An afternoon in the life of Jersey- The under-sized and over-loved dog

The sun is starting to shine through the windows, it is time to start my morning routine. Today was different though since Dad was gone, Mom let us sleep on the bed... We only jump on the bed when he is not home. I do miss him very much, but there is nothing like sleeping on that comfy fluffy bed with my momma, and brother.

Anyways 5:37 AM I  carefully crawl to lay on mom and stare at her till she opens her eyes. I give her a morning lick and am told "go lay down" I wonder what that means, so I go and find a new place to lay for a few minutes till I get bored... This continues until the morning music maker goes off.  I couldn't be happier. I move up to lay on her head and whine with joy and lick my momma's face till she's up. Finally, breakfast!

After I eat my undersized meal, I clean Dude's bowl, the area around his bowl and the area around our food bags, hoping I missed something from last nights dinner just to get an extra kernel. Today, I tried licking the carpet to get a trail to the kernels with no success. After breakfast it's time to  play with my brother. Dude is not a morning person. This leaves me napping till the door with the big water bowl opens. JOY! I love licking the lotion and water off moms legs and even get extra water from the big water bowl (she means the shower)
Mom says its time to go and I know that means a treat for me! I rush into my house and nap for what seems like hours.

After 45 minutes, mom is back and asks if I want to go to the park. Again, I whine and wiggle with excitement. The ride to the park is always long. At the park we made new friends. Eddy the red dog, and his brother and sister puggle. Eddy's human had a ball chucker. Bonus! I love to chase my brother and our friends, while they run after the ball. Somehow, I get the ball. And I always try to get Dude to chase me and he never does. I drop the ball with disappointment and Mom says. "She'll fetch it, but has some problems bringing it all the way back." After playing king of the hill with Dude,  I am exhausted and slowly make my way to the car...

Mom left us in the back yard after our walk. I found some sticks, chewed them up, chased Dude, drank water, layed next to Dude in the sun, "get the birds" as mom says, drank water, layed next to Dude in the shade, watch some ants and eat some more wood.

When we finally are let back inside mom is laying on that brown bed with the tv on. I hear her talk to someone and look at her hoping the words park, walk or car come out. They didn't and I lay next to Dude with disappointment. After my afternoon cat nap I decide momma should wake up to. I quietly crawl up on the brown bed and give her a lick. I'm told "get down" So I give her a look and wag my tail and bury my head under her chin. I hope that's what that means.  It seems to work.

Now that I woke mom up, I am exhausted and find a place to sleep next to the brown bed. But wait I just heard something. I go from Dude to mom and back. YES! It's what I thought. "wanna go in the car"  This means I get to go for a ride and on a new adventure. I don't know what it will bring, but I will whine, lick and wiggle with excitement the whole time. 

GUTS! Do you have it?

Everything you do that's out of your comfort zone takes guts... 

I got to thinking about guts at the dog park. I can for the most part, talk to anyone who crosses my path. But its also a place where I have no guts when it comes to sticking up for my dogs. There have been several times where people have pushed/hit my dog or said something about him being mean or feisty. He's not mean he loves tennis balls and the ball chucker and doesnt like dogs humpy him... (That was my defense for Dude, I play the puppy card with Josie)
Last night, Dude was meeting another dog when the dog got in Dude's zone a little to much. Dude jumped around and growled. There were no whimpers or out of the ordinary fighting/biting noises. As the lady was walking away she noticed her dogs nose was bleeding. Not like a cut on the nose. But actually blood inside the nostril. She asked her dog if he got nipped. While I waiting for the dog to reply back to her, in my head I was thinking 'lady, if Dude bit your dog, im pretty sure he would have bit back and there would have been some sort of altercation. But it was a nose bleed, not a bite bleed.' Riddle me that. Why didn't I have the guts to say to her, "Dude did not bite your dog"


Getting back to my original thought. There are times in my life where I have thoughts in my head and really wish I would  have the guts to say something. But,  I move 2,000 miles from home, that takes guts. So yes, I do have guts, in some circumstances.

The reason I thought about guts is because lately, I need them. I need the guts to make friends. When I go out I am friendly an willing to talk to anyone. Well, not anyone. I shy away from talking to the bums on the corner and the angry old people I run into.  It takes guts to try something new and on your own.
 I also need guts to stick up for myself when it comes to co-workers and the members at work. I know what I am doing, I just need to be confident and not let their petty remarks bother me. (I'll explain later). You also need guts to talk to your significant other. To share your thoughts, concerns and just your day. For the most part I have the guts to bring up any topic. However I am still scared of rejection 2 years later.  Like last night for example Matt came home from work and mentioned something about his company is looking into getting a grant to track tar balls in the gulf. Good for company/Matt= bad for Kaylee. I was open for the idea until he said 'it would suck I'd be gone for like a month at a time'. I immediatley wanted to start a conversation on how this would not be good for us.. well me actually. I  know its his job. But, I can't be here for a month alone. I didnt have the guts to say something then because he had a 16 hour day at work and I knew he wanted to sleep. But now, I wanna talk about it and he's not here. Why do I get my guts now?  And  I know nothing is set in stone or even granted with this new project  but... ughh..


But here are some examples where I do show guts. I have guts moving 2000 miles away to a city and state i've never been to. I go to lunch and shop on my own. I drive to new places not knowing where exatly I'm going. I can talk to random people at the store/work. I can tell Matt what im thinking 95% of the time. The other 5% im pretty sure he'll end up laughing at me so I save myself the embarassment and keep my thought to myself.

Alright, back to my normal blog :)

My weekend started out with my crying. Matt sent me a text saying that the secratry at work couldnt get him a hotel for Saturday. All week, I was looking forward to a mini vacation. I got in the car to come home and lost it. It was the second time that his work schedule had ruined our weekend plans. I know it's dramatic, but I couldn't help it. I think this is something I'll have to get used to when he is in season for the field work. He did offer to make it up by saying in 2 weeks I'm off and he's off and we could go anywhere for the night that I wanted. So I'm gonna do some research on some touristy places I wanna see.

About the lady from work. She is mom age and is divorced with 2 kids in their 20's. and her hair is always a mess (all of this is irrelavent really, but helps me feel better about myself.. petty, yes) She is always talking to herself. Having problems with trying to use the computer. And she's been working at LCCU for over 4 years so shes stuck in her ways. Anyways, there have been 2 occasions where I have mentioned Walgreens. Friday was my second and will be my last. I said that in Minnesota you can get souviner like items at Walgreens and asked if the same was here too. She said man you really love walgreens dont you. Um no lady I don't I was just trying to make conversation.. And before that since she always talks to herself I get half the statement or think she might have a question for me/us and may reply with a  "what" or "huh" and she commented on that too.. And something about my Minnesota accent. Now, I will never pay attention to what your saying or talk to you unless it is work related. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. I think your just jealous.

We had a slight heatwave last week with temps in the high 90's. I couldnt convince Matt to get an air conditioner so he slept with 3 fans on his side of the bed and I got the warm after air...that's love....
Nothing else new or exciting. I have an interview on Thursday and am trying to not get my hopes up. I'll let you know how it went.

Some of my friends got together yesterday. They had smores, a fire, and floated on the lake, im sure good conversation and fun.. I was so jealous and sad I was missing it. I sat in the back yard on a towel occasionally putting water on myself and had Quiznos for dinner.. The dogs were here, but they don't talk back...There is no comparison, I miss Duluth.

The neighbor is playing with a bb gun, im off to play spy  :)

Fireworks!

There was no big party, no lake, no BBQ, and no family.. but I had fireworks, my boyfriend, "our" family, a few friends and stoli vanilla. So yes, I had a good holiday weekend.
   On Saturday I was up early to work and then after work, I took a nice nap and Matt and I made dinner. We played soccer, and then went to his friends for a beer and fire.  (I did look into an adult soccer league, but have yet to hear back)

Sunday, I did laundry, read and took the dogs to the dog park so they could celebrate their independence. There was an idiot couple who had their 2 dogs and 2 chuckers and wanted to work on hand commands and training their dogs. But the Hunter - Hennen dogs made it a little hard, but come on, don't train your dogs at the dog park.  We grilled out and watched an episode of the Sopranos. After, we went to his friends house and watched the neighbors light their  fireworks off. I couldn't believe all the fireworks going on. I think they are a waste of money, however if they want to spend their money on them, I have no problem watching :) We walked down to the Bi-Mart parking lot for the Camas Washougal fireworks. We saw them as well as Troutdale Oregon's and there was a group lighting off awesome fireworks in the parking lot! I loved it.  What I didnt love was waking up this morning with a small headache and forgetting that I drank. It had been so long since I drank, I woke up and was stumped... Then I pounded water and went back to bed.

Today I had the day off. Went to Oregon for dog food, took the dogs to the park, cleaned, picked up dog poo, mowed the lawn. The vacumm feel on me while I was clenaing the stairs.. I'm an idiot. It didnt fall totally on me, my lower jaw took the grunt of it. I can't tell if its bruised because noones here to look, but its tender..  Anways, I was able to drowned out the neighbors yard sale and music this afternoon for about 2 hours and read my book outside soaking up some vitamin d. It wasn't super warm, but the clouds broke every now and then and it felt so nice.

It feels like Sunday which is great because Matt and I have plans to stay in the Dalles this weekend and Saturday will come sooner!

Alright, the bachelorett is on and Matt's gone for the next two nights, so I have to enjoy my quiet tv time while I can.... night!

Roll with the punches.

 This past week was a slow week at work. I was able to chat on gmail, look at school stuff, stalk my favorite celebs. However, today at work was long and just different from all the other days. Lots of people, weird people. My very last member today wanted $1,500. She couldn't make up her mind on what type of bills to get back. She said the paper reported that  people have been bleaching 5 dollar bills and turning them into 50's apparently. So after a good minute of debating with herself we decided on her bills and she left. But not before looking for the water mark and strip of every bill.. ugh.. and did I mention this was at 6 when we close at 6? Yes, even better.

Not to much happened this week. We walked the dyke. I felt motivated and took the dogs to the dog park at 730 AM.  We had an impromptu date night and ate dinner at this pizza place called Twilight. It is sooo good. Small pizza's and kinda pricey but the fresh basil on their pizza is yummy. After we stopped to watch an inning of a baseball game probably 7th graders? and then came home to watch Sopranos and eat ice cream sammys.. Well I was the only one, as Matt's trying to stay "fit". I used to hate the Sopranos. Since we started from season 1 I actually really enjoy it. And it beats flipping channels at night.

It was Matt's idea that we kicked the soccer ball around tonight, since he has World Cup fever. It was funny to watch him dribble the ball and make fake moves. I asked him if he was pretending to be Donovan and he said no Cristiano  something. How horrible is it that I don't know soccer players names and I've plaved for 20 years? ahh.. oh well. We ended up doing a shoot out and Matt won... He was actually the only one to score on our elementary sized nets. I stopped the ball inside the net with my hands.  A little late, oops. I told him next time we could play tennis. He said no because it would frusterate him too much, because I wouldnt be able to hit the ball back to him. Does he think the way he kicks a soccer ball bothers me? Yes, but I deal and play because I love playing soccer and him of course. I think I'm gonna look into a summer league or fall one.

At the beggining of the week Matt mentioned that North Bonneville was having a BBQ Blues and Beer festival or something along those lines. I was excited that we would be able to hang out outside, when the weather is supposed to be nice and meet his work friends and eat BBQ. And then dissapointment. He has to work over night Saturday, no BBB for this gal.
I know I shouldnt be upset. But I am. I was excited. I know plans change, but I was really looking forward to it. To get out and do something together. I shouldt be mad he has to work, because its money.. but I get lonely being alone all day and night...

Its nice days/nights that I wish we were back in Minnesota at Lori and BK's cabin on Lake Stella, or enjoying Lake Superior.. together.. with friends and family. (someday I know I will be able to do this again) Then I have to pull myself back to reality and realize I am doing something some of my friends and family have never done and it's an experience, I should live it up. It's tough though.. 

Anyways, I've learned things dont always go my way and I just have to roll with it. No matter how tough it is. Everything will be okay.

Time for bed, I can't hear the dogs ripping around the yard anymore, which means they are destroying something...

And next time you talk to me, ask about the cock fight :)

I dislike math.

Well,  I started my job. I HATE MATH! Why am I working at a credit union? It's actually not bad, but again, its not what I want to do with myself. I made it through training and have a week in the branch under my belt. I get super nervous when im face to face with customers. So for now, I am the "drive thru" girl. We also have a lot of down time, so I may even be able to update at work! I mean, if my supervisor can facebook and shop online, I can blog then right?

I was hoping when I started a job I would be able to make friends I can hang out with. Well, the ladies I work with are either married with kids, foreign or "mom" old... let me explain. One of the girls is fresh (3 years) to the US from Romania. She married her husband and moved over here.  A light bulb flashed in my mind that she was a mail order bride, but apparently he has family where she is from and he came back a lot and they got married? Anyways, she is my age and nice, but not sure if we'd have anything in common? The other younger lady is nice, however she has a 7 year old ad 2 1/2 year old.. so probably not much of a "going out friend" candidate. And my supervisor is nice. Reminds me of my sister. Fun, nice and young at heart. However, married with 2 kids and a step son around my age. Sooo long story long, I think I will have plenty of aqantances but not solid friends.. I'll live. And I was not robbed! All smiles here.

After my first week of work, Matt took me to Sex and the City 2. I love popcorn and pop from the movie theater. I  think Matt was the only guy at the movie and it makes me love him more. There was no real reason he had to go and there was no begging him to go, he even offered. I think he was sensing I wanted to go, and needed a little time with the girls a.k.a. Carrie, Sam, Miranda and Charlotte :)  And now I suppose I get to do something he wants to do. Which usually I am up for anyways. So win win for us.

 Its Grandmas Weekend back home.. A few years ago, I would be gearing up and planning an unforgettable night. It would be unforgettable because it would be awesome and most likely I would end up drinking a little too much and forgetting some parts of the night. Did you like that joke? And last year, I was hanging out with Toledo and CSS friends. It's sad to think that is the last time we all really got together.. Everyones lives are so busy and different its wild. Which I plan on writing about here in an upcoming blog. But seriously, we need to have a reunion soon.

Speaking of reunions. Heather is getting married in October and I got the time approved off from work! I am so excited to see my friends! This will be the first wedding I'll be able to go to (and be in) of my high school  friends :) woohoo

I am hoping that I can get a new library book tomorrow and sit outisde and read. But I wont be eating SpaghettiO's as apparntly some of the food is underprossed...  I just heard it on the news.

:) And I hope everyone is okay after the tornado's and bad weather in Minnesota ... but I dont wanna hear about the rain. Come visit SW Washington and I'll show you rain.

The wait is over!

Holy Moly.. I hadn't realized it's been so long since my last update.. So grab yourself a soda and chips.. Matt's entertained by watching "a que no puedes" on of our 13 tv channels in spanish...so I should be able to update this quick! :) Where do I start...Things have been really busy but not? Does that make sense?

Let's start with Seattle.  Last Thursday, Matt and I went to Seattle to see the Twins game. We dropped the kids off with a friend and headed north. I was so excited about the game, that I forgot about the Space Needle and the waterfront that Seattle has. After we checked in to the hotel, we walked 2.8 miles to the baseball field. Lets not forget to mention, The hotel room was as large as my blue bin blue bedroom on Glenwood Street. You had to rest your feet on the shower while going pee. Okay, not that small, but it was tiny. We walked through the outskirts of the public market and the streets of downtown Seattle. We got to the stadium at 4 and couldnt get into it till 510. We walked around and purchased a sharpie so we could get some autographs since we would be there for batting practice/warm ups. We were going to have them sign Matt's hat so he could "retire it" but that never happened.

Batting practice was AMAZING! It was a lot of fun. We were literally on the dug out. (if the old lady security guards weren't watching) And we saw everyone up close and got great pictures. There were little kids and big kids. Lots of young kids screaming "Joe Mauer, Joe Mauer" whenever he got close to the dug out. And Matt thought that Blackburn was checking me out ahaha. I ended up getting a ball from the third base coach during warm ups. I cold have given it to a kid, but I'd never gotten a MLB ball before and what if I had the chance to get it signed?! AH!  But no autographs. Oh well..
We had second row seats but eventually moved to the first. The guy and his wife who were originally sitting next to me where huge d-bags. Excuse my language, but they both gave off this "I'm better than you vibe" and the guy was just a dick. He made several comments about the Twins that sounded so ridiculous.  He seemed like the type that went so he could tell his friends that he was at the game last night ya know? ugh..
During the 7th inning stretch, there was a couple that got engaged. I was a little jealous. Not of it being at a baseball game, but ugh... I don't think that I'm in a "rush" I just want to look forward to being Matt's wife officially. starting that new stage together and being a family. I have other things that need to happen before that so that's what I'll worry about for now.
Anyways, our walk home was looooooong. It was the same mileage, but at 1030 PM with little foot traffic and scary people, my heart raced the entire time. I'm so small town when it comes to that type of stuff, its sad I stereotype.

Friday we walked around Seattle City Center and got an idea of what we could do when friends and family come out and we go up to Seattle. We met up with Matt's friend for lunch and he took us around the area and before we headed back we went to an actual cupcake shop called "Cupcake Royale" OMG it was sooooo good. 

I started my new job as a teller Monday. The people are nice. And there are not a lot of employees so I'll get to know everyone pretty well. Hopefully make some friends and have someone to hang out with. The downside is the pay, I most likely won't get days off I want in August and we had ROBBERY training the other day.. I am so scared now after that training.. Yikes.

Sorry if this makes no sense and if there are spelling errors. im to tired to proof read. Time for bed

Hello Gorge

We did a hike on Saturday. We had no idea where we were going or where we would end up but we found a parking spot and chose a trail and ended up over looking North Bonneville and the Gorge. The views were awesome.  Our hike was straight up hill and it felt like 2 hours to get to the top. But only took 25 to get down.  My thighs and calves were burning.
After we stopped at our favorite pizza place in Stevenson for dinner yummm.

Dogpark update :)  I think people need to understand its a dog park, and dogs are not kids nor do they behave like saints. This older couple came in with their younger dog and a ball chucker and ball. For those of you who don't know, a ball chucker looks like an ice cream scoop at the top with a very long handle. When used, the tennis ball goes farther then I could ever throw.  Well Dude LOVES the ball chucker. Seriously that's an understatement. The couple came into the dog park and Dude saw it and ran up to the guy. Dude trying to be his charming self was trying to "heal" next to the guy. The lady kept telling him to leave. and the guy just wanted Dude to leave. Well I got Dude under control and starting walking away when Jersey decided to chase the ball with their dog. GREAT! Jersey got it and brought it back to them.. Apparently that's not what they wanted. So they ended up going to the small/shy dog of the park so they could get away from Dude and play by themselves. Seriously guy, you're at the dog park. You're not going to be able to play fetch with your golden child dog without other dogs playing. But that's not the end of it. After another lap, Dude realized they were playing with the chucker. So the dog and his chucker were on one side of the fence and Dude on the other. Dude ran back and forth for a good 5 minutes with the slightest hope that the wind would carry the ball over to his side of the fence. He never got it. Before that gong show, Jersey decided to sit in a mud puddle. She loved it so much she laid and rolled in it. Very charming. They both got baths yesterday.

Anyways, I am still waiting to hear from my other to interviews, but I have to take this CU offer by today. So I've given myself a deadline of 1 o'clock. If I haven't heard by then, the offer is in. I can always back out. Which isn't the best thing, but you gotta do what you gotta do.