The BIG 3-0 is closing in...

My 30th birthday is growing near. I'm not really freaking out about saying good-bye to my 20's as much as I'm in a state of "WTF am I doing?" It's tough to swallow that I'm in such a weird place, nowhere that I envisioned I would be if you asked me 10 years ago, that's for sure. I'm taking it day by day and hope that I will be where I want soon.

I try to remind myself that I'm not alone and many people are in this weird state of flux as well. I have a supportive family, a few close friends I can count on, two adorable dogs and a cuddle-bug cat whom need me and keep me going, a decent job with good people, and a roof over my head (even if it's a shared space and not my own).

Speaking of great things...my parents totally rock! They really want me to be happy and enjoy myself for my birthday...so they are sending me and one of my closest girlfriends on a 5-night cruise to Mexico! We are leaving from San Diego on August the 8th and spending two days in Cabo San Lucas! I've never been to Mexico so it will be fun.

My friend and I are both single, young and I know we are going to have a blast! I will certainly be making use of my language skills on this trip! And this may be an odd opportunity for translation as well...My friend is Deaf, we may encounter Spanish-speaking people as well (but probably not a high probability being that we are going to a big tourist location! lol)....never the less, it'll be fun. I get to talk shit with my girl in sign language and most won't have a clue! ;-)

I'll be back in San Diego with my friend on the 13th, the day after my birthday and I will fly home the next day...just in time to be home for my mom's birthday on the 15th. Good times and a nice week long break from work....CAN'T WAIT!!!!

My new pup, Jade

I adopted a puppy from my former dog, Jade's litter. I wanted a girl in case I decided to have Timber and the new dog breed (something I'm not positive I will actually do). Jamie kept 3 of the 10 puppies; one girl and two boys. The owner of the sire, Sparta took home a female pup. This left me with 3 girls to choose from. Of the three females, my little girl was the smallest and had the shortest hair. Since I chose the name Jade for the mother when we got her three years ago, I wanted to keep that name; thus I named my pup after her momma, Jade Aurora Borealis.

She is adjusting well and Timber adjusted quickly. His play was a bit rough at first, but he is learning her limits and she is learning to push right back! Baby Jade is a little spitfire and very spunky. She is very different from the way Timber was as a smaller puppy. She is a jumper, a climber and a mess-maker with the water dishes. Jade scales the baby gates and digs in all the water dishes; inside and outside! Between playing in the water and Timber biting her neck and back, she is usually soaked!

My mom loves the new pup and is glad that she has a "granddaughter" finally, even if it's a four-legged one. She will have to wait a while for a human granddaughter or grandson from me. LOL

As for my dad, he's a trooper. He really didn't want another dog in the house or yard...But he's a softie and loves both the dogs. I planned on having Jade live at someone elses house until I moved out, but my dad didn't like that idea and said she could stay here. I am looking for a place to move out for rental until the divorce goes through the courts so I can buy a place, but everytime I mention it, my dad says I have a place to live...here. He's a great dad, very supportive and flexible...but I need to move out and give him some relief and get these dogs out of his house and yard. When I do move, I'm going to hire a landscaper and housekeeper to come in and fix up what my dogs and I destroyed. :-) LOL

So tired...lots of changes for this little girl...

Relaxing in the backyard...

Adjusting to the new home...

The car ride home from Chico...July 12, 2009

4th of July in Calpine

Driving up to Calpine with my mom after she got off work for the 4th of July weekend for a family party at my cousin Kathy's house. My dad drove up earlier in the morning with the RV.

So sleepy...

Donner Lake

The horses in my cousin's pasture...Timber's first experience with full-size horses...He got daring by getting in there with them, but when Emma, the brown horse decided to chase him, he made a dash for the fence!

Maya, my cousin Bryan's little girl...

She enjoyed "playing soccer" with Timber. When he wouldn't pay attention, she'd yell, "Timmer, Baa!"

Emma and Sprit followed Timber and me on our walk down the private road...

View on our walk down the private road my cousin lives on...

My cousin's view from her backyard...

Emma and Timber...again...they were obsessed with each other!

Spirit got to visit briefly until Emma pushed her way through. Emma is pretty controlling...

Maya and the her "baa"

Some "redneck golf" as my cousin, Mike called it...

Emma always has to be involved...

Searching for tadpoles and frogs in the pond out in the pasture behind the house...

Rosemary and Erin

Timber is on watch...

My tired "little man" after a long day exploring and meeting new people...

My dogs...

Timber and Jade are getting along well...Timber likes to correct her.

More to come....

I have quite a bit to post from the 4th of July up in Calpine....Been busy and tired since I went back to work after the time off. Since the 4th I have brought home another puppy! I got one of Jade's puppies as of yesterday. I have quite a bit of pictures of her, I named her after her mom, Jade. Timber and her are adjusting. When I get time, I will post some pics and more info...Until then.....