Chai, it's not just a drink...

We painted today. We painted the kitchen. Well, some of it. The cabinets go in soon, so we needed to put the "accent" color on the walls before the cabinets and before the tile backsplash. The bamboo floors are in and the house is completely different...completely.

We were a bit leary of the accent paint color, though. At least when we opened the can and saw it. Ann said, "It looks like those Espresso Milkshakes you like to drink in the summer" and it did, but the color was "Chai" as in the tea, as in the new trendy drink served at Starbuck's and not espresso at all.

But once it was on the walls it was perfect -- warm and colorful, not too overwhelming or unpredictable.

Who knew? Chai...

In between the painting of the first coat and the second, we came back to "Little Norway" (the housesitting gig) and took a nap. Then we both woke up and cried, missing our little man. It's been a week since he died and most days are okay, but the mornings and evenings suck because 1)they are so quiet and 2)no one is happy to see us when we wake up or get home.

And now, it seems, weekends will be hard too as we aren't bound to any canine schedule. We wander a lot or drive the car around wondering what we should do next since it doesn't involve walking the dog, feeding the dog, letting the dog in, letting the dog out or taking the dog somewhere.

Our tears today were sadness that our "new" house shall not be Chester's house anymore and though we are excited to move back in, it will be bittersweet as there will be no dog bed at the foot of our bed, no dog food dishes in the kitchen, and no wagging tail chasing squirrels in the backyard.

Perhaps the next dog will be named Chai?

I think not. I think not.