Just an Overdue Update

So one thing I really don't handle too well is being vomited on (unless its by me on myself and its totally self-inflicted...)

So, Dalton's got the flu. Not sure if its the media overhyped H1N1 virus, but possible. Noone is testing for it anymore because its expensive and once the results come back, kids are already back to school. If the media wants something scary to talk about, call me, I have a whole list ready. So, yes, I got the full on flu vomit bath yesterday...followed by the bloody nose sheet change by the healthy other child...and overall yucky bodily fluids not being contained very well. I called about renting a HAZ MAT suit, but they were all already all out on loan (due to a DATELINE epsiode the night before about microscopic dangers in your kitchen).

So, just an update:
1. We sold our house. YIPPEE!
2. We are buying another house... YIPPEE!
3. Emerson is going to the pumpkin farm tomorrow.
4. Dalton is staying home.
5. I will have roast beef...just kidding...it just seemed like the next logical thing to say.
6. Ana ships out in a week or so to Cynthia's back 40.
7. I am actually sleeping at night (except being awakened to be vomited on).
8. I think my friends have already forgotten me.
9. I bet if I vomit on them, they will remember me, but may not like me too much anymore.
10. I love fall.

I am going to bed...

Where the hell have I been?

I know you are all asking the above question along with me...Okay, with every one's sanity at stake here, I'll give you the super-quick, super-revised, super-fast version, because a shower is an absolute necessity today and I have a very short window...

So, to sum up what's going on...here's the cliff note version.

1. Emerson started Kindergarten.
2. Dalton started 3 year old preschool.
3. Dalton won't potty train and has convinced me its chic to wear diapers to college. Keeps saying "tomorrow". My ultimate procrastinator.
4. Dalton can climb out of and back into his crib faster than a speeding bullet...(yes, he is still in one...see #5).
5. We're moving to St. Louis.
6. Emerson is taking karate. He's earned his uniform and white belt.
7. Dalton is going through the terrible 3's.
8. Ana is on stall rest from a leg injury and is just overall pissed off about it.
9. Bentley is almost as big as Scarlett...and he's 6 months old. Can you say 90 pounds plus?
10. I am realizing just how much crap we have after touring the moving estimator through our house...how many trucks will we need?
11. Need a buyer for our house here.
12. Need a buyer who wants a barn cat with the house...(and some days children too).
13. Would like one night in a hotel room by myself with room service, good wine, a good book, some good sleeping pills, a mask, earplugs, dark curtains, and a "privacy please" sign down a "quiet area" wing...even for just an hour...
14. Lots of exciting things going on...hanging on to this roller coaster and loving the ride!

Okay, so, it took a bit, but I think I'm back in the saddle for my blog. Now that you kind of know where I've been (really, nowhere new physically, but kind of scattered mentally), you're all caught up!

My Sweet Pony

So...I rode my horse today. No, really, this is a big deal since she has been a full-time yard ornament for the past few months. How great to just hop right on and have no fear or feel the need to have 911 pre-dialed on my cell phone.
So, we didn't do alot. She's fat. I'm fat. It was just one of those, let's get to know you again rides. (And, you could stand to lose a few LB's). We hacked around and worked on some walk work and a little trot work. Arena footing a bit off so we were taking it easy. Plus, she had half her hoof drilled out (kind of like a bad cavity) so I think she's a little tender footed on her left front. Anyway, it was so refreshing to be back on my pony. I only realize how much I need her in my life once I get back on her. I'm a whole new person (and almost two with my recently multiplying fat cells).
Anyway, it was nice to get back on...

How Do YOU Describe Friendship?

Well. I'll answer my own question. A friend in my opinion is someone who:

1) is there when you need them
2) would pick you up and drive you home no matter the time
3) will always tell you that you're right (unless you're disagreeing with them...)
4) will NEVER betray you

And that's all I have to say about that.

We Caught Him!

So, last night J set up the trap to catch our allegedly rabid fox complete with old Christmas garland to cover and camouflage the steel box. Armed with smelly sardines it was only a matter of time before the poor creature would wander in and then...SLAM!

Well guess what! This morning the trap was squealing and rocking...and hissing and scratching...we caught our own cat.

Oh well, better luck next time. Sorry Smokey.

Oh...the DRAMA

Okay. So, I know it's been a bit since I've wowed you all with my words of wisdom. Actually, it was more I was having a hard time letting go of looking at the Bentley in prime blog real estate when I logged in.

So, what's going on. Dogs are good. Nobody's eaten anybody lately. Have a sick kid...that totally sucks but at least vomiting has been limited to twice and fever coddling with meds and cold cloths is totally doable. What horse?... All is well.

Sad about Farrah...always admired her and thought her beautiful. May you rest in peace and if you have a chance give Bandit a pat on the head for me.

What's with Michael? That was odd. Don't have much of a public opinion about that except I did perform a group talent show number to "Beat It" in Elementary School. Oh, and "Man in the Mirror" was some lame pre-show number I did for some beauty pageant...(oh, I didn't just admit I did a small handful of those...oh no...) Okay, so a rest in peace to you too, but you don't have to pet my dog.

I'm thinking about my dear friend CE who's going through some trying times.

What else. J thinks we have a rabid fox in the neighborhood. Here's where men and women are very different. I open the phone book to the government listings and look up "wildlife". J meticulously sets out a trap baited with horrific odorous sardines. And just on a sideline here. Have you ever smelled those things??? I thought something had holed up under our house and died three weeks ago the stench was so awful. I came out of D's room after 20 minutes of sleepy rocking only to have my nasal passages assaulted. J came in and said "can you smell it?" Smell it! I think I need a bath now. Anyway, how anyone in their right mind can put those smelly little fish (they are fish right?) on pizza is an absolute atrocity! It should be banned. Anyway, so J puts the sardines where they should be - in the trap (in fact that's what they should be marketed as - BAIT) and we sat outside partaking in spirits awaiting the arrival of the rabid fox. Clearly, he hasn't come yet or I would be writing about that, and I gave up to come inside and blog away. Anyway, kind of funny. J is in for the hunt...I am not. But, I will say, I did check the trap first thing this morning, and will surely beeline for the backdoor to check it tomorrow morning...You'll be sure to know if we catch something...or I'll be back on this blog in another 3 months or so...just kidding... ; )

Our New Bentley

So, last week for Mother's Day, I drove 2 hours to go pick up our new 2009 model Bentley.
Ours doesn't look quite like the picture above.





You can check it out at http://www.myboxerdogbloglife.blogspot.com/ -
you may want to read it backwards and start with day 1.

Aaaaaaaaaaa....

What a difference a week can make. Things are good here. Scarlett is healing just fine. She's enjoying her new diet of canned mush and has finally started drinking. Yea for Miss Scarlett...and for us.

So, before life got derailed once again (and I now have my safety harness securely cinched down tight), I was on the road to fabulous things. You know, the whole reinventing myself. I'm thinking a tattoo should be in order. What an uproar that would cause. How very non-rockymountesque. Maybe I'll get one in the middle of my forehead...okay maybe not...that doesn't sound like such a great idea especially when I think about what I would want permanently inked on my face.

In all reality, when I close my eyes, and think what would give me what I need, I always go back to my camera. Its my escape, my love, and my passion. So, for all my devoted bloggies out there (and I know my audience is becoming vast) if you see me, and I'm not totin', ask me why not...dammit. ; )

What a Gift...

Today was an amazing day...there are no words to describe today except...well, amazing and truly a blessing.

Today was Scarlett's big day going to the Vet School. (NC State for those of you not familiar with this facility...and if you have animals and have never been there, then you need to be thankful...but, if you have a sick pet, there is no other place you need to be...).

Our day didn't start out so great. It was raining, I was beyond stressed and emotionally raw. I threw the kids in the car for school. We raced down 64 so I could get them in their rooms by 9am and be at the vet school by 10am. Pushing it...yes. I looked at my phone as I got in the car and had 4 messages. Who was looking for me? Well, it would be my babysitter who was sick. A huge wrench in my day. After going through my arsenal of sitters, my dear friend agreed to take both kids for the afternoon (bless her). Whew...

Got to the vet school at 10...sharp. Got Scarlett inside and my bottom barely hit the waiting room seat before Scarlett's name was called. My heartbeat tripled. She was shaking. I was shaking. We were both scared for different reasons. Or, maybe we were both scared for the same reason...the unknown.

The Dentistry resident and two Class of '09 students swiftly took Scarlett and I into exam room 5. They carefully placed the tissue box at my feet as I tearfully recalled the events that got us to this moment. They took her pulse and wrote some notes and said they would be right back. Then they left. Scarlett "sat" on my lap the best a 55 pound dog can. We waited.

The panel of vets came back with Dr. G. He flipped on the xray viewing light and slid the film into the clip. "It looks like we most likely have a dentigerous cyst". All I heard was, it looks like its not a tumor. It's not a tumor. It's not. It's not..."It's not a tumor?" I asked just to be clear. He said he couldn't say 100% but all signs were pointing to a very large cyst. A cyst that had been growing since puppyhood due to some teeth not erupting in her mouth properly. "What are our options?" Due to the size, Dr. G. highly recommended removal. "And if we did nothing?" The cyst would continue to grow and eventually take over her jaw fracturing it along the way and our problems would escalate. My next question was "when" and "how much". Amazingly, he could perform the surgery today, and Miss Scarlett could go home late afternoon.

I called Jason and he agreed that we needed to do this for our beloved pet. I signed some forms and gave her a kiss before they took her away. Dr. G explained the procedure and what to expect. "We'll call you" he said and I turned and walked out.

Several hours later after an afternoon in Raleigh, I got a call that Scarlett had done well and was ready to go home. I was sitting in the vet school parking lot when I got the call...waiting. I went inside and was taken back to Exam Room 4 this time. Dr. G. came in and explained what was found. She had the majority of her teeth including three front teeth, her canine, and several pre-molars removed from the left side of her mouth. Also removed was the cyst. He went over the discharge instructions and which pills to give when. I asked more questions which are all a blur now. It was time to go home...The entourage of vets helped Scarlett to the car aiding her hind end with a towel looped through her legs. She slept all the way home.

She seems to be doing well. I think she's glad to be home. She ate some canned food for dinner and then retreated back to her spot on her blanket where she currently sleeps as I write. We love you, Miss Scarlett and hope you get well soon.

So, as I write this, my heart is filled with absolute gratitude. I am so thankful to God and Bandit for watching over my dear little Scarlett and granting our family more time with her. I am thankful for the warnings they sent me to slow down and appreciate things like taking a walk on a beautiful day. Let the dishes sit in the sink, let the laundry lay on the floor, and let the chores of daily life sit for awhile...they will always be there still tomorrow...but some of the most beautiful, precious lives in this world, may not. So, my lessons for today...be thankful. Enjoy what you have. Take time out. Put "walking the dog" before #1 on today's to-do list...and then do it. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Clearly...God heard every one of you. Thank you.

Scarlett...

So, the vet called today...I've cried an ocean.

The pathology results were "inconclusive" as there was not enough sample of bone. Of course the world "inconclusive" immediately screamed "IT'S NOT CANCER" to my ears. However, after a long talk with the vet, with me lobbing out all my internet doggie health site search results on the possibilities, it looks like all signs are pointing in a not so great direction. But, since the results were "inconclusive", that's exactly where we are..."inconclusive".

I hate this word. Inconclusive. I want answers...

So, we sit tight tonight. Give my dog a bone and lots of extra wet-teared hugs. Never thought I would be dealing with this just a month after saying good-bye to Bandit.

Waiting...

...please send tissues...

Scarlett...Sick with Worry.

Up and down...Up and Down...My roller coaster. Sometimes I just want to hand someone a wrench, declare it broken, and say "work on this for a bit, I'll be right back".

So, the latest. Took our beloved Scarlett to the vet on Monday for what I originally thought was a bug bite down at the beach. Then, after reading on the Internet, decided it might be a possible tooth abscess so requested antibiotics just in case, because it would be several days before I could get her home to the vet. Eating fine. Drinking fine. All is fine.

Long story short...took x-rays of her mouth and she has a large growth in her jaw. Yes...growth...Yes...large. Not good...

Took biopsy and am awaiting pathology results in next few days. I am sick with worry.

NO! Bandit, you can't have her yet. I know you want her to come run and play with you and show off your new running legs in Dog Heaven, but please leave Scarlett here for me awhile longer. I really need her...

Saying prayers.

Where's Audra?

Somewhere. Somehow. I got lost.

Well, with little detective work I can super-sleuth out the "somewhere"...Somewhere between birth and now. The somehow is a little more tricky.

I think between being pulled 50 different directions going 900 miles an hour ALL the time its pretty easy to lose oneself. I feel like I'm on a crazy Merry-go-Round that has suffered severe mechanical malfunctions and is whirring around so fast that people who are watching me are just crossing themselves and wishing me luck.
But, not to worry. It took a simple change of scenery, some good wine, and some great laughs to slow the whole ride down. I lost my priorities along the way. Now, I see them, since the Merry-Go-Round is back closer to its original doo-de-doo, up and down, merry ride. It's still a little faster than I'd like it to go, but much more manageable. I'd like to slow it enough to hop off for a few minutes and rest my spinning head. But, first things first.
So, with the "new found Audra", I have some things to change. I'm sure I will post these in another blog entry, but right now, I have about a 3 minute window to catch a shower, which I better catch today, or the beautiful spring flowers will start wilting, and yes...its that bad.
So, welcome back...ME. And be looking for great things coming from my direction!

My Life Steps...Do not try this.

Please do not try this. These are very important steps. If you try to complicate them, change them, or reorder them, then disaster will be imminent.

Step 1: Wake up 6am

Step 2: Let out dog

Step 3: Make large pot of coffee.

Step 4: Feed dog.

Step 5: Feed kids.

Step 6: Pack lunches

Step 7: Dress kids (also includes changing diapers)

Step 8: Chase kids to car.

Step 9: Take kids to school.

Step 10: The only allowable varied step. Sub-steps include grocery shopping, dry clean picking up, or other errand running, or straight home to clean.

Step 11: Pick kids up from school.

Step 12: Feed kids lunch

Step 13: Read to kids

Step 14: Put one kid down for nap.

Step 15: Play

Step 16: Do dishes leftover from breakfast and laundry piled up.

Step 17: Shuttle to afternoon activities.

Step 18: Feed kids dinner.

Step 19: Give kids bath.

Step 20: Put kids to bed.

Step 21: Feed dog.

Step 22: Let dog out.

Step 23: Go to bed.

Step 24: Repeat...from step 1.

Occasional optional allowable steps: Step 4a: shower (only required after 3 full days have lapsed). Step 11a: Stop at McDonald's first. And not more than 2 times a month per every 2 months Step 21a: board meetings for volunteer activities and Step 21b: Book club evening out with girls.

Required non-stop additional steps: Step 1a-21b: Play Star-Wars.

Do not try this at home. I am a professional.

Good-Bye

Hands down today was one of the hardest days in my life. Today, Wilson felt like it was 5000 miles from Rocky Mount. The drive with Bandit was sad and beautiful at the same time. He stuck his head out the window and let his jowls flap in the wind for the last time. I turned around in my seat and watched his boxer slobber dirty up my windows and I didn't care. Just seeing his eyes slant against the wind was one of the most beautiful sights.

We fed him pieces of steak on the way. He licked his chops after each piece and awaited the next. We got to the vet and Jason and I were able to be with him through to the end.

I worry for Scarlett. She's never know life without him. Come to think of it, Jason and I have hardly known our life together without him too. I can still picture the day we got in the car after excessive research by me on the breed and breeder, and Jason turned to me and said we can't just go "look at" puppies. Was I prepared to come home with a dog?..We were newlyweds married only 6 months. We will celebrate 10 years this August. A lifetime...

I will miss Bandit so much. It's hard to sit here and type and not look over to see him passed out on the couch. The tears still come...but time will heal.

I got a few cards today that made may heart soar. For those of you who have been down this road before us, thank you for offering your comforting words. Believe me...they have meant the world...

As everything else, time will heal this tender wound. I was just so thankful to come home to a faceful of wet kisses from Scarlett. We will give her extra hugs and kisses and keep her close for we are so thankful she is in our life.

For those of you who haven't walked this road...eventually the time will come. I will not lie. It is awful. So, hug your dogs. Give them bones. Love on them like there is no tomorrow. Because it comes much faster than you can ever imagine...and we enjoyed a full life with our Bandit.

Run, Bandit, Run. Enjoy yourself. Frolic and jump...and be sure to do laps so fast your belly drags the ground. I love you and will miss you terribly. You were the perfect dog. God Bless my old friend.

I love you...

Tears...

I am so sad...Tomorrow we will say good-bye to our beloved Bandit. I can hardly keep it together. Normally, I have wit and humor pouring from me...but tonight its just tears...It's been a short nine years...

I am so thankful for the healthy, happy, romping, years Bandit has given our family. What a joyful dog. I will miss him so much. I will need such strength tomorrow...

It will be so hard to say good-bye...

I love you, Bandit. Thank you for always understanding me and never judging me. Thank you for always offering your wet nose and kisses to lick away my tears and your strong shoulder to lean on. You are a beautiful dog. I will cherish our special memories. May you now be able to run without stumbling, get up without falling, and be free from your physical frustrations. I look forward to running with you again someday...

May your crossing over the Rainbow Bridge be with only comfort and knowing how much you are loved and how much you will be missed...

I love you...

Thankful Not Taking a Ride on The Vomit Comet

Ooooooooooooooooooo...there is nothing worse in the whole wide world than the dreaded vomiting virus. It is so awful, words (thankfully), can't fully describe the full horror of the illness. I just want to send out a broth-filled, bland diet, hello to my friends who have contacted this terrible sickness...and PLEASE...keep it to yourselves! I have no problem dropping off cases of Lysol to your homes...You know who you are...take care and see you in a few weeks! ; ) Get well soon my sickie friends...YUCK!

Boy Scouts (and mommies) Say Always Be Prepared

Be prepared...I was...

Well, after months of scavenging used North Face shell jackets and Patagonia pants in miniature on ebay, trips to sporting goods stores desperate to find snow gloves, and paying shipping from faraway stores in Montana (where it actually snows in February and the stores still stock these items...unlike here where the bikinis are already dismally displaying themselves front and center on the racks), I was ready to goto the mountains this weekend. Emerson looked so cute in his ski outfit complete with his NF shell and his Obermeyer insulated (which I proudly esniped at the last minute) jackets - you know in case it was 18 degrees or 50 degress he was all set.


Dalton luckily was able to squeeze into some old hand-me-downs and except for the fact he looked like a bad patchwork quilt, everything was covered and fit for the most part (poor second born). While his brother looks like a kid model for REI, he looks like a ski school dropout. Anyway, the important thing is, we were ready!


Now, for anyone that packs for more than oneself, and double this if there are any females involved (time and volume), packing for a winter trip takes minimum a full day. There's at least five lists involved here...1) clothes to pack 2) essentials to pack close by (ie diapers, cups, etc). 3) entertainment (including adding new playlist to ipod, buying new movies for car, testing DVD players, spending 30 minutes looking for the right cords) 4) other essentials (cameras, battery chargers, phone chargers, cell phones) 5) leaving home list (call animal sitter, etc), and 6) honey-do list. Now, remember, all of these tasks need to be performed under a continued attack of demands from children. Plus, time out for making lunch, cleaning up spilled self-help snack I was unaware of and was ultimately crushed into the carpet by the wheels of a suitcase, rescue flushing toilets, diffuse arguments over a toy that hasn't been touched in 3 months by either child, investigate loud CRASH sound, time time-outs...and this is just naming a few. Packing for a trip is like preparing for a year end meeting. If you leave out a crucial detail, it could derail the whole thing. Now, imagine preparing for that meeting without a door on your office. Well, at least, there's Walmart for anything I might forget to pack...while a meeting...well you would just be screwed.

So, here we were. All packed. Ready...set...SICK! Aaaaaa! Nothing like a child waking with a 101 degree fever and complaining of tummy troubles. There is nothing more frightening to a mother's ears than digestive issues which more than likely will result in the dreaded vomiting virus. So, all my efforts are still, for the most part, packed in the car a day and a half later. I guess the bright side of this is it could have been worse. Vomit in a car...well, you may as well go through the car wash with the windows down...

Anyway, so we are sad we missed the Wintergreen trip. Hope all of you who went are having a great time!

Lots to say...Little time...

Okay...so my post for today is read my other blog...(goto profile...then to boy crazy) because my newest soap box and crusade is to abolish the dated term "stay at home" mom. Will have something else for my general bloggies soon. ; )

Where or Where?

Where in the hell is the DELETE button??? My personal puzzle...

Economic Crisis Plan

Huh hmmm...(clearing throat and stepping on soap box)...I can single-handedly solve this whole financial crisis right now.

So, we have what I call a real "teething diaper" mess on our hands. A bunch of mumbo jumbo politicians trying to remember which hand to shake with and which one to wipe with, and just hope and pray they don't get them mixed up. There's so much finger pointing and back stabbing that - like a screaming toddler that belongs to you - you just tune it out and painfully wait it out until the end. So, let's take a look at this. We are in a recession. What does that mean? Basically, our economy is in swirl of water in the toilet. we're spinning around chasing tails and going down at the same time (to the sea of shit ultimately). So, how do we fix this? Well, the politicians think if you throw a big you-know-what in there (ie this "stimulus package") it will stop the swirling - which it will, but you all know what things look like when that happens. The panic immediately sets in as the swirl of water starts coming back up at you. You immidately fall to your knees to turn the emergency water shut off. Then its time to roll up your sleeves and pull out the plunger and the mop. So, while the "stimulus package" may stop the downward water swirl, it will ultimately look pretty for only a nanosecond before changing direction which only creates a whole set of new, bigger, problems.

My plan is more like calling a plumber in to just fix it in the first place. Enter...women.

What do we need to kick start the economy? Spenders. Who should the government give a stimulus to? Women. Simple math...A+B=C. Women will spend the money given to them, thus stimulating the economy. Ta da!

Clearly, my plan requires some tweaking, but let me sum it up like this. I would love the government to send me a check requiring me to go out and by some Prada's (which for the record I've never owned but would be fun to say I did someday) to save our country's economy.

You can make a contribution to my campaign when I announce my candidacy...

Wishing I Could Do SOMETHING Right

Well...I guess the title of this post pretty much said it all. That's all folks!

Crazy Dreams

So, last night I had a this crazy vivid dream...I was with my bff (the one who claims never to have read my blog...maybe this will be some inspiration). Anyway, said bff asked me if I wanted to go shopping for cake batter. Before my brain could process her invitation, my sweet tooth had already said yes. So, she comes and picks me up in a little pod car. Literally, this thing looked like a hard boiled egg rolling down my driveway. I squeezed in the pod car cartoon style and off we went. Next thing I knew we were off in a great big horsiecopter (yes, that would be a helicopter fitted for horses to be on board too complete with personal stall staterooms - think Titanic with an overhead rudder - not quite sure how this transition took place). I was concerned about where this cake batter shopping spree was taking me. Next thing I knew, MO bff said to me thank goodness we got the extra weight allowance added to this bird so the big horse could come. Clearly there was some sort of standard weight limit we were exceeding with the new BIG horse. (I never said this would make sense...or maybe its some "you need to lose weight" subliminal message). We got to our destination (which for the record resembled a big city like...Raleigh or Greenville) and I was so overly distracted by the fact that I hadn't packed an overnight bag that I totally missed the cake batter shopping spree and the horse thingamabob. So, I guess it just goes to show that I'm overly obsessed with going someplace that I'm missing the journey I'm on...and maybe need a smaller, more environmentally friendly, car...okay, maybe not on that one.

Recent Travels

Why is it when I have two children, a 100 lb car seat, a dinosaur stroller (big and bulky and yes, that old), a diaper bag, a travel bag, dvd players, snacks, games, and a whole bunch of other crap to get from point A to point B, travel doesn't go very smoothly? For instance, summer of 07 I took my sweet kids (ages 3 and 9 months) to Seattle. This idea, in itself, can make the faint of heart turn white and collapse. However, I, with my good idea jeans on, decided to go forth. Long story short, we got delayed for 4 hours in Raleigh - 2 at the gate and 2 on the tarmac in a 90 degree plane. After all that, flight ended up being canceled, spent the night at a hotel in Raleigh because it wasn't worth the trek home with all our gear only to turn around again 6 hours later. Next day, got up and got to Seattle (I made that sound MUCH easier than it actually was). On the return trip, bad weather got us rerouted to Tulsa to sit and wait out thunderstorms in Dallas. By the time we got to Dallas, missed connection and last leg was so overbooked it wasn't even worth trying. So, again, hotel room. Nightmare travel for anyone... So, coming full circle with my story...I just got back from a quick weekend trip to Seattle to meet my fabulous new nephew Leandro...I traveled by myself. I had a small carryon with a book, couple of magazines, a sweater, and a snack (you know, in case I got stuck anywhere for extended amounts of time). My bag neatly fit under the seat in front of me with room to spare for my feet. I ordered a drink. Got to sip it while reading my book instead of slugging it down praying I could finish it before it was toppled over by a flailing baby hand. I small talked with my neighbors instead of apologizing. I got to use the bathroom with the door closed and locked because I didn't have to worry about fitting three people in a cramped space. I got to eat my entire snack and didn't even have to give up the KitKat to puppy eyes. I got to watch - as bad as it was - the inflight movie all the way through! I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep just because it felt so good and...I could. It was a wonderful, relaxing, travel experience. I don't know though...nothing beats watching the wonder and excitement of a child on an airplane...okay, maybe some peace and quiet and a drink with a good book, might beat that out, but only by a slight margin of course.

Had a great trip! Cheers to Michael and Cassia for making Jason and I such a fabulous, adorable, GOOD SLEEPER, nephew! He's a sweetie. Enjoy...before Dalton gets his hands on him. ; )

As if one wasn't enough...

So, since my life goes 500 different directions all the time, I figured...why not add a new blog? Okay, so here's my thinking...one is all about me. One is all about the other me...the mom me. ; ) Check it out at www.boycrazymommy.blogspot.com ; )

Happy New Year 2009!

Well, what a blur life has been since my last post. Thanksgiving all the way through New Years. So, much happened between Santa coming down the chimney and gobbling up his non-marshmellow cookies (because for the record, Santa DOES NOT like Christmas tree shaped marshmellows stuck in the frosting of his sugar cookie), to celebrating the birth of Jesus, to wallowing with family after some fabulous meals, and toasting many, many times to family, friends and the Holiday Season. And, of course, Lee turning...well...put it this way, it was an age that prompted a rocking party up at the hoppin' spot in SH.

So, here we are...2009. Really, where does the time go? Sadly, I almost didn't make to midnight on New Years. I made the fatal mistake of getting a little too festive a little too early which landed me on the couch adding another head for the babysitter to take care of (I think I was #10) at around 11:15. Long story short, I not only made it to midnight to bring in the new year, but I also was able to perform with my kick ass band the VP's! I know our style was not for everyone that evening, but then again, not everyone loves Ozzy now do they? So, blah, blah, blah, here we are in the new year.

So, now, y'all are caught up.

Happy New Year. May it be a good one.