Top Chef Sacramento

I work for a local grooming shop here in our town. The past year, my job has collaborated with a local rescue by grooming rescued animals for adoption. We love helping any way. This past weekend, we were invited to join Recycled Pets of NorCal (our affiliate) at their benefit--an annual event called Sacramento's Top Chef. The event has participants from local restaurants competing to be the year's Top Chef.... just like the tv show.

Let me just say...the food was delicious! The secret ingredient? Hot Cheetos!!

Thats hot cheeto crust!

Buffet!!

The hubster and I

Our view....
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And because I love my job....

Doggy Lottery.

Meet Lucy. Our new family member. We weren't quite looking for her, yet we weren't quite not looking for her. You know, “if it happens it happens” sort of thing. Every now and then I’d browse online and there were a few close calls, but they didn't quite fit. That’s because we were looking in all of the wrong ways---puppies. I love puppies (who doesn't!) but I wasn't ready to start training another member of our family when I’m still dealing with my own son’s potty training. But then I saw her at our local shelter and I knew it was different. 

Our shelter was joining in on the “Just One Day” event that was being held throughout the country. This event is a great one where shelters don’t euthanize any of their animals (unless deemed necessary) for the day. Not only did my shelter join in, they also had a deal on all adoptables—$11.00 dollars and that included everything! (spay, vaccines, a free well visit, and microchip.) This was awesome news.



I went over during my lunch hour to hopefully meet Lucy, and she was there! I was interviewed and was instantly approved. I mentioned having another dog and the shelter and I agreed to a Meet & Greet with Lucy and Jambi after I was off work. I was a nervous wreck hoping everything would work out with Jambi and Lucy. They hit it off! He even lets her lick his face (and he won’t let just anyone touch his face.) Doggy Lottery!!


Everyone loves her here. She is such a doll. I really did win the Doggy Lottery with her—she’s “everything” trained.

Poodle Day Parade + Happy marriage.

It's been like eons since we've had any sort of "family trip." By family trip, I mean the whole family--including the dog. In fact, this trip was based on our dog--sort of. See, I work in the pet field. My bosses groom all sort of furbabies and when my mini family and I were invited to join them for a few days in Monterey, we couldn't say no. So off we all went to the sweet and beautiful bay area called Monterey.

We drove Friday morning, albeit late morning, only to arrive mid-afternoon. This only gave us 2 hours to see all of the wonders that the Monterey Bay Aquarium had to hold. The drive to the aquarium from our hotel was just beautiful.

Cannery Row

This was his reaction to the water fall wall.

Reaction after.

Saturday was just amazing! It was time for Jambi, our Jack Russell-Yorkie Mix, to have some family fun. He saw oodles and oodles of Poodles everywhere. Hence the famous "Poodle Parade." You can see last year's gallery on the Poodle Parade website, but here are two snippets from our trip.

Sesame Street!

The Simpons!

Then it was off to the beach to hang out with. Obviously Michael + sand equals loads of fun as usual. Loads of fun!

This guy is silly. He would run up to meet the waves, but as soon as his little feet touched it, he would back away. lol

Sand + Michael= fun! 

What a great way to start our eighth year of marriage.

I was sent home

I was sent home from work yesterday. No, not from misconduct or because I was fire--I've been feeling rather sick the past two days. So once lunch time hit, home I went, well first to pick up Michael from my mom's and then go home. I am so glad that once we finally got home that Michael took a nap--this way I could too (who doesn't love a two hour nap?!) Although yesterday I felt a wee bit better but I still went home. I think it was my lack of sleep the last two weeks from Michael being sick that caused me getting sick too in the end. That picture up there is a glimpse of my drive home. The one below? Jambi, my Jack Russell Yorkie Mix, giving Mama extra love because I wasn't feeling well.

Is he not the cutest?!

busy bee

My life is going "busy bee" mode right now. I love it. I've been "lounging around" for way too long. Yesterday I baby sat my little nephew and Michael and I had a blast! I stopped doing my daily housewife chores (lol) and took the kiddos outside so we can play. I took Michael's table and chair set he got for Christmas and the two toddlers had snack time outside. It was so cute! I baby sat Gabriel for from 10am until 7pm. It sort of gave me an insight of what life would be with another child (and the idea of how it would be with packing up the car with two toddlers by myself--not fun.) At least I know I can manage.

 

Left: Gabriel. Right: Michael

Today I had a refresher course at work. I still can't believe I will be going back to work after so long. I'm just glad I was able to spend the first year, heck two years basically, with Michael. Those are the most precious. Anyways, back to work. Literally. I was a bit nervous since I swore I thought I forgot everything. I'm glad I didn't because I was able to man the computer system and phone like I only went on a mini vacation. I start next Friday and hopefully everything goes great. I'm still a wee but nervous since I'll be myself already with the bather there. Here goes nothing. After that refresher course, Michael set out on a walk. "Gars!" were everywhere and he made sure I knew it!

 

Tomorrow, we have a date night with a mutual friend. He's taking us out to dinner. Free food is always great! Especially when it's a restaurant you love. I am salivating over the Posole they make. Let me just tell you that Posole isn't everyone's cup of tea when it comes to making it. I've had many variations of it and only my Mama and this place I will eat the entire bowl. Oh so yummy! Then, like most people in America, we will be attending a BBQ. We may not watch the 49ers play, we aren't football fans (gasp! I know!!) but we do love gatherings. So Food, food, and food

Hi ho! Hi ho! It’s off to work I go…

 

Did I ever mention that many moons ago that I worked at a grooming shop? No? Well yes I did.  But this was before my days as a stay at home mommy. Before I even got pregnant! Now that Michael is almost two years old I will be going back and joining the work force. Do you know what? I am actually nervous, excited, but nervous. Not so much about working, I already know the environment (and love it!) but about how our adjustment is going to be like. I am sure the first few weeks it will take getting used to, but it will be so worth it in the end. My mom, Michael’s grandmother, will be watching him while I make those dolla dollar bills ya’ll! One of my favorite things about where I will be working? Comfort! I’ll get to wear scrubs, jeans, tennis shoes, etc. I can even roll out of bed and wear the yoga pants I have on!

 

Oh comfort!!

 

and just for laughs, this:

 

Ha ha! This always gets me laughing!