How Am I Doing?

Hi friends *cough, cough*,
Thank you so much for the well wishes. Mom exagerated yesterday, I am not THAT sick. Mom was worried all day and then the vet said she wanted to talk in person when she was going to pick me up. Imagine mom. Well, as soon as the vet came to the room she showed mom my x-rays. *cough, cough*, excuse me, I am still coughing a little.


Mom says she has never seen something so funny. My x-rays show a ball inside a ball. What??? Ok, the biggest ball is my body and the smallest ball is my heart. The vet told mom to not worry because a pug's heart is normally round.

So the final diagnosis was tracchiobronchitis (sp?). She said it is a common cold in dogs, due to the changes in weather and the rain we have been having here lately. BUT, since my inmune system is so weak, the vet told mom to avoid taking me to places where other doggies go. Places like the pug meetup, the dog park, the doggy beach... so this is the end of my social life!!! That's why my vet wanted to talk to mom in person. Because she knows I go to a lot of places and she thinks that it is better for me to reduce my exposure to avoid getting more infections. So the bottomline is that mom needs to start taking a lot of care of me, she can't just treat me like a normal dog.

Mom knew this moment was going to come sometime and she is proud that I have been so strong for the last two years and I enjoyed everything we have done so far. But don't underestimate mom! This doesn't mean that my adventures are over. My BPF (best pug friend) mom came to the rescue yesterday! She called mom worried about me - she reads my blog - and they are already making plans to go to some places, with my friend Jaxson and me! I even overheard mom say that she will get me a birthday present in advance, something that will help me go to some places I can't go right now. I can't wait to find out what my gift is!!!

When mom and I got home yesterday daddy was cooking for mom. He is such a sweet guy, my dad. He was making barbecue also and since it started to rain I had to stay inside. I have to get used to mom overprotecting me but I know it is for best. At night I had trouble sleeping because of the cough but mom stayed awake with me. I stayed home while mom went to work so I could rest, but guess what? Mom is having stomach problems now, yeah, because of the stress because of me. She can't handle stress very well, but she doesn't have addison's disease. Go figure.

Oh, before I forget, Lilo tagged me for a game! Open you pictures folder and pick the 6th folder and then the 6th picture in that folder. Post that picture and tell the story behind it. Then tag 5 friends to play too!

This is mom's work computer but there are a lot of pictures of me here. This is me in John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo, Florida. We went there a while ago. Since there are not so many dogs there, I think we could go again once I get better. I will ask mom. Mom?

Pay it Forward

Hello pugs, cats, cute little animals and people!

Look what the mailman (or woman, I don't really know since they don't come to the door) brought for me on Saturday!

At first I was suspicious that it was a package for mom and not for me. I wanted to stay in the kitchen "requesting" someone to please open the fridge, but mom kept calling me.

The package was from aunty Rachel! And all items on it were for me!

There was a recipe of puggy cookies, signed and approved by Clemmie and Winston themselves!

There was an apron for mom to use while she prepares the puggy cookies for me.

Look at the cute detail in the apron! It matches with our home colors!

And just to make sure mom gets it right, she sent some cookies in a cookie jar! I didn't have a cookie jar before. I think it was a great idea to give mom the "suggestion"...

This video is my "thank you" note for Rachel, Clemmie and Winston:

Now, here are the rules of the game:

"The exchange focuses on doing an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and 'pay it forward' in their own way. This is how it works...I am going to send something to the first 3 blog owners who wants to take part. In turn you will then post about this on your blog, link to me, then send something to the first three people who sign up to play along through your blog.There are no cost restraints, BUT don't go crazy! The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found.No biggie, just a gift that will make the person smile.Maybe something unique from where you live?And, remember that kindness does not have to involve money; there are untold ways to help others every single day, everywhere you go - just look around."

Please post a comment letting us know that you want to play! Mom is looking forward to send some cute stuff your way!

Christmas Meme

Hi!

Today I am celebrating Coco's gotcha day! He was my Christmas gift 3 years ago. We have had tough times but I really think that he couldn't be any better. Every problem he has makes him more special and perfect in my heart. Here is a picture of us with my mom last Christmas. Santa was a little tired...

I think I am the only person that has not done this meme yet, so here it goes!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

I like to wrap gifts but I don't have wrapping paper and will not get any because it always gets wrinkles in my house (?). So I guess I settled with gift bags...

2. Real tree or Artificial?

I have always had an artificial tree at home in Perú. For many years we also had a real one in the backyard, it was huge and we would only put lights in there until it died. It was very old. Now that I have my own house I still want an artificial tree. I don't like to spend money on something that will be thrown away soon, and I also feel sorry for the tree : (

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually very close to Christmas, mainly because I live in a small place and there is not much space for anything.

4. When do you take the tree down? After the three kings' visit (I don't know how to say that in english), which is the 6th of January.

5. Do you like eggnog? My first eggnog was actually a Jack in the Box's eggnog shake, while in California. I loved it! I have tried regular eggnog from the supermarket and I didn't like it too much. But a couple of weeks ago I tried eggnog ice cream and that was YUMMY!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? A bathing suit that my father got me on a trip he made. It might have been the only thing that he actually bought specially for me. When I tried it on it was a little bit and that same day my sister decided that it was hers.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My husband's kids (teenagers actually). Everything they want is expensive and they will get it anyway from their mother... Instead of buying something, I try to organize a family trip with them. I get the airplane tickets to start the planning process (otherwise imposible task to do). I have taken them to New York and Canada so far.

8. Easiest person to buy for? My mom. She really never expects something. If it is clothing or shoes she has to be present because of the size.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Of course! My mom got mine when I was living in a studio. It is tiny!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Oooops! I always have the intention of sending them but do not succeed. I even got a box of cards 3 years ago for all my relatives in Perú and didn't send any.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Three pairs of socks from my sister. One was green, the other one burgundy and the last one blue.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I don't remember any right now...

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Sometime in December.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes, I have, but it was a very difficult task to do. I like to keep everything I receive.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Paneton! In Perú there is no Christmas without panetone. I am addicted to it and I can get it year round here in Miami. I only like the peruvian panetone though. I was a thin lady until I ate 3 panetones in a week a couple of years ago!

16. Lights on the tree; colored or white? Colored!

17. Favorite Christmas song? I like a few songs but I don't know the names or who sings them.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I have to travel most of the time, to be able to spend it with my family. This year we will celebrate in my apartment so I will stay home!

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer’s? I only know Rudolph... but I can sing his song!

20. Angel on the tree top of tree or a star? Star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? I like to open presents at midnight, on Christmas Eve.

22. Favorite ornament theme or color? I don't have any ornament yet.

23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Turkey or pork, sweet potato puree, spinach salad, hot chocolate (peruvian style is very VERY dense) and panetone!

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? I love surprises! But I am more into plans than things this year. I want to be able to finally move into a house with my husband and kids and I am saving money for that to happen. Hubby keeps asking what I want... a black pug girl, please?

25. Who is most likely to respond to this? No idea!

Sixth Folder Meme

Hello!
Roxy tagged us for the Sixth Folder meme. The rules are:
- Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures.
- Go to the 6th Folder and then pick the 6th Picture.
- Post it on your bloggy and tell the story that goes with the picture.
- Tag 5 other glorious peoples to do the same thing and leave a comment on their bloggy tellin' them 'bout it.

I will tag Pearl, the Pug Posse, Salinger, Purs n' Snorts, and Pug(s) and Bugg!.

This picture is from my trip to Perú last year. My mother, my sister's mother-in-law and father-in-law picked hubby and me from the airport. Since I had not been in my country for the past 5 years, they were willing to take me wherever I wished (can you guess I am kind of spoiled?). I chose to have breakfast at the National Agrarian University, my alma mater. It is always one of the places I want to go everytime I visit my country.

It is very rural, has farms and fields and they produce the best yogurt of the world, among other delicious things. I wanted "pan con chicharrón" which is a sandwich with french bread, fried sweet potatoes, deep fried pork with some skin (lots of grease!), and topped with "salsa criolla": julianne onions with cilantro, peruvian chili, salt, pepper, lime juice and oil. It is big! Since it was saturday, they were also preparing some stuff for lunch, like "pachamanca" which is lamb, pork, potatoes and other stuff that they put in a hole in the ground, on top of hot stones, and cover with turf for hours until tender and juicy. Yummy!

Oh, I forgot I had to talk about the picture... this is a clay oven with fire wood. The man is cooking pork in there, it smelled sooooo good! But I was there for breakfast so I only watched and took a picture. I had a great time that day, specially because I spent it with them. Actually, almost my whole trip was spent with my mom, and my sister's mother-in-law and father-in-law. I am glad I did so, because 6 months after that (a year ago), my sister's father-in-law died of a severe cancer. I still miss him a lot.

Speaking of them, my mom and my sister's mother-in-law are coming to visit me in 10 days! They will stay for a month. I am so happy!

Here are some pictures of me and my mom in last year's January pug meetup. There where two pug puppies and my mom received her first pug kiss ever! (Coco has not accomplished that yet).

Red and not Wordless

I saw this cool post in Eduardo's blog and I was surprised because red is also my favourite color for my home! The idea came from PoopsieBlue's blog, which I still have not had the time to visit, so I don't know exactly the rules or anything but still, I wanted to post some pictures I took this morning. This week's colour is blue, so I am a week behind! This is my red stuff:

One cushion.

More cushions!

Coffee table runner and flower,

tablecloth,



a poster I made for an architecture class in college,

pots and pans,

cups and salad plates,

bowl, more plates and serving dishes,

salt and pepper shakers,

three little guys hanging from my closet door

and Coco's harness!

Monday Meme

Hi friends!

Eduardo posted a cute picture of his parents last week and so I would also like to introduce you with my lovely parents!

This is my mom and me: (can you notice that she is a little chubby, just like me?)

And my dad and me: (he has wrinkles, just like me!)

And then, mom and dad together in Canada. I am not in the picture, can you wonder why?

Late and Cool!

I am so overwhelmed with things to do, I am always doing them at the last minute. Or not doing them at all. I need to get more organized or life will eat me alive!


First, my phone is still broken. I had called the insurance to get a replacement and I am still waiting for an adjuster to call me back. I hate to be on top of people. I don't like to be making calls all day to resolve things. I still have not received the insurance money for my car repair. Arggg! Another call. I have not done anything with the traffic ticket I got a couple of weeks ago, but I am still ahead of the deadline. And the list goes on and on.


Back to the phone, I am still able to read blogs but it won't let me comment. Sorry to be absent! I try to sneak at work but it is a little hard sometimes. Specially when I am already taking a little time to write my posts : ].


Our friend Brudabaker gave us an award! It is Sharing the Love award, again! We like the fact that Brutus' mom is always taking care of foster dogs and cats. She is very special!






I posted about this very special award a couple of weeks ago (details here). Thanks for thinking of us!

Our friend Nevis posted a meme last week and tagged all of her readers, because we are all cool people! (or cool pugs?)

6 Random Things About Me:

1. I am a very responsible person but at the same time I hate to have responsibilities. Does that make any sense? The big question is: will ever decide to have my own kids? Mmmm... that's a great responsibility!

2. I love carbs. I can eat rice and pasta everyday. If I don't have carbs in a couple of days, I don't feel like I have eaten at all. I can skip meat for weeks, but I am not a vegetarian.

3. I can't eat food at lunch. I have to eat something very close to breakfast or I will sleep the afternoon in my desk. And I can't have a regular breakfast in the morning, unless it is in the weekend. I regularly have only a cup of hot milk with honey, or hot chocolate.

4. I am always cold. Always!

5. I don't like chairs. I prefer to sit in the floor instead of the chair, and I also like to lay down in the floor for a while everyday. I think it helps my back. Even though I am allergic, I like carpeted floor because it's more comfortable to me. And it is not as cold as tiled floor! (And if you are curious, wood floor is very rare and expensive in this area).

6. I love to cook but at the same time it is hard for me to iniciate the cooking process. Either I am too tired, not inspired or just don't feel like cooking; but when I do start cooking my mind goes to a happy stage of relaxation.

I just realized that Thanksgiving is in a week! Wow! A cousin of mine got married last year in Oregon and organized four different wedding receptions: in Oregon, Philadelfia, Lima (Perú) and Tampa (Florida), that way they were able to share with most of their relatives and friends. I went to the reception in Tampa with my mom, the saturday after thanksgiving. It was nice to spend the weekend with my family. Here is a picture of me in Clearwater Beach.

Speaking of family, my mom will arrive in a month! Let's see if she did overcome her jealousy issues with Coco. They are always fighting for the best seat in the car, or the biggest towel at the beach!