adventures of a sleeping dog

Firstly, I apologize. Not only have I been a fairly delinquent blogger, but... even more... I'm terribly guilty of blogging far too much of my DOG. For those of you non-dog lovers I can only imagine what you're thinking... STRAITS, HAVE A BABY ALREADY! Mollie brings us so much laughter & diversion from fairly focused lives that we can't help but love her to bits!

Secondly, I credit this post to my dear mother who has been asking when the next post of her "grand-dog" would be. If you're sick of the dog I advise you return to whatever other e-activities you have to do (Settlers online? catching up in GoogleReader? Fbook??)... because otherwise, you're about to get even more of our little one.

Mollie falls asleep in the most strange positions--always upside down or with her hind legs propped up on a wall, chair or table. Often, half her body is squeezed under some piece of furniture... and without fail she's somewhere in our near vicinity. I wanted to share a few of our favorite sleeping photos...These poses are becoming a nightly ritual. She's currently at the foot of the bed, legs flailed every which way & fast asleep. Nighty nite!

Mackinzie the Scientist (& Mollie the guinea pig...)

A student at our church has embarked on an ambitious science project, seeking to determine how consistent dogs are in selecting 'preferred' flavors of dog treats. Do all dogs prefer the same flavors? If not, are they consistent in their preferences? Given 3 opportunities to select one of three flavors, do they pick the same flavor each time or different flavors each time?

Mackinzie paid Mollie a visit last week and Mollie was an eager subject. She took her treats gently and was so very pleased! Turns out she liked the turkey & bacon treats. Turkey won, 2 out of 3.

Mollie says: 'Thanks Mackinzie!!'

So much for home hair cuts...

Drew calculated how much $$ we'd save if I started cutting his hair... I tried to pull off a cool 'do' last weekend & ended up just giving him a shave... looks fine. Reminds me of our Dominican Republic days!

Before finishing completely I brushed Drew off & told him we were done, letting him look in the mirror. This is what he found...We had a great laugh! Much to my surprise, however, Drew wanted to keep it. He flies to Portland 1 week from today for a retreat with his best friends and he wanted more than anything to surprise them with this little patch of hair. He couldn't promise he'd wear a hat until then so I took the clippers to it. It was fun while it lasted.
'

Exodus World Service

For the past 2 years we've been involved with a remarkable organization here in Chicago, Exodus World Service, that connects newly arrived refugee families with volunteers committed to visiting them once weekly. The role of volunteers is to provide a smiling face, helping hand and loving heart to these families who are in a huge transitional state and often arrive with any number of emotional or physical scars and little to no English skills. Through Exodus we were connected with both the Feliki family & the Rodriguez family. Both families have taught us so much!

Exodus held their annual banquet this past Friday and for the 2nd year in a row we were hosts. We recruited 2 tables' worth of guests and were pumped to spend the evening with them! We all shared a nice meal in a beautiful ballroom and heard touching stories about how lives of refugees and volunteers have changed through relationships fostered by Exodus.

Above is a photo of our friends Jade and Robert who were generous enough to join us at the event! The photo would be bigger but it turned out really blurry... so.

Easter Beach Trip

We enjoyed a gorgeous trip to the beach after today's Easter service. The sun was shining and there was a fun crew at the dog beach. Mollie attracted a beautiful black standard poodle who followed her just about everywhere.

I love this city... The temple behind Mollie here is the 2nd largest Baha'i temple in the world--a beautiful site, although I'm still not clear on what Baha'i is (?).

Daddy & Dog, having a special moment. Boy do I love these two.

In other news? We became full members of our church this morning and celebrated Easter Sunday in true Living Water fashion--plenty of joyful singing, translating (from English to Khmer to Kirundi to Spanish to French) and lots of story-sharing. We are so blessed by our community.

parts II & III

Yes, the rest of my birthday: Drew was a dear. Amidst this intense time for him as he pushes through writing his thesis and maintaining enough hours at work to keep his insurance... and teaching a class at church... and tending to his puppy's needs... and doing his best to maintain his friendships... (it's a lot!!) he was somehow able to take 2 nights off from writing to honor me. Monday I came home to a small group of friends and Drew wearing an apron. He made the most amazing blue cheese burgers AND the most fabulous gluten free chocolate cake I've ever tasted!! We enjoyed a nice evening together. And I ate chocolate cake at every meal (including breakfast) until it was gone.

There was more to come Wednesday, when Drew took me to a Blackhawks game (that's NHL hockey, for those who don't know). The Blackhawks are good this season for the first time in years and we were there when the season attendance record was broken--the United Center was absolutely packed & the fans were definitely rowdy!! As were the players. There were plenty of fights and exciting maneuvers. Most sports don't move fast enough to keep my attention, but I absolutely adore hockey!!

Thank you, Drew. :)

a chorus in 3 parts

I have always loved my spring birthday because it occurs just weeks after tulips begin their entrance through the cold winter soil and green buds have sprouted on barren trees. In my younger years it consistently coincided with Spring Break, meaning that we could celebrate with giant slumber parties without having to worry about schoolwork or staying up too late. This year I was particularly thankful for the timing of my birthday because it coincided with the RENT tour's arrival in Chicago.

Thus began part I of my 28th birthday (parts II and III to come). Some background. RENT has served as a constant obsession of mine for 5 years running: I own the movie, which I have watched countless times, and have been known to get different numbers stuck in my head for days. I know the original broadway cast and which members showed up to perform in which cities on tours. I know the story behind the musical--about Larson, his other work and his aims for the production of RENT. So when I heard RENT closed on Broadway (after 12 beautiful years!) and some of the original cast members had returned for their final U.S. tour I knew I couldn't miss them when in Chicago.

Charity offered a ticket for my birthday gift, as the first week of the Chicago tour overlapped with my special day. Jade accompanied me & we had an incredible time--the theatre was packed and full of energy (much cheering for favorite numbers & entrances of different characters). Roger and Mark were particularly fabulous (yes, the original cast members... meaning drooling definitely occurred).

Adam Pascal writes on his blog about the closing of RENT: "It means nothing to come and sit in a theater night after night and immerse yourself in fantasy, only then to walk out the door and be unchanged in reality. This show will live on in our hearts but where it truly must survive is in our actions, our compassion and our generosity of spirit towards one another."

Thank you, Charity, for this gift! And I encourage you all to catch the tour if you can!!

Ha.

My friend Jade shared this link (to the PhDcomic below) via her G-status this morning... love it. As I work on pulling together a paper I find painful to write, giggles over common scientific writing language are welcome...

Stalker-ish, I know

Toward the end of dinner with the crew our last night in Seattle, Sherrill & Courtney alluded to some 'errands' they had run earlier in the day. The two exchanged a secretive glance at the word 'errands' and produced a few giggles. I was immediately curious and Courtney fessed up: they knew where Jason Mesnick (the most recent 'Bachelor' on ABC's reality show Drew & I are mutually addicted to) LIVES and had driven by his place earlier that day! With TY, his 3 year old son! I freaked out (totally aware of how ridiculous I am). We left the table and piled into the car with McKinzie & Charity, all of us giggling like junior high school girls.

Let me tell you, the house is nothing to be excited about (definitely not the gorgeous houseboat featured in the show), although Jason drives a nice Passat. The neighborhood was so-so--a little subdivision with houses needing new paint & landscaping jobs. When Sherrill pointed out the house we all began screaming and I was determined to catch a closer glimpse (would Molly be there??). We saw a trail that led to the backsides of the homes in his row & Kinze, Charity & I went sprinting off. Through his back fence I was totally able to catch a glimpse of TY! He was jumping on a fold out couch bed, watching TV.

"Peeping" McKinzie & Dana in the photo above. Ty saw Charity's camera flash when she took this picture and stood up, staring out the window & calling to someone else in the house. We didn't see anyone else and ran off (still giggling) after a few minutes of solid stalking.

This is all true. And I know, very very silly. But what fun would life be without silly obsessions? Can't wait for Gillian as the next bachelorette... :)

Baby Drew!!

WHAT A TREAT!! Jaime & Rob had their baby the night I flew in & I awoke to a text the next morning from Jaime, announcing Drew's birth. (I loved not only that I got to meet him, but also that his name mirrors that of my husband!) Really, cuddling baby Drew was phenomenal--and I do not use that adjective lightly. He was perfect: soft, snuggly and so so peaceful. He slept away, then opened those deep dark eyes and even did his first doodie in my arms (...well, in his diaper--while laying in my arms...). Precious, I know. Really though. It was an honor.

And doesn't Jaime look great?! I couldn't believe how cute she was after not sleeping & laboring for far too long.

Charity & I wanted to be sure not to spread any germs (actually, we just thought the masks made us look cute).

the 'sweet' part of Bittersweet!

While in Seattle I had many privileges, one of which was staying with Jack & Sherrill (my aunt- & uncle-in-laws) at their beautiful home in Redmond! Drew's cousins were also home--Brian & Courtney (both of whom we're still trying to get out here to Chicago...! hint hint...) and it was great to see them (especially breakfast with Courtney the morning I fly out). Also fabulous was getting time with my sister-in-law, McKinzie. I saw her for far too little time but I loved catching up a bit in person (and getting in a little shopping time!).

My BFF (the gorgeous Maine-ite Charity Johnson, mother of 3 and still a size zero!) & I were both welcomed into Jack & Sherrill's home for the weekend and experienced a wealth of amazing experiences as 'bonuses': 3 of which I'd love to share here. 1) a float plane ride all around the city with Jack, 2) stalking THE BACHELOR, Jason Mesnick! and 3) Cuddling Jaime & Rob's newborn baby, born the night I flew in! Baby Drew & Jason Mesnick will be introduced in subsequent posts.

But for now... the float plane ride! Jack is a pilot and invited us for an incredible ride around the city! Right past the space needle (I was so close I may have been able to spit on it... see photo taken from the plane above), over the UW campus and all around Lake Washington... let me tell you, those Microsoft houses are even more impressive from the air.

Jack leading the plane out for boarding.
A view out to Lake Washington. Ah, nothing like a beautiful day in Western Washington!

With Charity, so excited, in the plane flying high.
Husky stadium & a bit of the U! Go Dawgs.

I would post more photos if my site didn't take eons to load when I insert too many at once... So many gorgeous images--of Bainbridge Island & the green of the Pacific Northwest. Made me long for life there again. Thank you, Jack, for the great experience!

Goodbye

It has truly been ages since I've blogged anything of substance. Life has been full with the amazing, the good, the bad & the ugly and I've just not been quite ready to write much about it! If you have known me from the days when I listened to Jewel on repeat and wore Doc Marten's, you may remember my dear friends Stacey & Ethan--the adorable, fun-loving high school sweethearts who eventually married and became parents to the currently 1 year old Chloe. I have so many lovely memories with these two and had the privilege of meeting Chloe last summer. Ethan passed away very unexpectedly a few weeks ago and I made a quick trip back to Seattle to participate in his memorial, seeing a wealth of 'old friends' (a great group they are!).

Ethan, you will be missed. I remain touched by your love and devotion to Stacey and tenderness with Chloe. You always won Moffia and every card game known to man (which made me so frustrated!) and had a wealth of patience with Corina and me during OHS lunch hours, when we made you repeatedly remind us of the 'tender heart in a blender' lyrics we kept forgetting and only mildly made fun of us for the Pipsticks ridiculosity.

More than anything I was amazed to see so much of Ethan in Chloe. Ethan, your daughter is beautiful--and Stacey, you will raise her well. Much love.

Gluten free, way to be.

After months of relentlessly stalking the specialty sections at different groceries stores, I've finally found an edible Gluten-Free meat substitute! 'Soyrizo'... I know, sounds gross (I hate veggie meat names... i.e. smartdogs...) but let me tell you, I made Mexi eggs tonight for dinner and deLISH! Just when I was beginning to mourn the lack of GF substitutes... sure I like tofu but come on... throw a girl a slice of vegBACON!

Ok. Still no bacon (yet another reason why I must call myself quasi-veg). But Chorizo.

In other news? I finally bought new fabric for our bedroom curtains! Yay. Thanks to Jenna for letting me use her sewing machine this weekend... and to Maggie for tips on curtain-making. I can't wait!

Buenos Amigos

We've been lusting after the Dominican Republic lately... just dying to get back! Sure, we miss the beaches, the tostones, the blaring merengue music, the lively atmosphere & bright colors--but even more we miss the children we worked with, their families and our dear Dominican & Haitian friends. Our 2 years in Barahona were rich with learning and challenges--and even more rich with new friendships. We're saving up our pennies for a post-graduation trip... if we can pull it off!

Meanwhile we've developed a great relationship with a Cuban refugee family here in Chicago. They have that same beautiful vibrancy in their personalities that we grew to love in Dominicans and are incredibly faithful friends, always expressing their care and wanting to share lives as much as possible. That is difficult for us with our insane schedules but they are understanding &--knowing we don't have time to cook much--try to feed us mounds of Caribbean food as often as possible! Platanos, habichuelas, frijoles, pollo di tu, carne gisado... wow can they cook!

A few weeks ago we were able to host them for a Sunday dinner--and it was about time, considering all the evenings they had hosted for us at their place! The first time they were over we didn't have much time to cook so this time I wanted to prepare something that seems very 'traditionally american.' I chose lasagna & was pleased that they loved it! They even ate the asparagus, which was a new veggie for them. The whole meal was gone by the end of the night--not a leftover in sight. We had fabulous conversation, ranging from politics to feminism... and were so pleased our friend Hope could join us.We're still fighting to find them work... life in Chicago for blue collar workers is very tough right now. If you know of ANYTHING--from child care to cleaning... Carol used to be a pilot, can drive & is a fine carpenter... let us know!!

St. Paddy's wake up: panties barf

We had Alex & Nick over for dinner last night for our annual St. Patrick's Day/Alex's birthday festivities. Each year, they just get better and better! Year 1: downtown Chicago to see if they really dye the river green (the answer is yes), watch the parade & join in the Irish after hours excitement. Year 2: Amy & Friend's Vegetarian Cafe (wearing a feather boa... um... are those bird feathers at a veggie restaurant?...) followed by green beverages & good times. Year 3: Slumber party at the Strait pad! Dinner & a rowdy game of Apples to Apples lasted until after midnight, when we all crashed in our respective sleeping spots, followed by breakfast & conversation the next morning.


Bubbles in a wig (Nick & Alex also have a pup-child--yet another reason we get along so well! She is always invited to our place when we get together). As you can see in the photo above, the wig was a hot commodity!

The next morning started a bit earlier than we had anticipated. I woke up in the middle of the night to find Mollie sleeping on our pile of clean laundry (now not so clean & sufficiently wrinkled to make me consider ironing... which will still never happen...). I didn't think much about it... until I awoke again to her retching & throwing up around the room. I got up to clean the stinky mess & couldn't for the life of me figure out what she had eaten to make her upchuck something so solid! It took me a few minutes of poking at it to realize: SHE THREW UP MY PANTIES!!! Two pairs, to be exact, taken from the clean laundry pile. SHE ATE 2 PAIRS OF MY UNDERWEAR & THEY HAD BEEN IN HER STOMACH for long enough to no longer appear much like underwear. !!!! Sick. Sick sick sick sick.

Our houseguests were pretty impressed, to say the least. And Mollie?

How would you feel if you just threw up 2 pairs of panties?
'Nuff said.