Thrill Ride

Hubs and I took a weekend trip again. We went to Kansas City to 1) house sit, 2) have a weekend away, and 3) go to Worlds of Fun with some of our new friends.

I hadn't ridden a roller coaster, or thrill ride for that matter, in over 5 years. It didn't feel like that long ago, but as I walked into the theme park I started to get nervous. I have never really been a dare-devil with it comes to rides; I only went on my 1st upside-down ride 5 years ago. Imagine my shock when Hubs suggested we ride the Patriot first: dangling feet, upside down, and corkscrew turns.

I made up lots of excuses: my head bangs against the shoulder harness (true); I have a headache (true). But, I ended up on the ride. And, I ended up having fun (with my eyes closed).

Actually, it felt really good to conquer that fear. Every ride after that became easier and easier. Hubs even got me in the 2nd to front car on their newest roller coaster. By the time we had to leave, I was ready to keep riding! It was also good to spend some time getting to know some new friends.

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Ransom took a little thrill ride of his own. As Hubs and I were inside Saturday morning, I noticed something strange outside.

Hubs, I think Ransom is in the neighbor's yard.

No. He can't be. He would have had to jump the fence.

I went to investigate. Sure enough; Ransom was chilling out in the neighbor's yard. Correction: Ransom was trying to climb the neighbor's tree and get the squirrel that was dropping nuts into the yard.

I called Ransom back, thinking oh great, he is not going to know how to get back over and I am going to have to crawl over and lift him. To our astonishment, Ransom leaped over the fence without a hint of hesitation or difficulty and came over to me excited as can be over his new trick.

Not only was he excited, but he wanted to do it over and over again. And those squirrels kept taunting him the entire trip.

Note to self: We have a new requirement for a future home - at least a 6-foot fence.

One man's trash; another man's treasure

Trash or treasure? You decide.

Another success x2

The last two evenings have consisted of successful, yummy, and healthy meals. The first was a brisket roast. Combine 10 hours in the crock pot with 2 packages of Lipton Onion soup mix and you can't go wrong.

But last night's dinner was so good, I dreamt about it. Not really, but it was very yummy.

I got the recipe off of Tasty Kitchen. If you haven't browsed those recipes, I would suggest you do. They have some great ones.

Last night we had a basil pesto sauce over multi grain farfalle with some grilled chicken mixed in. And an extra plus was that I got to use my fresh basil that has grown like crazy. The recipe below is perfect for 2 people, but that is because I halved the real recipe.

Ingredients:

8 oz pasta (I used multi grain farfalle, but anything would work)

2 chicken breasts (or whatever kind of meat you prefer)

2 cups fresh basil leaves

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1 clove garlic (I totally forgot to put this in and it was STILL good)

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

salt and pepper to taste

reserved pasta water

Start cooking the pasta and then drain, reserving some of the water. Also, start cooking the meat of your choice. I grilled the chicken.

Put the basil, Parmesan, sunflower seeds, garlic, evoo, salt and pepper in a food processor or blender. Process until its all chopped up. If it looks gross; that is how it is supposed to look.

Mix the noodles and the pesto together in a bowl. Add some of the reserved water to the desired consistency.

I cut the chicken up and put it on top of each of our servings, but you can do whatever you want with it. Not gonna lie, typing this makes me want to make more of it!

Wiped

This is what happens after you spend 2 hours at the pool:

Our first and last trip to the pool this summer

It is so very sad that the first time to the pool this year was also the last. It is even more sad that the trip was not so I could swim, but so that Ransom could.

Each year after the pool closes, they open it for one evening so that dogs can come swim. They get rid of the chlorine and suggest that children not get in the pool, but adults are free to get in at their own risk. The zero-entry pool got pretty murky by the time we left - gross.

Our hope was that Ransom would love the water. Being a lab, swimming should come easy for him and he really should love it - it's in his genes. So, as I walked with him into the zero-entry area, I was delighted that he was walking right behind me. As the water got deeper, he slowed; then, he wouldn't budge.

Not easily put-off, I lifted him under his belly and walked him into the deeper section. Slowly, I let go of him to see what would happen.

What happened was a bunch of panicking - splashing around like he was going to drown. Then he realized that he could swim if he calmed down. And he started swimming...straight to the side of the pool to get out.

In panic-mode.

Normal doggy-paddling.

And, that was to be the trend. We went into the water with him, and he swam for the nearest ledge as soon as he could get away.

After I knew he could swim, I took him to the lap pool with the "big" dogs - the ones who loved the water and could hardly stay out of it. They would jump in, retrieve balls, toys, and whatever else was thrown out. I thought, Maybe Ransom will join in.

So, he got kind of excited about a ball and I tossed it about 2 feet away. He leaped to go get it and completely forgot about the water drop-off. He went completely under water and when he emerged, he swam straight for the side and took off running as soon as he got out.

Like any good parent owner, I took him right back into the pool determined for him to get over this silly fear. Once Hubs joined us, I was able to take pictures and Hubs was able to get into the lap pool (too deep for little me) with him and kept him swimming for a long time. Hubs would walk backwards calling Ransom to come and Ransom would follow for the whole length of the pool.

One thing I did not count on was how extremely hyper he would be the second he got out of the pool. He wanted to chase and wrestle with every other dog, run fast and hard, and spin in circles and go crazy. I am not kidding.

I think Hubs and I had more fun than Ransom, but I am already looking forward to next year!

Oh look! There's a dog outside.

Sometimes A lot of times I bring Ransom along with me when I run errands. The windows in the backseat only go down halfway, so I leave them rolled down and he just chills out while I run into human only stores.

Yesterday, I went into blockbuster to look for a movie and left Ransom hanging in the backseat. Windows make up three of the four walls in Blockbuster, and after I was inside for maybe 4 minutes, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. I moved slightly to get a better look at what was out there, thinking that it looked like a dog.

What I saw was a dog. A black dog. A black dog with a hunter's orange collar. Ransom!

I turned and tried to run (in a jean skirt and flip flops) out the building. Of course the nearest door is only an entrance, so I shuffle around the cashiers like a dork saying, My dog is running around outside!

As I round to the back of the building, debating whether I should just drop my purse so I can go faster, I see Ransom checking out the manual car wash next door. Of course he won't go near them, though, in fear of getting a drop of water on his fur.

Okay, how do I do this so he knows it is not a game of chase, but that he should really come. I bent my knees slightly and bent a little and said, "Ransom, come!"

He whipped his head around to see me, his ears perked up at the excitement of finding me, and jogged over with his crazy tail wagging to one side. He comes right next to me, ready to go on another adventure with me.

Note to self: Ransom has realized he can jump through the car window - don't roll them down very much.

My little piece of Hawaii

One of the best parts of Hawai'i was the vegetation. Such beautiful flowering trees and plants. I just wanted to take them home.

Last weekend, I saw this plant that reminded me of Hawai'i and I just had to buy it.

This color just mesmerized me. The petals looks so soft and pure. And the color of our house is so boring, that it just brings some much needed brightness.

This morning these flowers opened up and I think they were the prettiest ones yet. I don't know how or why, but looking at them makes me so happy.

Now, if I could just get a plumeria tree to grow in our yard...