Afternoon in the Smith House

9

At least it’s a nine when it looks like this…

-1 because I’m usually doing work on the couch, and to be honest it’s starting to kill my back.  Other than that it’s wonderful

My Heart is Happier :)

I find my heart is just plain happier when I’m in the mountains of North Carolina.  There’s a legend that something special is buried deep below the mountains, causing visitors a feeling that can’t really be described, but can most definitely be felt.  I think it’s a feeling of a content heart.  That combined with the framily is bound to make one of the best Easters ever.  A slideshow to come shortly, but in the meantime a random assortment of ratings from the long weekend in Blowing Rock, NC.

THE PUPS: 8

I must say, I LOVE taking Dakota to the mountains.  He’s so good, that when I don’t have to worry about other dogs around I pretty much leave him off leash the entire time.  And he LOVES it.  Sticks right by me, but clearly loves the comparative freedom.  Plus, he’s up for anything, despite being a bit older.

Murph has also turned out to be quite the mountain dog.  While I still have to keep him on leash almost all the time (his nose is known to lead him far away at quick rates), his endurance is INSANE.  We took him on a six hour hike on Sunday to the highest peak on Grandfather mountain, and he was still pulling on the leash at the bottom.  Pretty impressive

All in all the three pups got along fabulously, minus a little humping, a little whining and some minor growling… overall a huge improvement

SATAN’S BALLS: 9

In the downtime between climbs/hikes, we hung out at our super chill cabin and enjoyed some delicious food.  My favorite had to be Laura’s homemade Satans Balls.  Made out of cake mix and icing, dipped in melted chocolate and then add sprinkles, they were HEAVEN.  Except for the fact that they were small and there were a lot.  Pretty sure I made myself sick off them on Saturday night.  Although that didn’t stop me from eating more for breakfast on Sunday morning…

CALLOWAY PEAK: 9.5

On Sunday Scott, Laura, Mazzi, Paul and I headed out to tackle Grandfather Mountain. After a couple side stops along the way, we finally found the entrance we wanted.  We hiked as a group for awhile, and about 2.5 miles in Laura, Paul and Mazzi headed back while Scott and I went on a search for the summit.

While it ultimately took about 3 1/2 hours to get to the peak, it was TOTALLY worth it.  The highest point on Grandfather Mountain, it provided a 360 view like none I’ve seen in a LONG time.  It was incredible.

-.5 for the snow/ice we encountered at the last steep pitch.  It resulted in several almost-falls, soaking wet/freezing feet (I was wearing my five-fingers) and a soaked/freezing butt (after deciding this was the safest way to descend).  However, we made it safely!

SUNRISE OVER PRICE LAKE: 10

This morning we decided to get up super early and hike to a lake about 2 miles away to check out the sunrise.  While we got a bit lost on the way there, luckily some nice folks on the Blue Ridge Parkway picked us up and brought us there.

Totally worth the early rise, both for the company and for the view.  Don’t get to see this very often…

THE COMPANY’S CLIMBING: 10!

We left Holloway Mountain with a lot to be proud of… Ben’s first time leading trad, Laura and Katie’s first outdoor ascent’s, Scott’s first climb outdoors with us, Liz’s first lead climb in the morning, and Jay, Paul, Mazzi and I looking better than ever.  Not much to complain about here

All in all another fabulous framily vacation.  Stay tuned for the movie- hopefully with audio this time!!!

Goodbye March…

ROLLING STOPS: 2

Is it me or has the general quality of driving gone downhill recently?  Or is it maybe just North Carolina?  Not sure, but I’ve definitely noticed a significant increase in out of control rolling stops where you’re pretty sure the car is going to jump right out in front of you.  Maybe I’m more aware now that I’ve had a couple jerks actually pull out right in front of me (one almost causing an accident this morning).  Now I find I’m not trusting of ANYONE who looks like they may pull out.

I’m rethinking the necessity of more constant drivers tests in order to keep your license…

PEOPLE WHO WAVE FROM THEIR CARS: 6

On the way home from class tonight I had a random older (maybe 40′s?) guy with long hair turn, smile and wave from the passenger seat of the car stopped right near at a stop light.  I have to admit that instinctively I’m not initially receptive.  I’ve had too many bad experiences with creepy guys in other cars that I just don’t always feel comfortable.  But let’s be honest, 99% of people have great intentions, and what’s nicer than a random person just wanting to spread some cheer?  I appreciated it even more when they drove off and I noticed the license plate was from Maine

DAKOTA’S RESPONSE TO RECENT THERAPY: 8!

While part 1 of his therapy is complete avoidance of other dogs, it’s almost impossible to avoid completely.  And I must admit, I’ve been UBER impressed with his responses.  Tonight we saw many dogs off in the distance (it’s a really nice night in North Carolina) and while he seemed to notice them, he still followed all direction given to him by me.  Plus, when we got back to the parking lot I had him and Murph sitting facing me, and come to find out after they got up there was a dog walking by behind me.  Would have had NO idea by Dakota’s reaction, as there was no reaction.  Thank you Val!

Dakota’s Therapy: Session 1

So for those of you who’ve never met Dakota in person, let me tell you a little about him.

• He’s incredibly handsome (obviously)
• He’s super loving and loyal.  In fact, anytime I move in my apartment he’s right behind me.  Wants nothing more than to be loved.
• He’s about 8 years old, and I got him from Carolina Area Rescue and Adoption (or more specifically a fabulously kind woman named Nancy) last February.
• He is incredibly anxious/sometimes aggressive around other dogs.  It took me a solid week of very purposeful training to get him and Murph to be friends.  Now they love each other so much Murphy spent the entire car ride home yesterday humping him, and Dakota spent it letting him.

Video not appropriate for minors…

As a result of the last bullet (the anxiety, not the humping), walks (and occasionally time in the apartment) is incredibly trying.  I live in a pet-friendly apartment complex, so every time we go on a walk we’re bound to see another dog where he goes into a fit, Murph gets excited and starts attacking Kota, and Kota is worked up for the rest of the walk.

Trust me, being the crazy dog woman is not fun.

SO, I’ve finally decided to invest in dog therapy.  That’s right, Dakota is finally in therapy.  At $100/session (an hour long) it’s understandable why I’ve waited a year to do it.  Today was our first day, and so far I’m totally thrilled.  I’ve discovered it’s going to take a long time (and will also be very expensive), will take a lot of hard work, time commitment and discipline on both our parts, but I think there’s hope

Homework for this week:

• Avoid all other dogs.  Completely.  This is going to be interesting, and looks like separate walks for Kota and Murphy.  Sweet!
• Practice our new trigger phrase.  This one’s fun cause I just get to keep giving him treats.
• Practice rewarding offered attention and commanded attention (basically teaching him to pay attention to me at all times, cause I’m awesome)
• Starting a ‘work-for-food’ program.  I no longer can put his bowl down with his food in it, but instead have to make him do tricks and reward him.  This is a bit time consuming…

Overall I’m super excited by how much information she gave me in so little time, and how much Kota gets to do in the next couple weeks.  Bottom line= he’s on his way!!!

That being said, -2 for the cost.  Both of the sessions, and the materials I had to purchase afterwards to block off all my windows to make the avoidance doable.

TOTAL RATING OF KOTA’S THERAPY (SO FAR): 8

Mangoes and Annual Reports

BEING A FULL-TIME STUDENT: 7

Being allowed to focus on my studies full-time has its definite advantages.  Aside from the three nights a week I have to show up for class (one is online), the schedule is pretty much up to me.  All my part-time work is also flexible, so calendaring my days is totally under my control.

Disadvantages include lack of human contact (-1), as I spend almost my entire day in my apt. or at my ‘office’ (Panera) reading, writing, watching video, editing a book or blogging.  When I go to the gym I’m surrounded by people, but don’t know many of them so it’s still a bit lonely.

While I love all the work, balancing all of it mentally has proven to be the biggest challenge.  My action plan is my best friend, and I swear I spend at least 30 minutes a day writing down assignments, looking at them, calendaring them, and planning ahead to make sure I don’t drop the ball on any.  Instead of having one main job to focus on, I have four classes’ worth of assignments/reading, and four part-time jobs.  My brain is tired

Plus, it doesn’t pay.  -1

HOWEVER, one huge advantage is doing my work in bed surrounded by two adorable puppies

And of course the whole ‘thinking, talking and writing about something I love’ thing.  That helps too and pushes it up to a 7

THIS LITTLE GIRL’S BOOK BROWSING:5

While at Barnes and Noble today doing a little shopping, I spotted this while waiting in line to check out.

If you’re able to zoom or enlarge the picture, you’ll see what made me take this picture.  While innocently enough browsing a bookshelf while waiting in line with her dad, she’s about to be in for a big surprise.  The books right in front of her face include ‘The Kama Sutra’ and ‘The Book of Sex’.  I’m not sure if her father didn’t notice or didn’t care, but I just laughed (in my head of course) and creepily took pictures.  One of the advantages of the camera on the iPhone is that no one knows you’re taking a picture…

FRESH MANGO: 8

I LOVE mango.  Who knew they were so good?  I discovered them a couple months ago and love the sweet fruity flavor, and the soft texture.  I don’t love, however, cutting them apart.  I have to use a giant knife to gently peel away the outside (trying to take off as little of the good edible stuff along with it), and then when you get down to the ‘pit’ you have to try and get the rest of the good stuff of it’s rather weird shape.

Totally worth it, however.

-1: the risk of losing a finger

-1: Kroger didn’t have them in organic (a new push I’m making in the New Year)

dy/dan’s ‘2009 Annual Report‘: 10!

dy/dan is a blog created by a math teacher, who does an awesome job thinking and writing about teaching, as well as sharing awesome math practices and just cool thinking in general.  I’ve been following it for awhile, and recommend it in most of my teacher blogging workshops.

However, I missed this post until another teacher pointed it out to me, noting the similarities between his ‘2009 Annual Report‘ and my blog.

For those who know me well, or just follow this blog, know, I LOVE data and numbers.  This has been a big part of several of my jobs, and a HUGE tool in my classroom.  I think using data and numeric evidence is an incredible way to analyze situations and identify both positive trends and room for growth.

SO, I think Dan’s idea of turning his entire year into numbers, so he’s able to genuinely reflect and improve in the following year, is BRILLIANT.  I now want to do this in my life in a huge way.  However, I’ve missed a month already, and I don’t know that I have a system prepared (yet) to actually collect authentic data.  I think I’ll spend this year figuring out what data I want to collect, how I’m going to record it and build it into a routine, and start next year.

Until then, I’ll continue living vicariously through Dan

Live and Learn…

Hambones are NOT a good idea for my dogs.  Actually, Murph’s iron stomach handled them just fine.  Dakota on the other hand did not.

I don’t normally buy anything from a four-legged animal (since I don’t eat it either), but these were a gift and who was I to deprive the dogs when it was already purchased.

I gave them each one, and Dakota finished his completely in about 30 minutes.  Murph worked away on his and actually left a little bit (shocker!).

They finished right as it was time for bed, and I woke up about an hour later to hear Dakota puking ham bone all over the floor.  I immediately went to clean it up and nearly threw up myself.

About a half hour later I was woken up by a screaming match in the apartment below me.  Awesome.

Another hour or two and I woke up to Dakota licking up yet another pile of puke.  Awesome.

Then right before I had to get up I woke up to Murphy peeing in the corner of my room.

LAST NIGHT’S SLEEP: 2

I am PRAYING that I get to sleep the whole night tonight.

Good news is, this is what happens to the dogs when they don’t sleep all night:

They sleep all day!

I decided it might be time to take Kota to the vet… just for a check-up since he’s a bit older, and we haven’t been since last year.  Plus, it couldn’t hurt to check on the hambone incident…

BANSFIELD VET VISIT: 3

Bansfield is the vet in every Petsmart, who I used to love.  They offered ‘Wellness Hours’ three times a week, two hours a pop, where you can bring your pet in for free.  If they had to do anything they charged you for that, but the office visit was free.  This I LOVED, and I would only go there (despite some reservations about how much they would push tons of medicines/ tests just to make more money).

Now that they don’t have Wellness Hours, I’m left with a sketchy vet I don’t trust who literally tries to push EVERYTHING on me.  That in addition to Dakota’s nervousness around all the other dogs led to an overall unpleasant experience.

+ 1because I’m getting smarter and had no problem standing up to the vet and explaining why I wasn’t falling for what he suggested.  I left proud of myself

+ another 1- it took so long for them to see us the woman at the desk gave me 50% off.  SCORE!

Lastly, +1 for Dakota being healthy, and an estimated 8 years old!!! (despite some other’s guesses at above 10…)

Tonight it’s time for Candlelight Yoga!!!  I’ll see if I can sneak in a picture…

Merry Christmas!

If there’s one thing that Christmas is good for, it’s catching up on my blog!  I’ve decided to put aside all work for the day, which actually gives me time to catch up on the holiday happenings.

First, and most entertaining, is definitely Maggie’s first Christmas gift.  To see the rating check with the last post, but here’s the video to accompany it:

Nothing says Christmas quite like…

PEPPERMINT BARK: 10!

Hands down one of my favorite Christmas treats.  You can find all kinds of different versions depending where you buy it, but I must say the best around is William and Sonoma’s ‘Original Peppermint Bark’.  The downside is it’s pretty expensive and it comes in large quantities (neither is something I can afford).  However, when it comes free as a family Christmas gift, and there’s four of you to share it, it’s INCREDIBLE.  I knew Christmas had officially arrived when I saw this yesterday.

NEW DIGITAL CAMERA: 10!!!!!

Santa must be real, because per my request here it is!!!  Ironic that the picture below is of poor quality because I had to take it with my iPhone…

It has a ton of different modes so I should be able to get good shots, a flash (seems obvious, but a big step up from my iPhone camera), self-timer, and even has a setting for food

Also included in the pile of gifts was a SWISS ARMY camera case!  My parents know my history with digital cameras, and I now feel fully protected.  Now just to make sure I put it in there…

You know you’re an adult when you’re this excited about…

PRACTICAL GIFTS: 10!

Seriously never thought I would be this content (and genuinely excited) with:

• a 36-piece tupperware set
• a rooftop carrier (for road trips with more than just two people)
• a tarp (to protect the rooftop carrier, and serve as a footprint for my tent)
• bungee cords
• homemade towels for my kitchen

And more   I LOVE IT.

CHRISTMAS RAWHIDES: 5

Before putting out all the presents we decided to hand out rawhides to keep the dogs occupied, and out of any food/treats that may be found.  This seemed to be a good idea…

Dakota loved his (my mom got him an extra large one).

Murphy got one that was a bit smaller, and spent the entire time staring pathetically at Dakota because he wanted the big one.

Eventually it broke out into the first legit puggle fight as they duked it out for the big pieces.

Maggie got flipped over, went on punishment (she started it) and only after we removed all traces of bones did it end.

Won’t make that mistake again…

MAGGIE’S CHRISTMAS SWEATER: 10!

While it will only last for about a month every year, that’s the case with every Christmas sweater, so I don’t feel justified taking points off for that.  But this one is fabulously tacky, fits her perfectly, AND keeps the little pup warm (she seems to shiver a lot when she goes outside… I think she just needs to put on a little weight like Murph).

Even though my dad resists dog clothing, I think we’re warming him up.  It might take several months before he lets her wear the pink t-shirt I gave her that proudly says ‘Spoiled Princess’ on the back…

Just in case you’re starting to think Maggie’s too cute, a couple pictures of the cutest dogs ever…

GERMAN NOSE SPRAY: 9

Yet again I’ve come home with a pretty bad cold, and spent most of the Christmas Eve service blowing my nose loudly.  It gets especially bad when your nose is so stuffed it’s difficult to eat, because your mouth is the only source of oxygen.  Luckily last night my dad produced the most incredible solution ever- German nose spray!  Left over from their two year stay in Munich, this stuff completely unblocked my nose in a matter of minutes.  Only lasts about 2 hours before I need to spray again, and creates more runniness, but I’m totally willing to take it for a clear nose that I can breathe through.

THANK GOD!

CATCHING UP WITH OLD FRIENDS: 9

There aren’t a ton of people in Harrisburg I still keep in touch with, but the ones I do I LOVE seeing when I come home.  Sarah is one at the top of the list.  A good friend from high school, she went on to do Teach For America after college as well, teaching high school English in Hawaii (charter corps!).  After finishing her two years she continued to work for TFA, as did I, so it’s great to catch up with someone who literally understands pretty much everything you’ve done post-college.  And on top of that, she’s just good people

-1 because as I’ve mentioned before, it sometimes makes me sad to think of all the good people I know all over the country who I only get to hang out with once a year

That being said, excited to see Jess on Saturday!!!

An interesting addendum to our Wednesday night adventures at the diner…

MEETING FACEBOOK FRIENDS IN REAL LIFE: 5

You all know who they are.  The people you’re ‘friends’ with on facebook, and at some point were friends with in real life.  But if you ever run into them in real life, it’s actually kind of weird.  Weird because 1) you never know whether to say hi, because you’re not actually real friends anymore and 2) if either of you do say hello, you often know a little bit too much about their current lives (thanks to facebook lurking) without actually having spoken to them in years.  What’s there left to talk about when you read their 10 status updates every day, know where they live, what they do, who they’re friends with, and what they think about everything?

It’s still nice to see old friends, and the facebook connection actually makes you feel like you’re more of friends than you might actually be, leading to conversation.  Just curious if anyone else has observed how facebook changes the whole experience of going home once a year…

Pack Reunion

After arriving home yesterday, the ‘pack’ has spent all their time playing, catching up, and sleeping (all that playing is exhausting!)

Highlights…

DAKOTA TAKING OVER MAGGIE’S BED: 9

Maggie has a super nice, cozy bed from L.L. Bean that she received from my Grandma shortly after my parents got her.  What’s funny is that Murph has not once attempted to get in it (even though it looks super nice, and it’s just his size).  Neither has Dakota, which I previously thought nothing of because of how big he was. Clearly he’s getting more comfortable with the family, and my work to break some of his good habits has been effective, as sure enough I looked down in the living room and there he was all cuddled up in the tiny bed.  HILARIOUS.

MAGGIE’S PATIENCE WITH HIM: 10

Didn’t hear a peep from her.  She watched, came over and looked, and occasionally sat right next to him.  But she didnt seem to mind at all, and just kept herself entertained doing other things.  What an impressive little pup

AND THEN MURPHY’S ‘THRONE’: 8

Later he headed over to the only piece of furniture in the living room that we allow dogs on.  And when I say ‘dogs’, I really mean Murphy.  When he stayed here last summer, my mom covered this chair with a blanket and officially declared it his ‘throne’.  He spent all summer napping and relaxing on the chair, and now whenever we head home Murph heads straight to this chair.  Maggie’s not allowed up, as it’s just for Murph.

That is, until now.  After getting up from Maggie’s bed, Dakota headed straight over there and made himself at home.  He fits perfectly, and couldn’t look more comfortable.  Murph, however, is not quite as thrilled.

-1 for Murph’s jealousy and -1 for the difficulty Kota has getting out of it (he’s getting old…).  But he’s so cute when he sleeps there

MAGGIE’S FIRST CHRISTMAS PRESENT: 9!

I bought this awesome reindeer outfit for Murph at Target a couple weeks ago (how can you resist when it’s only $2.50???), but unfortunately due to his large rib cage (from the pug side of the family) it didn’t fit quite right.  So I brought it home for little Maggie

OH MY GOODNESS.  What I want more than anything right now is to figure out the stupid file conversion to get these AVI files into iMovie so I can show you all the video.  After we put it on, Maggie couldn’t figure out how to get the hood of her eyes so she just wandered around aimlessly running into everything.  First the coffee table, then Dakota, then my legs.  One thing after another, it never got old.  Laughed hysterically for like 10 minutes.

-1 because it counts as clothes so my Dad won’t let her wear it for more than 15 minutes at a time

After this picture I can’t help but also rate…

MY MOM’S NEW HAT: 9

I LOVE IT.  She’d been looking for a good hat to wear in the winter to keep her head warm, and a girl my sister works with ended up sending this one home for her.  She’d never met her, but knit her this nice hat.  That alone makes the rating pretty high.  But in addition, I genuinely love the hat!  It serves the purpose of keeping mom warm, but also has this awesome flower on the side!  I totally dig it.  -1 because while this color goes with everything I think I would like something a bit brighter.

Dog Escapers and Rainy Days

DAKOTA RUNNING OUT MY APARTMENT DOOR (WHICH ACCIDENTALLY BLEW OPEN IN THE HURRICANE) RIGHT AS MY TWO NEIGHBOR DOGS WERE IN THE HALLWAY: 0.

It’s one thing if he hurts a dog when he’s on leash and they come up to him, but a whole nother story when he escapes from my apartment and runs straight for the two small dogs out for a walk.  Then I’d be in big trouble.  Thank god we stopped him before any damage was done (other than my neighbor who will continue to hate me and the panic attack I’m still in the process of recovering from).  Currently serving time out on the porch and learning from his mistakes.

HURRICANE IDA: 2.  I’ll give it two points.  1) Since we’re always in a drought here in North Carolina, I’m sure the rains good for us, and 2) it was a great reminder of how lucky I am with my flexible part time work.  Got to sit around all day in my sweats and hide away from the gross weather.

Until class that is.

-points for dogs with too much energy (multiple rainy days in a row, with no walks, will do that), soaking wet clothes while sitting in an already cold classroom, no rollerblading, raincoats that don’t work, not owning an umbrella, and an ever growing pool of water collecting in the ceiling of my apartment…

DRIVERS IN THE RAIN: So I’m standing at a crosswalk trying to cross Hillsborough on my way back from class, in the pouring rain, with no umbrella, getting wetter and colder by the second.  Many people, at the same time, are driving their cars down Hillsborough, dry, warm and sitting in their comfy seats, probably listening to some nice music.  Why is it that they can’t stop for 10 seconds and wave me on so I can escape the Hurricane?  I rate their common sense a 2.  I’ll give them 2 points for the fact that they might actually realize it and be too self-centered to care.

Note to self.  ALWAYS LET WALKERS HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY IN THE RAIN.

COOL NEW WEB 2.0 TOOLS: 9.  I spent two years in my classroom getting super excited about new technology that would get my kids pumped about class.  And then I left the classroom.  Still equally excited by these things, I just haven’t been given as many opportunities to work with them, or write about them, until recently.  In the past week I’ve created my own online class using blogs, wikis and screen recorded lectures, and watched a lecture that introduced me to about 15 new INCREDIBLE web 2.0 tools in about 20 minutes.  PLUS, I got asked to present a workshop up in New York City to new teachers about all the incredibly technology I love thinking about, learning about, talking about, and most importantly sharing with other teachers.

It’s been a good week in the world of technology

This Year’s REI Yard Sale

Those of you who have been following the blog for over a year now (can’t believe it’s been that long!) will probably remember last year’s experiences at both the Durham REI yard sale and the Cary REI yard sale.  I started off the season with Durham, where we were in the top 10 there, arriving at around 5, and topped it off with Cary (the biggest of the three around here), spending the night in the parking lot (tent and all) and ending up number 1 in line!

This year I wasn’t around for Cary’s, but when our trip to Red River Gorge got rained out this weekend (which I rate a 2) I was unexpectedly around for Durhams.  While I attempted to recruit some folks for camping, the forecast of rain scared us off.  Paul, however, was game for getting up at 4:30 and heading over, which I thought would be perfect.  However, we ended up 21 and 22 in line!  We arrived to find two large tents, two hammocks (one with a tarp roof set up) and some random peopel in sleeping bags right in front of the front door.  We threw our name on the list, put the seats down in the back of my Suby, and used my crashpad as a bed.  When I say ‘we’, I mean Murph and I, since Paul stayed up in the front seat running down my car battery.

At about 8 we got our official numbers and headed out to breakfast while we waited for the store to officially open at 10.

After digging for a while we found some goodies, exited the back and headed to try on/try out all our fabulous goodies.  I ended up with a present for Dakota (see below), some more cheap hiking socks, a couple spare bike tubes, and a new climbing top for Hound Ears   (Speaking of Hound Ears, if anyone not going would love to hang out with two incredible pups for a couple days, they’re not allowed at the comp and so far haven’t found anyone in town.  I’m getting desperate so I don’t have to bail on a comp I’ve already paid for… I will rate you a 10 forever.  I swear.)

All in all I’d rate this year’s Yard Sale a 7.  Found everything I wanted minus a bike jersey, and didn’t spend too much unnecessary cash.  Next year, however, I’m sticking with the camp out.  I think I can make it happen once a year.

MURPHY’S ABILITY TO HANDLE EXCITEMENT: 5.  Murph needed some alone time, as he’d clearly been in a slump since spending so much time with Maggie, and then returning to still find Dakota around.  So this morning I decided he’d accompany us to the REI yard sale.  He did great, and was super friendly to everyone he met, but boy did it tire him out.  He’s done nothing but lie around all day, half the time in a DEAD sleep.  It’s been nice, I won’t lie

LAZY RAINY FALL DAYS: 8.  I love them.  I don’t know what it is about the rain that somehow makes it better, but I think it might just be the mandatory laziness.  No long dog walks (although we did sneak one in right before the predicted rain), no bike rides, runs, tennis, etc.  While I love all those things, sometimes I like the forced relaxation.  So far I’ve spent all day watching college football, studying for my midterm, and enjoying my new wool socks.  Some days like this can make me crave people interaction, but since I had QT with Paul, Laura, Jay, Lisa and Richard this morning, and am spending tonight with Lauren, I am totally thriving on the me time.

Headed to climb at Pilot Mt. tomorrow if weather permits, and while I’m loving the rain today, any extra prayers that it will leave in time for tomorrow would be much appreciated!  Until then, GO STATE!!!