Critter Sitter's Blog

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Humbled...

Rosie let me know both yesterday and today that I am an arrogant, egocentric so-and-so. I wrote back in December that Rosie had stopped in front of my sister's house while one of her owners was walking her - that she refused to move. I laid it down to my own "animal magnetism" and that Rosie really liked me. Wrong; dead wrong!! Both yesterday and today, while I was walking both Remy and Rosie, Rosie paused at the drive of my sister's house and refused to move. - I petted both of the kids, and made sure they had a good scent of me; Rosie still would not move. She had to go visit Suki and Boo, check out the front door, and make a stop at the girls' west-end kennel. Then she was satisfied and ready to leave. Boy, did I get my come-uppence!! I am now suitably squashed and humbled. She doesn't prefer me, she just likes the house and other dogs. - Where's my pie?

We had bright sunshine yesterday and today - the snow has melted quite a bit, even though we're expecting a few flurries this afternoon - and it's supposed to be in the 50s on Friday! It's a veritable heat wave! Banichi and Lovey are happy that the snow is retreating, but now complain of the wet and muddy yard... and, of course, Lovey likes to walk all over me and leave beautiful muddy paw prints. I had to tell her she was a bad girl and drag her inside this morning - she was threatening one of the very young squirrels, and it didn't know what to do... Since I've been shooing the birds off when she's outside, maybe she decided to turn her hunting skills toward the baby squirrels.

I just had to refuse a long-time client for a week's work, as I'm already booked for the time wanted. I was able to book a week for her in May... for the shuttle launch in Florida. Kathy took me for a part of my Christmas present yesterday afternoon - we went on a clothes shopping spree. Besides having a 50% off coupon, most of the item's she bought were also on a manager's special sale at 50% off already - so she got 5 items (and I got 1) at 75% off. It was super! She got 5 pairs of running shorts, 2 throw pillows, and a beautifully embroidered silk and satin kimono; while I got a new sweater, a new T, a new blouse, a pair of shorts/overalls, a new pair of jeans, a new dress with a shoulder wrap, and two books. All for less than $45!!! We were both very happy with our purchases.

Photo Album - Virginia, #1

Will blog later - but will post some photos now.....

Unusual church architecture in Alexandria

Church in Old Town Alexandria

18th Century buildings in Old Town Alexandria

Old townhouses in Old Town Alexandria

Soldiers beside damaged rolling stock of the Orange & Alexandria Railroad Manassas Junction, Va.

Manassas Junction, VA - 1862 (2nd Battle of) - Damaged stock of Orange & Alexandria RailRoad

Mount Vernon, family farm of George Washington, outside Alexandria

Cupola of historic Christ Church, Old Town Alexandria

Potomac River at Pohick Bay Regional Park, Lorton - this was one of two nearby parks we visited frequently

A gate decorated for the Christmas season in Occoquan.

A gate in Occoquan, decorated for Christmas

Shops on Occoquan Main Street in the fall - they have a great arts and crafts festival in June.

Town park on the Occoquan River - Jeff and I spent a lot of time here

Footbridge across the Occoquan - Jeff and I walked this way many times

Victorious, 2001 Morven Park Dressage winner - outside Leesburg

Cross-country brush jump at Morven Park - outside Leesburg

Pipers contest at Potomac Celtic Festival held at Morven Park - outside Leesburg

You don't know who, or what, you'll run into during August Court Days, celebrating Leesburg's history

Yes, August Court Days bring out everyone in Leesburg

Yellow barns on colonial-granted farm, east of Winchester

Stone-built 18th-century church in Winchester

Virginia Field Hunter Championships held at Farmington Hunt, The Plains - riding on the flat phase, jumping phase, and ride-off/individual test phase - beautiful!

Two of the VA Field Hunter Championship judges - The Plains

The Blue Ridge Mountains from Skyline Drive

Fredericksburg - View from Mayre's Heights

View from Mayre's Heights above Fredericksburg - the Union soldiers were slaughtered trying to get up this open hill

The Mercer Apothecary Shop - Fredericksburg. Hugh Mercer owned and operated this shop from 1771 to 1776; one of his customers was George Washington, who used a small library within this shop as an office.