Rolling Green Hills

Entered by Tom: Today before Taking the Dog to pet therapy Shari and I took a little drive up in the hills in front of our house. We were looking for a little winery but never found it. We ended up on a private road and got to see our house from the vineyards that surround our Neighborhood. Now I'm home looking at he hills from the house.

Course 1 Complete

Entered by Shari :
Ta Da!!!
I finished course one of the cake decorating class. Now onto course two in a couple weeks.

Love the SPRING!!

Entered by Shari:
I can't believe I was stuck in indoors all day!! I LOVE California in the Spring. It was in the 70's today. I just got home from work, fed the dogs, popped dinner in the oven, and am ready to sit and relax while I water my plants we put in this past weekend and play with the dogs. I still have laundry to do but it is going to have to wait until tomorrow! I rented a movie and plan on hitting the sack early. Will be traveling to Palo Alto for work tomorrow and have to get up extra early. PLUS my coffee brewer stopped working so I have to make a pitstop to Starbucks in the morning lol...lol..

By Tom
Today Shari and I took Klaus to the VA hospital for Pet Therapy. We have been doing this with him for about 6 months now. Normally we go from room to room on the hospice floor of the hospital and ask each patient if they want to pet the dog. Today was a perfect weather day, sun was shining and the temperature was about 70 degrees so we started on the outdoor area of the 2nd floor. The first vet we ran in to was sitting in a non motorized wheelchair and told us he was depressed. He then gave the dog a few pats on the head. We then moved on to the rest of the patients out on the deck giving everyone who wanted to, a chance petting Klaus.
Then on the way back in to the building to visit patient rooms we ran in to the first patient who mentioned he was depressed. Just for laughs I gave him the leash to hold as Klaus guided him down the hallway scooting himself with his feet in his wheelchair. Klaus slowly paced himself in front as if he knew soeone impaired was walking him. The two of them navigated down the long hallway just past a nurses station where Klaus approached another man in a wheelchair who instinctively started petting the dog.
Their was a bunch of commotion from the nurses station and they explained to me that the man petting the dog is terminally ill and cognitively impaired and normally can not do things like that. They said he is not capable of answering questions or communicating simple things. So if we had approached him and asked if he wanted to pet the dog he would not have been capable of answering us.
After giving him a good long turn with Klaus we moved on to each room of the floor. Every time we passed the so called "cognitively impaired" guy in the hallway we gave him a another turn petting Klaus. I think he got to pet him 4 times total.
It was a rewarding pet therapy day for all. At a different nurses station we let the staff give Klaus several dog treats. Then this evening when we where home with all 3 dogs, Shari offered each dog a small milk bone and Klaus didn't want his. I think he had gotten a few too many treats today. We can't call him spoiled because he did earn them.

FIRST CAKE

Entered by Shari:
Decorated my first cake yesterday (see pic). Such a fun class. Tom and the girls at work enjoyed eating it. It has been a long week and I am already looking forward to the weekend. I just got home from work and just finished washing all the dogs so we can scratch that weekend chore OFF our list. Yeah!! Tom and I will be going to our monthly adoption support group at the adoption agency soon as he gets home from work. It is very reassuring to hear the success stories, actually see their babies, and hear how things are going with the birthmothers. Tomorrows another day

Chinese Theatre

Walk of the Stars and Chinese Theatre (where the movie stars put their hands/feet in the cement)

Academy Awards

Red Carpet Kodak Theatre

Us in Hollywood

Project Cuddle Pics

Shari and John Stamos

Project Cuddle

Entered by Tom

Shari and I took Friday and Monday off from work and drove to Long Beach for the weekend to attend a benefit/fundraiser dinner for an organization called Project Cuddle. (www.projectcuddle.com).

On the way there we stopped in Hollywood . I was able to find a great parking spot on Hollywood Blvd. near the Chinese Theater. This was Friday and the Academy awards where on Sunday so the area was all crazy with hundreds of security guards guarding statues on the red carpet from the thousands of tourists. We took some pictures, had lunch at Pig Whistle then checked into our hotel in Long Beach .

The next day at the event we bid on some games, toys and jewelry in the silent auction then went to the ball room for dinner. John Stamos almost brought everyone to tears talking about some mothers who had recently abandoned their babies in dumpsters and parks. Then things turned more positive with a few success stories. Some friends of ours who recently adopted with help from Project Cuddle were called on stage and had a chance to share their story.

The live auction followed and over 10 k was raised in less than 20min. I don't know the total that the event brought in but it was definitely a fun and successful event. After a few hours of dancing we took a cab back to our hotel but not before meeting several great people who are also passionate about the work that Project Cuddle is doing.

Day 1 Cake Class

Entered by Shari:
I had so much fund last night at the cake decorating class. I can't believe how many details go into decorating a cake. I feel I learned a lot already and haven't even squeezed a drop of frosting lol.... It was a little more than I wanted to spend on supplies but I'm sure I will use them for a long time to come (ie: kids cakes). It was really fun having a couple friends there to take the class too! I'm gonna have to bring a camera next week!

We have a really busy schedule starting tomorrow and will have to Blog some more on Sunday or Monday. As we probably won't have time before then.

Church and the Olympics

Entered by Tom:
Yesterday at church, Pastor Steve spoke again about Corner Stones involvement with the county foster care system, and their new program that will help any pregnant woman that is contemplating abortion, by offering them a free ultrasound. It really hit home with us considering we are trying so desperately to complete our family through adoption. What an awesome program! We are looking into getting more involved on how we can help.

After church we went to Costco because we were having some friends over to watch the Olympic hockey game. We had a lot of laughs, good food, and fun. It got a little rowdy as USA scored us into overtime and then lost to Canada. It was also great being able to hang with old friends and catching up on everything that's going on with each other. Looking forward to the warmer days so we can fire up the BBQ again.