KNITTING WITHOUT DOG HAIR IS NOT AN OPTION

Finally... I had trouble getting my laptop to work for a few days which made me very, very unhappy. I was planning on working from home to have some more time for myself and the dogs and take care of things. The IT company my firm works with finally figured out what the problem was and now I can work from my laptop (from anywhere) or from Irwin's PC. Thank goodness. I don't think I would be able to go back to work full days yet. Granted, I need a few hours at work every day for my routine. But 8 hours and more are not doable right now.

So, I am sitting here blogging and having lunch. Thanks to Regan I still have homemade frozen Eggplant Parmesan and it is wonderful. And then I'll drive to work this afternoon. Hermione is giving me dirty looks because I am either on the phone or on the computer... And not throwing the ball for her...

Speaking of Hermione, she started to worry me a few days ago because she wouldn't eat. Not that she is sick or anything. I just think she just misses Irwin as much as I do and I can't really blame her for not having an appetite. And she is also a very polite and social dog and she doesn't like to eat by herself. So, she usually eats when I am in the kitchen as well. But of course, with all the things going on right now, I haven't spent much time in the kitchen.

So, I was wondering what to do and I actually outsmarted my very smart dog... HAH! Noah has been getting green beans mixed in with his kibbles because he had gotten a bit chubby between the last two vet visits. And he totally loves the green beans. And Hermione would always give Irwin and me nasty looks because obviously Noah got something much better to eat in his bowl.

So, yesterday morning, after Hermione's food from the day before was still sitting in her bowl (meaning she did not eat breakfast or dinner), I just added green beans to her food. And oh boy... She didn't empty her bowl as fast as Noah, but she was not very far behind. I have also been giving the dogs more treats then when Irwin was arrounded. He is probably getting all huffy in his box now because he always thought playing and petting the dogs are better treats than food treats. And I totally agree. But sometimes you just need a treat to feel comfortated.

They are munching on some raw hide that was hidden in their Christmas stockings last year…

I also uploaded a bunch more pictures of Irwin. I looked through several boxes last night and this morning because I want to put a wall of framed pictures together and also a photo album that I will take to the gatherings for people to look at. I found a ton more pictures and here are some of my favorites. Thank goodness for scanners - these were all prints.

Irwin as a toddler

Irwin and his mom and grandparents

Daniel and Irwin on a rollercoaster in California in 2000

Irwin, the crazy puzzler

Hey handsome - wearing a tux!
(I had to cut his ex-wife out, sorry…)

And as a handsome pirate!

Irwin and his beautiful sister - back in 1980

And this last one is my very favorite - he always reminded me of Frank Zappa in red (whom Irwin totally loved and owned all his CDs, movies and books). Irwin's sister told me that at some point Irwin actually grew his hair and beard the same way Frank Zappa did and looked even more like him. Too bad I don't have a picture of him then.

You know, scanning all these pictures and seeing him smile and having fun, makes me fall in love with him all over... I truly miss him!

Ok, this is it for now. I put a link to the online photo album on the sidebar of my blog. If you are one of Irwin's friends and you find yourself in one of the pictures or if you have other pictures, please leave me a comment and I will email you back. I would love to hear from you. I am compiling stories about Irwin from different people for the photo album to share with everyone.