The Diploma


Kylee wasn't too thrilled when it came to wearing her mortar board hat.


Word of the Day

Telecrastination - The act of always letting the phone ring at least twice before you pick it up, even when you're only six inches away.


It's


Graduation


Day!


Kylee graduated from her beginning obedience class today. Woohoo! Celebration! She'll be starting on her intermediate classes next weekend.


Random Thought of the Day

If a bald person works as a chef at a restaurant, do they have to wear a hairnet?

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

I'm not judging people, I'm judging their actions. It's the same type of distinction that I try to apply to myself, to judge, but not be judgmental.

- Jeff Melvoin, Northern Exposure, Crime and Punishment, 1992

Word of the Day

Telebility - Having the ability to tell if a television is on by hearing a high pitched ringing in one's ear from around the corner, or anywhere in the house.

Last night, one of my neighbors rang the doorbell (right during the movie Knowing...which was really a bit depressing despite the "hope for the future" thing.) Her daughter gave her several bags of lemons and she didn't need so many so she wanted to know if I'd like one of the bags. Argh! Of course, I took them but... What am I going to do with more lemons?! I'm NOT going to make any more limoncello. I end up gifting most of the limoncello I make and I already some limoncello from the batches I made a couple years ago. The single batch of limoncello that I've got brewing will be plenty for future gifts. I think I'll juice and zest these new lemons, portioned out and frozen, to make future lemon meringue pies. Thank goodness I have a freezer. I do love lemon meringue pie. I really don't NEED lemon meringue pie either but....

Have you ever noticed that when you're on a diet that almost every commercial on TV has a food or beverage theme? And the Weight-Watchers people and the like don't help either because all they show is more food. *sigh* Oh well, I'm doing my best. I've even given up my nightly glass of wine, in hopes that I can drop the extra pounds that I've picked up over the holidays. It doesn't help that HTP's brother is going to be here (in Arizona) this weekend and talked to HTP about getting together with us. However, HTP's brother may give us a call to tell us that he and his new wife are too busy to get together with us. Since they are in the process of getting their new vacation home furnished and decorated, which can take lots of time, I won't fault them if they do call us to cancel the possible get-together. And, HTP and I were asked to out for dinner and a movie with friends this weekend which we had to postpone until next weekend because of HTP's brother. I really wanted to see that new movie The Green Hornet. I hope the movie is still showing next weekend. oh well...at least HTP and I won't be able to cheat on our diets if we end up staying home this weekend.

Random Thought of the Day

How fast do hotcakes sell?

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Everything is vague to a degree you do not realize till you have tried to make it precise.

- Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)

Kylee

I'll have to make sure I post a graduation picture.

Word of the Day

Teenanswer - Any answer to a question that doesn't properly address the question, like those of a teenager.

Kylee had lessons yesterday. She did very well...even when we played musical dogs (switched handlers). Next Saturday will be her last day of the beginners' classes. Graduation Day. I hear that there are going to be pictures taken, and she gets a genuine diploma. Meanwhile, I signed her up for the next series of classes. Intermediate Obedience Training.

I had an orchestra practice at the church this morning....and next Sunday. It didn't take too long to run through the music. So, that gave me plenty of time to do some shopping. I picked up a some oranges so I could make more Arancello. I picked up some picture frames for the pictures that DD Daughter gave me of Mr. T and Ms. En. And...I stopped at the grocery store to pick up some groceries. All things accomplished and it wasn't even noon as yet.

I'd already started on batch of Limoncello from some lemons my neighbor gave me. At the same time I started a batch of Arancello from some of the tangelos from my own tree. However, after consulting with Sis, and since I really didn't think I had all that many tangelos growing on my tree this year, I picked up some oranges and started two more batches of Arancello, using navel oranges. Unfortunately, I was only able to purchase one bottle of Everclear at the store so....I'll have to buy more Everclear to add to one of the batches. Looks like I'll have to hunt up some more Everclear from a different store. As a matter of fact, I'll have to purchase three more bottles of Everclear because it turns out that I actually do have more tangelos on my tree. More than I thought. I picked enough tangelos to make another full batch of Arancello, and enough when added to the remaining oranges that I'd bought to make up a mixed batch of Arancello (1/2 tangelo, 1/2 orange). Waste not, want not. I'll have to run out to the store to buy some soda water to go with all the orange juice I've got in the fridge. I juiced up all the oranges. I'm going to have to freeze some of the juice. There's no way that I can drink all that much juice all by myself...even if HTP helps.

Random Thought of the Day

Why are there interstate highways in Hawaii?

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

A man may well bring a horse to the water but he cannot make him drink.

- John Heywood (1497 - 1580)

Kylee - January 14, 2010

I was only able to take the above picture because I ordered her to go to her box and put her on a Down Stay. Otherwise, she'd have been a whirling mass of blurred fur.

Word of the Day

Tearyold - Descriptive of the act of a two-year-old or such young child throwing a tantrum.

I treated myself to a facial and a haircut and style at Dolce Salon this week. Normally, a visit to this salon wouldn't fit into the budget but Groupon had a special deal so I took advantage of it. The hour long facial was fabulous. An hour well spent. And the hair-stylist who cut my hair did a wonderful job. Let's just hope that I can make it look just as good when it comes to washing and styling. I think I can...maybe. However, for right now, I love it. Two hours at the Dolce Salon & Spa and I'm glad I purchased an addition "coupon" for a future visit....just before I head back to Wisconsin for the summer.

I've been taking Kylee to obedience classes. She's doing quite well. I'm loving the Gentle Leader that the instructor advised me to purchase. Actually, I love it so much that I purchased one for my folks for their dog. My folks tell me that Sandy is a totally different dog when she's out for walks with my Dad (T-Square). T-Square tells me that it's a miracle. Meanwhile, Kylee sits on command and lies down on command. She's learned the "Leave it" command but is somewhat iffy on it. She's learned "Wait" but is still working on certain aspects of that command. I'm trying to keep her from exploding out of her kennel each morning when I open the door or racing out the front or back doors. Apparently, that lesson is being introduced this Saturday. Kylee is working on the "Stay" command and is doing fairly well at it....but has a few lapses. Most of Kylee's problems with training are directly attributable to her handler. Me. I need to take her for more walks and exercise her distractability quotient by taking her to PetSmart more often. Lots of distractions at PetSmart. But...she's doing quite well...and I'm learning.

Big news! Sarge and D Buddy are going to have a baby! April. Sarge told us right before Thanksgiving. I'm hoping to go to Texas at the end of February so I can hostess a baby shower for her. In the meantime, I've just finished up making several baby blankets and a couple of baby afghans for the new grandchild. A girl...or so I've been told, however, Sarge told me that she doesn't want any frilly pink girly things (which tells me that my new grand-daughter is sure to become the head cheerleader at her school and haunt the malls looking for the latest addition to her shoe collection because that's just the nature of things). Of course, HTP and I also plan to drive out there in April to meet the new little one.

Random Thought of the Day

How far east can you go before you're heading west?

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Martyrdom... is the only way in which a man can become famous without ability.

- George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)

HTP, DD Daughter, and #1 Son - Sushi Night in Minnesota - December 2010

Word of the Day

Teamlet - A team within a larger team. Consisting of as few as one member, teamlets can research topics of great importance and report back to a team or larger teamlet which reports to an even larger team.

Happy


New Year


Everyone!

OK....so I'm almost a couple weeks late but...

So much has happened since last I blogged. Sadly, HTP's Mom passed away in December. We flew back to Minnesota for the visitation and funeral. Once again we gathered as a family to say goodbye and make the sad trip to Wisconsin where HTP's Mom was buried beside the church that both HTP's attended for most of their lives. Together once again.


Together Again

I had finished most of my Christmas preparations prior to our trip to Minnesota. I'd purchased a brand new artificial tree which required more space than I'd predicted and anticipated. I ended up having to move furniture in order to accommodate it. However, with #1 Son joining us for Christmas and his girlfriend joining us after Christmas, I pulled out all the stops and moved the furniture and decorated the house for Christmas...pulling out more decorations than I've used in years.


New Christmas Tree

#1 Son flew in on December 23rd and quickly prepared to play his trumpet at the Christmas Eve service at our church.


Brass Ensemble - Christmas Eve 2010

We celebrated Christmas quietly at home with friends. I made a prime rib dinner. Normally, I end up setting off the fire alarms when I make prime rib but I averted this ear-bleeding problem on Christmas. There's nothing quite like a quiet Christmas. After dinner, we enjoyed watching a movie that Santa brought us for Christmas and then broke out our new Wii (a gift from HTP and Me to HTP and me) and bowled. Fun times.


#1 Son - Christmas Morning 2010


Christmas Wine - A Christmas Present from my children


Christmas Dinner 2010

A few days after Christmas, #1 Son's girlfriend flew in to join us here in Arizona. And then we all drove to Las Vegas to ring in the New Year. I repeat. Happy New Year Everyone!


New Year's Day Breakfast in Vegas - Family and Friends

Christmas has come and gone. #1 Son and his girlfriend are back in Minnesota. The decorations have all been stowed away. I've been working out with our new WiiFit on an almost daily basis. Our friends came over to help me bottle some French Cabernet, a wine kit that I decided to experiment with for the first time. I was so pleased enough with the kit wine that I discussed the possibility of making future kits with Sis. Though our own efforts are OK, there's only so much of that stuff we can drink.

And so, this brings you up to date. I won't promise a daily post but I'll try.

Random Thought of the Day

Why do doctors leave the room when you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

We must use time as a tool, not as a crutch.

- John F. Kennedy (1917 - 1963)