Surreal Day

Ok - so I WAS just going to come on here and muse about my trip to Target. I was at the pharmacy this afternoon. Ya know nowadays when you go shopping - you get your receipt plus some coupons that kinda "go" with what you're purchasing? (ie. - in the past I've gotten pizza roll coupons when I've bought frozen pizza). . .ANYWAY. . I get this coupon for $1 off Target brand diapers! Yay. I then smiled at the cashier and took my bag of BIRTH CONTROL pills, thank-you-very-much!

Now for the crappy part - so it was a gorgeous day outside. I should have mowed - but no - I wanted to take advantage of getting home early (which REALLY wasn't early after said trip to Target). Took dogs to park. Got into park. Baxter pooped, Bella chased ball. We walked INTO park . .found a good spot . . . Baxter playing with other dogs, Bella poised to play fetch. I threw the ball. Shoot. Two smaller dogs ran into area where ball was going. Dogs got too close to ball - Bella let them know what she thought. Shortly after Bella came back to me - I noticed one of the smaller dog's owners was on all fours with her dog - checking her out. I brought Bella over there - and asked if she was alright. Owner couldn't find anything wrong - but her dog was acting weird. I let her know that B. had all her shots and was up to date on everything. After a few minutes of searching - she found a scrape (or a bite??) under her dog's belly. It wasn't bleeding - it was like a scrape - where a flap of skin was hanging. I again asked her if she needed anything from me - she said I should leave the park. My stomach went into my throat. I said "what??" - She cited - and there is a statement - that dogs should be under control at all times - and if your dog becomes aggressive - you need to leash your dog immediately. (1. Bella was not aggressive. - she acted in an aggressive way. 2. I had Bella by the collar the whole time I was interacting with this lady.) Again I asked her if she needed anything from me - and then I turned with Bella to find Baxter. I couldn't see him anywhere . . as we were looking - this woman came up to me and said on second thought, she'd like to see Bella's tags to make sure they were all up to date. I took her collar off - and gave it to this wench. She asked if I had a pen - I did not. She asked if she called my vet - would they know Bella. Of course they would - I said. She was then satisfied - and as Bella and I headed toward the gate - I saw him. Baxter got separated from us - and where did he go - to his leash. He knew his mama would come back for him! (what a good boy!!!) :)

Anyway - shortly thereafter we left the park - I had avoided using the gate while SHE was there. . .and of course, right as we exit the park - there she is. The dogs went toward each other to greet - I pulled my two - and headed toward the parking lot. (She did too). I got the dogs in the car - and looked up to see Chuck and Carol (Paul's grandparents) walking by. We waved - and greeted - and then I went to them to say hi. At this time - SHE was now LEAVING the parking lot with her dog - as if going BACK toward the park. I was like what the heck? Is she stalking me???

Turns out she called Animal Control. She approached me again as I was saying goodbye to Chuck and Carol - and getting into my car to leave.

Of course I waited. The officer treated me like a criminal - asking me if I could stand back while she gave her statement. Then - as she's giving her info - they're like joking around and freakin' GIGGLING!! Whatev - I then got to give my statement - he took a photo of the injury (which he had to look for for a bit). . .

So that's that - now we wait. I guess the report now goes to the "Manager". . . and in about a week or so it is decided if Bella is a Dangerous or Potentially Dangerous Dog. Both of those labels would be automatic revocation of her dog park license. Dangerous also gets her picture on the city's website, along with my name, address, and the offense. (none of the 6 dogs currently on there are there for biting another dog - attacking - but not biting).

Soo. . ah. . lots of tears tonight - lots of guilt. What if I mowed my lawn instead? What if it wasn't so gorgeous out? What if I hadn't wasted that hour at Target? What if I would have moved 50 feet further down the park?? EEEK. This sucks. Also - there is an appeal process. . . so I guess if this comes out against Bella - we do have the chance to speak up.

Here's my thinking:

1. We're at the FREAKIN' DOG PARK!!

2. We don't even know if that scrape was a bite? or a scrape on a wood chip? or a scrape on something else??

3. I was very responsible from minute one. I approached the owner. I asked her multiple times if she needed stuff from me. Should I have walked away?? Part of me wishes I just would have walked out. But if that happened to my dog - I'd want the owner to show concern!

4. That HAS happened to my dogs. . . I don't think they've ever been BITTEN . . but they have been in scuffles. . dogs are dogs! They have toys - they want to show dominance - dogs get too close to mamas . . it happens! It's a DOG PARK!

5. That damn ball is going to be our fricken leather glove! It's on the web and application not to bring toys. . but a lot of people do. Usually there's plenty of space - and about the same number are playing with toys as the number of those who aren't.

So - keep your fingers crossed for Bella. A. Let's pray they don't find her even Potentially Dangerous (this is a bad bad thing - involving 3' leashes, muzzles, and kennels for when people come over!) B. Let's hope she doesn't lose her park privileges. She loves it. Baxter loves it. And most of you know how much I love it.

Bummer night here in NE. And now - the waiting begins.

Third Week of October

This past weekend we had our 2nd Annual "Beautiful October Saturday at the Dog Park." Yes, I am wearing a tank top and shorts! I had a hoodie on - but got too darn hot!!! (Dad - it was BEE-U-TI-FUL out!) . . .

I made spaghetti tonight - called Lon and Jaime to invite them over to partake. They accepted - and voila - the "First-Dinner-On-The-New-Table" occured! Don't they all look SO excited to be a part of this special day?!?!?! (Except Alice - who is totally into her Texas Hold 'Em that Uncle Vanhtha is teaching her!)

Auntie / Alice Day

Yay MEA Long Weekend!

First off - a photo of my new hair. Trimmed up the back. . . more bangs cut. . . less red, more brown this time. Enjoy:



I have today and tomorrow off of work - so what better way to spend them - than to hang out with Alice! I arrived at Alice's house around 9am. Lonny was already at work and Jaime was heading out to a meeting. After getting The Princess dressed, we headed to the downtown Minneapolis Public Library for storytime. The story was If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. AND the Mouse from the book was there. We didn't get too close, but it was fun watching all the kids get excited. We played a lot with the puppets at the Puppet Theater area - and of course we found some good books to read! (We also sang "Who Stole The Cookie From The Cookie Jar.") - which is not the version in this link - but it's a cute video anyway.







We headed home for lunch. Jaime came home shortly after we got home - however was able to get some other work done while Alice and I played (Jaime also had a dentist appt). After an afternoon nap, both Jaime and Lonny came home and we promptly ordered Papa John's online. It was yummy. Alice enjoyed pizza bits dipped in sauce (yes, we had practiced for this at lunchtime by dipping hotdogs in ketchup!). . . looks like Lonny enjoyed the dipping experience too.





Alice was not happy when dipping was officially over. (good thing both Alice and Daddy were wearing red shirts!)



After a quick bath, it was time for jammies and some down time. I hung out with the family for a little while longer in Alice's room.



It's been a fun day. I'm going back tomorrow afternoon/evening so Lonny and Jaime can see a movie. Yay! I love long weekends! :)

Scrap Cabin

So I left school with the kids - and was at Jaymie's house by 3:30 Friday afternoon. Nancy was already there - and we started to load up my car. (Yes, we were taking my car - hello - I need to drive - and PLUS - my car gets way better gas mileage than Jaym's!) :)



It took some creative packing - but as you can see -we made it! :)

We drove for about 2 hours - and ended up in Wisconsin somewhere . . I think the actual address is Danbury? This place was great - the view was awesome - and the time was ours! We scrapped, ate, slept, watched TV, read trashy tabloid magazines. I was sick (sinus sick) so enjoyed sleeping in - without puppies waking me up at 6 am to pee! :)



There was another group of 4 there - so we shared the space -they were very nice. They were in charge of Friday night's meal (lasagna) - we made Saturday's dinner (tacos).



It was a blast - I got a lot done - and it was nice to "get away!'

Uncle Glen's Birthday

So my Uncle Glen is turning 80. To celebrate - his family threw this party up in East Grand Forks. Lonny/Jaime/Alice and I were planning on just going up and doing a day thing - but then my parents decided that they were coming in from Vegas on Thursday and staying up in Lancaster. SO - we made a whole weekend of it too - and boy am I glad! Besides getting to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa, we got to see so many people INCLUDING Cousin Katey, Me Old English Auntie Marie, and Cousin Dale (who I hadn't seen since 1992!)!!

Highlights from the weekend:

1. Alice was a Rock Star for both long car rides. She ate, she slept, she played, and she watched dvds on the portable dvd player we stopped in Alex to buy.
2. Grandma had potato hotdish (AND Cheez Whiz sandwiches!) waiting for us when we got to Lancaster.
3. Did I mention Cousin Katey showed up (and surprised us ALL)???
4. We stayed in Grand Forks (in a hotel) Sat. night - drove home this morning - but stopped in Fargo for lunch with Phil/Rebecca/Eli and Justin/Kate.
5. I had a lot of fun. :)

Now for the photos!:

The reason we were all there -
Uncle Glen, Auntie Phyllis, Jomie, Seeto, Faith.


The grandkids goof after putting together a great party -
Dave, Chris, Brian, Nick, Justin, Amy, Kyle.


A GREAT GREAT Auntie!
Auntie Ruthie meets her great great niece for the first time!


Did I mention Cousin Katey came in from IDAHO???


A bunch of Jerome cousins in one room calls for a picture! This one is OLDEST to YOUNGEST! :)

Jomie (Phyllis), Seeto (Phyllis), Dale (Larry), Faith (Phyllis), Julie (Mary Joy), Heidi (Mary Joy), Katey (Larry), Jamie (Jim), Carrie (Lon), Lon II (Lon), Jill (Jim).

Pretty cool, actually, that Jomie is really the oldest cousin and Jill is really the youngest. . .we were just missing a bunch of us "in-betweeners" :)


Grandma and Grandpa's newest little sweetheart
(at least until Caleb's sister arrives!) :)


Mom and Dad with their Princess Alice

Have a Great Week!