She's gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Spasto dog returned to her rightful owners this evening-- leaving the Homestead a peaceful, quiet, beautiful place of happiness. I have dog sat a lot of dogs in my life, but I can honestly say this is one I hope to never see again. I hope her owners will do some work with her- do some actual training so everyone can live in peace- but in the meantime, I'm loving my peace here. So beautiful!
And now on to that list...
Peaches are canned.
Tomatoes are in the canner now.
Cukes haven't been dealt with.
Peppers are overflowing.
Laundry is drying.
Car needs packing.
Sunglasses must be found.
Countdown to The Great Escape 2010 Roadtrip... 16 hours, 43 minutes...
Monday, August 30, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Friday night fun
I love the weekends, absolutely love them!! Last night we had a game night / canning peaches night with some friends and family. In the middle of peach mayhem in the kitchen, Mrs M came by with a birthday gift and joined in the fun for a bit. And then my dad showed up to return my camera and also visited for a bit. Somewhere right in that moment-- with sticky peachiness covering every surface in the kitchen, dogs underfoot, friends and family in the kitchen-- it occurred to me (again) just how blessed I am.
Lately I think a lot about what I want to be doing with my life-- especially job-wise. Where am I supposed to be? What am I supposed to be doing? Should I start job hunting out of state? I've never really wanted to leave before, but having a fulfilling job sounds better and better... and I do have family and friends scattered throughout the country. Maybe I should be looking more seriously at job hunting near them. And at the same time, some of my new responsibilties in my current job are good, giving me plenty to think about and keeping me ridiculously busy, maybe I am where I'm supposed to be. I just don't know... things feel generally unsettled lately. I know God has a plan, I just wish He'd tell me what it is sometimes.
But a Friday night at home, in the kitchen, canning fruit, and spending time with a bunch of people that I love, that feels really right, no matter what else is going on in my life.
(And Spasto dog leaves in only two more days...)
Lately I think a lot about what I want to be doing with my life-- especially job-wise. Where am I supposed to be? What am I supposed to be doing? Should I start job hunting out of state? I've never really wanted to leave before, but having a fulfilling job sounds better and better... and I do have family and friends scattered throughout the country. Maybe I should be looking more seriously at job hunting near them. And at the same time, some of my new responsibilties in my current job are good, giving me plenty to think about and keeping me ridiculously busy, maybe I am where I'm supposed to be. I just don't know... things feel generally unsettled lately. I know God has a plan, I just wish He'd tell me what it is sometimes.
But a Friday night at home, in the kitchen, canning fruit, and spending time with a bunch of people that I love, that feels really right, no matter what else is going on in my life.
(And Spasto dog leaves in only two more days...)
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Counting down
2 workdays to survive before the weekend (including today)
5 days left with Spasto dog
5 days till Jenny Pink starts her new job! Yay!
6 days till Leslie, Katie and I roadtrip west... visiting lots of friends on the way there and back and visiting my sister and her fam in their new digs
5 days left with Spasto dog
5 days till Jenny Pink starts her new job! Yay!
6 days till Leslie, Katie and I roadtrip west... visiting lots of friends on the way there and back and visiting my sister and her fam in their new digs
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
The demon in our house
There she is...
This is our visiting Spasto dog. She would be a sweet enough dog, but she is completely untrained. and she barks incessantly. and she is driving us INSANE. Insane, I tell you. We try to wear her out-- minutes later, she's getting into something, or barking for more attention, or chewing the corner of the rug. Ahhhhh.
And then eventually, when she stops barking because she's so exhausted she can't stay awake, she does this:
which is completely against the rules here in the Nichols Homestead, where dogs are dogs and remain on the floor. But at some point I just can't fight anymore. And if she is quiet, I can't bring myself to move her and make her start barking again. (As I write this, she is crated in the basement because the barking was on my last nerve).
The one funny thing she does is when you spray the hose she goes nuts, trying to eat (while choking on) the jet stream, and dancing in the water. Cute. And then she shakes all over you repeatedly, not so cute.
The countdown is on. Spasto-dog leaves on Monday, August 30th. That's 6 days... only 6 more days...
This is our visiting Spasto dog. She would be a sweet enough dog, but she is completely untrained. and she barks incessantly. and she is driving us INSANE. Insane, I tell you. We try to wear her out-- minutes later, she's getting into something, or barking for more attention, or chewing the corner of the rug. Ahhhhh.
And then eventually, when she stops barking because she's so exhausted she can't stay awake, she does this:
which is completely against the rules here in the Nichols Homestead, where dogs are dogs and remain on the floor. But at some point I just can't fight anymore. And if she is quiet, I can't bring myself to move her and make her start barking again. (As I write this, she is crated in the basement because the barking was on my last nerve).
The one funny thing she does is when you spray the hose she goes nuts, trying to eat (while choking on) the jet stream, and dancing in the water. Cute. And then she shakes all over you repeatedly, not so cute.
The countdown is on. Spasto-dog leaves on Monday, August 30th. That's 6 days... only 6 more days...
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Reflecting
I always get a little reflective around my birthday. What has happened in the last year? What does the next year hold? How am I this old already? (I swear I don't feel a day over 25) What is God doing in my life? (the eternal question).
When I look back, my initial thought is this: 30 was a rough year from start to finish. Lots of challenges large and small, but most notably (or what immediately comes to mind):
--I lost a job I loved a month after turning 30. More job hunting. Took a job that is a challenge-- and continues to be a challenge for me. Not a challenge in terms of content, but basically everything else. Clearly an opportunity to grow in holiness...
--I lost an ovary. Nothing like a medical crisis (my first ever) to throw things out of whack and give you some extra perspective... and set you back months on the to do lists.
--I lost a sister and her family to a far away state. It is hard saying good bye, even when it is the right thing. Thank God for employment and His guiding... but why is it SO far?
And yet, there are a lot of blessings mixed in (way too many to list):
-- two fantastic housemates
-- insurance to help pay for the above medical crisis and a fabulous doctor to walk me through it (thanks to that oh so challenging job).
--amazing friends and family
--a new Godson, Davy boy
--new babies
--a big kitchen project (also be one of the challenges of the year)
--grace in abundance from a Father who loves me
--time with my grandparents
So I end up looking back on a very full year... a good year, a hard year, and ultimately a year I will never have to repeat. God is faithful. May I decrease as He increases in me.
When I look back, my initial thought is this: 30 was a rough year from start to finish. Lots of challenges large and small, but most notably (or what immediately comes to mind):
--I lost a job I loved a month after turning 30. More job hunting. Took a job that is a challenge-- and continues to be a challenge for me. Not a challenge in terms of content, but basically everything else. Clearly an opportunity to grow in holiness...
--I lost an ovary. Nothing like a medical crisis (my first ever) to throw things out of whack and give you some extra perspective... and set you back months on the to do lists.
--I lost a sister and her family to a far away state. It is hard saying good bye, even when it is the right thing. Thank God for employment and His guiding... but why is it SO far?
And yet, there are a lot of blessings mixed in (way too many to list):
-- two fantastic housemates
-- insurance to help pay for the above medical crisis and a fabulous doctor to walk me through it (thanks to that oh so challenging job).
--amazing friends and family
--a new Godson, Davy boy
--new babies
--a big kitchen project (also be one of the challenges of the year)
--grace in abundance from a Father who loves me
--time with my grandparents
So I end up looking back on a very full year... a good year, a hard year, and ultimately a year I will never have to repeat. God is faithful. May I decrease as He increases in me.
More stuff to fix...
Still haven't cleaned out the downstairs bathroom drain that is partially clogged... and last night I went to close one of the bedroom windows to find the hardware is actually broken. Can't close it all the way without taking part of it off. And from my two minute look at it while I had kids in the backyard, it doesn't look like an easy fix. And I was really hoping to never have to get good at fixing window hardware. Grrr. I just want a chance to catch up... just once... sigh. The repairs go on.
Monday, August 16, 2010
News of the day
It is a gorgeous evening at the homestead. After a couple weeks of oppressive humidity and hot weather, it cooled down today to what I consider a perfect summer temperature, with a nice breeze. So we turned the AC off and we are back to life as it should be, windows open, breeze wafting in, three dogs in peace and harmony (yes, I'll explain about a third dog), and a moment to sit down before starting my evening tasks. Oy.
So... this mysterious third dog. You got another dog Reenie? Really? No. I did not get another dog. The homestead is now and will remain a two dog household for the foreseeable future. However I am not good at saying no, as you may remember. Sigh. So some friends have a friend staying with them. He just got a job in the area while his wife and kids are packing up and selling the house in Florida. Turns out he needed to drive up with the dog last week and was desperate for a place for her to stay with a fenced yard. The mutual friend he is staying with has a huge unfenced yard, not ideal for this pup. I said I would be okay with it for a week or two (or so I thought) if this dog got along with Maggie. Maggie is a very dominant bitch. There's just no way around it. Some dogs won't back down, which causes there to be fighting because Maggie will not back down. ever. So I said if the meet up went fine, we'd house his dog for a few weeks.
The meet up was okay. Maggie was her usual growly, territorial self, and this little dog rolls right over submissively. No fighting, just immediately admitting to Maggie's superior bitchiness. That first day Dallas was uber submissive and rolling over constantly for both of my dogs- even Suzie of no backbone. She was mousey and quiet and unsure. She had just been in the car for 22 hours coming up from Florida. And then... the real Dallas got going the next day. We call her Spasto-dog. She is everywhere all the time. Barking. Weaving between your legs. Wanting to play. Wanting to piss off Maggie. Moving shoes around the house. Not listening to a blessed word we say. Sigh. She is awfully cute but clearly needs a lot of training. So for the next couple weeks, she's introducing chaos into our lives. And then she will leave, and it will be so blissfully quiet and well trained around here we won't know what to do with ourselves.
Also... today was one of the best Mondays I've had in awhile. It's amazing how some great news scattered throughout the day can perk up even a very busy Monday at work. Since this is the interwebs, I will be vague-ish and just say the following:
-- Two friends I've been wanting to date for a long time now started dating last night. Eeeeee. So stinking excited (and not just because Lindsey and I are such awesome matchmakers).
-- I get to see my good friends who live out of state this week, a couple times even!! Gosh I miss living in the same state! I'm thrilled to pack a couple visits into a busy trip for them. And have I mentioned they come with four beautiful munchkins that I love?
-- I'm loving life here at the Nichols Homestead. I have two fabulous housemates-- both no-drama, fun, great ladies. Evenings when we are home are low key and delightful. God is good. And they put up with my scattered life, being behind on everything, and the random annoying dog staying here for weeks at a time. God is good!!
-- I get a new to me car in two weeks. It's my aunt's Honda CRV, my long time dream car. Imagine the things I can haul in that lovely vehicle! Two dogs and a crate at the same time! Lumber. It even has a trailer hitch!
-- Two weeks from today two of my friends and I will climb into said new car and head west on a road trip adventure to visit Kate and Mark at their new digs in Washington State and stopping to see lots of friends along the way. I can't wait! What an adventure! And looking forward to that trip has made saying good bye a little easier-- oh not easy, it definitely wasn't pretty, but better to say "see you in a month" than just plain good bye. Not to mention my love of road trips (I know, I can still do that-- I don't have munchkins in tow).
Okay, that's the latest. Happy Monday to all of you!
So... this mysterious third dog. You got another dog Reenie? Really? No. I did not get another dog. The homestead is now and will remain a two dog household for the foreseeable future. However I am not good at saying no, as you may remember. Sigh. So some friends have a friend staying with them. He just got a job in the area while his wife and kids are packing up and selling the house in Florida. Turns out he needed to drive up with the dog last week and was desperate for a place for her to stay with a fenced yard. The mutual friend he is staying with has a huge unfenced yard, not ideal for this pup. I said I would be okay with it for a week or two (or so I thought) if this dog got along with Maggie. Maggie is a very dominant bitch. There's just no way around it. Some dogs won't back down, which causes there to be fighting because Maggie will not back down. ever. So I said if the meet up went fine, we'd house his dog for a few weeks.
The meet up was okay. Maggie was her usual growly, territorial self, and this little dog rolls right over submissively. No fighting, just immediately admitting to Maggie's superior bitchiness. That first day Dallas was uber submissive and rolling over constantly for both of my dogs- even Suzie of no backbone. She was mousey and quiet and unsure. She had just been in the car for 22 hours coming up from Florida. And then... the real Dallas got going the next day. We call her Spasto-dog. She is everywhere all the time. Barking. Weaving between your legs. Wanting to play. Wanting to piss off Maggie. Moving shoes around the house. Not listening to a blessed word we say. Sigh. She is awfully cute but clearly needs a lot of training. So for the next couple weeks, she's introducing chaos into our lives. And then she will leave, and it will be so blissfully quiet and well trained around here we won't know what to do with ourselves.
Also... today was one of the best Mondays I've had in awhile. It's amazing how some great news scattered throughout the day can perk up even a very busy Monday at work. Since this is the interwebs, I will be vague-ish and just say the following:
-- Two friends I've been wanting to date for a long time now started dating last night. Eeeeee. So stinking excited (and not just because Lindsey and I are such awesome matchmakers).
-- I get to see my good friends who live out of state this week, a couple times even!! Gosh I miss living in the same state! I'm thrilled to pack a couple visits into a busy trip for them. And have I mentioned they come with four beautiful munchkins that I love?
-- I'm loving life here at the Nichols Homestead. I have two fabulous housemates-- both no-drama, fun, great ladies. Evenings when we are home are low key and delightful. God is good. And they put up with my scattered life, being behind on everything, and the random annoying dog staying here for weeks at a time. God is good!!
-- I get a new to me car in two weeks. It's my aunt's Honda CRV, my long time dream car. Imagine the things I can haul in that lovely vehicle! Two dogs and a crate at the same time! Lumber. It even has a trailer hitch!
-- Two weeks from today two of my friends and I will climb into said new car and head west on a road trip adventure to visit Kate and Mark at their new digs in Washington State and stopping to see lots of friends along the way. I can't wait! What an adventure! And looking forward to that trip has made saying good bye a little easier-- oh not easy, it definitely wasn't pretty, but better to say "see you in a month" than just plain good bye. Not to mention my love of road trips (I know, I can still do that-- I don't have munchkins in tow).
Okay, that's the latest. Happy Monday to all of you!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
'tis the season...
It's that time of year again... I am just insanely busy and working on figuring out how on earth to set better boundaries and have a more peaceful life. Work is very busy- taking on a lot more responsibility with no more pay and certainly no desire to work insane hours is making it tricky. And just way too much ambiguity in so many ways. God give me patience.
It's also peak garden / fruit / canning season. I need to find a way to pick blueberries, blackberries, raspberries in the next week or two. Can peaches. Weed my garden. Keep up with the tomatoes- canning some of them. Maybe a round of tomato sauce. Figuring out ways to eat cucumbers daily. Try to convince my allergic dog to stop scratching all the fur off her body.
This weekend is my first weekend at home in over a month, I'm sooooooo happy. So much to do. As you can imagine, my to do list is a mile long and completely unachievable... and I'm still excited to at least make a dent. Clean out that clogged bathroom sink drain. Install Jenny's new ceiling fan. Venture out to the garden. Weed whack. Clean. Try to contain visiting spasto-dog. laundry. trim the rosebush. Oh the bliss of a weekend at home!!!
It's also peak garden / fruit / canning season. I need to find a way to pick blueberries, blackberries, raspberries in the next week or two. Can peaches. Weed my garden. Keep up with the tomatoes- canning some of them. Maybe a round of tomato sauce. Figuring out ways to eat cucumbers daily. Try to convince my allergic dog to stop scratching all the fur off her body.
This weekend is my first weekend at home in over a month, I'm sooooooo happy. So much to do. As you can imagine, my to do list is a mile long and completely unachievable... and I'm still excited to at least make a dent. Clean out that clogged bathroom sink drain. Install Jenny's new ceiling fan. Venture out to the garden. Weed whack. Clean. Try to contain visiting spasto-dog. laundry. trim the rosebush. Oh the bliss of a weekend at home!!!
Friday, August 06, 2010
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
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