Our Commitment Ceremony July 2, 2011

James and I had our Commitment Ceremony on July 2,2011. Basically, it's a marriage without a license. Our family and friends were there to celebrate with us. Special thanks to Robert (Best Man) and Felicia (Maid of Honor) for joining us on this day.

Rick at Primm 6/25/2011

I haven't seen Rick since 2009, and he was as energetic and entertaining as ever (I think he was wearing the same outfit too).

Yard Kitty

Our new cat showed up several months ago and never left. Of course...we feed him everyday and chase away the other cats that bother him. We named him "Yard Kitty."

Sammy 1996 - 2009

My Dear Sammy passed away on November 28, 2009.

He was in my life for 2 1/2 years and he brought so much joy and love to my life I will always thank God for bringing us together.

A little yellow dog
Sammy is a little yellow dog with a ghostly white face. He never quite sits sill even though he is 12.
Some think you can’t teach old dogs new tricks but Sammy is a cleaver little pooch, he can stand on his hind legs like a man with a snap of a finger.
He is quite. In a little dog that’s a big deal, all but when he wants to go out, that’s when he whines unfortunately that’s at 5 am.
James Rieke, 2/09

Until Next Time,

Tina

Happy Thanksgiving

The Bird. James made the stuffing and seasoned the bird. It turned out great. He also made a great gravy from the pan drippings.

Miriam and Rob, aka "The Snipes'." They stopped by after work.

Kim and her daughter listening to James tell one of his many stories.

Blake, Kim's boyfriend. He's a great person and spent most of the night lauging at James' stories.

James and me aka "The Riekes"

Now that Thanksgiving is over, it's time to start planning Christmas Dinner.

Until next time,

Tina

Sammy is better.

"Flower"

"Buddy"

James likes to put Buddy and Flower on the cieling beam.


Sammy is feeling and looking better. He has been running around and tried to jump on the couch, but James stopped him from doing that. We are still keeping him in the kennel when we are out and at night. We want to make sure his spinal cord is healed. His tail doesn't curl up the way it used to, that may not get better.

Until Next Time,
Tina

Photos of Sammy

Sammy is sick again. Last night he was unable to stand up and his back legs were not moving. We took him to the vet today and was told he may have a spinal cord injury from jumping off the bed and couch. We are giving him steroids and pain medication and will have to keep him in a crate for at least one month. He will also have to sleep on the floor, no more sleeping in the bed with us.
Sammy is 13 years old. I adopted him 2 1/2 years ago from the humane society in Victorville, CA. He is a great dog. Eventhough his occasional barking has caused some problems with landlords, its always nice to hear when we get home.
When James and I started dating, James didn't care for Sammy too much, but soon he too was spoiling Sammy. The two of them get along great and when Sammy got sick with seizures and paralysis last March, James took him to the Vet and helped nurse him back to health. James has also spoiled him more than I have. Sammy no longer eats his dry food out of his bowl because James hand feeds him while surfing the internet, watching tv, or just hanging out.
I know Sammy won't be along for much longer, and I am greatful for everyday I have with him.

James got the house.

James signed the papers today. We are not sure when we will be moving into the place. There are so many repairs that need to be done, it could take 6 months to complete them all. Looks like we will be in the apartment longer than expected.

Pictures from our daily lives

James and I don't have cable, so we spend alot of time hanging out with each other.




Sammy






Flower







Buddy







James on the phone with the realtor or loan officer making sure everything needed to purchase his first home is going ok.






James checks the mortgage interest rates often to make sure he will get a good rate.




Until next time,
Tina

Life With James

James and I have way too much stuff and not enough places to put it. These are pictures of his stuff. My stuff is in a garage at a friend's house. Pictures of that coming soon...'
Hopefully in the next few weeks we will hear if he can purchase the home he has been waiting for.

Until next time,

Tina