adventures in punkinsitting

What is punkinsitting, you might ask...well, if you have a bff who is going out of town for Mem-weekend and a soft heart, you might well end up being a punkin sitter as well. Punkin is a little doxie-poo, or weenie-poo, if you like. She looks a lot like our Augie doggie, but she has golden poodle hair and little dainty poodle feet.

It's very tough getting a new pet acclimated to the household environment. Augie was totally entranced with her at first. A girl! In his very own house, AND, she is his size. He was practically googly-eyed as he was sniffing around her, until she got tired of his nose up underneath her backside, and then she gave him a crabby yelp and a "snap, snap!" with her teeth. Mind your nose, there, Augie Doggie.

Punkin is quite the little princess, and she loves to be petted. She does not love, however, when the thugs cats swagger up to her with the cold stare they reserve for intruders. She can only take it for a short minute or so, and then she shrieks at them and pounces, chasing them halfway across the room when they freak out and run.

Frankie was the first one to catch it...she went after him before my bff even finished dropping her off. He was sitting staring at her, trying to figure out what this creature was doing sitting plain as you please in his living room. Punkin lifted her lips a couple of times to show her perfect little teeth, and then she let him have it.

BoomBoom was the next victim, although I must say he was asking for it. He came strolling across the dining room when Punkin was sitting under my chair minding her own p's and q's. BoomBoom sat down, laid his ears back, and just gave her a steady glare until she lost patience and gave him the business. He flew backwards about six feet, I swear, and now he gives her a wide berth when he walks by.

This morning, Tucker decided to test her mettle, and deliberately walked right in front of her and sat down. He didn't even stare at her. He was staring at the desk next to him as though it were the most fascinating piece of furniture he had ever seen...UNTIL she pounced. Tucker flew into action. He didn't back up one step. In fact he took a step toward her and, "Whack! Whackitty, whap whap!" on top of her head with a heavy right paw, and sat right back down, staring right at her.

I think Punkin met her match this time, because she kind of shrank back and lowered herself to the floor, laying her chin on the carpet and staring off into the other room. I'm telling you! Tucker is the Alpha Dude here in our little animal kingdom. Nobody messes with him.

Dogsitting is even more intense than babysitting. If nothing else, this adventure has totally reinforced my "no new pets" vow.

yes, it's the year of the Cook!

David Cook! By 12 million votes! He was my choice out of the two that were left. I'm not sure why David Archuleta didn't win it...maybe his dad's interfering? Maybe everyone saying that he aced the finale last night?

It made me feel like the judges thought the contest was already over. That always gets my back up, so I'm happy that the Cookster won. Well, not just because of that. He deserved it. Actually, they both did, but I thought he took more risks. His willingness to be vulnerable probably garnered him a few votes, and his singing is muy interesante. Not the same old, same old.

I'll buy his CD when it comes out. I tried to buy some of his performances on iTunes tonight, but it kept telling me it couldn't process card payments at this time. Grrr.

It was very nice to see Michael Johns and David Hernandez on the show again tonight. Just like old times. Hehe. The Idol tour is actually coming to our town, but I doubt I can afford tickets. Too bad. Actually, I could probably buy the CDs of all the Top Ten Idol contestants for cheaper than one ticket to the concert.

Yeah, I'm trying to console myself. How'm I doing?

they're stretching their wings!

Boy, oh boy, am I doing a lot of letting go lately. You might be tired of hearing me whining about my boys leaving the state...well, now I get to practice letting go of my baby girl Gee.

Not only is she going away to college this fall (okay, only forty minutes away, but still), but right now she's off on over a week-long road trip with Caseman and T to Vegas and the West Coast! It's really hard to keep my hands off and not try to manage the trip for her, at least mentally.

You know how that goes...they want to drive straight through, and take turns driving. I want them to sleep someplace in a real bed every night. They want to go sightseeing to California. I get itchy to plan their destinations and have them go where I would like to go. I have to keep telling myself, "Just get a grip, Momma! Let them be."

But it sounds like they are having a grand time of it. What better time to go travelling than right after you finish high school? No responsibilities, no schedules, at least for the moment. I can't wait till she gets back and I can see her pictures. We are going to have a scrappin' good time, then!