Sunday, May 31, 2015

Writer's Block Hangover

(a ton of updates)

First thing's first: Thank you for all of the congrats and celebration regarding my NEW WRITING JOB! I am so very excited, but also equally nervous - and lately, my nerves have been a little debilitating. I've wanted to blog, but didn't know exactly how to start or even what to say. Writer's Block. See!

I mean -- Now that I'm going to be an official writer, I can't just spit out words like "eleventy" and "helluva" and still be considered professional, can I?? Oh well, and TOO FREAKING BAD. I'm still going to, so don't raise your expectations on my writing in this blog, ya'll. Same ol' Jac. Same crazy cat lady, Dog Momma writing.

Pappy:


Poor little Pappy is still battling with his immune system.  The good news is that he is doing a wonderful job weaning the regular Taste of the Wild back into his meals. For almost two months, we have been feeding him the prescription EN gastrointestinal dog food with hopes that we could get him back onto his normal diet ASAP. And so far, so good. Although! His incontinence has not improved a single bit. Still peeing in his crate and sometimes, unconsciously, as he walks. Dr. Gerbig and I have emailed back and forth, and settled on treating him with antibiotics for a two week cycle to clear up any infection he may have. 

"Pappy Dog Fennel"



We're also giving him an antihistemine every day to minimize his itching. The return of mange? Allergies? Who knows.



This morning he started itching his ears again. Matt and I debated on whether or not we should start his ear drops, and decided to give it another day to see if it continues. We are giving him his monthly dose of Flea and Tick on Friday - which should help clear up any mange he has, if any. SIGH.

On to Wally: YES, Wally.

Ever since Pappy and Wally were puppies, they've eaten together. Before eight weeks old, they ate out of the same bowl. Never any food aggression toward one another, always eating as fast as possible, and always letting eat other finish their own meals. But lately, Wally has been acting so weird. Pappy scarves down his food like always, but instead of eating normally- Wally pushes his food around with his nose, patting at the bowl, and refusing to eat until 1) Matt or I sit next to him and praise him the entire time and/or 2) [until] Pappy is finished eating. Almost as if he's waiting for the "alpha" to eat first. Is this normal? Concerning??

  Has anyone ever heard of a dog doing this before??

Otherwise, he's happy as can be. Same ol' fun loving Wally.

 

 Lulu in her happy spot. The only place she can feel truly safe with the pups.


It's been a rough 8 months for Lulu. Ever since we brought home the boys, she has been on edge. At first, we thought Ernie was going to be one to not adjust as well, but to our complete and utter shock - he has warmed up marvelously to the pups. Lulu, on the other hand....


Poor Little Lulu just HATES those puppies. Their high energy and her tiny body do not mix well. Neither does the fact that Wally loves to play tag and it ALWAYS ends up in Lulu jumping onto a high surface, swatting and hissing at the dogs, and the fur on her back standing straight up.

She's been peeing in the finished basement as protest (which sucks SO, SO bad). We've tried plug in pheromones, calming collars, changing the cat litter, adding boxes, so on, and so forth. Our last option is to put her on an anti anxiety medicine which I really didn't want to do, but worse has come to worst, and I'm out of options. The carpet in the basement is our GOOD carpet! As in the carpet we were planning to keep! DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY TIMES WE'VE SHAMPOOED?! The pups are 99% house trained - and now we're battling with our five year old cat? Frustrated doesn't even begin to describe my feelings. I'm calling the vet tomorrow to schedule an appointment for the little miss.

Last, but definitely not least - Ernie: 


Ernie is just a good ol' fat boy wishing he was on vacation.

Speaking of vacation: ONLY 46 DAYS UNTIL WE LEAVE FOR GOLF SHORES!!! 

Oh My God - I need a beach, a pina colada, and a tan SO SO bad. I cannot wait!


Over the weekend, Matt and I were partially productive. We washed and cleaned out the car and pulled weeds in the yard - such old folks.



I got to visit with Heather, Chelsea, Nicole, and Aliyah on Thursday - 


and Matt and I planned out some landscaping in our yard today.



LOTS of trees!!!

 Our plan is to still get new carpet and fencing sometime this Summer. Of course, that's all dependent on whether or not Lulu and Pappy decide to go to the bathroom in the RIGHT SPOT.

Does anyone remember my post about Dave Ramsey's book Financial Peace AKA a tutorial on how to quickly pay off ALL debt (student loans, credit cards, cars, and eventually mortgage)? Well, we have made a great start!! In the past month, we've paid off OUR BOAT and a credit card! We still have a long way to go - but we're on our way! 

Matt hates how frugal I've become - living on such a strict budget that every single dollar counts.

Too bad, Baby Face Fennel.

I WANT TO SEE THE WORLD!!! 
(which means we need to be debt free)


 While talking about my new writing position to friends this past week, Heather looked at me and said:

"You're like the real life Carrie Bradshaw."

I love my friends!!!!


Picture me like this: but with messier hair, not as nice home decor, and a Target wardrobe. 


Cheers!!!




Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Because of this blog...




Because of this blog... I've been able to share, store, and look back on all of our memories since Matt and I became husband and wife.

Because of this blog... I've learned how to cook and have been able to share all of my ridiculous diets, lifestyle changes, meal plans, recipes, etc.

Because of this blog... I've been able to document Pappy and Wally growing up and get advice/feedback from fellow dog Moms.

Because of this blog... I've been able to find comfort, strength, and peace even with our infertility issues, and know that we'll receive the same love and support when we start our adoption process.

Because of this blog... It was suggested that I go for a wonderful career opportunity.

And because of this blog...  I am now a WRITER for the Internal Storytelling Unit at American Family Insurance!


A professional writer, ya'll!

BOOM!

#dreamfearlessly

Monday, May 25, 2015

Weekend (D in WI)

Darren and Ben surprised Matt this weekend! So much FUN!




Other than heavily drinking and eating a ton of NON vegan food, we've been pretty low key.




I was able to meet Aliyah Isabelle - who is just perfect.


And we were able to take the boys for a nice long walk before Darren and Ben showed up.


Today, we're laying low (still), I'm finishing up laundry, making my grocery list, balancing the checkbook, and cleaning the house before work tomorrow.

Pappy doesn't like the idea of the weekend almost being over.


Thank you to all of those who served to protect our country's freedom. Today, I'm thinking of the families whose loved ones gave the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you and may God bless.



Monday, May 18, 2015

Stats

ARE MY PUPPIES REALLY ALMOST FULL GROWN?!?!!?!?!




AVERAGE SIZE OF A MALE AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER:

Height: 18-19 inches tall
Weight: 57-67 pounds


Wally:
19 inches tall
46 pounds


Pappy: 
20 inches tall
44 pounds


Where has the time gone?

WHERE HAVE MY BABIES GONE?!!!

Friday, May 15, 2015

Little Joys

I have a few things I'd like to celebrate today --

First, it is FRIDAY. Hallelujah!

Second, the boys have gone THREE days straight without going potty on the carpet. I say "carpet" because, last night, Pappy peed on the floor right in front of our front door (he wanted to go out), and it was totally my fault for not moving fast enough  - He has a bit of an incontinence issue. Hopefully his bladder supplements kick in soon.


Third, we left the boys out of their crate while we were gone (for 10-15 minutes) AND there was no damage in our house. THIS IS HUGE. (We thought we'd have to kiss our new couch goodbye AKA its the most nervous I've been all week).

Fourth, I removed the rug that was in our living room (that we put down to hide potty spots); and after a good shampoo, it DOESN'T LOOK ALL THAT BAD. I may survive without new carpet after all. This is a HUGE joy for Matt,



Fifth, I've spent the last couple of nights doing absolutely NOTHING - which is ironic for me. Typically, I don't watch TV or movies, but I just binge watched the entire Twilight saga- start to finish. Oh, Edward (and I'm still mad at you Kristen Stewart for cheating on Rob).


Sixth, and lastly, SKIPPER the boat (or "The Big Blue Turd" as my father in law likes to call it) is getting put on the pier as I type this. Which means in 45 short minutes, I will be on THE LAKE. Fast boat = FUN.


It's the small things in life...

Happy Weekend.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Baseball and MY SELFIE STICK!

So, one of my amazing gifts I received for Mother's Day was a SELFIE STICK!


Which is just about the coolest thing ever. I ordered it for myself, from the furkids, and it arrived on Thursday morning via FedEx. I was so stupid excited that I ran outside to interrupt/show Matt while he was mowing the lawn. Except I forgot that the dogs know how to open the sliding door - so this is the first picture I got. Matt's face shows his excitement. My face shows the "Ohhh shit" thought in my head. Don't worry - we caught the dogs.


Excuse the blurry pictures. Pappy kept trying to eat the stick and phone.






On Friday, Matt and I headed to Wrigley North (Miller Park in Milwaukee) for the Cubs vs. Brewers game.
More selfie stick time.



We were able to watch the CUBS BATTING PRACTICE on the field - which was just about the coolest thing ever (other than my selfie stick....)







 

And naturally, I took more selfies





Until some guy saw my ridiculousness and asked if I wanted him to take our picture. Um. Awkward.


After batting practice, we bought a shit ton of drinkies and food, and found our seats. More selfies.




THE CUBS WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


More selfie stick adventures to come your way soon! :)