I wanted to start this blog, mostly because LJ is blocked at work, but a lot of other blog sites are not.  I work at a call center so I have a lot of computer time.  I've gotten really into reading other's blogs.  No matter what they write about, it is fun to see what people are up to.  I thought it would be fun to practice writing and talking about myself since that is normally something I am not very good at. 
I named this blog Jeez Louise because that is something that I say a lot.  I work at a call center and I schedule appts for various health centers in the area.  This job is mostly pretty great for me, but it is easy to get exasperated and frustrated.  Often after I hang up the phone I find myself muttering "jeez louise."  I used to take for granted that there was common phone etiquette.  Not anymore.  People often ask questions, then cut me off when I try to answer them, dial on their cell phones while I am talking, make appointments for personal medical visits and procedures on the subway, bus or hanging their head out of the window of some moving vehicle.  Even when I get frustrated this is one of the best jobs I have ever had and I love it. 

This weekend Ryan and I went on a quest to look for a sofa set.  I am moving into his house.  This is the first time I have ever moved in with a partner, so it is a pretty big deal.  Purchasing joint furniture ups it a little. But we've talked concingency plan too if this don't work out.  I'm optimistic though.  We bought our sofa set in south jersey during an "Easter Weekend Sale."  Luckily our sales person didn't know how to calculate percentages and we got 25% instead of 20% and we opted to pick up the furniture in Delaware so we avoided sales tax and a delivery charge. We picked up the sofa set without too many problems and on the way home stopped at a hole in the wall to get delicious vegetarian turkey hoagies at Capriotti's, which was right down the road from where the furniture warehouse was.  Since we had the van and were all amped up from our huge furniture purchase, we went to more box stores to buy a bed frame, comforter and sheets set.  Our room is looking pretty good! 
Now that we have nice things we are facing the dilemma of what to do with pets that also like nice things.  Both our dog and cat like to claw furniture.  Dodger, a distingushed gentleman of somewhere around 10 years old likes to lay in a comfortable spot, preferably bed or couch but will settle for a blanket if nothing else is available.  He hops on the couch everytime we turn our backs and it is pretty heart-wrenching pulling him off but we are trying to stay firm with "no Dodger on the new couches."  I went around buying catnipped scratching posts and cardboard scratching devices for my cat to distract her from the couches.  I also bought spray stuff that is supposed to repell the cats from the furniture.  Does anyone know any good ways to deter cats from scratching furniture?  I also clipped her nails, so hopefully that will help.  I've been aching to get another kitten and a muppet dog, but 2 dogs and a cat in one house is already a lot to care for and clean up after.  It is kind of sucky having nice comfy couch but not being able to curl up with a cute dog.  I guess this is a peril of having nice things?