One year with "Stinky the Mom-biter!"

He has many names: Lightning, Stinky, Koala, Walla Bear, Wally, Ouch (as in "Ouch, stop biting me!"), and many others. Last Tuesday, we celebrated one year with our “new” little guy! Guess that means that he is no longer new :) We celebrated this weekend by taking him to see Dr. Getty for his checkup/shots. He was thrilled (ok, not really, but he WAS pretty nice and affectionate when we got him back home afterwards. 3 shots must have worn him down). He got to hiss at a little dog, too. He apparently doesn't like to be stared at by curious dogs while in his carrier in a strange place- who knew? He did really well, and though Dr. G said he’s overweight, he is otherwise healthy. Yay!! We’ll take it.

Here is a pic of the anniversary guy doing what he does best..coming up with new and clever ways to get into trouble. This one involved heights and chips. At least there was no bread destroyed this time. We've learned to keep that in the fridge!



We also had a busy weekend. After a trip to the vet, we attended a funeral on Saturday for the father of a friend of Dan’s since childhood (and a friend of mine since I met Dan). Later, we met Dan’s parents at Kenny’s (the old Fireside) for dinner. I’m pretty sure they gave me enough food there for 2-3 people. It was good tho! We then went home and took it easy, watching tv until bedtime. Our friend Doug’s b-day was Saturday, so when we texted him, he informed us that he was partying in the Dominican Republic. How cool!

Sunday, mom made chili and we watched the games. We’re looking forward to watching the Superbowl next weekend and predict Peyton and the Colts to bring another one home. I also did lots of laundry, but I am still not caught up. I did a ton of homework (reading), too. My professer felt the need to assign way too much reading this week. Next week- same thing, but add two papers and presentation in there as well. Sigh!

In other news:

* The bedroom is painted, waiting on new carpet and re-installation of trim. New tv is up!!

* Have purchased hardwood, which is piled up in boxes in the weight room, waiting to be installed in the hallway when time/schedules allow (things seem like they’re always pretty hectic around here).

* Trying to negotiate a trip to see the Florida fam!

* Tired of snow! It all melted last weekend, (it has been foggy for over a week from it), the ground got all mushy, then guess what? More snow Monday afternoon- yuck! It’s also freezing cold with a lot of wind to make it worse. I’m hoping to one day see that big, burning ball of fire in the sky. If I remember correctly, it’s called the sun.

Ciao!

This past weekend

We had a busy weekend!

On Friday night, we went to the Flyleaf/Breaking Benjamin/Three Days Grace Concert in Peoria. We had a great time. The bands were awesome (esp. 3DG). I’m glad we didn’t get floor seats! There were shoes and bottles and all kinds of other stuff being thrown. I guess it means I’m old, but that would have gotten on my nerves really fast had I been the one getting hit with that stuff. I also think it was “Be 14 and get a free beer night” or something. Lots of severely-underage drinking going on there. It was the same way when we saw Kenny Chesney at the Coliseum last September. No one hosted “Free Beer for 14 year olds” night when I was 14. :) We did have a really good time, and it was great to get to hang out with Dan's brother Dean for awhile!

On Saturday, we (meaning Dan) embarked on the much awaited task of painting our bedroom. It has been light blue since we bought the house many years ago, so we decided it is time to make it our own. I’m not allowed to paint in the house (that’s another post, apparently ADD and painting do not work well together ;). We are painting it the same gray color we have in the living room. We moved lots of stuff out (even got rid of some stuff!!) and taped off the trim that he didn’t remove.

On Sunday, we watched Dallas lose and the other games. (On a tangent, I hope to enjoy the Saints stomping Brett Far-va-ray and the Vikings next week! Brett - you're going to be lookin' like a fool with YOUR pants on the ground - haha! )We went to Chris' for B&G breakfast and had a cuss-fest while watching the game (ok, that was mostly me, but whatever!! Tony Romo WAS playing worse than a girl!!) I have figured it out. I think my Throwback Troy Aikman jersey is bad luck. I wore my Witten jersey last week and they won with style. Aikman jersey this week, and they choked! Then we went home and Dan painted more.

Yesterday, lunch at Kemp’s, then more paint touch-ups. I finally took the Christmas decs up into the garage attic. They've been down for a few weeks now, but I just hadn't taken them upstairs. I love Christmas, but it’s a relief to have them off the counter for another three hundred and something days.

Have a good week!!

My b-day!!!

My b-day was awesome! Lots of calls, texts, emails, and b-day wishes from friends and fam far and near- I love it. Thank you :) We went to Chili’s for lunch, then Mom took us to Outback for dinner. Mom made a chocolate cake and we got cookie dough ice cream (it was diet, I grabbed the wrong container at the store, but it still tasted good!). Tim & Nadyne sent me the funniest card ever! Dan and I got new phones, so my immediate plan for the next 6 months is to learn how to use it :) My technological skills are really lacking, so it may be interesting.

Happy 2010!!

Hope everyone had a happy new year’s eve/day and continues to have a good year! On NY Eve, we went to dinner, then hung out at home. It’s too cold to do much. I only made it through one glass of champagne, instead of my regular bottle, then I was really tired. Sad. :) Age is creeping up on me-lol! Dan worked on mom’s car heater, now she has some much-needed heat for the extra-cold weather we’ve been having.

Resolutions.. the usual. I want to make 2010 a good year! I want to lose 50 pounds (or more!) by the end of the year, complete some more classes and take a work-related test I have been putting off for the last three years due to my fear and mathematical ineptitude. I also want to stay in touch with fam & friends, so maybe I will be better at it this year. We'll see what happens.

Anyone have any good/unusual resolutions?

Christmas & Cruddy Weather!!

I was going to log in on Christmas morning and talk about how grateful I was that we didn’t get any snow and about how I can live without a white Christmas some years. I’m glad I didn’t. For about 2-3 days before Christmas, we had a steady, heavy rain. Things were starting to flood, but it did make for some good parking spaces and last minute bargains at the mall since very few people were out in it. About halfway through the B-fam Christmas party in Heyworth, everyone started talking about how hard it was snowing. The rain turned to snow and it was a mess. We got a few inches of snow and eventually it stopped. It started again a few days later. Then stopped again. We are supposed to get a “winter storm” tomorrow. Great! They are shutting the heat off in my building at work for a few days, so that should make for some chilly times!

Florida fam- we are jealous of you right now ;) Soaking up all the sun ;)

We have been in a nasty deep freeze for several days. It started a few days after Christmas and will continue through at least the end of this week. Yuck! It literally feels like it “bites” your skin when you walk outside without gloves or a hat or coat on. I took the trash & recycle out last night (just outside the door to the bins) and it was COLD!!! It makes me feel bad for Lightning and what he went through when his horrible former-owner left him outside overnight in a mesh carrier in -30 degree temperatures. I’m really not sure how he survived it, but I’m sure he suffered a lot. At least now, our little beast has a warm home and can look outside from the warmth of inside the house.