We’re back in Indiana.  And we’re exhausted.  We didn’t sleep at all on the long flight over the Pacific (something to do with the chairs and the screaming infants), so when we came home, after doing a few things, we crashed.  Hard.  Woke up to the doorbell – Dave’s parents came to drop off our dog (they watched him while we were away this time) and to report on his misbehavior.  He was angelic, they said, the first 8 days, and evil the second 8 days (messing on the carpets a couple of times, jumping the backyard fence, etc).  They looked relieved to give him back – and I don’t blame them.  =)  We’ll be keeping a close eye on him for the next couple of weeks – hopefully getting back to his routine and getting a ton of exercise will fix those behavioral issues.

Anyway, we’re back safe and sound for those of you who were waiting to hear. 

… almost.

Jake found something really nasty and rolled in it. We think. He’s had this odor of rot, vinegar and poo following him like a cloud – David says it’s like Pigpen.

It’s so cold, we haven’t washed him. He’s too big to wash in the house, and the weather is so frigid that we can’t wash him outside, and David doesn’t want to pay for a groomer to bathe him.

So I pulled out the baking soda, and rubbed it into his fur. I remember that when I was in high school and wore one particular pair of shoes for 3 years or so (my favorites) then got them soaked, I experienced embarrassingly stinky shoes for the first time in my life. Grandma Jo suggested putting baking soda in each shoe, and I STILL have that pair of shoes. They’re only stinky if you stick your nose in and sniff.

In like fashion, the baking soda has completely removed the aura of yuck, and almost neutralized the smell. Unless, of course, you get down with him and take a big whiff. I’m thinking that if the smell doesn’t fade and if it doesn’t warm up, I’m gonna take the dog into a groomer regardless.

David doesn’t think it’s that big of a deal, but if you’ll recall, he couldn’t smell the stench of the sewer smell before we covered that drain in the basement, either (where the previous owners had cut a hole directly into the sewage line for basement drainage). We don’t trust his nose, no matter how big it is. =)

My dog – my normally beautiful dog – transformed into a hideous beast for a few seconds. I thought you’d enjoy this photo as much as we do. =)

mid-shake =), originally uploaded by tara.aukerman.

This storm is great.  =)  Lots of thunder and lightning, not too much rain, and a twilight-colored sky at 3 pm.  I LOVE “bad” weather.

Remember how my camera was broken?  Well, I can’t fix it and I’ll bet I couldn’t pay anyone to fix it (it’s an old model digital point-and-shoot).  I loved that camera, but I’m moving on.

I just bought a Canon EOS 350D (a “Digital Rebel”) online.  I’ve been wanting a camera like this for ages, but they’ve always seemed too expensive for someone like me (not a pro).  Now that I have a good job (I’ll be working some overtime to even out the expense) and now that they’ve come out with a newer model of this camera, it’s finally worth it for me to buy it.  I’m so excited – I should get it by next week, and definitely in time to learn how to use it for Hawai’i!

In other news: my dog loves popcorn and soy sauce.

… was a GREAT day.  It was a good day at work (I got a lot done, I got assigned a couple of fun projects, I got to relieve my boss of a little bit of pressure and take on a task management role, and I got a couple of overtime hours).  It’s been a great evening at home (it’s gorgeous, and we’ve spent the evening relaxing outside on our fabulous deck looking at our fabulous lawn – which David just mowed for the first time).  And, most importantly, today is Friday.  The first day of the weekend.  =)

On another note, my dog looks almost human (in an alien sort of way) when he stands on his hind legs.

It’s smelly in here.  =) 

I’m dogsitting for the Gardners, and Jake and Chopin have been playing for over an hour.  They’re both hot and panting, and our house smells like dog. 

Not that I mind.  It’s fun for me – the more the merrier, as long as they’re not trying to kill each other.  These two are getting along well (as long as Chopin doesn’t eat or drink in front of Jake). 

I’d take pictures and post them so you could see these two playing, but my camera is broken.  Don’t know what’s up, but I can only take or look at a couple of pictures before the camera’s software locks up.  Nothing I try fixes the problem!

=(

I’ve been shamed into posting again.  =)  But guys, now that I have a dog, it’s more fun to spend my spare time OFF the computer.  Especially since I work on one every day, all day long.

I think the only really interesting and out-of-the-ordinary things we’ve done lately happened the last couple of weekends.  We had a couple of football-watching shindigs – for the AFC Championship game and for the Super Bowl – where 25-30 people (at a time) crammed into our house for dinner and the game (or to play games – turns out we had several games of chess, some Jenga, some Fluxx, and some Cities & Knights of Catan going on).  We ended up bringing two extra TVs for the big game because there were so many people here that we just ran out of chairs, sofas, floorspace, and standing room in the living room.  (Jake LOVED the crowd.)

Before the games, because I got a raise, David and I were, then weren’t, then were, then weren’t, then were, then really weren’t going to and so didn’t buy a bigger TV.  We just had folks watch the games on our 15-year-old, small, but perfectly fine, TV. 

I loved having people over, even though it was a lot of work.  I like being surrounded by the people I love – it makes me feel connected in a way I need.  I think I get that from my Mom.

Anyway, that’s pretty much it.  It’s been blisteringly cold here, and it looks like the temperature will just keep going down.  It started snowing this afternoon and already there are 2 or 3 inches on the ground with no sign of stopping.  David had class in Anderson today so he’s staying the night.  I have a deacons’ meeting later – it’ll be fun getting out in that mess…

But, on the plus side, Jake loves the snow.  He short-haired and skinny so he gets cold quickly, but he loves running around out there.  Check out my flickr pictures (flickr.com/photos/taukerman) to see a couple of new dog pictures.  I’ve finally been able to take a few that show you what he’s really like.  =)

I’m done with Aukerblog and aukerman.org as separate entities from this site. I don’t know how many people actually use those addresses when catching up on our lives, but since they’re so sadly out of date, I’ve decided to reroute them here for the time being. Perhaps when David and I are a little less independant, we’ll combine our blogs  *shrug*  If you’re looking for David’s seminary blog, click the David link below.

Today was our first day of obedience training with Jake. He did pretty well – he’s a stubborn dog, but when there are treats involved, he’s obedient. To a point. For about 5 seconds at a time. =) I’ll be spending my week working with him so we can impress everyone in class next Saturday. At one point, the instructor said our goal was a 5-second sit-stay. Jake has only got 5 seconds in him, especially when surrounded by little yippers (the class is made up of 5 or 6 chihuahua-sized dogs – and Jake). David leaned over the dog and said, “Jake, if everyone else is doing 5 seconds, we’re gonna do 10!” He’s adorable with this dog. =)

It’s quiet around here.  Except, of course, when the neighbors start or park their really loud car – then, the dog barks and whines and runs all over the house.  Maybe someone he loved (or hated) had a motorcycle.  Maybe he’s watching for David to come back.  Which is why it’s so quiet.

With David teaching at Taylor and staying up north this week, I’ve been on my own.  It was nice to have some time alone after vacation and being surrounded by people, but now I’m just missing my husband.  Good thing he’s coming home tomorrow.  =)

I’ve gotten a lot of extra hours of work in – enough to make up for the holiday this week.  I’ve also done a lot of catch-up work for a client.  It feels good to not be buried under a backlog of work.

Oooh… and me and Jake have been getting along well.  That means he’s not running all over me anymore.  At least while it’s just me and him, he’s pretty obedient.  I haven’t had to wrestle him once.  =)  He gets in his crate in the morning and at bedtime.  He sits without being bribed (well, he did once).  He even stayed for a few seconds (with a heavy bribe).  He’s a fun dog - I’d be crazy here completely alone, and he’s good company.

Cousin Jen named our puppy.  =)