The newest addition...plus another one...one year later

As sometimes happens, blogging gets sidelined when life gets in the way. 2011 was a busy year - on the positive side, a new job, new city, newly engaged, another new member to our family (see below). 

On the not-so-positive side, lost a beloved four-legged member of our family, Patches. This one hit me particularly hard because I loved her dearly, she had been with me for so long and  she my very first pet when I started my very first grownup job in my very first new city, Philadelphia. 

PatchesCat takes over Camille's bed

She loved traveling in the car, which she had little choice but to do as I brought her and her brother with me anytime I traveled home to Ohio. In August of this year, we went through the Chick-fil-A drive-thru after an oncologist visit, and the girl at the window completely forgot to give me my food because she was so fascinated by the kitty hanging out on the passenger seat patiently waiting for her treat of chicken nuggets. I miss her.

The Chick-fil-A drive-thru has become somewhat of a theme in our family, where the four-legged members outnumber the two-legged ones. Camille, last year's new addition to the family, also loves the Chick-fil-A drive thru, as the one in Rocky River always gives her Scooby snacks. Though Starbucks might be a close second favorite, as she's been known to score a cup lid full of whip cream on occasion. 


You can see Camille - a Shar Pei/Lab mix - a year ago in my last post. She was my Christmas gift to my then bf-now fiance. Well, that little bundle of joy...isn't quite so little anymore. She's a big girl now and has been a great addition to our family, though still as mischievous and ornery as the day we brought her home.

CamilleDog one one of the rare occasions she's sleeping during daylight hours

About two months ago, Camille acquired a sister, whom she loves more than life. Gabby is a basset hound/border collie mix. 

Gabby catching 40 winks

As I mention above, I started a new job this year in a new city...though not just any city, the Motor City. So the fiance "jokingly" has primary custody of the girls...meaning they also have learned to travel well between our two homes, as he is based in CLE+. They're big fans of the car...though they prefer when it's reasonably nice outside and they can stick their snouts out the window and enjoy the wind and fresh air. 

Gabby and Camille in Daddy's car

Having dogs is a whole new adventure, one I love...except for when it's pouring rain or frigidly cold outside. Though as with any child, you're in it for the wonderful moments, as well as those that are more challenging. 

Latest addition

For Christmas, I got overly ambitious. The bf had been wanting a puppy...badly wanting a puppy. Every time he saw a dog on the street, on TV, in a magazine, in his dreams...all I heard (in the same voice you'd use to talk to an infant) was "PUPPY!!!!!" 

I thought I'd be uber clever and get him a puppy for Christmas. So when I went on Berea Animal Rescue Fund's site and saw a puppy that was part Shar Pei (which is the breed he is obsessed with), I couldn't pass her up. 

Within two days of deciding it was a great idea to add a puppy to our family, Camille was napping on our couch. She was just shy of seven weeks when I brought her home. Today she's just over three months and (I'm guessing) over 20 lbs - probably on her way to 80 lbs. 

Here are some of the earlier photos when she was a bit smaller:

Camille attempting to look innocent

I heart my ball

Catching some zzzzzzzzzzzzzs

We absolutely adore her...even when she's being insane. If you're looking to add a furry, four-legged member to your family, I can't recommend Berea Animal Rescue Fund highly enough. They were great to work with and are staffed by a crew of dedicated staff and volunteers. 

Dust bunnies gathering in a dark corner

Unfortunately, I've neglecting this blog this year. However, I do have a very legitimate excuse. And the excuse's name is 100 Book Ninja - my blog chronicling my journey to consume 100 books in 365 days. 

It is currently day 292 of my challenge, leaving me just over two months left to accomplish my mission. With just over two months to go, I am 76 books in, with 24 left to read. So for now, please check me out there. 

Still life, still painting

Our painting fundamentals class week 4 focused on still life - more specifically figures. Our instructor brought in a number of ethnic dolls, but I had brought in my bird from work and tackled him as my still life project.

Bird is the word.


Becky took on the ethnic doll project. Check out the detail.

Wicked t-shirt painting skills

I've learned in the last 24 hours that I have mad, wicked t-shirt painting skills. At work, we had our monthly Fun Lunch, which was themed Falls Office Olympics 2010. We were divided up into teams to then be pitted against each other for the ultimate awards - Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals - in four sports, T-Shirt Decorating, Straw Javelin Throw, Sugar Shotput and Dizzy Chair Spin.

I did some t-shirt decorating and think I did a pretty darn good job.

We took home the Bronze, but I think it's just because we didn't wear the wings to go with the awesome shirts.

Our mascot did wear the wings however...

Black + white + primary colors = Cat Stevens

For our third week of painting class at the Beck Center, we were able to choose two primary colors with which to add to black and white. Our challenge was portraits. Look like anyone you know?


I figured that portraits would be a reach for me. I was defaulting to my assumption that landscapes and more abstracts pieces would be where I would perform decently. I was pleasantly surprised when I finished the initial balance between positive and negative space.


But we were challenged to try mixing colors and testing different brush strokes, so I pushed on. I used blue and yellow as my two primary colors. I can't say that I'm unhappy with this week's outcome, which for me is saying a lot since I'm pretty shaky on my painting-ability confidence level.


Next up, Becky's "Cat Stevens"-type portrait. She actually followed directions and tested out more color and brush stroke styles than I did. I really like her use of color and playing around with different styles.


She finished her first piece early and had enough time left in class to try her hand at a whole person.


Becky has been painting in her downtime as well. She recreated a retro Barbie for her mom this past weekend. I love the collar.


Next week, we're breakin' it out - all the colors are fair game.

Mad Baker or Strawberry Shortcake?

My sister sent the image on the left to me last week with the caption, "Mad Baker." But as a Twitter conversation quickly pointed out, "Are you sure she's not a reincarnation of Strawberry Shortcake?"

So one must ask, is it Olivia or the embodiment of a beloved carton character?