Saturday, March 31, 2007

a fabulous meme

The self-proclaimed Mr. Fabulous tagged me with this meme.
Blame him.

1. LIST FOUR SENTENCES YOU’VE NEVER SAID BEFORE:

“Please, feel free to use the computer as long as you like, I didn’t really want to get on there anyway.”
“I sure had fun partying with those albino pygmy shemales!”
“Did you catch that awesome Impacted Molars concert?”
“Wow, I wish we had several more kids.”

2. LIST ANY NUMBER OF SONG TITLES THAT DESCRIBE HOW YOU’VE FELT THIS WEEK:
Well, it's been a busy week with its little ups and downs, so...

“It’s the End of the World as We Know It”
“Yes Sir, That’s My Baby”
“Steady as She Goes”
“Hang Me Up to Dry”
“Don’t Speak”
“Don’t Know Why”
“I Will Survive”
“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright”

3. IMAGINE YOU’RE HAVING THE IDEAL PERFECT DAY. WHAT FOUR THINGS WOULD YOU BE DOING?

1. Sleeping in late
2. Reading on the beach
3. Motorcycle riding on a warm day with a cool breeze on a twisty road without a car in sight
4. A romantical dinner with the love of my life followed by…that which should always follow such things…you know (wink wink, nudge nudge)

4. MAKE UP FIVE CREATIVE NAMES FOR A NEW ROCK BAND:

The Shattered Ulnas
Pet Rock
Fuzzy Slippers and the Lit Cigar
Melba Toast Points
Steeping Tease (credit to Snavy for the assist)

5. CONGRATULATIONS! YOU GET TO GO BACK IN TIME AND ENSURE THAT THREE SONGS WERE NEVER WRITTEN, THUS SPARING HUMANITY FROM EVER HAVING TO HEAR THEM. WHAT THREE SONGS WOULD GET THE AXE?

Achy Breaky Heart~ Billy Ray Cyrus
Dancing on the Ceiling~ Lionel Richie
Hang Tough~ New Kids on the Block
I'll Be There For You~ The Rembrandts
Never Gonna Give You Up~ Rick Astley


OK, in the tagging department,
Snavy for sure, and lessee...
I'm going to tag Dorky Dad since he tagged me (that one is coming soon),
and if anyone else wants to try it, go for it and let us know so we can come take a look.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

7 Songs of the moment...only for a moment

Recently Dorky Dad and Balou did that seven song meme and I decided to do it again.


I Want You~ Elvis Costello/Fiona Apple
Vocals by Fiona in this version, Elvis accompanying.
Stunning performance



1,000 Oceans or maybe Spark ~ Tori Amos
(What is there to say, its Tori!)

In the Cold, Cold Night~ White Stripes
(A very very sexy little number)


The next one is from the Barenaked Ladies Bathroom Sessions

ox





16 Miltary Wives~ The Decemberists



Phantom Limb~The Shins
(I quite like this group)


For Us Peter Yorn
(Vid is a little weird, but I love his voice and this song)

There were lots of other option, but those are my top picks of this very moment.
OTHER EXCITING NEWS!
My Susie Q is coming to see me again!!
YAY!
Also, I am almost recovered from birthday frivolities.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Birthday time again

In 1996 while Mr. Logo was having fun aboard the Big Grey Boat cruise of the Strait of Taiwan
I was busy having a baby.
And even if I do say so myself, I did an awfully good job of it.

After less than 5 hours of labor I had a 7 1/2 pound male child

who we named after Mr. Logo's grandfather, sorta.

Thing One's is in fact a family name, betcha didn't know THAT.

Despite his red, curly hair in many key ways he actually seems to favor his father.

Here you see his early appreciation of cleaning products and utensils, something I certainly never have developed an affection for, only a certain reserved understanding.
See that mischievous look? Also straight from his father.
Devil inside.

He is smart, and funny, and sweet.

He is a gentleman, and a crackpot, and a precious.

He is a great storyteller, a good friend, an excellent tea maker, and an incredible chef.

He is sometimes startlingly wise and kind and never ceases to amaze me.

It's been a great eleven years.

Hope you have a fabulous birthday, Thing One.
I am really rather fond of you.

Monday, March 26, 2007

By special request

Nobody knows the trouble I've seen,
and experienced,
and continue to experience on a daily basis.
So, now that I have a good sized bike Mr. Logo is all excited about the possibility of going to rallies and motorcycle runs all over the place.
I have agreed to attend the
Hell's Canyon Motorcycle Rally with him.
This is with the proviso that adequate stops will be made to rest my soft bahooky and the only acceptable acommodations will have pools, room service, and extended cable.
He has been reported to mutter under his breath vague murmurs that tend to feature the phrase, "...thinks she's a freaking PRINCESS!" and, "...things I do..."
That being said, he has managed to find me great places to stay and had extensively planned out our trip with rest stops, fuel stops, and carefully incremented map segments that have been measured repeatedly and marked precisely,
(have I mentioned he's a little teeny bit compulsive about some things, just on occasion?)
in fact, all the details have already been mapped out to within an inch of MY life and we are STILL three months away!!
It's just gonna be so goshdarn FUN!

ANYWAY,
Besides all that frivolity, he has now expressed an unhealthy interest in this.

What is this, you may foolishly inquire? Oh please, do let me fill you in!

This is the world's largest lava lamp,

located in beautiful downtown Soap Lake, Washington (pop. 1,733).

This is the site of the Lava Love Run to the Sun motorcycle rally.

It's an annual event, and as they cleverly note on their site,

"If you missed last year, you weren't there!"

How could anyone of taste or intelligence possible resist such innovative marketing?

Now you too can pass your valuable vacation days in a small desert town buying overpriced teeshirts and beverages (because no, really, you DO have to pay $4 for that bottle of water) while admiring a 50 foot lava lamp in the middle of a road.

As if all that were not enough there is a song.

It's a lovely jazz number, skillfully woven around the theme of love for the lava lamp, which is a timeless theme of americana, isn't it?

I understand next year they plan to install shag carpet in the town park and get enormous rabbit ears for an ancient television set, complete with dials!

Mr. Logo thinks I should accompany him down this rabbit hole.

I, on the other hand, think a lovely trip to Ocean Shores is in order.

What do you say, esteemed readers?

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Wow, it's been a while since I posted.

First order of business; there were some bloggers who expressed an interested in the shoes I mentioned that I needed to buy. I am not as enthusiastic about shoes as some people, but I do acknowledge their importance. I managed to get some comfy shoes, some expensive boots on a HUGE sale, and some other cute boots. All in all, it was not too painful.
OTHER EXCITING NEWS:
I have my new skylights!!
Rejoice with me.
Once again there is cloud glow in my kitchen,

and in the bathroom of the Things,

and in my bathroom.
You can see there is some damaged that needs to be addressed, but we are just being happy with the light for now.

LASTLY,
and perhaps even
MOST IMPORTANTLY,

I have a flying frog!!

Life is good.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Happy 100th Pike Place!

The local wonder that is Pike Place Market is celebrating its centennial.


Some of you may remember this pic. It is Susie, Lil Rita and I by the Pig at the market.

Now, recently I was speaking to a long time local who was ignorant about the pig's origins which I found SHOCKING. So here's the skinny on Rachel, yes, that is right, the pig's name is Rachel.

"Rachel, the Market's bronze piggybank, has been bringing in the bacon for the Market Foundation since the Market's 79th birthday in 1986. People from all over the world feed Rachel with pennies, quarters, checks, pesos, lira, yen, and rials, contributing $6,000 to $9,000 to the Market Foundation each year.Rachel weighs in at 550 pounds and was created by Georgia Gerber, a sculptor living on Whidbey Island, Washington. She was named after a real 750-pound pig named Rachel, the 1985 winner of the Island County Fair. Rachel's favorite holiday is March 1, National Pig Day."

There is going to be a Pigs on Parade 2007 event as a fund raiser.

Mr. Logo entered a contest to name one of the entries. I'll let you know if he wins.

I am headed to the market and to lunch with Mr. Logo. I'll let you know if the place looks older.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Movie quotes in conversation... *NOW with sources*

We quote movies and TV shows in daily conversation. Yes, we are THOSE people.
Here are some of our favorite quotes and this is by no means an inclusive list.
Know where these are from?
------------

"I say good day to you, sir, good day!"

(That 70s Show)

"Fine, go, you've stayed your hour."

(So I Married an Axemurderer)

"I care for fruit loops a great deal."

(So I Married an Axemurderer)

"Have this removed." (best applied to doorframes and bearing walls)

(Stripes)

"And now for something completely different."

(Monty Python's Flying Circus)

"You mock my pain!" (the correct response is, "Life is pain.")
(Princess Bride)
"As you wish."

"These pretzels are making me thirsty!"

(Seinfeld)

"It's a moral imperative."

(Real Genius)

"Strange things are afoot at the Circle K."

(Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure)

“Death awaits you all . . . with nasty big pointy teeth!”

(MP Holy Grail)

“Thank you very little.”
(Fletch)


"Serenity NOW!"
(Seinfeld)

"You'll shoot your eye out, kid!"
(Christmas Story)

“Enhance your calm.”
(Demolition Man)

"And you want to be my latex salesman."
(Seinfeld)

"I fart in your general direction. You mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries. Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time."
(MP Holy Grail)

“And we’re walking....and we’re walking.... and stop.”
(Dave)

"Have fun storming the castle!"
(Princess Bride)

“And the flowers are still standing!”
(Ghostbusters)

"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
(Princess Bride)

“It’s a thingee, a fiendish thingee!”
(Help! beatle's movie)

“Kent, this is God…. stop playing with yourself.”
(Real Genius)

"With this ring, I could, dare I say it, rule the world." ( and no, that is not LOTR)
(Help!0

"There is no spoon."
(Matrix)

"Luke, turn to the dark side, you knob."
(Strange Brew)

--------------------------
What movie and TV quotes do you use?

Sunday, March 18, 2007

It is finished.

A somewhat fictionalized shopping trip with Logo and the esteemed elder sister...


Logo~ "Look, a clearance rack!"
EES~ "Oh, for the love of... you do realize all that is out of season or out of fashion, right?"
Logo~ "Chick, it's Washington! I can wear a sweater 9 months of the year."
EES~ "...sigh..." (Looks at nearby racks of just-released-to-video stuff, or whatever they call the clothing equivalent of same)
Logo~ "Look at this, it's only $1.99!!"
EES~ "Yes, I can see why."
Logo~" I think I like this, what do you think?"
EES~ "No, I don't like it and neither do you. Stacy and Clinton are crying right now, crying! Put that back and step away from the sale rack."
Logo~ "But..."
EES~ "Look at this lovely pink novelty top with an empire waist and puffy sleeves, this would look great on you."
Logo~ "The Logo does not wear pink."
EES~ "You will however refer to yourself in the third person with a definite article?"
Logo~ "Yes, the Logo will definitely do that."
EES~ "...sigh..." (eyeroll)
While the esteemed elder sister is distracted, looking at something incredibly tasteful and up-to-date,
Logo sneaks to the other side of the clearance rack and starts collecting clothes.
Booty for the day:
Red, creme, brown, and grey long sleeve teeshirts,
Green long sleeve button down shirt,
Brown and black short sleeve casual tops,
Green plaid jammies,
Blue and red mock turtleneck sweaters,
Light blue and dark blue mohair blend sweaters,
Black suit with red accents
Retail value $380 before tax; I paid $75 after tax.
Despite not liking to shop, this sort of thing appeals to my innate sense of cheapness.
All hail the sales rack! If one must shop the clearance rack makes it worthwhile.


Not too long ago someone made the mistake of telling me I look good in blue.
How important is moderation, really?

I recently realized my one pair of jammies (a Christmas gift from the esteemed elder sister, 2002) were threadbare and ragged, to the point of being see-through, clearly it was time to replace them. About the same time I realized the number of shirts I possessed which could be comfortably worn in public was down to two, courtesy of a paint smear.
(On the pro side, this means I have a new painting shirt. The previous model sported colors from our first house, seen here in its splotched and mottled glory.)
As a child I was taught this general rule; one for the wash, one for now, one for the drawer. This would mean you should have three of each clothing item, but if you have a laundress like mine (SLACKER!!) you might need a few extras (one for the dirty laundry pile, one for the washer, one for the dryer, one for the laundry basket waiting to be folded, one for now).
I have noticed a certain parallel between the shopping habits of the OCD and those disinclined to shop.
Both tend to purchase multiples of the same item. If I find an item on sale that I like I will buy it in every color on the rack. Anyway, I thought I was all set. I have all the clothes I should need for like, 3 years or so, score!
Soooooooooo...
guess what happened today, go ahead, guess.
I noticed my foot was hurting and when I removed my boot, the reason became clear. The inside sole of the boot was all munched. The boots are about 5 years old, so I guess that is pretty good; however, my black shoes which serve in the same capacity (casual to semi-dressy) ALSO are about dead.
Do you know what this means??
I am going to have to go shoe shopping. There are times when sneakers are just not going to cut it. Sigh…


Oh, by the way here is the finished entryway, ooo lala.


And just in case you missed it, here it is in its former...hideousness.

Friday, March 16, 2007

More pics, because

I haven't a lot to say or time to say it.




Here is my new dining room light.





We actually do manage to eat together at this table most nights of the week. The number will decrease as baseball season starts but I also teach my writing class at this table. We are currently trying to decide what color we should paint in the dining room. Any suggestions?


(the color needs to coordinate with the living room color with can be seen in the photo below)





This is the light fixture that was in my entryway with the before colors.


This is the new light fixture with the after colors.
This is Thing One doing his spelling.


Perhaps one day research will indicate some people spell better sideways.


He got a 98% on the section which is better than he has been doing.

Next we see Thing Two hiding out in a mini-fort.
I'm not sure why I am getting that look, he wanted me to take the picture.

I put the first coat of paint on the exterior of the front door and I LOVE it! It needs another going over but it already makes me happy. Voila! The door to the happiness which is my home.

Welcome!

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Chicken? Where?

Mourn with me.
My Georgia mug broke.
Despite repeated resuscitation efforts she passed beyond my reach Sunday at about 3:30.
At about 4:30 I went and bought a new one. Seen to the left here is my new mug which Mr. Logo immediately started eyeing up longingly. I am still adjusting to the differences but I have high hopes that my sunshine mug and I will have a long and fulfilling relationship. One of the nice things about the new mug is that it requires less explanation. There were usually questions about why someone from the NW who had never lived or vacationed in Georgia (although my cumulative time spent in the Atlanta airport accounts for enough of my life to equal a vacation the stress level of those moments disqualify them) would have a mug from there especially given my feelings about the south in general. I just liked it! It was purchased in the Atlanta Airport, that swirling vortex of torture and mayhem. It was built over a portal to hell is all I can conclude. There is something of mythical proportion about trying to find one's way through corridors so long you can actually see the curvature of the earth, desperately racing to traverse multiple concourses to reach a connecting flight in the space of ten minutes and then languishing for hours after the flight is cancelled, delayed or sent on without you. I can't talk about it anymore, it's making my eye twitch.
To more pleasant matters...
This is how my entryway looked Sunday night.
We purchased paint, flooring, a new light fixture and set to work tearing it apart. The Things have been removing nails from the trim and I have been painting. This is what it looked like yesterday afternoon. It's not quite done yet.
I finished the ceiling and most of the wall yesterday. We will be doing the trim and the doors next. The new light fixture can go in now that the ceiling is dry but the floor will wait till the weekend when Mr. Logo will install it. I love painting, it's such visual, immediately-gratifying work. Mr. Logo and I tend to paint in much different ways. He takes his time, paints with precision, and purses his lips. I spent more time than he does laying drop clothes, taping, and I always have a wet rag handy but I actually paint faster than he does. But he doesn't really like to paint so over the course of our marriage a great deal of the wall painting has occurred when he is away. He also appreciates the end result more when he doesn't have to watch the process. Well, I have to go. If the weather cooperates today I hope to get the exterior of the front door started. I'm VERY excited about the color of that. Pictures to follow when its done!

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

When the sun shines


they'd really rather be outside in it, even if its chilly.
What the heck, why NOT have school on the porch, eh?

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Hope this isn't a downer...

I am not a political blogger.
For the most part, I avoid more serious topics altogether.
I started this blog to entertain my friends and myself and though I do occasionally delve into heavier subjects it is not something I do often.
Beware,
I am departing from that today.
Before I get too far with this I want to make something clear.
I've made a point of not obtaining my political opinions secondhand. If you happen to disagree with me I can respect that but do not make the mistake of assuming I believe what I do simply because I haven't done any research, have muddled thinking skills, sheep-like tendencies, or because I am excessively influenced by popular media.
That is just not the case.
I do not support the war in Iraq.

This fact will hardly come as a surprise to many of you. I am not a big fan of war in general and I believe military solutions to international issues are rarely the best response. I am a big suporter of military people. I believe the patriotic heart of most in the service is something to admire and I am deeply annoyed by the blithe and calloused indifference of many whose support of the war can be most accurately summed up as,

"I'm not over there and I like cheap gas, go George, go."

The havoc being visited upon the lives of our veterans is a travesty. Mental disturbances and physical injury are just the tip of the iceberg. Homeless shelters are reporting that Gulf War vets are the booming population in their midst and the results are only just beginning to tell us the other damage being suffered. It is my personal opinion that we have no place in another country's civil war and that we have reached the point where it is clear we are not going to achieve any sort of useful objective. We are throwing away the lives and futures of our country's military members and we are doing so for reasons that do not justify the sacrifice. It's time for us to get out and bring our troops home.

There is a website, Military Families Speak Out.
March 19th will mark the fourth anniversary of our entry to Iraq and on that day MFSO will be unveiling their Iraq Veteran's Memorial.
I know some of you are willing to do something and some of you are not; it's your thing, do whatcha gotta do. I just hope apathy is not your plan.

Thursday, March 08, 2007

I made brownies...

all by myself, and they were good too.
The recipe came my from
Limey.
Unfortunately I made them to share with a rather large group of people and therefore did not get to have a huge plateful, which sounded good. I enjoyed the one I got.
The group with which I shared my brownies expressed shock and amazement that I had actually made something myself (I usually stop by the store) and considerable appreciation and enjoyment as well.
There was some conversation in which I was asked things like, "I thought you didn't know how to cook?"
One of the women, a pretty good friend of mine, said,
"Well of COURSE she can cook, she just doesn't very often. She doesn't like to, but when she does she does it well."
It's nice to have good friends who will stand up for you in the face of a perceived slight. A few minutes later she asked for some of Mr. Logo's recipes.
I went for a nice long ride, almost two hours, on Red Molly Monday afternoon.
It was absolutely perfect. 68 degrees, warm breeze and fresh air...
it was incredible.
When riding you get to feel where you are, see where you are, and even smell it.
I love it.
I don't know if I have spring fever, or cabin fever, or what but I am unsettled somehow, "considerably rumpled in spirit", and I'm not sure what the fix is for that.
Maybe its just that I am coming down with something,
or maybe my body is fighting off something,
or maybe I am getting over something.
Wouldn't it be great if we could just adjust some valves or something and have things running pefectly?

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

My lungs

Recently I came to the conclusion I had nothing interesting to say in this post.
Then a dear friend said, "Post about what is closest to your heart."
So this one's for you, Tim.
Every minute my lungs inhale and exhale about 20 times. One never really pays much attention to that. When I had a broken collar bone and broken shoulder blade many moons ago I was deeply aware of each of those breathes and exactly how much movement they cause. I actually took singing lessons at one point and learned to maximize the amount of air I inhaled with each breath. There is nothing like excruciating pain to reverse years of good habits. I made quite a point of breathing as shallowly as possible.
I remember one particular yawn and deep breath several weeks after I had been released from the hospital. It stands out because it did not hurt. Hurting sucks, I can't be the only one to have noticed this I'm sure.
I tweaked my back not long ago and have been babying it while it recovers. A friend of mine recently said he will feel old when his body won't do what he want anymore. By that count I got old at about 21. Sometimes I ignore what I know is comfortable and just do what I want. I played volleyball at a picnic and could hardly walk for a couple days, but man, it was fun. I try to recall when I am cursing about being a bit of a lameass (literally) that it was not really that many years ago I would have probably ended up dead, legless, or permanently crippled after an accident like mine. As it is, I manage to lead as normal a life as someone like me can be expected to participate in. My heart works great and my lungs are in fabuous shape.
Oh, and you should see my spleen, too sexy for words.
Can't touch this!

Monday, March 05, 2007

and everyone must breathe until their dying breath

I am LOVING my Regina Spektor CD.
Here is one of the songs I am especially enjoying at the moment.
I drove about 500 miles this weekend and so I got to hear it alot!




"On The Radio"
This is how it works
It feels a little worse
Than when we drove our hearse
Right through that screaming crowd
While laughing up a storm
Until we were just bone
Until it got so warm
That none of us could sleep
And all the styrofoam
Began to melt away
We tried to find some words
To aid in the decay
But none of them were home
Inside their catacomb
A million ancient bees
Began to sting our knees
While we were on our knees
Praying that disease
Would leave the ones we love
And never come again
On the radio
We heard November Rain
That solo's really long
But it's a pretty song
We listened to it twice
'Cause the DJ was asleep
This is how it works
You're young until you're not
You love until you don't
You try until you can't
You laugh until you cry
You cry until you laugh
And everyone must breathe
Until their dying breath
No, this is how it works
You peer inside yourself
You take the things you like
And try to love the things you took
And then you take that love you made
And stick it into some
Someone else's heart
Pumping someone else's blood
And walking arm in arm
You hope it don't get harmed
But even if it does
You'll just do it all again
And on the radio
You hear November Rain
That solo's awful long
But it's a good refrain
You listen to it twice
'Cause the DJ is asleep
On the radio (oh oh oh)
On the radio
On the radio - uh oh
On the radio - uh oh
On the radio - uh oh
On the radio

Friday, March 02, 2007

There are few men in this world

that could possibly compete with Mr. Logo in the area of my affections. He is smart, funny, useful, loves to cook, and adores me (that last one is especially important).
In light of his love of cooking I bought him a cookbook. Due to inconsideration on the part of previous patrons I had to return the book and get a new copy yesterday, stupid blankety-blank book defilers, I hope there is a level of hell set aside for them, they can share it with the people who use library DVDs to buff their driveways, but I digress...
Mr. Logo loves watching several different cooking shows; the one with the perky Italian chick, the one with the other perky Italian chick, the one with the Italian guy, the one with the other Italian guy AND Good Eats.
Alton Brown has the one cooking show I will actually sit and watch with him, and the Things like it too. Mr. Logo watches for the cooking, the Things watch for the corny sketches and I watch for the shotgunned facts and info sprinkled throughout. I don't want to actually cook anything, but I love the history and the science included in each show. So this is the book I got him.

The man references classic literature and makes cracks at quantum physicists in his cookbook. He also clarifies that WHY is the central question for him, and I can identify with that. As if all that wasn't enough, he was the director of photography on REM's The One I Love video, he rides a metric bike and he loves Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies. Sigh...

Mr. Logo's competition has been identified.

Now Mr. Logo has had a corresponding list for years; the women I might have to worry about if they threw themselves at his feet, and some of his choices are undeniably attractive. My own list previously included only an eye candy choice, Alton was chosen primarily for other traits but I doubt Mr. Logo needs to worry. Neither of them adore me, so clearly he is safe :p

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Reminders

Things I frequently am reminded to do:
1. Finish making tea (I tend to get to the steeping stage and forget it),
2. Turn off or on heaters, lights, lock and unlock things, etc. etc. etc.,
3. Drop off or pick up mail,
4. Get fuel in vehicles (this becomes even more important in a motorcycle),
5. Switch the laundry,
6. Make the kids do their chores,
7. Check the phone messages,
8. Write down and check for appointments and special days on the calendar (Oh crap! Was her birthday always on this day??),
9. Go to bed,
10. Eat breakfast, cook dinner,
11. Give debit card receipts to Mr. Logo.

Things I never need to be reminded to do:
1. Check my email, IMs, and blog,
2. Breathe,
3. Take a bath, brush my teeth, do my hair,
4. Go to the library, pick up and return library books,
5. Take care of the children, teach the children, pick up the children, drop off the children, etc.,
6. Fold laundry,
7. Use turn signals and side and rearview mirrors,
8. Relax (Don't do it, when you want to go to it),
9. Love on my peeps,
10. Enjoy the journey, travel light,
11. Wear sunscreen and apply it liberally to my Chalkasian children
----------------------------------------
For those of you who've wondered how Her Imperial Majesty, Ariella, is doing, here is an update. The knee injury got quite a bit better for a while but is still occasionally problematic. She is taking glucosamine and advantage.
This picture was taken by Thing One. As I was attempting to IM with my friend Lime
the princess decided it was time for me to pay attention to her. She growled and pawed at me until I transfered her 45 pound furry ass onto my lap where she snuggled contentedly as long as I was petting her with the one hand. Having to type one-handed because my dog has a princess complex is somewhat trying to me. But clearly less so than attempting to IM while she is growling and batting at me.

It really is a dog's life, ok