And I mean that in the most affectionate way.

Yeah. Right.

So I took the kids to the library the other night and found a couple books and DVDs…including a brand-new middle grade novel that I thought my son would like. It was squeaky-clean new, sitting on the New shelf and it was beautiful and pristine.

(You know where this is going, don’t you?)

So we’ve just gotten to where we’ll block Mr. Frodo in the kitchen/dining area when we go somewhere, instead of in his kennel. I’m careful to put everything away, to arrange the chairs and table to block the shelves where the kids’ school supplies are, etc. I pick everything off the floor. I move all counter items to a far corner.

But yesterday, I made a serious mistake. I didn’t block our other German Shepherd, Tilly, who is a mature 7 and who runs the house, in with Mr. Frodo.

Which meant he had to find his own amusements. Even though I had left him two bones and a chew toy. The little shit.

So he amused himself with The 13th Reality.

This is what was left.

I told Pirate Boy he had to read it, now that we owned it!

Okay, so…what has your puppy destroyed? Worst experience ever?

Colleen Unleashed word count update: 3,769, goal of 30,000. 10% of the way, even though the last days were like pulling teeth when it came to writing.

Fund-raising update: $250. Goal: $1,000. YESS!!!!!! 25% of the way there this first week!

Thanks to all the generous people who have already donated toward my efforts to fight against Cystic Fibrosis! You’ve helped me get the week off to a great start, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I’m really hoping to blow this goal out of the water. Can you help? If 100 people donated $10, or if 50 people donated $20, I’d be over my goal! Go here to help young CF patients like my Pirate Boy. Thank you.

~~~~~

So did you watch McCain last night? How about Palin on Wed? What did you think?

My biggest thing about all of these speakers…regardless of party…is that they’re delivering a speech written by someone else. So their ability as am orator is one thing, but I’m looking for substance–not necessarily delivery.

Yes, I enjoy getting riled up and feeling patriotic, and cheering for my country–there’s nothing like it.

But at the end of the day, it’s substance that I’m looking for: specifics. Plans. Acknowledgement of all of the issues.

Of course the details can’t be given in hour-long speeches, but I want to see/hear that the issues are being addressed, that there is a plan.

And so after I listen to the speech, and hear all the stuff the commenters say, the blog posts, etc., I go to this site: FactCheck.org.

I clicked over there and spent an hour reading up on stuff. Do it–it really helps to put things into perspective.

And here’s a new pic of Mr. Frodo and our other GSD, Tilly. Of course Mr. Frodo had to get up and find out what I was doing….

Mr. Frodo’s ears, that is.

We call him the bat-puppy. Adorable, no?

(Yes, he’s in my trés messy office.)

My ride to Mac’s Backs in Cleveland should be arriving ANY moment now, but wanted to say Hi and Thanks to everyone who came out this weekend!

I’m behind on emails and so on, but know that I’m reading them and will respond.

In the mean time, if you’re in the area, I’m at Mac’s Backs in Cleveland tonight from 5-7,and at Paperback Outlet in Warren, MI, on Thurs 4:30-6ish I think.

Here are some puppy pictures…me and Mr. Frodo!