Author / Talmadge House

by Talmadge House

A Mixed Bag

Our first snow fall of the season happened this morning . . . so pretty!

OK . . . this year we had two Thanksgiving meals.  Thursday we went to Michael’s dads and Saturday we went to my sisters.  Here are some photos from the events.  We’ll start with my sisters dinner first.

This is where you’ll typically find Mike . . . yep always working!

My mom . . .

My brother Scott . . . love the new beard/stash!

Our niece Shelbie who has the most beautiful blue eyes . . . She’s growing up so fast!

Our niece Isabella who is such a bundle of bouncy joy . . . simply adorable!

And we decorated their Christmas Tree (Bridget handed out the ornaments) . . .

Now onto Mike’s dads dinner . . .

Mike’s sister Crystal loving the turkey . . .

Mike’s sister Carla . . . we got a picture with both eyes open, amen!

Me with Crystal’s new puppy Chloe (such a sweet loving little puppy) . . .

LuLu (sweet mush pie)

And last but no least Charlie (he’s the alpha dog of this household) who’s growing tired these days . . . we love you Charlie!

by Talmadge House

Happy Thanksgiving!

I was awakened as normal on a day off at 5:30 AM by our furry baby pawing me at the bedside.  It’s his new thing lately asking me to please help him up into the bed so he can cuddle.  He isn’t so good with jumping up into the bed these days.  So up he went and we were off to cuddle land and I let out a great big “gooble gooble” as I always do on Turkey Day.  I was then reminded of one of the greatest things I’m thankful for.  It’s the unconditional sweet love that Scottie gives us every second of his life.  I’m also thankful for my husband who is the greatest man in this entire universe and also our friends and family.  Without the relationships we have life wouldn’t be nearly as good as it is.  And isn’t it true that the things we are most thankful for are the things we work hardest at?  So with that statement I’m thankful for the business Mike has developed and is taking off like no ones business.

Anywho . . . a few pictures of our furry babies and their attitudes this morning . . .

These two faught all morning.  Pele (the black kitty) will sit and just look at Wilbur which causes growling.  Had to keep seperating the two of them and reminded them they’re lucky their not turkeys!

This one kept howling at the back door.  Guess she wanted a turkey hunt outside . . .

And this one . . . he laid around the kitchen floor while I prepared some food to take to dad’s for dinner.  Love when he lays like this . . . By the way, we’re getting new flooring for the kitchen.  Wouldn’t you agree it’s about time?  HA!

So now we’re off to my father-in-law’s for dinner.  I’ve been assigned to the mashed potatoes this year.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

by Talmadge House

24 Degrees & Fido Fleece

Who’d of thought we’d have January weather in November?  Then I remember “oh yeah, we live in New England so there’s no telling what weather is in store for us” which is one of the many reasons I call the northeast home and have no interest in living anywhere else.  So this was Scottie’s year for a new winter jacket or as the dog’s call em “Fido Fleece” and we found the perfect one for him.  It screamed Scottie Buddy Boy, it’s adorbaly cute, soft & warm.  Scottie and I excitedly made our purchase and dashed home to show Mike (dad) our great find only to be confronted with a response that went something like this “it’s alright, I don’t like the shade of blue”.  Well ba hum bug . . . we adore it and will wear it with furry pride.

On this 24 degree day with a wind chill factor of gosh must’ve been 10 degrees Scottie happily put on his bran new fido fleece and off we went to run errands.  He instantly did his business as usual but was then perplexed at why his crazy mother has decided to stand in the freezing cold taking pictures.  “Lets go mom, I’m freezing”.

His ears were flapping in the wind . . . LOL!

“Aaaaa . . . thanks mom for putting me into the warm car, now you get in here . . . lets go!”

Fido fleece is our favorite dog jacket of choice on the market today.  Although Scottie has his routine of reactions when we put his jacket on and it goes like this.  He’s very agreeable when putting his two front paws into the jacket but when we go to attach the velcro down his back, he goes nutz trying to bite and pull on it.  I think it’s cuz he’s crazy happy to be going bye bye and is showing his gratitude.  Funny little guy!

by Talmadge House

Is It Bob’s or Barbara’s?

It’s that time of year again . . . Christmas card planning which involves a family picture for us (me, Mike and Scottie Buddy Boy).  Can’t forget the furry baby, he’s part of the festive experience.  So off we went to pick up a new shirt for Mike cause ya know he has to match what I’ve chosen to wear.  So he decides that Bob’s would be a good place to start and who am I to complain, I’ve got him in the car actually going to pick this new shirt out.  So Bob’s it is, here we come.

I never really thought about the name of the store and that it might imply they catter more to the male species.  I mean they’ve got a little bit for us females but nothing like they have for our counterparts.  As we make our way to the back of the store I notice they’ve got all this hunting clothing (you know like Carharts & Dickies).  I’ve catagorized the make of gear as hunting due to growing up in upstate New York where almost all the men hunted and always wore Carhart clothing.  So I finally say to Mike “you know this store has so much stuff for men and very little for women”.  He proceeds to say “well, it IS Bob’s NOT Barbara’s”.  HA!!!  Funny little man came out with a good analogy of which I had to share with all of you.  Thanks for reading.

Because I love pictures so much and don’t like posting without one here’s one I pulled from the Fall this year.  Mike and his dad impatiently waiting for me to finish taking pictures while at the Bethlehem Fair.  See the impatience on Mike’s face?  I’m surprised my father in law didn’t have his tongue sticking out at me.  See what I have to deal with . . . like father like son.  HA!

by Talmadge House

The Poop Factory is Fully Staffed Again

PREFACE:  Just an insight to the making of the title.  Way back in time when I was a little girl before I knew anything about how our bodies worked, I thought there were little people inside our bodies that made everything function.  HA!  Isn’t that something how a young child’s brain thinks before learning.  So to this day when the southern most part of your body (GI things) isn’t functioning the way it’s suppose to I’ll say that the poop factory is under staffed therefore things aren’t as they are suppose to be (if you get my drift).

SO THE PRESENT TIME STORY:  Scottie’s had diarrhea intermittently for 2 1/2 weeks (probably longer).  During this time frame we took him off his regular diet and fed him like a king (brown rice, broth and lean beef or chicken).  He LOVES this part of being sick and gobbles it right down.  Well, his poops would start looking real good and just when we thought he was almost 100% he’d regress.  Poor thing was so ill that he couldn’t hold it to go outside, what a mess!

Well last friday off to the doctor we went with baggie of poops in hand.  Scottie loves the veterinary’s office!  There are sooo many furry creatures just like him and wants to be friends with them all.  So the list of ALL the med’s given to have the poop factory fully staffed again:

Injection #1 Penicillin-antibiotic       “ouch”

Injection #2 Dexamethasone -for intestinal inflammation. “ouch again…stop sticking me, can’t we be friends, rrf rrf?”

Pro Pectalin Anti-Diarrhea Tab (horse pills but he ate them like a treat)

Metronidazole Tabs (an antimicrobial substance)

Drontal Plus (a dewormer)

Wow, isn’t that alot of medication for one little guy?  I thought it was and the dewormer?  Get out there’s no way OUR dog has worms not Scottie.  But I guess even the best kept and well-taken care of pets can encounter worms.  So there it is, the list of five med’s that opened the factory doors back up allowing a full staff of workers to get things back in order.  Poopville hasn’t looked this good in I don’t know how long.  Thank goodness!

by Talmadge House

Help Dogpile.com raise money for helpless animals

WOW . . . is all I can say right now.  Our unforgotten pets struggle either on their own or while in a pen at a pound waiting for that one person to look their way and take them home for unconditional love and companionship.  Supporting our local pet shelters and the larger non-profit organizations dedicated to preventing cruelty towards animals is crucial.  And you can be a part of raising money by not even giving actual money, all you have to do is utilize www.dogpile.com as your search engine.  I hope you’ll join me in utilizing this search throughout their fund-raiser running through 2009 and the goal is to raise $1 million dollars.  Think of the help this will give our unforgotten friends, makes my heart skip a beat!  Thank you DogPile for helping support our furry-friends.  Two paws up from Scottie Buddy Boy

by Talmadge House

Go Fish

Go Fish, posted results on Arts an Leisure

The Friends of the Housatonic River’s (FOTHR) second annual river only Bluefish Tournament took place last Saturday. Seventy-nine anglers of all ages participated in this fun and worthwhile event, with most anglers reporting good bluefishing action throughout the lower section of the Housatonic River.

Friends of the Housatonic River Director Mike Talmage reported that FOTHR was impressed and happy with the amount of entrants, considering mother nature had forced FOTHR to reschedule the tournament, which originally was supposed to take place Sept. 27. Talmage also wanted to thank all participants, along with the tournament sponsors: Giove’s Pizza Kitchen, The Hope Agency, Sikorski Federal Credit Union, Jimmy O’s Bait and Tackle and Carmine’s Ristorante Italiano.

Steve Anderson of Shelton took home $400 and first place with the biggest bluefish of the day, a bruising 12.14 pounder. Rob Darby was awarded $200 and second place with a 12.08-pound blue, which was the only fish Rob caught during the tournament. Mike Malone finished in third place with an impressive 11.86-pound bluefish and took home a $100 prize.

more…

by Talmadge House

A Girls Day of Christmas Ornament Making

I spent the day yesterday with two of my most favorite people in this whole wide world, my sister Bridget and my niece Isabella.  Bridget and I started our felt Christmas Ornaments.  Here’s what the finished project looks like . . . aren’t they the sweetest little things?  Well with exception of Isabella.  If you want to make your very own ornaments, kit’s may be purchased at this lovely bloggie website Rosy Little Things.  She has the sweetest kits, patterns, her very own book(s), recommendations on tons of things, oh and some really great recipes.

It was really nice to have a girls day, Isabella was in her jammies all day and was so well behaved.  Bridget looked so comfie in her blue jean overalls and reminded me that we really can still wear them.  I’ve had mine sitting aside hesitant to wear them for the last couple years for fear someone would think I’m a farmer or something.

She tells me that she’d of styled her hair had she known I was going to take pictures.  But don’t I always have the camera?  🙂  I think your boot-e-ful Bi-Get!  On the other hand your lazy daisy stitch isn’t so boot-e-ful LOL!

Now this is a girl starting photography early.  Wish I was provided that luxury at 4 years old.  I LOVE that she loves taking pictures.  She’ll surpass me at some point I’m sure, she’s a genious in the making.

And last but not least Isabella’s baby kitty kat, Pocko.  Pocko has her very own blankie and pillow made from kleenex.

Thank you Bridget and Isabella for making an orndinary day super special!  I love you both more than words can say.

by Talmadge House

Another Boating Season Closes

This past Saturday our summer home on the water was put on land for her winter hibernation.  She’s already shrink wrapped (her winter blanket) and Mike has completed most if not all of the winterization.  He did a perfect job of getting her up on the hydraulic trailer.

So taking the boat out of the water in the fall and putting her back in the spring are always big events for the Talmadge Family, even Poppa Smurf is around for both events.  Although he’s always around as he’s part of what us “younger generation” call the “GW” otherwise known as the geriatric ward.  This “ward” is a tent at the marina where all the established men and sometimes women sit and let their views on the world and life be heard.  And boy does the air sometimes get thick at the GW . . . shoe wee watch out.  Republicans welcome without invitation, democrats by invitation only.  HA!

Poppa Smurf to the left making sure all looks well

Another member of the “GW” . . . Charlie and that’s Mark blurred out in the background.  He can also be found in the “GW” on any given day.

And lastly, the boat is out of the water and on it’s way to it’s winter dry dock.  Yep, that’s my very own Mikey on the swim platform.

Until Spring 2009, Love & Luck over and out.

by Talmadge House

Connecticut Constitution Convention Campaign

Those of you from Connecticut need to vote YES on November 4th 2008 to have the Connecticut Constitution amended. The people are allowed to vote once every twenty years (and this is the year) on whether or not we the people want to have a convention. The convention would then allow the possibilities to have the Connecticut Constitution changed or amended.

THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS ….

  • Eminent Domain Reform
  • Immigration Reform
  • Lower Property Taxes
  • A Three Strikes Law
  • Ethics Reform (Overturn Same Sex Marriage)
  • Term Limits
  • Recall
  • And More!!!
  • Much More!

Connecticut Constitution Convention Campaign

And another good link about the topic