Nobody's Idea of A Good Time

The move to bigger digs is underway.  And NO ONE is loving the packing process, needless to say.

We are getting rid of a LOT of crap, which is always nice.  Still have plenty of stuff to move though.

Our big moving day is the 14th.  If you are in Spokane that day, you may wish to stay far away from the South Hill :-)

The good news is that our new place is much much bigger, 5 bedrooms, three living areas, THREE BATHROOMS! (we are currently struggling with 1 bathroom for all of us) and a big back yard for the dogs.

And need I mention that I am over the moon to have all my kids back in Spokane?  I am grinning ear to ear.  Even when I'm packing boxes.

Can't We All Just Get Along?

It's been a bit of an emotional roller coaster for the three pups as they get to know and not hate each other.  Lucy is EAGER to be besties with Lois and Walt.  They are NOT eager to add a third wheel to the canine Fred & Irene duo.

After a week of
1. Lulu being terrified of walking through any room where Lois & Walt were hulking
2. Wally having a constant look of extreme stress on his face (more whites of his eyes showing than you can imagine)
3. Lola figuring out where Lucy's favorite spots to lay, then lorcaing in them with a sly grin (BTW, just read that the new weight loss drug is called "LORCASTATIN".  PERFECT)
4. The dogs trying to attack each other every damn time they came in the house/yard after a walk or Lulu went under the table when we were eating and other apparently stressful events

Cara took matters in hand from afar and contacted a dog "whisperer" to come see us.  She was a little weird (I mean she's a dog whisperer), but had a lot of solid advice and observations for us.  She told us the two olds can no longer bully Lucy and we needed to keep them separated until we are able to achieve a "Pack" with the 3 of them.  She suggested we continue our daily walks (oddly, all 3 are fine with each other when on the leash.  I guess they know that they are not the pack leaders when they are on leashes or something)  She wants us to work on their training after their daily walk, with the 3 dogs each on a leash working with a human but all in the same area so they can start to get used to each other (the basic sit, wait, down and come commands with lots of treats)  And get a baby gate to keep them separate in the house.

So far, it's definitely MUCH more relaxed.  It's pretty easy in our little house to divide it between living room and kitchen/dining room so that the pups can be in a comfy place but apart.  They are enjoying the walks and the treats and the attention.  Lulu is a training superstar (you knew she would be a teacher's pet) and Lola knows all the commands.  She doesn't necessarily want to DO them for you but she knows them and is getting way better.  Walt is a buffoon who will do anything for a treat.  And is also getting better at following commands :-)

Lisa our DW also recommended a homeopathic remedy for dogs called "Harmony" which she says can be very effective.  I ordered some and we are interested to see if it really does work.  Can't hurt anyways.  Plus our upcoming move to a much larger house (5 bedrooms, 3 living areas and a much bigger yard) should help everyone relax. 

Can't say I ever planned to be a dog person, but I'm learning right along with the three stooges.

I'm An Author!

My first Piecework article is published, and I'm thrilled to bits!

Promise me all of you will move the July/August issue of Piecework up to the front of the magazine rack every time you go to the grocery store and book store :-)

I'm hoping the Historic Knitting Group on Ravelry will be kind in their comments.  I've already begged them to go easy on me.

HOME! YAY!

Pooh, Lois, Walt and I rolled into Tekoa Street at about 7:30.  At 7:31, Lucy was cowering on her mama's feet.  Poor little thing, she didn't realize Piggy and Munchy are evil crabs.

Actually, everyone is sacked out in the living room.  We're hoping all will be BFFs by this time tomorrow...

So happy to have our Pooh Bear home!  Cara will be following shortly, and then my happiness will be complete.

Inflation Rears Its Ugly Head

The 10,000 Silver Dollar Tourist Trap is now the 50,000 Silver Dollar Tourist Trap.

Since we didn't have an 8 year old with his/her $10.00 trip allowance burning a hole in his/her pocket, we opted not to go in and peruse the faux Native American souvenirs.  I'm kind of sad now, we should have purchased beaded coin purses for everyone.

Oh South Dakota, I Love You

We finally rolled into Billings MT, after a marathon day of driving.  Pooh Bear is the champ driver, and we've maintained our trip goal of never having to back the truck/trailer up (well, almost never. A bad parking lot our first night spoiled our perfect record)

South Dakota didn't get the memo about highway beautification.  So every 20 feet along the freeway there is a super cheesy billboard for one of the numerous "attractions" the state has to offer bored tourists.  Including the "World's Largest Bull Head" pictured here (you can't see it, but there's also the World's Largest Hammer plus some other randoms)

Of course, Wall Drug advertises every 10 feet, but we opted not to stop.  We're saving ourselves for The 10,000 Silver Dollar tourist trap in Montana. 

I don't actually understand the plethora of "Mystery Caves", "Reptile Farms", petting zoos etc.  The state just has to be loaded with historical sites, dinosaur bones, geology and more.  But none of those places get so much as a hand-lettered sign. 

I take that back; the Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House on the Prairie author) got a small brown sign.  Pooh didn't even slow down.

On The Road

Tony and I (plus Lois and Walter, the wonder dogs) are headed back to the Great NW with a trailer of stuff.  Cara will be following shortly, yay!

We are currently in lovely Dayton, Ohio.  We have a long day of driving (and by we, I mean Pooh Bear) and should end up in Sioux Falls SD tonight.

I have managed to hit a few thrift stores en route in my never-ending search for inventory for my store.  Nothing much thus far.  I'm hoping that the Midwest will be full of knitting & crochet treasures from Grandma's attic.

Walt spent a lot of time last night barking at his reflection in the full length mirror.  Idiot.