Not Gonna Lie...

Pet-Etiquette: Owners Beware!

This article was forwarded to me yesterday and not only did I laugh hysterically, but I also realized just how big of a divide a dog (or other furry friend) can create. The fact is, some of us have become pet obsessed! I mean, in need of therapeutic help, obsessed. And I’d really like to point out that one authority in this article made it clear that by being hyper-attached to your pet, you create the same hyper-attachment for your pet in regards to you. Wonder why Rover tore your couch apart when you left for that date Friday night? It’s cause you’ve shown throughout your behavior that you two are a team, part of a pack, and when you ditch him like that, he’s gonna let you know he’s none too happy about it.

With that little rant out of the way here are some things to think about from an etiquette standpoint when it comes to you and Rover:

1. Take ownership over (as opposed to love-festing) your relationship with the pup. This will allow you to be the dominant one in the relationship, and your dog will learn that what you say goes.
2. Don’t bring your pet everywhere you go. Animals need to be trained, therefore you have to spend time training your pet to handle being away from you.
3. Think first, then ask. You want to think first about bringing your pet somewhere (party, friends’ house for dinner, home for the holiday…). Once you’ve thought about where you’re going, what the environment will be like, and who will be there, if you still think it’s a possibility that Rover might      be welcome, then, ask your host.
4. NEVER SHOW UP WITH A PET WHO WASN’T INVITED.
5. NEVER SHOW UP WITH A PET WHO WASN’T INVITED.
6. NEVER SHOW UP WITH A PET WHO WASN’T INVITED.
7. Should I say it again or are you getting the point? It doesn’t matter if your pet can fit in your purse, you NEVER SHOW UP WITH A PET WHO WASN’T INVITED.
8. Always bring a leash. The story of the woman who brought her puppy to a wedding is ridiculous, that dog, at the very least, (seeing as she obviously didn’t understand rules 4-7) should have been on a leash.
9. If your dog is invited, be sure to bring something to take care of any messes. And I don’t just mean the smelly kind. If Rover decides to dig a hole, you’d better be prepared to fix it or offer to call and pay for a landscaper to come and fix it. If Rover breaks a wine glass when his tail grazes the coffee table, you need to replace it. (Are you starting to see why it’s just not a good idea to bring Rover with you?)
10. Bring a food and water bowl, as well as lots of treats and a favorite toy. And respect the host’s wishes if you disobeyed rules 4-7 (and I should say “Bad owner, NO, NO, THAT’S BAD”), then take the dog home.

 
I know it’s really hard to leave a pet at home, but read the article, see the detriment you’re doing not just to your relationships with people, but the things you’re teaching your dog because of it. My very best advice is to sign up for some doggy training classes and make sure that you listen to the instructor. Because as much as these classes help you train your dog, they really help to train you to be the best owner you can be to Rover. In the end I’m sure you’ll get some invites that say, “And be sure to bring that darling dog of yours!”  (PS for those wondering, I'm a huge dog-person, love them to death and wish, wish, wish I could have one of my own.) 

Kate's New Home

One of the fun things about buying my house was that my realtor was my friend Kate von Trapp (yes, she’s a descendent of the von Trapp family singers) who while helping me search for my new home also came across one that she “got that feeling about”.  Like me, Kate called up the bank, got a loan, and within about a month, the house was hers.
    Kate’s house is adorable and was recently renovated so, it was ready to go as soon as she moved in.  This weekend myself and about forty other people all got a chance to see Kate’s new dream home.  It was adorable!  I’d already seen the house but it’s so nice to see a house when the owner has moved in and put all their own little touches to it. 
    Kate’s housewarming party was a huge success!  The party started at 7pm which meant people started arriving around 7:20pm.  When I got there (at 8pm) there were about 12 people present, one of whom was Kate’s little brother, Jake.  Now, Jake and I go back as far as kindergarten, but we haven’t seen each other in about 13 years.  Kate had told me he would be there, and I was excited to see him again.  I walked in the door and to my very happy surprise there was Rachel!  (Yes, I mean Rachel), expecting for my first surprise to be seeing Jake again, I was really surprised to see Rach.  Rachel lived next door to me my junior year of college and I’ve only seen her once at a random highway pitstop on route 3 in Massacheusettes since we left the big house on Brookes ave. 
    Warm and friendly Rach hadn’t changed in years.  And what’s even more fantastic is that she’s living in Burlington again!  Jake was talking to Rachel and after she and I finished hugging, I turned to him.  Big hugs and “Wow! I can’t believe it’s been so long!” all around.  And then the strangest thing I’ve ever heard, “OH LIZZIE POST! Now this makes sense, you doesn’t pick your scabs and eat them.”  HUH?  Apparently when Kate told Jake that “Lizzie was coming” he’d confused me with another Lizzie we’d grown up with, and had spent the forty minutes before I arrived telling the other guests (like Rachel, who’d asked if there would be other people she knew arriving) that I picked my scabs and ate them as a child.  Apparently I used to be covered in scabs so it was grossness en mass.  I think Jake was quite relieved that it wasn’t “scab-pick ‘em & eat-‘em Lizzie” but, instead one of his best friends from class.  Jake went around and reassured everyone he’d spoken to (thank god the party was only twelve big at that point) that I was not the scab picker.  Kate, Rachel and I got a huge laugh out of it, and everyone knew the story by 9pm.
    Scabs aside, the party was fantastic!  Kate had horsd’ourves, everyone was bringing wine, champagne (and presents…), and Kate was in her element.  By quarter to nine, there were about 20 people or more at the house and everyone was having a blast.  Despite the fact that this was a good mix of friends, family, and co-workers everyone seemed to know one another.  And this made me realize something about Kate and her social skills, SHE’S REALLY GOT ‘EM!  I realized that Kate is fantastic at bringing people together.  I’d been to a BBQ of hers and gotten to know some of her co-workers, and from going out, doing dinners and also already being friends with, I’d gotten to know the rest.  It’s not easy to be a social butterfly and still give your friends enough attention, but Kate has got it down.  Because she mixes her friends up so much, when she plans get-togethers be it big or small, she winds up creating a great social network.  And when she does throw a big bash, all that mixing on a small level pays off because all her guests are acquainted and have loads to chat about.
    Ahhhh…home sweet home…with no scabs…         

Gossip Girls and Party Pics

Last night I had a fantastic gab sesh with Jenny. Literally. I mean she even nicknamed me Lizzie “BackStory” Post. (Anyone who’s ever heard me try and get a story out knows I tell about ten minutes worth of back-story in hopes that my point, conclusion, punch-line, or whatever will be appreciated or understood more.) We got take out, and picked up Ratatouille (I probably like it more than Finding Nemo which is tough to say since that movie was A. fantastic! and B. holds a lot of sentimental value for me. (See even back story for short comments.) We only made it through the first 40 minutes before we simply decided to turn off the movie and talk our brains out. Which lead me to realize I had totally needed some one on one girl time! WOW. I hadn’t realized all the thoughts and feelings I’d been dying to share, but between planning my b-day, moving and San Francisco I just hadn’t taken the time to indulge in a little girl talk. Suffice it to say, Jenny and I are both wildly happy with our fellas and feeling like 25 is a different era from our early twenties. This is mid-twenties baby it’s a whole new ball game! Kidding.

I got more pictures from Em this morning from my birthday party so I thought I’d share them with you all I hope you enjoy! While I am completely stoked on my new house (I still can’t believe I get to say that I own one!) I think fondly of my old apartment and how perfect it was for hosting parties. So this is a minor tribute to my adoration for a place with lots of space and great entertaining atmosphere.

Mum, Drick and Me:

Here's Miss. Jenny looking oh so sassy!

Here's Tanner imitating Jenny being sassy, he really cracks her up, and why wouldn't he!!

Here's mum and I laughing.  She's such a party girl.  She fell in love with my friend Lisa at the party.  Lisa is very sprightly and always wants to go dancing and mum just adored that because she LOVES to dance!  PS mum and I are champagne hounds! We adore the bubbly!

Jenny and Joe (Jenn's dad, and one of my parent's best friends) Joe is a party hit, he's always funny and lively and really brings people together!  I actually changed the date of my dinner party so Debbie and Joe could be there!  They're like a second set of parents.

Mum and Drick.  It really meant a lot to me that she's taken an interest in Drick and what he does.  From the very start before we even dated she got a sense from him that he really cared about me.  She told me one night that for her it has meant so much to see how he cares for me and "takes care of me." which was quickly followed by the explanation that she knows I can make it on my own she's just glad I have someone now who steps up to the plate.  awwwwwwwww. (wipe single tear)

There are more, so if you want to see the whole collection check out my birthday photo album to the left.
YAY for 25! 

Birthday Bubbles and More

For a more intimate gathering with friends, Jenny, Jane, Kate and I went out to the Blue Cat for birthday drinks, and dinner, and more drinks. It was wonderful. Jenny and I met up and walked over together in the unseasonably warm October rain. The Blue Cat with its dark wood and long entrance is one of those tucked away spots that makes you feel like you’re not in Burlington.  It's not that the place is obnoxiously New York, London, LA, or any other hot spot, but it’s simply got a different vibe than lots of other places in town.
With incredibly low lighting, it’s a very nice bar with are less than ten tables- though small, it’s never crowded even when at capacity. The menu is simple and the servers are fun and casual, yet very professional (not to mention the adorably handsome bartender with his European accent). The girls and I started with a nice prosecco, some soups, salads, and I got my favorite: prosciutto with cantaloupe.  The Blue Cat’s menu has very simple Italian foods: paninis with traditional Italian flavors, soups, plates of fruit and cheese with meats, and even tiny little sandwiches of prosciutto and fontina or tomato and basil. It’s perfect for noshing and not very expensive either. For instance, I ordered three different plates and the total was only 12 bucks! (Our bubbly proved a little pricier.)

Bottle one done in a flash, we proceeded to bottle two. At this point in the night Jane was living up to her new nickname of “Bubbles” an alter ego that only comes out when sipping fizzy drinks. And we were very grateful that we were the only ones there. Yes we were that table and those girls. We gabbed about our men and the wonderful or rotten things they’d been up to. We pried Kate about what married life was like, and how it felt to be truly committed to making a relationship work, even when things are tough. (She provided wonderfully real answers to this, which I know all of us were grateful and happy to hear.) We laughed uproariously about our own personality issues and how they wind up clashing with those we work and live with. Jane said some gorgeous words about my new relationship and how happy she is that I’m finally being treated so lovingly. (In short, we were a bunch of girls.)

At the start of bottle number three I pledged to work with Jenny on a theatrical project, announced my desire to be a chef, or aid Drick in his cinematography venture (you know whichever seems most logical J), and all in all say screw it all to the world of etiquette! Or at the very least, write an expose on myself and my short but ironic life as an etiquette expert. This was also after declaring that each of us would individually win the lottery. Bubbly to the point of absurdity, we all cheers-ed to being in love, one of the few realities we all share. (This was the point in the night when we realized we were really having fun!)

When bottle three was finished, we split up the bill and went for more bubbly at our friend Kyle’s art opening at the ½ Lounge. Fantastic Kyle bravo! As he spun great music from the stage, everyone was in awe of his celebrity paintings. As we gushed over him and his work, he laughed at our bubbly-ness. Jenny’s boyfriend Tanner joined us for our last glass at the ½, and then we went our separate ways. Bob picked up Kate, and Jane and I ran through the rain to meet up with Andrick at Finnigan’s, where I proceeded to talk hockey for the rest of the night (a much more normal conversation, I must say). As the bubbles faded, I stopped to think how lucky I truly am to be having so much fun.

Pete's Ask

I had a great run-in last night. I was walking to my older sister’s apartment to go feed and play with her adorable cat (who still looks like a kitten), and I ran into my friend Pete.  

            Pete is a cuddly wonderfully positive gent. He lives literally twenty feet up the block, so I run into him often, but usually in passing. Last night he was able to accompany me, and since playing with the cat didn’t suffice enough chat time, we grabbed dinner up the street at a sushi place, Asiana House. 

After noshing on our sticky seaweed wrapped rice and fish, Pete pushed back his plate and said, “So, I’ve got a problem.” “Oh really?” I replied. “There’s a girl.” He said. “OH REEEEEAAAALLLLY…” I teased. “Lizzie, she’s beautiful and so smart, but I can’t bring myself to ask her out!” “What d’you mean?” “Like, I can’t actually hear the words coming out of my mouth. Nothing sounds right.” “You mean, ‘Hey do you want to grab dinner together?’ doesn’t sound good to you?” “No it doesn’t.  I want her to know that I’m interested in taking her to dinner. But I don’t want it to sound you know, stuffy, or serious.” “Ok, so the next time you see her and she’s stressed about something, say, ‘Tell ya what, let me take you to dinner this week as a break from all the craziness.’ Then she’ll know you’re looking out for her. It also doesn’t seem that serious, because it sounds like a treat instead of an out-of-the-blue date. And if she gets hung up on the ‘let me take you part’ and says something like ‘Oh, I couldn’t let you take me out’ you can say, ‘Oh sure, we can split the bill. I just though you’d enjoy some time when you absolutely don’t have to think about exams,’ or whatever’s bothering her.”  “That’s great! ‘Let me take you to dinner’…” Pete kept saying it over, picturing the scene in his head. While I don’t think it’s the only way to ask someone out, for Pete it made sense and it felt comfortable. He leaned forward and had this excited confident smile on his face, “I’m totally just going to throw that out there the next time she starts talking about how much work she has.” “She is single, right?” “Oh yeah, no question.” “Cool.” We ran a few errands together and went on our way. Pete’s step looked adorably excited and enthusiastic as he walked to his door. As I walked to my own front door, I thought: it’s so funny how the difference of a few words can change so much for you, even when the intent hasn’t changed at all.   

Meet The Parents

Oh what an exciting weekend! First, I put a bid in on the house I’m hoping to buy and things are moving forward. I’ve got my fingers crossed in hopes that it all goes smoothly.

Second, while I was lovingly teased by Cass for it, Drick brought me down to New Hampshire to meet his parents Saturday night. First off, we’ve been friends for a while and his parents know a little bit about me already. So after only a short while of being coupled-up I wasn’t weirded out by the invite. And second I’ve never been too worried about meeting parents, I mean come on, tell ‘em you’re bringing home an etiquette expert and most of them will say “What’s she doing with you?” All the same, I was very flattered that he asked me to come, excited about meeting them, and a little nervous all at once.

I sense a good time to talk about what to bring when you go to meet the parents. Now obviously this all depends on who you are, what you do, where you two are at in the relationship etc… However there are a few things to remember no matter what: 1. BRING SOMETHING. Since Drick’s mother had trouble finding my book at Barnes & Noble, I brought her a signed copy of it. As well as, one of our other books that I think is really helpful (and awesome!) “Excuse Me, But I Was Next…” 2. Get info first. I asked Drick a few questions about his parents while we drove down. What they’re into, what they prefer to be called (Tim and Carol or Mr. & Mrs.) what to expect (ie. Will we be in separate rooms? Are they early risers, or night owls? Will I be meeting anyone other than his parents, family friends, maybe neighbors…?) 3. Please and thank-yous. You can never say them too much and now is as best a time as ever to use them! 4. Have an open mind. Loads of wonderful families reside throughout the world, and they all operate differently. Now is as best a time as ever, to ditch all your book-cover-judging tendencies and to really get to know the people you meet just as they are.

I lucked out (not that I was expecting parents from hell but,) Drick’s parents are fantastic! I think fun-loving is probably the best way to describe them all around. Cracking jokes, and telling stories, they just love to laugh and share. They are very involved in Drick’s life, and it was great to get to see that. Their closest family friends were over for dinner as well. It created a wonderful atmosphere to have everyone together laughing and joking. (My nerves had completely melted away and I felt very much at home.)

Bonehead moment: when I drove off for Burlington without my wallet. Unexpectedly awesome moment: Tim drove for about half an hour after Drick and I, as we headed out of town, to get the wallet back to me. It saved us a lot of time considering I was trying to make it back to Burlington for a friend’s birthday party. I was very grateful. It was really nice of him considering he was in the middle of watching football at the time. Now I just have to send a thank you note! 

Very Long Fun-filled Weekend.

(The pics that go with this are in the album to the left called “Summer Days.”)

Friday Night: Drick called and asked if he could take me to the movies. (PS guys: Want to take a girl out? Don’t screw around with the language of it, be short and simple, “I was thinking I could take you to a movie tonight.”) He knew I wanted to see Superbad, so we went. I won’t spoil it, but it was pretty damn funny. Certainly worth the watch, and not quite what I was expecting either, it was great!

Saturday: Brunch a mi casa. Jamie, Cassidy, Drick and Adam came over for a yummy brunch of breakfast scramble and fruit salad. Cass brought extra eggs which saved the day! During the afternoon, I looked at houses with Kate. I said I’d move off Church Street if I found the right place. Low and behold, there is this tiny beam of light shining down on a house in the New North End of Burlington, and for some reason the beam keeps saying “Lizzie, Lizzie, come live here! It’s perfect!” And come on, you just can’t ignore a talking beam of light.

Saturday Night: I cooked dinner for Drick and his sister Marika, although I locked myself out about a half an hour before they showed up. This put dinner a little behind schedule. But I did make it back in, and hey, a good host rolls with the punches, right?! After dinner, we went over to Drick’s house, and I have to say right here, he is incredible at introductions. He made sure that his sister and I were introduced to everyone we met,  which was a lot of people, so the effort to do so is well worth the mention.

Sunday: Drick, Marika and I went to play wiffle ball in Richmond. A gorgeous hot day, it was perfect! Everyone brought food to contribute and good cheer. My wiffle skills weren’t up to par, but it was a fun game to say the least!

Sunday Evening: My cousin Peter (whom Cass works for) and his wife Elizabeth held a housewarming party which was incredible. I couldn’t believe the gourmet barbeque spread they had set out. Pulled pork, ribs, cheesy corn bread, assorted meats, cheeses, and veggies, and don’t forget the brownies—oh! Or the shrimp and grits! It was truly incredible and so nice to be around so many family and friends. I brought two bottles of Chandon as a housewarming gift, and Pete said they were perfect because it’s the first vineyard you pass on your way out of San Francisco which is where he and Elizabeth just moved from.

Monday: I woke up giddy as ever! I was showing the house to my parents and two friends—one of whom is a potential renter. Everyone loved it! In the afternoon, Cass got a group together to go to the driving range which I seriously regret now. The large fist-sized knots in my shoulders may have something to do with it. I then went to Kate’s barbeque which was a lot of fun. She pulled together a great group of people. Everyone brought something really yummy. My two favorites were the cheesy potatoes, and rice crispy treats. Then it was over to Drick’s for… you guessed it!!! MORE BARBEQUE! His roommates were cooking up some pork ribs that were delicious! Lord knows the gout has set in this weekend.

Tired and still full bellied beyond belief, I’m now at work wondering why I can’t smell charcoal and Sweet Baby Ray’s barbeque sauce.

Now Playing...Obnoxious

 

On Thursday Anna and I went to see Stardust and LOVED IT! I’m not going to spoil one thing for you! Just go see it if you like adventure and can handle a love story. The actors in it are phenomenal, especially our “old” favorites like Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro.

Here’s the etiquette. We sat down and I immediately shut off my cell phone. While I was doing it the screen was lit up. I covered it with my hand so as not to disturb the girl next to me.  About twenty minutes into the movie, the girl whips out her phone and starts texting! GIVE ME A BREAK!  I know it’s silent, but the glow from a cell phone in a dark theatre is blinding (ok, ok, I’m exaggerating) it’s blazing bright like the sun on the clearest day ever! I finally used my milkduds to shield my eyes. (Ironically the movie is about a fallen star and how she shines brightly when she’s happy—there’s a lot more to it but I don’t want to spoil anything.) The thing is, the girl didn’t stop here. She even excused herself at one point to take a call, and when she sat down started up again.

Once she got over the fact that she was at the movies and “unavailable,” the guy behind us started readjusting his plastic Border’s bag. It was so loud, and obnoxious it drove me nuts, and when that wasn’t enough his wife (I assume) started asking what was going on really loudly, to the point where Anna and I both wondered if she had a hearing issue. It was all very odd and distracting. Thank goodness the movie was incredible and kept me glued. I hope your movie nights are filled with silent theaters! And remember if anything really does bother you to a boiling point, go get an usher to help defuse the situation.

Surprise Visit

There is nothing like finally going to the gym after debating it for forever, feeling like a cow when you’re there, followed by going grocery shopping and consigning yourself to healthy foods, and then checking your cell to see a text from a long lost friend: I’m in Burlington! Come hang out! Ahhhhhh bliss. It get so happy when good friends come back to town and give a buzz.

It was Maggie (MJ). MJ and I had worked together at a restaurant before our junior year at UVM, and were close friends throughout the rest of college. She went to grad school in Hawaii, so we haven’t really seen each other much in the past two years.

Exhausted and sweaty, I showered and made dinner while she finished up at a restaurant, and headed over to my place. We each had so much to share. She hadn’t heard any book news yet, and I was dying to hear about life in Hawaii. Which for her included a handsome surfer boyfriend (who looks like Ryan Gosling), and getting hit by a Jaguar while crossing the street. You can’t even see the scar from the 19 stitches that were sewn below her left eye. In the crash, her purse caught hold of the hood ornament and the EMTs saved it for her. She recovered perfectly! 

It was a wonderful surprise visit, and I’m so glad MJ will be here through the weekend. It’s really nice to see that even after a year and a half/two years, we can still jump right back into our friendship. I hope that these connections still happen over the years. I know my parents don’t keep in touch with many of their college friends, and I’ve already lost touch with people I used to be very close with. I hope as my friends and I keep growing older that those of who care about each other hold on to one another. 

Summer Days

Since it's all gloomy out today, I thought I'd share a great sun filled day with you:

Sometimes you just need to share a good day, and boy did Drick and I have a good day on Saturday! We went out to Chez Post in Charlotte and swam all day long. Now I have to admit while I love my friends, I often wonder what my parents will think of them. Drick doesn’t pose much worry here, but you just plain never know. What would they think of his sense of style, the way he talks, what he talks about? Would they love him so much that for the next three years all I’ll hear about is “What about Drick?” when it comes to conversations about my love life? (My mom is still hung up on my 17-year-old self’s boyfriend’s best friend, Aaron. She still wishes we had dated “Cause he’s just soooooo great!”)

Drick and I had a blast. We ate hot dogs (which my parents were psyched to have for lunch- go figure), and Drick informed my dad that Transformers, the movie, sucked, and not to go see it. Of which Dad was bummed to hear. We jumped into the pool and never got out. The water was a cool 84 degrees F which was practically warmer than the air. Back flips, hand stands, sneak attacks, bubbles, for three hours we played. I felt like I was 8 again when my parents would literally have to drag me kicking and screaming out of the pool. Pruned up to perfection, we stayed in until about 5 o’clock. My mum came out and joined us for a bit, before we took off back to town.

Back at Drick’s we grilled up some burgers, took a nap and I went home to do an interview with the Jill Spiegel show. It was great, she’s a real sweetheart and she has great instincts about etiquette.  Afterward, Drick picked me up and we went to see The Simpsons Movie. It was wonderful, it wasn’t just a super long episode, it was more than that, different from the show but it was good to see them branch out a little. We came home and passed out on the couch until Van Horn woke us up at 2:30am as he was coming home from the bars. Sun-soaked, wrinkled, well fed, and relaxed. That was a great Saturday.