Tuesday, July 29, 2008

I thought I was through...

blogging for the day, but I want everyone to know what a wonderful man I married. I never acknowledge that enough, especially to him. But I know that I am truly fortunate to have found this incredible man to spend the rest of my life with. Of course I get frustrated at times because of miscommunication and misunderstanding and well because I'm a big gigantic emotional sensitive baby, but he's wonderful.

He has an incredible abundance of patience with me. More than anyone ever has and the good Lord knows I need that. He loves kids and dogs and what's even better is that he allowed me to bring so many home (dogs). He is soft spoken and that is actually what I love BEST about him. He never ever ever raises his voice. I adore that! What's funny is that when we first met I remember being incredibly surprised at how calm and level headed he was, how his voice never changes and how hard it was for me to determine his tone. I love it when people ask me if he ever gets angry because of course he does! Most just don't recognize it because he's so quiet and calm. And I actually love it when he IS pissed off (as long as it's not at me) because it's cute. Half the time you can't even hear anything he's saying, especially on the phone with customer service at whatever company screwed us over, unless you're sitting RIGHT next to him. Even then you would never never know by his tone, just by the words that come out. :-) And yet we ALWAYS get our way.

He's not incredibly romantic, but he does everything he possibly can to support me, encourage me and provide for me. He's helped me loosen up and realize that life is short and I should enjoy it. I have a hard time saying no and standing up to people and he gives me courage to say no and comes to my rescue if I can't handle a sticky situation. He patiently and calmly lets me know when I'm slacking around the house and never loses his patience or temper with me. He actually does more around the house than any man I've ever known. He does the dishes and the laundry and even though he may be frustrated because I have so much more time to do it than he does, he never makes me feel 2 inches high for not doing it. He encourages my creative ventures. He's never once complained about assuming responsibility for our finances. He pets Dolce :-) even plays with him sometimes! He LOVES his nieces and nephews.

He has the most incredible lips and eyes. He laughs at and tolerates my many many blond moments and tells me that I'm amazing. He's silly and serious and adorable and he just gets me. I have never been so free to be myself.

Oh my gosh I could continue this forever.

Sometimes I'm so incredibly overwhelmed by how much I love him. Sometimes my heart aches because I just can't get enough and the tears flow from the fullness of my heart. Sometimes I miss him even when he's sitting by me.

I never realized how blessed I would be in my marriage and how incredibly amazing one man could make me feel.

I don't think he realizes just how deeply I miss him when I'm not with him.

How did this good ole' Oklahoma girl score such an amazing guy?

Progress and My Little Help

So I started a new project and I may be jumping in a little too deep too soon, but my 2nd project is a sweater. I just hope I don't get to the sleeves and have no clue what to do next. :-) I'm posting pictures just to share the color and my very slow progress. And uh, if it turns out to be awful, I'll just pretend like there was no such project. KK? :-) Oh and not to forget the pictures of my very helpful little Dolce. Such a good little doggy!





He was just pooped after such a long day of work :)



SO, a friend pointed out the fact that it's a bit of a surprise to see me knitting. I guess it is kinda funny to realize how domesticated I've become. Who knew! Actually I should use that term sparingly considering I don't do cleaning very well. I'm not being modest, I really don't. I pretty much suck at the housekeeping part. It's just the fun stuff that I've learned to enjoy. I like to create the mess without cleaning up. My hubby loves that about me! *grin*

What's funny is that even my mom is shocked when I tell her about cooking and knitting/sewing, etc. Because in case you don't know...I never (ahem here we go): did the dishes, the laundry, ANY cooking, vacuuming, cleaning of any sort including making my own bed, paid the bills. Really. My mom said it was my job to be a student and it was her job to be the mommy. I have to admit it was kinda nice. UNTIL I got married and realized mommy's not here to pick up after me anymore. I actually had to learn how to use the washing machine. The sad part? My husband had to teach me. Oh oh! And the dishwasher? We always had a top of the line dishwasher but mom didn't believe in it, everything was washed by hand. By her. So Mike also had to teach me to use the dishwasher. And cooking?? Are you kidding me? I was not only terrified of the kitchen, I absolutely hated anything to do with it. Mike did all the cooking when we were dating and I should mention he's a pretty fabulous cook!

So how did I survive college? *grin* WELL. See, my parents lived about 6 hours away so mom would visit every couple of months and stay for a week or two. During her stay she cooked entire meals daily for my brother and me (we had an apt together) and then divided it into individual portions to freeze so that after she left we'd have plenty of yummy homemade microwaveable food to eat. Oh and she'd FILL the fridge before she left. And laundry? Well see, my aunt lived about 20 minutes away so every Thursday she would drop off my clean laundry and pick up my dirty laundry. She had a key so that just in case I wasn't home she could just drop it off. And dishes? Seriously? How many college students actually use those? Paper plates work wonders. Most of the bills my parents ended up paying for because I'm not exactly what you call financially responsible *batting eyes* I mean even now. I have 2 cars and both were paid in cash by my parents. The first year of my marriage my parents were still paying my cell phone bill, my car insurance, car registration (actually I still haven't paid insurance or registration on one of them) and who knows what else. They spent $20k on our wedding and I only paid $10k.

Needless to say, I was in for a rude awakening. Getting married was actually kinda tough for me! I mean, don't get me wrong, I definitely enjoy the perks *wink wink* but I really really do suck at housekeeping. And finances. My poor poor Michael. You guys should feel sorry for him.

You know what really sucks? I really really really want to be the perfect wife and homemaker. Because when we have kids we plan on me staying at home. This is seriously a huge burden for me. If I can't do it now without children?? Oy! It stresses me out just thinking about it. That's not the only reason I want to be great, I want to do it for my husband. He works SO much and deserves to come home to a clean, organized home. I don't know why it's SO hard for me. Honestly, I think working is much easier than being a full time homemaker. I admire those that do it and especially those that make it look easy. It's too bad I never inherited some of those squeaky clean genes from my mother.

Many people probably never knew all this about me even though they may have realized I was a little spoiled, or high maintenance, or a slob. Well now you know why. And really? I can't believe I just admitted all of that to the public since I have no clue who actually reads this. What I can't believe is how incredibly ashamed I am of my slob-ness and lack of responsibility, yet I still posted this for all to see. :-O Oh well.

I don't think Mike realized ALL that he was getting himself into. Not really.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

First Finished Project and More

So I finished my first project. I actually started out doing a scarf but was kinda bored with it. Plus I had so many dropped stitches that I didn't catch until after I'd finished the row that I just unraveled the whole thing. So I just picked this small, easy but cute purse for my first project. I haven't picked out a handle yet, but whatever.
I got the pattern here.






And I love SUMMER!! I love sunshine, I love the warmth, though I have to admit it's been kinda hot around here. Anyway, I love having all the windows open and doing everything in our house with this incredible view. I've emailed everyone a million pictures of the view from our house, but I don't think I've ever posted (or emailed) pictures of what exactly it is that I see. From inside our house through our windows. So here's a couple of pictures. I turned the flash off so you could actually see the view better. Our eliptical machine is in front of the window...so that's the big handle sticking up in case you wondered. :-)

Oh yeah, when we bought our house those two houses you see through the window weren't there.




Thursday, July 24, 2008

Continuation of First Impressions

K, so I was obviously a little hot about the whole being ignored issue. I guess you could say I'm a little sensitive towards it. Maybe not so much sensitive as in like boo hoo you hurt my feelings sensitive, but sensitive as in I pick up on it when maybe no one else would notice.

You know how there are certain women that just have that commanding presence? They walk in the room and something just tells you never to question this person? My mom has that. Everyone that knows my mom is at least a little bit afraid of her. Though if you're honest with yourself, I'd say most will find that they are a lot afraid of her. lol It's true. And well, my mother does NOT get ignored. Period.

There are just women that have it. Men too obviously, but I think it's less likely that a man would be ignored, like the scenario given yesterday, in a professional setting. I think it's safe to say that a man would be immediately respected and it would be generally assumed that a man would be filling bigger shoes. True, yes?

Now, I'm not addressing any feminist or discrimation points. Just that I don't have that presence and unless you are a woman that does or a man, your "value" is immediately questioned. Which frustrates me because it shouldn't matter. Every individual is valued and important and every role in a business plays a crucial part in its production, from secretary to CEO.

That's all. My point is that EVERYONE is valuable and should never be treated less than such.

PS) I'm pms'ing so maybe you should ignore these last two posts. But I'm leaving them now for the sake of my sanity. :-)

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

First Impressions

ARE HUGE. I don't think I realized this so much before, but I hold a grudge. I admit it, I do. So don't make a bad first impression with me because I won't forget it.

I'm really sick of people underestimating my authority. Really. It's always always always been an issue for me. I may not be an authoritarian on any level, I mean hello, my dogs don't even listen to me, but at work I know what I'm talking about. So don't argue with me.

I guess I should address the fact that this really hasn't been so much an issue since I started my job here. For the most part the branches really do heed my word and are very cooperative and efficient in providing documents that I've requested. I have a really great relationship with just about every branch even though I've never met most face to face.

But in previous positions that I've held in other locations, I've been frequently underestimated. Never by co-workers or supervisors, but by patients and clients. And that may be the pattern that carries over to this job and why other employees don't question me because I don't deal with clients and patients. Which means that I don't deal with strangers. Everyone I deal now with knows me and understands my role as I do them.

It used to be that a patient would have a problem and it was my job to deal with the issue and come up with a practical solution. Or they had a question regarding our services and I would provide the answer. The problem was? They never believed me. And frankly I sincerely believe it's because I look younger and that immediately withdraws all credibility in the eyes of many. Because I was younger I couldn't possibly know what I was talking about. So I would have to get an older employee (that I was lead of) to repeat everything I just explained. 99% of the time they would say oh, okay and have a seat suddenly contented with the answer they were provided. Or there were times I would have to find somebody wearing scrubs because apparently wearing scrubs gives you a whole different level of authority. Nevermind that most of the scrub wearing people had fewer years of education than I did. (Until this job, RN's & Dr's didn't wear scrubs in our office either)

Sooooo. It really frustrates me to NO end to have a stranger walk in and assume that because I'm not showing signs of gray (which really I am!! *enormous pout*) that must mean that I have no role of any importance. And even if I didn't, that does not give ANYBODY any right to treat others so rudely.

In case you haven't figured out, I had a pretty BAD first impression with one of our newer employees. Because just like the stories I shared above, she also disregarded me completely until she was later pointed out who I was. By disregarded, I mean flat out rudely ignoring me when spoken to, making no eye contact to acknowledge that she heard me, and pushed me to the side to meet the taller, older, apparently more important looking, employee behind me. I'm not kidding, I was PUSHED ASIDE and had anyone else watched this scene would have thought I was not even present. Things like this piss me off like none other. People that are that high and mighty and look down their noses at who they assume must be "just the secretary" can kiss my tushy.

Little did she know that she would be spending some great quality one on one time with me in my office later.

Just because I'm under 5'3", under 30 and non-confrontational does not mean that you can CRAP ON ME.

GR.

So really it just hurt my pride a little. I can be humble enough to admit that. BUT HOLY COW!!

Honey Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin

I just used this recipe for pork chops instead. It was pretty good and it didn't take an hour to prepare :-)

One of these days I'll post a couple of Korean recipes on here that I know well and are pretty popular.

But for today:

Honey Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin

Prep Time:5 min
Total Time:35 min
Makes:4 servings
1 pork tenderloin (1 lb.)
1/4 cup KRAFT CATALINA Dressing, divided
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. dried thyme leaves
1 Tbsp. honey

PREHEAT oven to 425ºF. Brush meat with 2 Tbsp. of the dressing. Mix dry ingredients; rub onto meat. Place in baking pan. Mix remaining 2 Tbsp. dressing and honey; set aside.

BAKE 15 min.; brush with dressing mixture. Bake an additional 10 min. or until cooked through (160ºF).

REMOVE meat from oven; cover with foil. Let stand 5 min. before slicing

How to Prepare on the GrillPreheat grill to medium heat. Prepare meat as directed, rubbing with spice mixture. Place meat on grill; cover grill with lid. Grill 20 min., or turning occasionally. Brush with some of the honey mixture. Continue grilling 5 to 10 min. or until meat is cooked through (160ºF), turning and brushing frequently with honey mixture. Let stand covered with foil, 5 min. before slicing.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Chicken Parmesan with Rotini

I've really learned to enjoy cooking, especially when it turns out yummy! BUT, it's really hard to get creative and find something new to cook everyday, I think that's the most challenging part of cooking actually. So I thought I would start sharing any recipes I've tried and really enjoyed on here for anyone else that might like to try it. Maybe I'll get some in return!

I made this last night and though I didn't really get to thoroughly enjoy it (the whole wisdom tooth ordeal), Mike said it was really good. I just took a bite and it wasn't so bad! I got this from Kraft Foods and the best part is that it was EASY and I already had all the ingredients at home!

And being the silly girl that I am, saw that it said RITZ crackers but visualized Saltine Crackers and used those instead. It was still YUMMY!



Chicken Parmesan with Rotini

Prep Time:10 min
Total Time:30 min
Makes:4 servings

3 cups whole wheat rotini pasta
10 RITZ Reduced Fat Crackers, crushed (about 1/2 cup crumbs)
3 Tbsp. KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1 egg white
4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 lb.)
2 cups tomato-basil spaghetti sauce, divided
1 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Reduced Fat Mozzarella Cheese

COOK pasta in large saucepan as directed on package. Meanwhile, combine cracker crumbs, Parmesan cheese and oregano in pie plate. Lightly beat egg white in separate pie plate. Dip chicken in egg white, then roll in crumb mixture until evenly coated. Set aside.

SPRAY large nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Heat on medium heat. Add chicken; cook 5 min. on each side or until cooked through (165ºF). Spoon 1 cup of the spaghetti sauce over chicken; top with mozzarella cheese. Cover skillet with lid. Reduce heat to low; simmer 3 min. or until sauce is hot and cheese is melted.

MEANWHILE, drain pasta; return to pan. Add remaining 1 cup spaghetti sauce; toss to coat. Cook on medium heat 2 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Spoon onto serving plates; top with the chicken.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

I Dunno

I should totally be working right now, but have absolutely no motivation whatsoever. And honestly, if it doesn't get done today, there's always tomorrow! I have the best job ever. No really. I do! Sometimes it's hectic and there's the occassional confusion caused by lack of communication in our office, but overall I love my job. Plus I tell everyone I have the best job in the company. I'm sure they love me for rubbing it in. :-) Ha!

Anyway, I have hardly gotten anything accomplished today. But you know what? It's been a very stressful week and a half with the State surveyor and the Medicaid Audit, plus my wisdom teeth issue. So I deserve to have a day of nothingness. Right? Right. I hope no one from work reads this because I'm about to share what my day has been like. Actually, they wouldn't care.

So today, I pretty much just sat here and read a million blogs on different craft ideas and knitting. I have suddenly developed this new obsession with knitting. We'll see how long it lasts. :-) But in the meantime I've decided that I like knitting much more than sewing. It's much more relaxing and therapeutic in a way plus you can just jump right in. Quite the opposite of sewing where everything must be measured and sized and traced and cut before the actual fun ever begins. Plus you sit in an upright uncomfy chair (or at least I do) versus sitting on the nice big comfy couch! Or the rocker ;)

Mike's probably wondering what on earth he's gotten himself into. tee hee You know, I'm sure he's thought that a million times before so this is probably nothing! But seriously, you should have seen the look on his face when I brought out the big basket full of yarn! Hysterical :-) And Dolce had his fun trying to figure out what the needles were and realizing he could pull on one end of the yarn while I tried working on the rest of it. That was quite fun and really helped me move along quite efficiently!

Anyway, I'll keep you updated on my progress while I teach myself some new tricks! :-) I already have 2 new projects set up for myself, so we'll see how they turn out!

What Car Are You?

I'm a Ferrari 360 Modena!



You've got it all. Power, passion, precision, and style. You're sensuous, exotic, and temperamental. Sure, you're expensive and high-maintenance, but you're worth it.


"Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.




Funny.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Nostalgia

I actually started this blog a couple of weeks ago and just never finished it. So I'm finally bringing it to a close.

Anyone that knows me knows that my life is pretty much an open book. I can't keep anything to myself. I really can't. Sometimes I think I'm going to explode if I don't hurry and tell someone whatever silly thing just happened. I'm just retarded that way :-) Unless it's something stressful and major. Then I keep it to myself and am suddenly a clam. If that's the case, I get incredibly quiet and then you're pretty much not gonna get anything out of me. That's just some other random point about myself that I thought someone might like to know. :-)

Anyway, back to my life being an open book. Mike and I have SO MUCH CRAP! You guys have no idea. When we move it's going to be a major headache. And because I was so convinced that we would be moving this summer, I decided I should probably start cleaning some of our stuff out and sort things for either the dump or a garage sale. We still have a (very) few boxes that have never really been unpacked. We sort of generally know what's in them and are just slowly making our way around. When we moved out here everything happened so fast and we were both already working full time, so it was really hard to get completely settled in and unpacked. (I don't care if that's a lame excuse, I'm sticking to it!!) Seriously you guys, I discovered that we both still have a ton of stuff from our college days.

I came across a box that was filled with journals. Every journal that I have ever written in, from the time I was 8 to about 21 was in that box. Of course all thoughts of cleaning up ended right there!! I sat for hours and just read. All the earliest ones were pretty funny. I was such a people pleaser and was so disappointed if I had displeased someone. Most of my entries were about all of my best friends in school and church, what sins I had committed that day by disobeying my parents and how I wanted SO badly to please God in all that I did.

Then I sort of skimmed through just the few pages there were from high school and got to the novels I had written in college. Let me tell you. I do not remember being so boy crazy!! Maybe some of my friends do, but I didn't realize I was so into guys. I had such high standards I remember and would rarely actually go out with one because they just weren't good enough. That I remember. Apparently I was pretty distracted in college :-) I mean, I'm sure we all are. That is where the majority of college graduates meet their spouses.

Anyway, this isn't about all the boys that I met but actually rather about the girlfriends I made. College is definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Sure you can take classes at any age, but that true collegiate atmosphere I believe is really only experienced right out of high school. I felt that and I just went to Cameron. It's your first taste of freedom, your first opportunity to be truly independent. Well I say independent, but really my parents paid for everything and I still never did my own laundry or cooked. But for most people I'd say that's the case.

I met some incredible people in school. Made some lifetime friends and friends that, even though I may not communicate with often, I still think very fondly of. As I was reading through those journal entries I realized what I really sincerely missed most. College Bible Studies and having that whole other level of connection with my peers. I miss having that Christian fellowship. I miss that accountability. I miss that intimacy. I miss being on my hands and knees in humility before God and feeling other humble souls alongside me. I miss how completely genuine we were. Obviously there were a few show boaters, but I'd say for the most part we were very sincere.

I miss my friend with such a pure heart and desire only to be of encouragement to others. Such a level of caring many will never experience. Such deep thoughts with such pure motives and amazing accountability. I miss my friend with the wings and that beautiful soft voice.



I miss my friend that sang off key, helped me pull off a few practical jokes and understood my every unspoken word. I miss the amazing laughter, the broken humility and the level of confidence we experienced together. I miss the midnight trips to walmart, our matching pj's and our shared caffeine addiction. I miss the silly poems , hours spent doing absolutely nothing and our failed double dates :-) I really miss being able to share any unpure thoughts without passing judgment and mostly miss her for teaching me that it's okay to be imperfect and to be human. DZA.




It's amazing how quickly time flies and how much changes in really such a short time. It's amazing how much we experience and how many if not all of those experiences help us grow and build character. Without them I wouldn't know who I am today and can't imagine how different my life would be.

I'm happier with where I am in life than I've ever been before. And I have so incredibly much to be thankful for. I know that I'm truly blessed and have been given a glorious life that many will never know a fraction of. But what fun it was to take a stroll down memory lane!

Bucket full of snakes baby, bucket full of snakes ;)



Just a few more memories to share.







FRIGGIN PAIN and Other Randomness

So I had my bottom wisdom teeth pulled on Friday. 6 days ago. SIX. The one side was already exposed so they just pulled it out, the other was impacted so they had to cut it out. The side they cut is causing me so much pain it's ridiculous. I did not EVER imagine it would be this bad. The one side of my face is still swollen, enough actually that my CEO just walked in and asked if I was okay because my face is swollen!! lol If a man actually notices then it must be obvious. Fabulous. K, now I know that I'm a very emotional girl and cry for just about everything, but not for pain. I whine a lot, sure, and complain a lot if I don't feel well...but I never ever cry. Well, last night I actually had tears in my eyes. I also never ever take medication. Even for migraines. I'd rather use an herbal wrap and essential oils and sleep it off rather than pop a pill. Well. I have actually taken the pain killers. Can you believe it??? I can't. Oh. And how fun is this? Since my face is still swollen it sounds like I have suddenly developed a lisp. Joy.

K, on to me turning into a granny. Actually, I should preface this by sharing my big news that I couldn't share several blogs ago. It's still not official, but nobody else really cares but me. SO: the news is that more than likely we will be stuck in Elko for a couple or more years. Yippee. I was really not so happy about that because I have been so ready to move for a long time and we had kind of been looking for other positions available the last few months. I was really rooting for Texas :-) Oh well. So there's a long story behind why we're stuck here, and other than to say that Mike will be getting a promotion (the one positive aspect of the whole situation) there's not much else I'm allowed to disclose. It's really not top secret or anything, it's just not public knowledge yet. And since I know I have a million people reading my blog *rolling eyes* I should keep this information to myself.

Now that I've shared that very important bit of information I can move on to me being a granny. Besides the fact that I go to bed at like 9 every night, shush, I have decided that I will have to start picking up on some new hobbies. And maybe introduce myself to some new people and force myself to make some friends. Because frankly, I'm bored. Mike works too much and I get stuck at home by myself for hours everyday and I don't do "alone" very well. I feel like I'm repeating myself and like I've already discussed this in a blog somewhere but I don't care. Now I'm normally pretty chipper and optimistic so I don't do depressed. But when you spend every waking moment doing nothing all alone you have all the time in the world to think and analyze, which has created an emotional monster in me. Which puts me in the mullygrubs. It only lasts until I have something to distract me, which normally doesn't take much. Seriously, how do you make friends as an adult without randomly approaching someone and saying, will you be my friend? Mike told me to make friends with our neighbors, but they haven't put any effort into getting to know us either and how am I supposed to initate that? Hail them down if I actually see them out in the yard and ask if they'll be my new friend? It's not like we're in a normal neighborhood where you have contact with your neighbors on a fairly regular basis. Where we live everyone is on 1-5 acre lots. So it's not like we stand on the fence line talking about the tulips we just planted or something you know? And most people wouldn't know it, but sometimes I can be painfully shy. I know this sounds really silly but you know the little kid that hides behind their mommy's legs when they're being bashful? I kinda do that Mike. Literally. I don't kid. :-) lol Laugh all you want!

So if we're gonna be stuck here for a few more years, something has to change. I thought about joining some community organizations and getting involved in some sort of community activities, but then I'd have to drive into town to do anything and you've seen the price of gas. My point is, I have no one to play with because my hubby works too much so I'm bored out of my mind. Which takes me back to me turning into a granny. Since I'm obviously no good at making friends I've decided I'm gonna have to at least find some hobbies to do at home. I already love to bake and last week ended up baking like 5 different desserts and brought 2 of them to work with me. But I am also teaching myself to sew. I have a sewing machine and already know the very basics so I gave myself a project. I've discovered that I'm a rather impatient person and really want to see immediate glamorous results! I don't like the learning part, I just want to DO. But I'm forcing myself to learn all the tedious details so that I can take that information and actually make pretties! I also bought a book on learning how to knit. I know the basic one line pattern that my mom taught me but actually want to be able to make something cute now.

K! So, I bake, I sew, I knit....now all I need is a rocker and glasses. Oh wait!! I already have those. *sigh*


And I really should mention that I do have a couple of friends at work. And we do get together on occassion and have a good time. But we see each other more than we see our own husbands and families, so after an 8 hour day they've got to be pretty sick of hearing all my stories. :-)



**UPDATE**
So I went back to the dentist this afternoon and found out the reason for all that excruciating pain. I had a dry socket!! DUH. Anyway, he basically lifted the stitches to flush it out with water and then stuck a 2 inch strip with medication inside the socket. You thought it hurt before, HOLY MOLY I thought I was going to use language I've never used before. The Dr told me to ahead and let him have it. Anyhow, as nasty as the taste is (and makes me gag) this stuff is amazing!! Within 20 minutes I was feeling like a whole new person! YAY!

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Happy Birthday America!!

Happy 4th of July everyone!

These are taken from the fireworks in Spring Creek. They actually have one locally every year over the Marina just a few miles from our house.



Friday, July 4, 2008

Mommy Gave Him a Haircut

Sooooooo.....

Remember how I mentioned in the last post that I would be taking Dolce to the groomer to have his hair cut? You know, because his mats were so bad?

WELL. I decided to try grooming him myself. So I just cut a couple of little mats out and he ended up with a few bald spots. :) ha! I pretty much decided that doing it myself wasn't such a good idea after all and I called the groomer.

Here's how the conversation goes:
Groomer: Karen's Groomers!
Sylvia: Hi, I need to make an appointment for my Maltese puppy.
Groomer: Okay, what days and times do you have available?
Sylvia: Well, I work until 4 monday-friday so if you have anything late afternoon that would be ideal.
Groomer: Sorry but I never stay until 4. What time do you go in in the morning?
Sylvia: At 7.
Groomer: Sorry, I don't come in until after 7.
Groomer: Do you want to bring him in the morning and pick him up at lunch?
Sylvia: Well I live out in Spring Creek, that would be pretty difficult to do especially since you don't open until after I'm already at work.
Groomer: Hmmm.
Sylvia: You know what? Don't worry about it. I'll figure it out myself.

How annoying is it that her hours are from like 8-3 and she refuses to work around anyone's schedule?? Must be nice!! It seems incredibly silly for me to miss work to take my dog to a groomer. Mike told me not to give her any of our money, which I hadn't planned on doing anyway. The only other groomer in town is also a boarding kennel and everyone we know that's sent their dog(s) there have come home with kennel cough (the dogs not the owners :-)) I wasn't about to send Dolce there to come home sick and have to go to the vet and get antibiotics.

So, I tried it myself...AGAIN!!!! *BIG GRIN*

And now my beautiful Maltese is an ugly puppy!!! It totally looks like I just picked him up from the pound with Mange or something.

You can't give me too hard a time without considering that I don't have a grooming table with a noose (or whatever they're really called) and that he was wrestling with my hands the entire time I was cutting his hair!! If you look at the picture very closely, you can see that it looks like I gave him the doggy version of a bowl haircut. Not quite sure how that happened but I did start with his belly and sort of worked up the sides. Pretty sure now that's not how you're supposed to do it. And I couldn't blend it without going shorter and shorter. So Mike told me to leave it alone and let it grow out so we can have a groomer fix it later. That is after he laughed hysterically at the both of us when he got home yesterday. I guess we'll just have to take Dolce to petsmart the next time we're out of town :-) haha

Now that I've set up my story...you can go see the pictures. :-) lol
My poor puppy....

Mommy made him ugly!!

Oh, and Mike told me I was never allowed to cut his hair. :)