Yes, I'm slow.

Here's what else has happened in the month since we last posted:

• Craig officially became a State of Minnesota employee on June 29. Now he has vacation and sick time and benefits, just like a real adult!
  
• Possibly still in shock from hiring Craig, the State of Minnesota government shut down for a week or so because the legislators couldn't agree on a budget. It didn't affect us too much personally, but did cause a lot of problems with the grants in Ellen's department.
  
• We still didn't see the third Star Wars.
  
• Craig hurt his knee while trying to grab Phoebe after she slipped out of her collar and leash. Three doctors appointments, two weeks of crutches, and an MRI later, he's doing okay. Nothing is torn and there doesn't appear to be any lasting damage.
  
• We had a nice 4th of July with Carl and Tenley.
  
• Craig approved of the Twins' pickup of Bret Boone.
  
• Ellen read Tom Wolfe's I Am Charlotte Simmons and didn't like it much.
  
• We went to a 4th of July Westie picnic in Wayzata.
  
• We celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary on July 14.
  
• We forgot about and then remembered at the last minute the Minnesota Scottish Fair and Highland Games. Mmmmm, scones.

When you find random sailboat parts in the cabin garage, there's only one thing to do - sail!

We spent another enjoyable weekend at a lake cabin in northern Wisconsin with Dan, Barb, Doug and Kathy. Many thanks to Bob and Diana Jensen for allowing us to take over for the weekend. There was some confusion and disagreement between me, Dan, and Mapquest about what lake we were actually on, so suffice it to say that we were about 30 miles north of Hayward.

In Hayward itself is a giant muskie at the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum. What is there to do other than pose when you see freaky, larger-than-life statues of odd things?



As the title suggests, Dan and Doug found an old sailboat in the garage. Despite the fact that the rudder was held together with duct tape, they took it for a spin.



The wind wasn't really cooperating. I could keep up with Craig by paddling on my pink plastic float.



Eventually Doug had to be rescued and pulled in by the rowboat.



The lack of wind didn't make for good sailing, but it did turn out a nice picture or two...



We took Phoebe with us, and she seemed to have a good time. It's funny how dogs can instinctively swim - despite never having been in a body of water larger than a bathtub, she paddled right to shore when we put her in.

Mikki & Nova, Expert Consultants for Hire

Ellen's mom and Nova the delightful Springer Spaniel came to visit in June. Mikki is very good at handling the "I know I want to do something with the yard, but I don't really know what" sort of questions. Having raised Ellen (and Anne), she is very patient when it comes to vague indecision. We talked a lot about plans for the house and shopped.

The dogs had fun, too. We went to the dog park Saturday morning, and all involved got a little dirty.



Both pooches got a bath. Lucky Phoebe fits in the kitchen sink and got to be bathed in warm water. Poor Nova had to make do with the hose in the backyard.



Later Saturday evening, Dan & Barb came over with Haley so we could indulge ourselves by dressing the dogs up in matching bandanas. (Note Dan in the mirror trying to get the dogs' attention. Next time, we'll have to try food.)