Howie

Howie the water dog

Howie has been showing me how to enter the creek for a drink or just plain fun...................and I have been showing him a large towel in order to get in the house. He just jumped up on the bed in the computer room and proceeded to pull stuffing out of one of his three "bees". I can hear him sweaking it near Mom. I sent pictures of Howie to Melanie; maybe she can forward them on because I no longer have any e-mail addresses since "cleaning out" the memory of our computer.

I gave our cats 5 in 1 shots today and they still need their rabies. When November comes I will take them to the Brownsville vet since she is cheaper and gives me a "senior" discount. I sent away for "generic" Heartworm medicine from Pet Shed and saved a bundle.

I was pulling some weeds and a wet Howie nuzzled my arm; I was squating in the road and...........his collar wasn't working. It had lost it's rubber seal and was full of water. The new collar I had purchased made the appropriate sound but no static discharge. So I had to return the new one to Home Depot and got the "super receiver" for $15 more, air-blowed the old unit until it worked and then silicone chalked it. Then I also found another receiver/collar that I did not know I had; that makes 4 total, and all have been trimmed for small terrier necks. Howie had gone off barking while I was working in the garage on the collar and I was afraid he had crossed the barrier (thought I had heard a squeal) and so I walked down the driveway in the dusk urgently calling him. I forgot I had the old unit in my hand and............ lo and behold, the unit worked very well and I threw it about 15 feet (without really trying!). What a nasty shock.

Howie has a great move for Ms. Vicious. He bounds into her and when she growls and chasess he runs in these gay circles and bounces his shoulder into her teeth/mouth and doesn't allow her to bite/attack.

I changed the oil on the Rav 4 and Howie carried off a metal socket and the top of the milk container I was pouring oil into. He gave me moral support when I was on my back half under the SUV licking my face and jumping on my chest as I tried to inch under.

To end this I am very happy to say that he is a real lovey boy; enjoys cuddle time and likes to lay either on you or next to you with his head in your lap. Love Dad

Howie the Fox Terrier

I was exhausted when I got home with Howie. Charlie immediately started guarding the food dishes and water. I put Howie's around the corner, but she tried extending her boundaries and cutting him off at the past. Of course his toys became her toys. He climbed up in my lap to get away from Ms. Vicious. We went to bed at 7 pm, but Howie couldn't rest, too stressed out. Janice took Charlie to another bed room and they went to bed presumedly. Howie wants to be up, down, on my chest, to the end of the bed, etc. I got some sleep, but woke up to wetness at 3:00 am to find he had peed on the foam topper. I was too tired to clean it then; got out the shampooer this morning and hopefully can put the sheets back on tonight. The new shock collar did not work and he escaped down the street twice to visit kenneled dogs and the house right across the street from us. COME did not seem to be in his vocabulary, but at least he did not continued further and I was able to catch him. I put on an old electronic collar, put in a new battery and trimmed off 8 inches of extended collar and it worked fine. I mowed the lawn and mulched the leaves (the neighbors have a lot of trees besides ours). He got used to the noise and was outside with Charlie while I mowed for around 2 hours. He was a little nervous. Janice came home and wanted me to tire the dogs out so we took a ride to Foster Lake, 20 minutes from home, and I let both dogs run around in the county park with it's wide open spaces. Howie found a 1 foot deep creek that had to be crossed so we couldn't come home until both dogs were exercised and Howie was dry. Earlier, I found that Howie is a hose spray attacker when I tried to clean the underside of the mower. Charlie and Howie have had 3 fights over dominance and self-determination. On the last fight, Charlie got the worst. Howie is bigger and grabbed her collar and was content with a draw. Since these altercations both dogs are gaining some respect for each other. I stay away and let them become more amicable. At the park I would pretend to throw a stick one way and then toss for Howie to get it. He would run around leading Charlie on a merry chase and toward the end Charlie was giving up and letting him have the stick. Then she would sneak up and carefully get the stick and then bring it back. Since we have two dogs the dog biscuits we have have become important again. Both dogs are sacked out with Howie stretched out on a bed next to me. I am going to try taking the dogs out several times tonight to see if that helps Howie. I am wondering what Jan is going to have me do regarding sleeping arrangements. Howie wanted nothing to do with his new foam bed.Well...............will try to take some pictures tomorrow. Dad

Bomb Threat

Did you see Sweet Home HS on the news? Had a bomb threat early in the morning & they sent the buses on to the JH where they crammed all the HS kids in the gym. It wasn't pretty.

(Sorry if this is a repeat. I posted this all with a comment but then it went wacky on me.)

Anyway, the police identified the suspect and had her in custody by mid-day.

I've continued to be superbusy--still trying to get the gigantuan district improvement plan done at the same time as I'm trying to get everyone trained in the new state testing system. Lots of changes this year with that.

We now have Howie. He is a 1-year-old fox terrier of the black head and speckly white body variety. Charlie tries not to like how, but forgets herself occasionally and gets caught up in playing with him. Of course, if he ventures too close to her food dish, her toys or her humans he gets a fierce scolding. She drew a little blood today as well. I'll let Dad give you the details of this acquisition. I'm sure he'll leave nothing out in the telling.

We have little sugar ants in our bathroom. Can't figure out why. I removed the mouthwash and cold medicine thinking they might have sugar in them. DAd has sprayed with toxic chemicals. The hardy little devils keep coming, although they do seem to spend a lot of time running in circles or clinging desperately to electric cords. They are not well.

I, however, am on the mend. Thought I had this cold licked, but some stuffiness remains. I shall prevail. Had my annual (although it has been a couple of years) checkup and was pronounced healthy. I have to go back to have several parts checked by radiology of one sort or another, but that's another day. Too busy right now.

I'm trying to get excited about Halloween, but all I can think about is having to spend 3 hours answering the front door 100 times. Bah humbug.

Maybe if I had a costume I'd be more excited. When I retire, I'll sew myself one of those, too.

haunted house

This Saturday we're going to a haunted house. The woman organizing it said it's really haunted; it was her husband's parents and is now abandoned. Maybe I'll see a phantom or something. I'll let you know. I'm dressing up as a '50's girl - poodle skirt and all. Tuck is going as Frankenstein -India as Frankenstein's bride. Christian is wearing a Planet of the Apes mask. I don't think I can get him to kind of hunker down and swing his arms like an ape, but I'll try. Tim as usual won't be dressing up. I'll just introduce him as Opie or Howdy Doody.

Haven't heard from Greyson recently???? Must be having better baby days.

I found a published author who read my novel and said it was great but had too much stage directing and that is a novice mistake. She thought after I made some of these transitioning changes I'd have a good chance of getting published!

I've been told we should get freezing fog any day now. I guess it's beautiful, but can get a little dreary after a few weeks. Glad I don't have to travel.

Hope to hear from someone.
Traci

Colds

I knew it was bound to happen. The Deans were sick, my husband was sick, my mother was sick, now I am sick. So far it doesn't seem to be that bad of a sickness and I haven't had a cold for over a year so I guess it is time. The babies have been fine so far.

I have been back to work for 3 weeks now and am getting used to the whole schedule again. We have started getting the babies up at 11pm for a feeding. Or I should say Greyson feeds them and I sleep. And then I get up when they wake up around 5am for a feeding and Greyson sleeps in. I have started just going strait to work after I get them back down for a nap. So sometimes I can get to work at 6:30am and back home by 3pm and have the afternoon at home. I am not normally an early riser so it is tough for me.

And then we have Saturday's, my day to sleep in. But for some reason my mother and sister think that I should be up at 8 or 9am just because they are. Well I am not. I feed the babies and go back to sleep as soon as they are down for the morning nap. And I only answer the phone so it doesn't wake the babies. So if I seem a bit grouchy when you call, that is because I am.

We have been giving the babies a bath in these plastic baby baths, but because they are getting bigger and splashier they are starting to make quite a mess of the counters where we bathe them. So to try something new we decided to bathe them both in there baby baths but put them in the clawfoot tub so they can splash all they want. Of course as soon as we got them both in Samia started crying and her voice reverberated inside the cast iron clawfoot tub and scared Piper who screamed and scared Samia who joined the screaming and the noise bouncing off the tub walls was deafening. So until they start liking bath time a bit more we won't try them at the same time in the echo chamber again.

Samia's belly button looks almost normal. The hernia is gone but now she has some extra wrinkly skin left over. But that should go away as she grows. Piper's hernia is less but still there.

I have been doing a lot of breastfeeding the last month and apparently Piper has taken a liking to it. She now is turned off by the bottle and will often just roll the bottle nipple around on her tongue and makes this disgusted face and refuses to drink for a bit. She does that even if there is breastmilk in the bottle. She is quite the turkey. Greyson finds it quite frustrating. I think she will get over it once she realizes she doesn't have an option while I am gone.

So that is my update and I may repost this on the baby blog so that Greyson's family can see it as well.
Take care everyone,
Mel

Six months old/ Our happy Noah

Well, I had to share Noah's six month old pictures. Every 3 months I have a coffee cup made with the baby's new picture. I drink my morning coffee out of the newest one and retire the older one to the motorhome. It makes me feel a little closer to him , and makes me smile. Grandpa is very much smitten with his grandson, so I get no complaints about my cup purchases.

On a more serious note, our area is sure suffering today with the Santa Ana winds. The malibu area really has a fire burning which is spreading. Phil and I have reservations at the Malibu RV resort next weekend, so glad it wasn't this weekend.

We are just loving the RV and Murphy just thinks its so much fun. Dogs to meet, wind and new smells, not to mention being with Mom and Dad with all the attention.

Grandma is fine and enjoying Bernie as lot. She had a cataract removed, but is disappointed that it didn't help her vision as much as she expected. Due to her diabetes, there are some changes to the blood vessels in the back of the eye that affect her vision separate from the cataract.

Hello to everyone, hope to see some pictures of everyone else.

Love,

Aunt/ Sister Chris

Fall

The colors here are gorgeous. It's been cold and rainy and as Winnie the Pooh would say, "A blustery day." I found my light lamp and that should help with my lack of energy and the achy bones I feel at this time of year.

I wanted to recommend Madagascar as a great movie. Pay attention to the details...it has Chris Rock and one of the stars from Friends on it. The leader of the lemurs is by far my favorite character. It's animated, but has a lot of humor that goes over the heads of our kids.

India's arm is almost mended. She has a dance and decided to pluck one of her eyebrows. I told her the gaps of no hair wasn't noticeable. Is that right to lie to your daughter? Tucker spent some time fixing his hair on picture day. I asked him if they took his picture before or after P.E. He said, "They took it before, when we were still handsome."

Christian is still calling Lainey, Courtney, and Marcus nightly. He's making friends here, but misses Prineville a lot. I can relate. Had coffee and muffins with some new friends of my own this morning. I don't think I mentioned to Tim that I'm not the military wife sort and I'm not moving again. I'm not. I'M NOT.

Haven't opened my bag of Halloween candy yet; that's a good emotional sign. We have two spitty babies so I dress like Mr. Rogers for work; comfy shoes and cardigan - turtleneck to unlayer after a really bad urp.

Hope to hear from you all.
Traci

Mom and Tim at Sunriver

Yes, as the rest of us slave away, Tim and Mom are enjoying Sunriver. Tim called and told me it snowed the first day he was there.

The biting and otherwise aggressive toddler is at another caregivers. It has been so much less stressfull...not wondering when she'll purposefully smash a babies fingers or throw blocks at another toddler, then maul them for crying. It was an interesting family/staff meeting. The family claims that none of this behavior happens at home. Yeah. Denial. And I'm not talking about some famous river.

Football is almost over. I don't do well in cold environments. The gym is acceptable.

We bought two huge bags of candy from Costco. I can't wait for the leftovers.

Traci

Fun Weekend

Had 2 babies, 2 little kids and 2 big boys and 2 of my direct offspring ,one son-in-law, 1 mother and 1 husband over the weekend. The twins are getting so big, and Piper has rolled over. Can't do it at will yet, but the time is soon. I think Larry had a nice birthday visit. He got his favorite cherry cheese cake and we didn't even try for 60 candles.

We heard Brian got a very large deer, so their freezer will soon be full of venisen.

Nicholas and Gabe played a few hands of pinochle with us. They are learning it fast.

Not much else - I think I'm still tired from the visit and gained back two lbs.

The HS principal and I are going to Sunriver to a conference this weekend at Sunriver. They have a condo over there so that's where we'll be staying. Looks like the weather is going to be awful so maybe we will see some snow over there. I'll need to take the laptop and work with me.

j

back to work...lots of babies there.

Greyson, my years of being at home or partially at home with our munchkins make me feel for you. It's tiresome, annoying, and seems endless. Plus you have the "it's so nice to be a Mr. Mom and get to spend all that time with your precious twins." And you're thinking, "Uh, I'd rather be a Wal Mart greeter or try and promote a durable plastic knife by slicing five pound bricks of cheese at various stores instead of doing the job I'm doing today."

I'm back to work. I got bit by the precious two year old. Even through two layers of clothing she left a nice bruise. My boss said I needed to show her parents. So I did. They didn't even say they were sorry. Monday we'll have 11 infants/toddlers. I'm hoping for a six foot snowfall.

The kids went fishing and caught 2 trout each. The guy who took them smoked them for us. Not too bad. Today we go for our monthly Costco visit. We're taking two icechests. I haven't been writing so I've been reading about a book a week and that keeps my mind occupied. Somehow the twenty diapers a day just wasn't doing it. Our new home is huge, but we're still in the unpacking process. We'll be ready for visitors by the end of October I think.
Love to all,
Traci

hang in their greyson - update from Jennifer

Greyson- if you bring them to Sweet Home- an aunt there would love to give you a break…I’ll even change diapers.  My update is short and sweet- I’m super swamped with work.  I’m not sharing department head duties- so I’m kind of in charge of it all now…so my day seems to just fill up before I even get to my “list”.  I know my mother knows how that feels.  Anyway- I need to get my next lab set-up and I haven’t eaten yet today.  So I hope you all enjoy your weekend- I’m looking forward to having these three days off and visiting my parents- and hopefully my nieces…oh yeah- and of course my sister and brother-in-law. 

lame...just lame you guys

I've grown to depend on the participation on this blog. After being tag teamed over the course of the day by perpetually unhappy little turdlets, I expect to see an update from the people I care about. Yes I've developed a dependence--this being one of the few places I log on to given the tiny gaps in my schedule allotted me by the tyrants. 15 minutes of coos and smiles. an eternity of --oops I was 15 minutes late to sooth the babies in time for nap #2. Thus begins a cycle of overtiredness, screaming and irritation. Now are they screaming because they're an hour past their naps, or have they screamed through the nap to the point that they are...yes. I believe I'm hungry. Given I'm already belting out beyond what my lungs can possibly propel, I might as well make a smooth transition into "I'M FREAKING STARVING, YOU BASTARD!!! HAVEN'T YOU BEEN LISTENING?????" long day. To end it, there was a bath, and I fed them a bottle in the total silence and darkness of the nursery, and when I placed them in their beds...not a sound. Wow. That would be the second time since independence day that that has happened.

a few new pics and footage

hey guys. I made some additions to the baby blog. I will try to update fairly frequently, and if you want to get the latest, try clicking on the rss link at the bottom of our blog, and setting your browser/rss feed reader up to give you a notice when something new is up. It's a new process for me, but I'll try to help if I can. I have a feed display tool that shows the latest headlines from bbc, ny times, and ign (a gaming website). It's a nice way to stay informed without poring over pages of spears/simpson tabloids.

Dean family update

Ok- so my apologies for somehow involving all my colleagues on the blog.  As far as the Dean family- we are busy.  I’m swamped but happy.  Mother I haven’t forgot about the inquiry inservice—just haven’t had a free moment.  If you could e-mail me those dates again- that would be great. 

Gabe is playing both offensive and defensive positions in football.  He loves it.  I started with him today- because I’m at the school with him until 7:15 on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Nicholas is playing indoor soccer- I think middle school has increased in its demands on him- he hasn’t been as enthusiastic…or it could be the fact that he has a cold. 

Emma’s preschool experience is improving.  She even raised her hand to answer a question this week…the teacher immediately called on her.  I know- with my earlier concerns- that I probably put them on high alert when I join their circle time.  I’m trying to be very supportive and encouraging of the teachers there…I know their patience is incredible.

Kalena- well she spent Monday with her uncle Greyson…and she came away without any bumps or bruises….or even ink drawings on her skin- which is more than I can say about a day with her father.  I mean that in the nicest sweetest way honey J   Anyway- thanks Greyson- we really do appreciate it- and would love the chance to return the favor with your little ones- my nieces.  Kalena went potty on the toilet Monday morning..it took patience on my part after she first woke up.  I will do this every morning…just get up an extra 10 minutes….sure- who needs sleep.

My husband is still truck shopping.  We are looking for a F350, that’s got less than 50,000 or so miles…and is in good condition.  Brian had to ride with a smoker for the last few days- so now he has developed a cough.  I bought him a mug- that I’ll bring home tonight- for him to take to work- it says “Care if I smoke?”   and then you turn it- “Care if I die”….and it has healthy vs. smokers lungs…I got it on my field trip to see the “Bodies” at OMSI…I thought it would be appropriate to get the message across to this “friend” that he works with.

Well I need to get done with my work- so I can pick up Gabe on time.  Take care everyone.  Sorry my blogging has been so infrequent…but I’m just a tad bit busy. 

Yeah, Jennifer!!!!! Geez!!

I tried to post a comment giving Jennifer a bad time about her posting problems .................but I couldn't remember the right combination of name/password pair. Had to laugh, but didn't want to miss the opportunity to razz, so tried to see if I could at least post.

After installing a new hot water tank/spout for the kitchen, found that our shower had a small leak and so I made it bigger. Finally had a pro fix it today since I did not want to sink ever more money. The detergent door in the dishwasher broke and the metal guard on the lower spray arm fell off. Had already replaced 4-5 parts and this spray arm will be $37 to get, so I am thinking new dishwasher. Ours is about 10 years old, but I think we have used it more than the "normal" household; consumer reports or JD Power's assigned a useful life of 13 years with repair and maintenance costs expected. I also used Mom's Oxyjet Toothbrush system and it isn't working correctly.......... for some unknown reason. I sent away for another complete replacement ($93). She washed her cell phone (I guess for sanitary reasons; actually she alluded to taking medication and not thinking clearly) and so we got a new one for $50 (she had $5/month insurance). Last night the gas fireplace had a small explosion and we have determined that everything is going to fall apart. My front teeth are worn down and I can't repair two crowns until January ($1500) and, incidently, my hair is starting to rapidly thin. Both of each of our feet grew, so Mom threw away quite a few pairs of shoes, ............... and I have been looking at my shoes in the garage with a scowl. So long as I get 10-16 hours of sleep a day and do nothing strenously, like........ house work, cooking, cleaning, outdoor work, etc I feel pretty good. Have a doctor's appointment in Roseburg Thursday. I will make a list of symptoms and questions. I plan on getting 4 shots. Flu, pnuemonia, tetnus, ........... can't remember the last.......... maybe rabies? Love to all, Larry

For those of you with posting issues...

OK, since some of you have major posting issues I will give you another way to post to the blog.
Just send an email to-melsharp.thesharps@blogger.com

It will put up the email in the blog just like a regular posting. However (and pay attention Jenn), it looks like the email is coming from me so please put your name at the bottom so we know who is writing the posting. Also (Jenn) please don't use this email address when writing to other people because when they do a reply all we get junk in the blog from people we don't know.

So to post just write an email and send it to the above address.

-Mel

Back to work

So Monday was my first day back at work. Even though I have been getting up around the clock for months now I found it hard to get up to go to work. I am sad to leave the girls in the morning, especially since that is when they have the most smiles. But at least I know they will have a good time with their daddy while I am gone. I really only get to see them for about 2 hours a day now which seems way to short of a time. And tonight I have a meeting in Vancouver so I won't get home until right at their bedtime.

We did have a major breakthrough last night. The babies BOTH slept through the night!!! 10 solid hours of sleep for them and 7 hours for me!! The funny thing is I still felt exhausted in the morning. I think that might be related to knowing I have to go to work instead of lounging on the couch with the babies.

Some of the Mayhem

I had a great time with those of you who could make it. these screenshots are taken directly from saturday's action. I hope those of you who participated enjoyed it as much as I did. It was great to see you guys. The interaction always goes well beyond what you see on the tvs.