Canine Fat Camp

So, Murphy's been gone at camp for just over a month.

He got home yesterday.

Actually, the dog who ate Murphy came home yesterday.
He is the rolliest, polliest, fattest version of Murph I have ever laid eyes on.

Which is in stark contrast with his condition before "camp," when he was slim, trim, fit, and had run 60 miles during the month of April. Keeping up with people who were running (with his tiny 4-inch-long-legs).

Now he weighs in at an impressive [actually, at a disgusting] 19.5 pounds.

Ugh.

And I am a horrible dog mom, who keeps calling him things such as "Fatty McGee the Lethargy King." Yes, I'm a bad person and should probably never have children of my own.

So now, much to his chagrin, he's unwillingly entered "The Biggest Loser: Wienie Edition." We went for a "bike ride" today (I rode, he ran... slowly). J & I are committed to walking him for an hour every evening (a challenge since it is hot in the evening and we have to be places early in the morning). One of the main objectives for the summer is to get him back down around 15 pounds where he belongs.

And he will never go to camp again.

Here. Safe.

Check the trip blog for more details.

Break-up with Blockbuster

I've quite recently been told that the quality of writing on my blog has gone way down since I've been in love. To that comment, I'd like to respond with the following:

Dear Blockbuster-

I'm not sure how you've gotten my e-mail address, but seriously, enough is enough. Leave me alone. I'm ready to opt out.

We had our good times, it's true. I'll always remember the many times I ran to you right at midnight so you wouldn't charge me a hefty fine. And there were the many evenings I'd come in looking for something that you didn't offer (that always was a "hallmark of our relationship," wouldn't you say?), but those times are in the past. Sure, we may have been "uniquely invested," but I'm with Netflix now and we're really happy together. I mean 'Flix comes to me, is reliable, e-mails me to let me know when he'll be here (and is always available instantly, whenever I need a fix), and consistently leaves me satisified. That relationship is really meeing my needs; we've been together more than 4 months and have established quite a long queue.

So really, Blockbuster, quit creeping over into my other e-mail accounts. I mean, come on! Saying things like, "You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost," is just far too little, far too late.

We're finished. Tell your webmaster. And leave me the hell alone.

Sincerely,

mjp (aka: viajera1077[at]yahoo)



And for those who aren't yet totally disgusted by my smitten inloveness, here's some pictures from the opera Thursday night night. The new Long Center + Carmen + fancy dress = nothing but great. Plus, J looks DAMN good in his suit. I'm not looking too bad myself, either. We are SO fancy. And we love each other--have I MENTIONED that?!?!?!?!?

prayers

Josh's nephew Athan (who will be 1 at the end of May) had open-heart surgery this morning. The surgery went well, but the recovery period will be pretty intense for baby and family. Please keep this family (the Strebeck's) in your prayers...

You can read all about Athan and see his sweet smiling face here.

Bursting at the seams

I am disgustingly happy. Seriously, feeling this giddy should almost be outlawed--except how would "they" know? Probably because I would blog about it.


Ah, yes, so life is blissful and grand (with the exception of this giant metaphorical stack of papers I have to grade--they were all submitted electronically, so I can't just drop them down the stairs and give the heaviest ones the highest grades [per Joon Yee's suggestion]. But I digress...). This morning in church, I was so filled with soul-swelling gladness that I really thought I might spontaneously combust. The music + the message + the company = happyhappyhappy


Here's some pictures from Saturday... we hosted dinner at my place, then sat in the Soularium with pipes and scotch to round out the evening Sherlock-Holmes-style.

Ah, so happy. :-D
(and I love my new hair)

All of my Friends are Always Right

Ladies, this is for you:

Perhaps I don't tell you this enough, but you're right. Pretty much all the time. I can be right, but typically in those times when I'm seeking counsel from you (or when I'm not, but you give it anyway), you're right. You're right. I stand corrected, because you're right.

You were right for a long time about, well, you know. You were all right.

You were right yesterday, when I was freaking out about the misunderstanding. You're right. Everything's totally ok, and you were right.

Thank you so much, my dears, for being in my corner even when I'm not-quite-right. I believe this is reciprocal, sometimes I can be right... it's just that you're all right too.

And today, again, I'm alright. Thanks to all of you for keeping me in check.

Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
So a [woman]'s counsel is sweet to [her] friend.
Proverbs 27:9

Deep Smit

Pictured below is the object of such smit.

And after you read this, perhaps you'll be smitten, too.