Proof that the dog's more important than me:

Coincidentally, for a couple of days now, both the dog and I have been on our death beds. Let's just say we both had a little issue with our tummies. (too many gross details, so I won't go further than that.)

I merely moan and groan in my bed/bathroom for hours on end, but Ranger gets a quick trip to the vet and comes home with this:

Yep. I somehow have to get 6 prescriptions in my dog 2x a day for the next couple of weeks.... and then when we use up this fancy sensitive tummy food, I'll get to make him rice and boiled chicken until he's all better. (while I languish away eating Popsicles and ice chips.)

Nope. They don't know what's wrong with him. Best guess - dufus got into a plant that isn't exactly edible.

I love this dog, I love this dog, I love this dog.

(keep saying it, and maybe I'll forget the $300 bill and this little pill regiment.... right?)

Meanwhile, I'm too cheap and too lazy to take my sick self to the doctor to end my own misery.

Struck Dumb by Busyness

So, I haven't had much to say lately, what with all the returning to work after the holidays and parenting the crazies in my house. But, here is a quick little post to show you that I've not been a total dud the past few weeks! Along with organizing kid closets, cleaning 5 (yes, FIVE) huge dog puke spots off my carpet, and doing some minor furniture rearranging, I found some cute fabric and some vinyl to cover my kids' table in the kitchen to make it "paint and spaghetti friendly." It turned out to be a $12 dollar project, including the little fake roses, and I'm wondering why in the world I didn't do it sooner! So easy and cute! Just need fabric, vinyl, stapler, and scissors! I can see myself doing this several times... maybe with a seasonal theme....

(PS - No, my dog doesn't normally puke that much. I came home from work last week and there was a smell. It was one of those things where I took one look at my hall, then my room, then the living room.... and wanted to turn around and run. Instead, I scrubbed for HOURS. That sneaky dude must have gotten into some kind of plant or something outside that disagreed with him... And boy, did we all suffer for that one!)

When your dog is the size of a small horse...

Regular dog beds just don't cut it. Ranger uses Addison's former crib mattress, 2 old pillows, and a blanket in his designated spot by the laundry room.

Can you say SPOILED?

This is Ranger last night after he ran around outside and got really cold and wet. (doing his perimeter checks to look for coyotes and bears.) He didn't move all night and made himself look pretty pathetic with his wet fur and all.

Port Townsend Again

It's too bad my camera is dysfunctional...

because a couple of these indoor photos could have been really cute! Here is Miss A getting ready for a "jog" with mom. That's right. A "jog." Back when I was a "runner," we would scornfully laugh when people called what we did "jogging." Jogging was for the newbies, the middle-aged moms with sparkly white shoes, matching jogging outfits, makeup, earrings, who didn't even break a sweat.
But really, at this point in my life, I can't really call what I do, exactly, "running." Let's just say I survive a little jaunt with the dog pulling my arm one direction, Addison demanding I pick her a flower for both hands, and my body screaming, "What the HECK do you think you're doing to me? I GAVE BIRTH. I let you get away with the hills and miles and all that physical abuse when you were younger and spry. Now it's my turn to chill, lady! Yeesh... give it a rest. I want to be fat." But I forge on.


Below is what you get when you say, "Addison, make your funny face!"

And this is what makes it all worth it. A trail! A trail with bumps and branches and mud. Ahhhh.... listen to my soul take a deep breath of contentment.

I live in the woods, granted, but we're talking thick, "take your machete with you" kind of woods. No trails. I despise sticking to the roads, and have all kinds of nostalgic memories of the trails of my youth, so finding this little baby of a trail close to home MADE MY DAY. Honestly, you can make all your best decisions in life if you just take to a trail now and then.

And last, but definitely not least, we had a very happy reunion this morning. One week ago today, my lovely Sam walked out the door and didn't come back. I canvassed the neighborhood, handed out fliers, put up ads, called the humane society every day, etc, etc, etc. I was certain that he was a goner and had been eaten by coyotes, but couldn't let myself give up hope. I was in an emotional limbo. Sam is, after all, one of my first babies.

Sam and Henry have been with me since my senior year in college. They were tiny little fluff balls who went everywhere with me. Every road trip home for the holidays and every hill and valley of my life. Sam was the confident little bugger that would walk up to strangers with his tail held high and jauntily say hello. He is spunky, friendly, and seems to be half dog. Everyone likes Sam. Even those who profess to hate cats.

Sam and Henry were in my life when I graduated college, got my first teaching job, and escaped a toxic and abusive relationship. They were with me when I put myself back together again. They've been there when I married, became a mom, changed jobs, changed towns, and changed hair colors. :) They remain my constant companions and my unconditional friends.

So when Sam came running in the door this morning, skinny and tired, I cried, "Sam's back!!!" and lifted him to my face. And then everything was whole again. My family. My history. And my every day - given back to me for at least a while longer.

P.S. - the bandaid on Addison's nose is for a tiny scratch. She insisted on it. And why not - she is always very fashion forward! Maybe next week everyone will be wearing bandaids on their noses!

Winter Wonderland - Snow Day!!

Way off in the distance, you can just barely see my chicken yard and coop. Never fear! These chickens are happy and warm. I give them warm water a few times a day, hot oatmeal before they go to bed, and add to their thick pine shavings every night so that they can cuddle together and burrow deep. We also covered their windows, leaving only a few holes to make sure they have air to breathe, but not so much that is gets too cold. They have a nice fiberglass roof over their yard, to prevent rain and snow from getting in ... it's not working very well with the snow and wind, though. but they would definitely have much more snow in there without it. When I went to let them out of the coop this morning, they all ran out, and when they saw the snow, 4 of them went right back in the coop and sat down. :) Now that the snow is falling, the temperature outside is much higher than it has been. I know the girls are doing well because they continue to lay eggs and feel warm to the touch when I check on them at night.

Time to wrap presents.... something females are supposed to be good at, or at least most seem to be pretty talented in this area. NOT ME.

Check out the handprints on my windows. :) Not much you can do to prevent handprints on the windows when snow is coming down and Santa Claus is coming to town.

Finally....

According to the news on Friday, we were in for the coldest weather since 1990 and a good dose of snow that might be closing schools on Monday. So, we made sure dishes were done, the generator had fuel, and the laundry was all washed and dried before any potential power outages.

Henry in his seasonal location. He pretty much spends every moment under the tree, in this exact spot.

On Friday afternoon, the kiddos spent about 30 minutes playing "going to a baseball game." They walked around with backpacks, sweatshirts, and bats.

And then they watched cartoons in Aidan's room.

At about 4:30, the clouds and wind started blowing....

And by then, the kiddos were settled in, reading some books.

And Sunday morning.... snow! (and yes, this is what a "big storm" is like in our area. ) a bunch of fuss over 2 inches. :)

Hot chocolate