Puppy Strings

All I wanna do is lose some weight. My jiggly bits are everywhere and it's quite embarrasing when you like summer clothes as much as I do. And I figure, if I'm going to get into shape then K-Dubs and GB should follow suit.

Poor Klea is at least 5 pounds over weight and Ginger is somewhere around 3. It's time for us all to drop some el-bees, ya know? So, I'm starting with their food. My sister and I came together and found a high-quality, low-fat food with better protein that's perfect for dogs with sensitive stomaches (Ginger). It's only $15 per 7lb bag! (groan). Yes, we split the costs.

Well, sis was kind enough to front me on the 50lb bag until Friday (Luv you!) and my apt was starting to smell like a kennel, so I decided that after their nice meal of super-healthy, bank-robbing dog food that I'd clean like a mad man.

Only, it didn't go as smoothly as I would have liked. Klea kept turning off the vacuum with her nose (she taught herself. cute, huh?) and Ginger spent 20 minutes crying at the office door trying to get to Wilbur. So, I did what any self-respecting parent would do... I gave them toys to distract them. Then the gagging started...

Poor Ginger didn't stand a chance. I spent a good 5 minutes pulling pink strings and fluff from her throat. Some days, I wonder if I need to bother thinking about having human children.

Just Do It!

okay, the rules for this little cutie are:

a. post 10 things that make you happy
b. try to do at least one of them today
c. pass some lovins on to 10 other bloggers

aaaaaannnnnndddd GO!!

10. Blog surfing: ok, this may seem a bit stalkerish, but there's nothing I love more than reading the writing of others. The connectivity of the internet reminds me that I'm not alone in whatever problems I'm facing at the moment.

9. talking with my brother: he's an absolute nut but I remember life without him and it was not grand. plus, there's no one who gets me the way he does. and what would life be like without sand on the beach :)

8. K-Dubs: she's a roly poly little thing but my whole life changed when she first licked my ear. she's an a-plus cuddler and knows just when I need some love... or a good burp in the face.

7. snuggling under blankets: warm, toasty blankets that are fresh from the dryer. there's nothing better.

6. being outside: it's true that I hate bugs but there's nothing better than being outside amongst all the natural wonders.

5. spending time with loved ones: its a big deal to know that I have so many people - friends and family - that are there for me and will support me. I love just hanging out, watching movies, talking, or getting absolutely plastered!! Whoot!!

4. crafts : I don't come off as a Betty but I totally am inside. and I dont think there's anything more relaxing than sitting down with a good piece of needlework. it's a productive way to do absolutely nothing.

3. singing: I'm not winning any contests but I believe that there's no truer way to express yourself than through song.

2. dancing: it's the ultimate release and I am one kick-ass booty shaker

1. accomplishing my goals: as a control freak I have a natural fear of failure. that being said, there's nothing better than setting a goal and achieving it. it's empowering on a whole other level. it reminds me that I can do anything if I believe and put in enough hard work to meet God half way.

Now, I'd like to share the bloggy love. Check out these fine bloggies:

Katy @ The Incredible Shrinking Mrs. G. She's got the biggest, softest heart on the planet. And will remind you how the little things mean a lot.

Crystal @ The Story of Us. I'd never met anyone with a constant smile until I met Crystal. The best part is that it's authentic and you just want to be like her.

Jack Shit @ Jack Sh*t, Gettin' Fit. If you don't know Jack then you need to get on this ASAP. He checks in everyday with something fun and witty to keep you inspired on your weight loss journey. And with over 90 pounds loss Jack knows his shit!

Jenny @ Little Green Notebook. I love her decor ideas and am always stealing her style inspirations.

Erin @ Dishes & Wishes. That girls life is crazy but she's holding it all down. And there's nothing funnier than finding your husband finding your ring in the pile of clothes you just destroyed.

Karla the Determined Dancer. she's focused, she's driven, and she's a dancer. Is there more to love?

Jen & John @ CakeWrecks. She's always good for the laugh I need and the horrendous cake pics to keep me on track.

Paulius the Brit. There's no one funnier.

A Cup of Jo. You're probably already a fan and rightfully so. Her posts are sweet, delicate and oh so fun!

Jen @ Green Wedding Shoes. I love what inspires her and can't wait to be engaged just so she can design my shoot. Plus, I'm totally jealous of her SoCal living. Love, love, love.

Check. Check. 1, 2, 3...

So, yesterday I made a list of all the things around my apartment that need done. And last night, I got two of those things accomplished. I bought groceries and then I put them away. It was 7p before I even ate.

So tonight, my goal is to do either the kitchen and my laundry (<- heh) OR the kitchen and the pets. I'm leaning toward the pets because Wilbur's cage is atrocious and Klea's itching up a storm.

I figure I'll take baby steps. It'll all be done eventually, right?

I Would if I Could

I have been feeling tired all of the time lately. Tired and irritable. I don't want to say that I don't know why because I do. This is how I always feel when I have too much responsibility and no outlet. It's not that I want to shirk my responsibilities, it's that I am becoming overwhelmed with the stress and pressure.

The brood is doing well. Maybe feeling a bit neglected because I'm really not in the mood to play. I can't even tell you the last time I let Wilbur run around. The last few weeks were hectic what with both dogs being sick at some point and me having the world's longest running cold and fever. Plus funds have been really tight and I can't seem to get enough sleep (I've already given up on it being restful).

So, basically, on the list of things that MUST get done some time this week are:

* fold and put away 6 (yes, six!) baskets of clothes
* buy groceries (I have one box of spaghetti, one jar of sauce, and a yellow pear that started out green)
* vacuum and clean stubborn stains in carpet
* clean bathrooms
* wash 2 weeks worth of laundry
* clean kitchen
* clean Wilbur's cage
* buy toiletries (have 1/2 roll left and its in guest bath)
* buy dog food
* pay all utilities and car

People, I have only one excuse. I was so sick and it lingered for weeks. Actually, its still here dripping from my left nostril. But now, everything's so grody that I don't want to do it. I know it's going to take forever and there's no one to share the load with. Unless you're volunteering...

Who Needs Humans?

So the whole thing with my human friend did not work out. Am I bummed? Yes. Naturally. I feel like I failed at something, yet I don't know what that something is supposed to be. The pups will be happy but I still want to find something else to put that energy in to.

Maybe working out? Yeah, working out. I need to work out again. I haven't been to the gym since Thanksgiving. Its not something I'm proud of, that's just the way it is. Changes, here we come!

In Sickness and In Health

I'm sick. Or should I say, I'm still sick. I was sick all weekend. I'm pretty sure I have the flu. And while I would have liked to have taken some NyQuil and passed out until I felt better, I didn't have that luxury. Because to leave the children unattended is to ask for the fires of hell to rain down upon my head.

Klea could tell that I wasn't well and so just wanted to lie with me. All day. Under my arm. Across my belly. All day. Just touching me. It got old quick. Because all I wanted was enough space to breathe without having to inhale dander, hair or the essence of kibble.

Ginger took it as her opportunity to bark. at. everything. I could have strangled her. Because the migraine I had going was threatening to take me to the edge of my sanity. And her high-pitched yap was going to kick me over the edge. I found myself yelling at her incessantly and threatening to put her in a kennel until I felt better.

Wilbur. God love him. Because since he's discovered that I am the source of all things good in his life, has begun to chirp for me whenever he hears my voice or senses my presence. And so he chirped. And chirped! And Chirped!! AND CHIRPED!!! Until I finally put him in his ball knowing that Ginger would take him for a spin (thusly, fixing two problems with one solution).

Do I feel like a bad mom? No. Not at all. Because a bad mom would have locked herself in a dark room only emerging to eat if inclined. I, on the other hand, maintained their schedule, kept them groomed, cleaned Wilbur's cage (he was being spun around by Ginger. I totally owed him), and made sure that they didn't destroy my house. I just did it all with less patience than they're used to.

Besides, I'll atone once I'm feeling better.

Whheeeeeee!!!!!!!!!

I always knew that Wilbur was Ginger's favorite thing in the whole house. That is until yesterday. Now, Wilbur in his ball is Ginger's favorite thing in the whole house.

I decided that it would do us all some good to get out and run around in the snow (all of us except for Wilbur, of course). I dressed the doggies in their hand-made, Christmas sweaters and let them frolic. It lasted all of 4 minutes. While I was making snow balls and launching them playfully, all I received in return were looks of disdain and the sudden realization that I'd been left alone, as they were sitting on the porch.

Inside, we got dried off and warmed up. I made warm broth and carrot juice for the pups and decided to let Wilbur run around a bit. Put him in his ball AND... he sat there. Like a lump of coal. Totally letting me down emotionally because, let's face it, he was my last hope.

Ginger immediately launched past me to be next to Wilbur. This is when the mayhem ensued. She began to bark at him, bouncing around in circles, her red, curly fur bouncing in time. It was adorable. Until she realized he could roll.

At first, it was an accident. She wanted him to play, so she nudged him with her nose. And that's when he went on his first official tour of the apartment. She rolled him in and out of every room and corner she could wedge them in to.

I'm sure Wilbur enjoyed the ride at first. But after about ten minutes, I'm sure I heard the distinct sound of a guinea pig vurp. I tried to get by her to pick him up and you would think I'd brought a hatchet with me the way she growled. GRRRRRRR!!!!! Translation: Back off B*tch!.

I finally managed to get Wilbur away from his protector. When I pulled him out of the ball and laid him against my chest, I'm sure I saw him sway. I totally made up for it with a yogurt treat.

But he might want to get used to it. Because now that Ginger's on to his mobility, I'm sure the good times will never end.