Beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Yesterday, it was sunny and 40. Today is a new day.

Nick is a pudding face

The best part about my new job is getting to come home earlier each day to see my guy. Actually, there are a lot of things I love about my new job, but that's definitely a perk. Another, is having the resources to take care of the little sweetheart who takes care of me. Today was a trip to the groomer. See how cute he is?

from my parents' Christmas tree

Aww.

we had an autumn

This is what SE Michigan looked like in October. Now the winter's creeping in.

from the archives

It's been nearly two months since this picture was taken, and quite a bit's happened in that time. It's been a couple of whirlwind months of doggy allergies, elections, applying for a new job, waiting, interviewing, waiting, getting the job, going to Florida for Thanksgiving, and coming home to begin the new job. Before the madness began, Nick and I did some porch sitting. Here he is October 8. My rock.

autumnal beauty

I've been home sick today, but after our afternoon stroll I felt OK enough to let Nick enjoy the porch for a bit, soaking in the sunny, 60-ish weather.

the left profile

Nick watching the world on a beautiful autumn day

most valuable pup

The NFL started back up today, but Nick and I are just sitting around the house being cute.

someone got beautified yesterday

Guess who.

moving on up?

We went on an office field trip, Friday, touring the Renaissance Center. Nobody's quite sure why, but I'm hoping this means my department is one of those moving in.

august showers bring

Cute dachshund.

Nick knacks

Since Nick moved in, we've acquired quite a few dog-related items. Funny how anything symbolic of Nick is automatically cute.

top of the stairs top of the world

Nick loves sitting at the top of the stairs. Especially when there's sunshine to enjoy.

Nick's parking only

I still get a kick out of that sign. It's a shame the dollar store on 9 Mile went under.

lap steal

He's been waiting patiently, all day, for a lap to sit in. His patience is about to pay off.

the new detroit skyline?

We're taking over!

golden guy

Nick and I have been catching up on reruns of Golden Girls. Nick likes Rose the best.

the past month pt. 11

Once the MA/NY vacation was over, I came back to a new job. This was my first assignment.

the past month pt. 10

The Hilton loves dogs: they lowered the windows, so Nick could lord over the parking lot and all of Pearl River, NY.

the past month pt. 9

Nicky loved the Hilton.

the past month pt. 8

Nicky in Nyack, NY.

the past month pt. 7

The Hilton loves dogs: the room came with two bowls, a doggie bed, and a clutch bag for walks (on bench) filled with treats and bags for when Nicky does his bidness.

the past month pt. 6

Nicky didn't even get a stiff neck.

the past month pt. 5

Pudding face.

the past month pt. 4

I had a banana/peach smoothie on the end of the pier in Provincetown, Mass.

the past month pt. 3

View from dinner in Provincetown.

the past month pt. 2

Nicky travels around Provincetown by buggy.

the past month pt. 1

Nicky keeping an eye on things as we creep into Cape Cod.

anticipation

This is the face Nick makes when he gets to a hotel, after riding in a car for twelve hours. He's ready for his close-up.

finest in the whip

So, we had this pizza four years ago, and I've been craving it ever since. Not bad, but I was awoken in the middle of the night with some wicked indigestion. Still, I'd eat it again.

birfday boy

Happy Seventh Birthday, Nick! So far he's spent the day visiting with my folks and terrorizing a new unstuffed toy fox. It's a nice way to start his eighth year.

glamour pup

Back from a day with the groomer, and ready to go home.

all smiles

Here's Nick, after a day at the spa. He came running up to me while I was checking out, and couldn't stop smiling. I love this guy.

my little pot of gold

I was in the dining room, eating dinner, when I noticed a cup of ice on the kitchen table was catching the setting sun, creating a breathtaking rainbow spectrum across the kitchen floor. Guess who was at the end of that rainbow. Nick.

guard dog

Nick does good work.

wet dog

People talk about the smell of wet dog like it's a bad thing. Maybe I just have the cleanest dog ever, but when he comes in from the rain, he smells like puppy shampoo. And I love it.

Wha?

Between working 40+ hours, writing/editing books, playing with a dachshund, and watching TV shows on DVD, I have no time for running a hydroplane museum. But I'm flattered by Capital One's confidence.

good morning songbirds!

fifth of May

I went to lunch today, and when I turned the corner, I found myself face to face with these folks. Then I turned another corner and found myself face to face with teetotalers wearing sombreros.

my guy's not as kind to animals as I am

Nick loves Selby's place, because he has a toy raccoon waiting for him with squeaky tail. Oy.

no water but plenty of cute

Our water was shut off Sunday, due to a broken water mane. We were notified by a knock on the door early that morning, advizing us we had fifteen (read: TEN) minutes before it was off. Thankfully, Selby came to our rescue with a running shower, and a place to rest our bones. Here's Nick, waiting for the water to come back on.

blowin' in the wind

It's been unseasonably warm in Michigan lately and Nick's not complaining. This means an increased chance of being walked around the block, followed by porch sitting. Nick's loved the spring thaw, being pokey on walks with his nose to the breeze, smelling the world wake up around him. It's all quite heartwarming.

springtime sunbathing

Even the sun can't capture the entirity of Nick's brilliance.

jet scrawl

I had a rather lazy Easter Sunday, made exciting by hanging out in the sunshine with a good friend, watching jets sketch across the heavens.

a very Michigan State photo

This is what MSU feels like. My home town and alma mater. Bless.

while you were in Indianapolis

Our destination for MSU Adventure 10: the MSU Museum.

veggie thugs for life

This stegosaurus may be ancient history, but I got his vegetarian back. It seems his mohican's not the only thing punx about this dude. Don't front.

you're fair enough

...but will you ever be warmer? (One of the many antique valentines found at the MSU Museum.)

let sleeping dogs lie

Nicky got his teeth cleaned a couple days ago, a day-long procedure involving anesthesia. Here he is last night, sleeping off what was left of the fatigue from the day before. He's now got the cleanest teefs in town.

the ren cen the river and me

I've been in training all week, suffering through this gorgeous view.