Some Good Things

   Because life sometimes requires us to take a break and smell the roses (instead of dog pee), I thought I would take said break and relish some good things going on in my world right now. First, and possibly most importantly, Obama is pretty much housebroken.  I'm not sure who is trained - him or us - but somehow or another we've all figured it out.  This means we can now work on getting the carpets cleaned.  Professionally. 

  School is really going well, and today I got the highest grade in my class on our quiz.  In the long range (and the short) this really doesn't matter, but to my inner competitive self, being top of the class is of imperative.  It's really a self-actualization thing, and being good at school makes me feel valid.  I kind of have that "jack-of-all-trades-but-master-of-none" perception of myself.  I enthusiastically engage in all sorts of cool things, but fall sadly short of being exceptional at any of them.  Except in school.  I am a really good student, and thus want to stay a student forever.      

   Next on my list of good things, Brandon has weekends off and way better hours this month.  Hooray!  He also has a lot less stress, and less stress + fewer hours = happy Brandon = even happier wife.  We've been spending quality family time together taking the puppy out to the park, and even hope to go winter camping this weekend up at the Hoh Rainforest.  Should be fun (if I survive the freezing wetness)!  

   Also, I've been getting jobs to sub.  Any opportunity to work is a welcome one, especially since substituting is so much fun!  Last week I worked at a two-room schoolhouse on an island, and to get there got to enjoy a ferry ride across the Sound.  It was really neat!  I hated leaving the puppy alone all day, but thankfully have good friends who are willing to potty break in a pinch.  

   So that's what's happening on my side of the States.  Not too much excitement, but just enough to keep me smilin'.