The Repke Human Dog Clan

Well as many of you know, the lives of the Repke Human Dog Clan are CRAZY! With Jason living downstate and me still living up here. Luckily I have finally found a job and am now moving in with my hunny bear again! Which brings me to a whole new level of crazy. I got the call that the job was mine and immediately went into anal retentive packing/get organized mode. I had movers come in for quotes, I was packing boxes, throwing things away, and on top of that I had some crazy deadlines at work that I had to meet which force me to work 12 hr days for a week. With that all finally behind me I figured I was in the home stretch for the move which will happen next Thursday. All was going well until Apollo ran away Wednesday nite.

I called and called and called but he just seemed to be gone. I knocked on doors and drove the trails through the state land until it got dark. The general consensus is that he got all birdy in the yard and went hunting after it. Then he looked up and had no idea where he was. I put out an APB on him with all the local animal control officers and shelters. Left the light on outside over nite, but his favorite toy out there and generally didn't get a lot of sleep. I went to work the next day where I proceeded to make phone calls and had $50 dollars worth of fliers made up. My friends husband came out after work and we started handing out fliers. The first person I haded a flier to was about an 8 yr old boy playing in his front yard. He took one look at the picture and said "I just saw him running that way a few minutes ago". I was astonished. So off we went after him. Pulling in peoples driveways here and there. We were just about to make a turn on to a side road (hoping to get ahead of him) when I saw him napping in someones front yard with their 2 black labs. He's such a little shit. He probably had the time of his life for 24 hrs. Little did he know that people across the states of Michigan, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, hell, I'll go with the whole United States, were worried about him.

He is now home and safe and knows he was a bad boy so is pretty subdued. He's covered in burrs so I had to take him to the groomer today (which will cost me another $50) to get them cut out. Plus he lost his electronic collar somewhere in the woods which will be another $100 bucks. I'm SO HAPPY that he his home but I'd still like to wring his little neck to the hell he put me through and for the money he ended up costing me.

So there is a quick and dirty update people. The next one probably won't be until we get settled downstate. Happy Fall People!

I'm a Busy Lady

Lately I don't know if I'm coming or going. Jason and I have been trying to keep somewhat of a schedule (if you know my well, I thrive on schedules, plans, spreadsheets, lablemakers, etc) where we each travel every other weekend. But since I've been getting some job phone calls (FINALLY) I'm travelling a lot more. Sometimes in the middle of the week for interviews! But for the last 2 weeks I've been able to schedule them for Friday. This basically means that I work my rather plump behind off at work, often working (4) 12 hr days, Monday through Thursday so I can flex out on Friday (ie have the day off without taking a vacation day)then I drive down Thursday nite and spend the weekend, coming back Sunday only to do it all over again. I am literally living out of a clothes basket. And the dogs are becoming extremely well traveled. Apollo sleeps on his bed in the back of the Yukon and the girls lounge on the back seat. They can usually make it all the way down to Lansing with no potty breaks. But on the rare occasion that they have an issue, I get some really strange looks at the rest stops, trying to hold (3) 50 lb dogs with OCD on leashes. Yeah, I'm crazy. But hey, hopefully this is all worth it and I find a job soon, I miss my husband.

We'll hopefully be moving soon. Which is sad/exciting all in one. I love our house. I love Petoskey, and I love my current Job. But life took us on a different path. And to the Best Mom in the world: Yes we will still come to Alpena to visit as often as possible. Especially this summer so we can go out on the pontoon. Do not worry. I am still your closest child geographically and we will be there whenever we can. And you can come visit us and we'll take Dad's credit card and go to the Coach store! :)

So I leave you with a random cute dog picture, well because they are!
This is Momma Bean watching over her Babies Hannah (the horrible) and Copper (turtle):

Our Busy Exciting Life

Since I'm a total blog slacker as of late, I figured I better do a life update. Jason and I have been going back and forth on weekends to see each other. One weekend I go down, and the next weekend he goes up. A month or so ago I was down in Eaton Rapids for the weekend and we went to Marshall to walk around and go to the Dark Horse Brewery with the Morris family. We had lots of fun, some good food, and some good beer. And even Ms. Isla Mae enjoyed herself.



And yes for all those who are wondering. That is a Baby. In a Bar. And yes she can hold her liquor. Just kidding.

A few weekends after that was Jason's 30th birthday. I told him I wouldn't keep calling it his 30TH BIRTHDAY but I just can't help myself. It was planting time at Van Camp so naturally we had his birthday at there. All the guys were there to celebrate with us and so were my Gramma and Grampa D. Me and Gram hung out at camp with all the dogs and drank wine and cooked a killer prime rib dinner. It was topped off with presents and an amazing ice cream cake that Ma Van ordered from Neimans.



That's Jason getting a super expensive bottle of whiskey from a person who is the reigning title holder of "Best Wife in the World". And no. I will not mention any names.

The following weekend I was back down in Eaton Rapids for BREW DAY EXTRAVAGANZA which we had on the deck of our rental house. Once again the Morris family joined us and so did Cousin Kelsch and his dog Barret. Barret is one of Athena's babies. The boys brewed 20 gallons of beer. And 10 gallons of that was Birthday Beer. Which is Jason's specialty and generally the VanMassenhove Family's favorite.



Those are the boys thinking REALLY hard.



And that's Isla participating in her very first Brew Day with a little help from her dad, Eric.

Memorial Day weekend we spent in glorious Northern Michigan. And glorious it was. Highs in the 80's, sunny, slight breeze and warm. So we hit the Inland Water Way for Tom Buoys first trip of the year. Jason got her all ready to go Saturday and we were on the water by noon on Sunday.



This Wednesday, for the very first time ever, I took the girls (Apollo is down in Eaton Rapids with Jason) to Doggie Day Care. I honestly felt like a new mom dropping my babies off for the first day of preschool. And then I agonized during the day as to whether or not I should call and check up on them. I know, I need help. But according to the girls at Waggs n Purrs Athena and Copper were the hit ot the day care party. They played all day and got along great with the others dogs. And if the following picture means anything, they had a GREAT time.



We walked in the door, they had a little snack, crawled in their bed and promptly went to sleep! My 'poor' girls were exhausted!

This weekend I'm off to Eaton Rapids and then to Detroit on Saturday to go on a historic home tour with the Morris Family! Have a great one blog-land!

Political Head Shakers of the Day

Let me say first off this is going to be a political rant. And no I do not apologize for offending anyone. It's my blog my rules. And these were just some general observations that I think any intelligent human being would make. This new blog segment will be known as "Political Head Shakers of the Day". It will consists of political news that I heard which just makes me shake my head at the shear stupidity of it all. So without further ado I give you (in a big booming movie man type voice) "POLITICAL HEAD SHAKERS OF THE DAY"

A) Obama is sending his top official to deal with the oil leak crisis in the gulf. He’s sending the chief of the Department of Homeland Security. I mean honestly, what is he going to do? Shoot the oil spill with a rocket? Arrest it and hold it on terrorist charges? Waterboard it? Please.

B) Jennifer Granholm is going on the Oprah Winfrey show to announce that the no texting while driving law has gone into effect in Michigan. From one looney democrat to another I guess. (Disclaimer: Not all democrats are looney, that would be profiling, and profiling is WRONG) But who do you think is paying for this media blitz to announce one stupid new law? And why announce it at the Oprah show which is filmed and based in Chicago? Last I checked Chicago was not in Michigan. Take a geography lesson. Now I realize she is Canadian and may not know the geography of the United States well, but seriously? Even her mole knows where Michigan is. It's the Hand state people.

OK. I'm done. For now! MUHAHAHAHAHA (who doesn't love an evil laugh) HAPPY FRIDAY PEOPLE!

I am the LAHBSTAH

Notice the spelling and subsequent pronunciation of lobster. That was for you Jaime Van.

Lets start this blog off with a few disclaimers. First there will be no pictures of the following story because, well, it just wasn't pretty. And secondly, do not read if you have a weak stomach. Again, it was just not pretty. So here goes.............

Two weekends ago Jason was home, so I made seafood newburg. It has shrimp, scallops, lobster, crab, etc in a cream sauce over biscuits. It's a New England favorite that I fell in love with while visiting Jaime. Now I LOVE ME SOME SEAFOOD. Like seriously. Nine times out of ten, if we're out to eat, I'll be ordering sea food. I have eaten it my entire life in mass quantities. During deer season we even have "Lamy Seafood Extravaganza" where we gorge on shrimp and jumbo crab legs washed down with copious amounts of Miller Light (we stay classy that way). And never, up until about a week ago, have I had a problem with seafood. But now I have a new found allergy to SHELLFISH. I mean boo. Can there be a worse allergy to have as a seafood lover? Now I must say that I am allergic to tons of stuff. I have extremely sensitive skin and don't change detergent, lotions, shampoo, etc. EVER. I'm also allergic to coniferous trees, various types of wood and metal and so on. It's really manageable, I just don't touch stuff. But now I have a shellfish allergy which means I can't eat certain stuff. And just to state the obvious here, I love to eat. My new found shellfish allergy made my hands swell up and made the rest of my body turn bright red. Thus the lobster title. It was miserable. I went to the doctor and they congratulated me on strange case of the day. Go Me. It has been over a week, I've been through one pack of steroids and I am still itchy like crazy. At least no new red blotches have popped.

So living with a shellfish allergy is really not that big of a deal. Unless you go to Mongolian Bar-b-Que with your husband who loads his bowl up with shrimp and crab and scallops. I filled mine with steak and onions and mushrooms. Made me some fajitas that I did. Then you get up to the grill and you have to ask the guys to put up the food guards around your food so there isn't any cross contamination. And then they mock you. Because that's what the grill guys at Mongolian Bar-B-Que are paid to do. And then they ring the bell and announce to the whole restaurant that they have a customer with a 'sensitive stomach". Okay maybe none of that is true except for the food guard thing. By in my own neurosis of walking up to the grill that is what I envisioned. All was well except that Jason ate all the yummy seafood goodness in front of me.

We also went to our first Red Wings playoff game ever that weekend. And because I was already Red, I fit right in. The Joe was rocking until the wings started sucking. But hey, they picked it up in game 7 and whomped those yotes!

Buenos Dias people and stay away from the lahbstah!

On The Market

The house has officially been on the market for a couple of weeks and we haven't even had a bite! I mean see how fabulous it is!?

Not even a nibble! My realtor tells me to be patient. How can I be patient when my husband has moved out with my dogs and I'm all alone in the woods in this big old house!? The kitchen does look amazing though. Which is a consolation because I get to use it. But then again every time I use it I have to clean it like a mad woman just IN CASE we have a showing!

Honestly, living in a house that is on the market is not living at all. I've become quite neurotic about it actually. I get up in the morning, take off my PJ's and put them in a box in case we have a showing. I put Fluffy and Moose (yes, Jason is gone and I need snuggles) in that box as well. After I take my shower I hang up my wet towel over a bar in an empty wardrobe box to dry. You have to hide your life basically. I also have to prettily make the bed, fluff the comforter, arrange the throw pillows, etc. Then I take all my dirty clothes all the way to the basement and put them in the washer. You don't want to have a dirty clothes in a basket (like normal people) when you have strangers walking through your house. I have my cereal and coffee and promptly put those dirty dishes in the dishwasher. If the the dishwasher is full and clean and hasn't been emptied yet I hide them in the cupboard! :) Also I won't sit on my couch since it will smoosh down the cushions and pillows and I'll just have to re-fluff before I leave for work.
The very last thing I do before I leave is turn on the smell goodies and put my slippers in the closet. That's my routine. Jason and the dogs are coming home this weekend (YAY and WOOT WOOT) but I'm pretty sure I will be driving him nuts with my neurotic routine. You never know when someone might want to come through your house, better be prepared!

Spring in Northern Michigan

Spring in Northern Michigan can be a very temperamental thing. Which is why most people probably go on spring break. Jason and I generally do. But not this year. That picture is the view from the beach in front of our timeshare in Cancun. The one we won't be using this year. Thank you bad economy. And even if J wasn't laid-off, we probably still wouldn't have been able to go because my work load right now is unreal. I'm working 16 hr days. It's kind of crazy. Now is the time I need a vacation more than any.

The weather right now is the only reason I'm not too bitter about not having a spring break. It's been in the 70's the last couple of days and absolutely gorgeous. Yes I'm stuck in the office all day but every chance I get I pop my head outside just to smell the wonderfulness and bask in the sunlight. We'll see if this weather holds. As I previously noted, spring in northern Michigan can be a temperamental bastard.

The house is DONE! Except for a few minor things this weekend and some staging we are DONE. The house will go on the market tomorrow lets all keep our fingers and toes and whatever else you can cross, well crossed, that a buyer comes soon! It gorgeous inside, the carpet is installed the paint is done all the molding is finished, and yes I'll post some pics of it as soon as I get around to it. I'm honestly shocked by what the Van Family has accomplished in the last 5 weeks. And I mean Family. Mom, Dad, Grandparents, the works. Jason even got his brother to come over and dog sit yesterday while the carpet guys were here. Lowes requires you to have a 'responsible' adult there during installation. I'm not really sure if Chad counts (I know that I for one, do not). But It worked out well since I couldn't get away from work. I walked in the door at 9pm last nite and was just amazed.

It's exciting and sad at the same time. I, for one, am not going to know what to do with myself when I no longer have to work on the house every waking moment. But now that it's finally done inside, we're selling it and moving on. Well on to bigger and better adventures I suppose! Plus I won't really miss the fact that the dogs won't constantly have paint in their ears. Poor Bean looks like she's has highlights! But she is a fabulously fashionable critter so it's possible she did it on purpose.

Left out the Knuckle

In my last blog I inadvertently left out one of the most bestest dogs of all time. And for those of your who new her, Molly was a champ. That picture was taken at her favorite spot in the entire world. The bank of the Thunder Bay River at Van Camp. She could trot through the shallows in that river for hours and then flop down in front of the wood stove for a good nap. Molly was a good girl, a great companion and just an all around sweetheart. In my last entry I went through the nicknames of the Critter Crew. Well good ole Molly have quite a few of her own. Most notable was Molly Bear and Molly Moose (she was a bit of a brute). From Molly Moose we added "Knuckle". And for those of your who do not know what a moose knuckle is, I refuse to explain. Knuckle just stuck. From there it was to Knuckie, Knuck and Knuckle Head.

Molly just enjoyed being a dog. She loved tennis balls and diving for rocks in long lake (much to mom's dismay when she went to mow the lawn). She could lay on the deck for hours without ever needing to go anywhere else. I may paint an awfully "leave it to Beaver" portrait of her, but it's all true. Of she had her moments in her younger days. There was the time she chased the butterfly down US-23 N or the fact that we had a bat called the Molly Masher to beat her butt with when she jumped up.

She did have her enemies though. Her Tail and her foot. She would lay in the living room and snarl and grunt and attack and bite her back foot and tail. She'd try to trap her tail with her back foot but would then think her foot was trying to get her and couldn't make up her mind on which to attach. She was such a funny girl. I loved her tail. Mom always got Molly trimmed but the groomer always left her big fluffy tail. When she'd get really excited it would propeller and he whole bottom would go with it. It should be noted at this time that Jaime and I once upon a time though that dogs peed out of the ends of their tails. Thank Goodness we were older when we got Molly Bear and knew better. Another not so fabulous thing about Molly was her breath. IT WAS RANK. There is a story when we were all out at camp and she woke up my Dads good friend Dave by breathing in his face!

Molly was a traveler. When she was just a pup she went to Chicago with us for the weekend. She got me kicked out of a hockey rink! Good thing she was tiny, I zipped her in my coat and snuck back in. She has been to Houghton with me for a couple weeks at a time. I'd go to class and she'd curl up on my bed and wait for me to come back to go for walks. She also spent quite a bit of time with us in Petoskey. Her and Apollo became the best of buddies. Since Molly's been gone, when we get to my mom and dads, he still runs all over the house looking for her. In remembrance of her, when we're out at camp he will be sure to take a piddle on her grave marker rock. Showing some love of course.

Sadly Molly had to go to Doggie Heaven a few summers ago. The vet thinks she had a brain tumor. One day mom got up and Molly was listing to the side and could only hear out of one ear. The Vet thought it was a stroke and she'd come out of it. She rallied for about a week. She was happy then, still playing fetch and snuggling (she was the best snuggler). Then she went downhill extremely fast and Mom and Dad had to put her down, no one wanted her to suffer.

So here's to you Knuckle, BEST DOG EVER (shhhh don't tell the others, they may gang up on me)!

Fairy God Parents and Grandparents

I have no pictures to show you on the progress done at our house and this blog will be awfully short but I just have to give a big thanks to my parents AND my grandparents. While Jason and I were moving half of our stuff to Eaton Rapids (Jason started his new job today and he's texted my twice already this morning about how fabulous it is) my Mom and Dad were staying at our house for the weekend to continue the remodel. The two of them get so much accomplished, honestly they are working machines. Our whole basement is painted, a wine rack is installed, doors are installed, trim is up and it LOOKS AMAZING. AND my Gramma and Grampa D showed up to help out too. Now my Gramps is pretty much a master craftsman and he loves getting in on stuff like this. I am so thankful that he was there to help my Dad with the carpentry. And my Gramma helped clean! Now I'm pretty sure that my house will never be as clean as hers (or moms for that matter) but it is so much better since we left on Friday.

Being that I left a mostly unfinished house in total disarray on Friday morning and I came home Sunday nite to all of these things done (magically, little elves may or may not have been involved, it's still up for debate) I feel as if Fairy-God-People descended down on the house and worked they're little butts off! I was truly amazed and will forever be thankful to the 4 of them for all that they accomplished this weekend!

Happy Thoughts

Work and home has been really rough lately. So to get through it I have Happy Thoughts. That picture sums up one of my favorites. That was the last summer before we lost Molly. She was pretty much the greatest, sweetest, gentlest dog ever, but most of you probably know that. Now, between Jason and I, and my Mom and Dad we have the Springer Clan. AKA the Critter Crew, AKA the CRAZIES. From left to right is Hannah (Mom's baby) then Athena, Copper, and Apollo. The summer before we got married Athena and Apollo had a litter of puppies and thats where Hannah and Copper came from. Now they're one big crazy family. This picture was taken in the backyard at my parents house on Long Lake. Also one of my happy thoughts. My sister and I were very fotunate growing up. Not only did we have a backyard to play in, but we also had the whole lake and the woods. Lucky girls we are.

So thinking about the dogs. I've realized that I don't call a single one by their given name. We'll start with Hannah. She's usually just Han, or Han Banan, or Hannah Van. But my personal favorite is Hannah the Horrible. She's also been called Hannahble Lector. She's a great and well trained dog she just gets in these crazy moods around the other dogs and wants to play fight for hours. She's been known to pull nubbin, back legs, and ears to pull Copper down the stairs.

Apollo is the only boy, though he's pretty much the sissy of the group. He doesn't like to get snow in his paws, he doesn't want you to see him go number 2 and he will only eat out of the pink bowl (aren't dogs colorblind!?). For some reason we call him Mr. Bubbas or App-A-Low (thanks Pa Van). Jason's called him Sissy Boy on occasion but generally Mr. Bubbas.

Athena is easy. She runs the household and everybody in it. She's fuzzy and round and squishy and fabulous. Just ask her. And she whinnies when she's excited to see you. And there's a whole lotta whiggle involved in her rump shaking. We simply call her Bean. She was such a tiny puppy when we brought her home that we called her Athena Bean. Mom called her peanut, Bean won out.

And finally Copper Girl. She's just the sweetest suggler of the bunch. She is a baby. She likes to lay on her back and be rocked and have her tummy rubbed. She's got the biggest sadest eyes and droopy ears. And for some reason we call her Turtle. I'm not toally sure why. Jason used to call her the Littlest Turd and somehow that went to Turtle. Copper Bobber is also a name we have for her. Or just simply "Bob".

That post really was a bunch or ramblings/bablings. Well atleast I'm true to my blog! Y'all come back now ya hear!

Chaos at Home and At Work

That is the current chaos at home. It's such a mess and we have to keep shuffling crap around to paint things! The great room is pretty much done with all renovations until the new carpet is installed. Ma Van has been over for a couple days with the Hannah Monster knockin stuff off of the list I made her. I so owe that woman a spa day when this is all over.

And even more bad karma at home. The window in Jason's truck won't roll back up and it was supposed to monsoon out so it had to go to the dealership and then it'll cost us 3oo bucks for it! Spring better start so that money tree can start growing.

Work has been a mad house. First of all the heat is still on and it's like mid-50's out so by late afternoon it's a hot box in here. Plus I'm totally stressed because I had to push 3 projects out today! One for MDOT preliminary design checks and if you've ever worked with MDOT you know how particular they can be, one 20 page drawing set that is going out for construction AND (yes there is more) I had to do an color rendering of a 25 acre sports complex. Yes it does look amazing but still! Took for ever and I so did not have time for it today. ANd of course the guy needed it for a meeting tonite! I really don't know what this place is going to do when I leave. All work will probably hault!

It's beautiful and sunny out! Get out and Enjoy it! I feel a game of chuck coming on with the pups when I get home! That is if it's still daylight!

My Masterpeice:

Someone said I should

I was told I should blog. A) because I always have a lot to say and 2) because I'm pretty sure my husband would rather read it then have me talk his ear off.

I really do enjoy writing, always have, except I work as an Engineering Technician. Not exactly a creative outlet.

Life is CRAZY right now! Jason was laid off in December and I've been our sole income for the last couple of months. And now he's accepted a new position at a firm in Jackson. So we're moving! I'm still not sure how I feel about this. I love Petoskey. And the life we live in Northern Michigan. But on the other hand it's exciting to embark on a new adventure where the airport is close and the malls are closer and the RedWings are just a freeway away.

Because we now have to move, we've started a crazy amount of renovations on our house in order to get it ready to sell. Jason leaves for his job in about a week and a half and I'll stay up here while the house sells (finger and toes crossed) and I look for a job in Jackson. A big thank you goes out to my parents for the large amount of work they're doing at our house and to our good friends Eric and Meghan Morris for letting us rent their old house, thus making the transition smoother.

I'm not kidding people. It's mad crazy chaos at our house! If the dogs don't have drywall mud in their ears they have paint stripes across their ass.