Saturday, January 31, 2009

Shit happens...

I apologize for the crude title, but dog poop is taking over the neighborhood and it's starting to infuriate me.

I remember when I lived in Michigan, where it could snow from October to April. Once May rolled around, I couldn't walk from my apartment to my car without gagging from the smell of dog doo. People were too lazy, or too cold, or didn't want to risk stepping in some other lazy dog-owners shit pile to pick up after their pets. The spring "shit thaw" reeked every year.

Now it's come down south and it's gross.

I fully admit that some of Bailey and Zoe's after-dark poops are left until the following morning or afternoon, because I definitely do not trust the nearby ground to be free of land mines for my unsuspecting shoes. However, I always make a sweep the following day. In fact, I often make a sweep with my pooper scooper once a week - picking up doggie droppings that I know do not belong to my pups. I'll spare you the details, but both Bailey and Zoe have very distinguishable droppings.

If I have TWO dogs, and I pick up 99% of their excrement, why can't my neighbors make the tiniest of efforts to help keep our neighborhood from smelling like a port-a-potty?! In fact I have been thanked, on more than one occasion, by passersby witnessing my clean-up efforts.

Without getting too graphic, I will concede that there are certain instances when "clean-up" is not possible. For example, poor Bailey has always had a rather sensitive stomach, so I have seen my fair share of distressing gastrointestinal episodes. THAT is excusable.

Walking your dog through my cul-de-sac to poop at will, without making an effort to remove the offense (repeatedly, mind you) is unforgivable.

I don't feel that picking up after my dogs is going above and beyond the call of duty - I think it is considerate and should be expected. Does anyone think I am being unreasonable?

And if you do think I'm being unreasonable, I invite you to take a stroll through my neighborhood. No nose plugs allowed.

Friday, January 30, 2009

The Animal

As recently posted, my Dyson Animal vacuum is the most fabulous Christmas gift I've ever gotten. I'm sure there are those who would call me crazy, or maybe even dorky for saying so, but for the owner of a Norwegian Elkhound (one of the hairiest, most heavy-shedding of dog breeds), the Animal is a Godsend.

Since I returned home with my precious hair-sucker, I have been a non-stop vacuuming freak. I can't help it. I actually hate carpet. I wish I could rip it all up and out of my house. It's gross. However, it will be a while before I can afford to do that and replace the flooring with hardwood. So for now, I will continue my vacuuming spree!

If you can find a good deal on one of these babies, I highly recommend the purchase. If interested, try Costco.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

25 random things

I'm copying my friend Corey from And Emma Makes 5, one of those who "tagged" me as mentioned below.

I was tagged this week (by four different friends on Facebook) to write a "note" titled 25 Random Things about Me. Here's what I came up with:

1. I am deliriously happy to be single.
2. One of my most favorite sights is Bailey wagging his crooked tail for me when I come home from work.
3. I have one brother, and he is one of my heroes and a wonderful father.
4. Related to #3, I have a FABULOUS niece whom I love to bits.
5. I gave up soft drinks (almost completely) at the end of 2008 at the prompting of my father.
6. My favorite place to be is in my bed with Zoe at my side and Bailey at my feet.
7. I have an intense crush on Kip Pardue.
8. I love the movie "Remember the Titans," and I think all boys should be required to watch it before they reach the age of 13.
9. I don't hate to cook, but I lack most of the required equipment to do so.
10. My mother is a talented artist.
11. My father is a talented dentist, as is my aforementioned brother.
12. I am godmother to Sydney, the beautiful daughter of two of my dearest friends.
13. I have been to Reykjavik Iceland, and yes, the tap water tastes better than evian.
14. I taught web design for 6 weeks, in several different locations of Australia in 2001.
15. My favorite color is CAROLINA blue - graduated from UNC in 1996.
16. I am inexcusably addicted to dojo competition on Club Penguin.
17. I have a Master's degree in journalism from Michigan State University. Go Spartans! (unless they're playing the Tar Heels)
18. My assistant's name is Jennifer Garner - REALLY
19. My hair is ridiculously naturally curly.
20. My favorite Christmas gift was received this year - a Dyson Animal Vacuum.
21. I was most valuable in my high school conference (swimming), and I swam for the UNC Tar Heels, too.
22. I cut off about a half-inch of my right pinky finger when I was 2-years-old. The nail grew back, but it's still a little curvy.
23. One of my dearest college friends (also a roommate, whom I haven't talked to in ages) is a soap star.
24. If I could meet one person, living or dead, I would choose Larry Burrows.
25. I can't believe how lucky I am to live so close to my oldest and dearest friends. Kerry, Caroline and Mark - I love you guys!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Gym hazards

For the last year and a half I’ve made a very serious effort to keep a regular exercise schedule. I’ve been relatively successful, but lately I’ve begun to wonder if I’m not doing myself more harm than good. Honestly, the last several times I’ve been to my little secret gym (in a secret Durham neighborhood), I’ve nearly had a heart attack while attempting to keep stride on the elliptical machine.

I mean really, must all men allow weights to slam down in a deafening crash every three out of ten times that the weight is lifted? It doesn’t help that the cardio machines are positioned so that one’s back is always to the weight machines, meaning that there is never any warning prior to SLAM! I have unintentionally leapt off of equipment more than once in response to said deafening crashes. I even spontaneously screamed out, “Jeez Louisous!” once, but alas no reaction, and no change in weight-lifting behavior.

It has been quite a while since I’ve been a member at a gym (mind you, my secret gym is not really even public, but rather a private neighborhood facility), but I don’t remember any previous facilities to which I was a member as similar to a high school football weight room. So again, I ask, what gives?

My little secret gym also offers an individual satellite television per cardio station and an additional one that faces the main weights area. While not as annoying as the slamming of heavy weights, when more than one tenant is in the gym at a time, there is sometimes an “entertainment conflict.”

What I mean is that I have literally had others try to “out-volumize” me. As a secret member, I always concede (turn off my TV), but then the louder tenant always looks at me and asks, “Oh, was I bothering you?” Of course I say no, and for the most part I mean it since I’m lucky to have access to the secret gym at all, but really, why would they ask unless they were aware of their obnoxious volume?

Nevertheless, despite the slamming and the volume competitions, and the occasional lack of hot water and soap, I know how lucky I am to have access to such a nice facility. Thank you to my secret friend in the secret Durham neighborhood for accommodating me!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Addictively commercial-free

Yes, I am one of those people who shamelessly “feeds the cable pig.” I love my wireless internet, digital cable and my new DVR.

I held off on adding the DVR for so long, but when I realized The Closer and 24 share the same time slot this season, I knew I had to cave. As an unexpected bonus, Time Warner’s “on-time guarantee” landed me with a $40 credit on my account because the technician was late for both of my recent appointments. That credit equates to free DVR installation and three months of free DVR service! Woohoo!

So the DVR was installed last Thursday, and I’ve already gone TiVo crazy. Think Sex and the City’s Miranda, but substitute Nip/Tuck, 24 and The Closer for Jules & Mimi.

Zipping through commercials gives me a ridiculous sense of power, not to mention a sense of peace due to the lack of “tv doorbells” which freak Zoe out. Additional top perks below.

No more missing Tar Heel hoops! Hurrah!

No more reaching the end of a 24 episode and thinking, “what the heck just happened?”

No more warp-speed dog-walking during commercial breaks.

Now I just have to resist becoming a slave to the remote. I fear my weakness!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Quote of the day

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."

-Barack Obama

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Louise-isms


After relaying anecdotes from this past weekend to my assistant, I realized some of them are too cute not to share.

1. In my experience, most kids who want to be picked up will say something like, "Up!" or "Up mommy!"
Louise says, "Hold you!" So cute. She usually became quite nervous when Zoe was loose and able to approach her. She would run to the nearest adult and cry, "Hold you! Hold you!" Even with my bad back, I couldn't help but pick her up.

2. I would like to say that Zoe was a perfectly behaved little girl, but I can't. She definitely nipped at Louise several times. Both Zoe and I are very lucky that Mike and Shelly were so understanding! I should say that Zoe never did make real skin contact (thank goodness), but she did get a good grip on Louise's coat sleeve. After that, Louise began to approach Zoe with "no bite!"
All things considered, Louise was a very well-behaved toddler around Zoe.

3. Louise belts out AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" like no other. Shelly - you need to get that on video ASAP.

4. I have honestly never met a more trusting, loving toddler. Most children I meet require a "warming-up" period - at least a few days if not weeks. Weezie hugged me and kissed me the day I met her. She wanted to wear my slippers, hold my hand, have me sit by her and hold her right away. She is one of the sweetest kids I've ever met. Stole my heart immediately.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

A wintery inauguration

My driveway at 10:33 am Tuesday. The snow was welcome for at least two reasons: The Institute was closed so I was able to work from home. In turn, working from home allowed me to watch yesterday's historical inauguration. Like one of my friends said, I think the country breathed a huge sigh of relief.


Bailey - who loves snow - was obviously otherwise engaged in the photo below. I believe he was taking note of strangers passing behind our house. Don't be fooled - he's only curious. He's a terrible watchdog.


Beware the yellow snow...


Tiny dogs are not fond of snow, as it tends to cling to hair...


After each time I took Zoe out to do her business, she immediately darted back to the space heater to dry herself off and warm up. She was pretty much stationed in front of it all day.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Old friends...New friends

I very much enjoyed my weekend in Western North Carolina visiting my long-lost pal Shelly and her family. It had been more than 15 years since we'd seen each other, but it was just like old times. Or, old times plus an adorable daughter and wonderful husband. The latter whom Zoe seemed to heavily favor!

I didn't dig my camera out until my second day there. Although I told Shelly to wake me up for breakfast, she let me sleep in (sweetheart), and saved me some. After I scarfed down my breakfast, Shelly decided Louise needed some outside time to get her "wiggles" out, so we walked down the hill to the orchard.

Shelly assured me that Zoe could roam off-leash, and my tiny girl was all too happy to be fancy free.

Check out her pointer stance below. There's a nearby dog who scarcely stops barking, so there was constant stimulation.


Below we have Louise and Shelly using their "poking sticks" to make applesauce out of the rotten apples lying about.


Then of course there was Zoe vs. Cat. (You'll probably have to click on the photo to enlarge it to see Zoe and Hector). For the most part, Zoe would run right by Hector and Pablo without hesitation, but occasionally she'd give chase. While we were in the orchard, Zoe managed to chase Hector up into a tree, and she hopelessly circled the trunk and jumped at the tree in an effort to reach Hector - no dice.



Later, before going out-and-about in Asheville, I captured Weezie and her daddy in some playful poses.




On Monday Shelly, Louise and I made an outing to Black Mountain. Although it was a little cold (and walking with a 2-year-old can be quite slow) we enjoyed the trip. Sweet Louise bought a special dog biscuit for Zoe, and we had coffee at the dripolator coffeehouse. Shelly and Louise below.



On the way home, we were thankful Louise nodded off, but at the same time I was so sad that I wouldn't be able to properly say goodbye to her! Nevertheless, Shelly the fabulous chef fed me once again (YUM!) and then we took photos of ourselves, much like we did more than 15 years ago. I'm jealous that Shelly has ONE chin to my TWO in these photos.




I took the last photo on my way home - just a street or two away from Shelly's house. The snow had really started to come down. I was both thankful and sad when it stopped about 10 minutes later. The rest of my journey home was snow-free.



I can't wait to see Shelly and family again! It's nice to know that good friends can pick up where things left off...no matter how much time has passed.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Another birthday

I wanted to post this before the holiday weekend because I won't be in town and Caroline's birthday is Monday the 19th!



Last Sunday Mark, Caroline, Kerry and I went to Bocci Trattoria & Pizzeria in Durham for Caro's birthday celebration. I'd never been, and Italian is not always my first pick for cuisine, but I loved my dish. It was an appetizer, the Pizza Margherita: 10" Brick Oven Crust, Fresh Mozzarella, Sliced Tomato, Fresh Basil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Yummy! We also enjoyed 1/2 price bottles of wine (for bottles priced under $30).

All celebrations shared with friends like these are great no matter where you are! Next birthday: Kerry's on February 13th.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

My dad: through the younger years

These photos are of my dad, at several different stages in his life. I received them from his oldest sister just after the new year. Since I can't describe them myself, I'll have to rely on her words.

Photo 1: July 1950: On the back of this picture Big Mama had written: "Kendall Glazener, age 7-1/2 years, July 1950." He is standing in front of Mama's hydrangea bush, with the smoke house in the background. Kendall is wearing Big Daddy's hat and rubber boots, and carrying his lantern. Every time we would go home when Kendall was little, he and Big Daddy would "hide" before we left, as if Kendall were going to stay with them.

My aunt described this photo as among her favorites of her little brother. I'd have to agree!


Photo 2: An elementary school photo - Paulette wasn't sure what year - but I'd guess he's around eight-years-old?



Photo 3: Another photo where the age is unknown, but my best guess is what we'd now call "middle-school."


Photo 4: College or end of high school, again not sure. Before I took a good look at this photo, I always thought that Todd resembled mom and I resembled dad. No longer. I've really started to wonder if my parents brought home the wrong child! (Not really, due to several personality traits I share very closely with dad).



While it's not the best photo for comparison, if you look at the photo below and the last one of my dad, it is easy to see the striking similarities between them. The ears, the nose, even the similarity of their head shape. While my dad's and my eyes are almost identical in shade, I don't think that Todd nor I have eyes shaped like dad's. I think that's a shame because I'd have to say my dad definitely had some "come hither" eyes!



Side note: I like seeing photos of my dad when he was younger because his face has been almost entirely covered by a full beard and moustache for as long as I can remember. It's nice to see the face hiding under all that hair!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

For Chris Reuther

Remembering Chris, who would've been 36 on January 3rd. Every time I hear the song "Shine Your Light," I think of him.

"Shine your light down on me
Lift me up so I can see.
Shine your light, when you're gone,
Give me the strength
To carry on, carry on."


-Robbie Robertson, song featured in the motion picture Ladder 49

Monday, January 12, 2009

Latest Sydney

Photos from one of my latest visits with Sydney. Such a cute outfit. Kerry called her a candy cane, I called her a girly jailbird.




She's grown very attached to daddy and she loves climbing the stairs. I try to convince myself that she's warming up to me (no stranger danger) but I'm pretty sure I'm lying to myself!

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Burn after reading

Genius, hilarious stuff. Frances McDormand may have upstaged her Fargo performance, and Brad Pitt is phenomenal. There is a line Pitt delivers approximately half-way through the movie that I must've replayed over 50 times. My stomach still hurts from laughing at it.

Love seeing Richard Jenkins always. I'm still mourning the loss of Six Feet Under.

George Clooney, scary Tilda Swinton, and always angry Malkovich are other highlights. Highly recommended to my dark humor loving friends.

At approximately 90 minutes, Burn After Reading is not too long, not too short - although I would've been happy to watch another 45 minutes of this movie.

I know this pitch is vague, but I don't want to ruin the movie for anyone...enjoy!

Friday, January 9, 2009

Lip Smackin'

Here's my Zoe, exhibiting an all-too-familiar face. I swear she yawns (WIDE-mouthed yawns) and licks her chops more than any dog I've ever known. Maybe it's all that excess hair around her mouth, but every time I try to trim it, she just wants to lick my hands. It's like she thinks my hands are covered in dog nip.

Sorry Zoe - dog nip doesn't exist - and even if it did I don't have any!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Diggin' Redbox

So my friend Kathy convinced me to give Redbox a whirl, and I must say that even though I've only rented one movie thus far, the service appears to be quite a deal. I mean really, $1 (okay $1.07) for a 24 hour rental is fabulous! We all know the evil yellow and blue store charges nearly $5 for a one-night rental of a new release.

To sweeten the deal (for me at least), there are currently 4 redbox retailers within 6 miles or less from my house, and 3 of them offer online reservations of dvds as well.

So, I go to the web site during the day, reserve a movie, pick it up on my own time, and then I have until 9 p.m. the following night to view and return the movie. Oh, and you can return the movie to ANY redbox retailer - doesn't have to be the one from which you rented the movie. I say thumbs up!

I've used both Blockbuster Online and Netflix in the past, but Redbox appeals to me because:

1. No monthly fees (rent 1 movie or 15 per month, each is only $1)
2. PRICE (see #1)
3. Several locations for renting and/or returning and no waiting for a dvd in the mail

Find a Redbox near you today and rent your favorite movies for just a buck!

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Two treasures


Abby and Nana, photo taken the day after Christmas as we were making our way back home. I love this photo, and I know it will be a favorite of mine for years to come.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Quote of the day

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right."

-Oprah Winfrey