My new Xb, ya either love them or not

I however love it!!!!

a night of stories involving antlers...

Friday night we had Mark over for beers and catching up. We both had a brutal week for different reasons, for me it was my first week at Kaiser and Rich had the stomach flu.

Either way you slice it...CarMax is still evil incarnate and my life will be more normal when that leach is surgically removed from my life.

Oh did I tell you I got a new car...pix to follow.
And another thang, its really weird to dress for 70 degree weather in July...Oakland is chilly!

Out with a bang!

Yes, we went to Hooters for my last day. Gawd I'm going to miss my crazy "gurlfriends" at Hill! I only cried a couple of times probably because I felt so supported and loved. On to my next step in my career path but nothing will ever be like Hill. ps. they made me get up and dance with the Hooter-ettes...I think that it was their revenge.

CHECK IT... rollin on the river

make new friends and keep the old, one is silver-the others Gold

Its Tuesday and couldn't wait to get home and clean. We had an eventful weekend, filled with Harry Potter movie and white water rafting. It was great but the house was thrashed!

Tonight was my chance to get the kiln going, vacuum and various cleaning of bits and pieces.
I like cleaning the house alone, it gives my brain the freedom to multi-task or attempt many things at once. I start in a room, get it to the ultimate disarray and ( oh I had to stop to pull some weeds) then move on to the next room...I had paperwork to file (read put in different stack in other room) vacuum under bird cage, put half the clothes away...the rest will be there...check kiln, cat litter of course, dust here and there...more vacuuming, fold clothes, pack for club, check clothes that need mending (coworker at work helps with the actual task) walk dogs and update blog. and like thirteen other things...its hard being me. Then Rich comes home wondering will I actually get to the point where things look cleaned up. A neighbor came over to chat and offered (since its so damn hot) for us to come take a dip in the pool, but Rich said No, Kris can't until she finishes her chores...sweating I keep going. I'm not the cleaner of the house, nor am i the organizer or the chef but my tasks are important and together we get the job done. Now I can officially relax..the back yard is cooling and the kilns still going. The coals are white and we'll be throwing on the turkey burgers shortly.

Life is overall good. The War with CarMax continues...even spoke to the Bureau of Auto Repairs and Call3, a local adevocacy group...I take my truck back after a horrible series of events I'm not strong enough to even to go into...maybe during another post. Hopefully after a slight victory and my freakin truck is fixed...fingers crossed. Our White Water adventure was sooooooooooo cool, we met up with Richard and Vicky from our Baja kayak and got to meet some of their friends. It was good to met the challenge head on of rafting, Rich and I were both nervous...wait for the pictures...we deferred to the pros. The best part was Rich riding Rodeo, front of the raft, one hand hanging on for dearlife and going face first into class 3 rapids...he screamed and smiled the whole time.

I'm winding down at Hill, very sad but I'm up for the challenge of my new job next week. Lob you all and gotta check the kiln.

Black Dog Saloon

We were invited to Margaret and Mike's Penn Valley home-tres magnifique! We had time to enjoy the day and wonderful company, trading stories, played pool and met new people. I want to live near them, Penn Valley is still small but totally accessible and tons of oaks!!!

We enjoyed a Pyle Fourth of July!!! We indulged in Rich's Ribs that he spent six plus hours smoking, yummy salads and cold libations. The magic of fireworks is that they turn anyone into a seven year old, and this year Mason had plenty of friends!!! The next day we escaped the heat and went to Half Moon Bay with the poochies. It was literally 50 degrees cooler. Plus with the help of our Dogs Lover guide to CA, we found a couple dog parks, a cool, funky hotel/B & B and a great place for dinner. So not only did we get a "beach" fix but cooled off for a day and a half. Plus we visited dog heaven, "Fort Funston." Its a blast to see ever shape, breed, hair type and color, sateration level, drool quotent and smile....DOG HEAVEN!!!!


Then Rich did the equivalent to a daddy taking his child to his/her first day of school...by the hand, kicking and screaming! We drove to Oakland and found the Kaiser corporate office...where I have to be for physical exam Monday at 1:15pm. Then he took me to the Amtrak (Jack London Square) station and drove to both my new office and the corporate office...three times so I would be comfortable taking the train and ultimately a cab to the office. At first I was so nauseous....thinking I would both barf and have an anxiety attack at the same time...but by the third time I could smile and see the cool side of Oakland and little china town. Scary business but with Rich supporting me, I can do this! Bring it!

Cats outta the bag!

Officially I'm starting my new job at Kaiser July 23rd. I'm excited for this opportunity but I'm going to miss my friends at Hill!

As for this weekend, we piloted 11 swimmers, 4 miles from Negro Bar to Natoma Damn. Beautiful out there so early...and its just a great group of Peeps. Once they were all in, Rich and I kayaked back to our car. Ow, we were going against the current and it was brutal.

Then we came home napped and then packed up the truck and headed up to Kelly's for a bit of camping (aka...drinking) Its always wonderful to smell the pine trees, watch dogs kicking up red dirt, feel the heat from the campfire and enjoy warm company.

ps. Meeps is up two pounds, keep your fingers crossed!