What am I giving up for Lent?

Despair.

Details soon.

World’s most neglected. . . blog

I’m on the island visiting my parents.  G-Whiz is with me, and we are having a nice time doing abso-freaking-lutely nothing.   

So much has happened since July 14 I am not even sure where to start.  

I miss writing on this little blog, so this is just my little statement to myself and the universe: I is back!

Samson married a philistine; didn’t work out so great

However, I am adding a Samson to my life and hoping that no one ever asks us to betray one another; and that nobody winds up dead in a pile of temple rubble.

Here he is, my big, strong boy:

70 pound puppy

I’ve never had a dog like this before.  One, he is very puppy-like and goofy.  Two, he is huge (for me) and very strong.  Third, he has no manners whatsoever at this point.  However, I am pretty much enamorada, even though I know he is going to mean some serious work for me and the family.

Look at that face!
We had our first meeting with a trainer today, she gave us several good pointers and some homework.  Since he doesn’t even have the most basic concept of how to walk on a leash, it’s going to be a long haul, I’m sure.  I’ll keep you updated.

BBC is pissed as hell.  He has decided that we have lost our collective minds and have allowed a monster into his home.  Talk about no manners.  BBC has been like the anti-welcome wagon; hiss-hiss, growl, halloween cat nonsense.
Since I am home alone again – even G-Wiz has left me to go to Costa Rica to work on her Spanish – I’m glad for some canine company, ill-mannered as it may be for now.  Plus, he does this extra cute thing all the time where he lays flat on his back.  I’ll post a picture of it soon.

No joke. You can stuff your tummy.

I don’t know why, but I can’t finish a decent post tonight.  So, instead, I bring you this jem from recent a foray into the O.C.

I just love the honesty of this sign.   Come on in and eat too much.  Ah, los estados unidos y el county de naranjas.

G-Whiz! Where are you?

I invited one of my friends, whom I will call G-Whiz, to be a guest blogger here at IPU.  G-Whiz is smart, wickedly funny and has lots to tell the world.  G-Whiz can also write very nice prose.

But G-Whiz! Where are you?

<dude, i totally warned you i would do this!>

Words

By pilfering some seminary notes, a few “meaty” blog entries, and doing some original writing, I’m up to 17,011 words now. Still behind, but coming along. . .
My step-daughter is in the room with me while I’m writing. The rule is that if Megan is “working on her book” (people are very indulgent around here), you can be in the room, but you can’t talk to her. No, not even if your Barbie Laptop (I kid you not, peoples) game is confusing.

That is what Daddy is for.

15,423 Words

Miguel asked me how many words I’ve written so far on my psuedo-NaNoWriMo project.  The past week has been the worst, as I’ve barely written a thousand words all week.  I decided I would take a few days off when I was visiting my in-laws, and then I just never got back on the path.  Sigh.  I should be somewhere around 27,000.

Hopefully more will come today and in the weeks that remain.   Even though I am pathetically behind, it is still amazing (for me!) to see that I have 33 pages of words all in one document. I am sure Annie Dillard writes 33 pages in two days, but I am not Annie Dillard, so that is OK.

Dear Very Nice Mac Verizon Expert in Tijuana

THANK YOU!!

Yes, you, Mr. Tijuana Verizon help line guy. You stayed on the phone with me for almost 45 minutes, helping me set up my DSL and router. You were sweet and helpful, and now I am back in the land of the innernets living!

You cannot imagine how happy this makes me, Mr. T Verizon. I was getting very lonely for the rest of the blogosphere.

Hi everybody! I IS BACK! Back with more stories about sucker free countdown, wheat thins and Jesus.