The Charlie

Charlie is getting bigger and bigger everyday. I can't believe how fast he is growing. This week we have been working on "sit", "give", and "stay". He's getting an A+ in "give", a B+ in "sit", and he's pretty much failing "stay". Ha! He's just too curious. So far he's only freaked out and barked at the jack-o-lantern and the toilet I removed from my guest bathroom- he did NOT like that one. He's had a few play dates with his partner in crime, Indiana. They are so stinking cute together. My mom told Andrew that's what he and Mathew were like at little babies. Charlie loves to crawl under the bed and poke his head out from underneath the dust ruffle. He runs under there as fast as he can when he knows he's in trouble. It's also where he takes his toys to chew on them, uninterrupted. Here's there super cute Charlie:
My brother and I. I bet you can't tell which on is which? We're twins.

Yes, I love Micheal Kors too. He tastes delicious. However, shortly after this photo was taken the shoe was ripped from mouth and I was told I was a "bad Charlie". I just want to help hang pictures like everyone else. I think this hammer weighed more than me however.
The bed. I love it under here. No one bothers me...well, not usually.
Here I am! Aren't I the cutest?

Charlie- 11 Weeks Old

Charlie is my crazy puppy. He has rebounded pretty well from the broken leg. Well, there was the trip to the animal hospital at 10:00 p.m. Four hours and $400 later, Charlie was unbroken, splintless, and sent home with antibiotics. Here are a few of my favorite snapshots from the past week and a half.

Introducing Charlie

After days of being nameless, I would like to introduce you to my new puppy, Charlie! He is a German Short-haired Pointer. Yes, that is a splint you see on Charlie's hind leg. Sadly, his leg was broken a few weeks ago when the breeder's daughter stepped on him. How could I resist fellow broken creature? I acquired Charlie after my brother, Paul, went to purchase Charlie's brother, Indiana. Paul called me and told me about the cute puppy with the broken leg. I'm a sucker for the broken, wounded, and discounted. It does not slow him down one bit or stop him from climbing all over the moving boxes. I'm afraid of the speed he'll pick up once the splint comes off in the next two weeks. All visitors beware, Charlie likes to play tug-o-war with your pants, while you are wearing them. Charlie also enjoys pouncing on bugs, playing with his toys, sleeping on dirty laundry, pulling anything with strings or belts, and sleeping underneath my bed at night. I'm sure I'm in for a whole lot more. Charlie looks forward to meeting all of you!

The House, The Home

By popular demand, here are pictures of my new home! It's still a work-in-progress; the thing was built in 1957 and still has some original features. I've completed about half of the painting. My new appliances were delivered on Saturday. I was super excited about that, which made me feel old. The new carpet for my room should be installed some time within the week. As soon as the carpet is installed, I can move in. I'm excited to decorate!

Before:

Master bedroom. No, the toilet is not in the closet. It's a pass through bathroom to the kitchen.
"Jackson Pollack" Room, a.k.a Andrew's room:
Hall bathroom. Too bad you can't see the in-the-wall heater or the butterfly decals on the bathtub. The butterflies are in the process of being removed.
The living room.
The living room, a different view.
The kitchen floor, it's original. The purple wall is now gone. As we work:

We've worked on the kitchen FOREVER. Dad has painted three rooms and mom and I still aren't done with the cabinets. We're beginning to think it's just us. Taping takes forever too. Thank goodness for my parents. I would not be moving before the end of the month without them. Oh, and a shout out to Paul and Mathew for doing my lights (pictures to come soon). Thanks guys.
It took two coats of white paint to cover the green in the living room. Thanks, Dad.
Getting better:

Last Saturday my stove arrived. I didn't realize I needed a gas valve on the gas pipe. Why don't they tell you these things at Home Depot when you buy the appliance? So I paid for installation and didn't get my stove installed. Paul and his friend, Ryan, save the day. I paid Ryan with the old stove and ceiling fans for his rentals. They successfully attached the valve and hooked up the stove. It makes me wonder if I will survive owning a house on my own. Thank goodness Paul is only a mile away- lucky him!Doesn't the Coopster look so little next to the delivery truck? I know, only I would take a picture of my car and blog about it.Voila! The stove is hooked up and ready to go! Thanks guys. More pictures of the blue and yellow kitchen soon. And, here it is......my cute little home. The 13 yr. old neighbor boy mowed the lawn and trimmed the bushes for $20. Thanks to Paul, I have a lawn. He fixed all my sprinklers for me. He's amazing. It keeps getting greener everyday!

Family Vacation

I left San Francisco and met the family in Florida for a family vacation. A week on the beach was just what I needed. I had lots of fun with family and visiting my grandparents. Paul even brought Rachelle to meet the grandparents.
Mathew trying to dress like me.....he's just jealous of my style.
Grandma, Cyndi, Mom and I had brunch at the Sanibel Island Resort. It was so beautiful We always enjoy our girls' lunch when we get together. While we were at lunch one day, the boys went fishing. Paul caught the biggest fish, while Drew caught some rays.



I was sad for our trip to end. It wasn't nearly long enough and I didn't get to take enough pictures. I guess that means I have to go back soon!

Visiting Betina!

I went to visit Beth in San Jose for the weekend. Another friend, Sarah, came along as well. We had such a good time in San Jose and San Francisco. We "biked the bridge" from fisherman's warf to Sausalito. It was about a seven or eight mile ride. We were in luck and it was a beautiful sunny, seventy-five degree day in San Fran. We couldn't have asked for better weather. We also hit up Ghirardelli Square (yummy) and Stanford in Palo Alto, holy smokes it was beautiful! The best part of the trip was visiting Beth and staying up late talking. Sometimes I don't realize how much I miss people until I see them again. I definitely miss Beth a lot but I am so happy she has found such a fabulous home in San Jose (until she returns to Phoenix anyway. Hint. Hint. ha ha ha.).

So Busy!

Well, I am just about the worst blogger ever! I apologize. The summer has been strangely busy for me. Actually, all of 2009 has been strangely busy for me!! I spent most of June in a sling from my 4th shoulder surgery. I was not too excited to learn that it was going to be nearly six weeks in a sling rather than the two I anticipated. No bueno. Then I endeavored in physical therapy until August. I could not have managed without my mom. She's so wonderful.
While I was still in a sling I began the process of purchasing a home! Totally unexpected. I discovered I could own a home for less than it would cost me to rent downtown. I'm supposed to close on the 25th- cross your fingers for me. It's been quite the cycle. Pictures will follow as soon as I have the keys! I also managed to fit in a trip to San Francisco and a trip to Florida. Posts will follow. The semester started at the end of August. So much for all the free time I thought I had. I'm booked up to the rest of the year!