I just spent 3 hours and 15 minutes in my classroom today cleaning.
UGH!!
I brought Piper along - I'm not sure if she had fun (she spent most of the time wandering around the room) but everyone who saw her thought she was well-behaved and beautiful :)
She didn't want to leave the principal's office (it was air-conditioned) she lay on the floor and was perfectly content to stay there.
I got a lot done, however, I am going to need to go back tomorrow to finish up. UGH!!!
I have to start packing today for the TX road trip - I haven't started yet and I leave Thurs. morning.
Tomorrow is a busy day - I am going to have to go back into school and clean. I want to make an appearance at the calling hours for a coworker's father. I also have a concert in downtown Ayer.
Showing posts with label piper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label piper. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Doggy's first walk
I didn't take any pictures (I didn't think of it!).
We just got back from our first real walk. I bought a "gentle leader" for Piper yesterday, and was eager to try it out. It is a harness that goes around her head, so that she can't pull on the leash. It really works - she is not used to it and every once in a while will freak out trying to get it off - but it really works!
I am no longer being dragged around or fear that she'll pull us both into the street! We walked for a mile up and down some side streets. There was a dog in a pen at the end of Ice House Ln that freaked out when we walked by and Piper's hair stood on end and she let out one bark but was easily able to be led away. It was amazing.
I even had two separate people remark on what a well-behaved dog she is!! That NEVER would have happened with the regular leash & collar!!
I'm hoping that by using this collar for a while, she will get better at walking on the regular leash and not pull and we won't have to use the harness.
With the harness she walks right next to me, not pulling ahead (like she is supposed to). It's wonderful!! I can finally feel comfortable taking her on a walk!
We got home and I jumped into the pool with my clothes on - boy is it hot! I tried to see if she wanted to come swimming, but I think she is afraid of the pool.
Always next time...
We just got back from our first real walk. I bought a "gentle leader" for Piper yesterday, and was eager to try it out. It is a harness that goes around her head, so that she can't pull on the leash. It really works - she is not used to it and every once in a while will freak out trying to get it off - but it really works!
I am no longer being dragged around or fear that she'll pull us both into the street! We walked for a mile up and down some side streets. There was a dog in a pen at the end of Ice House Ln that freaked out when we walked by and Piper's hair stood on end and she let out one bark but was easily able to be led away. It was amazing.
I even had two separate people remark on what a well-behaved dog she is!! That NEVER would have happened with the regular leash & collar!!
I'm hoping that by using this collar for a while, she will get better at walking on the regular leash and not pull and we won't have to use the harness.
With the harness she walks right next to me, not pulling ahead (like she is supposed to). It's wonderful!! I can finally feel comfortable taking her on a walk!
We got home and I jumped into the pool with my clothes on - boy is it hot! I tried to see if she wanted to come swimming, but I think she is afraid of the pool.
Always next time...
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Just call me Al Borlin
Because you know that he was the only one that ever did anything. Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor just blew things up. Heidi just brought them tools in short shorts and hiking boots. Bob Vila is a big geek. Al Borlin is kinda cool, right? Right?
Anyways,
Today I did a LOT of stuff around the house!
I bought hardware for the hinges to the chain link fence gate. I took all of the old hardware off, and put the new hardware on - I hung the gate all by myself. It even opens! :-)
In the ongoing efforts to Piper-proof the house, I tackled the basement music room door next. It never shut tightly, if you pushed on it, it would open. Here's where I have to admit I don't know ANY door lingo. So, bear with me.... I marked where lock-thingy that comes out of the door knob and goes into the door jam lines up with the door jam. I then opened the door to see that the little metal plate with the hole into the door jam was at least 1/2-3/4" above that mark. So I took the little plate off the door jam and had to hollow out more of a hole. We apparently don't have a chisel (Christmas idea right there folks!!) so I had to use this funky-looking crow bar thing meant for removing screws (which my mom calls a goat's foot or something, which it does somewhat resemble) and a camping multi-tool which had a small axe and knife. I finally make the hole bigger - only to find out it STILL doesn't shut. After playing around with the door some more, I find out that because of the width of the door vs. the width of the door jam, the little lock-thingy isn't even making it into the hole. Now I have to move the hole over a 1/4" or so and hollow it out some more. At least by this point I have gotten it down to a science: place the little axe onto the wood and whack it with the crowbar. Place the crowbar into the groove the axe made and whack that with the back of the axe and pry it out. Use the little knife to get out the little chunks. (don't ask me why I didn't get a hammer to hit things with - I don't know, this was just more fun I guess) So finally....SUCCESS! The door now shuts and stays shut!!
Next, more in the Piper-proofing saga. I had originally bought a baby gate for the top of the basement stairs (since we have no door). I had gotten one of the small wood and plastic ones. It was too short. If we put it on the ground, she could jump over it. If we put it up high enough that she couldn't jump it, she went under it. Lose-lose situation. So I bought a new gate (much more expensive, but hopefully it does the trick) This gate is metal and 3 feet tall. It stays permanently pressure-mounted to the wall and has a gate to walk through in the middle. No more risking life and limb to climb over, or the hassle of taking it down. (honestly, we haven't done either of those in a while since the gate was pointless) Anyways, I had to install little cups on the sides of the doorway, which was a hassle - one side went in very easy, but the other side must be made from a solid wood and I had to drill the holes. I stripped one screw and had to use pliers to get it back out, but I found a new one to replace it with. Then you have to put the gate into place and turn the pressure-mounted ends so that they are all even and the gate lines up. I somewhat ignored the directions in that I let the door be able to open in both directions at the top of a set of stairs - only so that sometime tomorrow I am going to rig it so I can have the door open over the stairs and hook into a hook and eye sort of contraption to stay open when we want it to. Otherwise, if it is opened into the kitchen, it will automatically shut behind you. If it is opened over the stairs it will not latch shut, but will close.
So that is my handiwork for today. Now off to figure out what's for dinner.
Oh yeah, and PS:
The whole reason we have to work extra hard to Piper-proof the house is because she decided to try and eat the boy's trumpet mutes. I had to buy him a replacement, but I think he lucked out in the deal - one mute that works as both straight and cup. (supposedly harmon as well, but I have yet to figure out how)
Anyways,
Today I did a LOT of stuff around the house!
I bought hardware for the hinges to the chain link fence gate. I took all of the old hardware off, and put the new hardware on - I hung the gate all by myself. It even opens! :-)
In the ongoing efforts to Piper-proof the house, I tackled the basement music room door next. It never shut tightly, if you pushed on it, it would open. Here's where I have to admit I don't know ANY door lingo. So, bear with me.... I marked where lock-thingy that comes out of the door knob and goes into the door jam lines up with the door jam. I then opened the door to see that the little metal plate with the hole into the door jam was at least 1/2-3/4" above that mark. So I took the little plate off the door jam and had to hollow out more of a hole. We apparently don't have a chisel (Christmas idea right there folks!!) so I had to use this funky-looking crow bar thing meant for removing screws (which my mom calls a goat's foot or something, which it does somewhat resemble) and a camping multi-tool which had a small axe and knife. I finally make the hole bigger - only to find out it STILL doesn't shut. After playing around with the door some more, I find out that because of the width of the door vs. the width of the door jam, the little lock-thingy isn't even making it into the hole. Now I have to move the hole over a 1/4" or so and hollow it out some more. At least by this point I have gotten it down to a science: place the little axe onto the wood and whack it with the crowbar. Place the crowbar into the groove the axe made and whack that with the back of the axe and pry it out. Use the little knife to get out the little chunks. (don't ask me why I didn't get a hammer to hit things with - I don't know, this was just more fun I guess) So finally....SUCCESS! The door now shuts and stays shut!!
Next, more in the Piper-proofing saga. I had originally bought a baby gate for the top of the basement stairs (since we have no door). I had gotten one of the small wood and plastic ones. It was too short. If we put it on the ground, she could jump over it. If we put it up high enough that she couldn't jump it, she went under it. Lose-lose situation. So I bought a new gate (much more expensive, but hopefully it does the trick) This gate is metal and 3 feet tall. It stays permanently pressure-mounted to the wall and has a gate to walk through in the middle. No more risking life and limb to climb over, or the hassle of taking it down. (honestly, we haven't done either of those in a while since the gate was pointless) Anyways, I had to install little cups on the sides of the doorway, which was a hassle - one side went in very easy, but the other side must be made from a solid wood and I had to drill the holes. I stripped one screw and had to use pliers to get it back out, but I found a new one to replace it with. Then you have to put the gate into place and turn the pressure-mounted ends so that they are all even and the gate lines up. I somewhat ignored the directions in that I let the door be able to open in both directions at the top of a set of stairs - only so that sometime tomorrow I am going to rig it so I can have the door open over the stairs and hook into a hook and eye sort of contraption to stay open when we want it to. Otherwise, if it is opened into the kitchen, it will automatically shut behind you. If it is opened over the stairs it will not latch shut, but will close.
So that is my handiwork for today. Now off to figure out what's for dinner.
Oh yeah, and PS:
The whole reason we have to work extra hard to Piper-proof the house is because she decided to try and eat the boy's trumpet mutes. I had to buy him a replacement, but I think he lucked out in the deal - one mute that works as both straight and cup. (supposedly harmon as well, but I have yet to figure out how)
Sunday, July 26, 2009
My first ER trip in a VERY long time...
Apparently in my family there is a tradition of injuring yourself when you get a new dog. I don't remember what happened with Katy, but Stephen got 7 stitches in his big toe when we got Kylee. Now with Piper, it was my turn.
I was playing with her by the pond yesterday when she pulled on the leash to chase a frog trying to drag me with her. As I put my hand out to steady myself, I sliced it on a rock, and had to get two stitches.
I stood up with blood just pouring down my arm. I washed it off in the pond so I could see how bad it was. The cut was only about 1 1/2 inches long, but was deep. It was on the palm, just below the first and second fingers, therefore, whenever I moved those fingers, it opened back up again.
I chained up Piper to her run, and went inside. Not being able to get ahold of my husband, I called Rock, who confirmed that I really should go to the ER to get some stitches. I had to drive myself (with my left hand wrapped in paper towels sticking out the window - this kept it elevated as well as the blood OUTSIDE of the car).
Two hours, two stitches and a tetanus shot later I was home. I had enough time to shower (keeping my left hand out of the water-showering with one hand is difficult) and change to head off to Greg & Angela's party. Seeing as how my hand was wrapped up in bandages I had to tell this story at least 20 times last night.
I still had fun at the party. Good people, good drinks, good fun!
I have to get the stitches removed in a week and a half or so, so the next few days should be very interesting (obviously clarinet playing is out of the picture for a while)
I was playing with her by the pond yesterday when she pulled on the leash to chase a frog trying to drag me with her. As I put my hand out to steady myself, I sliced it on a rock, and had to get two stitches.
I stood up with blood just pouring down my arm. I washed it off in the pond so I could see how bad it was. The cut was only about 1 1/2 inches long, but was deep. It was on the palm, just below the first and second fingers, therefore, whenever I moved those fingers, it opened back up again.
I chained up Piper to her run, and went inside. Not being able to get ahold of my husband, I called Rock, who confirmed that I really should go to the ER to get some stitches. I had to drive myself (with my left hand wrapped in paper towels sticking out the window - this kept it elevated as well as the blood OUTSIDE of the car).
Two hours, two stitches and a tetanus shot later I was home. I had enough time to shower (keeping my left hand out of the water-showering with one hand is difficult) and change to head off to Greg & Angela's party. Seeing as how my hand was wrapped up in bandages I had to tell this story at least 20 times last night.
I still had fun at the party. Good people, good drinks, good fun!
I have to get the stitches removed in a week and a half or so, so the next few days should be very interesting (obviously clarinet playing is out of the picture for a while)
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Updated Shutterfly photos!
I don't know why it's taken so long, but here are some updated photos on my shutterfly account. I even added photos from Amy's wedding & bachelorette party....it's been a while!! There are also photos from Mia's baby shower and my trips to DC. There are some photos of work around the house and some of Piper. (there are only a few there now, I will be adding more in the next few days, I'm sure!)
Piper seems to be getting used to our place, and us as well. She is definitely learning sit & stay (sort of). She comes when we call her in the house, but not so much outside. She escaped my grasp yesterday, and she thought we were playing as I chased her through the neighbor's yard, and even on the edge of the street - talk about a heart attack!!
She had an accident or two the first night, but has been fine since then. She has no problem being penned in the basement at night, and doesn't whine. We haven't heard her bark yet either!
She is very curious, and likes to check everything out. You have to have a firm grasp on her leash, or she'll take you for a ride! I stopped her from going into the pond after a frog yesterday.
Piper seems to be getting used to our place, and us as well. She is definitely learning sit & stay (sort of). She comes when we call her in the house, but not so much outside. She escaped my grasp yesterday, and she thought we were playing as I chased her through the neighbor's yard, and even on the edge of the street - talk about a heart attack!!
She had an accident or two the first night, but has been fine since then. She has no problem being penned in the basement at night, and doesn't whine. We haven't heard her bark yet either!
She is very curious, and likes to check everything out. You have to have a firm grasp on her leash, or she'll take you for a ride! I stopped her from going into the pond after a frog yesterday.
Friday, July 17, 2009
spooky sounds
As we were walking Piper tonight, we heard a scary scary sound.
We do believe we have a pack of coyotes somewhere in Leominster. (or werewolves??)
We do believe we have a pack of coyotes somewhere in Leominster. (or werewolves??)
we're the proud parents....
....of a furball!
Her name is Piper. She's almost 1 year old and is a shepherd, lab and a lil' rottie mix.
More photos soon :)
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