October 24, 2007 by samantha.

For those of you who are calling and emailing, I think my grandmother’s house is okay. She is in Colorado through the weekend, so I will know as soon as she gets back. I have checked out all the websites that I can get information and all looks good. I am sure that she will have a hell of a mess to clean up when she gets home. The soot and ash is going to be nasty. I have tons of soot and ash and I was not even close to the fire, so I can only imagine what her house looks like.

The fires seem to be weakening and dare I say controllable. The Slide Fire, the one that is affecting me, is the one that is causing the most trouble at this point. Today, the smoke and smell were blowing my way. The wind was so strong and the smoke was so thick, that firefighters were told to back off. Thankfully this afternoon, the winds had shifted and I saw numerous firefighting planes flying over.

I am finding new ways to enjoy my week off. I am playing with friends, working with the dogs, and tackling the tasks that I have been avoiding. I am working on my college class and some boring school assignments. I am not even going to try cleaning up all the ash and dust until the fires are over. I did some light dusting today and 15 minutes later it was dusty again! Of course, I still Roomba everyday!!!

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October 23, 2007 by samantha.

Southern California is on fire and no one has any idea when it is going to end. Currently there are 17 fires burning and millions of people have been evacuated. The one that is closest to me is in Running Springs or the Slide Fire. It is about 20 miles away and I can see the flames at night. At the moment the wind is blowing all the smoke and ash away from me, but I can still smell the smoke at times. When the fire is far away I have no reason to panic. But since I can the fire from my couch, I am scared. It is so easy to say that there is no reason to be scared, but I am. I have gone into what I call hurricane mode- my bags are packed, my gas tank is full, and I have some cash. It is what I would do if a hurricane was coming and I figure the plan would work in cases just like this. I do have a few places I can stay if I do have to leave. To be honest, I do not think I will have to evacuate. I am far enough in town and as long as the winds do not shift, I am good. Thankfully a friend is staying with me. We went for a nice walk with the dogs and had a good dinner. It got my mind off of everything for a while.

The highlight of the day is that school has been cancelled for the week. Not because of the fires, but because of all the damage that the winds caused. It gives me time to complete the tasks that I have put off, hang out with the dogs, and got to lunch with friends. Which reminds me, thank you to all of you who have called. It makes me relax a bit and smile. I have no word on my grandmother’s house. I do know that the two fires that are in San Diego are close to merging. No one is allowed in the area yet. I pray that everything is okay. I could not imagine losing your husband and your home in the same year!

In a completely unrelated story, Ms. Ophelia has come down with a bacterial infection. I will spare you the details (call me if you want them), but she is doing great now. She is on some antibiotics and a bland diet for a week or so. I think she just likes going to the vet and getting all the attention. It was nice to spend some one on one time with her. I think Val enjoyed the time by herself. Of course, she practically knocked us down when we got home. I think spoiled rotten, only child Val is enjoying the roll of big sister.

Before I close, I have learned some good news that should make all of us feel better. Arnold Schwarzenegger and FEMA are here. President Bush is on his way. Were is Brownie????

Posted in California, Fires, Ophelia, Val | No Comments »

October 22, 2007 by samantha.

It feels like right now the only place not on fire in Southern California is Redlands. I do not want to jinx myself, but we are in the middle of it all. Malibu, San Diego, and the mountains all are on fire. Fire is a normal fall occurrence. Usually, I am not affected by it. Unfortunately, this is not true this time. My grandmother and aunt’s neighborhood is on fire. Just like hurricanes, they name fires. I find it a bit ironic that one affecting my family is called the Witch Fire. They were evacuated early this morning. They took what valuables and family memories that they could. It is hard to stay calm and relaxed knowing that their homes could be gone.

The one good thing is that I did not have to go to school today! Not because of a fire in the area, but because of the Santa Ana Winds. The winds have caused a massive dust storm and major power outages. Too bad I am too worried to enjoy the day off.

Posted in California, Fires, Family, Rants | 1 Comment »

October 21, 2007 by samantha.

Yesterday, Ophelia went for her third and last set of puppy shots. As we were waiting to be called, I had an interesting conversation that I cannot stop thinking about. I was talking to a woman who had a 7-year lab mix. We were talking about some of the horror stories that we had heard about people and their puppies. She then said that her dog was the perfect match for her. According to her, they were both very laid back and the dog was rarely in need of a walk. I think my jaw hit the floor. Let me remind you that she had a lab mix that was about 60 pounds. And she rarely walked him!!!!! She then proceeded to tell me that he had escaped from the yard and had almost bit a neighbor one time. The whole time she is telling me this, I kept hearing a voice screaming in my head “That is because you do not walk your damn dog!!!!!!!!!!!!” When I got Val and then Ophelia, I knew that one of my new responsibilities was that they needed to be walked every day. I always feel bad for dogs that are not walked. It is like keeping a caged animal in a zoo or locking your kid in their room everyday. Since they cannot verbally complain, they act out. They tear up the yard, escape, dig holes, and such. I just do not understand the point of getting a dog if you do not walk it. All dogs need to be walked. Even Chihuahuas! The bigger the dog, the more exercise they need. Why do I feel sometimes that I am the only one who understands this!?!?!?

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October 18, 2007 by samantha.

Ophelia and I just completed our first puppy school class. The first class is always boring until the end. This is when the puppies get to play and socialize. The trainer is good and the variety of puppies is great. It is like the United Nations of puppies. In our class we have a St. Bernard, a Bulldog, an Australian Shepard, a Chihuahua, a Neapolitan Mastiff, a Pit Bull, a Dachshund and a few mutts. I know I left out a couple of dogs and their parents would be mad. I think Ophelia found the first class pretty boring… she slept through most of the class.

The best part of the class is the last half hour. This is the time when the puppies are off leash and allowed to play. The puppies have the best time. The shy one of the group is the Saint Bernard. She was not interested in playing. Give her a few classes!! Ophelia’s favorite was a Pit Bull puppy with the biggest ears I have ever seen. All of the Pit’s personality is in her ears.

The part I forgot about puppy classes is that the parents are given homework. Of course it is nothing difficult, but we will get in trouble if do not practice!!! This week’s homework is to teach the dog to focus. When I say “Focus”, Ophelia is supposed to drop what she is doing and look at me. Ophelia and I have been practicing tonight and she is doing well. I will let you know in a few days if she is still doing as good. And Val is getting a good refresher course. What fun for all of us!!!

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October 16, 2007 by samantha.

What a wild and crazy few weeks it has been! It has been fun! I have been playing with the puppy and hanging out with friends. Dear sweet Ophelia can already sit, stay, and lay down… when she wants too. She knows the commands, but is very stubborn. I think she has learned this from Val and I. She loves her walks and has already learned how good treats are. Ophelia has tripled in size from when she arrived six weeks ago. She starts puppy class on Thursday. It should be fun. I think puppy class is just as important as kindergarten. You learn the same things- how to behave in social situations and get socialized. On Saturday, Ophelia goes in for her final set of puppy shots.

Val is going good. She has been playing so much that she began to lose weight. Now she gets more treats and is very happy. She seems to be enjoying the puppy. She runs over to investigate every time the puppy whimpers. Val still has her room by the window and I am happy to say that the mailman or any cats have not attacked us. Thank goodness for Val.

As for me, I am doing well. I have been reading a lot and just enjoying life. I would be bold enough to say that I am the happiest I have been in a long time. My job is great; I have great friends, great dogs, and a Roomba!! Over the past few weeks, I have felt like a huge weight has been taken off my shoulders. I have stopped stressing as much and learning to relax. I am still struggling with relaxing, but I am just not a take it easy kind of person. I like to be on the go all the time and doing something.

My only stress is one that I have been told to put on hold for a while. When the time comes to stress about it, I will let you know. It is nice to know that life can be pretty darn close to being stress-free!!!

Posted in Ophelia, Val, Rants | No Comments »

October 4, 2007 by samantha.

Things have still been going well with my furry children. I took them to the vet yesterday to have a check-up. Val is in good health. I think the puppy has done some good for her. Val and I are old ladies that are very stuck in our ways. Ophelia has made us change our daily routine and it has been good for us. Ophelia is doing well also. She did get microchipped and she hated it. She showed me just how much of a baby she is.

My big news of the week is that I got a Roomba. It is the most fantastic invention since air conditioning! How have I lived without one for so long? I turn it on when I leave for school and I come home to a vacuumed house. It is wonderful. And it works great. It picks up dog hair, dust, and anything the dogs drag in. It does not get the corners that well, but it is better than before! The Roomba is worth every penny. Now I want to try a Scooba. If only life could be this easy!!!

Posted in Ophelia, Val, Rants | 1 Comment »