Tag Archives: the 4-legged family members

sunrise, sunset, and everything in between

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I’ve been walking again. Mostly in the mornings but I have managed a few evening/dusk walks as well. It’s interesting how different the soft light is between a sunrise and sunset. The same colors, but with varying ranges. More purples and pinks with light orange in the morning, in the evening, the pinks and purples are almost engulfed in flames as the sun sets.

It’s lovely to compare the differences and just enjoy the moments as they happen. I’ve been walking at Lakewood park a lot lately. The location is a compromise to spend more time with the Manpanion when he is able to join. We’re trying to eek out as much time together that this new normal allows. It’s often difficult, but we manage.  And when we are together, we take advantage of every moment because they are so limited these days.

Side note: being a full time caregiver to a loved one is not an easy task and it will affect you and your circle in ways you can’t anticipate. Communication and understanding are key to getting through it together.  And if you need a counselor to help you with it…then get thee to a counselor stat.  **rainbow stars** the more you know...

In other news, this is a big month for the baby birds! Rader starts his junior year at Hendrix next week. He’s going to be living in the Spanish house this year…which means he can only communicate in Spanish when inside the house! This full immersion will hopefully help him become fluent, especially if he studies abroad in Spain, as he intends to do. And also, Spanish is his minor, so he kinda needs to be able to speak it…

Ian will close on his house at the end of the month. I am so very proud of this kid. He works his butt off to support himself and this is a big step toward full-blown adulting. Not that I recommend adulting as a lifestyle, but sadly, we don’t really get much of a choice, do we?

Paisley girl has settled in and become a part of the family. Floyd is very jealous of all attention given to her, because Floyd is the only one who is allowed to get attention. Ruby pretty much doesn’t care as long as Paisley defers to her in everything. Which she does because everyone defers to the Queen. 20180803_071435.jpg

This is a common pose in our home….

20180812_191653.jpgas is this one….

By the way, there are no dogs allowed on the couch. Just in case you weren’t sure. I’m a stickler for the rules… Clearly.

Enjoy your day, Bitches! And sparkle on!

The senses

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When I was a little girl, my favorite sense was touch. I have so many memories associated with touch as a child. Like how the texture of velour or wool would make me recoil. Or how I loved the feel of soft sheets or a cool summer rain. The grass between my toes at home, or the sand when we were at the beach.  Continue reading →

to scale or not to scale, that is the question.

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I have decided NOT to scale anymore.

Fuck you, scales. You’re a Liar McLiarpants and I don’t like liars.

tumblr_m7oay3FSlX1rn13nao1_500Seriously? I know muscle weighs more than fat. I know I’m muscular and tend to develop quickly when working out…which is why I’m using low weights/high reps. Not that I’m afraid of bulking up…I’m not. I WANT to build muscle. I need to increase my metabolism and I know I am because I’m waking up starving to death in the mornings.

But my scales are an asshole. Complete and total asshole.

So I’ve decided to stop weighing. Because it does nothing but depress me. Especially since I’ve spent the last 3 weeks doing nothing but journaling my food/calories and working out like a boss and eating and drinking right…and then I weigh and it tells me I’ve gained 4 more pounds.

Go home scales, you’re drunk.

Do you know how hard not weighing is going to be for me?

scale-photoI know that weighing goes back to my dreaded high school years when I kept being “put” on a diet. You know, because being 5’6 with hips and weighing 140 lbs was considered fat in the 80s. They weren’t big fans of the Big Butt, So What school of thought back then.

Anyway, I was expected to weigh in at least once a week. Unfortunately, I start getting weirdly competitive with myself and start weighing daily…I tell myself it’s to keep track of my progress, so I can catch myself gaining again. The problem with that is, I start to obsess. And then I get pissed off when I KNOW I’m doing everything right and the scale refuses to acknowledge my hard work.

I’m going to hide them. Actually, I’m going to give them to El Jefe and tell him to hide them. Somewhere I’ll never look. Probably a good spot would be where we store the dusting supplies, since I never dust.

Fuck you, Scales. I’m so over you. We’re breaking up. I hear Taylor Swift may be looking for a new relationship. If you’re lucky, maybe she’ll write a song about you.

And to end on a happy note, here’s the gratuitous cat picture of the day. Big Baby: He’s such a big baby.

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Ruby Tuesday!

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Welcome to Tuesday! Where I will, from now on, feature a new pitiful picture of my pug RUBY.

WHY SO SAD RUBY? Oh never mind, you just caught up on the Red Wedding, didn't you?

WHY SO SAD RUBY? Oh never mind, you just caught up on the Red Wedding, didn’t you?

Oh, Ruby. It’s so hard being you.

Sunday morning, I finally tried to pull myself out of bed and was all “It’s time to get out of bed, Ruby.” And this was her response:

pitifully shuffle on her belly to my leg, and “flump” her head down with a giant sigh, in the crook of my knee while staring at me with such a wretched stare, that I had to lie back to overcome the sadness.

the sadness--it overtakes you.

the sadness–it overtakes you.

I read this article today about a large-breasted teen who was denied entry to her prom because her boobs were too big. She was told to wear a wrap around her shoulders or she wouldn’t be allowed entrance.

I feel your pain, sister. Your back pain, that is...

I feel your pain, sister. Your back pain, that is…

Her parents are asking for a public apology because they don’t feel the “no cleavage” rule was actually being fairly enforced. As her mother said “All women are not created equal, and you can not compare a golf ball to a grapefruit. It ain’t gonna happen.”

Damn right.

That dress is very age appropriate and lovely. Shame on that school for shaming her for what she comes by naturally.

This stupid head cold of mine is trying to kick my ass. And now, I’ve spread my germs to Jefe. We are THE HOUSE OF THE INFECTED. Enter at your own risk.

My mom called from Down Under yesterday. She’s having a great time! They were just at The Ayers Rock and were heading to Queensland. She’s going to New Zealand soon. All-in-all she will be Down Under for almost a month! I’m so happy that she’s fulfilling her dream! Let’s hope that when I’m 74, I’ll be able to rock life like she does. IF THIS STUPID COLD LET’S ME LIVE THAT LONG.

 

yo. whassup? nothin’ much over here

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Except for my gross swollen arm from a spider bite.

Stupid spiders. No wonder I hate you so much.

So here I am, back on antibiotics. Thankfully, just one day of the antibiotic cream and the swelling and redness has gone down. I have to pick up my oral meds today, apparently they were out. Yes, I know. Go figure…So glad I wasn’t concerned about sepsis or anything.

Mother’s Day is this weekend. The boys are taking me to brunch that morning, and then we’re spending the day together while Jefe works.

I’m so sleepy today. I blame the Benadryl which I had to take last night because of my grody spider bite. (grody is an official scientific term.) Stupid grody spider.

That’s why I love this so much: Spiders are Scary. It’s OK to be afraid of them.

In other news, Ruby is still Ruby.

Hope y’all have had a spider-free week. If not, I hope you were able to get the bastard before it got you.

Hey Ho! It’s Monday!

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I don’t know about y’all, but I had a pretty fantastic weekend.

First off, we had driving lessons #2 and #3 this weekend. Rader did great! He’s becoming a pro!

We’re practicing at Burns Park, so we took a moment to appreciate one of my favorite places while we were there:

Rader ran the Rocket 5K Saturday morning, so after our driving lesson, we came home and he seriously fell flat asleep at 4:30 and didn’t move until the middle of the night. Poor kid. He was beat up. Probably he was worn out from all his awesome. (he gets that from his mother…)

He didn’t run wearing the horse head, that belonged to a friend. He did, however, run wearing that awesome shirt.

Sunday I found myself itching to be outside and get dirty…so I planted stuff. Welcome to my salsa garden!

In the pots we have tomatoes and peppers. In the herb planter, we have sweet basil, dill, rosemary and cilantro.

My handsome domestic partner (heehee) helped me repair the herb planter… I like having a man who’s good with his hands at my disposal…

I saw my first snake of the season, too. It was a wee-itty-bitty thing. And it was magical…it disappeared right before my eyes! I hope it was a king snake and not a copperhead!

And just because, here’s your gratuitous Ruby pic. Isn’t she a gorgeous little hot mess?

Tomorrow we are heading to see the Travelers play! I love Dickey-Stephens park and this will be Jefe’s first experience with Traveler baseball! I can’t wait!

Hope y’all have a great week. Happy Monday!

Ruby and I want it to be warm again.

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We want this

Not this:

So thanks for the rain last night, Mother Nature, but we’d like our 70 degree weather back. I understand you have plans to dip into the 30s in some places in Arkansas tonight. Let’s hope (for your sake) you don’t mean Central Arkansas…specifically at The Compound. Because if that happens, then you need to watch your back. That’s not a threat. It’s a warning. I’ve heard rumors that people are calling for your resignation. And they may force you out…it’ll be a Weather Center coup. They’ll go hard and you will not win. The damn Groundhog is on their list as well. Y’all have been warned, so take heed.

In other news, eh. That’s about it. I’m back to feeling 100% again. Antibiotics seem to be working on my ear infection. Headaches are gone. Smiles have returned. Life is good. Now if it would just stay warm enough for me to get a lovely kiss of color on my skin…

weekend wrap up

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El Jefe and I spent Friday afternoon at Pinnacle mountain walking the dogs and having a generally fantastic day.

Saturday, we met my friend from Oxford, Rhonda, and her pals for breakfast in the Rivermarket, then the rest of the day was spent mowing and moving dead limbs.

Ruby wants to steal my boyfriend away. Sorry Rubes. John Deere loves me more.

Sunday was Funday. Brunch with the boys and Lynne. We had the most difficult time finding a place to eat, so we finally wound up on the patio at Big Whiskeys.

Rader and Laken hung out like big buds the whole time. There was even a dance-off at one point. I think Laken was the winner, but don’t tell Rader. He’s sensitive about that stuff.

After lunch, Rader had his first driving lesson. He did a great job! Then Ian drove me to US Pizza where we sat on the patio again, while Rader played some pickup soccer.

All in all it was a fantabulous weekend. The pollen has decided to invade my sinus cavities, but it’s not too bad, yet. I just need to take a little claritin and move on.

Hope your weekend was as amazing as mine!

A weekend of sunshine and awesome.

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I posted my Week 1 of 12 update at FCR this morning. Also there’s a fantastic baked or grilled salmon recipe included. Go forth and enjoy.

What a lovely weekend. I managed to mow for a couple of hours on Saturday, after walking 4 miles with Robyn. I also drove topless all weekend long.

The TreeFrog and his friend came over to do some yard work and enjoy foods that only his momma can fix.

That night, I baked some asparagus stuffed chicken breasts and made rice pilaf…mmmmm. And let met tell ya something, I threw some of the leftovers into a tortilla and added a little sour cream and avocado yesterday and it was one of the yummiest wraps I’ve ever tasted.

I don’t know if you’ve figured it out or not, but I’m kind of a big deal in the kitchen. (true story)

Jefe and I took the girls for their first swim of the season this weekend. Well, Trinity swam, Ruby waded and played but didn’t venture out very far. She sinks without her life jacket anyway, so probably it was for the best.

This was a lovely weekend. First one in a while that was sunshiny and warm. I even have a little color on my face and arms now! YAY! I hope y’all enjoyed the hell out of your weekend, and that you’re sparkling extra brightly today…even though it’s a Monday!

Oh, and BTW, my Father-in-Law’s surgery was successful and he’s home safe and sound. Thanks for the love and healing thoughts!

Ruby Doobie-Doo Update and holiday stuff

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Check out the pitiful baby. Doesn’t that face just make you wanna cry?

Nothing is broken. However, Ruby sustained some neurological damage that should only be temporary, however it could take a couple of months to heal. That’s why her tail hangs limp and she’s walking like she took some Vicodin and chased it with Vodka for breakfast. She finally took her medicine from El Jefe this morning…she turned her nose up at the cheese offering from me… Which tells me she’s very pissed off at me. Like I was the one who put her on the side of the road and then drove the car that clipped her.

Anyway, it looks like she’s gonna be all right. If she starts to show signs of decline, they’ll introduce some steroids into her system to help speed up the healing. There is a very slim chance she may not improve or will get worse…but right now, it does not appear I can start calling her Wheels. (I may or may not have been practicing getting her used to her possible new nickname)

In Holiday news, I look like the ghost of snowflakes threw up on me today. I can not even look at myself today, this holiday swag is so ugly. It’s horrifying.

Tomorrow’s outfit is gonna be amazing. Let me just tell you…AMAZING. (amazingly horrid…)

Also….if you see my brother, please tell him the lights on this tree need to be taken down immediately. Otherwise, I’m gonna stick a drunken Santa with a box of White Zin under the tree…to finish off the look…