The Bald Tail Mystery

Kimber has this bald spot on the end of her tail that just won't seem to grow any hair. At first I thought it was something she was doing in her crate when we would put her up before we left, but we have been giving her more freedom to lay around in the patches of sunlight while we're gone and so far, so good. We had issues with separation anxiety/puppyhood before, but she has been maturing and we have gotten a lot better at Ridgeback proofing the house (those dogs will eat anything). Today I found out that bald spot was because when I leave she gets nervous and starts chewing the end of her tail.

I came home at lunch to find her jumping up and down, squealing, and generally causing a big ruckus because "OMG MOTHER'S HOME!!! I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU!!!" Once she stopped leaping into the air (this dog jumps off all four of her paws and springs into the air like Tigger.... you even see the little extra kick she does with her back legs for added ups) I saw her calm herself down. She grabbed the end of her tail and just started chewing and pacing, trying to get it together. "Stop that, silly girl!" I chided, patted her on the head, and walked off to find Hank to give him a good butt scratch. Next thing I knew there was a ridgepig in my face going crazy and then I saw the carnage. Blood spatter EVERYWHERE and Kimber just wiggling away, flinging blood with every slap of her tail.

My first instinct was to tackle her to the ground and grab hold of that tail, which I did, but then realized I didn't have supplies, so I put her in her crate, grabbed whatever I could, and slowly let her out, ready to brave the wrestlemania that was about to ensue... and OH DID WRESTLEMANIA ENSUE. Kimber at first thought I was playing, so she started chewing my arm, leaping around, and flinging blood every time I touched her so again I had to tackle her and grab the end. That was just too much fun and after rolling around, pinning her, and doing some VERY creative taping all the while suffering paws to the face and teeth to the top of my head, I finally got the tip of her crazy, whiplike tail secured. Then came Full Shame Face, where she scrunched up her face, hung her head and slunk away, so I had to reassure her that she was ok all the while completely disheveled, sweaty, panting, and cleaning up the murder scene that was my house. When I finished, she walked over to me, sat, thumped her tail a few times, and then both of us sighed and collapsed into a big heap on the floor.

Real life is sometimes so much better than fiction.

The New Hotness

Everyone hates their school uniforms, but I have to say this one takes the cake. All my friends in Texas and Florida got these cute little scrubs with their school's name/mascot embroidered on the cute little pocket up front and what do I get in Virginia? A smock. An all white smock with stretchy pants that make me look like I would be better suited to sit in a creepy van and sell ice cream than take care of patients.

I apologize for doing the lame bathroom self-portrait, but Ben is in Haiti in warm weather with a beautiful ocean and the coral reef (I make that sound so appealing) and I am here alone. Wearing this atrocity and getting stares on the Marine Corps base when I have to stop for gas because I forgot to do it in regular clothes.

Yeah, laugh it up.

Lame-O

You may be wondering why I haven't been updating this thing. Or not, whatever. The truth is, it's been a pretty uneventful few weeks. Well that's not true either. Hrm... how do I explain this? Nothing mildly entertaining has happened. There. Except this one time about a week ago when I went out with some nursing school friends to get a drink after one of the most harrowing days and met some weirdo sociology major named Chuck, who, after finding out I was from Texas proclaimed that he would sell Texas to Mexico and settle the national debt.

Me: Are you aware of how much commerce comes out of Texas? We're talking Japan, too, not just NAFTA. Also, I'm pretty sure Mexico can't afford it.
Chuck: Texas suuuuuucks.
Me: What about the music? A lot of great artists have come out of Austin.
Chuck: I hate conservatives.
Me: Have you even been to Texas? I feel like you are stereotyping.
Chuck: Um... nope. I hate Texas.
Me: Hey guy, F&*$ YOU!

I keep it classy like that. In my defense, his goal was to rile people up because he's a sociology major and therefore thinks he's smarter and more awesome than everyone. You could smell his smug a mile away.


In other news, Ben left for Haiti the other day while my mom was here. She acknowledged she came at a bad time and I probably wanted to spend some alone time with my husband, but then she realized that if she didn't come, then SHE wouldn't get to spend any time with him and she REALLY wanted to see him. I guess I should mention that if it ever came down to me or him, she'd pick him every time. He could smack me around and she'd high five him as she gave me a roundhouse kick to the face. So loved.

We also bought a house and are about 5 weeks away from closing (timed it to coincide with our lease). It's an adorable 97 year old colonial in the neighborhood we wanted, and though it has a few additions, they don't take away from the rest of the house. We saw some strange things during our house hunt, some mildly disturbing, some just gosh awful, but our house is mostly untouched save for some much-needed extra closet space and a 2nd bathroom. All that's left for us to do is the easy stuff - paint, granite counter tops, and stainless appliances. I think we can handle that. :) I have been frequenting Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Lowes, and Home Depot trying to get ideas and it's been a lot of fun.

Housewarming party this summer!