Murphy update

Murphy 5 months old and getting big. He is doing really well at learning some basic commands and will go to obedience class in January. He loves to go out hunting with Todd. He is a retriever and will go forever if he isn't distracted. Of course, the biggest of all distractions is Lucy. They are either snuggled up next to each other, are wrestling over some toy, or fighting for attention. Neither has a clue how spoiled they are. Here are some classic Murphy shots.

He is hiding behind the couch cushion from the vacuum. Both he and Lucy are scared of the Dyson!

He is waiting for Lucy to finish her meal. He waits patiently right next to her (sometimes almost on top of her) until she is finished so he can gobble up whatever is leftover. The good news is that we have made huge progress in this area! He used to just eat her food if we tried to set it out. Now he waits even if she doesn't eat right away and cleans up after the fact. What a goofball!

Mexican...a tradition

Although we have been married for almost 5 years, Todd and I don't really have any of our own family traditions. I think it is because we are always gone on the weekends and traveling over most major holidays. We haven't had time to really create our own traditions like I remember from childhood. I remember my mom ordering Little Caesars pizza every Friday night. My brother and I each got to have a pop - the one pop we were allowed each week. I remember on Christmas Eve eating the same foods each year. We watched the Albert Finney and George C. Scott versions of Scrooge. Then each person got to open one gift, usually the one from an aunt or uncle.

But, we do have one sort-of tradition that I have decided to carry on for years to come. It seems that we always go out to eat Mexican two days before Thanksgiving and two days before Christmas. I am not sure why, but it has turned out that way for years. It seems like a cool thing to do and I am happy to eat Mexican for any reason. We both love Mexican and can pretty much eat it everyday. Lots of life decisions have been made or rationalized over dinner at the local Mexican restaurant - a marriage proposal (a story for another time), purchasing our first house, and buying a car, just to name a few. It seems we do our best talking over chips and salsa. Apparently, we like to eat Mexican around major holidays, too. So, even if we don't get a Christmas tree this year, we'll at least be able to look forward to our traditional Mexican dinner out!

An interesting sign

While waiting at a stoplight in town yesterday, I saw an interesting sign. The background was a string of Christmas lights and it read "We'll hang your lights" with a phone number listed at the bottom. I had two thoughts at the same moment:

1. That is about the dumbest thing I have ever heard of.
2. That is a great idea; I wonder how much they charge and if people really pay for that.

I almost wrote down the number out of sheer curiosity.

A gift...for me?!?

So, is it bad that I bought something for myself when shopping online for Christmas gifts today? I actually bought myself two different things. I just couldn't resist. But, I did get some shopping for others done. Does it help that what I bought was on sale? It totally seemed rational to me since they were a great deal!

One of those days

Have you ever had one of those days when you try to go running or workout and it just doesn't turn out? Like when:

• You lack all motivation - you are tired, cold, and just don't feel like doing anything, but you decide to go out anyway.
• The batteries in your mp3 player die part way into your run and you have to finish out several miles in silence. (Even though you checked and seemed to have enough battery power before taking off.)
• You can't run on the sidewalk easily because it is covered in leaves, brush, and tree branches people have dragged out for the street department to pick up. Good thing the street department hasn't come by in over 4 weeks to get it. Instead you run in the street with people driving by too fast for a residential area.
• You get chased for a good quarter mile by some idiot's little dog barking and nipping at your heels the whole way. They owners have a fence, but apparently not for use by the dogs. You go by the house on a second loop around the neighborhood and the same thing happens. Thankfully some people a few houses down sense your distress and help chase the dog the opposite direction you are heading. I love animals, but not this one. I honestly was hoping it would get hit by a car.
• You dress for the weather, only it is hard to know that as you are running West into the cold wind, you shiver the entire time. Then, as you turn the corner and head East, the wind is at your back and you begin to sweat and take off your gloves, etc. Only to turn into the wind again causing chills from the sweat that has developed. You frantically dash to put your sweat-soaked gloves back on.
• You have a bad haircut and you are trying to grow it back out, but the wind whipping around you causes hair to fly in your face even though it is being held back by your headphones and ear band.
• You felt like you were running in slow motion because you lack motivation and have no music (see points one and two above).
• Cut your run short, because you just aren't enjoying the run like normal.

Yeah, all of this happened this morning. Just 3-miles into an 8-mile run, which was quickly cut down to 6-miles. This ranks at the top of one of my worst runs ever. Nice.

Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake

I made this awesome Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake last night. It is so good it is almost gone! The problem with sweets is that my husband can't help himself (although I am no saint, either). Anyway, this cheesecake is so easy and I made it lighter using a reduced fat graham cracker crust, reduced fat cream cheese, and egg substitute. I also doubled the spices - I love the cinnamon and cloves flavor coming through. This is a definite keeper!

I found this humorous and thought I would post for fun. Of course, Todd says it doesn't take a cold snap for me to snap. I didn't find his comment too amusing...

A Tuesday in the Life of Murphy and Lucy

Murphy and Lucy were curled up before I left for work in the morning, but I made them go outside as usual. I did give them each a rawhide to chew on and keep them busy.
By the time I got home to feed Murphy at lunch, it was raining. The dogs were curled up under the tree trying to stay dry and warm. I felt like horrible and let them stay inside for the afternoon.

But...
The damage had already been done. The dogs let us know they were mad about being left outside in the cold and rain. As usual, when they want to make a statement, it is a big one!

Post-election Reflection

I have many observations from the election, but decided to post just one. I think voters this year were smart and didn't focus on one issue, but looked at the issues globally to pick the best candidate. Take Indiana for example. This is the first time in a very long time the state went for the democratic candidate. It has historically been a red state to the point candidates didn't spend any money or visit the state because there was never a reason. Yet, voters that cast their ballots for Obama overwhelmingly re-elected a republican governor. Even if they may not have agreed on every issue, it is hard to argue the positive changes that occurred during the governor's first term. People didn't look at the party affiliation, but voted for who they thought was the best leader. The only thing that upsets me is some of the post-election negatism towards Obama. It seems he hasn't even gotten a chance and some aren't even giving him a chance. Whatever happens, we need leaders to help us get through some tough times ahead with the economy, war, global warming, and international relations, just to name a few. Republican, Democrat, Independent, or otherwise, I hope those elected from the local to state to federal level will work hard to make positive changes for our country.

I want our car back!

We have had a rental car for over a week now and it is so annoying! I want our car back! Some idiot wasn't paying attention and rear-ended Todd on his way to work. Well, he was stopped in at a light and the force of the accident pushed him into the car in front of him and that car hit the car at the front of the line. So, it was a mini four car pile-up all because one person was not paying attention. Our car has about $6500 in damage and is not drivable. We were able to get it out to the Honda dealer to be fixed without a tow, but the front-end is smashed in and the rear is a mess, too. We hope to get it back at the end of this week (crossing fingers). It took some time to get all the parts in and to make all the repairs - there are three pages of parts they had to order. Great! Thankfully they are only using new Honda parts and not after-market parts to fix the car. From previous experience, I am not a fan of after-market parts. But, the accident cased a lot of hassle and readjustment in our lives. Among other things, we had to haul the dogs to Iowa in my car, which left little room to pack anything. Good thing we also had to haul a bunch of stuff for my grandma's 90th birthday party, too. It all worked out in the end, but the guy didn't even have his license or proof of insurance with him at the scene of the accident. I understand accidents happen and are caused for many reasons, but this guy clearly was going a little too fast and not paying attention. Now, we have to deal with the aftermath of his mistake. But, complaining aside, I have to say that no one was injured, so that is good news.

Yummy...

I have been tired of eating cereal for breakfast everyday. So, Todd made us some chocolate chip pancakes today. They were yummy! Sometimes I wish we had more time for a hot breakfast (although I am sure the waistline would grow a little)!

The Writer's Block

I am announcing The Writer's Block, a new blog started by my friend Mandy. It is a blog by anyone, for everyone, and about anything. Whether it's on politics, entertainment, pop culture, or the economy, The Writer's Block is a forum for free expression. It just went live today, so check it out!! Feel free to read the posts and/or comment back to the many contributors.