Richards Residence

June 2007 Trip to the States…

This was the forst time in 3 years that all 4 Foust siblings had been together.

This first photo is of David, Sam and Evan on the trampoline at Uncle John and Aunt Lisa’s

This second photo is of Nicholas and Abigail riding a horse at John and Lisa’s. Abigail and Nicholas are first cousins once removed. (or as Graham would say - scond cousins:-)

As a family we usually have a TV show or two on the go that we watch as a family and take the oppertunity  to talk about what we are watching and what we can learn together. A current favourite at the moment is ‘The Dog Whisperer’ with Cesar Millan. http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/ Even jacob joins in with a ‘woof’ here and there and I am always amazed at what Abigail picks up.

I have been an animal lover for as long as I can remember always loving and always rescueing where I can. I have learned over the years though that occasionally my head must rule my heart.

I even worked for the RSPCA for a while and loved my time there. One thing looking back that I now realise is that the best kennel maids there were those that had Cesar’s approach. Calm and assertive and thus the dog would be calm and submissive.

One thing that has always troubled me is that people believe that you must ‘force’ or rather use force to make animal behave. Or worse yet that you have to beat them into submission. It never felt right, but I never really knew how to answer them. Now I feel I do. Cesar is amazing and I when we get our next puppy (and, yes, we will get another) I know how I will be teaching them to live in our pack.

BTW - calm and assertive works on people too!

…life is back to ‘normal’ by the fact that I am posting less?!

The clearout has been a success so far with Ebay and Freecycle doing their bits. The car boot will have to wait until around March and the local ones start up again.

All ok here for now. Nothing major to report

Well the title says it all really. We were travelling from the 28 - 1Jan and back to work the 2 Jan. It’s just too busy atm.

We really enjoyed a couple really quiet days but we are both running around like headless chickens again.

The house needs a good sort out. Poo Jacob is crying will have to go…

Ok I’m back - this is something else though. Ever since jacob has been in hospital it is really hit and miss what our nights are like. Tonight he has woken every hour so far. And often he can be awake for a couple hours between 8 and 11. It it really frustrating.

Anyway, the house needs a good sort out. I cleared the loft autumn of 06 and I went up the other day and there is ’stuff’ all over again. Also the shed is FULL and so are the kids rooms. *sigh*

So my plan of attack is Ebay, Freecycle and I will probably go to a car boot. Now for those of you who need those terms explaining let me take a moment.

Ebay - the worlds best on line auction site (www.ebay.co.uk or www.ebay.com) I have 188 stars - how many do you have?!

Freecycle - an amazing site (each major city in the UK & USA and probably other places has one) in which you offer anything you wish for free. Just google Freecycle and the name of the closest city to you eg Freecycle Northampton. And the other great thing about this site is that it is the person who wants the items responsibility to collect. Fab idea, huh?!

Car boots - well the closest thing America has would be a garage or yard sale. But the great thing about car booting (that would be the verb) is tht you load all you ’stuff’ into the boot 9trunk) of your car and head to a car boot site. ususally they are a car park or a field. And again everyone comes to you! You unlads your car full of ‘treasures’ for people to bargain and haggle over the price.

Well, the great yearly clear out begins!!!