Wednesday, December 30, 2009

1 Day to New Year's

Tuesday night we took the Shaggy dogs to Elk, WA to meet Cheryl. She took foster management of them after that. It was very interesting to meet her.

Thru Wednesday, the last few days have been spent cleaning up the Christmas tree and getting things ready to move out of the loft bedrooms. I think I have enough stuff for another garage sale with the Kid this summer. Tim & #3 are coming tomorrow to move everything to the basement, tear out the carpet, & repair the flooring. Hubby & I will be sleeping in the basement for the next week or so.

Greg brought home another flu. So I was quarantined yesterday (in addition to having a flat tire on the truck which the hubby refuses to fix!) and I refuse to work anymore on iTunes. I am so very frustrated at doing that right now.

We watched 28 Days Later & 28 Weeks Later on TV. Quite the unusual SyFy Flicks.

Got all the candies, cookies & holiday food out of the house. Yuck. I feel overfed.

Tomorrow is my birthday. Can't wait. :(

Monday, December 28, 2009

Shaggy Dogs

Because hubby had not worked in the shop on Saturday his usual day, he decided to spend a couple hours working there on Sunday to finish up a couple projects.

Temperatures on Saturday night dipped down to 11 degrees F. It was COLD! After getting lattes in the morning, hubby & I parted ways. He put on his Under Armor long underwear he had gotten for Christmas so that he could work in comfort down at the shop while at home I cleaned out the refrigerator, took care of the new shaggy dogs & started taking down Christmas items. It was depressing.

I sure hope that Cheryl, the rescue rep from Washington comes to take the puppies tomorrow because I feel so sorry for them. They are living out in the garage in a kennel when they really need to be around people. Hazel & Frank are very sweet, loving dogs. Love attention & petting. However. They stink of old barn. They have not been washed or combed in AGES! Poor dogs. Both of them are extensively overweight. Especially Hazel. It looks painful when she walks (waddles). A high protein diet is needed, along with some basic grooming.

Hubby came home at 3PM after putting up my new address sign on the mailbox. One of his honey-dos.

We shared dinner of turkey sandwiches & some play-time with all the dogs inside. Around 7PM, we took Hazel & Frank for a walk around the property. The dogs loved being outside!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Merry Christmas 2009!

Christmas Day-Opened presents, played games, snacked all day. It was very restful & relaxing.

M had to make a hurried trip to Base to reprimand a subordinate. He came back an hour later & took a nap with Isabelle on the couch!

On December 26, hubby puttered around putting things together. Installed our new fireplace blower. Then he worked down at the shop for about an hour, M went to lunch with his mother while K played with her new computer! I cleaned up the house & did dishes.

Later tonight, picked up two new additions to the Saint Bernard Rescue. Frank & Hazel will be staying in the kennel outside until Cheryl can pick them up on Monday. Both of the dogs are very sweet and love attention. Very shaggy, tho. They desperately need grooming. The dogs traveled via friendly transport by Maureen from Missoula, Montana.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas 2009


Picked up lattes & said Merry Christmas to JenBunny, then went to Rathdrum to pick up last-minute groceries and hubby's Tramadol prescription.

Came home to early presents around the tree that the kids had brought by and a wonderful vase full of Christmas flowers & deco. Also Starbucks lattes.

Hubby made a wonderful dog grog for the puppies. Including Bravo. His mommy & daddy had dropped him off before they left to spend Christmas Eve with M's parents.

Wrapped the kids' presents together; then hubby wrapped mine as I sequestered myself in the library on the computer; then I went upstairs to wrap hubby's presents.

Right now, all the dogs are napping. Hubby is also sleeping on the couch.

When M&K return late tonight, we will watch our annual traditional "Muppet's Christmas Carol" and then retire to wait for Santa to arrive!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Nails, Pedicures & Oil Changes

Monday morning found us stopping at the latte stand to discuss marketing with Chyna. Hubby gave her a lot of good ideas. She thanked me profusely for the Tannenbaum Basket that was delivered on Saturday.

We rushed home as I was supposed to pick the Kid up at 11:00 from the Post Falls Jeep dealer. While the service department worked on changing oil & inspecting her broken windshield, we went to get our nails done. Well, I got my nails done. The kid received "The Works" Pedicure. Trying to return some things to Target, we almost got plowed into by some maniac driver who gave us the finger. Honestly, people suck at driving during this time of year!

Decided not to attempt to enter the Target parking lot. It was overflowing with cars. Instead I took the Kid back to her car & went home.

Puppies were overjoyed to see me. Including Tweak. Tweak is the latest in the dog department. Got him on Saturday night. He does bark a little too much. But maybe he is just settling in. Happy little dog. Stymie (hubby's name for him) stank of meth the first night we picked him up. When I bathed him, he seemed overwhelmingly happy to be clean for the first time in the 5 months of his life.

On Tuesday in the early AM, it snowed about 3 inches. Had hubby take me to pick up the kid at Post Falls Jeep dealership for the 2nd time this week. She had her windshield replaced. It was going to take about 5 hours, so she would spend some time with us at home. However, after eating lunch at The Great Harvest Bread Company and stopping at Les Schwab to look for tires for the new MegaMatt it was time to drop me off while Hubby & the Kid went Christmas shopping for me!

Hubby got home at 8PM and we watched a few South Park Christmas specials before going to bed.

Decorating & Baking


Thursday & Friday were spent decorating, cleaning & baking. Also, hours spent slaving over a hot computer trying to upload my entire library of iTunes.

The kids brought over Mega Matt for us to view after their whirlwind trip to North Dakota. They were very tired and refused to even take a nap. Too much excitement! They stayed the night & on Saturday came up with us to Sandpoint to pick up Gaylord/Duke/Spaz/Stymie/Tweak. (more about him later)

We ate at Panhandler Pies - which was NOTHING like we remembered it. The service was fair, but the food was extremely poor.

The kids returned home on Sunday - after hubby & I took the big dogs for an abbreviated walk in the park - too much ice. The park is now official closed for winter.

On Monday, I met the Kid at the Jeep dealer in Post Falls so that they could look at her broken windshield & change her oil. While the dealership worked on her vehicle, we ran to CDA to get our nails done. Found a very nice shop that was playing some cool techno Christmas songs. I liked a couple of them, but the girl did not know the names of the songs or who sang them.

I was exhausted by the time I returned home at 2:30P. Hubby came up early from the shop by 6:30 and we rested in front of the TV for a while.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Really Nice Looking Family

When I was looking at the picture of everybody at the Christmas tree farm, I realized that I have quite a nice looking family.

Either the kids infected us with something or hubby brought a disease home again with him. We were both feeling like crap on Tuesday. The weather brought a winter storm warning and dumped 8 inches on us. I used my new snow blower as the snow was soft & light - it worked quite well. But I had to blow the decks & walkway off several times. In between, I rested on the couch - still feeling like poopy-ka-ka.

During the night, it started to rain. So all the snow on the roof slid off which started the dogs barking frantically all night. Not fun. No sleep again.

I have such weird dogs. Observe Harriet's ear. It is just sticking up.

And Angus on her back. It CAN'T be comfortable to sleep like that. Odd dogs.

On Wednesday there was a 2 foot berm just outside the side door that the dogs had to climb over. I knew that it would have to be removed before it started to freeze, so I shoveled for over 3 hours - - - trying to get rid of it. Then shoveled the front deck, also. Made more peanut brittle for hubby. Cleaned & washed & dried his boots out from yesterday. He walked in muck and snow all day.

We are going over to Cheney, WA to see the lights at the kids' neighborhood, then go to Lenny's for Italian food. Yum. Can't wait.

Hubby rushed in the door at 5:30, after changing and securing the house, we bolted out the door at 5:41. Took 'Lil Bit & Bud with us. They slept most of the way. Listened to holiday tunes on our iPod.

Arrived at M&K's - piled into their car & drove to Cheney to eat at Lenny's Italian Restaurant. Yummy. They had the Bruschetta "special" again. K also ordered a nice red wine to go along with the meal! Then M took us around their neighborhood to see Christmas Lights. Very nice night with the kids!

It takes us exactly one hour each way if we don't stop for lattes, vehicle parts, etc. Home at 10:30. Opened some more Christmas cards. People must be sending holiday greetings late this year. Thank goodness I got it out of the way!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Tree Hunters

On Sunday morning, we arose early to scope out trees for holiday festivities. Made eggnog french toast for the family. Told the husband not to feed the dogs any leftovers, but he never listens to me!

We decided to take the kids' Jeep as it was snowing - might need the 4WD. Listened to our usual Christmas music fare on the way. . .Carol Of The Bells by August Burns Red, Carol Of The Bartenders by Bob Rivers, Baby, It's Cold Outside by Dean Martin, The Night Santa Went Crazy by Weird Al Yankovic. Stopped to pick up lattes in Spirit Lake by the old Hog-n-Jog.

On the drive there, saw lots of wild turkeys. Wooly sheep. At Camden Ranch we rode the hayrack ride, wandered for a while, picked out the perfect tree, hacked it down, carried it to the barn. Visited the gift shop, got K's annual snowflake, drank hot apple cider. Returned to the car & had the assistants pack up the tree.

Drove home & K decorated the tree. M cleaned up dog vomit in the basement. Looks like maybe Bravo had a sick tummy while we were gone. He laid around instead of playing with the dogs. M&G ran to Spirit Lake to pick up steaks & fixings for dinner. They returned & K did her Xmas cards online while M grilled.

Afterwards, the kids returned home while hubby and I cleaned. We fell into bed exhausted later.

On Monday, I was so tired after getting up at 3AM and 5AM with the dogs that I pretty much did nothing all day. Didn't help. Still feel exhausted.

Hubby wants to run over to Spoky-Jo to drop off parts at the "old man's house".

Almost saw a really great wreck while in Spoky-Jo. Some dumb blonde nearly wiped out when she tried to pass a car in town, she sped up fishtailed for nearly 800 feet, then passed in front of the car she tried to pass narrowly missing hitting them by inches, finally ending up bounding into a narrow lot at the side of the road. She also missed a steel utility pole by mere feet & also missed a 4 foot drop concrete retaining wall. Damn. Wish she would have wiped out. Maybe she would have learned something. However, she drove out of the vacant lot and sped away down a side road. Probably drunk. Idiots.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

More Baking

Saturday - Arose early with hubby to get lattes, also went with him to the dump as our garage was overflowing!

When I got back, there were dog poo frozen sculptures to pick up; dishes to put away; laundry to put away; and the basement to decorate for the kids. Don't want it to look too dingy & dark for the holiday season.

Plugged all the lights in around inside the house, then turned on the Christmas holiday music via the TV XM radio. Started baking again. Made Rum Balls, Puppy Chow & No Bake Cookies.

By 3:00, I was tired and decided to set everything aside for the day. Still need to vacuum a little bit.

Disappointed that with only 13 days till Christmas that we have 2 cards hanging over the fireplace.

Kids came over to spend the night so that we can go pick up our Christmas tree at Camden Ranch tomorrow.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Christmas Baking

Tuesday/Wednesday - Have been spending time the last week trying to keep from freezing. The heat has run non-stop. Dogs have been sleeping a lot inside the house-maybe hibernating? They only go out to pee for a few minutes. Zeus' eyes are looking lots better! The Vet shaved underneat so he looks very odd. Both Zeus & Bud are on antibiotics.

Last night - Thursday - when hubby got home, we drove to Rathdrum to pick up groceries at the Super One 24 hour sale. We also drove through the streets to see the different lighted houses. Very pretty. Had our iPod plugged in so that we could listen to Christmas music. So fun. Quite the holiday tradition.

Super One did not have all the baking goods, so we had to run into CDA to pick up more stuff at Albertson's. Very disappointing. It used to be the ONLY store we shopped at, but we have not been there in over a year. No decorations like they used to put up in the store - the clerk blamed it on "the economy", but that is such a cop-out because I believe if the goods are there, people will buy. I always used to buy a stuffed Christmas bear with the year on it for my mother. But can't find any of those lately!

Drove through several neighborhoods in Hayden looking at the pretty lights.

We got home at 9:30; got everything put away by 10:30. Fell into bed - so tired!

On Friday, got lots of items in the mail that I had ordered. Just have to wrap them as presents. When the Mail guy brought the post up to the house today, he was carrying them from the tip of his nose to the bottom of his thighs. The stack was THAT big!

Once I finished making the bed, picking up dog poo sculptures, washing dishes & putting them away, doing laundry & putting it all away, I decided to get down to baking at 2:00PM!

All the dogs were taking a nap, so I thought it would be very easy for me to do everything - obviously not! They all got up and decided to help me out in the kitchen!

14 days til Christmas!

Anyway, on my Christmas baking list are:

Italian Sugar Cookies
Christmas Bark
Fudge
Peanut Brittle
No Bake Cookies
Sugar Cookies
Rum Balls
Frosted Molasses Cookies
Chex Mix
Chocolate Snowballs
Haystacks
Rice Krispy Bars
Frosted Cocoa Cookies
Puppy Chow
Sugar Candy Popcorn
Popcorn Balls

Only got 3 of those done today - Christmas Bark, Peanut Brittle & Haystacks.

Monday, December 07, 2009

'Lil Bit Is Back!


On Sunday, we actually slept in until 8:30. Woot!

Made Greg an omelette for breakfast. We brought the fish in from outside as it was supposed to get freezingly cold tonight. Installed them in the basement in a plastic barrel. The white goldfish is now over 8 INCHES long! The gold one is not too far behind him.

Went into town by 11:00 to get gas at Costco and meet kids at Lowe's so that we could use the 10% military discount to order our carpet for the loft. After we finally stood for over an hour getting the paperwork done, K suggested we eat at Mongolian Buffet. It was very good at the new place. We had not been there in years!

We took Bravo with us as the KIDS were going to visit the in-laws. Zeus welcomed a little friend to visit with in the truck! Hubby & I stopped to drop off car parts for the hubby, then mailed our Christmas cards. Paid the electric bill on the way home.

Got home seconds before the trainer pulled in the driveway at 3:00 with 'Lil Bit. Did some practice training in the garage - we pulled the cars out temporarily - because it was just so darn cold & windy out. 18 degrees when we got home. It got down to 4 degrees overnight with a wind chill factor of -16! Brrrrrr.

The kids came over late & stayed for a while. Matt liked "Clown Town" - all the lights were sparkling.

#3 and his friends were down at the shop when we got home at 3:00. They continued working down there on their trucks until 8:00.

While hubby watched some television, I uploaded some music for #3 to add to his iPod.

'Lil Bit was very happy to be home. We were glad to see him back. He did dancing bear for us which was so cute. He slept with us tonight along with Harriet.

Monday was still cold. Nothing wanted to work; the truck was very slow to warm when I went to get a latte. The key would not turn in the tumbler outside when I tried to lock the door. The decks creaked & groaned when walked upon. The door to the garage would barely open. Too cold!

Ordered more Christmas presents online today. Washed clothes. Wrote to my father-in-law. Balanced the checkbooks.

At 4:00pm, took Zeus down for his checkup post-surgery. 10 degrees cold~!

Saturday, December 05, 2009

Christmas Music & Bills

After picking up lattes in A-town on Friday morning, hubby decided that he needed to get some parts & assign more vehicle titles. He had taken the last two days off in anticipation that he & the KID would be driving to NoDak.

So we ventured up to Priest River to do the titles, then off to Sandpoint to have lunch at Slates & over to Home Depot to pick up wine barrels for my tulip planting (a little late-all the dirt is frozen!) then off home again.

Saw a bus driver speeding on the highway back home so we took note of the bus number & license plate number in order to report them. In a 55 mph zone; the driver was driving in excess of 70 mph! Not a way I would like to see kids treated.

When we returned home, the mailbox was packed so full by the mailwoman that she had closed the door with a rubber band! The KID's American Eagle order arrived along with a few Christmas presents that I had ordered.

On Saturday hubby came with me to pick up lattes; and he went to work at the shop while I cleaned house, paid bills & worked on mailing out Christmas cards, listening to XM HOLLY music, and purchasing more Christmas music online.

I only purchased Norah Jones' album The Fall because of the beautiful Saint Bernard on the album cover. Saw it as the featured CD at Starbucks the last time we got a latte.

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Zeus & Surgery Again


The KID came out to stay with us on Wednesday night. She thought she might be going with her father to pick up the truck in ND, but it fell through. No truck yet. Hubby was exhausted and fell asleep on the couch; Bravo, Harriet & Zeus piled on the couch with the KID while we watched TV; they love her.

KRL & I went to bed early. I was exhausted as I had only gotten 1 hour's sleep the night before-took aspirin & drugs which kept me solidly awake all night. Couldn't sleep at all.

Made Eggnog French Toast for breakfast along with bacon the next morning.

Our problem child had surgery again. Took Zeus into the vet at 8:30AM Thursday morning to have eye entrophy surgery. I cleaned up around the house again. Poop sculptures have now frozen to the ground and it is difficult to pick them up.

The pond has almost frozen over, so I went out & poked at it with a stick. Fish are still doing OK.

Took Bud into the Vet at 3:30PM to look at his cheek - he had torn it while playing the other day. Prescribed antibiotics. Brought Zeus home. He had gotten through his surgery OK.
Susan, the receptionist at our vet is leaving to go work for Dr. Marty Becker of Good Morning America fame at the North Idaho Animal Hospital. I congratulated her & gave her a hug as I will truly miss her.

Lighted clown town up at 4:30. Dinner with the hubby at 8:00 - Chili with cheese & onion topping.

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Cold & A New Truck

On Monday, I started decorating inside the house as far as I can with the dogs. Most things have to be kept up high; no Christmas pillows or blankets draped carelessly over the couches! Bud is the only bad boy that wants to chew up everything. Once he gets going, the rest follow.

Tuesday was very chilly and I really enjoyed picking up dog poo. I got to the backyard before the sun had a chance to warm it up, so I was gathering brown "dog sculptures" instead of the warm, gooey stinky substance. Waxing poetic about dog poo-never thought it would come to this! Rented the stupid movie - The Proposal on pay-per-view. Dumb. Thought it would be better. Got hit with endometriosis pains mid-way through the movie. Took too much medication again and drifted in a hazy delusional state up to bed by 10PM.

The cold lasted thru Wednesday and I got to pick up frozen poop again. Matty N had texted & emailed a pic of a truck that he found online that was for sale in NoDak. Hubby called and it was a steal at $18K. He put $500 down on it and said if the kids didn't want it - he did! So it looks like M&K or G alone is going on a roadtrip soon. Matty N should be back on Sat. KRL-N has passed her training at H&R Block - to be a tax specialist in 2010! 2008 Dodge MegaCab Laramie.

Puppies played outside for over 2 hours Tuesday & Wednesday. Somehow this cold snap is giving them a lot of energy! House is looking very Christmas-y!

I have started on Christmas cards. Decided not to do the annual family newsletter. Am going to be lazy and just send a card with our names on it. (including dogs)

Sunday, November 29, 2009

LG Washer/Dryer

Saturday we got going, but it just seemed to take forever to do anything. K drove her car back home, we were supposed to meet at Costco for gas, but hubby wanted to stop at Sears to get his tools that were on Black Friday sale. So we stopped at Mickey-D's across the street at we were both starved. At Costco, we got gas & I walked over to Starbucks to get drinks. Reminded me of walking everywhere in Europe with a hint of cold on the air.

Hubby picked me up and carried Bud from the back of the truck to the backseat so he could join Isabelle & Bravo while we drove over to Cheney to help the kid put in some things. A dog run in the backyard, hangers in the garage, & her new Christmas tree that she purchased on Black Friday at Home Depot. All the decor in her house looks very homey.

K added her small lighted trees to the front of her house. I took the dogs for walks around the neighborhood for potty time. After looking at the local newspaper ads, we went into Cheney to visit the Ben Franklin but they had nothing we wanted to purchase. Then over to the local Jarms True Value Hardware to pick up keys & bolts to repair K's dinner table chair. This was such a cute small town local store. Great employees & fabulous service. They also made house keys for us that we gave to the kid so she can come & go when she wants at our house. As we were hungry, I asked about the local Italian eatery - Lenny's. The guys both gave it a high recommendation & told us to get the Minestrone soup.

Lenny's was down the street a little with an odd parking lot perched on the side of the hill-our server seated us but we almost thought twice about eating there as an odd old musty smell emanated. However, what you smell is not what you get in this case! The food was wonderful. Bruschetta was mouth-watering. I had Baked Zitti. Yummy.

Dropped the kid off after dinner at her home then we went to the "Old Man's" house in Spokane to pick up the parts he had worked on. He wasn't quite done, so we walked thru the neighborhood looking at lights. Isabelle & Bud were just adorable. They hadn't walked in an older residential neighborhood with sidewalks b4!

Hubby fixed the lights & turned them all on. Need a shorter extension cord from the shop. Too long & the lights are dim at the end of the circuit!

Came home late, exhausted & aching. Took a hot bath & fell into bed by 9:30PM. Hubby decided that he wanted to re-heat his sausage from Lenny's on the stove just b4 bedtime. It stunk up the whole house! Gross. All I wanted to do was sleep.

On Sunday I slept until 7:30 even though hubby got up earlier to let the dogs out! He got our lattes & went to the dump with 3 weeks' worth of garbage (mostly light boxes)! While I picked up dog poo, put away dishes, put away laundry & put up more lights.

When he came back, he put together my lighted dog. I put up more lights around trees & the candy canes on the sidewalk while hubby talked to his dad.

We came inside to warm up; hubby watched his automotive shows while I blogged & tried to order our new LG W/D online. However, HomeDepot site was overloaded & hubby had to call up to the Sandpoint store to get them ordered. They are backordered until March 2010! Oh, well. At least we got the pair for $998.

Saw 3 deer walk thru our backyard as the dogs started barking. SO Very glad to see that nobody has murdered our deer during hunting season.

Fiddled with the lights again as we blew another breaker. Whoops. Clown Town is having problems!

Settled down to cherry pie & tv before bed.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Black Friday

So it's been a while since I blogged. The holiday season is upon us and we are all becoming busy!

Saturday night, Zeus developed a urinary tract infection - he was getting up to pee every two hours. We did not get any sleep at all.

Early Sunday morning we walked the dogs after getting lattes - then went over to KRL-N's house in WA to help her put up lights on her house. We had homemade chicken soup, then ventured out into the snow, slush, ice & sleeting rain. I shoveled the driveway & back deck while K & hubby backed up the truck to put the ladder in the truckbed to install the lights at the peak of the home. Took Bravo (Zeus & Bud) on many walks through the neighborhood to potty. Thank goodness I had taken my winter fur coat. At least I was warm throughout!

After the lighting had been installed, we got warm inside & then ran over to Wal-Mart to get more lights & some Christmas decorations. Dropped K off, then we went home via Spoky-Jo where we dropped off some car parts for the "old man" to fix.

Monday after putting up even more lights outside, I took Zeus into the vet at 4PM - their earliest opportunity to get him checked out. The vet prescribed some pretty potent antibiotics. Zeus already felt better that night. The vet had again checked his eyes & diagnosed entrophy which will require surgery next week. Dec 3.

KRL-N arrived Monday night. On Tuesday morning, while hubby worked in the shop, K and I went Christmas shopping to Shopko, Big Lots, Big 5, Costco (wherein we got the Thanksgiving shrimp ring) and Safeway for miscellaneous Thanksgiving food. I took K over to the Great Harvest Bread Company for lunch as she was starving. Purchased real good Coconut bread & Idaho Potato rolls for Turkey Day.

Met hubster in town so that we could go to Lowes to order carpet. However, we forgot the carpet sample to return for $25 credit and also forgot our 10% off coupon. Will have to come back again. . .

When hubby got home tonight, he discovered electrical overload on our lights at the outlets in the basement. Almost burnt down the house! No more lights :(

I cleaned, vacuumed, and dusted all Wednesday morning. Also ripped my left foot big toenail completely off when I attempted to open the lighted garland in the box that I had purchased at Costco. It really hurt!

Took Angus to town to the groomers at Petco. KRL-N followed me into town as we would take her car & drop off the truck for hubby to drive home. However, after Angus made it difficult going into the store by refusing to come out of the truck - I hurt my left hand. It had been hurting for a while now. . . so K got my purse & chocolates for the groomers while I handled the dog. I had accidentally LOCKED my keys in the truck without realizing it. We found out when we came out of the store. K called my hubby and ran over to get the keys while I waited with the truck for her to return. I didn't want anybody attempting to break into the vehicle & steal it. I sat down on the concrete to wait for her return - but was asked by two different people if I was OK. I must have looked like a homeless, derelict!

K & I shopped at Target (Caramel Brulée Latte at Starbucks - and peeing our pants off when K remarked "Butters" about dressing babies up as teddy bears).

We arrived home and K talked to M to relate our day. While KRL-N talked on the phone to MN, she told him about our looking at dog pictures on the computer - along with a pic of dog vomit. I was in the middle of swallowing a swig of eggnog and it was so funny to me that I spewed eggnog all over the kitchen, in addition to expelling it through my nose. As I giggled hysterically, I found the breathe to moan "I hate you" to KRL-N as she laughed uproariously at my predicament!

Hubby picked up the dog on the way home. She smelled delicious & was shaved again. No more hairing!

Went to bed early as I was exhausted & hurting. Hubby gave me a couple ibuprofen PM tablets & squirted water into my mouth and all over the pillow while laughing hysterically! NOT funny. I was too tired to get up to clean up & slept in wet all night.

Turkey Day Thursday dawned with grey, drizzly skies. KRL-N cooked while I picked up 6 bags of dog poo in the back yard. Hubby put together more yard deer. We ate a wonderful dinner, with turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, K's homemade cranberries sauce, green bean casserole, yams, stuffing, pumpkin pie & cherry pie. Too much. Belch. Naps later. Zeus tried to steal a turkey leg off the counter!

K talked us into going shopping on Black Friday. We got up B4 the butt-crack of dawn at 5AM to be there at 6:10AM (we were late because we had to have lattes to wake up!) Home Depot - got K's Xmas tree for $49! Also tools for hubby; Ace Hardware - got the vacuums we failed to get at Home Depot; Shopko - got games & DVDs for K; Target got 1TB data storage Hard Drives for $59!; crappy ass food at Rustler's Roost. Best Buy - got K's printer - the last one in the store - for a deal! Hubby & I dropped K off at her car and we went to Rathdrum to pay #3 while she went to our house.

After we got home hubby had to go purchase a "deal of a truck for $800" in Priest Lake. He took Chachi along with him for the ride; then K went to meet her high school chum Amber at Starbucks in town. I adorned the inside of the house with Christmas decorations & lights. Hubby arrived home around 2:30 and we raced to Farragut for a dog walk. K was home when we came back (after another stop at the Latte stand). Packed up the garbage for a dump run tomorrow. Sat around watching TV for the rest of the night.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Boo Boo

On Friday it was cold & windy. I put up quite a few more lights. My stick tree that hubby had brought home last night; and more snowflake lights around the deck. When we were falling asleep on Thursday night, hubby referred to the decorations as "Clown Town" i.e. - it looks like a fair midway - too many blinky, flashing lights! I was quite offended. All my hard work and he thinks it looks garish. I love Christmas & all the pretty decorated homes & lights, pretty presents, trees covered in decor.

Totally finished the kids' Amended Tax Return so that they can get their $8000 for First Home Purchase. This will aid them in getting a new truck for M!

Snapped a pic of the two antagonists - Harriet & Angus that got into a fight the other day - per the trainer, these two should be separated 4-Ever! LOL!

When hubby got home, he dragged me up to Sandpoint to pick up car parts, then we rushed over to get Starbucks (Caramel Brulée Latte for me/Eggnog Latte for hubby) as we were parched. Then up to Bonners Ferry to pick up tires for my new WHIP.

Hubster brought home a 2008 FMF Expedition. MSRP = $51,610.00. Our cost = Considerably LESS!

Besides having to change the red to black on the paint; and cover up the red dash with anything else. . .It will be a nice ride.

Once we returned to Sandpoint after picking up the tires from a wonderfully nice couple, we went to Fiesta Bonita for dinner (reminder-don't ever go there again-intensive diarrhea!) Then to Home Depot before they closed; FAST shopping in 10 minutes. And onto WalMart for Christmas lights (but we forgot windshield wipers & other things we needed - Never go shopping without a List) While reaching for some lights on a tall shelf (i.e.-higher than my 5'4"; I happened to accidentally knock a box down. It landed directly on my forehead, cutting it open. The gash proceeded to bleed. However, it was my own fault as there was a WarninG sign indicating that assistance should be received to obtain articles at that height! Hubby tried to pick up the box & subsequently dropped it. OBVIOUSLY this box did not want to go home with us! At the checkout, we had to wait 15 minutes behind a coupon clipper.

When we returned home, we unpacked stuff & fell into bed by about midnight.

We both arose early on Saturday morning as hubby had to go with Leo & Richie to work out a deal to pick up abandoned cars at a local ex-car dealership and I had to meet the carpet layer to measure our loft for new carpet!

Cold outside with dark cloudy skies. I put up even more lights. Only have 7 boxes of lights & am completely out of extension cords! Time for a trip to the store again.

In addition, I washed clothes, did dishes, fed fish, picked up poo (2 bags), shoveled the front deck where the snow had come off the roof, shoveled in front of the garage where the snow had come off the roof.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Busy Busy Busy

Kid from the shop came and vacuumed the truck. I cleaned out the KRL-N came over Friday Nov 13 night in the snow. Poor kid had to drive in a severe snowstorm the whole way from "the coast". She swore she would never do it again.

On Saturday, we went shopping. Rite Aid, Starbucks (for latte), Target, Michaels, Home Depot, Dead Lobster (detour for lunch) & Shopko. Got lots of lights - and a couple of Christmas presents. Some unfortunate things happened when we left the dogs at home :(



Dear Cutco -

You would not believe what happened to the pair of scissors that I purchased from one of your company representatives so many years ago.

The scissors have been cutting just great, but the other day my 6 dogs decided to get into everything in the house. They opened the oven; played with pizza pans; destroyed 2 bed pillows & 2 quilts; they even started chewing on the dog gate that kept them from getting upstairs; they moved furniture; they tore into my chair; there is stuffing everywhere; they chewed up a pill bottle & pills; they chewed up 2 water bottles!

But the worst thing they did was pull the scissors off the counter - chew them up - and take them out into the yard. I found them in the backyard after 5 days! They are still sharp as ever!

Walked the dogs on Sunday with K & Bravo. Bravo kept pulling at the leash so KRL-N had quite a handful with him! Almost had a dog break-out when we were getting lattes & I had to walk Harriet so that she could poop. She gets so excited that she can't hold it. Zeus & Bud broke out of the back of the truck & KRL-N had to hold Zeus' tail to keep him from running away!

Afterwards we all went shopping to Lowe's wherein KRL-N found the green/red/white lights she wanted for her home. Hubby and I paid down for the house carpet. The installers will come out to measure & we can order it. 5-7 days after we order they can install. We all ate at Applebee's because we wanted potato boats - but they don't have them there. Oh well. We had dropped K's car off at the VZ yard so that she could ride with us. She drove home after shopping.

I put up more lights on Monday, but was feeling sick again with more coughing, sore throat & extremely WEAK!

Hubby had Tuesday as a scheduled day off. We ran into CDA to fetch parts, then dropped off Zeus for shampoo & shave (he got a snowflake bling), then took parts home, paid for propane refill in A-town, then went into Spoky-Jo for more parts, stopped at WalMart, Costco, Harbor Freight, Rathdrum Grocery, got home late. Unpacked all the groceries & fell into bed.

Had Bud scheduled for a Cranberry/Orange Spa day at Petco on Wednesday. Our groomer - Nick had done such a great job on Zeus that I took Bud in at 12:00. Had put up more lights before going into town. I also got my nails done, went to look at Christmas lights at Walmart & Fred Meyer, then it was time to pick up Bud. Everybody raved about him. He is just a beautiful, well-behaved little boy! They loved him. Took a Caramel Brule Latte from Starbucks to Nick in addition to some Christmas chocolates that I had picked up at Fred Meyer. Everybody was excited to get the gifts. Stopped to get Wendy's cheeseburgers for the dogs at home.

#3 came to put up the star on the side of the house. He is a very intelligent, hard-working kid. The lights are just beautiful outside and I still have about 60 more trees to decorate. Took a picture with the cell phone - this is what the star looked like last night.

It is snowing this morning Thursday- big flakes. So maybe can't decorate more trees. I shoveled decks several times already. Gave the dogs bones we had bought from the grocery store the other day. They are happily chewing out in the snow.

*Had a brilliant idea for Saint Bernard Rescue. The ladies at the latte stand had a friend there and she was astonished about our lights. She thanked me profusely for having so many lights decorated on the trees. Maybe get businesses to donate next year for the decorations next year!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Sick, Sicker, Sickest

On Tuesday and Wednesday, I mostly napped all day. It is extremely depressing to feel better, just to succumb to flu symptoms yet again. Hubby wants to rush me to the doctor, but they really can't give you anything for the flu. Bed rest, fluids.

I fell asleep on my chair in front of the TV with the fire roaring and the dogs sleeping around me, only to wake up about 2 hours later with a totally different TV show broadcasting. How scary. It felt like I had "lost time".

Thursday morning I took Angus & Zeus - the Saints down to the Vet for surgery. Angus has a calcium knot the size of my fist on her right rear knuckle. Poor dog. Vet diagnosed it from repeatedly sitting down hard on concrete. Probably from the strenuous training that she was forced to endure this past month. I am such a horrible mommy-allowing this to happen to my baby. But I received so many glowing references regarding this trainer. Next time I will listen to K. K had a bad feeling about this trainer.

Harriet was growling at Quail this afternoon. Our little Quail are back! How exciting. Look forward to seeing them every year. I also spotted our pretty little deer. Opened up the back door yesterday and they took off through the woods.


When I picked up the dogs, the Vet advised that Zeus had a SEVERE ear infection and he had cleaned it all out, while applying BNT Ear Ointment. He inspected Zeus' eyes and found that the infection from his ears had traveled to his eyes. The Vet also put ointment in his eyes which we are to continue with administering and Prednisone tablets for the infection. The doctor said that for being in as much pain as he has been, this dog is a great little trooper. Due to the length of the infection & severity- at some time the infection burst his ear drums. Poor little dog can't hear. Damn people. Fucking damn people. I'd just like to shoot them! Forcing a dog to endure this for nothing. That's probably why they turned him over to Saint Rescue - because they didn't want to pay for the surgery to fix him.


Hubby is already wanting to adopt the dog. Kind hearted sweet guy. (the dog & the hubby).


Monday, November 09, 2009

Lights, Flat Tires & Vet Appts

On Sunday, we took the dogs - Zeus, Bud, 'Lil Bit, Isabelle, & Harriet down to the park for a long walk. The sun was partly shining but after we got lattes, it hid behind dark grey clouds. Both of us wished we had brought along our scarves to tie around our necks as the chill, pre-winter air swirled around us.

The dogs quite enjoyed the walk; Zeus was learning not to pull on the leash as hubby was walking with him & 'Lil Bit. Bit seems to "surge" - he pulls to the end of the leash, then lets us catch up!

Afterwards, we drove around to look at vacant houses around the area. The economy has really taken a toll on the empty & repossessed property around here.

We returned home to put up Christmas lights around the trees, and were astonished to find out that quite a few were still working. But I did point out to hubby that we can always "buy more"!

The kids came out around 12:30 and M helped hubby put up more lights. Zeus had barked (in a very DEEP voice as the kids pulled in; he was then introduced to everybody. Bravo raced around like he had never left. Such a little cheerleader!

The trainer brought Angus back around 2:00; but tried to run her through her training in the driveway before he returned her to us - by 3:00 they were still outside as he was using a choke-collar & stun collar on her (which I was quite distressed to find out that he had used) but he finally brought her inside. Whereupon Angus & Harriet got into a fight. Harriet was even frothing at the mouth by the time M pulled her off of Angus.

Hubby was off-put by the training and had serious hesitation about letting the trainer take 'Lil Bit. But by the time they were done talking, 'Lil Bit had left with the trainer & we had Angus in her kennel to calm down. The kids left as they had other errands to do. M is leaving in the morning for deployment to the east coast for training. He will be gone for over a month. K is sad he is leaving over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Monday morning Bud & Zeus played outside running & rambunctious for over an hour! I took Bud & Zeus into the Vet at 11:15 for shots, rabies, heartworm tests, & worming. Got out to the truck to find a flat tire! Had Tim at the shop air it up for me & it stayed up until I returned home.

Got warm lattes; then took dogs in to Vet. Zeus has severe ear infection which will require anesthesia & cleaning because he would not let ANYBODY touch his ears to exam them. The Vet diagnosed ear infection with large amount of black wax & discharge. I made a tentative appointment for Thursday to have him in for anesthesia to fix him up.

Returned home; got mail. Rested. All the dogs took a long nap.

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Flu Part Deux

On Tuesday, 3 Nov I received the Andrea Bocelli "My Christmas" album that I had pre-ordered from Amazon. That was exciting. Except I can't listen to it because my stupid computer hard drive is fried again. I need to take it in to get it fixed.

The rest of the week Wednesday thru Thursday, I pretty much laid on the couch & was sick. Flu symptoms overwhelmed me again with a different strain. Started coughing and couldn't stop. No sleep at night even though I would dose myself with enough Ibuprofen, Benadryl, and Nyquil to put an elephant to sleep.

Poor Zeus has had to settle in without me taking him for walks. All the other dogs are missing their daily walks, too. I just wish I had any kind of strength to do anything. It is getting so depressing to not be able to clean the house or do any of the other million things I do daily. Just to take the dishes out of the dishwasher & put them away is an overwhelming herculean task.


I did manage to order a new metal bed for our bedroom. M&K will be trading their old king size bed to us for our queen size. Our old metal bed frame will go into Isabelle's room. She won't be able to jump up on the bed from the bottom as there will be a footboard there. But it will make her room look nicer.

By Friday, 6 Nov, Zeus starts to get off the couch and interact with the other dogs. He plays in the backyard with Harriet and Bud. 'Lil Bit tries to intimidate Zeus; and Zeus does not like a little dog barking in his face-He will back off to avoid a confrontation. I believe he is still very much depressed. But he is getting up to eat his food out of the dog bowls instead of making me bring it to him on the couch.

Finally, on Saturday 7 Nov, I got some of my health back. Even tho I still have the persistent cough, I do have a little strength. Got the Christmas lights out and put some up. Did two loads of dishes & put them away. Washed all the bedding & remade beds. Picked up all the dog poop from the last two days. Tidied up the livingroom, kitchen, and bathroom. Filed receipts in the office. Got a lot accomplished. Now, I am exhausted. Time for a nap.

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Zeus

On Saturday hubby spent most of the day working at the shop while I remained sick. K&M's Halloween Party/Open House was scheduled for tonight, but I felt exhausted & after hubby came home, he couldn't move.

We slept in late on Sunday and then took the dogs for a leisurely walk in Farragut Park. It was a beautiful, sunshiny fall day. The air was perfect. Not too cold & not too hot.

After we arrived home and noticing that we were out of milk, we drove to Spirit Lake for a quick grocery run. Came back home, put groceries away, took down Halloween decorations, rolled up hoses for the winter, then without any energy left we both collapsed on the couch.

I received a phone call from Cheryl at Saint Bernard Rescue - she had a foster dog for me to pick up. The dog owner then contacted me by cell and we arranged for them to surrender the dog on Monday night. The owner wanted her kids to be able to have one last day with the dog before they released him.

At 2:30P on Monday, I took Bud into the Vet to get his stitches out. Then shopped at Target. Picked up lattes at Starbucks. Got hubby at 4:30 after he got off work. We then picked up dog food at Aslin Finch and did more shopping at Costco. Met the dog owner in the Costco parking lot. Zues (this is how the owner spelled the name) is a 3 year old male Saint. Very timid, uncertain. Scared. The owner was very vague about Vet, training, etc. There was no paperwork provided and the owner did not even bring any toys with the dog. Poor little boy. He really needs some love.

We got home about 6:30 and introduced the dogs to each other. Zues decided that he would take the couch & stayed there all night. Hopefully he will feel more settled in the days to come. *In future references, I will be spelling the name as Z-E-U-S; which is the Greek mythological king of the gods; the god of thunder & sky.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Oink Oink

The swine flu has finally turned me into a pig! Have been sick for so long that I think I will never be well again. This past week has been a blur.

Hubby and I stayed home and vegetated on Sunday, 25 October as both of us needed the rest. Poor dogs have not been walked and they really missed their "family outing" that we usually take on Sundays.

The rest of the week went pretty much the same as we were too exhausted to do anything. Hubby had Tuesday off, so I used what was left of my strength to go with him to Spoky-Jo to pick up car parts at Pick-N-Save; got groceries at Costco; shopped at Wal-Mart in Airway Heights; also got hubby's haircut at SuperCuts; then took a Polaroid 600 camera over to K&M's for their Halloween party. Visited with them for a while & saw their great decorations. 'Lil Bit decided to poop TWICE in their home, so he won't be going over again. Ever. Bad dog.

Wednesday morning was a hive of dog activity; something strange got into them. Bud got up on the dining room table when I had my back turned & broke my decorative glass maple leaf. He has a bad habit of getting up on the counters. After Harriet, he will be next in line for obedience training. 'Lil Bit also tore up our last sofa pillow, so I need to get new ones; but in the future keep them off the couches. Ironic.

I have been remembering to give Bud his medication; so his testicles are much better. The swelling has significantly reduced & they are not so discolored. Made an appointment to take him on Monday 2 Nov to see Dr. Erickson in Hayden in order to pull out Bud's stitches.

It snowed here briefly on Thursday, but by the afternoon it was all gone. Unlike Denver, Colorado that got about 3 feet of snow! Sorry. No pics. Forgot.

Hubby picked up KFC on the way home tonight. He thought it might give me some strength to eat a real meal. Haven't been feeling well enough to eat lately.

Friday continued the couching and the exhausted feeling. It was more than I could even do, to drag myself out of bed and downstairs to the couch. I feel so sorry that I haven't been able to take the puppies out for their walks. But Harriet & Bud have been getting lots of playtime together in the yard. They enjoy each others' company.

Updated more music on my iPod. The latte lady had Govi Saffron & Silk playing when I pulled up the other day. So added that to my Music Library. Also found John Shipe The John Shipe Song Clearance on YouTube the other day - you have just got to visit the website to see his Pit Bull Blues video. So adorable. Now, I want to get a Pitbull of my own!

I always forget my brother's wedding anniversary which is on Veteran's Day. But I did remember it this year. Will have to go RIGHT NOW to order flowers for them. They will probably think I lost my mind when they receive them! Maybe I have lost my mind.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

We've Got BIG BALLS

Yeah. Bud's testicles started swelling yesterday. By Friday night, there were huge & red. Obviously a sign of infection from the neuter surgery. Tried calling the Vet, but it was too late. Gave him some aspirin and he settled down for the night.

When we got up on Saturday, I called the emergency cell for the Vet and he called back with arrangements to meet me in Hayden by 9:45AM. Bud and I raced to the truck and I sped the whole way in order to make sure we were there on time. Dr E. diagnosed an infection and prescribed some antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.

While Bud & I were in town, hubby stayed home and got dressed then went down to the shop to work for the day even though he is still suffering from the effects of the flu. Can't get him to rest!

I purchased more music today.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Anthology Through the Years CD1 & CD2
The Beatles
The White Album
Sgt. Peppper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Gotthard
Need To Believe
James Morrison
Songs For You, Truths For Me
Eros Ramazzotti
Ali E. Radici
Madness
Total Madness All The Greatest Hits
Alice In Chains
Black Gives Way To Blue
Tina Turner
Tina Live
Pre-ordered Trans Siberian Orchestra - Night Castle and Andrea Bocelli - My Christmas.

M/K/B came out this afternoon at 3PM; brought apple muffins & soup. It will be nice to sit down to warm soup later. Might make some garlic biscuits to go with them!

Friday, October 23, 2009

409 and the Flu

My new 409 Cleaner bottle has a special sticker on it that says it kills the flu virus. I think I will go take a bath in it.

Still sick Thursday. Hubby collapsed on the couch after working in the shop for about 1 hour. He fell asleep and didn't get up again til midnight when we went to bed. We took all the dogs out for a slight walk around the circle driveway then hubster dragged himself to the shower. This flu is really getting us down. Just won't go away; can't get any better and if we show any improvement, it comes back again.

Today (Friday) I could not stand the dirt anymore after 2 weeks, so I used what little energy I had left to vacuum, dust & clean. At least it smells a little bit better. Think I will take a nap now. After my 409 soak!

Because I couldn't move any muscles in my body after cleaning, I sat at the computer & updated my music.

Eddie Rabbitt
From The Heart
Beatin' The Odds
All American Country
Horizon
The Best Year of My Life
Step by Step
Rabbit Trax
Loveline
Dean Martin
A Million and One CD 1 CD2 CD3
Barbra Streisand
Love Is The Answer
Breaking Benjamin
Dear Agony
Paramore
Brand New Eyes
Dethklok
Dethalbum II
3 Days Grace
Life Starts Now
Blindside Blues Band
Smokehouse Sessions
Rammstein
Liebe ist für alle da
Vindictiv
Ground Zero
StoneSour
Come What(ever) May
Gwen Stefani
Love Angel Music Baby

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Flu Update


On Thursday, Oct 15 we met the kids & Mike K. at PF Changs in Spoky-Jo. I had raced around earlier in the day in CDA to pick up balloons, a basket full of Reese's candies for M (they are his favorite) and gift certificates. We stopped at Abercrombie to pick up a gift certificate for M there just before we hurried over to the restaurant.

Called the kids & they were still at the Martini Bar. They met us at the restaurant. M forgot his driver's license and even tho I vouched for him, the waiter refused to serve him liquor. Poor kid. His 25th birthday was a dry one!

Hubby was feeling worse due to the flu bug, so I drove home. We took Bravo with us as M&K had surprise plans for Friday night and needed to have Bravo babysat. (babysitted?)

Bravo greeted the new dog Bud, with a little trepidation. However, in the end, the dogs all settled in fairly well.

I succumbed to the flu on Friday.Oct 16 Feeling horribly weak with a sore throat - tried to sleep but was impossible to do so. Hubby was sweet to get me Nyquil from the store. Isabelle fell through the circular staircase when some jackass came to the house late at night & knocked on the door. All the dogs went bonkers & Isabelle could not make it down the stairs so she turned around mid-way. She fell & hubby saved her along with my help. It was scary. Poor dog. She now takes the steps V.E.R.Y. carefully.

Kids came out to see us on Saturday Oct 17 to visit M's parents' for early Thanksgiving/M Birthday celebration. M&K walked with us on a family walk in Farragut Park on Oct 18 Sunday morning. Afterwards, the kids took Beebo home while I went home to take a 5-hour nap. Damn flu just won't go away.

I still wasn't feeling well by Monday Oct 19 but hubby went to work anyway. He got the day off to work on his pole project spreadsheet. He still is putting storage vehicles away in the big building. Tim came to install the secondary fence on Tuesday Oct 20 (so that 'Lil Bit won't get out) but we found out that the little bugger can still squeeze through the fence. He is a bad dog!

Wednesday Oct 21 found dreary skies & overcast with partial rain as hubby worked on his spreadsheet again. Spreadsheet finally got done. Hubby got all the vehicles stored away. 'Lil Bit has decided to potty inside the house so he is getting kennalized until further notice. Angus remains at the trainers with updates daily. She is learning Sit, Stay & Heel. Playing with a Great Pyrnees. (Plays well with others!)

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Flu Epidemic

We have the flu here. Haven't felt much like blogging.

Will update in more detail later.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

BuD


Stayed home Monday to take care of hubby. He is still very sick with flu.

This is Bud, a Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff) He was found wandering down a busy highway with his girlfriend. They were a breeder pair. The woman that stopped to rescue them works at a Vet's in town. She took them to the vet, investigated their owners, and found that nobody came to claim them.

I found out about them from our dog trainer.

After running around getting my nails done & shopping on Tuesday, I made an appointment to meet with the trainer & the dogs at 5:30. We had to run over to the Vet's where the dogs were being held in a kennel as both of them had been recently fixed. Finding out that the female was the main agressor, I decided to take the boy instead.

Bud has a circular burn scar around his back legs that goes all around his belly & over his back. Whatever chained or roped him came very close to cutting off his boy parts. There are also burns on his back legs. He does not cower as if abused, but you can tell he has had a difficult life. He only weighs 90 pounds at 1.5 years. 20 pounds is the minimum amount of weight that he needs to put on as we can see his ribs.

We named him Bud and he is doing great. And he is settling in just fine. Greeted all the other dogs like a gentleman. Did his business outside very politely. Snooped out the whole house & he has already looked at our bed like he is going to get to sleep there. He even made it up & down the circular staircase with ease! He takes commands & is already coming to his name!

He laid down with hubby on the couch last night like he belonged there. Also, he strolled into Angus' vacant kennel so it looks like we have to purchase another kennel! LOL!

I can't save all the dogs, but I can sure save a few.

Jim, the trainer, says that Angus is settling in quite well.

Monday, October 12, 2009

SatSunFun

Hubby has been very sick since he arrived home. Saying that he thinks he acquired "Swine Flu" from Everett. Has been dosing himself with loads of Cold Calm. Personally, I think he's just sick.

Saturday after he went to get a latte for himself, he was to meet a guy bringing a boat for storage. However, the guy rescheduled to noon; hubby was already dressed & down at the shop. So instead of resting for the day, he decided to work at the shop while I edited my iTunes all the day long. Most of the albums had incorrect album covers indicated. This is an iTunes fault. Also downloaded more music. Finally hubby came home late - we were supposed to drop Angus off at 6:30. Had to stop at Petco to get more food for her - enough for the 4 weeks she is in private training. Then picked up McDonald's hamburger for hubby (he was in a strange food craving with his cold) then stopped to get lattes as he was cold. Drove to the home in Hayden where we dropped off Angus. Took hubby home afterwards to rest on the couch.

On Sunday we met the kids at 11:00 at Albertson's in Spoky-Jo; drove up to Green Bluff for Corn Maze at Siemers Farm; Apple Picking at Hidden Acres; Punkin' Chunkin at Knapp's Farm. A little white "ghost" dog named Winston came over begging at our table while we were eating German Sausages at Hidden Acres - K also met a sweet little girl helping her mother serve food there, too.

After watching the Punkin Chunkin, hubby craved FRESH HOMEMADE PIE. So we were on a quest to find pie. Drove into Green Bluff town and found High Country Orchard. The pie was so very good. Got hot apple cider & sat outside in the cold, cold, cold blowing cold air listening to a live singer. M got a caramel apple cookie; K got caramel apple pie; I got dutch apple pie; and hubby got cherry pie, of course! Great fun. Ran the dogs in the field afterwards. K and I went to the Grange to a craft show which was disappointing. Not much unusual stuff - not much homemade. * There was a severe problem with finding a "real" bathroom - nothing but porta potties. Gross smelling. Hubby & M sat out in the truck as hubby was getting worse. We all decided to go home.

I drove hubby home and he napped in the car. Got him inside & he decided to make sloppy joes instead of resting. Then he konked out on the couch for the rest of the night. We went to bed early at 8PM. I got up several times in the night with the dogs.

The temps dipped and it has been colder than usual for the past couple weeks. Normally, we are enjoying 60F degree weather here. But lately it has barely gotten into the 40s. Brr.

We slept late (9AM) on Monday morning after I talked hubby into staying home as he had worsened during the night. For him to actually take a day off work; He must be really sick.

Friday, October 09, 2009

Home Sweet Home

. . .So tired after the puppies kept me up all night.

Hubby called me at 11:45AM to let me know that he was on the 405S leaving Everett. He got home at 5:00. Thank goodness his return trip was without mishap. So very glad to have him back safe & sound.

We went to Spirit Lake grocery to pick up a few things. Then came back home to have dinner.

While watching TV, hubby fell asleep on the couch at 8:00PM.

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Neutering


'Lil Bit went into Northwoods Vet this morning at 8AM to get neutered. He is 6 months old so he will also be getting microchipped. Also having the Dr. do blood tests & give an I.V. during surgery. The assistant said he should be ready by 4PM to return home.

Angus & Harriet woke me up at 3AM, 5AM, & 6AM to go out to potty. It was VERY cold last night. There was frost on all the decks this morning. Brrr. I am not ready for Fall to be this cold.

There was a bird stuck in the garage Wednesday morning. I had to open all the doors so it wouldn't beat itself to death trying to escape. Very odd.

The Vet's office called at 1130AM to tell me that Bit would be ready to pick up after Noon. I decided to wait until 100PM to give him more time to rest without having the big dogs around.

When I picked him up, I had gathered him from the assistant by supporting his chest & legs. He slightly yipped & nipped at me. That was the first spot of trouble.

Taking him home, he seemed a little bit overactive even after the anesthesia, but I thought that it was normal. He took a nice 2 hour nap with me & Harriet in my bed. I was so tired after not getting much sleep last night. . .When I got up and put him on the floor, he yelped again. So I let him come down the stairs by himself. He proceeded to sleep on the dog bed by the fireplace for the rest of the night.

About 615PM, Lil Bit was groaning in pain so quietly. When I picked him up again, he yelped in pain. His cajones were still a little swollen and his chest seemed to be swollen, also. So I called the Vet's office to leave a message and he contacted me a few minutes later. The Dr. advised giving him a 1/2 baby aspirin and trying to put ice on his surgery site. We did that for a while and later the dog seemed to calm down.

After calling the hubby one last time about 8:00 and talking for a while, I was exhausted. Hubby said he had gotten his last ladder climbing done & by Noon on Friday they would release class! Yippee. No more separation! I then watched CSI & Bones which both failed to capture my interest. Took a long hot soak after & hit the bed by 10PM. Let the dogs out one last time. Then after sleeping for a short time, Harriet woke me up at 3AM. Let the dogs out AGAIN. By 5AM, I still couldn't sleep. So took another hot bath. Then Angus pooped in the living room. She is eating too much as it was HUGE. About 10 inches across piled by 6 inches tall. Dumb dog. Had to clean it up and it smelled like SHIT in the house for the next hour. I threatened the dogs - "Don't poop anymore in the house & let me sleep for the next 3 hours!"

'Lil Bit woke me up at 8AM on Friday morning by dancing around downstairs. He only observed one of my intimidations.

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Bonked My Head

test test test

I can now officially text to my blog from my ENV3. Wow. Technology. Amazement.

Bonked my head last night on the kitchen cabinet. Big egg over my left eye.

Hubby passed his four 12-Foot Climbs; achieved one 16-Foot Climb on Tuesday. He was very tired as he is using muscles he never had to use before.

'Lil Bit has started to poop upstairs on the carpet. I don't know what motivated him to do this all of a sudden.

Angus is dirty today as she has been playing pretend "fight" with Harriet outside.

Picture of hubby's fruit basket from Edible Arrangements that I sent him on his first day - Monday.

He got flowers on Tuesday.

I can't even begin to tell you how bored I am.

Found hubby's "big Blue" hammer in the driveway. No. 3 was careless and left it out there last night. Have to fire the kid.

<-- Harriet outside playing in the fall cold temperatures.

Monday, October 05, 2009

SUNMON

Sun 4 Oct Took dogs for a walk at Farragut Park with K & Bravo. Stopped for lattes at the stand in A-town. Then took the dogs back home so they could play together while we ran to Spoky-Jo for hubby's shoes at White's Boots; he picked up a part at NAPA; then we ate soup & sandwiches at Applebee's.

Came home & K went to pick up M from his parents' home. She packed up all the Halloween decorations I had given her.

Hubby went down to the shop to finish working on a truck; waited for the dog-trainer to come pick up Angus, but he never showed. We finally left at 5PM to take hubby into town so he could pick up his VZ truck for the drive to Seattle (he is in Everett for the next week doing pole-climbing training). There was a voracious wind blowing all day today and once he got on the road, we found out that I-90 had been closed west of Ritzville. Hubby had a long drive around to avoid the dust storm.

He finally arrived late at night & texted me. I was happy that he got there OK.

Mon 5 Oct Woke up at 5AM as 'Lil Bit had shit-storm part 2; poor little guy. His digestive system must be on the fritz. Texted hubby an early morning hello.

Played with the puppies. Took a walk. Boring day.

Hubby got his fruit basket I had sent him. He was surprised.

Saturday, October 03, 2009

THURSFRISAT

On Thursday 1 October, while I was watering my plants outside and taking care of the fish in the pond, I got stung deliberately by a wasp. It targeted me, let me bat it away from my face, then came back in for the "kill" sting. It got me twice on my right hand pinky finger.

Immediately, my hand started to swell. I took copious amounts of benadryl to no avail. Placed bags of ice on it to stop the swelling.

By the time hubby came home late after a union meeting, I was in tears. Took some of his painkillers, let him take off my clothes, and assist me to bed.

Hubby had taken 2 October Friday as a floating vacation day because he realized he still has over 2 weeks of vacation time to use prior to the end of the year. So he took me into Rathdrum to see our physician. Doctor prescribed Vicodin for pain and Steroids to reduce the swelling. By this time, I was itching it constantly. Put ice on it and the stupid swelling continued up my arm to my elbow!

*this doctor was acting strangely - he asked if I had any surgeries - "nothing recent," I replied; then he said. . ."so you are 'intact' down there." Which has to be the oddest thing I ever heard a doctor ask. I was so shocked to hear him say something like that. What a hysterectomy has got to do with my getting stung TWICE on the pinky totally boggles the mind. Do wasps only sting women with active reproduction systems?

It was rainy & cold today. Had to wear sweaters & jackets. We also went into CDA to pick up a new oxygen tank for hubby's shop; got a couple lattes at Starbucks, dropped off my prescription at Medicine Man Pharmacy and got home by 11:00. Hubster worked in the shop while I took my pain meds and took a nap. K came out in the afternoon with Bravo. My hand just kept swelling.

K told about how she was riding her bike with M and Bravo when the dog zigzagged on the leash causing her to fall. She injured her hand & knee pretty badly. We are a couple of walking wounded!

Hubby came home from the shop at 7:30 and the three of us went to Spirit Lake to eat at the Mexican Restaurant. Also picked up some small ice cream cones afterwards

Saturday 3 October we left the dogs home while we went shopping. It had rained, was now cold & windy. Old Navy at the Valley Mall didn't have anything interesting. Nothing on the sale prices they had been advertising. K was disappointed. Also stopped on Bon-Macy's to look at purses. I decided on a leather calf small pocket shoulder bag to purchase on-line.

Then we drove to CDA to shop at Tuesday Morning where some creepy man kept bumping into us, Joann's Fabrics where we got a butt-load of autumn decor on sale; Target where we got lots of All Hallow's Eve decorations; and Bed, Bath & Beyond. At Michaels a very nice employee was leaving work for the day when she gave us a 20% off coupon. When K has been waffling whether or not to purchase a huge collage frame for pictures, she then scooted to the back of the store to get the enormous frame while I held our place in line. We decided to forgo shopping at Merle Norman - maybe I can go another day by myself. There were too many people at the mall today. Then got pitas for dinner at The Pita Pit & roast beef burger treats for the dogs at Arby's.

Got home around 5:00; ate our pitas, sorted out all of the purchases that were crammed in the back of K's SUV. I hung up my orange & purple Halloween lights that I had gotten at Target. Also put out my lighted pumpkins on the new deck.

Hubster got home at 8:30, watched a little TV, then went to bed.