The Big 400

In honor of 400 post I have photographed some of my favorite things
My puppies

Wild rice and cheese burgers
My Happy place painting by Jay
Day Lily Garden
Summer storms
The Simpsons

My rocking chair
Vase from Mike
Fairy from Denver Ren. Fest
"Dust Bunny" it reminded me of my kitty Socs
Docks Hound - one of my favorite photographs

Being greeted when I come in the house by these guys
My chair
The best barbecue sauce on the planet
Cognac and vanilla liquor - does it get any better????

Our Grill

I could have taken a million more pictures to share with you but it was getting to be a pretty long post already.

Don't Forget, You're Here, Forever!

But it doesn't have to be that way. Homer found a way to deal with it, see below.

But You can change that!

I know it's a cartoon, but I found this episode completely endearing. And I just thought I would share.

If you have a bad day at work don't look at it as: “Don’t forget: you’re here forever,”

Take Homer's view instead - the work day will be brighter and happier.

One event - multiple outcomes

Sunday we had an amazing thunder storm. It hasn't rained much here in a long time. We have had drizzle, we have had momentary downpours but we have not had a good rain in a while. Sunday, we finally got one.

It started to roll in while I was out at Kowalski's grocery store. I had been craving their burgers with wild rice and cheese so I stopped there on my way home. As I walked back to my car with burgers and potato salad in hand I found it fitting that a storm was rolling in as I was walking out with food for the grill.

But driving toward home it looked as though the real storm was already past us and heading east. So there was hope yet for burgers.

When I got home the hubster was happy with my purchase. He was looking very forward to dinner time.

After putting away the burgers I looked outside and the clouds had gotten a bit darker. So out I sent the puppies. Gotta potty before the rain hits. Storm warnings weren't listed for our area but I figured it was better to be safe than sorry.

Drip------Drip----Drip. The first tiny raindrops fell. And then a crack of thunder. So I sent in the now shivering with fear puppy collection. Ok, so only Lily and Caleb were shivering with fear, but still.................in they went.

And Lily was pacing, panting, and looking for a place to hide.

Once she was somewhat settled under a desk with dad I took my book and headed out to sit under our screen tent. I was reading a good murder mystery so a thunder storm just seemed perfect. The rain started coming down, lightening, thunder, the works. It was fabulous. The tent was keeping me pretty dry. And I couldn't have been happier. I read a good 50 pages or so but then the rain got a little harder, it got a little windier and the tent started to leak. I was getting a little more than damp so I ran into the house.

Lily was still pacing, panting, and changing where she wanted to hide. Poor little peanut. Caleb just sat in the middle of the floor looking at me and shaking.

Eventually the storm passed. Conveniently it was down to a soft drizzle at best right around dinner time. So I headed out to fire up the grill.

Only to find our wonderful screen tent on it's side.

So the hubster came out with me and we tried to get it back upright. Only a support poll had bent over. Thus pretty much ruining our screen tent. We pulled it apart in hopes of salvaging it. And we got pretty wet doing it.

Not to mention the dog poopie I stepped in unknowingly. And then went sliding oh so elegantly across the pavement as soon as my poop covered sandal hit it. Leaving a very attractive skid mark across the concrete. Lovely, simply lovely.

Well, we got the burgers cooked, Lily didn't have an accident, and we can probably unbend the pole and use the screen room again. But still, I found it interesting how many different effects a single event had.

A simple rain storm

Was thrilling and the perfect backdrop for a story
Nourished a very thirsty garden
Terrified a little ten pound peanut
And her little brother
Demolished a tent
Made dog poop soft and skidable
Created fabulous steam effects while burgers grilled
Cooled me down after a hot humid sticky day
and I later learned
Caused someones yard toys to blow away down the neighborhood
Girl J attempting to be a nice neighbor ran after it and rescued it
Only to get home and realize that she was now sick and in pain (she just had surgery)
And had to spend the rest of the night laying down
Power went out in parts of the cities
And I'm sure more than a few car accidents happened
News on it here
And it looks like we got about an inch and a half of rain in that storm.

It was just a simple rain storm but boy did it take the ordinary out of a quiet Sunday afternoon.

Just stuff

Have you checked out http://www.pandora.com/? It’s way cool. You pick an artist and they will play music that is similar in style. I could get addicted to it. Trouble is, it’s filtered at work so I can’t listen to it. ***sob***

So I’m listening to Phantom 105 out of Ireland.

I set up our screen room tent yesterday. Sophie and Lily joined me inside. Not knowing how to get out really stressed Lily. Sophie on the other hand just hung out with me. Until dad got home. And then she went charging to the backdoor. And bounced off the screen. I laughed………………..

Dad called last night and while we were talking I was petting a dog that was sitting next to me. It took me a minute to realize it was Caleb.

I’m trying to grow my hair out a little. Which means I have a headband on. They give me headaches. Oh the prices we pay……………..

A week from Sunday I get to see my brother. He’ll be in the state for a wedding. I can’t wait. The town they are staying in is about 3 hours northwest of the cities. I’ve never been up that way. It should be very cool.

I was looking at what our options were for spending the day together. Aside from fishing and boating, not much. Miniature Golf. Casino. Shopping. Of course when you read their shopping itinerary they include a grocery store in the suggested “shopping tour” so I’m not sure how much actual quaint shopping they have.

We could also go on a riverboat cruise. On Sunday they have a brunch. But I don’t think it’s the kind of brunch we would have in mind. I have a feeling eggs benedict and champagne are not options on the menu.

We also have friends coming from Germany in August.

So many things to look forward to.

Including Ren Fest and the Fair.

Well, sigh, I don’t have a whole lot to say, so I will close with this picture I took on my way to the bus this morning. My Shasta Daisies are blooming. And they are gorgeous.

We were given a half day on Tuesday so my 4th of July holiday got to start early. I met Girl J at the Mall of America for the semi-annual sale at Victoria’s Secret. I didn’t find much but when we moved on to DSW I found these:

Aren’t they fabulous????????

After our shopping trip I had to take Soc’s to the vet because he has been pulling out the fur along his back. At Dr. Skadorn’s office my cat is famous. Or maybe that is infamous. For one he’s crazy, for two he tends to have problems with crystals building up in his urinary tract, and for three, along with the crazy goes being high strung and very in need of routine. So apparently his new routine includes ripping out his fur. But the doc said we caught it plenty early. We are trying some non-invasive methods first to get him to stop. This includes coating his fur with bitter lime and putting a t-shirt on him. He hates the shirt so we are seeing if a bandana is enough to dissuade him. ***Note we are doing full blood work-up to rule out any physical problems he might be having just in case.

Our 4th of July was pretty quiet. They hubster worked on a new utility sink in the basement and I did random busy work around the house. I watched Good Night and Good Luck which was excellent. And I also watched most of Casanova. It was ok. Nothing to write home about.

Though we planned for a 4th of July in the basement we didn’t need it. Maybe all of the fireworks people have been setting off for the last two months helped, or maybe it was because the next day was a work day but the dogs were virtually unphased.

Of course timing couldn’t have been worse, I looked at the clock and got Lily and pups out about 9:15 to go potty, trying to get ahead of all the fireworks shows. But, as with the last time, as soon as Lily stepped outside our neighbors set off ALL their fireworks. But she did pretty good. I was proud of her.

We did start our Eureka marathon. It was fun. Nothing spectacular but good family together time.

And in closing here are the pictures I promised:

The Hubster's Back

Blurry picture of the dragon we just added

And then all of mine(in case you haven't seen them enough :-) )

Plans Change

For the first couple of years here in MN we would go to the Taste of Minnesota for the 4th of July. We didn’t’ actually go to the festival but rather a parking ramp near the state capital where the festival was held.

The roof of the parking garage was landscaped with the softest, greenest lawn you ever did see. We brought a grill, tons of food, games, blankets, and chairs. And we pretty much camped out there all afternoon and evening.

Despite it’s proximity to the festival very few people figured out this wonderful “secret”

Around 10 our entire reason for being there (besides hanging out with our friends) would take place. The big fireworks show. And the show literally took place over our heads. It was the best seat in the city.

Then a few years ago they moved the festival to an island on the Mississippi. We went down for the fireworks but there just isn’t a good spot from which to watch them. Well, there probably is but we don’t want to fight the crowds.

The last few years have been cook-outs at or house. Then the brave ones go into the city to watch the show. The rest of us just hang out and watch a movie or something.

This year the hubster and I have the exciting plan of hiding with the dogs in the basement. Lily can’t handle fireworks so in anticipation of a night with a terrified dog we figured we would take snacks and dog treats and retreat into our basement. A lil family picnic. I just need to figure out a good movie to watch. Or maybe I’ll pick up season 1 of Eureka and we can watch some of that. Whatever we decide to do and or watch I know we will have fun. Taking care of our baby girl is more important than silly old fireworks.

On a side note tonight I have to take our kitty in to the vet to have him checked. He has been pulling out the fur on his back for over a month now and we can’t get him to stop. While we are there I plan to ask the vet about using a mild sedative for Lily. Help calm her nerves. The poor baby is truly terrified of the noises.

I want to wish everyone a safe and happy 4th!