Staycation 2011

We decided to have a staycation instead of traveling this summer. Initially, I was a little bummed. I had my heart set on going somewhere new, but after I got used to the fact that I was going to be able to sleep in my own bed, get up whenever I wanted, not have to hassle with travel details and STILL be able to go exploring, I was pretty excited.

The first few days of our vacation were spent taking care of sick pupperoos (see this post on the Coneheads), and that was kind of a nightmare. 

Sunday, I got to travel up the coast a bit to big ol' Los Angeles to visit my dear friend Amy, who I only get to see normally once a year. We had a lovely time exploring Hollywood (which is dirty and much less cool than I expected it to be), eating sushi and playing at the beach!

Early in our staycation, Tony and I went to the San Diego Safari Park (i.e. The Wild Animal Park), which is about 3 miles from our house. I love animals. Maybe if I wasn't so squeamish, I could have been a vet. Alas, I am a scientist instead. 

Bonsai Gardens:

"What you lookin' at?"

We also celebrated our 4th anniversary (woot!) by going on a dinner cruise around the harbor (thanks to Tony's parents for giving us an awesome gift!). It was probably one of the happiest days I've had in a long time. The dinner was excellent (fresh salad, steak, stuffed snapper, and chocolate mousse cheesecake!), and the peacefulness of the water was totally memorable.

 

Being goofy:

Tony outdid himself in anniversary presents! I woke up to find he had snuck out and bought me a dozen roses, and then he bought me a lovely diamond ring. HOW LUCKY AM I, PEOPLE!??!

Ugh. My hand looks freckly and fat here. Don't judge. 

We also were able to work around the house some, which was necessary, and kind of fun! I've really started to enjoy gardening as a means of relieving stress. There's just something so satisfying about pulling weeds. I'm sure there's a metaphor for my life in there somewhere, though I'm still trying to nail it down...

Our front flowerbed area, full of cockscombs, tall grass and rosemary plants:

Cockscombs! Or, brainplants, as I like to call 'em. 

Ahh, we now have many fun memories of our first staycation! Thanks again to Tony's parents for our lovely cruise!

Coneheads

The dogs got neutered on Friday. I was a total wreck for most of Friday and Saturday worrying about them, cleaning up vomit, listening to whines and rustlings all night, and trying to keep them from destroying the entire house in their cones.

"Augh. I don't feel good..."

Ralphie on drugs...

Yes, that stain is from Ralph's vomit fest Saturday morning. It is now gone thanks to a carpet cleaner and a can of spot remover. Offended that I showed this picture? Tough cookies. I had to be there and clean it up, people. You are only experiencing the tip of the Ralph ralph iceberg. 

"Mom, this is seriously getting old. Stop taking pictures of my pain."

"GET IT OFF!"

Collision.

Sleepy guys.

More comfortable collar I can only wear under close supervision because I'm completely incapable of not messing with my stitches!

"Mooooom! It's not fair. I hate the cone of shame!"

Technical difficulties.

Trouble makers.

Tony and I left the boys in their cones of shame in our big bathroom with their beds and toys and water for a few hours on Monday. 

We arrived home to hear the water running. 

We opened the door to what could only be described as coneageddon. They had helped each other remove their cones (sneaky buggars) then proceeded to romp around in our bathtub, turn the faucet on, chew the mess out of their cones, flip over both of their dog beds, and rip the stuffing out of one of them.

No, I don't have a picture of this. Yes, I put a picture of a dog vomit stain but I don't have a picture of this outrageous event.

Needless to say, they now have to stay in the smaller bathroom when we go out now. Sans beds. 

It's never easy...

A few words on (our) animals

I love our pets. Each one of them has a different personality, and a different style of affection.

There's Kee (Saffron), who I love so dearly. I go to sleep with her by my side at night, and wake up with her pawing my face every morning. She's got some 'tude, but so does every other house cat. She comes when I call her name (Kee), and loves playing hide-and-go-seek. My life would be utterly incomplete without my little white fuzzball by my side.

Here she is, judging you.

Ever since the dogs entered our lives a year ago, Kee's had the hardest time adjusting. They love to follow her around and see what she's doing on a regular basis, which, as a general rule, annoys the ever-loving mess out of Kee. But, as they settle down, she's starting to like them a bit more.

A nose-touch with Ralphers.

There's Ralph, the quintessential golden retriever, inside and out. He aims to please you, he tries way too hard (and ends up messing stuff up), he wants ALL of the attention being doled out, and he's beautiful. He annoyed the heck out of me when he was younger, probably because he was far too much like me. He's grown on me now, and we like to lounge on the couch together--though I still have to struggle every once in a while to keep him from licking my face.

Finally, there's Ed. Whenever I ask Tony to describe Ed for me, the standard reply (from Day 1, mind you) is "Well, he's just an ornery cuss." Ed is a free spirit. He doesn't like being told no, he loves Kee as much as I do, he likes to rip out Ralph's butt hair when he's feeling playful, and when he's sorry, he rests his head on your arm/lap/available space and gives you his best puppy dog face.

I love that the boys play together all day. They don't seem to tire of one another's company.

In fact, they hate being separated. Just look how forlorn they are, even when they are just on opposite sides of the glass:

I love my guys and girl :).

Side note: Anatomy of an Ed yawn (or, alternatively, caption worthy pictures) 

"Say Aahhh."

"MEDDDIIICC!"

"This is SPARTA!"

Well, those aren't very good, but maybe y'all could think of some funny ones!

Fourth of July Randoms

There is no rhyme or reason with this post. I managed to take a 2.75 day weekend for the 4th of July (thanks to me screwing up an experiment, having a breakdown, and throwing in the productivity towel for the weekend), even though I have to present at group meeting tomorrow. My inability to care for myself on a regular basis crept up on me today in the form of a migraine, which started on a shopping trip in the middle of Wal-Mart (awesome).

I finally kicked the pain by the end of the day, and was able to take a few pictures of completely random things. Enjoy...

Happy Independence Day!

Ralphie:

 Eddie:

"MOM! Look at this disgusting, slobbery toy that we're going to place on your face as soon as we knock you down." That'll learn me for trying to take a "fetch" picture...

Random plants around our house: 

Sigh. Freckleface McFreckles here.

A FLY! Tony and I just watched the movie "The Fly" on Netflix today. Yiiiikes.