Arizona-Day 2... eventually...

I hope that you have noticed the new blog banner.  I put that little ditty together this evening.  After my photography workshop this past Saturday, in Arizona, we passed this old truck.  David (being the good sport that he is) was posing for me when some gals from the class drove by.  I had loaned one of them a battery that I forgot to collect and she stopped to give it back.  While they were there they offered to snap some shots of David and I.  This was my favorite (hint the new banner).  Here is the full shot:

I am absolutely in love with this photo!  This was also a great chance for me to try out the new actions that I purchased this afternoon.  They are Totally Rad.  No, really they are "totally rad".  That is the name of the actions.  I could not decide what set I wanted, the Action Mix or The Revenge.  I knew that I would eventually get both, however, I got lucky and with David's blessing I went all out and bought the whole sha-bang.  I am loving them.  I am also sporting Photoshop CS3.  I downloaded the trial and I am really liking it.  I just haven't wanted to get it until I really needed it... well... I really NEED it.  The legit version of CS3 will be next month.  Is it October yet?

Update: Baron is doing better.  If I had not told you our boy (David's "Big Sweetie") wasn't feeling to well.  Itchy to be exact.  When, we first got the puppies they developed a bit of a rash.  Normal the vet said.  Then, before we left it came back, but worse.  I took him back to the vet, who was more concerned with wanting to give him his shots than with his BAD rash.  He gave us some antibiotics, told us to continue the special shampoo and to give him Benadryl twice a day.  Okay.  Annoyed that he was more preoccupied with the shots I took my Itch Monster home.  Fast forward to this past Sunday when we arrived home.  Our boy was just a mess.  My Nenee kept him on his strict regimen while we were away.  He was 10x worse than when we left.  I had decided not to take him back to our vet so I tried one that was highly recommended by a few of my Mom's patients, Marketplace Animal Hospital.  They were great!  The Doctor said that I was correct (DUH) not to allow his shots to be administered while he is so miserable.  It could make things worse.  He took some skin samples, and called the Veterinary Dermatologist (did you know this existed?).  Together they came up with a plan.  He spent over an hour with us and gave us new directions and meds and said to call in 5 days if the itching, but most importantly the sores from the itching were not considerably better.  Our poor "Big Sweetie".

Okay, on to Arizona.  I told you I would get here eventually.  If you are still with me you have the patience of a Saint.  (Since I print and bind my posts from our journal I have to touch on everything.  Even at your expense.) On day 2 of our hot melting extravaganza we did what we did best.  What is that you say?  SHOPPING.  We stopped at the distribution center to stock up, and then we were off.  Nordstrom Rack, which we don't have at home, is where we landed.  There we were on a mission.  I needed tanks to put under my shirts, David needed jeans and whatever else struck his fancy.  (As you can see I do blur the lines between want and need).  Nordstrom was a success, of course.  Like I would expect anything different.  Across the parking lot from The Rack was a Carter's store. David and I picked up some holiday outfits for Mr. B.

After meeting up with Robyn and Anthony we went to eat at Joe's Farm Grill.  It was delish' and the place was a really cool, old converted farmhouse.  For dessert we went to Joe and Jill's house.  Jill is David's cousin.  There we just had a blast.  Joe and Jill's little girls are just the cutest.  Not to mention the fact that J and J are pretty fun themselves.  It was great to catch up with them since the last time we saw them was in April of last year.  Jill is nannying for kiddos while Joe is working during the day and they have business they do at night.  You know these two are busy!  David and I hope we will see them again sooner than later.

The page below is a total scraplift, but I don't care.  I loved the idea and the concept.  Sometimes I think most people forget that their talents are a blessing.  A blessing that needs to be shared.  When I saw this page in my hard drive tonight it was a great reminder for me of how blessed a am.

Lastly, has anyone seen our pears?

Yeah well us either.  This evening David and I decided to go out to the backyard and pick what should have been our perfectly ripe pears off of our pear tree.  Unfortunately, when we got there we were confused.  The tree was there.  The pears were not.  It seems as though someone came and stole ALL of our pears.  They took them all.  I am not exaggerating when I say ALL. The limbs were bare and so was the ground under our pear tree.  What the?  We are ticked to say the least.  This happened to us last year too.  So, now the plans for pear tarts and jam are out the window this year... AGAIN.  Now, our gate will be sporting a lock and a NO TRESPASSING SIGN for our fruit thieves.  David is so ticked he is thinking surveillance for this time next year.  Meanies!

Tomorrow my car is trying a new dealership.  We can only assume this trip will go better than the last.  No sleazy service managers were spotted at the drop off.

***The one name and email/website I did not get from The Workshop was the gal's that took the picture featured on my new banner.  If you are reading this please leave a comment with your information!***