Tiffany & Chris

Camping at Cape Lookout

2009-08-06T13:21:00.000-07:00

Chris and I just got back from camping at Cape Lookout near Tillamook, OR. We were there exactly two years ago with my whole family a few days before our wedding. It's a great campsite that I highly recommend to anyone who wants to camp on the beach.

This picture was from two years ago. We tried looking for the same tree we were sitting on, but couldn't find it and all the others were a challenge to climb, so we couldn't replicate the pic. This second picture is from this trip.

We stayed two nights because Chris wanted "to sleep in my own bed before I have to go to work the next day." Wa, wa, wa...what a baby! But I'm glad we came home a day early. We were so exhausted. I didn't sleep very well the first night, because our neighbors stayed up drinking and playing poker; and the second night the raccoons were out for about four hours and Bear was growling at them the whole time. He would have been barking, but I was clamping his mouth shut the whole time. Looking back on it, I should have just let him bark for a good 30 seconds to scare them away for good. Oh well. I took these pictures after the first night. All our food was safe with a nice snug lid. (Last time we went camping, the raccoons ate all my marshmallows and graham crackers. NOT cool!)

We went to the beach everyday. It was only about a three minute walk from our tent. You could hear the waves at night. Bear had so much fun! He would run to the water and take a big drink, then shake his head and snarl after the nasty taste. He loved digging in the sand for shells or rocks and would fetch anything Chris would toss. He is such a good dog. Whenever Bear was off-leash, he wouldn't run more than 500 feet in front of us. He was like, "Are you guys coming? Hurry up!" Unfortunately, there were no seagulls for him to chase. Weird!

Bear got some off-leash action even when he wasn't on the beach! One morning we were all in the tent just waking up or something and I left to go to the bathroom. Before I left, I was playing with Bear from outside the tent just teasing him a little. Then I walk down to the bathrooms. When I get there I see that the bathroom door is propped open with a wastebasket. No big deal. So I choose the first stall, sit down, and do my business. All the sudden I hear Bear's collar right outside the door. "Bear?" He comes running in at full speed, runs under my stall door and jumps onto my lap and kisses me excessfully. At first I didn't know what to think. He wasn't on a leash... I thought that maybe Chris had followed me to the bathroom and let Bear loose to go in and get me. "Chris? Hello?" No answer. About 15 seconds, later I hear Chris' shoes (cuz he doesn't pick up his darn feet when he walks). "Tiff? Tiff? Is Bear in there?" Bear jumps off my lap and runs back out to Chris. Chris told me that he escaped and hunted me down. Followed my scent all the way to the bathroom! I laugh hysterically. So this is what happend on Chris' end...too funny! As I leave for the bathroom, Chris is in bed all the way zipped up in his sleeping. Once I'm gone, Bear nudges his nose out the zipper door. Once his head is through, he bolts! Chris shimmies his way out of his sleeping bag, awkwardly walks off our queen air mattress and is only wearing his G's. Trying to find clothes to throw on while Bear is running around the whole tent because that was the last place he saw me while I was teasing him. After the tent, he runs through our neighbor's campsite, then to the street, around our car, runs through our other neighbor's campsite, then across the street and disappears. Chris manages to get out of the tent in just enough time to see Bear cross the street and run through another person's campsite. By the time Chris gets over there, Bear is gone. One guy helped Chris out and said, "He ran to the bathrooms....at lightning speed." lol Bear ran all the way around the bathrooms and since the girls' door was open, he just helped himself. Too funny! I couldn't beleive it. That's the Beagle in him I guess. I mean, of all the other smells at a campsite, in the woods, at the beach. C'mon, he deserves some sort of medal! I was pretty impressed. We would have been in big trouble if he just ran off. Luckily, he's a big momma's boy!

I've never had the type of popcorn where you pop it in a pan-type thing over the stove. So we got some to take camping and Chris took pictures. It was good. My arm got really tired after a while. I guess I was shaking it a little too vigorously. Great snack when camping!

We also made a quick trip to Tillamook Cheese Factory. That's always a fun place. We ran through the self-guided tour. Always fun to watch people. The line for free cheese samples was insanely long and Chris didn't want to wait. Shocker. We looked at buying a shot glass (we collect them, not use them) but the only one they had there was ugly. It was their 1ooth anniversary one. So we're going to wait for a better one next year I guess. We did ice cream of course. The best. I got a waffle cone with udderly chocolate and cookie dough! Yumm! Then we left. Perfect little trip. Except no cheese. :( (*A quick note: The cashier for my ice cream was wearing an orange button pin that said "I loaf you" or something witty like that. Chris leans over and was like, "Do they sell bread here, too, or what?" I asked why and he pointed out the pin. I was like, "Honey, the blocks of cheese they make are called "loafs/loaves." He was like, "Oh, I always thought that that was one of your dumb words or sayings that you made up." I just laughed!)

The rest of these pics are when we were waiting to leave to go camping, black feet at the end of camping, and waiting to go home pictures.

HELP!!!

2009-08-06T07:53:00.001-07:00

So right now I'm filling in for the front desk at my new job today and I am FREAKING out! Rayne, the front desk lady, took the day off while I had the rest of the week off so Chris and I could go camping (more on that later). She trained me for one day and most of it went way over my head. Too much information in too little time. So I'm up here doing what I can. I know how to do like four or five things, luckily Rayne said that if I do those four or five things she'd be a happy camper and that I'd be helping her out tons. She's so sweet!

Jaye, the hygienist, is such a huge help, too. She's making all her appointments and not asking very much of me. And luckily Mark, Dr. Barnard, is hiking Mt. St. Helens with the scouts and he's not here. So I think I can handle one patient every 50 or 60 minutes.

I already had a patient try to make a payment today and I had to turn her down! I mean, who does that?? I'm sorry but I can't take your money. lol I explained what the situation was and she was very friendly. Besides, Rayne told me that if anyone tried to make a payment to tell them to come back when Rayne was here. I just don't want to screw up anyone's account. I mean, when it comes to money...that's a big deal. AND, I'm the NEW girl! What the heck am I doing up here? I didn't go to school for this!!!

I barely slept a wink last night. I've been having those stomach pains you get when you're really nervous. But actually, so far, it hasn't been that bad. I guess I'm just freaking out about the phone ringing. I'm afraid a new patient will call with a tooth ache and I'm going to have to say, "So sorry Miss Molly." I hate that. I don't want to be the one to turn down a new patient that is in pain! Ugh! Oh well. I'm "Tuff Tiff." Wish me luck...

(If anything else happens worth blogging about, I'll add it later.)

Celebrity Deaths :(

2009-07-01T18:12:00.000-07:00

A lot of celebrities died this past week. Most things come in threes, but this week four icons left us. This is major part of pop culture history and I feel like I need to document my take on all this.

Ok, so I'll start from least significant to most devastating. First off:

Farrah Fawcett

Ok, so she was way hot back in the day. She was in Playboy and was one of Charlie's Angels. She will always be remembered for her iconic, wispy hair, known as "Farrah hair."

Ed McMahon

When I heard that he died during my morning radio show while getting for work, I frowned. He is definitely an icon. He was a part of everyone's life; always on the evening tv show Star Search or late night on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He was always so serious no matter how funny Johnny was. His straight face made everyone else laugh. Everyone can recognize his opening line, "Heeeeeeeeeeeeere's Johnny!"

And you of course can't forget him co-hosting with Dick Clark funny show TV Bloopers and Practical Jokes. A good guy that I hope my children will be able to look up and learn to love.

P.S. That morning my patient and I were talking about Ed, and Dr. Andrew was like, "Now who's Ed McMahon again?" My patient and I looked at eachother and were like, "Oh my gosh, are you serious?? Ed McMahon? Johnny Carson's sidekick." "Yeah, he's like an icon." "Oh, well, I never really watch tv." I was like, "Sounds like you've never owned a tv." IDIOT!

Michael Jackson

I had just gotten back from seeing Transformers 2 (awesome). Chris turns on our tv and it's on MTV. I walk by and I here Sway in a very serious tone, "Michael Jackson died today in his home at the age of 50." "WHAT???? Rewind that! The whole thing. I need to hear the whole thing."

For the next two days I'm glued to my couch watching tribute shows and music videos. He made such great music. His dance moves were groundbreaking and genius. How can you not like his stuff. Everyone can relate to trying to moonwalk in socks on their linoleum floor. Genius I tell you. He changed the dance world forever.

I know, I know, you're all thinking, "Ewww, he's a pedophile, and a weirdo. Jacko Wacko." Yes, and I agree with all those things. I do think he is a sicko, weirdo, crazy, everything in the book; but that doesn't mean he didn't make great hits. I love his music and his moves, that's it!

Chris doesn't understand this. He thinks that because "he's in hell and he deserved to die" I shouldn't be a fan of his. Sorry, but I have mixed feelings about that.

Going from back to white: I don't know. I don't get it. He obviously looked good and attractive when he was black. I think he had what's called body dismorphia. He bleached his skin and hacked at his face because he hated what he saw in the mirror (lol, automatically started humming Man in the Mirror.)

Pedophile: Do I think he's guilty?Yeah, he probably did touch boys. Should he have gone to jail, heck yes. But he's rich and he didn't. My theory on the Neverland Ranch: He was forced into an adult world at such a young age he never had a childhood. That's why he had slumber parties with boys. He was living his desired childhood through them. Giving them what he never had.

King of Pop: Yeah, he obviously had an obsession with Elvis. I think that that is why he married Lisa Marie, duh! You think they got married cos they loved eachother?? Publicity and money, people.

No matter what you think of him or what he did, I still like Michael. His music will live on forever and will always be a part of my music collection.

Billy Mays

OMG, I LOVE BILLY!!!! I was DEVISTATED when I heard that Billy died. It's been two days now and I still go to Chris, "OMG, I still can't believe that Billy Mays is dead." He's is really annoyed with me right now... lol

For those of you who don't know who Billy Mays is...GET A FREAKIN' LIFE! I'm sorry, but if you don't know who he is we can no longer be friends.

Chris and I were so freakin' excited when they first announced the new show on Discovery Channel called Pitchmen with Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan. It is sooooo funny. I love that show.

On the show you meet Billy's son, Billy Mays III, and Billy's beautiful wife and adorable 3 year old daughter. All the more reason why I am so so so sad about his passing.

His wife woke up in the morning and found Billy dead in bed. He passed sometime during the night. Everyone was speculating that some sort of head trauma was the cause, because the day before he had flown in from filming an Oxi Clean commercial, and when the plane landed the front two tires blew out and Billy had hit his head really hard. Come to find out later after the autopsy was performed, that the cause of death is likely a heart attack.

Well, I have another theory why I think he may have died....

On Saturday, I wanted to wash my car really well so I did it by hand for the first time since we've owned it. So I went to Wal-Mart to buy the wash, wax, tire shine, and sponge. Well.... I picked up a Sham Wow, too. I KNOW! That's terrible. Billy would say, "Sham Pow."

If you've seen Pitchmen, you'd know that Sham Wow was a very successful product that Billy did not endorse. In fact, he has (had) an on going feud with the Sham Wow guy. Whenever Sully would need to get Billy off his soap box, all he's have to mention was the Sham Wow guy. I feel awful. Really. And I feel so guilty that after I bought it, Billy is dead. I haven't told Chris. They are currently hidden in the trunk...

So don't forget to check out Pitchmen on Discovery Channel. Check your local listing. It's a great way for you to remember Billy. RIP!

I got the job!!!

2009-06-30T21:02:00.000-07:00

So the working interview went well on Monday. I was under the impression that it was just going to be the morning half, but they wanted me to come back after lunch. I asked the assistant that was training me if she thought that the doctor liked me and she said that if he didn't like me he'd say, "Let's have Sarah sit in on this one." So that's good, because I assisted him all day. I could that it was going well, because he never had to correct me or give me any pointers about anything I did.

He is left-handed which is cool, because I'm right-handed and now I can use my dominant hand and side a whole lot more and easier. My neck and back are a little sore today though from sitting differently than I am used to.

So Dr. Barnard called me tonight offering me the job, "Hey Tiffany, so everyone seemed to really like you and we want you to be a part of our team." I accepted graciously. He offered my a dollar more than what I'm making now, so that's a plus. AND Chris and I both get full medical insurance in 30 days. Sweet!

So on Monday I have to go in and give my two weeks' notice. Goody. I wonder if Dr. Andrew will beg... I hope he, or Cassandra, get pissed and tell me not to come back. I told Dr. Barnard that and he was like, "Well, let's hope they say that." So wish me luck on that. I just hope I have the nerves to say what is really on my mind and tell them how I feel. We'll see....

Vegas, Temples, Job

2009-06-26T17:36:00.000-07:00

So I've been yelled at by many friends, "You need to update your blog..." It's really annoying, so I decided to finally update it so people will get off my back.

So Chris and I were going to go on a Disney cruise in September with Jana and Dave, but that fell through, but I already had the time off work, we decided to go on vacation anyways. Chris has never been to Vegas, and I've wanted to go back for a long time now, so now we're going DRIVE to Vegas!!! Road trip! I am so excited.

We're going to drive to Idaho, down through Utah, Vegas, then up California back to Oregon. We'll be gone 9 days. I can't wait!

One of my many goals is to go and see all the temples in the world, or USA. :) Well, on our trip we'll be stopping at 15! (16, if we stop in Portland on our way out of town.) [Portland, Boise, Twin Falls, Logan, Ogdan, Bountiful, SLC, Jordan River, Oquirrh, Draper, Mt. Timpanogos, Provo, Manti, St. George, Las Veags, and Reno.] I know, I know, all of you are thinking, "Yeah, right. good luck." But I really want to do this. Chris on the other hand.... well, he's along for the ride. This is my goal, and I'd love to make a Temple Book of all the places we've been. I think that'd be pretty sweet.

Let's see, I have another interview on Monday. This is a working interview for a doctor who interviewed me last week. He's LDS and seems very nice. Looks like he treats his employess well. He offers me and my husband full insurance, which is a real biggy (especially after reading Amy's blog). It's in Newberg, which is about 20-25 minutes away. I'm really happy I get to work there first, before accepting the job (if they offer), because I'll be able to see if it's a good fit for me. And we all know that anything is better than where I'm at now. So wish me luck on that.

How I Met Chris!

2008-11-26T22:29:00.000-08:00

1.Where did you meet?
Unofficially, on the internet from myspace. Officially, at the hotel that I was working at at the time.

2.What was the first thought that went through your head when you met?
"Scrumpy!"

3.Do you remember what he/she was wearing?
Jeans, skater tee, and skater shoes.

4.Where was the first time you kissed this person?
In the hotel parking lot!

5.Where did you go for your first date?
Olive Garden and a movie. Can't remember the movie, but I bawled. Shocker.

6.How long did you know this person before you became a couple?
That night!

7.How did he/she ask you out?
Well I saw his profile on myspace and wrote, "I think you're cute. Let's chat."

8.Has this person ever proposed to you?
Yes.

9.Do you and this person have kids together?
No.

10.Have you ever broken the law with this person?
What matters is that we've never been caught!

11.When was the first time you realized that you liked this person?
When I read his myspace page.

12.Do you get along with his/her family?
Yeah.

13.Do you trust this person?
With certain things.

14.Do you see her/him as your partner in your future?
Yes.

15.What is the best gift she/he gave you?
My Tiffany & Co. ring.

16.What is one thing He/She does that gets on your nerves?
He claims he doesn't know where the laundry basket is; his driving; his rambling on and on and on; his forgetfulness.

17.Where do you see each other 15 years from now?
He's a dentist. We have about three kids. Live in a great house somewhere in Oregon, but away from both families!

18.What causes the most arguments?
My spending habits!!!

19.How long have you been together?
Started dating in September of 2006.

20.Are you Married?
Since August of 2007.

21. Who Do you Tag?
Jana, Amy, & Jessica

Swimming With Snakes

2008-09-06T20:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Chris, Bear, and I went swimming up at Chris' parent's house. Shadow (Black Lab) and Toby II (Jack Russell) were out running around. It was fun to see Bear interact with them. First we were holding Bear to make sure they would accept him, but Bear thought he was the big kid in town and was barking up a storm at them. (Shadow is like fifty times the size of Bear!) Then we put him down and he learned his place with record time. It was so funny to see his ego shatter. It was so much fun to watch them run and play together.

So then we got the pool ready to start swimming. But Chris was like, "Tiff!!!! Come quick! Toby has something dead in his mouth and it doesn't have legs!!!" I immediately think, 'An animal carcass with it's legs ripped off?' So I run out and see what the heck is going on. And this is what I saw....

It was the biggest snake I have ever seen up at their house. Toby loved that snake! He ran all over the place with it. Bear would go and try to grab it, but all he could get his teeth on was its head! I screamed and screamed. It took Chris forever to get him to drop it.

It was still alive. Playing dead or something. We finally put it over in the bushes. We checked later and it was gone. Then we finally got to swim and enjoy the sun.

Cops Update

2008-09-02T19:37:00.001-07:00

While walking Bear today, I ran into my manager. We chit-chatted for a while and I asked her what was going on yesterday with all the cops. She said that some chick got caught stealing. She didn't go into any details and I didn't pry. I have no idea if she was stealing from other tenants or cars or businesses. I was kinda hoping it was going to be a bit juicier gossip than theft. :)

Crazy Woman Driver!!!

2008-09-02T19:07:00.000-07:00

Today I went to Wal-Mart and had quite the experience. Chris and I wanted to shop together before he had to get to work so we decided to take seperate cars. I was waiting for him in a shaded parking space for about 5 mintues. As I was waiting I saw cars come and go, in and out of near by parking spaces. So I see this blue car coming around the corner to take the space directly in front of me. She's coming in fast and I have a front row seat of what was about to happen. She peels in to the space and totally hits our new Malibu!!! I was on the phone with Chris who had actually snuck into Wal-Mart while I was car gazing. I told him where I was and to get out here quick. As the lady hit me, she didn't say the F work until she saw me. I get out and look at my front end. Luckily no damage. She only bent her lisence plate in half. I mean, she hit me pretty hard. I thought for sure there would be some sort of damage. She gets out and is like, "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. My life is falling apart. There has been so much going on. I'm trying to finalize my divorce. I've just been so out of it..." I was like, "It's fine, it's fine. There's no damage. Don't worry about it. Forget it!" She went on and on and at that point I was like, You freaking dumb lady! I don't care about your life! I don't want to hear your sob story! Shut up already. I said it was fine. Chris came and found us. He looked at the car then I grabbed his hand and we walked inside to do our shopping. I mean, who does that? Who just peels into a parking space and hits the car in front of it? It's like she forgot which pedal was the brake. Crazy woman driver!

What's Up With All The Cops?!

2008-09-01T18:57:00.000-07:00

So I casually look out our living room window after dinner and there were like four cops cars in our parking lot. Three cops were searching this old grungy looking van that looks like it has been parked there for quite awhile. This van was packed with all kinds of crap clear up to the ceiling. I have no idea what they were looking for or why they started searching in the first place. Then about fifteen minutes later I saw some chick being escorted to a patrol car with her hands cuffed behind her back. Our managers were out there making phone calls and sorting things out. Hopefully when I go and pay rent on Thursday, I'll be able to get the scoop.

This has been the third visit from the cops in one year. When we moved in, our manager said that there was a zero crime record for the property. I don't think she lied to me, I just think that this summer has brought out the sketchy people in our complex. I don't feel unsafe or anything, I'm just annoyed with all the stupid people in this world.

For those of you that live in an apartment complex or a similar small community, how often have the cops showed up and do you know why?

Good Times At the Fair

2008-08-29T18:40:00.000-07:00

So yesterday Chris and I went to the Oregon State Fair and had SOOO MUCH FUN! I highly recommend it to everyone. First we walked through all the vendors and saw all the crazy stuff people sell. And yes, there were hot tubs! What's a fair without hot tubs? Then we saw all the livestock on show; there were: milking cows, horses, the Budweiser horses were there with all their garb, pigs with the BIGGEST testicles I have EVER seen on an animal, goats, chickens, bunnies, giant rabbits, roosters, pheasants, and doves. We also saw the reptile exhibit. That was really neat. I have never seen a rattle snake for reals before, so that was neat. They both hid their rattlers though. Bummer! We got to pet a horned dragon. I was a little nervous about that. I also got to pet two HUGE tortouses. They are amazing creatures. We saw snakes, lizards, chamelions, turtles, and geckoes of all kinds. Then as we were leaving the tent, I saw a big, giant tub with this gate thing on top. I thought that was a little strange because it was the only thing in there that was caged so seriously. It was dark so I lean my head in real close to try and get a peek. And what did I see about two feet FROM MY FACE...... Two huge eyes belonging to a five foot ALLIGATOR!!! I almost screamed AND peed my pants at the same time. I can't believe they would hold that thing in a tub with a gate as a lid with just rocks holding it secure. So after that, we decided to play some games and go on some rides. We started with like this spider-looking ride. I screamed my head off, it was so much fun. Then we decided to go on a sissy ride. The ride with the swings that have really long chains. This ride was actually hard to enjoy, because I couldn't help thinking about how often they really check the safety of all these rides. I mean, c'mon, it only takes one of those chain links to snap for me to snap my neck and die. It's not like they actually check every single one of those things regualarly. Chris tried to tell me that they probably do stress tests on them, but this is a FAIR. I don't think so. So then I kicked everyone's trash at Wack-A-Mole. I won myself a teddy bear. Who needs men to win you stuff? So that kinda burst Chris' ego a little. So he then proceeded to blow cash on the stupidest games like "throw a ball at three milk cans" or "throw the frisbee rings around the ducks neck." Needless to say, he blew it all. Then it was time to eat nonthing else but elephant ears and corn dogs. Mmmmm. The only thing I forgot to get and I'm SO MAD, was cotton candy. I mean, who goes to the fair and doesn't get cotton candy?! Chris wanted to go on one last ride before we left so we went on like "Tsunami" or something. Chris got really sick and I thought for sure he was going to throw up, but he kept it under control. So with our weasy stomachs and my giant orange teddy bear, we headed on home. My only regret besides the whole cotton candy thing is that I forgot my DARN CAMERA!!! Well, there's always next year!

From English Author to British Survivalist

2008-08-19T18:16:00.000-07:00

Most married LDS women my age either have a kid, nursing a kid, or begging their husbands for one. Not me! When Chris and I got married I begged him for a dog. He made me wait a while, but I finally got what I wanted. (Not to say that Chris didn’t want one. He was just worried about the price.) You see, I didn’t want just ANY dog…

If you know me, you probably know all about Dickens. In case you’re thinking of the author Charles Dickens, PLEASE, let me fill you in. When I was about four or five years old, my parents brought home a seven week old Beagle for my older brother, Scott. He let my mom name him, and my mother, being the English teacher that she was for thirteen years, decided on the name ‘Dickens,’ after the above mentioned author. So I tagged on the full name, “Charles Dickens the Sixth Jensen.” (There were already five other dogs with the name ‘Charles Dickens’ at the vet. Can you believe it?!)

Well anyways, I loved that dog to death. (Some would say quite literally.) He may have been my brother’s dog, but in my eyes he belonged to me. We were the best of pals. Well after about nine years of unconditional love, my sister, Melissa and sister-in-law, Heidi took him away on the day we moved from Springfield.

About seven years later, I come to find out that they had just dropped him off at the shelter/vet’s office to have him put down (due to age, obesity, and many cancerous cysts on his belly). All those seven years, I had thought that he had been adopted by another loving family that could have loved him only a fraction of what I had. As tears are strolling down my face at the age of twenty, I listen to Melissa tell me that she and Heidi DIDN’T EVEN STAY to hold Dickens’ little paw as he slowly drifted off to sleep for the very last time.

While completely enraged and bawling, I march into my parents’ bedroom, who were getting ready for bed. I swung the door open, my mom by her bed, and I cried uncontrollably, trying to explain what was going on. She looked at me with the most worried look on her face I had ever seen. “HONEY, what happened? What happened?” As my dad hears this, he runs out of their master bath in his underwear with a look to kill. (I later find out that he immediately thought that my boyfriend at the time, who was present for all this, had broken up with me, or worse!) When I could finally mutter out the word “Di…..di…..di….dickens,” he rolled his eyes and continued to brush his teeth. My mother tried to comfort me, but all I could think was, “You need to PUNISH Melissa!!!”

And THAT is how much I loved my dog, Charles Dickens the Sixth Jensen!

And so, with this strong bond I have with Beagles, I didn’t want to get another one and feel like I was replacing Dickens. So I researched and found the next best thing. PUGGLES! Half pug, half beagle. You see, when a female Beagle and a male Pug fall in love...

This is where Chris put on the brakes for a while. Puggle breeders in the Northwest are few and far between and they charge an arm and a leg (close to a thousand dollars). So we turned to the internet. And on the cutest little website http://www.puppyfind.com/ we had plenty of pups to choose from. The majority were in the Mid-West which I learned from Oprah is due to all the puppy mills. So we were careful and took our time finding the perfect one to join our family. We wanted a male, with long Beagle ears, a slight curl of the tail, long Beagle legs, a fawn coat, and long muzzle. And he needed to be in our price range most of all. Until then, I read the book All About Puggles. I researched everything I could about the breed and what to expect about raising a puppy.

And then one day I found “Chico.” He was four weeks old and the cutest little thing ever. He was in Oklahoma and I was quick to call the breeder. She told me that he was the runt of the litter (just like Dickens) and the last to be adopted. We made our arrangements and were scheduled to pick him up at PDX on June 20, 2008 at 11:25 a.m.

For the longest time, Chris and I had decided on the name “Akamaru.” Since I wanted a dog so badly, I let Chris choose his name. Akamaru is the name of a cool dog on one of his favorite TV shows. I liked it. It was original and witty that it was from a cartoon. Before we had even picked our dog we had always said, Akamaru this and Akamaru that. But when we finally picked out “Chico” we realized that it would be too hard to yell at him, and really annoying to have to explain to people why we had chosen that name. So to avoid all of the headache and confusion, we decided to go back to the drawing board. That’s when “Bear” popped up. I found it in a list of names and it stuck out. It’s cute and to get Chris to agree I told him we would name him after Bear Grylls. Bear is the coolest guy alive, from Man vs. Wild, one of our favorite shows on Discovery Channel. So this is “Bear Grylls Levanger.” (Even though Chris never let’s me call him by his full name.)

Finally!!!

2008-08-15T19:48:00.000-07:00

Well, we finally made it! We have our own blog. Don't expect too much from us though people, we live relatively boring lives. We eat, sleep, and work with the ocassional fun activity. We'll try and take some photos and videos along the way for your enjoyment. Until next time... Tiff & Chris