Teaching An Old Dog New Tricks

Well, he's not that old. A bit over two years, is all.

And frankly, it's not really about tricks. It's not sitting, nor rolling over that is the issue here.

Paulie does not like the snow. At all. Sometimes he flat out refuses to venture forth. Sometimes he goes, but then refuses to perform any of his assigned tasks. This dog should really live in Florida.

And then there's the sleeping. Mine, that is. This morning he started whining and yipping at 6:51am. I finally gave up around 8am and got up. This particularly sucks on account of how busy I am right now and how much I really need my beauty sleep.

The nighttime behavior has improved in the months since we've had him, but what are we going to do when there's 2 feet of snow outside instead of 4 inches?

Outsider Again

During my first semester at Small Green School I felt like an outsider.

I was commuting from home as a non-matriculated undergrad after withdrawing from Boston University. All the kids in my classes had already had a semester together to bond.

I took four classes that semester and didn't make a single friend.

The next year I matriculated and made friends with the incoming freshmen. As a result, throughout my college career, the majority of my friends were a year behind me.

My experience this semester has been reminiscent of that first semester at Small Green School. I've felt like an outsider in a class full of first year grad students, virtually the only person left silent during downtime. In addition, it turns out that some of the girls in my class are as snarky as high schoolers. Shouldn't they have outgrown that by now?

Not only has this class made me less inclined towards Library Science, it has also made me appreciate how lucky I was to have had the experience I had at Small Green School. It leads me to wonder if I were to pursue graduate work there if I would find the environment to be as hospitable a second time around.

Bah Humbug

I've decided there will be no Christmas this year.

I had my heart set on being in the new house by Christmas. And I just don't have confidence that it will happen. Everything takes so long.

I refuse to make the effort to decorate the old house when I don't even want to be living there anymore. Yesterday I bought one of the houses for our Christmas village, but only because I was too embarrassed to put just two foam paint brushes on my credit card while at the small hardware store. I set it up when I got home, and unless we get moved before the 25th, that will be the extent of my holiday spirit.

I am listening to Christmas carols on the radio in the car because I love them.

And as far as gifts go, I've done my best to inform people that this year the offerings will be meager at best.

All I want for Christmas is to celebrate it in my new house.

Excitement

I just got an email from my first "real" boyfriend that his wife is pregnant. Due in June. Yay!

Congrats S&S!!!

That will be one smart cookie with parents like you!

In Brief

I'm too tired for much more than a brief update.

The toilet is still not fixed. Three days in a row my fiance's busted his hump working on it. That's three days he could've been working at the new house. Nice. And it's still leaking water all over the floor. It's one of those things you just take for granted. A working toilet is a wonderful thing. Or so I hear.

We picked out and purchased some very nice ceramic tiles from the closeouts section. Made in Italy and everything. Maybe we can replace the linoleum by the front door with another batch of closeouts.

After 8 1/2 hours at the new house today, I have completed the walls and ceiling of two (only two!) rooms. All the trim still needs to be done though. So that's next on my to-do list, along with painting the ceiling in the hall and living room. I'm trying not to be discouraged by how long everything takes. I still feel motivated. If only I didn't have to work.

Last night I took the first of my two quizzes due on Wednesday. Yes, that's right folks, my big Saturday night activity consisted of doing homework. Wa-hoo. One down, one to go.

And lastly, Paulie's little medical situation seems to be almost all cleared up. Phew.

It's Like Camping

In the midst of all the action at the new house and the end-of-semester crunch, kaboomy at our current place of residence. The wax seal went out on the one and only toilet in this very small ranch. Have I mention how much I hate ranches? No? Well, I shall spare you that tirade (for now).

There was lots of mopping up of nasty, smelly water with old towels and rags. After work yesterday, my fiance tackled the task while I was at the new house painting (where else would I be?). He replaced the wax seal and reset the toilet with no problem whatsoever, but then there was a leak from the pipe at the back. Imagine lots of cursing and sweating. Apparently the whole piping or something with the shut-off valve is just completely shot due to being absolutely archaic.

By that time, it was so late that the trusty hardware store was closed, so we've been "flushing" the toilet with pots of water from the shower. Classy, eh? Bet you wanna come right over and hang out with us.

So now I've got to go pry him out of bed so he can go get parts and fix the plumbing early enough so we can still make it to the tile store which closes obscenely early.

Damn Murphy always messing with things.

Because I Know You've Been Wondering

My consult with the doctor was very brief, but it was reassuring. So I guess it was worth leaving work two hours early.

She said that since I don't have all of the symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, she doesn't think it will prevent conception. She said that after six months of trying "seriously," if I do not get pregnant, then we will try clomid. Basically, she emphasized that as long as I'm getting my period regularly, I should be ovulating.

And nothing can be done about my awful, horrible acne because the meds for those are evil and not something you want in your body when contemplating pregnancy.

And I have to go back in four months for another sonogram. Joy.

And relief.

Any questions?