Life with the Three Crazy Dogs

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Slacking in this blog

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I’m back home for a week now and I’m still not in the mood to blog.  The travel bug is still in me, and jet lag is not exactly over yet. I’m still thinking of Bali!!!

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There are a lot of the above kind of statues which I gather are some deities for protection, not sure and I didn’t ask.

I didn’t take many pictures with the camera I brought with me to Bali. Why?? Coz smart me forgot to bring the battery charger along. The second morning when we were getting ready to ronda the town, the baterries died on me. Good thing my sister brought along a spare camera with her. Sis, “lei hei tak geh”.

Oh, after arriving in Bali, my BM came out very naturally. I thought it would take me a while to speak in Bahasa Melayu!! Just seeing the signs in Bali were enough to kick the memory cells into full gear.

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Of course some words like this Oleh-Oleh I didn’t know what it was. I thought it meant furniture. Turns out it’s a souvenier shop, a shop to ketuk tourist kau kau, yet we bought quite a bit there.  This picture was taken on the free and easy day (5th day out of 6). 

Since coming back to MN, my camera is still sitting in my hand carry.  Yes, I still have my 2 big luggage and hand carry laying on the floor with clothes that need to be washed still crying out for me to move them.  I’m just so out of it and going back to work 3 days after I got back was tough.  Will download the pictures from my camera to Flickr this weekend.

My first day back to work was Monday, Dec 19 and guess what??????  My vacation to Bali, Singapore, Ipoh, Singapore was so fabulous I forgot what my network password to my PC.  Even the passwords to the security questions were blur to me.  No choice had to call Help Desk since I tried more than 3 times to answer the security questions and failed majorly.

Needless to say, my write up on Bali is not going to happen soon, or probably might not even resurrect at all based on my lack of motivation! :)   There are some really good pictures my sister and I took that I want to put up here  but then they are already in FB.  There is one picture I took that so reminded me of  Great Ocean Road.  It’s not exactly the same but the fact that the jagged edge that faces the Indian Ocean and the sea eroded cliffs reminds me a lot of it.

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The dogs at home are damn thrilled to see me home. Sticking to me like leeches especially Chase. Ranger’s mobility is not good, so he does not climb upstairs anymore. He will move to the living room or dining room wherever DB is. Poor Ranger….we started him back on prednisone again because of the mold outside.  There is not a flake of snow on the ground.  The weather is really freaky….we are having temperatures in the 30′s Fahrenheit.  Some nights the temps stayed above freezing.  This Christmas will be a very brown Christmas.  Christmas hymnes are playing the background as I’m typing this.  No big celebration just the 2 of us roasting a whole chicken with mash taters, sweet potatoes (ladened with butter and brown sugar) and green bean casserole.  I don’t fancy ham, so chicken it is for me. 

Again, till my next post….HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS, peeps.

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Dec 23, 2011

Call me crazy

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I’m enjoying my walks on the snow.  I guess I’m nuts to like the snow.  However when it comes to driving with snow on the ground, I detest it big time.    The dogs love the snow.  Tried to take pictures of them out in the snow but is so hard.  They move a lot and too fast for me. 

We had a foot of snow fall from Friday through Saturday. 

Friday afternoon (3:45 pm) outing. Windy and snow was coming down good.  I was the only pyscho one walking that afternoon.
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Ranger says, “What are we waiting for?”
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Came home, it’s frisbee time for Chase.  This pic was taken after 20 minutes of fetching.  I took a break and brought the camera out to take some pictures.  This fella was patiently waiting, tail wagging but was whining up a storm: “Stop taking pictures/videos and toss the frisbee NOW!”
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I was out on Saturday morning, the plows already came and did the driveways and streets but now the sidewalks.

Icing on the truck!
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That’s how much snow on the sidewalks. Had to bring out the hardy old Sorel boots to trudge through the snow.  The snow that felled is those dry and light ones…easier to walk on.  Crazy as it is, this is my 11th winter in this country I still have not bought a pair of snow pants. Yeah call me cheapo.  I wear my regular sweatpants (the plastic-ky ones) over  another fleece one.
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Fresh untouched snow
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The “path” the 3 of us made – me, Cooper and Chase.  Cooper walked away from me as soon as I took the camera out.
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…and Chase said I need a pit stop in the middle of the “path”.  Watch out for yellow snow, people.  :)DSC03191

Filed under Chase, MN Weather, Pets, Winter
Dec 7, 2010

Love snow day, sorta

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It was a snow day for me yesterday. Boss lady called me in the morning to stay home and so I happily did and finally had a chance to watch a movie.

The picture below was taken around noon, minutes before I went out to clean the driveway.

1st significant snowfall for Dec2009

I reckon there was 7 inches of snow on my driveway. Shovelled my way out of the drifting snow at the top of the driveway. It didn’t help to have a crappy shovel either. My favorite shovel is missing a screw at the bottom and it totally sucks. So I was switching in between the ergonomic type shovel (supposely better for the back) that to me is useless. Hated it.  The city snow plows came through and packed the end of the driveway.

The neighbor across came over with his snow blower when he was done with his driveway.  I was still shovelling the upper 1/4, he started to work the 1/4 end of the driveway.  He said it’s way too much snow to be shovelling and his snow blower does not do well with packed snow.  Less than 5 minutes of him helping, he had to get back to his house since the COIT (carpet and upholstery cleaners) guys came.  He left the snow blower runing and asked if I know how to use it.  Hell no!  He sort of told me what to do, and so I took over where he stopped.  My ever first time using a snow blower.  It took all of my energy for the day to get 3/4 of the driveway cleared up.  It would be easier if the driveway is not so hilly.  Keeping my balance and pushing/controller that sucker was a bitch!!!  Plus the wind was blowing like frigging crazy yesterday.  I don’t even know what the temp was when i was out there, 15F (-9C), I think, and windchill must minus something.  I know I was sweating crazy and my face was stinging!

When I was towards the end of the snow packed driveway, the blower died!  Darn, it’s either out of gas or I screwed it up.  So I turned it off, left it there and used the shovel.  I was glad I was able to clear up the rest of the driveway, but was I tired, very very tired…my shoulders and back are calling out in desperation for a rest.  I wanted to but then I saw that much left to do, I continued.  So I kept digging and finally the COIT guys left, the neighbor came back and I telling him his snowblower died.  He was ok with it, he dragged it back to his garage and came back with his shovel.   It definitely makes a big difference having a man shovel snow and a teeny weeny pruney like me working with the shovel.  He got so much done so fast.  I thank him a million times for his help.  This was not the first time he helped me with the driveway.  He definitely “Love thy neighbor”!

After the clean up of the driveway and front entrance, went out to the patio to clear the snow by the patio door and entrance and also made a path so the boys won’t come trudging back in with snow.  With all these clean up, I still the boys out for their walks: Ranger a short little 20 minutes for him.  The other two Cs I took them to the trails by our house.  That’s the walks they are going to get for the rest of this week.  The high for today is 7F (-13C) and Friday is not getting any better.  So I’m just going to rest my poor achy body and stuff myself with carbs!  I’m constantly hungry since yesterday’s workout.

So much for a snow day of wanting to do nothing but relax!!!!! :(   DB said he is feeling super duper rotten and he better be! :)

Filed under MN Weather, Personal, Winter
Dec 10, 2009

Wintery pic

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My current wallpaper on my home laptop.  This picture was taken last Thursday afternoon.  The snow definitely looks good on the tress and on the ground.  It is also nice to have them on the trails.  Why?  Coz the boys will lick the snow to quench their thirst.  This year winter is so far the longest ever with dipping temps below zero for many, many days.  Today is a heat wave.  The temperature shot up to 39 F and the sun was bright.   A lot of the snow melted.  There are hardly any snow left on the trees.  Of course there are aplenty on the ground.  I think after the end of this week, most of it will be gone.  The weather guys forecasted the weather to be in the 40′s and daylight saving time begins this weekend, too.  Yikes!!!  We are going to loose an hour of sleep coz we need to set our clocks forward an hour.  DOG GONE IT!

Filed under MN Weather, Winter
Mar 4, 2009

Some pics of fresh snow

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I took Ranger out to the trails on Friday afternoon. The other two were busy playing tug of war. Walking Ranger by himself is less stressful than when I walk him and Cooper together. I guess Cooper is too fast for Ranger so I have to hurry Ranger along.

Anyways, here are some of the pics I took of Ranger when we got to the trails.
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*The start of the trails. Ranger going out of my sight!*

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*Fallen tree from last year’s summer storm*

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*Untouched…*

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*Ranger running towards me*

The above picture of Ranger is my favorite.  The poor boy was aching after he got back from his fun filled walk.  And he is still walking slow today.  I had a good hike myself that day.

And finally, a Safety meeting held under the tree on our backyard…I thought it’s cute to see the both of them together.
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*Chase and Ranger*

Mar 1, 2009

Winter storm

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These pictures were taken yesterday afternoon while sitting at the lights waiting for my left turn light. 

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*The driver side window.

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*White out condition from snow and strong winds

The drive home was horrible.  The car is a front wheel drive. it totally didn’t help driving on this type of road conditions.  The car was fish tailing a lot.  Had to go like 25 mph all the way home.  Took me an hour and 20 mintues to get home and once I got home, the car was stuck on the drive way!  The car couldn’t get up the slopy driveway.  Snow is pretty to look at but to drive on it, it totally sucks to high heaven. 

We had a total of at least 7 inches.  Spring snow storms are nasty.  Drop a bunch and good thing the sun is high in the sky, it still melts the snow even the temps are in the teens.  The fresh snow fall will be nice to walk on when we hit the trails this afternoon.

Filed under MN Weather, Winter
Feb 27, 2009

Another winter storm

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Yet another cold front approaching us that will bring us a good 3 – 6 inches of snow. It’s already started snowing and the weather guys said the snow will stop not till tonight. The past couple of weeks we had temperatures in the upper 30′s fahrenheit. A lot of the snow on our back and especially the front yard were almost gone. Then we had 2 days of 1 – 3 inches of of snow fall that whiten the yards again but it didn’t stay very long because of the warm temperature. Our 9-year old metal shovel broke on us. I was hoping for some kind of sale at the hardware store for snow shovels, but nope. We had to pay full price for a metal shovel and DB bought an ergonomic shovel which is lighter in weight, made of fiber glass. DB had the opportunity to use the ergonomic shovel and his feedback, “What a waste of money!” Nothing beats the metal shovel. Woks like a charm.

Filed under Product, Winter, Writing
Feb 26, 2009

Feeling the Arctic tundra

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Yesterday was the coldest day I can remember since I have been here.  It was -4F for the high and with windchills of -34F.  So it actually feels like -34F out.  DB and I were shoveling the driveway and the patio.  Had to get rid of the snow on the patio coz that is where the boys hang out the most when they are outside and we don’t want them dragging snow into the house.  On the driveway, we normally shovel the snow off since it is on a hilly side…just in case my car can’t go up the driveway because of ice.  

This morning the temp is at this:

It’s trash pick up today.  I had to take the trash and recycle cans out to the end of the driveway.  See, this is usually DB’s job, but he has fallen ill big time with a temperature, chills and throwing up.  I think he got a chill from yesterday out in the cold and blustery winds.

The roads were fine till I reached Hwy 149 on Yankee Doodle Road.  Having driven on that road for 8 years I know where are the icy, slippery and snowed-packed-down roads.  Driving up the hill to reach Highway 149, I slowed down and as soon as I was on the top which goes down a slight degree, I saw a snowed-packed down, ice-covered right turn lane, the lane I have to take.  I was already going 35mph but I hit the brakes a little harder this time and thank goodness for ABS (Anti-lock Brake System).  My car fish tail a few times while the ABS was slowing the car down for me to 10mph and almost to a crawl.  Of course my heart my thumping a little.  Good thing it was still very early in the morning, 6:15 a.m, the traffic was quite light and the lights just turned green, too.  Phew…..I let a sigh of relieve.

There is always heart-thumping-hard experience every winter.  And I hope and pray I don’t have to experience this again.

Filed under Winter
Dec 16, 2008

1st day of winter

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dsc01177.JPGToday is the first day of winter and there is snow flying furiously right now.  It’s not those light one either, they are those heavy and wet.  The temp this morning when we got up was 33 degrees F, and will continue to drop throughout the day.  At least we will have fresh white snow for Christmas.  Last year’s Christmas was only a layer of dirty gray snow.  The trees for now are all white and the wind is blowing.  I am hoping I don’t have to be called in for work today!!  Great time to start a fire and watch movies.

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Filed under MN Weather, Winter
Dec 22, 2007

Weather proofing the windows

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DB was so busy yesterday with his last minute winterizing the house.  Since we will be leaving soon, he busted his butt to get the windows winterized for winter.  I came home from my walk, helped him a little and went into my office and grabbed my camera.  I took the picture below and immediately he said, “Oh, oh, I’m going to be on display to the world.”  That’s right, babe, you should be getting use to this by now.

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This is what he used to put on the windows….Window Insulator Kit.  Since our front, front bedroom and office windows were as old as the house, he needed to put these insulators on to keep the cold draft from coming in.  It is just a thin plastic film stick to the sides of the windows, and he uses the hair dryer to get the wrinkles out from the film.

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Filed under Personal, Winter
Nov 13, 2007

Friday, Snow Day!

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It was snowing so bad on Thursday, I left work early. I didn’t really want to, but all my co-workers told me to. Roads were pretty slippery because of the freezing rain earlier.

Once I got to the driveway, I was stuck again on the hill. Damnit. Friggin ice under the snow, again. Rolled it down to the street for DB to take care of it.

The concert I bought tickets to, Brahms German Requiem was cancelled. Called the orchestra hall to do an exchange for May 25. Unfortunately it will not be the German Requiem.

On Friday morning, the city has not come through with their plows yet. I think there was 10 inches of snow on our driveway. Took a look at our backyard, there was probably 15 inches of snow.


Took Friday off as snow day. Called my company’s toll free number to check if the company closed due to the weather, but hell no. “The XXXXX facility is open on Friday. All XXXX businesses in the Twin Cities are open.” Son of a bitch. I had to take a personal day for today.

The city plows finally came to plow the streets around 10:30 a.m. and plugged up the driveway. DB did all the unplugging, and me, I cleaned the house.

Filed under Winter
Mar 2, 2007

Freaking Snow!!

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It’s freaking snowing again. This snow fall is going to be worse than last week’s. Light snow right now and by tomorrow morning when it’s time for the morning commute, we will have around 4 inches. Sweet!! This band of snow storm will last till Friday night early Saturday. The worse will be tomorrow with wind gusts up to 30mph, and tomorrow is the night I will be going for my concert at the MN orchestra hall.

DB had the snow blower all ready. Told him to fire her up so that the neighbor across us will know we do have a snow blower. He came over to clear up the driveway twice. He thought we don’t have a snowblower. That was nice of him. With the coming snowfall of 10 inches, DB has to clear the snow off the roof since the roof of this house needs to be replaced so badly.

Will see how the roads are on Friday, might be a snow day!!! :-)

Filed under Winter
Feb 28, 2007

More Snow

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We had about 6 to 7 inches of snow from yesterday through today.


I didn’t feel like doing shit today. Putzed around – watched stuff that DB recorded on the PVR while drinking my cuppa Folgers and then had my usual breakfast of oatmeal.

Head to the office and work on my paper and jacked with Slide.com with my Montana pictures and read my sis’ blog and had my music on. After 3 hours on my ass, came out and gave DB shit for nothing.

DB came out, we yakked and he looked out the front door (I didn’t pull the blinds up today – not in the mood). Low and behold, the driveway and walkway were plowed. The neighbours did snow-blow our driveway again.

DB was not happy at all. He said he feels obligated now. He was POed on his day off. He was actually getting ready to go out to blow the driveway. We were prepping our lunch and he was to take care of the driveway and patio and I was going out for my walk with the boys. We were in no hurry as it was still snowing and the snow is not going anywhere.

Got our chow in out I went for my walk/run with the boys. The temp was nice for me (28 degrees F). Most of the sidewalks were cleared up except for the main ones on the county roads.

When the boys and I got back, DB was working on the patio – sweating his butt off.

Filed under Winter
Feb 25, 2007

Snow and sleet

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The meteorologists said the metro will get 4 – 10 inches of snow by Sunday. The snow started last night. It was more like a dusting. Got up this morning and surprised, not even an inch. Southeast of MN like Winona had about a foot. Looked out the window and what I really saw was sleet and gail force wind.

DB and I went to Cubs for our weekly groceries and the store was packed. I am sure folks want to get their groceries in before the roads got bad. I’m glad DB drove. The roads were slippery from the sleet and snow. DB enjoyed the slid and slide and at times he did it on purpose.

Came home and the boys and I went for our walk. It was not too bad out there, a little slippery in spots. When we got home, time for the boys’ bath. Do they hate baths. Got them in one at a time and their normal routine after their baths – clean their ears. Now they smell like a pharmacy and the smell of wet dogs.

Filed under Winter
Feb 24, 2007

It’s snowing!

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The rain quit and it quickly changed to snow. It’s been snowing since 12:30 noon and looking at the radar, it’s going to snow the whole day and night till tomorrow. Will be definitely shovelling the drive tomorrow. Yes, that means I can go to the trails and run on trails with snow….YES!!!

Above picture taken at 2:15pm

The above 3 pictures were taken at 4:15 pm

The flakes are now smaller but it’s coming down pretty good. So, will see how it goes tomorrow, road conditions and will go grocery shopping and to Macy’s.

Filed under Winter
Dec 31, 2006

 

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