We came up with a solution for the problem regarding the layers of wall paper border in our kitchen. In case you are just tuning in, this is the continuing saga of trying to get 50 years worth of wall paper off of the kitchen walls while we are still young enough to paint them. The Hub has decided to make crown molding out of scrap wood and MDF (that's medium density fiberboard. Oh, God! I'm becomming fluent in Carpenter now! Help!)and then we'll paint over it. We can nail it right into the wall over the remaining layers of glue. It may take some time to make the crown molding, but not nearly as much time as it would take to get the layers off. The glue will actually help hold the crown molding in place. Lets just hope that house hunters think crown molding looks as nice as we think it does.

Of course, the kitchen is still torn up. Every once in awhile, a piece of paper or glue floats down from the area near the ceiling unexpectedly. This makes the idea of doing any cooking, let alone any holiday baking, highly unappealing. It's also distressing to the dog, whose food bowl has been moved into the office.

Acutally, just moving his food dish was highly distressing to the dog, as is the idea that he has to eat in the office. He's in the habit of getting his food in the kitchen and generally sniffing the air to see if he thinks there might be something better nearby. If so, he holds out for say, what's on the table. He hates the idea that he might be missing something.

But, even the dog knows there isn't supposed to be precipitation inside the house, so that's a source of concern to him. And when he gets worried he goes into what we call "velcro dog mode": since something is not quite right he wants to be as close to us, his people as possible, so we can deal with it "as a pack". This means that if I sit down he will either sit on my feet or lay down with his head on my feet. Every pair of shoes I own is covered with dog hair.

His other problem is that we still have at least one mouse in the house. It never ceases to amaze me what a finely tuned protective instinct Winston has.

Winston is not particularly bothered by "wildlife" he encounters out doors. If we put his dog food out while he's basking in the sun in the summer, he's perfectly fine if the little birds come down and eat his food. He doesn't chase squirrells or rabbits, though he does sort of keep an eye on them. Since he was brought up with cats, he just kind of gives them the canine equivelent of a nod if they pass through the yard. He did chase our neighbors cat, Fat Freddie, one day, but I think it was just for something to do, not out of any hard feeling against Freddie himself.

However, he heard the noise of a mouse and got up to investigate. Upon seeing the mouse in the middle of the living room floor, he looked at it, and after about 3 seconds, decided it didn't belong there. So he charged it. Winston, at 210lbs, takes a minute to get going, but once he does he's able to build up a great deal of momentum. Stopping has never been a strong point with the dog.

The mouse,wisely,decided that it was in a lot of trouble and turned tail and ran full speed for the heating vent under the chair. Unluckily for the dog, he wasn't able to stop as his adversary disappeared down the vent. He hit the green wing chair full force, sending it flying into the wall. Paws everywhere!

Once he got himself set to rights he spent a great deal of time sniffing the vent and vacilating between looking disgusted and embarrrassed. Poor dog.

But its good to know he's there for me and he'll try to protect me from all threats, both great and small.