Tornadoes

We have had tornadoes in the St. Louis area today. We are safe here in the hotel, but a tornado hit the town where we used to live. That's right, our hometown, Robertsville, MO, aka Two Greyhound Town was hit by a tornado. Mama called a neighbor to see if there was any damage to their house and our old house. She was at work, so she does know for sure. We think it's probably okay because the tornado was a few miles from our house. It did destroy a few homes and caused damaged in the town of Robertsville.

There were several tornadoes in the area today. Sunset Hills, where Mama used to work, was hit hard. She still likes to shop in that area. It's really sad seeing all the damage on the news. It's really bad.

We are thankful that we are safe and are sending our thoughts and prayers out to all those who have lost their homes.

Jack
The Greyhound Who Is Thankful

What We've Learned After A Week Of Hotel Living

We've been living at the hotel for a week now. Can you believe it? We are having wacky weather today, so that's why we have sunglasses on as well as winter hats. It's going to be near 70 today and then storms and then it will drop to around freezing. Crazy!

Okay, so this is what we have learned so far.

1) Two people and two hounds cannot fit in our little kitchen and if we are all try to fit while Mama is fixing dinner, she gets cranky.

2) It's a good thing that Mama stocked up on the poop bags because Jack is a pooping machine. Petsmart had them on clearance this week, so she bought like over 350. She probably should have bought more.

3) Scout wants to get a Mini Cooper. She is in awe of them whenever she sees one. We keep telling her that she will not fit in one, but she says she is asking Santa for one.

4) Snow is fun to run in, but not to walk in. It gets really old after the first day.

5) We are not anything special here. People know that we are not tigers, deer, gazelles, army dogs, great danes or anything else. A few people have talked to us, but most people ignore us.

6) Some people don't clean up after their dogs which is great for the dogs because they don't have to wait for their Mama's to get the poop bag out of the dispenser and/or coat pocket. On the bad side, our Mama steps in their "remains" and she is not happy about it.

7) The highway traffic is loud and the buses will about blow you off the sidewalk.

8) The dishwasher is really loud and it can't be run while Mama is working since her desk is like two feet from it.

9) There is a guest here that needs to get their car fixed. It makes a terrible screeching noise that can be heard as they circle the parking lot. If we can hear it in our room, we wonder how loud it is for them.

and finally

10) Don't touch cars with your nose because it can set off the alarm.

Jack and Scout
The Country Greyhounds Who Are Now Living In The Big City

Houseless

Mama and Daddy closed on the house yesterday, so we are now officially houseless. Mama is happy that it is all over and still amazed with how it all happened. The house was off the market for a week when a couple wanted to see it for a second time. They brought their entire family to see it and while they were deciding, another person wanted to see it. He fell in love with it and he put in an offer immediately. The buyer was so easy to work with. Daddy said someone would fall in love with our house and that's what happened. He saw it, loved it and wanted it.


Goodbye house.... we miss you, but know you have been left in excellent hands and will be well taken care of.

Jack
The Greyhound Who Is Starting To Like Hotel Living

Hotel Living

Today is our first "work day" at the hotel. Mama works from home, you know, so now she works from the hotel. Scout and I normally sleep most of the day, but today has been different. We have watched a few dogs walk past our patio door. We saw a housekeeping cart for the first time and Scout barked at it. Greyhounds aren't supposed to bark, but Scout has never been "right". We walked by some office buildings and a restaurant that smells so good. We thought we were going to have to make an emergency trip to the old house because the realtor couldn't get the keyless entry to work on the garage door and today was the walk thru. Mama told us to "hurry, hurry" because it's at least a 30 minute drive and they were waiting for us. They were able to open it though, so instead of turning right around, we went to McDonalds. Yummy! We are starting to like part of this city living.

We are anxious for this snow to melt because it's not fun to walk in. We would still rather be back at home, but Mama says we need to get used to this place because we are going to be here for a while. We drove around looking at homes yesterday, but the roads they were on were too slick and Daddy said he didn't want to go in the ditch with us in the car. I guess it's okay to go in the ditch if it's just Mama with him.

Here are a few photos of us in our hotel room. Mama will take more when she straightens things up, but really, it's pretty hopeless. She makes the bed and we just unmake it. We have our toys, beds and toys all over the room. I think Mama just needs to go with it and enjoy not having to do much of anything. She will have to keep a house clean soon enough.

Our room has a full kitchen, computer desk, couch, chair and the bed, of course. It's like an efficiency apartment. We are used to having 2,600 square feet to run around in, so we are having to be creative with our zoomies and playing. We don't have a hallway to run around in because it's not that kind of hotel. Our door opens up to the outside. Mama is very careful to make sure we are secure before she takes us out.

I still haven't seen the pizza man yet. Maybe he is coming on New Year's Eve?

Jack
The Greyhound Who Finds Hotel Living A Little Interesting

Merry Christmas

Hope everyone has a wonderful day! This is an old photo of us. It was taken three years.

We are having a white Christmas this year. We sure wish we had our yard to run in. We really wanted to run last night, but Mama says she is too old to run with us. Drat! We miss our house and our yard, but we are adjusting to hotel living.

Jack & Scout
The Greyhounds Who Wish You a Merry Christmas

A Photo With Santa

This photo was taken two years ago. Mama said we didn't have to see Santa again because we really didn't like it. There were several ankle biters there and then a mean dog tried to attack Jack while we were paying for our photo. It was not a good experience. We know it's not Santa's fault, but we still don't see the need to visit him again. He knows that we are good kids.

We are going to have snow today. Mama is going to stay at the hotel with us and keep us company. Daddy is going to visit family. Tomorrow, we will all be together.

We had an okay night. Mama took us for a longer walk and we were able to explore our new "home". We felt better after that. However, it is noisy here. There are cars zooming by on the highway. We heard sirens. We saw someone's car being towed away. We didn't have any activity like that in Two Greyhound Town. Our ice maker makes a lot of noises. There is a lot to get used to here. Scout slept on the couch last night, so I think she is feeling more comfortable.

I found out that the TV here gets Judge Judy, so that makes me feel better. You know, I love my Judge Judy.

Jack
The Greyhound Who Is Living In A Hotel In The "City"

Hotel Living

We are in the hotel and Scout and I do not like it at all. We want to go back home, but Mama says we have to stay here until we find another house. It's not at all like I thought it would be. I can't do zoomies here. There are boxes all over, but Mama says that will change. She's trying to unpack, but she brought too much stuff. She said some of the stuff will have to go to Grandma's.

Scout and I were so excited all day about our big move. Mama and Daddy packed up the cars and left for a few hours. The Pod man came while they were gone and took it away. After they got home, we did zoomies in our house because it was empty. It's fun doing zoomies in an empty house.

Daddy said that one of us would have to stay behind because there wasn't room for both of us and our beds in the Jeep. We didn't want to stay behind, so we squeezed into the Jeep with our beds and blankets. We could see out the window without even standing up. It was fun. Mama wanted to take photos but the camera was already at the hotel.

Mama cried as we left the house. She said a chapter of our life has ended and while she is very happy, she is a little sad too. I didn't really understand it until we got to this hotel and now I'm sad too.

Mama says our yard here is nice because we have a patio door and it's blocked off for just us. I don't get why she thinks it's nice. It's small. It's not like home at all. I really want to go back home.

The pizza man didn't come tonight. Mama says he will come after we get settled in and can enjoy his visit more.

Jack
The Greyhound Who Is Very Sad Tonight

Oops!

Remember my dream of laying in bed at the hotel with my jammies on waiting for the pizza man? Well, it's not going to happen. Why? Because Daddy put my jammies in the Pod! That's right, my jammies are loaded up and will not be seen until we get to the new house. Not only did Daddy load up my jammies, but also our coats and snoods. Mama had placed them carefully in a Space Bag and put them in a stack of other Space Bag items. Daddy put all the Space Bags in the Pod. :-O That was not supposed to happen. Mama said we are lucky we didn't get put in the Pod. If you are wondering why Daddy doesn't just get them out of the Pod, well, that would take a lot of work. They are behind our box springs and several other big items and well, that is just not going to happen. Mama said she will order us new winter coats tomorrow after we get our room number at the hotel.

Mama messed up and told Daddy to pack the wrong dog bed. Scout is a little miffed. She still has a bed, but it's not her favorite one. This packing sure is confusing. Mama messed up a lot. She had set out the remote to the DVD player so that we would have it at the hotel and then for some unknown reason, she packed it. Yep, it is also Podded. I think we are going to be doing a lot of shopping.

Today is our last day at the house. Mama has to work this morning and then she said we will start cleaning. Tomorrow we move to the hotel!!!!

Jack
The Greyhound Who Will Be Naked At The Hotel

My Bed Has Been Drained

It's been crazy around here. If you are not careful, you will get boxed up. The couch is gone. The big screen TV is gone. I had the big bed until today, but then they drained the water out of it. I guess they thought that would keep me from sleeping on it. I fooled them. I can still sleep on it.



It looks like we may be moving early. A snowstorm is predicted for Christmas Eve, so we may move out on Thursday to avoid moving in the snow.

Jack
The Greyhound Who Thinks Moving Is Stressful and Mama Agrees.

Bye Bye Toys

The Pod man came today. He left with the Pod that contained almost all of our toys.





We are very sad. Bye, bye toys..... see you at our new house.

The Pizza Man Better Be Worth It

Moving is a lot harder than I expected. It is disrupting our lives.

Friday, Daddy took our RV to our uncle's house where it will stay through the winter. It was sad to see it leave.

Saturday, the Pod showed up. Mama and Daddy spent the weekend packing things and loading them into the Pod. It's almost loaded and will be picked up this week. Another Pod will then be delivered and Mama says that's when our favorite things; the couch and the big bed will be moved. We are not looking forward to that. Mama is not looking forward to moving the couch. It has recliners built into it, so it's heavy.


We had a little snow on Sunday, so that made Mama worry. She is scared that we will have trouble getting out of here if we get too much snow. We still need to take a few trailer loads of things to Good Will, Grandma's and our uncle's house this week. Mama is really stressing over the weather, but what good does that do? Daddy says she needs something to worry about.

Daddy packed up all of our toys before we had a chance to choose what we wanted to take to the hotel. Mama thought Scout's favorite toy was packed so she said Santa would bring her a new one, but then we found it under the bed. We actually found six of our toys, so even though our limit was supposed to be two, we are taking all six to the hotel.

We've been trying to help with the packing. That bubble wrap sure is a fun invention. It's fun to walk on because it goes pop, pop, pop.

The packing peanuts are messy. They stick to your nose.

Even though it's been a little fun, Scout and I are nervous about this whole moving thing. We don't like all the mess. We just hope meeting the pizza man is worth all of this trouble.

Jack
The Greyhound Who Doesn't Like Moving After All

SOLD!!!!

(Scout celebrating today)

We just got the official word that the house is SOLD! Remember Mama's dream? She dreamed the house sold for a certain dollar amount and the house was not even on the market when she had that dream two weeks ago. Well, it sold for that dollar amount! Mama says we are blessed whatever that means.

Lots of excitement in our house tonight. We will be leaving "Two Greyhound Town" in a little over two weeks for a new adventure.

Jack
The Greyhound Who Is GOING To Meet The Pizza Man Soon

Wordless Wednesday 12/08/2010

Jack,
The Greyhound Who Doesn't Like The Mess Moving Makes

Today is a BIG Day!

We are having the appraisal and the inspection done today. Mama is happy that it's all being done in one day. She said we won't have to hide all of our stuff anymore after today, but we will have to start packing some of it. She is threatening to put our stuffiies in a Space Bag. We are not sure we like that idea.

The appraiser showed up early. Mama and Daddy were still cleaning when he came. He said everything looked good, but we have to wait for the official answer.

The buyer was a little uneasy being here without an agent, so Mama offered to stay in the RV during the inspection. He said that was fine and even said we could stay in the house during the inspection, but Mama said we would all be fine in the RV. We are in the RV as we are typing this.

After the inspection is over, we are going to drive by a house that just came on the market. It's a two story which is not what we want, but the price makes it hard to not at least look at it.

Mama and Daddy are going to look at some homes on Sunday. We can't go because it's going to be too cold for us to stay in the car. We will have to wait at home.

Jack and Scout
The Greyhounds Who Are Getting Closer to Meeting A Pizza Man

How Much Should I Tip The Pizza Man?

That's right an offer has come in and if all goes well, I will be in a hotel in less than 29 days! Our closing is set for December 28th. The biggest concern is the appraisal. Appraisals are more difficult than they used to be. We have to cross our paws that it goes smoothly. Mama is nervous about it. She has heard of deals falling through because of the appraisal.

It's pretty overwhelming to think of all that we need to do within the next 29 days. We need to pack and start looking for a new home. We need to get some Pods and donate things to Good Will. We need to find a hotel room. Daddy will be traveling some during December, so it's going to be tough, but we can do it. We won't have a Christmas tree this year, but that's okay. We will have room service instead. LOL

Jack
The Greyhound Who Is 29 Days Away From Meeting The Pizza Man!

Hoping For Good News

(Scout is still tired for cleaning yesterday.)

We had a fun day yesterday. We left the house so that the real estate man could show it. We went to McDonalds and Scout and I shared a McChicken. Yummy! We then went to our favorite park and walked the campground loop twice. We walked for an hour.

As soon as we got home, Mama and Daddy pulled out our beds, bowls, toys, blankets and bones from their hiding places. Mama says we are a lot of work. Daddy says we have too much stuff. While the folks were doing that, the phone rang. It was our real estate man. He said the people loved our house and they were planning on writing an offer! These were the people that Mama didn't think would be interested, but they are. If everything works out, they want the house by the end of the year. Mama told us to rest up because life is going to be moving at fast speed if we have to move in 30 days. Daddy will be traveling some during that time, so it's going to be tough but we can do it.

Daddy told me not to expect real room service because we are not staying in that type of a hotel. I know that! I just want food to be delivered to the room. I want to see a pizza man. I've only heard of the pizza man. I've never seen one in person, just on the TV.

We should know something today on the house and the other couple is supposed to make their decision today too. Daddy said the heck with listing homes in the spring and summer. We sold our other one in December and this one might be the same way.


Jack
The Greyhound Who Has His Paws Crossed Very Tightly

Another Day, Another Showing

(Scout, who is tired after all the cleaning today.)

Our house is off the market and we are having our second showing this week. How does that work? Mama said maybe we shouldn't have taken it off the market and Daddy said that we having more luck with it off the market. LOL It's crazy.

We got up at 5 a.m. We ate breakfast at 6 a.m. We started cleaning and have been ready for the showing for the past hour. We still have two more hours. Daddy says we will leave in another hour. We have to put gas in the car and then we are going to lunch. We are not sure what we are having yet but it will either be a chicken sandwich or a hamburger. We like both. After lunch, we will go to the park. After we get home, we are having company. It's a busy day here in Two Greyhound Town USA.

Jack
The Greyhound Who Is Ready For Lunch

Paws Are Still Crossed

Mama heard from our agent today. The people really love our house, but their family thinks it's too far out. They will make a decision on Monday. Mama is so sad right now. She thinks the answer is going to be a "no" and she is trying not to cry.

We do have someone else coming to look at the house tomorrow, but Mama is not excited. The agent said this person has been looking for a while, but also commented that our house was farther out than he would like.

The only thing that is giving Mama any hope is that dream she had about getting the contract. She said maybe the guy who is coming tomorrow is the person who was in her dream and not the first couple.

We haven't been using our fireplace because Mama didn't want to clean it if we had another showing. Last night, Mama told Daddy to build a fire because that would cause someone to look at the house and now another person is coming tomorrow. LOL She has to clean out the fireplace now. LOL

Jack
The Greyhound Who Is Dreaming Of Room Service For Christmas

Wordless Wednesday

Scout
The Greyhound Who Is Excited About Turkey Day

Oh My Goodness!

Last night, Mama had a dream that we got an offer on our house. She told Daddy about it this morning. He laughed at her because the price was for more than what we will be listing it for next year. She told him that in her dream the offer came in now and not when we re-list it next year. Mama thought about the dream all morning and then a strange thing happened. Our realtor called and told her that the people who looked at it a few weeks ago are still interested and want to come back today and bring their parents. Spooky! We sprung into action getting the house ready for the showing. Mama hurt her back yesterday and could barely walk, but somehow she was able to get around today. Normally when Mama's back gets that way, it takes a few days for her to be able to get around. Mama kept praying that her back wouldn't let her down today and it didn't. Daddy came home from work early and helped us get ready. It was crazy! Mama kept saying that the house had to look good for a second showing.

We drove to town during the showing and Scout and I got a chicken sandwich. We then went to the park and walked around just a little. Mama's back was hurting again, so we couldn't walk too much, but it was still fun.

We now have our paws crossed...again. We are waiting for the phone to ring. Wouldn't it be something if Mama's dream came true? If we get an offer for the price she dreamed about, we will let you know.

Jack
The Greyhound Who Is Still Dreaming of Room Service

Five Is Fine!

Guess who is having a birthday today. It's me, Scout. I am five today and Mama says I don't look a day over four. LOL

Jack is six, so I'm catching up to him. Actually, he turns seven in January. Mama says it is sad to see us getting older. It doesn't bother me. I still feel young.

I'm not sure what we are doing today. Mama said she is going to town later today and she will bring me home a surprise. I prefer food over toys, so I bet I get something special to eat.
Daddy is home, so that makes me happy. I'm going to have a good birthday.

Scout
The Greyhound Who Is Looking Fine at Five

Happy and Sad

Sad Thoughts

Daddy has been out of town for the past three weeks. He's been coming home for the weekends, but then he is gone again. We are getting used to it. Mama gives us lots of attention, so it's not terrible but we still miss him.

Our house is officially off the market. The agent man said that he heard back from that other agent and the couple that were interested in our house feel it's a little far out for them. It's possible they could change their minds, but we are not getting our hopes up. Mama received a call from another agent trying to get her to list the house with him. He was very rude and called Mama stupid for not re-listing the house immediately. Does he really think he can get listings by calling people stupid?

We cleaned out the RV for the winter. Mama washed up all our blankets and put them away until the spring. We are sad that camping season is over.

Happy Thoughts

Daddy will be home tonight and we will greet him like a rock star. Here are some past photos of us waiting for our Daddy.

Daddy will not be traveling next week! That makes us very happy!

Jack and Scout
The Greyhounds Who Are Happiest When Daddy Is Home

Wordless Wednesday - Noble Jack

It's Beginning To Look Like Turkey Day

These guys are very tempting in our front yard. Yum!



Jack
The Greyhound Who Loves His Poultry

I've Been Dreaming of Room Service

As you may remember, if our house sells now, we will be staying in a hotel. I have been dreaming of the hotel room service. I see myself wearing my cute jammies and I am laying on the bed. There is a knock at the door and it's the pizza man. I've never actually seen a pizza man because we don't have delivery here, so it's really something that would be fun for me.

Mama killed my dream today. She said our realtor has been trying to reach the realtor who showed our house on Halloween and she is not returning his calls or emails. What is up with that? That is rude is what that is! We have to assume that the people do not want our house. Mama said our listing expires on Monday, so we may just take it off the market until January. It looks like we will be here for another winter. We love our house, but we were really hoping to sell it this year and begin our next adventure. There's always next year.

Jack
The Greyhound Who Wants To Meet A Pizza Man

Wordless Wednesday - Yum, Yum!

Scout
The Greyhound Who Loves Peanut Butter

I've Been Frustrated

An out of town Daddy + a Mama who doesn't do ear rubs correctly = a frustrated Jack!

It has been a very long week. I did pretty good until about Wednesday and then I couldn't take it. I tried to show Mama how to rub my ears, but she was clueless. Daddy came home last night and relief. He rubbed my ears for a good five minutes. This morning, he rubbed them again.


Life is good!!!!

Mama just told me that Daddy is going to be gone again next week. I told Daddy to give her ear rubbing lessons because I don't think I can handle another week without my ear rubs.

Jack
The Greyhound Who Needs His Ear Rubs

RIP Talentedmrripley

I learned that my Bio Daddy, Talentedmrripley, died on Wednesday of a stroke. He was 11 and lived at the Greyhound Hall of Fame in Abilene, KS.

He was an excellent racer. He never finished lower than 5th place. His record was 65/7-3-2-2 in79 starts. If you would like to read more about him, here is a link. Talentedmrripley
I did not take after him. I raced eight times and came in second once. I liked to bump the other dogs. I still like to bump, but I do it to Mama now.

Bio Daddy was busy. There are 1,061 of his offspring running around. I guess that's why I never saw him on holidays.

Last year, we traveled to Abilene, KS for a greyhound event and I saw Bio Daddy through the window of the Greyhound Hall of Fame. This is what I wrote on my blog about seeing him:

"This afternoon, we walked past the Greyhound Hall of Fame. My bio Daddy was not happy. He started barking and running in front of the window. He was not happy that I was on his property. It's not like I was coming asking for money or anything. Sheesh! Mama just wanted to have our photo taken in front of the sign. The Hall of Fame lady put him in the back room and came out to meet me since I was one of his sons. We told her that we didn't want to upset him. She said he carries on like that when any dog walks past the Hall of Fame. He is like a real watch dog. We are not like that at all. We don't bark. A burglar would have to trip over us to get hurt."

Mama and Daddy actually met him and said he was very sweet. He had a nice throne in which he greeted his guests.

Here Scout, Mama and me are in front of the Greyhound Hall of Fame.

RIP Talentedmrripley. You will be missed!

Jack
The Son of the Talentedmrripley

Oprah Went Camping!

Did you hear that Oprah went camping in Yosemite? It was her first time camping. Mama and I watched the show and laughed and laughed.

She camped in a pop-up with her best friend, Gayle. Oprah hit a rock with the camper. She said it damaged the bathroom, but she didn't go into detail about it. The next morning she had trouble opening the bathroom door, so maybe that's what she meant about it damaging the bathroom.

Oprah should have called me. Doesn't she know that I'm a camping expert?

I definitely could have given her some camping tips.

They didn't show her at the dump station, so we don't know if she dumped. Maybe she doesn't know that she needs to dump. She gave the pop-up away to a couple she met at the park. I hope for their sake that she dumped or that is going to be a stinky camper.

Jack
The Greyhound Who Is A Camping Expert