Why does my wash machine always have to be off balance?

They Come Into America!!!!

Last night I was in a room full of tens of thousands of people all of them singing "Sweet Caroline" at the top of their lungs and waving hands in the air. It was unreal!!

Ruthie and I did the Humane Society's Walk for Animals on May 3. This was her first trip on a bus. She seemed to enjoy it. We walked the whole 5 miles and she did quite well for her 10 months of age. She was mellow and thoughtful. I was very proud of her. We hope to do it again next year...

The maniacal mud monster lives for rolling in all things nasty, but it is good for the skin.

Today is April 26th, I woke up to a white yard this morning. I took a walk through falling snow. Today is April 26th

I got sunburned today.

This Too, Shall Pass...
I am writing this in response to a blog I just read. It sounds as though she is in a whirlwind and she cannot quite find her way out. I am not quite sure how to respond so I am choosing to share a little bit about how I have been feeling lately. The funny thing is, I didn't even realize until last night how things have been piling up on me. Creeping one by one into my psyche trying to tear it down inch by inch are these evil little thoughts. It starts off by some random incident sort of like a spark that flies off of a campfire and disappears into the night. You never think of it again because by itself it is just harmless, but if you get enough sparks in one spot a slow smolder may start and before you know it you're reaching for the fire extinguisher. Honestly it is a little too dramatic for what I am feeling but lately I do feel a loss of control and a loss of faith in the things that a know. It seems a dark presence has crept into my comfort zone causing uneasiness. Perhaps I have been taking things for granted, a lack of appreciation for my blessings, maybe I have become too complacent. I have also questioned the mid-life crisis thing, (Are we there yet?) I have felt a disconnect and experienced lonliness. Lately my job, one that I have enjoyed for many years, has become the biggest anchor weighing me down. I have explored some different options for my future, but instead opening things up that road made me feel even more stuck. It could be this crappy weather, this extended winter that is dragging me down. Some times it is hard to know which feelings to give validity to and which to blow off.

The funny thing is while this heaviness has been worming its way in to my thoughts something else has been as well. It keeps popping up, a TV show, a book, overheard in a random conversation. It has been coming up often enough that it has come to the forefront of my thoughts. It is a simple saying, we have all heard it, it might even be cliche', but for some reason I have taken comfort from it. It is simple, "this too, shall pass." This can't go on forever, (except maybe this winter) regardless of the choices you make, for better or worse this is only a snippet in the big picture.

By the way I wore one sock inside out all day today, why does this matter? It doesn't so much except that my work pants are too short and my socks had cats on them (an effort to make the short pants fun.) I was so distracted by the hole in the toe when I put them on this morning that I didn't notice. This could be a metaphor: Don't be so distracted by the negative things that you mess up the fun things. (Like cats on socks) or something like that.

Remembering green...
Honestly, I know I'd prefer a month of constant rain and warmer weather over this 30 degrees and snow in April. I know it won't be long before I am whining about road construction and over-bearing humidity. I could just be the kind of person that is not happy unless I am complaining in spite of a resolution to look at the bright side. In the mean time perhaps I will to gain some perspective by delving into the world of Beverly Hills 90210 where the days are always sunny but their lives are traumatic nonetheless. Hand me the Doritos thank goodness for Netflix.

The brightside? They are predicting the 70 next week. Do I dare hold my breath?

Waiting For spring....

George W is returning to us a small amount of money in May. I have no doubt that he is only doing this because he wants a last minute pro for his party and we would not see it if it wasn't an election year. Here is my dilemma. Do I buy a flash, a lens or a tank of gas?

Ruthie: 3 and a half months old...


This is Ruthie the first day I got her. I remember how stressed out I was. I felt lost without Abbey . I was confused, I felt I was rushing into something I wasn't ready for. I lost hours of sleep and and weight over thinking. What if she barked? What if my landlord was mad because she was a puppy? What if she became destructive? What if she is too smart for me? What if she is too funny lookin'? Oh the insecurities. As it turns out she is the most fun ever. Except when sh e is untying my shoelaces during obedience class.

Happy dog butts!

Cynicism is often the shamefaced product of inexperience.
-Liebling

Unfortunately I am full of it.
-Althea

Put the Blame where it belongs!

I have something to say about the proposed "Dog Breed Ban" trying to push through the state legislature. This law will ban Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Akitas, and Chow Chows in the entire state of Minnesota. If it passes owners of these breeds will be forced to euthanize their dogs or move. If they do not comply their dogs will be seized.

Now, I am the first person to jump on my soapbox when it comes to irresponsible dog owners. I simply have no tolerance for people who will not clean up after their dogs, or let their unneutered pet run loose. I can not stand it when people spoil the creature so much it doesn't even know it is a dog anymore. This can cause psychological issues for everyone involved. It is as irritating as someone letting their child ride a bike in the bagel shop! Come on people they can be a member of the family and still retain a sense of who and what they are. They respect and desire good leadership, just like the American people!

I am so frustrated over the fact that dogs are taking the blame for stupid human beings!!! Nine times out of ten, when there is an incident involving a dog it is due to an irresponsible dog owner. But instead of punishing the owner it is the dog that takes a fall. These breeds have to take the fall because idiots are attracted to these dogs for the wrong reasons. (I am not talking about the people who do it the right way, I know you're out there.) It is these people who ruin it for the rest of us. This same mentality causes overpopulation in shelters around this country. The wrong people get the wrong dog! Come on! Get with the program. Do some research! Don't get a cute puppy that grows into a rambunctious, uncontrollable 80 pound beast when what you really want was a pocket dog. Think! Do not get a dog for your five year old and expect that child to handle the training and grooming. These animals end up unwanted, untrained and in the shelter.

It is this same horrifying thinking that that gets us all in trouble. Someone wants a tough looking dog because it is cool. Well how cool is it now?!! The responsibility that comes with these gorgeous animals is too much. Ignorant people cause this problem, plain and simple. There was a time when the Dalmatian was the number one dog for biting with out warning. They aren't on the list. I have been bitten by more Cocker Spaniels than any other dog. They aren't in trouble.
Rotts and Pit Bulls are nice dogs that come with a lot of strength and intelligence.

Unfortunately I do not have a solution to the problem just a strong opinion. I say that the law needs to be tougher on the ridiculous owners, but don't punish the responsible people. don't take their family members away

Put the blame where the blame belongs

Just Thinking...

It is early on Tuesday morning. My household is just stirring. I am sitting down to a cup of coffee trying to decide how to use my day off. I feel a virus coming on, this does not make me happy. I rearranged my living space last night and though there is still work to be done it is kind of refreshing. Ruthie is sitting next to me, patiently waiting to see what we will do today. The news is prattling on about the impending election, pausing on occasion to warn of the impending doom cold of cold weather. It is no secret that I believe hell to be a freezing eternity of torture rather than burning fires. I made a good pot of coffee this morning. It can be touch and go sometimes. It starts my off wrong if my coffee isn't balanced right. I just saw an advertisement for the Minneapolis School of Flower Design, never heard of it. Ruthie has the hiccups. Emmett is crawling around my head and Althea is staring at me from across the room, the cats are jealous of the computer. The sun rose a few minutes ago. Ruthie has started squeaking the toys, I suppose it is time for me to move on with my day.

Need I say more...

Gripe #127845

Seventeen degrees below zero!!!! Global warming my butt! Yes I reside in what, today, feels like the frozen wasteland of the moon. Human beings are not built to have a life in this kind of weather. I must walk my dog down the treacherous icy sidewalks, tensely anticipating the inevitable black and blue buttocks and knees. Seven layers required to let my dog perform her natural functions and to maintain her sanity from being cooped up for days at a time. She loves it, she thinks it is funny that I have to walk around stiff as a robot and pick up her poop. Meanwhile scents are at their best in the chilly winter air, she constantly stops every few feet to investigate the latest traffic. I stand waiting, freezing, waiting, freezing, and wondering why it is again that I feel the need for this one-sided companionship. The subzero temperatures render all emotions, other than irritation, useless until I am able to thaw out and once again feel human. There is crappy TV on, and I took out part of my garage with my car today, and I am PMS-ing. Where is my electric blanket I am going to sleep until March!

Just a story about a squirrel.

Last fall I spent hours out in my back yard reading a book and chilling with my dog. On some of these occasions I noticed a gray squirrel collecting his treasures. He would bring them to a little trove he created under the picnic table provided for our use. I never noticed where he came from but he would enter the yard carefully, eying us up, when he decided we were no threat he would hurry across the yard and under the table. His little legs would move quickly as he uncovered his spot, lay the nut in and slyly push the dirt back over it and off he would go. He repeated this process several times over the weeks. When the weather turned, threatening ice and snow our landlord put the table away and I forgot all about our little squirrel.
Recently we had a serious snow snowfall. I brought my dog out into the pristinely white yard. We were the first ones out there which is why I noticed the five small holes all in the vicinity of where the picnic table should have been. They were kind of random because he didn't have his landmark. It made a little sad to think of all of the work he put into his treasure. I really hope he found it.