1) STORM DOOR - Our (late 2008 installed) storm door was slammed open this weekend by wind gusts, and the frame was bent, bracket broken. This happened because the door handle broke, so it had to be left unlocked to get into the house. We learned that the door handle isn't easy to remove. In fact, the manufacturer said it's better to replace the door. So, we are.
2) COMPUTER CRASH - Windows Vista is a nightmare. For 6-8 months our computer would update, then reject all the updates, taking over 1 hour a day to run for nothing. I've tried the "Vista repair" from the install disk, to no avail. Last night in the middle of working, the computer shut down and then kept looping from "installing updates" to rebooting, over and over for 45 minutes until I turned it off. 2 computer experts said we had to wipe everything out and re-install. Great. Luckily, I had saved all our photos on memory sticks beforehand, but lost all of my newsletters, contact info, etc. Oh, well. I reinstalled, and it's running fine (so far). It just took 2 hours to wipe everything out and re-install everything. SIGH.
(PHOTO: Smokey and Bandit in a cage in our kitchen, because they're not house-trained)
3) RESCUE DOGS - The Dachshund rescue that we work with transported 2 miniature dachshunds to us yesterday at 4pm. The couple that brought them up from Virginia were transporting a total of 7 dogs, including a bulldog, poodle and more. All their dogs went into our backyard to relieve themselves after their 7 hour ride (and they had another 2-3 hours to go from our place).
Anyway, we got the 2 mini dachshunds, and you would think 2 eight-pound dogs wouldn't be a challenge. Well, they were so scared, the pooed and peed in the kitchen. Anyone that knows Tom, knows that he's going to be the next spokesman for "Mr. Clean." He was "not happy." Me neither... as it was at that exact time that I was working upstairs and the computer crashed beyond repair. When it rains, it pours.
The dogs are really sweet, (one female we're calling "Smokey" and one male we're calling "Bandit" - after the movie) but scared to death of people. They came from a breeder and were in bad shape. I bathed them (the water in the sink was brown), clipped their 2" nails (it was painful for them to walk!), and cleaned their filthy little ears out. They were a mess, and very patient. They're not housebroken, but I'm working on it. Thanks to our friends Susan and Cary, for lending us a dog cage!
I took them out this morning one at a time (in the sleet) and gave them treats when they did their business outside. They're certainly trainable, but time and patience is needed. The female (Smokey) is the alpha dog, as the male (Bandit) does what she does. They were also scared to eat, too, which is evidenced by their visible ribs. We had to coax them to eat. Tom held Bandit this morning, and he looked like he had never been held in his little life. It was heartbreaking. He also has a 2 inch tear in one of his ears, obviously from a fight. Poor little guy. He loves his blanket and cage, though. Tomorrow, we transport them to Melissa at the rescue, north of Baltimore for placement in foster homes.
4) BATHROOM RENOVATION UPDATE - We still have only one functioning bathroom (week 6)... but progress is being made. Yesterday, some floor tile was cut and laid down. It's not finished yet. We still don't have a working toilet or even a sink in there yet. It's weeks away.
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