Shave and a Haircut, Two Bits

I thought I would share another piece of furniture that is sharing space in the dining room with our new dining room furniture.  

This piece came from my childhood home, which we recently bought (more on that later).  In that house, it sat in our very tiny vestibule as soon as you entered.  It became a haven for keys, mail and various other random things thrown down there.  You can tell this by how much the main part is dinged up.  While my parents were cleaning out the house, they discovered they really did not have room for this, but my Mom did not want to get rid of it. I generously offered to store it for her. Aren't I so sweet?*

I seem to recall my Dad telling me this was an old barber shop piece. The little knob below the mirror, opens up a folding down type storage area. There is a drawer underneath the main part and then a cupboard at the bottom. I would envision this in an old time barbershop with a strap to sharpen the razors hanging on the side.

The title comes from another little Dad-ism.  My Dad always had a unique knock. When we asked him about it, he said it was based on the singsong phrase, "Shave and a Haircut, Two Bits."  I always thought that this was based on old time barber shop prices. Apparently, it is recently based in music and is a common riff at the end of a musical performance for comedic relief.  I later found out my Dad was a drummer. It all started coming together then.

Also, two bits is equal to a quarter.

I need a shave!

The more you know.
   




*I may not give it back :)

What We Call a Weekend Getaway, Jersey Calls Heaven a/k/a Confirmation that We Own a Water Dog

B finally got some time off on the weekend so we took advantage of it and went up north to his parents' cottage where we are RIGHT NOW. That is right. This is practically a live action post. Well, practically.

In any event, aside from the relaxation that B and I were both looking forward to, we were also very eager to see how Jersey would take to the lake. I haven't shared with you exactly how much Jersey loves the water. ANY water.

We first noticed when B washed the car. That dog loves the hose. And the sprinkler. And the kiddie pool B bought her. And the water dish. Get the picture? We were pretty confident she would love the lake, but you never can tell with these things.

She loves the lake.

B immediately took the retrieving dummy and hurled it into the lake. Here is a "live" action shot. It is not happening now, but whatever:

Jersey jumped right in like it was her job:

She is part lab. I guess it is her job. She would go as far out as you sent her. Sometimes even farther:

If thrown to the side, she would run the length of the shore and then dive in:

And retrieve it. Always bringing it back:

Such a good girl.

Even when her master got lazy, she did not:

Can you spot Jersey in this pic? I swear she is in there:

Not a happy dog when she has to come inside. She just sits and longingly looks at the outside:

Right now she is asleep at my feet. B put her through quite a workout today. I am hoping to figure out how to upload videos because they are pretty hilarious (and short).

Until then, back to vacation...

Someone's Had a Growth Spurt Even if She Doesn't Know It

Does anyone remember this adorable little bitty puppy? The one that B snuck into my life without my permission and who instantly stole my heart and won't give it back*:

Not so little now, but still adorable, heart stealing and oh-so-cute (especially when sleeping!):

Before, she could fit in the crook of your arm taking up minimal space:

Yep. Those days are gone:

*Don't tell this to B because then he will think that he can sneak all kinds of things in the house as long as they are cute. YOU CANNOT SNEAK THINGS IN B! I HAVE EAGLE EYES.**

**Well, with my glasses on of course.

Wordless Wednesday: Taking Spooning to a Whole New Level

To Celebrate a Birthiversary...

Remember Jersey when we first got her and how small she was? Let me refresh your memory:

Last week was what I would call Jersey's Birthiversary. Her anniversary with us and technically her birthday as well since she was so sick when we got her. So we have had her two months and she is about four months old.

Ladies and Gentlemen...in this corner we have...Jersey Girl:

Weighing in at a whopping 25 pounds, up from the initial weigh in of 9, Jersey is ready to do battle with any animal:

Oops, wasn't trying to imply B was an animal. Anyway, despite Jersey's recent growth spurt, she still thinks of herself as a lap dog and wants to nap with you. It is just not as comfortable anymore:

Especially when she chooses your shoulder/chest/head:

Jersey is also getting taller. While sitting she is almost to our knees. See those rolls of skin at the bottom of her leg? I think that is proof that there is some Sharpei in her, even if she is looking more like a lab every day:

In addition to being much larger, Jersey has also become a ham and will pose for the camera:

We were told she would be a medium dog, but at 25 lbs four months in, I think we are looking at a 60 pound dog minimum. I mean look at those legs:

That face makes it all worth it!

Happy Birthiversary, Baby Girl.

Parenting a Pup 101: The One Where My Husband is in the Dog House Literally

Yesterday was Jersey's 3 week birthday. Technically she is like two months and 3 weeks old, but I am counting her "birthday" as the day we got her. Yes, she was alive for two months prior, but apparently just barely. So, I had great plans to take updated pictures for this event. Those plans went up in smoke when I woke up still sick and too drugged/exhausted/congested to go to work. So after emailing work to let them know, I went back to my drug induced sleep. Too bad work didn't get the email. Hilarity ensued, but that is a story for a different day as I don't feel like typing it all out.

Instead, I have some other Jersey pics for you. B is also a star in these. You see, when we first got Jersey her crate was actually the cat carrier. It was the perfect size for her. However, B seeing a long future and, more importantly, long legs on Jersey, thought a bigger, adjustable crate would be better. And so he found one.

Jersey wasn't sure of the new crate. B, being the good parent, decided to show her that it was a fun and comfortable place to be:

Don't they look comfortable in there? Well, one of them looks sad. I will let you decide which one.

And, if you are in a cage with your dog, you should totally call to your other animals to come see you and gauge their reactions to you being treated like an "animal":

Eventually one animal will come to check you out:

Then you can entice him to come closer by wiggling your finger:

Or sticking a toy banana out while your wife yells "HAVE A BANANA!":

Soon after your puppy will realize the cage is nice and comfy and her place:

Even if you have to talk her into it:

And even if she blends into the dog bed:

B is a good parent and a good sport. Also? This was totally his idea. I just made him sit in there a bit longer so I could grab the camera.

As for Jersey? She is back in the cat carrier. She likes small spaces.

And small cats.

But that is another story.

Why Can't You Set Your Monkey Free?

A couple of months ago, when my Mom and I took a roadtrip to see some family, we also got to see performance art for the elderly. At least by the elderly. At first I thought their coordinated dancing was cute:

Right after the above, the man smacked the woman's ass. I wish I were kidding.

Then, however, I came to find out that it was all an act. Of course, I could tell that it was choreographed. However, I did not know that they came out and did the SAME dance EVERY weekend. Nor did I know that there would be costume changes:

Right after that above picture was taken my uncle turned to my Dad who was playing with a child's toy from the gift shop, and said:

If you put you hand in that puppet, that lady over there will grab her monkey.

Little did we know he was not kidding:

The moral of the story? I like spontaneous, well choreographed, dancing elderly people. I do not like well choreographed, dancing elderly people that appear "spontaneously" every weekend and who have costumes and puppets.

Especially those that are really not good ventriloquists.

Actually I don't like puppets or ventriloquists.

Neither does B.

That's why we are in love.

*Bonus points to those that know where the title of the post comes from.