It's been a pretty busy week in spirit if not in actions.  I had a purse party in Altoona on Sunday, so that and a quick visit with mum before and after ate up much of that day.  Monday and tonight I hauled out for walks with the beasts, which seems to keep the evening moving quickly before me.  Last night I got word that Mithy was ready for some company so I packed up shortly after getting home from work and headed over to hand with her and my dear Addie.

I've got other activities in the next few days such as happy hours and, unfortunately, a funeral, so I may be a bit quiet.  It's funny how I sit around with nothing to do, longing for something more than the to do around the house list staring at me, but when I feel like I'm constantly running I tend to long for my couch and my puppy.  Proof I'm never happy?

So, I've had my days all mixed up.  Long story short I had today, instead of tomorrow, to get things done around here.  I still decided to sleep in, with the girls' cooperation, until 10:30.  I had to make a run to Fritz's since it's the last weekend they'll be open for produce, then into Ollies and Big Lots, as is my desire on weekends.  Not wishing us into the depths of winter, but I ended up picking up some new holiday wreaths for the front porch since my old greens are looking pretty ratty and a new entryway rug.

As for the less than desirable work I cleaned in the bathroom and vacuumed before I showered and after my running I was out scooping poop and cutting back some dead plants to make way for my faithful lawn-mowing assistance.  I'll tell you, I know I need to do more today, but for now I am just going to chill with a couple more episodes of Farscape and wait for the oven to beep.  I decided today's the day I am going to try Alton's butternut squash soup recipe.  Squash isn't suppose to be in the first phase of the diet, but I figured I'll have a bowl and freeze the rest if need be, just to get the pile of squashes off of my kitchen counter in the near term.

It's just after 6 and I have already walked two dogs for 40 minutes, and cooked and ate dinner!  I really need to leave work a smidge early more often.  I almost don't know what to do with myself!  There is, of course, still plenty to do, so I think I'll do some dusting and try to get the purses loaded in the vehicle while there is a break in the rain.  I already hung up the Peter Max that I ordered on September 11th too, it arrived today.  Admittedly, I wish I had a more prominent place for it, but this house is a bit of a challenge in terms of space in general.

Had lunch today with Miss Cindi, haven't seen her in person in a few years, since she moved away, so that was quite lovely.  I even managed to behave on the diet at Chili's which is no small feat with the lure of blackberry iced tea.  It helps that this morning (start of day 3) I was down 3lbs.  Yes, I'm counting the 1lb that I had seemed to gain back right before I kicked back in on this, I don't care if it was just water or swelling.

I saw this article this morning and wanted to share it with the world.  Bring Toronto's laws here!  Now if only there is a way to contain the back yard breeders as well.

Remember the great project exodus of 1999?  Yea, well I think it was renewed.  I've heard too many names in too short of a period of time and it ups my anxiety a bit.  As part of that exodus one slot will, in theory, be opening, unless it is absorbed.  I am going to toss my name into the hat, even though I am not confident that I'll be given a second glance.  Wish me luck.

Give me another round of luck as well, since I decided to go through the first phase of the 17 day diet again.  I've been stuck at a weight all month, despite trying (admittedly halfheartedly) to watch what I eat and still walking.  Must see the number change.

So, I came home today and noted immediately a big tuft of fur lifting out on Vixen.  I inspect further and she's got a wad of hair pulled out and a red irritated spot that looks like it was itchy.  Seriously, is she just jealous that Dani has a boo boo?  Frickin dogs.  It's been smothered in antibac cream, we'll see.

It's time.  Time to hop back on the 17 day diet phase 1 again.  I've been slacking and haven't seen any weight coming off despite my ongoing walking, so I need to kick start again.  I'm hoping this time I can take off 10 again with it this time around.  It's only going to get harder from here, as the fresh and delightful fruits go out of season.  *sigh*

I neglected to say in my earlier post that it is absolutely lovely outside today.  Perfect temp for the drive in a sweatshirt and shorts with the windows down.  The sun is out, the skies are blue and there are billowy clouds.  There won't be but a couple like it left this year at most.

It's not even 5:30 and I can already label today as a good day.  I had the draw to make the haul to Greensburg today, but I tried to fight it off for a little while.  Eventually I caved, conceding that if I got the mums planed out front I'd let myself go.  In addition to planting the mums I harvested a ton of nasturtium seeds.  These plants/flowers are said to do well in poor soil, so needless to say, they kick butt out front.  This year they were particularly prolific and have proven to have been rather fertile as well!  I'll be planting them next year, not cooking with them, for the record.

I had placed an online order for some additional Christmas gifts, showered, and headed on my way.  I can't say I bought much, but I did get a few more gifts, so I feel like I am well underway for this holiday season, which puts my mind at ease.  I also indulged and went to Olive Garden.  I had convinced myself I was NOT getting the chocolate mousse cake which is often my downfall there, I was good - until I saw the pumpkin cheesecake on the teaser menu.  DAMN YOU OG.  I'll just leave it saying I definitely need to go walk tonight.

I got lucky today and Petco had an opening to bathe Vix, so off we went first thing today.  While she was getting spa'd I did my running and finally got myself rolling on Christmas shopping.  I can mark NINE things in the notebook, YAY!  Prior to today I only had gifts for the two easiest people to shop for:  Beff and Niecey-poo.

After getting Vixen we stopped at Fritz's, their next to last weekend (boo), and the other little stand by my house.  This is the first time I stopped at this stand this year, but in years past I went there more often.  I was SO happy to see they had butternut squash!  I have been keeping an eye for it in Iggle with no luck.  That said I will be trying my hand at some homemade butternut squash soup sometime in the near future.  I also have the spaghetti squash from Thursday's farm box that I plan on cooking up today.  Let the fall comfort foods commence.

I'm also shooting to get the stencil back on the one wall in the bathroom this weekend, it really shouldn't take more than 20 minutes to do, it just needs done!  The summer comforter is in the wash and will be put away, switched out for something warmer by days end.  I actually kicked on the heat this morning when I noted that the house was down to 61.

Last week Danika's bump (which has been around for 3 years now) near her shoulder blades ended up open, bloodied up, and pretty gross.  I had cleaned it and it had scabbed over, but on Tuesday it was open and gross once again.  So, yesterday we hit the vet where she came home with two different pills to take and a topical.  She also has a nice shaved spot on her back

Looks pretty eh?  Anyhow, she's not too thrilled about swallowing these big honking pills, and I know she doesn't trick easily with hot dogs, so she isn't happy with me and it's only day one of medication.

Note that we didn't get to see my preferred vet as he's been swamped, but I'm hoping he'll do the follow up visit.  We're working to get the swelling down and get it healed up, then we'll assess if it should be removed.  They do still feel it's just a sebaceous cyst, nothing threatening, but it could have "eruptions" for lack of better phrasing in the future if we don't carve it out.

The furnace has been fixed... and, thank goodness, it wasn't an obscene cost.  With parts, labor, and cleaning (both furnaces) I came in a bit over $300.  I'll SO take that, especially since I was worried I would be dropping closer to a grand (with my luck).  So, as I bumped into the tenant as he returned home and we were finishing up with the cleaning I learned he found a place of his own.  So... the apartment will be available again soon.  Anyone looking for a single-bedroom, furnished place in Richland?  (Prb ready mid-late October.)

It's hard to believe it's been 10 years.  We all remember the level of shock that settled in on our hearts and minds.  I remember sitting transfixed and watching TV late at night, unwilling to turn it off and go to bed.  Once again in the past so many days I have been pulled into the television shows about the survivors, the last calls from those who died, and the most telling photos.  What touches me the most is that on one level we all knew the people who escaped the towers went through smoke and fire, but until you hear some of the detailed stories, you don't know how close to hell those routes were.

I only pray that those who passed that day rest in peace, may those with mental and emotional scars from escaping that day know calm, and may those who lost a loved one find comfort in the better place their loved ones surely must be.  As for me, I've been feeling drawn to head back to church the past few weeks... here I am awake in time... so I think I'm heading to church.  At least no one should look at me as strangely since it is a significant day, despite the fact that I haven't been there in probably 3 1/2 years.

Today was another day of the mundane.  I had another pedicure this afternoon.  I have to admit, I am pretty impressed that my last one was growing out and still hadn't chipped, not one little bit.  I did a little bit of running and was going to meet Beff for dinner, but Nyko's was closed for some group event.

I made an attempt to attach the pipes out back using the pvc glue I picked up at the Depot last night on the way back from toona and further inspected the low voltage lights out front.  They too haven't worked since the electrical "event", but I had previously figured it was because that plug was on the same circuit as the furnace.  Tried resetting the power supply and then decided to plug it into an outlet I know is functioning (instead of digging for the plug tester).  No dice.  That said, I guess I'm spending the money on another power supply.  Go figure, they didn't even last one full summer.

At least it was warmer today and there wasn't even a drop of rain.  There is still a nice path of water/river in my back yard, but most of it is dry enough for the girls to run around a little bit, which is good since they're all pent up energy right now.  I guess I should take Saf for a walk tonight, but I dunno.

It's been a mentally busy week that's for sure.  It wound down today with me heading out of work early for an appointment, but needing to leave even earlier to meet the furnace guy who called noting he was able to swing in.  They took a look, tinkered, and after seeing what I had noted that no error code was flashing and their initially attempts to debug ... they're not sure.  They think something got fried and they're ordering something.  I think it was a board, but, ... well, in on ear out the other.  The good news is they were here and gone in time for me to get on the road to Altoona.

There I went through another laser hair removal session.  My second session on my lower legs is next month.  This month I figured I'd start to tidy up the bikini line (dark hair and pale flesh aren't the best of playmates) and my armpits.  I'd so love to not need to shave my pits.  Heck, even if I only had to do it every now and again I'd be thrilled.  Every day leads to ingrown hairs and other nastiness.

I had dinner with mum at a local place she enjoys and headed back up the hill.  It was a good day, but felt might 'busy'.  For a third night in a row, it's barely 10pm and I'm ready to go to bed.