Back to Civilization

So as I was walking to work this morning, I passed a sign in a storefront that read "Sidewalk Sale Inside." Wouldn't that just make it a normal "Sale"? Just seemed odd to me...

Anyway, so much for keeping up with my blog. I see that it's now been over a month since I've posted anything at all. It seems that, after I don't post for a while, I think of all the things I should post about that have been going on and, as it seems like more and more work all the time, I tend to avoid it. In that way, it's kinda like paying bills... At first, there's not much to do, so I put it off. Then, before I know it, there's a whole lot to do so I put it off some more. Eventually, I realize that someone will come and take away my precious cable internet service if I don't pay them so I hunker down and do it. Well, with my blog, no one can threaten to take away from Internet service if I don't do it so, in general, it doesn't get done. Until now, ladies and gentlemen! ;)

So, what's been going on for the last month or so? Heck if I can remember...

Liz and I made it home for Grant's Baptism and Gavin's third birthday a couple weeks ago. That was great fun - Grant is still in the lump of cuteness that does very little stage but Gavin is turning more and more into a real person every time I see him and is loads of fun to play with. I've got pictures - they may appear on the website soon...then again, they might not appear until Gavin's fourth birthday. Only time will tell. And, somewhere along the way, Liz managed to lose her keys in the C-Ville/NL area. So, if you're out walking someday and trip over some strange keys, let me know. I might have a use for them.

We've vaguely started a new "house project." As the doors leading out to our deck are rotting right off the hinges, we decided we might want to change those. And, while we're at it, we decided to change all of the doors on the house. We're putting in a more decorative door in the front and one with a larger window in the side. Honestly, I'm just looking forward to doors that will give me my key back without 2 minutes of endless jiggling every time I unlock them. We've got a couple of the doors already, but we had to order the doors for the deck and they should be in any day now. Once we've got those, we still need to pick up hardware, get them painted, and get my dad to come out and install them for us.

Liz and I have acquire a new pet (or two)...kinda. A little gray and orange cat started hanging around the neighborhood a few weeks ago. She's declawed and spayed and really quite friendly, although a bit timid. Nonetheless, it didn't take much for her to warm up to us. I've been putting cat food out on the deck for her (she has since been named Betty by Liz's aunt, who had come over to visit). We let her in the house from time to time but, with no litter box, she doesn't stay in for very long. And, I've never seen this in a cat before, but this one drools all over the place. Considering that she loves to snuggle her face right into yours, it's really quite gross. I don't know if she's eating something she shouldn't be or has a broken tooth or what. I suppose I should take her in to the vet someday or something, but I haven't gotten to that just yet. Betty isn't the only cat that's been hanging out at our place, either. Since we started leaving food out for Betty, there's been another orange cat hanging at our place. That one doesn't seem to be very friendly, but that doesn't stop her from eating all the food, either. On the up side, with the cats around, I haven't seen much at all of the rabbits. On the down side, the garden is so overgrown with weeds that it probably wouldn't matter, anyway. ;)

Picked up a new recliner for the den. It's great. I'd tell you a really great story about it, but it's just a chair, it has no great stories. So sad for you.

Last week, Liz and I left for our great American adventure of camping. We went up to the North Shore of Lake Superior. Our campsite was about a quarter mile hike into the woods and really quite secluded. I think we had been at the park for a little over a day before we saw another human being. It was really quite peaceful. We were right on a little pond (that we walked around every morning we were there - Liz loved the loons that hung out there). Got some good pictures of the campground and the surrounding area - those might or might not appear on the website soon, as well. However, I think I'm beginning to realize what a total wuss I am and how accustomed I am to living at home in the city. This whole hauling wood to the campsite to have hot dogs every night was fun for a little while, but I'm happy to me home. :)

To add to the difficulty of the trip - one of the tires on the truck went flat. And not just any tire, mind you - the same one that I had replaced two months ago because it was flat. So now I need to call the garage and see what the heck is up with that. I suppose I could be wrong but, last I checked, tires were supposed to remain inflated for some extended period of time. *Sigh*

On a side note, we ate at Betty's Pies (which, oddly enough, may be the actual namesake of our aforementioned drooling half-pet). We were told by Liz's relatives (including the one that named Betty) that we had to stop there. Sure enough, right on the side of the highway north of Duluth was Betty's Pies - easily one of the largest establishments in the area. We stopped there on the way back home on Sunday for some breakfast. Oddly enough, I really enjoyed their eggs and bacon but the pies were, saddly, only so-so.

What else has been going on? Let's see... The NHL finally agreed to a new Collective Baragining Agreement so there will be hockey next year. And, better yet, the Pens got the first draft in the lottery and will have phenom Sidney Crosby on their team next season. Liz had a birthday - I think she's 21 now, or so I'm told - it sure is nice having a hot, young, wife, let me tell ya. ;)

I think that might be about it. Certainly, it's enough for now. Take it easy, y'all. See ya soon!