We were Hustled

Josh, Kelly, Tom, Brooke, Joe and I decided to hit the lanes instead of bellying up to the bar this weekend. And after Kelly bowled an awful first game, and Josh came in first place while I finished in a respectable third, her husband, Tom suggested that we play couple vs. couple for the second game, betting that the "losing-est" loser couple had to throw a party with a keg. Ya know, just for "fun"?

Well, as it ended up, Kelly decided to bowl multiple strikes in a row during the second game and Joe already had a score of 70 in the third frame. Naturally, Josh and I who had done so well during that first game lost our touch in the game that mattered most and ended up being crowned the "losing-est" loser couple and owing our friends a party with a keg.

Whatever, no skin off my nose. I was already planning a party with a keg. You might know it better as our wedding. So there, suckers! Try and hustle me, puh!

Don't be fooled by that smiling face on the left, she's a hustler!

In all honesty, we probably will have a party over at our house this summer, especially once we're finished with the basement, aka Josh's "man cave", aka my " Sex and The City, movie and drinks with the gals" room.

The Great Sudsdini

Step right up, ladies and gents, boys and girls and prepare yourself for a most amazing sight! The dog that was once simply known as a "circus freak" because of his large paws, long tail and giant head has emerged as this century's greatest four-legged magician. His talent was discovered at approximately 5 p.m. last Friday when his mother unwittingly became the only audience member of...

"THE 'ARE YOU KIDDING ME, SUDS?' DISAPPEARING SHEET ACT"

The Great Sudsdini begins his trick by willingly entering the kennel while his lovely assistants', aka his mother and father, lock the door behind him and drape a sheet over his kennel.

And four to five hours later...*



Presto Change-o! The sheet has disappeared from over the steel cage and lies under the belly of the beast. It has just been conquered** by the Great Sudsdini!

*Looking to witness this great feat in the flesh? Showtimes for "The 'Are you Kidding Me, Suds?' Disappearing Sheet Act" will vary, depending upon the mood of the Great Sudsdini and the number of hours he is locked in the steel trap known as his kennel.

**No bedsheets were harmed during the Great Sudsdini's performance.

Kennel Up!

Josh's Uncle Jeff is letting us borrow his kennel since a certain Great Dane puppy is having problems keeping his teeth to himself. Suds has grown out of his own kennel and this one is a puppy palace. Below, Dublin and I are trying to coax Suds into his new home.

It's not a very pretty palace but it just needs a few homey touches. A bone, stuffed raccoon and Kong should do the trick.

Catfish Carnage

Josh and I headed back to Davenport for the annual Catfish Fry at Bluff Lake for Good Friday. After all, what says "Jesus Christ is Risen Today" better than an overflowing basket of fried catfish, waffle fries and coleslaw? It was delicious, they really do fry a mean catfish up there in Maquoketa. I left the restaurant with a full belly, stinking like fish and wistfully counting the days until my return to Bluff Lake on Good Friday 2009.

Here's what was left after our feast.

Bad to the Bone

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, I'd like to submit the following picture as evidence of a puppy who has fallen from grace.

A nice sweater is now just a rag after falling prey to this vicious creature.

Caution: If you see the defendant, hide all articles of clothing; he has a particular fetish for socks, undergarments and sweaters that have been casually discarded by their owners. Also, if time doesn't allow for proper storage of said items, it should be noted that the accused can be easily distracted by the sound of an ice maker, falling leaves or the movie Babe.