The Life of Brian

“Dallas” (the cat)

Here are a couple pics of the newest addition to our family:

We’ve loved and hated him a million times since bringing him home Thursday; we’ve decided to find him a new home, then give us all a few more days time to adjust about that many times as well.

Neither one of us have ever had a cat before, so it’s definitely an alien presence in our home.  He seems to enjoy dumping the dogs’ water bowl over every chance he gets; he likes playing with the Christmas tree; and he must think potted plants have a big “TOY” label on them.

The dogs seems to be adjusting well.  Khaki basically avoids Dallas.  This morning Samoa started “kind of” playing with him - he would chase her, then she’d chase him; but neither were sure what to do when they caught the other.  Dallas started playing with some balls this morning.

I think it’s safe to say that the jury is definitely still out on this one.  He’s a beautiful, loving cat; I’m just not sure I enjoy having white cat hair all over everything, and, the concerns I mentioned before still hold.

Christmas Update

I’m going to be a better blogger next year - that’s going to be one of my resolutions.  But why wait?  It’s time for an update…

Christmas is nearly here, and I’m totally not feeling it.  I actually got decorations up this year (note that I had to completely redecorate the tree this past weekend because I had to replace one string of lights that had gone out)…  But haven’t gotten all my Christmas shopping done yet.

Keith and I are volunteering with the soup kitchen tomorrow; hopefully that will help me get my head on straight.

I had my front brakes worked on yesterday.  They’ve been bad for a while; I’d gotten a quote at Brakes Plus a few months back, then when I had my oil changed & car inspected at a local shop last month they gave me an unsolicited quote for the brakes that beat the other one.  What finally got me to split with 200 hard-earned dollars was that they sent me a coupon for 30% off labor if done by the end of the year.  Thus… new brakes (pads, whatever).

Work’s been kicking my butt lately.  I love the work, don’t get me wrong, it’s just very tiring & stressful - and it’s not the kind of work you just leave at the office.  With email on my Mogul (yeah that’s another story I’ve never told here, but I ditched the Treo way back and “upgraded” to another phone I hate but am stuck with) and a company laptop…  I still end up working at home, after 10-12 (or longer) hour days.  And then there are the technical problems I crunch on subconsciously, and wake up at all kinds of crazy hours thinking about…

I’m determined to drop a few pounds before our next trip to Gulf Shores this coming April…  I just haven’t been able to squeeze in any trips to the gym, and with this crazy, unpredictable Texas weather - one day it’ll be walks and bike-riding in shorts one day, while bundling up like an eskimo the next (no exercise those days).  And don’t get me started on trying to eat healthy during the holidays….  ;-)

Oh.  Here’s a shocker for anybody that knows me…  I think we’re getting a cat.  !!!  Yeah, you read that right!  Keith’s mom has two Ragdoll cats she’s been trying to find homes for.  I’m STILL not completely sold on it, but Keith’s committed us to a trial run.  I’m just thinking about MORE vet bills, another mouth to feed, kitty litter, claws on my leather sofa, cat pee, Khaki the ferocious Chihuahua….  lol  (really, I’m not a pessimist, I swear!)  We’ll see how it goes.  I’ve got some pics on my phone, I’m just too lazy to go get my phone right now.  I’ll post about it later.

And with that - it’s time to get dressed for work.  If I don’t get another post in before Christmas - have a wonderful Christmas!

Isn’t this the Cutest Thing you’ve Ever Seen?!

New pics on Jodie & Kirk’s blog.

If this isn’t the cutest thing ever, well, you’re crazy.  ;-)

George Clooney on Gay Marriage

“At some point in our lifetime, gay marriage won’t be an issue, and everyone who stood against this civil right will look as outdated as George Wallace standing on the school steps keeping James Hood from entering the University of Alabama because he was black.” George Clooney 

Boutz Pics

Kirk has updated their blog, and added new pics of Nanette, and an ultrasound pic of their newest family member (scroll all the way to the bottom for the announcement)…

Here are a few of them:

Nanette!

I’ve been a little behind lately with lots of things…  One of those is shouting from the rooftop when pics of my niece show up on the web!  ;-)

So check it out — Jodie & Kirk have a couple posts with new pictures.

Oh and in case you haven’t heard yet….  Jodie’s expecting #2 in June!  :)

(Doesn’t that look like a little Jodie right there?!)

STUFF

Felt like I needed to do a quick update post…  It’s been a while since I’ve said too much.  :)  Not in much of a wordy mood tonight, so it’ll be choppy.

We went tubing down the Guadalupe this past weekend — me, Keith, Tanya, Trey, Angie, & Zane.  We left Friday night, and came back Monday.  Stayed at Yogi’s campground in a little cottage.  We actually tubed Saturday AND Sunday — had a blast both days!  I might have some pictures later (we took a supposedly waterproof camera), it’ll depend on what turns out, and how bad I look.  :)

Getting pretty tired of the campaigns…  Tried to ignore the Republican BS (Giuliani) on the boob tube tonight, but was still drawn to it (love/hate kind of thing).  Of course it just pissed me off, so I tried to lose myself in Google Reader.

I just “discovered” Jay Brannan tonight.  Good stuff!  I don’t buy much music these days, but think I might buy his new CD.

I finished reading Confessions of a Pagan Nun earlier tonight…  I’ve read mixed reviews on the internet (after the fact, of course - I’ve ruined too many books by reading stuff on the internet first) — but I enjoyed it.  Makes you think.  It is historical fiction, but the author kind of blurs the line between fiction and reality so I was kind of doubting the fiction part for a while.  Anyway…  I have the next book picked out, but it’s in the other room and I’m being lazy.  ;-)

Nanette turned TWO YEARS OLD on Tuesday!  I know, hard to believe…  I talked to Jodie tonight and asked her if that made her feel old…  It sure does me!

Um…  what else….?  I guess that’s all if I’m grasping for something else to write about.  ;-)

A Little of This, A Little of That

It’s been quite a while since I posted any kind of update on what’s going on in my life these days…  So here it goes, all random!

I started a new job last month, and am absolutely loving it.  I no longer have to deal with coworkers I can’t stand– everybody (ok, NEARLY everybody) at the new job is laid back and fun to be around.  :)  Every day there’s something new, and I’m constantly on the go.  Never a dull moment!  I knew I hated working at the old place, but didn’t realize just how much it was affecting my whole life until I got out of there.  Work was like a black cloud over EVERYTHING, dragging me down.  I’m actually HAPPY again–without medication!  :)

The fence staining has stalled…  It’s too damn hot to be out there any longer than you have to be.

Keith’s youngest sister, Kelli, had her baby around 2pm on Wednesday.  Pics of Ryli here.

I’ve joined the “fit club” at work.  We started a contest on Tuesday to see who can lose the most weight (%) over the next 8 weeks.  I weighed in Tuesday, went to the gym, and ate healthy that day..  Did well on Wednesday.  Then it all went to shit Thursday.  ;-)  So I’ve got some making up to do - probably gonna try to hit the gym tomorrow.

I dropped my cell phone this week and broke the display…  About half my screen is unreadable.  Makes it pretty difficult to send/receive text messages!  Given that, and the fact that I’m going to need the capability of sending/receiving emails from my phone for work pretty soon, I’m shopping for a new phone.  The nice ones are expensive!

We still haven’t gotten the garage door fixed.  My first paycheck with the new job was only for one day, so I’m currently living on my savings account; so we’re holding off ’till after next payday…

Did you see the post about watering your foundation?  Well our back door off the sun room had gotten to the point that we could hardly close it, never mind latching the door.  We didn’t get a soaker hose for back there, but instead I just watered the heck out of it with a regular sprinkler (that section of the yard doesn’t have a working sprinkler system), and now we’re able to close the door again.

I’m pretty sure there was other stuff I wanted to mention, but that’s all I’ve got for now.  :)  Hopefully the next post will be more interesting…

Saturday

Keith did a post on his blog about how we spent our day yesterday… He pretty much said it all, and as usual did so better than I could have and with a bit of humor to boot. Check it out here.

Cutie Alert

Jodie & Kirk have new pics of Nanette up on their blog. Below are a few of my favorites!