So, I was walking Otis (man's best friend) the other day, and it was freezing cold outside. It was almost cold enough to freeze the contents of your nostrils. It was about midnight, and I had on my PJs (ladies, please don't request pictures of me in my PJs. I'm married).

You see, Otis is a vindictive little pug. He knows when I am freezing, and so when it comes to "doing his business" at night in the cold, he takes his time. You would think he was counting each blade of grass as he walked. He takes his time, and then every once in a while shoots a look of control up at me. It is humiliating. There is only one way to get back at a dog when he does this to you. It is a controversial technique, but I have employed it with him for years: I simply make eye contact with him while he is "doing his business". I stare right into those little puggy eyes. The look of guilt on his face is immediate. He is exposed for the grass sniffing non-toilet using little dog that he is. His shoulders shrug, and his head sinks. He is caught...in the act. It is my way to take control of the situation. Yes, I'm freezing, but I now have the upper hand...that is until I have to pick up "his business". Darn it. He is on top again. He shoots a glare at me to re-establish his dominance. I am defeated. A shell of a man. Cold. Dejected. And holding a blue sack full of blue smoke producing "business".

You might ask: What does this have to do with money and budgeting? The answer: nothing. I just think its funny. I owed you a funny story sense I got serious on you during my last entry.