Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Pet Training Tip

It's about all I have time for today. Anyway, here it is:

If you want to put the puppy to sleep immediately, put his blanket in the dryer for a half hour and then swaddle him like baby Jesus.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

'Du Jour

Accomplishment(s) For Today:
Laundry is done. Christmas shopping is done. And the puppy slept for 9 hours in his kennel last night.

Question for Today:
Does anybody know anyone who actually celebrates Kwanzaa? I would like to meet one such person because to my knowledge, I never have.

Things I Cooked Today:
Breakfast- scrambled eggs with cheese, lil smokies sausages and pumpkin muffins
Lunch- japanese beef with haricot vert and rice

Christmas Movie for Today:
RENT. The biggest part of it takes place between Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, so it counts.

Christmas Song I'm SO Over Today:
Last Christmas I Gave You My Heart But The Very Next Day You Gave It Away.
The version of Sleigh Ride that goes "I LIKE TO SLEIGH RIDE" in between every other line.

Cutest Thing Gotham Has Done Today:

Slept for an hour inside Todd's jacket while he was wearing it. He's also wearing his collar now, it's really cute too.















Most Annoying Thing Gotham Has Done Today:
Starting heeding the territory marking instinct. On my rug. Twice. I cleaned it, then with Todd's help, rolled up the rug and put it in a closet. We just won't have a rug until this kid is housetrained.

Realization for Today:
I still really want to be in a musical. And write one.

Impulse Buy I Avoided Today:
Smallville: Season 8. It was on sale at Target for $26.99. I haven't even finished season 5 (no spoilers please, I'm still planning to catch up one day), yet I am compelled to add to my collection every time I see it. Also, Scrubs: Season 1&2 for $18.99. That really was a good deal. And if I had some cash to spare, I might've indulged. but I don't need it. And I sure don't have time to watch it right now!

It Made My Day:
While I was in Target today, a twenty-something, scruffy, musician looking dude walking past me had THIS as his text message alert. When it finally clicked, I grinned so big, I'm happy I was in the aisle by myself.

Chasing Christmas

So... I know we're only 3 days out, but it still hasn't really "felt" like Christmas to me yet. In the traditional sense. And by traditional sense I guess I mean... that combination feeling of chilliness and warmth that comes from a late night stroll, followed by a mug of hot cocoa. Or when you're listening to your favorite Christmas music while driving with your family through a neighborhood alight with colorful bulbs and gaudy yard art. Or when you're holding a candle with a Dixie cup around it to catch the wax, singing Silent Night acappella on Christmas eve.

Lately, I'll find myself driving down the road, listening to the Christmas music station in the middle of the day and feeling decidedly unChristmasy. I struggle with that sometimes; not being able to capture and maintain the feelings of Christmas "magic" that always filled my Decembers as a child. I always try and catch it for a moment or two somewhere in the season, but often times I'll end up spending more time being disappointed about the elusiveness of said magic.

But then I remember... it's not about cold nights and hot cocoa. It's not about lights. It's not about songs. It's about love. It's about an incredible Gift that I could never be good enough to deserve. It's about the Gospel.

Tonight, I stood on the edge of the park, watching my puppy chase my husband across the clearing. As I smiled at their silhouettes, marveling at how much love I have for both of them, I thanked God for them... and was delighted to find that in that moment, it really felt like Christmas.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

"Can we get a puppy?!"

I can't tell you how many times I said those words in college. In Nashville. To my roommates. It was a regular occurrence, every few months or so. The reply was always the same:

"Whoever you date will probably already have a dog. And if he doesn't, you and your husband can get a dog whenever you get engaged or married. It'll be more fun that way!"

It was NOT fun while I was waiting.

But I suppose my roommates were right. My husband did have a dog already when we met, but has since given Roxie to his dad. Roxie's a country dog, for sure, and she's got it really good out at his parents house. So we decided that at some point, after we got married, we'd start anew with a puppy of our own.

This morning was The Morning. :)



At 9:30am today, my husband and I drove through the remnants of last night's flurries to a house with a red barn across the river in Illinois. With a blanket and a camera in hand, we traded several weeks worth of Starbucks tips and some Christmas gift money for this beautiful 6.5 week old boxer boy.



Little Gotham stole our hearts several weeks ago, from the moment he snuggled into my arms and fell asleep. He did great in the car (the ride was nearly 40 minutes, including a 30 minute stop at the church to see Todd's mom, dad and sister), he just snuggled into my sweatshirt, occasionally nibbling at my scarf (the one Katie made for me. apparently it tastes as good as it looks and feels) and poking his head up every now and then to look out the window.




Since we got home, he's had some food and water, gotten very comfy with his bed, played with his new football toy and explored the majority of the living room and kitchen while trying to figure out how to keep traction when transitioning from the rug to the hardwood and vinyl floors. He's barked a few times (when he gets feisty and wants to play) and he's gone to the bathroom outside three times! Yay! He takes little naps (always on his bed) and he's just SO good! I know it's only been like 4 hours, but he's pretty much the cutest, sweetest, most awesome puppy of all time.

Right now he and Todd are asleep on the floor.


I love my boys. So much. :)

Friday, December 18, 2009

Sweet Sixteen

Up until this moment, I have neglected to mention that this makes for my 16th post this month. That's the most I've posted in one month, all year. I'm happy about that. I know the next few days will be exciting, and I not have time to post... I'm hoping to at least produce a picture update, but we'll see.

I had my first full day of training today at the Arch. We got our security badges and listened to a 2.5 hours lecture about national parks or something (I was too busy trying to stay awake to retain any of the information), learned how to work our checkout computers, learned about safety and security measures at the arch, etc.

Also, two people (out of the 12 or so who we hired with me) got fired today. One for being obnoxious and overbearing. And the other for accidentally smuggling a marijuana pipe into the Arch. He got a ticket too. $250. A citation AND a pink slip. Bad day for him.

Anyway, it was a long day. 7:30-4:30. And lots of walking. In heeled boots. It felt like Paris all over again (roommates). But now it's over. I'm exhausted. But I have a full time job that doesn't start till after Christmas, I have my last Coke Zero gig tomorrow night, my Christmas shopping is finished and I'm getting a puppy in a little over 24 hours. Life is good.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Signs of Things To Come...

our little Christmas tree!

next to our stockings that I made from leftover couch pillow fabric...


(That's actually Todd's stocking, not Gotham's...)


(yes, our friend Emily bought Gotham a Dog Snuggie for Christmas.)


his collar with his super cool, non-jingling tag...


(that's a pillow I got in college. I hope he likes it. :)



Two more days!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Employed!!!

So... I got the job!!!!! :)

I now work at the Gateway Arch, on behalf of Photogenic Inc. I take pictures of the 3.5 million people who visit the arch every year. I am SO grateful to have a job that is fun and approximately 6 minutes door to door from my house. Amazing.

I had orientation this morning from 10-2. I came home for lunch and to see Todd for a bit before he left for work. In an hour, I'm gonna head over to the rec center, because tonight (and last night) we helped/are helping a non-profit org called Kingdom House with a program called Affordable Christmas. Using the gym at the rec, volunteers organize thousands of articles of clothing, toys, household goods and appliances, baby stuff, etc like a store. Locals can come in a pay a small amount per item and actually shop for their families for Christmas, rather than receiving a handout from a charity. It's really cool, but the "store" is open from 10am-6pm and when it closes, it looks like the Bargain Basement at Old Navy on Black Friday. Hot. Mess. So we're folding/organizing clothes. I secretly love it, because it's like doing laundry, only you don't have to put it into drawers/hang it in the closet.

I also have my 2nd to last Coke Zero event tonight at a SLU Basketball game... I hope it goes quickly because it's hella cold outside.

I'm also realizing that this whole having a job and keeping a house in order and cooking and being a puppy mom is going to be no joke. I'm going to HAVE to organize my time or I'm going to seriously run out of it! Speaking of that... I gotta finish the laundry. Holler.