Thursday, January 28, 2010

Dogs, Kids and Life Lessons


So this isn't so much a funny post, in that I have to keep wiping away the tears to write it.

I really wanted a dog. My oldest daughter did too - the youngest was enthusiastic. My husband, not so enthusiastic, but said if I really wanted it and would do the work, then he would go along with the plan.

Do you know how hard it is to get a dog from a rescue group? You have to practically donate an organ, and they don't want it going to homes with kids under 7.

I was bugged by the kids under 7 thing. "They don't know my family, they don't know my kids" etc.. is what I lamented to my BFF. So after a little white lie, we were approved for a puppy. A lab mix. I bought all the stuff, a crate, food, toys, bowls, pre paid for the spay etc... And I drove over the pass to meet the woman fostering the pups - to pick mine out. I picked the pretty girl, we named her Trixie.

She cried alot the first few nights, because clearly she was missing her brothers and sisters. I laid on the floor in front of her kennel the first night, and slept there, and she quieted down. I got up multiple times in the night to take her outside to go to the bathroom. Then I got up multiple times with my 3 y.o. who was having bad dreams or something. And we put all the stuff up off the ground that puppies would like to chew. I played with her, and played with her some more. I allocated 15 minutes before every departure from the house so she could go out and go to the bathroom. Wow, I thought I knew what I was getting into.

My 3 y.o. cried anytime the puppy came near her, she hid out in the play room. My 5yo did pretty well helping, but then would shriek and cry if the dog got ahold of her sleeve or leg or did anything remotely puppy play like. My husband was helpful ish the first 2 days, but clearly was upholding his decision of 'it's your choice, it's your responsibility'. Until I was sobbing and exhausted.

So we had to give Trixie back to the rescue group, who have a fabulous family lined up for her. I sobbed and cried all the way to drop her off and hysterically as I put her in the arms of the rescue founder. I'm surprised I didn't have a car accident on the way home because it's very difficult to see the road through tears and snot.

I really really really hate it - when you make a decision that you think will be great for your family and ends up being rotten for everyone involved. Including the innocent puppy who now gets to adjust to another home. All because of me and my choice. Ouch. (FYI - I would NEVER give up a dog 2years into a relationship etc.. but knowing there was a list of families who wanted those pups made it feel like the right thing to do.)

So I've woken up the past few days feeling sick and gross and sad and missing the pretty sweet little girl, but I know it was the right decision overall. In a reversal of roles, I have cried multiple times to my brother on the phone - like you're a kid and can't stop that stuttering, sobbing crying. He said that I will have the chance (when my kids are of the 'legal' dog adoption age) to make a difference in another dog's life. An older dog who might not get one otherwise. Most definitely. But ahh.. Trixie girl, I miss ya.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Old Dog, New Tricks

I've always been of the subconcious mind set that the way we are, our habits, or general personalities, are what they are. If a man beats his girlfriend, he's not going to change his ways... that kind of thing. However, I keep finding myself recognizing changes to my own personal approach to everyday things.

I have a prime example this week. My M.O. has always been one of politeness and obligation. If someone knocks on your door and you're home, you answer the door. (I also have a hard time not answering the phone, even when the number looks like a telemarketer, much to my husband's annoyance.) Now that I'm working from my home office, I can see all the door knocker sales people, soul savers etc.. coming down the street before they even hit the porch. It's awkard. Especially if you can see them and they can see you as they walk past your window.

Yeah - I don't know when I turned into either a.) and arsehole or b.)totally uncaring of social protocol. But I have. These suckers have knocked on the door - and they can clearly see my daughter (home with a fever) lounging watching a movie and I didn't answer the door. I just didn't feel like it. I was busy doing work stuff and my hours to do such things are limited. So I didn't. Hah! I feel like I'm smoking during high school lunch at the Circle K (which I never ever did or wanted to - by the way Mom in case you're reading.) Or like I'm eating grapes in the grocery store produce section, before paying for them (well, I would NEVER do that - it's just wrong) but you get the gist.

And you know what? It's totally within my right not to answer my door! I don't know these people. I don't have time for their song and dance. We've got new windows and a roof and a guy who helps with the yard. I'm pretty sure I've already got my ticket booked on a handbasket to a hot place - so don't need that one either. I don't need anything from door knockers and I didn't answer the door!

But it feels GOOD and I don't care! Next I'm going to start vaccuming nude or something!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

I Do NOT Speak MonosyllabicGruntus

If Italian is the language of lovers, small child MonosyllabicGruntus is the language of seriously frustrated, most likely harpy Mothers. Seriously. Is it just our family? Please tell me that I'm not alone in this.

While I am quite clear on the fact that my 5 y.o. and I do not have the same communication style, nothing puts me from everything is hunky dory to fire level red faster than the grunts.

Me (Happy Upbeat Voice): "Okay! Everyone find their shoes, it's time to go to school!" "Kate where are your socks?"

Kate: "hmphff" (then disappears - sobbing to be heard from the living room - then reappears still without socks.)

Me (trying to be positive): Hi - okay, socks? Please go get them.

Kate: "mmgh" Again with the running and sobbing.

WHAT IS THE MATTER!! Seriously - there is nothing that has happened between teeth brushing and putting on socks and shoes that I can tell would have been an affront to her person. Clearly she is upset. I don't know why and I'm sure as heck not going to ask.... if she's just going to grunt. Even if I did ask, it would just get a grunt. I can't take it!

I think next up is to find a Psych class for dealing with small children, because clearly whatever I learned in Psych 101 - 15 ahem.. or so years ago did not stick.

I'm all ears - let's hear it. Suggestions anyone??

Monday, January 4, 2010

The Pitfalls of the Home Office


So I'm officially working from the 'home' office. Not even a little. More like ALOT! So much that I didn't even unload the dishwasher this morning - and realized tonight when I went upstairs that I hadn't been up there all day. Cool!

However - as I discovered today during my first 'high pressure' crank it out day, there ARE some downfalls.

a.) The IT guy is my husband. Via IM. From his office. (He's smart, but he's not really an IT guy btw.) And while at an official real office job, you're super duper nice to the IT guy because you KNOW that you'll need his help somewhere down the line - not so much for IT husband.

As I wrote in all capitals FORK THIS PRINTER! Or something close to that - angrily in my IM message box, I did feel a little bad about it. But I was frustrated and stressed, and I know that it would take alot of $$ and time to divorce me... Oh and I think he might love me a little, however there was no love in our terse phone conversation which began with him saying "I am trying to HELP you"..

b.)Having a cat as an assistant. Yeah - no good. He does not know discretion. I.e. If I am in the middle of a phone call or feverishly inputting important things - good assistants would make themselves useful or scarce. They do NOT jump into the middle of your business and stick their butt in your face and get their fur stuck to your lip gloss. Repeatedly. Plus it's very hard to 10 key or make coffee with cat paws.

c.) Snacking.I knew this would be trouble before making the leap.. but jeesh! I was starving today and wisely have rid the house of pretty much anything good that I might like. Oh, but how could I have forgotten chocolate granola bars for the kids!! I might need to get a nanny cam or something to keep me honest!

d.) Finding toys, drawings, pens without lids etc.. all over the place. I constantly shriek when the kids are home "This is Mommy's Office! Not a place for toys and playing!" But the lure of the zen sand garden is just too much I guess. No worries, zen sand garden will be raked clean in short order I'm sure. Thank goodness the carpet is sand colored.

Now I have to go find the cleaning crew... oh wait.....

Friday, January 1, 2010

Happy New Year and All That Reflective Stuff

I've been falling down on the job of posting - but today is the first day of 2010 and after reading everyone's reflective posts on Facebook - I was inspired to jump on.

There's the age old resolutions thing. I try not to do those, as I'm really only gung ho for about 2 weeks and then you're just a disappointment to yourself. I'm all about trying to keep things positive.

Instead I'm taking my BFF's approach today - to try and fend off the mindless chips and salsa grazing that will take place while I watch football: wearing my too tight jeans as punishment and reminder. Nothing curbs the urge to eat chips like catching the reflection of my muffin top in a window. Or having to pull my jeans up OVER the belly overhang to comfortably sit on the couch. As I write this I'm watching my 70 year old neighbor make her 4th lap around the neighborhood. In the rain. And wind. Oh man...

You know how everyone has 2 or 3 'big ideas' that they'd do if they had the time, money or expertise? I'm thinking a Biggest Loser/Betty Ford Camp would be a big winner. I'd sign up right now.

But seriously - here's to a new year, full of unexpected delights and I'm sure a few heartaches thrown in (because really, how can you fully enjoy the good stuff without knowing how the bad stuff feels.) Do something unexpected this year friends!

Cheers! Kimberly