dear to our hearts. We just call him by his real name. He is a sweet boy, soft spoken and walks with a limp. He told us his best quality is that he loves people and can get along with everyone. On his breaks he listens to rock music on his i-pod and moves along to the beat. I would like to put him in my pocket. He is great. (So, I am not mean about everyone).

I am an observer by nature. It can really be considered one of my downfalls. I have spent countless hours in my life just watching those around me and trying to figure them out. I should probably be concentrating more in class, but I get distracted easily. Don't judge me, I don't mean to be harsh, but without my observations, I would be way to bored out of my mind.

Computer Issues!

Oh thank god! My Internet has been down for 3 days and i have felt such anxiety over it. I felt so disconnected from the world. Everyday wondering what was going on in the word, especially the blog world. It has been ridiculous.

Today for work I had to drive to a different site for training. I didn't have access to google last night so I tried a map...Wow! I am sooooo dependant on the Internet! I thought I had figured out how to get to this site by looking at the map (so old school, right?). I was certainly wrong. I got so lost and was late. You also know what goes along with starting a day like that, the rest of your day just seems so off.

My morning made me think. How lame am I that I can no longer properly read a map. I need google map to give me the precise directions, right down to the miles in between each turn. I think there was a time in my life when I could read a map, but I actually cant remember. I think being one of the first generations to do everything on the computer may have had some downfalls. One of those downfalls is that I cant spell to save my life...I don't have to, I just use spell check. I certainly never really had to go to the library when I was in college and grad school, all I had to do was connect to the school library online and download all the info I needed. And of course obviously I cant read a simple map.

So, not having the Internet for 3 days really made me think about the way I live my life. Don't get me wrong though, I am certainly glad I have it back, and will go back to my obsessing over reading my favorite blogs and constantly checking my email. Its just the way things are now, and I'm just really going to have to make sure that I have my Internet before I have to go anywhere next time. Ho hum...

A Busy Sunday

Well, I felt very crafty today, so I baked some of my favorite Pumpkin and Chocolate Chip Bread and made a cute little tote bag to bring my lunches in to work.

I found these cute Day of the Dead patches on Esty, they were made by Liz Miera. I thought they would look perfect on a tote bag.

I made my pumpkin bread, and this time I baked the batter in muffin tins just to shake things up a bit. They are really good. Many, Many years ago, when I worked for the Gap, a friend of mine, Barbie, use to bring me this bread during the holidays. I loved it so much. Here is the recipe for them.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

3 cups of white sugar

1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin puree

1 cup of Vegetable Oil

2/3 cup water

4 eggs

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon ground Cinnamon

1 tablespoon ground nutmeg

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

grease and flour 3 9x5 inch loaf pans (or muffin tins)

Bake for 1 hr.

In large bowl combine sugar, pumpkin, oil, water and eggs. Beat until smooth. Blend in flour, Cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips.

Bake for 1 hour

I like that this makes a lot. Its nice to be able to freeze some of the loaves and have them for later.

Well, hope everyone had a good weekend and enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Personal Goal

I finally did it...this week I ran 40 miles. I have been having issues with hitting the wall for awhile and i finally broke through, so I'm super excited about that!

I have been irritated though. At work we sit at these tables with about 6 people for 8 hours a day, just sitting and listening to various people give lectures (yeah, wicked boring). Anyway, all the girls at my table think its a good idea to bring in like 5 different bags of chips, trail mix, and other crap everyday. Its really frustrating. I just got done reading a book on the importance of good nutrition for runners and here I am eating my face off everyday. I try and bring protein bars and whey powder drinks and fruits to work, but once I see the cheddar popcorn, or the m&m trail mix I just cant help myself. It makes me want to scream! Apparently though, it didn't ruin any of my running this week since I hit my 40 mile goal...Interesting!

I have to go to the "Lady Doctor" today. Not looking forward to it...especially since its the weekend...But, I will spare everyone and not go into details.

So Halloween is coming up. I was excited for about 5 minutes cause Nevada Day falls on the same day and apparently everything closes down for the day here...but, then of course we found out that my husband has to work. Its too bad, this is his favorite holiday. So that's sad for him. I might just humor myself and dress the dogs up, that should keep me entertained.

Anyway, off the run errands and do some doctors stuff...Good Times...Happy Saturday...

P.S. No return from Cat Woman at work, but we did have an interesting speaker who talked about 7 miles a minute and almost gave me an anxiety attack with her fast hand jesters and even more fast moving mouth. Jeeze!

The Cat Woman...

So I was at work today and was given a presentation. This is a professional place of business and the subject we were learning about is really serious and a delicate.

So, who is in charge of teaching us and guiding us in our new important jobs...the CAT WOMAN!

Picture this, ked tennis shoes with cats on them, to match, a pair of black cat socks. she then thought it was a good idea to wear a black button down sweater with cats embroidered on it, the kicker...the cats lined the bottom of the sweater and had tails hanging off like fringe!!!! Can you believe it?

And just when you think she has run out of crazy, she throws in a pair of cat earrings and a HUGE cat hair clip...

Is this woman for real!?!??!

She even incorporated her 7 real household cats into her slide show, and told us that she just rescued a special needs cat...cause apparently that had anything to do with her presentation.

I really want to become this woman's friend, and then have Stacy and Clinton from WHAT NOT TO WEAR give her a makeover.

I feel bad cause if I was blind and just listened to her presentation (when she wasn't babbling about her cats) she would actually sound pretty put together. But wow, talk about inappropriate. I feel a little bad for being so freaked out by here ensemble, but...yeah, super weird.

Anyway, It takes all kinds... I guess.

Chocolate/Pumpkin Brownies

I am really into baking fall goodies right now. I found a recipe on http://www.recipegirl.com/ and tried it out. They are called Chocolate/Pumpkin Brownies and they are FABULOUS! I love going on this website. There are all sorts of fall yummies and I think I have printed out about 6 recipes and am trying to bake one of them a week.

Here is the recipe:

Pumpkin Batter

1 tbs unsalted butter, softened

3 oz cream cheese, softened ( I used fat free cream cheese and couldn't taste the difference)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1/3 cup canned pumpkin puree

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1 tbs all-purpose flour

Chocolate Batter

5 1/2 oz semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped

1 3/4 unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces

4 large eggs

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter 13x9 inch baking dish

2. Prepare pumpkin batter: In a small bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter with cream cheese until smooth. Beat in sugar, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat in egg, then add pumpkin puree, vanilla, cinnamon and ginger. Stir in flour.

3. Prepare chocolate batter: Combine semisweet chocolate and butter in a medium bowl. Set bowl over saucepan with 1-inch of simmering water and stir occasionally until melted. Remove from hear. In a separate bowl, combine eggs with sugar, vanilla and salt. Beat at low speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Using a large rubber spatula, fold in melted chocolate. Sift flour over the batter and fold it in just until combined.

4. Spread chocolate batter evenly in prepared pan. Using a tablespoon, drop dollops of the pumpkin batter all over the top. Using the back of a butter knife, swirl the pumpkin batter slightly into the chocolate.

5. Bake for 30 -4- minutes (start checking on Brownies at 30 minutes to see if they're done)

Hopefully if you try these you will enjoy them. I loved them and so did the hubby. I have more to try today. I'm excited.

Well, she did it, I was a little nervous about Bette Midler last night, and her being able to captivate my husband in any way what so ever, and guess what...Ms. Midler did it...my husband walked out of the Caesar's Palace with a huge smile on his face and some new favorite songs (i.e. The Rose, Wind Beneath My Wing).

It was a great show, she still has a foul mouth and great legs and can sing like no tomorrow. I'm glad we went. Now we are saving up for Elton John. I love living here and being able to see these stars that we would otherwise never have the opportunity to see.

I also have an issue that of course involves my dog. I am getting frustrated because I am always trying to buy him new toys and bones and such, and he has this tendency to only play with his old rubber chicken (I bought him a new one that he wont touch) and an some rags left over from his pink french poodle (we named her Tina). Its really pathetic and kind of gross.

I don't know, it grosses me out, but they are his babies, so what can I say...

Well, I hope all have a good weekend. Chow.

RUnning Troubles

I have been having some issues lately with my running. It seems that every time I get close to 40 miles a week, my body starts to sputter out on me.

I have been training for a 10k that I want to run in November. Its a pretty cool run. Its called the left overs race and they use all t-shirts, medals, and goodies that are left over from previous races. I thought that was kind of a cute idea.

Anyway, I go through this issue all the time...I start hitting 40 miles a week and my legs get really sore, like right now I can barely walk up stairs without wanting to stop and rest. Its pretty embarrassing too since I have been a runner all my life and I can barely walk up stairs.

I was told I need to eat more and take more vitamins, but nothing seems to really be working. Does this happen to anyone else out there, or have you ever heard of this happening? I just don't know what I need to do, and I don't want to cut back and then have to build back up again. Its really frustrating. So, if anyone has any advise, please let me know...

I also just remembered today that I HAVE BETTE MIDLER TICKETS FOR TOMORROW NIGHT!!!!! I'm really excited, my husband got me the tix for my birthday (even though I know he doesn't really want to go). It should be fun though, he did have a blast when we went to Kathy Griffin.

Being able to go to shows, no matter how cheesy and "Las Vegas" they are, is still the great thing about living here in Vegas. I complain about living here a lot, but I do really enjoy it. Where esle can I gorge myself on a different buffet every weekend, and gamble while Im grocery shopping. Its pretty awesome. Well, time to go watch The Office, YEA!

Worst Ever!

I feel like the worse blogger ever! Now that I have a job where I actually am expected to do work, I don't have much time to blog, or to even read my favorite blogs...Boooo! That makes me super sad.

New job is going well, it's pretty awesome. Only issue...I now get up at 5am (I know, I know, I'm sure many of you already do this) and go run, then get ready and sit in a classroom all day (its not that bad). Its tiring.

My Pug does NOT like this routine, so he has been repeatedly going number 2 in the kitchen while I'm gone and my husband is sleeping...AWESOME! I am ready to choke him...but then i look at his little face, and love him all over again.

I am hoping that I'm not too tired for this weekend. First Fridays in the art district is going on and I am really looking forward to it...we will just have to see. Anyway, got to go relax and prepare for another crazy day.

So Releaved

So, today went really well. There are about 40 other people training with me and they all seem to be really great. I think this is actually going to be a job that I enjoy. That has never happened to me before. Thank you to all those who gave me words of encouragement!

Although everyone was really great, I am still keeping my eye on some of them. When working for the government, there are always the crazies that sneak their way in. You know, the ones...the crazy single middle aged woman with 6 cats or the weirdo 40 year old man that hits on you (after you told the whole class you are married during the personal sharing hour). I think a woman actually told me her whole life story today while we stood in line to get our personnel badges. It actually made me really uncomfortable.

The cafeteria food was okay. I had Lentil soup for the first time in my life (not bad) and I was able to hit up a pretty sweet salad bar. So that's always good. I also got to try out the new 24 hour fitness downtown, its pretty nice. So all in all it was a good day.

Im looking forward to tomorrow. I have 6 weeks of child welfare training, its going to be long, but I think it will be worth it.

P.S. with all my new outfits, I think Im totally going to be the cutest...Yea, me!

Ack! So Nervous!

Well, I had Friday off, so I decided to go shopping before my big day tomorrow at my new job. I will be working for the City of Las Vagas in the Family Services Department. I am really nervous.

I went to H&M on Friday, I swear, it was like my frickin Birthday! Everything I tried on looked so awesome, I wanted it all. I decided to limit myself and just bought a few staple items. I will be working for the state, so I have no idea what I am supposed to wear.

H&M is a bit far from my house, its pretty much on the Las Vegas Strip, so my Hubs came and met me for a movie. We saw Eagle Eye. I am not a fan of Shia Labeouf. I use to watch him back in the day on Even Stevens, ya know, that Disney Channel show; it was when he had that fro. He was really annoying, but his brother on the show was hot. Anyway, the movie was actually okay. I didn't expect much, but I was pleasantly surprised.

We ate a the Yard House. Its this bar/restaurant that all of my husbands friends go to after work. I pretty much found out this weekend what an old lady I am. My husband and I could barely hold a conversation because it was soooo loud. The food was awesome, but I couldn't even hear my waitress. (Yes, I am an old lady!)

The rest of my weekend was pretty Blah. Yesterday the Hubs and I spent 5 hours watching the Top 100 Hip Hop songs. I swear we were almost in a comma, we couldn't change the channel though, we had to see the number one song, which of course was Public Enemy's Fight the Power. My husband totally called it I bet him it would be Rappers Delight. That was number two.

This was a pretty do nothing weekend. Not only did we watch 5 straight hours of the Hip Hop Countdown, but we saw that Major Payne was on, and had to watch. I totally remembered almost every line. That's pretty embarrassing...but secretly I love that movie.

So, now I'm just sitting around thinking about my first day of work, watching the Birdcage (another one of my favorites) and freaking out a little. I hope everything goes well, I'm so nervous. Ack! anyway, wish me luck!

Since I start my job on Monday, and today is my last job, I have decided that with that extra day, I would like to buy some new work outfits. This is not something I usually do since the Hubs and I don't have money. But, since I will me making more money, I feel that a shopping spree is in order.

I will be working for the state, so I don't need to get too fancy, just business casual. These are my favorite outfits so far...

This is from Ann Taylor Loft. I do look good in brown.

(p.s. why does the girl on the right have the scariest look on her face?)

Really wish I could afford DKNY!!! "Why, god, why can't I!?!??!!"

I can totally see myself in this cute Banana Republic Outfit. Looove It!

Also from Banana, Super cute...

I'm sure I will just end up at H&M, they have a pretty cut work section...one day I will make enough to buy awesome outfits...Ho, Hum! One day....

LAST DAY

Today is my last day at work and I start my new job on Monday!!! Peace out!!!!

I am so excited I can't stand it.

No more moody and unstable boss, No more freezing office, and no more boring work.

I finally get to use my Masters Degree, and I no longer have to pretty much be a secretary (not that there is anything wrong with that job).

I am nervous though, but I can not wait! Wish me Luck!!!

Not so Puppy Love

It's official, my pug has a girlfriend!!!! Her name is Gabby and she is a short, fat, fawn colored pug. She is old, so I think now a days that puts Gabby in the category of a Cougar.





Walter looooooves Gabby and in the mornings Gabby and her mom sit on their porch and read. Walter always knows when we are close and runs as fast as he can (while snorting loudly) and meets her at her porch gate. My dog does a lot of face punching and licking so I know he is really in to her.





In the meantime Perry of course wants nothing to do with this situation, he meanders around, sniffing pushes and eating cat poop. His allegiances are with his mom (me) and he loves me too much to care about another woman.




Sad, isn't it...

I do feel bad though. I am a bit cranky and gross looking in the mornings. Lately, I have been waking up really sore (from my runs) in the mornings and have been feeling extra hatred for all who roam the earth...soooooo, I've kind of been avoiding Gabby and her mom. Walter pulls me towards her apartment in the mornings and I pull him the other way. I feel really bad, but the thought of idle chatter with this (perfectly lovely) woman in the mornings makes me cringe.

Does this make me a bad dog owner. Am I being selfish? I have to confess, this is not the first time I have ruined my dogs love life. In Colorado Walter was in love with a pug name Grace. I of course have no tolerance for other dog owners (They all seem a bit off to me) so I again would begin avoiding all areas where I might run into Grace and her mom. I know, I know, I sound horrible, but I just feel so awkward trying to find something in common with these people. I don't want to become friends just cause our dogs are in love.

I also have this problem with the gym, which is a whole other issue. I don't like making friends at the gym. I'm there to run, do weights and go home, I don't feel the need to chit chat with the other regulars. (wow, I'm beginning to sound like a Seinfeld episode.)

I'm actually beginning to scare myself. After reading through this, I am realizing that I'm an old cranky woman. Kind of like the character Shirley Maclaine (one of my favorite actresses) played in Steel Magnolias, the cranky Ouiser Bourdeaux. If you haven't seen this movie, I suggest you do, its really funny (and sad). Shirley Maclaines charter says a lot of things like "You are a pig from hell," "Eat shit and die," and "take your Bible and shove it where the sun doesn't shine." I enjoy old ladies like this. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if I became one. People would certainly leave me alone then.

Well, I am actually feeling a little guilty now, so maybe tomorrow morning I will take Walter to see his Lady. I would hate to be the one who always ruins his relationships.