Snowshoeing!

So after last week's 50+ inches of snow we went on something of an online shopping spree for winter gear. Most notably were snowshoes for both us. They're so fun! Perhaps, as Charlie says, the best snow sport. It is fun that we can go straight out of our backyard into the greenspace and eventually the wash trail and that snowshoeing doesn't require any skill passed walking.

Best snow sport 4 eva!

Divine Intervention

Just the other day I wondered aloud where we were going to get girl scout cookies this year. And sure enough, this evening a knock at the door from our mini patched and vested neighbor and her dad! Two thin mints, one samoa and one tagalong, please! Praise Jesus.

Manniversary

"Charlie, it's our three year manniversary this weekend!"

"I know!"

"Three years... So would you say this is your most serious relationship?"

"Ha! Um, two dogs and a house??"

"Uh-huh. Well?"

And then a look of amusement with my silly mood that I hope means he'll stick around for another 3.

We began celebrating by spending about 60 hours straight in the house together... which is relationship test all its own. The worst that happened was this morning we got in a small argument about the busted shower... which was good timing, since today the interstate was open! So we went into town, got some groceries and some hiking boots. And a meal that a) we didn't have to cook and b) wasn't based on ingredients from our local gas station. Nachos, anyone? Frozen pizza? It was a nice change of pace.




This picture is from just before we were together. If you look in his eyes, you can see how much Charlie wishes he was my boyfriend. See?

Anyway, thanks for laughing at my jokes, for the adventures and for paying half the mortgage!!!

Today

We've gotten a lot of that snow... and lots more is still coming. I couldn't go to work today because the interstate and the other highway into town (still!) are closed. Darn.
So I am getting even the teensy bit ahead in my studying, clearing snow and watching the dogs enjoy it. Don't worry, we all walked to the gas station for ice cream and beer... so we're all set.

Roasted Chickpeas

I first had these when I was home for Thanksgiving, my mom had made them. I made them the other night and they are too good not to share. Take some canned chickpeas (they shrink when they're roasted, I wouldn't go through the hassle with fewer than 2 cans-worth.) Rinse them well and put in a pan with just enough olive oil to keep them from sticking.

Seasoning is up to you, I used garlic powder, sea salt, cumin and garam masala and was pretty pleased with the result-- a little zesty but not overwhelming.

Put the pan of seasoned chickpeas in a 350 degree oven for about 50 minutes, every ten minutes or so shaking the pan around to keep them from burning.

The chickpeas end up a little crunchy and almost like snack nuts or something. Delicious!

Haircut

Look! I got another $20 haircut. And she made it curly! And now I am listening to lectures about Trusts.

Bathroom

Because the bar prep precludes me from spending my time doing fun things. At all. There has been no painting and very little is on the walls. However, we solved a situation in the bathroom and I'm not talking about abs from Jersey Shore. The upstairs bathroom, "master bath" if you're on HGTV, looked like this:




How does one shower in that shower? Where does the shower curtain go? These are legitimate questions. You may think of one of those old-fashioned circular shower curtain rods like I did. If you do, you can google it and see they start at, like, $200. Too much. So I found this D-shaped one from Home Depot.com for $29 with shipping and we just now finished installing it. Because it involved drilling into TILE. And using special screws for hollow walls. But it turned out the ones we got first were too big (even though they said 3/8" but whatever) and then it turned out part of the wall wasn't hollow and then that ceiling rod was too long. But, we did it.








High five!

Next step is doing something about those horrible fixtures...

Weekends

The 3-4 feet of snow haven't hit yet, but through the blinds while I listen to lectures on Wills, I can see that we're on our way. Last weekend my dad was in town, which was great and we made some improvements on the house. Like he made it a lot warmer using logic and physics (and about $30 in supplies from the hardware store.) I think I felt so overwhelmed that I forgot things I knew. I put plastic over our windows in Madison in the winter... why didn't I think of that when our house here was cold? He also bought us a new front and side door. They haven't been installed yet, but they will also improve the heat situation. And while we were waiting in line at check-out at Home Depot, we had a good laugh about the days when I would have begged for a pony or been tickled by a boombox... but now I was stoked to get some new doors. I even up-talked my way to fancier front-door hardware. "But, Daaaad, I like this one so much more...."

This nice, long weekend was sorely needed. By the end of last week, personality problems at work had a hit a head that was only exacerbated by exhaustion and frustration with bar study. Once I got out of frustrated crying mode and into long weekend mode, it was much better. This weekend has involved some progress, too. If we ever finish the project in the upstairs bathroom, I will share pictures and stories. If not, I'd rather not discuss it...

And the dogs! So much dog time. Gus went to doggy daycare (excuse me, day camp) twice last week. It was awesome and pretty much totally worth $16/day. Not only do I not have to come home over lunch to let him out of the crate, but he is there playing like a maniac all day and so is, well, dog tired all evening. This is much more conducive to studying than these two pups "playing" all night in the background.




I hadn't noticed until Charlie pointed out that Gus shies away if one of us raises something like a stick. I didn't see it until we were trying to assemble this bedframe and he'd run each time I lifted my section. It's very sad and angering. I don't know who had him last, but if I ever find the person who used to hit him with sticks... I will hit them. With sticks if he or she is lucky. And that's a promise. I mean, look at him, what kind of a person would hit this?

What did I say?

From: County Emergency Manager
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 1:37 PM
To: COUNTY
Subject: Major Storm Coming
Importance: High

 

I just got word that there is a series of major winter storms coming to our region next week.  At this point it looks like 3 storms which could bring a total of 3-4 feet of snow.  These are just preliminary numbers which could change over the next several days.  The NWS is quite concerned about these storms and the impact it could have on the Region.

Coconino County Emergency Manager 

Things I've Said to the Dogs Which I Hope I Don't, but Fear I Might, One Day Say to my Children

What do you have? That's a squeegee/screwdriver/steak knife, not a toy.

DROP IT.

Come here, you crazy little fucker.

Stop smelling my crotch.

Stop taking my underwear, you little pervert.

Drop it, that's garbage. Drop it, that's poop.

You are annoying the shit out of me.

Goddamnit! Staaaaaaaay stiiiiiilllll....

I love you, you're so cute/beautiful.

Drop it, that's dental floss.

What do you have? What the hell is wrong with you?

Seriously, what the fuck?

NO BITING.

NO JUMPING.

If you don't let me sleep...

Get. Off. The. Bed.

You'rethebestboyinthewholewideworldandIloveyousomuchyou'remyveryfavoriteexceptyourbrotherandyoudadand...

I love to squoosh your smooshy face.

What are you eating.

DROP IT.

Good boy!

Stop humping your brother.

Gus: Still Cute in the Dark

House a Home

Some advances toward home improvement straddled the new year. From consultation with HVAC guys about why half the house is freezing to a backhoe digging out the backyard, things are moving along. We went down to Ikea yesterday and came back with an awesome kitchen island and some sorely needed additional storage for the bathroom(s).

This is the new stove that was finally delivered and installed on Saturday. I love it. I was delighted, at 11pm last night after a long day in Phoenix and a long evening assembling furniture to pop a frozen pizza into its flawless self. I've never had a new stove before. And while I can feel myself getting caught up in the homeowner's lament of the expense and the hassle of it all, I hope to continue to be able to enjoy that thrill. Yes, it cost a lot of money, but I went to Sears and picked out that stove and which features I want and what I'm willing to pay more for... and now it's mine (ok, ours) and it's awesome. And some previous incarnation of myself might be horrified that I'm blogging about a stove... but screw her. The stove is awesome. And so is remembering that this is our freaking house!!!