Raising a new puppy brings me back to the days of "all dogs all the time". Watching dog shows on television (mainly educational, but who doesn't love a good round of "Homeward Bound" or "Beethoven"), cleaning carpets constantly, never-ending trips outside...the list goes on. It's a good thing that Mogli is cute.
I have come to discover that compared to Mogli, Chloe (at a whopping 20 lbs) feels much like picking up a school bus with your bare hands, compared to miniature Mogli (at a mere 4 lbs). Things are slowly improving with puppy management, and I was able to sleep 6 hours in a row last night (a big win).
That's the scoop on the pups...
Today I woke up with a tad more energy (compared to the last week) and have been battling the extreme heat. Much like a sauna, the outdoors have become the bane of my existence. Everything is dying - the landscaping (boo), hanging flowers (double boo, come on little birds move on outta there), some insects (hurray), and me (slowly, but I think I can stave it off awhile longer). After mentioning throwing a pizza party for staff, I was well-received at one of my appointments today - mention pizza and you get everyone's attention. Perhaps someday people will be trying to throw pizza parties for me...but I think that is a ways off - if not totally unrealistic.
This evening I intend to do some things for myself that I have not had the chance to do lately due to puppy needs. The list begins: repaint toenails, watch tv (one of fave shows on tonight), and read before bed! Actually that sounds like a short list relatively...but between all the dog needs I am sure time will fly by.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The Dynamic Duo
Animal rescue events are dangerous stomping grounds for unsuspecting dog lovers. Upon visiting the local Petsmart for a much needed Chloe nail appointment...we were lured into the adoption section... There were many dogs in need of homes, but when a little black and brown puppy caught my eye, the cuteness took over. After a few minutes of holding this warm bundle in my arms, I knew that he would be leaving with us.
Naturally I was concerned about the effect that this addition to our family would have on Chloe. Being a long time ( and very spoiled) only dog - I figured she was in for a period of adjustment. She really enjoyed playing at the store, but seemed to be confused when he accompanied us home.
Mogli Ferdinand (yes middle names are a must!) has been with us for about 4 days now and is laying on my toes at this very moment. Mogli is quite tiny and has a torrent love affair with feet as that is the part of us that is most accessible to him. As all puppies do, Mogli is learning the essentials of the household - mainly do not use the floor or any articles of furniture as a bathroom - and it is a process. The bathtub seems to be in frequent use as Mogli requires frequent sanitation at this stage, but in only 4 days has made steps towards acceptable conduct.
Sleep has been little and Nature's Miracle has been an invaluable resource, but as all things I know that this difficult stage will pass. Just three years ago my dearest little Chloe was a nightmare puppy affectionately called "Jaws"... you get the picture, Chloe experienced the world through her teeth. Mogli experiences the world through peeing on it...oh boys.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
The Hatch Attack!
The little eggs in the hanging begonias are no longer eggs! Aunt K strikes again as I now have three baby birds living amongst the flowers. They assume that I am the mother bird every time that I have to refill the aqua globe and cheep and open their mouths. Observe below...
Once again the pressure is on to keep these flowers alive. My other hope is that a major poop-mess does not ensue...these tiny little birds need to learn to fly quick so that they can move to a better home than my porch!
Celebration is in order now that the final Harry Potter installment is coming out tomorrow! It will be strange next year, come July when there is no Harry Potter release...things just won't be the same. I will have to have a marathon of all the movies to commemorate the month every year after this. There certainly are a lot of downsides to the "times" (gas prices, over-population, energy crisis) but looking on the bright side, I for one am glad to live in the era of: Harry Potter, ipods, iphones, netflix, the internet, international travel, and how could I forget...MacBooks.
Interesting happenings are afoot...
Sunday, July 10, 2011
The Aqua Dog And Construction Project
I am a proud dog parent today as my timid Chloe has tackled her second and far less traumatic water experience. Chloe was in desperate need of exercise, so what better way for her to unleash her inner beast than to frolic free and unfettered in the dog park way out in the middle of nowhere. Upon arrival I discovered that whoever designed the park definitely had a fixation on the water feature...The lake in the middle takes up about 60% of the park and is "Retriever Heaven". Chloe is far from a retriever...but she took off like a shot once I unshackled her from her leash. Her initial confusion was apparent as she watched with bizarre curiosity as the other dogs splashed around with no fear. After having roamed the "dry" grounds (well relatively dry as she plopped down in a bog of mud near the shore) we tempted her interest in the water by tossing in the o-so-irresistible tennis ball just inches from shore. Try as she might, she was not able to summon the ball with her own will and took some very tentative steps forward into the murky unknown. Careful not to lose her footing she was soon wading through the shallows with some cautious hints of tail wagging. Finally Chloe had overcome her phobia of standing in shallow water by herself. The heat became unbearable and Chloe became unbearable filthly so we decided to call it a day.
With no lack of ambition we set off onto the next task...putting together a new corner desk for the second and soon to be inhabited office. We were reminded of one very important thing...particle board is heavy...VERY HEAVY...Once we had lugged the two massive boxes into the house the real project began. Sorting through the almost comprehendible directions added lots of time onto the task. But not to worry, we are both "desk building veterans" and after a lunch and then Popsicle break we were nearing the finish line. The heat index outside reached 110 and it did make me feel better about laboring inside all day in the AC. A painstaking 6 and 1/2 hours later, we had completed our masterpiece...corner desk complete with hutch and cabinets. Needless to say I am very happy that we are finished! Furniture is always more enjoyable when assembled. Those loyal IKEA shoppers must all be savy carpenters at heart...I am not so much.
Note to those thinking of skipping the "assembly charge", if you do not have half a day, lots of patience, or a wratcheting screwdriver...turn back now...save it for the professionals.
With no lack of ambition we set off onto the next task...putting together a new corner desk for the second and soon to be inhabited office. We were reminded of one very important thing...particle board is heavy...VERY HEAVY...Once we had lugged the two massive boxes into the house the real project began. Sorting through the almost comprehendible directions added lots of time onto the task. But not to worry, we are both "desk building veterans" and after a lunch and then Popsicle break we were nearing the finish line. The heat index outside reached 110 and it did make me feel better about laboring inside all day in the AC. A painstaking 6 and 1/2 hours later, we had completed our masterpiece...corner desk complete with hutch and cabinets. Needless to say I am very happy that we are finished! Furniture is always more enjoyable when assembled. Those loyal IKEA shoppers must all be savy carpenters at heart...I am not so much.
Note to those thinking of skipping the "assembly charge", if you do not have half a day, lots of patience, or a wratcheting screwdriver...turn back now...save it for the professionals.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
The Big Switch
Today was finally the day that I was able to unveil my MacBook from its swaddling clothes in the box! Hurray! The legends are all true - it is quiet, amazingly intuitive, brilliantly colorful and accurate at that, does not get hot, is sleek and true to Apple form, has extraordinary battery life, and... it has a learning curve.
Its a good thing that I did not make any other plans tonight. Never having used a Mac operating system there is a lot to learn. The "Help" option on the toolbar has been my biggest ally. The biggest hurdle is trying to transfer pictures and documents from my external hard drive to my Mac - the formatting does not compute and needs to be re-formatted but that will erase the contents...meanwhile if i reformat it to fit my Mac I may not be able to load docs from my old laptop...quite the pickle. After consideration it was time to move on to the most important aspect of this transformation to the world of Apple...moving my itunes.
Moving itunes is never fun or easy (I remember that from my most recent PC to PC transfer). Several tries and lots of waiting for copying later, I successfully have installed my itunes library in its new home :) I feel very accomplished and have no intention of making the Mac to PC transfer any time in the future.
The speakers (as understated as they are) are phenomenal for a laptop! This is a total contrast to my problem-ridden, old before its time PC. I welcome the change and am confident that I will not be replacing my macs nearly as often as I was replacing those unreliable dells!
Its a good thing that I did not make any other plans tonight. Never having used a Mac operating system there is a lot to learn. The "Help" option on the toolbar has been my biggest ally. The biggest hurdle is trying to transfer pictures and documents from my external hard drive to my Mac - the formatting does not compute and needs to be re-formatted but that will erase the contents...meanwhile if i reformat it to fit my Mac I may not be able to load docs from my old laptop...quite the pickle. After consideration it was time to move on to the most important aspect of this transformation to the world of Apple...moving my itunes.
Moving itunes is never fun or easy (I remember that from my most recent PC to PC transfer). Several tries and lots of waiting for copying later, I successfully have installed my itunes library in its new home :) I feel very accomplished and have no intention of making the Mac to PC transfer any time in the future.
The speakers (as understated as they are) are phenomenal for a laptop! This is a total contrast to my problem-ridden, old before its time PC. I welcome the change and am confident that I will not be replacing my macs nearly as often as I was replacing those unreliable dells!
The Concert To Trump All Concerts
Early this morning I was surprised in the most wonderful way...tickets to see Florence + The Machine!!! Not only is she my favorite artist, but I had tried to buy tickets weeks in advance and they were apparently sold out. Thanks to my very resourceful boyfriend, we were able to acquire tickets from an alternative source (albeit at a higher price, but Florence is so worth it!).
The line was long, but the theater was very nice and the crowd was good-natured and we did not have to worry about getting stampeded by drunken fans. We discovered our seats were very near to the stage but also dangerously close to the speakers. I knew that there was no one I would have had rather destroy my hearing than her.
Florence appeared and was exactly as I expected - fabulous. She put her touch on everything, including the mic stand which had roses wound intricately up and down the entire length. A rose lover after my own heart. Her vocal range was even more impressive in real life and I could not have enjoyed watching her more! Interestingly enough her speaking voice is very soft and humble - a stark contrast to her powerful pipes while singing. Looking around, everyone seemed to be enjoying her as well. So much so in fact that a fanatic boy in the very front of the "mosh pit" that wasn't your typical mosh pit, handed her a painting on canvas that he had made of two lungs (the symbol and title for her album). This was clearly the most important moment of his life and she accepted it very graciously.
Applause continued for quite some time after her final stage exit, as we reluctantly head for the car.
My Florence shirt from the concert is hanging in the closet and I have every intention of wearing it this weekend :)
The line was long, but the theater was very nice and the crowd was good-natured and we did not have to worry about getting stampeded by drunken fans. We discovered our seats were very near to the stage but also dangerously close to the speakers. I knew that there was no one I would have had rather destroy my hearing than her.
Florence appeared and was exactly as I expected - fabulous. She put her touch on everything, including the mic stand which had roses wound intricately up and down the entire length. A rose lover after my own heart. Her vocal range was even more impressive in real life and I could not have enjoyed watching her more! Interestingly enough her speaking voice is very soft and humble - a stark contrast to her powerful pipes while singing. Looking around, everyone seemed to be enjoying her as well. So much so in fact that a fanatic boy in the very front of the "mosh pit" that wasn't your typical mosh pit, handed her a painting on canvas that he had made of two lungs (the symbol and title for her album). This was clearly the most important moment of his life and she accepted it very graciously.
Applause continued for quite some time after her final stage exit, as we reluctantly head for the car.
My Florence shirt from the concert is hanging in the closet and I have every intention of wearing it this weekend :)
The Soggy Fourth Of July Weekend
The weather seems almost tropical as we continue to have a barrage of monsoons accompanied by ample amounts of humidity. Weather stops for no one, not even Uncle Sam... No matter for me, my top priority being to enjoy the extra day off that truly makes it a "holiday weekend".
What better way to begin the festivities of our nation than by indulging in a margarita complete with seemingly endless quantities of Mexican food. The margarita is quite strong, but that is a welcome side-effect after a long week. God bless this country and our melting pot of cuisine choices.
Going through my Netflix account reminds me of how risque and scandalous the movie Quills was. Kate Winslet was joined by a fantastic cast and they all participated in the most bizarre displays and commentaries about sexuality. I love Michael Caine, but prefer to forget his character in the movie when I think of his great career successes. Overall it was a very interesting movie and did not disappoint in keeping me awake and on my toes the entire time.
My infamous urge to shop kicks in as I decide that going to the Apple store to look at laptops, I mean MacBooks, is the most appropriate course of action. In true form I am overcome with my urge to buy everything. The technology of the store is mind-blowing...As silly as that may sound - there is such a lack of paper and abundance of ipads that it makes you feel as if you have stepped into the future. They have developed the most glorious way to avoid lines, every employee has an application on their itouch to check you our right then and there all while emailing your receipt! Truly genius. After interrogating the sales associate with every question that I can think of I leave with my new MacBook <3 and complimentary itunes giftcard - what could be better.
There is no time to play with the new edition to my electronic family...it lies in wait in the box as I take off for a hot and humid bike ride.
The holiday weekend was fantastic and chalk full of exciting things to entertain myself with for the week.
What better way to begin the festivities of our nation than by indulging in a margarita complete with seemingly endless quantities of Mexican food. The margarita is quite strong, but that is a welcome side-effect after a long week. God bless this country and our melting pot of cuisine choices.
Going through my Netflix account reminds me of how risque and scandalous the movie Quills was. Kate Winslet was joined by a fantastic cast and they all participated in the most bizarre displays and commentaries about sexuality. I love Michael Caine, but prefer to forget his character in the movie when I think of his great career successes. Overall it was a very interesting movie and did not disappoint in keeping me awake and on my toes the entire time.
My infamous urge to shop kicks in as I decide that going to the Apple store to look at laptops, I mean MacBooks, is the most appropriate course of action. In true form I am overcome with my urge to buy everything. The technology of the store is mind-blowing...As silly as that may sound - there is such a lack of paper and abundance of ipads that it makes you feel as if you have stepped into the future. They have developed the most glorious way to avoid lines, every employee has an application on their itouch to check you our right then and there all while emailing your receipt! Truly genius. After interrogating the sales associate with every question that I can think of I leave with my new MacBook <3 and complimentary itunes giftcard - what could be better.
There is no time to play with the new edition to my electronic family...it lies in wait in the box as I take off for a hot and humid bike ride.
The holiday weekend was fantastic and chalk full of exciting things to entertain myself with for the week.
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