If you can't take the dog, get out of the kitchen

I didn't use a 'home' phrase/saying this time, but I thought a kitchen phrase would be more appropriate. 

As move in day approaches (next weekend to be exact) the kitchen remodel has started. We wanted to get everything done before moving - we dream big. This isn't as easy as we thought since we are moving our water line, gas line and electric. Living 2 hours away while doing all of this also poses a problem because of our different work schedules in Erie. But, we did start the demo. Cabinets are coming off and soon the wall will finally be down and my kitchen will be able to see the light! Who knows when the finished project will be ready for the unveiling, but we are working on it! 

The color scheme. Dark cabinets, white Corian countertops and grey slate floor. I'm in love with what we came up with and can't wait for the finished results. 

One other project we came up with is making a dog-bowl/food cabinet for the dogs! There is nowhere to really keep the dog food anymore, so this is our solution. We are going to get some extra side panels that match our kitchen cabinets and build a box that looks like the one below. Sounds easy, right?

Home, Dog, Home

I am seeing how many 'home' sayings I can put the word 'dog' into. So far - TWO! That has to be some kind of record.
As promised (and also late) here is a mini-tour of our home. We already have tons of plans for every room - including ripping up carpets (which have hardwood floor under it), painting, and redoing our entire kitchen.

Welp, here it is, home. 

I love this door, but it needs some updating! 

Notice how dark the kitchen looks through the peek-though. (I call it a peak through, anyway.) 

The dogs love the windows and the back yard. I am hoping they will love the pool too. I know I  love pool. Also - remember that kitchen picture, in a month it will be totally renovated.

Home is Where the Dog is.

I have mentioned our voyages (all four of us) back to Pittsburgh a few times to look at houses. Well, we closed on a house last week, Surprise! The dogs make as much noise as they want now, but I still find myself saying, 'Shhh - the neighbors can hear.' But alas, the neighbors don't hear a thing.

It is nice to not worry about how loud they are, but it's really nice to let them out side - with out a leash. Yep, fenced in back yard. So the leaves blowing across the yard can taunt Charlie and Vinny all they want - because they now have the freedom to chase as many leaves as they want with out pulling my arm off.

Pictures will be up soon - i'm still picking my favorite 'before' shots so we can compare what we do to the house to what it was when we bought it. So, this may turn in to a "Home Improvement/The Dogs Take Over Our Lives" blog.

Here is a picture of the dogs enjoying their new home, they like the windows.

Chasing the Stick

We went to the park today; instead of chasing the ball we brought, they were more interested in playing with the stick they found. 

Morning Play-Time

Sometimes when the dogs want to play, they want to play with different toys. Which, is not like them since they normally fight over the same toy. This morning, Charlie insisted on playing tug-o-war with the rope, while Vinny chose to play fetch. This would pose a problem on most people....but i've mastered the art of multitasking. So, with one hand I played with Charlie and the rope and I used the other hand to play fetch. Between Vinny chasing the ball or Charlie ripping the rope out of my hand, I managed to get a few pictures. 

After a while, they get tired and decide to chew the toy instead of play with it. --Figures.

Valentines Day Boxers

Charlie and Vinny wish you a Happy Valentines day! 

 I made Tony Heart Shapes Andes Cookies. Charlie wanted one. 

Tony's Birthday Weekend!

This past weekend Tony and I packed up the dogs and ventured back home to Pittsburgh for 3 days! Although it was Tony's birthday, we had some meetings with very important people regarding the house we are buying (everything is going great!)

Living 2-3 hours away from home probably makes Char and Vin the most traveled dogs I know, especially in the past few months. I must say, even though we visited three households this weekend and slept at two different houses, our dogs are troopers. They don't love being away from their home, but they adjust well. I'm so proud. 

Friday-

We left the dogs with Tony's mom for a long time Friday for home inspections/mortgage appointments. We honestly would not be able to buy a house 2 hours away from where we are living now with out her. She has been watching them through out the search since we can't just leave them in Erie alone. Jackie (and Tony's dad, Joe) have two dogs too - Cartman and Butters (South park fans, obviously). Cartman & butters like to keep their distance. 

Greg holding Charlie, Vinny doesn't like it. 

Friday night we stayed at Tony's brother, Greg, and his boyfriend, Elliott's, house. Charlie and Vinny made them selves at home. 

Did I mention Greg and Elliott have a dog too? Adler! 

 Most of the pictures I have of Adler are a blur. That dog is fast.

I swear they aren't attacking Adler. 

 Saturday
We stayed at my parents house on saturday - The dogs were pretty tired that night. Besides chasing my niece and nephew around the house, this is what they did:

Sunday

Today is Tony's birthday! 

HAPPY 23'rd BIRTHDAY!

We had lunch with Jackie, Joe, Greg and Elliott - Here is a pic of the birthday boy!

...and of course, every car ride home needs a picture of them sleeping in the back seat. 

Let's say it all together ....  awwwwweeeeeeee.

An awe moment

Finals week is over, so me and the boys are relaxing this week. Tony, the dogs, and I are heading to Pittsburgh again and I'll be sure to take pics of the shenanigans they get into.

For now, here's a cute picture:

A New Friend

When we go the park and other dogs are there, we sometimes have to stop Charlie and Vinny because boxers play by, well, boxing. They get on their back legs and 'hit' other dogs (or each other when they are playing). They play the 'normal' dog way too - chasing balls, frisbee, tag, etc; but, they usually greet other dogs my hitting them in the face. Today I just let them play with the other dog because he was a boxer too! His name is Ace and they played with him for about an hour - the boxer way.

It's Finals Week!!

It's finals week!!!! 

Because I haven't had the time to post anything, I thought some pictures of my study buddies would be appropriate. I am usually using my macbook to study (since that's where I take my notes) so, I use the webcam and take pictures - sorry about the bad quality. Here are a few:

Actually at my desk - Vinny wanted to help

Please refrain from making fun of my snuggie!!

Vinny is my usually study buddy. But every once in a while Charlie likes to make an appearance. 

Since this is a blog about our lives with the dogs, I thought i'd share that all four of us pilgrimaged to Pittsburgh to not only look at a house, but put an offer on it!!! We are so excited! It has a big back yard for the Charlie and Vinny!  -- We'll keep you posted on if we get it!

Road Trip!!!

Update: Well, we didn't get the house. Boo. Another offer went in the same day as ours and us being first time home buyers, they didn't really want to work with us. (I don't really understand why -- but it'sok) I was upset because it was an amazing house (which i've already designed a kitchen for and decorated in my head), but, we will keep searching and hopefully find another we love just as much!