Have you seen this?

Last year (2008) there was a Gallup poll; to find out in which states people reported being happiest. All the details are in the link below, but here is the break down-



http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/10/the-happiest-states-of-america/

I think Hawaii being one of the "happiest" states was sort of a gimmie- gee, if you live in Paradise and have enough money to be able to AFFORD living in Hawaii- I'd make the guess that you are happy.

Let me know if agree with how your state is represented.
I have asked around and NONE of the people I know in Virginia were polled. (If you were polled, let me know). So I have weighted in the people I know locally, and the map looks more like this:


Of course maybe if I can spend more time with the VAGA folks (and their "spirited" get togethers) my outlook will be brighter.
(Unfortunately, such get togethers would need to wait until after Lent because I have given up all alcohol until Easter). (That and this weekend's nasty weather may have prejudiced my happiness quotient.)

Friday Favorites -shocking confessional edition

Yes, It is another shocking confessional.

(I am trusting you with one of my deepest darkest secrets- taking the chance that some of you may turn away in disgust, never to visit this blog again)

Yup- I like QVC (the television shopping network).

(go ahead and laugh)

No, I do not have a Diana Prince complex: I do not regularly find myself shot at; so I do NOT need big chunky bracelets that will deflect said bullets, and I do not regularly dress up as Wonder Woman-

Thus I do not need these bracelets...

Same goes for Green Lantern's power ring.

And No, I do not consider Joan Rivers to be a fashion maven to be emulated. (Any more than Phyllis Diller- Sorry ladies)

So Then why QVC? Well, I do love Peter Roth Thomas' "unwrinkle" especially the "peel pads" (sorry guys t.m.i?), BUT you REALLY should check out their line of "Temptations" oven to table ware- seriously go check the " Temptations line" out- I'll wait....

ok- so maybe later.

But in truth, it is their customer service department that puts them on my Friday favorites!

A couple of times I have made purchases from them (patch perfect grass seed/ fertilizer and Corky's ribs come to mind) when the purchase simply did not meet my expectations.

In both these cases I simply had to call to ask for a refund and one was cheerfully given. I did not even have to mail back the empty bags. I pray that nothing happens to change this company's wonderful customer service policies (though I do see the potential for people to abuse it).

There is also the possibility of abuse of their "speed buy" gimmick.

ehh Hero???
Thank goodness for that return policy :-)

(time to put Animal Planet back on)

Have a great weekend!

I love "grey" days

It has been a lovely weekend (with temperatures in the 70's). Slightly cloudy with a chance of "greys"

Saturday- Mark, Hero, and I went walking with the "Mutts of Manassas"- well, really it ended up being just Sky, Sirius, and Hero. But, it was a very nice walk.

One of those-"If you are not the lead dog; the scenery never changes" moments.Signal Hill Park is really nice.

Sunday- brought the "Meet and Greet"at the Warrenton PetCo. with the Virginia Greyhound Adoption group.
Nope that is not Hero with Buford- It's Dexter (a handsome fellow who is still looking for his forever home). Dexter looking to get a kiss from Alaina too.
If we can't adopt him- maybe we can just foster ??
Handsome Buford



Goofy Hero :-)

Genevieve and Prissy.

2 lovely girls both dressed in baby blue.

Dog tired :-)

It's my blog, and I'll rant if I want to

Alright, enough of the raves, now I'm going to give in to a good old fashioned rip-roaring rant. Not a funny rant, not a cute rant about the quirks of my adorable greyhound. Nope, a cranky, cantankerous, curmudgeonly rant about the rude, self-important, unprofessional, people out there.

This rant is dedicated to the ladies working in the office at our dentist.

I love our dentist. He has extracted several teeth from my children (all who have returned home with a smile (albeit a wonky, half paralyzed on one side, smile). None of my 5 kids have a dentist-phobia- not one, and he constantly reminds me what a blessing all children are- which only has merit because he actually DOES have children of his own :-)
This is a dentist worth keeping, right?
HMMM
Last year, I received a phone call from my daughter's school; she was running a fever (and not feeling well) and I needed to come pick her up right away. I did so, and then called the pediatrician (they fit us in at 4:30 pm). Turns out it was Strep. The next day was her dentist appointment. I called that morning to tell them of the situation. I was summarily informed that I would have to pay a "fee" because it was less then 24 hours notice. (Never mind that I did not know that she was sick with strep 24 hours earlier).
This "burned my toast" - but I paid.
This past week I informed these same "ladies" that we had an appointment at 5:00pm Thursday- but my daughter's FIRST drama club rehearsal was Thursday and did not end until 5:00 PM. I asked if it would it be alright if we were a little late or should I reschedule? (Obviously, I did not know about this rehearsal 6 MONTHS AGO when we scheduled her appointment). this is how the conversation went- pretty much verbatim

Receptionist: How late?
Me: About 5- 10 minutes, - she is at (I tell her the school, which is in town, and which they are quite familiar with)- so as long as it takes to get to you.
Receptionist: Oh, 5-10 minutes shouldn't be a problem, it will be fine
Me: **Please put a note in her file that I let you know we would be late**
Receptionist: I'm writing it down now

Trust me- I have no reason to make this up.
But I bet you all know where this is going.
Not wanting to get on the bad side of the drama teacher at the FIRST rehearsal, I still let everyone know that we needed to leave RIGHT at 5:00PM (she actually let them go at 4:55 God bless her)
I did my "all" (not breaking any laws of course ;-)) to get there quickly. I got there in 10 minutes. I arrived all smiles , proud of myself (I was well within my 5-10 minutes). I was met with a scowl and :
receptionist: "I don't think we can take her back tonight, because you are are LATE"
Me: ROAR!!!!
(OK, that's not exactly what I said- more like I relayed the phone conversation (of MORE than 24 hours earlier).
And asked
"WAS there truly NO note written" ???? ROAR
Well I never did hear if there was a note written, but they DID take her back (and tried to make nicey-nicey)- I was not buying!
Then the same lady, (after mentioning how cute Will is ***ACK***! )
asked if I "would like to schedule her next 6 month check-up"
Uh- "No thank you"

Friday Favorites

OK, so this Friday Favorite comes with a slight reservation., But here it is:

Blink Mess Lifters

I stumbled upon these "auto interior wipes" at our local Home Depot. With 5 kids (who participate in numerous sports) and 2 dogs, you can safely assume that the interior of my mini van sometimes more closely resembles a compost heap than a luxury vehicle. On one such occasion when the muddy footprints and snack/ drink spillage obviously trumped being "thrifty" I bought a package. I have since used them not only in my van, but also inside my home on carpets and upholstery. I have found them to be better (and certainly easier) than Resolve or Woolite for cleaning small areas. As I said, I have a reservation in recommending them, that is, a package of 20 wipes costs over $3.00! But if you are miserly in your use of them, I think they are worth having handy. For moments like these:And who's muddy mitt do you think this is?

Hero's Running Again?

As you all know, Hero is not known for exerting himself these days.
But winning Bissell's MVP contest, in order to help other retiring greyhounds, (who are still in need of forever homes); is such a worthy cause, he could not just lie around and do nothing.
The winner gets $10,000 for their charity of choice!
So it is official- he is actually in the "running".
Please vote for Hero for week 8.
(you can click on the widget on the right side of this blog).

'Snow Kidding

Unlike some other areas of Virginia and Maryland our snow totals are still in the single digits (4 inches maybe?). But it is still enough for us to get out and enjoy winter's last hurrah.

So here is my picture "dense" post. (Alaina says I am a "photoholic") ;-0I think Genna should be cast in the next X- man movie- (Iceman eat your heart out) check out her icy blast. Who is steering?

Can you see the JOY on Will's face?
What a Motley crew!

And yes- the required greyhound shots:

I'm glad that is not a metal pole!

" I know I left that toy around here somewhere!"

And the action shots-

I need more practice

(they are pretty blurry)

And then it is time to go in-