Scrappy Dog Sunday

HAPPY GOTCHA DAY! October 3rd is Pete's gotcha day! The day that we got my little Bavarian sausage.


I am a firm believer that Pete was put on this earth to teach me patience...on a daily basis.


He was also brought into our lives to make us laugh...on a daily basis.

I love my little man aka chunk, aka the nubin' that needs lovin' aka Bubba....


I can't imagine life without my silly boy. He rescued us.

The Final Countdown

We are in the final week before OMP goes in for surgery. We have been getting the house ready for the rainy season along with the upcoming holidays. I insist on taking on more and more of the "man's" work around the house...the heavy lifting, taking out the trash, things like that. I refuse to be helpless when he is in the hospital or recovering. I figure by the end of all this, my arms will be guns! POW! POW! Firepower! 

We are also planning out work, foods and sleeping arrangements. I really want all of this to go as smooth as possible so when he does come home, the only thing we have to worry about is bubble wrapping him for when the dogs jump up and making sure he is as comfortable as possible. 

Something changed in my mindset last week. It was like a light that just clicked. Every since we found out the news, I have been thinking of the worst case scenario. I'm not sure who or what turned the switch in my mind, but my mindset is now how healthy OMP is going to be and how much better his and our life will be. It was as if someone was whispering in my ear that everything is going to be okay. No matter what, it will be okay...and I finally believe them. 

One thing that I am sorry about is not keeping up on my blogging. I love writing our daily adventures but unfortunately, sometimes reality gets in the way. Please know, however, that once we are settled again, we will be back in full force. 

So that's where we are at right now. Just waiting and hoping for the best. Thanks for understanding the absence right now. Thanks for sticking around and thanks for being so awesome! 

Pam and OMP

PS-when all this is over, OMP better take me to Vegas and Disneyland. 

Free is a Very Good Price

I'll admit it, I'm cheap-at least that's what the bathroom wall says. ZING!

Seriously, I love free. Free ice cream, free kisses from OMP and free movies. There are so many places on the internet to find free movies and TV that you could dump your cable right now!

Some of the best places to find free TV shows is to go directly to the source. Most networks have their own websites and you can watch episodes a day or two or even a few hours after the original episode airs. Not only do the websites show the episodes but they have little gems hidden on the site. Maybe a free game or outtakes from the show.

One of current favorite online free movie sites is Retrovision. They are a great source for so many public domain movies. From classic TV shows to those bad educational films we watched as kids, they have it all. It seems like they update daily so definitely keep going back to check out the new goodies.

Maybe you want something a bit more current, then you should check out Hulu. They do have an upgrade if you want more content but we are talking free here, so skip the upgrade and check out current shows and some old classic movies. You do have to put up with commercials, but c'mon, it's free. 

The last free site that I love is Crackle. They have current and classic movies, TV shows and originals. Once again, you have to put up with a few commercials, but you are getting some top quality movies and shows for free.

 There ya go! A few free sites for your viewing pleasure. I know there are million more out there. Do you have a favorite? Any site you would recommend? I am constantly looking for sites, because, free is a very good price.

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

Sometimes life can be so trying and I really feel like throwing in the towel. Then this happens...

via Lisa Kramer-Leggett

And the world is a better place. 

Don't Be a Hot Mess!

I love the idea of being organized but the actual act of it....well, I might not follow through as well as I like. I finally put my foot down and said, "NO MORE! I will get organized!" and the cutest corkboard ever made. Even made a video about it, wanna see?

A Little Twist

Tuesdays are normally Tie One On Tuesday but today I felt the need to update you on a few things going on. Don't worry, Tie One On Tuesday will be back next week, cause you know mama needs a cocktail. 

I am not one for mixing words, cocktails maybe, but never words so I'm just gonna lay it out there. OMP has to have heart surgery. I know, it hit us like a ton of bricks too. He has severe mitral valve regurgitation and the valve needs to be repaired. To repair the valve, they can do it two different ways-complete open heart surgery (removing the sternum, taking out the heart, repair and stick the ticker back in) or they can do it less invasive, separating the ribs and going in. There is more pain with the less invasive but the recovery time is less.

Over the summer, we have been to numerous doctors, had numerous tests and finally came to this point in time. The surgeon has said that there is an 85% chance that he can do the surgery less invasive but we needed to give him permission to do the full monty just in case he gets in there and sees the less invasive is a no go. In other percentages, there is a 1% chance of death, 2% chance of infection and 5% chance of pneumonia. 

The surgery hasn't been scheduled yet-we still have three more tests to go through and luckily, OMP's heart isn't so bad that we have to have emergency surgery. We are doing this to prevent future surgeries, heart attacks and strokes. 

The next couple of months will be a bit of a battle with figuring out work, finances and just lifestyle changes. It's a good thing that I put on my war face. GRRRRRRRR! We don't have a lot but we have love and strength and hope. We both refuse to ever give up and we have amazing doctors and nurses to support and help us with the process. 

I never planned in my early 40's to go through something like this. I damn sure know OMP didn't, but isn't that what life is all about? Unexpected adventures? It might not be the adventure I want for my husband but I will be holding his hand the entire way. I will refuse to give up, even on days when he wants to. 

So, there ya go-my heart on my sleeve so to speak. I will keep everyone updated as well as supplying you with puppy pictures, yummy cocktails and a few crafts or two...cause that's how we roll! 

Go To The Light

I might be slightly obsessed with ghosts....

Me: When I die, I am so haunting you. 

OMP: I have no doubt that you will. 

Me: And then after you die, I am coming to this house and I'm haunting it because it's my house and I love it. Even if they tear it down, I will haunt the parking lot it becomes. 

OMP: Honey, just go toward the light.

Scrappy Dog Sunday

Whew! A nice long weekend! YES! I hope you have been relaxing, enjoying the last bit of summer. Over here at Casa de Pedersen we have been playing.

OMP loves to tease and play with Lola.

Side note: We know exactly when it's 6:00am and 6:00pm. Lola will get down, go by the door and want to play. She likes to work out before meals. We also know when it's 9:00pm, bed time. Pete will get down and head to the backdoor. I love having pups that can keep time for us.