Ah...Breakup

When the snow melts and the ground warms up and everything is the same color of grey...including the usually white dog. :(

Spring is SO here...

We had coffee on the deck this morning.  Granted, it was 40F with a bit of wind and I was wrapped in a blanket but it doesn't matter.  The sun is shining making it possible to ignore the few snow flurries in the air from the really dark cloud south of town.

The other telltale sign guaranteeing spring is here - Yeti doesn't want to stay outside on the deck because it is too hot in the sun.  He really doesn't like the sun on him.  He prefers clouds and snow.
I don't know how he would survive in Kansas where he was born.

We have a snowshoe hare living in our backyard.  It has been out every morning this week.  Absolutely gorgeous.  I hope I can get a picture of it next Sunday (Easter).  We would then have proof the Easter bunny lives and visits on Easter!!

Good Sunday to you!!

April Fool's Day

I like to stay in on April Fool's Day...you never know what is going to be a joke or reality. 

For example, we are currently in break-up and the roads are slushy, icy, mushy and messy.  Slower than normal speeds are almost required to avoid accidents.While driving to town this morning, some loser turned left in front of me and I had to step heavily on my brakes.  No accident occurred but I was saying...are you joking??? 

We did get another foot of snow this week.  Yeti loves it.  I have never had a dog dive in snow piles like he does.  It's nothing for him to come inside with his face completely covered to where he can barely see anything. 

 Happy April Fool's and be careful out there!

I Love Alaskans!

We went out for breakfast this morning. As mentioned before, the weather is turning and Spring is in the air.  That being said, it was 11F in the parking lot.  Sunny but still chilly.

Nine out of 10 people at the restaurant were in sweatshirts, long-sleeve shirts or t-shirts - no jackets.  There wasn't a winter coat to be seen.  Obviously, Spring has arrived whether the temps are cooperating or not!

And yes...I was one of the 9 people with out a winter coat on.  :P

We don't own a dog...we own a mountain goat!

We received 70+ inches of snow this year so far and because Yeti is approximately 18" tall, I shovel a path around the backyard for him.

 He loves to run around (zoomie) the track and jump up on top of the piles...until he finds a soft one and he fall through up to his belly.  Then it is struggle, struggle, struggle to get back to hard pack and start over.  It will be interesting the first time he goes over the fence and into the deep snow and can't get back.

He often takes a toy out with him.  Of course something else always catches his attention and his toy is left outside.  That's generally OK until he remembers it at 3 AM and feels the need to go rescue it. 

When it is really cold (9F or below), we usually put booties on him.  While not his favorite thing, he puts up with it now.  And whether or not he appreciates it, he doesn't get stuck with snow between his toes trying to hold up all four feet at the same time....

With the warm days and bright sun,we now have a glacier.  He has figured out not to jump off of the top step or he falls on his butt.  This too shall pass...soon...

Library clean up

We have a lot of books. 

A lot of books we will never read again...such as Calculus and Managing Upward.

After YEARS of carting around the books, we are cleaning things out.  If feels good although, no one wants books anymore.  None of the local charities, libraries or schools are interested. Apparently everyone already got rid of a lot of their books and we are behind the times.

At least we have a recycling program we can participate in.  It does make me nauseous to toss books out that way.

But at least we can now put a bed in the library so guests don't have to sleep on the air mattress!

I guess I should say we have less books now...

Happy Spring!

(Please...in your mind think of trumpets blaring, announcing the coming of a royalty,,,)

Anchorage is supposed to have daytime high temperatures above freezing for the next 15 days,

Get ready for break up!!

Back to writing?

I sometimes have odd thoughts to share that may or may not be appropriate for FB.  But then...what is appropriate for FB?  Actually, I'm somewhat timed of  FB.  Too many ads and sometimes quite a bit of drama.

Oh wait...this wasn't supposed to be about FB...

Have you ever had the opportunity to lift weights with a dog?  It is always nice to have someone work out with you even if that someone is rather furry and short.  It can also be an additional challenge when said dog decides to sit on your hair while trying to do sit ups.  The first one is always a shock if you don't realize he's there.

Changing the bed sheets is now a form of aerobic exercise too.  How fast can I get the fitted sheet on before Yeti jumps up and dances around.  Of course, he's too fast and I can't catch him to get him off the bed.  And on the off chance I do catch him, he gets all pouty when he is banished from the bedroom until the work is done.

Anyway...I think I'll start writing again...maybe.. :)

New Discoveries...

You have to wonder what puppies think about...how their minds work. 

Yeti has lived with us for almost 5 months and just this last weekend he discovered toilet paper.

Toilet paper is not new to the house.  It has been here, in 3 different bathrooms, the entire time he has. 

So....what finally possessed him to grab it and run???

Of course to him, the follow up game of chase when Daddy just got out of the shower was the best part.  :P

It was so much fun, he had to try it with Mommy!

Hopefully we have that nipped.  Now we just need to work on staying out of the dirty clothes hamper since he discovered he is taller than it and socks are the BEST TOY EVER...

Our Baby is Growing Up

This was a big week in Yeti's life!  Several significant events happened.

First and foremost, Tuesday, Yeti graduated and received his diploma from Puppy 1 class.  He learned everything he was supposed to and was able to perform at the class.  Now it's up to Mom and Dad to make sure he keeps up and progresses further!

Then on Thursday while running loose in the front yard, he hiked his leg and marked his fence for the first time.  THAT will show Tia the Lab next time she pops over to visit.  I just wonder what dog showed him it was OK to hike vs squat??? 

Finally, he capped the week by sniffing around in the garage and triggered a set mouse trap.  He had been told "no" several times and just like a toddler, went ahead and messed with it anyway.  Don't worry though!  He was not hurt - it just scared him!!  Maybe now he will leave them alone!!

Hard to believe he is growing so fast!  Soon to be six months old!

The Gears are Turning...

We just sat down to dinner last night when we heard thump thump overhead. 

Hum...Yeti is obviously upstairs.  Wonder what he went up there for?

I went to the stairs and called him to come down and he came running and stayed with us the rest of the evening.

Then when I went upstairs for bed, I discovered what he had been after...

One of my teddy bear slippers was out of the closet and in the middle of the bedroom. 

Now, what made him remember those all of a sudden?  He doesn't play with them normally. 

Interesting how their little minds work!

Yeti at Puppy School

With Tommy John the pig...

They get along just fine...TJ can sit, spin and squeal REALLY loudly!!

A Tyical Day...

6:00am - What is pouncing on my head...oh yes...Yeti has to go out...NOW

8:30am - Yeti is ready to get up and play!

8:45am - Outside again...wish the coffee was ready!

9:00am - Cook breakfast...Yeti wants to play.

9:15am - Playing with Yeti.

9:30am - Eat breakfast.

9:40am - Playing with Yeti.

11:00am - Yeti wants outside!
 
11:10am - Yeti is down for a nap. Quick unload dishwasher, load dishwasher, get a load of laundry going, straighten up, pay one bill.

11:35am - Yeti is ready to play...again!

2:00pm - Yeti is out for a nap...move laundry to dryer, set something out for dinner, make grocery list.

2:30pm - Time to go outside and play with Yeti and feed the birds.

2:45pm - Playing with Yeti inside.

5:00pm - Start dinner and take Yeti outside.

5:30pm - Yeti is napping - time for the news.

6:30pm - Let's watch a movie...Yeti is ready to play

7:45pm - Yeti needs to go out.

9:00pm - Oh look - Yeti needs to go out.

10:15pm - Better take Yeti out one more time...

11:45pm - Yeti needs a drink of water.

Midnight - Everyone to sleep!!!

While I don't accomplish much these days, I wouldn't change it for a minute!!  :)

Office work is SO tiring!

Big Coulpe of Days!

 

I went to the vet Monday and got my latest shot.  The sneaky vet put a treat on the table while she gave me the shot and I never knew it happened.  I also gained almost 2 pounds in 2 weeks.  I am definitely growing!

Let's see...I discovered I could go up and down the deck stairs outside.  This way I never go to the right door for Mommy and Daddy when it is time to go in...

I jumped up on a Christmas package and got another ornament off of the tree.  For my safety, Mommy redecorated today and now the lower third of the 9.5 ft tree has no ornaments.  It looks kind of odd...

Daddy taught me to go up the big staircase to the second story and now they can't ever find me.  Well until they put up the gate today.  I taught myself how to go down the stairs.  I'm still a little scared going down but I can do it!

I also discovered the upstairs guest bathroom has one of those fun rugs I like to drag around.  I think that's part of the reason the gate blocks the stairs now...

I discovered I like Chex Mix when Daddy dropped a bunch on the floor.  I helped clean it up...

They never know what I am going to do next!!! :)

I Found the Christmas Tree!

Five ornaments down...only 322 to go!

A New Family Member!!!

Please welcome Yeti! 

                                           A very relaxed dog...

Yeti is 3 months old and we picked him up in Manhattan, KS.  He flew home with us to Alaska and was a fabulous traveler.   Neither of the flight crews even knew he was there until we deplaned.  (FYI - Seattle airport has a puppy relief area inside security.  That was nice!)  We are working on sit, sit up, shake, down and walking on leash.  He really hates walking on the leash.  Practice... Practice... Practice!

I had forgotten what it is like to have a young puppy in the house.  I don't get anything done now...except play with puppy and take him outside. He loves the snow.  Apparently it tastes good and is nice and cool for him.  He runs and runs through it.  This morning he helped me shovel snow by attacking the broom and trying to trip me.  :)

Anyway...we will get back to the Mediterranean one of these days...

Capri and Sorrento

Our first day in Naples we boarded another boat in the pouring rain and sailed to Capri.  This was the only ugly weather day we had.  Not bad for a 28 day trip!  Our second day in Naples, the sun was out for most of the day...at least we got back to the ship before it started raining!

 The fort protecting the city of Naples.  I believe every island/port we visited in the Mediterranean had a fort or at least giant walls all seemingly built by the Venetians.  They were a well traveled people!

 

City of Naples - a mix of old and new.

Statue of Neptune

Looking back at the main Capri marina from the top of the mountain where the shops and hotels are.

Path back to the ocean.  We rode the cable car.

Tiny streets - typical of the islands.  The "cars" are a little bigger than an over-sized golf cart and used only for deliveries.

Example of local artist tile work...yes we brought some home!  Just not this big!

Back on the mainland, this is Sorrento.  Not many pictures worth sharing from today...

Another view of Sorrento. 

However, my next post will be about Pompeii.  This picture was taken from Capri looking back to Naples with Vesuvius in the background.  Amazing the mountain lost 50-60% of it's cone during the eruption.  Mind boggling...

The Pantheon

We made finally made it to our last full day in Rome.  Hard to believe it has taken me this long to write about AND so many posts.  I could have done it in one post BUT that would have been brutally long for everyone!

ANYWAY...we visited the Pantheon on our last day in Rome once again taking public transportation to meet up with our tour guide.  Our group had a total of 5 people in it - perfect size!!

Front entrance.  It is amazing how these ancient temples are in typical "modern" town squares.

Front obelisk.  One in front of every church.

Massive doors at the entrance.  These must be heavy and appear to be typical for Roman construction.

Front of the Pantheon. Mass is about to start as we visited on the Day of the Assumption of Mary.  The marble floors...beautiful!

Front altar.

While I didn't stick Robert in the picture for a size perspective, these had to be 8 foot tall...more really big candles...still used on special occasions.

The dome.

And the drain holes for the water when it rains through the hole in the dome.  Never thought about that issue but the Romans did!

Queen Margherita's tomb...everyone of our tour guides mentioned her and how the Margarita pizza is named after her and her creation. 

Raphael's tomb in the Pantheon.  It was interesting how we kept visiting famous leaders' and artists'tombs in the various churches.

Once we were finished with the Pantheon, we walked around the area and saw several other historic churches.  Unfortunately, my pictures didn't turn out well due to the no flash rule...

Exterior of the Hadrian temple now re-purposed...

Outside of Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola (St Ignatius' church)...look at how tiny the streets are.  I thought driving in the neighborhoods of Brisbane was tough.  This would be a nightmare...definitely good for a smart car...

Rome was fascinating.  I could spend months there visiting all of the ruins and learning of the history...but there's just too much other stuff to see!

Next stop: Naples!

Sidetracked by snow

I know...this post is supposed to be about the Pantheon.  However, we woke up to this today!  First snow of the season!

YEA!