12.28.2010

12.24.2010

Merry Christmas Amigos!



Bluebonnet and Clementine want to wish all of their friends a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Happy New Year!

12.21.2010

Lost picture in the ivy

This picture makes me think of two specific things...

1. We no longer have this ivy in our backyard; it's been replaced with decomposing granite.

2. About 3 minutes after I took this picture Clementine threw up for 12 hours straight. Luckily I worked from home that day and could administer tummy rubs.

12.20.2010

Now ready to attend holiday parties

Bluebonnet is so fresh and so clean from Groomingdale's and is now fit to be seen out in public. I had started calling her Sandy because she looked like a little street dog.

12.17.2010

TGIF

It's finally Friday. And it's finally cold again here in Austin. After breakfast, that conatined a few surprise pieces of steak from my doggie back last night, the girls are in bed and bundled up with us. This weekend they are getting their Christmas presents... a day at the "doggie spa".

We hope everyone has a great, relaxing weekend.

Tobi

12.15.2010

Watching old movies

I took this picture when I was home with the girls watching that dreadful Inside Daisy Clover movie. Blue and Clem are not Natalie Wood fans either.

12.14.2010

Clementine gets some "me time"

Here is a rare moment of Clementine not in motion. She did a little sun worshipping on this nice, cool winter day in Austin.

Co-workers

The best part about working from home, besides getting to stay in my pajamas all day and not having to deal with traffic, is my super-pleasant co-workers. We take lunch and go on bathroom breaks together if they can be bothered to move from wherever they are napping... er, I mean working.

12.13.2010

Clementine and Bluebonnet, today

The girls sometimes relax next to each other. It is rare so I always try to capture the moment. They both wish everyone Happy Holidays!

Like McRib... I'm back even after my FAREWELL tour

That's right, if for no other reason then my mother told me that she missed my blog. So... yeah... the blog is back! It's been a 9 month hiatus so many things have happened in our household for both the humans and the canine babies since I last posted, most notably Little Clementine Francine turned 2 years old! I can't go back and recap the past 9 months so I'll just jump to today. It's Christmastime, the best time of year. Here's some snapshots around the Ditmore house:

The longhorns got garland this year!


The girls in their Jingle Bell collars


Once the temp drops below 60 degrees we can have a nice fire


Bluebonnet thinks she hears Santee!


Beer coaster garland


I couldn't find traditional wooden shoes so these resin cowboy boots will have to do!

4.07.2010

Adios, Goodbye and Farewell

After much thought I have decided that I don't want to blog anymore. Although I have loved sharing the lives of my "babies" with the friends I've made online and have enjoyed making said friends, I find that I just don't have the time, my heart isn't in it and I have really been putting too much of my business out on the Interweb. I would love to stay in touch with everyone via one portal - Facebook. So if you are on FB, please look me up and add me as a friend, because I'd love to know what's going on with your doggies and with you!

Sincerely,
Tobi Dtimore

3.30.2010

Video: Fun @ The Dog Park

Yesterday the girls got a treat - instead of a walk, they got to get their exercise out at the new dog park in town.



All loaded up in the wagon!



At first they only played with each other...




But it didn't take them long to make friends.





We especially liked this fella - a smallish bloodhound. We didn't get a name or a number, but we know where he hangs out!


Here's a video of the girls running around the park.

3.27.2010

Hi my name is Bluebonnet Maribelle Basset...

And I am a canned whip cream-aholic!!!

3.25.2010

Moments in the backyard

Bluebonnet: Wait, wait... This is Spring? Hmph. Looks more like Fall.

Clementine: I foundz my frizbees.

3.22.2010

Post for Grandma

Grammy,

I know this isn't a great picture but I wanted to show you my new hobby - I catch the frizbees. Well I don't catch it in the air. I catch it on the ground. I bring it back to mama and she throws it across the yard for me to run and get it and bring it back. This is the most fun toy I have ever had in my entire life. I love to play frizbees every day.

Love, Clemmie

P.S. Poop taste good.

3.21.2010

Eww... It's Spring

This is the dog hair accumulated from just Bluebonnet. Spring means a collar change and a good brushing. Their coats are thinner and their accessories are now season-appropriate. Be sure to check back on Tuesday to see a horrible BlackBerry pic of Clementine enjoying her new hobby.

3.20.2010

My sweet baby

This is Clementine. At 18 months old, she is still technically a puppy. And let me tell you that she still acts every bit of it. In fact, she is a naughty, naughty puppy. She has pulled my purse off the table and destroyed its' contents twice, she has chewed the tongue out of a nice pair of sneakers, she has ruined an entire bag of mini-logs for the smoker by removing them one by one and chewing on them in the yard... And all of this is just in the last week.

But still, around 3PM every day, I can't wait to be home and play with her. This freakin' dog is the sweetest girl, cutest thing on 4 legs and always smiling.

3.16.2010

Sleeping beauties

The girls are exhausted from taking care of daddy all day. He worked from home today because he is sick and the little nurses dutifully brought him TLC all day long.

3.12.2010

Post for Grandma

Dear Grammy,
I am so glad it's Friday. It's been a loong week. I am exhausted. I plan to just take it easy all weekend and sleep as much as possible. Hugs and kisses to you and Grampy and Uncle BJ and Uncle Louie.

Love,
Clemmie

P.S. Can you please tell your daughter to stop buying the cheap rawhides or I will destroy her collection of Southern Living magazines?

3.03.2010

Post for Grandma

Dear Grammy,
I is not talking to your daughter again because she nearly hog tied me in order to give my nails a little clippy. I believe them polices call this excessive force. Will you please call her and gives her a message for me...


Thank you.

I love you and I miss you,
Clementine

2.23.2010

Absolutely p00ped!

Tonight I cleaned out our 3rd bedroom in an attempt to get it looking more like a "guest suite" and less like a "home office". I have been needing to do this for some time. My sister, who I refer to as Lovey when speaking for the girls, and my nephew are coming to visit me this weekend and I thought it would be nice for Preston to have his own area in the house.

I had several boxes to move from the room and out into the foyer. I also had a couple of trash bags to take out. I took each box and each bag one by one. And the girls followed me with each step.

I guess it was tiring because they are absolutely exhausted.

I only hope that Lovey appreciates all their hard work!

2.17.2010

Post for Grandma


Dear Grandma,

I am snug as a bug in a rug.

Clementine

2.15.2010

I coulda been a contenda

I always dread this time of year.

Bluebonnet is drinking Wild Turkey again and won't shut up about how she could have been a world class show dog and won Westminster if we hadn't had her fixed. Every time we try to get the remote control from her to change the channel she just swats her giant paw at us.

Oh boy, it's gonna be a looong night.

2.13.2010

Can you guess which one is which?



I snapped this picture on the way to the groomers. The girls were not White, Black & Brown or White & Orange... they were Yellow, Black & Brown and Yellow & Orange. They were loooooong over due for bathes, brushes, nail clippings and gland expressions!

We loaded them into the back of the wagon and those silly, little things gave us these pathetic looks over the back seat.

Clementine is on the left and Bluebonnet is on the right.

2.08.2010

Life is really good

Lately, I don't have a complaint in the world. I've got a husband that I adore and two cuddly Basset Hounds that I can't quit snuggling with.

Yes, I am indeed a lucky girl.

2.05.2010

Mommy, why are my ears so big?

I was looking back in my blog archives and found this letter to Bluebonnet. The last sentence explicitly says that she would be an only child forever... however I know in my heart that I meant the foreseeable future, for even less than one year later we welcomed Clementine into our family.

I honestly never thought I could love another dog as much as I loved Bluebonnet but I still always wanted another dog because I have a lot of love to give. Regardless of what I thought or felt, I now know that I am able to love another dog with equal sincerity and intensity because I can't imagine not having Clementine in our lives.

I've written before about how I will cuddle with Bluebonnet and tell her the story of the day we picked her up:
"You were so little and it was raining that day so I just put you inside of my raincoat. Can you believe that?! You used to be so little that you could fit inside my raincoat?!"

I never get tired of telling that story over and over. I always hoped that I'd have a story like that with Clementine. Of course I remember the day we picked her up, but it wasn't raining and she didn't even stay in my lap on the ride home, she managed to make her way down to the floorboard of the car and throw up. Ew! That's not a cute story to tell over and over again when you are cuddling. So I decided that I wouldn't force it... one day we'd have a moment and it would be a story that I would repeat while putting my arm across her and tucking it under her belly.

She was sleeping on her side and her ear was covering her entire face. I lifted it up and said "Hi, Clementine!" and put it right back across her face. She starting jerking her head and huffing as if it hadn't been there before. Then she looked right up at me as if she was asking for help to keep her ear off her face and ask "Mommy, why are my ears so big?" Even though I made the question up for her I answered it myself as well "Clemmie, God made your ears that big and I don't know why."

I don't know why but that was a touching moment because I never say things like that, I never give God credit for anything nor do I blame Him for anything. I am not sure if it was a special moment sent to me from an angel or what but I definitely feel like it was meant to happen. Anyway, I'm not running off to mass or anything, I just wanted to share that and let you know that Clementine and I now have our story that I'll tell her over and over again when we cuddle.

Tobi


1.19.2010

The Road Trip: Austin, Texas to Pasadena, California and back

Over New Year's Kris and I went on a road trip to the BCS National Championship Game in Pasadena. Kris' parents gave us the tickets as a Christmas gift and my parents' sent us spending money so we decided to email them every day from the road and give them an update on our trip. These are the emails I sent nightly before I went to bed.


Thursday, December 31 and Friday, Jan 1
We arrived at Kelsey's lakehouse yesterday around 4PM. Sarah and Andy arrived shortly after us. For dinner we had hamburgers that Kris and I brought - they are the delicious burgers from Hebert's in Henderson, LA. We enjoyed visiting with each other after dinner, toasting marshmallows and talking by the fire and we did that right up until the fireworks show that Scooter and Brady put on for us. Then it was time for champagne and the New Year countdown. We all went to bed shortly after that.

This morning Scooter and Kelsey whipped up some delicious breakfast tacos for all of us. The plan for today is to watch football all day and just enjoy the weather. Kris and Scooter are outside throwing a football around and Kelsey and I are relaxing and talking.

We are looking forward to another fireworks show tonight, some tamales from the Tamale King and then a good nights sleep for our long drive tomorrow. We are planning on driving 575 miles tomorrow and spend the night in Las Cruces, NM.

More from the road tomorrow...
Love,Tobi

pictured below: Kris relaxing at the lake; Me, twirling in my UT Snuggie; moonlight on Lake Buchanan



Saturday, Jan 2
Hello from New Mexico!

We left Buchanan Dam around 830 this morning because we were so excited to get on the road. We made a couple of stops for gas as we made our way down I-10 towards El Paso.

It was amazing to see the landscape change. We could also see the border at Juarez from the interstate... it was easy to spot with the huge Mexican flag flying over it! We saw numerous mountain ranges along the way and our map provided the height of the highest peeks which was very interesting. I can't believe that some people get to see mountain ranges in their everyday lives!

We made it to Las Cruces around 4. We stopped at a Holiday Inn to check in but after a quick chat we realized that we both wanted to press on. After looking at the map we realized that if we drove just 2 more hours that we could make it to Silver City, NM at the foot of the Gila National Forest and we'd be that much closer to the Grand Canyon.

So here we are at the Holiday Inn Express in Silver City where dogs are allowed! We just saw a dog that looks exactly like Bevo - he was so cute!

We ate a delicious dinner at a place in downtown Silver City and now we are back in the room relaxing and getting ready for our drive through the Gila National Forest in New Mexico and the Apache National Forest in Arizona tomorrow.

We'll write again tomorrow from the Bright Angel Lodge at the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Love,Tobi

pictured below: New Mexico state line; change in the landscape along 1-10 in New Mexico; frost in front of our hotel in Silver City, NM



Sunday, Jan 3
Good evening from the Bright Angel Lodge at the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon!

What a day! We left Silver City, New Mexico at 830am and made our way north on highway 180. The drive was amazing. The altitude change was noticeable to both Kris and I as we dealt with popping ears along the way. But we were too busy admiring the beautiful scenery to be bothered with the annoyance.

We crossed over into Arizona from Luna, New Mexico still on 180. Kris and I were both so glad that we decided to take 180 through Silver City to get to the Grand Canyon instead of taking the interstate through Tucson because 180 is the most beautiful drive either of us have ever taken.

180 also had a nice surprise for us... Before it connects up with I-40 it has an entrance to the Petrified Forest National Park. We decided to drive through it. It was a wonderful detour. We got out of the car near the Tepees Rocks which are big cone shaped rocks and took some pictures - I even made a snowball to throw right at Kris! We also saw what they call the Newspaper Rock because it contains some Indian carvings that date back to the 1200's.

After that we got on I-40, which is the historic Route 66, and made our way to Flagstaff to catch back up with highway 180 to take us all the way up to Grand Canyon National Park. 180 continued to be a beautiful drive with several designated "snow play" areas where I saw some very creative snowmen built close to the road. The Aspen trees were something I had never seen before and thought they were really pretty resembling skinny, tall elephant legs.


We have a little cabin with a view of the canyon and it is spectacular. The first thing I wanted to do before unpacking and even putting on my sweater was to take pictures! I can't wait to share them with y'all when we get back.

Kris drove the station wagon very well in the snow despite my nervous energy in the passenger seat. We are now planning out our route to get to Las Vegas tomorrow. I am really looking forward to this part of the trip since I haven't been back to Vegas since we moved to Austin in '96.

Hope everyone is doing well and had a great weekend. We'll update you again tomorrow from Sin City!

Love,Tobi

pictured below: Arizona state line; Apache National Forest sign; frozen lake; entrance to the Petrified Foreset; striations; Tepees Rocks; Newspaper Rock; Bright Angel lodge; the Grand Canyon; Kris and I just outside of our cabin



Monday, Jan 4
We pulled out of the Grand Canyon Village and said goodbye to our little cabin at the Bright Angel Lodge around 830am MST. But not before we watched the sun rise. It was just beautiful and of course I have pictures to share.

As much as we loved seeing the Grand Canyon and all of its grandness we were not sad to leave the snow and 20 degree weather! We had to let the car warm up for an extra long time this morning!

Around 4 hours later we crossed over the state line from Arizona into Nevada via the Hoover Dam. Although we were not thrilled with the slow moving traffic it was interesting to see the construction of the suspension bridge that is being built to bypass the dam. Also, I always love seeing Lake Mead because the water is the most beautiful aqua blue.

Just 40 minutes later we were exiting Las Vegas Blvd and headed towards the Strip through the downtown area. We were sent on a detour because of a shooting at the federal building earlier this morning. We felt bad when we found out about this because we were complaining that the traffic jam was probably due to filming of CSI!

We arrived at Treasure Island and Kris got our room upgraded so we are on the 28th floor with a westward view of the Strip. It's amazing. I never get tired of seeing all the lights. After a short nap we got ready to head out for the night. First stop was the Treasure Island Pirate show. It was very dramatic and entertaining with cannons and explosions. Then we headed to Emeril Lagasse's Stadium at the Palazzo to watch the TCU Boise State game.

We had dinner at a place called David Burke. I had some great scallops and Kris got a gourmet hamburger... It was delicious! Our waiter asked us about our plans in Vegas and when Kris told him we were just passing through to go to the National Championship game in Pasadena, the waiter said that he should have know because of Kris' orange shirt. He then said he was sorry but he had money on Alabama. Kris told him "Well I better give you a good tip then since you are going to lose that bet!" Haha!

Now I am back in the room and ready to hit the hay because I am feeling a little puny with a runny nose and itchy eyes. Kris tucked me in and is now off to look for a poker tournament somewhere.

I think I am going to sleep very well tonight and can't wait for tomorrow to get here! I hope you are all enduring the cold weather as best you can.

Love,Tobi

pictured below: Nevada state line; view of the Strip from our room at Treasure Island


Tuesday, Jan 5
Today was great because there was no driving to another state on the agenda!

We slept in late and then had a nice breakfast at the Treasure Island Coffee Shop. Then Kris surprised me with a gift certificate to get a massage at the spa at the hotel. It was wonderful! When I got back from my massage we drove out to see the house that my mom, dad and I lived in off of Tropicana. I couldn't believe how much the area changed, but then again it was 14 years ago!

We are now at Lagasse's Stadium again to watch the Orange Bowl. We really like this sports bar because they have seating areas that are like sitting in a living room and the menu has things like Acadian Caprese Salad and New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp.

We have talked to Uncle Bill almost every day and he seems excited for our visit. This time tomorrow night we will be enjoying his and James' company at dinner.

Kris and I are getting so excited about the game. We have been watching all the news coverage and it seems to be very slanted towards Alabama. We just hope that Colt is watching! One thing I forgot to mention yesterday is that when we were checking into the hotel there were some Silver Spurs in the lobby, BEVO was not with them. We said hi to them and told them we'd see them in Pasadena.

Oh, and speaking of BEVO, I brought along a little miniature longhorn on the trip with us and have been taking pictures of him all over the Southwest, for example I snapped a shot of him in the frost in New Mexico and another at the Grand Canyon. I hope you will think these pictures are as funny as I do.

That's about it for tonight. Another update will be coming tomorrow from Palm Springs!

Love,Tobi

pictured below: Kris and I headed out to watch the Orange Bowl at Lagasse's Stadium @ The Palazzo


Wednesday, Jan 6
Good evening from my second favorite city in the world... Palm Springs, CA. That's right, we're in love with Palm Springs!

We left Las Vegas a little later than we would have liked due to errands. Because of our late start, we didn't arrive in Palm Springs until around 4. As soon as our bags made their way to the room, we started to get ready for our night out with Uncle Bill and James.

I took a few minutes to check out our surroundings after my shower because I was just so in awe of the Riviera hotel. The hotel is a combination of styles: mid-century modern and glamorous. It's just the most beautiful hotel that we've ever had the pleasure to visit. The furnishings are luxurious, comfortable and colorful. Our bell boy gave us a lot of information about the hotel... for example, this was Marilyn Monroe's favorite hotel in Palm Springs and therefore there is a picture of her in every room.

By 5:30 we were on our way to Bill and James' house. They are the best hosts in the world so it's no surprise that we were welcomed with cheese and crackers, cocktails, a tour of their fabulous resort-style house, some French soap for me and a handshake from their lovable dog, Brett.

Bill and James treated us to dinner at Melvyn's, a Palm Springs landmark. From the maitre'd to the head waiter, everyone knew Bill and James and we received the best service. Dinner was absolutely delicious and easily one of the best meals I've ever had - I had the veal with crab, asparagus and Bernaise sauce and Kristopher had a steak. YUM!

After we dropped Bill and James off we came back to the hotel. We simply had to maximize our time here so we each got a drink at the bar and sat outside at one of the firepits at the hotel. It was a really cool night so the fire warmed us up as we relaxed and enjoyed the surroundings. Now we are back in the room and ready to hit the hay. We have a big day tomorrow starting with picking up Kelly and Basil at the airport, then brunch at Spencer's with Bill and James and ending with a University of Texas victory in Pasadena.

Good night!
Love, Tobi

picutred below: hallway to our room at the Riviera; the seating area in our room; headed out for dinner at Melvyn's


Thursday - Jan 7 - The BIG DAY
Tonight's update was created by Kris and typed by Tobi because she is too tired to think.

We picked up Kelly and Basil at the Palm Springs flying field this morning, their flight was right on time. We drove a short distance to Uncle Bill and James' home for juice and a tour of the house for Kelly and Basil. We then went to Spencer's at the Tennis Club for a wonderful brunch. I was surprised to find out that Martin Landau was not only alive but eating at the table next to us.

Our time in Palm Springs was too short but it was great getting to visit with Bill and James and hear about their upcoming travels. We certainly hope to get back to Palm Springs to see Bill, James and Brett again very soon. Tobi, Basil, Kelly and I left for Pasadena right after brunch with a care package from Bill and James of fruit, pastries and other goodies.

We made fantastic time to Pasadena. With Basil at the helm, our 2.5 hour trip was only 1.5 hours! The Rose Bowl was a sight to see and I was happy to have Tobi there with me. We arrived in plenty of time for the opening events and especially loved the fly-over of four F16's with full after-burners. It shook the stadium!

The 3rd quarter of the game made the entire trip worthwhile but I can't help but feel bad for Colt; had he not been injured he would have destroyed Alabama in short order. Now it's time to turn our attention to our 2nd place basketball team and perhaps plan a trip to Indianapolis for the Final Four!

We head back to Texas tomorrow, grateful that we're not from Alabama. ;)

Good night, Kristopher

pictured below: Kris and I in front of the Rose Bowl; Kris and I at our seats



Friday, Jan 8
We have made it all the way from LA to Tucson, Arizona. Look that up on the map right now and marvel at how many miles Kris has put behind the wheel!

After driving from Pasadena to Los Angeles to drop off Kelly and Basil at LAX, Kris and I dined on a fine lunch of chicken and waffles at Roscoe's in LA. It's one of the famous places that we read about and have always wanted to try. We were pleased to see 3 other parties of Longhorn fans there as well and we all shared pitiful glances knowing that none of us was ready to talk about it just yet.

As we got on I-10 I saw the big Hollywood sign up in the hills and got so excited. A couple of hours outside of LA, Kris woke me up from my nap because he spotted BEVO and the Silver Spurs ahead of us on the road. I got out the camera and rolled down the window and starting snapping pictures while we were going about 65 mph. I know that is nuts but pictures had to be taken!

After my second nap I enjoyed some more of the delicious cookies that Bill and James packed for us. We made just one stop in Phoenix for gas before driving another hour and some change to get to Tucson.

We are planning on visiting Tombstone, Arizona tomorrow and then get on the road and start heading home.

We keep hearing how cold the weather is back home and in Louisiana and are really hoping it starts to warm up by Saturday night!

Love, Tobi

pictured below: #13 - Carol C. Special at Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles on Pico; the Hollywood sign from I-10; the trailer carrying Bevo (the UT mascot) on I-10


Saturday, Jan 9
We spent last night in Tucson, Arizona and got up early today so we could stop off at Tombstone for a couple of hours.

Tombstone was really fun. We walked along the same streets as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday! We saw some buildings that date back to 1882. We even took a stage coach ride around the city and saw Texas John Slaughter's house.

After we left Tombstone we started heading home planning to spend the night in Fort Stockton. Once we got there we decided that we really wanted to sleep in our own bed tonight. So guess what? I am emailing this to you from AUSTIN, TEXAS! That's right we have finally made it home. And tomorrow we will get our girls... We can hardly wait. We have missed them so much - we talked about them every single day!

Here is our trip summary:
3700 miles driven
10 days on the road
9 cities visited
5 states driven through
12 tanks of gas

And every where we went someone noticed our orange Texas Longhorn shirts and said "They should have won that game." :)

Thanks again to all of you, because you made the trip possible for us. We will have such great memories of this trip forever. Be on the look out for pictures tomorrow.

Love,Kristopher & Tobi

pictured below: Kris walking along the boardwalk down Allen St. in Tombstone; view of the store-fronts and the beautiful sky; Kris and I on our carriage ride around Tombstone