Molly's Haircut

Driving Late at Night Through the Woods in the Pouring Rain with Two Dogs

Due to potential flooding in my area and our driveway's affinity for flooding, we decided to not take any risks of being stranded and spend the remainder of the night at the MiL's.

My job was to pack up all our stuff, grab the dogs and meet J and Grace over there.

Molly will ONLY ride on my lap in the car. If I'm driving, she doesn't care. I can put her in the backseat and POOF...next thing I know she is in my lap.

Max is a much more easy-going rider. He likes to chill in the seat, watching outside the window. Or at least I thought so. Apparently the darkness changes his disposition.

Back to last night.

I put the dogs in the car and as I was lowering myself into the driver's seat, Molly was already in my lap.

We began to creep along down the driveway. Suddenly, a rabbit crossed in front of us. In that EXACT moment, Max jumped into my lap.

Let me take a second to fully describe this picture. Max & Molly are small dogs, but BOTH dogs in my lap is a bit crowded. When you consider that there is a steering wheel involved, well, we are not talking about a lot of free space. Okay.

So when Max jumped on my lap, he ran into the steering wheel. And the horn.

To an outsider looking at the situation, my dog beeped the horn at the rabbit who dared to jump out in front of our car as we were driving late at night through the woods in the rain. Genius. I may enroll him in driver's ed today.

Molly Goes to The Vet

Today I took Molly to my brother-in-law, The Vet to have a mysterious Thing removed from her tail.

Don't worry, I don't intend to gross you out with descriptions or photographs.

I held her while he numbed her tail and began to work. However, her constant squirming was more than I could handle. So, he called over one of his college interns.

"Hey Amber, I need an extra pair of hands over here. Be careful, now, she has bitten off the fingers of two people already."

She looked alarmed, but bravely helped me hold my dog.

Here is a photo of the ferociousness, taken after we got home:

We believe the mysterious Thing was a cyst. She now sits at my feet, milking her injury (stitch included) for all its worth.

Sunning

When I took the dogs out this afternoon, they took off from the porch excitedly. They love going outside because they can run. FREE AS THE WIND. (Okay, on extend-able leashes. But they do love to run outside. It's the closest thing to freedom I will allow.)

But, at the bottom of the steps they stopped.

From where I was standing, I saw Max jump about 3 feet in the air.

I ran down to see what had startled him. There, in the pebbled walkway at the bottom of our stairs was a common black snake. Apparently he/she did not appreciate being disturbed and in turn had coiled itself into attack pose.

When it saw me, it quickly retreated.

Max turned and ran back inside. So much for freedom.

Note: I did not have my camera phone on me when this happened, so I did not get to take a picture of our visitor. The photo on the left was found here in my quest to find a photo of a common black snake.

The 31st

This morning, in the midst of getting Grace up & ready, dealing with fires at work and the huge pile of laundry that grows astronomically every time I turn around, something happened.

I turned 31.

Of course, as anyone can tell you, being 31 feels no differently than being 30. It's just another year gone by. Regardless of the chaos around me, it came and went just the same.

This year could be the best ever. After waiting for so many years, I have my precious daughter.

But life finds a way of humbling me over & over again. When something goes right, three more things go wrong.

It may be obvious in my writing - it definitely is to me - but I've been struggling with depression again lately. I am unhappy with work, and the cloud from that is invading my entire life.

Whenever I feel down, I try very hard to consider all my blessings. With that in mind, here are 31 blessings in my life for my 31st year (in no particular order).

1. My beautiful, healthy daughter
2. A dependable husband who is my best friend
3. My Dad
4. My dogs
5. God's faithfulness
6. Music
7. The Ocean
   
8. Photography
9. The ability to remember random facts
10. My baby's smile (I know, I know. I already said something about her back up at #1. But, hey! I make the rules here.)
    
11. Long eyelashes
12. Monopoly (the board game)
    
13. Flowers
14. Curling up with a good book
    
15. Facebook
16. Food to eat and clothes to wear
    
17. Creative outlets
    
18. Trees
19. Smart Phones
    
20. Melted cheese
21. A car that runs
    
22. DVR
23. Benedryl
24. Chocolate
    
25. The storage capacity on my iPod
    
26. My family and the good memories associated with them
    
27. A fabulous home
    
28. Quiet moments
29. Bacon & Eggs
    
30. Electricity
31. Watching my child grow
    

Long Walks

Now that I am clear for activity, it is time for me to work on this belly. Let's face it. I hate exercise, but my belly is not going away on its own.

I was so, so careful about gaining weight during my pregnancy. Until the last month, I had gained 15 pounds, which on the chart was just where I needed to be. Then that last month, I gained an additional 20. In one month. Darn that pre-eclampsia.

I have actually lost all the weight as far as numbers go. But, my post-pregnancy body is different from my pre-pregnancy body. For the first time in my life, I have a belly overhang. And it's got to go.

I am still tired and sore from the c-section. This means I have to start small - walking it is.

So, my driveway is the perfect place for a walk. Okay, maybe not perfect, but it is a place.

Cedar was ecstatic. (Even though Cedar is pretty much always ecstatic.) I put the leash on him and off we went.

I discovered something about myself today. I am the. slowest. walker. ever. Not only
that, but I had to stop about every hundred feet. Walking is exhausting. I made it down the hill (which is about 1.5 tenths of a mile). I was feeling pretty good about myself, when I turned around to walk back (see photo). As you may know, walking down a hill is much, much easier than walking back up it.

Taking Cedar was a genius idea. He may yank my arm out of socket several times during our little trip, but he did a great job of pulling me back home!

It is going to be a tough feat to do this every day.

Sharing an Office

The best thing about my new job is that it is completely remote. So, I get to share an office with these guys. They are thrilled, as you can see.

Thoughts on a New Year

New Years offers us the perfect opportunity to put a lid on the past year and begin the new year with a fresh start. 2008 has been a challenging year for me, and full of ups and downs. We finally, after 7 years, conceived a baby. We completed our new home. J & I have each other and our three precious dogs. Oh, and family and friends too! I spent many months thriving in my career. I have made new friends in a new area.

On the low side, my family has been plagued with health problems from my dad's stroke to my mom's lymphoedema to my grandmother's major descent into the final stages of Alzheimer's disease. Then of course, my job loss and the health of our little dog.

No matter what I have faced this past year, I know that there is a master plan in the works. I freely admit that I have been having trouble seeing it for the last month, and I have really struggled. The new year offers me the perfect opportunity to wipe the slate clean again. We have the birth of our miracle little baby to look forward to, and that gives me the hope that I need to keep going - one foot in front of the other.

I do not believe in resolutions, because I do not really have the personal discipline for that. I do believe in hope for the future. I believe in this hope not just for me and my family, but for the entire world. The world stage has been set for 2009 to become a year of great change. I hope this change will bring about new beginnings for everyone and the problems that we face as individuals and as a community.

May you and your family have a wonderful 2009!

One More Strike

I know, I know...I have really been a downer lately.

Yet another thing today to add to my current plate of worries...Our little Shih Tzu, Max, was diagnosed with IVDD. We noticed yesterday that he was acting like he did not feel very good. We thought it was something he may have eaten (little dogs and their weak stomachs). When he did not feel any better today, I took him to see my brother-in-law, The Vet.

It turned out to be a serious problem. During the explanation, I had to sit down. IVDD is a disc disease which can lead to paralysis. We have to put Max on a steroid, pain killer and stomach meds. If this medicine does not work, then he will have to have an extremely expensive surgery done by a specialist. You might imagine that with my recent job loss, hearing that was a harsh blow. I may not be able to afford the surgery that my precious little Max may have to have.

We have to monitor Max for the next six weeks and trying to prevent him from going up and down stairs, jumping, etc. We are trying to stay optimistic that the medicine will work.

The Sound of Silence

This afternoon was sent directly from heaven. All is quiet in the house. For the first time in a week, I can let the dogs out of their room to join my siesta on the sofa while we catch up on some of the television shows that we missed. (My dogs love to watch TV with me.)

Don't get me wrong - I have enjoyed the time with the family. But, I can miss them much better after they are gone.

Cedar & the New Enemy

Cedar has identified a new enemy - the landscape lights that line up in front of our house. I am not sure why he firmly believes that these strange alien beings are out to get him, but 1 1/2 have been destroyed - 10 more to go.

A New Game

Cedar has invented a new game. The game is called "Jump Over Molly & Max". He takes off running from one end of the yard straight towards Molly. Right before he railroads into her, he jumps up and over her. Sometimes he jumps from Molly's left side to Molly's right side. More frequently (and more amusing) he jumps from Molly's head to Molly's tail. She's pretty good at this game. She just looks at Cedar like he is crazy.

Then it is Max's turn. He takes off as fast as he can, headed straight for Max. Max freezes in terror as Cedar makes the jump. Max's frozen state just encourages Cedar to repeat the jumping - over and over and over.

Fun with Mulch

Today J & I worked on our landscaping. Okay, J worked on the landscaping and I watched. Hey! I cannot do lifting and I tire easily. Yes, that's right. I am pregnant and taking advantage of it when ever I can. I did rake some of the mulch around.

Cedar, the whole reason we had to undertake this monumental task, watched patiently the entire time. He rotated between laying beside my chair to following one or both of us around the yard. What a well-behaved dog, right? Well, once he did snatch my glove, but he willingly gave it back after I scolded him.

Spreading our dump trailer full of mulch took the entire day. As evening set in, we finally finished. We wearily put away all the tools and sauntered in the house. Then both of us glued ourselves to the window.

After Cedar realized that we were gone, he got up from his bed and cautiously looked around. He went over to the mulch and sniffed it. Then he proceeded to look around again.

So far, so good.

Ever so carefully, he prodded a rather large piece with his nose. After looking around again, he grabbed it and ran back to his bed.

Well, I guess it is better than digging. That dog will chew on anything.

Molly's New Favorite Seat

Problems uploading bigger picture, will fill in soon.

Max as a Pumpkin

Trunks, Treats & Elvis

Tonight, my sister-in-law hosted an annual "Trunk Or Treat" Party next door. Just in case you have never been to one of those, you decorate your trunk for Halloween and all the kids come around and get candy. It is like old-fashioned trick or treating with less walking.

In addition to all the trunks, each of the "sets" of our family were required to decorate a scene along my driveway for a G-Rated spook trail.

Before the party I painted Monkey T's face to complete her transformation into Zombie Hockey Player. She & Meltdown (a Princess) were very excited about all the CANDY.

As unofficial event photographer, I spent most of the time taking pictures of trunks and kids, while J got the job of handing out the candy. Ha! Part of my master plan!

My job came to an abrupt end when I came upon Meltdown faced with an adult Lion. The Lion took her mask off, but Meltdown was unconvinced of this strange, dangerous creature. Besides, right behind the Lion was a full grown Bird and some other adult animal that terrified her. She was so horrified that she forgot all about CANDY and required me to carry her through the rest of the trunks.

So, what's with the Elvis dog? Well, the Elvis mask was sort of a roving costume for people who did not come dressed up. So naturally when Simon the greyhound wandered over, someone put the mask on him.

All things considered, the night was a complete success. All the kids went home with a car full of sugary goodness and I collapsed of exhaustion.

Max in a Jacket

When we first got Molly, the first toy breed dog I have ever had, we became those dog-owners that other people (who just don't understand) make fun of.

I bought her a little hat and raincoat. I bought her a t-shirt. I bought her antlers to wear for Christmas photos. Needless to say, Molly was not amused. Molly looks like a dog that might tolerate that kind of thing, but she is definitely not.

Max, on the other hand - our ferocious little boy dog - he completely loves it. When it is cold outside, he will drag his jacket out of the toy bin where we keep it. He's so smart.

This morning, it was finally cold outside, so it was time for Max-in-the-jacket.

Cedar's Bad Day

Today was the day that every male puppy dreads. Okay, well, the owners of said male puppy. The visit to the clinic for being neutered.

J helped me get Cedar in the car, and I dropped him off on my way to work. That actually sounds way easier than it was. Cedar refused to budge and I had to carry him - all of him (he is bigger than an armful) into the clinic and put him in the temporary holding place.

My brother-in-law, our fabulous Vet, called a couple of hours later. Someone brought in a contagious dog, so I needed to pick up Cedar ASAP instead of waiting until the end of my workday.

When I walked into the clinic up the counter, I heard a cat whining. I could not see it, but I felt really sorry for that cat. Then the Vet brought out the whining animal and put him in my car. It was no cat. It was my poor, barely awake Cedar.

He proceeded to whine all the way home, as the anesthesia wore off.

A few hours later, he was feeling better - especially after seeing Molly & Max.

P.S. We have water now. (Hallelujah!) It turns out our exterminator put too much pressure above one of our water pipes the last time he "reset" the bait station that sits on top of the pipe. So, we had a leak. The french drain below the house works so well, that we had no idea there was a leak. Anyway, I did a dance in the kitchen when I turned the sink on after the well people left.

Cedar Goes for a Swim

Today we decided to try out Cedar's new-found ability to walk on the leash without dragging. We have a long, long, long gravel driveway with several hills and it is pretty good exercise.

We walked down the driveway at a pretty slow pace (Hey! I am lazy pregnant!) Cedar was doing pretty well, although easily distracted. We arrived at the creek.

"I wonder if Cedar will walk down to the water and stick his paws in?" J asked.

Answer? No. But he will try with all of his might to prevent himself from being pulled down there on the leash.

"I'm just going to throw him in." J said grinning. I laughed.

Then he picked Cedar up and threw him in the creek. He ACTUALLY did it.

I screamed. I could not fathom that J actually did it. I thought he was KIDDING. The look of confusion on Cedar's face was more than I could handle. Especially as he went UNDER.

So, Cedar can swim, as J verified. He paddled to the edge of the water and came running back up to where I was standing with concern. He's such a sweet dog. He was much more concerned about my screaming than he was about his swimming experience.

J Comes Home

J came home a day early! He arrived tonight. I have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my dad, but wow - I sure missed J.

I was almost as excited to see him as our dogs were. Dog greetings are so wonderful. They acted like they had not seen J in at least a year, and that since he was gone he is sure to have brought them bag dog treats.

Maybe I will finally get a good night's sleep knowing that he is right there beside me where he is supposed to be!