Curie

 There has been some excitement at the Keeley house of late. 

We have been talking about getting another Greyhound since Zelda died in 2019. We've looked off and on, but they are much harder to come across then the used to be. The track where Zelda had raced closed, and that was a major source of greyhounds for California. Florida also outlawed dog racing (yay!). Which means, in the US, West Virginia is the only state that allows racing. So there are a lot less retired racers around. Some are imported from Australia. And some are used as blood donor dogs for a time and then retired. Others are rescued from China or Korea. So, I had kind of put the idea of getting another Greyhound away, because it seemed unlikely without having to buy a purebred (which I am against). In fact, the agency we got Zelda from has since shut down, because they had no more dogs to help.

But earlier this year, we started looking again. There are still 2 greyhound adoption agencies in the Bay Area. The first one said our house wouldn't be a good fit for the dogs they get (mostly Australian) because the have a high prey drive, and we have cats. The second agency accepted our application and said they'd contact us when they had a good fit. We waited and followed up after a couple months. They said they had 2 greyhound puppies, would we consider a puppy adoption? We had previously said no, because puppies are a lot of work. But we thought, why no consider it. We decided to go visit the puppies, and see if either were a good fit. 

On Sunday morning, we drove to Santa Rosa (2 hours north) with Nana, Bronwyn and Monty in tow. Bertram refused any part of getting another dog. (He is a staunch cat person). Our main aim was to see if Monty would get along with a new dog. He is not usually very friendly with other dogs. Not aggressive, but likes his space. The ride was uneventful, if not long. When we arrived we met Marni who is fostering several dogs, including the two Greyhound puppies, who was 6 months old. Aaron and I met the dogs first, who were all riled up. Then Bron tried to meet them, but they were too jumpy for her. Then we met the dogs one on one. Lyra had A LOT of energy and really wanted to play. She was not as good on lead as the other puppy. Monty didn't like her, she was too playful. And didn't understand what his low growls meant. So she was put away, and Ursa came out. Ursa was calmer. And when Monty met her, she understood he didn't want to play.

They were happy to exist near each other. So we decided to take the leap. She has had all her puppy shots. She'll need to be spayed in a couple months.

She didn't want to leave or get in the car, so Aaron carries her. Then she didn't want to be in the bed in the back of the van. So she crawled up and sat in my lap.

After a short while, we switched spots. Aaron sat in the third row with her and I drove the two hours back home with Monty on my lap. 

When we got home we introduced her to the family, who were all down the street. Aaron walked her a few times that evening. She ate, but didn't potty until 1230am. But she went outside, so that was fine. She likes the paddle pool.

She is very strong on walks, but doesn't walk very straight yet, so that is a work in progress. And she wants to have everything. Anything she can get she'll pick up and take the her bed. (While I've been typing this, she picked up 2$ and brought it to her bed). She is food motivated, which is good, it makes training easier. But we had to move Monty's food and the cat's food where she can't reach.  None of our other dogs have been interested in toys, so we only had a couple things for her. Yesterday, I went to Ross, Home Goods and PetSmart and bought a plethora of soft toys, chewy things and treats, so we are now well equipped.

After going through a few names, we decided on Curie. Though, today I was thinking Laika would have been a good fit. 

She went to the vet for a check in yesterday. She looks good, except her ear need a little cleaning. She weighs 36 lbs, which will probably be close to  half of her adult weight. She starts puppy class on Saturday.

So far, no accidents 🤞🏽 and she already learned to use the bells to ask to go out. (Something Monty has yet to learn). The cats are getting used to her. Waffles is kind of a badass and just does what she wants, nonplussed about Curie. Oona and Shy Guy are much more circumspect. But everyone is adapting. 

Bron has done amazing with Curie. She knows not to run, or the dog will chase her. She doesn't panic if Curie jumps up on her. She pushes her and tells her down. Bert has had very little interaction with the dog, which is how he prefers it.

She goes in her crate at night and when we leave the house. So far, the longest we've been gone is an hour or so. She's not too fond of the crate over night. Actually, that's not true, she sleeping in it right now. But if I close the gate and go back to bed, she starts whining. So for now, I'm out here with her (and Monty, the Velcro dog). 

All things considered, she has been very easy so far, especially for a puppy.  (I said I would never have a puppy. Never say never, I guess).

Day 283

From early November, the completed kitchen

 I have no clue what was happening at the last entry, I should reread before posting, I suppose.

The cats are doing well.  Shy-Guy is my buddy, and loves snuggling.  (I have to keep removing him from the laptop).  Oona is still a loud purr-er, and sleeps with Bertram most nights.  

Bertram has had more good days than bad recently.  He is very unpredictable.  I think screentime is the basis for most of his bad behaviour.  We limit it to some extent, but it's pandemic  time, so there are only so many options for him.  He has chores he has to do (get newspaper, feed cat, make bed, wipe table, do a worksheet).  Most days the first 3 will get done.  For some reason, he really hates worksheets.  They are mostly for handwriting, because his is awful.  He just goes to fast.

He got student of the month at school.  He was so excited he ran all around the house.  The teacher said she can see that he is improving in paying attention, and not shouting out.  We've been trying, so I'm glad he is getting some recognition. 

Bron has had some evals.  She started speech a couple weeks ago.  And will be starting ABA sometime soon.  Everything is ready, but the scheduler hasn't called yet.  And it's the end of the year, so I'm not sure who is in the office anyway.  She has her school district evals at the end of January and beginning of February.

We took the rail off Bron's crib a week (or so) ago.  She was climbing out consistently, so it made sense to take the front off.  The first night was a little rough. Most night's now she'll play in the dark (she has a little nightlight in her bed) and then put herself to bed after a while. But she hasn't been coming out, so that is a win.  And she usually is quiet when she plays. 

I started working on a calico/tee shirt quilt for Bron.  It's twin size, for when we move her to the big bed. The squares are all cut, and I've started assembly on the top.

Aaron has continued to work from home.  Most of the time it's great, because I have a second set of hands most of the day, or as needed.  He took most of this week off, because why not?  We don't need to save the vacation time for anything.  Who knows when travel will be safe?  He helped his dad take a lemon tree from their neighbour's house.  The house between us and his folks has been sold to  developer. The same one that did Grandma Street's house.  Hers turned out fine, I guess.  It's giant.  And there are no windows facing the front (except one over the garage that always has the shade closed.) So it seems very foreboding and unfriendly.  I saw the wife once, walking a baby.  But she made no effort to look at me, or smile, and seemed to hurry  back into the house. 

This was the model/drawing.  I've marked the differences in how it actually looks.  There is no lower right window, that's all that stone wall.  There is no chimney.  That front gate (which goes to a patio), then the front door is a half gate, not full sized.  Those two upstairs windows don't exist.  I don't think the wall comes out that far.  And, you can kind of see, how huge it is compared to the houses beside it.

That is what, essentially, will be going in next door to us.  Thomas James builders have been redoing a lot of houses in the area, and most of their designs are similar to this, though, this is the least inviting.  With the exception of this and one other house, all the houses on the street are single story, and look small from the front.  Most have been added onto in the back, but generally fit the look.  I'm just grumping I guess.  I'm not thrilled about living by a construction site either.

Bronwyn Interview 2 years 7.5 months

1. What is something mommy always says to you?  Rachel!

2. What makes you happy? Bert-bert's birthday!

3. What makes you sad?  Angry monsters

4. What makes you laugh? Ha ha loud (then growls)

5. How old are you? 2

6. How old is Mommy? 2

7. How old is Daddy? 5

8. What is your favorite thing to do? Mario

9. Who is your best friend?  At school

10. What do you want to be when you grow up?  Cookie

11. What are you really good at? Bronwyn Alice Keeley

12. What are you not very good at?  Bronwyn Alice Keeley

13. What did you do today? At work, at school

14. What is your favorite food?  cookies

15. What is your favorite song? 39 (by Queen)

16. What do you want for your birthday this year? Get some doggies

17. What is your favorite animal? Lion

18. What is love? Red balloon

19. What does daddy do for work? .at work

20. Where do you live? San Jose, California

21. Where is your favorite place to go? Oh! The Places you'll go!

Bertram's 6 year interview

1. What is something mommy always says to you?  I love you

2. What makes you happy? Hugging you

3. What makes you sad?  Not being with you.

4. What makes you laugh? Tickles, although I hate them

5. How old are you? 5, I mean 6!

6. How old is Mommy? I don't know

7. How old is Daddy? I don't know

8. What is your favorite thing to do? Play Legos

9. Who is your best friend?  Kaylee, or my school favourite is Liko

10. What do you want to be when you grow up?  BattleBots Builder

11. What are you really good at? Building Legos

12. What are you not very good at?  Closing my eyes in bed

13. What did you do today? I don't know

14. What is your favorite food?  Pizza

15. What is your favorite song? Yellow Submarine 

16. What do you want for your birthday this year? Lego Millennium Falcon

17. What is your favorite animal? cat

18. What is love? Hugging and Kissing

19. What does daddy do for work? .Gives us money

20. Where do you live? San Jose!

21. Where is your favorite place to go? Stay at home.

How has it been two months?!  I can't remember everything, so I'll go through pictures.

 

I went on a bit of a macaron kick.  It's awesome when they turn out, and frustrating when they don't.  I've made a few batches and only have a 50% success rate. I made a pistachio batch that was really good.  They are tricky, time consuming, and fussy cookies, but so yummy.  One issue is the use only egg whites.  I have not had success with boxed egg whites, so I end up with  left over yolks, and thus far, I am not a good custard/pudding maker.  I need more practice.

I counted (not including the macarons) I think I made something like 360 cookies for Christmas.  I made grandma's Christmas cookies, which I didn't take a picture of, for some reason.  I made the gingerbread pictured above.  It actually tasted good, unlike all the gingerbread I've had previously.  My piping needs work, but I enjoy the practice when I can get it.  I also made cookies for my dad and FIL for gifts.  I think I did chocolate chip, a short bread type and peanut butter.

Christmas Eve

Christmas day. I really didn't take a lot of pictures this year.  We all had matching PJs.  Kids got too many things, but lots of books, which I can get behind.  We had a nice dinner with the extended family.  It was kind of weird.  The holidays went by fast, and didn't see as fun, I think because we didn't have Grandma.  I'm still not sure I've acclimated to the new normal.

We went up to the Legion of Honor with my dad to see the Tissot exhibit.  We left Bron with Aaron's mom.  Bertram had a good enough time.  I really try to expose him to as much as possible, even though he hates it.  

The kids both got new scooters.  They both need more practice.

We went to the mall on New Years Eve day.  They did a Noon-years eve.  So we watched the balloons come down.

Bron got some necklaces.  She really likes them.

We went to the library for Music and Movement, but it was cancelled that day.  So they just played.

Bertram got a Giant Bubble maker for Christmas.  They both really enjoyed that.  I need to buy some more of that solution, and bottle it when we're done, so we don't waste it.

We went to the Aquarium on the last day of Christmas break.  Aaron took the day off.  It was a Monday (because we restarted on a Tuesday, for some reason).  So it was fairly empty.  I got Bertram's (blurry) picture with the scuba diver.  The octopus was moving around, which is always neat.

I signed Bron up for a parent and me ballet class.  She really likes it, but definitely follows her own rhythm.  

Bron got a tea set for Christmas.  She really likes it.

Bertram has lost two teeth!  

Playing

It's 100 day at school this week.  We glued 100 eyeballs.  

Bertram has Pinewood Derby today for scouts.  This is the evaluation of the car.  I did all the painting, but Bertie did the design.  

Bertram played a "prank" at school on Friday.  I'm not entirely sure how it was supposed to be a prank.  He cut the hole, and said it was an accident, the joke (I guess) was that it was on purpose.  I'm a bit bummed, I really liked that shirt.

We got these cool "high" chairs from Ikea yesterday.  They are like normal chairs, but tall.  And they're some kind of firm plastic, so I can clean it easily.

And lastly, the most exciting (and secret) thing: WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND!  I had been looking at prices, and we have decent savings (and taxes will be in soon).  Bertram has been wanting to go for probably 2 years.  We're going to surprise him on his birthday, and then we'll go over Spring break.