Showing posts with label rocco. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rocco. Show all posts

Jun 24, 2013

My Post About Being Busy



Good Lord, things have been BUSY. Since I posted that we had found a house, I can't even begin to describe the level of busy-ness I have been operating at. I still could have found time to write, but I honestly was not making it a priority.
My priority has been keeping my sanity.

Part of maintaining my sanity has been "To Do" lists like this one. The week after we moved, I had four pages like this one (front and back). I had to keep everything organized somehow. By now I can't even make a list. It is too overwhelming. Not because there is even MORE stuff to do, but because I already spent all possible energy and used up all of my superwoman brain cells. There is nothing left. I don't know how or when I get a recharge, but I am hoping it is soon...

Here is what we have been up to...


We celebrated Easter. This involved friends and food, presents in Raine's Easter "nest," bubbles, more food (including cupcakes) and more bubbles.



We went back to Illinois for a visit. There was a lot of playing to be had for Raine with his cousins, and then we had our fair share of food and beverages, and lots of time with friends and family.


We packed a lot for our move. We tried to pack a little bit every day. Raine liked to pack and then unpack, pack, unpack, repeat.


We finalized paperwork on the house and made several trips out catch glimpses as it was built.

We had it inspected and then had a new homeowner orientation with the builder.

We signed a lot of paperwork and closed escrow.


Then on Saturday May, 4th, we moved in!!!

We tried our best to help all pets adjust to the new house. This included training Rocco to use a doggie door. We crossed our fingers that he would use it while we were away at work throughout the week, so we wouldn't have to come home to accidents all over the new hardwood floors and carpet. It took about two weeks until I felt completely comfortable leaving him alone. Now he uses that thing like a BOSS.

Hobbes made some surprising trips to the vet, racking up ridiculously large bills. He had two teeth removed and was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism. He has to eat expensive prescription food now, of course.

Rocco also has had to have some extra vet visits and tests. Most notably in just the last week, he has developed what we believe is Lymphangieasia, which is causing protein to leak out of his intestines. He started medicine yesterday and I am working from home this week to monitor him until we can get him back to the vet on Thursday and have his blood checked again to see where we are at. If he has stabilized on the medicine, there is hope we will have him around a couple more years (as we will continue to treat it with a prescription diet). If he does not stabilize, we will have to help him get more comfortable and say goodbye in the next two to three weeks. We are stunned and sad and nervous.


Immediately after we moved, we spent a week cleaning the crap out of our condo. (This included Mother's Day. However, before Raine went to the baby-sitter and cleaning commenced, I did get to have a groovy little breakfast en plein air with my boys at Henry's Hot Breakfast. And hubby gave me roses. Sigh.)

After listing the condo, we waited for six agonizing weeks to get tenants. Just as I was about to lose my shit, we found them. I just gave them the keys Monday. HALLELUJAH.

In between all of this, I have tried to attempt to baby step my way into tackling major changes with my daily job and special projects, including the business I want to start. The short of it is that nothing much has changed. ;) I am still at the same day job and it is still very stressful and even less ideal now that I live 30 minutes away. My plans to amp up posting and content of this blog has failed, but I did finally gather together my goodies for my side project, snail says. It is in early prep stages and I will not be formally launching it, or making any sort of announcement, necessarily, when it is up and running. The plan is to leak it on Pinterest eventually, when I reach a certain point in the content level (which I think is scheduled for late August or September). LOL. I wish I could tell you more, other than ... It will basically chronicle Dan and I's love letters and creative tokens of affection during our courtship, which was ten years ago this month. This is the only time I will likely mention this project because I want it to happen in a space exclusive of this blog, with it's own organic possibilities.

And, the business. It is forming. I have a P.O. box, email address, and company name with a blog/web site and Twitter account. It is in such early stages I hesitate to share details but if your really want a peek, you can get a glimpse here.

OH. AND AS IF THIS ALL WASN'T ENOUGH. I have also poorly attempted to be a super sister and super daughter and help and/or stay on top of (at least) my mom's medical progress. More about that at another time, because there really is no simple way to recap that.

ABOVE ALL, THOUGH. 








I have been falling in love with our home and our new town, as well as the greater community and county we now live in. I am beside myself with peace and joy having at last found my elusive Oregon roots. They are reaching deep quickly and finding nourishment here. I look forward to what they produce.

Sep 4, 2012

8 Years of Newlywedness. Hurray!

 
From hubby...Only letterpress for his lady! Lark Press, PDX.

Dinner at our favorite local restaurant, Sawatdee.

Baby Rocco watches TV with us.

Picking up El Cranko Cranky Babe (but still super cute!) from Matt & Gayle's.

Starflowers from hubby & my card to him ~ Encanto Press, PDX.
On tap.


May 3, 2012

Insta Luv

Contemplating life and groceries.
Charley Harper - May.


Weeeeeeee!
The tooth! So tiny.
Good scents for the office.
Letterpress for my Amelia.
When he roots, he roots for the Timbers!
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.
Orange rhodies. Yes!
Floating blanky dog head.
The new rug! LUV it.
Yum.
I totally want this.
He discovered Barney this morning.


Are you on Instagram? Follow me, s'il vous plaƮt! @bangsmcgee.

Feb 15, 2011

the ugly sweater party:

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the family photo…this is the one where rocco looks sweet in his little ugly sweater…

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and this is the one where he looks evil. :)

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all the other doggies wore sweaters, too! that is ali’s dog, odin, wearing her ali's dad’s sweater in the new hip style for large dogs, with the front sleeves rolled up all loose and cool. and one of the things that i love about ali’s house is the little touches of arty soul. :) i spied handmade paper trees, angels and snowflakes, and popcorn strung with ornaments.

despite the christmas accoutrements, this party was for anthony’s birthday! ((i thought those two photos next to each other were funny because they are both hanging out with their dogs, in ugly sweaters, drinking beer.) anthony had the BEST sweater and i hate that i didn’t get a better photo of it! there is an amazing choo choo train on the back!!!

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the whole merry crew around the birthday boy. the dog at the top is totally the best part.

Apr 20, 2009

Weekend for Play




I've had two days of slight improvement, and this weekend was sunny and eventful...

Friday night Dan went to the driving range with Matt and I joined Gayle, Abbie, and Garrett at the movies...Zach Ephron is so dreamy! (I guess.) 17 Again? Pretty funny thanks to Thomas Lennon. Tweenyboppers unite in their love for it...

Saturday Dan hit the golf course with Matt and Jesse while I slept in. We spent the afternoon finishing rearranging the living room! (Photos soon...) In the evening, we joined Patrick and Teressa at Richard and Jeanette's new house for a housewarming gathering. Microbrews, a yummy vegan smorgasbord, apples to apples, and guitar hero. Not to mention great company! (Rocco even had a play date with Marlowe!) The photos above of the giant bike were taken that night. Their friend, Clint, wizzes around town on it. Richard and Patrick gave it a try, so I couldn't help myself! Sometimes I really like to do something that I am a little afraid to do...And I'm so glad I did it! It was hilarious!! Dan was very proud of me (especially because he was a little chicken to do it.)

Sunday we hit Hagg Lake to find some trout. We failed miserably. But we did get to enjoy the sun, a few beers, just the two of us.....Well, and Rocco. Who went offleash for the first time while being outdoors with us. Dan was very nervous letting him run around, but I kept optimistically arguing that if he ran off, he'd come back. Actually, HE WON'T. Dan totally won the domestic dispute. There was a good 10 minutes when we thought we'd completely lost him. Other than that, he did really well and even romped around in the lake! We all napped hard when we got home and then pigged out on dinner and watched Burn After Reading (very good).

Nov 2, 2008

Halloween Party

[Mr. Dow & Mrs. Jones]

For all the photos from October 31, 2008, go here!

Oct 31, 2008

Happy Halloween!!!!

[Sorry it's blurry! Rocco wasn't a willing model today...]

Oct 1, 2008

Decorating: Zen Retreat & Pet Closet























This is a lovely parlor-turned-zen-retreat that I keep meaning to share. It's Lorri & Carmen's entry room to their home & Lorri just redecorated what was a formal dining space to a more casual spot for relaxation. I wish I had a picture of the before....It was beautiful with a clean, white, classic look--So the change was drastic! Isn't it great? My favorite aspects are the wall color (brave Lorri!), the Buddha fountain, plush rug, and trunk-like stool.

I've had the decorating bug myself, but we aren't in a position to carry out any major work that I would like to. So tonight? I redecorated the pet closet. Oh yes. Rocco, Hobbes, and I sat down and discussed color swatches, what they hoped the space would achieve for them, and how to make it a bit more Martha Stewart so I wouldn't mind cleaning the litter box everyday. The result?













A hand-knit catnip-filled fish dangles from the doorknob and inside, Hobbes' pink litter box (a gift from Auntie Gayle) with brand new litter--Feline Pine! (We're going for a more environmentally friendly litter. I hope it works because I'm tired of coughing and having a headache when I scoop that clay stuff in his box.)























Top shelf: Feline Pine, kitty bubbles by SmartyKat, Bitter Apple anti-chew spray. Middle shelf: Egg Press dog and lion illustrations, baskets with grooming tools and another hand-knit catnip-filled toy by George. Bottom shelf: Brown bags & a scooper, royal lion illustration by Sukie, box liners, Pure Ayre odor-eliminator spray, and the Dog Owner's Manual. (I also used craft paper to add color to the back of the wall.)