This is what happens . . .

when I get new snow boots.

If you look really closely through the crack in the fence (on the right), you can kind of see a little snow.

That's right, after holding out for several years, last winter's snow fall had me giving up on the cute boots I had and looking for something a little heavier duty. (Oh, okay, so it also didn't help that the boots I was wearing last year should have been replaced the year before and were letting in all kinds of moisture through the cracks and such. But that is totally beside the point.)

Back when the first snow fell in late November, I started really looking for boots. Well, that first snow fall melted away pretty quickly, but I was sure it was only a matter of days (a couple weeks at most) that there would be much much more snow to replace it. I soon found a pair that would be great, except they were a teensy tiny one size too small. I bought them anyway, thinking that once the lining got matted down a little they would be okay. However, TheHusband wasn't having any of that kind of thinking. He went to two more stores just to find the right size. (Yeah, he's a keeper!)

Only thing is, since he went to all that effort, I've worn the boots a total of three (3) times. And I didn't really need to, I just wanted to. Last year around this time I was posting things like this or this (in Feb), but this year there's hardly any snow at all. When driving up to my mom's for Christmas, it felt more like we were going to visit for Thanksgiving (it's much more common to have a brown Thanksgiving that it is to have a brown Christmas).

I'm not complaining (much). After the brutality of last winter, it's kind of nice to have a reprieve. I would kind of like to be able to use my new boots though.

This is what happens . . .

. . .when you have two stalker cats.

From these perches, TheAnnabelle and TheDexter can keep an eye on what's going on while making sure their fuzzy little paws and their fuzzy little tails don't get stepped on. Plus, it has the added advantage (in their opinion) of allowing them the fastest access to the food dish, drip drips, or scratchies (all the reasons they really stalk us).

This is what happens . . .

. . . when I get left alone with a broken vacuum cleaner.

A few months ago (before I welcomed Frankenfinger to the family) we had a little problem with the vacuum cleaner. You see, it would turn on, but the brush wouldn't turn. Obviously, not acceptable. So after TheHusband went to spend some time with friends (and no I didn't tell him what my plan was. . . I didn't want to make him nervous) I dug out the tool box and got busy tearing the darn thing apart.

This is what happens . . .

. . . when we get together with the family (especially when the nieces and nephews are involved).

Sadly, the battery in my camera died about half way through the zoo. More sadly, I had left the spare battery in the car. Drat the luck. Much fun, or a near approximation, was had by all anyway!

This is what happens . . .

. . . when your very perceptive husband (well, mine anyway) picks up on your not so subtle clues as to what you want for your (meaning mine) birthday!

Yup! I have entered the Nook world, and so far I'm liking it. I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive about reading a book from a screen, but the contrast is fairly decent and I love that you can change the size of the text and the font type (there's several options) to help make the reading experience customized.

What I really love about it is that it can hold so many books and will never get heavier. Our actual book collection is quite large and with us not knowing where the good Lord will take us once TheHusband graduates seminary, the idea of adding even more books that we will end up having to move was not a happy thought. Also, in regards to the weight issue, I think it will be great for those days when the spondylitis/arthritis is really bothering me and I don't want to stress my hands out even more with the bulk of an actual hardcover book.

So, now that I've entered the Nook world, any suggestions for e-books I should read? (I've read one so far and am working up a review to share with you all).

This is what happens . . .

... when I take "vacation" time.

napping

lots of napping

I have taken a lot of naps the last few days (I did work out with TheHusband on Monday morning, and now can we say OWWW) and woken up to TheDexter napping with me. Let me tell you how hard it's been to quietly slip out of the bed to get the camera when all I really wanted to do was rub that furry belly.

Today we (TheHusband and I) are off to the Como Zoo. We are in for a fun day of polar bears, flowers, and mini golf (and some mini donuts if I have my way)!

This is what happens . . .

When I try to do way to many things at one time and, in the process, forget to unplug the immersion blender before cleaning it.

The nurse at Urgent Care has some
serious injury wrapping skills!

I can't tell you exactly what happened. All I remember is that one second I was cleaning the blender, and the next second I was reaching for the nearest dish towel while trying to figure out how I was going to call TheHusband while applying pressure to my finger. Let me tell you how much I love speed dial.

Let me tell you how much I dislike voicemail. So I leave a message for TheHusband, it was right around the time his class was ending, then sit down with my hand elevated above my head. While I wait for him to call me back I practice deep breathing. I've passed out from shock before (once from 3rd degree sunburns, and once from stabbing myself in the hand with a letter opener. . . yeah, I'm an unintentional danger to myself, but the guys in the white coats don't need to be called) and can tell my body just might be reaching that point. But the deep breathing helps and the diaphoresis seems to pass. Then TheHusband calls. He didn't actually listen to my message, just saw that I called and wanted to know "What's up?". I quickly explain the situation and ask him to come home as quickly as possible. So he does, because he's awesome like that.

Maybe the fact they were in a strip
mall should have been a clue.

While on his way to save me he calls the Urgent Care in our clinic, but they tell him they are full and then they redirect him to the next closest Urgent Care, which really turns out to be the "Please take a number and we'll be with you as soon as we can." Care. Can you tell I wasn't impressed? We took a number and waited 10-15 minutes to be called up. When we are called up, they give us some paperwork to fill out (so they can get paid). TheHusband fills out the paperwork and we wait another 10 minutes before I finally get called back. During the wait I start to feel woozy/nauseous and really light headed and the diaphoresis returns.

They took my blood pressure, which was WAAAAY too low, then took me to the actual exam room where I got to soak my hand in hot soapy water while we waited for the doctor. This wait was shorter (only about 5-10 minutes). The doctor looked at the finger and decided I needed stitches. (Ya think?) However, he thought he would be funny and said that because I had done it to myself I wouldn't be getting any anesthesia. My unsaid response: "Um, yeah, my insurance company pays you to be a doctor not a would be comedian. Stitch the dang thing up already!"

Needless to say I did get several shots of lidocaine (and tried not to break TheHusband's fingers when the first couple shots were administered). Ahhh, the bliss of a numb finger. After searching for the gauge of suture thread, the doc finally settled in to get business done. I won't go into the awkwardness of having my arm/hand dangle off the side of the exam table while he stitched me up or the near mis-adventure we had while trying to get the painkillers (ohh, we do love our pharmacy though and I'm not even being sarcastic). But here's how the finger has been healing (caution if you get queasy at the sight of injuries you may not want to look).

2 days after,
first bandage change

4 days after

Frankenfinger
(I got bored)

Day 10 - Last day before
sutures come out.

Day 11 - Sutures out!
Still pretty ugly.

Day 13 - looks a little better

Day 18 - camera won't focus, but it
looks MUCH better

This is what happens . . .

. . . when TheAnnabelle manages to sneak into the office when TheHusband isn't home.

She decides that she needs to sit in TheHusband's desk chair. She'll even fight to stay there. Who knew purple and gold could be so comfy?!

(If TheHusband is home and she sneaks in, she usually heads for the closet or the far corner.)

This is what happens . . .

. . . when a certain kitty, TheDexter, tries to take a nap away from his sister.

He forgets to tuck his tail in sometimes.

This is what happens . . .

. . . when Spring finally comes out for a day!

60 degrees? Is it possible?

AC, engaged!

Leaf buds pop!

Ohhhh, look at them go POP! POP! POP!

Can you tell that I was so happy to see blue skies yesterday? After several days of rainy, grey skies my spirit needed yesterday. Here's hoping that today is more of the same!

I hope you have blue skies where ever you are today!

This is what happens . . .

. . . when TheAnnabelle does the ironing.

"Does it look like I'm finished with the ironing?"

It's her favorite place to hang out while waiting for TheHusband or me to come out of the office. It's high enough that she can stay away from the annoying little brother (aka: TheDexter), yet close enough to the upstairs bathroom so she'll never miss a chance at "drip drips".

This is what happens . . .

. . . when TheAnnabelle senses greenery in the house.

 

This demonstrates why we can't have plants in the house. TheAnnabelle would try to eat them all. The plant in the picture is a palm frond that we brought home from church and we only let her chew on it for a few seconds before putting it where she can't get it.

And, yes, the pictures are a little blurry, but it couldn't be helped because TheAnnabelle just moves that fast.

This is what happens . . .

. . . when certain kitties find they simply must be in the same window.

TheDexter and TheAnnabelle L.O.V.E. to sit in the windows and watch the neighborhood, especially now that the weather has gotten nice. While they do have a kitchen window seat designed just for them, they really prefer to sit in the upstairs windows (TheDexter finds he can be both brave and safe at the same time). And while there are three different windows they can sit in, this is the favorite and is worth being fought over.

Luckily, the screen is screwed into the frame on the outside. Not so luckily, it's not screwed in across the bottom. Now the two little miscreants aren't allowed to sit in this window until we can figure out a "fix" for the bent screen frame. It's way to tempting for TheAnnabelle, who actually did try to squeeze through there while I was taking the picture. It's also way to tempting for the bugs who want to come into the house.

This is what happens . . .

When TheHusband says "You can't take a picture of me."

Yup, I take a picture of his feet, which were moving at the time.

I'm sneaky like that. =)

This is what happens . . .

. . . when you have a smarty pants cat that likes to get attention (cat in question not shown in picture).

This is what happens . . .

. . . when I get a crazy craft idea.

    

Any ideas where these little Peeps are marching off to? I'll be documenting their journey and let you know next week, but in the meantime, feel free to post your guesses!

This is what happens . . .

. . . when it's SPRING BREAK!!!

Oh, I still have to work even though there's practically no one on campus, but this is bliss. I haven't had any voicemail messages so far (knock on wood) and instead of ringing 20-30 times a day the phone only rings 2-3 times a day. And while there are still PILES of filing on my desk, some of my other projects are actually getting done. Yup, I love "Spring Break"!

This is what happens . . .

 . . . every time we refill the reservoir on the humidifier.

"Hmm. . . I should probably fill this." is what I think.

This is what happens . . .

Ooops!
(August 6, 2007)

. . . when I get really mad at work.

*laughs maniacally*

Seriously though, I had left my windows cracked open when I parked the car in the morning. When I went back out to the car after work I found out, the hard way, that a couple flies had taken up residence in the car.

The "hard way"? Yeah, one of the flies decided to show its displeasure at my return by flying behind the lens of my glasses and then FREAKING out in my eyeball. Of course it waited until I put the car in drive and was actually moving forward.

This is what happens . . .

... whenever I don't get home when TheAnnabelle thinks I should. She may not be in the window as I pull up, but all I have to do is give her a few seconds, and . .. POP . . . there's her cute little head peaking down on me. Now I wish I could say it's because she loves and misses me so much. But sadly, she's merely trying to figure out her timing.

"Is the human at the garage or right in front of the house?"
"Is she carrying something or are her hands free?"
"Is she walking fast or slow?"
"Is she distracted from being late?"