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

Snow Cat

It got a little warmer for one day this week, so Madeline finally got to make her "snow cat".

If anyone's got a line on a cheap (under 2 grand) car for Alex, please let me know. I guess it's that time. Damn.

I'll be 40 in a few hours. Angie's rounded up some of our friends to meet at the local bar in a few minutes to celebrate. Might be a long day tomorrow.

Peace-
Matt

Top of the Hill

I took Madeline sledding today. We had a good time. She wanted to build a "snow cat" but the snow just isn't wet enough. It's still below freezing, though it's about 60 degrees warmer here than in my last post. Feels great out now.

This weekend felt like it was just a couple hours long. Why does Monday come around so damn fast?

This is my last week in my thirties. I'm not ready for 40. I don't feel 40 in my mind. My body tells me differently though.

Peace-
Matt

Brrrr

This was the temp on my way to work this morning. It's 2 degrees colder than that right now. Yes, that's right, my computer says it's 28 below zero F here in Cambridge. wow. Fight Global Cooling now, increase your carbon footprint.

Peace-
Matt

Daydreaming

A warm sunny day sounds great right now.

Have a tremendous week.

Peace-
Matt

Epiphany

Still winter here. Angie and I bought a couple of airplane tickets to Florida for the end of February. It'll be just her and I going for a few days. Kind of a pre-20th anniv winter getaway; or at least that's our excuse. We'll be looking for someone to keep an eye on the kids for a weekend.

Happy Magi Day.

Peace-
Matt

One Two

Madeline spotted this bald eagle sitting about 50 yards off the road this morning.

Peace-
Matt

Ketchup

Just catching up on some photo processing from our Christmas festivities.

Peace-
Matt