Pop's B-Day

July 2010

Getting Ready to Go to the RanchWe stayed down at the lodge, where the pups could "jump in" right outside the door

We also took the Rhamey Christmas Card Picture

Tahoe in the Summer

August 2010

Hiking on the Mountain

Visiting Rodel@ Emerald Bay after Kayaking

Four Wives Club Fondue Party

July 2010

Sun Flower

Puppies' Peephole

Sunday Night, 11Pm

Scuffle Scuffle
Woof! Woooooof! WOOOOF!
Scuffle Scuffle
THUD!!!
Wooosh . . . thud!
[flash of white across the yard]
"Haaaaank!!!"

P's B-day was a week ago . . . I made him a Reece's Pieces Cake:
We went to his 2 favorite places for lunch and dinner - Zinburger and El Charro!

And, to the Titan Missile Museum. It is the only accessible Titan II missile site left in the nation. You can tour the underground missile site, visit the launch control center, and see the 3-ton blast doors, the 8-foot thick silo walls, and the missile in the launch duct.

Yes, that does sound right up Patrick's alley . . .

I forgot to take my camera, but this is what the missile looks like. That is a view looking down about 8 stories. It is . . . large.
Since I forgot to take my camera, I missed getting a picture of P in his blue hard hat (everyone over 5'10 had to wear one - plus this kid, apparently), but P looked oddly reminiscent of the kid in this picture . . . it's kinda freakin' me out the more I look at it, actually.
Overall, the Titan Missile Museum was a success.

Why?

Because P enjoyed it, AND because P and the tour guide (he'd really manned the control center during the Cold War) did NOT get into a fist fight over the value of atomic weapons. It would have been embarrassing to have to tell people your husband got beat up by a 70 year old tour guide.

It's Coming . . .

It's been pretty HOT here during the day;

BUT, the MONSOON is coming . . .
This is what the sky has looked like in the afternoons for a few days - the first CLOUDS in a LONG time. Yesterday, there were a few sprinkles you could feel but not see (so nothing substantial). There was also a little bit of thunder, and I think the pups forgot what it was because they started freaking out. Dagny just discretely hid under the bed, but Hank became SPASTIC and tried to jump up on the bed (to get to his Mama, of course). It took three attempts because he kept misjudging . . . something . . . and sliding off the side. He's a little awkward- in case I haven't already said it.

We've never gotten to experience a full Monsoon Season - BUT, from what I can tell, I am looking forward to: Cool afternoons and evenings AND the flowers blooming again (since, as you can tell from the picture, everything beautiful has wilted or died over the past month). However, I am not looking forward to it getting HUMID because I'm pretty sure our beloved SWAMP cooler (yes, normally we really do love it) won't be able to keep up.

June Flowers

My newest bouquet is so pretty!

BUT, it is the last one . . . sad!

Hank Update

To end the suspense, Hank is fine . . . of course.

By the evening, Hank finally let me look at his foot, and we saw he had a big cut on the pad, but we couldn't get a really good look because of the hair. So, I said clean it out and give it a couple days . . . Patrick only gave it 24 hours (total) before taking him to the vet (God bless our future pediatrician).

In the car on the way to the vet, Hank decided he was NOW well enough to stand on it . . . Awesome, Hank. Luckily, he limped once we got OUT of the car as to not embarrass us.

Oh wait, once we checked in, Hank needed to be weighed on the scale out in the lobby - easy, right? He hopped up and then started PEEING on the scale (he was aiming for the potted plant in the corner . . . he missed . . . because peeing on a potted plant would be okay?)

So much for NOT embarrassing us. THEN we went back and saw the vet. The vet agreed that Hank was acting like it hurt a lot for just a little cut, so he examined the foot, leg, knee joint, etc., and he said it all seemed okay. His conclusion: "Well, it is basically a blister. It seems that Hank is probably just . . . what's the word? . . . EXAGGERATING."

NOOOOOO, not MY dog.

Hurt Puppy

Hank has another foot boo-boo!

Hank a bad habit of, every now and then, darting in front of you while on a run. He did it to P yesterday, and P accidentally stomped on his foot/leg. He tried to carry Mr. Puppy home, but he was too heavy and just had to limp back. By the evening, Hank was doing fine, running and playing, but this morning when he woke up, he was limping again. And all day, he has been limping around the house, continuously licking his invisible boo-boo. Obviously we are putting off taking him to vet because all they are gonna do is charge a small fortune for an x-ray, but if he doesn't get better soon, we may have to! Poor Mr. Puppy!

Here is Mr. Puppy "icing" his leg with a bag of frozen peas and carrots.
He only put up with this for about 20 minutes!

Tucson Guide's "101 Things to Do" - #1

I found this magazine article a few months back - Tucson Guide's "101 Things to Do" - While some of the things on it are not all that appealing ("tee it up"), I figure we should check out as many of the original Tucson activities as we can while we have time . . .

First up:
2. Sweet Treats
Indulge at local patisseries that whip up decadent desserts in dozens of fanciful flavors. Red Velvet Cupcakery (Main Gate Square, 943 E. University Blvd., Ste. 165, 520-829-7780) makes mouths water with their signature "Southern Belle" red velvet cupcakes and espresso-infused cakes with coffee buttercream. At CupCakes (Crossroads Festival, 4811 E. Grant Rd. #127, 520-795-1112), sample seasonally inspired cupcakes, such as pumpkin spice, or purchase one made with whole wheat for a 4-legged friend. At Mini's (La Encantada, 2905 E. Skyline Dr., 520-299-2605) original creations include coconut-rum confections as well as pineapple upside-down cupcakes topped with cherries."
We went to the Red Velvet Cupcakery (near campus). I got there at closing time, so the cupcakes were half price - but still yummy and SO MUCH better than Sprinkles Cupcakes. The one on the left is the Peanut Butter Cup, and the one of the right is the classic, Red Velvet.

Patching a Blanket

So there was an "incident" with a bottle of super glue . . . I really didn't care about how it looked since I could easily hide it, but it was hard, kinda scratchy, and not coming out . . .
Once I cut the first hole (and made the patch from some scraps), I realized there was another smaller glue spot right next to it. So two holes . . .
All fixed . . . it wasn't suppose to be perfect (because I knew it never would be), so I made it kinda messy:

May Flowers

So my May flowers arrived while we were gone, but one of P’s school friends was able to come over and put them in some water so that they wouldn’t die before we got home. It was great to come in from the LONG drive and have a bouquet of beautiful flowers on the kitchen counter!
Then, the next day, my neighbor asked me if someone had come over to check on things when we were gone. I said yes, and he was relieved. He had almost CALLED THE COPS when he saw a guy come through the fence, find our key, and go into the house. He said the “princess” decal on the license plate and the fact that they wiped their feet on the mat made him think they were probably okay. Then, he watched the house for about 20 minutes, and when the person didn’t come out with anything, he figured it was okay! He did take down the license number though, just in case! - It is good to know he’s watching out for us!

To Birminghan and Back

We took a little road trip last week to attend the H's wedding in Birmingham. P drove out East with the pups and most of the luggage, and I actually flew a day later because I still had finals to take. I was a little worried that I might get strip searched at the airport - I was traveling alone on a one way ticket with a bag full of nothing but cosmetics, hair styling appliances, shoes, bras, and my computer. But, I didn't. Phew!

Tucson:
Before the trio left, the puppies got a bath with our outdoor shower:Birmingham -
The groom took us to lunch at a Birmingham classic; this was the sign on the door:
Rehearsal Dinner at The Club - great view!
Best good friend K and her hubby were kind enough to host us for the weekend at their ridiculously cute house. Our roommates were pretty cute too:
Dallas:
In Dallas, we finally gave in and went to Sprinkles Cupcakes with mom. I've gotta say, as a whole, no one was very impressed. I really think I like Duncan Hines better! The puppies (and Alejandra), however, LOVED their puppy cupcake (of course they also LOVE toilet water). We only got them ONE because that little thing right there cost $2.50!
Austin:
We had lunch with Chef C at the Oasis, which I had never been to! I had crawfish enchiladas, and they were awesome! This shot is of hippie hollow beach (aka the naked beach). I was VERY disappointed that no one was out! I LOVE AUSTIN!
The Ranch:
We swung by the ranch for a few days before heading back out West. All the flowers were blooming, and it was so pretty! It was overcast for most of the time, but we got to spend a lot of time with Gigi, who was preparing for a visit from her 29th great-grandchild(!), as well as an American Idol obsessed Lala and a very energetic Pops! We also took a short canoe trip WITH Dagny and Hank in the boat. They didn't tip us over, but it was touch and go!