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(and their human parents)
This blog started as The adventures of a D.I.N.K. family where the two "kids" are four legged and how we are going to retire early. Now it's a 1 income, 1 entrepreneur, and 1 pup getting closer and closer to retirement.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Excitement in the neighborhood & time with the nephew
I guess I should start with the excitement - come to find out, we have a potential terrorist in our neighborhood. He was arrested yesterday morning. By yesterday afternoon it was all over the news. So the neighborhood was a buzz yesterday while I was at work.
Last night, VJ and I went to dinner and decided on Glory Days - somewhere new for him and so we could watch the Caps game. As we got out of the car, who's walking into the restaurant, but my good friend, SB and her boyfriend, MS. So we had dinner with them. VJ & MS got along great because of their obsessions with cars, while SB & I got to chat.
We finally got home probably about 9 pm, then VJ decided he wanted to start a fire in the firepit. How many Clarks does it take to start a fire - more than two plus a firestarter block. I kept on saying, "I'm not taking you on Survivor" & "I don't know how Dan starts the fire", "Check on the internet", "we're still going to be trying to start the fire when Dan gets home". Just not something either one of us learned growing up (of course, I DON'T camp, so no need to know how to start a fire). I was impressed that VJ stayed calm and kept trying.
Needless to say, last night was a late night, but worth it. If it wasn't for work, I would have stayed up later.
1:50 pm - another link regarding the terrorist in the neighborhood.
Last night, VJ and I went to dinner and decided on Glory Days - somewhere new for him and so we could watch the Caps game. As we got out of the car, who's walking into the restaurant, but my good friend, SB and her boyfriend, MS. So we had dinner with them. VJ & MS got along great because of their obsessions with cars, while SB & I got to chat.
We finally got home probably about 9 pm, then VJ decided he wanted to start a fire in the firepit. How many Clarks does it take to start a fire - more than two plus a firestarter block. I kept on saying, "I'm not taking you on Survivor" & "I don't know how Dan starts the fire", "Check on the internet", "we're still going to be trying to start the fire when Dan gets home". Just not something either one of us learned growing up (of course, I DON'T camp, so no need to know how to start a fire). I was impressed that VJ stayed calm and kept trying.
Needless to say, last night was a late night, but worth it. If it wasn't for work, I would have stayed up later.
1:50 pm - another link regarding the terrorist in the neighborhood.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
(My) Cousin Vinny
Not my cousin, but the pups cousin Vinny AKA my nephew, VJ.
VJ came down yesterday and will be with us a couple of days - just to hang out. He usually makes it down about 2 times a year or so. I'm so happy when the family comes and visits. For so many years, I was the one driving the 300 miles, now they come to me (we still visit NY, just not as much).
The pups love it when family comes and visits too (mostly Esa). She was already looking for VJ this morning.
VJ came down yesterday and will be with us a couple of days - just to hang out. He usually makes it down about 2 times a year or so. I'm so happy when the family comes and visits. For so many years, I was the one driving the 300 miles, now they come to me (we still visit NY, just not as much).
The pups love it when family comes and visits too (mostly Esa). She was already looking for VJ this morning.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
How to keep the (phone) conversations going
With Dan and I working seperate schedules, it's sometimes hard to think of things to talk about on the phone in the evening. A couple of times, I've made lists of things to discuss, but it was usually important things that we needed to discuss to make a decision or something.
This weekend in Parade Magazine, this article was in it. This is a great idea that I think I'm going to start doing.
This weekend in Parade Magazine, this article was in it. This is a great idea that I think I'm going to start doing.
MORE free Tupperware!
This is $101 in Tupperware that I got for free with hostess credits! I also got 2 items at half price. Overall, I got about $300 in product and paid about $98.
Woohoo!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Gotta love CVS!
9 bags of fun size candy (for halloween)
hand sanitizer pen
2 packs of erasers (for geocaching trading)
1 pack of clips (for geocaching trading)
How did I do it? COUPONS on sale items!
$1 CVS coupon for 2 bags of candy
coupon for free hand sanitizer (answered a flu question on twitter via CVS Extra)
$5.50 in manufactor coupons
$15 in CVS Extra Bucks
$15.66 in sale items
Monday, October 18, 2010
Wrapup of the scrapbooking weekend
The scrapbooking weekend was a success for me. I finished 2 albums - our first cruise (March 2005) and then our weeklong trip to Outer Banks, NC (September 2005). Then I started playing around with the digital software I had. I had pictures I needed to download from my phone and get organized in Creative Memories Memory Maker software.
I got home about 4 pm - then crashed a little after walking the dogs with Dan.
I got home about 4 pm - then crashed a little after walking the dogs with Dan.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Scrapbooking and lifestyles
This weekend (Thursday-Sunday) I'm at a scrapbooking retreat in Nokesville, VA. I enjoy weekends like this because I usually get A LOT of scrapbooking done. Now, my scrapbooks are of our family, the two humans and (now) the two pups. Not your typical scrapbooker - meaning, usually scrapbookers are moms (of young kids). Which leads me to this post.
Luckily, my good friend, MW, is also a no kid scrapbooker so usually we do these weekends together. This weekend (so far), I realize how happy I am with my/our lifestyle of no kids. Since we are close to "home", all of the moms are coming and going throughout the day because of their husbands working. I keep thinking - "so much for a girls weekend of scrapbooking". On the other hand, yesterday (since I was the first "guest" to arrive around 4 pm), I have basically been here by myself. JN "the host", due to her hubby's work schedule change, has to take care of her kids. She finally was able to come back around 8 pm, then 3 other moms finally came. Everyone, except one, left during the night. Then I was left alone again as the one that stayed went home this morning. It's great that it's close to their houses so that they can go home, but so much with them getting their scrapbooking done!
Of course, conversations are usually about the kids. They all know each other from their mommy's club. You kind of feel out of the loop when you don't have kids and wonder, "OK, what do I have in common with these people besides scrapbooking?" and "Do these people have anything else going on in their lives?". But I guess that's what happens when you have kids - they are your life and it revolves around them.
My life, on the other hand, revolves around work, hubby, and the pups. Plus some other stuff - volunteering, hockey, and the benefits of not having kids (eating out when we want, doing what we want when we want, etc.).
Anyway, MW is here so now I have a non-mom buddy to hang out with and talk non-kid stuff.
Luckily, my good friend, MW, is also a no kid scrapbooker so usually we do these weekends together. This weekend (so far), I realize how happy I am with my/our lifestyle of no kids. Since we are close to "home", all of the moms are coming and going throughout the day because of their husbands working. I keep thinking - "so much for a girls weekend of scrapbooking". On the other hand, yesterday (since I was the first "guest" to arrive around 4 pm), I have basically been here by myself. JN "the host", due to her hubby's work schedule change, has to take care of her kids. She finally was able to come back around 8 pm, then 3 other moms finally came. Everyone, except one, left during the night. Then I was left alone again as the one that stayed went home this morning. It's great that it's close to their houses so that they can go home, but so much with them getting their scrapbooking done!
Of course, conversations are usually about the kids. They all know each other from their mommy's club. You kind of feel out of the loop when you don't have kids and wonder, "OK, what do I have in common with these people besides scrapbooking?" and "Do these people have anything else going on in their lives?". But I guess that's what happens when you have kids - they are your life and it revolves around them.
My life, on the other hand, revolves around work, hubby, and the pups. Plus some other stuff - volunteering, hockey, and the benefits of not having kids (eating out when we want, doing what we want when we want, etc.).
Anyway, MW is here so now I have a non-mom buddy to hang out with and talk non-kid stuff.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Our first Caps game of the season
Last night was our first game of our 5 game pack. The game was against the New York Islanders and Milan Jurcina, Dan's favorite active player, is now on their team.
It was a great game. I'll say it, I was worried when the Islanders scored first and the penalties we got, but we came back!
Our seats are in section 113 and right on the end of row L, so when we sat down, I knew Pat Sajak's seats were in the next section and sure enough, here he comes with his son. So the couple of times that Pat when running by, Dan would say, "Hi, Pat" - of course he didn't hear him.
Our section was picked for the new "motion sensor" game. The section who waves the most wins. Of course, we lost. :(
Verizon Center added another text service. If there are any issues, you text "Service" and the issue. I was a smarty and text the lady in front of me has too much perfume on. Seriously, it stunk.
Anyway, it was a fun night.
It was a great game. I'll say it, I was worried when the Islanders scored first and the penalties we got, but we came back!
Our seats are in section 113 and right on the end of row L, so when we sat down, I knew Pat Sajak's seats were in the next section and sure enough, here he comes with his son. So the couple of times that Pat when running by, Dan would say, "Hi, Pat" - of course he didn't hear him.
Our section was picked for the new "motion sensor" game. The section who waves the most wins. Of course, we lost. :(
Verizon Center added another text service. If there are any issues, you text "Service" and the issue. I was a smarty and text the lady in front of me has too much perfume on. Seriously, it stunk.
Anyway, it was a fun night.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
What we got in the mail 2day!
Coupon for a free bottle of Anvil & Glee season 1 from mycokerewards.com
Single (doggie) parenthood
Our work schedules are great for having dogs (except for hubby having to get up early). In the morning, hubby takes care of the pups with their walking and in the evening, I take care of them.
Dan has been out of town visiting his grandmother since Saturday. The weekend isn't hard at all handling the dogs, but when I need to take care of the dogs and then go to work, boy is time tight!
Yesterday was pretty good because of the holiday and no traffic. I was able to get up, walk the pups, get ready, take Esa to daycare and then get to work ON TIME! I don't know what was wrong with my schedule this morning, but I got to work about 10 minutes late and I didn't take Esa to daycare. I guess we walked a little longer than I did yesterday.
Anyway, cudos to all those single parents who get the kids and themselves ready in the morning. I can't imagine it.
Dan has been out of town visiting his grandmother since Saturday. The weekend isn't hard at all handling the dogs, but when I need to take care of the dogs and then go to work, boy is time tight!
Yesterday was pretty good because of the holiday and no traffic. I was able to get up, walk the pups, get ready, take Esa to daycare and then get to work ON TIME! I don't know what was wrong with my schedule this morning, but I got to work about 10 minutes late and I didn't take Esa to daycare. I guess we walked a little longer than I did yesterday.
Anyway, cudos to all those single parents who get the kids and themselves ready in the morning. I can't imagine it.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
My Tupperware Party!
My free gifts I received at my party today - One is a thank you, one for $200 in outside orders, one for listening to a prerecorded message and one for getting a guest list to the rep.
I still need to finalize the party and then figure out what credit I will receive and then I can get MORE free or discounted products!
What we got in the mail 2day!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Catching up (September & the beginning of October)
Not sure if I should work from the most recent event back or the other way around! I did not mean to not blog this long.
Saturday, September 18
It was a “me” day since Dan was working. I went to my friend’s (MW) house for a Tupperware party and an afternoon of scrapbooking. MW lives 1 ½ hour away, so made it worth it. It was a great drive – I enjoyed the small town about one mile from MW’s house. I would like to go check that place out.
MW is BIG into Tupperware and her parties are the only one’s I’ve gone too – AND they are FUN! The flow of the party hasn’t changed since I’ve last gone. You play a “pick it’ game – that you may have to have a party or maybe not and then an auction with play money. I decided to do the “pick it” game – since I probably would have ended up booking a party anyway. Sure enough, I picked the card where I’m supposed to have a party (I did get a scoop out of it too). So this week is the party (October 9). I did win at the auction though – since I booked a party, I got extra “money” so I won the item I wanted. (see What I got at the Tupperware party today ). MW and I had a little bidding war against the towel set since she wanted the dishrag (and I wanted the towel), so she “won” the set and then ended up giving me the towel.
After the party, I worked on organizing my digital photos on the computer. I felt like I got some things accomplished.
Monday, September 20
Usually we miss the community Doggy Dip Day, since they have it on the day after Labor Day. But this year, the community decided to extend the pool two extra weekends and on the 20th had the Doggy Dip Day.
I knew Esa would have a great time, but wasn’t sure how Zed would react. Zed basically stayed by my side the majority of the time or if he saw Dan he would run over to him and follow him. When he did get a few feet away, I couldn’t tell if he was “lost” or having fun. So I would call his name and he would come over to me.
Let me just say – he is a little ladies man. ALL of the under 7 girls were all over him. I had to watch to make sure they didn’t pick him up or he didn’t mind the attention. It was cute.
He also had a flashback to the cottage and jumped up on the lounges (onto one that someone was sitting on), so then I sat down on one and he sat on it with me. He also started jumping one to another.
Monday, September 27
It bothers both of us with Zed being territorial and skittish at the same time. I was pretty sure we were on the right path with getting him out of the territorial habit (almost acting aggressive when seeing something he does not know). I don’t like the way that looks to another dog owner.
He is so food oriented that as soon as I pull out a treat (when he starts being territorial) and say “leave it”, he does. Or if I pull out the spray bottle, he’ll stop. I wanted to make sure, so I had LN, our trainer from Petsmart who trained us with Esa, come over to visit. She said we were on the right path! So we will continue with the treat/leave it command and hopefully he will improve.
Thursday, September 30
So after about a week of my big toe on my left foot hurting me (and kinding of turning colors), I decided to get to the podiatrist. First thing he did was take x-rays. The verdict –arthritis. I told him about the bruising that happened at the beginning of the year, but he said it was probably that. So I’ll be getting some new shoes out of this. Even my dressy Crocs bother my foot – no more heels. I tried wearing my flat boots the other day and they hurt my foot too! I think with them it’s not enough cushioning in the toe area. This (getting old) just sucks. Oh well – new shoes, here I come.
Saturday, October 2
We both debated whether or not to get tickets to the 2nd annual Caps Convention. But then, I thought we might regret it. So we went. I think we’ll skip next year. Once again, it was a LOT of standing around in line and not getting to go to any of the discussions. However, there was a LOT more room and it didn’t feel as crowded as last time. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but it’s tiring just standing in line waiting.
We got autographs of Matt Hendricks, John Erskine, Tomas Fleishmann & DJ King. To both Matt & DJ I said welcome to the team. Dan was able to get a couple of pics of me waiting for the signatures.
After that, we went to check out the alumni line and I just had it. I could not stand in line any more. It wasn’t worth it. So we left.
The best part of the day was walking from the car to the convention center. We crossed the street and walked into the building right behind Peter Bondra (his son and some guy in a suit)! No one noticed him.
Monday, October 4
So igoogle is always up on the computer when I’m at work. I saw that Cesar Millan posted he was in DC. Then someone else posted about winning tickets through Fishbowldc.com. I started following them and when they posted the contest, I entered. Within the hour, I got a response “can you come tonight?”. WOOHOO! I immediately called Dan and said – “Call in sick”.
He grabbed the camera and all of my Cesar books for the event (not sure what to expect). We had a little issue getting to the place just because his GPS was dead and we were a little lost and stuck in traffic. We finally made it to the parking garage and went to the lobby area. We asked about ‘checking in” since we “won” (free) tickets and they just handed them to us. We bought the new book (which wasn’t released until the next day), got in line and then after a few minutes got to go in the auditorium. There weren’t that many there – maybe 75 people. A lot less than I expected. They showed the Season 7 premiere that isn’t airing until Friday (October 8) and then Cesar came out to answer questions.
It was really cool to see him in person. When Cesar first came out, you could tell he was very humbled and out of his realm. Some people had good questions – how they picked what clients to show, how many clients his takes care of each day, two actual “what do I do” questions. One “what do I do” questions ended with “please take our dog”. They were a couple, sitting right down front and the guy was an amputee soldier. He asked the question about how to handle their pitbull who is afraid of other dogs (and he said he knows she was not socialized by them). Then his wife said “I prayed for you to come to the East Coast so I could meet you and that you would take our dog” Then someone in the audience said “you need to help the Cesar, do a show with them” This was after the wife said that they really don’t have time for it. SUCH A SET UP! At least that’s what it looked like. Yet, they mentioned that they have another pitbull – I don’t get it. Cesar handled it well and pulled his producer in since they are the ones who pick the clients for the show.
After the questions, we all got in line for the booksigning. They announced that it was no personalizing of books and no posed pictures (per request of the publisher). They needed the line to move quickly as Cesar needed to drive to NY after the event.
When we got up to Cesar, we were able to get all the books signed and Dan got a couple of pictures. I pulled out a picture of Esa & Zed and showed him and Cesar asked “How old is the red one?” I said “Esa is 3 and we think Zed is 6 years old. We just got him about 5 months ago.”
That was it. Go Esa – she always gets the attention. She’s such a cutie.
Saturday, September 18
It was a “me” day since Dan was working. I went to my friend’s (MW) house for a Tupperware party and an afternoon of scrapbooking. MW lives 1 ½ hour away, so made it worth it. It was a great drive – I enjoyed the small town about one mile from MW’s house. I would like to go check that place out.
MW is BIG into Tupperware and her parties are the only one’s I’ve gone too – AND they are FUN! The flow of the party hasn’t changed since I’ve last gone. You play a “pick it’ game – that you may have to have a party or maybe not and then an auction with play money. I decided to do the “pick it” game – since I probably would have ended up booking a party anyway. Sure enough, I picked the card where I’m supposed to have a party (I did get a scoop out of it too). So this week is the party (October 9). I did win at the auction though – since I booked a party, I got extra “money” so I won the item I wanted. (see What I got at the Tupperware party today ). MW and I had a little bidding war against the towel set since she wanted the dishrag (and I wanted the towel), so she “won” the set and then ended up giving me the towel.
After the party, I worked on organizing my digital photos on the computer. I felt like I got some things accomplished.
Monday, September 20
Usually we miss the community Doggy Dip Day, since they have it on the day after Labor Day. But this year, the community decided to extend the pool two extra weekends and on the 20th had the Doggy Dip Day.
I knew Esa would have a great time, but wasn’t sure how Zed would react. Zed basically stayed by my side the majority of the time or if he saw Dan he would run over to him and follow him. When he did get a few feet away, I couldn’t tell if he was “lost” or having fun. So I would call his name and he would come over to me.
Let me just say – he is a little ladies man. ALL of the under 7 girls were all over him. I had to watch to make sure they didn’t pick him up or he didn’t mind the attention. It was cute.
He also had a flashback to the cottage and jumped up on the lounges (onto one that someone was sitting on), so then I sat down on one and he sat on it with me. He also started jumping one to another.
Monday, September 27
It bothers both of us with Zed being territorial and skittish at the same time. I was pretty sure we were on the right path with getting him out of the territorial habit (almost acting aggressive when seeing something he does not know). I don’t like the way that looks to another dog owner.
He is so food oriented that as soon as I pull out a treat (when he starts being territorial) and say “leave it”, he does. Or if I pull out the spray bottle, he’ll stop. I wanted to make sure, so I had LN, our trainer from Petsmart who trained us with Esa, come over to visit. She said we were on the right path! So we will continue with the treat/leave it command and hopefully he will improve.
Thursday, September 30
So after about a week of my big toe on my left foot hurting me (and kinding of turning colors), I decided to get to the podiatrist. First thing he did was take x-rays. The verdict –arthritis. I told him about the bruising that happened at the beginning of the year, but he said it was probably that. So I’ll be getting some new shoes out of this. Even my dressy Crocs bother my foot – no more heels. I tried wearing my flat boots the other day and they hurt my foot too! I think with them it’s not enough cushioning in the toe area. This (getting old) just sucks. Oh well – new shoes, here I come.
Saturday, October 2
We both debated whether or not to get tickets to the 2nd annual Caps Convention. But then, I thought we might regret it. So we went. I think we’ll skip next year. Once again, it was a LOT of standing around in line and not getting to go to any of the discussions. However, there was a LOT more room and it didn’t feel as crowded as last time. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but it’s tiring just standing in line waiting.
We got autographs of Matt Hendricks, John Erskine, Tomas Fleishmann & DJ King. To both Matt & DJ I said welcome to the team. Dan was able to get a couple of pics of me waiting for the signatures.
After that, we went to check out the alumni line and I just had it. I could not stand in line any more. It wasn’t worth it. So we left.
The best part of the day was walking from the car to the convention center. We crossed the street and walked into the building right behind Peter Bondra (his son and some guy in a suit)! No one noticed him.
Monday, October 4
So igoogle is always up on the computer when I’m at work. I saw that Cesar Millan posted he was in DC. Then someone else posted about winning tickets through Fishbowldc.com. I started following them and when they posted the contest, I entered. Within the hour, I got a response “can you come tonight?”. WOOHOO! I immediately called Dan and said – “Call in sick”.
He grabbed the camera and all of my Cesar books for the event (not sure what to expect). We had a little issue getting to the place just because his GPS was dead and we were a little lost and stuck in traffic. We finally made it to the parking garage and went to the lobby area. We asked about ‘checking in” since we “won” (free) tickets and they just handed them to us. We bought the new book (which wasn’t released until the next day), got in line and then after a few minutes got to go in the auditorium. There weren’t that many there – maybe 75 people. A lot less than I expected. They showed the Season 7 premiere that isn’t airing until Friday (October 8) and then Cesar came out to answer questions.
It was really cool to see him in person. When Cesar first came out, you could tell he was very humbled and out of his realm. Some people had good questions – how they picked what clients to show, how many clients his takes care of each day, two actual “what do I do” questions. One “what do I do” questions ended with “please take our dog”. They were a couple, sitting right down front and the guy was an amputee soldier. He asked the question about how to handle their pitbull who is afraid of other dogs (and he said he knows she was not socialized by them). Then his wife said “I prayed for you to come to the East Coast so I could meet you and that you would take our dog” Then someone in the audience said “you need to help the Cesar, do a show with them” This was after the wife said that they really don’t have time for it. SUCH A SET UP! At least that’s what it looked like. Yet, they mentioned that they have another pitbull – I don’t get it. Cesar handled it well and pulled his producer in since they are the ones who pick the clients for the show.
After the questions, we all got in line for the booksigning. They announced that it was no personalizing of books and no posed pictures (per request of the publisher). They needed the line to move quickly as Cesar needed to drive to NY after the event.
When we got up to Cesar, we were able to get all the books signed and Dan got a couple of pictures. I pulled out a picture of Esa & Zed and showed him and Cesar asked “How old is the red one?” I said “Esa is 3 and we think Zed is 6 years old. We just got him about 5 months ago.”
That was it. Go Esa – she always gets the attention. She’s such a cutie.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
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