Matthew and I watched Juno this evening. It was pretty much what the critics said: fun, sassy, a little too smart, but an overall cute film. Loved the music. The best part was having Peach hang out with us on the couch wrapped up in a blanket - she hadn't been quite ready to go to bed. She snuggled and flopped around until she was so tired she couldn't stay awake (but couldn't get comfortable).
Afterward the movie, the couch was covered with popcorn bits. This never would have happened with Norris (or Nika) around. In fact, it's been 15 years since I've had to pick up food spillage - the house was thoroughly cleaned Thursday, and I've already done a massive vacuum operation in the kitchen. (I've decided my popcorn technique probably needs work - there are nibblers, and then there are those of us who shove handfuls into their faces.)
Tomorrow morning we had made plans to drive a goodly distance into Washington to look at some beautiful red Australian Cattle Dogs. We had an ACD before (it was our border collie's companion dog - seriously, we got her a dog of her own) and like the breed. Matthew was willing to go along with me on this. I miss having a dog (not since 1994 have we gone so long without). I would feel safer with a dog. I really want a dog I can take with me to the office and let Peach climb all over. I want a jogging partner and a cheerleader.
But.
My lifestyle doesn't fit a dog right now - not even a laid back dog (and I'm not fond of laid back breeds, anyway). It would be pure selfishness. And about selfishness, it has been kind of nice to not have to pick up land mines in the yard - or worry about getting home at a reasonable hour, or think about traveling without paying $25/day for a kennel. Peach and I have taken to spending time in the garden, and I don't have to worry about her stepping in dog poo. It is a lot quieter and calmer, and as much as I loved Norris, he only added to my stress level.
I left a voicemail message for the kind woman who owns the cattle dogs; I feel like a schmuck because I was happy I left a voicemail and didn't have to make excuses in real time. I can't decide if I feel like I'm missing the opportunity of a lifetime, or if I just dodged a bullet.
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I would like to say there were positive counterpoints to the dog angst, but it was not a fun-filled day. Matthew and I spent hours matching Explanation of Benefits sheets with medical bills - which for the three of us over the last year, has been somewhat crazy. Our money situation has been more than a little tight, so there is a lot of catching up to do, especially now with Matthew's surgery-related bills. I said something to him about how good our medical insurance is - and sadly, it IS good insurance, even though it means we pay huge premiums and still get stiffed with ever-increasing portions of the bills - and he laughed. Better than the alternative, I guess.
Although now that I think about it? It was kind of fun working on the medical bills with Matthew, because paying medical bills for the employees of the federal agency he works for - he is the medical program manager - is a big part of his job. It was like an art form. He started talking about diagnosis and billing codes and how this number didn't match this line item and my jaw about hit the floor. I mean, I pick up this guy's socks most of the time, but he has an amazing eye for detail on these bills. He found all sorts of mistakes (in our favor) and started firing off letters. It was cool.
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The highlight of the day may have been the Costco trip, now a regular part of the weekend, because where else can you get two gallons of whole milk for $3.69? Although is it just me, or did Costco just raise prices? Bananas (I hate them, but they are a staple in the house) were 99 cents last week, and today were $1.29 for three pounds. We now have TP, a pork roast, sliced apples, grapefruit, the bananas, Diet Dr. Pepper, 100-calorie snack packs, tuna, egg substitute, and frozen strawberries. I used a coupon for 50 free 4x6 prints, which seemed impressive until I realized that comes out to $6.50. The highlight of the trip may have been when Peach and I tried on frames in the optical section - she really dug the Coach frames on herself.
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Speaking of Peach, she bit someone at school on Friday. We haven't been told the circumstances or which kid was the target. In the absence of contrary data, we have decided that she did it in self defense and/or that it was a justified biting. (More seriously, she was fortunately caught in situ and corrected - apparently, she was very chastened.)
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I would like to think that tomorrow will be a super-fun day. Maybe it will, who knows? Although it looks like I will be studying the evidence code and Matthew will be writing work-related letters...so perhaps not.
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