Sarah's Wedding was great. The rehearsal dinner, the wedding, the hotel, the reception -- we had a great time. It's time like these that I can really see a future for our families to merge and maybe one day be the kind that can have family reunions. I mean, our parents are going to make that effort since they are such nuclear products...however I think that there is a movement (albiet small) in this new generation to have a more connected feel to others -- to have more of a family feel. I could elaborate on this, but I am not sure if my thoughts are entirely formed on it.

I didn't take any pictures, even though I had my camera the whole time. I just didn't feel like. I wanted to be in the moment instead....hopefully Sarah will give us a picture or two -- at least of the family shot. That would be cool.

To answer the Anonymous post asking if I was going to the La Crosse Area Meeting -- uh, nope. I had the wedding to go. Besides, even though I do have opinions on the way the tribe is handling some issues -- I don't feel comfortable expressing them to anyone other than my brother - Shane. Or maybe my Dad too, and Tim. But if I get irked enough then I will bitch to more....however..I would like to go to the meetings in Madison but I am kind of a chicken shit in that I don't want to go alone. Plus they haven't contacted me to let me know when they have meetings and stuff -- I know that is a poor excuse and I could call and find out (although the two times I have gotten the required courage no one picked up the phone). So there it is. If I had a buddy to go with, I would totally go...but since I don't...uh I don't.

And Phil, I found the Acorn Recipe Online -- after much searching and comparing I had settled on this one: Acorn Sqaush Soup. It's good!

What else? I volunteered more administration time at the Rings Facility -- they are buying me the rest of my sparring equipment in exchange for my services....isn't that nice? I feel like it kind of too much -- but I don't want to offend them by refusing such a generous offer. Especially since it is pratical too. ;)

Yesterday I hung out with Heather for the first time. We went to this coffee place located nearby the last remaining Ben Franklins in this part of the state. I had a good time -- I ceorced myself on some of her ex boyfriends birthday cake at her house (probably in bad taste, but the cake was tasty! and I was getting a headache from low blood sugar). She also lent three books...after much consideration I started with: Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. It's really a fictional biography....and its pretty darn good so far. I spend the whole morning reading it and even made some coffee for the occassion. I finally quite at 11.30 otherwise I would waste the whole day reading. Wait...*can* you waste a day reading? Is that possible? :)

Anyway, I am the part right now where the witch is entering her third year at college and you know what? I can't help but to feel a lot like Elphaba. Although I am not green, I feel that our situations are rather similar (at least so far). We both hate getting wet, we came from poor backgrounds and attended a wealthy college, our mothers are strickingly similar, we are both too honest and blunt for our own goods, we see a lot of things quite differently that most (and have had the sense to keep most of that to ourselves), can be couragous when need be and yet petty and jealous just like everyone else. Sigh. I feel for you Elphie...I do.

Well, it's 12.30 now and I should really get to the store. I need some food and garlic for the chicken I am going to roast today. It should provide food for most of the rest of the week. Cool. Tomorrow I am going to the Kerry Rally with a woman that goes to TKD. She's getting a ticket for me AND providing me a ride. I will take pictures for that.

Also, we are going to buy a new car. A Scion XB -- within the next few weeks. Mark (Tim's brother) agreed to buy our old car. We both make out since we get monthly payments to help pay for the new car (at least for 10 months) and he gets a pretty good car -- since he is a third year college students there is no hope in hell that he could get a car on his own this good. It's a great deal!

Mina aka Kiki was a spook. A total spook and it was not one bit exaggerated by the previous owners who did not want her around the house anymore. She whined, barked and had her tail between her legs much of the time we were there...and when she was growling I decided to muzzle her. Problem was we couldn't touch her to put it on and neither Tim or I wanted to risk it. Thankfully the youngest daughter, whom Kiki liked the most let her put the muzzle on only after the Mom tried and was barked and nipped at (no skin contact). Tim took her for a walk which seemed fine on and even managed to get her in the car. However when we got home we couldn't get her out of the car -- after about a half an hour and a call to the GPA point person here in Madison we got her out by opening both car doors and eliminating her 'safety' den. We went on a long walk to try to get her to pee, she went outside in the back yard and seemed to let us pet her, and before she went to the crate she even accepted a treat or two through her muzzle. We still weren't about to take it off though. She slept the whole night with the muzzle on and in the morning was back to her pained self. Whining when we got near the crate and growling when she felt threatened. I left some water out for her that she could drink through her muzzle but throughout the whole day she didn't take a single sip. I tried to get her out several time by calling to her...but nuthing. In the meantime I called and made an appointment at the Healthy Pet Clinic for her -- perhaps her thyroid is out of whack, or the tooth infection is causing more pain...or maybe something else. I warned them she would be a handful and they advised us -- if she wouldn't come out of the crate on her own to use the slip leash method and wrangle her. I hoped it wouldn't come to that.

Luckily when Tim came home Pluto was excited enough, and the situation had changed enough that he managed to lure her outside. I couldn't believe it. She went out and smelled everything and even accepted a few pets and came close to us. We took her straight to the car and to the vet. Once at the vet she seemed just timid...that is until they closed the door and the vet tried to touch her. She started whining, barking, nipping, whining and even peed on the floor she was so terrified. The vet was dismayed and said she had never seen a greyhound in such a state. SHe did note that Kiki's tongue was blue/almost purple so maybe there is something else at work -- perhaps she has a fractured rib or something, which would explain why she wouldn't let anyone touch her. Let me tell you it was really nice to get validation for describing how spooked this dog was. If we felt that way I can only imagine how the family felt.

In the end we left Kiki at the vet...to be sedated, offered pain medication and recieve a full work up with x rays included. I really hope that it is something pain based...and that Kiki just didn't have a mental breakdown. As of now that is all we know. My adreneline was high for hours afterward and it still felt she was in the house. Man...what drama.

I also updated Weekend in Pictures... as you can see from this one example.

Now I am off to Cool Beans to have coffee with Hilary and practice our small talking in French. Sarah (Tim's sister) is getting married this weekend -- tonight we are going to Milwaukee for the rehearsal dinner and Greg's (brother in law) french parents are going to be there. I would like to be able to talk about the weather or something.

The dinner was a success...I ended up making cranberry stuffed porkchops, roasted vegetables, sqaush soup and a apple goody (crisp). I even went all out and bought wine to go along with..it was all very doable because for once we are not completely strapped for cash and have a little bit to spare....not that that will last long. The wedding gift, the hotel room, the thank you gift for Pluto and Kiki (must change name...I am thinking Mimi?) sitters.

So yeah, tonight we are picking up our newest foster...her racing name was Mina and was changed to Kiki when she moved in with a family. They have had her for two months but in that time Kiki has changed...she barks at one of the kids, at the cleaning lady (!), and visitors to their home. Any of you that know greyhounds know that they RARELY bark. Apparently she has also been peeing as a sign of submission (while still barking) but with tail between the legs.... I don't know. Yes she had a tooth infection that might have made her extra grouchy...but these seem deeper than that. I think we are in store for our first special needs dog. Sigh. I don't know if I am ready for that yet....it's only our second foster and we have only had Pluto for over a year, and as some of you know -- I don't get along well with mean dogs. Mean = barking or agressive. Tim says we are going to have solid rules from the moment she gets here though...starting with going straight to the crate and staying there except for bathroom breaks and walks. I have no idea what he plans after that...but she does need to learn that everyone is the boss except her. *sigh* Still....I hope this works out.

I need to set up her crate in the bedroom today...and move the armchair to the basement. That isn't going to be easy...I might have to move it into the living room until I can get some help.

Another grey day. I read most of yesterday, went to TKD, shopped at Dollar General for which I had been anxiously waiting to open and bought some new pillows and watched my Tuesday night line up (Sex and the City followed by Teen Titans). Today, I think I will catch up on writing some letters. I like to be mostly caught up...and I have to write an introduction letter to a possible new penpal in Finland -- must be witty.

The collar we donated to the Gala -- it got a pretty good response with 25 people bidding for it.

The collar we gave to our friend Dannette - it's a traditional Ho Chunk design based on a leaf I got from outside.

The collar that Pluto is now wearing. My first one -- I added the life bead later so it doesn't show on this picture.

This one is still available -- and one of my favorites because it looks so striking on dark dogs. At least on Pluto it does.

The text that goes along with these collars:


Just as your dog is special to you, dogs have a special place in traditional Ho Chunk culture. Dogs, or cûk, earned a high status because of their role in hunting, their effectiveness as guard dogs in detecting the approach of enemies, bearing burdens and companionship. They were treated with great affection and had the status of being members of the family circle. Not only was a plate set out for the dog in the family dining area, but when a Ho Chunk went through their naming ceremony, a name was also given to them for their dog.

A red bead is often inserted into Native American style beadwork to signify the heart beat of life. Red Eagle martingale collars incorporate the ‘life bead’ in a modern interpretation of traditional beadwork to symbolize good health and a long life for your canine companion.

End text.

So... the Gala was great! We got there early and donated the piece for the raffle bag auction, met with several other dogs and their owners -- including one of the families that had come over to check out Gypsy, but had went with another dog -- Keeper. I was sad to see that Gypsy didn't make an appearance though...maybe it was too soon for her to go out. Although she was a veteran meet and greet dog. Maybe next year. We are on the list for fostering another dog in the near future. It's awesome to foster dogs because you get the benefit of two dogs without the added vet bill. :) Then at the end, when we had given up all hope of ever winning anything -- Tim's name was called. We won the "Embarrassment of Riches" which included: a raised wood feeder, large fleece bed, fancy collar (too small but we will keep it for fosters), Food, a Zanie toy, a 8 pack of Greenies, a pet charm, night time blinker, and two large bones. WOW! I was so happy for hours afterward. Now Pluto can eat on something other than a footstool for his food...and now his water dish is raised too. Talk about luxury. Also he now has a dog bed in the office AND the living room. He is so spoiled!!!!

Today I am crazy busy...I have to clean up the house, cook a sqaush stew, roast a chicken and make apple crisp -- using the fresh apples we bought from an orchard this weekend. My sister in law, Sarah who stayed with us for few months at the beginning of this year is getting married this weekend. It's tradition for us to cook a meal for our soon to be newly wed friends to give them a day off from cooking right before the wedding. I JUST started to squash...I can't find a good recipe, I have to go to grocery store to get the ingrediants I know I will need for it, clean the house and take a shower. So do I do with my precious, limited time? Hey at least I got the sqaush started while I updated this. ;)

I am torn...I need a name for my burgeoning business...I kind of want to use Wazika. After all wazika right now is just a personal website...and all the personal stuff is under the directory Hadjare, so that could still be a section of the website that isn't affiliated with the business. However, I could see just starting something new in general and not risk offending anyone who happens to come across my website -- not that I think I write anything offensive to begin with, but you never know. My problem is, I need a name. Red Eagle Crafts is too generic and there are already a lot of business's out there using Red Eagle in their name. White Eagle (the translation of my indian name -- is even more prevalent). Red Eagle Beadcrafts, I feel would limit me to just doing beadwork, which I love to do...but my Dad makes the best Native style leather bags ever and I would like to be able to offer his purses up to public as well. While some of his purses /bags have beadwork on them, not all of them do. I feel like that would be a contradiction of some sort. I could do Wazika Crafts ... that is the one I am leaning towards even more -- then we get to the problem of it being associated with my personal website again. Blah...what to do...what to do...ANY suggestions would be appreciated.

Three down and three more to go. Tim offered to give a collar to Danette -- one of the big GPA volunteers that dogsat our last foster - Gypsy when we went a camping. She really loves to spoil Annabelle and I can't think of a better person to start word of mouth for my collars.

I will take pictures of them this week. Promise. They are pretty cool.

I remember the first movie I ever saw on VHS was Superman. Ahh Christopher -- is it because he played Superman that this ironic fate befell him?

I am drinking instant coffee this morning and it feels like I am in the UK again. Ahh the English and their strange taste for instant coffee. Okay okay, we all know it isn't because they LIKE instant coffee -- it's because they all drink tea and leave the crappy coffee for the visitors and what not. It is an acquired taste -- I'll grant you.

This weekend was mellow -- went to a Open Firehouse with our little and he got to ride on a fire truck and shot a hose. We got to eat free hot dogs and popcorn. Afterward we stopped at the Kerry/Edwards campaign headquarters to get a yard sign however they were only giving them to people that had called ahead and reserved them. Apparently the demand in Madison "is overwhelming." The woman gave us a window sign instead and suggested that we could make our own yard sign out of it. Ha, one rain and it would melt. I ended up putting it in our window instead. I also got two buttons and Tim donated some money. I kept one of the buttons and asked Ty'Quan if he knew who the candidates were, he answered with their full names. Then I asked him what candidate he would vote for and he said John Kerry. Dude! Obviously I gave him the other button.

Later on that night we went to a Sushi Party at Laima's and made sushi rolls. Tim even ventured to make one -- and it wasn't too bad. Came home and played some X-Men after I almost got sucked into watching Desperate Housewives, before going to bed. Sunday got up and worked on dog collars while watching Gia and EverAfter (again...), took Pluto to the dog park -- man he loves the colder weather! I haven't seen a greyhound with that much energy for a long time since...uh...last year. He is such a winter dog. Came home watched Charmed and Frankenstein (on TNT)--- I was disappointed with it. It seemed like it was nothing more than just a pilot for a series. Too many questions were left unanswered and too many plot points leading off to nowhere. I would like to see it as a series -- there isn't enough supernatural stuff on TV right now.

Today feels like Mister Roger's Rainy day in the Neighbhorhood in the fall. Yeah, just like that. You know what it makes me miss? Just feeling a teensy bit nostalogic for dmf. Yeah it was a stupid cafeteria, no booze or smoking -- but at the time it okay because I did neither. I would just go to dance and that was tons of fun and since I knew so few people it was easy to just dance and not socialize. Although I can't neglect to mention my two dmf buddies -- Jaime (who quit going as soon as she found a boyfriend and something better to do on Saturday night) and Zoey. I remember she was 24 or 26 when I met her and I thought "Oh my god she is so grown up and older -- yet somehow retains a remarkable level of coolness and style.... huh?" Ha ha ha. Man, 19 year olds can be really really stupid.

I admit it.

Oh an Carl --- spinning man for those of you who never met him. Accountant by day -- sexy dance machine by night. Ha ha. He was actually a chemist. We would go to dmf after sampling his roommates wine and watching the Simpsons, and he would pick me up on Tuesday night to go to the Cardinal and lend me CD's at a time so I could learn more about this whole new realm of music I had discovered. Sigh. Then he moved to California and I lost contact with him. How sad. Carl where are you?

Remember when I talked about the MTV Jedi father/son story a week or two ago? Well, guess who posted to my site..... check it out here.

How 'bout that?

Yeah so I am a crafting...did research today and decided on a price....and what did I make? Hand crafted based on original designs-- beaded dog collars...martingale style (also known as the humane collar -- or sight hound collars) . I need to get five more done by next Saturday and we are going to donate one to the Greyhound Gala as well. I also need to make some business cards and an information sheet.... Lots to do.

Lets see other than that...sushi party Saturday night I am looking forward too. And... uh.... um....geez, I guess that is about it. I swear that there was more in store for this weekend though. I will probably remember later. That reminds me, I need to RSVP to the sister in law for her wedding later this month. Talk about lazy...luckily I can blame it all on Tim.

Blogger Down

For some reason I am not powering Blogger in the traditional sense this morning. But I suppose it does give me an excellent opportunity to post via email! Woo. I hope it works.

I was just working on a letter to a Penfriend (Hollywood Jen-- who no longer lives in Hollywood), and bemoaning how little there is to read on the internet today. What is wrong with everyone? Are their fingers broken? Too busy catching up on "work" or chatting with your coworkers to post something about your freaking weekend? And as I was speaking with another friend recently, setlists to your DJ set, lyrics to songs, and political and news links that I can find on CNN.com just don't cut it. What does it tell me? That you know how to use the internet? That you can play music? Bah, of course you do. Instead use your journal it to tell me what kind of cereal you had for breakfast, who cut you off at the mall, and what projects YOU are working on and other significant events, thoughts, opinions or ideas.

This weekend we bought X-Men Legends (made by local game company Raven) for the X Box. Whew...it's having some problems reading the disc in interchanges -- I just hate sometimes that we bought a refurbished X Box instead of a new one (although I love the savings). The thought of "Oh nO! This is why it was returned" and "They didn't fix it after all!" keep popping into my head every time there is a problem. Sigh. We managed to get through by saving at every chance we got and changing one character at a time (when upgrading) -- and therefore spent the whole weekend playing x-men. I even had dreams about who I should have on my team and what power would be useful for particular situations. So far my favorite characters are: Jean Grey, Storm and Magma. It was weird to buy a video game and read the special thanks to...and know one of the people. Actually two of the people, but since one was a baby they don't count. I love these multiplayer games (similar to Dynasty Warriors/Baldur's Gate and Diablo). It's a wonderful way to spend time with your significant other and insult them with love.

What else? We took Pluto to the Vet to get some shots. He gained eight pounds since July! Awesome. He is 78 pounds now...just the perfect weight. He could maybe afford two more pounds...but we can stop force feeding him cheese products to get him to eat. Ha ha, at the vet, Pluto got treats while they stuck him with shots ... and about an entire minute later -- he yelps, puts his tail between his legs and walks back and force looking for an exit. Stinky dog took a WHOLE minute for him to realize he had been hurt and by then we had moved into other topics. The cats, now they KNOW when they are being hurt and they let you know it.

The shots kind of affected Pluto and he has been kind of mopey since then. I think I will try and take him for a walk later.

HOly cow it got cold fast, didn't it? Sure this is Autumn weather, and yes, I do suppose it is October now ( and I did decorate the bay window with Halloween window clings!) but still. I have a feeling that this year it is going to be a cold winter. Tim has thought it was going to be like that for the last couple of winters (I didn't think so), and they were mild. But this year, I think it is going to be cold and since I never think that--it's gonna happen. Right? That is how the world works. We are going to buy window insulation early -- last year we waited until November and it was impossible to find and we got the last two/three packages -- which wasn't enough for all the windows in the house. Tim mentioned that the natural gas prices are expected to go up another 10% this year, so I want to make sure this whole place is buttoned up...instead of half buttoned up. I wish we had a fireplace -- then we could augment the cost....or if there is ever wide spread death (plagues, starvation, accidental death..you know your basic apocalypse) then I could still live in my house and be warm. Then again, being the realistic person I am -- I could probably just go and move into a larger or smaller house equipped with what I need because the original folks won't be there. And yes, I know I am going to be a survivor because I think I am. Like I said earlier -- isn't that how it works? If I think it, then it is going to be. But I am not the only one -- think of all those whippersnappers who think that they are immortal.

Man this post is degenerating faster than Joan Rivers.