New Addition

New Addition, originally uploaded by scoobers1.

So, here she is!

My new addition was found wandering down a busy road here in Tempe by my friend 'KB' and her husband. She had no collar or tags and after no one in the immediate area claimed her they took her back home to get her watered, fed and checked out. Aside from being dehydrated and scabbed over, from what looks to be a cat-attack, she appears to be a healthy, bouncy, little pup!

There is some debate over what kind of mix she may be but the consensus is that she is a lab mix. I did a search of the "Lost Dog" sites and have not found anything. To be honest, I want to stop looking because I feel that she belongs with me. Had I picked a dog at the Humane Society, I would have chosen a female lab/mix. She is perfect. Affectionate and so much fun. I love her already.

I have to admit I have guilt knowing that Scoobie passed away only two weeks ago and when I look at the pup I feel sad thinking about how much I miss her. Scoobie will only ever be Scoobie and I could not have loved her any more. Instead of thinking of the puppy as a replacement, I have to think she came along at this time for a reason.

I will take her in, like I did Scoobs, give her love and care for her in return and as a thanks to her for filling an empty space.

Everything For a Reason

I believe this to be true but I am too tired, after just getting off of work, to explain.
Surprises! I am so excited and happy! I need to prepare. There is so much to do.
Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!!!

How am I ever going to be able to sleep NOW?

Photos and much more to come... stay tuned.

New Look

No more generic Blog*Spot page. I've been meaning to update the name and look of the page for some time but just never got around to it. Meaning... I couldn't figure out the html crap. Now that I've gotten the gist, or given the appearance that I have, Scoobers will be able to live on in the blogosphere!

Better late than never!

Foie Gras

Nothing delicate about this delicacy.

I was watching a movie with Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette, called In Her Shoes. It was swell. I liked it. I especially loved Toni Collette's boyfriend. So cute, caring, cultured. The three "C's"... all very important. Anyway, when he takes her out to eat for the first time he tells her that he is an expert at ordering food. "Let me take you out to dinner. I'll order for you. You'll want to eat with me for the rest of your life." Love that line. He mentions Foie Gras in this scene. Being the uncultivated restauranteur that I am, I had to look it up. Oh man.

First off, it's duck (or goose). I had ducks for pets so for me this would be like eating dog. Never have and never will. Yes, it could be argued that I had fish as pets too but I don't make it a habit of eating GOLDfish. Ducks, dogs, goldfish... all safe with me.

Second, it is liver. Enough said. Yuck.

Third, Google produced a website that contained a video that demonstrated how the livers of said water-foul are made to be the fattiest and tastiest livers for the diners' delight. One word, disturbing. No, wait... more words: deplorable, inhumane, selfish, evil... I am sickened.

The ducks are kept in cages while tubes containing fat and grain are shoved down their throats. They are force fed to the point that their livers become 10x the normal size. The ducks are disposed of and their diseased livers served as foie gras.

I will save those of you who already know about this from watching the video but here is a link to the website/video for those who don't. This video was shot in France but foie gras is produced the same way in the States.

During the whole Michael Vick thing, I sent an email to Nike and the NFL telling them that they not only support a cruel human being but that he represents them and that if they cared about the image they put out there they would leave their cross-trainers up his ass on his way out the door. Upon hearing that I sent such an email, a friend said, "Oh, are you one of those?".
When it matters, I guess maybe I am.

If you are:

Here is a link to a list of restaurants that still serve foie gras.

Please, sign the Petition that may help to ban the cruel practices that produce Foie Gras in the United States or visit the PETA website for more information on how to get your state to ban restaurants from purchasing from those that utilize inhumane practices in order to serve this "delicacy".

Weekly News: Vanilla Soy

For this week's new experience I am making a change.

Several people I know have told me that their triglyceride and cholesterol levels are high. A doctor of one of these people actually detected a plaque in her carotid artery. Just last week I had my levels drawn and am still waiting for the results. I really want both of us to work on bringing our levels to normal (or below), as I have a significant family history of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. I have taken care of people who have had strokes and all I can say is that I DO NOT want to end up living my life the way some are destined to after that sort of event. My friend has been doing well with the changes she's made and I hope she keeps it up. She is very important to me and words can not describe what I would feel if something happened to her.
In the spirit of getting healthier (and thinner), I decided to make some changes in the way I exercise and eat. A small change, but hopefully a beneficial one, I have taken the advice of a fellow healthy person. He suggested replacing milk (the HORROR!) with Soy milk. Today, I did.
It's yellow. It's sweet. It tastes nothing like milk.
I love milk.
I'm going to miss it... after this gallon is gone : ).


*6/21/07 2148 Addendum: Great. I just now checked voice mail from the last two days. Dr's office called to report my labs are back. They want me to call them and schedule a follow up appointment regarding my lipids. I should have known... but I thought I was doing so well!

SPF: My Bounce

Self Portrait Friday assignment for June 8, 2007
Kristine over at Random and Odd had a rough week last Friday. This week she has her 'bounce' back and thus inspired this weeks assignment:

Show me your bounce. (this could get interesting!)

SPF is usually light and fun but this weeks topic of "Bounce" for me involves a time of letdown, anxiety and self-dislike but eventually resolve.
I received another email from someone who I have considered a friend for most of my life. Everybody has their problems and issues but we two have never quite been able to communicate effectively when a conflict arises.
Being the sensitive and emotional Cancerian that I am, I tend to take things to heart, am very emotional and super sensitive. I recognize this in myself and try to react and respond to situations in an objective manner and to use kind words in order to spare others any pain. Another thing about me is that I HATE conflict of any kind. This is probably the reason that I avoided the debate team in High School, keep my opinions to myself and change the channel immediately if Jerry Springer or Judge Judy come on.
I am also prone to anxiety attacks when confronted with certain kinds of stress. In this case, insulting, insensitive and hurtful comments. This is not the first time my friend, a Gemini, has been hostile and cold to me. I am tired of feeling hurt and sad over the way things have gone. Even more so, I am sick of being made to feel bad about myself because of the things she says and the way she has treated me in the past, and now.

Friendship should not be exhausting. Friendship should not be such hard work.
I have decided that I can't go on like this anymore. Although, it is a tough decision and it makes me a little sad to have to do it, I also feel a sense of freedom and relief when I think about not having to hold my breath for another angry response or endure another stinging and spiteful remark.
I am going to concentrate on the important people I have around me now... to be a good friend to them while I get respect, love and encouragement in return.



I have bounced her email back to her (a feature I have only recently discovered on my Macintosh. It's genius.)

She will not know that she hurt me for the last time.