Tagged!

My sister Mandy tagged me, so here are my answers...

A- Available or married? Available

B- Best Friend? my twin Mandy

C- Cake or Pie? Pie - but no strawberries or whipped cream

D- Drink of Choice? I'm trying to cut down on caffiene so lately its been tea

E- Essential Item? my bus pass - I love my new commute!

F- Favorite Color? Pink

G- Gummi Bears or Worms? Bears

H- Hometown? Eveleth

I- Indulgence? An occasional vanilla latte

J- January or February? January, my birthday is that month

K- Kids & names? none yet

L- Life is incomplete without? family, friends, and my dog Oscar

M- Marriage Date? -----

N- Number of Siblings? 3, a twin and 2 older sisters

O- Oranges or apples? crunchy apples

P- Phobias/Fears? My fear once was being alone, but I am enjoying being single

Q- Favorite Quote? "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

R- Reason to Smile? Morning snuggles and kisses from Oscar when my alarm goes off

S- Season? Spring

T- Tag three people! Andy, Anissa and Shawna

U- Unknown fact about me: I often have dreams that come true

W- Worst habit? TV watching

Y- Your favorite food? nectarines, Mandy's peanut soup, and ice cream

Z- Zodiac? Capricorn

Up North and Snow!!!

Last weekend Oscar and I went to visit my family in Northern Minnesota. We had fun with the boys - they have lots of energy, and Oscar gets so excited around them. We played Twister - I haven't played that in such a long time - and those boys beat me every time. As you can see in the picture, Dylan even shared his beloved blanket, yellow, with Oscar to snuggle with, what a generous boy.

I went through mom & dad's old records last weekend too. I am anxiously awaiting the record player they will bring me when it is finally fixed. I got some good music that I'm excited to hear - Johnny Cash, Simon & Garfunkel, the Rolling Stones, I passed on the Captain and Tennile and the old Finnish sing-alongs from Sylvia, but it will be fun to have Grandma's old player here soon.

This weekend, we are in the midst of a major snowstorm, and as the pictures show that the snow is pretty deep for Oscar. He has to jump to get around in the snow. He loves it though, and he is now snoozing next to me, tired out from our walks today.

Lazy Days

I had the start of a cold this weekend, so Oscar and I just hung around at home. This is what he does all day, looking out the window, watching the squirrels next door and laying in the sunshine. He goes from laying on the couch next to me to laying by the window. Back and forth, all day long. It finally warmed up this weekend, and we were able to go for a longer walk today, which was very nice. Oscar ran around in the snow. He likes to hop around in the snow at the nearby park.

More destruction

Oscar found a receipt today while I was at work. This is the look I get when he knows he did something bad - he's so sad. Thankfully, it was not a big mess. That only happens when he gets a stray tissue.

In other news, Oscar has been a reluctant walker in this cold weather. He only wants to go for a short walk, maybe half a block or so. Even with his booties, he just gets cold. It is nice, however, that we can now walk in the light of day when I get home at night. I don't have to bring my flashlight along to find his poo.

Destruction & new booties

Oscar was a naughty dog today. He's been good for so long, but he just couldn't resist. He chewed my shoelaces again. It's been months since he's done any destructive chewing, but I awoke this morning to a wet chewed off lace. I think I just need to make sure there is always a bone around for chewing, so he leaves my shoes alone.

Photo 2 shows Oscar sporting his new booties from my mom. There were 4 in the package, but they would not stay on his front paws, and the snow doesn't bother them as much, so I just left on the back booties. With a 4 on he looks a like a little clown. Even with just 2 he looks silly, but they kept the snow out of his pads and we were able to go for a longer walk today.

The third photo I took one morning this week. This is what Oscar does in the morning while I am getting ready for work. Sometimes he doesn't even get off the couch when I leave, which is probably good because it means he doesn't bark in the morning. What a tired dog!

Day off!

I have today off because of Martin Luther King, Jr Day and it feels like I'm skipping out on work. It is so quiet from the snow last night - it's wonderful. Oscar and I went out for a walk this morning and he was hopping around in the snow, he loves it, but his feet got cold quickly and we didn't take a long walk.

I do need to venture out though and pick up a new web cam, mine is still not working right. It works for a few minutes and then cuts out. Frustrating, but my computer is a few years old and this is the first major problem I've had with it.

Martha & Ailee came over last night to help me recover my kitchen chairs. They look great! Oscar was actually pretty well behaved, and at least he left Ailee alone while she watched a movie.

This weekend I finally made it to Penzey's with Brenda & Mike. I love that store :) I restocked my kitchen.

I spent Saturday with the girls at Karin's. I was working on my recipe book of Sylvia's old recipes. I am now at the point where I am finishing up the formatting and I'll have to decide if I want to make it on full-size paper or half-size.

Home Sweet Home

We arrived back in town today and I am glad to be home. London was great fun, and it was so nice to see Andy and Mandy again, but it is always nice to come home. Oscar was very glad to see me this afternoon and he is happily sleeping next to me as I type.

I feel that I saw just a glimpse of London, and I am excited to start planning my next trip there. I feel that since I have free accomodations for now I need to make the most of the opportunity and will visit as much as possible.