So March has been here for awhile, and we're already witnessing the vast difference in weather. One day, it seems to be cold, maybe rainy, cloudy, windy... another day, like today, sunny, light breeze and just a few big puffy white clouds doing their dance across the blue skies. Quite the difference, and I think that's what keeps so many people living in Oregon for so long.

Hockey is winding down towards the end of the regular season, and soon the playoffs will be upon us. We're taking friends to the game on March 15th, against Seattle. That's going to be fun, especially since that could be a first round matchup.

The boys are doing well; Brandon loves the nice weather and hates the rain. I suppose that's the way it works when you work outside. Tyler is doing pretty well with school, and helping with dog class too.

Mary Lou has been fighting a nasty cold for a couple days, and the drastic change in weather can really get to her as well, causing full-body aches and such.

Cheers!

So it's been awhile...

Mary Lou has undergone her first IV treatment, and for the most part it seems to have worked, although she apparently seems to have used up a lot of the energy pretty fast. That's something to keep in mind as we continue through the process.

Brandon has been dealing with a bad tooth, and is finally able to get it pulled... work schedules get in the way of that sort of thing sometimes.

Tyler has been promoted to associate trainer in dog class, and he's really happy with that honor.

All in all, things are going pretty well here.

So, it's a Tuesday night in mid-February, and tonight is a special night.

Tonight at service dog class, we're having another graduation, as a couple of the dogs and their handlers, who have been working hard for two years, graduate from the program and move on in life.

It's quite a big deal to everyone. This is what we work hard for, and it's a lot of fun to see them reach this goal. At the same time, though, it's a bit sad, because I get attached to some of the dogs, and become friends with people. We don't always see much of them after graduation, but sometimes we do. That's always fun.

So, tonight, it's DOG NIGHT!!  :o)

Cheers, or maybe...   WOOF!!

Super Bowl is over and done with... the world has survived the associated black-out, so let's move on...

Hockey season is picking up, lots to watch on TV. I've been reading more of my hockey books, so don't forget to check out my review at my other site. The link is on the right...

We're all having a pretty good time here. The weather is getting better, not so cold at night. Now, if I could just figure out how to actually sleep at night. Must be something in the air, I guess...

The dogs are keeping life interesting... especially keeping them entertained and trained.

Cheers for now!

Puppy Update!  He's got a name: Carmello, although we all just call him Mello... and he's very well named. He's got a very mellow personality. He went with us to the hockey game last night, and he was very well behaved. It was a very crowded game, over 9000 people in the MC, about 90% full, I'd guess... and Mello slept during a lot of it. He didn't seem to be terribly worried about all the noise from the crowd, or us.

Other than that, things are relatively quiet as we move into February. No one is watching the Super Bowl, and I'm not sure that anyone is even interested. Such is life some days... it does make for a quieter home though.

Looking forward, I don't see much on the calendar at this point, which means it should all come at once. (groan)

Cheers!

So, I'm sitting here listening to some of my saved Weird Al Yankovic songs. I've loved his music for years, going back to grade school. I got to thinking about something not too long ago...

How many bands can say that they still have the original core members together after about nearly 30 years? Weird Al started to become something of a name in the early to mid-80s, and I've got some tracks saved on my computer that go back to 1984 or 1985. Like I said... nearly 30 years.

I say he, and the band, are well deserving of a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, whenever they are up for induction. I even heard of a petition to get Weird Al to play the Super Bowl Halftime show... that would be one to watch, even if I'm not watching the actual game.

Anyway, that's my weirdness for the day... Don't take yourself too seriously, or you might miss out on the fun in life.

Cheers!

We've been puppy sitting for a couple days, and let me tell you... the puppy, who doesn't have an "official" name yet, is cute, cuddly, and seems to be well-mannered, aside from the occasional accident. Puppy is getting along well with our regular herd of dogs, and the new guy should do well when he joins the service dog class. I think that's the best part... we will be able to see him often at class.

Other than that, things have settled down for the most part. Weather has warmed up into the upper 40s, and the rains have come. Snow is dumping all over the mountains.

Mary Lou has a very important doctor appointment coming up on Thursday... more on that later this week.

Cheers!

COLD! That's the best way to describe the last week or so... the lows have been in the 20s.

Things are going pretty well these days; the odd hockey game, following things that happen on the ice while we're at home... service dog class, you know, the usual stuff for us.

Now that we've re-discovered the living room, the dogs can play a lot easier. Unfortunately, that also lends itself to trouble. Poor Mary Lou had one of the dogs bounce off the couch and slam his head into her elbow. We were worried for a minute that she'd broken something, but it just turned into a nice bruise that will look even better in a couple days.

Stay warm my friends!!

What a difference a few days makes! The weather has turned colder, and we even had a few snow flakes a few days ago. The snow didn't last long, but it was long enough that the black dog looked like a reverse Dalmatian for a few minutes. Pretty funny...   Now, the skies are clear, and the temperature has dropped like a rock, down to the 20s. We've had the fireplace going more in the last three days than we had most of the winter season to this point.

After a little winter-time cleaning, we've re-discovered the living room, and the dogs have more room to play. That's always a good thing, because they get tired.

Brandon is interviewing for a lead position at work, and says that he's got a 1 in 3 shot at it.

Stay warm my friends!

So, the new year has been here for about week. Mine seems to be moving along quietly, relatively low-key. That's a good thing if you ask me.

Mary Lou's dad was in town recently, and the doctors seem to think he's doing pretty well for now. Nothing new either way, so that's progress. Meanwhile, Mary Lou's doing all right, although she got a nasty rash from something, not sure what though.

At dog class, we're preparing for graduation, at least, that's the plan so far. It depends on whether the students have their final projects done in time.

It's all going pretty well...  see y'all soon!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!  Here's to the beginning of 2013. That's going to take some getting used to when I actually have to write it down in places...

Hopefully everyone had fun ringing in the new year, however you did it. I was at the hockey game last night, and then celebrated for awhile with our friends. A good time all around, for sure.

Weather has turned mostly clear, but COLD... like, down into the mid-20s at night. That's pretty darn cold for Portland.

Cheers!