Very Very Merry

We had a wonderful Christmas, but somehow I feel a bit like this.  I think Harry has the right idea.  Maybe I will crawl under the tree and join him.  Yeah, sounds good.  I'll be back....

I Heart Faces - King Harold

I Heart Faces is having a "Furry Face" challenge this week.  I have always been a fan of this website, but have never submitted a photo.   I like this picture of King Harold the Great.  I was just starting to understand a bit what was meant by the whole depth of field concept, and was excited when it sort of worked!  I took this in February of 2010, aka the winter we had snow up to our eyeballs for four months straight. Anyway, here we go.

Perfect Pairings x 3

Well, here it is 4:15 AM, and no sleep in sight.  I long for some uninterrupted sleep, but with this cough/cold /flu/nigh on to dying illness that I've have obtained, it just isn't happening.  So, what are blogs for if not to pass the insomnia time away.

We have had our hands full lately.  Between me trying to get my head around my new job position, the girls random pattern of school days and various snow days, and trying to keep Harry from licking his, well, you know, we have had some busy days.  So, I'll get you up to date and try to add some perfect pairings along the way.

Snow days:  I think all the world has had a snow day as of late, well at least here in the states.  The girls informed me they have make up days scheduled into June.  It's going to be a short summer.  But, snow days make for good sledding days.  Photo credit goes to the Captain - love this shot.

This was almost a good sledding day turned bad though.  Remember a long time ago when I told you about the infamous hill with the creek at the bottom?  Well, let's just say Marissa found the creek. 

She was okay, thank goodness, but I think she has found new meaning to the word "BAIL". 

Perfect Pairing:

Job 37:10

By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast.

 

And speaking of ice, tis the season for ice skating.  The girls are doing their thing again with ice skating lessons.  Surprisingly, they have been able to make it for all of their sessions without any weather cancellations at all.  Seems it only snows on Mondays round these parts. 

 



They always enjoy the lessons and have improved a lot.  I am glad to see them out and moving this time of year when the winter duldrums set in. 

Perfect Pairing:

Psalm 126:2

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

And lest we forget, there is Harry.  Always Harry.  Harry got well, you know, neutered, this past week.  He has had to wear the cone of shame so he doesn't lick his, well, you know, wound.  If you think he was mad at me for the haircut, well ....

....actually, I think we have made up.  I could only stand to see him knock his cone into things for so long, before I had to haul him on my lap and give in to those big brown eyes. 

Pefect Pairing:

Isaiah 56:3

3 Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say,

“The Lord will surely separate me from his people”;

and let not the eunuch say,

“Behold, I am a dry tree.”

Well, that's an interesting verse.  Hmmm, but yes, Harry's "dry tree" has healed up rather nicely.

On a more somber note, my dad was admitted to the hospital again the other day.  He has a little pneumonia, a urinary tract infection and a good old sinusitus.  Praying that all these little things don't add up to a big long hospital stay again.  We'll take as many prayers as you can give us.

Head on over to Baloney's for some more perfect pairing action!

Guilt Trip

The very same day we got Harry trimmed, was one of the colder ones on record this winter.  This cold day was to be followed by many a colder one and about 8 inches of snow.  I am not in King Harold's good graces.  Here's the before:

And here's the After:

So cute right?  His little orange preppy sweater just adds to the appeal. Thing is, it has been so cold he just shivers and quivers and lays in his kennel with his sweater and his extra sheepskin blanket . I've tried to make amends.  Turned the heat up two degrees while I am work.  Let him snuggle on my lap. Bought him some biscuits with a gravy coating on them.  All for naught, 'cause you know what he did? 

That's right. HE SHUT HIS EYES AT ME.  Like I wasn't even there.  Like I was dead to him.  Like if he thought real hard about it with his eyes closed, maybe all his Harry hair would grow back.

And I thought, surely he didn't mean it.  Whatever happened to that whole faithful companion thing? Woman's best friend?  Puppy love? All he gave me was more of this.

I guess he really meant it.  Sorry Harry, if you're trying to make me feel guilty, it's working.

Signing off from the doghouse,

Shannon

Bad Harry Days

Harry's hair has much to be desired these days. His momma Someone forgot his last haircut, and because of the holidays we had to wait until January 7th to reschedule.  He looks pathetic.  Just this little ball of fur running around with no eyes and a really bad straight down the middle 80's part. 

Yes, there really is a dog under all that hair.  Poor thing, sometimes when he is eating his food he jumps like he has been electrocuted or something, but I actually think his hair scares him when it's all hanging in his eyes like that.  Reminds me a little bit of this dude.

I could laugh at these two all day.  I have to chuckle at Harry and all his hair too.  I chuckled right up to the point where he ate Marissa's ipod earbuds that she had just gotten for Christmas.  Bad Harry, uh, hairy - oh never mind.



The Man of the House

The Captain has been gone quite a bit.  Harry knows this and has been secretly trying to usurp the Captain's positon as man of the house.  He has an agenda. I can tell. We have two comfy chairs facing our fireplace.  The recliner has been dubbed mine, and that is usually where you can find me winding down in the evenings over a game of Bejeweled Blitz. Harry also know this.  While I am furiously cursing the Bejeweled Blitz man-voice who is being very stingy with his "specTACulars", Harry quickly jumps into the other chair.  The arms on that chair are just high enough so that if he hides in the far corner, I can't even see him from my chair. By the time my minute is up, I may have forgotten I even have a dog. Very sneaky.

Now Harry has learned  not to try this when the Captain is home. He understands the inherent risk of being drop kicked into Cowboy's front yard. He tries.  He is my protector.  Ever vigilant in the face of danger.  A canine force of nature.  

See?

Yeah, but then he gives me a look like this and I'm pretty much done.  I do give him a fairly stern "wait 'til your Father gets home",  to which Harry responds with this.

Yeah, that left a big impression.  I can tell. 

Dog for sale. Cheap.

NKOTB

No, not that NKOTB.

That NKOTB must have been a little past my screaming teenage groupie years.  I could never quite understand the appeal.  But then again, I serioulsy loved Milli Vanilli, so my musical taste should be openly criticized and questioned.

We have a much cuter NKOTB. Meet Cowboy.

He is our neighbor's new little Chorkie (chihuahua- yorkie mix) and he is just about as rootin' tootin' cute as can be. The girls are utterly charmed.

Harry is too.  They have already had their first play date.  All the butt sniffin' you could ever imagine.  My word.

Hope this block's big enough for the two of them. 

  

Naked

Harry got a haircut.  I think he looks much better.  He, on the other hand, is not sure what to think about all this.  He looks like he feels naked and exposed.  He looks a little uncomfortable and embarassed.

 

Sometimes he looks at me like, "Mom, where did you put my hair?"  Maybe I just have an over active sense of guilt. 

But he drags his little sheepskin blanket out of his kennel and takes it along with him wherever he goes. He won't even lay on the rug anymore - he needs his blanket.  Just pitiful.

Maybe guilt looks better in sepia. Have I really become one of those people who take endless pictures of their dog?

Maybe.  It's OK, Honey, it will grow back.  It's just hair.  That's what my mom always told me after she took one last whack at my crooked bangs.  Maybe that's where all this guilt is coming from. Or maybe it was the Barbies.  None of my Barbies survived long with their full head of hair.

Signing off,

Guilty, Cold and Naked in Iowa

Pefect Pairings Psalm 51:7

Psalm 51:7

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

We're having a hard time keeping Harry "clean" these days.  Spring is here and so is the mud.  Anybody got any hyssop?

Check out Baloney for some more pairings and feel free to leave your own.  Happy Spring!

A Shot of Testosterone

Every once in awhile we get the distinct privilige of watching my nephews.  It's a good thing.  Sometimes the girl drama is a bit overpowering in this household.  With the Captain gone as much as he is, the estrogen can get pretty thick by the time he comes home.  In the meantime, the boys come over for an afternoon and then get things back in balance real quick like.  And we can usually live on the testosterone fumes for a good month or so. 

This is Mason.

Jackson.

Tyeson.

They look to be full of testosterone, eh?

We have had an ongoing Super Mario Brothers battle with the boys to see who could get to the Princess first.  Have to admit, my girls can hold their own when it comes Super Mario Brothers - Marissa especially.

Victories are that much sweeter when you can all join in the fun.

So after a little yelling, a little wrestling, a little farting and burping, a little jumping on the furniture, a little fierce competion, we are good on the testosterone.

Even Harry is relieved.  Living with us girls can be pretty tough.  No wonder he is so happy when the Captain gets home.

King Harold the Great

I am King Harold. Master of all I see.

And these are my loyal subjects:  The lovely Maid Marissa and the beautiful Princess Maren.  I will uphold and protect them at any cost.

As soon as I get rid of this large booger.

Much better.  I will bark at imaginary neighbors.  I will make large amounts of yellow snow with a relatively small bladder. I will rid the world of useless Barbie fodder by chewing it to miniscule pieces. I will climb the highest snow mountain in a single about 25 bounds before I need to take a break. See?

Ugh...

Humph... almost got it....

Just. One. More. Try.

Whoosh.  Made It.  Like I said. King Harold....

oh look...a squirrel!

Perfect Pairings - John 14:27

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Oh, to be a dog lying in a puddle of sun...*sigh*

Go check out Baloney for some more pairing perfection.

When Harry Met Maggie

H: "Hey Baby, did you win best in show cause you sure look like a winner to me. "
M: "I'm looking for my alpha dog and honey, it isn't you."

H: "You're kinda cute. Can I get your license number?"

M: "You wish, but I'm waiting for a real hot dog."

H: "Aww, come on, just a little smooch. I'll buy you a liver treat."

M: "What kind of girl do you think I am?"

H: "Aww, honey, don't make me beg."

Harry tried everything he could to "have a good time" this weekend. He has another moniker now, and the would be "Dirty Harry" if you get my drift. My mother in law had another name for him, but we won't go into that here. Isn't he a little young for that? Poor Harry, doesn't he know that true love waits?

Harry + Maggie = TLA