Fadedwords

Merlin was crate trained as a puppy.  I highly recommend it to anyone who is having issues with accidents in the house or a destructive pup.  Merlin is neither though.  We began leaving him out of his crate at night last year, which he liked a lot.  So over the summer Jake took the step to start leaving him out of the crate while he was at work.  It went fine; Merlin spends most of his day lounging on the sofa.

He does still love his crate though.  He only goes in when we’re doing something and have to prop the front door open, or when the spirit moves him.  He usually gets a yearning to go in after we’ve been outside playing kong.

It’s a safe place for him to gnaw on his most favorite toy.  Another time he goes in the crate?  While I’m getting ready for work.  Apparently I trained him so well about going to his crate when I leave for work that he still has some residual imprinting.

I usually do pretty well managing my own well-being in relation to work.  The past few weeks I’ve been failing at that.  I’m still on track with WW, but it seems as if everything else is going to h*ll. 
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Some mornings he’s so sound asleep when I come out of the bedroom that he sleeps through the door opening.  He sleeps through me laughing at him.  He sleeps through me picking up the camera.  He only cracked an eyelid to glare at me after I snapped two photos.

He has an incredibly tough life.

Today is a very special day in our house.  Merlin is two years old!!  He’s enjoying a relaxing day alternating between going out and enjoying the brisk fall air, prancing around with his brand new tug rope, “helping” me clean, and lounging on the couch snoring.

It’s hard to believe he started out this way:

And that he’s ended up this way:

He’s a giant idiot, but I can’t tell you how much I love him.  He’s a wonderful dog, loyal to no end, and is always there to make us laugh.

So happy birthday to my Moose.  2 years flew by…

Is it possible that it’s finally Friday?  I’m not sure that I can believe it.  This week has seemed just unbearably long.  There is a lot of busy-ness going on at school, most of it good but some of it just stressful.  Thankfully it’s not stressful in a way that’s directed at me, just in the sense that I’m involved in trying to help out as best I can.  One thing I’m thankful for this year: I’m actually getting to counsel kids.  I know that sounds stupid, but last year I didn’t do that so much because I was always being pulled to do other things.  It’s so nice to have administration that values me in that sense.

I’m excited that two of my friends will be going to my WW meeting tomorrow.  Dana went last week, and now Bre (who I scrapbook with) is going to join us.  It will be so nice to have friends working on weight loss goals alongside me.  I think I say this every week, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to have a gain this week.  First there was the infamous Zaxby’s incident.  Then there were two birthdays of friends at school, and of course there was cake.  I did my best and had only small pieces, but still.  That’s cake.  I don’t think I’ve gone over in points any day… but I may have gone into weekly allowance.  *shrug* We’ll see.  I’m prepared for a gain and will be excited if I haven’t.

I went last night and bought another cartridge for my Cricut.  Michael’s was having a sale… all of the fonts were 50% off.  I got the Cuttin’ Up cartridge, which is really neat.  I chose that one because with the special functions it’s like getting 5 different fonts in one cartridge.  Hint for family: I have all the font cartridges on my Christmas wishlist.  Now’s a good time to buy a couple because they’re half off. 

Jake is taking a motorcycle safety course this week Thurs-Sun.  Last night and tonight he’s out there from 5:30-9pm, meaning I didn’t see him last night and I likely won’t see him tonight.  Then tomorrow and Sunday he’s gone all day.  He leaves on his big motorcycle trip soon, so it’s good that he’s getting prepared.  I do miss seeing him though.

I know that there’s something productive that I should be doing.  I’m absolutely beat from this week and I’m fairly certain I lost some gray matter.  *sigh* It’s off to find a good use of time.