Three Dogs, and an Old Lady.

To begin with, at what point are you considered old? I have no idea, but let me just say that Lamyra Dowding has a young spirit. But I think at ninety something, old is not an insult. And I don't mean it to be insulting, it's just a catchy title. Is it not?

The first time I envisioned house sitting for the wonderful Dowding family my imagination took flight. I imagined like you read about in books, befriending wise older people who teach you wonderful life lessons. What I didn't bargain for, was three very yippy little dogs. Chihuahuas to be exact. I've met three other dogs of this particular breed in my life. One, by the name of "Baby"...but this dog was no baby. She was the devil incarnate. She loved my father, and no one else. I was bitter with jealousy, and this dog would appear to be so friendly when my dad was around. It was all just for him though, I couldn't even get this dog to like me on its' deathbed. May she rest in peace. The next one, was Little man. Same owners, but completely different dog. He was shy and friendly, and always looked very concerned about something. He liked cats, but after being beat up by a few he grew a phobia of them. The last was owned by 95 year old Elsie named, sweety? I don't know. It was missing teeth and very personable.

Very odd that the Dowdings own all three. Haha. Risha, or Ricsha? Pronounced (ree-shuh), is white and frail looking. quite tiny with a bat face. My least favorite chihuahua face. I believe she is the oldest, and most spoiled. I describe her as a princess, although her name means feather-brained in some language. Apparently, if you read books you give your dogs cool names. PONCHO!! Blonde, and adorable. He's big for a little dog and simply adores people. They tried to give him a regal name, but on a joke they called him Poncho and it's been his name ever since. He wouldn't respond to anything else. And last but not least, Dita. The youngest of the trio, and in my opinion, the instigator. She causes the barking, causes the excitement, and is very VERY jumpy.

Saving the best for last. Lamyra. Upon first being told about her I was worried about "sitting". Carol and Dave assured me that she was not feeble, and incapable of doing anything herself. I sort of, to my shame, didn't believe them. After meeting this feisty woman, I realized she was probably better off than I. She doesn't want to slow anyone down, or inconvenience a soul. But upon meeting her, and serving her in any way, how can you not love her? She is so kind, and very grateful. You must insist if she doesn't want you to stop what you're doing for her. I love getting her like that. She says, oh finish your food and I'll need you for something. She gets a little mifted that I simply leave the food and follow. I pretend I'm a little hard of hearing, when she tells me she really doesn't want me to get up. *giggles to self. She can see for miles, but can't hear unless you're yelling in her ear. And she is under the impression that Travis is always offering her food. She could use a little meat on them bones, and in her defense we do offer to make her food a lot. Those dogs only disturb her if they bark for ten minutes straight. You can almost time it. I have no doubts that she would be alerted if a burglar showed up. And I have no doubts he'd be ripped to shreds. Dita is a biter. Risha is all bark, and Poncho will love/lick them to death.

I enjoy my morning visits, although last time we house sat we had the ability to visit and stay for a few hours. My family is in town, so we usually tend to the poochies see if Lamyra needs anything and then get out. Of course we water the plants. I write this, because we've moved out of the ward. So every Sunday we'll be in the same church building, but going at a different time. Cultivating friendships is like a flower, some you can just leave alone, but you'd rather make sure you nourish it so it doesn't die. I only hope we can continue in this. And, I hope we're first on the list for house sitting appointments. Carol and Dave are too nice. They're lucky we're nice too, and honest. But I'm sure they'd get sneaky suspicions if we weren't, so good thing we are.

Also I wrote this, because one of you said I could write a pretty witty narrative about my Dowding escapades. Although, it's not as witty as I would've hoped. I feel too witty can be a bad thing.

Good day
-Heather


EDIT: In regards to comparing Risha to "the devil incarnate 'Baby'" I must include a few facts. All these dogs are lap dogs, even Risha will hop onto an empty lap if you are sitting. But she may not let you pet her. After experimenting with my the firmness and gentleness of scratching behind her ears, she grew on me. Now, she will let me rub her belly and at one point I stopped petting her head and she collapsed instantly into mush begging me to scratch her little pink belly. It was quite adorable, and I think she'd like anyone if everyone pet her gently. I think it's the body shaking rough rubs that make her seem like such a grouch. In fact, Travis can now pet her, and she let my mother scratch under her chin the first time she met her. Which was today. I didn't feel it appropriate to bring my family over to someone else's home. It's like having a house party when you're parents aren't home. The dogs happened to be outside and I told my mom to gently scratch Risha's chin and she didn't understand how I compared her to Baby. Go figure. I took a photo in case Carol and Dave don't believe my far fetched tale of Risha letting me pet her belly. HA! Evidence!!

[insert catchy title here]

I don't think anyone reads this to be honest. lol. It's more of a way to relax for me. Speaking of relaxing, yesterday I had a freak out. Go figure. Moving is stressful, and so is having company over. It's not so bad, I just don't get a lot of Travis and Heather together time. I know we have eternity, but I get edgy when I don't get my snuggles and kisses. And I don't like to kiss all over my husband in front of company. Even if the guest(s) is related, I prefer to keep those things special and private. Besides, heavy public affection makes other people feel uncomfortable and like they're intruding on something. Which is rude. So to combat this negative mood I was in, I decided to try meditating. The way I saw it, is if I could focus on something else everything I was worried about would melt to the background and grant me peace. Sounds cheesy, but it worked. Sadly, I could only handle mental silence for fifteen minutes before I got tired of enjoying the hum of the window unit.

It was nice. I would recommend it.

We stopped for another aimlessly wandering dog with a collar today. It was a German mix named Abraham. What a weird name for a dog. The owner was getting off a plane in North Carolina and told us to open the fence and let the dog in. Sadly, when we arrived the Larimer County Humane Society was there to take poor Abraham away. The guy wouldn't tell us his offense, but apparently he escaped the animal cop's clutches and ran away. We cornered the dog after he ran up outside stairs and tried to jump off these people's house. I would've cried if that dog had jumped. But....I'm now that weird person who stops and returns runaway dogs home. Oh goodie. If only I could find that "lost greyhound" that's been missing in Longmont. I'm pretty sure someone stole their dog. There are signs everywhere. Sadness.

Product review? R& B...best thing ever. It is like biosilk, but smells even better and it's just awesome. It's got like avacado, olive, and coconut oils in it. It smells amazing. I think jasmine is the smell. But whatever the cause for the smell, it's awesome. It makes me wish my hair were thicker so I could use more and enjoy the wonderful smelling locks longer. But if you have a headache and don't want a lot of smell, put it in your hair wet and you won't smell it at all. Worth the money? Yes. Nineteen bucks for a 3.5oz tub and you barely dab your fingertips in it, and you've got plenty for your hair. Luckily, I have highlights so if I used too much my hair wouldn't look oily. But too much, like all good things, can be a bad thing. You can purchase this product at....you guessed it. Lush. I got a sample, and I'm pretty sure I'll buy a big tub when I can. They're building a lush in Denver. YAY!!

I am anticipating my parents' arrival. Logan has been here a week and they'll be here tomorrow early evening. And for the next week, Travis and I will be watching the Dowding chihuahuas again! I'm pretty excited. I love those dogs, and LaMyra (who is elderly and quite a lovely person). I want to write a journal about last time I watched their dogs, and I almost did. But I couldn't think of a catchy, and not offense title. Things like, yippy dogs...and overgrown, clean rodents are offensive. I love all creatures, so I'd rather not give the impression that I'm impartial. Although german mix dogs seem to like to run away! It's nothing complicated. Let the dogs out to poop, provide them with some lovins every now and then. Maybe make LaMyra dinner on occasion, which she responds to with HUGE gratitude. I love being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It's like a big extended family wherever you go. Wanna make nice life long friends? Become a Mormon. 

Speaking of not judging books by their covers, on the fourth of July Sister Jeffry was telling me about how their very tattooed neighbors are some of the nicest people they've ever met. And just today one of my very tattooed neighbors introduced himself to Logan and I. He was a big scary guy I normally would've avoided, but he was so friendly and said that if his music is ever too loud to knock on his door. He also says every other week will be louder, because he has his kids then. He struck me as a good dad. Very affectionate how he spoke of his children. Sad to see kids split between two kind people, who just couldn't get along. I'm so blessed to have parents who quarrel, but never do anything drastic about it. I was always grateful especially when my friends in school would be bitter, or relieved, that their parents were divorced. 

Family is the single most important thing in society. 

I'm done ranting...shout out to Ju Ju kachoo: You are adorable and so much nicer than I am. lol

-Herman

If I were a photographer....I'd shoot you

That is my new favorite quote of myself. A friend and I were discussing T-Rex and Raptor, who was cooler. Most people know my point of view on this but for the sake of disclosure raptors are more frightening to me. But anyways, then he said something like, "But T-Rex is the embodiment of power/greatness." And I said "So are English Bulldogs...but they aren't worshipped by ancient Egyptians." Ahahahaha. I make myself laugh.


In other news p90x is of the devil. *giggles to self. That is all.


There must be opposition in all things. Everyone in the world can't even agree on one ice cream flavor, and not everyone even likes ice cream for that matter. Just thought I'd throw that fact out there. Push, pull, right, wrong, black, white.


I discovered the best of smells recently. I went to my favorite store, Lush. I was on a budget of course, but no matter how little things you get at that store you feel spoiled rotten upon leaving. I got a sample(free!) of this hair serum stuff called R&B. I heard it was a love it or hate it smell, so I decided to be safe and ask for a sample. Oh my goodness. My hair is jasmine/light coconut scented heaven! Softening, wonderful, and a good head shake wafts the smell into my appealed nose. I've never been big on tropical smells but this, is worth it's weight in gold. Nineteen bucks will get you 3.5 oz....but for those who have every used a product that is that full of oils on your hair, you know that you only use a drop or two everyday.


I love having sisters. Especially a younger one that is beautiful as is (not that the other four aren't), and lets me play with her like a barbie. No, I don't have a ken doll and play house, but she lets me dress her up for special things where a girl wants to feel prettier than usual. Glasses don't get in the way of this blue eyed beauty. And her hair is awesome. I'm totally stoked for Saturday, I get to dress her up for a dance...and dress Logan up as well!! Double Wammy. I'm thinking faux hawk for Logan.


So I will go take a late night relaxing hot bath now to help ease the pain of my hips. P90x 'Ab Ripper X' workout routine, did a number on my hips. They aren't used to supporting my legs while I do weird things like scissor motions and whatever else torture devices they put on those cursed dvds.


Moving on Wednesday and I'm super excited. Everyone is like, "I hate moving"...but I'm really excited. I get to rearrange my dishes and pantry in a new way and find out what I like best. I get a new bedroom and living room to rearrange. I get to go up less flights of stairs everyday. Sure I won't have a pool or hot tub. But the apartment complex has...A PLAYGROUND. Yipee!! 


Carry on my fellows
-Heather

Hand Salve?

I sold glow sticks on July fourth, funnest two hours of work I've ever had. Julia was an awesome extra set of hands, and he friend Kimmy (also known as Kimberly) prettily wore a glow stick tiara to entice the children. lol Needless to say, I had money!! Miraculous. Travis said I could spend it on anything I want since money is tight and we're only buying "needs". Don't worry folks, I'm not simply spoiling myself only. I bought soda of kinds we both like and some of this hand salve. Along with some much wanted makeup.
      All to often Travis complains about how rough and dry his hands are. No amount of lotion can penetrate. He gave up trying simply because I don't mind rough hands. In fact, I love textured hands. He doesn't even have to use nails to scritch/scratch my back. Anyways, I felt he deserved a nine dollar tin of hand salve. I've never tried it before, and I couldn't open it to smell it. It was a gamble, and I WON!! That stuff absorbed so wonderfully into his hard working milk man hands. It smells a little odd, but the smell does not last on your skin. It's solid and oily and you don't need much to do the job. Heck I even use it now, after scrubbing the tub with harsh chemicals this was heaven for my hands.
      With that being said, I would recommend this to anyone. It's good for elbows and feet too. And it's 100% all natural (the ingredient list is various oils and extracts). THE LOGAN IS COMING!! I'm pretty stoked since he's my favorite little brother. In regards to my art challenge thing...I'm sorta giving up. But don't be dismayed, I'm still drawing everyday. Which is the point. I just don't like being told what to draw. I am in love with Owl City. My new obsession is their song/music video Alligator Sky (featuring some black guy name Chrystopher with a "y"). I love it, and I keep singing it all day and Travis is frankly getting sick of it I'm sure. I just adore the metaphor that the sky swallows you up like an alligator's mouth. Ya know? I love metaphors. And Adam Young is very imaginative with them. The music video for Deer in the Headlights is pretty good too. Travis thinks all their songs sound the same, but he's entitled to his own opinion.

So I will now be off to draw, I'm craving something shaded with pencil, and to do laundry. The apartment is essentially clean for a guest; bathroom, bedroom, dishes. I'm going to water color a leopard with purple spots later. I traced it. Sadly I'm a dufus and trace almost everything I do. It saves time. But at least I'm not claiming originality or that I did it all by myself. Some people can't even traced to I'm satisfied with my talents. Off I go, and I must read to see if Nefret finally gives in to Ramses in the next Amelia Peabody mystery!! So intense.

-Bug-uh-doodle

Max...the almost roadkill.

A crash of thunder, and Travis' eyes lit up like the sky itself. "Let's go for a drive!" He says, as if driving is a natural reaction to a thunder storm approaching. With no rhyme or reason we set our course wherever the wind would take us. Which was west on first street, and surprisingly almost into the head of a scared K9. "Turn the car around!" I freaked. I noticed the Shepard looking dog had a collar, and my maternal instincts wouldn't allow someone's family pet to continue roaming a busy street. Naturally, Travis obeyed my commands and we took the wet, and very smelly dog and coaxed him into the car.



Max Sheldon. He kinda looked like this ^...except he was wet and dirty. And I think his hair was shorter. But you get the idea.

After the first few minutes of panic Max Sheldon, so we learned, lived right up the road from where we almost hit him. We left a wonderful message on the family answering machine complimenting their dogs beauty and that we just wanted to take him home. While trying the other number on his collar, but not leaving a message, we just drove down the road till we found his home. We found the house and pulled in the driveway. Realizing no one was home, we started contemplating what our next move was. Of course, I was thinking about bathing the smelly beast when the phone rang. The curious owner inquired about a missed call from a strange number.

I explained that we had their dog, and we were holding him for ransom. Just kidding. We let them know that we found him up the road, the lady thanked us and told us to let him in the unlocked door. We opened the back door of the car, Max jumped in the front seat. Upon opening the front door, he jumped in the back. Max was apparently frightened by the storm, which was the cause for his distress and running away. After a few nudges and dragging him by his collar, we got him out of the car and he ran happily into the home. The Sheldon family was grateful and said they were leaving their church activity immediately. I don't blame them, he was obviously an outside dog.

The End.
-Heather and Travis (he helped with some of the writing)