Zena the Warrior Princess

For several months we talked about if we wanted another dog. On spur of the moment movie and dinner nights I pointed out we couldn't do this if we had a puppy in training. On cold, wet rainy mornings when getting the paper at the end of the driveway required gear, I asked if he missed walking Zed rain or shine. But more he read the ads for puppies in the paper, and said how much he missed his puppy. After the holiday's he started in earnest. I said in Spring, we would ask our vet about a breeder who was trusted.

I said I would know when I was ready when puppies started being cute. And then Shelly our wonderful dog sitter, groomer, savior in time of emergencies sent us two pictures with a note, just thinking of you. The pictures were of Zed and her golden who passed away shortly before Zed started getting sick. They were out in her backyard on a light snow day, shoulder to shoulder patroling the fence. That afternoon we started looking at web sites. This one was too "not cute" and that one was expected to be too small. Then we read about a few breeders who had brought back German Yorkies who were traditionally larger 8- 10 lbs. Then while he was in his office "working" and I was finished the crossword puzzle we each were actually looking at Yorkies. And there she was. She had the perfect face, was 5 lbs at 14 weeks so could be expected to be 8 - 10 lbs when fully grown. She had most of her shots and had been sprayed. Even better she was about an hour and half away. She is too cute, a brindle, not show quality and it is too early to tell if she will have a soft or silky coat but she was it.

I got Bruce to call and of course they said others were coming to look and if we wanted a chance to have her they needed a deposit since I didn't think we could go until Saturday. As luck would have it, afternoon meetings got cancelled and we set out on a miserable, rainy foggy cold afternoon to drive up towards the mountains. I wanted to keep it a secret that we were looking so we could say no, not this one. If she was too timid or lethargic she would have to find another family. Before we left we chose a name Zena the Warrior. If she looked like she could live up to her name she would ours.

The rest is history. She slept through the night no whimpering even though she didn't have any litter mates nearby. By the 24 hour mark she was eating. So far we have managed to get her to poop outside but peeing is a different task. Unlike Zed who felt he needed to lift his leg and needed the perfect blade of grass or something, she is sniff, sniff squat kind of girl.

So while I try to figure out her tells and schedule, it is by the clock. Out first thing, then playtime followed by crate time. As soon as she comes out of the crate we gear up and head to the spot outside. So far we are three for three. But I am not counting on anything but my diligence. Now to convince Papa that crate time is not punishment and she has to pee on a leash. She is in a harness - lesson learned the hardeay with Zed - but it takes a little more time and two hands to get her ready.

Today is day three and despite dawning Uggs and ski jacket cold it has warmed up to fleece weather. I have two weeks to get this schedule thing working before Bruce starts his new job and has to go to the office so Zena and I are on the Puppy Boot Camp program. No backsliding.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Obsolete

We had our six month check up by the heat/air guy. Our furnaces are "builder grade" and seemingly on their last legs now that they are twelve. We hope they make it through the Christmas holiday so we don't all have to decamp to the Embassy Suites. The furnace humidifier - well he has never seen one this old and he doesn't have parts. When did furnaces start dying when they hit the 12 year mark. The washer died at 10 and the maintenance contract folks declared it not worth fixing.

Last night I got together with some girl friends and there was the general agreement that pre-lit (no allergy) trees lasted 3 - 5 years and outside tree lights - well after 3 years it was the hunt for the burned out bulb game. The throw away generation crept up on me. We sat around like old dinasouresses and reminisced about the artificial trees where you assembled them branch by branch and then added the lights. Our younger companions reminded us that now with LED lights they lasted longer, and with the flick of the remote could change the lights from white to red to blinking, etc, etc. I am officially obsolete.

Posted with Blogsy

Should have measured

My front load washer gave up the ghost, or rather stopped spinning and draining. The diagnosis was a burned out pump, the warranty company said the pump exceeds the value of the 10 year old washer and offered compensation. I was ready to go back to a top load. My front loader was wonderful on small loads and delicates, and did a fine job on everything else except it took two loads to wash the sheets on my bed, and it liked towels to be limited to three with some hand towels. The coverlet exceeded its capacity and had to be rinsed at least twice. So, a new top loader was on the menu. I measured the footprint since there isn't a lot space in the laundry room. Off to the store we went.

I was in search of a top loader without an agitator and with enough flexibility in choices for temperature and spin. Whirlpool had a good review, the Black Friday price still applied, the footprint was actually a little narrower than the old set. They were delivered, the old ones moved to the garage for sale or donation and I happily brought down two weeks of clothes to start washing.

The first load sang a little song when it ended and I went in to toss them in the dryer and repeat the exercise. When what to my wondering surprise should occur! I can not reach the bottom of the dryer. There they were clean clothes, rinsed and spun awaiting their turn in the dryer. Now I have a little stool beside the washer so I can fish out those malingering socks and shirts that seem to like the bottom best.

In praise of the new washer I can do all of my bed sheets in one load, a basketful of towels and now the coverlet is having a turn.

 

Posted with Blogsy

The new "old" date for appliances

Remember Mom's laundry room? Two washers and two dryers. They lasted forever, or at least a long time. My washer died, it won't spin. We checked the belt and it is good so it is something more expensive. We are leaving Saturday for a week so I guess we will pack whatever dirty clothes we need and wash them at the condo. We have a service appointment for Monday December 1, which if my memory of Meagan's trials will mean someone comes and looks at it, goes back to order a part and returns in a week or so. At least I hope that is what they do since the washer turned 10 in August. The last time we needed service it was on the fridge, the tech said "oh this is an old one" I may have something in my truck that will work. The fridge was 10 at the time.

Posted with Blogsy

Social security

Over my lifetime of working I have contributed $150,000 to social security. If you guesstimate an average of a 4% return for 30 years, I will be 89.5 before I start taking out more than I put in. This is my money. Since the majority of my career I have been self employed, that means I pay my part and the employers part. So when you read your bottom line on your social security report think about what your employer contributed and then think about us small businesses where we pay both parts.

 

Posted with Blogsy

California dreaming

Just back from a too short trip to California. Lots to tell. But I thought I would share a picture of one of my tour guides.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Pictures really aren't enough

Meagan, Ashby and I went to Big Sur today for lunch. The resteraunt was 28 miles from Carmel. We took Meagan's VW with the top down. It was another beautuful day in California. The views were amazing. I used my phone but it takes a pro to capture the awesomeness. They have done a great job of having marked observation points and a lot of smaller pull off's. It was hard to miss any of them. Then we got to the redwood forest. The amazing woodsy smell filled the air. We had lunch at a resteraunt was on a precipice overlooking the ocean. It was almost like being on a cruiseliner looking at the horizon where the ocean meets the sky.

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy