Matt - Brittney - Mary Tyler - Cooper - Annie

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Thursday, December 11, 2008

phew!

this month has just flown by!! I feel like we were just home for thanksgiving yesterday! we had a great thanksgiving in the mtns of highlands, nc with my dad's family. it was awesome! we went to the carolina clemson game and that was fun!! then we came back. since we've been home....

1. we decided not to get a tree. it is SO sad to me!!!! HOWEVER. it was my decision. we're leaving the 18th to go back to greenville... and wont be home til the 2n of january. So i feel like going to get a tree ($$) then getting things to decorate it with ($$) then cleaning up after all the pine needles and sap shed ($$) and the potential that the puppy will chew off bark and get sick ($$) ANNND the fact we won't even be here to enjoy it really ... just feels like would be a lot of money spent (that we dont necessarily have). so our "first christmas tree" looks like it will come next year. which is ok really, bc next year (hopefully) we will be in a house that is OURS and only OURS (we're renting now) and I think we'll be a lot more settled. however we've decorated our front patio with icicle lights and cute little merry christmas wreath. I will post a picture soon.

2. i got a job! starting next monday, im going to be working at david's bridal :) obviously, this is not a "career" or a "forever job." but we could use the extra money, and i couldnt get my student load (FAFSA) in time to start school in the spring (so im starting summer or fall) therefore I wanted to do something that I actually really enjoyed. I love weddings and gowns, and all that jazz, so I think I will really have fun at my job :) i'll let you know! :)

3. my amazing husband works ALL THE TIME...I am so proud of him though. He's doing a good job at handling the stress. We are taking a "night" for ourselves tomorrow night and going to a friend of a friend of a friend's Tacky Christmas Sweater Party. It's being thrown by a married couple so I think it will be a great way to meet some people up here in Raleigh.. My brother and his friend Ryan will be here in about an hour, and I'm excited for that as well!! I love for people to visit, since I spend most of my days alone. (david's bridal is gonna be good for me to get out of the house as well :P)

As I mentioned, we're going home the 18th. I'm hosting a Christmas Shower for Cathleen and Christopher with Ashley Ross on the 19th and I am super excited about that!! I'm making fried ravioli, swedish meatballs, christmas cookies, and chocolate peanut butter balls! AShley's bringing chex mix and sausage balls and a few other people are gonna contribute as well. I can't wait to get together and share some Christmas Cheer, followed by, what i'm sure will be an interesting night at The Corner Pocket. :) Will upload some pictures soon!

-B

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Training the Dog....




Ahhh!

I had forgotten how impossible and frustrating it is to train a puppy - Especially to go to the bathroom outside! Not to mention, getting her on a schedule where she will sleep through the night, not annoy Cooper, and allow Brittney and I to sleep!

The first week, she had an upset stomach and was "leaking" from her back side - Considering all the new furniture in the house, it was not a pretty sight. I believe the final tally was 10 rolls of paper towels, at least 5 bottles/cans of carpet cleaner, and every bit of my sweet Brittney's patience.

Brittney and I both use some interesting dog training methods as we don't like the idea of "crate" training. If I hear "crate train her" from another non-dog expert, I'm going to crate train them (the person making the suggestion)! With Cooper, we put him in a crate for the first night and he didn't make a sound - The next night, we couldn't stand having him locked up and let him sleep on the bed. Cooper has turned out amazing - Just a tad bit spoiled though ;)

On the other hand, we made an attempt to put Annie in the crate. We were warned about Beagle's "strong vocals," but oh my gosh - The LOUDEST thing I have ever heard. It's like one of the old digital alarm clocks going off [ Here ] times 100. After maybe 5 minutes, we both reached our breaking points and let her out and on the bed.

She's a bit different than Cooper... She's very cold natured and will snuggle up very close to you to stay warm. Cooper, apparently, has some husky in him and is, therefore, warm natured - He'll lay on the bed for 10 minutes max - Then he gets hot - Then irritated - Then he's on the ground sleeping :)

My wonderful, sweet, amazing wife stayed up with both the dogs (sometimes until 7am) the first week while Annie had her little "leak." This was so I could get my 3-4 hours beauty sleep before getting up for work. Speaking of work, I clocked 112 hours!... One hundred and twelve hours!... 4.7 days!... two weeks ago, so things were a little crazy around the house.

After my 4 day vacation (Thanksgiving), I feel renewed and freshly motivated. Additionally, the dogs have been on their best behavior. Annie is starting to understand the concept of "holding it" as well as learn a few tricks (only sit for now). Brittney has been so great through everything... the dogs, my work, my lack of patience.

Life's crazy and moving fast, which, hopefully will slow down just a tad bit soon. I gotta get to working - See you all soon!

Much Love,

Matt


PS: If you want to check out one of the games I worked a good bit on, goto http://www.sifakaworld.com. It's a virtual world for kids - Very cool. :)