Urp!

Ugh. It was rough. Yuck. Ouch. But I better get some background to you first. Hi there all you dog and non-dog (gasp is this possible?) loving people out there. This is your ol' pal Lisi again. I usually like to tell stories about when I'm naughty. It is usually good for a laugh. It makes the big lady that yells but loves me anyway very tense. And crabby. But this time I worried her a lot.

You see yesterday afternoon the car came home early. Man I love that guy. He's big and he rarely yells. And he takes me for the best walks ever. We head out further than the big lady does (and she even sometimes yells on my walks!). He was saying something to the little people around here and then! They were scurrying to get jackets and shoes on! Really? He's going with them for a walk! And I get to go too! Lucky lucky me. And so we headed off for the woods. The big love able guy and the little people were playing hide and seek in the woods. It's great fun, but usually the little people yell at me when I go stand by them behind a tree. Hey! I like to play too you know! Then we kept walking through the crunchy leaves. I chased a couple of squirrels. And then we headed out by a big cornfield. The bigger little kid and the smaller little kid were throwing these yellow things up in the air and then it would rain down on us. I started to catch them with my tongue like I do snowflakes. Except I would swallow them. I did this for awhile and then they threw up a big thing and I ate that too. After awhile, we headed for home. Then I started to feel rumblies in my tumbly. Oh boy. I didn't feel good. We got back when the big lady did. She took one look at me and asked if something was wrong. The big guy that doesn't yell so much said I had been eating some corn. The big lady started to look worried and I started to feel sicker. She was busy in the kitchen. The big guy was busy with the little people and I felt sick. Like... I've got to throw up this instant and so I did. On a little rug. In just moments the big guy that doesn't yell was yelling. "OH NO! OH NO! LINDA!". The big lady comes over and looks and ushers me outside very quickly. For yuck. I felt terrible. Not because of the rug. Why you ask? Because I'm a dog and we don't give a lick about rugs or keeping them clean. I felt terrible because, well, I felt terrible. And so I puked a lot more times.

The big lady was looking anxious and worried. She was talking to the big guy and saying things like obstructed intestines (what in the dickens is that?). And so she would keep coming out into the garage and stare and me. Murmur sweet words of comfort (although I have no clue what they were). And pet me softly on my sore belly. She really loves me even though she yells. Then she left me there for the night. The big guy came out much later in the night to check on me. But you know what? I started to feel better.

And this morning? It was great. The big lady came rushing out to look at me again. She brought me rice and meat mixed together. She watched me to make sure I went potty (can't a girl get a little privacy around here?). And after I went I could tell she was happy (isn't that weird that someone would be so happy to see you do your business?). And then we went for a walk and I had a drink and I chased a ball and life is good again!

And so... I didn't learn my lesson. You see we dogs have brains that aren't big in cause and effect. So if you see me in a cornfield munching away, please stop me and try to remind me that I'm not a deer or a cow or a pig. And dogs shouldn't be doing that!

Wed. without wonder

* Lisi got a new toy. This time without stuffing. Neat idea, eh? It's a buffalo with five squeakers. An early birthday present if you will... She's very happy.

* I found a tooth. Did some deep cleaning yesterday since the window cleaners were here. I'm not sure why. But I dug behind one hutch to wipe it down and out comes a tooth! Not just any tooth. One of my kids' teeth! That's something you don't find every day.

* The Chairman left for a bit over 24 hours and should be home tonight. It was a thrill to get a text picture last night of Times Square with an endearing message.

* Rayna's basketball team keeps winning. And I keep hooting and hollering like a crazy lady cheering from the stands.

* I've been quite riveted with a blog that is written by someone I don't even know. The baby has had heart trouble and it is so interesting to follow their journey.

* Since the Chairman was away, I allowed a child to sleep with me last night. As Jerry Seinfeld said once, it's like sleeping with a laundry bag with a live collie inside.

* Trevor has been telling me about "Honey Buns". I thought it was a term of endearment. Then he said he was trading (his perfectly healthy lunch choices I packed for him) for a "Honey Bun". So finally I ask what they are and he's describing it to me. Well at the store I see them. Lo and behold they are Little Debbie breakfast snacks. I scan the nutrition label, shudder, and then buy them to see a little kid smile big today. But... I doubt they are regulars in my shopping cart.

* And finally... how old is too old to have a security blanket? We're having issues. Or maybe not.

Mundane Monday

* But I like them. It's quiet. I can get the house back in order. The laundry done and stacked in neat piles. And be ready for the chaos that erupts again in 7 hours.

* Trevor caught a big one! His good friend Denver came over on Friday and spent the night. Saturday afternoon I took them to 'the dam' a few minutes away. Told the boys to come get me if they need something. I settle in with the newspaper and quietness and 10 minutes later Denver walks up and says, 'you should come see the fish Trevor caught'. (insert heavy sigh... ok, sure) and there it was! A 29" northern! It caused quite a stir in the fishing world there at the pond. And the smile on T's face was great. I didn't have my camera and so there's no picture to share. Only the measurement that someone did for us.

* Rayna still wants non-breakfast food for breakfast. Today was a cold meatball left over from yesterday's spaghetti. T&M look at her like she's really disgusting. In fact, me too. But what is wrong with it? It's usually nutritious. And she's eating.

* Mira told me the other day that she loves homemade bread and toast so much that she's coming over every morning for breakfast no matter how old she gets. Um... why don't you learn how to make it yourself and then you don't have to come over? What's that saying about not giving them fish but teaching them how to fish?

* Windows are all getting washed in and out tomorrow and not by me! Maybe we'll have a brighter outlook!

* Is there any reason why I'm getting unsolicited e-mails from AARP?

* Are any of you brand-loyal to certain products? I seem to always buy Dawn dish soap. Or Cheer powder (because it's a great value from Sam's), or Pantene shampoo. Anyone have suggestions on the best... whatever?

* I kinda created a family favorite that is super-simple. Brown ground beef and add taco seasoning. Add either cooked regular rice, or add more water and throw in a half-cup or so of Minute rice. Also a drained can of kidney or black beans. And after that simmers a few minutes throw in about a cup of shredded cheese (whatever you have on hand). Let warm for about five minutes and serve with crushed tortilla chips and shredded lettuce, tomato, salsa on top. It's very easy and yum for our family.

* I better get a move on it or the chaos will be here before the jobs are done.

What I see each day

Trying to do a self portrait. All I got was a juicy kiss.

Yes Lisi... that's better. But my eyes are buggy!

And we're off!

Pond #1

the path

Makes me think of SD...

this is "The Tree" where I peeked from behind watching Mr. Undertaker look for his body

Into the woods we go

Pretty in the dappled sun

They think the winter will be long!

I like this part

The leaves were so pretty and crunchy

The cornfield at the edge of the woods

A full-court basketball deal that converts to hockey come winter (nice, eh?)

Pond #2. Geese! The chase is on.

And they're off! Thanks to our swimming dog.

A 'friend' that watches us each day

Home again!

Most of you know I'm a walker... and since I'm not very original, I stole this idea from another blog. I took my camera today to show you what I see nearly every day. (I'm not nearly as good of a photographer, but oh well.) The weather changes daily. The seasons change. The smells. The wind. And I love it! I feel more relaxed once my walk is done.

And for all you dog-tolerant only people, sorry that Lisi is in so many of the shots. I tried to not have her in some, but that's what I see on the path. And for all you dog-lovers, I took some of her just for fun.

So sit back and enjoy the journey. I sure did!

The best choice in the Chairman

It was the best choice for me. And I think know the best choice for the Chairman. You see 15 years ago on this date, we vowed that we'd stick with each other for better or worse... as we walked life's pathway together (real words from our vows!). It feels like nearly a lifetime. And it feels like just a few years. We've been through the best, the worst, and a lot of ordinary days. And I am thankful I've had a Chairman at my side. Life is easier that way. You feel protected, loved, and respected. And me? I'm just the sidekick that feeds the flock, tidies up when it is messy, soothe some real and imaginary wounds, and be a helpmate to the one I love. Yes, it was the best choice. Lucky us.

Post Halloween...

* Again a huge highlight for the kids. We had two 'witches' and a paintball player.

* The weather was frightful. Cold with wind. I was happy to stay home and pass out our loot.

* Lisi wore her Halloween bandana. I can't find costumes for her size without spending too much. Plus she'd probably just chew it off anyway.

* Most the fun isn't really the candy. It is sorting the candy. By shapes, sizes, colors, types. Then trading the 'icky' stuff. Trying to make brownie points with mom and giving her Twix bars (thanks R. for the full size one!).

* Two friends came along with us. I think they'll have cavities to show for their efforts.

* The costumes this year overall were just average. The cutest to me was a 2-year old little Army boy.

* Because of large lots, a lot of parents drive their cars on their lawnmower tractors or pulling them in a wagon behind. There was even a decorated golf cart!

* They need to shorten the length of trick or treating. Ours is from 4-7 but it is really wrapped up by 6:30.

* Anything over two pieces makes me feel bloated. I'll try for three today.

And completely unrelated to Halloween. You see Lisi is a dreadful pack rat. She loves toys of any kind. Her favorite thing really is to drag out all the milk cartons from the recycle bin and chew them down flat. Her stuffed toys have no stuffing and then she drags them all over the yard. She has a fleece dog bed that ends up in the driveway most days. It would look like a garbage dump if we let her. And then there's bones. I buy round beef bones at the meat counter for cheap. Cook them awhile and freeze them and pull them out every once in awhile. More cost-effective than buying at the pet store. But then there's an assortment of bones in the yard. Bone-yard if you will. And so on Saturday, the Chairman is trying to clean up the yard. He gathers up all the bones and puts them in a plastic bin (on the garage floor). Then as he was telling me to stop giving her bones, Lisi is hauling them right back out into the yard behind the Chairman's back. Oh dear.

Grim Reaper

They were really lucky people. About 1/2 mile from here I was walking and I hear a car coming up behind me. I reel Lisi in and then turn around and there is an elderly man driving a hearse in the adjacent subdivision. He pulls into the driveway directly across from the woods where I was intending to walk into. So I stop and peek around the tree and watch (for real!). The distinguished man gets out of the hearse. He's in a full suit looking all business. I know the people that live there. They're our age-group. I'm really wondering what happened. He walks around the back. Must have been knocking awhile. Then he comes around the front and then knocks on the door and then peers in the window. No answer.

Lucky them. The grim reaper came and they weren't home!!!

He then drove away slowly.

Strange... very strange.

This is a completely real story by the way... no Halloween joke this time.