Boo’s Unhealthy Crush on Postman Steve

It only took a couple of hours before I was ready to laugh at what Boo did to me today.

See, I was working frantically all morning to finish some readings and an essay for my class. Meanwhile, Boo was “working hard” and waiting, as she always does, at our big front bay window for Postman Steve…

Needless to say, we were both full of anxiety and anticipation…haha.

Well with 45 minutes before I needed to leave for class, I decided to take a quick 15 minute break to jump in the shower and get ready. I figured if I was fast enough, I would still have 30 minutes to write my short essay. I was so wrong.

The last 2 minutes of my shower were bludgeoned with the piercing sounds of a raging puppy – barking, shrieking, running, pouncing, pawing at the window, racing about the house at full speed and volume. Postman Steve had come and gone with his signature happy-go-lucky wave to Boo through the window. She was in a full on tizzy.

Well, most days I am able to shorten this manic episode by happily removing the mail from the box and reassuringly presenting it to her for examination. I was a little delayed in my response today, but came straight from the shower and in my towel to resume our daily ritual. The only problem was that today the mail was stuck in our little chute. So, I told Boo to stay, opened the front door, and reached out to pull the mail back through the chute. But it got stuck and Boo just couldn’t stand it anymore. She went darting out the front door.

Panic struck. Boo is loose. We live on a VERY busy street. She could get hurt. I have to get her. I’m in a towel. We live on a VERY busy street! Eek!

No time passed and I had thrown the mail to the ground, yanked my winter coat on, slipped into snow boots, grabbed some puppy treats, and bustled out the door after Boo. And yes, there I was in all of my glory: Running haphazardly down the VERY busy street for 10 minutes, in the snow, anxiously squealing “BOO!”…wearing NOTHING but a coat and snow boots!! Definitely one of my finer moments. I really hope the neighbors or someone I know saw me, because really, now that Boo is okay, it is hilarious!! Mortifying. But HILARIOUS!!

So yes, Boo is okay. She is a crazy and wild puppy when it comes to other dogs and Postman Steve, but I’m happy for the adventure. She had a blast and it was the best reason in a long time to be late to class.

Snowmobiling Tour of Yellowstone in Winter

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That’s two more of my goals for the last year – visiting not one new state, but two (Idaho and Montana), AND trying a new winter sport (snowmobiling)!

Family Picture Redemption

Ten years ago, we had an awful family picture experience. The photographer invited us out to a hotel room where he had his light blue school pictures screen and lights set up. He sat my parents down and had the three kids stand stiffly posed around them. He forced Erin to rest her hands on dad’s shoulder and hold only two fingers. The result was a disaster. Mom, Dad, and Don were stiff and only half smiling. Erin was shooting daggers with her eyes. And I…well, I was in High School and awkwardly adolescent.

This Christmas, we staged a bit of family picture redemption. Here we are now:

What Helps Make the Season Bright?

Everybody knows some turkey and some mistletoe, but also:

* Going home a week and a half before Christmas;
* Taking the puppy home to Illinois;
* Having my two favorite puppies in the world together in one house;
* Morning walks;
* Sewing days;
* Family jokes, meals, and snuggles; and
* Receiving the most beautiful mom-made quilt.

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Santa Boo

Since it’s Boo’s first Christmas and we needed a Christmas card picture anyway, we took Boo to meet Santa. It was so precious. Santa couldn’t help but “Ho ho ho” at Boo’s response to him. Her ears went back and she whined and whined while kissing Santa’s face! What a good girl. I’m sure she’s going to be spoiled this Christmas.

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Merry Christmas!

Boo’s First Snow!

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Espain and Portugal, Hwa!

Erin and I just spent the last week touring Spain and Portugal. The sites have included monasteries, cathedrals, Roman ruins, Moorish/Arab castles, palaces, towers, ancient city walls and bridges, decorated plazas, universities, and water-fronts AND the cities have included Guadalupe, Trujillo, Merida, Lisbon, Sintra, Salamanca, El Escorial, and Madrid. Whew! I’m exhausted!

As a disclaimer to the number of pictures I’ve posted here, I offer the following justifications: I wanted to, one, document Erin’s and my first ever visit to Portugal (goal achieved!) and two, redeem myself of my first visit to Spain when my appearance was nothing short of appalling. Ahh, redemption…sweet, sweet redemption.

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Plush Reading Chair? CHECK!

After a year of searching for a comfy reading chair to round out my fabulous room decor, I have finally found a winner in looks, quality, comfort, and price. I brought her home yesterday and squeezed her into my room! She’s a little big, but I think that’s exactly how a reading chair should be. What’s shocking is how she puts my lil’ childhood twin, canopy bed to shame. I mean, how’s that even possible? My bed’s so plush! ;)

Anyway, my room is complete. And yes, Boo loves the new chair too…almost as much as she loves the camera. Ahh seriously…what a poser.

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First Puppy Graduate in the Family

Boo has set the bar. She is our first puppy graduate in the family. We’re so proud!

She made friends at school and played nice. She passed her final exam – loose leash walking, sitting, laying down, staying, coming, leaving, and performing all of her tricks. That’s our lil’ Valedictorian!!

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