Welcome back!

Hello Blogland!
Yep, it's been over 6 months since I last posted. I took a little vacation from blogging.

Ok, ok, an EXTENDED vacation.

Truth be told, I had only planned on taking a small break but then one thing led to another, the holidays came and went and I got bogged down at work. Then the thought of having to go back and re-hash everything for the blog seemed like a daunting task. Honestly though, I've missed blogging! Even though no one reads the blog it's at least a place for me to record the happening of our life so I can go back years from now and read the memories :)

Before I delve into what you've missed, I did want to share a crazy story that happened today.
Hubby and I have been trying to go hiking for several weeks now but things just keep coming up or we get lazy. Well Hubby finally said, "we're going hiking today"- despite my indifferent attitude. Its hot today- 90 degrees but there was a nice breeze and Kane was being a spazz so I caved and got ready to go.

We start our hike and I am not at all enjoying myself. Its spring time here and not quite hot enough to kill the bugs so there are tons of them out with the sole purpose of annoying humans. And they are relentless! You can swat them away and they just come right back buzzing around your face and in your ears. I was already whiny about the heat, the elevation we were climbing and my lack of endurance, the stupid bugs just were icing on the cake.

Just then,I swung my arm at a bug and I hit a Cholla Cactus. Now if you've never seen a cholla cactus (which most of you probably haven't) imagine a short plant with a million stubby cactus branches and inch long spikes covering the entire thing. See the picture below.

Buckthorn Cholla Cactus

Luckily, I only ended up with one giant 2 inch long spike lodged in my hand. These little things aren't poisonous they are just scary looking at this giant porcupine quill sticking out of your hand. Of course I whined about it and babied it. Every time I tried to pull it out, it hurt so I would stop. I must have looked pretty ridiculous.

Hubby stopped at the top of the hill to examine my damaged hand and check to see where we were supposed to be going next. All of the sudden out of the corner of my eye, I see Kane lifting his leg to pee on another cholla cactus. Right then he loses his step and literally SITS in the cactus.

Source

I immediately forget my stupid hand and looked to see Kane's rear-end covered in these spikes- ranging from 2 inches long to a few centimeters long. That poor dog was a champ as Hubby and I immediately delved in to try and pull the 100s of spikes out of his skin and fur. He had them in his pads, in between his toes, under his belly, and all up and down his legs. He was bleeding around a few of the really deep thicker spines. Hubby and I worked on him for a good 15 minutes right there until we could get enough out so Kane could walk safely out of the area to some shade where we pulled out the rest.
I hope he's learned his lesson. No peeing on cacti- no matter how bad you have to go! hahah

In the spirit of time, I think I am going to post about our Derby Day- Arizona Style tomorrow. So, don't forget! Put a reminder in your phone or something. It'll be worth it, I promise!

Until tomorrow,