Well, watching the Saints lose for the second time in a row yesterday was enormously disappointing, but all props to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sigh.

I did get some things done yesterday; I started wading through a pile of submissions and hope to have that finished this week. I also printed out and read everything I've done on beautiful thus far, and I am pretty happy with it, to be perfectly honest. We also watched another disc of Wire in the Blood, and as a comfort read which was necessary after the Saints loss, I started reading Under the Dome, the latest Stephen King--and I am really enjoying it. I am only about 300 pages in (out of 1100), but if King is doing what I think he is doing, I want to shake his hand. No worries, Constant Reader, I will discuss this book in great detail when I finish reading it--hopefully next weekend. So, the to-do list shrank a little--and hopefully will be completely gone by the end of the week.

One can hope, at any rate.

It feels cold in the Lost Apartment this morning, and my little space heater here in the office is cranked all the way up.

I also made it to the gym yesterday, and forced myself to do legs--a workout I despise and will avoid at all costs whenever possible. I made myself do it yesterday, as I said, and was fully expecting my legs to go into revolt this morning, but they feel neither tired nor sore, which is a very good thing. Who knew? Anyway, I am thinking about going to the gym again this evening when I get off work--tonight would be upper body--but we'll see how I feel when I get home. I've decided to go back to the Body for Life workout that I did when I moved back to New Orleans from the hellish year in DC so many years ago; it worked, and it worked relatively quickly. I only need to lose an inch or so from my waist, and I want to do it by Fat Tuesday (February 16), so I figure if I do this workout again (and add the cardio, which I didn't do back then) it should be a lot easier to get rid of that pesky roll around my middle this time out. It would also be nice to stop the downward slide of my big fat ass, as well. (I've also committed to stretching and trying to get some of my old flexibility back.)

Oddly, despite all the things I need to do, I feel like I am on top of things and not stressed out in the least. I honestly think I can get everything done that needs to be done, which is always a very pleasant experience.

We'll see how that goes, I reckon.

Current Location: my desk
Current Mood: cold
Current Music: You Make Me Feel Mighty Real by Sylvester

Every morning, after we've had breakfast, Rex curls up in the very center of the downstairs sofa and snoozes. At this moment he's the sweetest dog on the planet, so I always take the opportunity to pet him and tell him that he's a wonderful dog. This morning was no exception to our routine, but as I snuggled with Rex on the sofa I was dimly aware of slurping noises coming from the nearby water bowl. Moments later, a very cold and wet puppy nose snuffled along the exposed skin of my lower back as Puddles walked by. Startled, I yelped and jumped, causing Rex to scowl and run away. Puddles, destroyer of quiet moments everywhere, looked mighty pleased with herself.

Tags: compound life, pudddles, rex

Well, this is the last day of a glorious five-day weekend, and while I dread returning to the office tomorrow, at least this is only a four day work week with another three day weekend (with lots of college football! Woo-Hoo! GEAUX TIGERS!) on the horizon. And while I didn't perhaps get as much done this weekend as I would have liked, I did get some things done and that's always a good thing.

The kitchen is a mess; I made shrimp creole for dinner last night and spilled roux on the counter, and in a moment of laziness I knew I'd regret later, I left it without cleaning it up immediately. Let's just say I won't make that mistake again and leave it at that, shall we? Sigh. Ah, well, it shouldn't take long to set the kitchen to rights again. I think I am going to take the tree down this morning as well.

Okay, I took a break and cleaned the kitchen. The dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer are all running now, and I've thoroughly cleaned the counters. Fabulous!

Last night, we watched two movies before getting sucked into an NCIS marathon: Star Trek and G. I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. While I am not a purist, I've watched enough Star Trek over the years to know it fairly well, and I really enjoyed this movie. I thought they did an excellent job of casting, for one thing, and the plot was intelligent and actually made sense. I certainly hope they make more of these. What can I say? I love alternate universes. As for the other movie, will someone please get Channing Tatum some acting lessons? What a cheesy movie this was...ugh. As Paul said, "they should have gotten John Cena," and I heartily concur. Tatum is good looking and has a great body, but at least John Cena can give the illusion of talent--and he's better looking AND has a better body.

Sigh.

Today, we have another disc of Wire in the Blood, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and of course Bones to watch after the Saints game. I also have some more things I need to get done today and hope I can plough through it all.

Wish me luck!

And here's a photo of His Majesty on Christmas:

So, Christmas is past and it's time to retire my Christmas icon for another year.

I have a lot to do and very little desire to do it, but sitting on my ass wasting time isn't exactly going to be helpful in the long run. I have some errands to run and I need to get into the gym again today; and I am going to try to be motivated later as well. I am going to make shrimp creole for dinner--just throw it all in the slow cooker and be done with it--and I think part of my day today is going to involve (GASP) organizing. I also need to make a to-do list--which is oft-times depressing, but I need to get on top of things and start being more motivated and a whole lot less lazy. (Easier said than done, right?)

We went to John and Michael's for Christmas dinner last night, which was quite pleasant. The meal was amazing; and Greg drank red wine (but sipped rather than guzzled; I ended up not getting drunk just pleasantly buzzed), and after the meal we watched The Hangover, which was quite humorous. We staggered the thirty feet or so from their front door to ours around twelve thirty, at which point I dragged myself up the stairs and tumbled into bed, where I slept in till around nine this morning. (Paul actually got up and went out to play tennis this morning; it amazes me how he manages to do that.) Tomorrow of course is the Saints game (GEAUX SAINTS!), and I have to train Jean as well as work myself out, and then it's time to launch a new work week (again, abbreviated; the office is open on New Year's Eve but closed on New Year's Day). Hence the need for a new to-do list. There's a possibility I might go to Florida after Mardi Gras; and I am still going to try to get to Los Angeles for Left Coast Crime in March. I do have tons to do; a couple of manuscripts to edit for Bold Strokes, an anthology to put together, and a novel to finish writing. Of course, there's also the great joy of dealing with Mardi Gras in the midst of all of this. As you can see, to-do lists are going to be incredibly important in getting through everything.

Heavy heaving sigh.

I think my primary goal for 2010 is to not be so lazy. Easier said than done, eh?

Current Location: my desk
Current Mood: chipper
Current Music: Alejandro by Lady Gaga

So, remember the other day when I was whining (okay, bitching is more accurate) about having to go shopping on Christmas Eve Eve, and then after finishing, how all Paul's presents were kind of lame? Hee hee. Needless to say, he loved them. And in one of those moments (I want to say "Gift of the Magi" but it's not really accurate) of amusement that I suppose only can happen with gay couples that have been together since the beginning of time, check this out:

I bought Paul a hooded Saints sweatshirt; he got me one for LSU.

I bought Paul two workout shirts; he got me a workout shirt.

I bought Paul an outfit to play tennis in; he got me an outfit to work out in.

I bought Paul two new belts; he bought me the two Lady Gaga CD's.

I bought Paul Season One of Bones; he got me Going Rogue by Sarah Palin (the biggest humor book of the year, no doubt).

I also bought Paul this really nice and warm blanket for the couch--and right now he and Skittle are curled up under it sleeping while I sit here listening to Lady Gaga.

My pot roast turned out amazing; I was quite pleased. I also made dinner rolls, mixed up some honey butter, and a white trash cobbler (Compounders, this one turned out right--I still don't know what went wrong with the one I made when I was there). And tonight, it's next door for dinner with John and Cute Little Michael.

I fell asleep in my chair last night watching reruns of NCIS on the Ion Network, and then dragged my ass up to bed around eleven thirty, and then slept until almost eight this morning. I am trying to resist the urge to do anything today--the dirty dishes can wait till tomorrow, as can the laundry, and there's absolutely no reason why I should work on anything today, right?

So, I probably should turn off the computer and just go sit in my easy chair and read, right?

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Current Location: my desk
Current Mood: bouncy
Current Music: Telephone by Beyonce and Lady Gaga

Mr. Becky's birthday is December 25th, so it's tradition at The Compound to celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve and (try to) let him have his own day. The Rhonda and Lindsey had dinner with us tonight and then stayed to open gifts. There was much oohing, ahhing, and laughter throughout the evening, as well as some barking. From the dogs, that is. Puddles is spending a long holiday weekend at The Compound, and Sugar is visiting with her moms, so, all told, there were six dogs running amok. As the piles of presents dwindled, Becky pointed to a solitary gift resting on the coffee table and said, "Don't forget that one."

"Oh, yeah." I beckoned to Pixie and said, "It's yours, Pixie." She bumped it with her nose and then moved on, since it didn't smell edible, but I plucked her from the floor and deposited her in my lap so we could open the gift together. I removed a small box from the red and green wrapping paper and opened it. Nestled inside was a gleaming silver object. "It's a new name tag," I explained to Pixie and everyone around us. "Her new name is on it: Pixie Lambert."

I hugged her tight and said, "Welcome home, Pixie."

Later, alluding to an ongoing inside joke at The Compound, Mr. Becky said, "You're keeping Pixie, so does this mean you're keeping Rex, too?"

"We'll see," I replied.

Tags: compound life, photos, pixie, pudddles, rex, scouts honor

The Big H turned one on the 18th. Last night, at Hanley Inc., a party was held in her honor. Shortly after the above photo was taken, she lit the candle with her mind.

Tags: compound life, manny, photos

chasing pirates

Yet again, I don't have a decent photo of Rex for today. But I do have this excellent photo of Paco the Pirate. Lynne found him abandoned in northwest Houston with another dog who was tied to a fire hydrant. Paco the Pirate was just neutered and Lynne is now fostering him for Scout's Honor Rescue.

Lynne says:

An update... This little dog is amazing. His temperament is the mildest I have ever seen in a Chihuahua. He is healing well, but hates taking his medicine. The crate is wonderful and he will go to it when we are in the back of the house. At all other times he wants to be held or sit in your lap. He knows the leash means it is time for a walk which he loves. He is very tolerant of Sparky [Lynne's dog. -ed. note] and his barking at him. They have done the male dog dominance dance a bit. Paco and Minute [Lynne's other dog. -ed. note] get along. She tries to get him to play, but he'd rather just be held or sit in your lap.

Sunday Lila [Lynne's granddaughter. -ed. note] met Paco. She was excited to see the "PUPPY!!!" He allowed her to hug, pet and "follow" (chase, I guess) as only a toddler can. She knows dogs and knows to be "soft" with them. He never growled at her and he really didn't run away. As long as an adult held him, Lila could pet and hug him all she wanted.

It is hard for me to comprehend someone abandoning such a sweet, little dog.

Tags: compound life, photos, rextuesday, scouts honor

Photo Friday, Number 40. Theme: Best of 2009.

I'm rather partial to this photo I took of Lloyd.

Tags: photo friday, photos

I scrawled my nephew's and nieces' names on the envelopes and stuffed them inside a mailer for my parents to dole out to them on Christmas Day. I hurriedly addressed the envelope and dropped the pen as I snatched up my jacket and scarf and raced outside into the cold and damp (I'm so over this miserable weather!), but not before I patted Pixie and Rex on the head and told them I'd be back as soon as possible, so would they please, please not get into any trouble if I left them uncrated?

'Tis the season for long lines at the Post Office, bank and grocery store, so an hour later I returned home and two joyous dogs tried to trip me and claim the eggs, packages and deposit receipts I carried as their own. Unfortunately for them, I managed to step around them. Unfortunately for the pen I was using before I left, Pixie decided it was to blame for me leaving and my pen was now broken into many tiny pieces and scattered about the apartment.

Tags: compound life, pixie