This weekend we went on a short outing with the doggies out near the Pink Sand where we typically won't run into anyone or any other dogs. It is getting HOT here! We had to rest in the shade and drink a lot of water. Here are a couple cool pics of where we were...

Guess who FINALLY got a Tattoo?

During my visit to my parents I took a side trip to see Lisa. Lisa and I went to the Hornet's Nest to get a long overdue tattoo for me and one more for her. She got a line drawing of her dog Nala and I got the one in the photo. The tattoo represents my family, husband, and life. I know you all know that the dog outline is my Rodeo and the opposite of Rodeo is a tail. I like it because it balances out the red cliffs. The red cliffs remind me of many things including our honeymoon, my Mom helping me plan out our move to Kanab, and my Dad who came up with a nickname of "the rock" for Daron. Yup "the rock" is in the middle grounding me and keeping me from losing my mind!! The tattoo is on my lower back.

Daron is no doubt saying something brillant and our friends are absolutely mesmerized! Of course. We had friends over to meet Charles (who was in for the weekend after a conference in Las Vegas, grill and sit around the fire pit.





Daron and Charles went to Toroweap on Sunday. Toroweap is a part of the Grand Canyon. The only way to get there is a sixty mile dirt road. It takes a couple of hours to get there but when you do the views are amazing. I actually haven't taken the trip yet but I plan to this summer.

Saturday I ran our monthly teen program and one of the highlights was spending time with the pot bellied pigs (PB pigs). PB pigs are incredibly intelligent animals, can be litter trained, and have quite the personality. In fact, their caregiver, Yvonne, has kept a journal on Metro’s 150 pound weight loss and overall progress. For Metro's Blog go here: https://www.bestfriends.org/guardianangel/index.cfm?csid=1388&csii=1392&csit=Set&entry=E683923C-BDB9-396E-9719D09ABD793C70

Unfortunately, PB pigs are usually fed like farm hogs. Apparently, these owners did not have a Humane Educator telling them to research research research before adopting a pet!!! Yvonne has educated herself and makes sure their meals are healthy. (Ahhh where is she when WE need her). This of course causes the piggies to HATE her when they first arrive (You can’t blame them for wanting their cheetos and snack cakes!). Once they detox from the unhealthy stuff they trim up and show some get-up-and-go!

Believe me, you can tell the ones that have lost major weight. They don’t walk but sashay around the parking lot in search of almonds that Yvonne has dropped. Yup, these little piggies know they look good and they want everyone to know it. This is when they start to feel the LOVE for Yvonne. Oh yea, the days of jonesin’ for Doritos and donuts is a thing of the past.

So what is the perfect piggie diet, you ask? She tells us that the optimum diet for Pot Bellied Pigs consists of a large salad in the morning and evening. The salads she serves our piggies include romaine lettuce, various veggies and a commercial pellet formulated specifically for Pot Bellied Pigs (not the same as pellets given to farm hogs to be sent to slaughter). The veggies differ from day to day and include broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, peas, corn, squash, edamame, mushrooms and others. She also includes berries, raw eggs and tofu several times a week. Occasionally she adds in some fruits such as apple (watch the seeds they contain a small amount of arsenic) or banana. Yvonne keeps fruits to a minimum due to the amount of sugar in them. After our time with Yvonne, I decided I am going to “eat like a pig” so I can be fabulously thin and healthy!

Our photographer, Troy Snow, captured some photos from the PB pig visit and I just had to share them with everyone.

Some of my art was on display at the Village at Best Friends. Here is a link to the article. http://www.network.bestfriends.com/villageartspace/news/13015.html The photo with the article is the other ladies art piece.

Luckily, I was able to enjoy my stay in Florida. Mom is recovering very nicely and now that she is not smoking and exercising daily she is looking even more fabulous! Hard to believe but her color is better, her skin is brighter, her eyes are clearer and she can breathe!!! Whooo Hooo. Dad has been keeping up with his tan and his workouts and seems to have his sense of humor back in full force.



Mom and I were able to visit the Wheelers, Lockes, and Saffells in Jacksonville. Man it was great to see everyone. Everyone looked great and was very excited to see a healthy, happy and slimmer Mary!



It was great spending a few days with Aunt Pam, Uncle Mel, Kristyn and the kids. We even met Kristyn at the country club she works at for lunch. We all wore black and white and talked with pursed lips! We called Mary “Mimi” and really hammed it up!

While visiting my parents I stopped by to visit the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue. I met with the operations manager, Mary Bart Houston, who was very warm and friendly. I was impressed with their set up and I wish them the best of luck.

Mom with some of her flowers. Mom's feeling good, Dad's feeling good and I am feeling burnt!