Randomness

So, it's 5 in the morning and I can't sleep anymore. The little Sassy came and woke me up and 22 minutes after 4 cause she woke up and wanted to get in bed with me. Sorry. I don't really do that much. I kindly put her back in her own bed. I think she needs a warm happy nightlite in her room. Maybe it will help her.

Anyway - I've been missing my San Francisco/Smart Remarks friends (more on this later) and wishing I had some sort of trip in the works. One of my all time favorite trips was the time I flew up to Rochester, NY and drove into Palmyra with my parents. We visited the historical sites and stuff, and then one day braved a nasty rain storm to drive over to Buffalo and on to Niagara Falls. Seriously the most gorgeous landmark I've ever seen in my life!!! It was fall, mid September, and everything was still massively green and wonderful, but it was cool and totally uncrowded. The rain let up for us while we visited the falls and then we took a leisurely drive through local roads back. We stopped at fruit stands and ate at some little roadside restaurant. Fabulous. Brian and I need to get away and we can't seem to narrow it down. Not having much experience traveling, I think it's harder to know what to do. We've discussed Hawaii, a cruise of some kind (either western carribean or mediterranean), Mexico or even just my grandfathers little old cabin in WY, surrounded by snow, out of touch of the entire world. Until we get something down on paper though, I'm not feeling any sort of excitement. Plans have a way of being changed, cancelled, or swept under the rug until some point in the future.

Did I ever do a post about my little dog that had back surgery over the summer? I don't think I did. We have dachshunds. Naturally, with those extra long spines, they are prone to spinal injuries. Our first dog, Bailey, threw her back about 6 yrs ago. We had to pay for the ER in the middle of the night, xrays, a special scan they did with dye and stuff, steroids to keep the inflammation down to see if she'd get better (which she didn't) and then surgery. It was $$$expensive$$$. She was only 6 at the time. Then, this last year, our other little dachshund Sammy threw her back. Apparently she'd had a burst disk in her back that had been there for a LONG time. It was big and I don't know how the little dog survived in that kind of pain for so long. Amazing. Anyway, finally one day she just couldn't walk on her back legs at all and it was pitiful! We went back and forth on whether we were going to fork out the dough again, but our hearts beat out the other and we did it. She's like new. Running around and happy and all. Barking her little tail off as usual. Yesterday however..........

Bailey came down our 16 stairs to go out in the morning. Then, down the 13 stairs from our back door to the yard to potty in the grass. Back up the 13 stairs to come back in - at which time my husband discovered her hobbling on three legs only. We've already done surgery on this girl. She was almost double what the first dog cost. And - she's 12. What do you do? We're still paying off the last canine surgery. So we're keeping her confined and rested. Carrying her up and down the stairs. Giving her pain pills. Conservative like crazy is our plan. I'm going to call the vet today and talk to her about just picking up the steriods so we can do that for a week or two. This morning she did put a little pressure on that leg, which is a good sign. Anyway---fun times.

We also have a leaking dishwasher. But it's rapidly getting worse. At first we noticed because the hardwood in front of the thing was warped. We've been trying to keep it sopped up with an old towel until we can decide what to do, but last night, the leakage ran clear out onto the floor. Now - it's off limits until we can either get it repaired or replaced. Dishes. By. Hand. Aren't I spoiled? I'll pretend I'm at the cabin. It might be fun. Might.

Oh!!! On fab news, I was reminded this morning about a place we went in San Francisco when I saw Bakerella's new blog post. It's called Miette! Located in the Ferry Building. They also have a website and a blog. Us SF girls wandered through that place for a while and stopped at this little patisserie for treats. They had what we thought were macaroons. But apparently, as I learned this morning, they are called Macarons. (long 'o'). Bakerella even showed step by step directions on how to make the precious little sweets. I might be brave enough, you guys. It's quite an interesting process. Takes a few days. Since you have to age your egg whites for at least 24 hours and then after you pipe the cookies out, they have to sit for at least an hour before baking. If you can believe it, I'm more stressed out about where I could find powdered food coloring and what on earth would I make for filling??? They have to be TO DIE FOR when I'm finished. Not a disaster I wish I hadn't done.

Soooo, I guess I'd better get off this couch and take advantage of the extra time I have this morning. Today's a run-around day. Happy lunch with friends, sweet ballet class for Sassy. I have to order a cake for New Beginnings this week, etc. Off I go. OH! And I get to weigh myself this morning. Down 15 lbs you gize!! 15 boxes of butter. Three 5 lb bags of flour. Shaved off and thrown to the curb. Not to mention nearly 18 inches. I'm feeling great!

Oh, and since no one commented on the pull up post, I feel I'd better apologize for grossing you all out so much you couldn't even click on the comment button. That's okay. I'll get over it. ::wink::