~What in the Hell?~

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

~ The Janus Time ~

Is upon us.  Where we look back at the old year and look forward to the new.

Personally, it was a year that ended up better than it started.  The year began with a new job and physical therapy for my sprained LCL.  

I worked two skating competitions and a test session.  I also skated in three competitions (which was nice) and by June my knee was feeling much better and I had lost my limp.

Over the summer was much camping and I experimented with several different recipes in my cast iron dutch oven (some turned out better than others).  

Pennsic was lots of fun altho by my third day my hands were incredibly sore from too much drumming and I was effectively out of commission after that bit of over-exertion.  Once again, I put my big mouth to work as a cry herald.  It's something I enjoy and I'm good at it (and there's no ass-kissing involved).

We got our new manager in June and that turned out much better than I had even dare hope.  The exact polar opposite of my former do-nothing, cowardly, back-stabbing c*nt of a manager.  I despise that woman (the HAG).  

When I heard that our new manager was going to be a woman, I was nearly in tears.  But she (S) has turned out to be one of the best managers I've had.  "S" totally sticks up for us and tells us exactly what's going on and why.  None of this "guess my priority" bullshit that I put up with from the Hag.  

Now I have to say I'm dreading the day "S" will leave (and I know she will - she's on her way up).  So I try not to think about it too much.  There's really no point.

The fall saw me try my hand at fermenting cider.  My first experiment went horribly wrong - the supposedly "unpreserved" cider wasn't and the potassium sorbate killed my yeasties.  

My second attempt, however, was YUMMY!!  Just a very little over-cloved but as it has aged, it has mellowed out considerably to the point where one could SWILL it until it hit back.  

The third attempt was less cloves and more cinnamon.  My parents and my brother like this version but I rather like the over-cloved version myself.  Nobody who has tried it has complained and believe me, they would.  

I gave a few bottles away as Christmas gifts and everyone was suitably pleased.  I've still got about 3 gallons left that I plan to ration out over the summer until next apple harvest when I can make more.  It's all about the apples that go into it as far as I'm concerned.

My mead turned out ok.  I was more impressed with the cider, I must admit.  My two mead kits were so alcoholic nobody could hardly stand it (think vodka with a honey color).   But I quickly discovered how to back-add sugar which helped out considerably.  The mead recipe is so-so but the cider is DEFINITELY a keeper.

The 'rents and I were in Vegas again and that was ok.  I spent waaaayyy too much money but wtf.  Live a little every now and then.

I also started taking violin lessons (I should practice tonight before I sit down and start reading).  I'm hopeful that by the time Pennsic rolls around next year I will be able to play at least one or two songs at the haflas.  There are plenty of drummers but never enough melody instruments.  Besides, my great ambition is to play some serious Russian and Rom music.

I also picked up a recorder just because it was cheap and I still remember a few songs.  I can play a few more but I should practice some dance music, too.  Just in case.

The biggest change for me this year was getting Molly.  I had always wanted a dog but didn't think my hours and comings/goings would be ok for the dog.  Then I realized that plenty of people have dogs and work full time with no hardship to the animal.  

To make myself feel better about leaving her, I have a potty pad on the floor.  She's never used it and I'm usually home at a decent hour to take her out.  But *I* know it's there in case she needs it.  And she doesn't have the horrible separation anxiety that The Creature has.

He screams and cries like he's being beaten to death when you leave him.  He's used to somebody being with him 24/7 for the past 14 years so when you leave, he just doesn't know what to do with himself.

So I had a lot of anxiety about getting a dog because I didn't want it to have a "bad" life or cause it "trauma" by leaving it to go to work.

But Molly is just about everything I could have asked for.  I don't know why the thought never occurred to me that I could adopt a dog from a rescue that would be an adult and be happy to have a good home.  I just didn't.

Then one night when I couldn't sleep I was up surfing - but I've told this story before.  I sent in a donation for her and her foster mom wrote me back.  Suddenly, we were corresponding and I became Molly's "big dog" on December 6th in a big-ass snowstorm.

We walk for about 1- 2 hours a day which is good for me!  I imagine we will be out more as the weather gets nice.  

She's laying in the floor right now snoring like a drunken sailor.  That's taken some getting used to and she can still wake me up when she gets going snoring.  

Looking forward to next year - I'm going to pay off the credit card (that was my resolution for this year and I'm over 1/2 way there so I just have to finish it off), play a song or two either on the violin or recorder at every event I go to (with the drums coming with me as back-up).  I'd like to take Molly to a socialization class to get her used to other dogs and find out exactly what her allergy is so I can treat it.

Her fur is really coming in much better but she still chews her left foot and rubs her little face on the carpet.  

I'm also looking to maybe buy a house since the time is right.  I'm supposed to go see three houses this week altho I'm a bit torn.  I really like my current place but I have this feeling that it's time to get a house.  Time for ME to get a house (not necessarily that the housing market is going to start back up).  

I've listed my place FSBO but I might end up going with a Realtor but we'll see.  If I do end up selling it and getting a house I'm probably going to cry like an idiot eventho it's my choice.   It's hard to let go of some things that have nice memories attached to them, even if it IS time. 

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The Rogue Goddess saw shadows dancing at 6:45 PM

Friday, December 26, 2008

~ That Went Fast! ~

Certainly much faster than I had anticipated altho I've been quite lazy and not done much of anything lately.

The Solstice came and went and it was rather depressing seeing the sun so low and pale in the sky. "The dying god" indeed. But now the days will get longer (yay!) and summer will come - eventually.

Molly met The Creature and he quickly learned that she doesn't take too kindly to having her butt constantly sniffed. So he pretty much leaves her alone and she leaves him alone. The problem is with my brother's Boxer, Jade.

For whatever reason, Jade just can't seem to leave Molly alone. She follows her all over and tries to get as close to her as possible until someone yells at her or Molly growls and snaps at her. You'd think the big dummy would learn but Molly's gotten her several times and Jade just can't leave her alone.

Molly doesn't want nothing to do with Jade but Jade just can't let it go so I have to keep a constant eye on her. It's rather tiring. I don't understand why Molly just doesn't let her sniff nor do I understand why Jade insists on following Molly all over the house after she DOES sniff her.

My brother thinks Jade is jealous (she is seriously spoiled) but I don't know of what. If she should be jealous of anyone, it should be The Creature. He gets picked up and loved on constantly. Molly just likes to lay next to you and you can pet her or not.

They are like kids. Altho The Creature has learned not to bother Molly and she won't bother him. We let them outside in the yard together and they are perfectly fine. And they are SO CUTE walking around with their little tails up wagging and their little flat faces snuffling around.

Christmas turned out better than I expected but not as good as I had hoped. Jade still refuses to let Molly alone altho both of them will mind me when I tell them "NO!" in my best calm assertive Cesar way. I guess that's going to have to work for now.

Molly minds much better than either of them. I never expected The Creature to pay much attention to anyone. Why in the hell would he start now?

But I need Molly to mind and be good because of our living arrangements. The Creature I could always take back to mom and dad if he didn't like staying in the condo. Molly is just going to have to deal with it.

She's adjusting to the noise and all of the comings and goings around the building and she still will bark if she hears several voices or another dog barking. Nobody else in the building seems to care that their dogs yap incessantly but I'm not going to let Molly do that while I'm there. She gets two barks to tell me something's going on and then I tell her to stop. She usually does.

It was particularly noisy over the holiday because of all the kids running around but she didn't yap. She just barked once and would watch the door.

She still doesn't like to have kids rush up to her or try to pet her but they don't listen when I tell them to stay away from her. I think they scare her rushing up trying to grab at her. So I'm trying to avoid taking her out when there are kids around (because stupid parents won't make their kids mind).

Eventho I have her on a short leash and I tell kids to leave her alone, they don't listen. And their stupid parents won't tell them to leave the dog alone. One of these days I just want to cut her loose and say, "kill! Kill!" and see what the parents do. I won't, of course, but it certainly is a deliciously evil thought to harbor.

We go for long walks every morning (Christmas morning we were out walking for about an hour) and then again in the evening. I rather like it. There are shorter walks before bed and on the weekends but we get in that long morning walk and a long evening walk every day. I like it just as much as she does, I think.

Her fur is really starting to come in on her belly. Her chest hair is a little thin but she's stopped scratching and her hot spots are clearing up - most of them are gone. She's still got some scabs that need to come off but she's not making any more raw spots on her belly or back.

She is, however, digging at her left front paw (she's chewed all of the hair out between the pads and it's all swollen) and at her nose-fold. The vet gave me some cortisone wipes but they only seem to last for a little while. Sometimes she is fine and other times she just wants to rub her little face raw. (I'll have to see if it's some sort of outdoor or other allergy).

She is eating very well. She seems to like vegetables (carrots, green beans) and she LOVES cheese. So do I so we're getting along great in the food department.

I usually cook (yes, I know) because that way, I KNOW what the "fillers" are (flax, barley and oats) and what it's cooked in (olive oil or steamed). If I'm not hungry or don't feel like cooking, she gets her expensive dog food.

And I am adjusting well to her. She doesn't seem to mind my violin or drum practice nor when I do my yoga tapes. She hides under the kitchen table when I'm cooking so she's not in my way. She doesn't chew up stuff or jump on the furniture (not that I would mind the furniture thing since The Creature does it) and she behaves when I tell her to.

She's a good dog and I'm glad I found her.

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The Rogue Goddess saw shadows dancing at 9:52 AM

Friday, December 12, 2008

~ Santa rejects bailout ~

That's what I thought the headline said. Obviously I didn't get enough sleep last night. Or the night before. Ah, well. The weekend will soon be here and I can lay around on my getting fatter butt and sleep.

Molly is doing very well and, more importantly, I have realized that it's ok to leave her alone while I'm at work or out skating. She doesn't seem to mind at all. Mostly she lays around and watches out the sliding glass door.

So I am adjusting well. Still trying to get used to her sounds - her tags jingling when she shakes or walks - her snuffling around - the drunken sailor-ish snoring. It's getting easier but it still wakes me up because I've not gotten entirely used to it yet.

And she does bark at sounds out in the hall. Usually a low "woof" unless the stupid min pin next door starts it's infernal and incessant yapping. Then she will bark at IT altho she doesn't yap like it does.

That stupid yapping dog drives me nuts. And the dumb girl who has it just screams "shut up!" at it instead of putting a muzzle on it or scolding it when it yaps. It's just a constant yap, yap, yap from that thing. Everytime a door opens or closes, anytime anyone talks in the hall, walks on any of the stairs, anything - it fucking yaps. I can see how Berkowitz went nuts after listening to his neighbor's dog yap for years.

Damned thing - it needs to be beaten long and hard. And so does that stupid girl who won't shut it up. People like that shouldn't be allowed to have a pet. I think it's just an accessory for her. I've only seen her walk that dog once in the past 6 months. It's probably desperate to see the sun.

Today I take Molly to her new vet. She seems to be responding well to eating what I eat and I'm trying to avoid wheat products for her. She also has dry food out during the day so if she gets really hungry she can eat that. I'm wondering if she might have a flea allergy as well.

She's due for her bath today but I might have to wait until tomorrow to give it to her. I'm going to add some oatmeal to the water to help her skin. I put a little bit of vaseline on her ears where it was rough and that really helped A LOT. She didn't like it, but it softened her ears up and she's not scratching at them so much.

After we go to the vet, I'm taking her home to meet The Creature. THIS should be interesting. I'll take her bed and blanket so she can hide from him if she wants (she runs to her bed when she's scared) and she will probably want to get away from his constant sniffing.

Now if I can just get dad not to pick at her scabs or try and pick her up (because he doesn't know how) - that's my big concern now. So I'll have to make that clear - don't pick at her skin and do NOT attempt to pick her up.

Mom will pretty much let Molly come to her when she's ready but dad will want to pick Molly up and start petting her right away instead of letting Molly smell and get used to him.

I'm not sure how The Creature will react. Nor how Molly will react to me scooping him up and kissing him all over his flat face. He still *is* my baby.

I have a feeling there will be much barking, grunting, growling and snuffling before it's all sorted out. But that's ok. As long as it GETS sorted out.

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The Rogue Goddess saw shadows dancing at 8:35 AM

Saturday, December 06, 2008

~ Molly & Me ~

Today I picked up my adopted rescue dog.  The weather, of course, had to be just awful - snowing, blowing, drifting.  Ugh.  

The foster mom was 1/2 hour late meeting me because the roads were so bad.  But everything worked out in the end.

Molly - my adopted dog - is home now.  She is a very good and well-mannered dog.  I put her in a crate to bring her home so I could strap it in (had the weather been ok, I wouldn't have bothered.  I don't put The Creature in a crate so why should anyone else have to ride in one?)

She is a bit nervous and timid (as I can understand).  At first she didn't want to leave the kitchen but now she's in the living room.  She wouldn't come in here until I picked her up and put her in here.  She has a bed in here that she's laying in now.  

I guess it's a good thing she doesn't realize she has complete run of the place yet.  It will become apparent to her over time, I'm sure.

Her fur is very thin - apparently she has a food allergy that causes problems and it's only been lately that her fur has started to completely come in.  But her foster mom gave me a little coat for her that she can wear (and she does wear it - unlike The Creature who hates any of that stuff - but he rarely gets chilly).

Molly was curled up in a dew ball until I put a blankey on her.  A dew ball means one is cold.  Now that she is covered, she's asleep and snoring like a drunken sailor.  

I really feel sorry for the thing.  She was turned over to the local humane society about a year ago and since then she's been moved from foster home to foster home about every 3-4 months to make room for puppies.  

She is about 7 years old and adult dogs don't need the attention and training that puppies do.  

Her only "issue" seems to be she barks at other dogs when she's on a leash until she can smell them.  Then she's ok.  

Oh, and she's fat.  I mean like a butter ball.  Round like that.  I couldn't believe it.  The Creature is - well, not thin (he freaking eats whenever he wants) but you can feel his ribs and his belly is not fat.  But she is.  That should change with all of the stair-walking we are going to be doing around here.  

And I can't actually say anything about anyone's belly being round!  lol!  I am hoping that the two of us will do enough walking to get some weight off the both of us.  At least I PLAN on walking her quite a bit.  Like I do The Creature.  Altho she may not particularly care for walking around until it gets warmer outside.

She has shown no interest in toys, either, but maybe that will change once she gets used to me.

After being with her just this short time, I have no concern about leaving her alone.  I don't think she will mind at all as long as I leave the radio or TV on.  

Tonight I think I'm going to finish the baking for Christmas and maybe get out some decorations.  I really hate to put more stress on her but I don't think she'll really mind.  She's very quiet (except when snoring) and is just sort of watching me (like I'm watching her).

She'll get used to me and soon come to realize that she is going to be spoiled.  Bad.  But not as bad as The Creature!  He is beyond spoiled!

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The Rogue Goddess saw shadows dancing at 5:46 PM

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

~ Thanksgiving Holiday, Etc ~

So the 'rents and I took our annual pilgrimage to Vegas this year over Thanksgiving. I lost my ass on slot machines. I wasn't in too much of a mind to be around others playing craps or roulette altho I was winning at both. I just wanted to mindlessly sit and watch those wheels spin around. That's what I did and I lost my ass. Oh, well.

But I DID manage to get 90% of my Christmas shopping done which is good. Dad and I took the bus to the Outlet Mall on Black Friday. It was not the most intelligent thing to do but at least he finally understands what "The Biggest Shopping Day of The Year" means in all of it's glory.

I'd like to send some good thoughts to the table of teen-aged Asian boys who let my dad and I have their table in the jam-packed food court. Dad was getting tired and wanted an ice cream (he's 78 so it's ok to be tired after all that shopping) but we couldn't find a table. One of the teenagers waved me over and waited until we got to them then gave us our table. Bless!

Everyone was very nice all day. Not just to us, either. I saw some 20-ish Latina give her seat to a very old Asian lady on the bus. Dad clogged up aisles and doorways but people didn't push at him or try to run him over - they would just touch him on the arm and say, "excuse me". I was really surprised. Especially on Black Friday. But maybe we were out after all of the shoving had been done. I don't know but it was a rather nice experience.

How crowded and noisy was it? According to Dad, "I can't wait to get back to the casino where's it's quiet".

We ended up getting home at 3am Sunday morning. The dog went NUTS. Poor old geezer is half blind as well as deaf because I came in the house first and asked my brother to help with the luggage and the dog just looked at me.

He didn't bark or anything (the dog, not my brother) until I put my hand down to him and he smelled me. Then he went crazy barking and running around screaming like he does.

It was nice to get home and just lay on the couch for the rest of the day. I'm still a little tired but there's no rest for the wicked.

Before I left, I applied to adopt two dogs from one of the local Peke rescues. One of them is a Peke and the other *was* a Peke mix. I say *was* because the poor thing died while I was gone (she was still with her foster mom). I am quite stunned. I knew she had eye infections but I didn't realize she was so ill. I don't think anyone did.

I'm supposed to pick up the other one this weekend. Her name is Molly and she is about 8 years old or so. The place is all ready for her - I have some bowls and a bed and a travel case (the rescue wanted me to have something to transport her in - I guess they don't believe in letting them wander the car like The Creature does when he rides with me). I'm picking up her food and shampoo this week.

She'll be going home for Christmas with me so The Creature will probably go nuts once he can half see/smell her. He doesn't mind my bother's boxer but anything his size he just can't fathom so he'll be all trying to smell and carry on. And it will be one more dog to take attention away from his spoiled hide!

Compared to the turmoil of the last month or so, the holidays should be pretty tame! (Here's hoping, anyway).

Before I left town, I made up the Christmas candy so that's one less chore I need to do. I could start to make a habit out of this - it's kinda nice not having to rush around and plan everything down to the last minute!

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The Rogue Goddess saw shadows dancing at 12:23 PM

~The Mighty Nephy~

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