In case I haven’t mentioned it in the last hour, my dog is a medical mystery. About a year into his awkward life, he broke out in full body hives. He has since seen three vets and one animal dermatologist (yes, they exist, and just like human medical specialists, they ask the same questions and charge twice as much). And we still don’t have a concrete answer as to what exactly he is allergic to. But boy do we know …

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I only agreed because I didn’t think we’d be allowed to proceed. But oh, did that desk clerk at Sandy Bottom Nature Park throw me for a loop with her “sure you can take pets on the boats!” I faked a pleasant reaction and paid the woman.
My husband likes to think that we can read each other’s minds. I mean, I’m pretty dead-on when I do it, but him? Lacking. So, while I was in charge of compiling research and …

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Oh, my big, gangly dog. He’s turned into a playful, excitable load of people and dog-friendly fun (unless you ask that one Verizon installation tech who was looking at him in all kinds of the wrong way and whose story we’ll save for a different day). But he’s awfully scary looking. I would certainly keep my distance if I hadn’t seen the way he darts into the house when the wind blows a leaf out of place. He’s tall and …

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Working from home is every bit as delightful as you’d imagine. You should actually be completely jealous of me every Friday.
I had announced (to my husband) boycotts of Walgreen’s and DirecTV after being pissed off by both companies in the same week. But then DirecTV was installed properly, and I. Am. Obsessed.  Walgreens’ photo department can still suck it.
You just can’t not like the Miami Dolphins.
I decided to cancel the event planning because Flip, Flip, Flip-irginia just isn’t as catchy. …

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This whole experience of moving has come with a seemingly endless well of firsts. And I’m talking in just the last three hours there has been a growing list. Like right now, it’s almost 1AM and I’m just now using the office in our “new” house specifically for writing. It’s intended purpose from the start. Feels pretty good. It might feel better if the sudden kick into the blogosphere wasn’t the result of “To Catch a Predator”-induced insomnia. Seriously, why …

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It’s been an adventurous weekend. There have been two never-tried-before experiences, and it’s only Sunday morning.
Yesterday marked the first day of the rest of Bryson’s life. It was our first dog training class, and I think there is a glimmer of hope that we won’t have to scrounge up the receipt from over a year ago and plop him on the counter at the Humane Society and ask for our money back. This particular trainer was recommended by several different people, …

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In the wake of a chaotic, which-way-is-up month, I realized that poor Bryson must be completely confused with all the changes that have taken place over the past four weeks. First, strangers invaded his house accompanied by a 3-pound chihuahua. To avoid further stress and a potential law suit, we kept the dogs separated for the three days they were in the same house. I think it’s safe to say that Bryson did not understand our intention, and he let …

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Normally this is the kind of entry that I would think about doing and never actually sit down and create. But with Clayton’s certification exam getting nauseatingly close and our move-in with my parents complete, I’ve found myself with quite a bit of free time on my hands. So, please enjoy a little snippet of those things that made up my 2009.

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Clayton and I …

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A few weeks ago my mom announced her brilliant idea for this year’s Thanksgiving festivities: a road trip! Now, I’m a big ol’ fan of road trips. I love everything about them — loading up on People magazine and easy fiction (read: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants), tons of pretzel and cheddar Combos and Fig Newtons from the gas stations, batty conversations that begin after a few hours of driving, and LOTS of passenger seat karaoke. There is a little hitch in this plan, …

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Things Bryson has eaten in the last month:
Used q-tip (I don’t know if it had been used for ear cleaning or makeup removal, but neither seems hopeful.)
The stuffing of the couch cushions
The crumbs from the previous couch owner behind the couch cushions
Most of the tissues I had thrown away when I was sick
16 dog bones
The big toe portion of an athletic sock (I like to let that toe breathe, anyway.)
Leftover meatloaf (By leftover, I mean I made meatloaf about 8 …

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