Give a veteran a hug two days ago!

I spent the weekend in Massachusetts with my family (and my Masshole...and my Christy, with my fairy godchild Sarol), and was therefore blessedly without reliable access to a computer for several days. I did not think about you, about blogging, or really much of anything except trailing behind the dogs to Oxi-clean the heck out of the carpets they kept piddling on.

It was a given, but yes, my mother's dogs hate all of dog-kind and kept picking fights with Grace. It was a proud yet humbling moment for Anthony and I when Grace was finally prodded into defending herself. She has one hell of a growl, I'll tell you.

At the same time, we really didn't want her to kill little Napoleanic Tessa. What a stupid little dog! But she is not particularly socialized and we didn't help matters by buying a big old bone for just Grace to tease tubby-Tessa with. (Oh yes, the masochistic gene is in the whole line of women in my family!)

We also learned that Grace should never be off a leash. Number one because she ran over and jumped on some little old man who lives three houses down from my mother. Number two because she "discovered" a 4-6' black snake at the top of the hill and decided that pursuit was the best option. Note to all doggies: pursuing an angry snake is only a good idea if your idea of a good time is giving your mommy a heart attack. And then quickly following that up by a mad dash to the veterinary ER for snake bite treatment.

On Sunday, Anthony and I tag-teamed Andrew in mini golf and I still lost. What a surprise. But there was much celebratory Dairy Queen to share (Andrew's food intake for the day: my mother's home-made pizelles, a large Reese Peanutbutter Cup Blizzard, and the chicken finger platter at Strand Theatre. Mmm-mmm, good). Then there was farting around and Ice Age 2 at the local theatre.

There was also much shopping (shoes, clothes, clippers, scrapbooking supplies, Napolean Dynamite memorabilia...), catching up, Corona, and there were even multiple sightings of my brother. He does indeed exist.

Oooh, I'm experiencing a temporary brain failure. Must go recharge...