Perfect End to Memorial Day

Ah...margaritas, queso, creamy jalopeno sauce, and chips! Delicious!

Happy Hot Dog Day!

For months now we've been talking about having a "hot dogs and Pina Colada" party in honor of our new hot dog griller (one of Mike's favorite wedding gifts) and all the Pina Coladas that we drank on the honeymoon. Memorial Day weekend proved to be the perfect time for a last minute get together with friends for a pool party, hot dogs (and burgers) and lots of Pina Coladas.

The awesome cake that Fish and Laura brought to celebrate "Hot Dog Day"

Kitty riding the raft in the pool

Claire and Ron enjoying the sun

Moria and Jeff enjoying the shade

The Girls: Moria, Claire, Alison and Laura

Kitty - "air swimming"

Some of the guys: Ron, Kirk and Mike

Mike in the spa...trying to woo the ladies in

Mike and Kirk...drunken chicken

Laura, Natasha and Claire

Cutter and Kitty...making friends

Cutter and Momma Natty

A Proper Introduction

So I've been listening to my people talk about the password to this account, and thought it was time that I get a proper introduction around here. They are kind of stingy about letting me use the computer, so I had to wait until they were asleep. I noticed that they never seem to mention on here when I do really great stuff, only when I tick momma off. I've been around here longer than she has, but I am actually starting to like her at least a little bit. She has these really soft slippers that my dad gave her for Christmas and she lets me sleep on them, plus I love to snuggle in the pile of dirty clothes and her clothes smell way better than someone elses.

So anyways, back to my introduction. My name is Kitty and I am an eight-year-old black miniature pinscher. I spend most of my time hanging around the apartment and sleeping while they go do this thing they call "work" - whatever that is. I have my own room now and really like it in there. They've even let me do my own decorating. That's a picture of me in my house.

I love to play with my dad and love when he throws my woolly, squeaky bone and lets me chase it. We have lots of games we play and it so fun to run around the apartment. I don't really like baths much, but they make me take one whenever momma says I stink. I try to stay away from the bathroom so dad can't sneak up on me and throw me in the shower. I'm not a picky eater and will eat just about anything. I love when momma cooks because she's definitely messy in the kitchen and always drops yummy food on the floor.

A couple months ago my people got this crazy idea that we should start walking everyday. I didn't like it much at first, but I'm starting to get the hang of it. I get out of the apartment, get to stretch my legs, and meet new friends. And have I mentioned how much I love chasing squirrels? I almost had one the other day. You should have seen it - I was this close! I wonder what they taste like?

Well, that's all for now. But remember when you read posts about me in the future, there are two sides to every story and the dog always gets blamed.

P.S. You should have seen my dad jumping around in the cold shower this morning - and I thought I didn't like baths!

Day 2 of the Cold Showers

Before you jump to conclusions, keep reading. The cold showers were from our busted water heater! We were pleasantly (read: unpleasently) surprised to wake up Thursday morning to NO HOT WATER. Alison skipped the shower and I should have. It was extremely hard to wash my 2000 body parts in the freezing water. Let's just say I focused on the parts that had a tendancy to smell. Luckily for everyone Alison had taken a shower the night before so she wasn't rockin the PigPen just yet. Immediately after leaving the house she called the apartment office and filed a work order to have the water heater fixed. They came out Thursday, "fixed" it, and we thought we were good when we went to bed that night. We woke up Friday morning with ZERO HOT WATER. Alison once again slipped the icy grips of a shower, but I could not! Our hair at the end of the day told the story. Alison was definitely sporting the Soul Glow. I, on the other hand, was looking fine as ever. Supposedly the heater has been fixed, but I'll be convinced when there is hot water for my Saturday shower.

So Disappointed

I've been anxiously waiting for several days until I've had time to watch the movie P.S. I Love You. I rented the movie this weekend while my mom was here, but she had already seen it, so I was saving it for Sunday night while I waited for Mike to get back in town. Anyways, one thing led to another and I never got around to watching it. Last night was full of work, so I came home tonight ready to settle in for a delicious evening with the chick flick!

I am so completely disappointed in this movie. I absolutely loved the book and this was a major letdown. Now before you lecture me about comparing a movie to the book...I must say that I went into this very open minded and knowing that it likely wouldn't match the images in my head while I was reading the book.

BUT...

I had to stop watching the movie only 15 minutes in...everything about the movie was just so WRONG WRONG WRONG! Nothing about it portrayed the characters or even the plot in way that even remotely resembled the essence of the book. I was ready to give up when the movie title credits started after the first scene, but decided to give it a fair chance and kept watching...well, I didn't make it much further. Cue the scene of Gerry's funeral and I was done.

Looks like I am going to have to go back to my policy of never watching the movies of books I have loved - good thing I never managed to watch Bridge to Terabithia!

I Heart Elliot Stabler

I have a confession. I love Law & Order: Special Victims Unit! I don't have many TV shows that I am seriously dedicated to watching, but SVU is one that I will rearrange my schedule for...and yes, I do have to actually adjust our schedule because Mike and I are probably the last people to not own a DVR. I've been reminding Mike for several days that tonight was the season finale and I had to be home at 9 on the dot to watch it. And plus, I think he secretly likes the show too. The season finale was good, although I'm not sure it was the most dramatic episode ever as advertised. Good thing that there is always a rerun of SVU on TV at anytime of day or night - that should get me through the summer.

Happy Mother's Day!

Spring Cleaning

This weekend was my annual Winter to Spring closet transition. It only took 5 hours on Saturday, 3.5 Lifetime movies, 2 snacks, and 1 helpful husband to get this accomplished. I feel so much better now and in the process Mike cleaned out his side of the closet too. We ended up with some great finds for the consignment store and dropped off a car load of stuff at Goodwill on Sunday.

We found some real treasures cleaning out the closet and this one took me back to my college days...

A sampling of the fabulous collection of plaid flannel
shirts I spent my college years wearing

Now before you make fun, you must know that these were actually quite fashionable circa. 1995-99. Pair one of these with high-waisted Gap jeans and stylish Cole Hahn loafers and the look is complete! I was ready to hit the Sub in style.

Mike wondered aloud when in my past I had been a lumberjack. But seriously who didn't love a great plaid shirt back then??

I have to admit that I have a very hard time parting with old clothes and shoes, but it was liberating to get rid of all this stuff!

Bea Arthur's Prom Date

We recently participated in Relay for Life, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. It is an all night event, yes 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., and basically is a walking relay (or running if you are Natasha). Technically a member of your team should always be walking on the track...and we did pretty good until 4 a.m. when we all fell asleep! Mandie and Jesse were superstars and I'm pretty sure they walked the most laps of anyone on our team...Laura and Natasha were right behind them on laps. The guys...not so much! Well, they did do a lap with "Fish" walking in his footy pajamas. It was a great night with good friends for an important cause!

Our fabulous team t-shirts that Laura designed...
don't ask, we just all thought this would be a funny team name

Our team camp site

"Fish" and Mike sharing some tunes

The girls trying out the tent: Mandie, Laura, Alison and Natasha

Laura and "Fish" showing off the silent auction basket they won...
which just happened to be the one that Mike and I put together!

"Fish" negotiating with the high school "hula girls" for a grass skirt...
Cost: $5 and one box of popcorn

Alison and Natasha taking a break

"Fish" showing off his camo footy pajamas

Natasha's self-portrait...around 3:30 a.m.

Brrr...it was chilly

How cold was it? Well, even Mike and Kirk were cold

911 Call

Operator: 911, what is your emergency?

Alison: Yes, I want to report a young woman who's car is stranded on Central Expressway on the shoulder - she looks pretty panicked!

Operator: Oh, I'm sorry police officers will only respond to cars that are blocking a lane - where did you say her car is?

Alison: Oh, her car is in the left hand lane.

Operator: Well then, we will send someone out right away. Thanks for calling.