Save A Life in October

Today's post is not about frames or DIY. I wanted to talk about my dogs. I know, I know, not everyone is a dog lover. Maybe you are on "team cat" but that doesn't mean you should stop reading this post. This post is really about something near to my heart and doesn't discriminate against any of my animal friends. Its about all pets in general.

We have all seen those sad commercials during the holidays. You know the ones, showing sad, abused, neglected pets. They are so moving they make my ten year old niece start bawling and turn her head. I don't know how many people really donate to them, but I do know they are asking for donations for a good reason. There is a huge pet over-population problem in the USA. 

I watched my neighbors over breed their pit bull for a puppy income. I was volunteering at my local shelter at the time. I couldn't tell you how many wonderful dogs went through that place in a week. Some off to new homes but most off to be euthanized. It was extremely hard to watch. 

In February 2008, my husband and I had been looking for a dog. We had walked through that same shelter many times but hadn't found "the one" yet. We thought we would stop by on our way to a movie and see what new dogs they had received that day. We were ready to leave but decided to walk back through one more time. We were almost out the door when my husband pointed out a happy puppy chasing his tail. He was so entertained by his tail he didn't even notice us. He was oblivious to the cold concrete floor, chain link walls and miserable barking dogs around him. We took him to the play yard and it was all over. We missed our movie and came home with a new family member.

Meet Koda (AKA: Koda Bear)
He was born November 7th 2007. He was dropped off at the shelter when he was a few weeks old. He was alone. No litter mates or mother were with him. His past is unknown, but I like to think it was a happy one considering how happy this dog is.

This dog has the biggest personality I've ever seen in a K9. He is super smart but can be very stubborn. I have taught him 20+ commands. These include the basic obedience commands, take a bow, jumping through a hope and high five, just to name a few. Here he is in his "awkward" teenager stage.

And all grown up.



Koda had been getting into trouble while we were at work so we thought we would get him a friend to entertain him. Not realizing, that only leads to two board dogs instead of one. Hahah! So back to the shelter we went, looking for a dog that was around his age. (6 months) We found a dog we liked but when we took them to the play yard they ignored each other. That was weird to see. Koda loved dogs and played with everyone at the dog park. The shelter was about to close but on our way out I spotted a unique looking, scared dog with a big scar on her shoulder. She was curled up in the corner trying to avoid the aggressive dog she was with.

The next morning we came back to check her out. I brought her to the play yard where Koda was waiting. They ran to each other like they were old reuniting friends. It was sweet. They instantly started playing together and are now inseparable.

Meet Korah (AKA: Sweetness)
She was born January 20th 2008. She had a sad beginning. She was removed from a resident by Animal Control when she was six months old. She had horrible burns on her neck from a bark collar. She was chained to a tree and had been hit by a car. She had to have surgery on her shoulder that left a scar six inches long.

At six months old.

All grown up.

Adopting a shelter dog has been the best thing we have ever done. They have added love and joy to our lives in a way nothing else could. Sure, they are not pure breads but they are beautiful, healthy and incredibly intelligent. They are family members who protect my home and never flake on me when its time to go running. I am so happy we were able to save these amazing animals from being put down. 

Please ALWAYS adopt from a shelter or rescue group! You will find wonderful mixed, as well as, pure bread animals needing good homes. October is the best time to find your perfect pet as many shelters have discounted prices for Oktoberfest. Our local shelter has adoptions for $25.00! Save a life and bring home a pet in need today. 

Run from the HEART

My sister-in-law dropped off this pretty present for me yesterday.

She made me the cutest cupcake card and scarf I've ever seen. She even made the box it came in. That's talent people!  She said it was an "October present." She is such a thoughtful person and I'm so happy to have her in my life!

Why all the pink you ask? True, I'm not that girly but I always rock PINK in October. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and for some people its the only month that it will be on their minds. They think about it once a year and that's only because of the advertisements. I wish I could be those people. I wish it didn't haunt me everyday. Its a hard subject that I am way too familiar with and I am afraid my family is having to go through it again. 

I watched breast cancer destroy my Mother and take her life. I am watching my beautiful Aunt wrestle with this horrible disease as I speak. I have watched the Mothers of my friends fight for their lives. Some to win and some to lose, leaving their children motherless. Too many people are having to feel this pain and my heart breaks for them. 

So on Sunday October 19th I will be running. Running for my Mother. Running for my Grandmother. Running for my Aunt and the Mothers of my friends. For all the brave women fighting for their lives. For all the amazing women who were ripped away from their families too soon and lost the fight. For the children who are watching their mothers bear this struggle. For the husbands who are now widowers. For the motherless daughters who are like me. We might not know how to cook or sew or plant a garden. We might not have anyone to teach us these things or anyone to call and answer our questions, but its okay. We will figure it out because we are strong. We are strong like our mothers were and they would want us to keep running. Out run this cancer! Do your breast exam's, eat healthy and get off your bum and exercise! This is how we can stay one step ahead.  

Please join me Sunday, October 19, 2014 for the 16th Annual Komen Inland Empire Race for the Cure® at the Promenade Mall in Temecula, CA. 

Register HERE

"Susan G. Komen® remains committed to fulfilling our promise to save lives and end breast cancer forever through empowering people, ensuring quality care for all, and energizing science to find the cures.  Susan G. Komen® is focused on reducing breast cancer incidence and mortality within the next decade with increased emphasis on finding solutions for disparities in breast cancer across populations.  With funds raised by Susan G. Komen® Inland Empire, community grants will be made to support evidence-based strategies and promising practices to reduce disparities in breast cancer mortality in the Inland Empire"

 "Here in the Inland Empire, up to 75 percent of the funds donated remain locally in Riverside and San Bernadino Counties to fund important breast health services and programs.  The remaining 25 percent of each dollar donated funds the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Award & Research Grant Program. In fact, next to the U.S. government, Susan G. Komen is the largest funder of breast cancer research in the world." 

(image found here) 

San Diego Mission Art Walk

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Saturday we went to the San Diego Mission Art Walk and had the greatest time! I wanted to share some pictures of the event.  As soon as we arrived we knew it was going to be a good day. Not because of the $28.00 (OUCH) parking garage fee but because of this beauty....

Yep, this beautiful, shiny thing has always been the car of my dreams. The last time I saw one was in Las Vegas/2012 so I had to get my picture with it. 

Lets look at it one more time, shall we...so pretty.

There were five streets full of Artist tents along with food vender's, bands and performers. They even had a mini farmers market set up with produce, local honey and oils. 

This all went down in Little Italy.

No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you. That guy IS wearing gold shorts with black and white leggings tucked into striped pink shocks. Haha I wish I was that brave.

There was a group of awesome graffiti artists who were not even phased by all the wind that was blowing that day. 

This is their finished work.

I wasn't able to get pictures of everything I wanted to share because most of it was in a "no photography zone" and I wanted to respect that request. But here is some of the art we saw.

Surfboards decked out with mirror designs.

These two pieces had pages from something, glued together.

This was made out of fabric.

Acrylic paint and market on canvas. 

Used paint brushes and can lids epoxied onto boards.

The next three pieces were done by the same artist. The whole thing is created with tiny words, sentences and most likely song lyrics I'm guessing. They were ginormous and amazing! I cant even imagine the time it must take to produce one. 

The pieces in this tent were all made out of metal. It was so intriguing you had to touch it. 

But the only piece I wanted to buy had to be Coco. This sweet pup was enjoying all the walk-by loving she received. It made me miss my dogs and feel like a jerk for not bringing them. I think I was the only person in S.D that day who left their dog at home. 

There was an aerial photographer who had his drone camera on display. Now I want a flying camera!

Mike Snegg, a wood sculptor demonstrated how he makes these beautiful handcrafted wooden vessels.

We also talked with artist Joe Frizzelle. (Sorry, I didn't get a picture of his work but you can see it HERE) He makes his canvas out of wood. Then creates it layer by layer. He applies the paint and then a layer of epoxy. He does this over and over until it is finished. He said he can use up to a gallon of epoxy per piece. The colors were so bright they jumped off the canvas and when you look close you can see shadows that look 3D due to all the layers. So cool!

I loved looking at the art but it was interesting how I saw each piece differently after talking with some of the artists. They brought out things I didn't notice and had interesting stories that went with each piece. There was an artist who attached items to her paintings. Every piece she does has something attached to it that she found in the Arizona desert. She had the item listed on the back of each piece. These items included bottles, keys and wire to name a few.

We took a smoothie break to watch dancers and listen to a Indie group.

After we had seen everything we walked over to the ocean.

I finally got my airplane shot. We were very close to S.D Airport so they had been flying overhead all day.

The Maritime Museum is located there. We have done this tour before so we skipped it that day. But it is really fun to tour these ships so I recommend it if you are ever in S.D. 

Star of India. Built in 1863.

HMS Surprise. Built in 1970 as a replica of the 18th century Royal Navy frigate "Rose"

B-39 Submarine. Commissioned in the 1970s.

The Berkeley. Built in 1898. This also acts as the museum gift shop.

This is what I went home with. Two match boxes from David Tyrone Villa. 

And one tile, titled "cells" from Marquis Leo. I'm going to find a way to attach it to the wall. 

We ended the day with a Indian dinner. It was our first time trying Indian food and I have to say it was all delicious. My only complaint would be they love cooking with cheese and milk so all you vegans and lactose intolerant people best stay away. 

That was our weekend. Has anyone else purchased some art lately or tried Indian food? I felt like a fool eating it because I didn't know what sauce to put where or if I was supposed to scoop the stuff onto my bread or if I was to use the bread like a chip? I still don't know. Haha live and learn.

Stay Humble

Amber