What's Your Name?

I have quite a few animals I'm babysitting around here. Betty was kind enough to "color-code" them before she left. Seriously, she put different color collars on everyone and left a list. After a week, I've finally got it figured out who is who and learning a little about their personalities.

 Flirty Susannah who wants so much to be loved but is shy. She runs up, licks my leg then runs away. But she's quite the cutie the way she dances and flirts with that tail. Reminds me of a Geisha dancing with a fan.

 Brandi and Omar

 Suki and Gus

Naughty and rambunctious Mikey.



 Chesney

 Sampson living the hard life.

 Petie, aka The Flea or Flea-Bag. He's 4.5 months old and is the size of a 10 week old kitten. There's a few others that I don't have pictures of yet. Like poor Mannie who I called Sherman for days and didn't understand why he wouldn't respond. And sweet little Juno who never leaves my side and chin-spins for my entertainment. Plus Angel, Rosie, My Boy and Chumley.

There's also a beautiful blue-eyed Ragdoll cat here too. For the life of me I can't remember his name!

"Ragdoll Kitty" will just have to do.

Living the Single Life...

...and hating every minute of it. No worries, A and I are still happily together but just living apart for a while.

It's been a crazy busy week! It started over a week ago when A and I were out having dinner and I received a phone call from one of the women we work with in rescue. Betty has been the cornerstone of our rescue/adoption effort in the Twin Cities and now she was the one asking for help. She told me she was entering rehab in 5 days. She shows dogs and has 4 chin of her own plus a litter of 4 puppies in addition to the dogs she's fostering. Another foster volunteer and I were scrambling to try to figure out what we were going to do with all these dogs and how we were going to get them moved in just a few days. Aghhhh!!

I was not relishing the idea of trying to move 4-5 more dogs in my house and everyone else seemed just as overwhelmed. There was even some conversation about us only concerning ourselves with our foster dogs and Betty was just going to have to worry about her own. Needless to say, that pissed me off and so I talked to A and made an offer. I had no longer hit the "send" button on that email and I felt the ball of anxiety forming in my stomach...30+ days living in the Twin Cities; away from A and my own crew, living on my own for the first time in 10 years.

At first Betty thought I was crazy. But I convinced her I could handle the increased commute and she finally agreed. She checked herself in Wednesday and handed over her home and pets to me. Her daughter is taking care of the personal things. The first few days were hectic, the dogs/house felt overwhelming but I'm slowly adjusting. Yeah right, who am I kidding. I miss A and my crew terribly.

Yesterday I went home for the day. We had friends coming for lunch, I did laundry and cuddled with the dogs and cats. After our company left, A and I layed down to nap. It was the most relaxing and comforting sleep I've had in days. When I had to leave, I cried. You would swear I'm leaving for another country for months instead of just 75 miles for a week. It didn't help that later A sent a picture to me of Cassie waiting by the door for me to return. Now that breaks my heart.

Otherwise I've just been keeping myself busy getting this house in order. I actually had to go grocery shopping and cook for myself. Let me tell you, it's over-rated! Next weekend A will come up and we will hang out in the pool (yes, bonus we have a (real) pool here) and I will have to go home for a few hours at some point to see my own babies.

I'm slowly getting around to every one's blogs and catching up on my email. Happy Monday!

This Life is All Just an Adventure (And A Long Post)

I woke up this morning to thunder and lightening and hail. For one brief moment I thought I should get up and check things out...but then I rolled over and my muscles groaned and I decided I wasn't going anywhere. I looked at the kitty sleeping on my pillow and moaned, "Can't I have just one more day at home?" A few hours later I got my wish; work called to tell me my schedule had fallen apart. Yeah, I get to stay home.

My weekend started at 5pm Friday on a gloomy note. I left work and as I turned toward home I could see a huge storm cloud in the distance. All I could think was great, finally a beautiful day stuck indoors and just as I get to go home, here comes the rain again. Fuck!!
Luckily is was just a quick moving rain cloud and I just missed the sun-shower as I drove up to a lake just 5 miles from my house. Instead I was treated with a view of this beautiful rainbow.

At home A had the same idea and took a picture from our backyard. 

It ended up being a lovely evening and we spent it at home.

Saturday I woke early to a beautiful sunny day. It was a little cool, only in the 50s but perfect weather for  walking/running. It was especially nice for me who had not been out training for over 2+ weeks because of the cold rain/snow.  We actually made it out the door and to the 5K early (because I'm usually running late) and we got to see the 1/2 marathon runners start. 

Before the 5K, the 5 of us posed for one last photo just in case someone dropped over beside the road.  I have to admit that some of us (mainly me) were kind of lazy 5Kers. We walked up hills and jogged down. We just wanted to finish before time was up. I did get a little stressed at one point. We came around a corner and the Boy Scouts were set up handing out water. Someone asked how far to the finish and I swore she said we were 1 mile in. At this point I'm starting to panic, "OMG A, did she say we've only went a mile! That can't be right! We still have 2 miles! I can't go another 2 miles!!" Picture that I'm panting and wanting to die. A just tried to reassure me that only a mile left, "Just keep thinking Blood Mary, Bloody Mary".  I told her I don't like Bloody Marys that damn much! 

All my life I've heard of the mythical "Runners High". What a fucking joke! Afterward I had that damn lactic acid burn in my legs and the girls told me that was supposed to be a great feeling. I told them that feeling is only great if induced by wild, mind-blowing sex. Otherwise, it's a waste!

The girl who had my camera didn't know how to turn it on, so she didn't get a picture of us crossing the finish line. But we finished in 39:22. The first of our group finished in 32:04 and everyone else fell in between. The average finish for the whole 5K was 41:26 so we were all better than average. Bonus, no cramp in my side!

Afterward, Bloody Mary, beer chaser and a huge-ass breakfast that calorie content surpassed what I had just burnt off. I will admit, that after my belly was full, I agreed to do it again next year. I'm a glutton for punishment.

We came home and spent some time outside with the dogs. Last year at our rescue auction I won a dog agility set and wanted to try out the tunnel; some sniffed it, others just avoided it. A thought it would be a good idea to climb in and maybe entice the dogs inside.

Okay, now they're interested.

 Jill even went inside for a minute.

But then she got stuck and the dogs scattered. Notice, I take pictures but don't rush to help her. I wonder what my neighbors think. Even after all this, we had to go grocery shopping plus I had extra stops to make. By the time we came home that night, I could barely walk. Every muscle in the lower 1/2 of my body was screaming and I was asking myself why the hell do I do these things without properly preparing.

Mother's Day went off without a hitch. A and I both invited our mothers out to brunch at a nearby restaurant. It's on the river and they have great outdoor spaces and a lot of feeders and nesting areas to attract birds and other wildlife. It was busy and they didn't accept reservations but the awesome breakfast was worth the wait. 

After the moms went home, A got to work installing a new stereo system in the RV. Sounds simple until you realize the RV is 24 years old and so is the old radio. We knew we needed to install new speakers but when we pulled the old radio out, well things were just wired differently back then. The radios didn't need as much power and there were only 5 wires. A new stereo has more like 15-20 wires and needs additional power from wires that don't exist. This endeavor required removing part of the dash, a Dremel to cut a larger opening and sacrificing the cigarette lighter for extra power. All in all, it worked out well and A gets an A+ for effort on that project.

What Would You Do?

If you woke up on a beautiful Saturday morning to find this in your yard.

A pair of men's army green boxer briefs with a distinctive shit stain in the rear.

That's right baby, return to sender.

I can't wait for summer. *sigh*

It's pretty bad when a root canal is the best part of your day.

Beware, I've got some bad karma going. I woke up this morning with a migraine. You just know the state of mind you're going to be in for the day when you wake up with a headache like that. I immediately grabbed 2 Excedrin and a cup of coffee. I wanted to stay home but that wasn't an option today. Instead I spent most of the day squinting at the light.

It was -9 degrees this morning so I started my car to let it warm up before heading out to work. I looked up to see the check engine light on. I sighed with annoyance...I just went through this in August when my catalytic converter went bad and the light came on. My car was running fine...the light wasn't doing the scary blinking so I'm just blamed it on some sensor/cold weather glitch. I can hope, right?

I left for work and as I turned onto one of the back country roads, I heard the small ting of a rock hitting my windshield then a whoosh....a 2.5 foot crack across my windshield. At this point I've only been awake a total of one hour. It was truly tempting to turn around, return home and call-in dead to work.

And yes, the root canal I had later that morning was the best part of my day. I just got to lay back for over an hour, close my eyes and relax. I've been trying to convince myself for weeks I didn't need it but my boss told me today it was time. He was right as usual and tonight I'm happy to be able to eat, drink and breathe without making faces and twitching.

Now I'm going to put this day to bed and I'm hoping for a better one tomorrow. It has to get better...afterall they're predicting a 30 degree heat wave tomorrow. Pull out the bikini!

Tuesday Night Ramblings and Monkey Love

I can't believe it's Tuesday night...where did the weekend go?...and I totally missed Monday. Maybe it's for the best. Nothing fun usually happens Monday anyway.

It was a nice weekend; warm and sunny and it actually hit 90 degrees. The last week has been un-seasonably warm but I'm not complaining; just soaking up all the warm sunshine I can. Last year we already had 1/2 inch of snow at this time. A and I spent a lot of time outside getting the yard, house and RV ready for winter. This included loading up the piece of shit truck for trips to the landfill and compost pile. I'm always amazed when that beast of truck manages to make one more trip.

The fall colors peaked this weekend and the bluffs along the Minnesota river were incredible. Last year the trees didn't get to change. It froze and snowed and the green leaves just fell off the trees. Unfortunately I didn't get pictures this year and I could kick myself. Saturday it was perfect but we were rushing around I told A that I planned to take a Sunday drive and get some pictures.  Sunday came and it was overcast and hazy. In the river valley someone was burning something big and the smoke stretched for miles adding to the already hazy conditions. See it isn't even close to decent.

What's that old saying, "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today." A and I were on our way to a different location when she received a phone call that she was needed to work night-shift. That meant we had to turn around and come home so she could take a nap. I REALLY FUCKING HATE on-call weekend. As I drove to work Monday afternoon, I noticed the trees have crossed over into the brown and bare stage. The window is closed; I missed my opportunity. Better luck next year.

I probably missed most of Monday since I was still recovering from my Saturday night out with the girls. A graciously offered to be my driver. In my hurry to get out the door (late as usual) I forgot to grab my camera so there is no evidence of the too many drinks, shots and extreme ass-shaking I participated in that night. I so seldom drink that much or cut loose and Sunday morning I woke up feeling the pain in my head and body. The kind of pain where even the soles of your feet hurt. Dancing is aerobic exercise so I think it would be more fitting to wear a pair of Nike running shoes rather than heels or sandals. I'll consider that next time.

As I've been writing all this I've been watching my little foster dog, Nifty, and her "special friend". Several weeks ago she formed a special friendship with one of the sock monkey dog beds and every night they have their special time together; it's dinner, potty, playtime and then monkey love.

I felt kind of perverse taking these pictures but she was really into her monkey tonight. She must have finally satisfied herself and now she's lying on her back on the sofa snoring away. I'm sure she's just over-excited from playtime but it's times like these I'm really glad I don't have kids in the house to explain things to. :) When she gets adopted I'll have to send the monkey with her. I can't be responsible for breaking up the happy couple.

Dum-da-dum-dum-Dumb!

Our oven is not working properly. I discovered this a few weeks ago when I tried to bake a cake at 11pm. No big deal, I figured; put it in at 11pm and 30-40 minutes later I'll pull it out and go to bed. No that's not how it works-1.5 hours later it's finally baked (and burned on the top) and I'm up WAY past my bedtime. A just grumbled that we will take care of it when we come home from vacation and rolled over in bed.

Earlier this week I finally scheduled and appointment for repair. It's one of those appointments where they come either between 8am-12pm or 12pm-4pm. Yeah, real convenient for the customer. I took half the day off, ran around all morning doing a full day's work in 4 hours and rushed home (speeding excessively). I pull in the driveway and sigh with relief that the repairman has not arrived. Then I'm running to take care of dogs, straighten the house, finish a few dishes, sweep the kitchen floor...just OCD stuff.

1pm-no repairman and no call
2pm-no repairman and no call
2:30pm-no repairman and no call

Now I'm starting to get inpatient (I really hate this waiting thing) and decide I'm going to check my confirmation email. Well shit! I scheduled the appointment for NEXT Friday the 15th!!!

*Big Sigh* Well I guess if I was going to take a day off I couldn't have asked for a better one. It's 85 degrees, the sun is shining, the fall color is peaking and I now have the rest of this afternoon to enjoy.
Have a great weekend all!

Now I'm Really Frustrated

Over two weeks and my sweetie and I have not been able to "connect". She's been working long hours, I was away, add the additional stress and exhaustion...we just haven't been in sync. Today I was able to sneak out of work early so I hurried home for a little action. Basically I attacked her when I came through the door.

We were having a fabulous time and both reaching the point of orgasm when I feel a muscle cramp starting in my left leg. Damn it, I'll just work through it; I'm not stopping now. I shifted just a bit hoping the change in position will help and a full blown "charlie horse" hit right in the back of my thigh.  I was screaming and writhing and A thought she was doing something right, even though she admitted later that it didn't sound like my "normal" screaming. I was finally able to yell leg cramp as I rolled out of bed and nearly fell on the floor. She's sitting there shocked and dazed; telling me to walk it out.

I'm thinking what a mood-killer but maybe we can pick up where we left off. No, as soon as I got back in bed it started cramping again and A was trying to rub my leg and laughing at me as I apologized for ruining her orgasm. Finally she looks at me laughing and tells me she doesn't think she can get the groove back. I have to agree since the dogs are now barking and my leg feels like it could spasm at anytime. So now I'm sexually frustrated as well as having a sore leg. I need to start yoga and maybe next time warm-up stretching would be a good idea. Can we incorporate that into foreplay?

Update and More Straight People Weirdness

Around here things have greatly improved...along with my state of mind. Thank you all for your kind words, thoughts and prayers. It means more to me than I can express.

I'm happy to report that dad has greatly improved. Just a little over a week after having a stroke and given 2-3 days to live, he has now been transferred into the rehabilitation center and is improving daily. I talked to him on the phone this weekend and although his speech is still slurred, we can still carry on a decent conversation. He's bitching about the hospital food and staff so he's definitely on the mend. My brother and I moved his stuff out of his apartment Saturday in record time. My brother brought his son, step-son and a friend. Man those young guys sure can move! I didn't lift one heavy box or piece of furniture and we were finished in 3 hours.

A missed me like crazy while I was away (and the feeling was mutual) so she's been extra sweet and following me around with "google" eyes. This weekend I finally asked her why she was looking at me so goofy. She asked if I would rather have her leering at me. Well not really but then she laughed and said when she looks at me with those goofy eyes, she's looking at the woman she loves. When she looks at me with that leering look (which only happened one time when I was wearing a naughty Ms. Santa outfit) she looking at me like the naughty girl she wants me to be. UGH!!! She knows saying something like that could make me jump from a moving car and loves to get me embarrassed.

I wanted share another experience had while visiting my dad. I have been in some contact mostly via text with the old school friend who contacted me this spring. For the most part, the conversation is all about her (nothing new about that) but she knew I was in town and insisted we meet for dinner and drinks before I left to return home. Monday night I finally agreed. We had not seen each other in over 12 years but the night went okay and mostly I just sat there sipping my drink and listening to her babble on about her new boyfriend, not yet ex-husband and kids. I loved the fact her mom came to see me too since I practically lived at their home when I was a kid and she was like my second mom.

After her mom left, she started telling me how her new boyfriend wants to bring another man or woman into their bed. She's interested but nervous and he wants her to be the one to go out and find another woman to bring in. Earlier she had sent him a picture of the two of us and then he sends a message back asking if I wanted to "join them". Seriously, is there something tattooed on my forehead that says "hey, ask me and I'll do anything"! I politely declined and told them that I'm in a committed, monogamous relationship and have no desire to change that. I was too tired to say much more but when I returned home and shared the story with  A and other friends, I can't help but find myself more and more annoyed. Is this really what people think? Do they really believe we are all bed-hoppers, up for anyone, anyway, anyhow?

Someone is playing basketball...

December 2004
Just after Christmas A and I flew to Miami and drove down to the Keys. We rented a condo about 20 miles north of Key West. We had stayed there before; a gated senior citizen community with a security guard at the gate and another patrolling on a golf cart. The seniors got together every evening for an activity like bingo, line dancing or karaoke; white haired grandmas in metallic gold crooning to Patsy Cline and suave grandpas in bermuda shorts, socks and sandals swaying with their lady to Hank Williams. Several days a week at 6am, they cruised around on the golf cart with a megaphone inviting everyone to join the pancake breakfast; only $2, all you could eat. Quiet time at 10pm was strictly enforced as well as pool and hot tub time. See what a wild partying couple we are. We actually didn't care-we were only at the condo to sleep. We spent the most of our time on the beach or Duval Street.

New Year's Eve we spent in Key West and what a wild party that was. Duval Street was so packed we could hardly move through the crowd and we welcomed 2005 with the dropping of the drag queen and a big kiss.

I'm sure the party continued all night but after making out in the car for awhile, we wanted to get back to our condo for our own New Years celebration and hitting the beach early in the morning is always a priority.  Somewhere around 3am I was just drifting off into that hazy dreamy sleep. I could hear a pounding-like the sound of a basketball being dribbled in a gymnasium; that resonating echo.

A nudges me; "Hey, do you hear that?"
I'm bothered by her and mutter; "What?! That's just someone playing basketball." I pull the covers over my head.
A throws the covers back and sits up in bed; "That's not someone playing basketball. That's fucking! I know what fucking sounds like and that's fucking!"

I think we were both up in a flash and to the window, opening it and peering out trying to figure out where the noise is coming from. It sounded like it could have been in the same room with us. By now I had realized beyond a doubt it was indeed fucking and VERY loud fucking at that. A points at the house behind us; "It can't possibly be them. I didn't think that old man had it in him." (The morning before we had watched him tooling around with his walker when the medical supply truck had come to deliver his oxygen tanks.)
I'm pointing next door; "No, no it's over there."

By this time the banging is increasing, the woman is screaming and he is grunting with everything he has. The sound echos through the entire area and I was sure the bed was going to come out through the side of the building. A yells out the window; "Give it to her!!" I doubt they could have heard us with all the ruckus they were making. The banging, screaming and grunting crescendos to the finale and then there was silence. A calls out the window; "Good job buddy! I couldn't have done it better myself!" Then slammed the window shut and crawled back into bed. The next morning we were up early to try to catch a glimpse of the lovebirds but they had already left. I didn't hear or see anything, but I kind of wonder if the grandpa on the golf cart with the megaphone threw them out for violating the 10pm quiet time. We've always wondered.

Wedding Propositions and Roadtrip Adventures

Last weekend was our wildest party of the summer...so far. Our friends were married in Jamaica in January and just had their hometown reception. The party was at the groom's brother's house on the family farm. They had a huge tent, kick ass DJ, 7 kegs of beer, a whole lot of liquor plus A and I brought a cooler. In fact we drove the winnebago so we would have a place to crash. We can't go anywhere without causing a stir and that night was no exception when A and I were seated at one of the reserved family tables with the grandmother, mother and step-father of the bride (our best couple friend). The bride's aunts were in the general seating and they were pissed about it. When we tried to decline, saying we shouldn't sit here since we're not family, it was said clearly and bluntly that the bride had chosen us to sit there, we are their family and if anyone says otherwise, they can fuck off. I guess we've been adopted. When A caught the aunts bitching and pointing at us, she smiled smugly and gave them a little wave over her shoulder. God, I love that woman!!

Now A and I have been together openly for over 10 years and you would think that most of these small town idiots would have their gossiping over by now but we sure had tongues wagging that night just because we slow danced together; no grinding, no making out on the dance floor, just a simple slow dance like every hetero couple there. Heads were turning, people were pointing and I think pictures were actually taken...OMG we brought a little of the real world into their small town! Not that long ago things like that would have bothered us but now we both revel in seeing the reactions, making eye contact with the staring gossipers and watching them drop their gaze when they've been busted.

Otherwise we danced and drank most of the night all while avoiding a married couple who spent all evening stalking us. Several years ago, one of the groom's brothers (not the host of the party) and his wife propositioned us to come home with them after bar closing. More like the wife backed A up against the bathroom wall while the husband leered at me across the table muttering sexual comments and insisting we come over to "hot-tub" and have "some fun". Ewwwwww! If I were so inclined, it would definitely not be these two. As soon as we arrived at the reception, they zeroed in on us. A got felt up by the wife outside the tent when she tried to go to the bathroom and the husband sat at the edge of the dance floor leering and every time I walked anywhere near him, he would try to slap or kick at me like a 12 year old boy. Really?! Later another brother-in-laws came over and asked if A and I were in a relationship with each other. When I confirmed, he then asked if we could kiss so he could take a picture. I declined telling him we were not there for a show and I'm sure he has seen women kiss before. He wouldn't let up and finally I just grabbed A and laid a big passionate kiss on her while he stood there with his mouth gaping (I made sure he didn't have his camera ready). Then I leaned over and told him, "Now shut the fuck up and leave us alone!".

There was a special guest...Dirty Harry ended up in the flower arrangement still covered in sand.

And he joined us on the dance floor too. He was passed around and then mysteriously disappeared. I'm afraid of where he may show up next.

In the morning we drove home in our PJs, finished packing the RV and loaded up the crew. We headed down into Iowa, excitment capitol of the U.S. Just flatness and cornfields but then again I can't be too hard on them considering they actually legalized same-sex marrage. A wanted to go visit the town where she spent so many of her childhood summers. We had a great campsite on the river with ducks and geese hanging around, visited her uncle and cousins, cruised town on our bikes, had fires and hung out together. Just quiet times and reconnecting.

Our home away from home.

Tim and Orv took their turns driving.

In Iowa they have a restaurant called the "Freakin' Chickin'". We stopped to get this picture for Ms. Moon although I must say that Elvis is a much better looking rooster.

And interesting gas stations.

About an hour into our drive home we had a blow-out of one of the rear tires. Actually, a cable broke and sheared off about a 3 foot section of tread along with our exhaust pipes. Thankfully the tire stayed inflated and at 65 mph, A managed to keep control and get us stopped safely. If it would have truly blown out we could have been in a really bad situation. We limped off at the next exit and pulled under the over-pass; the only shade on this 90 degree day. While A called AAA, I unloaded the crew since it was too hot in the RV. I have to say that I'm proud of the way A and I work together; neither one of us freak out-we just go into problem solving mode.

Once we had everything under control, A and I started to realize just how bad things could have been. While we were waiting for the tow truck, she just said, "Babe, when I went to get my phone, this cigarette rolled out. It's a sign, I'm supposed to have it." So she did and for once I didn't object. If I had ever smoked I would have joined her.

Once the tire was off, we could see the extent of the damage.

The tow truck driver changed our tire and then informed us that our spare was not going to get us home. At least there was a tire and auto repair only a 1/2 mile away. We limped over and pulled in. The guy comes out, looks at our old tire and tells us he doesn't have that tire in stock. By now I must admit I'm not feeling so calm anymore. It's 90 degrees, we are 3 hours from home and I have 6 temperature sensitve dogs. So I ask what are our options? He goes into the storeroom and after a very long time comes out with a tire. He just looked at us and said, "You gals are just plain lucky today!" He tells us its a rare and unusual size and he's even shocked he had one. I have to admit that despite the nearly $200 that tire cost us, I'm feeling damn lucky too.

"Is that another gnat bite or did you grow a third nipple."

Yes dear readers, that is a direct quote from my sweetie and guest blogger A. Those are the words she whispered to me last night when we were getting "cozy" here at home. Of course we started laughing so hard the mood was lost.

I made the mistake of spending yesterday afternoon out in the yard without bug repellant. Com'on, it was May 1st and windy. Why would I need to slather myself with bug spray?  Because I'm one of the unfortunate people that mosquitos and gnats find irresistable. I can be sitting with a group of people and no one will be bit except me. And then I can't just have the normal bite welt. Of course not, it has to mutate into some huge, swollen bump that I can barely resisit scratching. A and her nursing ways comes to the rescue and she's been slathering me with prescription steroid cream all day. There welts on the back of my neck, arms, legs and can you believe I was bit on my stomach, chest and even under one arm. How the hell does a gnat bite you under the arm?!! Guess I'm back to poisoning myself with DEET for the summer.