The Year of Big Decisions, Let's start with Dog #2.

When we adopted Lenny (fostered 6/7/10, adopted 6/22/10) they were hesitant to give him to us because they said he needed to be in a 2 dog environment.  His separation anxiety was too intense, and even training classes proved to be somewhat useless.  We used Chainsaw, the dog that used to live downstairs, on our side to show he wouldn't be alone.
Chainsaw + his folks (Jeremy + Shirley) moved out a couple months ago, and it has been tough on Lenny.
Bill and I decided to look at local shelters.
When I first saw Lenny's face, I feel in love with him, hard, and so did Bill.  He just looked like an Alevizos.  But I knew finding dog #2 would prove to be way more difficult.  We went back to CCR to see which dogs were available that we liked online, and we saw Olive.  Now, I really wanted a SMART dog, like a collie or something, because Lenny doesn't really know how to listen and could use improvements in various areas.  But there was Olive.  Terrier/Corgi/god knows what weirdly cute female dog with a Fu Manchu.

So here we go.  Yesterday was Day #1, and I'm not going to lie, I was pretty much emotionally unstable all day. Let's start with the fact she is IN LOVE with Lenny. I have never seen a female dog attempt to hump so much.  Really.  And she wouldn't just chill and leave him alone.

I cried on and off all day.  Bill was at work, so my apologizes to the following people for freaking out and losing my mind that had to listen to me sob on the phone: Mom, Mackie, Rachel, Mary-Frances, Kristin, Lex + of course Bill.  I started to doubt, do we want a second dog?  Are we getting a dog for Lenny and not for us (which is partially  true.  If Lenny was fine when we left the house I'm sure we would have held off until we bought a place for dog 2, but Bill has always wanted dog 2 so you never know).  
Is Lenny happy?  Is she happy?  Is she the right dog? Did we make the right decision?  Did we rush into this?  Is she going to be chill and get along with all dogs as Lenny does?  Is she going to bark at night?  Is she going to bark when we leave?  Is Lenny annoyed?  Will she pee in the house?  Will she calm him down when we leave?  Will she like all people?  And so on.  This is literally how I spent Sunday, January 9th, while Olive was in our home a brief 5 hours total, and I lost my mind.

I felt so much better when Bill got home from work (alone time with the dogs, 7 hrs) and Lenny was happy that Bill was there.  And the dogs played and played.

We gave Olive a bath, and she was happier, and hey, I was happier, and I think she is adjusting very well.  Now, this is a foster, so if in two weeks we feel this isn't working out, then she will go back to the shelter, but honestly so far so good......stay posted.

Chloe "Toast"

So I was interviewed on a Podcast last night called Cinema Jaw.  It should air next week sometime.

I was pretty nervous, but Matt K. is an old film buddy of mine, and his podcast really is great. I talked about Women In Film (although not as much as I wanted to), discussed new films, DVD releases and out top 5 favorite living actresses. I had to put Chloe Sevigny in my list. I have always loved her edginess, coolness, and of course I love her as Nicolette Grant on Big Love. But what I also love is this parody of her by Drew Droege. He is hilarious as Chloe, and I can't get enough.
FYI - my actresses in order were:
5. Michelle Williams
4. Zooey Deschanel
3. Chloe Sevigny
2. Tina Fey
1. Kathleen Turner
Now though, I would change that I'm sure.

2011 MASTER LIST

Ok, per a heavy duty FB conversation today, here is the beginnings to my 2011 accomplishment list. Items left over from 2010 will be marked with a *.
1. Hot Dougs - 3324 N. California*
2. Modern Wing @ the Art Institute*
3. Pho Pho Pho*
4. A bike ride*
5. The Green Market*
6. Use my Chicago Public Radio Membership card for restaurant discounts*
7. Ramen Ramen Ramen  **WENT TO ARAMI 2/18/11.  THE ARAMI RAMEN WAS AMAZING!!!**
8. Korean BBQ (I'm on an Asian Food Kick)
9. Visit Rachel and James  **TRIP IS BOOKED FOR SPRING BREAK, MARCH 2011******
10. Visit the Pacific Northwest
11. Have a romantic weekend with Bill
12. Avoid the same old 2010 haunts (Oak Oak Tap, Clutch, Cleos, all those same old places)
13. Master brand new Soups
14. Make a recipe out of EVERYTHING in my CSA, not just the stuff I'm familiar with
15. New gig, please **I START 2/28/11 - DREAM JOB!!!****** FYI - amazing. Awesome. So great.
16. Get Bill to actually donate some articles of clothing, shoes, etc.   He Donated TWO shirts. Its a step.
17. Margie's Candies
18. Girl and the Goat ***reservations 5/14!***
19. Start a business plan for a doggie daycare "Victors Garden"
20. Get a piano
21. MOST IMPORTANT!  A DINING ROOM TABLE!  I'm hosting Thanksgiving this year, and at this rate we will be eating on the floor!