Halloween

I hope everyone enjoys a safe and FUN Halloween!

Beardy boy

Appreciation

Last night I went to a realtor appreciation party hosted by a local real estate attorney that I sometimes refer my clients to.  She used to have this realtor appreciation party in Dec but found that it was harder and harder to schedule without overlapping some other party/event, so she decided to move it to late Oct and make it a costume party.  (Spouses were invited but mine declined.)

The party was a lot of fun!  Nearly everyone was dressed in costumes.  I resurrected an old favorite of mine: Boy George.  Here is a photo of me from 2006 in the same costume.

Richard Simmons, Boy George, Bride of Frankenstein

There was live music, costume prizes, door prizes, food and drinks - what more could you ask of a week night Halloween party?

Spouse & I are going to a friend's Halloween party on Fri night and I'll probably be wearing this costume again.

Just because

Halloween comes early here

Since Halloween is this coming Fri, I would think that most bars and clubs would have their big Halloween parties on Fri or Sat night.  Glad I did a little research and found the contrary: this past Sat was the big night.  Maybe this was done to coincide with the increasingly popular Sea Witch Festival which took place this past weekend.

Spouse & I went to dinner Sat evening with Steven & Thad and Joe P, and then we headed over to the Blue Moon.  They "go all out" every year for Halloween, including a big costume party.  None of us were in costume but we figured we'd go anyway to see the clever, creative, and funny costumes of those who were (obviously) more into it than we were.  It was fun and we stayed for about an hour.

On Sun we met Steven & Thad, Robin, and Joe P for breakfast at the Crystal, and then tried on the costumes Spouse had purchased for Marvin & Walter.  I was a little surprised they kept them on, as I remember last year Marvin repeatedly pulled off the Santa hat we'd put on him.

Trying on their costumes at home

Once we had both of our hot dogs in their carriers we headed to the Sea Witch Festival's Costume Dog Parade where we met up with Steven & Thad, Robin, and Joe P.  It had probably been 10 or more years since we'd been to this, and I can't imagine why.  It was a blast!!  There were likely over 100 dogs in costumes, many of which were being walked or pushed in baby carriages or pulled in wagons or floats by their owners.  We didn't enter our guys in the parade as we didn't know how they'd react to being around so many dogs, but we stood along the parade route and enjoyed the show.  Of course Walter drew a lot of attention both before and after the parade as everyone commented on his size (3.5 lbs) and his overwhelming adorableness.  Being there took a lot out of both dogs (sensory overload anyone?) and both fell asleep in their carriers on the 15 minute drive back home. 

Joe P gets lots of puppy kisses from Walter

Vet visit

Yesterday was Walter's 2nd of 3 vet visits.  The 1st visit was for his new puppy check up and 1st round of shots.  Yesterday he got his 2nd shot, and in a month he'll get his 3rd of 3 shots.

Walter did so well!  He didn't seem to even notice that he got a shot.  The vet looked at me and said "I've had 60 lb German Shepherds wince from a shot like this.  This little guy is brave!"

The vet and the techs love Walter because he doesn't mind being handled.  Many dogs and cats don't like being held or touched by strangers but Walter has never met a stranger.  He even gave the vet some puppy kisses!

Once finished at the vet Walter and I stepped around the corner to my friend's office so he and his colleagues could see Walter.  It turned into a huge love fest with ooos and ahs galore and more puppy kisses.  Then on the way home we stopped at my office so my colleagues could see how much Walter has grown since they saw him a month ago.  At that time he weighed 2.4 lbs, and yesterday he weighed 3.8 lbs.  All that activity left his exhausted so he was happy to take a nap when we got home.

Lots of friends (and even strangers who encounter us on our walks) ask how Marvin & Walter get along.  I wrote earlier that it is a slow but steady progression for Marvin to accept Walter as part of the family.  Initially Marvin would growl if Walter got too close to him, but this happens less and less now.  Marvin now allows Walter to be close to him, as can be seen in this photo of both boys napping on my lap and legs:

Walter is relentless in trying to get big brother to play with him, and on a couple occasions Marvin has acquiesced and chased Walter around the house or played tug-of-war with a toy.  There's more room for progress there, but we are confident it will happen in time.

Its your day!

Thank god I'm off today, or I may get blind-sided... several times!

Beardy boy

Thanks to Daily Hunks for this hot and hairy hunk.

Just because

Weekend recap

As usual, I worked on Sat.  That evening for dinner Spouse & I went to a new place called the Crab House with Steven & Thad and Joe P.  I had a combo dinner of fried shrimp and fried chicken.  Very tasty but not so good for my figure.  

Afterward we went over to Joe P's house to watch a movie that had been recommended to him called Cloudburst.  I recognized the title as having been a part of the Rehoboth Beach Indedpendent Film Festival last year, but it was sold out before I could get a ticket.  It is the sweet and funny story of a senior citizen female couple who struggles to remain together when one of the woman's granddaughter steps in to try to "help" her blind grandmother.  The women pick up a male hitchhiker on their way to Canada which adds another level of humor and drama to their trip.  

Olympia Dukakis plays the fiesty, foul-mouthed older woman who cares for her blind spouse.  The film takes place in Maine and Nova Scotia so the beautiful scenery is like another character in the film.  Click here for film details and a trailer.

Sun morning the 5 of us met for breakfast at Crystal restaurant, one of my favorite Sun activities.  Spouse & I just relaxed the rest of the day with Marvin & Walter, watching TV, playing, and going for walks.  We met Steven & Thad a the Ocean Diner for an easy Sun dinner.

Beardy boy

In my mind he's blowing me a kiss

Spirit day

Today is Spirit Day where everyone is encouraged to wear purple to show we are against teen bullying.

Not that familiar with Spirit Day??  Find out more about it on GLAAD's website HERE.

Because I'm always down for a good cause, I snapped this selfie at my office for use both here and on my facebook page.

I need to go on a diet.

Truth

Just because

Weekend highlights

Our longtime friends Ron & James and Mike & Clark came this past weekend for their annual visit.  We used to hang out a lot when we lived in VA, and they would come visit our beach house with us every year beginning in 2003.  So this weekend was our 12th annual weekend together.

They arrived on Sat and we immediately met them over at our mutual friends Karen & Marty's home for lunch and a visit with Karen & Marty.  The weather was cool and rainy so we didn't spend any time on the porch.  That evening we had cocktails at home and then went to dinner at 1776 Steakhouse.  Our steaks were fantastic (even coming from me who really isn't a steak fan) and so was the banana coconut cream cake we had for dessert.  Afterward we returned home for more conversations and catching up.

Sun morning we had coffee and talked while some also perused the newspaper.  Eventually we dressed and walked over to JD's Cafe for breakfast.  It was cool but sunny so after breakfast we went for a nice walk through town, ducked into a few stores, and walked through Canalfront Park before returning home.  We talked and laughed some more until it was time for Spouse & me to get ready to go to a wedding.  Our dear friends Deb & Greer invited us to their wedding and reception nearby so we went to it while Ron & James and Mike & Clark went shopping at our wonderful, tax-free outlet centers.  The wedding was a lovely event and we had a terrific time.  

The brides

We met the guys back at the house, walked the dogs, changed our clothes, and headed out again, this time for dinner at Cafe Azafran.  Spouse & I ate rather lightly since we'd nibbled on goodies at the wedding reception earlier, but everyone enjoyed their meals. 

Can my face possibly look any fatter??  I don't think so.

After dinner we went for a walk on the boardwalk along the ocean before returning home for more talking and relaxing.

This morning Spouse went to work as usual and I stayed with the guys until they packed up and left at about 9:45.  

We were really happy that our friends who don't have dogs were so comfortable interacting with Marvin and Walter and vice versa.  We certainly wouldn't expect those who don't have dogs to play or hold our pets, but they did and everyone seemed to enjoy it.  We had a great weekend, as always, with our great, longtime friends.

Progress

Marriage equality made great progress this week!

On Mon the Supreme Court (yes, I typed it out... I have the acronym SCOTUS) decided not to take up any of the pending cases in 5 states, which meant the lower court rulings declaring anti-gay marriage laws to be unconstitutional were upheld.  This meant marriage equality became a reality in Wisconsin, Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, and Virginia.

Yes, Virginia!

I am the most surprised about Virginia because when Spouse & I lived there a terribly-written law went into effect that not only blocked same-sex marriage, but basically also said 2 people of the same sex couldn't do anything that might try to imply the same rights and benefits as marriage!  In other words, a guy couldn't leave his cabin in the woods to his male childhood friend in his will because this might be seen as trying to imply a right or benefit of marriage.  Both the content and the wording of the law were so reprehensible and offensive it was actually 1 of the main reasons Spouse & I decided to move out of Virginia.  Thankfully that is all behind us now and we look forward to receiving wedding invitations from many of our friends still living there.

With days, more states like Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, Kansas, and West Virginia joined the bandwagon, and its not over.  Keep your ears open for announcements in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Wyoming.

My blogger buddy Bob & his fiance Carlos are getting married soon in Washington (near Bob's dad) and hope that their marriage will be recognized in their home state of South Carolina by the time they return home!  How great would that be?!?!  For continuing, up-to-date info on Bob & Carlos' wedding AND states joining the equality march, be sure to visit Bob's blog HERE. 

Beardy boy

Perspective

So the other day I got a little annoyed because I was trying to get into a parking lot and the drivers in front of me were unable to get in due to the car exiting the lot that was in the middle of the roadway, rather than on 1 side.  The cars were backed up trying to get in until the clueless driver exited.  I was in a bit of a hurry.

I finally got into the parking lot and of course there were no empty spaces close to the store so I parked at the far end of the lot and grabbed a cart as I entered the store.  I'm looking for a specific gift, but unable to find it, I begin thinking of a back-up gift.

These days they really seem to pack the stores.  The isles are more narrow than ever, and passing someone with a shopping cart is next to impossible.  I see these 2 'mature' women with carts who are stopped and talking, totally blocking the isle.  They're old, they don't work, they're not on a timeline like I am, yet there they are, blocking the isle with their empty carts while they chat.  I can feel my patience running thin and my blood pressure spiking.  One of them finally notices me and moves her cart so I can pass.

I round the corner and head down another isle and see a woman heading toward me with another woman clutching the 1st woman's arm.  Then I notice the 2nd woman is wearing dark glasses.  She's blind.  I pull my cart over as far as possible so the 2 women can pass by me, and I count my blessings.

I think about my recent silent complaints about the traffic congestion, the far away parking place, and the shoppers blocking the isle.  Suddenly these things seemed insignificant compared to being blind.  At least I have my sight.  I can drive.  I can shop alone.  I can do all kinds of things that blind woman couldn't do.  I just needed to see her to put my 'problems' into perspective.

Just because

Lovely lyrics

Its been quite a while since I've done 1 of these, so allow me to share with you a song I like a lot that contains lovely lyrics.

Day By Day
performed by The Four Freshmen

Day by day, I'm falling more in love with you
And day by day my love seems to grow
There isn't any end to my devotion
It's deeper dear by far than any ocean

I find that day by day you're making all my dreams come true
So come what may I want you to know
I'm yours alone and I'm in love to stay
As we go through the years day by day

Day by day I'm falling more in love with you
And day by day my love seems to grow
There isn't any end to my devotion
It's deeper dear by far than any ocean

I find that day by day you're making all my dreams come true
So come what may I want you to know
I'm yours alone and I'm in love to stay
As we go through the years day by day

I find that day by day you're making all my dreams come true
So come what may I want you to know
I'm yours alone and I'm in love to stay
As we go through the years day by day
I'm yours alone and I'm in love to stay
As we go through the years day by day
Day by day, day by day, day by day

Weekend

I'm working both Sat & Sun this weekend.  What are your weekend plans?

Beardy boy

Watching, learning...

Its been just a week and 1/2 and I am completely amazed at how quickly Walter is developing.  He has bonded with me and Spouse, he knows his name and often comes when called, he knows where he gets fed and where he sleeps, he knows where the door is after being outside, and he's doing great with the house-training.  Having never had a puppy before, I would say he is at or above expected behaviors for his age.

Walter's last day before the collar and leash

I also think he's developing quickly because he watches and learns from Marvin.  We've seen Walter imitate some of Marvin's behaviors, so its good that Marvin is so well house-trained and accepting of guests in the house.

Until today we could keep an eye on Walter relatively easily because he was too small to go up the stairs.  But today he surprised me.  I realized I'd left something upstairs and ran up to the bedroom to retrieve it.  When I returned to the top of the stairs, there was Walter on the next to top stair!  No doubt he'd seen his big brother bound up the stairs effortlessly and decided he would give it a try.

We also introduced Walter to a collar today.  Its actually a cat collar which is more appropriately sized for his little neck.  He seemed aware of it and tried to remove it for only about 5 minutes.  Then it was no longer a concern to him.

Once used to the collar, I attached a leash to it and took both boys for a walk.  Walter tried to bite the leash for a minute or 2, but then walked on as if it were suddenly routine.  Again, I think having observed big brother on a leash helped him understand it was nothing to be scared or frightened of.

Not every minute of being a puppy's dad is lovely.  Walter loves to bite and chew things so he must be supervised and told "no no" more often than I'd like.  But we understand that he is a puppy and this will pass.  We will then have 2 great dogs to love and enrich our lives.