Dogs on Thursdays 06.26.2008

Well, raising and loving this dog of mine has been interesting. First, the cute factor seems to increase everyday. There is such intelligence in his eyes. He is aware of so much and has learned so quickly everything that I’ve taught him. He has also caused a bit of trouble. He doesn’t like DH and I cuddling, at all. He would prefer all our attention go to him. The other night, he decided to nearly chew the plug off a cord. And attack the carpet. He’s pretty much housetrained at this point which is good, so he’s not peeing in retaliation. That is always appreciated.

The newest toy: a simple tennis ball. He is absolutely fascinated by it. He can play with it solo, by dropping it, nudging it with a paw and then chasing it. It’s an easy toy for the hubby and I to use while we do other things. He can chase it for hours as we bounce it off the floor and walls. I really need to get Jerry and his pillow stitched though because he really loves those two toys. They have small holes and I honestly am not sure where Jerry is at the moment.

And for an idea of size:

My wonderfully smart DH had the brilliant idea of getting on the scale by himself, and then picking up and holding Magnus while on the scale. Our scale will calculate the difference and by this means will tell us how much Magnus actually weighs. Ready for this . . .

28.6 lbs. That’s right, he was 14 lbs when we got him about 2 months ago, and he has doubled his weight since that time. It’s all muscle and he is far from lazy. I’d say he will easily reach 65 lbs in the next 2 or 3 months. We’ll see. And that is all on the Magnus.

Doesn’t he look like his dad!

uh-oh! 06.26.2008

Someone’s hand got caught in the cookie jar. Democratic representative Rick Boucher, for the 9th district, reversed is position along with 92 other Dems on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.  Originally he had a position against this bill, because it would provide legal immunity to the telecommunication companies involved in the wiretapping of phones after 9/11.  The big factor:  $25,000 in contributions from telecommunication companies.  That’s right, money does speak on the Hill.  All 94 Dems received some form of contribution from those companies, and proceeded to change their stance.  Whether you agree with the bill or not is not the issue here.  It’s the fact that Congress is listening to money, and not the constituents who voted them in.

Work and more work 06.24.2008

Well, the new job is under way.  In some ways it’s a lot of fun, a lot of interesting skills to learn.  Some ways not as stressful as previous job.  I have a set list of to-do, and that list doesn’t change.  Even when it gets slammed, it still means I don’t have any more to do than what is on the list.  And I am a lot less stressed.  There are some interesting people that work there.  Of course the lack of internet there is really horrible.  No blog updates, no ravelry surfing, no email checking.  I’m going to miss all my internet surfing.  I’m really going to miss reading on Obamalamadingdong’s latest gaffe.  Or what new bogus climate change theory or doomsday prophecy the media has put out.

Knit Note:  I have around $100 to spend on yarn-y goodness for my b-day.  I just can’t wait to go shopping.  I will have about the same for clothing shopping.  I’ve almost got a Pomatomus sock done (link opens to Ravelry.  Sorry for those still waiting to get in)  and I’m going to get yarn and beads for the Swallowtail Shawl KAL over at Fashionably Late in ‘08 Blog.  Really looking forward to diving in to a full blown lace project.

Dog Tails:  Magnus is great.  He’s probably gained a couple more pounds, and proved my idea of his goodness wrong by chewing he end of the plug for the gas logs.  It wasn’t plugged in, and now shouldn’t be plugged in.  I think he was jealous.  He doesn’t like Mum and Dad smooching, cuddling, or otherwise hinting that we love each other instead of only loving him.  He did this, right near us, while we were cuddled on the couch watching National Treasure 2.  Which was a fabulous movie!  Yay!  Plot, acting, cleanliness of language and body, and worth watching.  But at least Magnus should now know to avoid such cords so he won’t get fried by chewing one actually plugged in.

It’s friday! 06.6.2008

Not sure what that means anymore, though I think I’ll get a feeling in a couple of weeks when I start my new job.  Check-out receptionist for a medical practice.  It’s only 10 minutes from home, and will pay me more.  So I save double on gas at least.  Magnus has to get dipped today for non-contagious mange.  And I am packing up the knitting since I don’t know how long it will take for this stuff to dry on him.  I’m not as familiar with Abingdon, so I don’t want to do too much running around up there and get lost.  We’ll see.  At least they have plenty of pretty spots outside in park-like settings, unlike Bristol.

Other news is that the house is almost entirely unpacked.  We’re having friends over tonight to “christen the house” and play pool.  Just hope Magnus behaves.

Some more photos of my son 06.5.2008

So, apparently I am obsessed with my child, Magnus. A lot. I’m as photo happy as a new parent, at least. Let me introduce you to my son’s stuffed animal, Jerry the Giraffe.

My son is very attached to Jerry. Very.

But I love my little furball.  He has been an adjustment for me, but definitely a blessing.

Other news is that he is actually minding me a little more than he used to.  Might have to do with the treats I picked up the other day for him. 

I’ve been tagged! 06.4.2008

Biz from Bizzy Crochet tagged me!

Here are the rules:

1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.

2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.

3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.

4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

The Seven Samurai in random order:
1. I love Japan. The land, the language, the raw fish. One day I will go there, buy good anime that will last me a year, eat myself silly with edamame, sushi, and yakisoba, and finally not have to talk to imaginary Japanese people in my head to practice my language skills.

2. When I was six, my father’s black lab came running out of nowhere and bit my right arm. The stupid hospital stitched it, even though it was a puncture wound. The muscle is permanently separated by scar tissue now, which I have people feel to weird them out. It’s also how I know my right from my left.

3. I think at heart, I am a comedian, though my husband thinks I simply over-exaggerate things.

4. When I was little, I shared in the mindset of most of the people in my area that “the South would rise again”. I now realize the truth, but many don’t.

5. I hate milk chocolate at this point. Unsweetened that is put into a cake with your decision on the amount of sugar, or dark chocolate is all I will eat. I swear I can feel the sugar as a chew milk chocolate, like grit in my teeth.

6. When I was little, maybe 7 or 8 and after plenty of exposure to children my own age, I came to a conclusion. I was either: A) A fairy changeling switched at birth, B) An alien implanted into my mother’s womb, or C) Due to my sensitivity to sunlight, a vampire. I was convinced I couldn’t be entirely human if humans acted the way my fellow classmates did.

7. I swore when I was little that I would never grow up. To this day I enjoy: Bubbles, video games, board games, puzzles, finding shapes in clouds, and laying in the sun. This was not inspired by Peter Pan.

Ok, here’s who I’m tagging (is 4 ok? I’ll try to make more friends from now on!):

• Carrie
• Atomick Kitten
• Daay
• Nichole

Puppy Love 06.3.2008

It’s time for . . . dramatic intro music . . . Monday Musing! Except it’s Tuesday. It would be Monday if I flew to Japan at this minute. So we’ll pretend . . . I’m in Japan. Surrounded by kimono, good anime, mounds of sushi and rice.

Puppy love. I usually think of the term used to describe two pre-adolescent youth playing at the game of love. Holding hands, then pulling away in embarrassment, possibly stealing a kiss on the cheek if the other person has had their cooties shot. Or of course, in this day and age, sneaking into a hidden corner to have sex. But that’s not what real puppy love is about. I have recently “given birth”/adopted a now 5 month old puppy. He is a Labrador/Boxer mix, which means he is extremely affectionate. He needs human companionship. But his love is absolute and unswerving, even when I have to spank his bottom for peeing on my shoe in retaliation for me spanking his bottom. Shortly after this round of spanking, he’s back to showing his love for me, playing and licking and wallowing in general.

Today in particular was such a clear example of his selfless, devoted love. I had an interview this morning, picked up some flowers to liven up the front stoop, and set to work as soon as I got home planting them in a container. When some sprinkles signaled a break, I came in to peruse my newest book purchase, At Knit’s End, by the Yarn Harlot. Laying on the couch as I read, out of nowhere, he leaps at full speed onto my chest and proceeds to lick my entire face. I had to keep remembering to not laugh out loud because he’s already proven he’ll lick the inside of my mouth if I open it. It was so funny, eyes and mouth closed, feeling his cold nose sniff my eye, and then his warm tongue lick my whole face, ears, neck. It struck me as so sweet, so affectionate. He is a bundle of 1001 laughs rolled into one medium dog. What would it be like to live with that kind of love everyday? A love that doesn’t ask questions or have conditions, but simply is?

And for my own happiness . . . more pictures of Magnus.