Florida Bugs!

So, yeah, this lovely little guy was waiting at the hotel entrance for me today! Of course, I almost had a heart attack when I saw him. To make it all better, the front desk lady said... "What was you lookin at out there" (Yes her English is THAT great!) When I said it was the most gigantic bug, she replied "Oh yeah, ya know if ya step on 'em thay pop?" EXCUSE ME???!!! I almost died out there! Why would I step on it!!!!!!



So the conferences I am at are put on by a company who use Scientology and the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard as the base for their material. Kinda weird. So we pull up and I'm like, "Wow! look at that awesome hotel!" Then I'm told its the Scientology Headquarters! (Picture above) What?! So, I think maybe Tom & Katie are there being electrocuted and shaking cans over each other?! and I could meet them!!! No such luck...(I have no idea if those are real "procedures", but I also wouldn't be surprised if they are) but I did learn some really interesting (or completely weird) things...

1. If I yawn at any time during the seminar it is not because I am tired, but because I do not understand a word. Yep a word. So they supply dictionaries and if they see you yawn they ask you what word you don't understand!

2. They have L. Ron pictures all over...every wall in every room....he's always watching! Some of the pictures remind me of Walt Disney which creeps me out even more...I'm working on sneaking a picture.

3. Along with the giant headquarters they also actually have a hotel next to it. So I wasn't totally wrong! Yeah, I'm barley hanging on at the Comfort Suites, like I would stay there.

4. When you bring up topics like Jesus vs. L. Ron they tell you, you can have both! No way! You mean I can believe in God but still worship this guy too...Sweet right?! It's like they can't decide so lets just have both. Classic examples of doing what works for your lifestyle instead of just believing the truth even if it's hard.

5. All of these seminars are considered non-profit because the are managed through the religion....really smart or tax evasion???

6. Finally, in the seminars they play white noise over the speakers. It is supposed to make you focus and not notice the person next to you...me? All I did was constantly look around at the ceiling and wonder that the heck that noise was!!!...But I had to be careful, looking around also means I don't understand a word!

The Inmates love Michael!

Ok, If you haven't seen this on Yahoo you have to check it out! These prisoners really love Micheal! here's a few things I thought of while watching this...

1. How constructive! While I don't mind prisoners killing each other (one less person to take my tax money!) this seems to be a much better use of their time.
2. What happens when the cameras go off? Does a giant prison yard fight break out?
3. Can we just call it a day and say this counts as his funeral????

Click here to view the "Prisoners of Love" do their tribute to Michael Jackson.




You thought this was a one time deal didn't you!?! Apparently these guys have a real passion for organized dancing! This is one of their originals...a Thriller knock off...the man playing the girl is the best part!

Click here to be Thrilled by the inmates!

Flo-Rida

Tonight begins my weekend in this hot, muggy, rainy, weird place...

This is my room

This is my view looking left...

And my view looking right...

Hey Batter Batter

Jersey watching her Dad play softball....

...and....she's over it!

Safe or Out?... You decide

Delta Dan

A few weeks ago we went wake boarding with Danielle's family.
We had a blast...Dan enjoyed the water while I enjoyed the boat!

Whoa, bad lighting...

Let's try it here...Dan, we're not ready!

Dan, seriously, we're almost ready ...

Ok, ready....wait...those stomach rolls! Yuck!

Ok, sucking in, now I'm ready!

Dan, it's over, give me the camera!

Heed Our Warning...

A Squeakin' Good Time!

Jersey and I walked to Discount Pet the other day to get Faith a new water bottle. Jersey was so good I let her pick out a toy...
this is what she chose...

Jersey's 1st Birthday Party!

Hey everyone, it's Jersey...here are the pictures from my 1st birthday party! I had so much fun playing with all of my friends and everyone brought some nice donations for the shelter...Thanks to all my friends for a great party!

Uncle J tried to help me with my birthday hat...

Then Auntie D gave it a shot...

My mom was so busy she didn't take many pictures,
but I did get one with my friend Tyson!

Our parents enjoyed cupcakes and cookies!
And, yes, Auntie O helped make the cupcakes!

Mom and Dad got me my own special birthday toy.
I didn't want to share so I hid under the swing!

At the end of the only 2 hour party I was SO tired!
(P.S. see the board behind me? Silvio got in trouble and mommy closed his cat door!)

Thanks for everyone for coming! We appreciate all of the great gifts you brought for the shelter. We are so happy to help dogs that just aren't as fortunate as ours.
-Nicole & Dan

Prison Break

As I mentioned earlier our ever so sweet Silvio decided to stage an escape a few weeks ago. It started one morning when I went to let the dogs out and Silvio was all ready in the backyard!!! A glance around the patio showed no signs of the attempt. But we moved the couch and found he had dug a hole in the screen! After a mild freak out Dan helped me duct tape and block the hole. But, we should have known, he was just too smart for that. A few evenings later I heard the beginning of a cat fight in our front yard. As I went out to stop it Silvio went screeching by! I caught him, threw him inside and really freaked out this time!!!!! Now, everything cat related in the patio has been move inside or taken to the dump, the cat door is boarded up and my office is now the official 'animal room'. While I am happy to have him safely locked up, he is probably going to be the first cat to commit suicide. I just can't even think about how long I didn't know about that first hole! Nothing can happen to my Silvio! Let this be a warning to my other animals: Do not try to escape. I will get you, contain you, and take away your freedom.

This is the second hole he escaped from

Another view of second hole...see the one above to the left?
That was his third attempt! I caught him half way out!!!

The first hole as escape proof as I could get it!

My initial cat door blockage.
This has now been replaced by a simple board and a few nails.

Devastated.

Just waiting and hoping I would let him in the poker room
(which leads to the patio)

The Escapist

This cat is always trying to escape.... and this is NOTHING compared to his latest escape feats yet to be posted!