Introducing Molly

This is Molly:

Molly is our first foster dog.  Already, we're in love with her. 

She arrived this afternoon, after being transported from the only home she's known for her nine years of existence.  Molly had three volunteers to transport her to our home, so she had a pretty big day.

Molly is an angel.  She has literally had a grin on her face since she arrived, and her tail wags constantly.  She's really matted, and very smelly, but that will be rectified on Monday at our groomer. She's extremely gentle, but again, she really needs a bath.  Pee yew! In the mean time, she's safe and getting LOTS of attention. 

In addition to the much anticipated arrival of Molly, we got to puppy-sit for Baylee.  She was one of the easiest puppies I've ever met.  We fell in love with her, too (so did Rudy).

It's been a busy day in dog land, but I'm guessing everyone will sleep well. 

Except for Craig and I.  We'll be up checking on Molly tonight, to make sure she's comfortable. 



She's On Her Way

 If you've been following for a while, you will know that our sweet Golden Retriever, Nala, passed away right after Thanksgiving.

We miss her still.  She'll always have a special place in our hearts.  It's taken some time for all of us, including Rudy, to adjust to her absence.

And though we can't replace her, we've felt a void.  We really weren't ready to add another permanent dog to our home, and we definitely were not ready for a puppy.  But still, we I felt a calling for another big hound.

I did some research. I found an organization that I felt was a good match - Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota.  I couldn't resist.  I quietly - meaning I didn't tell DH - filled out the foster application.

Slowly, carefully, I planted the idea of fostering a dog in Craig's head.  I've learned that introducing an idea to him a bit at a time and letting him mull it over is usually the best way to get what I want. 

But, SHHHH!  Don't tell him I wrote that. 

He agreed on letting RAGOM conduct a home visit, which I thought was a positive step. When the evening was over, I had a pretty good feeling that he would agree to try fostering.  I was right.  Introducing Molly:  (this is her description from the RAGOM staff)

Molly is a 9 year old PB (purebred) female Golden. She is spayed and weighs 85 pounds which is said to be a good weight for Molly. Molly is good with cats, dogs, chickens, pigs, ducks, and kids of all ages....she has lived with all. Molly lives as an outside dog so it is unknown if she is house trained. She has not been in a crate, stays in the unfenced yard, rides ok in the car but gets excited. She does have storm anxiety and is afraid of gun shots and fireworks. The SO (surrendering owners) have not tried anything to help Molly with her anxieties, she stays outside when it storms. Molly is being surrendered because she does not hunt and now with their sons out of the house she does not get the attention and time she deserves. They had planned to euthanize Molly but talked with a RAGOM volunteer who told them we could help Molly so made the call to ask for our help. Who can help Molly find her new life?

After I read this, I knew that we would be lucky to foster her.

Rudy has storm anxiety, too.  And, he's nine, just like Molly, and loves to play with other dogs.  Plus, she's great around kids, so we're comfortable having her around Murray.  If she's not house trained, well, we'll deal with it.  We have hardwood floors and lots of patience, so no worries there.  I'm home a lot, so she'll have time to get comfortable with us.  Rudy can show her the ropes, and I just know he'll feel a bit less lonely when she arrives.
I just received word that she'll arrive tomorrow.  I'm beside myself with excitement.  I can't wait to love her.
Her vet and grooming appointments are scheduled for next week.  Her brand new bed is here (don't worry, Rudy got a new one, too.  I won't leave him out) and I have her collar, leashes, treats, and tennis balls at the ready.
Now, we just need Molly. 

Stay tuned for pictures.

Nala and Murray

Goodbye, sweet girl.  You were loved, and now you are missed. 

Sweet Nala

Update:  Nala passed away this morning.  Good bye, sweet girl.

I love dogs.  I love animals.  I always will.  Our golden retriever, Nala,  is the one with her head in my lap.  She's very old, and very sick.

Sadly, she's dying.  Slowly, but surely.  She can hardly walk; and if she does, she walks sideways (her right side doesn't sync with the left side), she suffers from bouts of confusion, where she'll stand in the middle of the room or yard and stare at nothing.  She's also incontinent.  She needs to be carried up and down a flight of four stairs and looks just plain miserable.  I LOVE her.  But, I can't stand to see her in this much pain.  It's breaking my heart.  Why haven't we put her down?  There are several reasons.

We realized that her health was declining when she no longer stood in the yard and barked, nor did she chase a ball, or even care about treats, her favorite motivator.

The day after Thanksgiving, she had her annual check-up. I was certain that Craig was going to call and tell me that Nala wasn't coming home.  Surprisingly, our vet declared her "very healthy for her age." Three days later, she deteriorated rapidly.  Now, she doesn't move, she doesn't drink water, and  she will only eat canned Iams. That's on a good day, when we can coax her to eat.  This, from a dog that once ate a 20 lb. bag of dog food by herself.

Craig has cared for Nala since she was six weeks old.  They've been through a lot. I can't tell him what to do, because if I were in the same situation with Rudy, I would appreciate the same respect. 

I don't want to sound cold-hearted, but I feel like it's inhumane to keep her with us.  She's obviously suffering.  No matter what we try to keep her comfortable, we fail. 

Some say, she's "just a dog", but to us, she's one of our best friends.

It's time; it won't be long now until she isn't with us anymore.  As hard as it will be, it's really time. I'm so sad.  She will be missed. 

Tomorrow morning, I will take her to her vet. Again. I just can't stand to see her in pain, and DH just doesn't have the heart to do it himself.  Good night, sweet Nala.  You've been a joy.

-MM

Attack of the Pony

Murray and Mariana

Don't they make a great couple?

We spent a lovely afternoon at a local pumpkin patch yesterday with our friend Kristine, and her daughter, Mariana. It was by far the best patch we've visited. The kids had a blast with the many activities that the farm had to offer.

As you know, I love, love, love animals, so when I learned that they had a small petting zoo, I was more excited than the three year olds.  The baby goats were great fun, the cow kind of boring, the big horned sheep precious.  Next up, I visited the miniature horse.

I was gently petting this seemingly sweet guy when he started to nibble on my arm.  He got a bit agressive, so I turned around and attempted to walk away.  The darn creature put his hooves on the top of the fence and attacked.  I swear he was trying to eat me.  He bit me so hard that my skin was punctured.

Despite the fact that I can't sleep on my right side and my back is a swollen rainbow of colors, I find the whole incident pretty hilarious. Really, who gets attacked by a petting zoo pony? Clearly, I do.

This is what I felt like doing after the bite:


Whinny.  Giddy up.  Let the horse jokes begin.

Photo credit:  Kristine

Spoiled with A Chance of Changes

Note:  Edited for error.

I have it pretty good these days.  I admit, I'm spoiled.

Since the unfortunate firing elimination of my position at work, I've had the time to be keep the house (fairly) clean and have dinner on the table when Craig gets home.  I'm on top of laundry and my organization skills are really coming along, as well they should, since I don't have an 8-5 job.

I love this time in my life.  It will be short-lived because - drum roll here - I will be a full-time student in a few short weeks (yeah, I know, again).  I love having extra time with Murray without rushing around in the morning and scrambling to get out the door (now I just scramble eggs).  I love that I have the time and energy to cook again.  I love having the time to read and write.  I love that every closet and drawer in our home is at least semi-organized.  I love spending more time with the hounds and keeping them brushed and looking good.  I love watching the Cosby Show in the morning and Oprah re-runs from in the afternoon while I fold laundry. 

The month of August will again bring changes and add a new dimension to our lives.  I wonder if I can be a good Mom, wife, and homemaker and a good student at the same time?  I'll let you know in a month or two.  Right now, I have clothes to put away and dinner to prepare.

-MM

It's the Little Things

Today I:
Slept in (God bless DH), showered, dressed, applied make up, went to work, ran reports, spoke with students, worked on events, commiserated with colleagues, ran more reports, scoured the city for donations, let the dogs out, went back to work, went home for the day, scrubbed the house, forgot to re-load the laundry (kudos to my co-pilot), played balloon with Murman, cooked dinner, conversed with DH, threw the ball for the hounds, played some more with Murman, and now, finally, I'm relaxing on the couch with the cat.  The result?  A happy kid, a satisfied husband, played out dogs, a clean home, and an extremely tired me.  Benefits?  Complete, utter contentment.  Yes, there is always work to be done, but the rest will wait until tomorrow.  This is the ultimate life.  I look forward to a repeat tomorrow.

Safe travels G&G!

Westward

It's been a while since my last post.  The break from blogging wasn't intentional; life just took over.  I've been crazy busy at work, trying to keep some semblance of order in the house, etc., etc.

We hopped in the car on Friday afternoon to head "out west" (as Murray says) to spend some much needed quality time with my Dad.  We had a great time, but it was an adventure.  The trip was going smoothly until after a quick stop for gas.  We had just gotten back on the freeway, when suddenly the most horrible odor filled the car, leaving us all gasping for air.  Our oldest Golden Retriever, Nala (she's 13) had a terrible accident in the back.  What a mess. I won't go into detail, but it was NOT my idea of fun.  She's been having more and more accidents of late; we're chalking it up to her age, but a trip to the vet is in short order.

I was able to connect with some high school friends on Saturday, and it was just like old times, only we were all. . . well, older.  :) 

Murray loved my Dad's horse, and of course everything about his Grandpa Doug.  They did all sorts of things together; Craig and I were second fiddle.  He was all about Grandpa.  It warmed my heart to see the two of them enjoying each other.  I am already looking forward to our next trip "out west". 

The roads were treacherous coming home yesterday, but we made it, albeit a slow ride home.  Now we're back to reality. . . and a mountain of  laundry to prove it. 

Until next time.

Yuck

Please note:  If you have a weak stomach, stop reading now.  I'm only posting this for posterity.

I'm cold, I'm freezing, I'm tired, I'm exhausted.  But I'm grateful.  Make that blessed, grateful, and happy.  We have a roof over our heads, good health, and a sweet-three-year old to love and many family and friends.  And of course, the dogs and cat. But I wasn't so pleased with the latter yesterday morning.

We were dressed and ready to go to church (for a baptism that Craig was one of two Godfathers).  As I was finishing my own preparations for the big day, I asked Murray to put his boots and coat on.  He did so and a couple of minutes later, he came to me saying, "something stinks, mama.  Pee-Yew."  The smell hit me before I could look.  What I discovered was Murray covered in (for lack of a better word) poop.  Craig came running (well, not running, exactly, but moving as fast as a broken back will allow) after I began to gag, and together we realized that one of our animals had been sick and had an accident.  In Murray's coat.  And in his boot.  We stripped Murray down, but by this time Craig was late for baptism, so he called the other Godfather to pick him up.  In the mean time, I ran around begging our feces-covered little man not to touch anything, while looking for fresh clothes, coat, shoes, and washing my hands every 30 seconds or so.  I couldn't find one of his tennis shoes (Rudy hides shoes), so I was frantically shoving his feet into last years' way-too-small shoes.  That didn't work, so I was forced to clean the dirty boot, spray it with Febreeze and finally, we headed to church.

The baptism and Mass were absolutely beautiful and we made it in time.  I was afraid that our fellow parishioner's would smell the boot, but no one complained, and many giggled when Murray burst into song with the choir. 

Due to the weather, one of the Godmothers was unable to travel, so Murray filled in carrying the gifts; poopy boot and all.  He was really quite proud. 

Everything turned out in the end, and we had a beautiful day with family and friends celebrating Ava's baptism.

Moral of the story?  Don't forget to make sure that the cat has access to his litter box.  Oh, and always hang up your coat, even if you think it's in a safe place. 

Big Momma, Big Murray, & REALLY BIG THUNDER

Yesterday, as I was pretending to be a human jungle-gym, Murray wrapped himself around me and cried, "OH, big Momma!" If I hadn't just re-joined Weight Watchers, I may have been a bit upset by the comment. But then, just this morning, I had a "eureka" moment.

Murray and I were snuggling on the couch while I waited for the coffee to finish brewing. When it was ready, I slid off the couch and said, I'll be right back, Murray. I'm going to get some coffee". He looked back at me with those big brown eyes of his and said, "Momma, coffee too me". "You can have water or milk, but you are too little to drink coffee", I replied. He chose water, and I went to the kitchen to fill our cups.


Later, I handed him his water and settled in for a few more peaceful moments of coffee and Murray. Out of nowhere, I heard: "eee ig, Mama, eee ig." Completely confused, I asked hm to show me what he was trying to tell me. He hopped off the couch, stood tall, raised his arms and yelled, "ME BIG, MAMA, NO LITTLE! He had to repeat himself several times because I was laughing so hard.

Last night, when the tornado sirens sounded, Craig carried a sleeping Murray downstairs where we would wait out the storm. I carried: a flashlight, 3 pillows, 1 Pooh Bear, 1 Moose, 1 Puppy Dog, one quilt and Murray's blanket, all while trying to coax two spooked golden retrievers and one large cat down the stairs. Not only is Rudy afraid of thunder, but he's terrified of stairs. Two or three are okay, but ask him to go down a flight and he locks up and won't move. Sheesh. Anyway, the storm passed, we hauled everyone back upstairs and settled in. Murray kept talking about BIG thunder and it took us a while to get him to relax. Finally, sleep came. . .until "REALLY BIG THUNDER"! I sat straight up in bed; Craig mumbling something about a transformer. I don't know that I've ever heard thunder that loud. While driving to daycare this morning, we discovered that a huge tree to the north of us had split in two and lost a limb. My guess is that's what the "REALLY BIG THUNDER" was about.

Moral of the story: Murray is big enough for coffee, I am big enough for Weight Watchers, and well, neither one of us is big enough for "REALLY BIG THUNDER"!

Hot Spots

I started this post last night, but was too tuckered out to finish, so I'm taking a few minutes of my lunch break to finish.


We are battling hot spots (skin lesions that are caused when the dog licks his/herself too much)with Nala and Rudy. Nala is beyond help, but Rudy has one small spot that we are hoping to stop before it gets the point of no return. I cut up a pair of pantyhose and that worked for a while, but then Nala ate it. We'll keep on them both, but now we have another problem: eating of the pantyhose.


Craig, Randi and Mary traded taking the the boys last week, since our "Lynnie" was on vacation. I, also, had them both on Saturday morning. We've found that it's easier to have them both - despite the fights - than it to have one. They play together and we only have to step in occasionally to break up a boxing match. I expected tears when I dropped Murray off at Lyn's house today, but he literally pushed me out the door and then slammed on my toe. Sheesh.


The event at President Edna's house went well. In fact, it was a bit reminiscent of my Food and Beverage Management days. I had fun connecting with those I knew through Craig, and was pleased to meet those I haven't. There is so much expertise and wisdom amongst the retirees - it was quite an experience.

I'm off to work on the next event - a BBQ for Greater Moorhead Days. Let the planning begin!
Have a fantastic Monday.

Compromise,Compromise, Compromise

Our new neighbor (Iwas unaware we had one) just knocked on the door to complain about the dogs. He was polite, but said that the barking was keeping him awake.
Me: "I'm so very sorry. What time do you sleep?"
Him: "About 12am to 10am."
Me: "Well we don't let them out after 9pm unless it's urgent, but now that it's spring, they like to be outside during the day."
Him: "If you could keep them from barking until at least 10:ooam, I would appreciate it."
Me: "We can do that, but they will have to go out in the morning to use the bathroom, but we'll let them right back in."
Him: "I like dogs, and I've heard you are very nice people, and I hate to complain, but I'm a very light sleeper."
Me: "Again, I am very sorry and will work with you as much as we can. I appreciate you telling us in person."

I have no problem letting the man sleep, and I appreciate the way he approached the situation. However, now the dogs won't be able to be out during the day because Craig and I are both at work by the time our neighbor gets up. I feel bad - for the man and the dogs. Maybe we'll have to get a bark collar, although I don't believe in shock treatment. Sigh. Just wait until the dog who lives across the street starts running aroun the neighborhood and barking.

I'm off to go shopping. When DH is away, Mama will play!
Special prayers to SATF - YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!

Too Much Tragedy and TV

I'm on my way to pick up Murray early, but I had to post first.


First and foremost, I would like to request a prayer for babies and their loving parents.

A small bit about unemployment: it seems I've been bored for too long. My good friend informed me a few minutes ago that I need to set a schedule and stick to it. It works for him, so I'm going to attempt to act like I have to go to work tomorrow (plus I have an interview) and get on with my day. Instead of watching re-runs of "My Wife and Kids", "Full House" (which is completely cheesy and my guilty pleasure) and "Desperate Housewives" between loads of laundry, my plan is to get active again. When I'm not applying for jobs, I could volunteer or do something to help out a person or family in need. I want to get back to water aerobics as well.


This morning I woke to the sounds of one of the animals vomiting. Turned out to be Rudy, who has not been ill in his five years of existance. We're diligent about our vet check-ups, so I couldn't figure out what was happening. He was sick every half-hour from 2am to 6am. Every time I cleaned up the mess, he looked at me with those big brown eyes and you could just tell how embarrassed he felt. I called the emergency clinic at five am and after consultation they assured me that it was probably a diet issue. We are strict on their diet - 2 cups of Iams twice a day, so I surmised that he must have eaten something that wasn't dog food behind our backs. I held his food today until noon, and so far he hasn't been sick. I am so relived. I love our animals so very much, as you know.


I've discovered over the last year that there are so many hardships and devastation in the world. Our family has had several in the last month or more so today I pray that joy will come to those who have been afflicted by tragedy.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.



Peace to all.
Ree
P.S.Since I've written this post, I have set up a volunteer schedule that I'm quite thrilled about. More on this later.

Paris and Pigs

What has this world come to? Really, Paris Hilton and her pets and hair products? Don't get me wrong, I LOVE animals and would own a farm if I could, but is this really all she has to discuss? Aren't there more important things in the world? Honestly, I'm so annoyed I had to turn the channel. At least she got me motivated to do something productive. I'm off to go clean something that I never otherwise would have. Thanks, Paris. You are truly an inspiration. Oh, and NINE fragrences?

P.S. I just realized how annoyed I am. I have a few questions that are supposed to be statements. I guess I'm guilty of my own pet peeves.

Dogs + Chocolate = Poison

Two years ago, about this time, our two golden retrievers ate two pounds of bakers' chocolate and three bags of chocolate chips. When I discovered the mess, I hauled them both to the vet where they spent the day expelling their bodies of the poison they had ingested. One large emergency vet bill later, they were both fine. It turned out that Rudy didn't have a trace of chocolate in his system, hence, Nala had consumed every bit. Since then, I've been extremely careful about where the chocolate is stored. Yesterday I found a half eaten candy cane full of chocolate kisses (it was in the stocking stuffer pile that I had hidden under the bed). There were no traces of foil or the plastic cane. This time, I decided to watch them closely and only take them in if one or the other showed signs of illness. Thankfully, they are both thriving. When I told Craig, he jokingly replied, "Well, we'll just have to see which one passes away first." We never would have let that happen of course, so I kept vigil yesterday and through the night. Anyway, I'm happy to report that the incident passed with no ill side effects. Lesson learned - again.

We have a busy weekend ahead. Tonight we will attend a groom's dinner for our friend Ryan, who is marrying a wonderful woman tomorrow. It will be so much fun to have the group back together again. Craig is a groomsman, so Murray is going to attend the wedding with me, and then Dennis and Mary will take him to the reception (spouses are invited to ride in the limo with the wedding party). We're excited to see him dance (you know how much he loves to rock out) and when he's partied himself out, Dennis and Mary will take him home for the night. I just love having kids at weddings; they are usually the first to get the dancing started!

For now, I'm off to continue my job search. Although it does get tiresome sending resume after resume, I hope that it will pay off in the end.

Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm!

Mama and Murray's "No Good, Terrible, Horrible, Very Bad Morning"

5:00am - Murray wakes up for the day and rouses the puppy in the process.

5:15am - The mayhem has begun. Maddy (the puppy) won't leave Murray alone, causing whining and screaming.

5:30am - Murray and I are snuggled up in my bed trying to get some sleep, but the cat enters the room and gets in a fight with the puppy.

5:35am - Separated the 2 crazy beasts, but now the big dogs want to go outside.

5:45am - Big dogs out, but it's raining so they are barking to come back in. My floors are black with mud. Too tired to care.

5:50am - Back in bed to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Diego, and Handy Manny.

6:45am - Finally rouse for the day. Murray eats breakfast while I clean up Maddy's accident and let her outside.

7:15am - I'm dressed, Murray's dressed, Maddy is running around like a miniture devil. Forgot to make coffee, I'm in desperate need.

7:30am - Murray is ready to go - coat, hat, shoes, and mittens and we're on our way. Wait! Where are the keys?

7:45am - Still searching for keys, my phone doesn't work, so I can't communicate.

8:00am - Finally found one key, but it will only start the car, not make it go.

8:15am - Near tears, but trying to stay calm. Murray is crying because he wants to go see his friends at daycare. Still can't find the keys. Desperately texting Craig in the cities and Maggie to find out if they know where they are.

8:30am - I'm still searching, Murray is still crying, and the puppy is crying in her kennel.

8:45am - I give up. Murray will have to accept the fact that he's stuck with mama today, but he isn't cooperating. He keeps crying for his "frens" and saying rather tearfully, "I go". I distract him by playing cars and having a snack.

9:15am - Craig texts to tell me that the keys were in his pajama pants. Sure enough, I find them in the bottom of the laundry basket.

9:20am - We're out the door!

9:30am - Murray is so happy to be at daycare. Phew. I'm wiping sweat off my brow.

10:00am - Sit down to blog and try to fix my phone. It's soaking in white rice. I can text and call but no one can hear me. Grrr.

10:30am - I'm going to take a nap and then start the day over. Isn't life grand? Always good to have a little chaos to remind us of the little moments that count. Happy Friday!

Introducing Maddy

Puppies are very much like having a newborn, except that babies are much easier. Little Maddy, my dad's 7 week old Gordon Setter arrived on Saturday morning. She is quite the handful. I'm used to Golden Retriever pups, who tend to be on the timid side. Not Maddy! She doesn't walk; she runs, and runs and runs until she finally collapses into a deep puppy sleep. Our poor big dogs aren't quite sure what to think. Rudy did play with her yesterday, but Nala tends to ignore her or growl at her to stay away. Kirby the cat, on the other hand, hasn't been seen since the arrival of Maddy, except for at meal times. Otherwise, he's hiding in the basement where she can't get at him. Next is Murray; he has a love/hate relationship with her. He thinks she's so funny, but when she jumps on him, even though she's tiny, it scares him. This morning we had to do a complete change of clothes because Maddy got excited and jumped on him, knocking him right into the big dogs' water dish. He was soaked. Introducing Maddy:

On Saturday, we gathered at the Grandpa and Grandma's to help take the docks out of the lake for the season. It was the strangest weather I can recall on dock day. I thought this picture was so beautiful: The deck is covered in clean, white snow, and on top is a thick layer of bright green leaves. Note the lone orange Maple leaf in the middle.

Here is a picture (taken from the snowy/leafy deck) of my Grandpa, Craig and my uncle getting the docks out in the snow:

I attended Mass by myself yesterday; Craig wasn't feeling the best, so he stayed home with Murray. I wanted to say the rosary before our service began, which is impossible with a toddler in tow. As much I as I missed attending Mass with my family, there was something peaceful about being able to sink myself into the presence of God without worrying if Murray had colored on the pew or trying to corral him between us. I think next week, we'll try the nursery. I do want him to learn to enjoy Mass as much as I do, but I'm thinking he may be a bit young. Any thoughts?

I'm not even close to being ready for this weather, but there are worse things to complain about! Be safe in your travels!

"Rudy, I Mean, Maggie!" (quote from our late Mom)

I just want to clarify that my human sister, my beloved Mags, is not a dog (see her comment, previous post) nor do I view her that way. The funny part of all of this is that when my mom was alive, she would constantly call Maggie by the dog's name and vice versa. Never me, just her. So, sorry Mags, you may be my best friend, but you certainly aren't "man's best friend"! Love you sister!!

Polly Want a Cracker or *#*&#&****?

I haven't made an effort to sit down and write for several days. I have been tackling some personal issues which have zapped my energy on a regular basis. I'll spare you the details, but just know that I'm back with bells on.

That said, we've been spending a lot of family time together whenever possible. Craig is traveling so much these days that we try to take advantage of every moment we can. Since my last post, we've discovered that we don't have a toddler - we have a myna bird (do myna birds speak? Maybe I mean a parrot). Everything, and I mean everything we say and do is repeated. Anyone who spends time with children will understand exactly what I'm talking about. We've come to the realization that every action and every word counts. What Murray doesn't mimic immediately is stored in his brain and haunts us later. When we thought that we knew this day was coming, we had no idea what we were in for. I still cringe every time he says the word "truck". You can imagine why. When Craig begins to yell at yet another stupid driver (he is the only decent driver on any road in the lower 48, any passenger of his would derive), he stops himself abruptly and out comes some hilarious mumbo jumbo under his breath. I would translate it for you, but it's not appropriate for any age. Anyway, we're learning right along side Mur-man the do's and don't's of good manners. And we thought we were well-behaved!

I am anxiously awaiting the delivery of my dad's new pup on Saturday. My new "sister" will be seven weeks old, and is already paper trained, as well as doing very well "going" outside. We will have her for a week, and then my dad will come to take her permanently. I will post pictures as soon as she's in our arms.

Find some sunshine today. If it's not outside, check your heart.
Peace out.

Wild Weekend

We had a very busy weekend and are feeling the effects today. It was fun, but chock full of activity. Murray is still waking up anywhere between 3 and 4 am and generally not going back to sleep. I have a call in to the pediatrician. At this point, I'm thinking maybe the problem is medical and not behavioral. We've tried every technique out there to get him back to bed, to no avail. We aren't letting him get away with anything either - we've always pretty strict about bedtime and crib sleeping. Anyway, Craig and I are at our wits' end. I'm hoping to find a solution soon. The strangest part? He's happy as a clam and sticks to his normal nap and bedtime schedule. I'm completely baffled.

Murray thought that having the dogs in bed was super funny:

Have a great week!