Doogie Howser

This video is proof that my dog Reggie is very trainable. She listens and can learn new commands. Yesterday I was chatting with my dad, hoping he'd be able to teach her to hunt in the week that we are home for Christmas break. She loves to chase birds; clearly her instincts are right on. However, I think my pa thinks that Reggie is too independent and might not be easily trainable.

As this video demonstrates, Reggie is trainable. The "wait" command is not an easy one, but one we're working on diligently since last week when she ran out on the trail path and almost caused a biker to crash. Yikes! It was a close call but also a wake up call. With the "wait" command getting closer and closer to perfect, there'll be no more running out on the path when bikers are approaching!

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful...

...okay, not so much in San Diego but tomorrow is the first of December. Which means I'll be heading home for Christmas break in just about 19 days. I'm so excited to go home, spend time with the family, and just relax for a week or so. My sister Elle Belle and her beau Greg are driving down from Cleveland, and Reggie is joining me on the flight, so it will be one big family hang out. I'm very excited! In fact, so excited, I've already started the countdown.

One thing that is kind of a bummer about being in San Diego is you don't really get the change of seasons. The "chilly" days in winter mean I probably have to close the windows in my room at least part way because it might be in the mid-50s when I wake up. Granted, it will probably be in the 40s and 50s in Virginia, so it's probably not much cooler, but maybe we'll get a freak snow storm on Christmas. That would be nice. It would be reminiscent of Erie, PA...I can remember it snowing every day for a month straight in Erie.

Family, get ready because here I come. And I'm already almost done with the Christmas shopping. What did people do before the Internet?

Reggie, Hagar, and R/C Cars

Hoi Ning = Food Genius

Here is the Thanksgiving feast that foodie Hoi Ning cooked up for Judy and I yesterday. Judy told me that Hoi Ning was quite the foodie, but I was still under-prepared for this meal: turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes (they didn't make it into the picture), green beans, kale, brussel sprouts, stuffing, and mac and cheese, followed by dessert including corn ice cream and my favorite, pumpkin mousse (topped with ginger snaps). A serious food coma ensued. We were happily watching the "House Hunters" marathon on HGTV. Here's to good friends, and especially good friends who also happen to be great cooks! It makes it a lot easier to spend the holidays away from your family.

The Turkey

Hagar and Reg: Animal Killers!

Here lay the remains of many-a-stuffed animal. I think Jen even bought a Santa Claus and a reindeer to prep for the upcoming holiday season. But lo and behold the dogs had their way with them. Given that Hagar lives with these stuffed animals, I'm going to speculate that it was my own little angel Reggie that was responsible for most of the damage. I did see them tear several apart playing tug a war.

House and dog sitting has been fun so far - the kids keep each other plenty busy, although I do start to feel sorry for Hagar when he gets tired out. He is a little more chill than Reggie, who's still a puppy, and I get the sense he starts to get annoyed with her bugging him when he's trying to relax. So far the biggest lesson learned is to hide the squeaky toys before bedtime so I don't wake up at 3:30a to the sound of one of them...

New Clients: Good for Business, Bad for the Blog

Loyal Blog Readers:

I'd like to thank each of you for continuing to follow the blog despite its recent lack of new postings. Things at work have been super-hectic in the month of November. New clients are good for business but have proven to be bad for the blog thus far. Hopefully things will slow down a bit at work and I'll get back to two to three new postings on the weekends...