Some Things Are Just Too Cute And Various Miscellany

. . . and this picture is one of them. I was taking a pic of a quilt I made for one of my dearest friend's daughter and DeeDee decided she just had to be part of the fun. She sat down just as I was snapping the photo, thus proving - as we are wont to say - she really is our Paris Hilton doggie.

Last week was pretty much a blur. It started on Monday with hardwood floor being laid in my sewing room (it's stunning) and ended with tile being laid in our family room and master bath suite. The tile project took four days, of nearly incessant dust, dirt, noise, more dust, dirt and noise, etc., etc. All this home dec stuff left me fairly well spent, so I looked forward to a wonderful Friday at the rink to catch up on my skating.

I had a wonderful lesson with Coach Chris who was truly in rare - and hysterical - form. He kept the three of us who were on the ice nearly in stitches. I can't begin to explain the antics that emerged, but I have never seen a skater literally perch on top of their toe picks, suspended in space, for such a long time. It was amazing, funny, and impressive! I kept saying, "Whoa, you've had way too much coffee this morning," but he claimed he hadn't eaten anything, which was making him totally hyper. We worked on the TF (again, and again, and again) and the European Waltz. Both were pretty poor, but he was being so funny that neither of us cared about what we got accomplished. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time.

At the end of the free style session, my friend Maddie arrived. I proudly suggested to Coach Chris that Maddie and I show him the Paso Doble we are doing for the Holiday Show and our annual Coffee Club Cookie Exchange and Exhibition. Big mistake, with the emphasis on "BIG." We were absolutely terrible. Coach C was very gracious (as was my best skating buddy (BSB) who was on the ice with us) and didn't say, "You ladies better improve dramatically or completely scratch both events!" He just got up, took the ice, and started doing the Paso, the way it should be done. Wow! That's all I have to say. It was very cool watching him. His edges are extraordinary, steps perfect, and expression exactly what the dance calls for.

Afterwards, Maddie and I were talking about what had happened. She claimed to have forgotten where she was supposed to be on the ice, but she was just being nice. I think I just blew the dance, both times we did it, although my BSB told me the second try was better than the first. No problem; anything would have been better than the first go 'round. OMG! I don't think I have ever skated the dance so poorly. Coach C gave us a couple of tips ("Don't rush the back progressives, slide steps, and footwork section") that we desperately needed and appreciated.

My BSB was on the ice doing her dances and looking - as always - like the perfect ice dancer. She has such great bearing and presence on the ice. Having legs that go on forever helps, but it is really her posture, poise, and technical ability that create the impression of confidence and overall loveliness. I caught some glimpses of her doing her TF and EW. These dances continue to improve. She will definitely pass her tests in November.

Lastly - but more important than anything in the scheme of things - is Merlin's health status. Some days are definitely better than others. I noticed he nearly jumped over his sister getting to his dinner last night and then again today. He certainly couldn't do this a week ago. But, he still cannot - or will not - jump up on his favorite sofa to sleep. And, I am fearful that his daily walks will be quite short or not at all. He will likely have to stay on the pain medications for the rest of his life. Dear Husband and I are in agreement that we need to keep him pain-free. The vet said the effects of the pain medications are minimal and he is tolerating them well (although they do make him a bit sleepy).

DeeDee spent the week sleeping upstairs with us. She loved it. But, as of today, now that the family room is put back together again, she is back to bedding down there. We think it is good for Merlin to have her with him also.

Dear Husband decided that he wants to have the living room done in the same tile treatment as the family room. Yikes! This means another week of the dust, dirt, noise routine, but it will look spectacular, I am sure. I have taken to practically living at Lowe's in Roseville, CA. I know more about faucets and other fixtures than I ever thought I would. We're only 50% through this project, so there is more fun (and frustration) ahead.

To cap off last week, as I was standing in the parking lot of the rink on Friday talking with Maddie, I was hit with a monster migraine. I hadn't had one in a long while, so this one was quite severe. I almost didn't make it home. Of course, I arrived to the continued sound of the wet saw going. This is not good for the noise sensitivity that is present with my migraines. DH took good care of me, which I appreciated. Saturday I felt completely wasted.

We leave for Ashland, OR for the Shakespeare Festival this week. We're seeing "All's Well That Ends Well," "The Music Man," and "Macbeth." I am really looking forward to what has become our annual fall mini-vacation. I will miss the doggies and worry about them (especially Merlin), but need some quiet time alone with DH.

Onward we go!