Dogs, Baths & T-Shirts

How is it that Uwe Boll is still allowed to make movies? Why is every other title recommended to me by Netflix an Uwe Boll film? And why can't I stop watching them? And since we're talking about compulsion... Why do I keep buying T-Shirts? Is that what handbags are to women?

By popular demand... our inappropriate mugs 

Anyway, yesterday marked the day of our first dog-training session. I must say, they did remarkably well. John's a little bit used to training but even Dexter was on his best behavior. Apparently, it's us who need the training the most. According to the trainer, it's all about dominance, which does make sense, I guess. What I wasn't aware of was to what degree the dogs passively influence us. They 'tell' us when to play with them and pet them. Guess we have to learn to give them attention only when we initiate it. Apparently, my lack of leadership also causes John's separation anxiety. According to the trainer, he feels anxious when I leave because he feels like he needs to take care of me. Well, shucks! Guess I'll have to be more assertive. 
Since we're already talking about the dogs... remember the photo of John rolling around in the front yard? How much he enjoyed himself? Now, take that happiness, triple it and you have an estimation of how bad he smells after such a roll in the grass. See, it's not just grass he's rolling in. I don't really know what the source of the smell is but my guess is that it has something to do with all the stray cats around here. I'm starting to understand why Dexter wants to get at 'em.

I made brownies!

My first piece of mail

Our cute little Yaris

Our grill

Garden gnome, Abbeville-Style