Long Dog Day...

I went to see the boy scouts at their event after sleeping in way after my parents left for their chores. They picked me up and I was so excited to go with them.
I puked in the truck. Then I tried to eat it. I couldn't settle on the trip there. There was so much to see. When I first got to the camp, I was afraid of everything and everyone. That didn't last long.
Lots of boys came to visit me and then I realized these people were friends. The boys from the troop were all around me and I realized I love them. They're nice to me. They like me. I played in the mud. I ate dropped potato chips out of the muddy water. I loved seeing and playing with the boys and begging them for their food (even though my parents told them not to feed me). I liked my adventure. There was snow and boys to play with!
I slept almost the whole way home, except when the road got bumpy. Then I had to make sure mommy and daddy were still there. When I got home, I was ready to sleep, but the parents said it was time to go. We went to the pet store, where I got a harness and a new collar and a few new toys. I met some other dogs, too, and some nice people and babies like my boy, Baby B.
Then those women I live with went into another store and I hung out with Daddy - watching the birds in the parking lot. I wanted to chase them. Daddy said wait. And I was tired and wanted to go home. But the women didn't take long.
It was such a beautiful day. I bit the wind and had my head out of the window as much as possible. And then I slept for a long time. I even forgot our trip to the pet store... I forgot that I'd agreed to my new harness. I forgot I'd picked out a new toy. The collar the parents got me ended up being too small. It hurt my neck. They took it off of me and said they'd get me a new one. Apparently I have a whole bunch of tags that need to be attached to it. Who cares... I don't.
I know they are sympathetic to my sad look and I use that to my advantage. I know they understand I'm still a puppy and forgive me for my transgressions...
I'm a work in progress, but my family understands that...
My mommy says...
Behave!
(What does that mean?)

Puppy - Week 3

I know it's blurry! It's hard to get her to sit still. She knows how to sit, but she's not so good at stay yet, or lay down, or down. Today I caught her standing on the end table. AND she learned how to take the lid off of the cat food container today.
Her new nickname is devil dog or demon puppy - said lovingly, of course. She really isn't bad, just a crazy puppy! Earlier she was running circles through the house, then she was chasing the head of her flamingo toy, then the cat... well, you get the picture. She's busy. Very busy. You can kind of see the mischief in her eyes in the picture. She thought we were playing some kind of game.
It's also hard to see how big she's getting. She's not really sitting the right way.
But she is a good puppy (when she's not biting - she's getting big girl teeth now!)! Today she laid on the couch beside me while I was job hunting and laid at my feet while I was folding laundry. She'll lay next to the stove when I'm cooking, too. (Only I didn't do that tonight!)
I put her in her crate this morning to take K4 to school and when I got back and went to let her out, she went to the rear of her crate and turned her back on me. I was shunned. I was also shunned after I took my shoes away from her. Again. She's tall enough to reach my old spot now. And... any time she gets in trouble for biting too hard, jumping on us when we're eating, or any other puppy infraction, she'll go into the kitchen and lay under the counter. Attitude.
But yes, we're still thrilled to have her!
Behave!

Puppy - Week Two

Elsa's getting so big!
She's gained over 5# since we brought her home! She's starting to follow commands (except come - we're working on it). Now she can go up and down the stairs, but can't quite get on the couch.
The biting is still an issue, but it will be for a little while, and then it'll be an issue again in a few months. If we say "ow" or make a bark noise, she backs off. It's something for now.
Currently, she is pestering the cat. Spenser does not appreciate Elsa's interest. At the same time, she seems to purposefully tease the dog - swishing her tail at the puppy's level, slowly cruising through the room...
Yesterday was kind of a rough day. Baby B was here. Elsa was great with him, but really biting me and snarling at me. I think it was a combination of jealousy, being overwhelmed, and feeding off of my anxiety that she was going to get too rambunctious with the baby. Then, she peed in the toybox - all over the little people. I cut my thumb while trying to rush to get dinner going since both babies were sleeping. Not bad enough for stitches, but in a bad place and bad enough that it won't stop bleeding and I still had to wash all of the peed upon little people and the toy box. By the time That Man got home, I was fried. And we still had a meeting to attend which we were taking Baby B with us so K1 & J could take care of some things.
I was in bed and completely sacked hours before normal.
Behave!

Puppy - Week One

We've had a whole week with Elsa!
Look at how big she's getting! Gained two pounds and some inches!
The biting is still an issue, but this will pass. She's done well the past two days, even with Baby B here. Potty training is going well, too! She can now go up the stairs, but not down. A trip for baby gates is in our immediate future. We needed them for Baby B anyway, though we've been successful at blocking off the living room in a way he can't escape.
Baby B and Elsa are so adorable together! Elsa must look at him as a sibling and Baby B copies her movements. When Elsa puts her paw up, he puts his arm up. Too stinking cute!
Other than that -
It's Thursday. The kids were supposed to go back to school today, but all three of us woke with a splitting headache and nausea. The headache was so bad that even with pain reliever on board, it hurt to move or find a comfortable place for my head. The second dose helped more and I was able to grudgingly leave the house for a grocery store run. My tire was very very low and I had to put air in it or face changing a flat. No gloves and the stupid machine was frozen so it took a long time to warm up enough to actually kick on the compressor to give me air. I was so very cold!
Job interview yesterday. When I parked, I ended up sliding into the pile of plowed snow. I think I looked like a stupid jerk as I slid and spun before sticking the 'burban in four wheel drive. Ugh! I am very hopeful for this position though. I thought the interview went well. I liked everyone I met and I'm excited about the position. Fingers crossed!
That is all.
Behave!

Weekend Wrap Up...

Technically, the K's and I have one more day off to enjoy, but since it's Sunday...
Our weekend has been pretty darned good. Friday night That Man and I went to pick up his new (used) car. He found a VW Jetta - diesel - which he has always wanted. The price was awesome and it was too good of a deal with pass up. It's a cool little car. I've yet to drive it though. He loves it and is so happy! We had lots of company to see Elsa and homemade subs for dinner (Just J and I. No one else was hungry). K3 had a school dance and had a blast. The teenagers went to the local smoothie place to hang out after K3 returned, which was good and a lot of fun for them. Baby B was back and his momma and I hung out and talked a lot, which was also good and fun. My sister stopped by, too. S ended up spending the night since it was past our state's driving curfew for the under 18 set. It was snowing, so That Man had to leave to plow and salt. We were up way late (2am), and then I was up way early (6am) with the puppy and to make sure S got on the road to work. That Man didn't get home until almost 8 am. We napped several times Saturday.
We took Elsa with us to run the title for the clown car to our mechanic friend who will be junking the car for us. Their big dog was not too sure about this little squirmy thing and tried to eat her tail. (He wasn't mean, just worrisome and he didn't hurt her at all.) Their little old terrier loved Elsa. A little "too much". Oy. He was funny though and Elsa had fun running around and playing with him. When we returned home K1, J, and Baby B were here. So was my niece's boyfriend / K3's best friend, J (we have a lot of J's in this family). S came over after work and so did her parents. Our neighbor and her son stopped over, too. We had an awesome dinner of fish with mango salsa and guacamole, rice, and two different vegetables - dairy and fat free and vegan friendly, which S and K3 appreciated. The mango salsa and guac were awesome and didn't last long.
We watched movies, played with Elsa, had a few adult beverages, talked, and had a blast.
Today was similar. That Man got up with Elsa. Nice! I slept until a little after 8! That Man ran some errands while I played with the baby and tried to bring up the checkbook / take care of emails. Shortly after he returned, my folks stopped by to meet their new grand dog. That was nice and we had a good time visiting. We then hit the grocery store leaving the K's in charge of Elsa. They did a great job making sure she was properly pottied and loved. After that, we met K1 and J to pick up Baby B so they could go look at a potential new home. Baby B was a riot. He's so stinking cute with his waving and love of Elsa. If he doesn't want her near, he'll push her away. My brother-in-law's mom stopped by (honorary grandparent to my kids and very awesome lady) to drop off a "break a leg" line for K3's musical and to meet Elsa.
I really wanted to take a nap, but that didn't happen. We made chili, but That Man accidentally put too much hot sauce in it and as much as I love hot sauce, it was too much for me. Now we're hanging - watching stupid TV and laughing at the puppy.
Tomorrow I hope to sleep in at least a little. And IT'S RELEASE DAY!! YAY!!  I will also look for jobs, write, clean, do laundry, and prepare for a night out with the BFF's.
I'll be on The Whole Shebang site tomorrow. Come over and see!
Behave!

Feel Good Friday - The New Puppy Edition

Elsa is home!
She's adjusting pretty well - some moments of crying and being scared of everything, but for the most part she's making herself at home! She slept with K4 last night and did reasonably well. K4 said she woke about every hour - licked her face and then tried to find a comfy spot to sleep. We'd taken a blanket to her a few weeks ago so it'd smell like her momma and siblings when we brought her home. It seems to have been a good idea because she's dragging that blankie everywhere.
Potty training is going well. We had a teeny accident this morning, but that's it. She slept in her crate for a few minutes yesterday, but that's the only time she's been inside. I changed my plans today so I could be here with her. It's like having a newborn though. I'm not getting much done. She's very interested in my fingers as I type, but right now she's napping in the dining room. (I had to run the vacuum in the living room and it scared her into the dining room, where she crashed on her bed. I don't have the heart to wake her.)

So anyway... Here's the Feel Good Friday list...
1. See above. Obviously.
2. Release date on Monday!
3. Spending a lot of the day yesterday with K2. She went with me to pick up Elsa. It was really nice to just hang and talk.
4. Chinese food for dinner last night. It's been a while since we've had such a treat. It was so good and wonderful not to cook for a change.
5. Weekend plans - or lack thereof. We cleared our calendar so we would be home with Elsa. For the most part. We have a few errands to run, but no major plans. We'll have visitors at varying times - family and friends who want to meet Elsa and that's great!
6. Interviews and networking. My fingers are crossed!
7. Baby B. He came over to meet his new sibling last night. We want to make sure they're together as much as possible so Baby B isn't scared of her and Elsa is conditioned to a baby. Baby B was a riot. He would crawl away fast, look back and Elsa and make a noise like he wanted her to chase him. It won't be long until that happens. Baby B is so much fun. He gave me big sloppy kisses, spent a lot of time trying to figure out Pappy's beard and dumping cheerios on the living room floor (hence the vacuuming).
8. K2 coming over today for lunch. We've been trying to get together for weeks now. We'd planned lunch at the beginning of the week, and then this morning I bailed on her because of the puppy. Now she's bringing lunch over. Nice.
9. Dinner with the BFF's soon!
10. Even though I still have Christmas decorations to put away, I feel like I'm getting stuff done. That's a good thing.
That's all for now!
Behave!

Just Because....

Here's Elsa snuggling on my shoulder.

Isn't she cute?

About two weeks until she comes home!

To say we're excited would be an understatement.

That is all.

Behave!