• I have not mentioned the fact that our new puppy Shane does not live with us anymore. I have avoided the topic at all possible costs because it relates to my character and neuroticism and I'd really like for nobody to think differently of me. After 2 weeks in our home, the wonderful, calm (yet pee happy) little puppy that invaded our home is now gone. It was a choice of either me or the puppy, and after a long family discussion, my exceptional husband and son thankfully agreed that I was more important than the puppy. They tearfully let him go back to his foster mom and our comfort zone has once again been restored. As my husband stated yesterday, "it has been a lot less stressful, but I do miss him."

• I went to book club this week and had actually finished the book. I say this with tongue in cheek because I have attended book club a couple times this past year, acting like I had finished the book, when in all reality I had not. Usually nobody even notices. This fiction story was a really good read... Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. It was a bit of a surprise read because I actually did not think I was going to like it when I started it. After getting into it though, I couldn't put it down. What an interesting story about life in the circus. It was also a book on my Fall Into Reading challenge that I have finished.

• On Wednesday morning, we awoke to the news that a democrat had taken over in our state. We were disappointed. On election night, Phil and Perry went grocery shopping and discussed the election and the voting process during their spin in the aisles. So on Wednesday morning, Perry ran into our room, climbed up on the bed with me while Phil was in the shower, and asked me who won the election. When I told him, his mouth dropped wide open, eyes staring at me seriously, then with a slight whisper asked "Does Daddy know?!" I guess all that political talk made an impact.

• I lost 3 lbs. this past week. A total loss of 42.2 lbs. I think the stress of dealing with the puppy business helped shed some of the lost pounds.

• My husband and I had date night last night and the highlight of our date was visiting the new Crate & Barrel in our city. It was big, beautiful and definitely very cool. The lowlight of our date was that I ran into an ex co-worker. Ever have one of those times when you see someone that's just a few feet from you in a store and you know that you want to turn and run, yet you don't know how you can escape without being seen. That's how it was last night.... only no running, just had to go with it.

Football game's over - tough game - we lost. Oh well... at least I got caught up on my random thoughts for the week. Gotta run to Costco now.