Big Plans

We are heading for the Rockies tomorrow. The Canadian Rockies, eh.

Yes, we're finally going on that much-needed vacation, and the only downside (other than the cost) is having to get up at 3:30am in order to make the early morning flight. We're looking forward to a week of scenic hikes, paddles, and drives within the four national parks that line the continental divide up in that neck of the woods: Banff, Yoho, Kootenay, and Jasper. Plus... hot springs!

Mom will be coming over to cat sit for the week, and she is bringing all of her little dogs. She reads this blog and the comments, so wish them all luck! Not sure who will have the hardest week -- the dogs, the cats, or Mom. Hopefully the house will survive and no one gets hurt.

Three More Days

The countdown is in full throttle. Scrambling to get everything ready, tied up, finished up, caught up, cleaned up, packed up, and good to go. Something big is in the works!

The "explaining later" part...

Things have been pretty crazy at work. Short-staffing for much of the time (a maternity leave, plus some meetings and vacations), and an increase in the usual patient load by about 25% have made for a tough time getting everything done. I have been working long hours and getting a lot of tension headaches. I REALLY need a vacation (which is coming very soon, thank goodness).

On Friday, when I was in the midst of handling a crisis, I got an email from my boss. Unfortunately, I opened it immediately. It was distracting. The good news is that I still have a job. The bad news is that they are splitting my work assignment between two locations. NOT ideal. I've dealt with this situation before. Don't really care for it. I tried my best to talk them out of it, and who knows -- maybe they will change their minds. It isn't scheduled to happen for another two weeks.

But if it does happen, then I have no choice but to go along with it, and give them my best effort. As always, there are positives and negatives about this new situation. All I can do is try to accentuate the positives and deal with the negatives. One thing is certain - things always change. Don't get too comfortable.

Oh wow, it's Friday again.

My life is upside down (I'll explain later), so here are some lolcats. And it's a physics theme!


see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Pick a tree!

A fun feline pastime. Here, Zima will demonstrate.

Comfort Carbs

After a bad day (or three) at work, a couple of beers and a big plate of pasta can do amazing things for your mood. The downside is that if things don't change at work I am gonna need a new (larger) wardrobe.

I never get tired of watching this...

Yes, it is still summer. But football season is just around the corner. And I never get tired of watching Roddy run.

44

Today is PDM's birthday. I managed to surprise him with a new bicycle -- something he said he had actually been thinking about recently, even though he never mentioned it to me. I put the owner's manual in the package for him to open. It would have been nearly impossible to hide a bike, so we'll pick it up later today.

But now... mimosas! And sausage balls. (Yes, true to form, I have already made several crude "ball" jokes. I just can't help myself. They are so easy.)

Moxy

Catching Up - Bathroom Renovation

It was 95% done and completely functional by last Thanksgiving (thanks, Tim!), but we didn't put on the finishing touches until our party last Friday. So without further delay, I present: The Downstairs Bathroom Project - Before, During, and After.



Our friend Tim completely dismantled and rebuilt our lower bathroom last fall. Goodbye old fixtures, cracked tiles, rusty pipes, ugly crusty dirt and grime, and torn up door. Hello marble tile, custom built shower stall, low-flow toilet, built-in shelves, wainscoting, and pedestal sink. Much nicer!

Time Enough At Last

Not just my favorite Twilight Zone episode, but also a good description of how I feel now that I don't have to spend every spare moment studying, working, or sleeping. For example, this evening I got home from work at a respectable hour. Changed into jeans and a t-shirt. Poured a glass of Malbec and took it out to the screened-in porch. Read a new magazine, cover to cover.

Ahhh, time enough at last.

Crate Training

...not just for dogs anymore.

Lets just say that we finally figured out how to have some peace and quiet in the wee hours of the morning.