Fostering Puppies!

I must admit that fostering is not new to me...when it comes to kittens. I have literally seen hundreds of kittens come through the front door and then out that door to their new loving families. I also will admit that I have helped foster dogs - grown dogs - but only two and my mom kept one. I have never before fostered actual PUPPIES...until Now.

A week ago we received an email about 8 - 4 week old puppies being dropped off at the shelter without their mother! (Luckily they took to dry food). So we agreed to take three and foster them. I can't lie - their not being potty-trained is quite frustrating...but they are so darn cute that I can't really stay mad at them.

When we first got them they were sleepy all the time, shy - literally they ate, slept, and pooped. Now, a week later, they are running around non-stop, playing with each other and playing with my dog (Kiko), attacking my rugs constantly (apparently the bad guy in my house), playing tug-of-war, and supplying me with lots of laughs and "ahhhs" and .. well... yeah.

I have learned that I am not puppy-material. Luckily the madness will only last til a different humane society takes them. However, I will be sad to see them go as they really are adorable and fun. A good experience in my book!

Catching Up 2013 (and one 2012)

Lathrop Corn Maze:

2012 - October 28^th Lathrop Corn Maze. Becoming a tradition, Levi and I took two friends with us to the Lathrop Corn maze. Walked through the three mazes, haunted house, and shot mini pumpkins. Nothing out of the norm until Stevie and I decided to do the Jungle Gym Crazy Zip Line Obstacle Course Thing. There I was agreeing to put on a harness, being attatched to the safety line by a similar line and asking the lady “is this safe?” to which she replied “these lines will hold a car no problem.” to which I replied, “sure.” Yet, I walked, and climbed back and forth through the different parts scared, nervous, but determined to make it to the end regaurdless of the fact that I could technically fall to my death. And of course, at the very end you “walk the plank” which means you step off a board and FALL all the way back down to the ground. I had decided to climb back down, but once at the end I bit the bullet and stepped off only letting out a tiny squeal, kicking my legs, and closing my eyes until I hit the ground, fell, and got back on my feet. I thank Stevie for doing it with me as I always wanted to but needed a friend to accompany me. And, I thank Tyler for videotaping me falling, including the squeal and kicking…

2013:

Camping!!!
 I was lucky to go camping with friends this summer on more than one occasion...However, for the first time ever I went camping by myself (well, with my dog Kiko)! I even hiked 2 miles through wilderness to beautiful Lake Heisser (which was somewhat scary as my imagination kept picturing me being eaten by cougars and bears). I survived both the hike and the camping trip and felt proud that I actually did it!

Fishing!
Fishing is not new to me. However, it has been years since I really fished. I spent about a month and a half on the river this summer and loved it. Kiko loved it too. In all honesty though, I have to admit that I was never taught proper fish handling skills and probably killed more fish than I would have liked unknowingly... But I have done a lot of research and learned the proper skills. I will most definitely give these a try next summer and if I am able to release fish promptly without fussing - I will continue to enjoy this sport - if not, then at least I had one heck of a fun time this past summer!

 

Bartending School!!!

Partially as a side job idea and mainly to see if it was as much fun as it looked I went to bartending school! It was intense but only because I didn't know a darn thing about liquor! The first day of class when the instructor asked me what Jack Daniels was I said "tequilia?" Needless to say I learned a lot in 8 days and passed the written test with a 100%, and the "hands-on" test. Unfortunately I was too busy learning how to make drinks and memorizing what things were to really take any pictures. Here are a few drinks I made though with dyed water:

I guess that about sums up the "exciting" adventures I had in 2013. Hopefully I will update this blog more often from now on... 

Bows and Arrows...UpDate 2

Worked on my form today...Though it isn't perfect, at least my head doesn't look like it is about to fall off!! 

Bows and Arrows...UpDate

I got about 24 shots in today before the rain hit... I was working on fixing my form and, though I still have a ways to go, I had one pretty good grouping (minus that rogue arrow towards the bottom). I should also note that I shot a pine cone - which I totally meant to do! 

Bows and Arrows....Yes, Really.

As if mountain biking, and well just walking was not dangerous enough for me I purchased a Bow. Being more for the challenge, I purchased a Recurve bow while everyone else got compound bows. I consider them cheaters as they are hitting marks on the blocks we got and I am hitting the block most of the time but also trying to hide arrows in piles of dirt somewhere behind the blocks. However, it is awesome and with practice and time I shall be a mark hitter as well! This will be a topic I update often, I am assuming. 

The Bruise is actually from the day before when I was at the shop...First shot with this bow and I got my arm...haha...Had to happen...

Gun Show - First Time

I attended my first gun show this weekend in Angels Camp, Ca at the fairgrounds. It was small but still interesting. I found that I was drawn to the older more historic pieces, photos, clothing, etc. I also liked some of the shot guns. There were quite a few that were so pretty I couldn’t imagine anyone actually using them. I am not personally into guns but I do find them interesting to look at. 

Ugly Sweater and Gag Gift Party

I entertained my first Ugly Sweater Party with Gag Gifts! Not a wild night of shananagins, it was fun and everyone seemed to enjoy the ugly sweaters as well as the gag gifts, darts, and card games. Yay for new and fun experiences! 

P.S. - That is tinsel armpit hair I am showing off...!