Puppies have arrived

Well that puppy having business was only stressful due to the one puppy. After resuscitating it, which in itself was amazing, Gigi didn’t whimper or anything, I just heard all of this licking. So, I looked and there were two puppies lying beside her in her bed. She was licking away. So, the first puppy born was lifeless, completely limp and not breathing. I picked him up and started rubbing, head down etc, but nothing. Little Andrew started to cry and said, “I know Mom, I’ll say a prayer!” So he began and the thought came to me that I couldn’t kill a dead puppy. So, I just opened its little mouth and put my mouth over it and its nose and breathed air in. Andrew finished his prayer and as if right on cue it started to cough and actually moved in my hand. It was amazing to bring that little one back. She gasped for a while, we did the bulb syringe thing, didn’t seem to help though. But she pulled through. Then it hit me, that I had put my mouth on an amniotic fluid /muconium/ dog saliva covered head. Sick! I tried to rinse my mouth, but it’s still kind of a gross thought even though at the time you just do what you have to do. It worked too! Then, it just was the only one not eating. She was nuzzling and everything to try, but she just couldn’t latch on.

I tried taking them all to the vet, but Gigi went out of her mind, it was worse and I thought I could lose all 3 puppies if I stayed there, so I left and bought a bottle and formula. Dog formula smells better than human formula J, just in case you’re wondering. So we bottle fed for every 2 hours, but sometimes she almost got nothing.

The vet made a house call and tried to get her to latch on, which she did, so we thought if I helped she would quickly learn. I did get her to do it again, but when she did, it was a weird noise, then I noticed milk coming out of her little tiny nose. Her nose is fine, her upper gum is fine, but there seemed to be a small toothpick wide gap in the back of her pallet. L I haven’t even yet confirmed that with the vet that has the visual instruments to actually see it, but I’m 90% sure that is the problem. Pretty sad, so I called and I would have to continue bottle feeding her every 2 hours for about 5 weeks. NOT going to happen, I don’t have the time, energy or people to help. So, I called the vet tech back and she wanted to do it for free. Right! She deserves to have this puppy if she’s going to hand raise it. So, we sadly said good bye to her yesterday afternoon. I got home from work and fed her what I could and Trish (vet tech) was here in a hour with a nice hot water bottle bed etc… she’ll take her to work with her and get the surgery she’ll need at about 5 months old. I was so very grateful to be able to find such a woman. She saved the puppy, will give her a wonderful home, released our family of such a high maintenance duty, released us from the pain of watching her die if we failed. Anyway, this lady is a puppy angel J

Ok, so, now Gigi is just doing all the mothering. I don’t have to worry about really anything other than what I normally do with her. She doesn’t follow me around the house, she stays in the puppy box. I do have to make sure they have a warm environment, but that’s it. Ok, free to work on the normal household chores (LAUNDRY to my eyeballs!) cleaning toilets, floors, dishes, food to make, beds to clean, stuff to dust, oh a stupid tree to fan the branches, put missing lights on, decorate mess and clean-up. We’ll have one guest for Christmas so I have to figure out what exactly to do for him. I still have fall décor up. Geez!

Ok, have a lovely day! Mine is half over and then time to pick up school prepare for a different class that I haven’t taught for a year and then scouts, mutual, piano, school pick-ups and the worst … dinner. What to make?

Ok, better get to those toilets! I have so much time, oh and bills that need paid, do you think bright yellow envelops mean anything?

Life is exhausting

I haven't had time to do anything. Since I last wrote. I'm still not unpacked from our visit to NYC. I don't remember life being so incredibly hectic when I was younger. Have times changed that much?

What did mothers do all day? Oh wash by hand, kill the chicken, bleed it, pluck & clean it, cook it, roll out the homemade noodles just for chicken soup for dinner. Oh and beat the only rug to get the dirt out.

It seems to me that we would have so much more time. The soup is in the can, you can probably vacuum an entire 7 rooms for the time it took to drag out a rag rug and beat it properly. Laundry is done almost completely for you. So, what's the deal?

My children are having an old fashioned day today. They are riding bikes and helping me clean. I nixed the "screens" - anything with a screen is off-limits, unless they are calling me from their cell. Oh, yeah, cell phones. When my grandmother wanted me because I'd been gone all day playing, she'd go to the back yard and call or start calling neighbors to see where I was and they'd send me home and visa versa. Now, I have to worry if they're not home on time.

My friend and I would walk to town. It's a big deal for my children to walk up to the local grocer.

I have letters to write and a box to send to my son. I have work lessons and church lessons to pepare for. Oh, yes and Thanksgiving is Thursday. My husband will miss our dinner so it will be kind of weird to have so few people here. I'll still roast a turkey - don't love it, but it HAS to smell like Thanksgivng or it wouldn't be Thanksgiving. I tried it one year by roasting a beef roast. NOT the same!

Even bigger news, my cute little 4lb dog is due with 4-5 puppies. x-ray was inconclusive as to how many there were. It looked like 5 to me and the tech. Vet wouldn't commit. So, I have a whelping box that my dad made. I'm not sure she even likes it, so who knows if she'll use it. Then, will I know what to do? Will I know if I should take her to the vet because things aren't working right? That is my worry, that she will need me and I won't be able to help and we'll end up with a c-section. I don't want to jump the gun on that, but I don't want to risk her or puppies either. They'll be so darling. I'm not sure I'll be able to part with them. I'm obviously not a dog breeder, she's family, not a business.

Well that all being said, I need to get busy with my list of things to do today. It's so long, I get nauseated looking at it, prioritizing it was difficult, as was my decision to write this before. It's been much too long between posts, but no one reads it except for me and 1 other person. Good venting for me though, or a means of expression to the great void in the absence of a good listening ear.

Simplicity - is non existant, but i'm trying.

Battle

It's a daily if not hourly battle to lose weight, for me. I joined Weight Watchers at the advise of a friend, she didn't have time to explain the program to me, which I wanted her to do. But, she just waved me off saying that she didn't have time. She was right because it's personalized. I love it. I have learned so many "tricks" and had some profound things said in meetings that really "clicked" in my brain.

So, now 27 lb's later, I'm feeling much better. I am happy to say that I can eat my own food and found what works well for me, which I would not have been able to do without them. Never guessed it would be like this. It's much different than what I thought it would be. I don't buy their food, although I could, anyway, just thought I'd let myself know since I'm the only one that reads this :)

So, another day of success and I feel good going to bed not hungry and also knowing that I ate well today, healthy and less calories than I burned ... yay, today will be fruitful!

Sometimes there is fun stuff to write about!

Sub-Cultures

Every now and then I get an opportunity to get a peak into a new sub-culture of America. Like when my son was playing high school football. Wow, what a lesson that was! Football Mom's are NOTHING like soccer mom's, not to mention football "Dad's". Ok, but that was nothing next to Cheerleader "Mom's", that one was one for the books. A whole new world that I really had forgotten even existed. Kind of like venturing into beauty pagents. Worlds that exist within their own realm.

So, my newest peak is into the world of dog breeding. I know there are many people that think that is just sick and wrong. You should only choose pound dogs. However, I really wanted a small dog that was guaanteed NOT to shed, ever.

Then, the thought occured to me that it was be really awesome, in so many ways, to let this little dog of mine have a darling litter of puppies. So, now I'm learning to not cringe everytime someone say's the word "Bitch" or I see it written in a contract. She's really not one at all, she's a very sweet tempered little thing. However, this is business. "Not like they're ever going to meet in the wild, Mam." So, with everything checked off my list of why to do it and why not, we've decided to try for a healthy litter. I still have a lot to read.

I did find her "Stud" and he is a darling guy, but he wasted no time in getting to "know" her. She looked at me like, I was suppose to save her. I know, I'm putting human qualities onto an animal, but it's the mother in me. I've learned what a "tie" is ~ if you don't, really, don't bother to look that one up.

So, if all goes well, we will have some puppies soon, and hopefully healthy and an uncomplicated "whelping". Man, the jargon of every business!

Cheers!

School Is IN Session

I miss the time I had alone with the baby of the house or toddler. I usually had my mornings with just my little babies and I miss those day's. I would be alone now if it weren't for the dog. Even though I have this time, you would think thinge would feel less stressed. Instead, it's an incredible morning rush to get everyone ready and driven to 3 different schools that begin at 3 different times. Then...my work, papers/bills, laundry, kitchen, floors, and that endless list hits and before I know it, it's time to start the pick-up for 3 different schools at 3 different times. Stay with me here, because I know that all mothers already know this, and that is the afterschool nightmare, of, homework, papers that need to be signed, spelling words, reading, scouting, music lessons/practice, church meetings, sports practices, and then the actual rush to get dinner, to bed on time and remember to brush teeth, etc...

I am now looking forward to my work starting up again next week. Those day's I'll have to get myself ready and Andrew ready for school a full 2 hours earlier than he needs, just so that I can drag him off somewhere to be taken to school for me because I still have to drive downtown and begin my work at 8 am.

I heart goes out to the women, and there are so many of them, that not only do that daily, but have to arange for the pick up of those children, as well as they are responsible for the entire income of the family and all of the yard work as well as in home work. Something has to give somewhere, because I honestly don't know where they get the stamina to do it and they do, some women do it all. I am not one of them, so now I feel guilty for being stressed out. I have no clue what it is like to raise a family alone.

Who are these women that have time to lunch with their friends or shop? Grocery shopping has to be scheduled in my world.

Is anyone else out there feeling like me?

I want my babies back and to be surrounded by unfolded clothes and diapers!

They'll Delete Me if I Quit

The start of school is always an interesting time of year. The kids, no matter what the age, are filled with anxieties, anticipation, excitement, sleep deprevation, shopping and all that comes with the new school year. I think parents have that same list only for different reasons.

Many of our anxieties revolve around theirs; will they be well accepted, will they make new friends, are they up to the task of the next levels and etc... When we have more than one child I think we feel everything doubled for each child. It doesn't even matter what they are doing, are they entering military service, church service, college, AP Highschool classes, Jr. High - yikes, the lone sibling in elementary school? There is just so much to worry about and so I find that I can't think about any of it. I can't change anything by worry and I can't remove the hurdles of lfe. So, I suppose if we just do our best, give advice when asked for it, or not - if they're young enough to not try to stop you. Then ... things will fall where they may and then you work through those.

Sounds like good sound logic to me. I just can't do it, I still worry about everything and everyone. I want to fix stuff, you know? I want to make everything all better and nice. That's not a good thing so I'm sure it's best that it isn't that way, but it doesn't stop me from wishing.

What I like about the new school year, is that for a time again, I get to begin and end in September, just like I spent the first 24 years of my life. I didn't enjoy the January to January thing ~ it's werid.

I'm enjoying the new school year and hopefully this busy September and all of the changes and new things to adjust to, worst of all new time schedules! It will really warm up my October with a sense of order, consistancy and the calm that things are settled down a bit. That with a nice cup of hot chocolate with the first snow or Halloween eveing! Let it Snow!!!!!

Oh, and I'm not loving acorns, dead leaves (love the fall colors, BEFORE they fall), harvest is just at a bad time, much of my garden will go to waste.

"It makes you want to buy a boquet of sharpened pencils" ~ "You've Got Mail" I still have to buy new boxes of Crayola brand crayons, nothing smells better, well maybe a new Pink or Gum eraser!

Children Become Obnoxious So You WANT Them to Fly the Nest!

I did find that a positive attitude can help you find those silver linings. I actually had someone say, "Thank you for putting a positive spin on that, it makes me feel better". It really was a silver lining I saw but, when you're the one in the situation, you're so close, that silver linings are hard to see. So, that was nice and I honestly think things will work out.

I have so many people that I know (some well, most not), that are just struggling in their lives in some way. Not just the financial stuff that is all over the news, but other difficult situations too. Most heart tearing are the problems with children. You would do anything to teach them, anything to help them make their choices wise. The problem is that they don't want the advice and honestly think they don't need it.

Children are the best thing on the planet and they can sure break your heart, usually by breaking their own. To let them be free to choose, to not try to take over their free agency is so difficult - you just want to say, hey, I know something about this and I've had experience here, so this is what you do....

I remember being there though ;) I was really the smartest 16 year old that ever lived. I figured out though, at about 21, that I actually wasn't. Wow, what a disappointment! I wish I were that smart now!

Today, my 20 year old son that is really very excited about going on a mission, decided to shoot my 8 year-old point blank (through his pants) on his leg with an airsoft gun. (if you don't know what those are, they're little plastic beebies and they'll sting, not anything like real beebies or paint balls). Then just to get my goat, he puts the toy poodle in the refrigerator and shuts the door. (she was in for about 15 seconds) but the point. Dog in the fridge - #1 gross and #2 scary for the dog! it's dark and cold. He just thought he was so funny. He likes the dog, just wanted to bug me.

He needs to go...

The sole reason boy's get on your nerves beginning at 18 is so that you actually want them to leave. All of a sudden 2 years is soundling like a nice round number, just enough time. It's perfect! If anyone would have asked that when I only had a sweet 16 year-old so excited to drive or go to their first dance, I'd never have guessed that I would really be happy when it was time for them to leave the nest. 2 years does sound like a long time, it's also going to be a time of peace, I'll know that he is where he is suppose to be, doing what he should and growning emotionally, spiritually, intellectually and even physically.

I'm excited for him! So is our dog Gigi :)

Rhyme and Reason

These so far have had no common thread. Just whatever happens to be on my mind.
My day's though have no rhyme or reason to them either, they are haphazard and I feel like I run from place to place, fight fires and try to be where I'm suppose to be on time and also prepared. Then you arrive home and find 7 boy's all having a great time, laughing and things are good, you just look around and decide that the kitchen really can wait until morning, because it's bound to get worse anyway.

So, I went to my room and tried to go to sleep, until I'm wakened by giggling girls. ok.... where did these come from? At least they stayed in the living room, until they left; good girls.

So, today, yard work, mostly weeding. Going with a friend to an art show show that SHE could buy some art. Home to the messy kitchen, but all is quiet now. Company is gone and quiet reigns. I love Lego's, the sound of boy's digging through them looking for pieces, the quiet, the discovery, so much of the opposite of video gaming.

So, there you have it, an entire "blog" with no rhyme nor reason.

New York City

What is it about New York City? My husband has made me love it! He served his mission there about 28 years ago and has this love for it which is easy to rub off on anyone. Flying in or out the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is always such a beautiful sight. The theater is just unique there, even if you see the same play in some other city. Ray's pizza is just the only pizza there really is. Should I even mention the stores? Most things I see, I can't afford and most likely wouldn't spend the money on those items if I could, but they are fun to look at or ... try on!

We saw Wicked and Jon (my husband) somehow managed to get 2nd row center seats. It was amazing and I feel like we really lucked out on the cast, I can't imagine the original cast was better. In any case we always have such a wonderful time there. It's truly an amazing city and is the Rome of our time. However, I can't imagine living there with children, of course people with children are quick to point out all of the advantages. I still think my back yard is the best place in the world though.

"Seeing People"

I like to think that I try to be "nice". I know though, that often time's, I'm opinionated and a bit brash :)
One of my neighbors is one of those people that are always thinking of the feelings of others (like my husband does).
She notices when new people are there and makes a point to talk to them, she makes an effort to include people and really listen when they talk. I wish I were more like her and "noticed and saw" the need. I'm often overwhelmed with my own world.
Anyway, she saw a need, so we are having a bridal shower for a girl of a family that is new in the neighborhood. I'm so happy to help, but I didn't "see" the need. I'm hoping I get better.
By the way being happy and positive were very easy for me last week, it wasn't a fair trial. I had one day to pack and then left for NYC to see Jon (positive) the flight crew was most helpful (nice), no bags were lost and we were really nice to a driver that couldn't find out hotel. So, I'll try to post more silver linings.

Counting Blessings

I have actually written down even the most trivial blessings, so that I can review them and attitude adjust when I'm feeling not so great.
However, today, after reading another post, I've decided to write what about each of my children makes me smile! (immitation is the sincerest form of flattery!)
David makes me smile when he calls me just to talk - he's always done that and I have so enjoyed so many of our conversations - even if we end up chatting until 2 am. He is a person that is so kind hearted and sincerely non-judgemental of others, I can learn much from him.
Michael, is so quick witted and can warm your heart with his smile. He's actually very funny and creative and I really enjoy his efforts to be a good big brother and he truly takes over and cares for many aspects of our home.
Daniel, is truly a soul without guile, he warms my heart and is ALWAYS kind to me and such a huge help, he makes every effort to do what I ask. He teaches me things, which I love, since he's such an excellent student. He just walked in my office and said - "oh mom did you know I love you?", see what I mean?
Nathan, again is truly a sweet and warm hearted person to the core. He still want's a lot of hugs and dosn't seem to be embarrassed even when at school - big deal for a kid his age! Many times he just is happy to be with me and read or hang out a bit. (He still spends much time with friends though! and he has many)
Andrew, oh is my little sweetie, still. He has to have multiple snuggles daily, and the truth is so do I! He is so helpful and can't wait until he's old enough to do his own laundry - go figure that one. He's also extremely honest, to the point we are working on softening it a bit. He'll tell you the complete truth. yikes!
So, today, that is what makes me smile! And they are my silver linings every day, no matter what!
So, count your blessings, write them down and re-read often!

Silver Linings

I did it! I found a silver lining for a friend. That is a good thing. It seems that so many people are faced with big challenges. I sometimes think that mine are hard, but I find that, as we all know, you don't have to look very far to see that you don't want to trade places with very many people. Now, there are times in my life that were tremendously difficult, but it can always get worse - so there you go. Sometimes, maybe, ... the silver lining is that it could get worse? yikes!

In addition I love e-mail etc, because you can often delete a sentence, whereas when you say something, it's said - no take-backs.

Now, if we could just fix that pesky "send button" - I actually have a delay that I have used!

Perpetually Pessimistic People

are Poison. I think I made that up. Never-the-less, they're no fun to talk to, no fun to be with and certainly poison your own attitude. I think they're best to avoid. It seems though that even the most positive person doesn't "rub off" on you as easily as the negative. I wonder why that is. What I find hard is that some of these perpetually pessimistic people are hard to avoid - like ... you're related to them, live next door or work with them. Then what do you do? I'm about to try a experiment. I am going to try to prepare with a positive attitude before I have to be with them and then I'll try to respond positively to everything they say, you know find the silver lining! So for one week, ok, until Thursday, I'll report. Maybe, I had better go into my room and lock the door until then! ha! Ok, here goes!

Friendship

Isn't so nice to just be with someone that you connect with. Someone that you can talk to and know that you're on the same page. Someone that you have a history with and "get's" what you're referring to, without a long explanation.

Friendship takes time to build and it takes effort. It takes communication on a regular basis. However, have you ever been such good friends with someone, that even if you don't get a minute to chat for a few months, it doesn't matter, you just pick up right where you left off, like not a week has gone by.

However, it's nice to be in close touch with close friends and that takes some effort sometimes with hectic schedules. I promise it's worth the effort!

Thank you "friends"!

Nice Visits - Sisters...

I'm so excited that my cousin is coming to visit with me. This is a huge deal because I was raised an only child and she is my "sister". Now, I have since met (3 years ago or so) my biological family ~ whole different story there.

I hear other people talk and how they get together with their sisters, and laugh, watch old home movies and laugh some more. They have sleepovers at cabins or go somewhere fun or they all gather at various homes. I've missed that.

But, now, my sweet cousin is coming and we have so much fun. It's girl talk. I don't think men have anything that comes close to "girl talk". Do men ever get the giggles like we still can? I have always envied those with sisters that grew up together. Well, the truth is my cousin and I did get to grow up together. Every holiday and I remember her spending weekends, it was fun. I was older and very bossy (could have been the only child thing), I'm glad she still likes me.

Her little brother put up with us too. He was so darling, I think back on him and with the eyes I now have of a mother and think that he was just the cutest little boy in the world and how did he ever deal with those older girls, especially me, the bossy cousin.

Anyway, I'm happy that now and again, I get the chance to be a "sister" and enjoy those times. We only get to do this once every 2 years or so, so i'm really looking forward to it.

We have so, much to share, so much to laugh at, cry over, toe nails to paint etc...

I teased my sister-in-law about preparing like Martha Stewart, ribbons around towel sets ... you know all of those really lovely things you'd love to do to prepare a guest room, if you didn't have a life in the way and sucking up all the time. See my last post for that one.

Ok, enjoy your "sisters", biological or not!

Everywhere I look there is a huge "something" to do; yard, weeds, property needs finished, clothing - overwhelming in every area, dishes, bills, work, etc... I feel like everything and everyone needs attention, I need one of those "time turner" thingy's from the Harry Potter series, or a real working magic wand.

What if, just "if", I didn't do anything? Eventually, I think someone or maybe it would take a few people to "move me". Sitting in a rocking chair, locked in a room with bars on the windows, doesn't reeeeaaally sound all that bad.

Beautiful Lawns

My 20 year-old son, has taken great pride in our lawn, since he took over the whole "project". He's done well, the grass was green, he kept it mowed. I really can't say that the grass was greener on any other home on our street (oh well, we only have 5 homes on our street). He left to work with my huband out of town for a week. During that week, my dad came and replaced a few sprinkler heads, places that were a bit dry. We had old acorns that needed power raked out and so that was done. Next day, replaced 2 more sprinklerheads and fertalized it with a "guaranteed to be green" fertalizer from IFA, no less. Oops forgot to turn the sprinklers back on. Oh my, he's so sad, there are big dead spots. It's definately NOT greener. He's more than disappointed, I think he's a bit mad. I would be also.

Dog Urine

So, out of state freinds came by on their way throug town. Unexpectedly brought their, non-neutered male dog. Ok, but I don't have a kennel to fit him and they blocked him in downstairs with them, however, this morning, he began to lose his liquid all the way up my stairs and finished off the puddle in my room. SICK. I really don't enjoy dog urine or any other speices of urine in my carpet pad and soaking into the subflooring. Makes me sad, not the dog's fault you know. I can still smell it even though the boy came and really made an effort to clean it up. What is it about unexpected messes that weigh on my mind? Now, I feel like I have to re-clean it and get a carpet cleaner here to clean it up even better. I didn't want to spend the time to get that accomplished, ya know?

Is this suppose to be a venting outlet? So far, this is it.

What I really want to do is eat, a lot. I've been on Weight Watchers and found it to be amazing and the perfect ticket for me. I had no idea. I thought it was something completely different than what it really is. However, the stress of the past week, I have chosen poorly (what movie?).

I want to eat for free.

A Statistical Anomaly

That is me, a statistical anomaly. So many bizarre things have happened to me, it's beyond weird. You know I'm a person that pretty much thinks that you reap what you sow, but seriously, so many things in my life have just been happenstance and not only did I not see "it" coming, but I really can't think of anything that I did to bring it about.

I could start the story when I was 3, but I'm not, not going to write my life's story here. I just wanted to point out that I've had many strange things happen, nothing supernatural however. Which I wish would because then maybe I could buy into some of these other things people seem to believe in. Anything "magical" is clearly out of my grasp. So, aura's, UFO's ... nope, I don't believe they exist.

There I've just successfully alienated 90% of he people that would even begin to read this.

Now, off to take a car load of children to see the new Harry Potter movie, I love those books. My friend is the marketing director of the local planetarium and this will be a fund raiser for them. My husband enjoys supporting their efforts and I enjoy supporting hers. I loved an IMAX we saw recently in DC called Blackholes. Very interesting - I love that sort of thing too.

I wish I had a degree in medicine, physics & chemistry. I don't like it when things have to be dummied down for me and in those areas that is the case.

There, just got rid of another 9% :)

First Day

My sister-in-law thinks this is a fun thing to do. We'll see if I can get the hang of it. My oxygen layer is getting a bit thin and has a few holes in it too, thus the name.

The boy's and I spent a whole 8 day's with Jon in Cancun. It was so fun to spend time with him, and mostly without access to computers or working cell phones. I could have stayed another few weeks if we would have just stayed put in our hotel. I'm really good at beaches and laying by a pool. Really, I seriously, could be the best curently on the planet. :)

Ok, this is funny, I really don't know anyone who will read this. I mean who has the time in the first place, this is huge for me to do something that seems not to have a return on investment. We'll see!

See you in my ozone layer! (wow, is this really my very own little layer of cypberspace?) groovy.