More travel blog stuff ahead

Yes- I know that I don't blog much anymore and I apologize for that but I do keep up with most you here or on Facebook these days. All the 4-legged's are doing well as are Kris and I but the travel schedule this last year and 1/2 has kept us on our toes. It appears as if the schedule is finally going to slow down in the beginning of 2014 not that I am complaining. We have been blessed to be able to visit places around this great big beautiful planet that I never imagined I would ever see. For those of you still interested, this is the link over to my travel blog with our latest holiday to Kauai.

http://karenraye12.wordpress.com/2013/10/04/paa-ka-waha/ 

Be back soon!

Karen Raye

Where are the Terriers in Ireland?

So we spent a week in Ireland and I kept looking for Irish Terriers and Wolfhounds. We traveled all over the west side of the island, drove up north and around to the east which is a fairly large area. Never saw a single one- not even Terrier mixes. I did see an abundance of the biggest Labs I've ever seen in my life. Also quite a few Bulldogs and Boxers. Needless to say, I was a little disappointed. The breeds I did see were quite nice but to see an Irish Terrier in real life would have made my day. Oh well- maybe next time. A few posts have been written so far and here is a link for the most recent one:  http://karenraye12.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/only-irish-coffee-provides-in-a-single-glass-all-four-essential-food-groups-alcohol-caffeine-sugar-and-fat-alex-levine/

It's Friday here in Terneuzen and we have a little over a week before leaving Europe to go home. I am homesick for my 4-legged's. Big-time missing them so give yours a hug for me and have a great weekend.

Till next time,
Karen 

Flower Pics from Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands

Here is the link to the travel journal/ blog for newest post. http://karenraye12.wordpress.com/2013/04/25/ready-for-pics/
Working on a new one tonight in which I went and met a super lady named Ursula and her Airedale Ina in Germany yesterday. Stay tuned and bear with me. The internet and my computer run slow here at this hotel in Karslruhe.

Be back soon,
Karen

Same link. Different trip.

Kris and I are back in the Netherlands and Germany for her job. We are making a side trip at the end of next week to Ireland to check out the Emerald Isle since Kris' family came from there. Anywho- here is the travel blog link for those of you interested at WordPress- http://karenraye12.wordpress.com/

This weekend should prove to most exciting with a trip over to the Keukenhof Gardens to see all the flowers starting to bloom. I'll post pictures and more pictures and probably more pictures because I am so infatuated with all the bulb flowers here that do not bloom in my part of the world. Southern coastal Texas, that is!

I have to admit I am missing the sweet and funny 4-legged's already but I do know they are being taken of quite well by their Auntie Valerie and Kris' Mum so that is some consolation. I hope everyone has a good rest of the week.

Till next time,
Karen

We won the weekly contest

At least that what it says on The Animal Rescue Site homepage! So this means we are in the running for the big 'ole grand prize if a miracle happens. We will continue to vote until April 28th and as Bentley told me this morning, "When that lady from the opera starts singing we'll know if we won again."

 This is the Bentman's "I'm tired of trying to make paws work on that computer. Your turn, Mumma."


Here's the link if you are so inclined for Texas Airedale Rescue Team
www.bit.ly/ShelterChallenge07
Shelter Name - Airedale
Shelter State - Texas
Click the search button
Click Vote, enter the Captcha Code and click o.k.
And don't forget to feed- hit the purple button after you vote.

Thanks! We are dancing here in Texas!

Till next time,
Karen Raye and my wonderful 4-legged's

Texas Airedale Rescue Team

In my previous post I mentioned that TART (Texas Airedale Rescue Team) is in the Animal Shelter Contest this round and asked for people to vote. So now I'm going to ask again. If you can vote everyday it could help us win the $1000 state prize that might vet three or more Airedales in rescue. Of course the amount of 'Dales helped is contingent on the rescue dog not having any major problems when coming into rescue. Even so, every little bit helps and this contest ends April 28th.

I post the link on the TART page in the social networking site Facebook for people that participate in FB but in case you don't, here is the link:

http://www.bit.ly/ShelterChallenge07

Shelter Name - Texas Airedale Rescue Team
State - Texas
Click the search button
Click Vote, enter the Captcha Code and click o.k. You can also feed the shelter animal by going to the top of the page and find the pale purple box that says It's Free and click on it to help with sponsors paying for food and care. 

Faith when pulled from shelter in Texas

Faith afterwards waiting for her new home

http://www.texasairedalerescue.com/
 

So if you can find time to vote daily, all of us at TART in Texas thank you- Especially the Airedales in rescue waiting on a forever home with a loving family!

 Till next time, 

Karen and the 4-legged's in Texas

 

Too long gone

Big sigh. No specific reason that we have been away from the blogger world but we're back. Speaking of back- the momma's just returned from a week long tour of medical centers in Florida. We were visiting sick family members on both the east and west coast of Florida. We took a short break from the sterile institutions and checked out the manatees again at Blue Springs like we did 4 years ago. This time there were more than 200 in the springs staying warm away from the unseasonably cold weather. Saw a big old alligator too.

Checked out the beach on the Atlantic side and also on the Gulf side but both were too cold to get in but I did spot a dolphin playing in the water.

Met some nice birds on the beach where we had a couple of adult beverages with friends before we left to come home.

And spotted a happy 4-legged with his human relaxing on a bench a few yards away.

Speaking of 4-legged's- Bentley, Roux, Walter, and Bridgette say Hello!

As you can tell in the picture above, the Bentman is still a loudmouth.

I almost forgot. I met these two cuties at our friends the day before we left- Max and George. They gave me some much missed critter time the day before we left to come back home. That George is a toy playing fool just like the Roux.

Anyway- just a short update so you would know we are still alive and kicking on this planet Earth. And if you don't mind, can you please Vote for Texas Airedale Rescue Team in the Shelter Contest at the Animal Rescue Site-
www.bit.ly/ShelterChallenge07
Shelter Name - Airedale
Shelter State - Texas
Click the search button
Click Vote, enter the Captcha Code and click o.k.
And don't forget to feed- hit the purple button after you vote. 

I am in charge of the Facebook TART  page and believe you me, this contest is a bugger this time around. Thanks in advance and don't hesitate to share with your friends. I'll be back soon.

Till next time,
Karen Raye

A long way from home

Once again we are in Germany. We have been here two weeks almost and I am missing our 4-legged sweetness. But- patience is a virtue they say and we will be home late Sunday night. I can already imagine their excitement when they hear us pull up into the driveway. Bentley will be moaning non-stop and Roux will be unable to stop bouncing. Walter will be sounding off in his cute little shriek/ barky voice and Bridgette will be moving pretty fast for an 'ole girl steadily wagging her tail. Something I always look forward to when we have been off seeing the world.

Last time we were here in this part of the world I began a travel blog. Once again for those of you interested, here is the link:   https://karenraye12.wordpress.com/

I hope everyone is doing well. December is upon on us and the holidays will soon be here. Time flies by, doesn't it?

Till next time,
Karen Raye
(doing without the 4-legged sweetness temporarily...)

Bloomin' Fool

Of a bougainvillea, that is. I planted this crazy bloomer a little less than two years ago when we moved back to our house in Lake Jackson. It was no bigger than two feet tall then but look at it now. I guess it is happy. We are too.

The biggest Woofer checking out his turf

                                                                   Happy Wednesday!

and then?

Good grief. Where does time go? Ever since we arrived back from our month long journey in Europe I haven't found the time to post. I finally finished the Rome post this morning on the travel blog. Here is the link- http://karenraye12.wordpress.com/2012/10/02/lest-we-forget-rome/ for those of you that are still interested.

It is so good to be home and I have thoroughly enjoyed the love and doggie kisses from all of our 4-legged's. It's funny how you miss all the loud woofs, crazy water puddles that the Roux leaves everywhere when she finishes getting a long drink, and the daily vacuuming. Wait a minute- I lie, not the vacuuming! Just the goofy doggie antics. I apologize for no pics but I will pick up the camera again soon. Until then, have a great week!

A little weary but glad to be home

The other Momma and I finally made it back from our European holiday/ work trip. Really missed the 4-legged's but they enjoyed their Aunt Valerie as she spoiled them rotten. The biggest Woofer aka as the Bentman or Bentley decided to fall in love with his Aunt Valerie. I have never seen him bond so completely to anyone other than Kris and I. He terrorized her by waking her up every night at 2am and 4am to give her big wet doggie kisses and woof till she loved on him. Then he'd let her go back to sleep for a small dog nap. Go figure.

Anyway, I wanted to share our travel blog on Word Press with those of you that would like to read about our travels. The link is http://karenraye12.wordpress.com/2012/07/23/in-the-beginning/ and I haven't finished the last leg of our travels yet but all that is left right now is Rome. We do plan on posting a few entries about the culture, food, politics, impressions left on us, etc. in the near future.

One thing I can say is that I loved our trip and all the interesting people we met. I hope everyone out there in Blogger land is well and I will begin catching up on your posts soon.

Till next time,
Karen Raye &
my sweet 4-legged crew

Holiday in Europe

What do windmills, yummy cheese, frites, castles, and a blue grotto have in common? 

A fabulous adventure in The Netherlands, Germany, Luxemburg, Belgium, and Italy! Kris has to go to Terneuzen (The Netherlands) for work in August and I am tagging along. Our thoughts are- if one aireplane ticket and some of the accommodations are paid for through work, we can pay for the rest to get me there so we can explore a part of the world we may never get a chance to do again. Right?

We are going a week and 1/2 early to visit Amsterdam for 4 days, then mosey down through West Germany to explore Cologne, Aachen or Koblenz, Cochen, Baden-Baden, and Trier.We will then then zip over to Luxemburg City in where else but Luxemburg and also Vianden to check out the Valley of Seven Castles. Then we zip up to Maastricht for a bit and head back to Terneuzen for two weeks of work.

It will be quite a whirlwind but hey, how often do you get a chance to do something like this? While Kris is working with the Dutch, Germans, and others from around the globe, I will explore Terneuzen which is primarily a DOW town on the North Sea all by myself. Bicycles are one of the main ways to get around in the The Netherlands so I will be renting one and peddling off the calories I ingest!


After the first official work week ends, we will drive over to Belgium to visit Brugge and Ghent. I have to buy some Belgium chocolate and Kris will need some frites. We end the next work week down in Karlsruhe, Germany which is right around the corner from Baden-Baden where we will have visited during the 1st week in Europe. We will then drive up to the aireport outside of Frankfort to hop a local plane to Rome. Then jump a train to Napoli so we can explore the surrounding area including a blue grotto off the Isle of Capri, check out Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii, and head back to Rome for 4 days. Whew- I know it is a lot but we have a list that are the must-sees and if we don't get to see it all, it is OK. We will just throw coins in the Trevi Fountain in Rome to ensure that we will get to come back one day.   


The one thing I would like to do is spot an Airedale somewhere along our journey and I have faith that it may happen. So far we've seen one in NYC from the 20th floor in our hotel room- though I couldn't get down the elevator fast enough to say hello. When we were in Salem, Ma. I acted like a crazy person when I spotted a  'Dale in the parking lot of a local hotel and I was able to get my doggie fix . And last time we were in New Orleans we met a sweet girl 'Dale being walked by her human. He even asked me if I wanted to doggie sit her that evening- LOL.  I figure fate will intervene!


Anyway, it is obvious that I am excited and I will post updates from our upcoming adventure. And don't worry about Bentley and the 4-legged gang, their Aunt Valerie will be here for the month attending to their needs. The Bentman loves his Auntie Val almost as much as Kris and I and will make sure she gives them their breakfast and supper on time along with a daily ration of carrots!


Till next time, 
Karen Raye

Colors of a garden...

                              ‎"There's only 2 things that money can't buy, and that's 
                                true love and home-grown tomatoes" ~ Guy Clark~

A better summer than before...

Here in the south coastal plains of Texas (that means Lake Jackson for those of you that might wonder where we are) the weather is hot but not near so dry as last year and the Bentman is as close to good health as we could wish for. You may remember the hell we went through trying to get him diagnosed over the last few years. At the end of summer last year he had a splenectomy (huge with small bleeds) after going through many courses of treatment for TBD related illness. Actually some of it was caused by over vaccination per the vet. After many months and various crashes from trying to get him stabilized on the perfect synchronization of meds. we achieved a nice balance pulsing low dosage prednisone along with tramadol and gabapetin. This cocktail keeps pain away and makes him feel like this:

There is nothing better than watching him roll on the freshly cut lawn in the sunshine. Roux is happy too.

The grass we put down in the secret garden has finally filled the crop circle left over from our old swimming pool we tore down last fall. There are still things I'd like to do in the secret garden but will have to wait until it cools down again in the fall.

Happiness is happy 4-legged's that engage in life and remind you how great it is to be alive!

Till next time,
Karen Raye

Uh..

I thought I'd post a new blog but when I logged in I found a new look. Kinda threw me for a loop so I forgot what I was going to write and am at a loss for words now. Oh well. How about a nice little HELLO from Bentley and friends!

Till next time,
Karen Raye and 
the 4-legged gang
in Texas

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Bentley and Roux are dancing a jig!

Blast from the past

I guess I should explain why I have put up another oldie pic. My trusty computer has been threatening to crash for about a month now and I have switched over to a newer one. Haven't had time to download any current pics though so this is a pic from 2007 that was easy to access. If I remember correctly the Bentman was 5 going on 6 in this pic. Obviously we didn't live here on the Gulf Coast either- the location would have been West Texas where it snowed occasionally.

For all of you that have asked about the Bentman's health, he is getting better. It has been a long road and there are still some obstacles to face but all in all we are thankful that he even made through last summer. After a heavy round (5 months) on prednisone he gained up to 94 lbs. His happy weight is around 80 lbs so we have been monitoring food intake and exercise and he is back to about 84 lbs. The specialist (last visit in late November) said it is possible that the prednisone induced Cushings. Our regular vet will test him in a few weeks to see. Hopefully not but his body shape hasn't changed too much even with the weight loss. He also had some funky readings that showed borderline Addison's but everything was so whacked in the fall the results could have been false positives. The weakness and muscle atrophy is not as severe as it was and his gusto for life (not just food) is back! He's back to waking up with Kris at 4:30 or 5:30 am and if I am not up in what he considers a timely manner I wake up to the biggest Woofer at my ear telling me it is breakfast time and the biggest wet sloppy kisses you can imagine. Yep- gotta love 'em.

Anyway, just wanted to give all of you a quick heads up. Now I need to go bag a few thousand leaves that are still falling from the trees. I don't know about ya'lls weather but ours is really screwy and all the plants are confused here on the Gulf Coast. There is one tomato plant leftover from the summer and it has about 20 green ones on it that I am hoping will ripen. It is one of those yellow heirloom varieties and I have decided it is a winner. Plan on planting quite a few of them in the spring.

And last but not least- all of the 4-legged's, Kris, and I wish you a wonderfully healthy and happy New Year of 2012!

Till next time,
Karen Raye and Bentley Beargrass

An oldie but a goodie

I know that some of you may remember this picture from a couple years ago but since 2011 has had its share of hills and valleys with 4-legged health issues and trying to get the Bentman, Roux, Bridgette, and Walter to pose together without me pulling out my haire or theirs, I decided a repost of an oldie (pic) was in order. 
Some of you may not know that Little Jax left us for the Rainbow Bridge this year in November. His absence leaves a giant hole in our daily life. Jax always loved to sit under the tree. It was his his domain and he looked so precious there. I am pretty sure that he is looking down on us from his beautiful star in the heavens and wishing us a Merry Christmas too.... 
So I hope everyone in Blogger-land has a wonderful holiday season. Love and Peace to all of you! 


Till next time,
Karen Raye

The rest of the "Things I am thankful for" list...

 My list should have numbered 100 but sometimes I make an oops when I copy and paste. Laughing at myself again...Have a great Thanksgiving!

72.      My aunt Loretta and the love she shared with my Uncle Henry.

73.      Remembering my Mom’s passion for life.

74.      The hill country in Texas

75.      Roller coasters

76.      That God gave me lots of patience…

77.      Kris needing me to fix the pie crust and make it pretty!

78.      AssistHers

79.      People that volunteer to help others.

80.  Foster dog failures that were meant to be

81.  Bird of Paradise Yankee Candles

82.  My 2 vacuum cleaners

83.  Good steak on the grill

84.  Sunshine

85.  Big orange harvest moons

86.  Winnie the Pooh

87.  Dr. Seuss

88.  People that remind me of Eeyore

89.  Old lesbians

90.  Not being afraid of life

91.  Really cool shoes

92.  Giraffes

93.  The way Kris cooks ham when I am craving it.

94.  Borden’s egg-nog

95.  Hot dogs over a wood fire on Friday nights

96.  Road trips with Kathy and Kaylyn

97.  Sitting in the truck head banging to Devo’s Whip It song with them

98.  Visiting with good friends

99.  The knowledge that there is so much more than just this list that I am thankful for

    100. Adam Sandler’s The Thanksgiving Song

Random thoughts on what I am thankful for...

1.      That no matter how I slept the previous night, I woke up to participate in another day.

2.      That there are people that love me for all my pros and cons.

3.      That my wife loves me more and more every day

4.      I have sweet beautiful 4-legged creatures that share our home with us.

5.      There is food in the fridge and pantry.

6.      There is food to feed the 4-legged’s.

7.      I can type all this into a Word document instead of having to handwrite this.

8.      After working out this last semester in PE classes, my arms are getting firmer and my thighs have lost their dimples.

9.      That I have wonderful memories of a Grandmother that loved my sisters and I very much.

10.  That Dad and I have repaired our relationship that was so broken.

11.  Happy that I repaired my broken self-image that occurred from poor decision-making.

12.  That I finally learned to forgive myself first so I could forgive others.

13.  That I learned to not feel guilty for being unable to help those that won’t help themselves.

14.  Icy cold root beer

15.  That I am able to cook and bake whatever I want.

16.  That I’m able to laugh at recipes that don’t work out so well.

17.  To be able to laugh at myself.

18.  To find joy in most everything.

19.  My garden.

20.  Home-grown tomatoes and the song about them that I sang to my Dad for his birthday one year.

21.  The fact that he doesn’t think (or at least show it) that sometimes I am just plain goofy.

22.  That Kris tells me this is one of the reasons she loves me so much.

23.  That I like myself.

24.  That I love my life.

25.  Kris’s sweet smile.

26.  That I make her laugh.

27.  Music and how when I dance around the house and sing, Roux gets excited and dances (doggie style) with me.

28.  How no one that really loves me cares when I sing off-key.

29.  School

30.  Scholarships

31.  Good grades

32.  Algebra. Need to explain that one. The fact that I can enjoy the challenge and not get so frustrated that I give up.

33.  My classmates- even the young ones that have no idea what life can throw out at you.

34.  That no matter what you think you’ve experienced, there is always something that you have yet to learn.

35.   Buc-ee’s Icee’s (Coke mixed with cherry)

36.  Homemade bread from my sourdough starter.

37.  The neighbors and family that never tire of me taking them bread.

38.  My health.

39.  Sisters

40.  Nieces and nephews

41.  My crazy dog friends that do rescue.

42.  Hard cider.

43.  Gulf Coast shrimp.

44.  The beach and the sound of the ocean.

45.  Cooking with Valerie and Kris for the holidays.

46.  See’s Candy (especially the caramel marshmallow thingies)

47.  Spending time in New Orleans

48.  Good advice from Ellie

49.  Jeans that fit well

50.  Getting to know Marie before she died

51.  Lobster in Maine

52.  17 years of Memorial Day weekend with good friends.

53.  A clean house

54.  And a really big bathtub to take long relaxing baths in.

55.  Trees

56.  The cows in the fields on my way to school (they are so pretty)

57.  Scary movies

58.  Butter

59.  Peppermint ice cream

60.  Friday mornings with Kris

61.  El Toro (best Tex-Mex ever)

62.  Lindy’s accordion playing ability

63.  The fact that the woman can play anything on it too.

64.  Sanity

65.  Cooler weather

66.  Reading a good book

67.  Libraries

68.  Curly headed Airedales

69.  People that smile back at you when you are driving down the road.

70.  All the birds that migrate through our area.

71.  A really good Vet (Dr. Kivney)