Introducing a Prezi

This was for a class project and it's a new way to give presentations...basically power-point on steroids!

Enjoy!

About Ms. Peters

First day of school to the rest of my life

The timing feels completely right for where I am. Each day feels like a whirl-wind! It has only been 4 days of classes and it feels like I've been here for 4 weeks! And the crazy part is...I've never been so involved in my own education before! I'm at school for 5-7.5 hours each day and I come home and get right to the readings and can easily be still sitting at my desk until after 10pm...and I love it! I'm even talking in class! Ha...something I've honestly never felt comfortable doing before. So, I'm in the right spot at the right time, for sure!

Three days a week, I'm out of the house by 7:15am to walk 9 blocks for the bus and I don't get home until either 4:30 or 5. I'm in a cohort of 38 people and the more I look around the room, I'm reminded how fortunate and blessed to have been accepted into this program. I already know that it's going to be awesome and I can't wait to get to school each morning! Don't worry, I'm just as surprised as you are! ;)

New beginnings...

I'm not even going to bother explaining why I haven't written on here lately...I just haven't. It's not as if nothing note-worthy has happened in the last 3 months but I hereby declare that I will write more often!

I have just moved into my new (little) suite in Vancouver. It's a bachelor suite (which doesn't mean that bachelors are lining up at the door to take me out on the town...I should've read the fine print!) and it has everything I need. It comes furnished with a bed and a big desk and the landlords upstairs are a dream! They are so welcoming and lovely! My Grandma met me at the house to help me move in and before I even went downstairs to look at the place, we were invited to tea and had a great visit in the back yard (beside the hot tub!!). Not only that, they were going to invite me for supper on my first night if I wasn't going to G&P's so instead, they gave me some bread, a new jar of peanut butter and 2L of milk for the morning! I'd post pictures but I forgot my camera at home (I know, I know...) -- I'm getting it this weekend so I'll be able to share the love.

The other day, my cousin took me on a transit tour. She grew up taking the bus and since I'll be commuting by bus and leaving Gladys to rest, I thought it best I learn how to get around the city. We started at my place to figure how to get to school...a cool 14 minute walk to the bus stop and a 9 minute ride and we're there! Easy as that. I've discovered that I'll be walking a lot (and there are more hills than I've ever paid any attention to in the past) and that's a good thing because who knows if I'll have time for exercise between my tasks of colouring between the lines! ;)

Well, this is just the beginning and I'm getting ready for the ride!

Happy Canada Day!

Once upon a time

Once upon a time, I wrote on this blog more often than every 2.5 months. After a friendly reminder (with a splash of ridicule) from my friend Robyn I've decided on another update. I had to read my last post just to make sure I knew where to start...but here we go.

-- I'm an Auntie again..........times 2!! My sister-in-law had a baby girl (Zaylee) on St. Patrick's Day and my sister had a baby girl (Adleigh) in early April! It's awesome! I'm in Edmonton right now, in fact, getting my cuddles in with Zaylee and I love it!

-- I'm no longer working with the chiropractor -- it was good while it lasted but he needed someone long-term and it just wasn't me. I went back to the farm market full time and it's good. Low stress, happy customers and I can have some fun. I also learned to ref basketball this winter -- wearing the stripes, baby! It was fun and I was able to make some extra money which was awesome.

-- I got into UBC! School starts July 4 for my 12 month B.Ed in Elementary teaching! I'm pretty excited! I'll be able to enjoy about 2 months being debt free before having to fork over some tuition...but it's all good (I'm taking donations, should anyone feel encouraged to support!). I'm looking forward to living in Vancouver for a stint in my life -- riding transit and having weekends off...simple pleasures, I tell you. Not to mention the possibility of living on my own again and leaving the roost.

Hmm. That seems to be the extent of it. Life is coming together... but there must be a shortage of white stallions because I'm still waiting for my Prince Charming. ;)

Happy New Year!

...40 days ago!

You could say I've been a bit busy of late. On January 3rd, I met with a local chiropractor in town who needed an assistant and I started with him a mere two days later...while still holding my job at the grocery store and trying to ref as many basketball games as my new schedule would allow. I've settled in nicely, I'd say, though it took a few weeks. It can be pretty high paced at times and I'm really enjoying interacting with the clients. Not to mention, I'm enjoying the chiropractic care myself! :)

Two weeks ago, I joined Dr. Cary in Calgary for a conference. It was pretty awesome because I had asked him if I could head up to Edmonton after the one day conference to visit Donny and Tamara for a few days and he said it was ok! So, all the money I've been saving for a trip to visit them was supplied by my new employer! Yay! It was a great conference too! It's called Warrior Chiropractic and it's a group of Christian chiropractors who live their faith pretty loud and throughout their practice. Oh, and they like to run. We met at 4am for a 'push yourself hard' run OUTSIDE on the frozen tundra around the Calgary airport. Super dark, super cold and frankly, super awesome! I don't remember running so hard for 50 minutes ever before! Yep...got that blood in my lungs feeling that only comes from a good old fashioned run. Then, I just had to stay awake for 10 hours of the conference, not to mention a nice 3 hour drive in a prairie snow storm to Edmonton that evening.

Edmonton was super great too! Tamara is doing a really good job at growing a baby, but when you live in Edmonton and it 'warms up' to -22, you typically stay inside which is like a perma-incubator!

I honestly didn't realize how long it had been since I last posted. Oh, I even forgot to mention that I turned the big thirty-two! I'm excited for the coming year and what God has planned. I can just feel that it's going to be big and spectacular! Yay!

Big Girl Panties

Maybe I should've added this tid-bit of news to my year in review, but I figured it needed it's own post. I'll give you the whole history of it and keep you waiting...and reading.

I've spent the last half of this year trying to figure out what to do with my life and to see where God wanted me and what he wanted me to do. Not many people know but when I left Maui, I was offered an opportunity to return in May of 2010 in a paid position as the Volunteer Coordinator. All along, that was my plan. I was going to work in Whistler until March, have 2 months at home visiting and packing and then move to Maui for 3 years. When I was in Kansas in April, something just wasn't feeling right about this move. So, after much prayer, I decided to pull out of this opportunity. Now what? I had no idea.

I went home in May a bit confused -- trying to stay the course, but what course was it, exactly? My plan from November was that I would be in Maui by May but that wasn't going to happen. I had such an amazing time in Kansas that I thought maybe this is where I'm supposed to be. Not know exactly in what capacity but I just had to get back there. I went back to Kansas in June open to what might be there and enjoyed the hospitality of the King family. Near the end of my stay, it was brought to my attention that my friend Mark's dad, who is the pastor in a Mennonite church down there, were looking for a Youth Pastor. I had a meeting with the elders in the church and was offered the position! Woo -- so, I clearly thought that THIS is what I was supposed to do. All I needed was a Visa. The application for the Visa started right away and we guessed that maybe by August of 2010 it would be at such a stage that I could start my move down there. But it took too long and I was back to the drawing board. All of the options seemed like such a great and unique fit but it wasn't a go.

That brought me to the decision to just stay in Penticton and find a job and make it work. I couldn't really start looking for work until mid-August when we realized that the Visa just wouldn't happen and I certainly didn't expect it to take two months to find a job...any job! That brought me to mid-October when I finally landed a job at the Old Town Farm Market selling fruit and vegetables at a whopping $9/hour. Humbling accepting any income. But let me tell you, it is quite difficult living for free at Mom and Dad's at this level. I am very thankful!

Perhaps the combination of a limited income and the fact that I was still looking for that 'perfect job' as a manager or something but not getting anywhere plus the desire that I was starting to come back to the idea of working with my strengths again with youth and in coaching (and the bball reffing has helped too) that I was hit with the idea like a brick in the face. I was sitting with Mom at Sarah and Ben's school Christmas concert and I thought to myself, 'hey, I could totally do this teaching thing'. And there it was. A perfect storm. All things coming together and I've FINALLY decided, under my own intensions and desire to become an elementary teacher! Yep, I for real have found my big girl panties and have made a real decision to become educated and find a real job! No more shluffing along waiting for something to land on my lap. I'm going to earn it and I'm going to do it!

UBC Vancouver has a 12 month program for elementary teaching with a July 2011 intake and I'll be completing my application for that once their offices open on January 4. That's all I know. I don't know where I'm going to live or any details but I have a goal. I'll be working to save money for tuition etc. and I'm very excited! This for sure is where I should be. I'm happy that it has taken me this long to figure it out. I'm happy that I figured it out on my own. I'm happy that I have a huge level of world experience in traveling and different jobs that I can use for the rest of my life. I'm ready to go to school and settle into a good job.

Woo! That's my news!

2011 is going to blow my mind and be a blast!

A great year in review

The other day, I sat down and wrote my own year in review in my journal. It was quite an epic year if I do say so myself. If there is a better year out there, it'll have to 2011!

Here are a few highlights I'll share:

JANUARY:

- lived in Whistler and worked at the Olympics as a housekeeping supervisor in Athletes Village

- went on the Olympic skeleton track (head first!)

- seasons pass to Whistler mountain!

FEBRUARY:

- Vancouver 2010 Olympics!

- attended the rehearsal to the Opening Ceremonies

- riding the bus with my ski gear to hit the hill for the day (especially on my birthday!)

MARCH:

- Paralympic Games -- amazing athletes

APRIL:

- went to Kansas! Farm life: strawberries, milking, birthing a calf (!), chicks, Cashew

MAY:

- hung out in Penticton

JUNE:

- returned to Kansas!

- hiked my first 14er in Colorado: Mt. Shevano

- road trip with the King family from Kansas to Michigan, stopped in St. Louis

JULY:

- celebrated Omi's life

AUGUST:

- Girls Weekend turning into a family reunion celebrating Omi's life

- looked for work

SEPTEMBER:

- started Financial Peace University with Dave Ramsey

- Kiera Harkness born...a little (lot) early but just perfect

OCTOBER:

- got a job (!) at Old Town Farm Market

- made my first few Lambie Loves

- visited Kiera in the Kelowna hospital a few times

NOVEMBER:

- started reffing basketball

- sold my car and bought Gladys

- paid off my student loans!

DECEMBER:

- graduated from Financial Peace University!

- Festival on Ice in Pencticton -- with Kurt Browning, Joannie Rochette, Sale and Peltier

- Carrie Underwood in Penticton! Amazing seats and good company with Carmen!

God is good and has provided all things!

Happy New Year!

-

Grocery Store Etiquette 101

For those of you who don't know, I work at a little farm market grocery store in Penticton. It's not much and every two weeks I wonder how I can live for free at my parents on such little pay but it's all I've got right now. It feels like I'm mostly a cashier but I do have my turn down produce alley -- stocking round things on square platforms (onions are my fav) or trimming lettuce and celery. Every item has a code. You can ask me anything. Come on. Go for it! Asparagus? Easy. 33. Kohlrabi? Never heard of it? Me neither. 187.

Anyway, my purpose here is to let off a little steam with a few things that seem to happen on a regular basis. Three cheers for customer service!

Here we go with Grocery Store Etiquette:

1. Please empty your OWN basket. I may look more than capable, but it's just rude and frankly slows the line down because I have to dig around your pile of food at a very difficult angle. Oh, and while your emptying your own basket and nifty cart, do recognize the urge found deep down that you really should put it back where you found it. Leaving it in the middle of the isle or in front of the door is really unsightly and giving people the wrong impression that it's ok.

2. Please place items on the counter as close to cashier as possible. Do not be fooled that the stainless steel countertop is NOT, in fact, a conveyor belt, nor do my arms fall below my knees giving me greater access to the items at the farthest end of the counter.

3. When given the total amount to pay, swinging your arm up in the air with a card of some description does not actually indicate how you intend to pay. Is that debit? Could it be a Visa? Mastercard? I consider myself fairly talented but I cannot read your mind or read the back side of any bank cards. Since when has society resorted to complacency and lost the ability to converse and say words like, "I'll use my debit card please" or "I'll pay with Visa, thanks". Maybe my favourite customers are the old people who use cash. They take their time, dig out their hard earned money, and count their pennies. It's an effort to spend money -- just like it should be. It's to easy to swipe and run, not to mention, completely impersonal. All this to say, USE YOUR WORDS. I don't care how you pay but it would sure be nice to know so I can push the right buttons on my end to take your money. Oh, and on this credit card business. There is no need to apologize to me for using your credit card. If you are apologizing because you feel bad for putting less than $5 on your credit card then that's your problem and clearly you don't have control of your money. Again, not my problem.

Well, that's just a start. Other things do arise and I'll be sure to jot them down to share. In the meantime, be nice to the grocery people (especially around Christmas time). They're typically decent people (cough cough) not getting paid a lot (gag!) and have to deal with a whole range of people. Be one of the nice ones. Thanks.

The heat is on!

Over the past few days, the weather has dipped below freezing...and by dipped, I mean it's well below! This is no Edmonton at -30 where your nose hairs freeze (crazy people!) but a solid -14 warming up to a balmy -11 still requires several layers of clothing dug up from the abyss of a 'winter tote'. It was a beautiful morning and a perfect day for Gladys to get her heat fixed! Have you ever had to drive is sub-zero temperatures INSIDE YOUR VEHICLE??! There's nothing like a touque, gloves, scarf, winter coat AND a quilt wrapped around you just to keep your own blood focussed on warming your vital organs while you drive anywhere. Oh, and it's best to not breathe too hard (or sing too loud) so your vision of the road isn't hampered by seeing your own breath...not because the wiper blades are frozen and can only seem to clear the windshield in those 'why do wipers even wipe there' places. Anywho...Gladys got her thermostat replaced today! Yay! It's all exciting to have heat, let me tell you! It's just too bad that my drive to and from work is only about 7 minutes and it takes about 10 minutes for the ol' girl to pump out some heat! I'm sure proud of her every time she starts up, though!

Now, to change gears and talk about something the same but different...

Living in the basement. Basements have a unique temperature all to their own. In the summer, it is the ideal place to sleep because it can stay quite cool. In the winter, it is not the ideal place to sleep because it can stay quite cool. I think it's about the 8th stair down that you can literally feel the cold creep through your socks. For the past several weeks, I've had to 'pre-heat' my room with a floor heater. If I failed to do this, well, it's achingly cold. Even if I do pre-heat the room, I have about four blankets on my bed and crawl in with a sweater and socks on (and sometimes if I'm lucky, I'll have one of those microwave beanbag thingys). Tonight was just the same. Half way through the Biggest Loser (that show makes me cry...like c-r-y!), I had to pause it and run downstairs to brave the elements to allow at least 2 hours of pre-heat to take place. Phewph. Little did I know that Mom had a little surprise for me! I was the last one off to bed (as usual) and doddled downstairs with my already cold feet so I knew it was going to be a rough start to sleeping. As I'm picking up a few things off my bed, I'm befuddled that they felt warm. I'm thinking, 'this is odd that that measly floor heater has reacted with these clothes to make this one area on my bed really warm'. And then I flip open the covers after recognizing that my top blanket is not there and my quilt is upside down to discover AN ELECTRIC BLANKET!!!!!!!!! I squeeeeealed! Mom had planted the blanket in the afternoon and turned it on this evening so it was (and is while I type this) toasty warm! Mom was wondering what was taking me so long to get in bed but after I squealed I heard the footsteps and a knock on the door. She dove into bed and we had a good laugh and enjoyed the toastyness together!

Oh, what a day! Happiness is in the moments!

(and I want to mention and thank everyone who have shown interest in Lambie Love. I'm still figuring out the cost but am totally willing to take orders if you seriously want one. Small, medium or large...email me! rachel.a.peters@gmail.com)

You know it's winter when...

...the snow that ends up on the floor mats from your boots when you get in your car doesn't melt throughout the day (or is that just because the heat doesn't work in my car?)

...you can see your breath while driving in your car...even after 20 minutes! (or is that just because the heat doesn't work in my car?)

...you bundle up in a quilt, touque, gloves, scarf and winter jacket just to drive to work (or is that just because the heat doesn't work in my car?)

...don't even get me started on the windshield wipers freezing.....

Seems to be a theme here. Pretty sure I'll be getting my thermostat looked at this week. And every time I think back to that time I had seat warmers, I smile and am very grateful for my Gladys. :) She's a trooper and has a great stereo system. Not to mention I won't be getting stuck on our driveway this winter...fun times.

Getting there

It takes a plan and it takes time. Throw a little sacrifice in and you'll get there. "There" is a big big place but, to simplify, the 'there' I'm talking about is dumping my debt. I wouldn't consider that I'm in a huge hole (and I'm super thankful about that!) but it still needs to be taken care of.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of paying off my student loans!! PRAISE THE LORD! Now, it wasn't huge but even with the automatic payments each month it wasn't going away. Good ol' Gladys comes into play here for without the so-called 'sacrifice' of driving her instead of my comfortable heated-seat Subaru I would not have been able to get rid of these payments.

The other sacrifice, which I would rather call a blessing, is that am able to live at home while I sort out my life. It's a sacrifice for my parents, no doubt, and I am incredibly thankful that the door is open. With a little more debt to organize payments for, and the freedom to live at home in the process (and be fed unbelievable meals!) I'll be debt free within 6 months! WooHOO!!

Set up a plan, live below your means and you can do it too! It's going to be worth it!

Her name is Gladys

Gladys Pickle, actually.

I sold my car today and fell back ten years in time -- it's been quite a day! First of all, the timing of it all has been such an answer to prayer. I have been trying to sell my car for a handful of months so it's quite a relief to have a lot more money in the bank. I've also been taking a financial course on becoming and living debt free and, after not having a real job for so long, I really needed to unload the debt I had with my car in order to start my 'snowball effect' of erasing my debt. My heart hurts just a little bit today and I can't believe it's actually gone (en route to Prince George, in fact!) but I'm over it...it has gone to a happy family! Yay!

And here's how I fell back in time.....I bought a 1992 Subaru Loyale wagon for $700! Ha! The insurance cost more than the car! I know I'm not that sharp with math so I'll explain how buying an eighteen year old car gained me ten years. It was ten years ago (and more) that I had the privilege to drive a 1989 Subaru wagon and this one is almost identical! Same colour and everything! It's almost weird to drive it -- makes me feel 21 again! It just turned 300,000km and already had a name! I bought it from an Italian hippy who wanted to sell it because he was going traveling (like back to his homeland to see family) and he said that her name is Gladys. And is she ever a Gladys! I love it...I mean, her! When we went to get plates on it, the lady picked out the license with the letters 'PKL'...naturally for Pickle. So that's her name! Gladys Pickle. Oh, and I also got a membership at BCAA so I'll be covered.

She purrs.

She runs.

And she has a sweet aftermarket stereo system with an ipod attachment.

I'm literally laughing all the way to the bank!

If you knew me back in university days, you know exactly what she looks like! haha...what a dream!

Lambie Love by Auntie Rachel

When I was a little girl, my Great Auntie Kaye gave me this lambie. This lambie went EVERYWHERE with me -- as you can probably tell by how flat and flimsey the ol' girl is! I love this lambie! I love how it smells, I love that I've had it for so long, I love that it's mine and I just love how cute it is! I even still sleep with it...there, I said it! :) Because of this lambie, I love sheep! I just love them! It helps that my name in Hebrew means 'ewe' so, I guess I'm born with an attachment to these creatures. My life probably came full circle when I was down in Kansas visiting on the farm when I got to bottle feed Cashew AND that one time I picked up a freshly born babe to help it find it's mother!

Two of my very good friends, from two completely different times in my life, have just had baby girls. One was premature (but is the cutest little thing and such a fighter!) and the other was given the name Rachel (but not after me). And this got me to thinking about what I can do/give to these new little people that was given to me...so, in combination with my new experience and skill (?) in sewing AND my new found free time away from facebook, I've decided to start making lambies! I'm calling them "Lambie Love by Auntie Rachel" and so far I've made three! I love it! Mom taught me how to do it since she's the one who copied the idea and has been making lambies for babies within the family for several years and now I've made it my project!

I present to you, my line of 'Lambie Love' by Auntie Rachel! I'm still practicing so they're not perfect, but I kinda like that! They have a personal 'handmade' touch with skewed legs and floppy ears but they are soft and adorable and super fun to make! The big one is approximately 30cmX30cm (11inX11in) so you get an idea about their size. My goal is to make a bunch of them over the winter to be able to have them for sale online and possible at a market or two -- they make a PERFECT gift for any child. It's a fun little project and I'm excited to be able to thread the sewing machine all by myself (Mom laughed so hard when she was showing me how to do it!) and it's such an accomplishment to finish a lambie before a shift at work!

I think the sewing machine will be humming this winter and I can't wait! I'd like to get my own with an embroidery option but that'll take some time.

Aren't they CUTE!

It's an Auntie's life!

With great thanks to Lisa (who tends to keep me updated with everything that People magazine can produce), I'd like to take this time to congratulate my dear friend, Celine, on the birth of her twin boys! It's hard to be an Auntie from a distance but I'll do my best! I could only imagine what their names will be -- oh, I'll bet one will be named after her late father.

Now, I know it's really weird that I get as excited as I do about all things Celine but that's just the way it is! (No lyrical relation intended...ha, but funny how her lyrics just rolls off my tongue and can be incorporated in everyday life!! Well, maybe just my life.)

Happy Day!

Get a life!

The working life is great and I'm loving it! I've only had three shifts and it's fresh and new and exciting! I've been on cash for most of it learning the codes for the veggies and fruit and having a great time with the customers! Especially making them laugh with ideas of how to carve the green peppers that are almost the same size as pumpkins...they're on special this week, you know.

The great thing too is that I don't take any work home with me (unless I'm going to eat it!) I can show up, have fun talking to people, help them to have a great day by selling them good local food and then leave. No one is knocking at my door for a bandaide, I'm not lugging goalie gear back and forth to the field...I'M GETTING A LIFE! I even have time to take a financial planning course on the weekend AND am playing on a co-ed volleyball team. First game is tonight -- cheer for "Some Spike it Hot". Even the name is right up my alley.

Ah, life. It was worth the wait!

Thanks for the comments, Brenna! :)

Oh happy day!

Well HALLELUJAH!

I finally landed a job today -- hired on the spot! I'll be working in a little greengrocer that just opened today in Penticton called Old Town Farm Market. It's a really cute place that sells local produce etc. I'll be mainly working in the produce section stocking shelves and displays and I have to say I'm quite excited! Sure, I'll be making just over minimum wage but it'll be a fun environment and it will be a regular, full time shift!

Now I can actually make a budget for my financial course and stick with it! Hooray!

And be thankful.

There are more than several things to be thankful for on this special Thanksgiving weekend -- here are a few of my favourites.

I'm thankful...

1. ...that the bears roaming our yard at night (and leaving scat on the driveway) do not have opposable thumbs to open the doors of our house and help themselves to our turkey leftovers or our human bodies.

2. ...for a brother-in-law who loves his new-to-him minivan so much that he researches and repeat watches the commercials for the 2011 version of his 'vantisy'

3. ...that I'm unemployed and available to help with the projects around the house -- including pushing our hot tub off the porch this morning!

4. ...for Opi and how hard he works around the house. Though his heart and feet are restless, he is such an example of God's love and wants to share it with the world. I'm also thankful for his stories -- he has a lot of them for his 97 years!

5. ...for my family who has taken me under their wing in this difficult time. We can all feel the pressure and can all wonder why and ask what's next but God only knows. I'm also thankful for kleenex because I've used a lot of it lately.

6. ...for new beginnings. There seems to be an open door for many of them!

7. ...to be home for Thanksgiving! I think it's been close to 13 years since I've been able to enjoy this weekend relaxed at home and it feels good.

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17

Unwanted

There has to be something out there that I'm neither OVER qualified or UNDER qualified for. I did not get the job with the Boys and Girls Club because I have too much experience with high achieving youth as opposed to the 'at risk' type.

God must really have something special on the way -- that's the only thing I can hang my hope on right now.

Interview!

Phewph!

I can only hope that my trip down unemployment lane is just about over! I had an interview this afternoon with the Boys and Girls Club to be a Youth Worker in the high school. From my perspective, I think it was a good and strong interview -- they'd be a fool to not hire me. I may not have the true-blue 'counselor' skills but I think my experience working with youth should help me out.

I don't want to get too excited but I just feel like this is very well suited for me. So, yay!

When bad hair happens to good dogs...

Last week, my shaggy dog Jamal got his hair cut. He usually just gets buzzed but when the groomer hears the magical 'poodle' word, something must come over them to create the most ridiculous finished product. It always takes me a moment to see him for the first time when I pick him up and I NEVER want to lead him on to think that he should be embarrassed...but seriously! This time, he looked relatively 'normal' but his ears were super long so the drastic contrast between his near-flesh buzz cut and his ears hanging way too down low for my liking was a bit shocking!

When in doubt, fix it yourself, right?! Well, not really. I did wait for everyone to have their own satisfaction in welcoming Jamal's new haircut back into the family but then decided to trim (or hack) a whole two inches off myself with the kitchen scissors. Um, not the best outcome -- if I thought they were frizzy before...oh my word! He looked like he were wearing two pig-tails and when he ran it looked like he hovered over the blades of grass. Oops.

So, when bad hair happens to good dogs...you get your hair-stylist sister to texturize those ears and give him some much needed (and well-deserved) layers. He's still my boy and the bonus now is that I'm starting to recognize him again! He's also fashioning a nice grey smear on his back side after 'helping' paint at Karen and Travis' new home. If I cut that section off, he'd be bare bummed and I'm just not going there. It's cute, though...makes him look like he's walking backwards.