It's challenging to get my youngest (puppy) potty trained.

She'd rather go inside in the winter than out in the snow. I talked to a vet and apparently it's a common problem in winter for pet owners -- particularly for pet owners of small dogs.

I've been taking her out frequently and cheering when she goes outside.

She has booties and a coat, so I don't know what the drama is about. Sometimes she "puts on the breaks" as soon as the cold air hits her.

Her older sister plows through the snow with abandon and always goes outside.

Does bad grammar in songs annoy anyone else besides me?

I love Rascal Flats. It's an awesome band. However, in their new song there is the phrase: "Have you ever tried to love someone who just don't feel the same?"

Yes, that's right. They used "don't" instead of "doesn't." 

A simple substitution of the words that make up each contraction would reveal the error. 

"Have you ever tried to love someone who just (do not) feel the same?"

vs.

It smells like manure...everywhere. The whole town of Pine River is blanketed by the smell of fresh manure. My sources tell me that neighboring farmers are fertilizing their fields with liquid manure. Do they sell that at the Fleet Farm? Well, I believe it...because it smells!

My husband and I have a new baby. Well, she's not exactly a human baby, but she's little and lovable, so close enough.

"Marie" is our new addition to the family. She's a 7-pound pug. She likes to charge at me with enthusiasm. Her paws flail about and it looks like she's trying to do "the windmill" or take to flight.

She and her older sister, Olivia, are getting along pretty well. Husband and I need to referee pretty frequently. Biting and pawing at each other's face is apparently really fun for pugs.

Not to be irreverent, but every time I hear news of the U.S. General Petraeus, I can't help but think of Star Wars. "Petraeus" sounds to me like a name that would fit well with the likes of "Padme Amidala" and "Sen. Palpatine." Maybe it's the "P" sound. How about "Padawon Learner," the term for a jedi-in-training (If I remember correctly.) Anyway, I think it's a cool name; I just can't stop thinking about Star Wars every time I hear it.