New Addition

We have a new baby at our house! She was awake and crying every 2 hours last night, and I feel once again that I have slept the sleep of a new mother. But who could be angry with this little cutie?



She is a Moyen Poodle, which is a size between Standard and Mini, more popular in Europe than America. Having had one of each size, we thought we'd split the difference this time, and get a playmate for poor Kali.



So far, Kali plays a bit too rough, but it doesn't seem to deter the little one. They are actually cousins, as Kali's father, and Puppy's mother were siblings. She is still un-named. We are open to any suggestions that don't include any fru-fru poodle names like "Fifi", "Fluffy", or "Cream Puff".

We were supposed to get her last weekend, but the long trips to Washington last week for testing, and the day trip to Somerset for the Memorial Service for JP's friend took precedence over taking a puppy outside to pee every 2 hours.

We had guests for most of the weekend. These guys, plus the wife of one of them, came Friday night, and drove to the Memorial Service with us. That night, after returning from the service, we played cards and ate homemade pizza and popcorn late into the night in R's honor.



I'm not sure why I'm feeling such pain for his widow, much more so than in other situations I've been faced with recently. Perhaps it is because I have known them both so long - before they were married, in fact. I have always know them as R & B: an item on campus.

B is not tall, my height or perhaps a bit shorter. Following the service on Saturday, we were encircling her - JP, his tall roommates, and we two spouses. She looked up at the men and and asked, "You won't get together without me, right?" Of course we can't - she is part of the equation!

In the meantime, my Dad finished our garage! It looks wonderful! We had considered going out for dinner to celebrate, but we felt too exhausted emotionally and otherwise from the weekend already.



JP spent some time on Sunday, while I was trying to catch up on laundry, organizing some more both in the garage and in the barn. He rigged a 3 pulley system from the barn rafters to hang his bicycle and mine. It worked fine, until a cable pulled loose and they plummeted to the floor. Mine looks none the worse for the fall, but JP's rear wheel is no longer circular in shape.

Unfortunately, the lack of sleep last night did not put us in prime shape to return to work and school today. We're doing our best.