(1) If you don’t have a Gravatar account yet… GEEEEZ! Go get one already.

(2) I keep my [massive and complex] to do lists in a mindmap at mindomo.com (which ROCKS, btw) but I’m not always at my computer to add things to it. I often remember to do items while I am out walking Snickers or walking to work. I’ve tried just sending myself email reminders, but then I’m bothered by them being in my inbox when I’m not ready to deal with doing, moving, or listing them. Today I fixed all that. Now I send an email to a special address at nycgadgetgirl.com with the reminder in the subject line, that address if filtered in gmail so that it skips my inbox and is labeled “to do.” When I’m ready catch up on odds and ends, I view the to do label in gmail, take care of all the little things and add everything else to my mind map!

One of my readers pointed me towards a new blog a couple weeks ago and I’ve been enjoying it ever since. The most recent post is excellent and must be shared.

Please go enjoy The Dog Whisperer Might Be Right This Time at I Am Shiba.

If you live in the city and you don’t go to the flea market, you don’t know what you are missing. You really should check it out.

First, there is Chuck. He makes benches, stools, and desks from reclaimed wood and they are incredible. I bought one - custom made to the size I needed and stained the color I wanted - 6 or 8 months ago and I just love it. He and his wife Jeannie are very sweet people; Snickers likes to visit with them every Saturday morning.

I recently bought a vintage, black leather coat (part of the kinky outfit actually) for only $20. Seriously. It was going to be $25, but the merchant didn’t have change for my two twenties and gave it to me for $20. Miss ~T~ has purchased more than a few adorable handbags from our favorite merchant of all time - Judith Adler - and I got another REALLY awesome leather jacket from her for a price too low to be disclosed!

Oh, AND, the best deal so far? I got these awesome, red LEATHER chairs at the flea market a few weeks ago for only $125. No, not each. $125 for the pair!!! Can you believe that? They are in amazing condition and they are very comfortable too. Almost too good to be true!

I’m writing a silly post because I’ve been very emotional about Snickers the last few days. I’ve realized he’s really my “heart dog” (a phrase I found ridiculous until recently, btw) and I can’t bear the thought of what I’ll do without him when eventually leaves me. Tonight, a friend sent an email to Shiba-L about finding out her elderly male Shiba has an enlarged liver and spleen - possibly cancerous - and I’ve been teary and sniffly ever since.

So, on to the silliness… this weekend my NYC Shiba Inu Meetup group wore their bandanas for the first time. They were custom made for us by Barb at bandanamania and they ROCK. If you need pet bandanas for any group or occasion - or even just for a single dog - she is the woman to talk to.

I’ve been afraid to post anything new today because I don’t want to take away from the fabulous discussion that’s been going on in my last post. Therefore, here’s a quickie…

1) Gravatars are cool. Everyone should go get one.

2) Now go read my last post and add your two cents if you haven’t already!

While researching dog food for Snickers a few months ago, I ran across Flying Dog Press. The site belongs to a dog trainer (who, according to my sister, is quite well known, but I didn’t know that at the time). The trainer, Suzanne Clothier, wrote a book which was featured on the website. It sounded interesting. I bought it. I read it. I loved it.

I just finished reading this today and I plan to start re-reading it tomorrow. This is not a training book. It is about learning to listen to what your dog is saying to you.

In addition to having some great things to say about our relationships with our dogs, Suzanne Clothier has a great way of saying them. Her writing style is engaging and enjoyable. This may sound corny, but I have to say it… This book made me laugh, cry, and think.

Buy it. Read it. You’ll love it.

Let me know.

Wow. That was wonderful. My mini me and I just got home from seeing A Soldier’s Play at Second Stage. All I can say is that it was just wonderful. Everyone in it was fabulous. The audience was so caught up in it that you could hear collective sighs, gasps, and clucks at all the right times. And of course giggles too.

T’s favorite line? "How could I have done it?"

I wish I could tell everyone to make plans to see it, but it closes in 6 days (unless they extend it again).