October 14, 2013 by Stephanie

Doggy Etiquette

This weekend we saw a different side of Crosby. While on a walk, a loose dog came running up on us. Crosby was not having any of that. He “defended our [Grace and myself] honor.” Another dog had gotten loose and came rearing up on us ready to attack and tried to until Crosby had a say.

That experience along with many others I have had while on walks with my dogs prompted this list.These are just a few things I believe you should consider when interacting with dogs.

1. If you own a dog, know your dog’s temperament. You as the owner will know their personality the best, and with that how to control them.

2. If you see another person walking their dog(s) be aware of how the dogs are reacting to each other. If I notice that either mine or theirs are getting worked up, I either stop to give way for them to pass and keep my dogs’ attention locked on me (I bribe them with treats I have stashed in my sweet runner fanny pack), or I push my dogs to a run to get far enough out of sight. It is really obnoxious when people just gaffe at you as you are obviously struggling to hurry your two dogs along at the nagging of the stranger dog. In my effort to become a professional dog walker I have gotten tangled up in leashes trying to get my two dogs away from another dog whose owner seemed to be oblivious to the fact that their tiny dog was egging mine on. You are not helping with your stares or slow walking. Although, I am sure one of these days I am going to see myself on America’s Funniest Home videos trying to untangle myself after the dogs have spun me around and twisted the leashes around the three of us. So if you are trying to win AFV money by secretly recording me, carry on my friends, just let me in on that prize.

3. I think it is great when I see kids walking their dogs. It teaches them responsibility and how to take care of things. However, if the kid cannot control the dog when they are at their energy peak, they have no business being alone on a walk with the dog.

4. If you have a dog, you need to be ready to physically control your dog if they get aggressive. The owner of the dog who ran up on us the other night was afraid to control him in that state. This just allows the dog to continue the aggressive behavior without any consequences. Dogs are animals, and they need to know who is in control, otherwise they will be.

5. Do not bark at a dog that is not yours. You do not know how they are going to react. This is something that kids and drunk people should really stop doing. They think it is cool for some reason. I don’t come up screaming at you, why would you do it to my dog?

6. Do not come running up on my dog without asking. I don’t know how many times people have tried to touch my dogs without asking. Again, you do not know that dog, and you do not know how they will react to strangers. Case in point, Grace stiffens up like a statue and Crosby goes berserk with his licking/scratchy gurgling (his barking attempts). Same owners-very different reactions. So ask before you approach. Also something that kids and drunk people should learn to do.

7. If your dog goes poop in a yard that is not your own, PICK IT UP. Someone in our neighborhood leaves their dog poop all over our front yard. This is so rude in my opinion. Believe me, I hate picking up Crosby’s cyclone poop (he poops in rapid circles) that fills two poop bags, but I do it because as his owner it is my responsibility to get it out of their yard. You don’t leave your kid’s diapers in someone else’s living room do you?

So there you have it. A few of my tidbits on how to be more courteous with your dog interactions.

Do you have any words of wisdom for dog owners and dog interactors?

October 13, 2013 by Stephanie

Autumn on My Mind-Fall Collage

This is our last link up of this series. I can’t believe it’s been a full month since we started!

“Autumn on My Mind Collage”

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This is a link up to show in photos what you love about the season. We would love to see what fall looks like in your community!

Rules of the Link-up:

1. Do one entry or all! It’s up to you!

2. Add your entry’s link below, and be sure to put the button in your post!

3. If you do link up, check out a couple fellow bloggers to see something new.

4. Your hosts (Elizabeth and Stephanie) would love a following on Bloglovin, but it is not required! We are just glad you stopped by for “Autumn on My Mind!”

The leaves haven’t changed so much here. They all just have tinges of orange and yellow. I see it coming in the next few weeks, but that means that I haven’t been able to document fall in this area yet.

Since I don’t have pictures of true fall here, I have a compilation of photos that say what I love about fall.

October . Anne of Green Gables quote . pumpkin . by joystclaire, $15.00

football and Dabo

Bowman Field at Clemson University, South Carolina

The Friendship Tower at the University of Central Missouri

Marching Mules at my Alma mater (UCM)

one of our engagement photos

So what photos do you have that describe how you feel about fall? Link up below!

Check out my lovely partner! It has been great getting to know her through this link up!

October 12, 2013 by Stephanie

Talk With Tom #9

Season 4 of the Walking Dead begins tomorrow.

I have held out watching this show for a long time. Mostly because I get startled easily, and I am like a child and have nightmares really easily. I couldn’t sleep for a week after watching The Black Swan-seriously in tears every night.

Tom however was really good at convincing me to catch up before the new season begins. So for the past couple weeks we have been watching the first three seasons to catch up.

It has been followed by a lot of end of the world prep conversations and analyzing the stupidity of some of these people. It takes us double the time to watch one episode because of all the pausing Tom does so we can talk “zombie shop.”

It is ridiculous some of the conversations we have had. It has even gone as far as Tom giving me a lecture in the middle of the Commissary as to what I need to worry about grabbing.

Yep.

The preparing conversations are not quite as good as this little number.

Tom-“If I were a zombie, I would be a smart zombie. I would carry around an umbrella and ride on a bike. The umbrella is for decoration.”

Me-“So you would lure them in with the bike?”

Tom-“No, I would do it for the shock factor. I would pop wheelies. No training wheels.”

He also acted out his umbrella carrying bicycle wheely show. Shock factor alright.

I love my husband. He says super romantic things like he would stay and get eaten by Zombies if he wasn’t sure that I was dead.

October 11, 2013 by Stephanie

Friday Filter-More TV Premiere Reviews!

I am really enjoying reviewing the premieres. Here is another round of goodness. These are both brand new shows.

Super Fun Night is a new show starring Rebel Wilson. She is the reason I thought to try this. I loved her in Pitch Perfect, and all the interviews I have seen her in, she is just hilarious. The first couple episodes have been moderately funny. It follows Kimmy (Rebel) who is a lawyer who seems to be an odd duck in most situations. She lives with her two best friends, and when the three are together they really remind me of moments of the Spice World movie (yes I watched this). So it is pretty corny, but it has some good moments. It does connect with me though because you can tell that Kimmy is trying to prove herself and overcome some confidence fears. She obviously does it in a more humorously graceful way. It’s only a 30 minute show, so I will probably keep watching but I am not sure that it will keep going. Don’t quote me on that though; Rebel has a pretty big following.

I am convinced that they attempted to do a spin off of Once Upon a Time too soon. However, that didn’t stop me from tuning into it this week. It follows Alice in her search to find her love, who happens to be Genie. He disappeared and is being held hostage by Jafar. There is some agreement between the Queen and Jafar to get something from Alice and Genie. There are some hints of the original Once, but it is a separate story. This one is a little more fairy talesque and dreamlike with the hues used. It reminds me of a mix between the Wizard of Oz and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in the layout. I think if they continue to show connections to the original, they will continue to keep people coming. It is pretty good, but again, I wonder if they are trying to have too much of a good thing.

There are a few more shows that will be starting back up at the end of October. Goodness my schedule is full!

Friday Filters offer a review that are my own opinions. I was not contacted by anyone associated with these works or compensated for my review. My review has not been influenced by anything other than my love for entertainment and art.

Come back on Sunday for “Autumn on My Mind.” Sunday’s is the last episode, and we want you to make a fall collage. What are the things that you love most? You can see the full schedule here.

October 10, 2013 by Stephanie

Autumn on My Mind-Autumn Creation

Here is another opportunity to link up about fall things! We hope that you join for today’s prompt!

“An Autumn Creation”

What are you inspired to make this time of year? Are you getting gifts ready? Are holiday decorations coming out? Show us your autumn creations!

Rules of the Link-up:

1. Do one entry or all! It’s up to you!

2. Add your entry’s link below, and be sure to put the button in your post!

3. If you do link up, check out a couple fellow bloggers to see something new.

4. Your hosts (Elizabeth and Stephanie) would love a following on Bloglovin, but it is not required! We are just glad you stopped by for “Autumn on My Mind!”

Our front door wreath recently fell to it’s tragic death. And I mean literally fell.

before death

It is not the first time it has fallen, and we have fixed it numerous times. We had surgerized it with fishing wire, gardening wire, hot glue, adding more ribbon to cover tears, and screws. This time, Tom made me realize that it was time to make a new one.

And just in time for this link up.

This is fairly inexpensive to make on your own. I got pieces from Walmart, the $1 store, and Hobby Lobby. I think I maybe spent $15 which is much cheaper than buying a pre-made wreath.

The supplies

ribbon wrapping

I first wrapped with the wide gold ribbon, then spaced out the small purple. This is sooooo much easier than the yarn wrapping because you cover more ground with less. The last one I did was a work out for the arms wrapping all the yarn.

Then I took the flowers and placed them where I felt was the best position. I kept over thinking it each time I thought I was done, but that is the fun part of doing it on your own.

I also added the wooden “W” which is the surviving piece of the previous wreath. I just spray painted it to match this one.

the finished product

I love that fall colors also happen to be Clemson and Phi Sigma Pi colors.

Here is a fall craft that Tom’s Grandma just made us. I hope someday I can have her sewing skills! that seems to be a big deal for the Whitener women.