Scootchie

Outside Thinking

Today I took the fearsome four out into the backyard for extended playtime. They've been outside in the back many times for potty training and playtime, but this was a whole 45 minutes! Once they got going, there was almost no stopping 'em! And they have no sense of boundaries. My poor flattened flowers! Also, I guess it's a good thing the birds did not want to take a bath.
Download birdbath.mp4

The "Eyes" Have It

I need to use a Meg Frost Cute Overload word, here. So will you please look at the redonkulous eyelashes on little Miss Soxie?

Heeeeeere's the close-up!

Mister Sly has some pretty eyes, too. They match his cool blue collar! I think that they are actually starting to change color, but for now, the baby blues are killin' me!

Tiptoe Through The Tulips...

or Flop Through the Forget-Me-Nots, whichever.
Download tiptoe2.mp4

Starring Surprise and Snoobie

Puppy playtime

The pups are VERY active! See? Download playtimes.mov
What's all the whining? It's your pal, Mollie, who wants me to make the flash go so she can chase the light!

Look, Ma, I'm a Banker!

Actually, I am a Micro-Financier! I joined an organization called Kiva which works with micro-lenders on the ground in developing countries to make small loans to entrepreneurs in order to combat poverty. If you recall, Mohammad Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize for doing just that.

I chose a furniture maker in the Ukraine, named Vladimir Livindovich, because of my interest in artisans and craftspeople. Vladimir needs $800 dollars for tools and materials. Through Kiva, I was able to lend him $100, of which he will receive $100! That's right. Kiva keeps none, Vladimir gets all. If you'd like to help him as well, here's his page: http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=7060 You can make a contribution as little as $25.

EDIT: Wow! In the time it took me to upload the video in the next post, all of Vladimir's funds were raised! Please consider some other worthy entreprenur for your loan.

Is this a good investment? Yes. The default rate on these small loans to poor people is staggeringly low. When Vladimir pays back his loan in 6 months, I'm going to lend to a fisherwoman in Samoa.

Here's a great article about Kiva and micro-finance from the New York Times blog, On the Ground:Download microfinance.doc

You, too, can be a banker to the poor.

Video Post #3: Hassenpfeffer

I think I'm getting the hang of this. My personal favorite moment is when Mollie does a walk on role to check if I am going to use the flash so that she can chase the light! Enjoy.

Download wyliebunny.mov

OK, it's tiny and I don't know why! I'll keep trying...

Video Post #2: The Blue Dish

Everybody hold your breath until a video link appears below this text! Wait... that's a really bad idea.

Here, I hope, is a Quicktime video of Soxie and Sly playing with their supper dish.

Please post in the comments and let me know if you can't see it!
Please.

EDIT: March 28, 2007: I re-posted this, so maybe now it works?
Download bluedishb.mov

Schweet.

Mollie got TWO new collars from Carrie and Nate. (One will eventually be for the pup we are keeping, but why not enjoy them now?) I will take some better pictures later, when I can get Scott to hold Mollie so that she doesn't chase the camera flash! This one has little green butterflies on a satin ribbon. Very girly! They are made by Dit La Fille, as you see, and available through Carrie's boutique, Violets are Blue.

Out! Out!

I haven't been posting much at all this week for a few reasons. Number one, the pups are so very much more active and I have my hands full! Number two, I want to post video and I am having a little trouble learning my new camera. (MY new camera...) Number three, the pups are really active and I have my hands full!

Here's a highlight from this week: the pups' first time outside! I enlisted the help of my neighbors, Lissie and her three lovely daughters, to help me keep track of the puppies and so I could snap some photos. The little girls and their mom and dad have been regular visitors since the pups were born. They are great with the puppies and Mollie! Furthermore, I am certainly glad to have the pups socialized to children as early as possible. Mollie was around her breeder's granddaughter from the beginning and to this day, she loves little girls! Actually, she's wonderful with all children.

The puppies paused and took stock for exactly ten seconds once their paws touched the grass for the first time and then there was no looking back! They love going outside to play! Also, since they were all very willing to go potty right away once they were out, we have started taking them out to do their business after every nap and meal. We have much less to clean up indoors and they are on their way to being house trained! Hip hip hooray!

Outside, there is so much to see and taste! I really have to hop when I take them outdoors without helpers. The biggest challenge: keeping them from eating birdseed under the feeders! Here, they are having a little harmless fun crawling into and out of the coiled garden hose.

In other "OUT" news:
The puppies teefs are most definitely out! They want to chew everything, but can luckily be distracted from toes and power cords by giving them a rope or plush toy instead. Having teefies (you know that they cannot in any way be called plain old, "teeth!") also means that they can eat small chunk kibble that has been moistened a bit. They all eat three meals a day from a little blue plate and many fewer meals from mommie Mollie. And how does Mollie feel about that?

See? Amidst all the slobber (eeeeeeew!)-- it's a smile!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I thought I'd share the card I made for the Stampgrrlz St. Paddy's card exchange. No rubber stamping on this one at all! I was inspired by the ribbon, which was a birthday present (Thanks, Katy and Sharon!), and decided to follow the circle pattern. I made the background paper on my printer It has a quote from a song by The Irish Rovers, "It is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen! Me father, he was Orange, and me mother, she was Green." And then I couldn't remember the rest of the lyrics so I made one up, "...and I'm the Irish lassie stuck somewhere in between!" God bless Old Ireland.