Tuesday m/c

Dinner? Salad and a bowl of cereal. Its too hot for anything that needs cookin

 Thought I'd take Aesop to the dog park nearby to wander off some of his energy. It's a new dog park in an out of the way park way on the edge of town, plus it's dirt rather than grass..so it's usually deserted in the afternoon.  Got there and there was nary a being in sight, yay!  Had Aesop wandering around, dragging a leash just out of force of habit. Thank heavens because here came a group of three 4 or 5 year olds, some walking, some on scooters. They first went to the middle section (the fenced area where you go in, close the gate, and then head to the small or large dog section. There is a water fountain there that they headed to, so I assumed they were just getting drinks. So, while I wondered why kids that age were unattended, I shrugged it off and went about my business. A few minutes later, here came a little kid into the dog park, leaving every gate wide open.

He stalked us around a bit, asked to pet Aesop (at least he asked, but he waited to do so until he was about a foot away) then followed us around asking various questions..can Aesop walk on the dog walk? Can he do it now? Why not?

I finally left, and had to squeeze past all of the scooter riding children who were blocking the gate.  Got to my car and oh, there was a mother across the park. Watching as her kids were wildly inappropriate.  I'm glad there weren't a lot of dogs there, as I'm sure there would have been escapes.

Just dropping in to say I’m doing ok. I wish I could read everything here but I have to try to make this short. My apartment no longer offers free wi-fi and since I’m moving, there is no point in me buying a connection. Then to add to that my charger to my laptop broke, so until the new one I orders comes in (hopefully tomorrow) I can’t use my computer. Oh, and my parents called me, Gizmo got skunked! My Dad was taking her for a walk and she broke free from the leash and chased the skunk into a bush, enough said.

Things are a bit on the crazy side for me but I’m surviving. I’m still in the process of packing and figuring out all the details of my move. I’ll be in Pittsburgh sometime next week. I’m still not sure if I’m making the right choice but I still have my job in NM. Once I help the BF move and get settled in, I’m flying back to NM and going to keep on working until I’m offered a job in Pittsburgh. That could be as soon as a few weeks to a few month but I’ve applied to almost every geology/environmental science position I could send my resume to in that city. I think the distance will really help me think about what I’m doing and if I really want to follow this all the way through.  If all failes, my back-up-plan is to just go back to school, which is something I want to do anyway and eventuly get my PhD.  

Ok, I said I would make this sort but I have some rather difficult stuff to deal with so excuse me if I’m just blabbering on now. I hope everyone here is doing well. I could use some wet-nose hugs just about now, I'm really missing out on spending time with my furry friends.

Xebby

I could use some wet-nose hugs just about now

(((HUG))) - but my nose isn't wet right now :). Seriously, I hope the trip goes smoothly and you're able to enjoy some of it. We'll be anxiously awaiting news on everything. Be safe!

cakana

(((HUG))) - but my nose isn't wet right now :). Seriously, I hope the trip goes smoothly and you're able to enjoy some of it. We'll be anxiously awaiting news on everything. Be safe!

Ditto from me.  Keep in touch when you can. 

(((Xebby))) thinking of you!!

((((Xebby)))).  Good thots too.

Today ended up getting hectic.  Yehaw.  Had to run to NY for the DH which of course screwed up my peaceful day.  Wasn't a bad trip, but further than he thot it was.  But, with me getting back later than we thot I would, Dominos for dinner.  Hopefully we'll get the baby back ribs on the grill tomorrow.

I'm suddenly craving cupcakes. Thanks guys...

Cait, share the coconut cupcake recipe!

Ginger, I have fingers crossed for your daughter!

We took the kids to Schlitterbahn today. We all had a great time. DH took a beating today. He's not a "big ride" kinda guy, & the boys (and I) had a lot of fun at his expense.

I was diligent about having the kids reapply sunscreen throughout the day, but I didn't remember to sunscreen myself so I'm fried.

Everyone is happy & exhausted.

 Amanda, here's a link to the coconut cupcake recipe

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/coconut-cupcakes-recipe/index.html

I just sub out the storebought Dark Chocolate Fudge icing (I think it's Duncan Hines, and yes, dark chocolate vs milk chocolate DOES mattter- I'd make my own dark chocolate if I had to- it's less sweet; the milk chocolate and the coconut frosting are both overpoweringly sugary to my taste) for the recipe's icing. 

It makes a pretty thick batter and they aren't super lofty cupcakes but they DO rise some and they spread- I keep meaning to experiment with the mini muffin tin. We had these for my birthday party on the 1st. :P 

I want to go swimming but won't have anyone to go with until tomorrow afternoon. I'm pondering goign in the morning by myself. :P

---

ETA - also, we've been researching beach houses in Galveston to rent next year for Nationals (it'd be a 45 minute drive frmo the show site but do-able, cheaper than a hotel, and we'd be AT THE BEACH. :P) and now I want to go to the beach NOW. THIS SUMMER. The lake beach is not sufficing. Unfortuantely, my big project is taking up all my discretionary income and I want to have it completed before the fall shows start up!

 I went and saw the Other Guys... again.. last night. I found it hysterical both times I've seen it - I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good laugh.

I'm dragging today... I think it may be bedtime already!

My day was... intertesting to say the least. I had the day off, so a friend and I decided to head to the beach. I decided against sunscreen and boy am I fried now! But heh, I don't mind because I've been trying to get a bit of colour a summer! The beach was fun, till the drive home. I was driving in the furthest left lane, going 80 km/h and some idiot, which is short of what I called him, decided to yield in and go straight into the furthest lane without looking. He was driving a big company van pulling a trailer. The front of my car was around where the end of his van ended and the trailer started, but apparently he didn't see me and drove straight into my lane. I had to SLAM on my brakes and go half way onto the shoulder of the highway. He didn't notice me AT ALL. My friend in the passenger seat said the trailer was inches from my front end- I thought it was going to hit. No doubt if I hadn't been paying attention and slammed on my brakes, I would have been struck in the whole front end or even ended up in the ditch at those speeds. I'm still surprised we didn't get swiped. I was *livid*. I pounded my horn, sped up beside him and gave him the finger, along with my friend. Had his window been open, I would have done more than that. However, he wasn't paying attention at all! He didn't even notice me blasting my horn or waving the finger around. I don't doubt that if he had hit us that he would have kept going. I don't doubt it for one second. He had no idea!! Another vehicle saw it and pulled up beside us and had a few comments to say about him too! It was a company van and I really really regret not writing down the company name and giving them a piece of my mind. It all happened so fast, I barely had time to react or even think! It really shook me up, my adrenaline and heart we pounding. I was shaking for a bit after. Some people!! It's not like he accidently cut me off- he almost ran my whole car off the highway!! Ugh, some people should NOT have licences!

 Xebby, Rupert threw his head back and is offering his neck for you to nuzzle.

DH took Rupert biking today in the U.P. On the second trail, Rupert started lagging behind (which is rare for him) and DH noticed that his paws were totally torn apart, skin flaps hanging all over. DH took him swimming after to help wash/rinse his paws out. I feel soooo bad for him. When they got home, he was walking around like an old man. He's zonked out now. Is there anything I can give him for pain?

 I wouldn't give him anything for pain, just let him rest. You can soak his feet in epsom salts if he'll let you

 Ok, thanks.

Poor Rupe. :(

I am STARVING!  We're not talking "find a little snack" kinda hungry.  We're talking "I need a burger & fries" kinda hungry.  I wonder if DH is in the mood to make a Whataburger run....