I am reestablishing the fact that I am really not as good about writing in the summertime. There is lots of other stuff to do, and it is so hard to convince myself to write. Another of my creative venues is currently out of reach, but if life goes according to plan, it will be possible again later today. We have been redoing the kitchen enough to yank the ancient double oven and the el cheapo countertop range out, and we should be able to pick up the new full-sized oven today. Our friend got everything ready with the wiring yesterday, and another friend is going to help me pick up the new oven later on today. I am excited about that since baking is one of my favorite creative outlets - you get instant gratification in the form of yumminess! The old oven's broil feature hadn't worked in a while, so I haven't been able to make things like pita bread and bagels. I am plotting to do that soon after the new oven is installed. I think I might even be able to use the full-sized cookie sheets for something other than letting english muffins rise! That is pretty exciting. I think I have been dubbed a good dog trainer now. My brother-in-law inherited a puppy from his girlfriend who can't be more than a couple of months old, and he requested that I take him into my home and house train him. The tiny thing is sitting on my lap as I type, twitching in a way that makes me suspect he is having an exciting dream. This puppy is still getting used to my dog, A. A is an old fellow - at least fifteen years old, maybe more. They will be about the same size when the puppy is full grown, from what I have read. He has been good so far about doing his business outside. I have been taking him out frequently and praising the heck out of him when he is successful. (It is hard to tell when he is peeing because of how short he is! I have to hunch over.) School starts in a couple of weeks for my husband. It is so early because this school system tends to be snow day happy. I think I have given myself permission to be a bum about writing until school starts - this is my summer vacation. I don't know if that is me being too lazy or allowing excuses to keep me from writing. It probably is. I don't think writing today would work very well, though. I do have a stove to go get at some point today, and then I know I will want to play with it. I will write soon, and I will relish it.