Snowflake & Dog Step

Hubby woke up early to make a dog step for Isabelle so she can get into bed easier. Also made snowflake for KRN. Just have to paint it now.

Yardstick Snowflake

Then I went with him to Rathdrum to get parts, get dog cheeseburgers, make deposit at bank, pick up pizza for guys at shop, and get gas. Purchased lottery megamillions tickets. Cross my fingers we win for New Years!

Returned home where I rested for the balance of the day. Real tired at 9:30 and went to bed.

So Tired

Sunday -
Christmas. Opened our presents. Watched Christmas shows. Vegged out. Took a nap. Depressing this year. Did not feel like doing ANYTHING!

christmas presents under tree

Monday -
Kelsey came over around 10:00 with Bravo. She opened her presents. Then she was hungry. So we took her into town to eat at Las Chavelas. It was good. Afterwards she decided she had to get dog food at Costco. I got a new camera for half price! 


Then home. I was exhausted. But Matt was waiting here with his truck and we had him open his presents.

 Matt & presents

The kids left not too long afterwards. I watched a couple shows & dragged myself to bed. Still recovering from my illness.


Tuesday -
You really can't believe how exhausted you can get by being sick. I am almost through with all my meds, but am tired. Going to bed at 8:00 everynight. Sleeping until about 7:00 the next day. Still not enough. Going to take a while before I feel back to normal...

Hubby forced me to go up to Bonners Ferry so that he could purchase a truck from a nice Canadian gentleman. Before we went up there, we stopped at the Bakery to say hello to Gwen & Louise. Then got hubby a latte. The lights flickered while we were at the espresso stand, but came back on.

When we returned thru Sandpoint, we stopped at Big R to get deer food. Took Bud inside with us. He got lots of hugs & scratches from people. Then stopped at Arby's to get roast beef for the puppy dogs at home.

As we came up our highway, we noticed the road was blocked.

Highway blocked by Avista crews

The power pole fell down right across from our driveway....

because...a kid had t-boned his car into it this morning (that was why the lights flickered!) He was going an excessive amount of speed (the guys who were standing outside our shop estimated 70mph!) and fishtailed in the slush. So once the authorities were called, the guys towed the car onto our property temporarily. Mom and Dad came to pick up the kid who had two black eyes (probably concussion).

 car destroyed sitting in our driveway

Happy Christmas Eve

Hubby had to drag me with him to pick up a part in Spokane. He did not want to leave me along. I am feeling somewhat better. Still a lot of pain, tho.

Afraid to eat anything. Trying to drink water.

Stopped to give Leo & Ritchie their presents.

Gave Heather at espresso stand a Xmas card & tip. Came back thru Rathdrum and shopped at Super One. Picked up hubby's fruit cake at Bakery in town. The ladies made him a custom miniature cherry pie!

 Custom Cherry Pie

Got gasoline & newspapers to wrap presents. Also stopped to get another xmas latte for hubby. 

Came home exhausted. Slept.

Back to Dr

Thursday - Last night suffered from 4 hours of heartburn & indigestion. I am frightened to eat anything now!

So hubby forced me to go into the Dr again and I was prescribed heartburn meds. We stopped at grocery store to waste some time. Got cheeseburgers for dogs, then came home. Already 1:00! Wasted the day again.

 Pedestals for dryer/washer

Christmas Time

Listening to Christmas music, making stuff for Christmas on the Silhouette Cameo. Hubby briefly went down to the shop, and he is making Christmas crafts for gifts.

Still have to deliver some things, but most stuff is taken care of in time for Christmas.

There is one package that is stuck in Spokane, WA. Need to find out why.

I am feeling somewhat better, but very weak! LOL.

Hubby picked up Christmas cookies from bakery in CDA.

crazy christmas cookies

SICK, HOSPITAL ER

It remains pretty much a blur...

But from Thursday (Wednesday?) I awoke and experienced HORRIFIC pain in the abdomen. Hubby went to work and said that if I got worse, he would come home to take me to the doctor. He LIED. I called him at 2:00 and he didn't get home until 6:00pm.

He rushed me to the Urgent Care in CDA and the doctor advised that a normal white blood count is 4300; mine was over 13000! I had an infection. They told us to go to the ER across the street immediately. The nurse was unable to take blood; had to call for backup- PLEASE LEARN THIS IN SCHOOL, NOT ON PATIENTS!

Of course, they didn't forward any paperwork to the ER. Duh. So we still had to wait, and wait, and wait. Then got in to the ER, processed, and evaluated. I don't remember much as I was in a lot of pain. Finally got an IV from a knowledgeable nurse (whose husband happened to work in the same company as mine! LOL) with painkillers.

Then off to the CT Scan; injecting icky stuff into my veins.

Back to my room to wait the results of the scan. Doctor said DIVERTICULITIS. Lots of painkillers prescribed along with massive amounts of antibiotics. Said surgery not needed if we can control it with antibiotics.

Said to come back in a couple days (Saturday night).

I was so weak, I fell asleep for the following days...sleep; eat applesauce, take pills. Lost 10 pounds.

Woke up a little better one day and then awful horrible horrific pain and told hubby to call 9-1-1. By the time the ambulance got here (they passed our place the first time-quite lost) I had thrown up and felt better.

Went into our regular personal doctor at 2PM. He said stay away from milk products; which I had eaten cottage cheese. Now I am Lactose Intolerant! Ick. Do you KNOW how many foods have whey or milk in them?

Sick

Thursday - After suffering all day, hubby took me to Urgent Care. Doctor admitted me to ER. Cat Scan indicated Diverticulitis. I had severe pain in the abdomen.

Dr Appt

Tuesday - Hubby had to get up at 3AM to answer an emergency on-call. Phone wires down on ground in town. So I had to get up to make him a drink and breakfast.

I went back to sleep for a while, but dogs would not let me rest. They kept getting up every 30 minutes to bark at something.

So I was exhausted and drained for the balance of the day. Took Bud along with me into town for my 2:30 Dr's. appt. Stupid little out of control 1 year old in the waiting room area with grandma. The meth mother came out later and announced loudly everything that the doctor had discussed privately. Stupid people out there in this world.

After 30 minutes of filling out paperwork and another 30 minute wait, I was finally led back to the exam room. According to the doctor, there is nothing wrong with me. No reason that I should be having pain. So she was quick to prescribe pills instead of finding what is exactly wrong. I also believe she was somewhat abrupt & uncaring. Didn't pursue some of the questions that were on my file; why not spend a little longer LOOKING at me instead of her computer?

Got Wendy's cheeseburgers for dogs on the way home. Listened to Christmas music.

Dogs were happy to see me when I returned home.

Wednesday - Dogs decided to bark at everything again last night. Isabelle got up at 3am and piddled around outside for over 35 minutes. I finally had to put on a coat to go out to get her! Fell back asleep for one hour, then Bud & Harriet wanted to go out. Barely time to get up and make hubby's drink.

Took Bud to vet at 11:30 because he had a severe red rash on his belly. Then raced home to meet the delivery truck for the guys that brought our Washer/Dryer Pedestals from Home Depot.

Lil Bit in holiday sweater

Made Protein Bites for hubby's friend Brad at work. Brad LOVES my balls! LOL.

Cleaning House & Making Xmas Crafts

Cleaned the house today. Washed dog beds. Vacuumed & Mopped the floors.

Made more Christmas crafts.

Stars

 Mugs

Took Christmas candy down to the shop for the guys.

Ordered more Christmas gifts online.

Gave REI gift certificate to our UPS driver. He is a great guy.

Xmas Shopping & Harriet's Birthday

Went into town to pick up the Dodge that hubby had locked in the yard at work. But he forgot the keys to the yard! They were still locked in the shop at home. So we walked Bud, Bit, and Harriet in a nearby field. Very cold outside. Only 26 degrees. Brrrr.

Drove back home and left Bit & Harriet at home while we went into town Xmas shopping. Stopped at Costco, Home Depot & Super One in Rathdrum. Then went home.

Saw turkeys in the road on Diagonal.

Turkeys

Had birthday party for Harriet when we got home. All the dogs got hamburgers that we picked up at McDonalds.

 Birthday Cake

 Harriet (5 years old)

Hubby took a nap. I went to bed early.

Blogging & Baking

Hubby actually blogged last night on RMOR without any prodding from me!

On Saturday I made Christmas goodies. Peanut Brittle, Cashew Brittle, No Bake Cookies, No Bake Protein Bites, Peppermint Bark, Cereal Bars & Puppy Chow (for KRN; her favorite!)

 Braided Spaghetti Bread

KRN came over with Beebo about 11:00; I babysat until they returned at 6:00. KRN had to go to a birthday party for her friend's daughter. Matt was going to visit with his dad.

More Christmas Decor & Crafts

Thursday

Busy making more Christmas crafts. Also hung star & more lights outside.

Need to start making cookies, candies & holiday food.

Gave a gift certificate to mailman & mailed the Christmas cards.

Still need to get a few gift certificates for others.

Friday

Went to get nails done at 11:00. Stopped to pick up burgers at McDonalds for dogs
afterwards.

The Story Thus Far

Sunday - Drove over to K&M's to return Beebo who had stayed overnight with us while the kids went to dinner in CDA. We took Harriet, Bit & Bud with us for a change. Harriet did very well in the car.

Hubby had to pay his NAPA bill and I took over driving after that. He seemed quite upset at other drivers for some reason today, so it seemed best for me to get behind the wheel.

We briefly shopped at Big R on Trent to get more deer food, new harness for Harriet & let hubby browse. He loves his Big R! There is a new one in CDA we found when we returned home later tonight...

Got to kids' home at 12:00; helped them put up lights. Lots of strings were dead. Matt stapled thru one light string. He had to get up on the roof to put up lights. All very pretty when we were done. Hubby and I ran to WalMart for garlic bread (insane parking lot - also saw accident in parking lot) Got Starbucks lattes gross tasting. (cuz KRN refuses to get espresso machine for home) For lunch we had crock-pot Lasagne that KRN had made. Was very good.

We left not long after because it was already 3:30.

Drove to CDA for gasoline at Costco. Picked up burgers for dogs. Angus & Isabelle had done very well. Missed us.

My Perfect Angels

Monday - Bit decided that he was going to spend most of the day on his back. Got a picture of him.

Lil Bit with belly exposed! So adorable.

I had ordered new Sorels because I realized my other ones were about 20 years old! The new ones came via UPS today. Very warm.

 New Sorels

Ordered lots and lots of presents (some presents) online for Cyber Monday.


Tuesday - Had diarrhea all night from 3AM onwards. Felt very weak. Had gone to bed early and got even worse as the day wore on. I was supposed to go to Dr. Specialist, but had to call to reschedule. Just not enough strength to drive there.

Wednesday - Went up to Sandpoint to shop at Big R. We did not get there in time; they close at 7pm. Went over to Walmart to get a few things. Stopped at Arby's for dog burgers & returned home with Bud & Isabelle. Isabelle barked at a dog in the back of a pickup during a stoplight and frightened the poor black Lab. We explained to Isabelle that she must be nice to other dogs. She didn't want to listen...

When we returned from shopping, the refrigerator had quit working. Our food was going bad. We put it out on the deck in the cold (thank goodness for winter). I had suffered endo pains, so took a hot bath & went to bed early.

Thursday - The Fred's Appliance repair man came out to the house. Thinks that the Thermostat needs replacing in the refrigerator. I called after he left to schedule. The parts won't be here until Monday night so he will be coming Tuesday morning.

I completely cleaned out the fridge (will have hubby pull it out of the wall this weekend to clean behind it) & restocked it from the food that we had put outside on the deck in coolers. It is much cleaner & has more available space. We will now be able to find things better. Hubby had 6 jars of pickled things and I was able to condense them to 3; then put them in the smaller refrigerator downstairs. Also condensed 3 ketchup bottles into 1 and 2 mustard bottles into 1!

Clean Fridge

I made Cake Truffles from a recipe on the 'Net I found. Chef in Training However, they taste AWFUL to me. I will give them away to Bruce. He likes extremely sweet things.

 Cake Truffles

Harriet is filling out quite well with all the eggnog she has been drinking. I am also filling her with lots of meat & protein. She has a "solid" look to her lean body now.

 

Harry in winter sweater!

This past week without #3 around, I have been having to decorate on my own. It is quite an immense chore. Put the stereo outside in order to get into the Christmas mood. Blasting Xmas tunes away while putting up new lights & taking down ones that quit working.

Balls on deck

Friday - Lil Bit keeps barking at something outside & the other dogs have to go out to investigate. They have NOT taken their early morning, mid-morning, or morning naps yet!

It is getting sunnier & warmer all the time. Temp is up to 36.

I worked on more Christmas light balls, decorating inside of house with cloth tied garlands, made No Bake Protein balls, fed deer, worked on KRN's Advent calendar, washed dog bedding, got mail with Bud, rewrapped tomato cage light tree.
 

Lazy Last Day of Turkey Week Vacation

Hubby has to return to work tomorrow after having all week off for vacation.

Sunday - We got up and walked dogs in park. Saw a bowhunter & found out that it is perfectly legal for bowhunting deer in park Nov 1 thru Dec 31. We will not be walking there anymore. Too scared the humans or the dogs could get accidentally shot. Stupid of State Park to do this. Too many places in National Forest for the stupid hunters to go...

We then returned so that hubby could fix the fuse in the truck for the automatic windows.

 Wild Dog Walk in park

Put up Christmas lights. Spray painted & made more yard stick stars. Hubby put up fucking deer on deck. Listened to Christmas music on IPOD while we worked.

Fucking deer

It got dark very early. Skies were dismal & dark. Started raining. We dressed up, then took Bruce & Joni out to dinner at Red Lobster for Bruce's 60 Birthday. Stopped at Wendy's on the way home for burgers for the good dogs.

Returned home to watch Walking Dead.

Happy Turkey Day

After shopping all day Wednesday, I was exhausted when we got home. Hubby volunteered to make all the dishes. I got drunk on Huck wine. Went to bed early. He even made the spray bottles & yardstick stars for KRN.

THURSDAY TURKEY DAY - Spent Thanksgiving at KRN's. Loaded up everything and took all the CLEAN dogs. We arrived about 9AM.

KRN made a perfect turkey (her first!); it was delicious. Juicy and tender. We brought green bean casserole & sweet potato casserole, bacon roll ups.

Guys went to Walmart at Midnight for Black Friday sale while we stayed home with tired dogs. But they got back relatively early because all the people had already seized the deals.

BLACK FRIDAY - Nothing interesting for us to purchase on Black Friday. It was depressing. We got up late, I made lattes for everyone. Then we ate breakfast at IHOP in valley. Holiday pancakes NOT good.

Drove to our place, M& hubby got the Bronco ready & decorated to drive in the Holiday Light Parade Coeur d'Alene. They left to arrive there by 4PM. Hubby took Bud & Austin. KRN & I left later, filled her gasoline; got lattes. Then met guys at grocery store on Sherman. Walked down to parade. Watched lighting ceremony & fireworks from the parking lot of the DMV. Bud was scared and hid in the back of the pickup.

KRN & I drove home separately. We got out before the crowd.

KRN & MSN left after we got home.

SATURDAY - Hubby did not come to bed until 1:00 last night. I was extremely tired. He woke me up when he got into bed and made me grumpy. We got up late at 9AM; then went into town later to take garbage. Stopped at bakery. I decorated lights outside. Got tired & rested.

Shopping for T-Day

Dropped dogs (Bud, Angus, Isabelle) off at Apryl's for grooming at 9:30. Lil Bit & Harriet stayed home. Bit already had a bath in the sink last night. Harriet will have a bath tonight in the shower with Hubby.

We shoppped (after getting lattes in town) at WalMart, got my nails done at Walmart, Ace Hardware, (bad potty) URM, Brown Building (no doors, tho).  Safeway, Costco, Wendy's. Dropped off check at bank for hubby.

Picked dogs up at 4:30. They smelled nice. Angus was excited about leaving.

Hubby baked & cooked at home. I got drunk on wine.

Hard Cold Rain

Rained ALL day. Positive - eliminated a lot of the 3 foot of snow that we have gotten in the past 2 days; Negative - Rain exposed parts of the ground and it looks gross. Also, slushy & difficult to walk/drive in.

Hair with Jen-Bunny at stand 9:30. Came home afterwards to make light balls. Froze my fingers trying to put them up in the rain. Not feelin' the Christmas mood at all this year.

Half of the lights burnt out. Crap.

Snowy

SUNDAY - It just keeps snowing and snowing and snowing. Hubby made breakfast for himself. Then we took dogs down to the park for wild dog walk. They loved it. Lil Bit "swam" thru the deep snow. Angus took off into the woods for some fun. Harriet blasted Bud in the side several times. Isabelle played like she was a pup again!

We went home afterwards to clean house. Hubby helped a lot. I vacuumed while he put stuff up in the closet for me.

Watched TV after all was done and went to bed early.

MONDAY - Slept in until 8AM! Wow. But I had already gotten up several times since 5AM because Harriet woke up the other dogs.

Made lattes, then hubby wanted to go take the dogs for a wild dog walk. We drove down to the road by the dump, but somebody had built there! So we went back to the park again. Took the dogs in the new green dually. Hubby is in love with it.

Then came back & cleaned house again. Hubby went down to shop to work. He came home to plow around the time that the Carpet Cleaner guy was supposed to be here. I got the dogs in the garage in the pickup truck & hubby took off with the dogs.

Carpet Cleaner Jeff cleaned loft carpets, chairs in loft, 8x10 carpet in living room and dog rugs.

Harriet & Bud to Vet

THURSDAY - Harriet's infection on her lip was getting bigger & crusty. So I called to make an appointment with vet. Took her in at 5PM. She was scared as usual and I had to carry her inside.

Vet took a couple tests. Decided it was just infection (not cancerous). Prescribed antibiotics. Then looked at her weepy left eye & prescribed steroid drops. Brought Bud in to vet also to check out HIS weepy left eye. Same diagnosis. Drops for both dogs.

On the way to the vet, Harriet got some skin & hair ripped off her right side. I don't know how she did this. She is such a hyper dog.

When I realized that my old Sorels were about 15 years old, I decided it was time for new ones. Ordered new Sorels - Joan of Arctic

FRIDAY - Snowed all day. Got about 20 inches. Hubby says "we should move!" because he hates this now. But he won't make any effort to move. Where else are we going to go? Kids are here. He likes the acreage away from town. Beautiful lake for our boat. He has established business here now. Only a few more years before retirement.

Let the dogs out in the late afternoon because they were barking. I saw something dart across the back of the fence...thought it was OUTSIDE the fence, but it was inside. Whoops. They got it. It was a little white bunny. It got stuck in the fence & dogs got it. Had to sequester them inside until hubby got home to get rid of the poor thing.

 10 inches by 8:30AM.

Big R

Sunday - BIG R. Hubby's FAVORITEST store now!

Rained last night. Broke snow down a little. Walked dogs at the park in the morning.

Shopped at WalMart, Home Depot & Big R in Sandpoint. Stopped for doggie Arby burgers. Dark & dreary out today.

Hubby fixed toilet lid, drawers in bathroom and replaced bulb in laundryroom.

Watched Walking Dead tonight. Big boring. Too much talking not enough zombie action!

Got a special sweater for Lil Bit. He hates wearing it!

Lil Bit in his winter sweater!

Craft Show Day

Saturday - Spent the day with KRN going to the craft show in Post Falls at the high school. Not too many new things. Boring. Need to find a new craft show next year.

Went to Walmart afterwards for a couple little things. Got Pumpkin Smashes at Jamba Juice and at lunch at Harvest Bread company.

KRN dropped me off at my car again after giving me espresso flavors & coffee she had brought. Then I drove home to Bud & the dogs.

Snowstorm started at 4:00.

 Hubby with dogs on his lap. Bit NEVER wants to sit on anybody's lap.

More Snow Tonight

Nov 10 - Hubby had to go down to friend's shop to do a rear end set up. He worked until late about 12PM.

Nov 11 - It was hurricane like weather here earlier in the night with rain & severe wind. But it later turned to snow around 10:30PM.

First Snow of 2011

Nov 4 - I got my nails done with Rhonda.

Nov 7 - Got a dusting of snow here in late afternoon.

Nov 9 - Got my new Silhouette Cameo and started sampling it with different vinyl cut out projects.

Nov 9 - Hubby helped me put burlap sacks around our evergreen tree to save it from snow this winter. From a distance it looks like a penis.

Computer Here

So it goes that I have to transfer everything from old computer to new. Ick. I HATE HATE HATE doing this.

Met hubby at his work and we were going to NITB Club Meeting until I saw that he had metal in his eye. I drove him down to the Emergency Room. Doctor performed minor surgery there to get the metal out. Dug in his eye to get rusted metal out. Ick. No painkillers. Just antibiotics. We went to the meeting for a while, then left early. Hubby was hurting bad.

lots of big nothing

Got machine on Oct 31

Past Due Update

Computer blew up!

Laptop has virus.

Ordered new computer from Costco which will be here Wednesday.

Have to order new laptop. Maybe Christmas present? Wait for Black Friday sales?

Sunday Oct 30 -Dog walk in park. Put away rest of summer things. Hoses, fire pit chairs. Took both cars toWalMart to change oil. Took Bud. Shopped. Then ate dinner at Las Chavelas. Home to watch TV.

Shopping & Flu

FRIDAY
Back still hurting badly but felt better this morning.

Got latte for me and a Pumpkin Smash for KRN. Went shopping with her at Costco in the Valley. Then loaded up my car to take book donations up to Spokane Humane Society. The woman there was very rude & refused the donation. I will NEVER donate to SHS again!

Then drove to Valley Mall to get KRN makeup at JC Penney. Also stopped at Hobby Lobby & Jo Ann Fabrics. Then took KRN back to her car at Costco. I picked up cheeseburgers for dogs at Wendy's then drove home to collapse.

Hubby thinks I have the stomach flu.

Oct 15 - North Idaho Trail Blazers; we hosted the Night Run here at our place. Had fire pit going; it was a little chilly. Hot dogs, lots of food. M&K came over to help with decorations. K was not feeling too good and went inside early. I had to stay outside with Rodriquez's who waited until everybody showed up from 4WD run about 1AM.

Oct 18 -  Got a picture of Harriet playing with Bud on the floor while Lil Bit did his "Dancing Bear" routine!

Oct 21 - Walked down to get mail and Jeepster was trying to hide from me. He finally realized it was me and started to roll around on the ground begging me to rub his belly. After a while, he jumped up into my arms.

 Oct 21 - In the mail we got our flag for the boat!

Oct 21 - The squirrel on the deck was driving the dogs crazy today. Squirrely actually stopped for an instant so that I could snap this pic of him.

Oct 25 - Got my nails done with Rhonda.

 Oct 27- Hubby's new company t-shirt came today!

 Oct 29 - Jen Bunny returned from Hawaii. We went down for lattes today and saw her at the stand.

North Idaho Trail Blazer Club

Went to the NITB meeting last night and they voted for approval on our membership. Got there at 6PM and stayed until almost 9PM. On the way home, we got cheeseburgers from Wendy's for the dogs, a Starbucks latte for me (yuckety yuck) and then stopped for a ham on the way home thru Rathdrum.

Rain & Back Ack

Rainy day. Tried to get hubby to stay home to take me into the Chiro, but he did not want to do it. So I am in agony.

UPROAR

Hubby worked all day at shop on Saturday.

Sunday we took dogs for walk in Farragut Park, drove thru park to see if there were any boats on loading ramp...Then after leaving dogs at home, we went up to Sandpoint to shop at Walmart & new Big R store there. Hubby fell in love with the Big R store.

 Hubby as an Elephant at WalMart

Went to Uproar concert on Sunday afternoon/night. It was great.

I had to get drunk after taking numerous pills for my aching back which had started hurting early this morning. Kids met us at O'Doherty's Irish Grill in downtown Spokane. Had quite a few drinks. Then went over to the Spokane Arena for the Uproar Concert. Quite good.

Had quite a few more beers while we were there. KRN and I also got hot dog, candy & more beer when we went to go potty.

 Bullet For My Valentine

 Avenged Sevenfold

 Me & Hubby

 MSN & KRN

Seether