Dog Park

We had a great day at the dog park today! Well, at least Jackson did. I made Ava run around for a while, and then she just stood next to me shivering and whining and wouldn't move, so I ended up holding her and warming her up for the rest of the time we were there. I know, she's an overly-dramatic princess-wannabe, but she can totally convince me to do what she wants. I'm a sucker.

We met a lot of fun and friendly dogs and Jack had such a blast playing! It was quite cold (there was ice in places in the grass) but a lot of people ended up showing up.

I know, like I said, princess:

This ball was so disgusting, but Jack fell in love with it. He wouldn't give it up. Someone actually ended up throwing it away, though, because it was pretty gross.

This standard poodle was another dog Jack was playing with a lot. Her owner and I got to talking because this dog came from a puppy mill rescue, so we had a lot to talk about. She reminds me of a friend of my family's dog, who is named Halle Berry.

I was pretty cold, too. We are a pair, Ava and me. I realized just now that I don't have many pictures of me without my ear warmer and hood on. Can't wait until it gets warmer out and I can take picture of myself NOT buried in 7 layers of clothes. :-)
The dogs are worn out (even though Ava did nothing, she was still warn out from being made to go into the "outdoors" - the nerve of us!) and sleeping on the couch next to me right now. Joe and I are headed out in a couple hours to go to a Potomac Movie Lovers Meetup Group meeting. We are going to see "Bride Wars." I'm excited!

A Happy Dog's Bedtime Prayer

Dedicated to Jackson and Ava, who live this life every night...

Now I lay me down to sleep,
The queen-sized bed is soft and deep.
I sleep right in the center groove,
My human being can hardly move.
I've trapped her legs,
She's tucked in tight,
And here is where I pass the night.
No one disturbs me or dares intrude,
Til morning comes and I want food.

I sneak up slowly and it begins,
My nibbles on my human's chin.
She wakes up slowly and smiles and shouts,
"You darling beast!
Just cut it out!"
But morning's here and it's time to play,
I always seem to get my way.

So thank you Lord, for giving me
This human person that I see.
The one who holds me oh so tight,
And shares her bed with me at night!

Author Unknown

Stuff

Not much new going on here, but thought I would update for our many (okay, try 3) loyal readers. We were supposed to have an ice storm the last couple nights, but like what happened when they got our hopes up with a forecast for snow - it didn't happen. It did start raining, though... and raining... and raining. It hasn't stopped since yesterday afternoon and there are now rivers running along all the streets. Ahhh, makes me feel like I'm back home in Seattle.

Joe and I have joined a few local community groups and last night I went to my first meetup - with a group called "Chick Lits of Montgomery County." Basically, this group is all women who ready trashy books and meet up to discuss them. They also meet up socially to watch movies, attend wine-tastings, go on tours, etc. I met up with them for the first time last night and it seems like a good group. Joe and I are both looking forward to getting out and meeting new people. We are both members of this new movie-lovers group and we're attending the first event on Saturday.

Um... let's see, what else? Joe is meeting with the chiropractor he will be working with tomorrow and will be drawing up a contract and figuring out next steps. He's pretty excited. Work is going well for me and I'm getting great feedback on some of the things I've initiated for them. We've started hosting giveaways through other websites and we're hosting one right now on this blog: http://themomreviews.blogspot.com/2009/01/birthday-in-box-giveaway.html. Check it out if you want to win a $25 gift certificate from my company. haha.


The dogs are doing good. Still crazy like always. Joe took this picture of Ava yesterday, what a crack-up. Jackson is getting a little cabin fever and we realized that when Joe starts working, we are probably going to have to invest in a dog walker. He just needs more exercise than Ava.

Well, I guess that's all I can think of. Hope everyone else is having a more exciting week!

2009 Begins

We had a fabulous New Year's Eve! Maybe not by others' standards (we didn't go out to party at the bars) but by our standards it was absolutely perfect.

After work, we went straight to the Metro station and took a train to Stuart's place. He wasn't really feeling that great, so we hung out with him for a while and he allowed me to watch some reality TV that I've been missing (we don't have TV and don't plan on getting it anytime soon).

We left Stuart at about 11:00 and took the Metro down to the National Mall. Our plan was to walk down to the Lincoln Memorial and toast the New Year on the steps in front of Abe. We made it to the Washington Monument, and then it struck midnight. My absolutely wonderful boyfriend had brought a bottle of champagne and plastic champagne glasses, so we were able to toast in style.

It was 22 degrees with a wind chill that felt like about 0, so we were FREEZING, but we had so much fun. I also need to mention (and I apologize for the sappiness) that one year ago last night was the night I told Joe I loved him for the first time. On top of the Eiffel Tower. So, it's a special night for us. :-)

We walked the empty streets of Washington D.C. for a bit after our toast, and then caught the Metro back home. Our dogs were waiting faithfully for us and we wished them a happy 2009 as well. :-)

Joe and I have a goal to be in a major city every New Year's Eve. 2009 we were in Washington D.C. in front of the Washington Monument:

2008 we were in Paris, France in front of the Arc D'Triomphe:

2010 we hope to be in New York City, but who knows where the next year will take us. Our 2008 was absolutely amazing, full of love and new adventures. I really believe our 2009 will be even more amazing. Can't wait!

Happy 2009 Everyone!

Stuart's Birthday Celebration

On Saturday, Joe and I helped Stuart celebrate his 27th birthday. (His birthday was actually Monday, but we celebrated during the weekend.) We went to his place, ate Chinese takeout, drank Red Bull and Jager, and killed Nazi zombies on his XBox. It was definitely a Stuart-esque night. :-)


I am sort of proud of the fact that I killed more Nazi zombies than anyone else. Not sure why I feel so good about that accomplishment, considering I am usually such a pacifist, but they were Nazis and zombies after all...


Unfortunately, the pie we made completely melted the candles, so basically Stuart blew out a pie engulfed in flames, and then we proceeded to eat pie that was mixed with wax, but it was the thought that counted.

Afterward, we went to this karaoke bar downtown and met up with a few of Stuart's friends. Joe and I headed home around midnight and left the now 27-year-old to his own deviant devices. Last we saw, he was making out with part of a bridal party, so I guess he had a good night.

Happy Birthday Stuart! Now you are as old as me!

Kimmy and South and Our Trip to Baltimore

One of Joe's friends from chiropractic school, Kim Mullen, is dating a very cool guy who grew up in Baltimore. His name is South. Kim and South flew out here from Portland to visit his family for the holidays and we were able to meet up with them yesterday.

It was our first time in the Baltimore area and South took us on a great little tour. We walked through the historical district, got a beer at a very cool little Irish pub, walked along the waterfront, and drove through the city where Joe got to see Camden Yards.

Don't mind the fact that I look completely pregnant in the above picture. It was cold and I had on a lot of layers. Ugh.

We spent some time at South's parents' house, too. His parents are great and quizzed Joe and I about how our parents felt about us up and moving clear across the country. (They were not happy with all three of their children did the exact same thing - all moving to Oregon one day.)

It was nice to see Joe in the company of a schoolmate again. They get so excited and engrossed talking about chiropractic stuff - what they've learned, what they've seen/experienced since graduation, new techniques they've heard about, new equipment they've used... they are so passionate about the practice it's really fun to see them together. I try to be as good of a sounding board for Joe as I can, but since most of that stuff is either so far over my head I can't understand it OR so disgusting I can't hear it (I mean cow tongue sutures and year-old cadavers are NOT my thing), I'm usually not much help.

South and I just sat and watched TV while Kim had Joe on the ground showing him a new way to adjust someone's neck. ("Try it on Heather," she said. Ummm, no thanks!!)

Anyway, it was a great day, especially after hearing that Joe passed his boards!

Board Scores!

We just found out that Joe passed his fourth (and final) set of boards! We are so excited and I really couldn't be prouder of him. All he has to do now is order his license, which will take about 8 weeks. I knew you would all want to know. It's a great day!