New Puppy!

On Friday, July 9, 2010, I met LuLu at the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society. I fell in love with this little bouncing furball! I decided to place a hold on LuLu because there was another family that was very interested in adopting her and they placed a hold on her before me. I came home on Friday evening and spoke with my landlady about getting another dog, and she was open to it, so I decided that I would get LuLu if Barbara (from the humane society called me on Saturday).

On Saturday July 10, 2010 I called Barbara at 12:30pm and asked her if the family had decided if they wanted LuLu or not. She said that they went home to talk about it as a family, and that she would call them by 3:00pm and then she would let me know.

At 2:48pm I got a call from Barbara saying, "OK, come pick up your dog!" I was so excited! Sam and LuLu had to meet to make sure they got along (and of course they did!). So, by 4:30pm I had adopted my second dog, Lulu!

On the car ride home!

Since leaving the shelter, Lulu has been renamed twice. First I liked Lucy, then yesterday I decided I liked Lily better. She seems to respond to Lily much better than any of the other names. Here are some pictures we have taken since coming home :)

New Home!

Well, on July 2, 2010, my landlady of over three years asked me to move out so she could have more space. I totally understood why she wanted to do this, but at the same time, I was very nervous about having to find a new place with Sam. On July 3, I looked at a place, and by July 4th, I was all moved out! I live right down the street from my family, and I can have Sammy!

Here is my room, not completely unpacked, but looking like my room nonetheless!

My comfy bed!

You can see my collection of books, and the built in desk in the back.
There is also a walk in closet to the left of the desk!

My bathroom is all remodeled, and beautiful!

Suffice to say, I love my new place, and new roommates are great! I live with Ann, the owner, her daughter, Deanne, and Deanne's son, Benjamin who will be 3 in October!

Figure Drawing!

Over the weekend I ordered some drawing books so I could occupy my time. One arrived today and I decided to play around for awhile :)

And these are the results:

June Gloom

It's the last day of June. As I wrote that, I remembered: PAY DAY! Nice to work 8 days in June and get paid salary. The whole job thing has been on my mind. I am enjoying my break and I am wondering if I will ever get bored...I don't think so, but I do like to have money to pay the bills!

I have applied for over ten jobs since June 9th, and I have a feeling there are many more to come! It might surprise you that I am not only applying for any teaching job I can find in the area but I also applied to be and HR manager, emergency dispatcher, school services coordinator, home school teacher tutor, a marketing manager, and I can't remember what else!

Since I can't sit in front of the computer all day, I have been spending a lot of time outdoors with Sammy and getting together with friends. Today I took out my old roller-blades, put on a sweatsuit and we went for a ride. Bad idea on the sweatsuit! I had forgotten what great exercise rollerblading is! When I was in junior high and even more of a nerd than I am now, I used to roller-blade every Friday at the rink they used to have near the airport in Goleta. Ah, what good memories. Mom and dad would give me $5, drop me off and pick me up!

Day Trip!

Santa Margarita, San Luis Obispo, Avila Beach, Los Alamos, Buellton

On Sunday 6/27/10 we went on a family trip (Aunts, Uncle, Mom, Nana and I) to Santa Margarita, CA. We rented a pontoon boat and played on the lake for a couple hours. I couldn't help thinking about how much I wanted to have a fishing pole and my dog with me! We saw people kayaking, people fishing, buzzards, deer, and even a cave!


On the way home we stopped in SLO for lunch at Frank's Famous Dogs. Next we played on the dog friendly beach in Avila Beach where I fell in love with a maltese/poodle mix.

We were heading home to the valley and stopped to feed this horse in Los Alamos. His name is Lakota and he is a Quarter Paint horse from Texas. He is about 8 years old and the owner's husband was there with their son cleaning up the corral. This horse was a kick---no pun intended! He was actually licking his owner for the salty sweat. I just thought he was being sweet!

Why Why Why am I doing this?!?

I started reading some funny entries by Small Town Mom, and for those of you who don't know, I am Ms. L. S-T-M and I worked together as fellow teachers for the past threeish years. We laughed and cried together, we had tons of fun. She's my buddy!

We both know about all the same kiddos...this is what possessed me to start writing. My amusement and joy from her blog is what has motivated me to be here.

It's summer vacation....not that I believe it by the weather around here! Had an interesting start to vacation...not doing much more than applying for jobs, getting over ilnesses, being with friends, and family...

Anyway, must get used to this blogging life. It seems like a ton of fun!

<3

Ms. L