My next class is "Web Scripting," and I guess we get to learn about advanced layout techniques and javascript and DHTML (Dynamic HTML). Yippeee!! It's looking like the final project is a website, so my other aunt now gets to be my guinea pig. Should be fun! :)

Taking a much-needed break: After my web scripting class is over, I'm taking the summer term off. Of course this involves jumping through a billion different hoops to re-enroll in the fall, but I really need some time off school to focus on my sobriety. I've been heads-down for 9 months and I want to enjoy the summer! I'm also taking a week off work in early June. I'll help with preparations for my older brother's wedding in the first part of the week and then, hopefully, I can spend a couple days at the coast... I haven't been to see the Pacific Ocean since I returned from Boston and I really, really miss it. Funny, that.

Rennie: Rennie is all healed and stitches are out from her spay. Of course, this didn't happen without her having to go back to the vet for - of all things - an enema on Friday after her initial visit for the surgery. For his trouble, the vet ended up with a lab coat full of Yorkie diarrhea. Better him than me, is all I've got to say about that! Anyway, so after that little problem was sorted out she seemed to improve drammatically.

We went to our first agility class a few weeks ago and Rennie is doing really well so far. She seems to really like the obstacles and so far is excelling at the weave poles, the jumps (both regular hurdles and the tire jump) and the "pause table." The A-Frame is another story, since the darned thing is 6-feet high and she's just a bit skittish. Can't say that I blame her - I'm not sure I'd want to go up that thing either, if I were her!

This is a 6-week class designed to introduce the dogs to the equipment, so we'll hopefully be getting to the tunnels, the dog walk and everything else in the next couple weeks! I'm looking forward to continuing on with this - Ren seems to love it and I'm having fun too! There's also something called "teacup agility," for dogs that are smaller than 17". The deal with the AKC trials is that all the dogs run on the same equipment, and I'm worried about the 6-foot A-Frame. So we'll see... I want her to be safe but I'd also love to do some AKC trials with Ren if we can do it...

Work: Pretty much same-old same-old with work. I've had to go into the office twice this week and it's making me glad - for so many reasons - that I don't have to do that every day. I feel SO fortunate to have gotten the position I have and, while there are always the annoying little things that happen, I feel like I'm carving out a good place for myself.

So life is good right now and I feel blessed. The next steps for me, now that I do have a job, are to find Miss Rennie and I a home of our own, and to continue to save money - first for an "emergency fund," and then for a down payment on a house!

And speaking of getting our own place: if you live in the Portland area and have any furniture or appliances or any other hand-me-down you're wanting to sell or get rid of, please give me a holler! I have a few pieces of furniture that I brought back from Boston, but I'm still going to have to buy all kinds of stuff to refurnish my new place. I have a feeling that Freecycle and Craigslist are going to be my new best friends for a while!!