Love Dare Day.....14???

I dare say, my beloved Ricardo and I are not following the Love Dare Book as it is meant to be followed. I Dare say, we have been too stinking busy. We've had so much going on that we have agreed to take the weekends off from reading our marital book. Is that wrong?! Is it soooo wrong that it is right?! Like, when two negatives make a positive sort of right???!!! I dare say, we will have to amend the 40 day dare into something more like: "The it's gonna take 2 months, cause we take the weekends off , 40 day Love Dare." or "The 60 Day (give or take) 40 Day Love Dare for the Mathematically and Time Challenged Couple" or perhaps: "Our Marriage isn't going anywhere, anytime soon, (I think) so we're taking our sweet time 4000 Day Love Dare"....catchy titles huh?





I know what you're thinking. In the amount of time it took to come up with these clever titles, I could have read the book. Well, perhaps. But the point is, I'm up to my eyeballs in chores, school, birthdays, etc. So, when hubby asked what I thought about taking the weekends off from reading; I jumped at the chance.





We've been spending our weekends out poolside as a family (dogs and all). Which I am certain, SOMEWHERE in this book it mentions quality family time. The past several days have seemed a little irrelevant. We've had days that spend time talking about arguing, giving in to a disagreement, constructive arguing, etc. Ricardo and I honestly don't argue. I can't think of the last time we had a "disagreement." We got that out of our system years ago. It's in the past. Kinda like dancing all night, drinking with friends and dating.





Speaking of, when I mentioned date night to Ricardo, he said: "I thought dating other people was frowned upon." Which caused me to laugh hysterically. I guess in some houses that comment wouldn't have gone over well. But, in ours..laughter wins every time. But I digress.





Anyhow, we are muddling our way through this book as best as we can. I wouldn't be surprised if the author showed up on our doorstep any day now and demanded we relinquish the books to him. But we are slowly but surely, ( actually more slowly than surely) getting through the dare. Today is Day 14 which is about neglecting an activity you would normally do so that you can spend some quality time with each other. UhOh. I can guess which activity we will neglect so that we can spend more time together. Guess that means tomorrow will be DAY 14...or perhaps the day after.





Anyway, as I was saying, we are still married. Still doing fine. Still reading. It is any one's guess at this point as to when we will finish this challenge. Perhaps on our upcoming Anniversary? Oh wait, that's next month. Not enough time to finish it before this year's Anniversary. Lets try for next years. I'll keep you abreast of the latest. ( A breast...snicker, snort, giggle) Perhaps they have a remedial marital book for the juvenile, will laugh at anything, too immature to read/write couple???!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLUE EYES

Today is a very special day. 13 years ago today, I was blessed with a son. Ol' Blue Eyes. My eldest son. My heart, my soul, one of life's greatest gifts. I don't know what I did to deserve him; but, I give thanks for him every day. In my humble opinion, Blue Eyes is one of the most perfect human beings ever to grace planet Earth.

He is extremely intelligent and talented. He is also kind, patient, loving and just all around wonderful. How could I have had a part in creating something so utterly perfect?!! He's one good egg I tell ya! :)

He is a wonderful son and a fabulous big brother. I cherish every memory of him as a baby and small child.

I am so proud of the teenager that he has become. And, I have no doubt as to the wonderful man he will soon be.

Blue Eyes, I love you more than mere words can express. I will love you even more tomorrow than I do today. You make the world a better place, simply by being in it!

So, here's to you Blue Eyes-Happy 13th Birthday!!! I hope all your wishes and dreams come true-no one deserves it more!

Ella's New Castle

This is our aforementioned, luxurious guesthouse. As you can probably guess just by looking, we don't often have overnight guests around here. It's a good thing too. As someone has recently decided that THIS spacious retreat is waaaay better than the igloo doghouse. The igloo doesn't have windows, or a pretty blue roof, or a fold down play stove. And it definately didn't make her feel like a pretty princess.

But this place is fit for royalty or so it would seem. Princess Ella of the Little Tykes Dynasty I presume?

Stay at Home Mom speaks out....Loudly

Okay, today I am in a "Mood." So, I advice you to read this following post at your own peril.





May I start by saying, in my humble opinion that Stay at Home Moms are sometimes treated like second class citizens. Oh I know that there are those who have had it much worse. I'm not denying that. I feel for the masses who have suffered far worse, for far longer than I could ever dream of enduring. That is not what I am saying at all.





I will say, for what ever reason, Stay at Home Moms are one of the few people where prejudices are still accepted and where profiling is the norm. We are viewed as a group of people who live on "Easy Street" who's days are filled with "Nothing to do" and what we do accomplish is "insignificant" at best because "we do not earn money." Also, because we have no J-O-B we should be readily accessible anytime of the day or night because what else could we possibly have going on??!!!





Well, I'm tired of it doggone it! Just because I don't have a "career" , don't think for a moment that I don't "work." In fact, if the truth be known; I work harder than you could ever begin to dream of. I may not have business meetings to attend, clients and co-workers to deal with or deadlines to meet. I don't have "vacation days" "sick days" or "weekends off." I work 24/7/365. Okay, 24/7/364...I get Mother's Day off. And trust me, I am indeed dang thankful to have it!





I don't complain because the weekend is over too quickly. In fact, I'm so busy doing laundry, cleaning house, cooking and picking up after everyone that all my days go by at lightning speed and morph into one.





When I answer the phone and you ask, "What are you doing?" and I reply, "not much. What's up?" What I am really saying is, "You don't want to know what numerous mundane tasks I am preforming simultaneously at this moment. I will put them all on hold and not begrudge the interruption in my schedule; because, you have found a moment for me in yours."





I don't buy designer clothing to wear. I don't have the more expensive vehicle to commute in. I don't know the latest fashions, gossip or technical must have gadgets. I don't hobknob with the elite crowd.



I do know that I have worth. I also have feelings that are every bit as important as yours. I know in my heart of hearts that what I am doing right now is more important and worthy of my time and efforts than anything else I could possibly hope to achieve. I also know that I am incredibly lucky and honored to be able to stay at home with my children.



I am raising my children. No nanny, no daycare worker hired at minimum wage. No one could love my children as deeply, monitor their safety more diligently, or anticipate their needs more than I do. I talk the talk and walk the walk. I do not consider it a sacrifice. I consider it a privilege. Hopefully, one day, they might think the same thing too.



So though my days aren't as glamorous as yours, I dare say they are every bit as relevant. I am every woman rolled into one. Mother, wife, teacher, housekeeper, cook, gardener, pool cleaner, pet sitter, poop scooper service, this family's own, personal "411"- I know the answers to all your questions and I can find the very thing you seem to have misplaced.



In fact, if a salary were received for all that I do...only the very wealthy would be able to afford me. I could be viewed as a multi-million dollar corporation. Not in what I earn, but what I save in expenses.



And although my life revolves around my family and their needs, I am still my own person. I still have the same wants and desires as anyone else. I still want to be viewed as an individual, not just part of a family unit. I would still enjoy time out with friends only, hobbies of my own, and moments just by myself from time to time. A little Chicken Soup for MY soul so to speak.



But I have rambled long enough. I have a million of chores waiting for me alone to do. None of which include watching soap operas or eating bon-bons. And before you leave thinking I am whining, please know that I am not. I love my life! I wouldn't trade it for the world! I just want those of you who are "employed" to know that Stay at Home Moms are valuable to society too. We just don't think that the world revolves around us and our job. We learned long ago that there are far more important things in life. Like our family. I never heard of someone on their deathbed wishing they had spent more time at work.

Grace Personified

Have you ever seen someone who is so graceful and poised that they can make even the simplest movement look like it's choreographed? My sister is that way. She's taken dance for years. She is graceful. She is how they say "Poetry in Motion."

Me,...not so much. Take Friday for instance. Was going downstairs with the ancient one and Ella. Jodi was choking and struggling for breath so bad, I stopped 1/2 way down to check on her. I double checked her collar, rubbed her throat, gave a few words of encouragement, and then turned to finish walking down the stairs.

And then....I FELL down the stairs. Yep. Grace Personified. Landed on my left arm. Instant swelling. Too swollen to hurt much at the time. Today though, I got some really nice coloration going. Purdy, Purdy!!

I have a feeling that as the graceful one ages, things are just going to get worse. I'm getting to "THAT" age you know. The whole brittle boned, would be cheaper to put her down than fix it, wear the life alert button around my neck, "Help! I've fallen and can't get up!" age.

Other than a little embarrassment, no harm was done. At least I didn't break anything. Although, maybe that's my niche. I too could be a dancer....a BREAK dancer!

Dare-Day 3

This is day 3 of the Love Dare. So far, easy cheesy my friends. Day 1-say only nice things. No negatives. Went well.

Day 2- say nice things only + gestures for your spouse. After being married almost 15 years, we gave each other different gestures than one might think. Hhhhaaaa-Haaaaaa! ;).... (drums)ba-dum-bump... Thanks, I'll be here all week-Don't forget to tip your waitresses!!! Seriously though, we both found it easy to do nice things for each other. It's funny to see just how much we do this for each other anyway.

Day 3- (today) we have to buy each other a gift to show we are "invested" in each other and this marriage. I TOTALLY am liking day 3!!! Presents? What's not to like?!!! Know Ricardo will enjoy his token gift. Can't wait to see what little sompin' sompin' I get!!! Hey, can we just pretend it's like the movie "Groundhog Day" and just keep repeating Day 3?....

Harlow Update

The good news is, we think we have FINALLY figured out what it is that is causing Harlow's bladder leaks. Our new vet, (whom I shall from here forward refer to as the most wonderful intelligent Goddess of all things Canine) has figured out in 2 months time what our other vet never figured out in a year and a half. She is my hero!!!



Harlow has a severe bladder infection. (Her 4th one to date.) She has e-coli in her urine as well. (Yuck!) It has been treated in the past with the wrong antibiotics. So it would subside for awhile but never completely go away. Then, after several months, after growing stronger, it would again rear it's ugly head. We did another sterile urine sample last week. It figured this out for us. It even gave the exact type of anitbiotic that would completely kill this horrid infection. (Hopefully, for good!) So after the antibiotics are taken, we are hoping we can then wean her off of her bladder strengthening medicines. And she will be as good as new. Or at least as good as refurbished. :)Having a 140 lb dog that leaves urine puddles the size of a tire in your house is not easy to contend with. Diapers won't contain that much urine. It tries your patience. It horrifies the clean freak in you. It makes you want to cry, scream, puke, curse, etc. I often wonder what someone else would have done if she had gone to another home. Would they have spent this much money? Given her up? Put her down?....Or worse?

In the past 18 months we have spent more on this girlie than our entire family's medical expenses combined. Quite frankly, it's enough to make me want to puke! I feel guilty when I think of the amount of money that could have gone into paying bills or towards our children's education or towards retirement.



In the end, right or wrong, I can only say we did what we felt was right for us. It hasn't been easy. It hasn't been cheap; but, I can't contend with the thought of doing it any other way. I could have paid off some credit cards with that money; but would it have cost me my soul in doing so?! My children could have had more money for college; but, isn't this a life lesson they have learned? So what if we can't retire now. We probably would have just gotten on each other's nerves anyway. :) Perhaps, when we get to the pearly gates, this will make them overlook some of the other stuff I've done before; and with Harlow's recommendation, I can squeek on in by the hair on my chinney chin chin.

The Love Dare-Day One

Rick and I's Love Dare books have arrived. Today is Day 1 of 40. Our assignment for today:

"Demonstrate patience and say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises-choose to say nothing."

Hmmmm.....Guess it's gonna be a pretty damn quiet day around here. :)

"Play" Time

Been an interesting week around here. Poor little brown eyes has had an off and on case of the up-chucks. Feels fine. No fever. Then awakes in the middle of the night sick. Which leads to the question, WHY is it that children always get sick in the early morning hours before the dawn?! NEVER in the middle of the afternoon on a slow Tuesday per chance? Hmmmm. A question for the ages I guess.

On the flip side of the coin, Brown eyes has recently taken imagination playtime to a whole new level. It's HYSTERICAL!!! He moves the little people around and has some pretty interesting scenarios. Oh, and he also NARRATES while he's playing. Cracks me up to no end!!! For example, ahem....

"Molly walks into the room, turns to the right, and then says to Johnny...."

As he is setting up the scenarios and narrating, he is also moving the play people to the right, etc. It is like watching a Woody Allen movie or something. (Perhaps he will grow up to be a play write?!)

Just for grins, I have started narrating my own scenes. For example, at dinner time I say something like:

"Mommy makes a plate, turns, and tries to make it to the table without dropping it. She smiles and hands the plate to her little boy." (insert smile here.)

Of course, it makes him smile and laugh as well at the silliness of it all. :)

Which upon reflection, leads me to this...

Mommy stops and thinks aloud to herself:

"These are the types of memories that you will always hold dear to your heart, long after your children are grown."

Mommy then starts to tear up....exit, stage left.