Hi. I am Ellie-Mae Huckadog. Or so they tell me.
Hi. These new people I have been staying with have been calling me Ellie-Mae so I am pretty sure that is my name.
We have met before, but you may not recognize me. I used to look more like this.
This new family took me and had all of my tangled and dirty fur cut off. At first I was a little cold, but now I feel so much cleaner and lighter and prettier. Just all around better.
They also took me to the vet. I have a few things wrong with me. That vet guy said I had one of the worst cases of ear mites he had ever seen. The new lady asked three times if people could get those. I think she may be a bit of a hypochondriac.
I also had a nasty respiratory infection and ear infection that was caused from being in a crate too much, but I am taking some medicine and feel much better all ready. That new man says that antibiotics are a family affair this week. I have no idea what that means.
What I do know is that they are really nice to me here. The boy plays with me, and the bigger dog, Katydid is her name, played with me a little bit before they sent her away because of my ear mites. I have been quarantined from other animals you see. The ear mites will be all gone by tomorrow night and then Katydid can come home. I plan on bonding with her then.
Um, can we talk about my new hair? I am not sure I like it. Especially the bow. The lady seems to really like it though. I think that maybe I remind her of someone else, because she keeps saying, “Come here Polly, I mean Ellie.” At least I think that is what she is saying, my ears have been full of bugs and infection so who knows.
I totally love my new collar. That lady’s mom called it Burberry, but then the lady said that Burberry usually costs more than $3.99. They also have lots of soft and cozy beds for me here. I like to dig in this one to make it comfy.
But this is my favorite one. It is the big family nest where we all sleep at night. The lady said that she could not bear to put me back in the crate and I am A-OK with that. Although I heard something about a spider that squicked me out a little.
Some people were wondering how big I am so the lady tried to get some “perspective” by taking pictures of me next to things. Here I am with the boy’s shoe. I said that would not work because the boy could have really big feet.
Here I am next to something everybody recognizes. See? I am pretty little. I am as tall as I am going to get.
But, I am actually much too under weight. That vet guy said I was maln, malnur, malsomething. It means hungry. I have already gained a half a pound since I got here.
Sometimes I feel a little sad. I liked the kids where I came from, and I worry about the other animals that are still there.
But I really like this new family, and I think it is going to work out well. The man says he has to get better to see if he is allergic to me, and then they will make a final decision, but I think he is going to be fine. All in all, I think I am pretty lucky. And that makes me very happy.
See ya later. Love, Ellie-Mae Huckadog.
Filed under Family-blame the DNA, NaBloPoMo, Photography, Soap box, lexapro lexplains it | Comments (17)All I can say is that we need to pray.
Because this? Is so totally and completely wrong, so against everything that Jesus promoted when on earth. Please my better equipped Christian friends, tell how not to hate this guy, because I just want to take his horrible signs and beat him over the head with them. I want to ask him if he has read the same bible as me. If he understands the concept of grace, and love, and that God truly loves every single one of us. Please discuss.
Filed under NaBloPoMo, Soap box, faith | Comments (10)Just in case you were wondering who we voted for.
Updated 10:34 pm: There are a lot of things that make a person tacky. One of the worst? Being a sore loser. You have not heard me say I would move to Canada if Obama won, you have not heard me say our country is doomed. Did my guy win? No, but my country has not lost. I have faith in the checks and balances our forefathers had the insight to put into place. I have faith this is, and will remain the country I am proud to call my own. Congratulations to my Democratic friends, and family (that would be you, JHJ, you are the only one). My prayers have been for God’s will in our nation, and I have to believe He will use the changes that are happening for his purposes.
a close up of my shirt…..
Miss Pollywog S. Huckablog
Alternate title: OCD, The Pet edition.
Are your pets members of your family, like you consider them in everything you do or they are equal to your sibling or child in your mind? Or, are they animals whom you love and enjoy, but not even close to the human members of your family? I am one of the latter. I have always loved my pets, I would never do anything cruel to them, I take good care of them. I would never get rid of one just because I was sick of it, or it became inconvenient. We will teach The Son to be a kind and responsible pet owner. But they are not people. God created us to rule over them and use them. I did use to have this one dog though…that I may have felt a little bit like she was my baby. My furry, stinky, cranky, silly baby. Her name was Polly.
I had wanted a Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie) since I was a teenager. I grew up in a family that had no use for little lap dogs, so there was no way they were going to let me have one. As soon as I moved out of college property, I wanted a little dog. The Husband and I were already engaged, when we adopted Katydid, we had no idea what she was and were told she would probably weigh about 15 pounds full grown (she weighs 33, and is NOT fat). We loved Katy, still do most of the time, but she was not the little purse dog I really wanted. I begged The Husband to let me buy a Yorkie, but he was fervently opposed to buying dogs when there are so many shelter dogs who need good homes. In my heart I knew he was right, but I still coveted those little dogs people toted around all over town.
At some point, my mom mentioned my Yorkie lust to a family friend who was on the board of our hometown Humane Society. Below is the real email exchange with my mom that followed, starting 1/8/04:
“There is a homeless 10-year old Yorkie, named Samantha, available for adoption in Hometown. Owner broke her hip and is in a nursing home. She is sweet natured and in good health except being overweight. We had to pay $70 dollars for Maggie, but if Samantha has already been spayed it may be less. They are actively looking for an adoptive home while she is being fostered. Yorkies usually live to nearly 20 years of age, love, Mom”
“Will you PLEASE go get her for me? PLEASE! love, your most favorite daughter.”
“I received a call from —-, a volunteer with the humane society who decides on suitable homes for the dogs. She said she pet sat Samantha this weekend and she is really attention starved. When she wasn’t in her lap she followed her around and watching her. Therefore, she really doesn’t think a home where both people work is the most suitable environment for the dog. However, she said she would be pleased to meet with you, (the Husband) and Katy and further consider it. I don’t think she feels strongly enough you’d be the best fit to come to you, you all will have to come to her first and meet before she’ll come inspect the house. Her cell number is — Good Luck, Mom”
“ohmygosh! This lady is SOOO rude!! She is the Contact Person for the humane society! Do you think that maybe poisonous fumes got to her head yesterday? Anyway, I talked her into giving our number to the foster parents, and we might get to see her (Sammie) tomorrow evening. If not, we will go to the adoption thing on Saturday. Will you ask (family friend) where it is and what time it starts. Also, what is the cost? Thanks for your help. Either way…lunch or dinner this weekend? Love, Hey You”
“Yeah! We get to meet Sammie at 6pm tonight! Dinner afterwards? –Love–HYH”
“Are you going to their house or are they coming to ours? Don’t get your hopes too high. And I suggest you not say anything to the fosters about the woman’s attitude as they might be close. Oh! I found out that (Humane Society lady) is a computer support person at –. Thank goodness she doesn’t deal with people in her job. But, how did she ever get picked to place dogs with families? Love ya bunches, Mom”
“We are going there, then to drop off boxes with Cat and then to your house. My hopes aren’t too high, but the foster seemed really nice, and we had a very nice conversation. I DO work with the public and know not to bad mouth people–everyone is related around here! Do not worry about me! We would love to eat anything except chicken. Being poor sucks! Hubby has an interview tomorrow. Anyway—Love You, HYH”
“Just heard there are two more people interested in dog. Good Luck!–Mom”
“I already knew about the two other people, stop being so pessimistic, here is a picture of her from their website.
We are coming to see Sammie tonight, see you afterwards to celebrate my birthday! -Love ya, HYH”
So we went over to the foster lady’s house, and the head of adoption for The Humane Society was there. When we walked in the door the dog ran straight to me, and refused to get down. I explained it was my birthday, The Husband charmed the lady in charge, and we left that night with the dog. She had three teeth, none of them matching up for chewing purposes. Her tongue could not stay in her mouth because she had so much bone loss in her jaw. She weighed 12 pounds, which is way fat for a Yorkie. She had eczema so bad they shaved every bit of her except her head, which they did not trim at all. It was January so, she had to wear a sweater to go outside. She had cataracts and would walk into table legs. Her previous owners pretty much only fed her french fries and she would have an apocalyptic fit when she saw/smelled us eating them. Katydid did seemed to like her though.
The name Samantha did not fit her at all. I tried just calling her Sammie, but that did not fit either. We almost renamed her Aunt PittyPat after the character from Gone with the Wind, she moved like her, was old and fat like her, and was just silly like her (my dad could not even look at her without bursting out laughing), but The Husband vetoed that name. We finally settled on Pollywog to go with our Katydid.
Her eyes just kept getting worse but she got around well, asked to go out to the bathroom and ate. We worked on getting her weight down and had her remaining teeth pulled because they were rotted. Once she stopped eating McDonald’s everyday her eczema went away completely.
She had to get a bath weekly because the hair around her mouth would get in her soft diet food, and then mat up and stink. After her bath, I would put down a towel on the floor and she would roll around on it until she was dry.
I really loved that dog. I carried her everywhere, and dressed her up all the time. She really seemed to like it and tolerated anything I put on her well.
I even made her some dresses for summer when it was too hot for her usual sweaters. (I know, I know how sad that sounds. I already told you that I needed a baby.)
So we got Polly on my 24th birthday January of 2004. Polly got sick on December 10, 2005. I rushed her to the vet, was told she had massive organ failure and was dying. I was going to have her put to sleep, but The Husband asked me to bring her home so he could say good-bye and we could bury her in our yard. She died around midnight of December 11. We were very sad, shed many tears…but were, in a way, very relieved. You see, we had been trying for several months to get pregnant and Polly hated children. HATED them, she would snap and growl and was just generally not a good dog to have around babies. We would probably have had to give her away when we had a baby old enough to become mobile, or at least keep them in separate rooms at all times. (the following goes in the way tmi file), It turns out The Son was conceived the day before Polly got sick. We kept her stocking up that year and have her picture hanging with other family pictures in the hall. She was a good dog but she did not make our family complete and as much as I thought she was my baby, she could never compete with the real thing.
I encourage you to keep an eye out for the pet of your dreams at your local animal shelters. If you only like a certain breed or size, then you may have to wait a little while, but the perfect pet will come through the shelter eventually and it will need a good home. It will love you more and you will not be supporting an often cruel and wasteful industry.
Filed under Family-blame the DNA, NaBloPoMo, Photography, Soap box | Comments (7)Maybe just one post on Political Thoughts
Just one post on this subject. Tomorrow I will have pictures of The Son, or something else appropriate for a mommy blogger. I have kept pretty quiet about this election, and I really do not want to come across as one of those bloggers who insults her readers because of a difference of opinion. I think that both Democrats and Republicans want to help people, there are just very different philosophies as how to best deliver the help. Following are several reasons why I will be voting for John McCain (or against Obama). Read them….don’t read them, whatever. Just don’t go and vote without really being educated, (and Jon Stewart cannot educate you to the intricacies of national politics). If you are one of those people who does not care about policy, and only vote on charisma, remember this: the choice is between a dedicated, experienced American with an uncorrupted Governor as VP or a great speaker and his entrenched-in-his-ways VP. For me the choice is clear and here are some reasons why.
1. The point is small government. Period. Why can’t subsidies for those less fortunate come in the way of a donation to a privately controlled, nonprofit agency, or organization instead of the federal government? Maybe even a state run program that’s a little easier to control and manage? If the federal government lays down the law, then chances are someone is going to fall through the cracks, or get “red taped”. I don’t want my hard earned (er, well The Husband technically earned them) tax dollars falling into a black hole of endless administration that intends to help, but is often for naught. Republicans do not want to force their ideals on us by way of federal laws and legislation. Instead they intend to leave it up to the states, which hopefully then leave it up to cities or communities. That in turn gives the American people a little more freedom to choose.
2. The stereotype of Republicans is wrong. Not all conservative Republicans are either rich corporate fat cats or uneducated, gun toting, close minded, uncaring, religious zealots. Conservatives have been misrepresented as being greedy money hoarders. There are numerous articles based on polls and findings which show that conservatives give overwhelmingly more of their money, and time, to charities than do their liberal counterparts. We just believe not only is it not the job of the government to eliminate hardships, but rather it is impossible for the government to eliminate hardships. As a good citizen, I do plenty, donate constantly, volunteer and what not, I don’t need the government to tax my family for us to help others. This is one of the many reasons that we think a smaller national government works best.
3. I believe Obama has faith in his plans to help the poor, and I believe that he and most liberals really do want to help. However, he doesn’t understand that it is impossible for him to follow through on the programs he is promising. Universal health care, overtaxing the higher earners, these things look on good paper, but end up creating other problems and shortfalls in the long run. In the end, the failed programs would hurt more people than they help. Hope is not a strategy, and confidence alone does not solve problems.
4. Sarah Palin has been criticized for everything from her accent to her religious convictions lately. Most of that criticism is focused on her lack of experience. Which begs the question, if Palin isn’t ready for the task of second in command, how can Democrats believe Obama is ready for first? He is obviously lacking experience which no die hard Democrat can deny. The truth is neither Palin or Obama have enough experience for the roles they are now vying for, but in the political game, the best and most experienced people are either jaded, not well liked for some reason, or dead. Both Palin and Obama have moved up through the political ranks because they articulate well, and their personalities resonate with people. One more word about Palin. Sarah Palin is doing something right in Alaska to have an 80% approval rating.
5. There are many people in this country who are fiscally conservative yet have rather liberal social views. Trying to marry these two is extremely difficult. I will say that I think Obama has some good ideas in regards to some social views, and I feel he is a decent man, but he gives me the feeling that he wants to wave a magic wand at the woes of our country, and world, and POOF! It will all be better. The polarization that has happened in our country of pitting one group against the other is neither helpful, nor productive, and I sincerely believe the Republicans are better at looking at both parties, and using the good ideas of both.
6. We aren’t trillions in debt by giving back to our own people, as I have heard many complain. We’re in debt due to different reasons, but one of the main reasons is that we help our foreign allies and less fortunate countries. Regarding drill vs don’t drill, while I think other energy sources are desperately needed, I also think it’s ridiculous that we depend on dangerous countries for our oil and don’t see why there can’t be a middle ground while we search for longer term solutions. Until Obama sees Iran as the threat that it is, I absolutely don’t want to see him in office–even as Senator.
7. As for health care, private insurance does need to change becoming affordable for everyone. HOWEVER, the government is not there to provide insurance for everyone. Insurance companies are in business to make money, the government is not. Besides, Republicans did not invent insurance. Insurance is not around just to make Democrats mad or keep the poor in their place. Insurance is a risk-based business that, unfortunately, causes some people great heartache. How can insurance companies make money when they can’t choose whom to insure? I absolutely don’t want the government anywhere near my health care. I have seen how much they can screw up an theoretically good system and don’t want to depend on them to tell me what doctor I can see, and when. I cannot believe Democrats really want the same people that run the DMV running our health care?
8. After the elections are over, and the dances have ended at the inaugural balls, it’s really just a game of who has best mastered the game of compromise. Who can work with who to get the most done, who knows how to play the game? Who is going to hold himself to the rules in which I believe? I think it is John McCain.
The Declaration of Independence states regarding the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness:
“…That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
The Pink Suit.
It was a stunning day. The sky was crystal blue, and the air was crisp enough you could tell fall was coming, but still warm enough to wear sandals. I was a senior at the State University, majoring in Political Science and Speech Communications. I had landed a Poli-Sci student’s dream job of working part time for our Senior U.S. Senator. I mostly responded to letters, answered the phone, and forwarded people to more experienced case workers for help. That morning I was getting ready for my first class of the day, an upper level one with the name of National Defense. It was an interesting class with my favorite professor. I was in a good mood though tired, having been up late talking to my new boyfriend. I turned on the Today Show to see what Katie had for me, and remember noting how much I loved her pink suit she had on. It was a perfect color, bright without being Pepto, and a classic cut. She inspired me to wear my own pink suit to work later that day, I laid it out, and put on capris to hike across campus. I sat down on the foot of my bed to fasten my sandals when they broke in on the fluff piece they had been covering.
A plane had hit the World Trade Center moments ago. They started showing live coverage and Katie Couric was talking in the background. I remember being concerned, but my thoughts echoed hers…..what a terrible mistake. Was an overworked air traffic control tower operator to blame? I was sad, but kept getting ready for class.
Then I heard Katie Couric gasp. I glanced up just in time to see…and wish that I had not looked. The second plane. The second tower. I had to leave for class just as I heard them say what I was already thinking. This had to be the work of terrorists. I heard students laughing all over campus–they had not heard yet.
The Political Science department was another story. Ever on top of current events, my peers had seen it all from the ancient tv in the graduate lounge (the PoliTiki Lounge). We all sat silently waiting for class to start, someone’s radio blaring in the background, burning through my ears into my brain. People were jumping to their certain deaths. The tower fell. Rescue workers rushing in. The second tower fell. My professor sent us home and told us today’s assignment was to witness history. I walked back to my apartment thinking how cruel it was for the sky to be so beautiful.
When I got back to my college owned apartment I turned back on Katie Couric just in time to see her interviewing that bald guy from MSNBC, you know– the finance guy. He was covered in ash and soot and you could tell he was shaking. Katie had changed out of her lovely pink suit and was wearing a somber black one.
I hung my pink suit back in the closet and pulled on a navy blue shirt and drab skirt. I then went to work at the Federal Building, where I was searched by the security guards for the first time. All day, all week, all year I answered calls of outraged constituents. “Bomb them!” “Kill them!” “Revenge!” “They must pay!”.
My pink suit stayed in the closet for the rest of the year.
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I missed getting the below posted on 9/11, and contemplated saving it until next year, however I think it deserves to be shared now. The following is from The Neighbor and below that is a link for us all to watch. Please share your own memories in the comments section. Thanks.
I don’t know if you have a topic already for today, or if you’re interested in one, but I’ve attached some pics I took earlier this year from Ground Zero and the area if they can be of use. It really changes your perspective on the events seeing it in person.
The metal cross in the middle picture is from inside one of the towers and is exactly how it was found, in a cross shape. We were fortunate enough to have one of the foremen of the building site come talk to us and he told us the story. The glass case sitting on the cross contains two baseballs and he said the father of a son who was killed in the towers climbed the cross and put the baseballs on it as a tribute to his son. They are autographed by, I think he said, Mickey Mantle and someone else in that era. Very valuable. I asked how they kept people from stealing them and he said that if anyone ever tried to steal them, the police wouldn’t have to be involved because the city would hunt them down and kill them. Apparently, the WTC site and memorabilia, etc. is respected by everyone, including the thugs. The cross also served as a place of prayer and mass for the recovery workers throughout the months after the attack.
Thanks for sharing The Neighbor. I am not sure how I feel about us always hunting down the thugs. Can we live the rest of our lives shouting “Bomb Them!” “Kill them!” “Revenge!” “They must pay!”? I don’t know, I just know that it is time for us to stop being afraid. click here and turn up the volume
Filed under Soap box, lexapro lexplains it | Comments (4)To Whom it May Concern: Blog Withdrawal
It started out so innocently. I was bored at Heartless cellular company. My manager told me to kill some time because I was making my teammates look bad by actually being productive. He gave me the password to be able to read blogs and chat boards from my work computer. I saw a post on The Nest that asked “what mommy blogs do you read?” Mommy Blog? What the heck is that?, I wondered. I was about five months pregnant and voraciously reading anything “Mommy” related. Dooce.com was the only one mentioned in the responses to the original post so I wandered on over to read my very first blog entry.
It was friggin hilarious. I read back through her archives and was enthralled. She had a post that listed the blogs that she reads everyday. I followed her cue to Finslippy, Fussy, and Mighty Girl. I was officially a hooked blog reader. I expanded and started reading blogs I found on my own, Amalah, Looky Daddy and more. I branched out from just parenting blogs and started to read humor, politics, and activist blogs as well. I am a crazy fast reader so I could spend 30 minutes a day and catch up on 10 blogs easily.
This is where you come in. You started your own blog. A Blog! From someone I know! That I can read everyday and it will be like an email just from you that shares your innermost thoughts and is funny and SQUEEEE! Breathe. I laughed, I cried, I was inspired with ideas for The Huckablog. And then your posts dropped from daily to bi-weekly, to weekly to oh yeah I should post something eventually. The whole time I faithfully added you to my blogroll. I directed others, friends and strangers to your site. I had faith in you, in your writing and knew you would entertain and motivate. I checked your site everyday. Then every other day. And now? I am thinking seriously about dropping you from my blogroll.
Please do not make me drop you. I rarely check blogs not on the blogroll anymore because I no longer have a boss that encourages me to goof off. My boss is much more demanding now. I have to sneak in internet time between naps, and early bedtimes. For the love of whomever will invoke you, post something already. It does not have to be perfect, it does not have to be particularly galvanizing; I do not have to be made to laugh or weep with every entry. You do not have to post every single day, I think two or three times a week is well within proper blogiquette. I can only go through one form of withdrawal at a time, so please just BLOG already!
Yours Sincerely,
Hey You Desperatelyseekingnewposts-Huckablog
p.s. A tweet does not equal blogging. Thank you very much.
Filed under Soap box, To Whom it May Concern | Comments (10)