Thursday, August 23, 2007

Birthday Goodness, Part 2

And now for the moment we've all waited for...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASPER!



Yes, my dear, insane, spoiled, loveable pup is 5 years old today. In dog years, he's older than me. We're having a surprise party for him tonight. He'll get H-A-M (yes, we have to spell that one around him) and cheese, and of course several new annoying squeakers to tear up. I love watching him unwrap gifts. He's very good at it, he'll take the paper off very carefully, then tear it to shreds, before investigating the actual gift.

And yes, my dog is spoiled. He has his own swing in the back yard and his own couch in the living room. He failed to advance in obedience class twice, the second time because he refused to NOT face his "audience" while sitting still for 5 minutes. He'd sit. He just wanted to do it his way. He is very smart, learns all kinds of things, but only follows commands if he really wants to. Unless there's treats involved. Then he'll dance a jig. Literally. We taught him to dance for cheese.

With all the disturbing news about dog fighting in the news lately, I'm even more grateful that we have Casper. He could have been one of those dogs. He was a rescue, and has a dominate/aggressive personality. But from the time he was barely a handful of pup, looking more like a rat with giant ears, Jen and I worked with him and gave him all kinds of affection. It paid off. He's still a bit aggressive at times, but I notice it most when he's being protective of me. Or when there's a cat in the house. But anybody who will throw a squeaker is his best friend. He's a very loyal, loving dog who will come get me off the Forbiden Couch and take me over to his couch just so he can sit in my lap and snuggle. And he's even more insistent about it when I'm sick or upset. If anybody ever tried to hurt him, they'd meet my wrath. And I'm pretty sure if anybody tried to mess with me, they'd meet his. Just ask Greg. He accidentally hit me with the Wii remote once and Casper went after him. Ooops.

Anyway, happy birthday Casper. You'll always be my favorite pup, even if you do love Greg more.

5 Things - 6:30am

5 Things That Suggest I Was At The Office Entirely To Early Today

1. I'm parked in the second row of the stadium. Could have parked on the first row if I'd just driven around.

2. There was no traffic. Not light traffic, NO traffic. And I was thinking maybe I shouldn't drive to work via the 'hood on days when I leave the house and it's still dark.

3. I was almost run over by a breakfast cart in the hospital hallway on my way to a crack of dawn meeting.

4. I stumbled over my own fee 3 times walking to that same meeting. I think I was sleepwalking.

5. I felt like I'd been bludgeoned by 8am.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Birthday Goodness

Today is Dalton's 2nd birthday. He's my cousin Lynn's youngest clone. I'd post a picture, but I'd have to dig through wedding photos to find one. And since he'd just turned one at the wedding, it wouldn't be very representative of his current appearance! Instead, I'll wait until next week and post some news ones from his birthday party on Saturday.

I feel horrible because I haven't spent hardly any time with the little guy. He came along a few months before I got engaged, so I wasn't doing a lot of traveling. Due to a variety of travel-preventative issues for both me and Lynn, I haven't seen him since the wedding. I'm a terrible person. But the slump ends this weekend.

Happy Birthday Dalton! Can't wait to see you and Parker this weekend.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Quote of the Day

I can't help but post this. My apologies to Lauren up front. A quote from Lauren, describing Edwin's reaction to his first day of school:

"The cafeteria is a cool place, [Edwin said] 'there are lots of tables and RED chairs... not blue like Children's World.'"

Followed by:

"Ed popped in to see his teacher before he picked him up from aftercare and got a glowing report on his manners... I am sad to say that it is not our influence that caused that but two teachers at daycare over the course of his time there that made my son so polite. ;)"

Have I mentioned how much I adore my godson? And only Edwin would be all excited about new colored cafeteria chairs. The boy does love some color. When he was younger and the world revolved around Thomas the Tank Engine, the names of his trains all included their description. Blue Thomas, Red James, Green Percy... And she's not kidding about him being polite. Greg cracks up every time Edwin stands at my feet and says, "Excuse me, Boo." Sigh. They're so far away.

More Good News

I don't know how much more joy I can stand this week.

My Dairy Queen has reopened! Blizzards for all!