Vomit and the price of bliss

Middle of the night Thursday:

2 am. A sleepy hubster and Newt suddenly come to the dawning realization that the weird noise is Sophie. And she's got the heaves. And she's about to throw something up that will probably not be pleasant. Bless the hubster for being awake enough to get her off the bed. Unfortunately, while trying to get her to a solid cleanable surface she tossed the cookies. Or should I say kibble. All over his shirt, the carpet, the stairs. So, he put her down in the kitchen and cleaned up the mess. He came back to bed snuggling our sick pup. But he was grumpy, oh was he grumpy. Not 10 minutes little baby girl was heaving again. So I took her back off the bed and more fluids came up all over my sweats and the floor.

"Cover your eyes honey"
"Groan"

So I got it cleaned up, grabbed my pillow and my book and headed down stairs.

And we camped out in the living room. She seemed to settle down and want to sleep. So this was good. But then, at 3:17 up comes more. And of course, like most animals she walked around as it came up. Under the coffee table, by the recliner, and then, my favorite place, right on the Christmas tree skirt and all over our stack of brand new dvd's.

Ok, the skirt is sort of hosed, it's going to be interesting cleaning up a felt skirt that has "spot clean only" instructions. And the DVD's were still covered in plastic. So that was good. But still, we have a whole lot of floor, why was under the tree so appealing?

Needless to say, Sophie and I were up most of the night. I gave up some time around 4 and read until it was time to get up, get the pups outside and feed the kitties. I worked from home Friday and she did great. I don't know what it was that got her but I think we are passed it.

*************

Every so often the coffee pot starts to poop out. And it's time to use the vinegar again. I sigh every time this happens. Because I can't shake the taste for several days. What makes the coffee pot such a remarkable invention is that when it brews your coffee it fills the house with that eye opening aroma. Unfortunately that same wafting effect also fills the room when you brew vinegar. And my eyes burn and my nose runs. And my skin feels icky.

I am not a fan of vinegar. I've never liked vinegar and oil. I can tolerate balsamic vinegar when it is dribbled in with a high quality olive oil and Parmesan cheese. But beyond that, vinegar is one of my least favorite kitchen smells. The only things that gross me out more are fish odors, cooking ground beef, and liver.

Friday I had to break down and clean the coffee pot. So all day I was coping with the vinegar smell. So, how do I try to get the smell out? I brew with that mornings used coffee grinds, then some old flavored coffee we have never finished, and then some cheap stuff we use on the weekdays. Usually after that I can brew a good cup of coffee and not gag.

It's life, I'll get over it. So many other things could be wrong. This one is no big deal. Really. But since I'm coping with the nose burning smells right this moment I had to share.

Its now Sunday ( I wrote this post on Friday) and I can still smell vinegar *sigh*

Jay's BotY and SofT

So, Jay is doing a Babe of the Year contest and to be fair to his overwhelming following of female readers/fans he is also doing a Stud of the Year contest. I voted for Gerard Butler. As it turns out Jay was curious as to who I would vote for, Johnny or Gerard. And, quite right, it was a tough decision. Both crossed my mind. I hesitated as to who I would nominate. But I finally made my decision. Of course, Viggo was also in the running. I was torn. But Jay really didn't do my boys justice ( no offense buddy). So, in all fairness, here are my main boys. And for Jay, though she wasn't a finalist, here is also, my main "babe"

First, the one I nominated: Gerard Butler

I am just the tiniest bit jealous of Hillary Swank.

And Johnny Depp

And Viggo Mortenson

And last but not least, Ashley

Post Christmas Hangover and WWC

Pink

I made a pink bracelet

Tradition

My father and I have a tradition of giving each other pink flamingoes

The kids got a new bed for christmas and they love it!

Gratuitious Cuteness


On Christmas Eve I went to Target to get a few things. So did 90% of the area population. But despite the completely full parking lot the store seemed empty. And the registers were humming numerous enough that there were no lines. That is why I love Target.

And the dogs have a big new bag of bones to keep them busy. So I doubly love Target.

We went to the hubsters parent's for Christmas day. I drank a lot. More than I think the whole year total. At one point I had to ask the hubster if the kitchen floor was tilted. The champagne made my head fuzzy. The whiskey made it completely numb.

This morning I woke up just fine.

It's nice when for once there were no repercussions for me getting a little tipsy. Actually a lot tipsy since I couldn't seem to keep both feet planted firmly on solid ground. Or any ground for that matter.

The hubster gave me some beautiful gifts from Germany. Actually the candleholder below is from Amsterdam

In Berlin he went to one of their outdoor Holiday Markets. He got me this etched glass candleholder - it's Newts!

And matching coaster

Happy Christmas Eve Eve

So, first, I'm a dork. Apparently the Winter Solstice moves around. I did not know that. I always thought it was the 21st. But this year it was the 22nd. No biggie. I mean, I spent yesterday equally worshipping the winter gods. Pajamas, movies, finishing a book, starting and getting through a chunk of another one. Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and a big glass of milk. You know, a perfect day.

We watched Hot Fuzz. Brought to you by the same folks that did Shaun of the Dead. It was fabulously funny and British. We loved it. The hubster and I never got around to going to the theater. All the reviews I saw for it basically said that if you loved Shaun you would love Fuzz. So, I bought it for him for Christmas. It was under the tree, but he couldn't wait.

For us, it's a DVD sort of Christmas. We got: Hot Fuzz, Domino, 300, Simpsons season 3 and 5, Stargate Seasons 1-10, Futurama 1-4, and a few more that I can't remember. Our entire tree has nothing but DVD's under it. It's almost sad. And my brother will be sending us a DVD. We decided last night that we need another rack for our movies. And the only reason the hubster and I went for that many DVD's was because a website was having buy one get one free. So basically we got everything for half price.

Today we got a snow storm. I only knew about the one we were supposed to get Saturday. But Nettie and I had made a date to get together today. For a completely selfish girls day. And it was fun. Totally worth taking our life in our own hands:

And DSW is practically giving shoes away. So many things are 80% off it's insane. And while we were leaving they told us that they were starting their after Christmas sale early. So even more was getting marked down. It was unbelievable. So of course we went back after we finished the rest of our shopping just to check.

If you need shoes girls, go hit up DSW. I'm telling you, the shoes are dirt cheap. And when we went back a lot of the boots were being marked down 30-50%. And lots of flats and pumps are 70 and 80% off.

So, the drive home was interesting. The roads weren't that bad. It's the 40 mile an hour winds and the drifting snow that makes the driving interesting. And the places that the snow is actually collecting is very slippery. So it was a slow and careful drive home but totally worth it.

Oh, and Nettie gave me a wonderful, present. On a trip her and Lil Al took some fantastic pictures.. I fell in love with some pictures Lil Al took of a deserted old farm house. They were developed in black and white. I think by accident but they were amazing. So they printed them and put them in a frame for me. Signed by Lil Al and everything. I LOVE it! And I know they will look fantastic hanging up in the house.

I look outside and the snow is blowing like crazy. It's going to be one hell of a shoveling job when the snow stops. Sheesh. They said 2-4 inches but judging from what I already shoveled I think we far exceeded that.

It's definitely going to be a white Christmas.

Love and Hugs

Happy Winter Solstice!

This is my favorite day of the year. I think the symbolism behind it is beautiful. And the bonus: after today, the days get longer. We've gotten over the proverbial hump so to speak. It might be the first day of winter but to me, it is the beginning of the end of the long nights and cold weather.

Winter Solstice is celebrated as a time of rebirth, it is a celebration of light:

"Worldwide, interpretation of the event varies from culture to culture, but most hold a recognition of rebirth, involving festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations. Many cultures celebrate or celebrated a holiday near the winter solstice; examples of these include Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Years, Pongal, Yalda and many other festivals of light."

"Midwinter festivals and celebrations occurring on the longest night of the year, often calling for evergreens, bright illumination, large ongoing fires, feasting, communion with close ones, and evening physical exertion by dancing and singing are examples of cultural winter therapies that have evolved as traditions since the beginnings of civilization. Such traditions can stir the wit, stave off malaise, reset the internal clock and rekindle the human spirit"
Wikipedia

So celebrate, and do a little rekindling! The world will be awakening again soon! Spring will come. The grass will get green, the leaves will bud and flourish. The flowers will open in all their splendid glory.

And if you have that right now, just keep it to yourself :-) K?

What to say, what to say

Patience can be a virtue. I have been waiting for my permanent computer to come in at work. We get refurbished ones from sales when they trade up. But due to high demand I got a brand spank'n new one. It has that new computer smell. Even I have to admit it's pretty darn sweet.

***

I realized that I didn't' get anything for the hubster for Christmas, but then I remembered he already bought his gift this summer:

He got an air compressor

He's blown up, and out more things around the house than I thought possible. Did you know you can use an air compressor to clean out your gutters?

He tried scrubbing down the porch and blow drying it. That didn't work so hot.

But all the cars got their tires inflated, as did the wheel barrows and yard carts. And the boat trailer tires. And the exercise ball I have.

He used it for a few other things but I can't remember what that was.

But I feel bad that there is nothing under the tree for him.

***

One of the girls I work with I made a bracelet for. She was wearing lime green and black today with a blue bracelet. She said she loved it so much she didn't care if it matched. Awwwwwww

***

Saturday it might snow, it might not. We might get a big storm, we might not. Apparently the computer simulated models are arguing. So my plan?: a good book, some music on the stereo, a warm blanket, and a puppy. And that's it. Just relax, and unwind. And not worry about a thing. Just enjoy whatever nature tosses at us.

Sunday I think I meet up with Nettie and we have a girls day.

Monday? Gift wrapping.

Tuesday? Family day. And a great deal of alcohol consumption. And I think I will go into a ham coma. I love ham. Ummmmm Hammmmm

How will you spend your holiday weekend?

WWC and a Landmark Moment

White

Life

This is my life and my whole world
The snowmen in my yard - but they didn't come out looking as white as they really are

And, ladies and gentlemen, the landmark moment?

This is my:

500th post!