APPLE BALLS!!!

Late summer is, by far, Samantha's favorite time of year. That can be explained in two words: Apple balls! You see, we have an apple orchard and, as wormy as they are, we never eat them. That means they fall to the ground and are a perfect size to fit into Samantha's mouth. Meaning, there are more balls to throw for her to chase than she knows what to do with. I think Samantha's version of doggy heaven will be endless fields of apple balls and plenty of people to throw them for her.

I had her running back and forth like the energizer bunny across the yard. I'd throw one in one direction and she's go full speed after it. Then, soon as she picked it up in her mouth, I'd throw another one in the opposite direction and she's zoom another good 200 feet in order to get it. Rinse, repeat. End result, a golden retriever who has run about a half mile and who is panting like mad and a circle under the main apple trees quite denuded of apple balls since they are strewn all over the yard.

The time of apple balls means that we also have to check her mouth to make sure there is not a half rotten wormy apple that she has tried to smuggle inside the house. But it's worth it. She is sooo disappointed when all the apple balls rot away.

But here is a list of thirty of Samantha's simple pleasures in life:

1. Eating frosted mini wheats hand fed for breakfast each morning (no matter that it's bad doggy manners.... )

2. Having Grammy wound completely around her paw - hence number 1.

3. Getting to sleep in any bed she wants despite flees and shedding.

4. Tummy rubs

5. APPLE BALLS!!!

6. Sitting on top of Grandpa's head whenever there is a thunderstorm because she's scared of the lightning (plus she gets lots of petting and reassurance)

7. Two words: APPLE BALLS!!

8. Trash cans to dive in even though she knows she is not allowed.

9. Duckie 1 (so loved it is missing its stuffing)

10. Duckie 2 (has stuffing and still squeaks)

11. Long green santa squeak/throw toy

12. APPLE BALLS!!!

13. The crotches to Momma's undies (I have lost more underwear to this dog than the Doctor has fought Daleks...)

14. Socks which get carried around everywhere.

15. Toilet seats left up so she can drink at her leisure.

16. Table scraps thanks to Grammy.

17. Two cats to chase around who even... sometimes... pretend to be intimidated

18.APPLE BALLS!!!

19. Comfy couches and overstuffed chairs to lounge upon and look alluring on.

20. A big yard that she can explore (when she behaves and comes when called and... when she does not)

21. People who chase after me amusingly when I decide I don't want to go back inside.

22. APPLE BALLS!!!

23. Having folks come home at the end of the day so she can look cute and grin at them (and pee. Peeing is always good)

24. More soup bones to chew on than Momma has underwear (did I mention she EATS mine?)

25. Playing kickball in the yard in all seasons.

26. APPLE BALLS!!!

27. Romping in the snow.

28. Riding in the car to pick Grammy up from work.

29. Getting a milk bone from the bank teller each time Grammy takes her to do the drive through banking.

30. APPLE BALLS!!!

Operation: Move Our Asses to Columbus!

It's been... well, quite awhile since I posted here. Some things have happened - Doctor Mew disappeared and my aunt and grandmother passed on in the fall. But nothing really too noteworthy aside from that has happened and those things were rather too personal to just blog about where anyone can read. I've mainly been enduring and making Gaia in my little basement hideaway.

However, that has changed over the past couple of weeks. Christina Boyd (Desedemona, McCall, Gimpy from Gaia and my adopted little sister of about a decade now) has submitted her resume to a dog training company down in Columbus and it looks promising. We get along extremely well so I have decided that, by hell or high water, I'm going to find myself a job down there too and we'll be roomies. We get along famously and, as long as we each get a bedroom, we shouldn't end up murdering one another in our insanity. Plus, she's ALMOST as crazy about audiodrama and Doctor Who as I am. Bless her, she's got a really good idea for her own show and wants to mix and run it just like I run Gaia. Poor innocent thing has not a CLUE what the hell she'll REALLY be getting herself into (I love you, Gimpy!) and wants me to teach her to mix. She just needs to get her lessons done. Heeee!

Anyway, I've been putting applications in like mad via Monster.com and craigslist. You know a city is dead when even the JOB scammers avoid it. Craigslist is spotty and in Columbus most are scams. In Cleveland a scam is an endangered species almost more rare than an actual job. So, I have REALLY got to get OUT of Cleveland. I've told you all before that Cleveland is dead but it REALLY is. That's one of the amusing things about my making it the capital of the Confederation 500 years in the future.

I've been on two interviews in Columbus. The first one decided not to call me in for the second interview. Their loss. I don't really want to sell marketing strategies anyway. The second one was at a Preschool and they said they will be calling me back for a second interview. That same day (Wednesday last) I had a delightful sushi lunch with W. Ralph Walters AKA THE Zombie Astronaut of the Frequency of Fear (who also will show up in Gaia from Ep 14 on). He's quite as insane as he is on his podcast - a sheer delight. Anyway, Christina is waiting to hear back for an interview time for her job and I'm waiting to hear on my second interview so we're both getting nervous and all that - good nervous though. I've also put in about 4 other child care job apps in tonight - one which is in the same general area as the first Preschool. I think that SOMETHING is going to pan out.

So, in the next two weeks Christina and I should know more about our job situation. My GUT (or maybe wishful thinking) is telling me she'll get her dog job and I'll get my Preschool job and that we all might be in an apartment or townhouse (we really want a townhouse) by this time next month. So THAT is our big goal - by Mid March be moved (or at the least have a for sure job landed and the move be in progress).

Speaking of apartments and townhouses we have also been pouring over apartmentguide.com and apartments.com looking at all sorts of apartment buildings and townhouses in our price range. It's quite a lot of fun, really. I'm starting to get a bit afraid that I'm going domestic... We need ourselves a sexy houseboy with a really nice... ahem... Yes, wishful thinking. I wonder how sexy the men are in Columbus... Hey, we're both single!

It's fun looking at price ranges, floor layouts, and especially pictures and walkthroughs. We both want a dog (eventually! Eventually! Like MONTHS and MONTHS from now so stop rolling your eyes! I know you are!) so pets being allowed is one big requirement. Also being close to where I will eventually work is another as I don't have a car yet. Le sigh. That will be one thing I will be saving up for as soon as possible once we get established. One place we both like is a two bedroom townhouse right next to this big nature preserve. *happy sigh*

I'm also making list of things I have to pack into the U-haul eventually:

Computer - check (obviously)
Computer desk - check (again obviously)
TV + stereo + DVD + entertainment center - check
flowery dishes - check
spice rack - check Had the dishes and spice rack for YEARS
nice cushy bed - check
posters for wall - check
little bookcase - check
throw rugs - check
couch - check
towels - check
clothing - check or I'd be going around nekkid!
Microwave - check (somewhere)

Things Christina Has:

Twin Bed
TV
Desk
Dresser
Couch from Grandma
Bookcase
Laptop
Computer desk
A bazillion Breyer Horses
Hope Chest (don't have an inventory there)
Microwave

Needed to buy:
new dresser (mine is falling apart)
plastic bins for folding clothes til I can get said dresser
kitchen table (or folding card table)
kitchen chairs
coffee table
big bookcase for mountain of books (though these can stay in boxes at first)
silverware
glasses
pots and pans
knives
cell phone
Yeti mic or portable digital recorder (yeah right but SOMEDAY BY GOD!)
laundry baskets + hampers
more twinkle lights (better than lamps all over and take less power than ceiling lamps. Plus they look BLOODY COOL)
glow in the dark stars for bedroom ceiling (have these at home and they are just too fun!)
Clothes washer and dryer (eventually if we have the hookups which we should in a townhouse)
Frige (only if we are unlucky and have an apartment without one)
Sexy pinup poster of David Tennant to put on the inside of the bathroom door to lust over (I'm halfway serious)
Grill for the patio/balcony (when it gets warm)
crock pot

As Christina says, Salvation Army shall be our friend! I am looking forward to poking through there and finding some cheap stuff in cool condition. Our apartment is going to be a mishmash of stuff where nothing matches. It just might turn out damn cool! And, also as Chris says, as long as the lines match you can cover stuff with covers and make it look however you like. We'll probably also keep an eye out on craigslist for moving sales and garage sales and the like. Flea markets would be fun too!

So, to Ralph and all the rest of you in the audiodrama community that are in Columbus, beware, cause two crazy audiodrama ladies are moving into your neighborhood! Monthly audiodrama/gaming/Who/recording parties at our place! And, if you want to help us move in when the time comes we'll order pizza and beer!