Western Shorebirds

What's Happening at Amy & Mr. Ito

2010-03-14T22:58:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to share the happenings at Amy & Mr. Ito, my new food blog. I'm trying to get it off the ground and need your help! Please take a look at amymrito.blogspot.com and become a follower of the blog and a Facebook fan (just click on the link on the sidebar)!

Thanks for your support, guys!

Our New Home (Almost!)!!

2010-03-10T15:27:00.002-06:00

I'd like to introduce to you the Lansers' future home! We just had the inspection done, and everything is all clear. Now, we wait until mid-April, when we move! Here are some (I'll admit, sub-par) photos for your enjoyment. :)

Welcome Home!

Here's a view of the backyard...

...and the garage.

Through the front door, you step into the living room.

Then move on through the house to the kitchen:

Here are the two bedrooms on the main floor.

And, of course, the bathroom (the photo doesn't do it justice!).

Here's the upstairs master bedroom (please excuse the fuzziness!):

And finally, the hubs's domain. :)

Unfortunately, the TV doesn't come with. :(

It's a great house, and we are very excited! Let me know what you think!

New Blog!

2010-03-09T13:01:00.000-06:00

Hello All!

I know it's been a long time since I've posted here, but I've been working on my new food blog that will probably take over this one, eventually. You can find it at amymrito.blogspot.com. I'll be adding things to it on a fairly regular basis, and hopefully getting my butt in gear and getting some photos up for recipes, etc. Please go check it out and become a follower if you like what you see!

Thanks!

Updates

2010-03-04T14:51:00.000-06:00

Here is a "week in review":

1. Made an offer on the house below; two other offers cropped up the day after, and we lost the bidding war. It was upsetting last week, but now the hubs and I are over it and we're going looking again this weekend.

2. Read two McMurtry books in a week, Horseman, Pass By and Streets of Laredo, further cementing my opinion that McMurtry is an American master and will be in American Literature Anthologies in fifty years or so, next to Hemingway, Faulkner, and Fitzgerald. I've now made it a goal to read all of his works by the end of the year, and start collecting copies of them for my own library. Including Horsemen and Streets, I've read nine already, and have another out from the library. I prefer his "present-day" novels to the Old West ones, though the latter are definitely growing on me.

3. I got new glasses that are going to be my new staple(as George Costanza says, "my new face"), as opposed to contacts. I think they're pretty good-looking. Perhaps I'll post a picture!

4. I've also done some thinking about the direction I want the blog to go. Should it be random ramblings about the minutiae of my life, or take a more focused tack? I was discussing this with friends over a great burger at Burger Jones; I think the best job one could have would be a food critic. Getting paid to eat wonderful food and getting waited on hand and foot seems like the life to me, although food bloggers are a dime a dozen and it's not like I'd be working for New York Times Magazine or anything.

5. In my further study into point four above, I took a couple of food books out of the library, just to see what food writing looks like. The two I got are A Stew or a Story: An Assortment of Short Works by MFK Fisher, edited by Joan Reardon, and Delizia!, a book that tracks the history of Italy through its food. I haven't started Delizia!, but I am 100 pages into Stew or Story and have loved every page. I am actually just getting into the food writing portion of the book; the first chapter is devoted to three short stories, two of which are some of the best pieces of short fiction I've read in a long time. "What Happened to Miss Browning" is especially delightful (that's all I'm saying for now; you'll have to read it!). Perhaps I'll do a review of this book when I'm finished with it.

6. In conclusion, I may focus Western Shorebirds into a more gastronomic venture, or I may start a whole new blog devoted to that. You'll have to wait and see! Now I'm upset that I didn't take photos of the Chicken Rochne Casserole I made for dinner.

The 20 Weirdest Fish in the Ocean

2010-02-23T13:07:00.000-06:00

20 Weirdest Fish in the Ocean

Gross.

Folks, We May Have a Winner!

2010-02-21T14:26:00.002-06:00

The hubs and I had a quite successful house hunting run yesterday, and saw a house that we think may be the one! It's in Robbinsdale in a nice neighborhood, and is essentially turn-key: New furnace, new roof, renovated and decorated rooms, a fence, and a nice, big basement that has finishing possibilities. I actually took pictures of my own, so I can conduct a virtual tour for you now!

Here's a photo of the front of the house...

...and the back (through the back porch door. I know, it's not a great photo. Note the two-car garage!).

Here's the kitchen. I love the color of the cabinets!

Here are pictures of the bright living room and the nice sitting area, which was an addition.

Now for the master bedroom...with two closets!

And the second bedroom (it's a terrible picture, I know)...

Finally, here is a shot of the 3/4 bath in the otherwise unfinished basement.

That's it! We really like this one! Let us know what you all think!

Also, congratulations to my cousin and to good friends in the cities who added new members to their families this weekend! Welcome to the world, Finlay and Abigail!

Shorebird Gets in Touch with Her Duck Cousins

2010-02-17T12:59:00.000-06:00

I've always enjoyed swimming. I took swimming lessons for what seems like my entire childhood, either at camp or through my hometown's winter swim lesson program. When I was a counselor in training at Camp Newfound in 2000, I swam multiple times a day, trying to complete the 100 mile challenge (I didn't get there...stupid lazy younger self!), and participating in several 2-mile "Harrison Swims". I would have certainly been on the Nashoba High School Swim Team if such a thing existed (I guess they held practices in the third floor pool).

In high school and college, I got certified as a Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor and taught summer camp swimming lessons near my hometown. I learned how to perfect my strokes and show kids how to do the same. I did that for 6 years, and then didn't swim at all for 3!

So, I've decided to take full advantage of my fitness center's pool and try to get back in the "swim of things". I'm going to keep track of how far I swim on the blog so you can see how I'm doing. Once I work up to a full mile (1800 yards), I'm going to try some more complex workouts I've found on the internet, all of which are 2000 yards in length.

Wish me luck! Maybe someday I'll be a real swimmer! Masters, here I come!

Handsome Boy! Handsome Boy!

2010-02-15T12:30:00.000-06:00

Ain't he cute?

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

2010-02-08T12:02:00.000-06:00

The hubs and I had quite an eventful Sunday yesterday. We went house shopping for the first time with our awesome realtor, and found a home that we really like! We know it's only the first time out and that we will take more trips in the future, but it was fun finding a home that's in our price range and a good neighborhood that we liked. At a request from my father, who thinks that somehow harm will come our way if I post homes that we're looking at online, I am not going to post the link to the home we like, but would love to email the listing to anyone that is interested. Just request I do so with a comment below.

Just because I'm not going to link the listing doesn't mean I'm not going to divulge any good details, however. :)

The home is in a nice neighborhood in Robbinsdale. I was really excited when we first pulled up to the home because it is so cute! There are tall windows with cute green shutters that make the home look miniature somehow (art people, please tell me why!); I think it's the proportion of the window to the height of the wall. Anyways, the front door opens on a cozy livingroom with the neatest, original, 1930s fireplace with built-in bookshelves. The bathroom is small by most modern standards, although comparable to the apartment bathroom we currently use. It has original tile and a bead-board ceiling. There is a bedroom on the main floor that is also small that would be an excellent office.

The kitchen has been updated and is about twice the size of my current kitchen (!!!!). All the appliances are new and there's a dishwasher. There's also I ledge on the windows over the sink so I could grow fresh herbs. The kitchen connects to a large, four-season porch that would serve as a dining room/game room. There are windows on all the exterior walls of the porch--lots of light.

Upstairs, there are two weirdly-shaped bedrooms that have plywood walls. We found this a little bizarre, but guess that rearranging that space and putting actual walls up would make the upstairs quite workable, and guess that plywood walls would be easier to replace than drywall. The basement is unfinished, leaving room for possibilities in the future.

The outside is nice as well, with big oak trees out front and a large garage that takes up most of the lot behind the house (the front yard is quite deep).

If you are still with me after that epic post, give yourself a pat on the back. Shoot me an email or comment below if you'd like to see the listing!

House of Interest #4

2010-02-06T08:29:00.001-06:00

Here's number four:

TheMLSonline.com - Robbinsdale Listing - $144,900 - MLS#3865608 - Call 763-576-8286

Pros: It's large (4 bedrooms!). It has a nice, fenced-in backyard. It's a corner lot. There's a big garage and a storage shed. The interior needs updating, but does not appear to be too severe in its need for renovating (although the kitchen is ominously absent from the photos).

Cons: The bedrooms are kind of small. The bathroom is just weird! The basement looks bizarre, but I remember Laurelaura's "before" pictures of her basement prior to renovation, so I know that it is not unsalvageable.

Not too much to say on this one, I guess. Can't wait until tomorrow!

House of Interest #3

2010-02-05T09:42:00.000-06:00

Happy Friday!

Here is House of Interest #3. It's way out in the northwest suburb of Robbinsdale:

TheMLSonline.com - Robbinsdale Listing - $139,900 - MLS#3860119 - Call 763-576-8286

Pros: OMG it's updated. A big backyard...with a fence! I like the brick exterior. Two-car garage. Finished basement. Nice big tree in the backyard. Big picture window in the living room. Fireplace!

Cons: The fireplace is in the basement (weird!). The bedrooms are TINY. It's way out in Robbinsdale, where I haven't even been before. There are train tracks right behind the home, which wouldn't bother me (I like the sound of trains), but would be bad for resale. There is an electrical tower basically in the backyard, which sucks.

I'm not sure how I feel yet about venturing northwest, as all of our friends and one of our jobs are south or east of Minneapolis. What you get for your money is pretty good, however.

Comment time!

House of Interest #2

2010-02-04T10:32:00.000-06:00

Here it is...House of Interest #2! Click on the link below to view the home.

TheMLSonline.com - Bloomington Listing, $124,900, MLS#3641748 - Call 763-576-8286

Pros: Farmhouse in the city (awesome). It has a huge, partially-fenced yard with big trees. Ivy on the side of the home. Porch. 3 beds and 3 baths. The bead-board in the kitchen is nice! It's by far the largest home in the neighborhood, and zillow.com says those other homes are worth between $180,000 and $230,000.

Cons: No idea about the neighborhood, but based on prices of the other homes it might be ok? The price is right, but it's a short sale (ugh). What is with that contemporary fireplace in a 1914 home? The hubs is worried about "old wiring", something that hasn't concerned him with other older homes, but is worth a thought. The bedrooms are small. Did you spot the Asian wildlife in the living room?

Let the commenting begin!

House of Interest #1

2010-02-03T12:43:00.002-06:00

Here's House of Interest #1. The MLS number is 3867275. I don't want to violate copyright laws concerning the photos of the home, so I've provided a link to the listing below.

TheMLSonline.com - Richfield Listing, $122,400, MLS#3867275 - Call 763-576-8286

This is a home that qualifies for the Hennepin County loan program. It is a bank-owned home with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a nice backyard, and a garage. It has radiator heat (for better or for worse), and it doesn't look like it has a dishwasher. It also has some funky carpet and paint jobs, which can be remedied in a day or two.

We haven't seen the home yet, and I know that pictures can lie, but this looks like it could be a good investment, especially if we could get the $25,000 renovation loan.

Let us know your thoughts by commenting below!

Big News!

2010-02-03T12:33:00.000-06:00

It's been quite a while since I last posted. One might assume that I was super-busy; nothing could be farther from the truth. I am home all morning long, and could post then, but the inspiration hasn't struck in a long time. This is partly because nothing is going on, but mostly due to laziness. :)

However, something big did happen to the hubs and I this weekend--we got pre-approved for a mortgage! We're very excited. We are going with an FHA loan and looking at homes in the southwest metro area. We're especially interested in homes that fall under the generous Hennepin County loan program. The program gives loans to homeowners who buy bank-owned homes in certain cities--between $10,000 and $30,000! There is also a $25,000 renovation loan that is available through Hennepin County.

So, to keep you all clued into the process, I'm going to post a daily "house of interest" and see what you all think! See above for the first home.

Oh Thank Goodness!

2010-01-29T12:15:00.001-06:00

The hubs was home sick yesterday and got to spend all day with me (and learn all of my what-I-do-when-I'm-home-all-day habits), and we saw a story about Scott Roeder's trial on CNN. Roeder is the man that shot a Kansas abortion doctor in May of last year. Today, the AP released news of the jury's decision regarding his case. Here's the AP article (through MPR) regarding his conviction.

The jury only took 37 minutes to decide that Roeder was guilty of first-degree murder (he admitted to killing Tiller twice--once before his trial and once on the stand). When I read this I breathed a big sigh of relief, because the talk on CNN was that Roeder's lawyers were trying to get the judge to consider a voluntary manslaughter conviction. From the AP article:

"Roeder's attorneys were hoping to get a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter for Roeder, a defense that would have required them to show that Roeder had an unreasonable but honest belief that deadly force was justified."

My amateur, Law and Order-fed understanding of law (and I'd love my lawyer friends and family who read this to comment) leads me to think that if somehow the voluntary manslaughter went through on this case that it would have set a terrible precedent. It would mean that any creepy psycho could get away with murder, as long as he or she thought that their actions were justified ("unreasonable but honest belief"). Think Hitler. Think Pol Pot. Think Stalin. Think Khalid Sheikh Muhammed.

So, thank goodness this guy got what he deserved, and didn't get away with murder.

Coolest Thing on NPR in a Long Time

2010-01-27T14:30:00.002-06:00

I just was in the car listening to NPR and Neal Conan's interview with Temple Grandin, a woman on the autism spectrum who has transformed the meatpacking industry by developing humane methods of slaughter. The interview is available at 5 pm. Well worth a listen!

Southern Minnesota Puppy Mill Raid

2010-01-27T11:32:00.001-06:00

Here's a great video showing how much work goes into getting rescued puppy mill dogs ready for homes. All of the dogs in newscast were from a raid on a southern Minnesota breeder on January 14th.

Hey All You Lawrence Alums!

2010-01-25T13:15:00.001-06:00

Just got a forward from a good friend regarding an informal poll conducted by Kiplinger's magazine about the best liberal arts colleges. Please vote for your alma mater!

Go LU!

Happy Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day!

2010-01-25T11:52:00.000-06:00

Virtual Bubble Wrap

Wordless Wednesday...Happy Birthday, Hubs!

2010-01-20T09:35:00.001-06:00

New Years Goals Update

2010-01-19T14:24:00.000-06:00

Eek!!! It's been almost an entire week since I last posted! Unforgivable!

Anyways, thought I'd start this week off (a day late) with a little update on my 2010 goals. I'll go number by number, and hopefully won't bore you to death. :)

1. Keeping in Touch. Yippee! I think I'm already doing better with this. I'm sticking to the monthly schedule on my calendar by writing letters, emails, and making phone calls. I'm counting leaving messages because I figure I made the effort and the ball's in the other person's court.

2. BMI Goal. Ha. Hahahaha. Well, this isn't really happening. I've had a relapse into my old, Culver's, sitting-in-front-of-the-computer ways as of late. I did try to get back in the swing of things last night when a fellow shorebird graciously invited me to yoga. It felt awesome, and although I'm quite sore now (stupid down dog!), I'm hoping it was enough to get my butt in gear.

3. Write More. Well, working on this. Didn't really fulfill my "write every weekday" goal last week, and already botched it this week by not writing Monday, but the point of writing for fun isn't deadlines. My free time attention has been more focused on CNN and the Haiti earthquake than my writing. Perhaps I can combine the two?

4. Cook Dinner. Getting better at this for sure! The hubs and I didn't really go out for dinner at all last week, and were in Wisconsin with family over the weekend. I have a lot of meat in the freezer to get through, which is a motivator on this front. I just need to remember to defrost it.

5. Eat Primally. Still haven't gotten back into the primal swing of things since the holidays. I'm incorporating it slowly back in, however, especially when I prepare meals at home.

6. 50-Book Challenge. Going strong! I finished two books (see list) and am in the middle of a third, albeit LONG, book (The Story of Edgar Sawtelle). The hubs's mom gave me a whole bunch of new books that look fantastic, good ammunition for the 50-Book Challenge. I'm going to have to take the multi-book approach and have several on the table per week to finish it up, I think.

7. Animal Welfare. I signed up with Midwest Animal Rescue & Services to help out in all aspects but foster care. I haven't heard from them yet, but they are purely volunteer-based, so I anticipate some sort of communication soon. They take in a lot of puppy mill breeding dogs, which I think is great. I also want to continue to post periodically about animal welfare issues.

8. Saving Money. Well, we're working on this as well. I just went in and spoke to a financial adviser today to see about moving some retirement money around so it makes more for us. Hopefully, we can meet that 10%-15% goal soon.

9. Time Outside. Haven't really been inspired to go outside since it's been below zero for a while, but the hubs and I did take a walk around Veterans' Park in Milwaukee this weekend with the hubs's mom and sister. Also, the drive to Milwaukee was beautiful--there was hoar frost on the trees and the snow-covered hills were beautiful. I've never seen a more beautiful Wisconsin winter landscape!

10. More Time with the Hubs. Ten hours in the car this weekend was great! We also went on a date at the wonderful Wakame Japanese bistro last week (I love the Crazy Monkey Roll!).

Well, lots of room for improvement, but I have all year, right? Thanks for keeping me honest...feel free to nag!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-01-13T08:35:00.001-06:00

Anyone Want a Fur Baby?

2010-01-12T12:22:00.003-06:00

Laurelaura sent me an email forwarding information on a little Jack Russell Terrier mix named Boy one of her friends is currently fostering. I am posting his picture and foster mom's description as a favor--anyone interested? He'd be mine in a minute if I owned a home!

From the email:

Boy was put into the shelter drop box so we don't even know why he ended up there. He appears to be a Jack Russell mix, most likely mixed with Boston Terrier as he does have a bit of an underbite. He weighs about 20 pounds and is solid muscle.About 3-4 years old. Boy is very dog friendly and will run from a fight with another dog rather than fight. He loves to play with other dogs. Boy is a BIG fan of toys and will play fetch with any toy. He does love balls and rope toys. He likes to share his toys with other dogs and likes nothing more than a good game of tug of war with a rope toy and another dog. He will carry his toys around and invite other dogs to play with his toys. He is also people friendly, but seems to prefer the company of other dogs. He would be happiest in a home with another playful dog. He would be a great kid's dog too!

Ahh! Sounds so cute! If you can't take him in but know a family in Minnesota that's looking for a dog, please let them know about Boy!

Book Review Monday: The Druidry Handbook

2010-01-11T13:10:00.001-06:00

To keep me honest about my progress in the 50 Book Challenge, I am devoting the Monday post of each week to discussing the book I read the week before.

Last week's book was The Druidry Handbook by John Michael Greer. Somehow I stumbled upon modern Druidry on the internet, and was intrigued enough to check the Handbook out from the library.

When one thinks of a Druid one of two images comes to mind: A white-robed, bearded Irish guy with incense in the forest, chanting in Gaelic; or, in the case of gamers, a Night Elf or Tauren that can change into a bear, cat, treant, or boomkin, depending on your spec. With images of both in mind, I began my study of Druidry.

Not surprisingly, what I discovered about Druidry from The Druidry Handbook was that modern druids are neither of these things, at least not completely. Druidry today focuses on one's relationship with the Earth, especially finding and strengthening the spiritual connection we have with it. There are three paths that Druids follow today: The Earth Path, the Sun Path, and the Moon Path.

The Earth Path encompasses your physical connection to the Earth. It includes finding ways to get outside, be still, and focus on the essences of nature that we overlook day to day (a patch of grass, a stone, waves). As you travel the Earth Path, it's necessary to make adjustments to your lifestyle that reflect your renewed connection to the Earth (your basic green changes: Recycling, efficient appliances, simplifying your lifestyle, taking the bus, etc.).

The Sun Path focuses on the cycle of the year and involves ritual and celebration. Druids celebrate the solstices and equinoxes as well as the dates in-between them (ie: February 2nd, which is midway between the winter solstice and spring equinox). There are various rituals and meditations for each of these days.

The Moon Path is the spiritual aspect of Druidry. It involves meditation on your connection to the Earth, Druid mythology and symbolism, and other emotional or mental challenges you may be experiencing. Someone who has been practicing Druidry for a while will meditate for about 20 minutes daily. The Moon Path enhances your spiritual connection with the Earth.

This is the most brief, general synopsis of the book I can give. There are many other interesting things that encompass the practice of Druidry that are discussed in the book, and if you're at interested in Druidry, this book is a must-read. I found it intriguing enough to pursue other books on the topic and see if it may be a good fit for me, at least in some aspects. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for a wand just yet.

Greer, John Michael. The Druidry Handbook: Spiritual Practice Rooted in the Living Earth. York Beach, ME: Red Wheel/Weiser, 2006.

Wordless Wednesday...Warmth!

2010-01-06T12:18:00.002-06:00

Happy National Bird Day!

2010-01-05T11:07:00.002-06:00

Happy National Bird Day!

As a student of ornithology (yes, it's true! One month off the grid in Ely, MN!), I have a strange love of birds and birdwatching that keeps me in tune with my future elderly self. I love listening to birds when I'm out on a hike and trying to find the source of the tune with my binoculars. So, to celebrate Nat'l Bird Day, I'd like to share some fun bird activities from the NBD website:

Name That Tune!
Spot Your State Bird (it's the loon if you live in Minnesota)

Of course, you could go outside and try to spot some of our feathered friends, but given that it's -2 on the shore today, I bet the birds are nestled all snug in their...nests. Installing a bird feeder near a window is a great way to spot some songbirds (as well as a squirrel or two) during the winter, if you own a home.

Me, all I can see out my window are crows on rooftops. I know the cats like them!

Happy National Bird Day!

Hey Jude...

2010-01-04T15:34:00.002-06:00

A great article about people making the best of the Newark security debacle:

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/news_cut/

Make sure to watch the YouTube video!

10 Things for '010

2010-01-04T12:12:00.001-06:00

I'd like to start the real new year (let's face it--the new year really doesn't start until you go back to work) with a list of goals that I'd like to accomplish in 2010. I figure letting the world know about them will hold me accountable. Here's a list of my 10 resolutions, in no particular order, as well as my "action plan" to achieve them (geez! That sounds like a teacher in-service!).

Keep in Touch with Far-Away Friends More Often
Well, this really shouldn't be hard, but that's what I say every year and I totally suck at it, so I need to really lay it out. On my Google calendar, I've listed all the people I've lost touch with and would like to talk with at least on a monthly basis, giving them a time and date slot based on their work schedules, time zones, etc. I've set up the calendar to email me two days before to remind myself that the call is coming up. So, even if they don't pick up, I know that I've done the best that I could, and can shoot them an email instead.

Get My BMI Between 18%-20%
Right now it's sitting between 24% and 26% (eek!). That needs to change ASAP, so I intend to stick to going to the gym and working out Grok-style: Low-impact activity 3-5 times per week (yoga, pilates, walking, slow biking, and slow swimming all count), 2-3 days of strength training with the medicine balls, and 1 day of sprinting every 7 to 10 days. Hopefully, that will do it. I've been pretty good about going to the gym for yoga and pilates classes; now, I need to get myself pumped up for lifting.

Write more
I really enjoy writing, but it always takes a backseat to other "priorities" like the gym, hanging out with friends, work, watching Hulu, etc. I'd like to devote more of my personal time to writing--be it blogging, fiction, poetry, or something else. I'd like to get (Mis)Adventures of the Captive Kitties going again (I haven't touched it since the first blog post!) and see if I can come up with any coherent ideas for a picture book. I'm aiming for blogging on (Mis)Adventures at least twice per week.

Cook Dinner
At least five times per week, no excuses. I like to cook a lot, but it's wicked hard to get myself motivated after work, especially when I come home ravenously hungry and attack whatever is inside the cabinets. This is a money-saving resolution and a health resolution. It is intricately tied to my next goal.

Eat More Primally
I got away from the primal diet over the holidays, and definitely noticed several negative consequences of doing so. I gained weight, slept less peacefully, broke out more, and ate a lot more (stupid carbs!). The hubs and I also spent a ton more money since we were eating out more rather than cooking. So, I'm gladly making more of a commitment to eat more protein, less carbs, and a ton of veggies in 2010.

Take NavyGirl's 50-Book Challenge.
My friend who writes the blog Marrying the Navy has decided to try to read 50 books in 2010 (harder than it sounds!), and I've decided to join her in the challenge. I'll keep a list of books that I've read on Western Shorebirds to track my progress.

Become More Active in Animal Welfare
Many of my readers already know how passionate (read: bizarrely obsessed) I am with animals. I devoted a week of posts to the sad issue of puppy mills in Minnesota last year, and hope to become more involved in animal welfare in 2010. I can accomplish this by blogging more about animal issues, volunteering with different animal rights groups that support my views, and (hopefully!) working in the field for a shelter in some capacity.

Try to Save Between 10% and 15% of the Household Take-Home Pay
Kiplinger's magazine has a crazy table in its February '10 issue that shows that if you save less than 5% of your pay, you can plan on working indefinitely during retirement age; 5% to 14%, work part-time; and 15% or more, be work-free. I think getting at least 10% into a savings account, 401(k), and Roth IRA is a noble goal for 2010. Having this goal in mind will also keep us honest about saving for a new home.

Spend More Time Outside
I'd like to do more of the things I love but don't make time for, like backpacking and canoeing. The hubs and I like to take walks around Lake Calhoun, but I'd love to get up north and spend some quality time in the woods listening to the songbirds and on the lake with the loons.

Spend More Time with the Hubs
Especially time that doesn't involve a computer or television. We've gotten into this rut where we rarely do things together that aren't media-based or errand-based. I'd like to go out to dinner (versus pizza delivery), enjoy a concert or a show, and the occasional movie (again with the media!). This also is connected to the previous goal. The hubs isn't what you would call an outdoors guy, but I'd still like to show him how awesome northern Minnesota is.

Wow! That's it I guess. Thanks in advance for helping me stick with my plan!

Welcome, 2010!

2010-01-01T21:52:00.000-06:00

The hubs and I are really excited about all the things that 2010 may hold. A new home, new fur babies, and finally feeling like we're making money instead of just getting by. 2009 was a good year, and a lot happened in those 365 days, but we're happy that 2010 will be mellow and we will be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy married life.

To help Western Shorebirds welcome in 2010, I'd like to take a census of my readers. I know that you're out there because I hear off-hand comments regarding posts, but I'd like to have a more concrete idea of my readership (I'm sure it will be a humbling experience). To those who are already followers, thanks! If you're not, please help me out and do one of the following:

a. Follow Western Shorebirds using Google Friend Connect (and make me feel popular :-P)
b. Write a short comment (an emoticon would be sufficient) as a response to this post. Post topics would be welcome, as well.

Thanks in advance! Here's to a wonderful 2010!

My Homemade Stockings

2009-12-28T15:20:00.003-06:00

Well, I mentioned that I would post about the process of making our Christmas stockings, so here goes. I have to extend my gratitude to LaureLaura for helping me with my first sewing project! Needless to say, I'm quite proud of myself; I think they turned out great!

STEP ONE: FABRIC
Ahh, JoAnn Fabrics. How cavernous and expansive you are. Choosing a fabric I thought that I would like through the years turned out to be more difficult than I thought. It also almost made me late for work! I settled on a beautiful red brocade fabric that had green on the reverse--perfect for a stocking cuff. I purchased enough for two normal stockings and a few smaller, pet stockings (which I'll make next year). Here's the fabric:

STEP TWO: PATTERN, PINS, AND SCISSORS

After finding the perfect fabric, LaureLaura sent me a pattern, which I doubled, cut out, pinned to my fabric, and trimmed around. I made sure that the pattern was aligned the correct way, and that I had two sides facing left, and two facing right, so they would fit together as a stocking. I also cut out a five-inch strip to create the cuff. After ironing everything and pinning the stocking sides together I was ready to sew.

STEP THREE: THE SEWING MACHINE

Eeek!!! So scary! I had never used one before I made my stockings, so learning how to use it was quite scary (but straightforward once LaureLaura explained it all to me). So, I learned how to thread the bobbin and the needle, adjust the little foot that keeps the fabric in place, and calibrate the pressure my foot put on the pedal (just like driving a car...).

After that, I took my pinned stockings and began to run them through the sewing machine. It was quite exciting! I messed up my first toe (it's a little pointy, and now the hub's stocking!), but everything was smooth sailing after that. Here I am at work:

STEP FOUR: THE CUFFS

Now it was time for the tricky part: The cuff. Laurelaura helped me iron and sew the five-inch pieces I cut out earlier into a tube. We then pinned the cuffs onto the stockings, and I attached them by sewing into the inside of the stocking, moving in a circle as I pushed the whole thing through the sewing machine. It was pretty difficult, but my stitch wavered in only a few places.

STEP FIVE: FINISHING

After the cuffs were attached, I ironed out the stockings...

...and the hubs trimmed the strings from the hem inside the stocking.

Voila! New, handmade stockings for our first Christmas together! Thanks, Laurelaura!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T10:14:00.003-06:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Enjoy your family, friends, the turkey, presents, and the winter wonderland outside. :)

Publish Post

Epic Fail Jack Frost!

2009-12-21T11:55:00.001-06:00

I woke up this morning psyched about pilates (it was awesome, by the way). As I was getting ready to go, I went through my usual rigmarole of checking the CS Monitor, NPR, and MPR websites. I clicked on my MPR bookmark, looked at the headline, and wanted to cry. This is what I read:

"All signs today point to a major winter storm tracking into Minnesota for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. If you are planning travel anywhere in the Upper Midwest by car of air later this week, be prepared for heavy snow and major winter storm conditions."
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/updraft/

/cry. The hubs and I are desperately thinking up ways to circumvent this storm, which lies smack dab in the middle of our route to Lincoln, which we were planning to travel Christmas Eve. Airfare is through the roof, rental cars would cost as much as a plane ticket, and there was a funny sentence in the report mentioning how it would be impossible to travel through "open areas" during the storm (Hello!? IOWA!?).

So, we're hoping that somehow Jack Frost calls off this storm and lets it sit over Texas and Oklahoma for the holidays (Merry Christmas, Texas shorebirds!). But if he decides to go through with creating a wicked white Christmas, the hubs and I may be snowed in.

Epic fail, Jack Frost!

Vote for Luigi!!

2009-12-17T09:00:00.003-06:00

As a thank you to my good friend who helped me make stockings last night (post and photos to come later today), I am linking a site to her cavachon Luigi's contest website. He's competing for a catalog shot for the Limited, which is pretty sweet. Currently, he's 175 out of over 3000 contestants, so he has a chance as long as you vote!

Vote him up! You can vote once per day.

Fabulous Pet Names

Sponsored by The Limited

Huh...

2009-12-15T13:36:00.002-06:00

This is interesting. Goldgar would be disappointed, but I think my St. Paul lawyer soon-to be-president friend (you know who you are!) has found his niche.

It looks like America's gone old school:
Big Whigs
The Modern Whig Party
MN Whig Party

I can't tell if it's legit middle-of-the-road stuff, or conservatism in disguise. I like the MN chapter's views on gay marriage and gun control, but am wary of the lack of discussion of abortion rights (on the state level), have distaste for the immigration policies, and downright amused by their discussion of private jets (see the MN platform under "Energy").

Also, they have the best political mascot--the owl. I'm not posting it here due to copyright laws, but you should totally check it out.

I Stubbornly Refuse to Get Behind in Blog Posts...

2009-12-14T21:33:00.001-06:00

...so I'm posting, even if it's incredibly mundane.

I'm pulling a Benjamin Franklin, and listing everything I did today.

1. Got up. This took a great effort.
2. Discovered it had snowed. Contemplated going back to bed.
3. Drove to the gym.
4. Busted my ass in pilates (I didn't know my body could bend that way!)
5. Took a shower.
6. Ate a going-rotten salad, determined to stay primal today. Also, I can't stand seeing the greens go to waste.
7. Ate a chocolate. Technically, it's primal.
8. Wrapped presents. And watched Bones.
9. Wrapped presents. And watched 30 Rock.
10. Contemplated starting some cookies, but realized that I didn't have any vanilla. Crap!
11. Tried to find the Olive Garden that's on the way to work. Drove up and down Wayzata Blvd. doing so, then gave up and got on 394.
12. Teached the kiddos. Yes, I teached them.
13. Went to TJ's to pick up aforementioned vanilla.
14. Entered the apartment with glazed eyes and a growling stomach...Barked at the hubs...Microwaved leftovers, and regained sanity.
15. Watched The Colbert Report.
16. Sweet, sweet WOW.
17. Blog post.

So, there's my incredibly mundane blog post for Monday. Mission accomplished!

Foodie Friday: Crabbies

2009-12-12T14:22:00.003-06:00

I just realized I didn't post Thursday, and that this is late. Oops!

Here is a tried and true holiday appetizer recipe. Despite the funny implications of their name, Crabbies are delicious with a capital D. It makes 48 appetizers.

Crabbies
1 jar Old English cheese (found near the cheeses, but not usually in the cooler)
1 stick margarine or butter (mom uses marg, I tried butter; both work well)
1 small can crabmeat, drained
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 package English Muffins

1. Melt cheese and margarine/butter in a saucepan on low heat, stirring occasionally. Add crabmeat and garlic sauce once the cheese and butter are melted together. Remove from heat.

2. While the cheese and margarine are melting, cut each muffin in half and lay out nook-and-cranny side up on a cookie sheet. Then, take your knife and score the muffins into quarters. This makes separating the pieces easier after you freeze the Crabbies.

3. Spread the cheese-crabmeat mixture onto the muffins. Cover them with wax paper and freeze. After they're frozen, separate the quarters and put them in a freezer bag for storage.

4. To serve, brown the Crabbies under a broiler for around 5 minutes. I typically use a toaster oven because it takes a lot less time to warm up than a standard oven. And you might as well sit near the thing, because once you put the Crabbies out they go quickly. Enjoy!

Buon Appetito!

Bummer...

2009-12-09T14:28:00.003-06:00

While I love the snowstorm we're experiencing on the western shore right now, the blizzard has brought a bout of ill occurrences to the shorebird household.

First of all, I, on a whim, started a free 7-day trial of WOW, which the hubs and I haven't played for almost a year. I rolled a Blood Elf Warlock, and I have been trapped in the world (of warcraft) ever since. I cannot find a way out, there is no portal to RL (real life), nor are there quests to "Do the Dishes" or "Make the Bed". Why not just stop, you say? Obviously, you haven't played this game!

Partly because I'm stuck in the world of warcraft, and partly because of the snowstorm, I haven't been to the gym since Sunday. I can't bring myself to dig out my car just for some physical punishment. I would do Jackie Warner, but our XBox is with a friend and we don't have a DVD player. So, I'm feeling gross. I fasted today until 2, and that made me feel a little better.

Lastly, and the biggest reason today is such a bummer, is that we shorebirds did not get pre-approved for a mortgage. This really bummed me out, and I haven't heard back from the hubs so I'm not sure his feelings toward it at this point (he's returning to the world of dungeons and dragons this evening, so who knows when I'll see him in RL again. Yes, I know. We're HUGE nerds.). The reasons were that we don't have enough of "our" money right now for the down payment they want, and that we would be buying in a restricted market (read: homes are selling for below normal market prices. Um....duh?!). So, we'll be hanging out on the western shore for a while more, it seems. The worst part of this is that our dog dreams are dashed for a bit (heehee...alliteration!), and the rescue groups are going to overloaded with Dairyland dogs, and we won't be able to lighten the load by adopting or fostering. :(

The only good thing at the moment is a new position that opened up at an animal shelter that I am applying for. It's as a humane educator and would fill up some time in the morning and early afternoon. If I could get it, we could save both of my paychecks and get closer to the house (and the greyhound). Wish me luck!

Signing off, and signing into WOW....

Come On, Wisconsin!

2009-12-08T11:45:00.000-06:00

During my routine morning website perusal, I read a disturbing blog post by the coordinator of Minnesota Greyhound Rescue that neither Wisconsin's Division of Gaming nor Dairyland Greyhound Park will be helping the dogs find new homes. They are essentially washing their hands of the dogs they have bred, raced, and exploited for years, which is reprehensible.

Hundreds of dogs are affected by the closing of the track, and greyhound rescue groups from around the country are committing themselves to insuring the dogs have a place to go after December 31st, even though it is not their responsibility to do so, and it will require an enormous effort. At least some people have the dogs' interest at heart. The entire situation gives more fuel to the greyhound advocate's fire: The way the park and kennel owners plan to abandon their wards after the track closes is indicative of their general regard for the dogs in their care. All the more reason for this cruel industry to be shut down.

The Greyhound Alliance is the place to go for more information regarding these dogs, and possibly volunteer and make a donation that will help make sure the dogs are safe and secure come New Year's Day.

Teriyaki Wings for Game Day

2009-12-07T12:28:00.000-06:00

Since I didn't get to post a recipe last Friday, I thought I'd share a wing recipe I made yesterday for the Vikings game (too bad they lost! Maybe these are unlucky wings??). They were quite yummy and easy to make once you cut up the wing parts. The recipe is from Best-Loved Slow Cooker Recipes, which is a bargain bookstore crockpot cookbook.

Game Day Teriyaki Wings
3 pounds of chicken wings
1/2 an onion, coarsely chopped
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup soy sauce (I used reduced sodium)
1/4 cup cooking Sherry
2 teaspoons dried ginger
2 cloves of garlic, minced

1. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees on the broil setting.
2. Cut the chicken wings at the first joint to separate the parts. This is easier said than done, and the longest part of the process for me (besides the cooking, of course).
3. Place the wing parts in a broiler pan (not a cookie sheet, like I did....Thank god my husband was home to turn off the smoke alarm!). Broil 20 minutes; 10 minutes per side.
4. While the wings are cooking, combine the rest of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl to create the teriyaki sauce. Smell the yummy goodness.
5. When the wings are done, place them in the slow cooker and pour the sauce over them, making sure to reach every visible wing.
6. Put on the lid and set the dial to low (5-7 hours) or high (2-3 hours). Turn the wings half-way through to make sure all of them are coated with the teriyaki sauce.
7. Serve the wings out of your crockpot when they're done!

These got rave reviews last night at the game, although the audience wasn't particularly hard to please. :) At least something was a winner last night!

Foodie Friday: Food (and Links!) for Thought

2009-12-04T14:28:00.001-06:00

For my last post regarding Puppy Mill Action Week, I'd like to provide links to additional information on mills, online pledges you can sign to show your support, and various other puppy mill related things.

Thanks for reading about this cruel industry. Remember that next year we have the power to change the lives of thousands of dogs in this state by urging our representatives to vote for H.F. 253 and S.F. 7.

Here are the links:

1. Animal Folks MN is the headquarters for MN puppy mill legislation. Lots of good stuff here.
2. Information to the puppy mill legislation opposition to can be found at Animal Folks's website.
3. The Humane Society of the United States has a national campaign focused on ending puppy mills all over the country.
4. Animal Folks MN has a petition you can sign and send electronically to your representatives.
5. HSUS also has a pledge you can sign to stop the cruelty of puppy mills.
6. Animal Folks MN also has a large video library of puppy mill investigations, dog auctions, and other undercover work. A video is worth a thousand words.

I'd like to leave with a video from the HSUS:

Puppy Mill Action Week: Advice for Future Dog Owners

2009-12-03T14:52:00.002-06:00

Tuesday and Wednesday were devoted to explaining what puppy mills are and the current laws in Minnesota regarding puppy mills and large commercial breeders. Today, I'd like to provide some alternatives to buying the "puppy in the window" to ensure that the pet you welcome into your home does not come from a puppy mill and the money you paid for your new fur baby is not supporting animal abuse and cruelty.

First, let me give you some reasons not to buy your next pet from a pet store, a newspaper ad, the internet, or the parking lot of your grocery store. Some reputable breeders have legitimate newspaper ads and websites, and I'll discuss how to separate the wheat from the tares in a bit; right now, I want to show how choosing such avenues for pet ownership can have disastrous, if not fatal, effects.

The main problem with buying a puppy the various ways listed above is that you don't know what you're getting into, and you cannot trust the honesty of any of the selling parties involved. Pet stores often tell consumers that their puppies are family raised by "prime breeders", have a clean bill of health, and their parents are AKC registered (which isn't saying much--the AKC turns a blind eye to puppy mills because the AKC makes money on every "purebred" dog registered, healthy or not). Unfortunately, none of their claims are typically the case. There is a pending case against Petland for selling unhealthy, dying puppies to uneducated consumers:

The money you spend on a puppy in the mall and other pet stores funds the cruel puppy mill practice. Do not think that buying one of these puppies is "saving" it from a terrible life; the damage has already been done, and your purchase ensures that it will continue.

As for newspaper ads, the internet, and parking lot puppies, there are no guarantees that the puppies for sale are family-raised, healthy, and reared humanely, regardless of what the seller tries to tell you. Remember, there are no laws requiring a standard of care for the animals, and many folks have no qualms lying about the origin of their product to turn a profit (There are consumer fraud laws, I guess...But what deal with unscrupulous people if you can avoid it?). Many breeder websites show stock photography of happy, healthy puppies, which wins the consumer's trust that they are purchasing a healthy puppy. Many times, it just isn't the case.

So, now that you're terrified of making a mistake when you pick out your pup, what can you do to avoid supporting puppy mills?

1. Adopt! There are zillions of dogs (and young puppies!) waiting for homes in shelters all over the country. Most dogs and puppies in shelters go through a physical exam, spay/neuter, are microchipped, and vaccinated--all before you step in the door! Considering all the work that goes into shelter dogs to "prepare" them for adoption and their affordable adoption donation, they are a much better deal than a dog that's yet to see a vet that costs $1000.

2. Research reputable breeders. As stated before, many reputable breeders use the newspaper and the internet to advertise their new litters. There are many differences between a reputable "hobby" breeder and a puppy mill breeder.
a. A reputable breeder will allow you to come to their home in person (don't rely on photos from a website!), will show you all the puppies and their mom (usually dad isn't on site), and describe how the puppies were raised. A puppy mill breeder does not allow you to visit; many won't even let you hold puppies until after the sale is complete.

b. Reputable breeders have a love for the breed of dog they produce and are committed to breeding for temperament and soundness. They make sure that the parents of each litter have temperaments suited for home life and are free of any hereditary disease that may manifest itself in the pups. They will usually have certifications from vets that show a clean bill of hereditary health. Puppy mill breeders, however, do not consider the temperament or soundness of their puppies. Their goal is to make money, not create excellent examples of a particular breed. They breed parents that have health and temperament issues together time and again; if the puppy sells, it's not their problem (but could cause heartbreak for unsuspecting owners down the road).

c. Reputable breeders are committed to the health and longevity of the puppies they produce. Often, if a puppy doesn't work out, a breeder will accept the dog back, rather than see it enter the shelter system. Puppy mill breeders' concern for their puppies ends once your cash is in their hands.

So, the way to avoid puppy mills is clear--the main thing is to not make an impulse buy and to DO YOUR RESEARCH! Don't purchase a puppy sight unseen off the web or through a paper, and be sure to visit a breeder's home before you even consider buying a puppy from them. Of course, you can avoid supporting puppy mills altogether if you adopt. Here's a list of adoption agencies in the western shore area. There are many, many more in the entire Twin Cities area.

Animal Humane Society
Pet Haven
Minnesota Wisconsin Collie Rescue
Underdog Rescue
MARS
Minnesota Greyhound Rescue

Tomorrow--Food for Thought.

Puppy Mill Action Week: Email Template

2009-12-02T16:14:00.002-06:00

I thought I'd post a template of the letter I sent to my district representatives, just in case any of you are inclined to do the same. Using the template is easy and fast; just be sure you adjust the references to the bill name and authors/co-authors accordingly!

Thanks for your support!

Dear:

As 2009 draws to a close and a new legislative session quickly approaches, I would like to call to your attention a bill, likenesses of which have already passed in 31 states (including our neighbor, Wisconsin, enacted yesterday), that affects many lives in the state of Minnesota: H.F. 253. Unfortunately, this bill did not pass in the 2009 session, but I am certain your support will help make it a success—and a win for Minnesota’s pets—in 2010.

As you may already know, H.F. 253 is the “First Engrossment, Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill” written by Tom Tillberry and co-authored by your fellow district representative Frank Hornstein. The bill calls for the regulation of puppy mills in the state Minnesota, requiring commercial breeders (breeders who own twenty or more intact animals with the intention of selling their puppies for profit) to be licensed with the state and subject to the Standards for Care of Dogs and Cats already enacted as well as new standards regarding socialization and identification of animals created specifically for the unique circumstances within a puppy mill. Under the bill, the Board of Animal Health would act as the governing body, overseeing inspections of the mills and receiving funding through licensing and registration fees.

Opposition to this bill and its sister bill, S.F. 7, claim that state and federal laws already enacted are enough to monitor the treatment of animals in puppy mills. While a good start, the current laws are not adequate. The Standards for Care of Dogs and Cats mentioned above is not enforceable due to the lack of laws allowing state inspectors to survey and penalize puppy mills for violating its principles. Worse, the order itself claims to only be “suggestions and recommendations,” not law. The Standards for Care do not hold commercial breeders accountable for the treatment of animals under their care. Animal cruelty laws apply only “after-the-fact”; that is, only after the abuse has occurred. Abuse happens on such a large scale at puppy mills that prevention would be best way to combat animal cruelty—licensing and inspections would stop the cruelty before it has a chance to happen.

Some folks also believe that the Animal Welfare Act provides adequate protection to puppy mill animals, especially because it “requires that minimum standards of care and treatment be provided for certain animals bred for commercial sale, used in research, transported commercially, or exhibited to the public” through inspections by the USDA. The sad truth is that puppies are increasingly being sold through newspapers, in parking lots, and most concerning, over the internet (a situation the legislators who wrote the bill in 1966 certainly could not have anticipated). This creates a wide loophole for breeders to bypass the standards in the Animal Welfare Act, creating a large industry that, in Minnesota, is unregulated and accountable to no one.

As a resident of Minnesota, I am ashamed that my state, which values its connection to the environment and its history of animal husbandry and care for animals of all sorts, is a haven for such outrageous animal abuse. Please consider the facts surrounding H.F. 253 and support the regulation of the cruel puppy mill industry

Remember: We must advocate for the animals because they cannot advocate for themselves.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Puppy Mill Action Week: Minnesota's Puppy Mill Laws (Or Lack Thereof)

2009-12-02T14:55:00.001-06:00

Yesterday, I wrote about what puppy mills are, why they exist, and why they're a cruel business. Today, I'd like to discuss the lack of puppy mill regulation in the good state of Minnesota, and what we as citizens can do to right the problem.

Just yesterday, our neighbor, Wisconsin, passed into law the Wisconsin Commercial Dog Breeders Licensure Bill. The legislation sets up humane standards of care for commercial breeders and them to be licensed with the Departments of Agriculture and Trade and Consumer Protection. It also provides for routine inspections of breeders to insure that the standards are being met.

Now, let's discuss what Minnesota has done to regulate puppy mills.

License Required to Breed Commercially: No
Fees Required to Breed Commercially: No
Inspections for Commercial Breeders: No
Regulatory Agency for Commercial Breeders: No

Essentially, our beautiful, proudly progressive state, known for its animal husbandry and concern for the environment, is a haven for animal abusers. We allow people to cage animals (the product from which we invite into our homes), hundreds at a time, in deplorable conditions with no veterinary care. Often, dogs are left outside the majority of the year, well into the freezing winter months. The cruel practice of large-scale, inhumane breeding is a scar on the landscape and the reputation of Minnesota. If Wisconsin can pass laws to regulate this business, why can't we?

Let's take a look at what's been done to get puppy mill regulation passed in Minnesota. Animal Folks Minnesota is an excellent resource for a more in-depth look at this issue, and are the front-runners in getting this legislation introduced to the state congressmen and women. I am indebted to the site for much of the information in this post, and have provided links to Animal Folks MN accordingly.

First of all, a clarification. Minnesota does have laws that protect animals from cruelty and protect their general welfare. These laws do not, however, give the state the power to regulate and license dog breeders in Minnesota. This means that the state does not have the power to inspect facilities, set standards of care for the facilities, or impose penalties for violating standards of care. The Kathy Bauck case is an example of how laborious the task is to convict a commercial breeder in this state . Please read all the information provided by Animal Folks (click on Bauck's name above) to see how our current laws operate in the puppy mill setting.

Short version: Bauck, who had almost 1000 dogs on her property, was fined and penalized for animal cruelty and practicing veterinary medicine without a license several times over the last twenty years. This year, her operation was finally "shut down" (ie: ownership was signed over to her husband). Her sentence for this animal cruelty (three counts of animal torture, one count of cruelty), you ask? $500 in total fines, 80 hours community service, and random inspections by the Minnesota Humane Society if she chooses to still work with animals after her fine is paid. Outrageous. By enacting laws to regulate the industry, we wouldn't have to put up with this nonsense; all the Baucks in the state wouldn't be able to stand up to the standards of care, and many, many animals would be spared the cruelty of the puppy mill life.

If you'd like to take a look at Bauck's veterinary practice, please watch the following video from CAPS's investigation (WARNING: The video is graphic. Don't watch it if you have a sensitive stomach. I've pretty much desensitized myself to these types of videos while researching puppy mills, and this still made me sick). Scroll to the 2 minute 50 second mark:

How can we put an end to this cruelty? Let's look at the current legislation being considered by the state house of representatives and state senate: H.F. 253 (house), S.F. 7 (senate).

The bills did not pass in legislative year 2009, but Animal Folks MN, other animal rights groups, and caring individuals are trying to make legislators aware of its importance and get it passed in 2010, the legislative year of which starts in February.

The legislation provides protection for animals in six areas, bringing the state up to par with the 31 other states that regulate puppy mills. The areas are licensing, inspections, standards, enforcement, funding, and penalties.

The laws would require breeders (excluding small and hobby breeders, usually the reputable ones) to be licensed with the state of Minnesota. Right now, commercial breeders with more than three bitches (intact females) must be licensed with the USDA if they sell their puppies wholesale (ie: to pet stores or through a broker). However, if a breeder sells puppies through the newspaper, the internet, or out of a car in a parking lot, that breeder is not required to be licensed with the USDA, through a loophole provided in the Animal Welfare Act.

Once licensed, breeders would be subject to inspections by Minnesota regulators to ensure that a standard of care is met. Right now, Minnesota has "best management standards for care of dogs and cats" through the Commissioner of Agriculture. Although created with good intentions, these standards are useless unless they can be enforced, which at the moment is not possible due to lack of legislation. Training inspectors (a Minnesota Board of Animal Health agent, local animal control, or peace officer) to regulate the standards of care will hold breeders accountable to the standards that are already suggested.

Funding for the provisions in the bills will be collected from license and registration fees and given to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. The bills also incorporate misdemeanor charges for specific violations of the standards provided by the bills.

Because there is legislation already on the table for 2010, our job as citizens is easy: We need to call or email our district legislators, inform them of the issue and why it's important, and urge them to vote for the bills.

If you're a western shorebird like me, there's good news! One of our representatives, Frank Hornstein, is a co-author of the house bill. Please email him and let him know that his support of the bill is appreciated. Our other representative, Margaret Anderson Kelliher and our state senator Scott Dibble, have not yet seen the light. Please call or email them and let them know how they can help end animal cruelty in Minnesota. If you're in another district, use this directory to find your representatives.

We have the power to turn Minnesota from a haven for animal abusers to a leader in animal welfare reform. With a little knowledge and an email to our representatives, we could put an end to much of the animal cruelty in this state and better the lives of the thousands of dogs that rely on us to advocate for their care and safety.

It's Puppy Mill Action Week: What Is a Puppy Mill?

2009-12-01T11:34:00.017-06:00

I'd like to spend the rest of the week addressing the cruelty of puppy mills and our state's efforts (or lack thereof) to put an end to or regulate the enormous puppy mill industry in Minnesota.

Today, I'll focus on what a puppy mill is, why they exist, and the reasons why this industry is cruel. Tomorrow I'll discuss Minnesota's puppy mill situation, laws that are on table, and what we as citizens can do to stop puppy mills. Thursday will be dedicated to how to avoid buying a puppy mill puppy and the other options available to us as "pet consumers." On Friday, I'll provide a list of links to organizations--both local and national--that are dedicated to stopping puppy mills.

A puppy mill is a large dog breeding operation whose sole concern is making money. Animal Folks MN says it best:

"Inhumane breeders view dogs and cats as ‘products’ to be mass produced for profit. Breeding is defined solely as a business. The more puppies and kittens produced, the greater the sales. Therefore, for these breeders, quantity of dogs and cats is the goal — not quality or health of each animal’s life."

Now, there are plenty of reputable breeders out there--breeders that have a love for their dogs and the standard to which they judge them. Reputable breeders typically breed their dogs once or twice a year, and the puppies and mother are kept and raised in the breeders' homes and receive proper veterinary care.

This is not the case at puppy mills. Often, there are several hundred (and sometimes over one thousand) dogs on the premises, often representing several different breeds (see the list of breeds Minnesota puppy mill owner Kathy Bauck bred. Scroll down the page and click on "Breeds" in the list of contents). The dogs are bred without regard to the dogs' health or potential hereditary illnesses (think hip dysplasia in labs and other large dogs, patellar luxation in small dogs), not to mention the breed standard. The saddest cases at puppy mills are not the puppies that are sold through pet stores, newspapers, or online, but the breeding parents that are kept in wire-bottom cages their entire lives and are bred continuously throughout the year. Take a look at the living conditions below.

A video from the CAPS investigation of Minnesota Breeder Kathy Bauck:

Most would agree after watching the video that keeping social animals bred to be household pets in such terrible conditions is incredibly cruel to the animals. I think that it could also be considered consumer fraud, but more on that on Thursday.

This is only a brief look at the cruelty of puppy mills. Please visit Animal Folks MN and the HSUS website for more in-depth information on the puppy mill situation in the U.S.

Here is the video that's kicking off HSUS's Puppy Mill Action Week. It's an interview with a man named Timothy Bullion who used to work for a puppy mill in Virginia. He became disgusted with the conditions and treatment of the dogs he worked with and began his own undercover investigation, taking notes and photos of abuse.

Tomorrow, I'll discuss the puppy mill situation in Minnesota.

*Photo from animalfolksmn.org.

Getting Back in the Saddle...

2009-11-30T11:41:00.000-06:00

Wow. What an abandonment of the primal diet this weekend was! The most primal day I had was actually Thanksgiving, which I heralded in Wednesday night with a pizza and sweet treats from Domino's (yuck!). Friday was going well until DQ, and Saturday and Sunday, well, let's just say it was a carb-fest. Although delicious on the intake, all the binging made me feel yucky, so I fasted this morning and am gently submerging myself in the primal diet with a bowl of turkey soup (all real meat and veggies here, folks).

I also skipped the gym much more than I had planned. I did go for a walk around the best lake in the city with friends on Saturday, which was very nice. Yoga totally kicked my butt yesterday morning as well. Tonight, I'm looking forward to punishment from the bike and medicine balls as something more high-intensity.

No Christmas for the Shorebirds :(

2009-11-27T11:53:00.000-06:00

After fifteen minutes of moving boxes and looking forlornly into the storage unit, it has become apparent to me and my husband that we will not be decorating for Christmas this year. Our wreath is on the bottom of a floor-to-ceiling (light) stack of boxes; I don't have a clue where the other trimmings are. So, we're dependent on the few ornaments my mother sent from Mass and reindeer napkins that happened to be in the apartment already. I'll probably go out and get some red candles for the holders on the table as well. Our apartment will be the most sadly-decorated home on the shore, I'm afraid. :(

On another note, Thanksgiving was awesome, and I need to give a shout-out to our hosts who did a fantastic job feeding 20 people (up from 19!). My husband and I have an entire salad and bowl of mashed potatoes left over that we'll be nursing for a few days...yum! I got to talk greyhounds with a couple that was there, and that was awesome as well. I can't wait to buy a home! :)

Happy Black Friday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T10:54:00.001-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Stuff yourselves with turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and the like! :)

This is shout-out to all who shared our massive turkey in Milan Thanksgiving 2004--40 pounds, baby! It broke the grates in the oven and spilled its delicious juices all over the floor. My roommate then carved it up and all the parts fit into about 4 aluminum roasting pans...the thing was enormous.

Lucky Kitties

2009-11-25T14:30:00.004-06:00

Don't you wish you could spend your days like this?

Slow, Gray Day on the Western Shore

2009-11-25T11:06:00.001-06:00

Not a whole lot going on today on the western shore. It's almost snowing (but not quite--sky's stuck in that dull gray color), it's quite chilly, and I didn't go to yoga. I plan on spending the rest of the day drinking tea and writing, and I will also probably have to go to work at some point during the evening.

Thought I'd share some sites that I visit on a frequent basis. Most of them reveal my ridiculous obsession with animal rescue (ridiculous because I'm not yet even a volunteer and I cannot foster because I rent).

Animal Folks MN (Campaign to legislate against puppy mills in MN)
Grey2K USA (National organization to end greyhound racing across the country)
The MLS Online (MLS listings!)
Stop Puppy Mills Campaign (Humane Society of the United States website; watch a video of a rescue to see why puppy mills are so evil)
Minnesota Greyhound Rescue (Anti-racing greyhound rescue)
Click To Give (Click a button, donate a bowl of food to animal shelters!)

Happy perusing!

The Water's Out...

2009-11-24T10:55:00.001-06:00

Well, the water's out...again. This time without warning. I feel that this warrants the creation of a list of reasons why my husband and I desperately want to buy a home:

1. The water won't go out unexpectedly. If it does, it's in your power to fix it asap.
2. We can finally get a greyhound.
3. We'll have a yard.
4. Greyhound.
5. We can finally bring our loveseat/piles of books/rest of our stuff out of storage.
6. Greyhound!
7. Free laundry!
8. We'll have an office.
9. We can have parties and we won't have to run down three flights of stairs to let people in.
10. GREYHOUND!!!!

There you go. Add "counterspace" to the list and it will be complete.

Thanksgiving: A Week-Long Labor of Love--for 19!

2009-11-23T12:00:00.001-06:00

Given that Sylvan is open everyday this week except Thursday, this week doesn't really feel like a holiday week. However, that doesn't mean that I'm not preparing (part) of a holiday feast. The hubbie and I were graciously invited to a Thanksgiving feast at a local friend's home, and the guest list is up to nineteen! The hosts could not of course create an entire feast for nineteen, so everyone is bringing a dish or two. We're bringing a salad and mashed potatoes. After doing some internet research, this is the shopping list I've come up with:

Winter Salad

Four heads of lettuce

Three green apples

Three red apples

One cup of toasted walnuts (eww! But, I can pick them out!)

A block of sharp white cheddar cheese

Dressing: 7.5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 18 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Mashed Potatoes

Eight POUNDS of yukon gold potatoes

Three cups of milk

Two sticks of butter

Yum!! I tried to keep everything as primal as possible (sneaky little Grok!). Potatoes aren't really on the list, but they're a better source of carbs than, say, white sandwich bread. I'm going to leave the skins on (both for the nutrients and so I avoid carpal tunnel from peeling them all), and probably use whole milk and full fat butter.

The salad is entirely primal, right down to the cheddar cheese, which is allowed. As long as I avoid the rolls and limit my dessert consumption, Thursday should be a primal feast!

Foodie Friday: Salad for Salad-Haters

2009-11-20T12:41:00.001-06:00

I'm a salad hater. I never ate salad until I went to college, and then (and now) only reluctantly. I don't like most salad accoutrements--cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, sesame seeds, cauliflower, onions, beets, etc. etc. etc. However, I do realize that there is a lot of nutrition in dark, leafy greens and the things that go on salads, so I've tried to create one that is palatable to my salad-hating tastes. This is what I've come up with.

Salad for Salad Haters

1. Leafy Greens--I use red leaf and romaine primarily, but have been known to use baby spinach as well.
2. Protein--I like to switch it up between grilled chicken, grilled steak, and hard boiled eggs.
3. Sweet Thing--Apples, pears, golden raisins, and craisins make good choices, and add crunch.
4. Dressing--I make my own dressing! Equal parts olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette, pepper, and garlic salt. Shake well and you're done!

So, the salad for salad haters is incredibly basic and uninventive, but it suits my tastes and nutritional needs. It's especially satisfying post-workout with lots of protein.

Buon Appetito!

Medicine Balls: A Panegyric

2009-11-19T14:41:00.002-06:00

Writing two gym-themed posts in a row isn't what I had planned, but I had such an excellent workout today, I needed to express my absolute (albeit exhausting) delight with the medicine ball.

Before getting to the medicine ball, I did a random hill workout on the bike, which was bearable only because of Van Morrison and Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping. All told, it wasn't too terribly bad, but 45 minutes was enough. Then it was onto the most random part of the gym--the area where there's a mat, a wall of mirrors, and a myriad of random items--little free weights, Bosu balls, weight benches at 45 degree angles for ab workouts, and a rack of medicine balls.

Before I came to the gym, I looked up several workouts using medicine balls online. Since I did a strenuous workout for my lower body with a personal trainer on Monday, I wanted to focus on abs and arms today. Unfortunately, my memory didn't serve me too well (I'm going to print out the exercises and keep them in my bag for next time), and I only sort-of remembered a couple of exercises. To start, I did two sets of standing oblique twists for one minute apiece, two sets of wood chops (I went from the ball over my head down to the outside of one ankle, then up again and down to the opposite ankle) for one minute apiece, and finally two sets of sitting in a sit-up position, back at a forty-five degree angle to the floor, passing the medicine ball straight-armed from one side to the other, one minute each set. Then, I repeated all sets/exercises. All of these exercises were with a 10 lb ball.

Next, I took the 4 lb ball and did some ab work on the angled ab work bench. I held the ball up in front of me and aimed for several different areas on the ceiling, hitting different sets of abs or my obliques each time. I did two sets of ten reps for each ceiling area. (I realize this part of the workout sounds bizarre; I made it up!). By the end of these repetitions, I was totally beat and stretched out.

Right now, my shoulders are sore and my biceps ache, but I'm sure that it'll go away soon and I'll have stronger arms and core!

So, the next time you're in that random area of the gym (and every gym has one), try out some medicine ball exercises. They're great for engaging multiple muscle groups and are downright exhausting. I'm sure they won't disappoint!

My New Gym

2009-11-18T11:50:00.002-06:00

Since it's becoming a little too chilly to take a daily walk around the lake, a couple of friends and I joined a new gym on the western shore. We got quite a deal on the membership because they gave us a "family" membership, even though we don't live together. All of us are dedicated to going a few times a week, which is good because the trainers we met with on Monday told me that I still had about 15 pounds to lose, off of the ten I've lost since eating primally for a few weeks. The goal is to replace my body fat with lean muscle, which I am really looking forward to. My goal weight is a weight that I've never been before in my adult life, which makes it a little daunting. What else is neat about this membership is that my per month fee is completely reimbursed by my health plan, as long as I go to the gym at least twice a week. So basically, I've paid 80 bucks for full use of a gym (and its lap pool!) for a few years.

One class that I'm dedicated to attending is yoga. I don't want to spend 40 minutes a day on the treadmill, then run through the weight machine circuit. I really want to focus on flexibility, long-distance endurance (like walking a few miles a day), and bodyweight training. Yoga seems to be a great way to focus on core strength and flexibility. My friends and I took our first class this morning, and it totally wore me out. My muscles feel fatigued but in a relaxed, not strained, way. My joints also feel a lot more relaxed than they did before. I can't wait to go back on Friday!

It's Time to Consider the Greyhound

2009-11-17T09:16:00.002-06:00

As many of those who live on the western shore with me know, I am an avid animal lover, and desperately want a home, not for my and my husband's sake, but so we can get a dog. After a search that began when my beloved childhood pet Kelsey died in 2003, I've decided that the dog that would suit my husband and me best is a greyhound. Since the last Wisconsin track is due to close next month, an influx of dogs will be coming Minnesota's way. If you're considering adding a dog to your family, it's time to consider the greyhound.

Let me explain why I desperately want a greyhound. First, I've made a pledge to adopt the animals that come into my home, due to overpopulation and the risk that any dog or cat bought may be the victim of a puppy mill. When narrowing my search down to shelter dogs, I realized that I could help out yet another population of victimized dogs: greyhounds. By adopting a greyhound from a rescue group that does not support greyhound racing, I would help put an end to the cruel sport and be able to provide a home for a retired racer, who is often not more than two years old.

Aside from my "political" motivations, however, there are several more important reasons a greyhound would be our ideal pet. The dogs are MELLOW. They've been racing their entire lives. Why would they want to continue? Most greyhound owners will mention the phrase "45-mile couch potato" when describing their dog. Although my husband and I would like to think we're the "ran a half-marathon today" type, we'd rather just sit on the couch and watch a movie. Many greyhounds also do well with cats, which is a major consideration for us as kitty lovers. Fortunately, we have cats that will stand up for themselves, which usually throws a dog off upon meeting them, so, as long as the appropriate pooch is selected, we're confident that a greyhound, Quigley, and Aveh would get along just fine. I also admire the greyhound for its rich history.  In ancient Egypt, the birth of a greyhound was only second to the birth of a son, and the breed was reserved only for aristocracy during the Middle Ages. Racing is only the latest chapter in this animal's long biography (read this book by Cynthia Branigan to learn more).

I realize my love of greyhounds is quite bizarre, having never actually owned one, but I'm dedicated to ending the cruel sport of greyhound racing and opening my home to a retired racer. If the trend in track closures continues, retired racers may not be around much longer, and we may become more accustomed to seeing puppy greyhounds instead of only adults. If you are thinking about adopting a dog, please consider the greyhound!

Just in case you'd like a look at what happens after greyhounds are finished racing (HBO Real Sports report): http://www.vidilife.com/video_play_1422328_HBO_Real_Sports_Greyhound_Racing.htm

Frugal Festivities: How We're Celebrating on a Dime

2009-11-16T14:10:00.002-06:00

Since my husband and I moved here in July and didn't have a steady, full-time job paycheck until four weeks ago, Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities are going to be difficult. We both love to spend time with family and friends and shower them with gifts, but this year the showing (and even the visiting!) isn't in the cards. I know that there are people out there in the same predicament, so I thought I'd write about some of the things we've done to cut the costs of our holidays down a bit.

1. We Planned EARLY. I had a "Christmas Gifts 2009" Google docs spreadsheet up and running around September, in which I have listed our recipients, gift ideas, and costs. Creating the list early not only gives us enough time to make sure that we've included everyone we'd like to, but also helps us keep track of costs and stay within our budget. Another spreadsheet we created back in August was our Christmas card list. All we did was import names and addresses from our wedding invitation list (heehee--we cheated!), and created a "Completed" column next to each name. Finally, we looked for flights out to Massachusetts (where my family lives) in late September and early October. Unfortunately, due to the airlines' new policy of charging a "holiday fee" for travel between Thanksgiving and New Years, plus the ridiculous price of airline tickets during this time anyway, we can't fly out to visit my family for Thanksgiving as we had planned. Sometimes even planning early doesn't help!

2. We Set a Budget. This was extremely important to us this year given the recession and our recent job situation. We came up with a large number, then split it equally between our gift recipients. We decided we could devote as much money to Christmas as we could to a monthly car payment. Budgeting not only set a reasonable limit that won't send us into debt, it also gave our gift shopping a clearer focus. A new iPod or couture sweater is out this year. We also will create gifts for some of our recipients, which will help us not get carried away on gift spending, too.

3. We Didn't Go Crazy with Gifts for Each Other. We got married, went to a friend's wedding two weeks later, and moved across country a week after that, all this past summer. We've spent a lot of money on ourselves this year (with good reason--our cake was spectacular!), and decided it was silly to go overboard with Christmas gifts for each other this year. Instead, we're exchanging small gifts and saving the money we would have spent to pay for our wedding album, which we still haven't ordered. Plus, neither of us could think of anything we needed, and we definitely don't need to add to the clutter we already have. We've decided to go with thoughtfulness over volume.

4. We Passed on a Christmas Tree. Horror of horrors! I thought I'd NEVER forgo the traditional evergreen, even if it was bought at Target. We donated our little 4 footer before we moved this July, and wanted to get a nice, prelit, average-sized tree, but it's not in the cards this year, and frankly, we don't have a place to put it. Plus, we won't even be in town to enjoy it on Christmas Day. A nice sway on top of the TV hutch should suffice. Plus, the kitties can't get up there to knock it over!

5. We Shopped Early. We're almost finished with our Christmas shopping. Our goal is to wrap it up by the end of the week. Planning early helped facilitate this, since we could shop with a list and didn't need to wait to be inspired by the endless Christmas carols and bell-ringing Santas at the mall. In fact, only one of our presents is coming from a mall. All others are free-standing stores or were bought online (where you can usually find the same holiday deals, often with free shipping!). There's nothing my husband and I hate worse than crowds at the mall, not to mention HOLIDAY crowds. We'll be enjoying some mulled cider at home with the kitties on Black Friday.

6. We Forgot the Kitties. Another thing I never thought we'd do. Those who know the kitties know how darn adorable and irresistible they are, and can understand how intense our need is to shower them with kitty gifts. Green fluffy mice, glitter and tinsel-covered fishing poles, and reindeer-shaped fishy treats all come to mind--a type of holiday cat nirvana. The fact is, they don't use ANY of it. The festive mice have permanent residence in the kitty tree, and the most-loved toy in our home is the oldest fishing pole, stripped of its catch, with only the string remaining. Quigley, our male cat, is getting hefty, so the fishy treats would be off the table anyway. We provide them with a loving, safe home, entertainment, great food, and constant affection. For kitties, it couldn't get much better than that.

7. We Planned Quality Time. We're arriving in Lincoln, where we'll spend time with my husband's family, a day early so we can have a quiet first Christmas Eve and Christmas morning together. This will probably be the best gift of all. Christmas has always been an important time for me--full of family, food, and fun. Now that my family has grown, this time has become even more important. And who better to spend it with than my new husband. :)

Well, this post got pretty long, so I'll wrap up here quickly (no pun intended...haha!). Hope this helped some of you that are cringing at the thought of holiday shopping and spending. And no, fellow shorebirds, I'm not going to reveal what you're getting for Christmas. It's already planned; you'll just have to wait and see.

Foodie Friday: Homemade Granola Bars

2009-11-13T09:05:00.001-06:00

So many of my shorebird friends (and my landlocked sister in PA) have drooled over and asked me for a recent recipe for homemade granola bars, I thought I'd share the love today with my first "Foodie Friday." I have tweaked the original recipe to adapt to what was originally in my kitchen the first time I made the bars. The excellent original recipe can be found on the wonderful blog Joyful Adobe.

Alright, here it is.

Homemade Granola Bars

Ingredients:
4 cups prepared granola (I use Target's blueberry flax mix)
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
4 Tbsp butter
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp Kosher salt

Method:
1. Line a 9x13 pan with greased wax paper (I used Pam; you could use butter, shortening, lard, etc.)
2. Pour prepared granola into a large mixing bowl.
3. Combine brown sugar, honey, butter, vanilla, and salt in a medium saucepan. Stir constantly until combined and simmering.
4. Pour honey and sugar mixture onto the granola in the mixing bowl. Fold into the granola.
5. Carefully spread the granola mixture evenly into the 9x13 pan.
6. Grease another piece of wax paper and use it to cover the granola.
7. Now for the important step: Use your hand to firmly press the granola. Get into all the corners. PRESS HARD. This will help the bars stay together after you chill them.
8. Chill 2-3 hours in the fridge.
9. Carefully peel the top piece of wax paper off and discard. Turn the granola onto a cutting board, and discard the bottom piece of wax paper. Let sit 10 minutes so cutting the bars is not a heroic feat.
10. Cut the bars into the shape you desire. My husband and I prefer to individually wrap ours with plastic wrap so they are portable to work, etc. If yours are staying home, you can store them in a container with wax paper between each layer.

ENJOY!! These bars are truly delicious!

Western Shore?

2009-11-12T09:39:00.003-06:00

The western shore of Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis, of course. My husband and I recently relocated here from Florida in July, and moved into a nice apartment complex on the western shore of Lake Calhoun, and have been enjoying the fruits of our housing choice ever since.

This oft-overlooked part of Minneapolis is on the western edge of Uptown, almost in the western suburbs. It bridges the space between trendy downtown and stodgy suburb; a stop along the road from recent grad to "settled". We don't stay out quite as late around here (well, most of us), and we prefer to chat at bars rather than blow our eardrums out listening to the newest pop/hiphop/rap star, but we still enjoy spending our nights with good food and good friends rather than in front of the television. We've graduated from boxed wine to Two Buck Chuck, but can't reason spending over $25 on a bottle of our favorite red.

Life is pretty nice over here. Plenty of excellent restaurants, good shopping, and a beautiful lake to walk around. It's no mistake that the more peaceful, sylvan part of the route around the lake is the western shore.