The Humans
Jennifer - primary blogger and wife extraordinaire. Early thirties, brilliantly witty, stunningly attractive. Flagrant user of adverbs. Married Bill in June 2009. Lives with him and their menagerie in Virginia. During the day, runs a boutique consulting firm. At night, focuses on getting her new home "just right", a process she predicts will never end.
Bill - husband and Most Patient Man on Earth. Put his foot down to a third puppy, and stoically spends most evenings and weekends implementing the newest idea Jennifer picked up from her overzealous HGTV viewing. Works for an environmental engineering and consulting firm, which means he gets to take lots of trips to fun places.
The Pets
Maya - puppy #1. Born in February 2008 and adopted from a rescue group in May 2008. Has mostly grown out of her puppy phase, except when riled up by her younger sister Gracie. Enjoys chasing the cats.
Gracie - puppy #2. Born in November 2008 and adopted from the same rescue in February 2009. A fan of eating iPod earbuds, ripping up books, destroying cameras, and barking "for the fun of it". Enjoys snuggling in bed each morning.
Natasha - grouchy and near-ferile cat. Well into her senior years (a gift for Jennifer's 20th birthday), not exactly friendly. Has scratched and bitten Jennifer to the point of emergency-room-IV-antibiotics when forced to move to a new condo. Now sleeps against Bill each night.
Madchen - formerly obese and slightly stupid cat. A few months younger than Natasha, now spends most of her time sitting on an ottoman looking out the window and napping. Known for her persistent yowling when the dinner bowl starts to look empty.