Dealing with the Cold- a Doggone Good Alternative

Winter temperatures arrived this year in November, with lows in the upper 20s and low 30s, and with wind chills even colder. So, I don't walk the dogs in the morning and endure that cold- instead we have little stuffed "rings" that I toss inside and have them play fetch. It gets them going, and wears them out in the same 20-30 minutes it takes to walk a mile. They really seem to enjoy it, although Franklin the Dachshund (who is "less motivated") prefers to watch Dolly fetch and play. Here's great picture of the kids that Tom took from his cell phone when they were watching me prepare their dinner last week.

When Texting isn't appropriate

Yesterday I was at the office. When I went into the restroom, there was a man in a suit at the urinal text messaging with one hand. Even though that obviously takes talent to text with one hand, I think he could've waited. After all, he was finished in a minute, washed up and went outside. When I came out a minute or two later, he was standing by the wall (apparently still waiting for someone). UM... why couldn't he have waited until he got outside of the men's room to text? Geez.
- That's as bad as people text messaging when they're supposed to be talking to a check out clerk or ordering at a restaurant. Put the doggone thing down!

Victim of Pay Pal Thievery

Yesterday I got a very horrifying surprise. I received an email from Paypal that said there's a $400 charge against my account that would be debited to my bank account. The email was genuine but I had no idea what the charge was for. Oddly enough, there was another charge for $240 that happened at 11:40pm the night before that I didn't authorize. They were from HACKERS.
The first one is from someone in Idaho. The second one is from someone in Mountain View, California. I immediately called Paypal, and they said that the one that went through at 11:40pm ET the night before was "gone" for $240, so that money is lost and removed from my bank account. I filed an "investigation" with them, and hope to recover the money. In addition, the $400 charge that was put on yesterday morning around 5 a.m. ET, didn't seem to go through yet, but PayPal said it would, and that would also be debited from my BANK account. That's also now under investigation.
I changed my passwords immediately, and once these are resolved, I'm closing the Pay Pal account. Turns out once a hacker figures out your password, they can drain your account if you're not paying attention to your emails from pay pal. In fact, if you're away on a cruise for 10 days, for instance, you could have ZERO in your bank account. SO- I recommend closing your Pay Pal account. This is financially dangerous. Just buy things on-line with a credit card. PERIOD.
I also called my bank and put stop payments on both $240 and $400 pay pal charges, and all future pay pal charges. That was at $20 a stop payment. SO, either way, because of hackers and evil people, I'm out money this holiday season. I can't believe people would be so evil. Sad.

To Get you in the Spirit: Carpenter's Video: Merry Christmas Darling

Tom's all-time favorite group is the Carpenters. I absolutely love them, too. I can't believe that Karen has been gone almost 20 years now... but her music is timeless. Here's one of our favorite Christmas songs from one of their old TV shows! Maybe it'll help get you in the Christmas Spirit.

Our 2 favorites finish second and third in “The Amazing Race” finale

(Photo: Sam and Dan from the Amazing Race)
Our FAVORITE show is the AMAZING RACE on CBS. It ended last night as 3 couples fought to win the $1 million prize after traveling around the world doing sometimes outrageous or tedious tasks from those countries they were in. We had TWO favorite teams. 1) Sam and Dan McMillen, two brothers from Missouri, who happen to both be gay (but that wasn't an issue) 2) Brian and Ericka Kleinschmidt of Nashville, Tenn. Brian's a Marketing Tour Manager and Ericka is an Entertainer and was Miss America 2004. Unfortunately, they came in second and third, respectively.
It seemed that the blond couple Megan and Cheyne (who are dating) were the luckiest couple- and they won. Even making mistakes like taking a cab to the wrong hotel, they still won. Regardless, Sam and Dan and Brian and Erika were awesome.
Now we won't know what to do on Sunday nights.
HERE'S AN ARTICLE ABOUT SAM AND DAN:
Liberty brothers finish second in “The Amazing Race” finale
By TIM ENGLE, The Kansas City Star
Missed it by that much. Brothers Sam and Dan McMillen of Liberty finished a close second on Sunday’s finale of “The Amazing Race,” losing the $1 million prize to blond couple Meghan and Cheyne.
On the show, filmed last summer, the final three teams zoomed around Las Vegas and performed such feats as rappelling face-first down the side of a hotel.
CBS wasn’t letting the brothers talk Sunday night, but they’ll appear this morning on “The Early Show” (7 a.m., Channel 5). Their mom, Lu McMillen, said she had “a blast” watching two of her three sons on national TV. “I laughed at moments they were bickering and teared up at moments they did well,” she said.

PHOTO: Brian and Erika from the Amazing Race
Marcus Mallams, Dan’s roommate at William Jewell College and a longtime friend, said the brothers’ temperaments meshed well. “It was important for Sam to keep Dan calm,” he said. “Yeah, they did have their ups and downs, but they rose to the occasion.”
Mallams said the brothers will get $25,000 for finishing second. A lighter moment on Sunday’s finale was the McMillens getting to meet Wayne Newton — although they couldn’t think of his name. The finish line was at Newton’s ranch.
Dan, 21, is a senior business major at William Jewell College. Meanwhile, brother Sam, 24, is putting together applications to medical school and serving at P.F. Chang’s in Kansas City on the Plaza. He’s a recent graduate of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.

Read 3 Great Books!

I (Rob) have been busy reading, in between blogging daily, writing my ghost book, taking care of our dogs (and Tom), working, exercising, etc. In the last couple of months I finished reading THREE books, all of which were GREAT.
1) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: THE LAST DOG ON EARTH by Daniel Ehrenhaft - Although written for teens, this is a great book for anyone. Its a science fiction novel about a prion disease that causes dogs to exhibit the symptoms of rabies. The main character is Logan Moore, an angry young man. Logan hates his biological father for abandoning him, his stepfather for trying to control him, and other kids for seeming better than him. It is only when Logan gets a pet dog that he learns to love. In training and working with his dog Jack, Logan learns patience and other virtues.

2) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: MEMORIAL DAY by Vince Flynn - Intel learns that countries harboring terrorists are transferring their stock and bonds into gold while at a top-secret installation a Pakistani terrorist is being interrogated by CIA black ops agent Mitch Rapp. Intel finds out that Al Qaeda is preparing to strike at the United States, making the World Trade Towers destruction seem like a child destroying a toy. Mitch and a group of commandos raid a small Pakistani mountain town where they find proof that Al Qaeda is getting ready to attack America.
2) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: THE GHOST CHRONICLES by Maureen Wood and Ron Kolek - Maureen is a medium who teams with Ron an actual paranormal investigator. These are 17 true cases of hauntings they explored together in New England. Fascinating stuff- especially when a Medium joins ghost hunters. SEE A VIDEO INTERVIEW ON FOX NEWS:

First Snowfall of the Season / VIDEO of the Dogs 1st Romp in Snow!

THE FIRST SNOWFALL OF THE SEASON! Today, December 5, 2009 marked the first snowfall of the season. It started as rain with an outside temperature near 41F, and by 10am the temp plummeted to 32F changing it all over to snow! Last year we only received 7.1 inches all year. Today, we're now expecting up to 3" in the very first snowfall. When Dolly the Weimaraner and Franklin the Dachshund went outside, they ran like crazy! Here are some photos of Dolly shaking her ears to get the snow off of them, Franklin watching the snowfall, and Dolly licking snowflakes off of her snoot!



BELOW:A FUNNY VIDEO OF DOLLY & FRANKLIN'S FIRST ROMP IN THE SNOW THIS SEASON - DEC 5, 2009!

Christmas in Annapolis / Doggone Good Posing

DOGGONE GOOD POSING - This weekend, we're going to have family photos taken (us and our dogs), so we thought it good to get them into practice. They were so obedient, patient and wonderful, that they got lots of treats. Here are a couple of the the photos. One when Franklin was stretching out to get ready for his close up, and the other a perfect pose. We think they're ready for their Sunday photo shoot!

FRIDAY NIGHT IN ANNAPOLIS - There was a choir singing and an orchestra playing in downtown Annapolis last night, so we thought it would be fun to ask a number of friends to join us. We imagined it would be outside, so the thought of being cold outside kept everyone away (except for us). The event, however, was INSIDE the tiny Annapolis state house, and SO crowded, everyone was standing like sardines. During a break, and when the orchestra got up, Tom and I nudged our way to the State Christmas Tree, and I got this picture. Yes, that's Tom on the right, and a woman in 18th century garb who was working the event. We didn't get to enjoy the music, though, because it was "ass to elbow" and waaaaay too hot wearing winter jackets inside. What we did hear, sounded nice, though.

We tried going to the William Paca House for a candlelight tour, but it was closed. We went into the only open shop -a used bookstore, browsed and had a nice chat with the owner. We then walked to the Annapolis docks and I took this picture - some of the masts of the sailboats were all lit up (they look like blue triangles here). It was nice, but almost all of the shops were closed at 8pm!

Holiday "Spirit" and Holiday Challenges

CHALLENGES DURING THE HOLIDAYS - As I mentioned in my last post, challenges seem to face many people during the holidays, either financial, emotional, loss of someone dear, or memories of loss. Just this month, our friend Ben lost his beloved 16 year old dachshund, Rusty, and Lori and Fred lost their beloved 15 year old Beagle Shelby. Being a dog lover, these losses brought tears to my eyes - but I KNOW that both Rusty and Shelby are well. I've learned a lot from my puppy Buzz, who passed at 6 months old and has come back to me 13 different times and various ways. Buzz is at peace and watching over Tom and I, and our dogs Dolly and Franklin. So, Rusty and Shelby will be doing the same to their respective parents- watching and helping them from "the other side."
We have several friends that are also dealing with severe illnesses, divorce or separation, job loss, moving or financial ills. We're here for all of you, and not just at Christmas, but year 'round. You need to focus on the positive aspects of your life to make things easier to deal with.
For those who lost someone around this time of year, you should focus on the good times you had with the person when they were alive. They don't want you to remember their last days- because it wasn't really them entirely. So, if you think of someone who passed, try not to recall their last days, but some great, fun adventure you had. Meanwhile, count the little blessings.
BEVERLEE VISITS WHILE I WAS DRIVING - My friend Beverlee passed away this past springtime, and I really miss her. She was 85, sharp, witty and full of life. We used to have coffee every week (I would drive to her house with Dolly (the Weimaraner) and chat. This morning, on the way to work, she came to me while I was driving! She showed me that she's assumed the way she looked when she was in her mid-20s. I saw a young girl with brownish hair up. She was in her 20s in the 1940s. She told me she's very happy being back together with her husband Howard, who passed in the 1960s, and her dog. She just wanted to say hello, and tell me she's checking in. It choked me up- and made me realize what a gift it is to hear from people who have passed. In fact, everyone should realize their loved ones are at peace (unless they did very bad things). In short- they're gone from here, but always will be around, even on the Holidays!

Grieving During Christmas? Spirits Don't Want Us To Grieve...

Many people choose to pass away around the holidays, why, I don't know. They just do. That makes the holidays even more difficult to celebrate for those of us left behind. So, I want to provide some insight from spirits (people who have died and passed into the light) about celebrating the holidays.
They don't want you to be miserable. They want you to celebrate the season. This is the time of the year, more than any other, that you need to tap into the positive energies of the season. They're happy where they are. It was their time, and they knew that before they were born. I've learned so much about life with this ability, and one thing I've learned is not to grieve forever.
I've seen how many times my dad has come back with signs that he's fine and he still checks in (and helps my mother out). Tom and I have seen signs from someone close he knew that passed around Christmastime. That person has proven that he's still around, and he's no longer having the problems he had when he was alive. He's achieved a much happier, higher form of life, and he's full of love, just as all are that pass on and move into the light.
All of those loved ones we know who have passed on want you to experience that love here on Earth while you can. So, decorate that Christmas tree, write those cards, help people, give to homeless pets, show people the love that you have. Hidden love is of no value. It needs to be shared, just like our dogs Dolly and Franklin always wag tails and kiss us. They let their love out, and it looks great on them. Now go home and wrap a package!

Tis' the Season to be Greedy?

Two articles in the news today about people who are both filthy rich and do the wrong things for even more money.
1) Tennessee Sports Team Owner Didn't Pay Taxes - Predators lead owner David Freeman acknowledged Monday that he has had personal cash flow problems and is having to sell off assets to pay a $3.3 million lien placed on him earlier this year by the IRS for not paying taxes.
2) Another overpaid actor wouldn’t take a pay cut to do the sequel to Iron Man, so he was let go and replaced. Sadly, this 3rd rate character was paid MORE than the star of the movie, Robert Downey Jr.!! If it wasn't for Downey, the movie would've bombed.In 2008's "Iron Man," James "Rhodey" Rhodes was played by Terrence Howard. According to: http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/movie-talk-war-machine-revealed.html :In a much-publicized contract dispute, Terrence Howard was dropped from the sequel and replaced by actor Don Cheadle. While the exact details of why Marvel Studios made the switch, Entertainment Weekly reported that Howard's original contract made him the highest-paid actor in the first film, and when the producers tried to scale back his paycheck for the sequel, Howard's representatives balked. Cheadle told IGN that he was approached for the role after Howard had already left the project, and he only had a few hours to decide if he wanted to step in.

What is with these greedy people? At least they got what they deserved in the end. The first guy had to sell off assets to pay his taxes (as he should of in the first place). The second guy was dropped from the sequel. Losers!

More Renovations and Christmas Prep

CHRISTMAS PREP - Why does it seem like Thanksgiving ends and we've gotta rush to get everything done for Christmas to "enjoy the season?" We've got our Christmas cards ordered and back from the printer, and I managed to put up the tree and lights on Sunday night before having to do other things. Now I need to find time to put up the ornaments! Dolly and Franklin are enjoying laying around the lit tree already.

MORE REMODELING - Okay. I know we said we were done with the remodeling, but when you live with an architect, the planning never stops. That's why he's good at what he does. So, we're ripping up the downstairs bathroom, and replacing the tub with a tiled shower and linen closet. It is expected to be done by Christmas, which is good, because we're having company! Here's the first photo of the tile behind the tub torn out.