This afternoon on my normal lunch time dog walk, I actually stepped outside of my comfort zone. It feels kind of good. Silly too for not doing it sooner. My one neighbor across the street was out with her dog and two lovely daughters. They were all running around and playing. Since puppy has been dying to meet their dog, I decided I would take the initative and go introduce ourselves.
Normally I think that I should do stuff like that, but usually talk myself out of it becuase I don't want to be a pain or intrude. When really I think its more like I don't think I'm worth their time, or I don't think I'll be interesting enough, or I don't look good enough... blah blah... basically me and my self worth issues getting in my way.
Today I don't know what it was, I just said to suck it up and go with my first instinct. The one that wants to be out going and approachable. The one who likes knowing her neighbors and does not mind if they want to come over to chit-chat. I'm slowly learning nothing ventured is nothing gained. I did not think or over analyze. I just said screw it and went to meet the cute neighbor family. They were very nice and sweet too.
Perhaps its the new hair. I feel brave and a little funky. The scared and sad girl is still there, but I don't know, maybe now the real me is a little closer to the surface. Who knew all that hair was holding soo much baggage?
mixed feelings day
Man I am all over the place today. Part of me wants to cry, part wants to dance, part is anxious, and another part can't wait for the next thing. My hormones being all over the place this week too probably is not helping.
Last night I got a hair cut. Well, really I got them all cut. hardee-ha-ha I had a lot cut off. No more safe and simple ponytail for me. No more taking comfort in the fact that even for dress up days I can make a fancy ponytail. My hair with all its imperfections are out there for the world to see. This is actually quite a big deal for me. For the first time in years I am determined to accept my hair and go with it. So it flips out and curls goofy. So its thick and full and never lays symmetrically on my head. One side will curl under and the other will flip out. SO BE IT! Here I am world with my crazy imperfect hair!
I have to say I do like the cut. I'm still getting use to the styling of it... but today I just washed and let it air dry.. which it actually did. The long hair would only reach full dryness sometime while I slept that night, after washing it in the morning mind you....
Although at the same time that I am loving the new freedom of just letting my hair be and not trying to always have perfect hair... I am also missing that ponytail. I miss having it to play with. I miss the idea of being able to do so much more with my hair.. but telling myself I was just choosing not to. I miss my hair. Its kind of weird, but I guess its just the simple truth.
I suppose I will try to remind my self why I was so ready to chop it off... the knots in it, the constant shedding all over my house ( I swear there is more of my hair than dog fur on my couch ), the bulk of it always being every where.. and of course that god forsaken boring ass ponytail!
Ok, missing it a little less. I like the new freedom and I have faith I will even grow to appreciate the crazy imperfect curls. Although I suppose I have more work. I must confess that I tried to take a couple "self portraits" but thought my hair was a disaster area and I looked like crap in all of them.... still working on accepting that wonderfully not perfect life thing.... its getting there, maybe next week when the hormones calm down I'll be ready for that picture!
Last night I got a hair cut. Well, really I got them all cut. hardee-ha-ha I had a lot cut off. No more safe and simple ponytail for me. No more taking comfort in the fact that even for dress up days I can make a fancy ponytail. My hair with all its imperfections are out there for the world to see. This is actually quite a big deal for me. For the first time in years I am determined to accept my hair and go with it. So it flips out and curls goofy. So its thick and full and never lays symmetrically on my head. One side will curl under and the other will flip out. SO BE IT! Here I am world with my crazy imperfect hair!
I have to say I do like the cut. I'm still getting use to the styling of it... but today I just washed and let it air dry.. which it actually did. The long hair would only reach full dryness sometime while I slept that night, after washing it in the morning mind you....
Although at the same time that I am loving the new freedom of just letting my hair be and not trying to always have perfect hair... I am also missing that ponytail. I miss having it to play with. I miss the idea of being able to do so much more with my hair.. but telling myself I was just choosing not to. I miss my hair. Its kind of weird, but I guess its just the simple truth.
I suppose I will try to remind my self why I was so ready to chop it off... the knots in it, the constant shedding all over my house ( I swear there is more of my hair than dog fur on my couch ), the bulk of it always being every where.. and of course that god forsaken boring ass ponytail!
Ok, missing it a little less. I like the new freedom and I have faith I will even grow to appreciate the crazy imperfect curls. Although I suppose I have more work. I must confess that I tried to take a couple "self portraits" but thought my hair was a disaster area and I looked like crap in all of them.... still working on accepting that wonderfully not perfect life thing.... its getting there, maybe next week when the hormones calm down I'll be ready for that picture!
My puppy is growing up
My little girl is becoming such a big girl. We've been working with puppy since we got back from the honeymoon on letting her have more freedom in the house. I must say she is passing with flying colors. She's hyper and crazy, but adorable and trustworthy at the same time. Sure she jumps up and plays with us, but when left alone she mostly just sleeps on the couch. She's allowed on all the furniture except the bed. So the couch is good.
When I'm working she politely comes in and noses my knee when she wants to go out... or she paws the doors. I'm still working on breaking that one. Pawing the glass sliding door in the winter is not a problem... the screen door does not stand up as well though in the summer. Of course I've had a couple phone conversations interrupted with a barking dog, but for the most part they were work people who I don't have to worry about! =)
I can't believe that after all these months of watching and worrying my little puppy is finally house broken. She even sleeps all night on her own in her own bed. If I think about it tonight I'll try to get a picture. She's so cute all curled up in her bed with her blankie. Heck, usually she's the last one out of bed in the morning. I guess the teenage years have begun! She's sleeping late and would rather do her own thing than hang out with mom and dad. haha Well, she still does like a good cuddle in the evening before bed.. so maybe we are just in the early pre-teen. There is still a bit of my little puppy in her! Thank god!
When I'm working she politely comes in and noses my knee when she wants to go out... or she paws the doors. I'm still working on breaking that one. Pawing the glass sliding door in the winter is not a problem... the screen door does not stand up as well though in the summer. Of course I've had a couple phone conversations interrupted with a barking dog, but for the most part they were work people who I don't have to worry about! =)
I can't believe that after all these months of watching and worrying my little puppy is finally house broken. She even sleeps all night on her own in her own bed. If I think about it tonight I'll try to get a picture. She's so cute all curled up in her bed with her blankie. Heck, usually she's the last one out of bed in the morning. I guess the teenage years have begun! She's sleeping late and would rather do her own thing than hang out with mom and dad. haha Well, she still does like a good cuddle in the evening before bed.. so maybe we are just in the early pre-teen. There is still a bit of my little puppy in her! Thank god!
Birthday Suprise for my hubby
A few years ago my mom gave me a nice watch. I loved this watch. One of those Citizen Eco drives. It never needs a battery. All broken in and I'm use to the profile. I'm clumsy, so watched take a beating with me. This watch has held up wonderfully.
I could not find the watch after the move from LA. The watch I love. I have been so bummed about losing, but figured I would not really freak out until I had actually unpacked everything.
I finally got the dresser cleaned off this morning and found my watch.. in my jewelry box, which is funny because both me and hubby looking in there. I triumphantly go out to the living room to tell hubby I had finally found my watch. He gives me a funny look and finally says, damn. The poor guy had gone shopping last night for my birthday present. He bought me the same watch for a replacement. I was laughing and told him we can return the new one. He said it was not fair though because he won't get the bonus points now for being such a good and thoughtful husband. I told him he still gets the bonus points. Besides, I've been saying all along I would find the watch as soon as I bought a new one! heehee
Although now the poor guy feels like he has to start all over again with the b-day gift for me. I keep telling him not to worry but I know he will until he finds another perfect gift.... I am a pretty lucky girl sometimes!
I could not find the watch after the move from LA. The watch I love. I have been so bummed about losing, but figured I would not really freak out until I had actually unpacked everything.
I finally got the dresser cleaned off this morning and found my watch.. in my jewelry box, which is funny because both me and hubby looking in there. I triumphantly go out to the living room to tell hubby I had finally found my watch. He gives me a funny look and finally says, damn. The poor guy had gone shopping last night for my birthday present. He bought me the same watch for a replacement. I was laughing and told him we can return the new one. He said it was not fair though because he won't get the bonus points now for being such a good and thoughtful husband. I told him he still gets the bonus points. Besides, I've been saying all along I would find the watch as soon as I bought a new one! heehee
Although now the poor guy feels like he has to start all over again with the b-day gift for me. I keep telling him not to worry but I know he will until he finds another perfect gift.... I am a pretty lucky girl sometimes!
Cookie baking night
Its my twin sister's and her husband's birthday next week. Since my brother-in-law loves treats of any kind, I decided to send some chocolate chip cookies his way. Its been a long week. I'm still trying to get settled in. I was suppose to bake them on wednesday, which got pushed back to thursday... considering our b-day is on monday, my sister's gift is going to be late. At least my bro-in-law might still get his on time! =)
The cookies turned out pretty good. I finally got to use some of the new baking gear from my shower and wedding. Most is pretty good. I have to say though the cookie scoop from Martha Stewart sucks. Normally I trust Martha's products. Say what you will about her, but her perfectionist ways usually translate to pretty good quality crap that she sells. I must say the cookie scoop does not live up to my standards... and I would be willing to bet my standards are way less than Martha's would be if she actually used the cookie scoop she is selling. It kept getting stuck and would not clear out the cookie dough.
So next time you are baking cookies, don't fall for the popular opinion that seems to be all over the place today. Homemade cookies are suppose to be irregular and imperfect. If you want perfectly sized and uniform cookies, just get the chips ahoys! =)
So I ditched the scoop. 5 of the cookies in my picture are my old fashion style of just using a spoon from my normal silver wear. Can you pick them out? I bet they will be the best tasting ones too!
Time Flies...
Oh my goodness, I can't believe its been almost a month since my last post. Then again, it has been quite the month.
My sweetie, although still sweet, is now also my husband. It still makes me giggle to call him that. He of course calls me his old lady. I don't think he has even once said wife to me. Its his term of endearment... I try not to focus on the old part! haha
The wedding was wonderful. Crazy before hand, but once we got to the big event I just put everything in auto pilot and left it up to my attendants. Apparently making the boys get to the hall early was a good idea. They were the ones who ran around and got all the center pieces and candles taken care of. =)
Everyone kept saying what a great party it was. I was happy. I was so worried no one would enjoy themselves. The weather was great, our vows ( which took more than a few days and some fights ) were a huge hit, the food was awesome, the DJ rocked, and the hall was beautiful. I really could not ask for a better day. I promise to post some pictures at some time. I'm still trying to get back into this real world thing!
The honeymoon was just as cool too. We spent a week in Hawaii. Four days bouncing around Maui and 3 days on Oahu. It was so nice to not have anything to do but enjoy ourselves. Seriously, it was relaxing and funny. I'll have to fill you all in on our hotel choices and recommendations in the next few days.
Unfortunately, while hubby and I were enjoying paradise, my Aunt passed away. She has been battling Pancreatic Cancer for some time now. The Drs told her the day before my sister's wedding in June that there was nothing else they could do. I was hoping for some more time, so that she could at least enjoy my wedding, but I suppose that was not in the cards. I take comfort in the fact that she went fairly quick and her suffering is now over. I was pretty sheltered from the day to day survival my mom and grandma have been dealing with for the past few months. At least they can now try to get back to a normal life.
My aunt was a great person. She loved me and my sisters like her own. All her friends at her wake knew us and all our stories. She will be missed terribly. Every year for thanksgiving, the woman baked at least 30 pumpkin pies. She was the pumpkin pie lady.... as we get closer to Turkey day... I'll dig out her recipe and share it. I promise!
So now I am back to reality. Trying to still get the new house unpacked, get caught up with 2 weeks worth of missed work, remembering to use my new name, and train my poor puppy to re-learn her invisible fence boundaries. I thought life was suppose to slow down now that the wedding was done! Someone forgot to tell the powers that be who are responsible for sending stuff my way! I could still use a vacation... maybe no more life changing events until after the holiday... please?
My sweetie, although still sweet, is now also my husband. It still makes me giggle to call him that. He of course calls me his old lady. I don't think he has even once said wife to me. Its his term of endearment... I try not to focus on the old part! haha
The wedding was wonderful. Crazy before hand, but once we got to the big event I just put everything in auto pilot and left it up to my attendants. Apparently making the boys get to the hall early was a good idea. They were the ones who ran around and got all the center pieces and candles taken care of. =)
Everyone kept saying what a great party it was. I was happy. I was so worried no one would enjoy themselves. The weather was great, our vows ( which took more than a few days and some fights ) were a huge hit, the food was awesome, the DJ rocked, and the hall was beautiful. I really could not ask for a better day. I promise to post some pictures at some time. I'm still trying to get back into this real world thing!
The honeymoon was just as cool too. We spent a week in Hawaii. Four days bouncing around Maui and 3 days on Oahu. It was so nice to not have anything to do but enjoy ourselves. Seriously, it was relaxing and funny. I'll have to fill you all in on our hotel choices and recommendations in the next few days.
Unfortunately, while hubby and I were enjoying paradise, my Aunt passed away. She has been battling Pancreatic Cancer for some time now. The Drs told her the day before my sister's wedding in June that there was nothing else they could do. I was hoping for some more time, so that she could at least enjoy my wedding, but I suppose that was not in the cards. I take comfort in the fact that she went fairly quick and her suffering is now over. I was pretty sheltered from the day to day survival my mom and grandma have been dealing with for the past few months. At least they can now try to get back to a normal life.
My aunt was a great person. She loved me and my sisters like her own. All her friends at her wake knew us and all our stories. She will be missed terribly. Every year for thanksgiving, the woman baked at least 30 pumpkin pies. She was the pumpkin pie lady.... as we get closer to Turkey day... I'll dig out her recipe and share it. I promise!
So now I am back to reality. Trying to still get the new house unpacked, get caught up with 2 weeks worth of missed work, remembering to use my new name, and train my poor puppy to re-learn her invisible fence boundaries. I thought life was suppose to slow down now that the wedding was done! Someone forgot to tell the powers that be who are responsible for sending stuff my way! I could still use a vacation... maybe no more life changing events until after the holiday... please?
Does this mean I'm an adult?
As I sit here eating my Honey Nut Cheerios a thought has danced across my mind. I can remember when eating Cheerios, even the honey nut kind, was like asking me to eat a worm. Why in the world would you eat boring old Cheerios when you could have Lucky Charms, or Coco Krispies, or better yet, Count Chocula.
Now my mornings consist of skim milk and cheerios. I splurged on the extra 10 calories last time I was at the grocery store and decided I'd go with the "sweet treat" of the Honey Nut version.
What happened to the little girl who could handle mornings full of sugar? Oh wait, she's living in a subdivision, walking her dog every day at 6AM, getting married, and basically functioning as a full fledged adult. My goodness.
Oh well, its not all bad. At least my mom does not yell at me to make my bed every day! Sorry mom, my bed is a mess! Perhaps that little girl is still in there some where! =)
Now my mornings consist of skim milk and cheerios. I splurged on the extra 10 calories last time I was at the grocery store and decided I'd go with the "sweet treat" of the Honey Nut version.
What happened to the little girl who could handle mornings full of sugar? Oh wait, she's living in a subdivision, walking her dog every day at 6AM, getting married, and basically functioning as a full fledged adult. My goodness.
Oh well, its not all bad. At least my mom does not yell at me to make my bed every day! Sorry mom, my bed is a mess! Perhaps that little girl is still in there some where! =)
13 days and counting....
I'm still out here. Still reading everyone else's posts... trying to find the clarity, time, inclination, and inspiration to post myself. I just can't seem to get much more than these quick "updates" out there.
We are just under two weeks until the wedding. I'm going a little crazy with all that has to be done. Its kind of a lame excuse, but its all I have. Last night sweetie was living up to his name, being very sweet and working his moves in anticipation of well.. errmm.. gettin' some sweetness back... I won't say it was not working, except all of a sudden I was a crying, mascara every where mess. He does switch very quickly to holding and comforting mode though. Poor guys, not exactly the intimacy he was planning.
So my to-do list is about to get made. I'm heading back to Michigan on Thursday for the big event. I have to work in the office for a few days before I leave for 2 weeks. The ladies backing me up need some in person training. That only means that in stead of having one more weekend home, I'm going back on the road. I have to be packed for the wedding and honeymoon by Wednesday. Plus god knows what else I'm forgetting. Oh and puppy has a weird bump on her shoulder. It does not seem to be bothering her at all. I've pushed and felt it and she just sits there. I'm watching her like a hawk to make sure she does not chew at it... and so far nothing.... but considering we are about to leave her with her grandpa for a week and a half... I also get to add find a vet and take puppy in for a check up to my list this week.
So what's on my plate for this week:
Stress
Stress
and more Stress
Holding on to my sanity as best as I can. At least the cry seems to have settled my brain for a few hours... and I have been sleeping like the dead! I'll try to keep focusing on the good things. =)
We are just under two weeks until the wedding. I'm going a little crazy with all that has to be done. Its kind of a lame excuse, but its all I have. Last night sweetie was living up to his name, being very sweet and working his moves in anticipation of well.. errmm.. gettin' some sweetness back... I won't say it was not working, except all of a sudden I was a crying, mascara every where mess. He does switch very quickly to holding and comforting mode though. Poor guys, not exactly the intimacy he was planning.
So my to-do list is about to get made. I'm heading back to Michigan on Thursday for the big event. I have to work in the office for a few days before I leave for 2 weeks. The ladies backing me up need some in person training. That only means that in stead of having one more weekend home, I'm going back on the road. I have to be packed for the wedding and honeymoon by Wednesday. Plus god knows what else I'm forgetting. Oh and puppy has a weird bump on her shoulder. It does not seem to be bothering her at all. I've pushed and felt it and she just sits there. I'm watching her like a hawk to make sure she does not chew at it... and so far nothing.... but considering we are about to leave her with her grandpa for a week and a half... I also get to add find a vet and take puppy in for a check up to my list this week.
So what's on my plate for this week:
Stress
Stress
and more Stress
Holding on to my sanity as best as I can. At least the cry seems to have settled my brain for a few hours... and I have been sleeping like the dead! I'll try to keep focusing on the good things. =)
frazzled friday
I can't believe its finally Friday. I wish I could be more excited, but I'm worn out today. This has been a long week. Working all day and then quitting just to keep working at home on wedding stuff and dog training. Even though the weekend is here, that just means 2 days of nothing but running around and more work.
We are heading up to Michigan today. Lots of last minute wedding stuff to get done. We have to pay the final bill at the hall, DJ, the florists, and the caterer for the rehearsal dinner. Then finish up our ceremony plan and seating chart. Heck we have not even started the music lists. We both have our bachelor/bachelorette parties on Saturday.... and we have a work function to go to for me on Sunday. Although the last two things should at least be fun. Oh and don't forget the head up to MI part entails an 8 hour round trip in the car with puppy.
Speaking of puppy, she is adjusting better to the new fence system. She's no longer terrified of outside. She even is getting close enough to the flags to hear the alarm. She does not run to cower by the door any more. She runs into the yard where she is suppose to go. I suppose that is a good thing. I figure next week we should start phase two of the training with her.
This morning, with my very short rope of patience, puppy and I are having a battle of wills. She was wandering around outside this morning on her very long lead. I thought, "cool, she's getting use to this yard and her boundaries." She was thinking, "what is that smell? OMG ITS A RABBIT! MUST GET THE BUNNY!"
Thankfully she did not see the actual bunny dart away from her. Her nose was seeing and it was buried too deep into a shrub, but the terrier in her was on the trail. She was so excited. Her tail was just wagging. I let her follow her trail all the way to the flag boarder. She actually stopped when she heard the alarm. Of course she still wanted that bunny. So for the last hour its been her whining to go back out side. Seriously, she's been in her crate whining for an hour. This is not the puppy I need today. Too bad she's just a dog and can't tell when mommy is in a bad mood.
Guess I should be the bigger person ( haha the only person ) and let her out. Not to chase the puppy.... just to make sure that whining is not about having to do other business! The bunny hunt did interrupt that this morning!
I guess I'll have to work on the attitude for this weekend! Hope everyone has a great one!
We are heading up to Michigan today. Lots of last minute wedding stuff to get done. We have to pay the final bill at the hall, DJ, the florists, and the caterer for the rehearsal dinner. Then finish up our ceremony plan and seating chart. Heck we have not even started the music lists. We both have our bachelor/bachelorette parties on Saturday.... and we have a work function to go to for me on Sunday. Although the last two things should at least be fun. Oh and don't forget the head up to MI part entails an 8 hour round trip in the car with puppy.
Speaking of puppy, she is adjusting better to the new fence system. She's no longer terrified of outside. She even is getting close enough to the flags to hear the alarm. She does not run to cower by the door any more. She runs into the yard where she is suppose to go. I suppose that is a good thing. I figure next week we should start phase two of the training with her.
This morning, with my very short rope of patience, puppy and I are having a battle of wills. She was wandering around outside this morning on her very long lead. I thought, "cool, she's getting use to this yard and her boundaries." She was thinking, "what is that smell? OMG ITS A RABBIT! MUST GET THE BUNNY!"
Thankfully she did not see the actual bunny dart away from her. Her nose was seeing and it was buried too deep into a shrub, but the terrier in her was on the trail. She was so excited. Her tail was just wagging. I let her follow her trail all the way to the flag boarder. She actually stopped when she heard the alarm. Of course she still wanted that bunny. So for the last hour its been her whining to go back out side. Seriously, she's been in her crate whining for an hour. This is not the puppy I need today. Too bad she's just a dog and can't tell when mommy is in a bad mood.
Guess I should be the bigger person ( haha the only person ) and let her out. Not to chase the puppy.... just to make sure that whining is not about having to do other business! The bunny hunt did interrupt that this morning!
I guess I'll have to work on the attitude for this weekend! Hope everyone has a great one!
Crazy Weekend....
I hope every one is dry today. We are, but from the news reports it sounds like a lot of our neighbors are not. There is flooding all over the place. You should see the standing water on the main street over from ours. Schools are all closed and a couple counties have declared states of emergencies. Thankfully we are on the high side of our sub. There is a marsh a street over and it was over the road on Saturday, but Rita and I walked over there today and it is fine. I have not heard the sump pump go on either... so I'm assuming that is a good thing.
Poor Puppy had a lousy weekend. First off she got wet every time she had to go outside. Sweetie took her for a walk on Saturday and it was raining so hard she just stopped walking. He said she sat down and looked back at him and was like, "come on, you have got to be kidding me!". So they came home. Then she was sick, and threw up her breakfast. You should have seen Sweetie running her to the kitchen and the per go floors so she would not make a mess on the carpet. That poor dog looked so sad. She just sat in the corner of the kitchen while I mopped the floor.
Yesterday we finally got the in-ground fence up and working, which means again she was shocked and traumatized. Before anyone gives me a hard time about the invisible fence thing and what not, just give it a rest. I'm not thrilled with the solution, but it was the only one we could find that would work best for our situation. We rent this house, so putting a real fence up is not an option. We have had her tied up for the last week, but she is a runner and keeping her attached to a post was not good for her either. With the invisible fence she has the most open space and freedom, so once she gets use to her boundaries I know it will be perfect for her.
For training it says to slowly walk her to the border and when the alarm rings pull them out. Well, turns out you can't really hear the alarm, so poor Rita got a zap. It works a little too well. When she got zapped she turned and ran to the house and now doesn't want to go back out side. So now training consists of me dragging the poor girl around the yard, keeping her away from the boarder and trying to get her to stop pulling to go back inside. My neighbors must already be sick of my cheery and happy voice telling Rita what a good girl she is.
I feel like Nurse Ratchet from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The shock therapy does work well. Puppy is a completely different dog even in the house. Now she runs to her pen down stairs. Last week she was trying to dig through the wall to get out of it. This morning she has been laying in her bed for the last 2 hours. Of course she is hiding from having to go outside, but she has been quiet and perfect all morning. Its good for work, but I feel so guilty for it!
At least she seemed a tiny bit more comfy in the yard this morning. I know we will get there. Her shock collar is now set to just the alarm. No shock. I'm thinking of writing the manufacturer and telling them that this should be the setting to start with. That's what I get for listening to what the "experts" who wrote the manual say. Hopefully the one shock will be enough. I think the dog whisperer guy is crazy when he says dogs don't remember, they just live in the moment. Rita remembers!
Poor Puppy had a lousy weekend. First off she got wet every time she had to go outside. Sweetie took her for a walk on Saturday and it was raining so hard she just stopped walking. He said she sat down and looked back at him and was like, "come on, you have got to be kidding me!". So they came home. Then she was sick, and threw up her breakfast. You should have seen Sweetie running her to the kitchen and the per go floors so she would not make a mess on the carpet. That poor dog looked so sad. She just sat in the corner of the kitchen while I mopped the floor.
Yesterday we finally got the in-ground fence up and working, which means again she was shocked and traumatized. Before anyone gives me a hard time about the invisible fence thing and what not, just give it a rest. I'm not thrilled with the solution, but it was the only one we could find that would work best for our situation. We rent this house, so putting a real fence up is not an option. We have had her tied up for the last week, but she is a runner and keeping her attached to a post was not good for her either. With the invisible fence she has the most open space and freedom, so once she gets use to her boundaries I know it will be perfect for her.
For training it says to slowly walk her to the border and when the alarm rings pull them out. Well, turns out you can't really hear the alarm, so poor Rita got a zap. It works a little too well. When she got zapped she turned and ran to the house and now doesn't want to go back out side. So now training consists of me dragging the poor girl around the yard, keeping her away from the boarder and trying to get her to stop pulling to go back inside. My neighbors must already be sick of my cheery and happy voice telling Rita what a good girl she is.
I feel like Nurse Ratchet from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The shock therapy does work well. Puppy is a completely different dog even in the house. Now she runs to her pen down stairs. Last week she was trying to dig through the wall to get out of it. This morning she has been laying in her bed for the last 2 hours. Of course she is hiding from having to go outside, but she has been quiet and perfect all morning. Its good for work, but I feel so guilty for it!
At least she seemed a tiny bit more comfy in the yard this morning. I know we will get there. Her shock collar is now set to just the alarm. No shock. I'm thinking of writing the manufacturer and telling them that this should be the setting to start with. That's what I get for listening to what the "experts" who wrote the manual say. Hopefully the one shock will be enough. I think the dog whisperer guy is crazy when he says dogs don't remember, they just live in the moment. Rita remembers!
Slowly but surely
All I can say is that has been a long couple of weeks. We are finally up and running fully at the new house.... although I am still waiting for my office furniture to be delivered. At least we now have Internet thanks to the tech guy who had to come out yesterday and flip some switches. I will never understand why the Internet people even send out the self install kits. I am pretty good at figuring this stuff out... but I have never had one that worked with out having to call technical support. Usually 9 out of 10 times the issue is on their end too. This time I don't think they even turned on the stupid lines. Four days late I guess is better than nothing!
The funny thing is that my office is unpacked, but most of my clothes are still in their boxes. Guess I should work on that this afternoon. I'm running out of fall stuff already. Looks like a shopping trip is in the cards for me! Just what my already full credit cards don't need. Moving is soooo much fun.
Oh and we are less than a month away from the big wedding day. I'm still trying to track down a hair stylist for my bridesmaids, mom, and grandma. At least mine is sorted out. Something tells me the credit cards are not going to recover until after Christmas! =)
The funny thing is that my office is unpacked, but most of my clothes are still in their boxes. Guess I should work on that this afternoon. I'm running out of fall stuff already. Looks like a shopping trip is in the cards for me! Just what my already full credit cards don't need. Moving is soooo much fun.
Oh and we are less than a month away from the big wedding day. I'm still trying to track down a hair stylist for my bridesmaids, mom, and grandma. At least mine is sorted out. Something tells me the credit cards are not going to recover until after Christmas! =)
Quick Update
Hi All,
Just wanted to check in with a quick update. I am working in the office this week at headquarters. So I don't have as much time for blogger breaks. People may actually walk into my office and catch me. I can't wait until my home office is up and running next week again.
Good news is that the house we went to look at last week in Indiana was perfect, and they were looking to start getting rent as quickly as we were looking to move. So we signed the lease on Friday. Then unpacked the two cars and headed back up to Michigan so Sweetie could pick up the rest of our house stuff and I could stay with my mom and come to work this week!
Staying with mom has been fun. Her and puppy are at home today on their own. Puppy runs around the back yard and "Grandma" sits on her patio watching her. We were lucky she had the week off so she could puppy sit. I would hate to have to crate the dog all day while I was at work!
So Sweetie is in Indiana starting his new job this week, and puppy and I are in Michigan. The Internet in the new house is going in this weekend, so we should be back to one big happy family on Friday. Man its going to be long week! Us girls ( me and puppy ) are already missing our guy too much!
Just wanted to check in with a quick update. I am working in the office this week at headquarters. So I don't have as much time for blogger breaks. People may actually walk into my office and catch me. I can't wait until my home office is up and running next week again.
Good news is that the house we went to look at last week in Indiana was perfect, and they were looking to start getting rent as quickly as we were looking to move. So we signed the lease on Friday. Then unpacked the two cars and headed back up to Michigan so Sweetie could pick up the rest of our house stuff and I could stay with my mom and come to work this week!
Staying with mom has been fun. Her and puppy are at home today on their own. Puppy runs around the back yard and "Grandma" sits on her patio watching her. We were lucky she had the week off so she could puppy sit. I would hate to have to crate the dog all day while I was at work!
So Sweetie is in Indiana starting his new job this week, and puppy and I are in Michigan. The Internet in the new house is going in this weekend, so we should be back to one big happy family on Friday. Man its going to be long week! Us girls ( me and puppy ) are already missing our guy too much!
Now the fun begins...
Well we made it to Chicagoland this afternoon. That's apparently what they call the suburbs of Chicago. I think we hit town around 11 or noon. We spent the afternoon checking out where in Whiting the refinery that sweetie is working at is. Whiting is not that big so it was easy to find.
Then we went started to look for houses to rent. There was one in Hobart, but we missed the exit ramp on the interstate so it took us forever to find it going in the wrong way. Plus then our TomTom was high or something and totally kept sending us into a dead end. We finally turned it off and navigated the old fashion way. That trip took forever. We were both tired and hungry, so we decided to find a hotel next.
It took us 6 hotels before we found one under $200 that allowed pets. Seriously, six of them, and with the exception of the first 2, every other one was completely empty. They would rather have empty rooms than let a quiet little 20 pound dog sleep in her crate in one of their rooms. Crazy.
We did finally find a HoJo. Not to scare my mom or anything... but it not exactly in a great part of town. It is at least quiet and there are not many guests. I'm sure its a perfectly safe and fine area... its just not very pretty and so completely different from the corn fields we were surrounded by yesterday. Although I am trying not to think of all those lovely news programs they love to show on tv about how so not clean hotels room are!
So now the real stress begins. Trying to find a house in a decent amount of time so that we are not living out of our suitcases ( or in the case of me and puppy with my mom in Michigan ) for too much longer. I have a feeling its going to be harder than we thought. Everything really close is pretty crappy, and so far all the other stuff we have found is really huge! The three of us do not really need a 6 bedroom house that is almost an hour away from sweetie's job. I don't want to have to clean that! =)
We have a house to look at tomorrow. Please keep your fingers and toes crossed for us! Plus we are going to at least find a nicer hotel. I'm sorry Howard Johnson, but after being on the road for the last 5 days, this girl needs an upgrade!
Then we went started to look for houses to rent. There was one in Hobart, but we missed the exit ramp on the interstate so it took us forever to find it going in the wrong way. Plus then our TomTom was high or something and totally kept sending us into a dead end. We finally turned it off and navigated the old fashion way. That trip took forever. We were both tired and hungry, so we decided to find a hotel next.
It took us 6 hotels before we found one under $200 that allowed pets. Seriously, six of them, and with the exception of the first 2, every other one was completely empty. They would rather have empty rooms than let a quiet little 20 pound dog sleep in her crate in one of their rooms. Crazy.
We did finally find a HoJo. Not to scare my mom or anything... but it not exactly in a great part of town. It is at least quiet and there are not many guests. I'm sure its a perfectly safe and fine area... its just not very pretty and so completely different from the corn fields we were surrounded by yesterday. Although I am trying not to think of all those lovely news programs they love to show on tv about how so not clean hotels room are!
So now the real stress begins. Trying to find a house in a decent amount of time so that we are not living out of our suitcases ( or in the case of me and puppy with my mom in Michigan ) for too much longer. I have a feeling its going to be harder than we thought. Everything really close is pretty crappy, and so far all the other stuff we have found is really huge! The three of us do not really need a 6 bedroom house that is almost an hour away from sweetie's job. I don't want to have to clean that! =)
We have a house to look at tomorrow. Please keep your fingers and toes crossed for us! Plus we are going to at least find a nicer hotel. I'm sorry Howard Johnson, but after being on the road for the last 5 days, this girl needs an upgrade!
One more day to go....
We are about 200 miles out side of Chicago tonight. I can't even tell you what the name of the town is. Only that it is about 20 minutes in side the western edge of Illinois. We should be in the Whiting area by lunch time tomorrow.
Today's drive was a fun one. At at about 2 we stopped at a rest stop and realized we had a tire going flat on the trailer. Poor sweetie unpacked all his tools and the spare, got the bad tire off and could not get the spare on the stupid trailer. Apparently the trailer manufacture decided that using a standard lug pattern would just be silly. So they have their own unique one. Thankfully the tire was still holding air and we were only 6 mile away from the next town. Of course we were in the middle of Iowa, so who knew what that town would hold. We were very lucky though. It was practically a booming metropolis... well, for Iowa. The trailer store did not have the tires... but they pointed us in the direction of the House-Auto-Farm Store. They did not have the right tire, but they did have the auto shop so that they could put our spare tire on the old wheel. So we were back on the road, and it only took about 2 hours and $76. All in all not bad, considering this is the second cross country trip for those tires.
Today's drive was a fun one. At at about 2 we stopped at a rest stop and realized we had a tire going flat on the trailer. Poor sweetie unpacked all his tools and the spare, got the bad tire off and could not get the spare on the stupid trailer. Apparently the trailer manufacture decided that using a standard lug pattern would just be silly. So they have their own unique one. Thankfully the tire was still holding air and we were only 6 mile away from the next town. Of course we were in the middle of Iowa, so who knew what that town would hold. We were very lucky though. It was practically a booming metropolis... well, for Iowa. The trailer store did not have the tires... but they pointed us in the direction of the House-Auto-Farm Store. They did not have the right tire, but they did have the auto shop so that they could put our spare tire on the old wheel. So we were back on the road, and it only took about 2 hours and $76. All in all not bad, considering this is the second cross country trip for those tires.
Topeka, KS
Well at the end of day 3 we are about 10 hours away from Indiana. Tonight we are staying in Topeka. Its been a long couple of days. We ended not hitting the road until almost 7 on Saturday. Its all a blur. It seems like we have been moving for 3 weeks. I suppose with all the packing we have been.
In any case, as soon as I sat in the car for 2 hours on Saturday, my body finally relaxed and the adrenalin that had been keeping me going for the last 4 days stopped working... which just left room for the cold I had been holding off to take full charge. Poor sweetie has been doing to bulk of the driving... and that is really under stating it. I drove for about 3 hours today for the first time. =)
Some how my road warrior got us all the way through California and most of Nevada on Saturday night. We pulled into our first hotel at after 1 am. On Sunday he got us through Arizona, Utah, and half of Colorado. We stayed at little hotel about an hour out side of Denver. Today we hit the road at almost 5 in the morning. Neither of us could sleep. So tonight it was an early night off the road.... hence the post. We actually had time to have a real dinner.
The puppy has been fairly good through it all. She loves the car. Sleeps most of the time and then crawls all over me.... but its not bad. She likes to sit and watch out the front window. I keep pointing out all the new things a girl born and raised in so cal would never see.... 6 states, cows, horses, goats, farms, actual open spaces. The only hard part is that when we stop and let her out she is absolutely insane and crazy. She just has too much energy. Which is another reason for the early stop today. Puppy and I got to go on a nice long walk. I walked her until she finally started walking like a good puppy again. Then we walked a little farther. We both should sleep well tonight!
In any case, as soon as I sat in the car for 2 hours on Saturday, my body finally relaxed and the adrenalin that had been keeping me going for the last 4 days stopped working... which just left room for the cold I had been holding off to take full charge. Poor sweetie has been doing to bulk of the driving... and that is really under stating it. I drove for about 3 hours today for the first time. =)
Some how my road warrior got us all the way through California and most of Nevada on Saturday night. We pulled into our first hotel at after 1 am. On Sunday he got us through Arizona, Utah, and half of Colorado. We stayed at little hotel about an hour out side of Denver. Today we hit the road at almost 5 in the morning. Neither of us could sleep. So tonight it was an early night off the road.... hence the post. We actually had time to have a real dinner.
The puppy has been fairly good through it all. She loves the car. Sleeps most of the time and then crawls all over me.... but its not bad. She likes to sit and watch out the front window. I keep pointing out all the new things a girl born and raised in so cal would never see.... 6 states, cows, horses, goats, farms, actual open spaces. The only hard part is that when we stop and let her out she is absolutely insane and crazy. She just has too much energy. Which is another reason for the early stop today. Puppy and I got to go on a nice long walk. I walked her until she finally started walking like a good puppy again. Then we walked a little farther. We both should sleep well tonight!
What happened to Wednesday???
I have been so confused with what day it is this week. In stead of flying home on Sunday like we have for the past year and a half, we landed at LAX on Monday.... I have been a day behind all week.
Not usually a big deal, except for when your moving company tells you that they will be here sometime on Thursday or Friday. They were suppose to call us 24 hours before hand and tell us which day for sure. We never got that call.
I was suppose to unplug the fridge on Wednesday night, of course having been a day behind all week I unplugged it Thursday morning thinking that I was a head of the curve. So there I was sitting at my desk Thursday morning trying to get some work cleaned up before I have all of next week off. I look up out my window and think, "wow, that is a huge moving truck going down the street!" Then the panic starts. All of a sudden I realize it IS THURSDAY, and my house is no where near ready for movers. Heck there were still clothes in the dress, food in that fridge that I just turned off... and boxes scattered every where. I was suppose to have Wednesday night to organize and finish up. Oh goodness.
So I make a panic call to sweetie, who is also at work trying to tie up lose ends. Here's how that conversation went:
me: "A giant truck just drove by the house, please tell me some one else is moving today?"
him: "I have not gotten a call, its probably someone else."
me: "What are the odd that some else is moving the same day and using the same company? If this is our truck you better be getting in your truck and coming home as fast as possible!"
2 minutes later.....
him: "umm, yeah that's our truck, I'm just dropping something off and am on my way."
me: "No talking, chit chatting, or stopping! Get here quick!"
I woke up yesterday with a lovely head cold starting and was a little doped on cold medicines. Not really in the mood for surprise movers. Thankfully sweetie could hear the panic in my voice and got here quick. Plus I think the movers are pretty use to people not really being ready. They were very nice.
Of course you should have seen me flying around the house trying to pack the last of the stuff and figure out what they actually needed to take. Its amazing how fast you can pack things up when you have to!
So not looking forward to the unpacking though! =)
We hit the road tomorrow..... if we both actually manage to remember that tomrorow is Saturday! =)
Not usually a big deal, except for when your moving company tells you that they will be here sometime on Thursday or Friday. They were suppose to call us 24 hours before hand and tell us which day for sure. We never got that call.
I was suppose to unplug the fridge on Wednesday night, of course having been a day behind all week I unplugged it Thursday morning thinking that I was a head of the curve. So there I was sitting at my desk Thursday morning trying to get some work cleaned up before I have all of next week off. I look up out my window and think, "wow, that is a huge moving truck going down the street!" Then the panic starts. All of a sudden I realize it IS THURSDAY, and my house is no where near ready for movers. Heck there were still clothes in the dress, food in that fridge that I just turned off... and boxes scattered every where. I was suppose to have Wednesday night to organize and finish up. Oh goodness.
So I make a panic call to sweetie, who is also at work trying to tie up lose ends. Here's how that conversation went:
me: "A giant truck just drove by the house, please tell me some one else is moving today?"
him: "I have not gotten a call, its probably someone else."
me: "What are the odd that some else is moving the same day and using the same company? If this is our truck you better be getting in your truck and coming home as fast as possible!"
2 minutes later.....
him: "umm, yeah that's our truck, I'm just dropping something off and am on my way."
me: "No talking, chit chatting, or stopping! Get here quick!"
I woke up yesterday with a lovely head cold starting and was a little doped on cold medicines. Not really in the mood for surprise movers. Thankfully sweetie could hear the panic in my voice and got here quick. Plus I think the movers are pretty use to people not really being ready. They were very nice.
Of course you should have seen me flying around the house trying to pack the last of the stuff and figure out what they actually needed to take. Its amazing how fast you can pack things up when you have to!
So not looking forward to the unpacking though! =)
We hit the road tomorrow..... if we both actually manage to remember that tomrorow is Saturday! =)
Bridal Shower
Our Bridal shower was yesterday afternoon. It was a very nice party. Everyone seemed to have a really good time. My mom, sisters and I ran around like chicken's with out heads cut off trying to get it all pulled together at the end. I think I am going to have to be very, very organized for the wedding coming up..... but I suppose I will worry about that in a few days.
For the shower activity we all made scrapbook pages of pictures of sweetie and me. We ended up with almost 3 books full. They are very nice and I will enjoy looking at them as the years go by. If I ever get moved and settled in Indiana, I will try to post some of the pages.
I was very touched by the party and all the guests. We are very, very blessed with people who care very much for us. As I was finished opening all our gifts, I was trying to thank everyone and especially my mom, sisters, and sweetie's surrogate mom for all their hard work... but I started crying. It was kind of funny. I just could not do it. So I turned to Billy and told him to thank every one. I had half the room teary eyed. Oh well. I laughed and told them to bring lots of tissues to the wedding... I am a crier! =)
Now I think I will go online and see about ordering some wedding tissues to pass out. The ladies will get a kick out of that!
For the shower activity we all made scrapbook pages of pictures of sweetie and me. We ended up with almost 3 books full. They are very nice and I will enjoy looking at them as the years go by. If I ever get moved and settled in Indiana, I will try to post some of the pages.
I was very touched by the party and all the guests. We are very, very blessed with people who care very much for us. As I was finished opening all our gifts, I was trying to thank everyone and especially my mom, sisters, and sweetie's surrogate mom for all their hard work... but I started crying. It was kind of funny. I just could not do it. So I turned to Billy and told him to thank every one. I had half the room teary eyed. Oh well. I laughed and told them to bring lots of tissues to the wedding... I am a crier! =)
Now I think I will go online and see about ordering some wedding tissues to pass out. The ladies will get a kick out of that!
Quick Check In
I can't believe its been almost a week since I posted. Its been a crazy week. I'm in Michigan currently, its our wedding shower this afternoon. So I don't have much time to say much. My mom and I are trying to finish up the last minute details.
All is going good. The move is almost lined up. We just have to nail down a car hauler for the '77 Bronco. I'm still not sure if we will get everything packed... but the plan is to hit the road on Saturday. We fly back to LA tomorrow. That will give us 4 days... and of course we are both working all week too. So don't be surprised if my posts are few and far between. I will try to keep an update on the road.... if I can manage to stay awake that long once we find a hotel each night! heehee
At least I have been able to get lots of wedding stuff done this weekend. Had my first dress fitting which was good. Worked out the details with the florist, and Billy started his wedding band. We might actually pull both the move and the wedding off.... maybe! =)
All is going good. The move is almost lined up. We just have to nail down a car hauler for the '77 Bronco. I'm still not sure if we will get everything packed... but the plan is to hit the road on Saturday. We fly back to LA tomorrow. That will give us 4 days... and of course we are both working all week too. So don't be surprised if my posts are few and far between. I will try to keep an update on the road.... if I can manage to stay awake that long once we find a hotel each night! heehee
At least I have been able to get lots of wedding stuff done this weekend. Had my first dress fitting which was good. Worked out the details with the florist, and Billy started his wedding band. We might actually pull both the move and the wedding off.... maybe! =)
Another week, another ER
Last weekend ended with a family trip to the Vet ER with puppy. This morning it was another trip to a different ER. Sweetie's turn today. I woke up to him coughing extremely hard in the bathroom. He said it felt like some one was stabbing him in the kidneys. I asked if we had to go to the hospital and he said he did not know.
So I went to let the dog out, only to hear him getting sick then. Puppy and I went running into the house. I asked again if we needed to go to the hospital and this time he agreed to it. If my sweetie does not fight going to the dr, its not a good thing.
So 4:45 am I find myself dragging puppy outside to make her "do her business" because I had no idea when we would be home again, and jumping into the car while trying to remember where the closest ER actually was. Thankfully there is one only about 6 minutes from us, since with the amount of pain he was in, sweetie was not handling the car ride very well.
The ER was empty and they took us right in. After about 30 mins he had a cat scan, and 20 minutes later a verdict.... a 6mm kidney stone. Which apparently for kidney stones is a pretty good sized one. My sweetie, he can't do anything small! Of course after about 20 mins of being at the hospital, the stone passed on its own and all the pain went away. Which is a very good thing. I have a rule with sweetie that he never seems to follow. He is not suppose to get sick. I just don't like seeing him suffer.
Tonight he is back out in the garage working on the bronco, playing with puppy, and giving me a hard time. All is back to normal once again. Well as normal as anyone can be less than 2 weeks away from a move across the country and less than 2 months away from getting married! =)
This is so not like me
I was having a crabby day yesterday, so I decided to do some shopping therapy. I know, not exactly the best activity when you are down and pissed off at sweetie. Really it was more hormonal than anything.
In any case there I was at the mall looking for a cute skirt to wear to my bridal shower next weekend. I ended up at The Gap. Now, for most of the world, a thirty something girl shopping at the gap is probably not that surprising. Let me just say, for me it was amazing. I have never been able to actually fit into anything at The Gap. I've been a plus size girl since high school. In the last few years I have been working on that.... but its only been in the last year ( a wedding tends to be a good motivator ) that I have actually been able to cross the Plus Size threshold. Its still a new feeling. Sometimes I forget and still start in the wrong department... but I suppose we all should have these problems in life! Clothes shopping is actually starting to be fun. I actually look forward to dressing up.
Any who... I have discovered a problem with the new joy of shopping, and I have a feeling The Gap is going to be a bad thing for me. As I was walking around looking for a skirt, I just had to have this:
In any case there I was at the mall looking for a cute skirt to wear to my bridal shower next weekend. I ended up at The Gap. Now, for most of the world, a thirty something girl shopping at the gap is probably not that surprising. Let me just say, for me it was amazing. I have never been able to actually fit into anything at The Gap. I've been a plus size girl since high school. In the last few years I have been working on that.... but its only been in the last year ( a wedding tends to be a good motivator ) that I have actually been able to cross the Plus Size threshold. Its still a new feeling. Sometimes I forget and still start in the wrong department... but I suppose we all should have these problems in life! Clothes shopping is actually starting to be fun. I actually look forward to dressing up.
Any who... I have discovered a problem with the new joy of shopping, and I have a feeling The Gap is going to be a bad thing for me. As I was walking around looking for a skirt, I just had to have this:
You would think a purse is not really that bad of a thing.... but I am just not have to have a bag like that sort of girl. My last purse I got a target for $10. I don't think I've ever paid more than $20 for a handbag. Its just something to carry my wallet and keys in. Oh my goodness this bag cost almost $70! I think my time in California has changed me in more ways that I ever thought was possible since I actually bought the thing. The bag is just too cute and I feel so good and confident when carrying it. I suppose that is money well spent.
Did I mention that the new job location will be within an easy 30 minute drive of the Magnificent Mile in Chicago. Something tells me sweetie might be taking control of my credit cards if this shopping thing gets any worse! heehee
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)