Saturday, July 21, 2007
CONGRATULATIONS NANCY!!!!!!
Nancy passed her California State Insurance Agent Test on Friday! It's a three hour test that she took in San Francisco. Yay!!!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Copweed!
Many, many thanks to Barb for sharing this with us!! Somehow she finds the funniest stuff. You rock Barb!
It's hilarious!!
It's hilarious!!
4.2 Earthquake Rocks East Bay
Yup. There was an earthquake this morning at 4:42am.
Nancy woke up thinking her bookshelf had fallen. (it had knocked against the wall while she was asleep)
Michael and Carol slept peacefully.
Didn't feel it at all.
No damage.
:)
Nancy woke up thinking her bookshelf had fallen. (it had knocked against the wall while she was asleep)
Michael and Carol slept peacefully.
Didn't feel it at all.
No damage.
:)
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Gecko Breeding 101
We went to the East Bay Vivarium yesterday to get some food for the geckos and some advice on how to incubate their upcoming eggs. And they were so helpful. They explained to us that Gaia's gestation period is about 4 to 6 weeks and that she will lay her eggs in 2-egg clutches every two weeks or so until the end of the season
(~the end of summer). The average female will lay about seven or eight pairs.
(not all of which will survive)
So we must put a "laying box" in the tank with her now so she can dig into the warm, moist sphagnum moss to lay her eggs. Then we carefully take them out and place them into the incubator, in some vermiculite, which is between 77F - 92F. It is suggested that if you keep the eggs at the lower end of the temp. spectrum that the eggs will produce female geckos and if you incubate at the higher temp. the eggs will produce males! ...and if you keep them in the middle, you'll get both. Then we wait for almost two months!
We'll keep you updated with news and photos, of course!
(~the end of summer). The average female will lay about seven or eight pairs.
(not all of which will survive)
So we must put a "laying box" in the tank with her now so she can dig into the warm, moist sphagnum moss to lay her eggs. Then we carefully take them out and place them into the incubator, in some vermiculite, which is between 77F - 92F. It is suggested that if you keep the eggs at the lower end of the temp. spectrum that the eggs will produce female geckos and if you incubate at the higher temp. the eggs will produce males! ...and if you keep them in the middle, you'll get both. Then we wait for almost two months!
We'll keep you updated with news and photos, of course!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Ouch Memory
Ok
As you know, Michael and I joined the climbing gym a few weeks ago.
For the first two weeks we went everyday - a little climbing, a little cardio, etc.
And it was whoopin' our ole' butts!
Then, when Michael had his Dog Training Clinic, we took the week off to rest and care for our guests.
Yesterday we started going back and if felt really great. :) The week off did us good. We were both feeling much stronger. So we pushed ourselves like crazy!
And went home exhausted. Perfect.
But then, after a few unsuspecting hours of feeling powerful, the pain started. (And all of you who have done some climbing will know this)... our forearms were beginning to THROB by the evening.
And by the next morning we had that ever-so-familiar shooting pain every time we moved our wrists! Remember that you guys?! Argh! And the surprise attack of that instant, crippling pain when you grab for something - a doorknob, the toothbrush, the milk in the fridge. OOOOHHH! MUTHA'
Today we went back to the plastic rock and let it mutilate our raw fingers again. But this time, when we got home, we felt better. Hmmmm... Progress???? Or naivete????
As you know, Michael and I joined the climbing gym a few weeks ago.
For the first two weeks we went everyday - a little climbing, a little cardio, etc.
And it was whoopin' our ole' butts!
Then, when Michael had his Dog Training Clinic, we took the week off to rest and care for our guests.
Yesterday we started going back and if felt really great. :) The week off did us good. We were both feeling much stronger. So we pushed ourselves like crazy!
And went home exhausted. Perfect.
But then, after a few unsuspecting hours of feeling powerful, the pain started. (And all of you who have done some climbing will know this)... our forearms were beginning to THROB by the evening.
And by the next morning we had that ever-so-familiar shooting pain every time we moved our wrists! Remember that you guys?! Argh! And the surprise attack of that instant, crippling pain when you grab for something - a doorknob, the toothbrush, the milk in the fridge. OOOOHHH! MUTHA'
Today we went back to the plastic rock and let it mutilate our raw fingers again. But this time, when we got home, we felt better. Hmmmm... Progress???? Or naivete????
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
I Finally Got Some Shots Of Our Turkey Friends!
It's not the best shot in the world, but at least I caught them. They have become quite skittish lately because our next door neighbor often lets her yellow lab burst out of her yard and chase the turkeys. She does it because they poop on her deck.
So this pic is over our back fence where the bird feeders are.
Then, when I ran to change the batteries in my camera, one of them flew into our backyard!
Then it flew into the dog yard! Our new dog species. Caninus Turkus. We've named it Pat the Turkey (since we don't know if it's a boy or a girl yet).
Then up on the fence again.
Then "Levi", the yellow lab from next door, came flying out of his yard and set the turkeys to flight. They landed in a tree in the canyon behind our house.
Can you spot them??
So this pic is over our back fence where the bird feeders are.
Then, when I ran to change the batteries in my camera, one of them flew into our backyard!
Then it flew into the dog yard! Our new dog species. Caninus Turkus. We've named it Pat the Turkey (since we don't know if it's a boy or a girl yet).
Then up on the fence again.
Then "Levi", the yellow lab from next door, came flying out of his yard and set the turkeys to flight. They landed in a tree in the canyon behind our house.
Can you spot them??
Monday, July 16, 2007
The Weekend
Good Morning Blogees!
Hope your weekend went well.
Michael's Dog Training Clinic officially ended on Sunday and today is his first day off!
And today he is on his way to his very first Dog Agility Lesson in SF.
He's excited about slowly making a career-focus change so he can stay home more often.
So, while he was busy working this weekend, Nancy and Carol went for a bike ride in Point Pinole.
It was a gorgeous day...warm, sunny, and breezy.
And it was Nancy's first mountain biking trip...ever!
So after a quick stop at the local REI for a sparkling new helmet, we hit the dirt road.
I took some pics to commemorate the occasion.
And I'm glad I did because not only did I get a few good shots of Nancy in her new hat, but we came across a couple who were riding horseback with a two month old foal following them!
It was sooooooocute!
Hope your weekend went well.
Michael's Dog Training Clinic officially ended on Sunday and today is his first day off!
And today he is on his way to his very first Dog Agility Lesson in SF.
He's excited about slowly making a career-focus change so he can stay home more often.
So, while he was busy working this weekend, Nancy and Carol went for a bike ride in Point Pinole.
It was a gorgeous day...warm, sunny, and breezy.
And it was Nancy's first mountain biking trip...ever!
So after a quick stop at the local REI for a sparkling new helmet, we hit the dirt road.
I took some pics to commemorate the occasion.
And I'm glad I did because not only did I get a few good shots of Nancy in her new hat, but we came across a couple who were riding horseback with a two month old foal following them!
It was sooooooocute!
The Pitter Patter of Many Tiny Little Feet
Well, it looks as if Gordon and Gaia Gecko are getting along swimmingly!
She is pregnant!
We'll keep you all updated on her progress and maybe even throw in a little trivia about the gestation and birth of Desert Leopard Geckos. By the time the babies are around, we'll all be gecko experts!
She is pregnant!
We'll keep you all updated on her progress and maybe even throw in a little trivia about the gestation and birth of Desert Leopard Geckos. By the time the babies are around, we'll all be gecko experts!
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Updates and News
The spa guy has all but disappeared with our money. Or at least that's the way it feels. We contacted him yesterday and he claims that we're still waiting for the new lid. Well...Bah! He didn't even give us any idea of how much longer it'll take. Those of you who know me will know the kind of torture that I'm going through!!!!
Michael's clinic is ending tomorrow...Yay! He said it's been going really well. And the weather was perfect the entire time.
The wild turkeys are back. Only this year the mama has 15 kids following her around. She been showing them all the best spots for a free meal. And I think our back yard is high on her list since Michael tosses a pile of birdseed on the ground when he's filling his feeders! I'll get some pics and show you our friends soon.
Michael's Mum is now going to come down every two weeks, instead of three! She changed her treatment at UCSF and now we get to visit more often.
What else????.......
Oh yea. We got some new tires on the Element. So now we won't have a blowout.
Also, Carol is going to Lark Camp at the end of the month. It's a world music, song, and dance sharing camp in the Mendocino Forest, inland from Fort Bragg.
Oooooh! And yesterday we got our survival guide for Burning Man!!!
Michael's clinic is ending tomorrow...Yay! He said it's been going really well. And the weather was perfect the entire time.
The wild turkeys are back. Only this year the mama has 15 kids following her around. She been showing them all the best spots for a free meal. And I think our back yard is high on her list since Michael tosses a pile of birdseed on the ground when he's filling his feeders! I'll get some pics and show you our friends soon.
Michael's Mum is now going to come down every two weeks, instead of three! She changed her treatment at UCSF and now we get to visit more often.
What else????.......
Oh yea. We got some new tires on the Element. So now we won't have a blowout.
Also, Carol is going to Lark Camp at the end of the month. It's a world music, song, and dance sharing camp in the Mendocino Forest, inland from Fort Bragg.
Oooooh! And yesterday we got our survival guide for Burning Man!!!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Bay Area Clinic
Michael began his 10 day dog training clinic on Saturday. They meet on his field on Treasure Island. It's the island in the middle of the Bay Bridge between Oakland and San Francisco. And it's got the best views of the city and Alcatraz anywhere.
Michael's Mum and his brother Geoffrey came by for a visit too. And as you can see, they protected their fragile Northern Californian knoggens with their fancy hats!
Michael's Mum and his brother Geoffrey came by for a visit too. And as you can see, they protected their fragile Northern Californian knoggens with their fancy hats!
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Mum's Visit
Michael's mum and his brother Geoffrey have arrived. They come every few weeks for Ione's visits to UCSF. It's really wonderful because, with our zoo of creatures, it's always an epic event to go on vacation....so remember that all you friends and family, that if Carol and Michael show up at your door, it took a Herculean effort to get there, which shows how much we love you!!!!
But, I digress.
Where was I?....oh yes....we get to see Ione and Geoff every few weeks. And during this visit Ione and I worked introducing her to the ins and outs of her new MacBook. She loves it and was full of questions, especially about the iPhoto program. She has a lot of photos that she wants to sort through and crop, etc. and last night I tried to share whatever meager knowledge I possess....which is quite "nilish" :)
So, after all that hard work, Ione was feeling a bit of a headache. Geoff stepped up and volunteered to give his dear ole mum a neck and head massage to ease her pain.
And it worked!
She really felt much better, and (forgive me Ione for posting these shots....blame Geoff!) got a great new hairdo as a bonus!!!
We love you!!!
But, I digress.
Where was I?....oh yes....we get to see Ione and Geoff every few weeks. And during this visit Ione and I worked introducing her to the ins and outs of her new MacBook. She loves it and was full of questions, especially about the iPhoto program. She has a lot of photos that she wants to sort through and crop, etc. and last night I tried to share whatever meager knowledge I possess....which is quite "nilish" :)
So, after all that hard work, Ione was feeling a bit of a headache. Geoff stepped up and volunteered to give his dear ole mum a neck and head massage to ease her pain.
And it worked!
She really felt much better, and (forgive me Ione for posting these shots....blame Geoff!) got a great new hairdo as a bonus!!!
We love you!!!
Monday, July 2, 2007
Gaia Gecko
Meet the new addition to our menagerie.
She is a female Leopard Gecko who has been added to Gordon's terrarium as his gal pal. She has settled in nicely. We think she likes the peaceful calm that she has now after living at the East Bay Vivarium.
That place is wonderful.
Check out the website.
http://www.eastbayvivarium.com/
It's like going to the zoo!
Anyway, here she is.
She is a female Leopard Gecko who has been added to Gordon's terrarium as his gal pal. She has settled in nicely. We think she likes the peaceful calm that she has now after living at the East Bay Vivarium.
That place is wonderful.
Check out the website.
http://www.eastbayvivarium.com/
It's like going to the zoo!
Anyway, here she is.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
A Trip To The Beach!
Yesterday we took Trogon (the puppy) and Pi to the beach at San Pablo Bay.
It was really windy, so there were waves like we were at the ocean.
Michael threw the toy into the water and Pi would swim like crazy to retrieve it and little Trogon would wait for Pi to return and chase him.
They had tons of fun.
It was late afternoon.
The water and the breeze were warm.
And the sun was casting a perfect light.
Here are a bunch of pics.
I hope it makes you feel like you were there with us. :)
(don't forget that you can click on any photo on the blog and see it enlarged)
It was really windy, so there were waves like we were at the ocean.
Michael threw the toy into the water and Pi would swim like crazy to retrieve it and little Trogon would wait for Pi to return and chase him.
They had tons of fun.
It was late afternoon.
The water and the breeze were warm.
And the sun was casting a perfect light.
Here are a bunch of pics.
I hope it makes you feel like you were there with us. :)
(don't forget that you can click on any photo on the blog and see it enlarged)
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