Poor, poor puppy

My poor little baby! While I was away this weekend visiting my sister, my sweet little doggy had an unfortunate incident. Stop reading now if you are easily grossed out! She got an infected anal gland and had to have emergency surgery! When I took this picture, she still had the drain in and was seriously unhappy. She just sat and whimpered whenever I left the room. Fortunatly, the vet has removed the drain and she doesn't have to wear the bucket anymore, HOORAY! She is feeling much better and is acting more like her old self.

The funny part of this story is that I had left my 18-year-old daughter home alone that weekend because she is "so mature and responsible". I left on Thursday evening and Friday morning I get the first call. "The instant hot water tap is free-flowing, what do I do? HELP!" So I talk her thru that. Friday about 3pm, "How do I turn on the AC?" (the first hot day of the year) So I talk her thru that. Friday about 8pm, she calls and tells me the dog is sick, the anal gland has burst (I know, gross!) and what should she do. I talk her thru calling the vet, finding the ER vet and getting the dog to the ER. Of course, she has to go back on Saturday and spend the rest of the weekend nursing the dog. I think she was really grateful when I got home and could take over. This being a responsible adult is not all it was cracked up to be.

Junk Drawer Jewelry

I'm taking a class at the DIY Lounge at Collage (a really cool art/paper store in Portland) called Junk Drawer Jewelry taught by Bridget Benton. Its a basic jewelry class incorporating junk, hardware store finds, stamping, inks and whatever into cool jewelry. The instructor is a fun girl, helpful and knowledgeable. I went Wednesday night and had a blast. I made a bracelet and this pendent. I need to decide how to hang it but I think it's pretty cool. Next week we are going to make stuff with bicycle tire inner tubes.

I'd really like to learn to make jewelry and am buying books like a mad woman. I've been looking into taking some metalsmithing classes but for some reason, I'm kinda scared. Its the usual nonsense, you know "what if everybody else knows what they are doing" "what if I really suck at it" "what if I catch my hair on fire with the torch" LOL So for now, I'm sticking with cold connections and just trying our assemblage inspired work. It sure is fun, and you'll never go to the hardware store the same again.

Red Rock Canyon

We did something new this year in Las Vegas. We hiked in the Red Rock Canyon park. So beautiful. Here are a few pictures that don't do it justice at all.

Vegas Baby!

I've been MIA for a few days because my hubbie and I went to Las Vegas for some sun and fun. Found both in abundance! We don't gamble but we manage to find lots of other things to do. We usually stay for about 3 days but this was a long trip - 5 whole days of sunshine. We stayed at the Wynn hotel which was great, such a nice hotel. Big, beautiful rooms; awesome restaurants and a great pool. It's across the street from the Fashion Show mall (Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom etc) and the other corner is the new Palazzo Hotel and the Venetian with all of their cool shops (and a canal with gondolas, inside!).

Here are my top Vegas tips (can't help you with blackjack or poker)

1. Walk down the strip to the La Salsa restaurant near MGM for their $3.95 breakfast special - 2 eggs, potatoes, tortillas & bacon, sausage or ham. You can't beat that!


2. If your hotel has a "European" style pool, AKA topless, try it out. I never see anybody topless but it's always quieter and less crowded than the main pool and it's over 21 so no screaming kids.


3. Wear good shoes! Everything is much, much farther than you think. I managed to get a blister the first day and had to fight it for the whole rest of the time I was there.


4. Dress up! You cannot be overdressed in Vegas. This is your chance to wear the heels, push up bra, short skirt, big hair, jewelry or whatever makes you feel fabulous. Time enough to be sensible at home.


5. Drink water, lots and lots of water. The dry desert air, hot sun, air conditioning and margaritas will dehydrate you terribly.

We tried something new this year, went hiking at Red Rocks park. I'll tell you all about it and post some pictures later.