Getting a grip

Last month, I lost my car at work. Like legit COULD NOT find it and was convinced it had been stolen. Nevermind the fact that I parked it in a parking garage, and hundreds of other people's cars surrounded mine that were much nicer and much more expensive. Nope, I was convinced. It was stolen. I was certain.

AmFam is HUGE. I think like 5000 or so employees. NHQ's "campus" opened in the late 90s -- and never since they opened did they have a report of a missing or stolen car. Until that day. I called security. I called my husband. I called my mom. My dad. And was minutes away from calling the police.

What REALLY happened is that I parked it exactly where I thought I did, but one level lower.

 

This situation is the perfect example of how my life has been lately.


Chaos. Disarray. Pandemonium.

I just cannot get a grip. And life is kicking my ass.

I could blame my sleep issues. Narcolepsy half the time. Insomnia the other half. Or I could just blame the fact that my life has been fifty shades of cray FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER. But no matter the cause, THIS, my dear friends, is exactly why I haven't truly BLOGGED (as in actually writing in my posts) since November 1st. AND on November 1st, I gave a speedy quick update on Halloween and again, dumped a thousand pictures for you to see. Because really, this is just as much as my scrapbook/place to save photos as it is my blog.

SO, what has happened in life?

First, the big question mark that is my excessive sleepiness or, completely opposite, my dreadful insomnia. I had my sleep study at the end of October.

Which really was just the best time ever (sarcasm). I had to stay overnight. Starting at 8pm and the entire next day until 5pm. They had this creepy ass camera pointing straight at the bed, and I had eleventy different wires/sensors attached to me. Going up my nose. In my mouth. Around my chest. Waist. On my legs. It was just----- sigggggh. Annoying to say the least. As if THAT didn't throw off my sleep enough, my allergies were at an all time high - and completely ruined my "baseline" results.

The outcome?  A big fat question mark. THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME.

So, I get to go back in February. Continue my "band aid" medicine/stimulants to keep me awake - and even then, they don't know if they'll ever figure it out.

My mom and I have been on a mission to figure out what's going on. She's talked to chiropractors. I've talked to naturopathic doctors. The ketogenic diet and intermittent fasting was suggested along with cutting gluten, alcohol, tobacco, sugar, caffeine AND EVERYTHING ELSE FUN from my diet permanently.

I think I'd rather just stay tired and keep my life in shambles. Maybe??

Needless to say, coffee (sometimes two cups) has been essential.  Oh wait, that's caffeine, isn't it?? ;)

Also, Pappy and I are TEAM CO SLEEPING. Even if he is 60 pounds. He's totally a lap dog.

Along with sleeping too much or never sleeping at all and losing my car, my housewife skills have plummeted drastically. At one point, our walk in closet was really just a HUGE pile of unfolded clothes. To the point that WE COULD NOT SEE AN INCH OF CARPET. AND the pile was SO DEEP that it went up to my knees when I stood in the closet. Ay yi yi.

Finally, I tackled the monster. By bringing in a bottle of wine, turning on Netflix, and locking myself in the room until I was finished (3 and a half hours later). Now, I am determined to start and finish ONE load every single day so that never happens again. That keeps our baskets empty and SHOCKER!!! Folding one load is SO MUCH easier than folding ten.

Work has had a major part in convincing me to get my shit together as well. HR rolled out this new wellness program where they literally PAY ME extra money to track my steps, count my calories, take the stairs vs the elevator, etc. And free money is just about the best thing there is. Second only to puppies.

This is an appropriate dinner, right??

So once I received my company paid knock off fitbit (called a misfit), I got my ass in gear. Walking all over the damn place. The puppies LOVE it, obvi.

Weather dependent, we walk every night. Matt will stay inside, getting dinner ready, feeding the cats, etc., etc. and I will walk one at a time for 30 minutes each.

YOU GUYS, I will do ANYTHING for shoe dedicated spending cash. And that's EXACTLY what the extra money will be used for. I really want some Oxfords......

Anyways, back to walking the pups individually. 

I like to call it their "Mommy and me" time. Surprisingly so, I've come to enjoy our walks. Most of the time, they're not complete monsters and I can actually enjoy the outside air, call my mom or Courtney, or just have some peace and quiet to organize my thoughts. Other nights, like tonight, they are Tasmanian devils. Throughout their chaos, I obsessively check the timer on my phone - counting down the minutes until I can switch to the other "tornado on a leash"

Aside from tonight, it has rained EVERY DAMN NIGHT. For like five nights. So the Fennel pitties have just been NUTS. OFF THE FREAKING WALL. Like other pit bulls, Pappy and Wally are SO energetic. Seriously! We could walk for miles, and they'd still be ready to go another five. Which is why awhile back, I invested (really, we got it for free from our cousin) in a treadmill. Bring in Cesar Millan.  If only he could come here and train them how to use it.

We've tried it with the boys a few times. Basically, they hate it and want nothing to do with it. Pappy is more open to the idea, whereas Wally,  now, literally has to be dragged with a leash to even stand five feet away from it.

But I really need to stick with it, and be a "tough love Mom". Because eventually, when they get it down pat and aren't scared shitless anymore, it really will help things immensely. They will be able to walk more. For longer periods of time. No matter what the weather. Finally feel truly exercised. And as a result, be less destructive.

Because, really......

Our house can't afford anymore chewing out of boredom or frustration.  As you can likely see. Luckily, we were planning to replace the carpet anyways - and really! All that shit is replaceable. They aren't. Most importantly:::::: It. is. not. their. fault.

1) They are still very much puppies
2) I SUCK at giving them enough exercise
3) I SUCK at giving them enough mental stimulation

BUT!!! oh! oh! oh! We are getting all three pups a kibble puzzle for Christmas, so they will need to USE THEIR BRAIN and really THINK!!! AKA Figure out how to get to their food by patting the toy, sliding a lid over, etc. This coupled with a sufficient amount of exercise for my very energetic boys and lazy little Charlotte should make them all happy as hippos.

AREN'T THEY JUST DARLING?!

Other updates:

Dad got his knee replaced in the beginning of November. And I am thrilled to report that he is healing beautifully, and will be returning to work on Monday!

Last month, the Cubs had an awesome post season (a little late?), and while they didn't win the World Series (wahhhh!), Arrieta won the Cy Young, Maddon won top manager, and Bryant (SWOOOOON!) won Rookie of the Year. Yay!

 Matt watching one of the playoff games LITERALLY on the edge of his seat.

 

To make going to work (and crating the pups all day) easier, I have been making them frozen kong treats to work on throughout the day. A little yogurt, some can cheese, peanut butter, and pumpkin topped with beef broth. AKA All their favorites!!! They LOVE it.

I went to the craft show with my mom over the weekend and bought these dog treats -- YES!!!! That pizza and those waffles are DOG TREATS!!!!!!! I got the woman's business card, and I imagine we will buying from her again in the near future. How adorable is this???

After the craft show, Mom and I treated ourselves to a "treat" as well. VINO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Earlier this week, I deleted my Facebook - and you will NOT believe how much extra time I have now!!! Again, trying to get my life back on track AKA get a grip AKA get my shit together!

I found Charlotte's outfit for our Christmas cards. Stay tuned for pictures.

Oh, and I have been on a ROLL getting some early Christmas shopping done - I. can. not. wait. until. Black. Friday.

EEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Target!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Door busters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sigh.

I've been obsessed with essential oils lately, and did some research on what kind of oils could help with my sleep issues. Come to find out eucalyptus, peppermint, and rosemary were recommended for narcolepsy. So now, I smell like a walking pine tree.

I really want this for our front door step. We're such pleasant neighbors with our three "scary looking" rambunctious puppies and general stand off-ish attitudes.  Oh well.

Yikes!

SEVEN, count them, S-E-V-E-N (7) meetings tomorrow! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

I need get my beauty sleep. Until next time.

One more thing: Ernie thinks he is a pibble, too.

 

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