A friendly reminder from the vet arrived today

On one side of each postcard was the traditional "bring your pet in for vaccines" note.

Then Ed turned the cards over. Our dogs' faces are on the other side.

No wonder this vet is so expensive. (But he's good, so it's worth it.)

If I only had a brain...

Yesterday, I meant to buy dulce de leche ice cream for Ed. Instead I bought vanilla swiss almond.

The man had just had oral surgery and can't chew on one side of his mouth.

Duh...

He did figure out a way to eat it though, so all was not lost. I still felt really bad about it...

Another day at the surgeon's...

Ed had more oral surgery today. This time the doctor was repairing an oral antral fistula.

The doctor says Ed likely will feel like he's been hit in the upper jaw. He's already experiencing more pain than he did with the extractions.

Thankfully, the doctor prescribed some pain medication, which is keeping Ed fairly comfortable. He's sleeping as I write this.

Hopefully, this latest surgery will take care of the problem. As much as we love Ed's surgeon, I hope we don't have to see him for anything that involves sedation in September. Oral surgery once in July and once in August is quite enough for a few years, methinks.

I know Ed agrees.

My husband loves me SO much...

...that he double-packed my breakfast granola bar this morning to ensure freshness.

Thank you, Ed. :)

The iPhone hacker rolls on

Teen trades hacked iPhone for 'sweet' car

Thanks go to Sarah for sending this iPhone hacker update. :)

Feeling better

As demonstrated by the blazing speed indicated in the photo above, Fox is feeling better. Ed and Fox are playing the ever-popular game of "Get You." He ran and ran and ran. And Fox played some, too. :)

Toby, meanwhile, ran to the sofa for refuge, plopping down right in the middle of the coupons I was sorting through.















Ed is tickled pink that Fox is feeling better. And when Ed's happy, I'm happy.

Sick, by Fox

I ate something that I shouldn't have. My stomach is UPset. At least I didn't get plastic stuck in my teeth like Toby did.

Ed is threatening to withhold food this evening. I don't want him to, but it's probably best.

In the meantime, I'm just going to sit next to Rebecca on the couch and feel bad.

Blech...

Now this is just ridiculous

Sports Illustrated is predicting (excuse me, "projecting") who will play in this year's college bowl games. It's August 25. The first bowl game, the preciously named Poinsettia Bowl, isn't until Dec. 20. The last bowl game (the Leprechaun Bowl) is March 17 or so.

O.k., so I'm lying about this last one. The last bowl game (the national championship game) is Jan 7. Sports Illustrated predicts... I mean projects... that USC will play LSU. They haven't figured out who will win. Yet.

Stories like this make me happy

Teen untethers iPhone from AT&T

Score one for the kids.

Dinner interrupted

We were minding our own business when the power went out. In the middle of Ed's making dinner. (Perhaps God was so surprised that we were making food from "scratch" that he meant to strike us down with lightning, and hit the power lines instead?)

Power outages make Ed a little crazy. He absolutely can't stand them. I choose to take advantage of the quiet. So while I was upstairs reading by flashlight, he called the called the electric company by flashlight. I think I was having more fun.

Then I started taking pictures willy-nilly, just for something to do. After I got that out of my system, I went back to reading, and Ed went to see if he could figure out what was going on. And perhaps to fix the power lines himself. I'm not sure.

About 7:15, the power came back on. I considered continuing to read by the light of my trusty flashlight, but called Ed instead and he came on home.

Dinner was excellent, by the way. Next time we have spaghetti, Ed says he'll try to let the sauce "sit" for a couple of hours (in the fridge), and reheat it. Hopefully, we'll not have the power outage, though. I don't think Ed could take another one. This decade.

Going to bed

My husband just said, "You're so tired, you can't think!" He said this with great love.

And it is true. I am so tired I can't think.

So I am going to bed. Goodnight!

(This picture was taken in June -- and in the morning -- but it's an accurate representation of how tired I am.)

A dog park song

"One of these dogs is not like the others..."

(With apologies to Joe Raposo and Jon Stone, who wrote the original song for "Sesame Street.")

Good to know... for when I get old...

But in the meantime...

::: poking out my mind's eye! :::

:)

Seniors having more sex than you think

Time

Is it time to go home yet? The clock on the phone says it's 12:02 p.m., but it feels like I've been here forEVER!

Offer to help... Smile. Giggle. Have fun.

Our office is moving in a couple of weeks. (Well, the office is staying put. WE'RE moving, but whatever.)

Just after 5 p.m., we received a six-page memo and two attachments containing packing instructions.

I dutifully read every word. When I was done, I read every word again, this time using a highlighter. (When a document is eight pages long, you've got to focus on the important-to-you stuff.)

The last item under the "Task Summary" heading is "Offer to help another staffer. Smile. Giggle. Have fun."

This made me smile. Moving is the pits, but taking this advice to heart will make things so much better.

Come to think of it, taking this advice would make almost everything in life so much better.

Who knew?

I saw this truck in the parking lot at my office yesterday.

I had no idea such specialists exist. Did you?

A woman after my own heart...

Bride Trashes Wedding Dress

And some people thought I was nuts when they heard of MY post-wedding wedding dress shenanigans.

Swingin'...

...and slidin'.

After the wedding's over, why not have fun? I think our playing in the park after our wedding got our marriage off to a great start. We've been playing ever since.

We went to the dog park, by Fox and Toby

Today, Rebecca decided to be spontaneous, and we went to the dog park first thing. (We don't know quite what got into her, but we weren't going to complain.)

They weren't kidding. We're really here!

One of our new friends enjoyed digging in the mud pit. I (Toby) tried to dig, too, but Ed and Rebecca not-so-politely asked me to stop.

I insisted Rebecca take my picture.

Chasing AND being chased -- what a deal!

A new friend... no chasing required.

You wouldn't know I didn't used to like to run, would you?

I, on the other hand, LIVE to run...

...and jump over the agility hurdle. (Toby just sits there and watches. But Ed is proud! But why are THEY out of focus? I'm the only one actually DOING anything!?!)

Ahhh... a nice rest.

It often takes quite a lot to tire us out, but with the hot weather, we were ready to come home after about 45 minutes. Maybe we can get someone (whose name rhymes with "Ned") to take us again tomorrow morning?

Adventures in shopping

Today after coming home from an early run to the dog park (more on that in a later blog), Ed said, "Where is the orange juice?"

This is the orange juice that we bought at Sam's late yesterday afternoon to "save money." Our money-saving OJ was still in the trunk of the car. So much that gallon of juice.

Or could the OJ be saved?

We (primarily Ed) carefully investigated the situation:

Smells o.k.

Tastes o.k.

Not keeling over... yet.

After our careful "scientific" investigation, we decided the OJ had survived its night in the trunk and we're going to drink it. I don't think anyone's ever died from OJ poisoning, but if something happens to us, you may have a clue as to what did us in.

Saturday

After sleeping much of the morning, I made a last-minute decision to work out. On my way home, I went by Shiloh High School. I was surprised to learn that it is still 505 degrees F.

This afternoon, Ed, Sarah, and I went to see "Stardust"; I forget how much fun it is to watch a good movie with friends. This movie definitely qualifies as "good." In fact, it was FANTASTIC! Loved it, loved it, loved it.

Following a late lunch/early dinner with Sarah and a few errands, we're home and watching t.v.

The last several weekends have been so busy. It's nice to have one without any obligations. Next Friday I'm off work (thanks to our new flex-time program), and except for a doctor's appointment, I'm not doing anything I don't want to. I can't wait!

Rebecca

We love Greenies, yes we do...

...We love Greenies, how 'bout YOU?

There are few things in life that make our dogs happier than a Greenie. Fox usually eats his on our bed. Toby eats his someplace Fox ISN'T and hopes Fox won't pester him. But woe be unto Fox if he tries; Toby reacts the same way I do when someone takes my food without asking. Not a pretty sight. :)

They're in MT!

This was the title of my mom's e-mail a few minutes ago.

My sister, brother-in-law and nephew have made it to Montana safe and sound.

As mentioned here, it's a LONG way from Minnesota to Montana. I hope they LIKE Montana, now that they've moved there. :)

It only FEELS this hot

Green Colleges

Read this article at lunch in my analog version of Newsweek. It's about "green" colleges. It's very much along the philosophy of that in Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, which I blogged about a few weeks ago.

Moving to Montana

My sister, brother-in-law, and nephew are moving to Montana today. There is only one state between Minnesota and Montana,but it's a doozy: North Dakota. According to Mapquest their journey will be just under 1,200 miles.

Yes, they're driving. With a 2 1/2 year old. My hat's off to them.

I'll miss them being in Minnesota, even though I only had the chance to visit twice. I thought they'd live there forever, and I think that was their plan, too.

Montana is beautiful, or so I'm told. I just wish it weren't so far away.

A first day of school

I have a nephew by blood named Francis.

And I have at least five nieces and nephews by friendship. Four are members of one family: Jacob, Ben, Sarah, and Elizabeth. The oldest, Jacob, was home schooled for kindergarten and first grade. This year he's going to 2nd grade in a school away from the friendly confines of home that includes a teacher not named Mom, a little desk, and cool backpack.

His mom reports that he loved it. He is a smart, curious kid. I think this will be a great thing for him.

I am so proud of him... and of his parents. I'm sure it's hard to send your baby boy off to school... even when you know you'll see him in just a few hours.

No good deed goes unpunished

My wonderful husband has spent the last two days cleaning our house (with tons to do still). So what do I do when I get home and see the result of his work?

1. "Ooh" and "ahh" about how good the living room looks. (We have a sofa AND a floor. Who knew?!?)

2. Moan and groan (and, for good measure, moan and groan some more) about the fact that he threw away some coupons that *I* didn't put in their box. They were ON the box, or NEAR the box, but not IN the box. Yet I yell at him when I'm mainly mad at myself. I'm also tired and generally grumpy because I have my period, but that's not a good excuse.

How is it that I can be so mean to the person I love more than anyone else on the planet? :(

What's amazing is that he continues to love me even when I AM so mean...

Steven King talks about Harry Potter

This is an EXCELLENT essay, but it DOES contain spoilers...



J.K. Rowling's Ministry of Magic



I so love my "Uncle Stevie."

Back in the saddle

But without the sores. :)

I went to work out at Curves today for the first time in weeks. Today is the 13th of the month, and my first workout of the month. Ouch.

I used to absolutely HATE exercising, but Curves is perfect for me. I'm in and out in 30 minutes, and I go on the way home from work. Some Saturdays I work out, and I'm there and back home in 45 minutes. Even as lazy as I am, I can't figure out a way to wriggle out of exercising. An added bonus? I really enjoy it.

About the only thing that's prevented me from exercising three times a week since I joined Curves in mid-December has been illness. I've had 4 sinus infections in less than 12 months and three of them since I joined. I've also had the occasional cold or other illness that's kept me away.

I hope to stay healthy for awhile. We're at the beginning of the freakishly busy season at work, a season that will last until mid-February. I need the exercise for the stress relief. This time of year, it's about the only thing that works.

New addition to my dad's church

The new view from a new room

The new fellowship hall at my dad's church was consecrated today. The space also has classrooms, pastor's study, and a gorgeous kitchen, among other things. The church has been working on this project, in one way or another, for decades. One former pastor, who has been attending the church as a "regular" member for years, piped up that he's been praying for that new building for 41 years. :)

The church is so excited. They should be. The building is gorgeous.

And just for giggles, this is my dad in his new office. Some church members tried to get him to put his feet up on the desk, but he wouldn't do it. Silly daddy.

(Ed took these photos, by the way.)

Dog days of summer

In the olden days, before he started dating me, Ed and Fox went to Stone Mountain every Sunday morning. There, they went to an area of the park he and some friends dubbed Dog Island. Many of the same people still go each week.

Long story short, one of his Dog Island friends invited us to a picnic for dogs and their people. When the picnic was planned for today, no one knew it would be 99 degrees. In the shade. Thankfully, there is a lake, so the dogs were able to swim or wade. It was still brutal; without the lake it would have been impossible.

Froggy (the doggy)

Blue

Winston

Toby grabbing a snack of grass

Fox begging for a snack

My typical pose

Toby's typical pose (I joined him once)

Toby was so filthy after the copious amounts of wading and rolling in sand that we had to bathe him when we got home. He was so tired that he rested his chin on the bathtub any time he could. More than four hours later, he's still sound asleep.

Ed misses his Sunday trips to Dog Island, and I can see why. There are lots of great dogs and people there.

Big Ben

London's Big Ben Stops Chiming

Isn't this a sign of the apocalypse? It should be, if it's not. ;)

A new toy II

We've had the opportunity to buy a couple of new toys recently.

This is mine.

Well, actually, it's OURS, but I'm trying not to think about that right now. :)

I've wanted a digital SLR for years. Hooray!

I think the worst is over

The temperature is dropping, and so is the humidity.

I feel like a puddle. I would go check the temperature on the thermostat, but I just don't have the energy.

I don't know how people survive without air conditioning... especially in places that don't have operable windows.

I spent a week in Nicaragua in 2004. Temperatures were in the high 90s with high humidity, but we had fans, ate outside in a specially designated shaded "cool" zone, and drank tons of water.

That was o.k., quite tolerable actually.

This was miserable.

Hopefully, the air conditioner will stay fixed for awhile. It is freakin' hot out there.

This is the latest AC communication

"The AC is not functioning as it should. [The air-conditioning company] has been called, and we should hopefully get everything up and properly running soon. In the meantime, if you don’t need your overhead light, turn it off, that will help a little by not adding more heat to the building.

Sorry for the inconvenience, in the meantime, grab a big cup of ice water to help with the heat."

I've had about four 20 ounce glasses of water since I got here at 7. I'm going to try turning off the light, but the project I'm working on may not allow that.

Latest stats:
83.4 degrees F, 74.5% humidity.

I'm going to try to work now.

And this is a big part of the problem

Freakishly hot weather with record high temperatures abound

The temperature in the office is 83 degrees F. The humidity is 74%.

The furnace I work in

The air conditioner isn't working again. (What lovely bookends for the week; it was dead on Monday morning, too.)

It's making noises, but the temperature is a very NOT normal 82.7 degrees F at my local thermostat. The humidity, according to the hygrometer on my desk, is 74%. It was 70% when I got here at 7 a.m. I think the temperature is going up, too.

I may melt. Or sweat to death.

A new toy

Ed got a new computer on Friday. He's very particular about his computer and likes to have it just "so." (I, on the other hand, am happy if it works when I turn it on.)

In an effort to get his computer just the way he wants it, this has been his typical pose since Friday. That's o.k.; I can watch 12 episodes of a sitcom in a row if in the right mood. ("Gilmore Girls" is on right now, as a matter of fact.)

The computer is making him happy. And that makes me happy.

Free drugs!

Publix to offer free antibiotics

I think this will be a HUGE help for lots of folks... assuming they can afford to go to the doctor to get the prescription (but that's a whole other story).

Memorial stone for Mama Cat

I ordered a memorial stone from Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorials for Mama Cat the day we euthanized her. (She became MamaCat for the memorial because the stone could have only one word.)

I think it turned out nice. It's nice to have something "tangible" to remember her by.


By the way, I saw one of the kittens last week. They are getting big. We're no longer trying to trap them. Last week was only the second time I'd seen a kitten since we trapped Mama Cat. They're apparently well fed and have no need for our stinkin' "trap food," even if it is delicious tuna. We did our best.

Hot

When I came to work at 7, the temperature in our space was 90.2. Now it's 88.9.

At least the air conditioner is working now; I was starting to feel really sick.

Ma

A year ago today, Ed's beloved Ma died. We, especially Ed, miss her terribly.

But today's anniversary was made a bit easier because we got to celebrate new life -- and new life in Christ -- when we attended the baptism of the new baby of friends of ours. This couple (and the new baby's big brother) attended our wedding last year. So did Ma, sick as she was. We didn't know if she'd be able to make the trip, but she gathered every bit of energy she had and was there with bells on.

As for today, we were grateful to spend part of the day with a family who was there the day Ma saw her baby boy become part of a new family. We think she would approve.

(Photos taken April 29, 2006, and August 4, 2007, respectively.)

Friday. Thank God. Really.

I am tired.

My head hurts and has at the end of each day this week.

Sometimes my ears also hurt.

I have had it.

Tomorrow morning, Ed and I are going to a baptism.

We may go to the Minute Clinic at CVS on the way home.

After that, we'll go drop off a million library books (two of which are several days overdue). The only other thing I have to do this weekend (I think) is pick out about 100 wedding photos. Penny is going to put together our wedding album this summer. (WHOO HOO!)

Then I am going to BED. Possibly until Monday. Or Tuesday. I haven't decided yet.

My naked magazine

My "Sports Illustrated" this week has a "fake cover" that has three ads for an "SI" trip to Hawaii sweepstakes and one ad for St. Pauli Girl Lager.

It has a cover photo credit ("Photograph by Thomas E. Witte") listed on page 7.

It has "The Life of Reilly" column as the last bit of editorial.

But it doesn't have a cover.

Page 1 is the second page of what was supposed to be a 2nd cover-page 1 spread. (That will be an expensive mistake.) There's no sign of covers 3 or 4 (naturally).

I wonder how THAT happened? I wonder how many subscribers it happened to? I wonder how many SI folks are wanting to commit suicide right now?

At right is the cover I'm missing. Remind me again how we got along in life before Al Gore invented the Internet? :)

Harry Potter question (spoiler ahead)

O.k., I couldn't figure out a way to ask this SPOILERIFIC question without posting my question on a message board of some sort... The spoiler is in the link in the next paragraph. (I posted the question on a Leaky Cauldron message board.)

I was coming home after working ten hours and had this thought.

I think I'm thinking too much... :)