My puppy

Many of you know that our family got a new puppy this summer, a pug we named Miss Honeybee.  For the most part she is MY dog since Stan is away during the work week, and the daughters now have their own places.

At this writing she is 5 months old.  In doggie years I think that makes her a two year old, which means she's in her "terrible twos".  I keep reminding myself that she  is.  (Hang in there Marla!)  She's physically almost full size with crazy energy!  14 pounds of solid, strong, wiggling, biting energy!  She chews on anything she can find, and seems to love my flip-flop collection the best. Most of them now have teeth marks in the soles.  No Honeybee no!

I took her to the Petsmart puppy training program and learned to use a clicker to get her to sit and to properly use a pee pad. Honeybee was too small  to be able to go up and down the outside steps to get to grass when we first brought her home.  It worked well for her first 2 months living here.  But, now she's gotten bigger (and you know what that means) and she has NO CLUE about doing her business outside. 

So, my goal for the month of October:  get Honeybee trained to go outside!   How?  Should I continue with the positive clicking and rewards?   Or, do I need to get mean and punish her doing her business in the house - when just last month she got a click, a "good girl" and treat for it? 

Miss Honeybee has also taken to wanting to chase moving cars and people on bicycles.  This is something new to me. I've never had a dog before that wants to take off fast and chase things.  So, for now, she has to be on a leash at all times when outdoors. 

I know Honeybee will get older, and calmer, and easier to handle.  In time.  I know the puppy stage is a challenge.  I know, I know.    We'll make it through. 

She's so so so cute when asleep!  

Gameday

It's a Saturday in September, which means it's GAMEDAY!  The "Boys of Fall" take to the field tonight at 7:00pm.  I root for the South Carolina Gamecocks!!  Why? 

1.) 4 years of tuition to that great institution so daughter #1 could get her BS (Bachelor of Science degree.  What did you think I meant?)
2.) Supporting a team in the SEC is "classic football" and it just doesn't get any better!
3.) The Gamecocks are never a sure thing.  They keep you guessing, and crying at times, but laughing at other times.  So, a win is very BIG and always exciting!  

I have loved football since my childhood growing up in Ohio.  High school football was a "town event" and everyone went to the games on Friday night.  I was a marching band geek so I went to all home and away games. We even marched through the heart of town to the stadium, playing the fight song all the way.  I learned about football back then.  I learned the rules and why there are penalties.

So, one day when I was in college in Baltimore, a guy friend who happened to have a part-time job with the Colts (pre-Ravens!) and I were talking football.  He was impressed with my knowledge of the sport and offered me a job working in the Colts press box.   So, for one season I worked for the Baltimore Colts and got to see every home game in the warmth of the box.   My job was a "runner" which meant I brought in updates, stats, etc. to the reporters.  Did I mention this was a LONG time ago?  Before computers. Yes, before computers!   horrors.

But, often I was a glorified waitress and got the press members some soup and munchies.  I don't know why but one of my biggest memories was the huge vat of hot New England Clam Chowder that was available at every game.  I loved that soup!

Oh - I also got a special parking pass for the old Memorial Stadium and got to ride up the "private" elevator with the press.  I thought I was hot stuff for a college junior.

So, my love of football continues now...  

with the Gamecocks.  Only in this part of the country can you loudly cheer.....Goooooo   Cocks!!!   and not get arrested.

GO COCKS!   Beat the Vandy Commodores tonight!

Welcome to my blog...

Welcome to my blog, or perhaps as the song goes "welcome to my nightmare"!  Hopefully not.

I have wanted to have a space to write my thoughts down, and to somehow give my voice a megaphone (I have been told I'm a quiet talker), so here it is.  Some days will be ramblings, some days maybe something profound may find it's way here.  It is what it is.

Today's thought:  Watch out for the satellite trash that's expected to fall to earth.  Question:  Why can't the NASA scientists find a way to "save" and recycle their trash like all of us do?   I mean, that's a huge chunk of money getting ready to crash down, hopefully into the ocean.  I guess I never thought it was smart to spend the millions of $ on exploring space when we have so many many needs for the millions of $ here on earth anyway.  NASA gave Kennedy and the people of the 60's a way to feel good and strong, but that time has passed - and so has NASA's usefulness.   It just seems strange to rocket all that money into the sky while people on the ground need to for paying medical bills or putting a roof over their head...     which makes me go back to the beginning, put SOMETHING over your head today so you don't get bonked by some satellite debris!

PS:  I am feeling a little like Carrie from "Sex and the City" right now!  Or maybe Doogie Howser!