Bulk

Just yesterday while out walking Suki I ran into a neighbor who is quite fond of our little dog and has been a huge help in terms of walking her and occasionally dog sitting. She and I stopped to chat and she asked if she might come by that evening to take her out for a walk. That would be great I replied, she's gotten one walk in today but she's put on a few pounds and could use the extra exercise. My neighbor looked down at Suki and I could swear she said, "Put on a few pounds - just like her mother."

Now this means either:

a. My neighbor has noticed my winter weight gain and feels inclined to comment on it
b. My neighbor refers to herself as Suki's mother
c. I, yet again, heard something wrong

None of these are desirable but one is clearly better than the rest.

The Great Thaw

It's the last week of February and the teasers of spring are out (despite the forecast calling for three consecutive days of rain). I've been assessing the state of the yard, which entails quite a bit of standing around with my hands on my hips and a furrowed brow. Today I thought I'd throw a layer of hay/compost that had been tossed into a spare garbage can some months ago on the garden for some soil enrichment.

When I took off the lid I discovered that the can had filled up over 3/4 of the way with rain water and created a putrid smell that can only be compared to bodies being dismembered in lye. Not being able to deal with the heavy can myself, I went into the house and roused Jacob from the couch where he napped alongside a sick Vaughn (Jacob's spring plans have included fasts and joining a running group but today seems to be all about a last minute hibernation). Jacob had a hard time understanding the urgency until he got around the side of the house and his gag reflex also kicked in. Ah, the ghost of the goats still lingered. Or at least the ghost of their shit. After getting the water down the drain, Jacob retreated back inside to the couch and I dug up the yard to bury the rotting hay.

The picture embedded in this blog is Vaughn being towed around Trillium Lake on a sled. He fell asleep about 15 minutes into the journey. Rest is in his genes.

Silly Pictures of Vaughn being Vaughn

First Dog

I just saw on-line that some kid has offered up his Labradoodle puppy to the Obamas. I had no idea that was an option! I feel a compelling urge to rush home and get Suki into the mix. The Obamas would naturally be touched (and I heard they were considering a mixed breed dog and a labradoodle is a "designer dog") and extend me unlimited visiting rights. It is my best shot at playing a critical role in this historic administration. There may occassionally be security issues but as long as I called before coming over and reminded staff that I was "First Dog Donor" I think I'm good.

Bakugan

I've thought about trying to find the words to accurately capture Vaughn's Bakugan obsession for some time now and really haven't been able to. It's like a slow, steady drumbeat that is constantly going in the background of our lives. It's really only problematic when he dissolves into fits of frustration over Bakugan not yet purchased, Bakugan that fall apart (because what can you really expect from a $5 plastic ball), rare Bakugan that can't be located in any store in the metropolitan area, Bakugan left out to where Suki chews them, Bakugan that ended up not being as cool as they looked in the package, etc. etc. Jacob and I try as hard as we can to muster up enthusiasm for his Baku-fever (I even went so far as to bid on Bakugan on Ebay! Which ended up being the wrong one, naturally) but it's hard to for any length of time (I can't believe it took me as long as it did to insist he wear headphones when watching the Bakugan videos on the computer). It's particularly hard to come up with answers to "what is your favorite Bakugan?" and the constant quizzes over the names of the many Bakugan.

This morning, he wandered sleepy eyed and barely awake into the bathroom where I was getting ready. I offered to pick him up and carry him downstairs and he nodded wearily and suddenly perked up, "Mom - you know what's cool about this one Bakugan...."

(The picture is Vaughn's creative modeling when I said I wanted to take a picture of him with his favorite Bakugan).

Early Video

There really isn't anything cuter than hearing Vaughn sing with his baby voice in full force.

Didn't See You There

The rain has brought slugs into our basement- and not the little kind either. Big, fat, brown slimy things that lay down silver tracks everywhere. Tonight I decided I'd scoop the one I'd found up and put it outside. Specifically, I thought I'd put it on the dustpan and fling it outside.

After being chastised by Jacob for showing him my capture (Fine! Yes- it's gross.), I opened the door to fling it out into the night toward the street. The only problem was, as my arm flung I noticed a man walking his dog from the street up on to the sidewalk in front of my house. He quickly ducked and put his arms out. I gasped and said, "Oh no! Did uh...anything hit you?" No - it turned out he was just teasing me (I can only imagine what the view from the street must have been - man out walking in the rain with his dog only to have crazy lady open the door and fling a slug at him).

At that moment Suki bolted outside to menace him and his dog. After doing the usual "she's not dangerous just obnoxious" speech I felt the need to explain to him that I had found a slug in my basement I needed to get rid of. Defeated, I finally said, "I must be your most favorite neighbor right about now." "Yeah," he replied "Great introduction."