Bargain Baby Food

I am seriously loving the beautiful mornings by the lake with a cup of coffee in hand.  Or at least I did, until Percy started using the other set of stairs at super-fast speeds to bark at his nemeses, the Béarnaise Mountain dogs.  I’m 95% sure he’s manipulating me.  He’s figured out that I’ll give him the LOL dog to play with to get him back from the neighbor’s yard.  Here’s the thing though, the LOL dog is the ONLY thing that will get him to come back down to the house.  Not sure how to fix this problem, but I would love to hear some suggestions. 

My dad sent me a thank you card with a kitten on it, and a message saying, “I chose this card to upset Percy…” A note from the vet also arrived for Percy reminding him of his yearly check-up.  I showed him both to see which was more upsetting, and honestly, I think he was just surprised to get mail. 

Jordan bought these little egg holders.

Dawne: But you don’t eat eggs like that.

Jordan: But they are sooo cool!

I was walking up from the lake when Zach through something at me and said, “Here, try this.”  It was a packet of pureed fruit, which was surprisingly yummy, and also tasted like baby food.  When I told Zach, he said, “Well then we should tell people about these, b/c they could be feeding their babies for a lot cheaper from the bargain market. These were 8 for a dollar!!”  I can tell already that it will be only the very best for the mini-Zach’s of the future. 

We were talking about graduation, ticket’s etc.  This is when Zach told us that he actually graduated with honors, but he wouldn’t have the sash b/c he didn’t want to fill out the paper work.  When we were figuring out who would be using the 8 tickets, Zach helpfully said that Lucas was welcome to go in his place – guess who’s excited about walking this weekend?

Meanwhile, Lucas left this morning holding 5 text books (three of which he proudly said were never opened), and asking for 11 dollars to pay his outstanding bill at the cafeteria so he could graduate.  He also walked out of the house with a “Performance Fishing Gear” hat.   It looked fancier than it sounds. 

I’ve been thinking about it, and Cereal Box writers have to be one of the most pressure filled jobs.  Mostly, because I can’t think of something that is more read/stared at/studied than the back of a cereal box.  I salute you, and also, kinda wish you would pick up your game a bit. 

Also, am I supposed to hate One Direction?  Because I am going to be honest with you all, I really don’t hate them.  In fact, I almost never change the station when a song of theirs plays.  There. I said it.  Now, Eva can proceed to bring this up every time we meet someone new, like she does with my support of Ace of Base.  “I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes I saw the sign… No one's gonna drag you up to get into the light where you belong… But where do you belong? “

Sorry, I started to ramble there for a bit.  Okay, last week I got a new computer at work, which was both awesome and kind of an inconvenience, but mostly AWESOME.  The weather was also spectacular, so I tried to spend as much time outside as possible.  This meant walks at work, including lunch time by the Kirkland water front where some musicians played love music.  I also think Kelly and I met at the dog park every day after work.  I got some bad news also, when I heard some of my co-workers/friends we’re leaving – mental note to stop adoring my co-workers so I don’t get emotional when they decide to make (good for them at least) life changes.  You’re right, I’ll never be able to remember that mental note.  Friday night I pulled myself together to bid them adieu with some adult beverages – but I wasn’t happy about it. 

Saturday and Sunday were glorious.  Like 48 hours of incredibly enjoyable times, most of which was because Kelly and Piper were up for playing with me and the pups.  I slept in on both days, got to talk to Mo a bit, and then spent two hours at the park each morning.  Saturday, we decided to pamper ourselves with a mani/pedi’s followed by lunch outside.  I got this neon color on my nails and the chick told me I wouldn’t need a flashlight for couple of days. I regret nothing.  Saturday evening I hung out with Jordan and wrote that Monday email that didn’t actually go out until yesterday.  Then, on Sunday, Jordan actually joined us for the dog park, and then picked up lunch and brought it back to the house.  That’s when we proceeded to play in the pool/sun until around 6.  Let me back up a bit.  There was an open house happening on Sunday.  We brought the dogs out, and I was just grabbing ice from the blue house, when I saw like 15 people walking down to look at the studio.  I frantically called all 4 dogs into the blue house with me.  Then, Kelly held the pups while I opened the pool.  Then, I came back into the blue house, and Kelly and I, ever so strategically and slightly comically, made it out of the blue house without any of the dogs escaping. 

Me: I forgot to leave them water, but it’s too late now. 

Then, we got in the pool, while Casper proceeded to bark non-stop.  Every time we looked over at the blue house, either Piper or Percy were standing in the window (which meant they had gotten up on the counter top, BTW.)  After like 45 minutes, Jordan took Mercy on them, and let the pups out.  They were surprisingly awesome, even with all the strangers walking up and down the stairs.  Later, as the sun was no longer on the pool, Kelly and I walked out to the end of the pier.  There, laying there, literally covered with furry friends, family after family would look out at us from the studio.  Kelly turned to me at one point and said, “We like dogs.”  Yeah, ya think?

Zach joined us at one point.  Before he arrived, I called him to ask that he bring us fresh beers because you know, stairs.  He arrived wearing a button down and jeans. 

Me: Didn’t you just get back from a hike to the ice caves?

Zach: Yup.

Me: In a button down?

Zach: I like button downs.

We started talking about possibly going on a trip to some very hot places.  Zach wanted to back pack, to which I firmly stated that I would not do.  Mostly, because I am an adult, and I’ll be staying in a hotel with a rolling suitcase.  Either way, he was pretty adamant that he could do with just a normal sized backpack. 

Me: I believe you.  I’ve seen you do it before actually.  It might be easier, because it’ll be so warm that our clothes will be smaller (tanks, flip flops etc).  Well, and you’ll just have a back pack o’ button downs.

As we were sitting on the pier I mentioned that I hate how bad my posture was. 

Zach: That's what I hate about most chairs

Kelly: How they encourage bad posture?

Zach: Yeah, and their attitudes.

I had gone grocery shopping on Saturday and bought some random cuts of meat for the grill.  Jordan totally didn’t trust what I bought, and Kelly was a little apprehensive after I served her undercooked brats a couple of weeks ago (I was just trying to help kick start her diet!)  Either way, I fired up the grill (okay, fine, I tried to do this and then asked Zach to really do it.)  Then Kelly and I put the meat on the grill, and then looked at each other like, “This is a terrible plan.”  Finally, Zach, finished cooking because apparently grill knowledge is bequeathed upon reaching manhood. 

Zach: oh, the hot dogs are charred.

Kelly: That’s our plan B!

Zach: okay, I’ll just flip them over so they are even.

Kelly: But what if the flank steak doesn’t work out?

Me: I have a peach pie in the oven.  We’ll call that plan C.

It all worked out perfectly, by the way.  And then we watched psych and did some research on Cabo and Vietnam.  You know, typical Sunday night. J BTW, after 8 straight hours of running around, Piper finally laid down – I hope we aren't increasing her endurance with all this activity.