We're so blessed to have Sharon. She has been with the puppies since they were 8 weeks old - and we know she loves them with all of her heart. She will be staying at our house for the week we are gone, and I HOPE - God, I hope - that the boys don't give her too hard of a time. I'll be stocking up on plenty of wine for her. Lord knows she'll need it.
This week I will be busy cleaning the house before we leave, doing last minute vacation shopping, and writing out a BOOK for Sharon on how to care for the puppies and kitties. The vet already knows we will be vacationing and they have agreed to just "bill us" in case anything serious happens while we are away.
I am really, really excited for vacation, though. It's sort of bitter sweet. Matt and I haven't vacationed since August and it seems like a LIFETIME has gone by since bringing home the boys.
In addition to that, I will be celebrating my 28th birthday while on vacation - and I can't think of a better way to bring in my 29th year while laying on the beach and sipping a margarita, pina colada, or ___________ (fill in the blank).
At work, it will be the perfect transition. I am training Jim's new admin this week, then I will leave for vacation, and start my full time writing position when we return. This past week, I've been working on a story featuring agents that will be printed in the "All American" magazine. I'm pretty excited.
The furkids have been good. Well, as good as they can be. Pappy is still peeing inside the house (and sometimes pooping) which is beyond frustrating, and I sometimes wonder how long it will take (if ever) before he is potty trained. They will be celebrating their first birthday next month.
Ernie and Lulu lived in the far basement (with food, water, toys, and cat litter) for five days last week in hopes that it would jumpstart them using the box - instead of peeing all over our basement carpet. So far, so good. I THINK they're both using the box and I couldn't be happier. We bought "Cat Attract" which is a cat litter you mix in with the normal stuff, and it apparently draws them to go in the box.
Our carpet in the finished basement is destroyed beyond repair. As sad I am to say. The pad HAS to be soaked in cat urine, and no matter how many times I shampoo or clean, or whatever! It still smells.... I think. Our noses are blind. We live here, and I sometimes wonder how it smells to other people - so if you ever come over, BE HONEST. I'm beyond paranoid.
The plan is to eventually re-do all of the flooring, but that just isn't realistic right now. The boys NEED a fence - and that is our number one. PLUS - we need to get the cats (and Pappy) going potty in the right place before we invest any more money into flooring.
Every single morning, Pappy is SUPER loving. It is my absolute favorite. He's gotten to that age where he's not a puppy anymore, and he doesn't like to cuddle 24/7 - but after breakfast, while Matt and I are still laying in bed... Pappy will come and give gentle kisses on our noses and cuddle us until we get up for the day.
Wally is loving ALL THE TIME. He has such a caring, sweet heart. All he wants to do is make us and Pappy happy. Ernie and Lulu, on the other hand.... he loves to irritate more than anything.
We're working on that.
Yesterday morning, Matt and I woke up to a chewed up phone charger (compliments of Ernie) and the "indestructible" kong completely destructed. These boys can chew through anything. It's incredible.
My parents came to celebrate my birthday yesterday - since we will be out of town on the actual day - and we took them to downtown Madison for the Farmer's Market off the square. Horrible planning on my part, it was actually the art fair. My mom was delighted and we still got to visit and enjoy each other's company.
After walking the square, we walked down State St. to HopCat's grand opening. My mom kept calling it Hopscotch, which was the best. The line to get in circled around the block. My parents were great sports and stood in line with us, so Matt could try two new beers. As a bonus, the first 222 customers got FREE FRIES for a year. Our group was 219-222!
As if I need free fries for a year.....
Speaking of, in preparation for our beach vacation next week - I tried on all of my swimsuits. WHY? I don't know. It was the worst idea ever. For the first time in my life, I have visible cellulite on the back of my thighs. I will be buying a wrap before we leave. Urgh. Is this what I have to look forward to being a 28 yr old?
Next year will be my 29th birthday (obvi), then the following year will be the 2nd annual 29th birthday. So on and so forth. Where have my twenties gone??
Ernie has been really warming up to the puppies. Often times, he will go nose-to-nose with the boys. They will lick them. and they'll play tag around the house. It's darling.
Lulu still hates them. SO much. She hisses every time they walk by her, and will hit/punch them in the face if they get too close. While I'm sad they don't get along - we find it sort of funny because the dogs are TERRIFIED of her. AND SHE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE FRONT CLAWS. Can you imagine the damage she could do with them?
I've gotten some really cute pictures of Ernie, Pappy, and Wally laying together or sharing a water bowl, but Lulu will not partake. Most of the time she's high up a ledge or hiding under the couch. So in order to get them all in a picture, I used my awesome photo editing skills and added her in.
In addition to all his health issues and reluctance to get house trained - Pappy has been throwing full fledged tantrums lately. It is so bad. If he wants something (like a blanket, or whatever is behind a closet door) he will BARK AND BARK, and whine and whine until one of us gives in. It's seriously like raising a toddler. Should we give in? Hell no. Do we? Most of the time. In the videos below you will see him go towards my hand at one point. Please don't misunderstand him. He would never, ever bite me. It's just his way to say "back off" - NONETHELESS, we need to correct this behavior. How?? No freaking clue.
***Shows how well he listens to me, huh?
Last thing - As ashamed as I am to admit it, Matt and I are no longer vegan. The idea and concept sounds amazing, but after several long days at work and laziness creeping in.... Cooking a fresh homecooked meal every night is just not ideal. We definitely are still vegetarian, and while I WISH I had the strength to stay vegan, I just don't know if I have the willpower anymore. LOTS of alfredo, cinnamon rolls, and cheese. Now that I think of it.... that's probably where my cellulite came from!
The other day (on the drive to work), I saw a cow in the back of a truck getting taken to (likely) a slaughter house. His little nose was peeping through a hole, and it was spotted just like baby Wally's. My heart broke, and I was on the verge of tears for the rest of the ride in. Did that stop me from eating my Chobani blueberry yogurt at my desk? No.
I'm so ashamed.
Sometimes I think we should re-watch the documentaries that made us go Vegan in the first place. Other times I think I should get a vegan tattoo - so that way I have no choice but to be vegan forever. Although, one time - Matt and I went to Cold Stone creamery for ice cream rocking our "Kale Yeah I'm Vegan" shirts. Erm.
Photo Dump:
IT'S THE CIRCLE OF LIIIIIIIIFE.
Ernie as Simba.
Me as Rafeeki
Fatboy
Happy Hours are fun.
He's such a good dog.
The fur build up after a week (from vacuuming and sweeping) GROSS!
Mom and Dad on the square
At HopCat
My mom now has Instagram. Too cute.
Last and definitely least, on the way home from buying a new phone charger and Kong -- this happened. Speeding tickets suck.
So now, I get to go to court to dispute my ticket. TEARS didn't even work on this cold hearted police officer. Urgh. (and yes, I can cry on command)
This screams Lulu
No comments:
Post a Comment