Sometimes, I seriously question my sanity. Here I keep a dog who bites me, my husband and son, who would probably bite a stranger or a friend under the right or wrong circumstances. Most people, when I describe Bugsy, exclaim, "That dog would have been put to sleep half an hour after biting me!"

Why do I love a dog who bites me? Am I nuts? I guess my husband is equally crazy, since he loves Bugsy, too. Do we love underdogs? (ha!--underDOGS!) Or do we feel there is something redeemable about this little creature? On weekend mornings, he moves from the foot of our bed very close to us, asking to be petted, basking in our affection. He licks our hands as if we've coated them with steak sauce, totally wetting us with his spit. It's so sweet, so cute, we can't help but love him. Sometimes, he playfully adds a nip or two into his lapping, but never with spite or anger.

Then there's the grinning Bugsy who reaches for us, seemingly asking to be petted--and when you do, he attacks and bites! It's like he lulls you into a false sense of security with a doggy smile, then Bugsy the crazed Vietnam vet comes screaming out!

I don't know. It's hard to explain. The other night, I was sitting in my favorite chair, holding and petting him. He seemed happy, contented. Suddenly, he turned on me, went to bite my eyebrow, but glanced off it. Furious, I yelled, "BAD DOG, BUGSY!! BAD, BAD BUGSY!!! GET AWAY FROM ME! GO AWAY!"

He sat down on the end of the chair, near my feet, but refused to get off the chair. He solemnly, calmly surveyed me as if wondering why I was so upset, as though he thought I'd yelled at someone else.

Am I crazy? Maybe. But I love Bugsy. Despite his insanity.

Love, Robin

Saturday night, my husband and I went to St. Bede's Church in Syosset, where Last Hope Animal Rescue was having a very special fundraiser. They sell brightly colored ribbons for $10 apiece to help you remember beloved pets who have passed on, who currently live with you or whom you wish to honor for some reason. The name of the pet is written on every ribbon. After purchase, you take the ribbons and place them on two trees in front of the church. At an appointed time, they gather everyone outside and turn on the lights encircling the trees. The ribbons glow, the trees gently rustle, and you could swear your pets are standing there with you. It was such a beautiful sight, I burst into tears as I fondly remembered Muffin and Spock, the two poodles now frolicking on Rainbow Bridge for whom I'd purchased ribbons.

We went inside, where we were entertained by live music from a very talented husband and wife team who'd donated their time, a Chinese
raffle, silent auction, 50/50, and clothing sale (all with the Last Hope Animal Rescue logo). They served us a free dinner, from salad to homemade desserts, and we had a wonderful time.

Animal lovers are very special people, I've found. They're kind,
generous and a lot of fun. God bless Last Hope, the organization that
gave us Bugsy, our blind lhasa apso and saves death-due pound animals then strives to find them homes. We will continue to support them
because they will always support animals in need!

Dan had to work Saturday morning, so I went to the gym, exercised and did some shopping. Dan and I went to Cosco when he got home, then later went together to Last Hope's fundraiser. Dan had a tough time keeping awake, but once food was served, he kept his head up and his mouth chewing on all the delectable offerings!

Brad went to Ali's for Chanukah dinner Saturday night, and they gifted him with a slew of beautiful, expensive things. Ali was disappointed that, intstead of what she wanted--the Beverly Hills 90210 DVD--she received a bowling ball and shoes from her parents. So yesterday, after seeing the outrageous, hilarious movie, BORAT, Dan, Mike and I purchased the DVD Ali wanted at BJ's. With all these visits to warehouse stores, we forgot to get something we desperately needed--Equal! Dan's buying that tonight. I'm tasked to buy Robitussin DM for his cough and turkey breast for Brad's lunches for the week. We hope to be able to meet at the gym tonight, too, but we'll have to see if we can work that out.

I look forward to two three-day weekends in a row, and might even make one a four day weekend. Co-worker John is taking off several days in a row at the beginning of 2007, which means some overtime for me. I hope Charlie will want to stay late a few of those days, too, because honestly, I would rather not stay late every single day.

Hope your shopping is going well, Merry Blogsters!

Love, Robin

PS - See Borat. It's so funny, so sick, so caraaaazzzzzy!

It's been a long-assed week, it really has. I'm glad it's Friday. Dan has to work overtime tomorrow, which screws up our going to the gym together tomorrow, so we might go tonight. We haven't gone to the gym together at all this week, but he's had a cold and hasn't really wanted to. Perhaps tonight he'll feel more up to it.

When I headed over to the dentist last night, it was nearly 5:30 and the fog was thick as fudge. It's so scary driving on a familiar road that looks completely strange, altered by weather conditions. Before I left, I called Dan at work and asked him to meet me at the dentist's office; we'd fine a local Farmingdale restaurant and go there after I was done.

The dental hygienist there is way too peppy. She used to work with kids, and continues to call the spit sucker "Mr. Thirsty." She also talks and talks and talks, which drives me kind of crazy, because *I* like to talk and talk and talk!

I'm sitting in the chair, "Mr. Thirsty" hanging from one corner of my mouth, Ms. Hygienist scraping tartar from my very painful gums, when Dan walks in with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers! He had on a goofy smile. Ms. Hygienist went "Awwww!" and just melted at this very romantic gesture. So did I. I just LOVE when Dan does stuff like that!

Dan wasn't able to find a local restaurant for us to go to, so both of us drove home. I put the flowers in water, we gave the dogs some yummies so they wouldn't be pissed at us, both of us grabbed our pills and we went to Don Juan's. They hadn't punched our Entertainment Book card last time we were there, so we used it again. Although they gave Dan a bowl of chicken soup minus the chicken, the meal was great, and I consumed way too many chips with spicy salsa (soooooo good)! All in all, it was a terrific birthday meal, and we went home very tired. Both of us fell asleep in the living room and didn't wake up until Brad came home around 10 PM. He gave me my birthday gift--a day of beauty at Teresa's, and I think I'm going to take an entire day off from work for that one and just enjoy the shit out of the entire day!

I MUST get some Christmas shopping done; I've been totally lax and have got to get on the stick. My in-laws sent me $100 yesterday for my birthday and Chanukah, so perhaps I'll blow it on something I really don't need but really would love to have. Hmmm, gotta think on that one.

Have a fabulous weekend, everyone--and thanks to those of you who sent me such excellent birthday wishes. I adore celebrating my birthday, and the more people who wish me a happy, the better! Starting this blog this year was a great idea; I've met some talented, wonderful people (you know who you are) and am having a blast exposing myself to the world in this intimate way.

Love, Robin

Here I am, 53! Connie's husband, Paul, baked one of his amazing cheesecakes, and Charlie, John and I sang "Happy Birthday" to ourselves and each other. I ate the cheesecake for lunch (it's loaded with sugar), and it was absolutely delicious! All of us got cards, too, and mine was in lime-green envelope straight out of the 60's. I can't believe John is retiring in January and leaving us to move to Texas. He's a fixture here, you know? I can't imagine this place without him.

John's replacement, Betty, presented all of us with candy apples today, a very nice gesture. She's a heavy woman, probably overwhelmed by all the work John has to do, but she's worked here a long time, and I'm sure she'll catch on.

I have a dentist's appointment tonight, at 5:45. Stupid, I know, to make it on my birthday, but I wanted to do this before the end of the year, given that we've already paid my deductible for 2006, and it was all they had available. I'll get my teeth cleaned and checked, see if I did lose a filling, as I suspect I did, and hopefully get it replaced before 2007. Dan wants to take me out for dinner, but I have no idea where. Perhaps we can try a restaurant in Farmingdale, perhaps with one of the Entertainment Book coupons? We'll see. Maybe I can have him meet me there after I'm done. There's very little decent TV on tonight, anyway.

I'm still getting HORRIBLE hot flashes! When do these dreadful things go away? It's been a long time since I've seen a period, and it would be great if THOSE have ended, but I want these facial heat blasts to go away already! ENOUGH!

I didn't go to the gym last night. It was raining, and once I got into my car, all I wanted to do was go home to the dogs. This afternoon, I'm stopping for half an hour of solid exercise, no excuses!

Dan gave me a gorgeous gold and silver heart bracelet this morning. He always picks out such nice things. I haven't seen my gift from Brad yet, but I think I know what he's giving me--a day of beauty at a salon. Squeal!

A gal from one of our mailers just called to wish me a happy birthday! That made my day. I guess it pays to mention that it's your birthday, doesn't it? (giggle) Yes, it does!

Enjoy my birthday, Merry Blogsters!

Love, Robin

Peter Boyle has died. I loved him as Frank Barone in EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, and vividly recall him in JOE, when he made love to a bunch of hippie girls during an orgy (he pronounced the "g" hard, and it was hilarious. Rest in peace, Mr. Boyle. I'm glad I'll still see you in 10 years' worth of EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND episodes. Keep my parents laughing up there, will you?

Nancy gave me gifts from her cats and dogs today--two pairs of socks, one pink, one purple, and a stuffed black and yellow goldfinch. She also gave me a card, one of those gooey ones that set me to tears when I read it. Gerry from maintenance also presented me with a day-early birthday card that said, "You know, you look younger than ever--and thinner, definitely thinner!"

Honestly, how much more perfect sentiments could be expressed to a woman of my age in a birthday card? LMAO!

Last night, I pondered starting dinner, but couldn't seem to rouse myself out of the chair to do so. I had forgotten Dan had an endo doctor's appointment until he called me around 6 PM and told me he had to get a prescription filled. He's going back on the medication to calm down his thyroid; where mine is underactive, his is overactive.

I had no idea when Brad was coming home, which is pretty much the situation these days. So I told Dan to call me when he got to town and I'd meet him there so we could have the two-fer at Sidekicks. We haven't been there for two or three weeks! Dan agreed. He called me when he got to the drugstore and I drove to town. Brad called while we were eating (around 7:30), so I saved my baked potato and one pork chop for him. We already had Baskin Robbins ice cream in the freezer from last night that Dan had bought Brad, so he was all set. I left the restaurant ahead of Dan because Brad was complaining he was sooo hungry. I had a hard time staying awake for my TV shows, and ended up taping HOUSE when I realized I was dozing off.

Tomorrow Connie will bring in a huge cheesecake to be shared by Charlie, John and me, we who have birthdays on the 14th, 15th and 16th. Nancy told me that Chris is baking me kufka tonight, too, so it's going to be a big cake-eating day for me. Which is why I'm going to make a 15-minute stop at the gym tonight for a quick rowing workout!

I'm planning on committing a bit 'o' larceny. I don't want to go into the details right now, mainly because I don't want to jinx it, but let me say this--I deserve for this to work out, I really do. Wish me luck, Merry Blogsters!

Love, Robin