A Sleepless Night

~Rudi & Charlie~


I was awakened in the early morning hours by Rudi, whining and pacing around the bed. She knew there wasn't room for her because Josh and Charlie (and the cat) had claimed a place last evening when we went to bed. My telling her to 'go lay down' fell on her selective hearing.  I knew what was coming next--I was right--She tried to jump on the bed anyway. Then even though she hadn't 'asked,' I got up to let her outside. I knew that would be her next request.

I wasn't sleeping all that well anyway and so I was unable to get back to sleep. I've had yet another falling out with my sister. This time two of her adult children are involved. The whole incident, that is so trivial, sophomoric and ridiculous has left me again stunned and hurt by their actions towards me. I'm worn out from it all...But in the quiet moments of the morning I really do try to remain positive and remember the good things in my life. 

I received an unexpected note yesterday from the son of a co-worker.  He's in his last year of high school and had a class assignment to compare two of the newspapers in the area, The Washington Post, and The Washington Times. He was a bit frantic because despite looking everywhere and calling everyone, a copy of The Times could not be found.  But I happened to be at a local store, saw the paper and bought a copy for him. His mother really appreciated it, and by what he wrote in his card, I think he did too...The card was totally unnecessary, but very thoughtful and his 'way with words' gave me a bit of a chuckle.   

That Hindsight Thing!

I have to admit that while I enjoy spending time with Carl, there are times that when he's working on the weekends, and I don't mind his being gone all day.  This wasn't the case on Saturday.  I was looking forward to the day.  But when I went to run errands in the early afternoon, I let the dogs out one last time and noticed that our heat-pump had frost all over its outside.  A closer look and I could see that there was a significant amount of ice built up on the inside. I had noticed earlier in the week that ice had formed along the bottom, but never thought much about it.  I 'googled' the problem on the internet and read that it could just be lack of air circulation and the ice should be removed. I don't know how many buckets of hot water I poured on the ice to thaw everything.  I even laid on the ground in an effort to break all the ice up underneath--After 2 hours of back-breaking work that I know Carl could have done in half the time, I had cleared most of the ice and was feeling pretty good about what I'd been able to do.  I turned the system back on and waited.  A little while later I went out and looked at it, and could see frost was forming again...I called my brother who told me to turn the thermostat to 'emergency heat' and call someone.  I didn't know whether to be upset about the 2 hours I spent laying on the cold-wet-ground or because we're going to be charged $100 JUST to get someone to come to the house to look at it.  Feeling defeated, worn out and cold I did the only thing I could do--I made a chocolate cake (from scratch) and took a nap.

Carl was thankfully off of work on Monday and someone came to look at it.  A circuit board or something is out and needs to be ordered and will be put in later in the week.  I'll let him handle it.  All I know is it's a fix that will cost about $500.  It would have cost us only a deductible if we'd renewed our home warranty at the end of last year.  What's that saying about hindsight? 

In hindsight I should have also not waited to make a grooming appointment for Charlie. His coat is long and thick, and starting to mat a bit.  But I kind of like the shaggy-dog look--He's well suited for the cold weather, don't you think?     

The Reappearance of My Arch-Enemy

~Hamlet, Sleeping with the Enemy~ 

In July of 1863 Robert E. Lee retreated south and General Mead, who commanded the Union Army of the Potomac, crossed the river into Loudoun County from Brunswick Maryland.  He headquartered briefly in the town where I live, before moving into the surrounding area.  If only my arch-enemy the brown marmorated stink bug would follow suit and leave town too.  Warmer temps have brought this foe, one that I truly despise, out of its winter hiding place inside our house.  While there as not as many as there are in late summer, they are moving pretty slow, and are unable to fly.  But to me, none of that matters, they are still practically everywhere and on everything--sometimes even us. The stink-bug has one enemy that easily kills it, the cold.  But like true soldiers, they are afraid of nothing.  However, I have to be honest because I know there are not many things that are afraid of me or the Goldens...sigh... 

Wendy in the only place that is free of stink-bugs.

Thursday Predictions

~CarrieAnne~

Yesterday the country's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring.  He even went out on a limb to forecast that his state's Pittsburgh Steelers will win the Super Bowl; we'll see.  I'm going to predict that even if the dogs and I do another snow-dance, we won't get any more 'significant snow' because we've finally found someone to plow out our drive way when needed.

The massive storm that clobbered much of the country totally missed us here in Northern Virginia.  We were even supposed to get an ice storm and it missed us too.  What we have gotten are cold high winds.  Last evening just after the dogs were all fed and happy, I settled into the evening of watching American Idol and enjoying a 'white-pizza' that I'd picked up, and the lights went out.  Thrown into pitch blackness, I did the only thing I could do, finished dinner and went to bed early.  The power came back on around the time Carl arrived home from work.  This morning the wind is still blowing, the temps are below freezing, but it's beautiful and clear.  After several days of clouds, it's so good to have the sun back

After errands this morning, I'm looking forward to catching up...But I'm predicting there may be a nap too.  

~Tanner~