Daisy Does Downtown

We've had Daisy one whole week today and much like any other Decent, she loves a spot of shopping.
Today we took her for a trip to downtown Naperville to meet some of the locals. Genevieve Towsley couldn't wait to interview for the inside poop scoop.
"I've always wanted a dog of my own, so much nicer than pigeons."
Downtown Naperville's a big place to a little dog, so it Daisy soon had to stop for directions.
"Where's Waldo?"
Suddenly it looked like rain....
"How much is that doggy in the window?"
Daisy can't resist buying herself a little treat (or two).
Of course finding somewhere for lunch can be tricky when you're dog, but this place comes highly recommended.
After a busy morning, a girl can get a bit windswept.

It's a Dog's Life

Today we paid a quick visit to the International Kennel Club Dog Show in Chicago to see the shape of things to come. This lip smacking poppet is just six months older than Daisy.
Fiona shows off her latest trick - acting as a ventriloquist's dummy.

Quickly followed by an impersonation of Peg from Lady and the Tramp.
Of course as well as dogs, there was plenty to see and do. It was difficult to find something good for lunch. Not sure if this stand sold food or showed dogs dressed as gangsters.
You'd have to be hungrier than a hound to swallow this delicacy.
Not sure if these were for dogs or their owners.
McDonald's are opening up everywhere these days.....
Determined to beat the competition, Stanley hatches a cunning plan.
"Purr - lease, I'm a dog, not a plait-a-puss."

Cute Alert!

So the 'other reason' for the gap in blogging is pictured here. After nearly three months of investigation and decision making the Decent family has a new member - Daisy the Havanese.
The trouble is, life's been too settled lately. We'd been back two whole days from our trip, I'm busy with my job as Features Editor of Glancer Magazine, I'm slowly progressing with another exciting project, yet I need more aggravation!
As you might imagine, its pretty tempting when I'm not potty training, feeding, crating, pulling my hair out etc to turn this entire blog over to my new furry baby.
She could be posting for me while I'm busy working telling you all about her exciting day driving me insane.
I could give you all a lick by lick account of our successes and failures at potty training, what time she went to sleep and how she pooped in her first training class. (Always nervous students us Decents).
I must say I'm shocked at just about how much attention she's stirred up on facebook. I always thought the English were a nation of dog lovers. They look Michael Vick look like the Dog Whisperer in comparison.

Sunsets and Palm Trees

On second thoughts, why should my blog readers be deprived? Here you go, sunsets and palm trees....

Hawaiian Adventure

Facebook fans will have seen all the classic photos of sunsets and palm trees, but that only tells half the story of our trip. It turned out to be quite an adventure. Not only was Hurley still Lost, but he invited us to play a round of golf with him.

I didn't realize Hawaii was actually the location for Jurassic Park. Worse, when we got there, there were still some stray dinosaurs!

We managed to escape unnoticed until Grumpy ran onto the set of Lost and was attacked by a smoke monster!
After wrestling him there was only one thing left to do. We locked our guide in his van and pushed him over the hillside!

Hawaii 3-0

We didn't get Lost in Hawaii (well we did actually, but that's another story) so sorry if you were wondering what happened to us. Truth is we had a great time, so great I didn't get round to blogging and now we've been back a week. In that week I've been catching up with work and other things. I'll post a couple of photos next, then on to 'the other thing'.

Hawaii Bound

Tomorrow we're off to celebrate our Pearl Wedding Anniversary in Pearl Harbor! We've actually been before, for our Silver Wedding Anniversary. If you want to learn more about that trip, you can see my previous (far shorter) blog, Around the World in 31 Days.
I'm only taking my iPad, so blogging may be a little trickier than usual, but I'll do my best. If not, I expect the hotel has a business center we can use, so keep checking in.

Naperville Optimism Personified!

The Day That The Snow Came Down

Seems the weather forecasters were right. At the moment we're in the grip of the fifth worst winter storm in Chicago history and counting!
Pleased to report all is well at the Hotel Decent. I won't be posting any of those cute ruler in snow photos I usually do - I haven't got one long enough!
Enough to say when I ventured off my front step (what front step?) this morning, the snow was up to my knees.

It's Snow Time!

If the weather reports are to be believed within the next few hours we'll all be buried under an avalanche of record breaking snow fall! I suppose that will teach me to be complacent about surviving the Chicago winters with ease since we've been here. The news has been full of how to prepare and what to do. The excitement on Facebook is palpable. So while there's still a little time, here's my suggestion for surviving the snow in Naperville.

1. Climb to the very top of the Moser Tower. Not to take photos, but it will be the only way to make sure you don’t get your boots covered in snow.

2. Rush out to Jewel to arm yourself with those essentials you can’t do without. Yesterday I stocked up on pitted olives, artichokes and shampoo. Absolutely no idea why, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. I now have enough to host a Mediterranean party for 60, plus my hair will look good too!

3. Buy a new shovel. If you’re anything like me you can stack it neatly in the garage next to the other three, still unused. Boy, shoveling the white stuff is harder than it looks.

4. By a “build your own igloo” kit from Ikea. Having an igloo in your yard is a sure way to upstage your neighbors. The kit comes in white only and is called Boris.

5. Arm yourself with jumbo packs of batteries and matches. Give yourself 10 points if the batteries actually fit any of your flashlights and you can find any candles in the house which aren’t for birthday cakes.

6. Knit a blanket. It won’t be big enough to keep you warm, but it will give you something to do when you’re snowed in with no power.

7. Head for Hawaii – at least that’s what I’m planning on doing….

Dog Blog Continued

This computer stuff is easier than it looks! I've even managed to upload a photo of myself. Enjoy, love and licks, Tika.
By the way I'd have had a much more comfortable night if she hadn't screamed when she woke up and saw me standing on her shoulder staring at her! Still, at least I've got them to keep me out of that crate.....