Casanova

In 20 years of marriage, Angie and I have never owned a dog. We're not really dog people. At all. At Christmas time this year, some friends asked us to dog sit for them while they were out of town. It was ok. No giant headaches to speak of. The best thing about it was the fun that Madeline had. She absolutely loved playing with that dog.

These same friends called Angie and I over a few nights ago. They have been trying to talk us into getting a puppy for Madeline. When we went over they had this tiny 6 week old Miniature Poodle to show us. They borrowed it for the night with the intent to make us fall in love with it. We did.

While on the "puppy high" I went home and made the huge mistake of telling Madeline about it. After many tears and "daddy please"s, I caved in. We now own a puppy.

Our friends tell us that the chocolate color in a Miniature Poodle is fairly rare. We have two dogs in line for breeding with our little stud when he's old enough. We've named him Casanova.

I'd appreciate any and all house training and other general puppy tips.

Peace-
Matt

Ninety

Two of my sisters, my brother, my mother, and I took a quick trip to Kansas this past weekend to visit my Great Aunt Dorothy and to celebrate her 90th birthday. 90 is quite an accomplishment. I'll quit bitching about being 40 now.

We got to see my Uncle Nate while we were out there. We don't often get to see family on our Mom's side. It's always very cool.

I wish people around here would stop spoiling their kids rotten. It's making it harder for me, because I refuse to do it.

Where's my stimulus check?

Peace-
Matt

Twirl

This weekend was... bicycles, sunshine, cigar, Catch Phrase, PMS, meltdown, melting, meatloaf.

I know you all know this, but parenting is a tough job. If it's not one, it's the other. What seemed right last week does not today. Throw a dose (or two...or three) of hormones in there and I'm lost. Thank God tomorrow is a new day. Looks like it will be a warm one again too.

Peace-
Matt

Sweet Sixteen

Last night, Alex went to the Winter Formal dance with her friends. I don't understand why they wear skimpy dresses at Winter Formal and long dresses at Prom. What do I know.

Alex turned 16 this week. I took her to get her driver's license on her birthday. That's all she wants to do now. She keeps asking about getting a car. I haven't found anything for her yet. To be honest, I'm not really looking that hard though. I don't want her to have a car. I like knowing exactly where she is all the time. I'm not ready to give that up yet. Maybe I should get her a phone with GPS built in, so I can keep tabs on her. Or maybe I should give her some of the freedom that she so desperately wants?

Friday night, I went with the Troutslayers to the Ron White show in Ames. One of the guys brought some bootleg Templeton Rye whiskey. This stuff was very smooth. Went down like iced tea. Before I knew it, it was too late. I'm not doing that again.

January has been a long month. I'm glad to see February come. Angie and I are going to Florida for a long weekend at the end of this month. We are ready to get away.

Have a great week.

Peace-
Matt