For the love of dog.......

I need to vent. But I will start out telling you about my love for MY dog, little Neiko. This may be the only way I will convince some of 'yall that I DO love dogs. Certain dogs. (kidding....I think). Anyway, I love my little neikie. He is such a good little boy. He has his moments, but he truly HATES to get in trouble, so if he ever get's punished for something, he makes a note of it, and doesn't do it again. He has been having a hard time in the snow and the cold. He hates going outside in the cold. I can't blame him, he is so small that just the chill alone probably takes his body temp down 40 points in like, two minutes. And his short little legs don't help him out AT ALL in the deep snow. We have been shoveling out a small area behind our house so he can go back there and do his "business", so that we can't see yucky old marks in the snow in front of our house. I HATE seeing yellow snow anywhere, but we make it a point not to let Neiko go in front of the house, so we don't have to see it, and no one else does either. So, on that note, here is my gripe.

My neighbor got a room-mate. He seems nice enough, but here is the problem. He has a bigger dog, something like a lab. Right when he moved in our neighbor told him that dogs are not allowed to run wild up here. Most people up here have electric fences. He obviously didn't hear it, or he just chose not to. So, as I pull up in my drive-way I get greeted by a dog. Not MY dog, because he is in the house keeping warm, but the "room-mates" dog. It follows me up my driveway and greets me while I get out of my car in my garage. I am not a fan of this. I actually despise this. Now, don't think I'm going over the top here, but I don't want another persons dog to come greet me in MY garage as I pull up. I don't even want MY dog to do this. This dog also likes to do his business in our front yard. Now that there is snow in our yard, it is a bit more obvious. I went out to get the paper today and I literally got nauseous as I looked at this HUGE yellow mark in the snow beside my driveway. I know for a fact it was NOT my dog, because the spot was actually 2 times bigger than he is. What a wonderful way to greet guests as they come to our house. NOT. This makes me sick. So, you are probably wondering if we have done anything about our "problem". Well, Joe mentioned to our neighbor that her roommates dog likes to frequent our property, and that we didn't like it. So, about an hour later, there was a knock on our door, and when Joe opened it, the roommate was there. Here is a condensed version of the conversation they had.

Roommate: I was told that my dog has been on your property. I just want to assure you that my dog is a nice dog.

Joe: OK.

Roommate: I am sure once you get to know my dog you will realize he is harmless, and he is a good dog.

Joe: OK. But that is not our complaint. I am sure your dog is a good dog, but we would appreciate it if you would not let it run on our property.

Roommate: How about we all get together for about an hour and a half, and we can all train my dog. He is not aware that you guys don't like dogs, so when you get home, he just likes to come over and say hi. If we all trained the dog, he would realize that you don't like him, and this problem will be solved.

Joe: We are NOT going to meet with you and train your dog. We don't have time, and we don't feel like it. All we want is for you to keep your dog off our property.

Roommate: Well, I am really busy and I can't keep my dog off your property. This is why I moved to the country. I don't have time to watch my dog, and since you are also a busy man, I am sure you will understand that.

Joe: No, I don't understand. I am also busy. But when my dog goes outside I go with it. He does what he needs to do, then he comes inside with me.

Roommate: Well, that is just crazy. You can't expect me to stay outside with my dog. But again, let's get together, it will only take an hour and a half, and all of this will be solved.

Joe: Maybe you didn't hear me. Just keep your dog off my property. We are NOT interested in training your dog. Just keep him off my property.

Roommate: Sir, you are just being unreasonable. There is no other way to solve this problem. Once you all realize my dog is nice, you won't mind if he is on your property....

This conversation went on for 30 minutes, it got a bit more heated, and I think it ended by Joe slamming the door in his face. Anyway, the dog still frequents our property. And I really don't think the roommate knows what 'unreasonable' means, but Joe is really close to showing him.

Any tips about how to solve this problem kindly??? We are up for suggestions. Oh, and don't even begin to say by training it, because it's not gonna happen!

Snow fall....

Here is how it looked off my deck yesterday.....


Here it is today. And it's still falling. I think we got about 18 inches last night......

2 favorite things about today....

The fresh falling snow.......

My decorated Christmas tree........

Fun in Seattle......

We drove to Seattle for a long weekend to attend our third and final Christmas party for Joe's work. Thank gosh we are done with those. Not that they weren't fun, but I am tuckered out!!!! My mom and Danielle tagged along for the ride, and for the hotel, and pool, and shopping, and sight seeing!!!!
We went to the Space needle, we explored the Pacific Science Center, we went to the mall, and we shopped at local downtown stores. A fun time was had by all........

This one is my mom and Danielle at the top of the Space Needle....


This one is also at the science center, in the "Butterfly Room". There were hundreds of butterflies, and they actually land on you. It's really cool.

This one is Danielle at the science center. She didn't shrink, she is in a big table set.... :-)

My 10 year old.

What? Did I say TEN??? Oh my gosh, how time flies. It is really scary to me when I think about how fast these last ten years have gone by. If the next eight go by half this fast I will be in bad shape. Let's just hope that when the day comes for miss D to go out on her own, I better have some really strong medication on the bed-stand. Or I know I am really going to be in-for-it.
So, in these awesome last ten years I have learned so much from my little one. I have learned that I could always use more patience, that I shouldn't sweat the small stuff, that Joe and I are succeeding in our roles as parents, that we have been blessed with a kind, well-rounded, sharp, caring, humble, funny, bright, sweet and respectful little girl. And we could have never asked for more. She is truly the light of our lives, and we look at her with such pride and admiration that it is truly amazing. Our hard work and dedication is paying off, and we are seeing the results right in front of our eyes. But we can't begin to take all of the credit for it, because SHE has chosen to be the outstanding young lady that she is. Thank you Danielle, for giving your daddy and I such a great gift. YOU.
We love you!!!

Mmmmmm, Turkey!!!

I woke up in a cold sweat this morning, after dreaming that it was Thanksgiving TODAY, and I didn't have the turkey thawed out, and I wondered what the hell I was going to do because it had to be in the oven in a few hours. Yikes. I was in a panic. I had no clue how I was going to bake a frozen turkey, and I thought my wonderful day was ruined. BUT........thank goodness it was just a dream. So, I am going to do a top seven of what I am thankful for this Thanksgiving, and #1 is that I still have one more day left to thaw my yummy turkey. Here is the rest...

#2 I thank my lucky stars every single day that Danielle has weathered this transition well. Moving to a new house is always tough, especially when she lived in our other home for her whole life. How does a new home compare to an old, familiar, comforting, and favorite old one? We have come to realize that it doesn't, but is a "good" different, as she will always love her "other" home, but she has transitioned perfectly. Much better than we would have ever imagined. Who knew that Danielle was stronger than her mother? Believe me, she is.

#3 I am SOOOOO greatful that I have a wonderful husband that goes to work every single day just to make our lives better. It is actually really humbling to think about how much he does for us every single day. Thank you so much honey, I love you!!!

#4 I thankful for the wonderful view I see every time I look out our windows. Joe made my dreams come true when he bought us this house, and I truly think we will never move again. This is where we want to be.

#5 We are so blessed this year with good health. For the most part, our whole family has been very healthy this year. No major illnesses to speak of. What a wonderful gift!!

#6 I am greatful for our family. Though I wish some of us could get together more often, we truly are lucky to live in an area where most of us live no more than an hour apart, and we can see each other pretty regularly. I really do wish for more of a close-ness with certain members of our family, and hopefully we can all turn a new leaf as the new year approaches, but for the most part we are on the right track.

#7 I thank God every day that we are lucky enough to be living in a warm home, driving reliable cars and eating food that is plentiful. As the economy is falling, we are more aware of the number of families that don't have these "luxuries". This year we will continue our tradition of giving to local charities in need.

Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, I hope you will be with your family tomorrow, and after dinner you will be miserably full. Like me.

Construction.....

I am sitting here on my computer, listening to the sweet sounds of the contractor tearing a wall out downstairs. Normally, I would be annoyed by the loud bang's and pound's, but it is music to my ears. It's just one step closer to a finished first level. Yeah!!!! So, I need to get on the phone with the carpet guys, so they can come measure and get us on their schedule. The wall should be removed and ready to go by late this week. Hooray!!! The picture I posted has a line in the middle of the room on the floor, and that is where the wall used to be. They need to put up a beam and a post as it is a bearing wall....but the room already looks HUGE, compared to two little rooms seperated by a wall.

Veterans Day.....

Yesterday was veterans day, and it is a tradition at Danielle's school to have an assembly to honor those who have served our great country. My mom and I got ready and drove to the school to attend this service. Little did I know that the songs the children sang,..(Proud to be an American, My country ti's of thee..etc), and the slide show followed by music would bring us to tears. I think alot of it was that there were veterans standing all around us and there were children who attend school there that actually have parents that are currently serving our country in Iraq. As we speak! It just really brought it home for me. For US, I should say. Anyway, it was an awesome assembly, the kids worked really hard to make it special, and they succeeded! Thanks for the hard work guys!!! And thanks to all the men and women who have served and are currently serving our country!!

Back to Normal......

Oh it feels good to be home. Nothing is better than sitting in my living room, watching the news and drinking coffee I brewed MYSELF. Oh, the "perks" of being home.....(no pun intended....lol)

We did have a great time in Vegas. It was awesome while it lasted, but we are sick of living like "high-rollers". Landing in Spokane yesterday afternoon never felt so good. I couldn't wait till I got some true "home-cookin'". We spent 5 days eating at many high priced restaurants in Vegas.........Emeril Lagasse's restaurant, a super spendy steak-house, a 5 star restaurant at the top of the Stratosphere that actually spins around while you eat...(not fast, thank god). But let me tell you, I really prefer my OWN cooking. I know, that sounds terrible, and especially since I do NOT claim to be a good cook......but I just like regular stuff. I mean, in these restaurants you can't get anything "normal". I mean, who wants to go to a restaurant to eat pheasant, venison, rabbit, and who knows what else. ( half the time I couldn't even understand the menu....).

It was a great experience though. I loved rolling up to a spendy place in a limo. It made me feel like a star for a day. Oh, and the suite we stayed in......beautiful view, in a five star resort. Loved it. Except for the fact that they don't have coffee pots in the rooms. I realized it's because they want you to go downstairs and pay $7.00 for a cup of freshly brewed stuff. But I swear I am drinking my own freshly brewed coffee this morning in my own house for like 10 cents a cup. I can't tell the difference????

So, we went to the Cirque show called "O". It was awesome. Truly awesome. Most of the show was set in the water, as the stage miraculously comes and goes, and a huge pool of water appears where the stage was for the majority of the show. I can't explain how great it was. So much fun.

One night we went to a comedy/variety show with Wayne Brady. (you know, the guy on "whose line is it anyway".....It was awesome too. We were in the front row, and we got to participate in the show a bit. Joe's boss performed the role of Randy in American Idol, I was Paula (and I don't know if I was quite drunk enough to play her very well....lol..), and Joe got to be good old Simon. It was so much fun. And in the end we got to go back stage and get our pictures taken with him, and we all got autographs. I made sure to get one for Danielle, and he happily wrote a comment for her....."Danielle......Where were you? Take care sweetie, Wayne Brady". It was sweet, and she was super happy to get it.

So, enough about our Vegas trip.......I haven't been able to post about the election. I must say that last Tuesday night I broke down in tears when Obama was declared the President elect. It really just hit me that only years ago, African Americans were not even ABLE to vote, and now Obama will be our next president. It was just really emotional for me. I hope this can do wonders for race relations in our country, and I hope we can mend our broken foreign relations in other countries also. So, I wasn't just jubilant that he was voted into office, it really was bitter sweet to me. Very emotional. Joe was looking at me like..."why the hell are you crying??". :-)

Anyway, I better go and check my email, my space and face book sites, and get back into the swing of "regular" life. Have a great week everyone!!!!! Oh, and here are some pics.......
Here is one pic of our suite...

Here is a pic of me and Wayne. (we are tight.....let me tell ya...lol Oh, and is he smaller than I thought, or am I just bigger than I thought?? )

This is the view from our suite...

This is a pic from the strip....

This is our hotel.....

Happy Carving.....

Here is the pumpkin that danielle made tonight. Isn't it cute??? We found the example on google and we thought it was cute. There is the haunted house with the moon in the background. And we added the ghosts. It looks super cute outside and lit up, let me tell ya!!! Now we are cookin' the pumpkin seeds for Joe. Happy Early Halloween everyone!!!!!

MOVING......by Danielle

Danielle wrote a story at school. When she brought it home, I looked at the title and got this sick feeling in my stomach, but when I read it, I was a bit relieved. Here it is.....


MOVING......by Danielle

When I moved I felt sad and worried. I felt sad because I might not see some of my friends again. I was worried because I might not make alot of friends at my new school. I had alot of friends at my old school. Last year I went to Mullan Trail Elementary in Post Falls. In first grade I had Mrs. James. In second grade I had Mrs. Holt. In third grade I had Mrs. Teston. Now I have Mrs. Storlie. Our music teacher was Mrs. Clark, our librarian was Mrs. Owens, our music teacher was Mrs. Clark, our PE teacher was Mr. Hirsch and our principal was Mrs. Surrat.

I used to live in Prairie Falls Golf Course. Now I live in Hauser Lake Heights. There weren't very many kids in my old neighborhood. Now there's more kids in my new neighborhood. There wasn't very many things to do, but you could see if someone could come over. You could go for a walk, play in your back yard and that's about all. Now you can go for a walk, you could see if someone could come over, explore the woods, make a fort or you can go swimming at the lake.

I still miss my old house and my old school. But I still like my new school, and new house.

I guess I need to get out a bit more.......

I was volunteering at Danielle's school yesterday, and besides reading with the kids, I had to go make copies for Mrs. Storlie. So, I have used a copy machine before, lots, but when she told me what to do with the copies, I was a bit confused. So, I went down to the office and thought I could probably act like I knew what I was doing and continue on. But I kept looking at the note Mrs. Storlie gave me and I just didn't understand. It said......."copy page 27, 28, 29, and 30 back to back and stapled". Ok, I know how to copy back to back but what the heck is she talking about with "stapled". I mean, there were 90 copies times 2 sheets which was 180 pages stapled together.....this could take me awhile. I could be here WAY after school gets out. So, I showed the office lady the note, and I asked her what it meant, and she walks over to the copier, and she presses a button that says staple, and then she chooses where the staple should be located and she said..."You are set". OK. So I fed 4 sheets of paper in the copy machine, and wouldn't you know it, they came out as 2 pages, front and back, and stapled on the left hand side. Done.
I'm still trying to figure out how a person fits inside the copy machine and staples all the pages together.......

A great bible verse......

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

—Luke 21:1-4

Sharing some fall pics from my front porch......

Should I be nervous???

Danielle, my mom and I went to a new church in Rathdrum. One a bit closer to home than the one we went to on occasion in Post Falls. We had a great experience, and we signed up for the Chili Feed they are having this Saturday, so it should be fun.
Well, Pastor Bloom called yesterday and talked to Joe while I was gone. Joe told him that I should be home this morning, so he could call and talk to me then.

So, the phone rang this morning, and it was Pastor Bloom. We got to talking for awhile, and then he asked me if it would be alright for him to stop by on Saturday. Sure, I replied. So we set up a time, and wrapped up the call.

Here's the thing.....I feel kinda nervous about this. I really have no idea why, but some of it may be that I have never had a Pastor over to MY house. I mean, when I was little, and we NEVER missed church on Sunday, and my mom was SUPER involved with our church, we had the occasional visit from the Pastor. But since I have been out of my parents house and into my own, I have not had the pleasure of an official visit. So, it got me thinking. Since this is a new house to us, we don't have a ton of things on the walls. In my old house, I had crosses, Thomas Kinkade prints with bible verses on them, etc. Well, I think that stuff must still be hiding out in a box somewhere, because I can't find it. So, I am feeling like I need to either find it, or have Danielle color some pretty crosses so we can tack them up all over the walls or something. Yikes. I mean, I do realize that he isn't going to judge us by what is or isn't on the walls, but it just makes me feel a bit nervous. I mean, should I lay my bible out on the table so it looks like I read it EVERY evening? Even though I don't get around to it quite that often......(forgive me, Jesus). I don't know why I am feeling a bit insecure about it right now. I will probably just give in and explain my insecurities to him, and I know he will understand. But I think I would feel better about this if I new what to expect from the visit.

So, if any of you have experience with this, fill me in. Because it seems to be that when the Pastor used to show up at my childhood home, it was always because there had been a death, or sickness, or something going on with our family that we needed his guidance with. Maybe I just don't realize we need guidance now??? Anyway, I am sure I will get over these feelings....I hope. Wish me luck!!

Enough about politics........

Let's start talking about the REAL controversy!!! You know, the issues that REALLY matter!! And if you are wondering what these issues are I will fill you in. THE MYSTERY OF THE SHRINKING HALLOWEEN CANDY. Has anyone else noticed that the size of the "fun size" candy isn't even fun anymore? It is NOT even CLOSE to fun. Every single year the Halloween candy gets smaller and smaller. Do they think we don't notice?? The Reese's peanut butter cups are shrinking. They are thinner and not as wide. How dare they?? Here is the best example I have seen this year......you know the "smartees" that used to come in a see-through roll with like 15 candies total?? Well, this year they have re-packaged them. How Smart......They are now in a small paper wrapper and that looks like a Sweet Tart wrapper. (you know, the sweet tarts have like 3 in a wrapper..) So, the Smartees went from like 15 candies in a roll to their new package with 3 total candies. What a rip-off. This is just ridiculous. I guess in a way if you look at the good side, we won't be consuming as much candy as we previously did....because there is LESS candy per package. But I don't really feel like having the candy companies put me on a diet that I haven't signed up for. Because I just feel like I am getting ripped off here. So, this year, I vow to eat MORE packages of candy just to make up for it. I'll show them!!!

We've been BOO'd

I love this neighborhood. Danielle and I were so surprised on Saturday when we opened the front door and a suspicious package was sitting on the door mat. What is it? We wondered. Upon closer examination we realized it was some sort of Halloween package. It included Halloween stickers, glow sticks, candy, a colorful spooky cup, cool creepy straws, a spider that "grows" in water, a hand towel with cute candy corn on it, a red skeleton that lights up, and a letter. We read the letter and realized that the package was from someone in our neighborhood. It turns out, this is kind-of like a "chain letter", but better....
Someone in the neighborhood starts this by purchasing 2 "goodie bags". Then they attach a letter that explains the process to the bags and then place them on thier fellow neighbor's doorsteps without being seen. The neighbor that receives the "bag" then tapes a print out of a pumpkin on their door (so that everyone knows they have already received one) and makes 2 more goodie bags and places them on 2 other neighbors doors without being seen. Sound fun?? Well IT IS. Anyway, Danielle and I got a huge kick out of this, and every time we look at this "goodie bag" we smile. So, thanks to whoever it was that placed it on our door....we have already carried on the tradition by putting together two more bags and we will try to place them on some doorsteps without being caught.......hopefully. I put a picture of the goodie bag we received. Isn't it cute??

Six things......(thanks lyns...)

1. I am a real optimist. A pathetic one at times. I just truly believe everything will always work out. Joe sometimes thinks it is ridiculous, and often times he wants to strangle me. But I really think I NEED to feel this way just to make it through the hard times.

2. I LOVE living in the sticks. It just brings me closer to "peace". It is kind-of hard for me to explain, but when I am sitting up here on the top of this mountain, in front of my cozy fireplace, snowed in for days, I will be extremely HAPPY.

3. I never want to hear the word "fundamentals" again. Ever.

4. I should be a vegetarian. Just the thought of eating meat sometimes repulses me. But I LOVE the taste. I can't HELP but want to eat it. Although, my mom will be the first to tell ya, I used to have her come over early on Thanksgiving morning, and stuff and butter our turkey, put it in the bag and shove it in the oven before I caught a glimpse of it, so I would be able to eat it that afternoon. I just couldn't eat it if I saw that it looked like a bird without feathers. Unless I was extremely hungry, that is. :-)

5. I love to laugh. Some of you really might not know it....because it takes ALOT to make me laugh. I have never been a silly kind of person, and sometimes I am WAY too serious. Even as I drink I don't get silly. I LOVE good comedy shows, but I am very particular with them. Only certain people can make me truly laugh. And I have NEVER laughed until I cried. But I WANT to. I think I need to just let loose. The only place I know for sure I could crack up laughing is sitting in church on a Sunday. I have no idea why, but it used to drive my mom absolutely CRAZY. We'd be up in the front ready to take communion, and I couldn't stop laughing. Nearly spit out the wine. I think it was nerves. Please God, forgive me, for I have DEFINITELY sinned. :-/

6. I give the "homeless" guys on the street corner money. Even though Joe tells me not to. He believes they aren't "homeless". And I agree, some really aren't. We learned that when one of Danielle's friends informed us that her grandfather dressed up in "dirty" clothes and went and stood on the street corner to get a little extra cash. (her parents would DIE if they knew she said that...) So, I understand where Joe is coming from. BUT, if I have change with me, and I see one of those guys on the street corner....it's gone. Sorry honey.

Who Knew????

I can actually sew!!! Yes, I can.....(I think I can, I think I can...) :-)
Yesterday I bought a beginner sewing machine at Walley World. My moms machine is like 40 years old, and it quit on her a couple of months ago. So anyway, back in High School we all had to sew something to pass Home-ec. I HATED sewing. For some reason, every time I thought I was really starting to do well, I would get this huge knot of thread behind the needle and it was so hard to fix it. I absolutely hated it, but somehow I passed the class. And somehow, I actually sewed a pair of sweat pants. Hooray!!!


So, my mom let me borrow this wicker chair she has had forever, and it has cushions that were some flowery spring print. The spring print just HAD to go. It wouldn't even have come close to fitting in with my rustic theme. So, I got to work. I went and bought some awesome rustic fabric, I took the spring yucky fabric off, and I just pinned it as closely as I could. My mom helped me with threading the sewing machine, because I have absolutely no patience, then I started. I was sewing awyay like I had never sewed before, and then it was done. DONE. It wasn't even that bad. Anyway, I slipped my new covers on, and I was done. Here is the finished product. And I am also giving you a close up of the rustic fabric I bought. I am so proud of myself!! Time to start my next project.....a rustic quilt. Now that is gonna take awhile.....

I couldn't have said it better than this guy.....

There was this comment on the CDA press website this morning, about a letter to the editor. (not mine). This particular letter to the editor was one I see quite often, someone complaining about how much tax the top 1% of income earners have to pay, and how unfair it is, and yaddi yadda..... Anyway, I think this gentlemans comment about that letter was just genious. So I have to post it, and I know all of you may not agree, which is totally fine, it is just something that I couldn't have posted as well as he did......hopefully he doesn't mind my "stealing".

Here goes...

"Yes, the very rich pay more in taxes, in terms of raw dollar amount. But it affects them far, far less than those who do not make as much money.

Why? Because prices are fixed and do not operate as a percentage of income or net worth. A gallon of gas is going to cost you around $3.50, whether you have ninety-four squillion dollars and the gas is going into your 80-foot yacht, or whether you have thirty-two dollars to your name and the gas is going into your '87 Accord to get you to your $9/hr job.

It's a matter of what is left over after you pay those taxes. The rich are still going to have plenty left to live on, quite comfortably --- exactly because things cost the same for them as they do for the very poor. The poor are hit so much harder, proportionally, even if the percentage tax rate is exactly the same --- again, exactly because things cost the same for them as they do for the very rich.

So truly, the only fair way of going about it is to ask the rich --- who will still live very nicely indeed, thanks --- to bear a bit more of the shared burden, percentage-wise. The other alternative, I guess, would be to make prices correspond to percentages of income: if you make minimum wage, a gallon of milk costs .0033% of your monthly income, or $3.80; if you make $300K a year, a gallon of milk costs .0033% of your monthly income, or $82.50/gallon.

Which would you prefer?
posted by -Mahein"

Anyway, I thought it was really interesting. Now, don't get all freaked out....I don't really think the people who make 300K a year should pay $82.50 for a gallon of milk. But the whole idea really makes sense to me. He got me thinking, and I liked it.