Morning Briefing: Dog Rescue

I can't believe how cold it's gotten around the outskirts of DC. It was 27 degrees when I took Leia for her walk at 6:30am today. Burrrrrrr. We were bundled up...Leia had her coat on and I had many layers. We went on our normal walk and came back inside and got toasty by the fire. (Just kidding, we don't have a fireplace.) We came in and she ate breakfast, I went to the gym and got ready for work.

___SIDE BAR___ I love my new running shoes. They're called Addidas "Bounce" and my irritated hip is thanking me for spending a few extra dollars on them....I love whatever it is that makes the impact of running less straining on my limbs. I was a bit nervous to not get the Nike brand because I've been so loyal, but these just fit. I knew right away when I put them on they were the right ones for me!

____end SIDE BAR___

So, back to the deep freeze in Alexandria. I brought Leia out out for her second walk and we went down the sidewalk and around the corner to the back of the building. Down at the end I saw two dogs roaming in the grass. As we got closer, I noticed neither of them were on a leash. I got super annoyed. Was the owner standing indoors, watching their dog go, only to call them in from the condo side door??? Dogs off leash always make me angry. So, instead of our normal walk to the end of the block and back, we turned around...which Leia thought sucked so she statued and would not move. Suddenly, I see these two dogs (one tan, very poofy and a about 70 lbs, one very small white dog with brown ears and about 10 lbs) come charging toward us! I was like, "hey, hey, wait....where is your owner???" Leia said her "hello's" and then there were three.

Yep, three dogs following me down the sidewalk. I got down by the small white dog and it seemed very cold...I noticed the name Piper and two phone numbers, but realized I didn't have my cell on me - darnit! I couldn't get too close to the big poofy dog but I did reach in and feel for a collar. So, the three dogs romped down the sidewalk with me until I got to the enterance of our condo. I knew I'd seen the maintenace dude, so I grabbed him and told him these two dogs seemed lost. I know he understood me but there was a language barrier. The maintenance dude tried to approach the larger dog and it barked at him...so I could tell right away he'd be no help. Thankfully, at about this time, I saw a lady walking her weimaraner. She was smiling from across the street...probably also annoyed to see two dogs off leash...and I said, "Hi, I could use some help - I think these two dogs are lost." She was more than willing to help and said, "let me go drop off my dog and grab a leash." Smart lady. I apologized and told her that I had to go to work, and left them standing by the maintenance guy. I took Leia up to our place and looked out the front window to find that weimaraner lady putting leashes on both dogs and taking them back to her place. Phew! Dogs rescued! The maintenace guy said he saw the same two dogs roaming around yesterday morning by the park (at least I think that's what he said!) Could they have been outside all night? I hope they get home alright. And i hope I run into the weimaraner lady. I'm so curious to hear the end of the story. Aren't you?

Let's get to work!

Yesterday I tried to write a blog thanking people for voting...but somehow it didn't seem like it was enough. I deleted the post with the thought that there were no words great enough to express how I really felt. So, I took yesterday to think about it.

Now, I wasn't alive when the Beatles stormed the US creating Beatle-mania and I wasn't there when they declared WW II a victory - but I feel like the frenzy of personal joy may be similiar to those moments in history. Hundreds of thousands of people screaming and crying and praying in the streets! Amazing. Jason just emailed me and said there's a line 4 blocks long today across the street from where he works. The line is to purchase yesterday's newspaper from the Washington Post headquarters. Just amazing.

There is a swelling pride in America that I have never witnessed before in my lifetime. It makes you feel like you're necessary. Like life matters more now. I find myself smiling at strangers and tearing up watching CNN. I still can't believe it's true!

So, I say thank you. And I mean it. Thank you.

5am Wake Up Call

Today, I did my part. I voted! Jason and I woke up real early...although it seems everyone else had the same idea too. When we arrived, the line was down round the corner past the pool and all the way down to the park - about 3 blocks. It took 1 1/2 hours to get inside the building, but overall everything ran as planned.

I remember the phone ringing over the weekend inviting us to this rally which happened about 1/2 hour from our house last night....here's what we missed. Enjoy!

The votes are in! - "Cheese for President"

Leia cast her ballot this morning and voted for "Cheese"!!!

She got up real close and whispered "Cheese for President"!

;) Wink emoticon.

I carved the Carlock pumpkin last night at our neighbor's house. I used a pumpkin carving kit for the first time EVAR and picked the ";) wink emoticon" from the book of carving choices.

****For the record, every pumpkin being carved from now until the end of time will require the $4 kit from the store. How easy and fun! I'm not kidding.***

Our lovely neighbors Max and Chris let me borrow their carving tools and off I went...carving away. I felt bad that I was working late and I wasn't going to bring our pumpkin because I was exhausted, but decided to at the last minute, and I'm glad I did. It ended up being very satisfying.

And my "wink" turned out so neat. I'll have to post a pic.

So far it's been a busy week! Jason and I attended a Baby Care Class with C at Inova Hospital on Monday. We learned some basic baby care skills - most of which I recall from my years of babysitting. Our preggers friend C sponsored our ticket to the 3 hour class so she didn't have to go alone. We have been helping C out here and there along the way during her pregnacy and this class was one of the highlights. The class was very real! It covered everything from swaddling to SIDS to when to call the doctor. I think she enjoyed that we were there. She's been nervous and put on home rest for this last week and we're just glad to help her out if we can. That's what friends do, right?

Our on-call duties have been relieved for now though - C's mom is in town now. She took the train down from NY and is here for the arrival of C's baby. Today, C was admitted to the hospital to be induced. Her appointment was at 7:30am, so she may have the baby today. We're standing by!

While we're waiting on C Jr. to arrive, I will be figuring out my Halloween costume. For some odd reason, we have two Halloween parties to attend and I actually want to go to them. What should I be?