3 hours...

For 3 hours on Saturday, I anxiously watched and waited (and yelled) until the final seconds ticked off the clock before I threw up my hands and said, "YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!" ECU beat Tulsa to claim the title of Conference USA Champs! The Pirates will be headed to Memphis, TN (hmm...roadtrip?!) to play Kentucky in the Liberty Bowl on January 2nd. I am so PROUD to be a PIRATE!

Saturday morning, I took Bella to the Reedy Creek dog park for her first time. She was so cute. She was petrified for the first 5-10 minutes, hovering in the corner with her tail between her legs while the other dogs came up and sniffed her. After awhile, the fear went away and she found her legs. We stayed for an hour or so (had to get back for the game!), came home and I put her immediately in the tub for a much needed bath. I promised her if it doesn't rain this week, we can go back next weekend. :)

I am anxiously awaiting PAY DAY so I can get our picture printed and buy/make our cards and get them mailed. That'll be the project for this weekend...I'll let you know how they turn out.

To this:

I've had her almost 4 months (Man! Time flies!), so she's about 7 months old now. :)

Intermediate

Last night, Bella and I went to our first intermediate class at PetSmart. To say I was overwhelmed when we left, would be a serious understatement. :/ But, as we left the ring, our trainer Lindsay, said I was doing great. I think I should not give her two bowls of food before class next week. ;)

Unlike puppy school, we started off right away. She was all excited with her new classmates (I think she might have a crush on Jackson, the grey Weimaraner), so getting her to listen and sit/stay was quite a challenge! One of the commands we learned was, "wait". We practiced by going in and out of the ring by unhooking the curtain.

Well, this morning when we were going out on the deck for our usual water/oj, she sat while I unlocked the door (as usual), but stayed sitting while I opened to door, stepped outside and looked at her. She didn't budge! She didn't move until I pretended to put down her water bowl. She waited! And, I didn't even give the command! :) YAY!

From this:

Post-Thanksgiving

We had a pretty nice Thanksgiving this year. Bella and I got to my folks' early enough to help make a couple dishes (total shocker for my mom!). Joe arrived around 1:15, followed by Paige and Paul around 1:30. We munched and talked while Mom and Dad were fiddling with the turkey, that came out too soon and had to be put back in. We had a great spread, the usual, but still yummy: turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, yams, green beans oriental, yummy fruit salad, cranberry sauce (at Joe's request). Later, pumpkin pie and carrot cake. It was delicious! :) Paige, Paul and Mom had fun making music in the living room while I watched football with my dad and Joe. My mom said Paul got extra points for bringing his new guitar with him! I wish I would've taken a picture!
Friday, I spent the day with my mom and Bella spent the day with my dad. My dad raked the entire yard and let Bella hang out. He said she had a great time running through his piles of leaves and at one point, even stole his rake that he'd left on the ground! :) Needless to say, when she came inside, she couldn't stay on her feet she was so exhausted. She'd sit up in her crate and basically slide down in exhaustion. It was really funny and super cute! :) Saturday, I went to the fabric outlet off Capitol with my mom and got a couple swatches. I intend to recover the blue chair (again...since Bella went to town on my incomplete upholstery project a couple months ago!). So, we'll see. That will be my January project perhaps. And that's where the "great" parts of the holiday end.

P.S. The Conference USA East Division Champs, the East Carolina Pirates will be playing Tulsa on Saturday in the conference championship game, 12pm on ESPN2! AARRGGHH!! :)

Bella graduated!

By the way....

Bella Bean Gladwin completed her Puppy Education class and graduated last week! :) I have her "diploma" in my office at work. I want to get a clear, box frame (cheap!) to hang it. She gets this week off and then next Wednesday, December 3rd, we begin "Beginner Education". I stuck to Wednesday nights, with our same trainer, since that's what works best for work. It's another 8 wk. class and I'm hoping that we will learn how to teach her not to jump up on people and how I can better prevent her from doing so. While I think it's cute and kind of humorous in the way she shakes her butt & wags her tail, it won't be if she continues to take on weight like she did in her first 6 months. We shall see! P.S. I am very aware Bella's middle name is "Bean" but that's what I call her. I can call her just "Bean" and she will come or at least turn her head to look at me. Why change what she knows?

We are going to Thanksgiving at my parents' house in Raleigh on Thursday and I think we're going to take Christmas photos! I'm excited!! :) Hope everyone has a great time feasting and remembering to give thanks. Even when times are tough and heartwrenching things happen, there is always something to be thankful for! Keep that in mind.....

No longer living life as a blonde....

Well, after leaving Raleigh last Monday and hating the fact that I was still fair-haired, I did something about it. Saturday, I went from blond to multi-color brunette. Yep, I definitely went for it. It is so shiny and looks great! I haven't been able to take a good photo yet, but once I do, you know I'll post it to show off my new locks!

Bella has her final "exam" tonight for puppy school. She can do it all, even "staying"...but it will come down to tonight. Will she be able to stay, for 15 seconds--with distractions, in order to graduate??!! ...I'll keep you posted. :)

P.S. BOO for the Pirates' 21-3 loss to Southern Miss this past weekend. :(

Homecoming....

This past weekend was Homecoming at ECU. Not that I need an excuse to go see my girlies, I decided to give myself a little vacation by taking Friday and Monday off from work. Tuesday was Veterans' Day, so I got a nice 5 day weekend. Lovely.

Thursday after work, Bella & I drove (well, I did the driving!) to my parents' house for the night. There's just something about home....Friday, we headed down to Greenville. I dropped Bella off at Auntie Adina's so that I could go to campus to see old professors, to the City to see the GIS guys, and to UBE to get some new Pirate paraphernalia. It's interesting to see how much Greenville has changed since I graduated..even since January!
Friday night, Adina and I went with her brother, Toby, to the Rebel opening at the Emerge Gallery downtown. The Rebel is a student publication that features extremely talented writers and artists, and is mighty difficult to be offered a spot. Well, Toby had two animation pieces chosen! So, it was fun being around the artsy-fartsy folk, although it did make me miss art school. ....Adina ran into Julianna, a girl she went to Italy with 4 years ago, so we all went to Boli's on the Boulevard to eat, drink, and be merry!
Saturday, Adina, Bella and I went to the Homecoming Parade on 5th. I learned that she gets apprehensive around bands and firetrucks. When the ECU Band came by, Bella actually hid behind me. Aww, so sweet! After the parade, we met Joanna and Hannah at the Fresh Market. Yes, Greenville has a Fresh Market..finally. We took lunch over to Hannah's so that Bella could meet Ramseys, her sister-from-another-mother. I was slightly worried that they wouldn't get along, but they quickly put my worries to rest as Bella chased her around and under and over and around for the next hour plus. It was a great afternoon with my girls (human and canine alike)!
Sunday, I packed and headed back to Raleigh for the night...Bella got her Christmas present early, as my parents bought her a crate like the one I have for her here--the biggest one they make (48"x42"x33")--and, they actually put it in the kitchen! My parents--not huge pet people--put my dog in their kitchen! It's a big deal, to say the least.
Monday, I got my hair done and I hate it. I was going to take the plunge and go dark, so I told the lady "no more blonde". How did I come home? Still blonde. Ugh! There were harsh words and tears...I mean, it looks fine (I do happen to have great hair), but it's not what I wanted. But, never fear, I'm getting it done on Saturday afternoon. Only 2 days left as a blonde...........I'll post a picture once it's all said and done. :)

Well, this post has turned into a short story, so I'll cut it off ...HERE. Until next time.....


p.s. ECU beat Marshall 19-16 (OT). We are now 6-3 with 3 games to go before the conference championship. GOOOOO PIRATES! Aarrgghh!