I realized I didn’t post all week so I figured I’d better! The truth is that I’m being a homebody tonight so I needed to do something…

It’s been a good but busy week. Mostly I’ve just been teaching but I had some rehearsals, practicing, and a few random appointments to deal with. For once we didn’t have any vet visits this week (though they are probably needed—noticed Chloe has some eye issue and Mackenzie has been itching and losing hair like crazy even with her special diet) because both pets go early next week. This weekend I’m totally OFF (yay! and then three pretty busy weekends ahead).

So let’s see. Snow on Wednesday—enough fell that all my evening students decided to cancel. I don’t mind except that I don’t charge for snow days, so I lost some money.

Thursday night was Taco Thursday. We went to a new (ish) Mexican place in the Central West End called El Burro Loco. I really liked it! We’d been to Gringo the week before and then recently read it is closing and being turned into a Mission Taco. I like Mission, but I can’t see going there with the other locations. I’m sure others will though. I’m a bit sad to lose a different late night taco place (open past 9 that is) and hope that Mission decides to update it’s menu with different veggie/fish options!

Anyway, the new place was more “classic” American Mexican and it was really good, in my opinion. Louie ordered a special margarita and didn’t love it (tamarind, I think) but I got the regular with the ceviche tostadas and enjoyed every bite. We will return I’m sure, especially as there was live mariachi music too (but not obtrusive, just one guy singing and playing guitar and it was very enjoyable yet still easy to have a conversation.)

Last night Louie and I decided to go to Olio for dinner.  I love the food there. We split some egg salad sandwiches, the whitefish salad (my absolute favorite), something with pumpkin that I forget the name of, and a brussels sprouts dish that had trout also. The meal was delicious, but we were pretty cold through dinner. We didn’t feel like moving exactly (I guess we should have but you know how it goes!) but—the restaurant is in a converted auto shop, so there is a giant garage door with lots of glass. We were seated right by the door, and since it was way below freezing outside, it was still cold inside. I think they need a few more space heaters!

Today we hit up IKEA along with the rest of St Louis. I hadn’t been before here (in Phoenix I have) so it was a fun experience. It’s a bit crazy though, and we ended up taking a long time to get through. One of these days we might be getting some bathroom fixtures or a new kitchen there, however, and I’m still working on clearing things out of the house here in order to make room for either nothing (I’m hardly minimalist in my décor but I also don’t think every space must be filled) or something new. I’m clueless about decorating generally, and the idea of designing a brand new kitchen and having to make decisions fills me with trepidation.

I saw this bin of sheepskin furs. Perhaps we should fashion a little coat for Chloe?

Currently this (below) is happening. Louie is going to dinner with a friend from out of town and I thought I’d relax at home and let them be guys, so both pets joined me on the couch. Chloe is doing well enough…no new wounds, though there is something weird going on with her eye, but not weird enough to make a special appointment. Her right eye is a bit cloudy, and she’s been getting some gunk around both eyes…but we see the vet Tuesday and the fact is, she is elderly and we can’t go to the vet for every little thing and I feel bad about it. I’m still dealing with the loss of fatness—it’s been over a month, and I am coming to terms with it but I still get sad occasionally, and I definitely miss her. Nowadays my attention is focused on the remaining pets of course, and Chloe really seems to like cuddling with me, but it’s not the same…but I’m doing my best to be there for her and make her happy.

Both of these guys are such cuties though. I’m glad I met Louie and I’m glad he has great pets though I’m often sad that we are having such health issues with them.

We are being crazy and cooking steaks tomorrow night. Grass-fed and local…with mushrooms and beets and goat cheese and red wine, and then for dessert there is ice cream, cheesecake, and chocolate, so no one should feel deprived!

I’m off to relax and read. It’s really cold outside and it’s nice and toasty in here under my blanket and with all the pets. Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!