{Not} Living Vicariously

(W)WagThatTAIL

As I mentioned, Geocaching began outside of Portland in Estacada, OR (May 2000). I was looking forward to seeing the beginning of the fun as I was going to be so close. So my brother and his dog Willy drove up from their home outside of Salem, OR Friday night and we made our plans for Saturday. We got up, not too early as I'd been running 19+ hour days, and headed out. Quickly we found the plaque that denotes the spot where the first cache was placed and Willy became honorary team member, posing for a picture, as part of (W)WagThatTAIL.

 

Anyway, after finding the plaque we also found "un-original" stash and the "original stash tribute plaque" with logbook to sign. We then decided to head to the Tillamook Creamery because I love their cheese! As we headed west, we managed to find two more cahces, then after the tour (and samples) we found two more totalling six for the day. I thoroughly enjoyed caching with my human brother and canine nephew! After that, it was back to the hotel for the night and TN the next day.

We appear to have bought a new house . . .

We went and looked at a place last week, just before I went out of town. It was a foreclosure, sitting on a lot of about an acre. The house isn't much but we were very interested in the land. So, we put a bid on it and then I went out of town. I never expected we'd actually win the auction however we got a call yesterday that we were the highest bidders. So, we met with the realtor, signed a bunch of papers, and are now waiting to schedule a home inspection. And, we appear to have bought a new house. Isn't timing something?

My brother needs a better geocache name

Half of the team of WagThatTAIL (in other words, me) went to Portland this past week for a work convention. I stayed over because my brother lives about an hour South of there and he came up to spend the weekend with me. Luckily he is a geocacher as well, and since the whole sport began outside of Portland, we went on a historical tour.

However, I have decided that he needs a better name for his finds. Right now he uses his email address which is just not that fun. After all, I'm part of WagThatTAIL which works for the four of us in this house (two humans, two fur babies). Our father is SoloFlight which works for him. My in-laws have creative names as well . . . it is just my brother who needs some inspiration.

Suggestions I have given so far include:

• WSBboy (Willy, Shiloh, Buttons)
• Travelin' Cacher (because he travels a lot)
• Silly Willy (because he says that quite often)

None of these struck his fancy though so we are still working on it. I hope he finds one soon!

Commute Ponderings

Being on the road can be interesting if you approach it the right way. It can also be the most dreary time in existence if you take the wrong attitude. I'm so greatful that Nashville traffic is not LA traffic that I tend to be amused more than irritated. Some things that have had me pondering recently:

1. The SUV with the bumper sticker "Get off the phone and drive" with a driver being passed on both sides because she was on the phone.
2. The car that changed lanes cutting me off yesterday, putting on his turn signal after his lane change was complete and no, he was not signaling that he was about to change again.
3. The girl who came to a complete stop on the merge onto the freeway lane even though her lane was completely clear. After I passed her and got on the freeway at a safe speed, I noticed her come barreling down the road passing everyone in sight.
4. The guy in an obviously brand new car, dealer tags and all, weaving in and out of traffic at such speeds we all got out of his way to avoid the accident.
5. The car I see 3 out of 5 mornings on my way in -- personalized liscense plate so I know it is the same car -- where is he the other two mornings?

Nothing profound about any of these. They just amuse me on my drive to work . . .

a Rainy Sunday walk

With daylight savings, Lindy has been getting some great walks. The weather has been decent and we've been averaging 3 miles a day or so. However, the rain came in today and I wasn't so sure we'd get to do anything. But we decided to brave it. We wanted to go walk where the ducks hang out as it is a nice short loop that can quickly return us to the car, my favorite place to walk when the weather is iffy or we are running into twilight. I'm so glad this is where we chose to walk today because, yes, about 5 minutes into the walk I started to feel drops. About 6 minutes into the walk, I knew it was more than just mist. And about 7 minutes into the walk, F.P.'s glasses started to get hard to see through. We decided to turn around and head back to the car. By the end of our 12 minute walk, all three of us were quite wet. And then we had to drive home with wet dog smell. The things we do to spoil her . . .

My one regret? I didn't think about cleaning her paws and she went and snuggled in the bed with white sheets. Yes, I'm now doing laundry!

Forgotten . . .

I've never really done a lot with a garden. I joke about having a black thumb, I even managed to kill an air plant many years ago. However, F.P. likes to play in the dirt and I enjoy the fruits (or vegetables) of his labor. But flowers? I never really planned on them.

Then, my co-worker B. had phenomenal success with zinnias last year and I really want to grow some this year. However, we have not planted anything yet, too soon. But! Last fall we picked up some bulbs and planted them before the frost. I completely forgot about them. I was excited a few days ago when the daffodils popped up . . . just imagine how excited we got when we went out to fill the bird feeder and found:

I have to admit. I don't remember exactly what we planted. I believe tulips. I really like tulips also. And these go all around the tree. I can't wait to see what Spring brings . . .
 

That's Amore

We love our symphony tickets, especially when they come with extra perks. Like this past show. Somehow we ended up on a special guest list for the "meet and greet" after the show with the performers. While we did not speak with Deana Martin, who was phenomenal by the way, did not see Frank Portone, who had an amazing voice, and only just greeted the conductor, whom I absolutely adore, we did have a lovely conversation with one of the Nashville Singers Barbershop Quartet who sang one song that evening. Loving acapella music as I do, I was sad they only sang the one song (although I love my symphony, I also love acapella!). So imagine my joy when they sang a second song, BQ style, during the meet and greet. They even invited F.P. and me to come to some of their rehersals. Turns out they are open to the public. How fun is that?

Anyway, we have great seats and are lucky enough to have a world class symphony hall to match our world class symphony. Nashville is not just Country Music City . . . it truly is Music City!

"spring back; fall forward"

Yup, I know it is supposed to be Fall Back; Spring Forward . . . and I love being in daylight savings time (even though I hate to lose that hour of sleep) . . . so I am thrilled it came early this year. However, oops! As I was setting my alarm clock last night, I accidentally "sprung back" instead of forward. Luckily F.P. caught it and reminded me that it was actually 10:30, not 8:30. Otherwise, I would have been just a bit late to work this morning . . .

a Hint of Spring

We had a beautiful weekend not so long ago and then it turned all grey and gloomy on us again . . . so imagine how happy I was last Thursday to come out and see this!

I love daffodils . . . 

Feline Lapwarmer

Okay, I can't leave the other fur baby out. She does not often visit me, probably because the dog is usually around. However, the last few evenings, while Lindy is enjoying the heated bed, Stoli has come into the office while I'm on the computer. Since "daddy" is not around, she has to settle for me if she wants a warm lap. I have actually gotten to enjoy a warm furry body sitting on my lap while I'm on the computer. He didn't quite believe me on Monday, and was shocked to discover to see it on Tuesday. Maybe, just maybe, I am becoming acceptable as a "step-mommy".