Sammy Update

Well Sam (a.k.a. Witty, Witty Ding Dong, The Ding Dong, Sammy J Ding Dong, Boo Boo Face - don't think he liked that one) seems to be doing well in his new home with N.A. This weekend, they are down near Yosemite for some hiking and general goofing off. N.A. has another dog (Bit) and Sam is getting along fine with him.....and by getting along fine, I mean Sam is generally ignoring Bit. That is Sam's "I am an old grumpy dog" style.

 

This is the dog that used to run 7 miles a day with me.

 

Sam is not photogenic, Bit looks possessed.

Doggie heaven, he is smiling in his sleep I promise you.

In other news, I am missing Dave while he is in SF but trying to enjoy my time alone. I think it is good for me. The Dalai Lama (look at me quoting the Dalai Lama) says that if you are struggling with a person or situation, then you haven't yet learned what it is trying to teach you. Here is some other good stuff he says that I like. I think that my struggle with 3 weeks alone in London is teaching me something. I need to be OK doing things by myself, and enjoying it - that sounded dirty. 

Dave and I have been together so freaking long, I had never been to the movies or out to dinner by myself really. I have never traveled alone anywhere - ever (except for work trips and those don't count because I was usually in weird desert towns looking for places to put cellular antennas, and there was no where to go out anyway). That is just plain weird. After these 3 weeks, I will be a pro. I am making friends with waiters and bartenders left and right, which never hurts, "Would you like some free dessert wine madam?" Why yes - I'd love some.

I think these weeks alone will also help me to be more independent here. I rely on Dave and his work friends for entertainment far too much. I need to develop my own life and make my own friends. I am making progress already. Tonight I am going to dinner with my swim friend D.M. and his wife. They are from Northern Ireland and are here for a year or two for work also. YAY! Monday, I am going out to lunch and shopping with M.W. YAY!

On Tuesday, I leave for a week in Nice, France. I found an awesome little apartment steps from the beach for 400EUR/week on VRBO. I am quite excited for sun, warmth, and more French food. I have some recommendations for day trips from H.R. (who used to live in that area) and cannot wait to trail run in the hills around the city! I am thinking of running to Monaco and taking the bus back as a sweaty mess. Won't they LOVE that in snobby Monaco.

Then I am off to Prague. I was supposed to go with Dave but his eye surgery is scheduled that week. Mom - don't panic, it is a fairly minor procedure. Though, I still feel like a horrible wife that I will be in Prague and he will be under the knife in Utah. But it is a quick procedure and he will only be there for 3 days - then back to London.

I'll post updates on Nice and Dave's eyeball. Stay tuned.