Always Practice Safe Rock

I think Pauli told me that once. And last night, I failed to do so and I am paying for it today. I went out with some girls from work last night. The boyfriend of one of the girls is in a band called "Mommie's Little Monster." Just a cover band that plays 70's, 80's and 90's rock. Basically, the stuff we would play on KMNR on Friday nights for the Grotto request show. They were fun and it was loud and we danced and had fun. But, I didn't wear ear plugs...and it's 10 am and my ears are still ringing.

if the shoes fit...

It's amazing what a difference properly fitted shoes make when exercising. So glad that New Balance sells wide width shoes. That, and that I can get them around here.

I can't feel my toes

Negative 8 Fahrenheit. Enough said.

Stop Slacking Off

Miner has some definite alpha male issues. We haven't been working with him much lately. We used to take him to doggie college and work with him. When we walk him outside we work with him like we did in class, but the cold weather hasn't been so conducive to walking outside. Cold weather isn't really a good excuse. So we started working with him in the basement this evening. Basically, just walking him on the leash, changing directions, making him sit and stay. We've also taken a cue for Cesar, and are introducing him to the treadmill. So far, he's cool with getting on and off it when not moving. We'll report on the progress in coming weeks and months.

Things to do in Iowa When You're Cold

One of the things I like to do with my spare time is stitch. Usually that takes the form of counted cross stitch. Occasionally I will do some embroidery. And, now that my sewing machine has had a tune-up, I can work on some baby gifts. Our friends had a little boy this fall and a friend from work is due this spring. I made extras...there are a couple of little ones yet to come that I know one day will make some friends very happy. I've made some baby blankets. Mostly, I make these cute 'burp cloth' things from cloth diapers.

Stay at Home Dave

The housing slump has hit the Quad Cities. Dave's regular work has slowed down, so it's just the odd side jobs for now. So, I have a house husband again. Miner has a weekday buddy and I get to come home to a clean house, supper ready and all the little projects at our house are getting done. I am the anti-Donna Reed! Several of the guys I work with are insanely jealous of Dave.

Miner the Shredder

We get a weekly paper "The Reader" that Miner likes to fetch. Dave taught him a new trick today.

is it wrong?

....to eat the cookies the kids from the Presbyterian church down the street made. Our doorbell rings and there are two kids saying, "Here's your cookies!" I am all, "we didn't order any cookies, but thank you." The little boy looks at me like I'm nuts and says, "No we made them, we're from the church down the street. We're delivering them up and down the street."
I don't really 'do' church. I was raised Catholic, but that's the farthest thing from representative of my views that I can think of. I don't really know much about Presbyterian churches other than the one David's parents attend is pretty and has a bad-ass Christmas concert with their choir and the Quad City Symphony. So yeah, I 'do' church if it means I get to hear 'carol of the bells' and 'fum, fum, fum.'
I guess if I decided I wanted to go to church, the one down the street would be just TOO convenient not to visit. It's 4 doors down. So, I'll eat some cookies and read about the kids programs they have. Do they let 31 year olds attend kids programs?

back to reality

Well, we have been home since Saturday morning. Miner was happy to see us. We were grateful for our totally awesome neighbors. Davenport had 6 inches of snow on Friday, and all our sidewalks were cleared. Last night we got another 3 or so inches. And it's WAY cold and windy. The Van Hook M.O. for the past few days has been:
football
nap
eat
nap
football
nap
bursts of organizing the kitchen
eat
nap
football