Cooling Off..Wolfie style

Thursday was a warm day and I took wolfie to the Greenway. Part of the walk follows a lovely bubbling stream with ducks, geese, etc. We were on our way back when Wolfie started pulling off the trail toward the stream. Even though I had water for him in the car, we had a ways to go yet, so I thought he must really be thirsty. He came to the edge of the stream and instead of just getting a drink, he plunged in and laid down drinking at the same time. I had a towel in the car so I wasn't too concerned until I saw that his right side was in muck! I pulled him out and he was a mess. His whole right side and belly was black with muck. When we got to the car I tied him to the door handle, got him his drink and poured the rest of the water on his mucky side. I wiped him off as best I could. He got a bath when we got home. It was actually pretty smart of him..he was overheating and he knew what to do.
Raining today and we're off to the gym soon and a stop at the library after that. I have finished all of my books and must get resupplied. Later....Oh yes, I can't believe I never saw "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington". It was on last night and I watched the whole thing. I wonder if Pres. Obama has seen it. If not, he must. It's a great movie.

Maggie's Back

It's good to have all of my chilluns in the U S of A! Talked to her yesterday and they had a good time. Last night I was watching House Hunters and this couple from Texas was relocating to Belize. Other than House Hunters I watched American Idol and then called Max and Madison. They were both happy although Madison's choice didn't make it to the next round.
Today I have already vacuumed and dusted. I have the kitchen to do, but will wait until Richard is done messing in there.
Muir, when you come down why don't you have Mags come down with you? Also, be thinking of what you want to eat......Later....

Tiger's Back

Yesterday we left early to go to Home Depot to pick out the carpeting for out steps to the basement/pantry. From there were headed to the gym, but on the way we started discussing how we could work out and still get home to see Tiger tee off...bottom line...we skipped the gym so we wouldn't miss Tiger. He won yesterday and today I'll probably see him from his tee off because I'm going to walk Wolfie. It's warm here already and will likely get near 70 with rain returning later this evening.
Girl Scout cookies arrived yesterday. I'm not sure why I got so many. Usually I get just a box of thin mints and the lemon cookies. I got 2 boxes of thin mints, 2 boxes of lemon things, 1 box for me...the coconut ones and one box of Trefoils. I must have been hungry and craving sugar when Sierra came to the door last month. I'll put some of these boxes in the freezer.
I'm off to clean up bird seeds, make tuna salad for dinner and then walk with the Wolf....later

I Hate it When That Happens

Muir asked me if I had ever read Richard Russo and I said, "no." I got Empire Falls and as soon as I read the first page I knew...I had read it years ago. I do that every now and then. Anyway, I don't think I have read any of his other books and I did love that book so when I go back to the library I'll get one of his other novels. I am now reading another Sara Paresky book...Fire Sale. In several of her books she has a recurring character..a detective and this is one.
I just cleaned out my refrigerator and am about to shower and later go to the gym. Today will be around 57 and tomorrow near 70. Wolfie already knows we will walk in the park. Later....

Back to Yoga

My intention was to go back to yoga today, but after running errands, etc. I went to the gym and my favorite yoga instructor was leaving as I came in. I really don't care for the other one, so I just got on the treadmill for 50 minutes and then went to Panerra for lunch. I'm home now and have some cooking and a bit of cleaning to do. A boring day, but a warming trend is on the way. Wolfie is happy because I told him I would walk him on Thursday. Later.....

Oscars

I was very pleased about the outcome. I kind of wanted Mickey Roark to win, but I'm really not wild about seeing that movie. I just like his story and the fact that he is such a dog person. I loved most of the fashion..I didn't like Miley Cyrus's gown. I think she dresses way to old for her age. I liked most everything else.
Same old Monday here...laundry, etc. Richard going to the grocery store...gym this afternoon.
I missed talking to Maggie this morning. We usually connect on Monday. She'll be home soon. Later.....

Winter wonderland

We awoke this morning to snow...the streets seem bare but it is very beautiful. The dogs have already been out romping in it. Later Richard and I are going to Home Depot to pick up a few items and, of course, I will watch Babara Walters and the Oscars tonight. I'll be making an asparagus quiche for dinner. Have a great day.....later

A Different Saturday

Last night we talked about going to Home Depot for a variety of things...a new toilet seat for me, looking at blinds for the spare bedroom and thinking of looking into tiling our kitchen back splash. When we woke up Richard said,"Let's go to Denny's for breakfast." The only one is in Pigeon Forge so that's what we did. Then we went looking for a knife block, a casserole lid, etc at the discount stores and what a shock? You can't believe how many are closed. The Old Time Pottery had a fire right after Christmas and still isn't reopened. Tons of stores were gone! We hadn't been there for ages. While in the area we went to the "As Sold on TV' and then to Knife Works. We ended up not getting anything. I also stopped at Kroger's to get Pour-a-Quiche and they were out of that. I told Richard that we didn't help out the economy at all today as we spent just $10 at Kroger's and our breakfast. However, it did get us out of the house and a different kind of Saturday. We're home now and still didn't go to Home Depot. We may go later. For now I'm going to read a bit. Later.....

TGIF

For you working stiffs it's Friday and for me...even though I'm retired, for some reason I still especially like Fridays. Old habits die hard. Not much going on ...I dusted and vacuumed, showered and did some early morning reading. I'll get some more in before lunch and then the gym. Golf this afternoon. Looking forward to the Oscars on Sunday. I never stay awake for the whole thing, but I just like to see the fashion, etc. Later.....

More Book News

Sara Gruen who wrote Water for Elephants has a new novel coming out...Ape House. I loved Water for Elephants so I'll have to read the new one. Another book I want to read..Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani. I saw her interviewed on the Today Show and she was very funny. Her latest book was described as "a delicious delight."
I am very much into Maeve Binchy's book as I knew I would be. I'm off now to get in some reading. Cold here....oh...Elvis Costello show last night was fabulous! Elton John did the interviewing of Diana Krall and they sang together and chatted about a lot of very interesting things. She sang some Joni Mitchell and Elvis joined in at the end. It was a GREAT show. Later..

New Books

Library day and I got a bunch of books and am excited to start them. Maeva Binchy has a new book..Heart and soul. I just read about it and when I got there it was in! I also got the Richard Russo book..Empire Falls and the McMahon book..Promise Not to Tell. I finished Bleeding Kansas and liked it so much that I got another Sarah Paresky book. I also got 3 non-fiction books for Richard..Jim Nantz's book and a Sam Adams biography and a Harry Truman bio.I've already started the Binchy book. I wish I could stay in and read all day, but alas, I have to go to the gym. It's a rainy day..perfect for reading.
Elvis Costello tonight on Sundance. He has Diana Krall (his wife) and I forget who else. We watched most of American Idol last night. I liked the first girl and also the blonde with pink highlights. The guy who sang the Leon Russell song was very good. Those were my favorite picks. I don't remember their names...I guess I should have written them down. Later.....

All Cleaned Up

I finished cleaning up from the weekend. All beds are remade, soldiers put away until summer, lady bugs still await replacing and it's a little too quiet around here.
We're off to the gym early because the cable guy is supposed to be here between 3 and 5. A cold morning but in the 50s by afternoon. Rain tomorrow and Thursday and much colder. I'm really ready for spring. As we drive to the gym I see crocus blooming and my tulips are up but far from ready to bloom. Later....

A Sweet Miss

They left at 10 and I really do miss them. We had a nice time and I don't get to see them often enough. I do think that Wolfie and Cheyenne aren't missing Mazie so much. I will think about going up there around spring break time. It is very quiet around here...eerily so. I'm doing laundry and general cleanup. Hope everyone who works is enjoying this day off....Later....

Family swim at the Gym

We're off for family swim at the gym this afternoon. Not much else going on. Mazie is driving Wolfie crazy. She really just wants to play with him, but he isn't in for that. They had a nice long walk yesterday. She sees the other dogs playing out in the yard and she just wants to join them.
A chilly day today...chicken and onion rings for dinner...then a movie....Later...

Happy Valentine's Day to All

It's a bit crazy here. I made bacon and heart-shaped pancakes for the kids and we just finished making cookies. Anne is decorating them now. It's a rainy day here, though I think it's finished and will be about 60. Mazie is so wanting to play with Wolfie, but afraid at the same time. Last night she wouldn't go near him, but she's much braver today. He pretty much ignores her much to her dismay.
Plans...I'm not sure. We may go to the gym for family swim. tonight we'll watch a movie and I'm making spaghetti and meatballs. Later....

Friday the 13th

I have my cleaning done and Wolfie and I are going to head out to the Greenway soon for a walk and I need to stop at Kroger's for a few things and get gas before heading home. I'm making individual pizzas for dinner tonight. We expect Anne & company around 8. She's going to have a cooler with snacks and drinks for the kids so they don't starve before they get here. When I get back from the walk I'll make the dough.
Hope everyone is safe on this scary day......later...Maggie, I'll probably call at Trip's sometime tomorrow.

New Book

I barely started my new book...Kansas Bleeding. I read a few pages before going to the gym and was going to read more while waiting for Richard, but people kept coming up and talking to me. This morning I made the cookie dough for valentine cookies with the kids. I forgot how much this recipe makes. It's Richard's mom's recipe and I should have halved it. I'll just freeze half of it. I also made a raspberry pound cake. Now I'm thinking that the kids won't like it because of the raspberries, so I may buy a small one. Madison likes her pound cake with nutella. Yesterday was the first day for the pool to be opened at the gym after putting in a new pump. It opened just before we got there so it wasn't heated and it was mighty chilly! However, it was really refreshing and I felt really good afterward. It will likely be much warmer today. We have to go early because the cable guy is coming over between 3 and 5 to hook up our new DVD player.
We really didn't get much of a storm yesterday. It was windy, but not overly and it rained hard for about 10 minutes. We lost power for 1 minute. I'm anxious to see what Gina got in Pittsburgh and what is going on in Cincy. Later....

Stump Wins

I also picked the Sussex although I loved them all! Tonight Elvis Costello on Sundance. We can't remember who is to be on and we're thinking it wasn't someone we were excited about, but we could be wrong.
I finished the Merlot Murders by Ellen Crosby. If you read this 3 book series be sure to start with this one. I read the last one first and the first one last...not a good idea, but I still really liked them. I'm about to start Bleeding Kansas but I have to shower and do some chores. I spent most of yesterday after coming home from Knoxville reading.
Another warm day here...both the dogs stayed outside all night. We're supposed to get storms later this afternoon..hopefully not severe. Later....

Westminister Dog Show

I love watching the cute dogs and while I like some better than others, I love them all. It's on again tonight and I can't wait. Today another warm one with maybe a shower or two. Tomorrow is supposed to rain. We're going to Knoxville today. Richard is going to return a receiver we bought because ours (we thought) was kaput. However, it's working fine now and we're going to return the new one and exchange it for a new DVD player. There is also a hobby shop next to it and they have thousands of jigsaw puzzles and I'm going to pick up one of those. I haven't done jigsaws since I retired, but I used to enjoy doing them.
Looking forward to the kids coming down on Friday. We'll make Valentine cookies on Saturday. Later.....

National Read in the Bathtub Day

I know Muir will honor this day. Me...no. I already took a shower this morning and I'm not much of a bathtub girl. Went to the Opthamologist this morning. All is well. Talked to Maggie early this morning. I'll call again before her trip on Saturday. Another warm day today in the 70s. Just doing laundry, etc. Later...

Happy Birthday...Joel and Jim!!

A big Happy Birthday to Joel and Jim...Hope you both have a great day and are treated like kings! We love you both.
Another warm day down here in the mid 60s. Yesterday was wonderful. After the gym we went to Aubrey's to eat lunch and then to Target where Richard bought a new radio for the van and a DVD player for the great room. Our other one died. Then we went to Circuit City for speakers for the radio. When we came home we watched gold and I finished Scarpetta. Today a new book..The Merlot Murders. I'm about to give cheyenne a bath and maybe Wolfie as well.
Pork Chops from Test Kitchen for dinner tonight. Later.....

More on Politics

Sorry, but I can't keep my opinions to myself. I finally went on Pres. Obama's web site and offered my sage advice. I told him to Rein in Pelosi and Reid and to keep his spine stiff. I am so over the egos of both democrats and republicans. It is very imperative to get a stimulus package passed and one without so much pork. No spending bill is ever going to be pork free, but some pork is inevitable and some also is good. It seems to me that Pelosi and Reid had no spine when Bush was president. They gave him everything he wanted. Now they seem to want to run and show and tell the President what he can and cannot do. The Republicans resent this and they want to have their way. Heaven help us...why can't they drop and ego and do what is right for the good of their country. The republicans who aren't facing an election soon are the only ones offering some support.
Now for some positive statements....Congratulations Madison....Student of the Month!!! You also rock and I hear your grades were also tops!! Can't wait to see you guys. If you have any requests, let me know. Bring your bathing suits! We'll go to the mountains for a swim! Later....

Dog Show

Westminister didn't actually start last night. It was just an overview of what dog shows are all about and most particularly about Westminister. It was good but I missed The Office.
It's Friday and although it is 19 this morning, it is supposed to get up to 50 this afternoon. I hope to walk Wolfie.
Congratulations to Max for doing a super job in school. He rocks!! Later......

An Evening at Richard's

We had a very nice evening at Richard's. We went over at 5 and ordered Chinese. They said it would be 45 minutes, but it turned out to be an hour and a half. We listened to nice music and his place really looked nice. When we walked in he had candles burning and nice music playing. We ordered enough for more than just us, so we brought some home which we will have tonight and he had plenty for at least one other meal. We came home in time to watch Elvis Costello at nine. There was also a show on PBS honoring George Carlin, so we switched back and forth on that.
Yes, it's still freezing down here...13 this morning. It is supposed to be in the 50s tomorrow. I can't wait. I used to like winter, but I'm not liking it much anymore. Why can't we just have spring and fall all year?
A bit of cleaning up this morning. I made egg salad which I'll have for lunch and then to the gym. The Westminister Dog Show is on tonight, so I'll have to forgo The Office and Thirty Rock. Later.....

Really cold!!

We were in single digits this morning and schools are closed around here. I think it's because of the cold. We got just another dusting of snow. Even Wolfie wouldn't go out this morning. He stuck his nose out the door and turned around and climbed back in his bed. Cheyenne is out now sitting on the sidewalk. I tried to get her in, but she's not ready. I'll get her in a few minutes. By Saturday it's going to be in the 60s and I hope it stays there. Nothing much else going on. Richard just left for Walmart for some things and we're supposed to go to Richard's for dinner tonight...we'll see. Later.....

We got Snow!

After I talked to Maggie yesterday and told her we weren't getting any snow, I looked outside and Yep, you guessed it. It was snowing hard. It was really beautiful. One by one the schools started dismissing early. When our neighbors got home they came to ask to borrow the sled. They had a good time and Wolfie and Cheyenne went out and played and romped in the snow as well. It stopped about 3, but we had about 3 inches. Today we are to get more. It hasn't started yet. Schools are closed again. I'm not sure if Cincy is getting it. It looks like they are on the fringe. I hope they don't...I hope we do....Later...

Good Game

Even though the outcome was not as I wished, it was a good and exciting game. I thought Jennifer Hudson did a fantastic job with the National Anthem and who doesn't love Bruce? It was a good show. I also liked Matt's interview with Pres. Obama. The Office followed the game and we went to bed to watch it. Sadly, I didn't make it to the end.
We're currently getting rain which is supposed to turn to snow later but not much of an accumulation expected. I'm curious about Cincy. I know Anne is desperately hoping the kids don't have another snow day. I guess they are climbing the walls. Also who wants to have to make up days in the summer?! My advice...move down here. Later.........

"The Oddest Thing I've Ever Eaten"

That is a quote from Richard. The tortellini I made from won ton wrappers and the filling was roasted butternut squash that was then pureed with roasted shallots, garlic, ricotta, salt and pepper and a dash of nutmeg. After putting them in boiling water to cook you put them in a bowl and tossed them with sizzling butter, chopped walnuts, dried cranberries and sage. I really like this dish and thought it to be very interesting. Richard, however, thought it was odd rather than interesting and while he didn't hate it, he doesn't want to have it again. He said he thought none of our kids would like it. I think Maggie, Muir and Stephanie would most likely like it. I have a lot of the butternut filling left, so I may just try to incorporate that into a soup. I know Richard will like today's offerings.
Cheyenne didn't pee her bed last night and she woke up all perky. I guess yesterday was just a down day. Hope the Cardinals win, though I'm not counting on it. Later....