62 is only young if you die.

My high school sweetheart became my first husband at age 23.
His name was Rick. 
So that this isn't confusing we will use his nickname, Doc.
This way you don't think I am referring to my husband today, that Rick.
Yes marrying a 2nd time a man with the same name ain't easy!

Doc was a ballplayer.
He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1974 right out of high school
I remember his tryouts with Gaylord Perry and how exciting it all was.
I was with this man from age 17 - 27.

I absolutely positively loved his family.
But Rick had issues. I couldn't help him. 
He needed to do this on his own.
He was a very troubled soul. 
A kind and gentle man and funny as hell. Oh my God was he funny. 
An athlete for certain. To the point of nausea because it was all so easy for him. 

His mom and I have always kept in touch. Even after his 2nd marriage.
His mom means the world to me. She did share with me his trials and tribulations but not in detail and not all the time. But I knew. We talking monthly and emailed.

I told her in an email to tell Doc that our friend Gordon was dying.
So he knew and he went to see him.

This evening I got an email.
My phone was on the coffee table and I was watching my beloved Yankees kick the Boston Red Sox asses. I was in heaven. During the game I said to my husband, our first baseman reminds me so much of Doc. His stance at the plate. His long lean look and the way he can stretch at first is so reminiscent of watching him play.

Then I saw my phone light up on the table.
It was an email. I picked up my phone and read URGENT. Please call me at xxx-xxx-xxx. Please call me when you can. Love you Betty Ann and Ron. urgent.

I just knew.

I called and I got voicemail.
I called again and I got voicemail.
Now I was concerned that Doc's mother was not answering the phone.
So I called his brother Steve who lives an hour south of me.
He told me.
Doc died.

What I didn't know is that he had been sick. He was in and out of the hospital and he kept everything close to the cuff and didn't share a great deal with his family. When they would ask he would say oh they are changing my medication for this and that. He had an atrophic kidney issues with his liver. (alcoholic) and a few other things. I imagine it was his years of drug and alcohol abuse that did a lot of this. Sad after being clean and sober for so damn long and now a counselor for others. 

Speaking with his brother he told me that he talked to him on Tuesday. He said he felt terrible like he was coming down with something. 
Then he said, "Steve I feel like I'm dying."   
Steve of course told him to call the doctor and he said I just left the hospital. So then to find out on Friday that he passed he said it was weird knowing that he said that. I bet it was.

His parents who live in Vermont will be driving to Pennsylvania today.
They will be meeting his son (who lives in NC) and his 2nd ex wife at his ex wife's home to discuss some arrangements.

Betty asked if I knew his wishes. Oh c'mon. We were 17-27. Not the ages you talk a lot about your death you know? I told her i couldn't help her with that. I also said that I felt that his son would be best with this.

You see Doc didn't really have a relationship with his son until he was clean and sober. By that time his kid was not a kid but a grown man in college and beginning his pro golfing career. Yep, he's an athlete too. 
Looks exactly like him and obviously from what I hear he is quite the athlete in many sports but has chosen golf.

Betty said this was going to be difficult. I said I understood and she said, "not about the arrangements but because we hate her so. She said you know Ron calls her the cold Russian don't you?"   Ron is Doc's father. 
(I did not know but that is her to a T. ) I knew her for years before I was divorced so I understood the statement. I just laughed and said well it's the last time you have to see her so there is that. That made Betty laugh. 

Betty asked me to come if I could. 
Gee does he have both his ex's there?
She asked, "Will YOUR Rick understand?"
I said my Rick will understand but I am not sure I can Betty. 
I just left it at that.
I hope it's in Vermont for 2 reasons. 1 that is was his happy place.
Man, he loved it there. 2. I can't go to Vermont and she knows that so I would be off the hook. 

We talked about him and his love of Vermont and she said that was what she and Ron were thinking of all things being up there. But she was waiting to speak to her grandson and his ex wife. 

I am so conflicted. I loved this man once. I care about him but I'm not in love with him. I wanted good things for him. He was a helluva great guy. Just not for me to be married to. If I go, it is for his family. Will it be weird? Hell yes. 

Everyone around me is dying. 
I guess I am at that age. I realize this is my last chapter and I better make the most of it. But it still sucks all around.

62 is only young when you die isn't it?

Leave it to Beaver

All of a sudden I noticed a channel that was new on my guide line up.
It is all old shows. Leave it to Beaver is one of them. From the 50's to the early 80's. Wagon Train to My Three Sons. 

I know I've told you all here before that I love Leave it to Beaver.
Every morning at 8am now I try to watch 1 of the 2 episodes.
It sure beats the news.

My mornings are a swirl of activity beginning from 5:30am. 
Walks, getting Rick out the door and all that entails with his lunch and work orders etc. 
Usually, I am then cleaning up the kitchen or straightening things up before work.
Most days by 8am I am having a 2nd cup of coffee. I like this time because Rick is gone, Izzy is laying down and I have a full 30 minutes before I must be at my desk. More often than not I just go to work. But I have decided this past week that I am taking this 30 minutes for myself. I sat down in Rick's chair with my coffee and just enjoyed the peace and quiet of the house.

Then the next day I decided to do it again. But this time the TV was still on with Rick's Today Show.  I quickly grabbed the remote and saw this new channel with all old shows.  Leave it to Beaver jumped out at me. I just had to.

How did he get that name anyway? 
I thought I had seen every episode yet that I do not recall.

Anyhoo, here is something I never noticed before.
How darn thin June Cleaver is. Oh my. A size zero.
Her waist is so teeny tiny. I hate the way she defers to Ward but it was 1959.

With the exception of Judy and Eddie Haskell, the kids are nice and respectful.
How odd right? 
The respect and manners of the kids would be awesome today.

I watched a show yesterday when they were told to go play outside.
Okay, mom as they grabbed a cookie and ran outside.
No one does that today. Sadly enough.

But when Beavers friend Larry Mondello (sp?) was bad, the mom brought him over to Mr. Cleaver for discipline because his father was out of town. So the poor little woman couldn't even discipline her own child in 1959? What the hell was that about? The saying "wait until your father gets home" wasn't even good enough it had to be done then with another MAN. How damn weird is that? I imagine since it was from 1959 that was typical. I don't know, I was only 3. But I sure was disciplined by my mom so I don't think it was like that in our house. 

I love so much about that time except of course the racism, the fact that women barely had rights and that the man was considered so damn superior. 
We all know that isn't the case - look at our orange delusional leader?
Superior? Hell, he is dumb as a box of rocks and is only superior to say, a slug ...perhaps.
Overall it just makes me happy this silly little show.

This channel also shows old episodes of WKRP in Cinncinati.
But the music is off. I read that they couldn't use the real music used during the original show because of copyright issues. So what they throw in its place is all wrong. I find it distracting. But if they ever replay the Thanksgiving episodes when they gave away free turkeys from a helicopter I will still watch.
One of my favorites.
"As God is my witness I thought turkeys could fly" is a line that cracks me up every time. Any of you remember this? 

I have found watching Leave it to Beaver in the morning is a far better way for ME to start my day than any news shows in the morning. I don't care for the news anymore and I certainly don't give a rats ass about a Khardasian. 
Since that is pretty much all they talk about I am better off in 1959 to start my day.

Friday!

Here is another good reason working from home is great.

We are entering the 4th of July holiday. 
Today is Friday and most around these parts either telecommute on Friday or are off on Friday. 
My Fridays are always slower than any day of the week. 
I have always found it very interesting that people will call me from their office but when home they usually don't. 
So are they working all that much in an office anyway? Hmm....

Today is even slower than slow. It's the day everyone is heading to the shore or a lake or some vacation to begin their summer and/or 4th of July Holiday.

So instead of some boss all over you while you are trying to look busy. 
I don't have to look busy. This is a time to catch up or fool around. 
I am in the mood for the latter.  

Rick is working a block from home. He was working there yesterday and again today to finish up. He is doing their kitchen - for free.

Rick has been working on this for almost one year. 
People were asking us to paint their cabinets. We don't do that.
But the request was so frequent that Rick felt it was something we should begin.
But he wanted to have a different angle and not regular paint.

So the chemical geek I am married to went to work.
He found that it can be done using UV coatings.
Cured with a UV light and boom - your cabinets can be used and touched immediately when he is done.

Okay allow me to put this in girl speak - I'm not talking down to you, but having to explain it the way I can understand it and hopefully, you do too.

Have you ever had your nails done with the UV light? 
You know, gel nail polish?
Have you ever had a crown where the dentist puts that little blue light on it to harden/cure it?

It works like that. 
Nail polish is nail polish but gel nails is an actual nail polish (or coating) that only dries if under a UV light.  It hardens the polish so you can use an SOS sponge in the kitchen or run your nails through the sand and it won't come off. And ladies if you have had a gel manicure you know what a pain in the ass it is to take off. It is not easy!

Same with this new UV paint for cabinets. 
Rick will do all the prep work. Then this is sprayed on just like paint. 
Then the handheld UV light goes over the cabinets and just like that they are dry and cured.
The same is done on the cabinet doors and drawer fronts. 
All this is done in the home. (I'll have photos as things progress)

Rick needed a kitchen that has not been painted. 
Also, the cabinets could never have Murphy's oil soap used to clean them as well (won't work, the oil does something that I don't recall) 
Our neighbor a block away was saying she liked my cabinets that painted a few years ago. Rick said he would do her kitchen for free (small anyway) if she would get 3 estimates from local well-known cabinet painters and what it involved.

That helped us immensely. So he is doing her kitchen this week.
This also helps Rick see what he may need to change, tweak etc.
Rick tends to be a bit anal retentive about his work so this is good for him to get this one under his belt.

Normally he will have a guy doing all the grunt work and he just sprays.
But he wanted to do it all from step 1 to final so he could tell an employee how and why. He felt that was important.

I can't wait until it's done to see this. I wish I hadn't painted my kitchen now. This is far superior and you can't go over the painted cabinets with the new stuff. Trust me I asked. 

Rick made the mistake yesterday morning leaving for his job down the street from our front door. 
Normally when he goes to work he leaves out the back door to the garage etc.
But he had his vehicle down the block already. (the homeowners are on vacation) So he walked out the front door and it drove my dog bonkers.
Izzy knows when it's the back door he won't be home until 5ish. But the front door means a quick trip to her.

Izzy sat by the front door all day because if he goes out he comes right back. Where is he?
It was crazy. She went to the front window looking for him and pacing.
So this morning I told him to go out the back door and walk to her house that way so I don't have to deal with Izzy's obsessively looking out for you all day.

He did and Izzy is asleep. To her now everything is right with the world.
Dad is at work and that crazy woman is typing upstairs.

Another Day, Another Shooting

I work from home.
I have always worked for the majority of my career.
(ok not when at the ticket counter of an airline or reservations of an airline)

Working from home people tell me is difficult.
I don't find it difficult. Many say too many distractions.
I say, but you have to work. Maybe it does take a certain personality.
I don't do much besides work and come onto my blog at lunch or after work or when it's slow. 
But overall I work longer hours and I always have found I have.

I don't get a break to go out to have a cigarette.
I don't get a lunch hour. 
Oh sure I can walk away for lunch but that is when everyone else calls my office so I end up eating at my desk. 
Normally it has taken me 2 hrs to eat my lunch because of being interrupted so often.
Or I walk a dog at lunch. Either way, I am not eating bonbons like my mother thinks since I am home.

When I had my corporate job I had to get things done. 
I would read emails at 7a and sometimes end up being in my office until noon before I got showered and dressed.
(yes long before a dog in my life)

I find working from home means longer work hours. It took me several years to not answer the phone in my office when it was the weekend or after hours. I realized I was working way too much so I had to block it out. Nothing worse than a ringing phone to me.

Also you don't get sick days as you'd think if you work from home.
Whether in my former corporate job or now being self employed.
Sick? Go to work. In my corporate world I still checked in and my boss would still check in. Now, I can't afford to be sick. I deal with being sick by laying my head down on my desk for a few minutes. That is a sick day for those that work from home.

But here are some of the upsides of working from home-
**My lousy dress code.
Boy oh boy do I dress like hell. Today, shorts, t-shirt, flip flops and a baseball cap because I am having a very bad hair day. T-shirt is very old and has a hole under my arm and is super duper comfortable. :-)

**Also great is my commute. Except for some stairs, I don't have a difficult commute like everyone around me. 

**You are sick or have tummy distress/diarrhea and at least you are at your own home. 

**You don't get some numbnut coming into your office to shoot at you as was done today in Annapolis, MD. Maryland's capital. Ah, another shooting. Another day and another random shooting of multiple people. 

I am uncertain of what actually happened as I type this.
I don't even know if anyone died. I am listening to a local TV channel on my computer and they don't seem to know much right now.
They reported that someone who was inside said "it was bad"

I just know that a shooter was firing off his gun at people in the local newspaper offices. I also heard the shooter was caught. I don't even know if there were tragedies yet. They stated that this building is open. Meaning no security to enter or metal detectors, X-ray machines like the NRA building has.

Yes, the F@#$!%!% NRA bldg has the same thing as Congress.
You must go through metal detectors etc. All kinds of security so people don't shoot them. I say if you are the NRA and you think we are safe, then take 'em down. Same with Congress. Let's see how fast they pass a law when they are not secure in their office!

The only way it could get better working from home so that I wouldn't be shot at while working is to live in another country.

I'm on to something I think.
Could I use that I am seeking asylum? 
Fear and tired of the violence, stupidity and a bombastic so called leader?

Patio Time

Things heard on my patio last evening - 
All with roaring laughter after they were said.
(and not all said by Rick or me)

* She can't be that nice. Humans aren't that nice anymore.

* Just 'cause it fits doesn't mean she should wear it!

* Put it away, put it away Richard or I'm going inside.

* Ah, shit, let's just dream big - get two used cars.

Last evening was probably the last evening where the humidity was low as was the temp. (70's) It was the perfect summer evening to be outside.
Now it's going to be in the mid 90's later this week and next until who knows when.  And the humidity is rising today so that will be in the 90's as well.  Yippee. 
But let's remember it is not snowing. So it will be fine....inside in A/C.

We decided to go outside and sit on the sofa out there. Apparently, our neighbors thought it was a good idea too. They were out grilling on one side. It smelled so good. Then when we were laughing they told us to keep it down. (joking of course) We yelled to them to share the food then. As is the case everyone ends up in our yard. 
Food and drinks to follow.  It was a night of big laughs.

I saw this yesterday on The Chew. I think this looks like a fun drink. 
They all made different drinks yesterday with popsicles. 
Using these lime fruit popsicles with tequila, looked great. 
They raved - it was very margarita like. 
They made a slew of 'em with different fruit popsicles and I knew after Rick saw this episode what we'd be drinking this weekend.  If it is sweet and girly he loves it. I printed them all. Some with rum, some with gin, tequila, vodka and bourbon. 🍸

COCONUT FUDGESICLE COCKTAIL

• 6 store-bought frozen fudge pop (1 stick)
• 1 and 1/2 ounce coconut rum
• 1/2 cup whole-fat milk
• whipped cream (optional, to serve)
• chocolate shavings (optional, to serve)

We went to Atlantic City a few years ago and we got to go this great Cuban Restuarant in our hotel. 
I ordered a chilled Tanqueray (gin) with 2 olives.
(you know straight up no chaser) 

Rick asked the server to suggest something sweet, comes with an umbrella and will kick me on my ass. She told him she knew just the drink. 

The server did not bring our drinks to the table. She would have known who ordered what. But the young man who brought them to our table gave Rick the gin and me the big pink fru-fru drink with the umbrella.
She was correct, he LOVED it. Several times. Thankfully we took the elevator upstairs after dinner. 

That happens all the time. If it is sweet, has an umbrella and girly he loves it. I prefer nothing sweet to drink, only eat. 

I think they see the big ole 6'2" guy and he would never have the pink drink, he must order the chilled straight up gin. We get a kick out of it each time it happens. I like to tease him that someday he'll order a beer like a big boy. But I wonder why servers don't just ask, instead of assuming.

This just made me laugh. 

Signs Signs Everywhere A Sign

I've got nothin'  Working like crazy. 

We are about to enter our slow time so must make hay while the sunshines. You can set our phones to the date vacations start and Congress is on vacation.  Noticeable difference. 

Beginning a new division in the company and I will have more on that later with photos. In the meantime here are a few pictures that struck me funny or hit home.

This first one made me laugh. If this had to be put in writing for all to see, it must be an issue. Eeew. I may need to ask a friend who was in India for 2 years. (Loved the people but hated it there) Hard to believe but yet here is the sign.

 Oh, this made me laugh out loud. Rick and I do that all the time. 

We are that delusional. 

My favorite is when Rick tells me about this "old guy"

I find out the "old guy" is 6 years younger than us. 

This was perfectly said.

This one below only because that panic room sure would be nice if that is red dry wine in there. Hell, why make it a panic room, make it my 1st floor.

And drumroll please.....my personal favorite. Since we have been interviewing like crazy for months and can't find a soul who will actually work a 40 hr week. Wait? There are no vacation days after a week? You don't offer daycare at this construction company? I can take a day off because I'm tired and get paid right? Oh, I've heard them all. Twits.

I care.

Okay just had to comment. That is how enraged I am.

This was revolting to me.
Before you tell me she was talking about this or that.
It does not matter!

Let's just say it had nothing to do with where she was going (cough cough) one still should not wear this at this time.
You know, like visiting the pope you don't dress like a stripper.
It is called social decorum 101.

This is completely and utterly irresponsible, inappropriate for the task at hand and lacking all class and decorum. But that is the actual definition/meaning to the word trump. (no I will never capitalize it)

She fucking wore this to see the children in the intermittent camps.
(everything about that sentence is WRONG)

There is a special place in hell for these folks.
I hope I live to see it.

I care, do you?

Busy Busy Busy

I am so busy I just haven't had time.
When I do stop to take a breath and move on it never is toward my computer to write.

I'll leave you with some funnies and I will talk to ya'll next week.

How can I train Izzy to bring me my wine like this?

You all know my great love for Canada. So I am leaving you with some funnies and facts about my favorite land.

That pretty much explains a lot about the orange orangutan.

Penis Speaks and All Listen

Now that got your attention, didn't it?

Honestly, it is 2018 and we as a society are going backward in so many damn ways.  In the scheme of all the horrible things going on in the world, this is minor. But it still bugs the crap out of me.

In the last 24 hrs, I have had several people insist they speak with a man to be sure what I was stating was indeed fact. 
The dumb twit, Rosemary, said to me after I went over the cost (I saw the photo she sent) and the process etc that "I couldn't possibly know for certain so have a man call me or respond via email to my photo"
Fine, will do. 

I honestly get tired of explaining why I know all this. In all seriousness bloggers, Rick made me shadow him for 2 weeks. When Gary did a walk in conversion I had to shadow him. Rick and I both feel it is important for me to know and understand to give the customers a level of comfort instead of concern. But unless one has a penis apparently there is no comfort - ever. Idiots.

Since this was the 4th or 5th time in the last 24 hrs that this occurred I lost it.  I told her I was very capable of giving her the correct estimate without a penis.
She laughed and said, "Oh dear. You're one of those feminists" 

I wanted to say, "oh you fucking twat" But I refrained.
She was young as well. Double twit points.

What the hell would I do without my blog to vent?
I would explode. Ya'll save me.

Rick views photos in between appointments and responds accordingly.
I text him to look at this particular bitches shower pan and I told him my quote, concerns that were expressed to her about her new shower door etc.

I am copying and pasting what he wrote to her:

Dear Rosemary,
I understand that my office manager went over the restraints with your shower door so I won't repeat them all here. Her information was correct.
I also understand she told you the cost of $xxx.xx for the shower pan.
That too is correct.

I hire and train all my employees so that you can trust the information they give you in the future. They are there to help and assist you.
If having me see this in person would be better for you please call Peggy to schedule a free in-home estimate or to schedule the appointment.

Thank you for calling XYZ.
We appreciate you reaching out to us and I look forward to working with you.

Regards

Mr. Penis spoke and she believed him without question and booked it.

Good thing I don't show up to do the work. 

Do you Call 911?

A bit under the weather.
This hit me hard last night.
I am the one always caring for Rick.
Rick has so many health issues. I have to be well.

But last night I got hit with something.
My head is pounding, I ache all over and I just feel like I have the flu or something. Weird. But I must work, walk a dog and deal with life right?
No time to be a sissy and lay down. But boy I wish I could.

Fathers Day is coming up and I did not send a card to my father.
I will call him. He won't remember either and that is sad for us both.

I was watching a show last evening while lying on the sofa wrapped up in blankets because I couldn't get warm. (yes only 90 degrees outside)
As I lay there watching this man pass away while his wife was out it made me think of a few things. This man on the show had Alzehimers. 
I said out loud to Rick, "oh my God I hope that doesn't happen when I am staying with my father. What would I do?" 
Rick said you would call 911. 911? Really? What are they going to do?
Wouldn't I call the funeral home? I don't even know what one does in this situation? 911 to me would bring him to the city morgue. I don't think that is what my mom would want me to do. Or do they do that so a medical professional can legally declare him gone? I just don't know.

So now I must add this to my list of things to ask Mom about.
How did I get to 62 and not know the answer to this? 
God, I feel so stupid.
Must google this today.

While I think my father would not wish to live like this if he had his mind back, I certainly don't want this to happen on my watch. Although it may be easier for my mom. All around the whole thing sucks. I watched my mom die and I really would prefer not to witness this until my 2nd mom comes back. 

All I ever heard growing up, especially after he returned from a funeral, was that at his he wanted everyone to come to the viewing, take a shot of his favorite bourbon and send him off. I mean to tell you he told us this since I was a very young kid. It wasn't like it was just said in passing once or twice. He said it yearly many times. When I mentioned to my mom she said, "Oh I am not going to do that." I said, "But he talked about it all the time. Why wouldn't we do as he wished? Most won't take a shot anyway. I think he'd smile at that."
But she didn't think so. 

Rick knows what I want. Rick would do what I want. But what happens if Rick is not here who listens to my wishes? Hmm....better work on that one. I know my friend Melanie knows as well so hopefully, she will take charge if alive.
I need to get all this in writing, don't I? 

But I am not dying anytime soon. I insist. 😉

The Cost to Clean

Remember the man who offered my hubby $25 to change a light bulb?
Well, we had another goofy one like that this week.
This man wants to pay $400 to just clean his bathtub.

The man thought the porcelain was coming off his tub.
It had never been refinished before. It was a new tub when he moved into the home 16 years ago he said. Can we fix this he wants to know? 
Does it need to be refinished now?
He told me it was peeling, it wouldn't just peel if it had not been refinished before. I was stumped. I didn't have an answer for this so sent Rick to do an estimate per the man's request.

Rick got there and took his razor knife and took off a good long ribbon curl of soap film.
He continued this for a 4x4 square. He called the man into the room. The man pointed to the tub and asked, what did you do? Rick said it is only soap film. Nothing sticks to soap film but more soap. It just needs to be cleaned.

The man stood there and looked it at. Then he touched the shiny square. 
He looked at Rick and said how much would you charge me to clean my bathtub? Rick laughed and gave him a sample of a cleaner he made. 
Rick told him how to use it. 
The man pushed his hand back and said, "No I don't want to clean it."
Rick threw out $400 thinking he'd never do it and that would get him out of this. Nope. $400 was a steal to this guy. Damn, why didn't he say $1000?

I was gobsmacked. Really? First a light bulb and now this?
$400? I would never pay that for someone to clean my bathtub. 
I would just be embarrassed. $400 for 30 minutes of Rick's time.
With a knife this only took 30 minutes. Quick $400 but now I wish he had been really greedy.

What is wrong with people? Too much money?
The light bulb guy didn't want to learn to change a light bulb in his table lamp, he just wanted Rick to do it and Rick took his money.
Apparently, this guy doesn't wish to clean his tub. 
Obviously, since it appears he has not done so in 16 years.

How do people not know they should clean their bathtub?
I had a guy last year call us to tell me his refinishing job no longer looked good and it was peeling. We were shocked. He was all cranky about our inferior work. So Rick went out there to see the issue. It wasn't failing, it was soap film build up and it was flaking. Rick did the same thing and made a big square. And the guy said, "yeah, that's what it should look like." Rick asked what he was cleaning the tub with since having it done. He said he hadn't cleaned it since having it refinished by us 10 years prior. He thought he didn't have to clean it anymore. OH MY GOD. If you repainted your car do you think you never have to clean it again? What is wrong with people? 
Rick left him the cleaner to clean it and he called back and wanted us to do it. Money was no object. We sent Gary back to clean his tub. He even tipped Gary for cleaning it on top of our charge. Gary laughed and called him a fool but he took his money happily.

Is this just having too much money or just our lazy society?

Izzy is back.

The coast is now clear. That bitch went home.
I'm telling you I did not like her around.
She was stinky too.
Doesn't anyone give that girl a bath?

Gertie came to my house yesterday early afternoon.
It was such a nice day too. Perfect weather. Mom and I had a couple of walks that were great. I got to chase bunnies. 
That is always so much fun. 
Not as fun as chasing fish, but it's fun on land.

Mom and I had to pick up Dad because he had to be towed to a place that fixes his work vehicle. I love, love, love car rides. 
Don't know about my mom though.
I felt mom's tension. But car rides are fun and she didn't seem to be having fun. She was mumbling about how much this was going to set us back and I had no idea what she was talking about. I just knew we were picking up my favorite man, I didn't much care about her mumblings.

On Saturday Dad did a favor for a contractor and went to his house to look at a couple of bathtubs. I got to go with him and so did mom. 
But he got out of the car without me. How rude.
I was stuck in the car with mom. 
I was not happy. I sat up in the backseat and just stared at the front door until he came out. I was focused. 
She kept trying to get me to look at her, but no way, I did not want to miss him. Boy, I love him. And he came back and we got to go to a swimming hole. YEAH, it was such fun.

I wait by the door and or window every time my Big Man leaves me.
It drives mom bonkers or she's taking my picture. What's the big deal, she claims to love him and she never does this! I love him more. He's mine, silly woman! You don't stand a chance!

Life was great until Monday. That bitch was dropped off at our house with her food and bed. Just like that she is sticking her nose in my toy boxes. 
She was drinking my water. That just isn't nice, the nerve.
And she was hogging my Dad and Mom. Oh, I needed her to go home. 
In 5 minutes of being here, she drank from my water bowl, grabbed my stuffed poo-bear and had my parents loving on her. 
Well, this is not going to last if I have anything to do with it.

At dinner time I ate and then I was hoping for our normal long after dinner walk. Normally it is for an hour. 
I was excited ....alone at last with Dad and Mom.
But then SHE came with us. Why is she still here? Even my walks must include her? WHY? For the love of bacon, I don't get why they are doing this to me.
I'm a good girl and this isn't nice. 
This is how they pay me back for listening to them?
She will leave by bedtime I am certain.

Nope, she is still here. I can't even stand watching Dad give her all this love and affection. I am going to sit right on top of his feet just like she is. 
I will get all the love then. HA - that'll show her.
Nope, he is paying attention and rubbing both of us. What the hell is this?
My world is falling apart. He's breaking my heart. I need to pull out all the stops and give him my sad puppy eyes. That will work on him. Wait, have I lost my powers over him? He is still sharing the love? I must find something...

Oh wait, she is a barker. I don't bark and they love that. 
They will kick her out in no time. 
Wait. What? She is barking at a truck and Dad is disciplining her. 
Oh good, he hates her. What? She stopped and he rewarded her? 
Oh. my. God, 
I am going to do something drastic. I think I will bark. I barked. 
They yelled at me. I stopped immediately so they weren't mad, but dang it I am mad. I need to find a plan to rid the house of this black dog. Grrrr.....

It's getting late I like to lay under mom's feet while she watches some tv or reads. But this bitch is still by her. 
I know, I will sit across from her and stare at her. 
It works on my parents.  My stare is like a death stare. They do whatever I want after staring at them constantly for 30 minutes. My mom is the weakest by my stare so this bitch ought to be the same.

I have been staring for 30 minutes, the bitch isn't afraid of me. Now my mom is rubbing around her ears. STOP THIS PEOPLE!!  THIS IS MY HOUSE. THAT IS MY AFFECTION. MAKE IT STOP.

I go to mom and take my snout and push her hands away from Gertie. 
I have had enough of this!!!  It does nothing. Apparently, they don't love me anymore I am going to go be alone....and pout. I lay far away from everyone. I am going to be alone...with sad face until you make her leave. Nope, not coming when they call. Call all you want you traitors. I am staying over here until she leaves. I am manning the door behind me. Hell, I'll open it with my teeth if I have to just so she will walk out this door. 

Geez, now Gertie is in her bed. But it's next to mine and I am not going to lay next to her even if it is my own bed. 
Nope, staying by the front door now.
Look at her, all relaxed and comfortable in my house! 
One nervey little dog isn't she? I don't like her anymore.

I got no sleep, I was up and down all night. My Dad can attest to that. 
I refused to go to my bed either upstairs or down. I made everyone miserable but Gertie. She slept like a rock. She should do that at her house, not mine!  

Okay, it's light out and she has to be going home after this walk at 5:30a. What she's coming inside again? Oh brother. Eating again? Go eat at your house. I tried to push her aside, but Dad saw me and that didn't go well. I am not happy that she is making me get yelled at. 
Can't they see this is all her fault? 

Finally, at 10am Tuesday Gertie's owners show up. 
They took her home. Not fast enough to me but she's finally gone. 
I crawled into my bed, let out a big sigh and plopped onto my bed. 
My bed, alone with no dogs here. I went to sleep quickly.
All is right with the world. 
My pack is together and there are no more stinky dogs here, except me.
That is the way it must stay. Honestly, I'm exhausted. I was up all night.
Time for sleep and rest now. 
I'm going to dream about swimming now, my happy place.

Hopefully when I wake up no one but my humans will be here!