Helga!

I love that I have friends that let me "borrow" their dogs so that I can get quality doggy bonding time in.  One friend has a Belgian Malinois that is possibly the most wonderful Mal I have ever met.  My friend lets me take her out hiking.  Such a great dog.  I think she is my four-legged furry soul mate.  I wish I had a lifestyle conducive to owning her and caring for her.  Unfortunately, living on my own with my current work schedule are not fair to owning any living creature for the most part.

This was the up up up part. Graceful Helga.

We climbed to the top of that!

Helga and I went to Celebration Park last week.  We climbed a huge ass butte,  It was hard.  And hella windy out.  My phone was nearly blown out of my hand a few times.  I need to remember to bring a collapsible dog bowl next time.  I had to suck water out of my pack and spit it into my hand for her.  She even scaled a rock wall with me!!!!  Holy fuck!!  I'm thinking of getting her a Ruffwear pack that is made for rock climbing with dogs.  That way she can carry her own gear and water and I can grab and pull her up those rock walls with more ease.  She is also fearless.  Ran and walked along the very edge with a drop of at least 300'+.  I took her off leash since we were the only ones there for miles.  The views were fantastic.  I was so happy out there.  Hiking by ourselves.  Badass dog and I. :-)

Fearless dog & amazing scenery.

Hella windy.  Rock scree everywhere at top.

I went snowshoeing this weekend to get a Christmas tree.  Fuck.  That shit is hard.  We drove past Idaho City, over Mores summit and back down.  All while it is snowing hard.  Highway 21 was down to one lane in places the snow was so high.  And, of course, the asshats with snowmobiles parked at the summit into the road.  Literally, parked in the lane of travel.  WTF.  Driving conditions were already utterly deplorable.  And then to double and triple park people in and park on the highway?  Dumbasses.  I'm sure the plow behind us was equally impressed.  I'm amazed he made it through since the only way to pass by was narrow.  On our way back, we were pleased to see Boise County Sheriff out there and the parking somewhat cleaned up.

Hwy 21...unplowed.

While driving, I really had to go potty.  So we pulled over when we saw a turn out.  The snow was too deep to pull all the way in.  So I ran out.  Snow also too deep for me to go far off the road.  Therefore, I was resigned to poo on the side of the road, in full view of everything.  Great.  I schlepped away from the Burban, patted a spot down and squatted.  The nice thing about deep snow is that when I squatted, it blocked everything, hahaha!  It looked like I was simply sitting in snow.  Except, I then heard a noise.  A scraping noise.  FML.  It was a plow.  Fuck. Fuck fuckery fuck.  Quickly wipe.  Not a quality wipe.  Stand up in full view and pull pants up,  But oh no, not just pants.  We've got base layers that are skin tight.  Oh yeah.  That driver got a full view.  But then again, I'm pasty enough, I may have just blended in with the snow.  I then go away from the road so he can plow by me.  Nope.  This fucker has to stop, put his window down and yell at me...for parking not far enough off the road.  *sigh*  No shit, Sherlock.  Literally.  So I schlep back to the Burban and off we go...me feeling like I really have to clean up that half assed wipe. :-(

Snowshoeing.  Not too hard on a groomed trail that is flat.  Emphasis on flat.  Not so easy going up and down steep hills with 3'+ of snow.  Nope.  Not at all.  Going down, I slid on my ass.  I could not figure out how to get up, so I just slid on my ass for much of the hill.  Going uphill, my foot wouldn't catch and I'd slide forward.  My gloves were soaking wet, so I had to take them off.  Every time I fell, my hands would catch the snow.  They were freezing cold and wet.  I was not making much headway.  My frustration level with my inability to master this seemingly simple task, my fear of being buried in snow and being cold hit maximum.  I cried out of frustration.  I was horribly embarassed.  I DO NOT CRY.  Lies.  I totally do.  But that's for cute and sad youtube videos.  Not for fucking shit up and having a little fit.  Ugh.

Needless to say, we found a tree.  Chopped it down.  I carried it up the hill after I learned how to properly go uphill in snowshoes.  Going down, Alexander carried it.  And took his snowshoes off.  Ha!  The people that broke the trail caught up to my slow side-stepping ass.  They had poles.  Fuck me!  Poles!  Damn, that would have made life so much easier, hahaha!  Nice people.  And apparently smarter than me.  Meh.  But at least we have a Christmas tree now!  And one that we worked hella hard for.  It is now proudly displayed with while lights and cat toys decorating it.  Keeping it classy.  I like it and that's what counts. :-)

My friends tell me that the title of this blog is no longer accurate and that I should modify it.  I admit there is truth to this.

I also must admit, dating is almost like being in high school all over again.  Or maybe the first day of college.  I have no idea what the hell I am doing.  I figure at this point in my life, I should know this shit, right?  Nope.  No effing clue what the rules are.  If there are any rules and if/when I am breaking or following them.  Shit.  I guess at least it feels natural and I really try not to stress about it much.  Going with the flow seems to be the best course of action.  Random collection of thoughts that run through my head:

• Am I texting too often?
• Am I over communicating?
• Am I over analysing this?
• Does he really like me?
• Why does he like me?
• Does he like me as much as I like him?
• Will these feelings of happiness last?
• What is the next step/move?
• Are we moving too fast?  Too slow?
• Is he tired of me being around, yet?
• What does that facial expression mean?
• Is he disappointed I cannot cook worth a crap?
• Are my interests too daunting?
• Am I talking too much?  Too little?
• Do I hog all the covers?
• How do we make time for each other in between our work schedules?
• Am I too demanding for activities?

I was thinking about this the other day, the last time I truly dated someone was four years ago.  Holy shit.  Four years!  But you know what?  Fuck it.  This is great.  I am having a wonderfully lovely awesome time.  Go with the flow.  Calm the fuck down.  You can do it!