The Cake Was Not a Lie

Everyday Adventures

And it was good…

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Obviously I went with store-bought (I mean, sure, I could make something like that, but I wouldn’t normally). And not even because I was late getting home from the knitting event (because I had the date wrong and it was Tuesday night, not Wednesday–oops!), simply because the indulgence was all the sweeter for not having a kitchen to clean up afterwards.

One of the things that afforded the possibility of going to an after-work event was that Duncan has been given elevated privileges while we’re gone. After a couple of crate mishaps (the calm only lasted a couple weeks, apparently), Todd opted to sequester him with his bed, bowl, and toys in the back hallway and his dog door open for side-yard access. While we suspect he spends most of his days moping that we’re not there, he seems to be enjoying the change.

It meant we could go out to dinner on Friday night and not worry so much about him being cooped up for another hour or so. It also means we need to actually puppy-proof the back hall and side yard because, while he hasn’t destroyed anything yet, we really shouldn’t give him the opportunity if we can help it. I also worry about him being a nuisance outside, barking at the neighbors when they’re in their own backyards–just another reason to get that privacy fence up sooner rather than later, right?

And speaking of the pup, I made my first layout with the Project Life App of some of the pictures we took of him on Monday night.

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The app does have some drawbacks compared to digiscrapping in Photoshop. Pictures are only pictures unless you buy the overlay packs, text only fits in the designated journalling spaces in the journaling cards, and of course there are no additional embellishments. But the pro column is stocked with all my photos at my fingers since I can pull from Google Photos (where both my cell photos and my “real” camera downloads are archived). Plus, it’s on my phone, which is with me pretty much always, so I could scrapbook on my lunch break or in the car (when Todd’s driving, obviously!). Plus, the necessarily simple layouts make getting the basics down quick and easy.

I think my plan would be to start on the app, then export it so I can add embellishments or other bits in Photoshop before uploading them for printing.

Sure, most of the pictures I take these days are of food or design team projects, but the app might also help me remember to take more candid, everyday photos, not just special trips or assignments. Certainly couldn’t hurt!

And Puppy Makes Three

Just for Fun

Everyone, meet the newest productivity buster in our lives: Duncan the Basset Hound!

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I’m pretty sure I mentioned that our plan was to get a dog this year (maybe in my new year’s goals?) but whereas we’d planned to pick a pup from one of the rescue organizations in Florida or Georgia, a couple weeks ago we stumbled on a puppy listing on Craigslist up in Macon (about 2 1/2-3 hours north of us) and that same day we brought Duncan home!

Duncan's first shopping trip!

Duncan’s first shopping trip!

Well, okay, technically it was the next day because we didn’t get home until 1 a.m.

Isn't he precious?

Isn’t he precious?

 

Since then it’s been pretty much all-puppy all the time. Our conversations revolve around what Duncan did or didn’t do, what we need to do for him, and how we’re going to get there. Even on my birthday the little fuzzface usurped everything! Usually Todd wishes me happy birthday as soon as I’m awake but the puppy needed walking, then breakfast, then cuddles and so forth. This is our life, now.

A man and his dog

A man and his dog

Duncan has a bit of a sad origin story–he was a pet store puppy, so very likely the product of a puppy mill. The woman who purchased him was in the midst of major life happenings (a death in the family, a move, and a new job which led to the long and late hours that made caring for Duncan unfeasible–her story is so sad, she had really gone through the ringer and I think Duncan had been an attempt at consolation) and she put him up for rehoming after only a week. He was with her two weeks or so, total, and then we brought him home to live with us.

How is this even comfortable???

How is this even comfortable???

Now, we’re really hoping that that’s his happily ever after, but I’m not sure he’d agree just yet. You see, Todd and I believe in crate training, especially for puppies who are teething and still learning what is acceptable to chew on and what’s not–toys and bones, yes; furniture, floors, and people, not so much. Duncan hates his crate. Or, rather, he hates being left alone. In a confined space is bad enough, but even just being left in a room while we walk to another room to fetch something, oh no, he’s not having it. The FOMO is strong with this one.

He might be bored at my office, but at least he's not in his crate, right?

He might be bored at my office, but at least he’s not in his crate, right?

And I get it, he’s been through a lot in his short little life and needs some stability and comfort. Which is what I remind myself of when I start to get frustrated. And Todd reminds himself of this when he comes home and lunch and has to clean the crate bumper, toys, and Duncan himself. Which is why Duncan will be coming to work with me for a little while until we meet with a trainer on the 22nd who can help us help Duncan to be a happy, well-adjusted pup–including finding peace with his crate!

Direct link for the feed readers: We Got a Puppy!!!