Welcome to the family!

I am not a fan of the words retard and retarded. Not in the least. It could be that I have a heightened sensitivity to the word because I have a sister who is mentally and physically disabled, but I cringe every time someone uses these words in any way, shape, or form, especially in reference to a person or something someone has done. And I think people have gotten so used to using it and hearing it that no one really thinks about how insensitive it really is. I just don't like it.

The puppy is finally here. Evelyn Frances Julienne Sherbine joined our family on Saturday, February 14th in all her glory and loudness, bringing the David Sherbine Family dog count to 4 (Kris has Roxy, Kreg has Hannah, Kortney has Weezie, and now me with Evelyn - all females, I just realized). She is a beagle mix (mostly beagle, though) about 7-8 months old. She is slightly older than I initially wanted, but the advantage to her being older is that she is already nearly fully housebroken and a seasoned crate dweller. This eliminates me having to start housebreaking from scratch and the sleepless nights taking her out every couple of hours. Even though we've had a couple accidents inside already, that is to be expected and I scold appropriately. It's going to take her and I a little while to form our bond, but we're getting there. She happily greeted me at the door yesterday when I got in from work and that was a relief; she is really taking to her new home. We still have a ways to go with breaking some habits and getting fully acclimated to a routine, but I am confident that in a few months it will be smooth sailing. Weezie has accepted her new cousin and the two of them get along famously. They roughhouse around and Weezie growls when she wants to be left alone. The first time Evy gets a serious nip or deep growl from Weeze, she'll learn her lesson and know when to back off. I think Weeze enjoys the playmate, though, and hope we can get to the point where we can leave the two of them free in the house together while we're at work. But not now - there'd be nothing left but four walls and a roof if we left them alone right now. LOL Seriously.

The parents are doing Weight Watchers since early January and they BOTH LOOK GREAT!!! I was really impressed when I saw them on Friday at how good they looked. They are being really committed and serious about the program and the results are showing. My father had to notch out a new hole on his belt because of the weight he's losing. I was thinking he could just get a new belt rather than trying to poke a hole in leather with a kitchen knife, but I kept my mouth shut. It's funny to listen to him spout out how many points each food is and calculate what he can have at every sitting to leave himself points at the end of the day or watch him figure out what he can eat between dinner and bed to use his points for the day. Apparently, it's better to use all your points for the day rather than have any left over. Kortney has also gotten on the WW train, although she is going rogue and using materials the folks gave her to avoid having to pay for the expensive weekly cost. I'm glad she's doing it if she's content to follow the dietary guidelines, truly watch what she eats, and does the accompanying exercise regimen. From what I've seen so far, she is doing just that. The downside for me is that I'm trying to put weight on and I feel guilty sometimes eating my normal stuff while she's rationing out her portions and eating healthier, but Mom told me over the weekend that I need to not feel guilty and continue to eat what I eat to get to my desired weight. She was not happy that I had to keep hiking my jeans up every five minutes at home. So, I'm going to continue on my journey to put about 5-10 more pounds ON while my parents and sister continue on their journey to take pounds OFF. It's a win-win for everyone. :)

With being at home over a long weekend and then being occupied with new dog since getting back to Charleston on Monday, I've not kept a close track of the happenings in DC, but I understand the stimulus package has been signed into law. Tragically, of course. Nothing like ram-rodding a billion-dollar boondoggle through congress and hoisting it onto the American public right out of the gate, but I wouldn't expect anything less from San Fran Nan and her cohorts in the Democratic leadership. I truly hope this package helps, but from what I'm seeing and reading (OMB and CBO numbers), it doesn't look like we'll see any real stimulus in the national economy until the latter part of 2010 and then 2011. I thought we needed fiscal help right now. Isn't that why Obama and the Democrats pushed so hard to get this bill through and passed? I guess not since the bill was ready for Obama's signature before he took a 3-day weekend in Chicago, leaving the signing until Tuesday. And why sign the damned thing in Denver of all places?? Isn't that what the White House is for? Whatever. I'm just saying we the taxpayers just took on a HUGE financial burden that may or not produce any real results any time soon. This on top of all the bailouts we've already doled out and whatever the administration gives away between now and 2013. Keep your fingers crossed.

I really am working. It's just slow today so there's not much to do. I already helped Karen out with her admin duties and have cleared the little bit of paperwork I had on my own desk. I could start working on the EIT minutes from the meeting this morning since I am the secretary for the team, but I need supplemental info from two other people before I can start my own draft. See, this is why MPW needs OTO (Optional Time Off, aka, Time Off Without Pay). I would volunteer to go home right now and see my little dog and get some much needed sleep. But no, even though MPW is cutting spending everywhere it possibly can, they can't fathom letting employees volunteer to take time off without getting paid for it. I think it's something management should at least discuss and I may suggest it to the GM. The worst thing he can do is say no and I'm used to that around here, so what's the harm?

Until next time, my friends. Puppy pictures to be posted on FB soon. I promise.