under the bed

So, with the risk of making this a blog entirely about Olivia, here is yet another interesting tidbit about my puppy.  Ryan and I discovered that Olivia likes to go under our bed and....who knows really but we assume just lay there or sleep.  This isn't that surprising.  I think dogs might like close spaces and I bet she has some kind of stash under there that we will be delighted to discover when we move our bed.  She sometimes goes under there before bed and we can hear her crawling around.  The part of this story that is kind of strange is her latest habit.  Last night was the second time this has happened.  Olivia was bored and frustrated with us because, after being gone all day, we proceeded to both sit at the table and study.  We did our best to completely ignore her.  Before long I could hear a faint whine.   Olivia went under the bed and started crying softly to herself.  This happened another time too, and I am starting to think that she really just gets so depressed from lack of attention that she can think of nothing better to do than go off by herself to cry!  I know this sounds very sad, but she definitely got her way.  We went in and coaxed her out and she was wagging her tail and so happy.  I've never met a dog with more human tendencies.  

country music

Every once in a while I rediscover country music.  I think I'll describe it as a guilty pleasure.  It's one of those things I don't indulge in much but when I do I usually enjoy the experience.  I flipped through the stations on the radio last weekend and ran into some country music.  I also found myself making a genius playlist on itunes to a Carrie Underwood song.  Tonight I'm watching the CMAs.  There's something about it that makes me want to move to Tennessee and have a big family dinner.  (Not necessarily with either of my families - they aren't very country - but with Faith Hill's family).  Does anybody else remember the Step-by-Step episode where Karen wanted to be a country singer?  And then I think Dana ended up singing...I'm not saying that country singers are the best.  I have heard some sketchy vocals tonight.  But there is something heart-warming and uplifting about wide open spaces and empowered newly single people who are going to make it on their own!  And yes, the guy from Rascal Flatts named his son Jagger and Taylor Swift performed in a purple Barbie-esque dress.  

toys!

You all know Olivia and her obsessions with playing and attention.  Her "behaviors" reached a funny point this weekend.  Ryan and I have slowly been putting toys away over the last week.  There's something unbearable about sitting down on the couch and being barked at consistently.  Anyway - as the toys started disappearing Olivia became very creative.  She usually will utilize a wayward sock or abandoned hat etc. to keep play time going once the toys are gone.  This weekend, however, she made it clear that she would play regardless.  Fed up with us, she ran into the bedroom.  She ran back into the room with the tv remote in her mouth.....she dropped it on the floor at our feet and looked at us with the knowing look in her eye.  Throw this!

elevators!

I work in a building with four elevators.  This isn't so abnormal.  Most buildings with one or more floors have elevators these days.  From the time I started working in this building, I heard whispers and rumors that the building managers were going to be updating the elevators in the not-so-distant future.  This interested me because most likely that meant the elevators weren't quite operating up to par.  I work on the 11th floor, so the elevators are basically a necessity.  I have to tell you that I count it as a blessing every time I make it to my floor or back down again.  The elevators are not well.  The doors continue to close no matter how hard you try to keep them open for the nice lady who rushed in at the last minute.  It's not unthinkable that a person could be stuck in between the doors while the elevator begins going up or down.  One elevator has such abrupt stops and starts that your ears pop and you loose your balance.  My elevator today squeaked every time a new person stepped on and I promise I could feel it bounce slightly with each addition.  Work hasn't started on the elevators.  I realized today that I will continue to put my life on the line each work day...it's a sobering thought.  

trick or treat

Last night was my first experience passing out candy to trick-or-treaters.  I had Ryan pick up some candy on his way home for work and I was ready with both porch lights on at 5:00 (the time the news told me it starts in Fishers).  Nothing happened for about an hour, and then...while I was doing the dishes...I heard a knock!  I opened the door and a really cute little boy dressed in all black with a scary mask on stared at me!  I think he was about 4 and his mom told him to say trick-or-treat.  I let him take some candy and was sooo excited for my first experience!!  :)  I told Ryan about it as soon as he got back.  Here's the twist -- my next knock didn't go as well.  Ryan was back at this point with Olivia and I was excited to show them how fun it was.  I opened the door and just stared.  A big "kid" stood there in a sweatshirt with a pillow case.  When I offered him some candy he took the biggest handful he could possible get.  I was crushed...and then I realized it was a little like Rachel's experience in Friends.  Next year I'll be ready for the "big kids."  I'll hand them a single piece myself.