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I actually walked out of a movie today... I went to see Hitchhiker's Guide and an hour into it I just couldn't take it anymore. I got myself home and am going to nap instead.

It was just awful!

Simply amazing

Yesterday all our new windows and sliding doors were installed. I used to turn the a/c off everynight and turn the heat on because our house would go from 80 during the day to the 50's at night. So while the ac kept us cool during the day we needed the heater to keep the house comfortable at night. Last night I didn't bother doing the switch, confident in that if we needed the heater I would wake up. When I got up this morning the house was at 68, the new windows kept the heat in and the cold out.

We've also noticed that we hear nothing anymore. Before I could let Megan play out side while I cooked confident that I could hear here though all our poorly insulated windows, but now I can't even hear the dogs barking.

First aid for pets

I took a 4 hour class today on pet first aid and CPR. It was a refresher for the infant class we took before Megan was born, with a few notable differences. I feel better prepared for my dogs ailments having now taken it. Nothing I learned could have helped with Ripley, and Sadie has a DNR, but Oso and all future dogs will have a prepared care giver. I guess my main reason I took the class was guilt and anguish over loosing Ripley. Always wondering if I could have done more, or at least made her more comfortable.

So now I know how to Muzzle a dog ( and how to improvise the muzzle), perform rescue breathing, CPR, check for pulse, bandage, deal with poisoning, snake bites, stings, fractures etc. I know how to check for anemia, Over heating, and what to do with frost bite, and shock.

When I got home Oso was kind enough to allow me to muzzle, to show Jack my new skill, and to allow me to practice locating a pulse.

It was such an informative class, and I thank the The Animal Nanny for inviting me.

Much to say but really not in the mood to say it...

I've been feeling so drained lately. and haven't felt much like blogging.

Last night I saw "Monster In Law" which wasn't the highlight of the evening. It was cute but by no means a great movie, I did enjoy dinner though. My friend and I tried a new restaurant last night in Fremont...
Mirchi Cafe, which an article in a local paper described as confusion cooking, instead of fusion. It was delicious. Indian spices in traditionally Italian dishes. Such a new and tasty.

GOOD NEWS AND GREAT NEWS

A while back, you may recall we had a hell of a night you can read about it here and here and here.

Well yesterday one plumber came out and recommended I hire another guy with a camera and a metal detector to find our pipe. It is now found and he even located the missing clean-out (though it is buried under a bush. But and here's the GREAT NEWS - he didn't see any root infiltration in the rest of the pipe. He thinks it was just one of those clogs where someone flushed something hugh! So We can now dig down and find the clean out so we are prepared, but we can also rest easy that the Magnolia out front isn't causing any troubles.

strange teeth

I had a little dental work done. Last week at my semi-anual cleaning, my dentist diagnosed a cracked molar (which had been causing me minor dull pain for a while) and also agreed to file down a small chip on my front tooth. So yesterday I spent about an hour in the dentists office while this was all fixed.

Last night it was like they didn't sit together right anymore, and I wasn't coming over Novocain since she didn't use any. She had assured me she wouldn't drill near the nerve and it never hurt, just felt strange... anyway back to point... my teeth just don't feel like my own anymore. THe chip in the front is now gone but my bottom tooth doesn't rest right with my top tooth... in stead of enjoying the fixed crack (and lack of pain in my jaw for a change) I'm fixated on opening and closing my mouth just to see how its lining up and why it feels so darn strange. Its like she did more than just fix these 2 small problems - its like she put in new teeth all together.

Just how long does it take for once mouth to feel right again?

pics from camping

i put them in the original post as well, but didn't want them getting lost behind my last entry

laugh for the day

someone mailed me this... and it was too funny (and too true) not to share..

"EXCERPTS FROM THE DOG'S DAILY DIARY

8:00 am - Oh Boy! Dog food! My favorite!
9:30 am - Oh Boy! A car ride! My favorite!
9:40 am - Oh Boy! A walk! My favorite!
10:30 am - Oh Boy! A car ride! My favorite!
11:30 am - Oh Boy! Dog food! My favorite!
12:00 noon - Oh Boy! The kids! My favorite!
1:00 pm - Oh Boy! The yard! My favorite!
4:00 pm - Oh Boy! The kids! My favorite!
5:00 pm - Oh Boy! Dog food! My favorite!
5:30 pm - Oh Boy! Mom! My favorite!
6:00 pm - Oh Boy! Playing ball! My favorite!
6:30 pm - Oh Boy! Sleeping in master's bed! My favorite!

EXCERPTS FROM THE CAT'S DAILY DIARY:

Day 283 Of My Captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.
They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal.
The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I
get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture.

Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant. Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded; must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair; must try this on their bed. Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to
try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good
little cat I was. Hmmm, not working according to plan.

There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the food. More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage. I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The bird on the other hand has got to be an informant, and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room, his safety is assured. But I can wait, it is only a matter of time..."

Camping! & Mother's day

Megan and I went camping friday night at Samuel P Taylor park in Marin, friday night with Pam, Yvonne and Josephine.

This park was gorgeous, exactly what I imagined sleeping in the redwoods would be like. They were tall and majestic, the air was moist and clean. Behind our campsite was a stream that Megan and Josephine enjoyed "fishing" in. We had a fire in the fire pit, and roasted boca sausages, and had baked beans and corn, The night was freezing, and Megan refused to be covered up but as it was 49 degrees in the tent so i figured she needed covering. I kept throwing blankets and my sleeping bag on her. So needless to say it was a sleepless night for both of us. I awoke in the morning to Megan staring into my face saying "Hi Mommy". Jack arrived in time for pancakes in the morning, and then he entertained the kids while we broke camp. It really was a wonderful time, but I was also very thankful it was only one night. We both slept well last night.

For mother's day we planned on my sleeping in, while Jack and Megan got bagels, then we were going to go boating on the bay but ended up just hanging out at home because of the weather. We did a bit of cleaning, organizing and earthquake proofing. Megan's now napping and afterwards I think we'll go out for some Mexican for dinner.

Date Night

Jack and I went out tonight and for a change of pace we went to a fundraiser Cinco De Mayo dinner for Home At Last, the rescue group we adopted Oso from.

The dinner was delicious, the company was all lively, the 2 animal trainers who spoke were very informative and we won a dog training session from the silent auction that i'm sure Oso will love.

They have 4 dogs in need of surgery so they had a special display and a donation bowl. I went up to add my donation, with a very nicely dress gentlemen. He struck me as a executive type. I was flabbergasted when he put a 20 in the bowl and to back a 10, a 5 and 3 ones. It was the 3 ones that got me - I mean come on a 2 dollar donation is fine but that was just too much! I think it was because he was dress so well that the whole thing came off odd.

Just plain adorable

Megan and I read a book every night that has the song Teddy Bear Teddy bear in it. So each night we do what the Teddy Bear does. Megan's favorite part is to scream wake up at me when I pretend to sleep.

Yesterday at art class we did this little finger play thing with the teacher where the fingers go to sleep and she started yelling "wake up" and "wake up now" everyone laughed and thought it was funny and after class I apologized to the teacher with a chuckle and explained where it was coming from. Well...

this morning I'm laying in bed and Megan wakes up. She usually plays quietly in her crib while I get moving. this morning though I heard a giggle over the monitor and then she said "wake up" then louder and louder until she was screaming it and throwing in a couple of mommy's. I while laughing my butt off decided to "ignore" the demands and wait till she's quieted down before going in and starting the day.

just disgusting

"On Sunday morning, Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson told TV viewers nation-wide that the threat posed by liberal judges is "probably more serious than a few bearded terrorists who fly into buildings." When an incredulous George Stephanopoulos asked if Robertson really believed that these judges posed "the most serious threat America has faced in nearly 400 years of history, more serious than al Qaeda, more serious than Nazi Germany and Japan, more serious than the Civil War?," he responded, "George, I really believe that." [1]"

I doubt that this would do any good but Move On is doing a petition about it. Go ahead and sign if you too feel this is just plain disgusting behavior in any one considered a "leader" in our community.

New Windows

We're getting new windows. The four in the back and the two sliding doors are all original to the house and in pretty bad shape. So last night we met with a representative from a local window company (our neighbor recommended) and we are going to get started - (hopefully in 6-7 weeks we'll have new windows :)

I kid you not!

I went out to move the truck the other day for the bug man (so he could get closer to the house) and noticed the gas cap and door were both open. I closed them and when I started the truck noticed the gas was considerably less than full. We had recently filled the tank so some one stealing the gas is the only conclusion. I just returned from a trip to the autoparts store where I purchased one locking gas cap. Who shall I blame this one on - the gas was stolen because most stations around here are in the 2.60+ range. Anyone who watches our house knows that truck doesn't move much. etc etc etc.