Looooong over due

Uh...yeah. Really? I haven't posted since February? How can that be? It isn't like we've been doing anything. Oh wait, we've been a little busy. Which is no excuse for not posting, but is a good reason to post now. We finally did some much needed updates to the house. We got rid of the carpeting and put in some wood flooring. Really makes a difference in the house, and Sean is a happy guy to not have the carpet any more. I'm not going to post "before" shots of the carpeting, because yes, it was that bad. But the "after" pictures are pretty cool. I still need to get pictures after the molding was put up, becuase it looks even better. But these are what I have now, and I don't want another delay in posting.

We also put in a new patio out back. Our old patio wasn't much of anything, so we are loving the new space in the yard. Elmo and Mari lounge on it any chance they get. We've had a decent spring, so they have had some good opportunities.

BEFORE

AFTER

Don't worry, we are going to replace the awning some time this week or next, depending on the weather. The sliding door and garage door are next on the hit list. Then the windows...then painting the exterior...does it ever end?

We've also been sprucing up the yard a bit...springtime will do that to you in Oregon. We still have a ways to go, but we're getting there.

BEFORE

MID - (Not quite AFTER yet)

Of course we managed to fit in a camping trip to Prineville Reservoir a few weeks ago, and are heading out again soon to the Deschutes River. It's always a gamble to see if the weather will cooperate, but at some point, you just have to bite the bullet and go for it. It does help to have good friends, some games and lots of drinks on hand when you have inclimate weather though!!

Additional yard pictures and some from camping (the Painted Hills in Oregon are pretty freaking cool!!) can be seen on our photo website http://www.pbase.com/chandradeva/2009

And that's all I have to say about that.

keeping busy

I've been reminded recently that I've been neglectful of my blog. I apologize. However, we've been doing things, so I it isn't like I was just sitting around. What things you ask? Well, to begin with, I alphabetized our spices (I can see you smiling from here Joe). I believe that we were the last in the family to get our spices up to code, but we are so there now. I was astonished that we had no less than 115 little vessels containing spices. A handful were actually from a set I received as a gift in 1992. Don't worry...they were never even opened, and are now in a very aromatic landfill somewhere. Other interesting items include three unopened bottles of tabasco, (we never use tabasco), some whole spices from Granada given to me by a woman I worked with almost 7 years ago, a bag of Hawaiin Iced Tea mix and a large bag of mystery spices. Not sure where we got them, or why. There are a lot of other things that I'm not sure we'll ever use, but they got to stay this time. I'm not sure if organized spices make a difference in bringing the universe into harmony, but it is one less thing for us to grumble about when we're cooking.

We did actually leave the house recently We went to the Portland Auto show last weekend. I wasn't sure what to expect, but we actually saw quite a few cars that would make a nice addition to our family. Unfortunately, the Lamborghini booth wasn't giving away free samples, so we'll stick with something a little less flashy when we're ready to get a new ride. Sean liked one that was quite a sporty looking thing for a Hyundai.

We've started our summer camping plans already too. We have three trips scheduled, and a few more in the works, but since it is only February, we figure we have a little time. We're hoping to head out to a great little campground right along the Columbia River and about a mile from a great little winery within the next few weekends. We just need some good weather and no obligations. Wine tasting and camping...what could be better? Not much...except for some tasty beef knuckles (if you are a dog). Elmo didn't like me getting very close to him...he can be a tough old coot.

Until next time...

Ahhhhh 2009.

And...done. 2008 is over, and we're on to something new. 11 days in so far, and doing pretty well on resolutions...most of them anyway. The decorations are taken down, boxed up and put back in the attic. I think our favorite after Christmas activity is getting that 6'8" itchy artificial tree up there. Thank goodness we only have to do that once a year. I didn't know Sean knew so many bad words!!! We like to do the tree stuffing with the garage closed, partly because of Sean's vocabulary, but mostly because the stoarge bag we use makes it look like we are hauling around a body or two. Our nosy neighbors would call us in so fast...oh wait...do you think the cops would help us lift it up the ladder once they knew we weren't committing a felony? Maybe next year we'll rethink this!!

Aside from tree wrestling, we aren't really doing anything all that exciting. I KNOW!!! Shocking. We're starting to plan activities, think about summer, maybe get some camping dates on the calendar. We are making a list of all the home projects, and figuring out which one to tackle first. I had no idea how much stuff we need to do around here. It's a wonder this place is still standing with a list as long as ours. Probably the moss keeping it all glued together. That and squirrel spit. I think we've decided to attack the little bathroom. It is in sad shape. It was the first thing we "remodeled" as homeowners, and it really shows how much we didn't know. Can you say peel and stick tiles? Blech. But...luckily we have Lowes, Home Depot and IKEA within reach, and friends and family nearby that can help us with designing something not as horrible as it is now. I think we'll do okay this next time. Well, we also have a firm grasp on what not to do. Fun stuff!!

Anyway, nothing much to say, just wanted to put up the first official post of the new year, and throw in a few pictures from the past month or so.

We got quite a bit of snow that lasted for a week at the end of December. Fun at first, then really, really frustrating. I think I prefer the good old fashioned liquid sunshine we're used to. The dogs liked it until it iced over and made their yard difficult to navigate. Especially for short little Elmo.

I went out and took some pictures one chilly Saturday. I thought this little guy looked like he was rapelling away from that pod thingy. No, I wasn't drinking.

This one was my favorite of the bunch from the frozen morning.

Oh yeah, baby...housebound by snow, but not without knitting needles and yarn!!

Elmo breaking in the new doggie cot we got for Olive and Reese. He is also breaking in the scarf that I made for Brady.

Hope 2009 is starting out well for everyone!

Here come the Holidays!!

Here we are chugging along into December. We seem to be off to a reasonably good start to the Holiday Season. We headed up to Seattle to spend Thanksgiving with Sean's step-sister Crishna and her fiancee Paul. Sean's Dad, his friend Evelyn and Kenai made the drive from Gearhart to join the fun. There were many hands helping to prepare the meal, and the feast was enjoyed by all.

They have an amazing view over Puget Sound from their bedroom balcony, and we were lucky enough to have this fantastic sunset as an extra Thanksiving treat.

And of course, Felix needs his moment in the spotlight...looking quite content with a house full of friends and the occasional food tidbit hitting the floor.

We made it back to town for our favorite Holiday Kick off party at Matt and Kenny's house. As you can see, everyone was looking good and had a great time.

Joe headed back East this past week for a Niece's Wedding. Whether she is a Grand-niece, or Great-niece is still up for debate. But there is no question he had a good time. We were graced with having Kenai keep our pooches company, while he was spreading West Coast cheer on the East Coast. The inevitable "dog exausting" walk resulted in a couple of quality candids of our favorite Shepard.

Kenai was enjoyig her off-leash time. And I was enjoying the huge black furry ears filling my rear view mirror on the car ride home.

A few photos

I took my camera to work with me one day last week, just because I was getting the shutter bug. I didn't get anything extraordinary, but it was a fun way to spend a lunch break.

This one is just a random shot of campus from down below. I've been at OHSU 8 months as of today, and I still get lost in the hallways and stairwells. The buildings are built on top of each other, but not in a logical way...at least not my logic. If I stay outside, I'm usually okay with my internal compass, so it's just the 6 months of winter ahead I have to worry about. :0)

And of course there is always my bench shots. I had seen this bench from the bus one day, when it was completely covered in leaves. I had hoped to get a shot of it like that, but they had been cleared by the time I brought my camera in the next day. Oh well...there is always next year.

And another shot of the same bench. For some reason I like this shot from further away. Puts the solitude of the bench in perspective. (Are you starting to believe me that we have no life...yes, I did really just post two pictures of a bench)

I work in one of the older buildings on campus, and it has such an institutional feel. This stairwell in particular creeps me out. I don't know if it's the door halfway up that doesn't really go anywhere, or the window that you can't really see out of...either way, I usually try and make it a very quick trip when I have to go this way.

And, as I promised, I couldn't end this blog without some pictures of Mari in the leaves. I had taken Cooper to the dog park on Saturday, so Sean went out in the yard to hopefully get the last bunch of leaves for the year. Of course Mari loves the leaf blower, because what dog doesn't like wind in their face at 35 mph? Sean was multi-talented to be able to wield the leaf blower, and get some good shots. (this is officially Sean's first contribution to the blog - aside from being in some pictures).

Hope everyone has a very happy Thanksgiving!!

Our visitor

This is Cooper, our visitor this week, since my sister is out of town for Thanksgiving. Mari and Elmo aren't that excited that he's here, but Sean and I love our hairy little nephew.

Cooper is a little bummed that our dogs won't play with him, but he finds other ways to entertain himself. I've been taking him for car rides, and to the dog park, which helps to fill his time.

As you can see, he's very fond of tugging. It us usally more enjoyable for us if there is a toy involved, as he's got quite a grip. He also enjoys barking at each and every leaf, child or car that goes by our house. He's a total doof...but a very good boy when he's sleeping. We have him until Wednesday, when I take him to his pet hotel for a few days. We're headed out of town, and he'd be a bit much for a travel companion. We're used to the geriatric dog pack which is just a tad bit more subdued.

Don't worry though, Sean was out wrangling leaves (yes, AGAIN!). So we'll have leaf and dog pictures. We'll have to wean you off slowly, since that is about all we post about, and we're pretty near the end of leaf season. Sean was trying to get some pictures of Mari with the leaf blower...she loves that thing. Hopefully he can get those edited and ready to post in the next day or so.

Until then....I'm going back to dogsitting.

Dog Blog

We continue to have beautiful fall weather, so I was feeling optimistic on Saturday morning and thought I'd take Mari and Elmo out and try to get some pictures of them. Mostly because when I don't have my camera with me, they always do something photo worthy. Unfortunately, having a camera with me and getting a good picture are two very different things.

Mari is tough to capture sometimes, because she's always looking for something to chase, or bark at, or dig in, or run around, or herd...you get the idea.

Then there is Elmo. Even though he moves pretty slow, he's hard to catch, because everything is swinging to and fro. A video of him running towards us would be a lot better representation of his beauty in motion, but until we get that...a photo will just have to do.

We ventured on to a lovely area where both dogs could be off leash for a while. Elmo had his nose to the ground, so I figured my best bet was to get Mari in action. I was pleading with her to give me a decent shot, something out of the ordinary, and then she starts getting sassy. She's been practicing her runway walk, which I have to admit is getting much better than it was.

I thought after her beauty pose, we should go for talent...and this is what we got.

I gave up.

Fast forward to Sunday...and you guessed it...more leaves to deal with. I spared Sean the yard paparazzi while he was working, and got more dog photos...because who doesn't love pictures of my dogs?

Mari loves to "help" with the leaves. You'd think with those herding instincts I would have figured out a way to get her to help with leaf round up, but without thumbs, she's useless with a rake.

And this begs the question...does Elmo help with the yardwork too?

You bet he doesn't...not when there is a fluffy bed covered with a blanky.

At least he moved off of the couch for a few hours. It really wears him out to have to lift his head occasionlly and yawn, or even get up to get some water!!

He wanted it known that he doesn't find me amusing at all. He's a good boy for putting up with me.

So yeah...life IS that exciting here. Leaves and dogs, and dogs in leaves, dogs sleeping...I tell ya what, we're going to have to try and liven it up around here soon...

Next week will be pictures of paint drying...