But you don't sound like you're from New York

Another day in the life of a salesman. Fred and I were, again, at a hospital for a 6am in-service. At every meeting we've had so far Fred introduces me as "Julie, from our home office in New York." I hate that. This morning I finally told him so. Really, I said something more along the lines of "do you really think they're going to believe you once I start talking?? I sure as hell don't sound as though I'm from New York." What I failed to mention also is that when I get around someone from the south, like Fred, I accidentally really start sounding southern. Not on purpose, mind you, but I reckon because I feel relaxed and more at home. (see - I NEVER say reckon when I'm above the Mason-Dixon line....) Plus it's easier to not have to ennunciate.

Fred seemed to think that saying I'm from NY gives me more credibility. Where I grew up in the south that makes you the enemy - not more of an expert... but if Fred says so I guess he knows his customers better than I do.

I'm pretty sure after this trip my cholesterol is going to be through the roof... There's a lot of bacon and eggs going on down here.

Everyone "one the road again, just can't wait to get on the road again..."

Well, I'm am, at this moment, in Shreveport, Loos-i-anna. I've been up since 4:30 THIS MORNING. I know I'm usually a morning person, but PLEASE! (and I get to do it again tomorrow too!) I'm on the road with one of our sales guys, Fred. Now, mind you, Fred is from Missa-sipee, not Loos-i-anna. We've been havin' a blast. It's not even 11am yet and we've been to at three hospitals today. It's interesting, sales. Quite a different kind of life. It's like some peopel and Californina... it's a nice place to visit but they wouldn't want to live there. That's like me and sales. I enjoy being on the road and seeing it on occasion- but I'm not sure I'd enjoy being a sales rep myself. (although, I have been known to eat my words.)

Did I mention that it's HOT down here? What's worse is that they're going through a COOL spell! AAHHH!

I'm one of those pet owners...

I have a lab/ chow mix (Nikki) and a Golden (Liam). Both are very luv-able and cute and have distinct personalities. For example, Nikki, when she doesn't get her way, will pout. She'll curl up in a ball with her butt to you and every once in a while pick up her head and look over her back at you with eyes that say "I'm mad at you." (Did I mention that she's also very smart...) She's very stubborn and prissy. She won't pee outside if it's raining. really. It's been raining a lot here this summer. I advise the summer of 2006, although almost over, is definitely NOT the time to come and visit me. (thank god for the steam cleaner.)

Liam, on the other hand, is almost the opposite of Nikki. He's big (I mean really, too big. Tubby McGee just weighed in at 102 this morning at the vet) and luv-able too but he's, well, how to say this nicely? not too bright. This is the dog that looks back at you while he's walking, and ends up running into the door. Yeah, that kind of not-too-bright. But he's also good at shaking it off and going along with his busines like nothing ever happened. He's also a scardy cat. Do you believe it? A 100 lb sissy dog!! Did I mention that on occasion he thinks he's a lap dog? Yeah, this makes for some fun times - especially during thunderstorms.

Case in point - a few weeks ago David was traveling and I was home with the dogs (and cats) by myself. This particular morning the thunderstorms decided to roll thru the area early in the AM while I'm getting ready for work. I'm in the shower and I hear a crack of thunder. The next thing I know there's a dog nose poking at the shower curtain. I pull back the side and see Liam, all scared and shaking (literally - shaking). He sits at the far end of the tub with his nose stuck in between the wall and shower curtain. I'm thinking that's not so bad - if it makes him feel better to know I'm here he can sit there until I get out. Well, just sitting there wasn't all he had in mind. A few minutes later and another crack of thunder and the next thing I know is that I have a hundred pound dog trying to GET IN the tub with me. Well now, that I'm not going to go for. I had to grab his paws and push him back out of the shower. He sat there the whole time I was in the shower (it was a long shower, I had to shave my legs) and would try and get in every time it thundered outside. Yep - this is the ferocious, hundred pound guard dog we have...

Ok, so yo're wondering, why did I name this entry "I'm one of those pet owners"? Every now and then I load the dogs into the Explorer and go exploring. That usually means we're headed to the boathouse. Regardless of where we're headed, I always put the window down because Liam LOVES to stick his head out the window. For fear or some piece of debris kicking up and causing him undue eye problems, I decided to get him a pair of Doggles. They are SO COOL! His are black with flames down the side! I'll have to post a picture. They turned out to be so cool that I just ordered Nikki a pair too! Her's are shiney red!! There not in yet - but then they get here I'm taking a picture to post for sure!! I'm one of those pet owners....

Well, I broke down and did it. I created a blog. We'll see how long I can keep this up. I'm not a great story teller, like Tif, but every once in a while I stumble across a nugget that's worth telling. Although if you really know me you'll know that it doesn't really have to be worth telling for me to tell it anyway.