mystery of the unknown

Take a stab in the dark and guess which side of the dresser is Tom's?


Recently at a couple's gathering, the topic of men closing drawers and cabinets came up and there was a common theme among the men in the room: after retrieving their item, they all tend to leave the drawers/cabinets open. Do they not remember opening them? Do they just not see it? Were they raised in a barn?

After analyzing the facts and further deliberation we arrived at the highly scientific conclusion that they just don't give a rat's ass.

thoughtful husband

Tom asks (as he wipes his ash riddled hands after cleaning the fireplace on my grandmother's needle point towel) "Is this a special towel?"

It was.

Today's recap

Furnace broken. House temp: 48 degrees.

Furnace man came. Opened furnace door. Big dead bird.

I almost passed out.

Then behind bird, dried up gigantic wolf spider. I screamed. Furnace man screamed. Chumley ran down and slapped furnace man's leg 10+ times. Furnace man screamed again.

It was sheer madness.

But furnace is now fixed.

Just another day.

Post from Wrigs

"Hi Karen, Wrigs here. I think Mommy needs to come back and visit and get another one of these warm caps from your cute little shop in Poulsbo!"

" 'cause I'm not giving this one back!"

Who needs toys?

When one can spend hours playing with...a cough drop wrapper. That is Chumley's FAVORITE thing to bat around and shove into his gob. Often times we find them buried in his food bowl (along with twist ties, receipts and q-tips.)

Unfortunately Wrigley is also smitten with the cough drop wrapper:



Chum is able to retrieve the wrapper but not for long:



Chum watching Wrigs play with the wrapper:


Chum looking at me as if to say, "DO SOMETHING BIATCH!!!"


Guilty faced Wrigs playing all innocent with wrapper in his mouth.


Oh how incredibly dull my life would be if it weren't for these 2 little deviants.

God bless all your beasts!

Back in Seattle

*Update* more snowy pics, taken the morning after the snow storm:










So much to download, upload, inload, outload.

But for now, it's snowing and it's pretty fricking amazing.

Here's a little clip from tonight's news:


And Wrig's reaction to seeing snow for the first time:


After our midnight stroll around the neighborhood, Tom had a genius idea:
(Since we don't own a sled, we used the lid from an underbed storage bin. Worked great!)





It was so much fun. Neighbors came out of their houses with cameras and kids in tow. Oh and dogs too.




There's something magical about the first snowfall especially when you're sharing it with the ones you love (minus the Blackberry)

So incredibly conflicted.

Heart is heavy.

Family unit, broken.

Feeling the effects of this distance on so many levels.

And So. Much. Guilt. for moving away.

I wish I could change things.

For now, I can't and I'm sorry.

Got Milk?

Tonight I'm going to a screening of Milk in Hollywood. LOVE Sean Penn, LOVE Emile Hirsche, LOVE James Franco and LOVE Victor Garber. I'm feeling an over abundance of LOVE right now. I'm not even drunk.

Hope you all feel some love today too!

Sunshine day

I spent the day in Laguna and it was perfect. 75 degrees and not a cloud to be found. I feel refreshed, alive and warm! I took a bunch of pics but of course forgot to bring my camera to computer converter cord thingy so I'll have to upload when I get back to Seattle.

Here is a pic I took with my cell phone from my favorite cafe:

There is an extremely embarrassing story that happened while at the cafe but I just can't bring myself to post it. Rebecca was the lucky recipient of hearing said story via text message and if anything ever happens to me, I grant her permission to share it on here. Until then, it will be a while before I return to that place.

Then I headed over to the Montage where I sat in the lobby next to a roaring fire, watching the afternoon sun slowly make its way down the horizon.

I stepped outside on the deck to take in the views and 2 women were out there sipping cocktails, chatting. One said in a huff "It's too bright out here, let's get back inside." Are you kidding me woman!? I wanted to punch her in what looked to be a newly constructed nose. Stupid sun hater.

I've got more to update but need to get ready to meet friends for taco tuesday. Can't beat $2 tacos!

Hope you're all enjoying some sunshine today!!!

Digital Conversion video

I think I'm related to this little old woman...


(the tapping with the spoon is my favorite part!)

Do you have Dicks?

My sister is getting Tom's Christmas present at a sporting goods store and wanted to make sure that in case he didn't like it he could exchange it at a store in Seattle. So she and my mom were discussing the big chain sporting goods stores that they're familiar with.

My mom says, "Do you have Dicks here?"

My sister says, "Don't you mean Chicks, mom?"

Mom: "No, it's Dicks. We have quite a few Dicks in Illinois."

Sis: "Well there aren't any Dicks here!"

Me: "I don't think there are any Dicks in Seattle either."

Mom: "Really? They're everywhere by me."

Not what you want to hear out of your mother's mouth.

Big 5 it is.

just plane blogging

(from my plane ride to CA)

I'm blogging from the plane wishing I could live at 39,000 feet. After 3 sips of my Gin and Tonic sure as shit I'm buzzed. I'm looking out the window as we fly over the middle part of CA and it's sunny and blue and vibrant. I probably look like a side show freak with my face pressed up against the window with a big gummy smile plastered on my face. Hot TOAST! This Gin and tonic is yummy! Who says hot toast?

Did I mention I noticed a nipple hair protruding from my nipple this morning? I've always wanted to live in Europe. That's all I'll say on the subject for now. The altitude makes me feel silly. My mom is so cute. She's in the aisle seat (I'm in the window) and she's hunched over the in flight crossword using her giant magnifying glass. She looks like Sherlock Holmes. I want to blurt out, "Elementary my dear Watson!" I would try and snap a pic but for our safety "all electronic devices must be switched to the off position." Pansies. If my cockamamie cell phone camera is going to interfere with air traffic and take down a 737 then the FAA has serious shit for brains. Hold that thought. I have to pee.

Why is it the one time you get up to pee in an airplane turbulence hits as you hover??? I had to wet nap my boots. I'm going to get back to my knitting now. I use wooden needles in case anyone was wondering.

Only 30 minutes left!!! LAND HO!!!! What does that mean? Crap. I forgot I need to drive the rental car. Time to suck a penny!

Candid shots

Tom took Chum out on the deck for some fresh air.


He didn't know I was snapping photos, but Chum sure did.

the animals

Are soooo happy Tom is home. (and so am I.)

Wrigley could not stop staring, pawing and licking Tom's face. I wonder if he thinks that he'll never return when he leaves the house.


I finally got Wrigs to turn away and look into the camera.


But that didn't last long...


It's nice to be together as a family if only for one night. I'm leaving in a couple hours and I haven't even started packing. I'm waiting on Tom's suitcase which didn't make his flight to Seattle last night. The airline is supposed to deliver it sometime this morning. Yeah right. I guess I better get my arse in gear and figure out plan B. I'm really excited to go home but I'm also sad to leave my 3 favorite creatures.

Wrigs and the sausage ball

Happy Holidays!

*Update:
Chumley is getting into the spirit as well. He's trying to help me wrap presents. This is for my friend Rebecca who witnessed Chumley's psychotic behavior towards Scotch tape. He's always been obsessed with it. I guess I'm just used to it but it is pretty funny to watch.


(Excuse the typo in the youtube title. I meant to type Chumley's tape obsession. That's a result of multi-tasking.)

We're getting into the spirit over here!

My mom & I look like this:


My car looks like this:


Wrigs looks like this:



And Chumley...
Well, he's pretty much the same.

Tom went to Milan

for ONE day.

He comes home tonight, then I leave tomorrow.

The past 2 months have been so completely chaotic and we've kept no semblance of a schedule or routine whatsoever. I'm hoping things will start to settle after the holidays. That reminds me I need to get my Christmas cards done by tomorrow morning. CREPE!

Would you like some crap?

My mom and I ate at this adorable little French Cafe in the neighborhood that specializes in crepes. Our server had a very thick (Italian??) accent and everytime she said the word "crepe" it sounded exactly like "crap". My mom was asking some questions about what kind of crepes they had and our server would say, "Our lunch crap is made with buckwheat flour so the crap is brown. We have veggie crap, cheese crap, meat crap or you can choose what you like and make your own crap. I held it together through this entire exchange but I had to keep telling myself to lock it in. All I could picture was a steaming pile of shit sitting atop a shiny white porcelain plate.

Finally after finishing our lunch craps the server comes to our table and politely asks, "Anyone save room for a sweet crap?"

And that is when I lost it.

I hope one day my level of maturity will surpass the age of 8.

It's about damn time.

Just curious...do you believe in KARMA now, OJ?

Enjoy your golden years in the clink.

p.s. I hope you have an extra large tub o' KY jelly.

Dog walking etiquette (for humans)

I know it's early but if you're going to get up and walk your dog first thing in the morning AND you happen to be a person who initiates conversation at close range, is it too much to ask that you brush your teeth before you leave the house? Your fellow hygiene conscious tooth brushing neighbor would appreciate it. If not then one may be forced to perform a face block maneuver with a poo bag.

too much nog?

I mentioned that Tom's been in NY all week so last night he calls me, (extremely late for a work night, or even a weekend night for that matter) and it appeared he may have consumed a mug or two of some silly egg nog. He asked what I was doing and I told him that I was uploading photos from earlier in the day at Karen's. Then he asks, "Am I in them??"

Sometimes I wonder about the man.

Family + Friendship + Fun =

A perfect day.

All rolled into one.

Me, my Mom and Karen.

I am truly blessed with the gift of Karen's friendship and I'm so grateful my mom was able to be a part of what feels like, "my Seattle family".

For the first time in a long time, it felt like home.

And that feels good.

Karen doesn't know it yet but I'm plotting to cat nap Latte and spray paint Chumley in his place. I'm sure they'd never know the difference. There's something very calming and peaceful about her home that may actually have a positive effect on Chum. I know it does for me. I am thankful for a beautiful day spent with two very special ladies in my life. Looking forward to many more!

PSA on falling down

Even though it wasn't raining on my morning walk with Wrigs, the ground was still very wet and slick. Some of the sidewalks are moss covered and even with treaded shoes, it's still VERY slippery. Wrigs saw a squirrel (aka "the enemy" as Wrigs likes to call them) and tried to bolt off the sidewalk to chase. He couldn't get leverage and ended up falling face first in mud. It was one of the funniest things I've ever seen. He's totally fine of course, but both his front legs splayed out to the sides and then quickly tucked into his chest, all in one swift move as he nose dived into the mud. I am laughing about it again now as I type because it was just so damn funny.

Wrigs wasn't the only one who humiliated himself this morning. While walking downhill, I slipped but caught myself before hitting the ground but when I threw my hands out to stop my fall I launched Wrig's poo bag in a backward toss and it came within centimeters of hitting me in the face! A neighbor (thank GOD, not the one we threw poo at) saw me do this as he was leaving for work and I'm sure it looked as though I was purposely trying to smack myself in the face with the steaming bag of shit.

I'm very lucky I didn't fall because I could have easily suffered a broken limb or worse. For those of you living in a slippery, slimey climate, just be careful walking, running, jogging, etc. This is the time of year people are rushing to get everything done and maybe don't take those extra precautions when running from place to place. But if you're going to fall I hope you do so carefully and with grace. And without a bag of poo in your hand.

me likey

this song.

By the way, I may need to start a "Sisterism" category because tonight while chatting with my sister she called Face Book, "My Space Book."

Happy Birthday Sweet Charlotte!

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Even though your my cousin,
You still smell like poo!

I LOVE YOU CHAR!

then:


now:
Come and visit me soon or you will never get another birthday poem again!!! And that is a promise!

I miss you soooo much. Thanksgiving is not the same without you guys.

(sniff sniff)

6 more days

And I will be home.

This is a shot of our old neighborhood. Our house was just a couple blocks from the water. It was breathtaking in the winter time - snow dusting in the mountains, but 70+ degrees and sunny down below. I am horribly home sick and afraid I may not be able to get back on that plane for my return. I want to enjoy the short time I will have there but there's already a knot in my stomach when I think about having to say goodbye, again.

Day by day.

Wrigley's Animal Adventures

We took Wrigs to the Dog Park the other day, which is unlike any other dog park we've ever seen. It's like doggy Disney Land on Crack. KBL, I wish that Achilles and Milo lived close so they could come to this park. They would absolutely LOVE it! And so would my friend Deb's dog, Bentley, aka Bento Bean!

Here's Wrigs greeting some fellow furry friends:



Walking to doggy beach, meeting a pup along the way:



Time to clean off everyone's muddy paws:

And here are some more of his pals:

(I don't know their actual names but I'm going to make them up based on how they look)

"Dwight" and "Mushroom"

"Sigmund"

"Chauncey"

"Mr. Bojangles"

Check out Chauncey the warden, keeping everyone in check at the dog wash station.

Stay tuned for the next installment of Wrigley's Animal Adventures:

Love at first sight, Wrigs meets his dream girl.

It could happen...

My mom's favorite show is Cash Cab. Tom is in NYC for the week, my mom's staying here with me and she says out of the blue:

"I hope Tom gets into a Cash Cab while in New York."

I told Tom this when he called and he said:

"Out of everything I wish for in the world that is the absolute last thing I would want."

Then she tells me that she hopes he's in there with at least 2 other people to really increase his odds of winning.

I'll keep you posted...

Two Brazilian Men

(joke my sister sent me)

A Blonde is watching the news with her husband when the newscaster says:

"Two Brazilian men die in a skydiving accident."

The blonde starts crying to her husband, sobbing "That is so horrible!! So many men dying that way!"

Confused, he says, "Yes dear, it is sad, but they were skydiving, and there is always that risk involved."

After a few minutes, the blonde, still sobbing, says, "How many is a Brazilian?"