Now We are Six

Six years ago today, I sat down and wrote my first post into the ether. They tell you it goes by so fast, and it's true. No more half-day kindergarten--my baby has on her new school dress and Mary Janes* and is ready to start learning to read and write on her own. That's good because lately I haven't had much time or energy to write. Of course, having watched my niece during first grade and read the stories she produced, I can tell you things are going to get boring around here. First graders lack vocabulary skills and the ability to form complex sentences.

Okay, that's why I don't do silly metaphors. I'm always taking them too far and sucking the life right out of them. They don't tell you, but that is what a PhD gives you, utter humorlessness.

At any rate, after a whole year of five-year-anniversary giveaways, I'm sure you'll appreciate that I'd like to celebrate this one quietly, kind of like, say, a 43rd birthday.

I've been stitching the mermaids when I'm not reading dog training books and trying to prevent Stella from using the household humans as chew toys. You know how they say a tired dog is a good dog? Well, Stella has been very, very rested these past few days. We did bend the rules a bit and took her to Pet Smart twice and let her play with my sister's 10 year old dog because there was no way we were getting through five whole days of resting that paw. She has now been on three walks and two doggy play dates, and her behavior has improved markedly. (As has the behavior of Taz, her play date mate. When I told Taz's owner that we were going away next week, I could see a twitch in her left eye, clearly a sign of an impending nervous breakdown. But he is going to go to the daycare with Stella the day before we leave. It's the only way we'll get through a seven hour drive and the only way Taz will get through those five days...we hope.)

She may be cute, but she'll chew you soon as look at you.

*Of course she wears Mary Janes. I own five pairs.