Spring fever.

Charlie passed his obedience class.  With flying colors.  He’s the only student in his class that accomplished the shake and roll over tricks.  I’m not bragging or anything.  Okay, kinda I am.  We had to take the test in front of everyone.  Let’s just say, we were a hard act to follow.  The last person got up to take the test and said, “well, i don’t want to show off or anything” AND LOOKED RIGHT AT ME WHEN SHE SAID IT.  Uhhuh, that’s right, my dog is bad ass.  The thing is, I never realized how competetive I was.  I actually asked the teacher to give my dog a grade.  She said, “we only do passes.  And we believe in ‘no dog left behind’.”  Well, I graded him myself and he got an AAAAAA++.

Anyhoo, now that I have a very obedient dog, it seems like the possibilities are endless.  Especially since it’s March and it got up to 70 today.  Tomorrow, it’s supposed to be even warmer.  I see dog parks, long drives, and brisk walks.

It just so happens that my kids are on spring break right now.  Today, we went to the zoo.  First, we went to the conservatory and took pictures of the pretty plants and flowers.  Can I just say something?  Nature is very sexual.  I got the giggles at like every picture I took.  Here are some:

I mean, right?

Not to mention all of the statues.

And I love it, I really do.  When Spring comes, I get all mystified by the world and how lovely and magical it is.  I know it’s kind of sappy of me, but it tames my cabin fever.

Well, darlings, here’s a picture of my loves of my life:

Oh and speaking of magical, isn’t it crazy and cool that these little beings grew inside my belly?  I know, I know, I’m getting a little weird.  And no, I am not pregnant.  But yes, Spring brings out the baby fever in me.

🙂  Sorry Honey.  Hurry and get that vasectomy!!!

xxoo, ciao, momma

A naughty dog, a shopping addiction, and a clean & painted house.

Darnit Charlie, why do you have to be so naughty?  Yesterday, at obedience training, I was trying to get Charlie’s attention, but he was trying to escape and check out the other dogs and so I was making silly noises to get him to think I’m more interesting than the other dogs (as if!!) and all of a sudden I hear someone say my name.  I’m kneeling on the floor, at Charlie’s level so he’d see me – it didn’t work! – and so there I was looking up at my husband’s friends staring down at me, on the floor like a dog, making squealing noises, and obviously completely clueless of how to get my dog to listen to me.  Oh. My. God. My face went red.  And I just said, “oh Charlie, he’s so naughty.” And then they walked away.  Charlie was put on three time outs, which is better than last week.  He is succeeding at the command “sit,” but only when other dogs are not around.  Phsaw, I hope this dog makes a complete turn around before the end of the training (in six weeks).

Anyhoo, I have been in such a thrifting mood, or rather a shopping mood.  I went to Kohls.  Ack.  I had a full cart, tried everything on, and put everything back!  I deserve a pat on the back, because I did the same thing at Target.  True, it’s complete torture and I may one of these days just completely fall off my recycled/reused-only wagon, but still.

Here are some of my finds (at the thrift store, thank you very much.):

And I suddenly got in a painting mood and painted this mirror I bought red!

Which consequently got me to paint the previously blue table GREEN!! And the bottom half of the wall a darker brown. (my dearest hubs finally put in the shoe molding, but I have yet to paint that)

I’ve been busy, eh?

Well, and then I designed a new banner, avatar, fabric tags, and business cards for A Handmade Princess.  I’ve attached some vintage button & lace pins:

What do you think?

And, of course, I cleaned.  With a helper.  (Doesn’t it seem like I am always cleaning?)

When I turn 60, I hope someone will throw me a party.

Well, dear readers, I woke up with a headache and flashes of scenes from my dad’s 60th party last night.  I guess I was a bit more tipsy than I thought.  I called my brother.  Today is his birthday.  After serenading him with my children singing and dogs howling, we reminisced about the previous night.  I said, “I hope I wasn’t acting too buzzed, because, you know, I hope I didn’t embarrass myself.”  Oh no, he said, quite the contrary.  Turns out I am quite fun.  Sometimes my brother knows just the right things to say to me.  “My favorite,” he said, “was when you went off about how awesome it was that that guy knew so much about water.”  Okay, let me tell you…a really old friend of my dad’s was there and he mentioned something about having to go to work later.  I inquired where he worked and- get this – he works at the city water plant.  He’s worked there 36 years!  Seriously, I thought it was intriguing.  I wanted to know how the water was filtered, if it was reverse osmosis, which by the way it isn’t, and I wanted to know what he thought about the surrounding cities water.  You think it’s dull, I’m sure, but I found it interesting.  I just remember saying over and over, “imagine the wealth of knowledge about water.”  Too funny.  Anyway, I just know some of you are dying for more photos of the party and I found a few that I like:

My dad and younger bro

Uncle John. His cup is empty.

The movie star

Looking at old photos

My dad and the movie star dancing.

My dad's uncle Wally. he's 94.

Uncle Wally dancing with the movie star.

Opening a b-day present from L(my dd). Note: the bag was a barbie b-day bag! Too cute!

That’s it.

So, today I stayed home for most of the day, cleaning.  I even cleaned L’s room.  I mean, I was so motivated you’d never had known I woke with a headache!  I told L that she needs to keep her room clean.  she said, “I prefer it messy.”  I am not kidding, she really said that!  Later, when I told her she had 10 minutes until time to get ready for bed, she said, “well, that’s still a good amount of time.”  Holy schmoley, just how old is she?

I also took Charlie to his very first obedience training at pet smart.  Let’s just say, he wasn’t very obedient.  He was put on ‘time out’ numerous times.  I didn’t even know you could put dogs on time outs. Ha. Well, I came home with a clicker, treats, and notes – homework so we’ll come better behaved next week.  L said, “does he love school?”  I said, “He loves the other students.”

Anyway, till tomorrow…

momma

Knit sweater for Charlie.

My first sweater ever.  and I knit it for my dog. ha.  It’s not perfect, but it works.

Here’s the pattern, if you want to try: http://www.talkingtails.com/sweater.html

and Charlie got a haircut.

The lil’ fella looks like an old geezer.  But he’s just so damn cute!

Charlie got neutered.

Poor lil fella.

He was starting to get a bit chapped down there after the surgery and so I brought him back to the vet today.  While we were there, he tried humping a toy poodle.  Um, isn’t that why he was neutered?   ????!!!!

Anyway, the vet gave us a cone to put on him so he would stop licking ‘down there.’

I took away his manhood and his dignity.  😦

tres jalapenoes, uno cucumber, uno zucchini, y uno el perro