Animals.

So I have to share my thoughts on ANIMALS. I honestly am such an animal person. I always had dogs or fish or birds growing up but for some reason I, more so than any of my siblings, LOVE animals. I think they are hilarious. They all have their own personalities and when they are not being NAUGHTY, which let's face it they are 50% or more of the time, they are so fun. So here is a little tribute to the pets in my life.

As some of you may remember I have two dogs, Charlie and Lucy. They are both girls. Yes, Charlie is a girl. I love the Peanut Characters so when we got Charlie and her sister's name was Lucy...it just fit. 

Charlie and I have this in common, we both love to lay in the sun. We used to do this for hours on the deck while I would read. Love her.

When she is out in the Great Wide Open, Charlie thinks she is a big dog. One time I watched her run up a steep part of the mountain behind Lucy but unfortunately she rolled down backwards. Not quite little one. 

Lucy is my little buddy, well not so little any more. I would say she has put on 30 pounds since this picture. When we are together she is my shadow. She protects me from every other dog, even Ralphie. 

She is the fastest dog. She runs at you full speed and then turns right before she gets to you... For some reason she doesn't quite turn fast enough when she is running at me. We have had a few painful encounters. I just tell myself its cause she loves me best. :)

What I love most about these sweet girls is how cute they are together. Charlie always goes and lays on Lucy, she just curls up on her and goes right to sleep. Lucy is so sweet to let her do it. Charlie gets away with murder. She is so small that  she plays a little rough. Lucy has had chunks missing out of her ears on multiple occasions from Charlie biting her while they run. Never has Lucy hurt little Char. Such a good older sis.

Gordon and I time-share these adorable little pups. They live with him so when I get to see them it is all about spoiling and loving them...rarely do I need to discipline them.

Next is Kitty. Her really name is Irie because she is the happiest cat around. But for some reason she is a pretty small little girl so Kitty just seems to fit better. I have never liked cats and still  to this day I only really like my cat. She has so much personality in that soft furry body I can't even tell you. She makes me laugh all the time. Right now Chris is trying to teach her how to shake. But I don't have the heart to tell him she is just trying to get him to come give her loves. She is so affectionate that I have to lock her out of the room to sleep because she likes to literally sleep on my chest or in my face. Those whiskers in the nose do not a happy LaLa make. 

She used to spend hours like this on my balcony. Everyone in my building knows and loves Kitty. They all stop and pet her, she has somehow figured out how to get about half way down the wall so that everyone can reach her. I don't let her out anymore because she likes to bail off the side. We had an incident that was much like the opening scene of Ace Ventura 2...the racoon. Anyone remember? Well she fell and she fell hard. This kitty doesn't always land on her feet! 

She was so into the TV. I couldn't believe it. Sometimes she sites like a human and watches TV.

Good ol' Kitty. I'm glad I rescued her from that Ghetto Chase Bank and didn't put her down when they thought she had AIDS. Turns out she is healthy, happy and a little needy. Love this sweet KITTY. She doesn't know it yet but we are starting potty training soon. That's right...the toilet. No more kitty litter for us. 

This is turning into a really long post and I'm only halfway through. Sorry peeps. I can't leave out these next guys...well guy and girl and I don't know what the other is. 

My mom got a Portuguese Water dog. The cutest thing ever. Brown, white green eyes, you get my drift. ADORABLE. She ended up giving it to my brother who lives in AZ. BOO to her being so far away. But he knows how sad I was she was moving so he sends me updates a lot. Her name is Paddington but they call her Paddi. She is so funny. I haven't seen her in a while but I know I love her. 

I have yet to see here without her tongue hanging out. Isn't she the cutest??

Next is Ralphie. He is Chris's dog. I get to spend a lot of time with Ralphie poo. He is a Wheaton Terrier...He is crazy! No joke, crazy. But no one cuddles like Ralphie either. He is almost 3 with no signs of growing out of his naughtiness but we love him anyway. He just got shaved, he is so skinny and has legs for days. This little guy loves people and dogs. He is great with kids especially the ones he can reach and snatch their cookies. This guy loves the outdoors as much as his Dad. He has his own pack and booties and loves camping, mountain biking and the park. 

When this guy is ready to cuddle look out he will lay right on you if he has to to get comfy. He is so skinny that when he gets cold, and he always does, he relies on your body heat. I have to admit it's when I love Ralph the most. 

I was asking Ralph how he weaseled his way into my heart and this is the face he gave me. Question answered. He is so sweet when he wants to be. 

As much as he loves camping this was not a great trip for the poor guy. He had so many burs in his fur. I would pull the off and he would come back 2 minutes later with twice as many. 

Ralph is so funny and it is even funnier to watch Chris and him play. But don't get to close when they wrestle they will steam roll you and not even know they did it. 

Last but not least is this little guy. We saw him driving down St. George Boulevard. At first it was the woman who caught my eye but they the sight of this little pooch riding shot gun on a scooter?! Made my day. 

Well I am sorry that was so long. But I guess after showing you all my fury friends it is a pretty dang good thing I love animals. And I do, I LOVE THEM ALL.

VeRy RaNdOm

So I have had a very fun few weeks but haven't ever really had a camera other than my iphone so sorry about the quality of these pics. Some highlighted events were my friends Julia and Danny had a little boy they named Henry. He is so cute. Chris and I went over there the other day and he slept in my arms the whole time. Love him!

 We also hit up a Rango with my sister and her kids. It was hilarious! Of coarse my niece had to get her picture taken in the prom cut-out. 

 Then I went with my nieces (actually half-nieces, i only clarify because they are older than me and not to be mistaken for my 4 year old niece) and my friend Tiff to Classic Skating. Blast from the past. So much fun. I highly recommend it. 

 I took some very "classic" spills. I fell right out of the gate because some little turd on a razor scooter cut me off. I couldn't even yell at him because he was about 4. Then ate it trying to get to the middle where all the cool kids hang out. And last but not least, Tiff and I were doing a little train to my new favorite song by Cee-Lo, I'll admit it, we got cocky, we over estimated our skills. I did a little tail shake and landed flat on my tailbone/wrist and Tiff did a nose dive right over the top of me. I have never been so close to peeing myself in public...well apart from when I actually do pee myself in public. I'm sure Chris is really glad I just admitted that I pee myself. But I can't help it when a laugh attack happens.

Please notice what it says under number 4. Should not skate??? Are you kidding me. We were for sure the oldest on the rink and I fell more than anybody, but for sure no one laughed as hard as we did. In fact I am not sure I  would let my kids go there without me. A) because I love to skate and B) because there was the CREEPIEST guy skating there. (Ok, he was older than us) He looked EXACTLY like Rorschach from Watchmen. The resemblance was uncanny. Anyway he skated the perimeter of the rink all night and when he wanted a slushy he ate it while walking the perimeter. He was starring at the kids the whole time. Then when the rink closed he walked home. I was so freaked out. If he lives within walking distance he was probably scouting for his next victim to drag home. SCARY. Please do not take your kids to Classic Skating without a parent watching them like a hawk. 

Some Shameless Self Promotion

So I typically watch the Today Show every morning while I prepare to get off my butt to get ready for work. I love having a little morning before work. So yesterday I was watching and they had a lady on who was talking about how this time of year people feel a need to buy something new for themselves or their home. She was showing people how to be smart about it and still get something new. Anyway she had a whole table full of really cool stuff for under $25. I was pleasantly surprised to see she had some of these bowls that we carry here at KUDU. So I was inspired to do something similar. I had a little photo shoot at the store. All of these items shown are less than $30.
Great for gifts or summer entertaining. 

These were the bowls on the today show.

Hand-carved wooden and bone bowls

Spoon and bowl set. Great for serving all kinds of things

Cute as a set. Put something different in all of them, nuts, olives, candies etc. 

Africans use these small spoons to salt and pepper their food. Or they would be good to put sugar in your coffee. 

Mix it up with three different kinds of bowls 

We have spoons in all sizes made out of bone, horn and wood. **

This beautiful basket would be great for Q-tips, elastics, or to put utensils in at a BBQ to name a few. 

These horn bowls create an entirely different look but could be used for the same function. 

The horn provides lots of different color variations. No two are alike. 

Beautiful salad servers. These have been so popular as wedding gifts

This is an awesome set to put a new creative spin on entertaining. 

**Just so you all know none of our products are a result of illegal poaching. These materials come from animals that are already wounded or dying. The products have been fumigated as well before they left Africa. The African's use every part of an animal. Nothing is wasted. These animals are the only way for many African people to get food on their tables for their families. 

When you support KUDU you are helping us support the Africans through
FREE TRADE. 

The Hunger Games Trilogy!

is it called a trilogy? it is, right? 

anyway...i just finished these 3 books and i liked them. i get most of my recommendations from my mom and they are always good but usually on a serious subject and are very thought provoking. needless to say sometimes i just like a quick, easy, and entertaining read. these books were just that. i recommend them if you are looking to be taken into a different world for a few hours each afternoon. 

is it totally dorky if i want to join a book club? whenever i think of book clubs i picture relief society ladies sitting around with their fluffy purple hair talking about books and eating something gross and mushy...

however, when i finish a book i always call around to see if any of my friends have read it so i can talk about it. its kind of funny because whenever i do this i find that i have been pronouncing the main character's names all wrong. does this happen to anyone else? haha it's embarrassing. but i would still like to be in a book club dammit! how does one go about this? my best friends are not readers at all. my one friend has been on the first chapter of LA Candy by Lauren Conrad for a few years now. She cannot relate to my reading. we have totally different tastes. plus i like to finish my books. 

i am debating getting a bad wig and having it dyed purple...however i will never or could never eat that mushy food. HELP? 

Proud to be an American!

I know that this is kind of long but it is totally worth reading. Its not very often that you hear a story like this so I recommend that you take a minute out of your busy day and read this. I found it on facebook when I was invited by a friend to join the group. I'm sure you can find it, on facebook, by searching "red fridays" if you are interested in more information or joining the group. 

Will You give this to my Daddy?

As a Company, Southwest Airlines is going to support 'Red Fridays.'
Last week I was in Atlanta , Georgia attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed One of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen.
Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camos. As t......hey began heading to their gate, everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering.
When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and Cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red-blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families.

Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal.

Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our Service men and women, a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said 'hi...'

The little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her...

The young soldier, who didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.

The mother of the little girl, who said her daughter's name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter Courtney missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up.

When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second... Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military-looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it..

After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, 'I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you.' He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying 'your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon.'

The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet, he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event.

As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last act of selflessness turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.

We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's good to be an American.

RED FRIDAYS ----- Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority'. We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers.

Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday - and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that.. Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers.

If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long before the USA is covered in RED.
The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is.....We need your support and your prayers.

Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example.

For Japan with love!

For Japan...I guess this is the best we bloggers can do. A day of silence. No posting tomorrow. That hardly seems like it will do anything but I guess the people in Japan can use all the thoughts and prayers they can get. Hopefully this post will remind all who see it to remember those poor people in your thoughts. I for one am sending all the positive energy I can muster their way. 

My heart goes out to all of those who have lost everything and are freezing and starving. The hardest part for me would be not having any clue where my family and loved ones were. I go crazy if I go a whole day without talking to all of my family. 

Please use this picture in your next post to help spread the word about the day of silence. Also you can check out this website if you are interested in donating or learning more about how to help.

Book Review!

i am always looking for new books to read. my mom is a book-aholic so she always has GREAT books for me to read. sometimes i would like to read books that people my age are reading too. i just finished the Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

with all the African stuff going on in my life, my mom has given me a list of books to read. they either take place in or are about some part of Africa. 

the Poisonwood Bible is about a family who goes to the Congo to spread the "word of God" they are baptists. the father is a evangelical minister. it is a tragic story about how a family and their beliefs fall apart while the Congo/Zaire is falling apart at the same time. this novel, based on history, gives an interesting outsider's perspective into the lives of the Congolese people. 

i would definitely read this book if you have any interest in historical novels. this one was great!