Itchy Annie

Geeze Louise did Annie have the itchies on Wednesday when we were home with snow.  I could feel the whole bed shake each time she'd itch.  I'm still trying to figure out what is she allergic to that's causing her itchies.  The ground is covered in snow, so I know it's nothing green.  One way or another though, she's in for a bath today.  Happy Friday.

Bundled Up: Paul Style

Mommy!  I'm ready for my close up!!!  See me all bundled up?!?!?!

Ok, I'll sit nicely now.

     On the winter days, when winter acts like winter, Paul and Annie bundle up Chicago Style.  You may be able to see it a bit in Paul's close up, their thundershirts are their first layer.  Then goes the Ruff Wear coats and a home made snod.  While I'm still saving up for tiennot sweater for each, we've got them each layered up as best as we can.  

The Snow in Virginia

     Growing up in Pittsburgh, PA and the Hubbs growing up in Monument Valley, AZ, we're not strangers to cold.  We know how to shovel, bundle up, and drive in it.  Annie and Paul, as far as we know, were born in Virginia and have only seen bits and pieces of the white fluffy stuff.  Just enough to be a pain, but not enough to do stuff with.

     We got about an inch and a half of snow yesterday, and below freezing temps today.  Grand total, our morning walk went for about 30 yards before Paul decided he had had enough.  The turn around came when he started refusing to put his front right paw in the snow.  In the 20 yards back to the front door, Paul alternated the "paw too cold to put on the ground" move with his front left before limping with both paws (interesting to watch, good for background knowledge) into the house.

Paul's snow angel.

     Annie, in all honesty, seemed to care less about it.  She even behaved when crossing the street! (Which is more amazing than it sounds.)  While she's still not thrilled wearing clothing and itches like crazy in it, Annie will still walk in the snow like she always has.  

Release the Hounds

     Paul and Annie are both hound type dogs.  Annie being a fox hound mix and Paul being a pit bull beagle mix.  Last night, when I took them for a walk, they each caught a scent of something (heaven only knows what) and they were off.  Nothing I could do got their attention back and they were in constant pull mode (much to my shoulder's dismay).

Notice how I can't even see their heads?  That's because they are glued to the ground.  In the top picture, you see a very nice view of Annie's tail high in the air.

Wordless Wednesday: to the Attic

Mom, what are you doing up there?  What is that place?  (all of our holiday decorations are coming down, and they're stored in the Attic for another year.)  

Plans interupted

     You know those times you have plans and then nothing happens instead?  It was one of those weekends for us.  I had promised Annie and Paul I would take them to the Puppy Mall first thing on Saturday morning.

     Unfortunately, at the time the mall was opening, we started with our first round of sever storms in Richmond.  I thought, no problem, we'll just do it later in the day.  By the time the end of the day hit, we were under a Tornado Watch.  So Annie and Paul's day turned out to be more like this:

Let There Be Art

     I'm not big on home design.  After teaching all day and re-arranging my class room every couple of weeks, I'm exhausted when I get home and just want to vedge out.  Any art on our walls is typically the "useful" type (aka, wine rack on our wall in the kitchen that holds, you guessed it, wine bottles in lots of pretty colors (heaven only knows what they taste like.)  But they're pretty and they're my "Art".)
     We had our family pics taken at Wolfgang's a few years ago (holy cow, years?!?!?)  And while we hung up our main one, our 2 panel pictures have been propped up all over the house as we look for a place for them to go.  I admit, we bought before we knew where to put them.  They're too small to hang on a wall alone, but no where in our has is it small enough to hang them where they'd be appreciated.
     Until now, we finally have some art for our wall!

OK, along the top, and I admit, from Left to Right you can't see the first piece of Art.  

     Trust me though, it's an outline of VA with Yellow and Black background stripes.  The Hubbs attends VCU, I grew up in Pittsburgh.  Black and yellow are loved by both cultures.  

     Then we have the tri pannel of our family from Wolfgangs.  The Hubbs and Annie, the Hubbs and me, and Paul and me.  

     The top right one I saw and loved it for the funny sweet reason.  The quote on it is from the Talking Heads: "Love me 'til my heart stops.  Love me 'til I'm dead."  with 2 skeletons.  Maybe it's my gallows humor, but I think it's sweet.

     On the bottom far Left, I have a print from a local artist from where I went to college at.  It's called a Clarion Winter and it always seems to be winter in Clarion.

     The middle isn't anything really interesting to look at, but it's the wedding vows from the JP who married us.  Sentimental fools, yes, that's us at times.

     Last but not least, the Duck was in Pittsburgh this year.  While we never got the chance to see it, we saw this in the Strip District from one of the street vendors and had to have it.   I'm embarrassed to admit, but I can't find his card now.  And I can't read the signature on The Duck to even begin to tell you who he is.  If you're ever in the Strip across from Belle Notte and you see a guy with an European Accent selling pictures and turquoise rings, that's him!  (please post his info below if you see him!)

Nearly Wordless Wednesday: My clothing post bath

My clothes after bathing Annie and Paul.  

Bath Time! (Happy New Year!)

     Yes, I know it's embarassing,  Annie and Paul haven't had a bath in forever.  I seriously can't remember the last time they had baths.  So, in an attempt to clean up the house some, Annie and Paul got baths.

Paul was less than impressed when he was carried out of his room.

Bath time!!  (AKA, Paul trying to climb over me.)

Daddy, Help!  Tell Mommy I smell ok!

Annie's turn!  I had fun turning her fur into spikes for this.

Photograph me if you must.