Elka Needs a Brand New Bed

Before Elka gets relegated to slightly less than top dog with BB King's arrival, it is my absolute intent to spoil her even more!  Her 2nd birthday is Saturday (tear') and she took a birthday pizza with her to Dogtown Doggie Daycare yesterday, to share with her friends.  I'm a bad mom, and apparently thaKing is a bad dad/photographer! We have no pictures of the pizza before it was devoured! We heard it was enjoyed by all.  Anyway, Elka has been in need of a new bed.  She has outgrown the one she sleeps on in our room ,and since it was a rush to purchase when she was a puppy, I've never been thrilled with the pattern.  You may recall that my very talented mother helped me sew the king size bed featured here for Elka that we keep downstairs.  Here is the inspiration from Fleabag Beds for her new 'upstairs' doggie bed... a nice bright trellis print with piping. Yes piping! That will be a new feat if I can pull it off. 

LA Lady

thaKing and I just got back from LA last week. He was there for work and I tagged along just to hang out.  We stayed downtown and ventured out on the subway to Hollywood.  Hollywood is surprisingly small.   The walk of fame meanders on and on, but it's basically one big block that encompasses Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Kodak Theater.  We also went to a taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live.  OMG, TV is sooo fake!  We were told to clap and act super excited for the intro to the musical guest that wasn't even there! Part of work obligations included going to a reception at the Walt Disney Theater, home of the LA Philharmonic.  The building is one of the most architecturally inspiring I have ever seen. 

We also went to a professional boxing match and saw Oscar de La Hoya, Magic Johnson, and Eddie Murphy.  The main event went the full 12 rounds and ended in a draw.  I see that as getting your money's worth, however most people were really upset about the draw. We also found the fashion district which was like a huge flea market with the blocks and blocks of handbags!  The bags weren't knock offs, but I think I bought a Big Buddha bag sans Big Buddha hardware, for $22! (Not the one pictured above)   My favorite part was going to Santa Monica. This was the shopping I had been looking for, all within a few blocks: Kitson, Nordstrom, Tory Burch, Anthropology! 

It was great to finally get home.  Elka had been staying a Dogtown all week. She was exhausted and excited to see us, needless to say.

Ever Growing News

Image courtesy of Creative Thursday

 

ThaKing and I are expecting our first (maybe only one depending on how this all goes ;) ) child in January!  It's a boy (Baby Boy King...BB for short) that is already measuring larger than average! Of course he is!  ThaKing and I were each over 9lbs. and all of our nephews have weighed in at over 9lbs.  each. I haven't been sick at all, so pregnancy fortunately has not been that bad.  I do sense sleeping will be becoming an issue. Stomach sleeping is of course ruled out and sleeping on the left side is the side of choice for those interested in reducing the likelihood of varicose veins.  Sleeping on the back is not advisable because of the  risk of putting too much weight on the vena cava artery which can cut  off circulation to BB.  So then  the only options are sleeping on your left or right side.  Now the left side is becoming less and less of an option.  I think while laying on my left side BB is resting on my sciatic nerve because there is a tingling sensation all the way down my left leg.  Oh the joys. I should have read What to Expect Before You Are Expecting!

     

Art to Heart

I am LOVING all of these prints from Z Gallerie!  However, it is noted there is a shortage of White German Shepherd art to be found anywhere.  There are pieces on Etsy, but I just soon prefer any painting/photo be of my own Elka.  Thus, I have requested that thaKing do a photo  of Elka sitting with a red background, to be printed on canvas (think Blue Dog inspired).  He just purchased a 5D Mark II, so  he is jumping at every opportunity to put it to good use.  Can't wait to see how it turns out!  More info to come on why the search for doggie art, soon.

Mad About Mad Men

Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone Magazine

I am truly addicted to Mad Men.  The new cover of Rolling Stone proclaims Mad Men is the best show on TV.  I dare say it is one of the best shows on TV, ever!  It has the best writing of any show since the Sopranos, probably because Matthew Weiner was/is involved in both of them.  The era, the style, the symbolism!  This weeks episode is the best yet.  Don berates Peggy because, I think, he holds her to a higher standard than any of the other copywriters.  She is there because she earned the position, but only  because he put her there.  This is evident when he tells her she should wake up each morning and thank him ,and Jesus, that she has been given another day.  How else would a woman have that position?  They  know some of  each others secrets and yet truly see each other for what they are.  Can't wait until next week's episode!