New Pooch!

Just a quick post to introduce you to Layla's new brother, Moose! He is 2 years old (approximately, as far as we know) about 30 pounds smaller than Layla and is quite playful. He is a great addition to our home and his mere presence has already eliminated Layla's separation anxiety! He loves his toys and is teaching Layla to play! He is the first and only dog we've ever seen her play with, so it seems to be a good match! Check out this video of Chuck trying to figure out the extent of Moose's training, pretty impressive for day one!

Married!!!

H2B is no longer 2B!!! Our wedding was PERFECT! The ceremony was very much personalized to us and extra special since the minister married my parents. The reception was super fun, great food, amazing cake and loving friends and family. Onto the long process of changing my name...

I'm back

Okay, so I realize it's been a month since I posted. I don't think anyone noticed, however.

So this morning as I was getting ready for work, H2B and I found ourselves in a small political discussion and he asked if I followed any local politics (MD and/or Baltimore). I scoffed at this question with an emphatic and resounding "NO." Why would I? I thought to myself. However in the hour or so that has passed since we had this conversation, I realized that I probably should start paying more attention since I suppose this is my town. I don't really consider it my town, even though I've been living within Baltimore city limits for almost two years and in the state of Maryland for 3 years. I don't even know who are governor is, so I have a lot of catching up to do...

I think that will all have to wait until after the wedding though, because it's 26 days away, can you believe it?!?!?

Intriguing...

If anyone tries this, let me know how it turns out. I find the idea fascinating!

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil and mix well..

Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

EAT ! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous)

What's a-goin' on?

I know all of my millions of readers are on the edge of your seats wondering what's been going on with me, H2B and our dear Layla. So here's an update:

Layla has officially been "diagnosed" by her vet and her trainer as having severe separation anxiety. Basically, this means that our calm, lazy, well-tempered girl has a panic attack whenever left alone. This leads to destructive behavior in her attempt to find us. Our carpet may never recover. She is on some meds and we are working with her veerrrry sloowwwllly on being left alone for short periods of time (we're up to 5 to ten minutes). Thank goodness H2B is here to give her the company she needs or the apartment would probably no longer be standing. She's eating her food now, praise the lord. It has taken us awhile to get the right combo on kibble and wet food so that she'll actually eat it, and for her to be anxiety-free enough to eat. She loves the pig ears and her bones, so we'll put some weight on her in no time!

H2B is settling in nicely as well. The military movers delivered his things a week ago and he is already unpacked and our households have been officially consolidated. He is spending his days doing some much deserved relaxing, long walks with Layla, laundry, cooking, and cleaning. It's like heaven. I come home to a spotless house, a happy dog, and an H2B with dinner to greet me!

My own road has been a little bumpy during this transitional period. Not only are there so many (good) changes going on, but I am in the middle of a small medical scare. No need to bore you with the details, but I spend the day on Monday getting various tests done. Not exactly my favorite way to spend a vacation day from work. The worst part is that apparently stress can make this type of thing worse, so I need to relax. Can you see the vicious cycle forming? More details on that as things progress. Nothing life threatening, just a minor complication that can be easily fixed. More details on that as things progress.

Oh yeah, and there's wedding planning going on. Sorta. We got distracted...

Goodbye Army!

It's official! H2B is out of the Army and officially lives in Baltimore with me! Hooray! His movers should arrive with the rest of his stuff sometime next week, so nice that the Army pays for your move.

Life is good, Layla is adjusting to her new home, as is Chuck. Such a happy day!

Darlin' Won't You Ease My Worried Mind

Laaaaaaaylaaaa has found her forever home! (H2B loves Eric Clapton, so we are keeping her name. Layla is four years old (we think she may actually be a little older) and is VERY well behaved. She came to us pre-house trained, a definite plus and knows a few commands. She's very good at "Sit" and listens when you say "Layla no." She's okay with "Stay" and "Come." So far she hasn't chewed on anything that isn't hers and the biggest problem we have is keeping her off the bed. But once we tell her to stay on the floor and in her own bed, she stays there.

We picked Layla up from the rescue kennel on Saturday morning and oh what a great weekend it was! I forgot how a dog fills up a home! Sadly, however, Layla went to North Carolina with H2B. She has some abandonment issues (we are the second people to rescue her) and since H2B only has to work for one hour a day until he gets out of the Army on the 10th, it's better for her to be there with him. She is finally eating her food after several days of getting used to her new family and I am so relieved! I just hope she doesn't end up loving H2B more than me after this two week honeymoon period!

I'm headed down there tomorrow to visit for a weekend of Layla fun and then in just 8 days, H2B and Layla will be moving to Baltimore for good!




Layla on H2B's bed in North Carolina




Catching up on the sleep she missed in the kennel. Six whole weeks there were very stressful for her.



Layla and her new daddy, before she understood that she's allowed on the couch.



Layla and her new mommy relaxing on the couch, it didn't take her long to make herself at home.