The Minkz

Oh Hell...

Neglect does not begin to describe how the poor Minkz blog must feel.  Seriously I am most forgot my log in it's been so damn long.  We've been busy...very busy since I last checked in oh what nearly three months ago. 

I hosted a baby shower for my sister.  She has since had the baby,  nephew Cole.  He looks like a little Hobbit so I call him Frodo.  I think she pretends not to be offended by this, as if.  I call her Scraps.

I rode my bike to Los Angeles, again. Only this year it rained so hard one day they closed the route and we all had to take buses to Ventura, that was fun.  

Alex went to British Columbia to fish for and bring home a shit ton of salmon, again

The dogs and I drove to Tahoe, again

I've made so many trips to the Bay Area I've completely lost count.

We still have Laker, Guide Dogs has not recalled him for formal training, I believe they forgot we have him.

And I bought a horse.

Division of Power

The way it works around our house is...I keep it clean and Alex well he does his best not to fuck it up too badly.  I enjoy nothing more than returning home from  business trips on Thursdays for that is the day the housekeeper visits and I know all will be well in my world if my bathrooms and wood floors are clean.  In more recent month Alex has taken to leaving his shoes between the kitchen and family room, the very same path that I expertly navigate in the dark when I feed the dogs at 5am.   A few times I tripped on them and then once I sailed over them and hit the wall with the entire left side of my body, it should be noted this did not even rouse the slumbering prince Alex.  He's a sound sleeper wouldn't you say.  So we negotiated an agreement where he can leave his shoes out during the evening but has to put them away before calling it a night.  

Alex owns all of three pairs of shoes (actually 5 total but two pairs of work shoes, one pair of Reefs and two paris of running shoes equal 3 to me)  not including the myriad of fly fishing boots that reside in the garage.  I on the other hand have a few more pairs of shoes and when Alex returned his shoes to the closet per the new rule he called me in to point out that my shoes were all over the floor.  Of the closet, people.  I think my head exploded.

Thirteen journeys around the sun

Or 4,745 days of Noah as I like to refer to it on this his 13th birthday.  Countless adventures, hikes, vacations, roadtrips and everyday joy I get from having this awesome dude around.  He is by far and hands down the best dog ever and I will challenge any who dare to say different.  Aside from the poop eating which at this point what the hell...so he likes poop, as far as I'm concerned he's earned the right to eat it.  Mostly he just enjoys napping in the sun and being close to his peeps these days.  Though he religiously patrols the neighborhood each morning and evening and can move with cobra kai speed when the smallest crumb falls to the ground.  The old guy's still got it he likes to remind me and for that I am so grateful.  

Happy Birthday my sweet boy.

I read this article...

A few weeks ago I read an article about how to feed your family for $100 a month.  

Brilliant I thought; we have an entire pork, half a beef, & my weight in fresh salmon that Alex caught in Canada we can totally do this.  After sitting down and sifting through some recipes (read Cooks Illustrated, Sunset, Rachael Ray & Williams Sonoma collection) I made my list and headed off to the store.  We made a point to use up some of the staples we already had in the pantry so basically my grocery list was a 1/2 ton of fresh veggies.  I spent $64 and came to the conclusion this meal plan either expected us to eat pasta and marinara, top ramen or cereal 50% of the time or eat no fresh veggies.  I still think we saved in the long run since we planned meals, used items we already had and I went to the store only 3 times in a week not 7.  All in all a great idea on paper and I'll see what we/if we save at the end of the month.

Dos

Today marks two years since we moved to Bend.   Happy Bend-iversary to us!

Belated

So Andy pup is back in Bend, he's actually been here for a few months.  After flying through formal training at Guide Dogs for the Blind.  He truly was a rock star cruising through all 10 phases of training in just 4 months, not that I am bragging, but really.   In fact when he reached phase 10 I figured I should get everything prepared for his graduation...and that was my fatal mistake.  I returned home from a business trip to find out he'd been experiencing some symptoms of allergies and the vet staff decided to give him a medical career change.  I guess that's sort of like an honorable discharge.  After talking to his trainers (who loved him) and the vet staff (who were upset to have to career change him) I brought him home, sort of.  I drove him back from Portland and delivered him to his new family.  He now lives with two (out of four) of our amazing veterinarians.  We see him every week, get preferential puppy sitting rights, and occasionally run into him on the trails about town.  

The Panz will always be a special pup to me, he made my first year in Bend just a little easier and I am glad to have him home. 

About those Snuggies...

We are up to our eyeballs in Snuggies, and its no fault of our own.  We have 5 of my AIDS ride cycling mates arriving these evening.  To say a few of them are queens is really and truly an understatement but I adore and love them dearly.  Alex is clearly aware there is no safer place for his wife to be when riding 600 miles through California that in pace line with these boys.  I was so excited when they called about coming to Bend for a ski trip and Alex was even more excited when Peter ordered Snuggies for everyone.  See Alex has been obsessed with the Snuggie for months now and I have steadfastly refused to get him one but since it's his birthday in a few days I'll let him have one.  I will say he asked if there were any magenta ones.  How does my husband even know the color magenta?   I am seriously considering BeDazzling a few before they arrive tonight...I bet you can't wait for the pictures!

Just like the infomercial

Today I bought seven Snuggies just as seen on TV...ask me why I needed seven?

Lovey, lovey, Laker

Well its about time Laker got some press around here!  Lake's turned 9 months over the weekend and in no way resembles the 16lb puppy we picked up in San Rafael but rather a 70lb beast. He drops all of his weight on the nearest body whether it be me, Alex or Noah.  He's always got to be touching somebody.  He has maintained his easy going personality and mellowness that has been evident since day 1.  I've traveled with ease to and from Portland a handful of times with him, took him with me to California back in October and we'll head to Seattle next month.  He's my willing movie date never complaining about the cheesy chick flick.  Plus he's a cheaper date than Alex, as the floor suits him just fine!  

  

Juiced

The Chairman got juiced for the new year last week with another dose of stem cells ala Vet Stem.  The improvements he's made over the last 8 months is unbelievable.  He can run, not just trot but really run and when he does we cannot help but smile.