In September, we got a new dog. We already had a fine canine at home, but as usual, I tend to seek out ways to complicate my own life and bringing home another bouncy, happy lab puppy was just what I sought out to do. For the record, I'm a big fan of the two-dog family; anyone who remembers Harley and Maggie knows why. So now we have Jesse and Dempsey.
Dempsey moved in and took over. All 7 pounds of her asserted herself into Jesse's space, and ours for that matter. She is an alpha dog to the core and has let us all know. A recent visit from a friend and her dog sealed the deal for me - Dempsey nearly tore my arm off in her fury to have this female out of her yard. That wasn't embarrasing at all.
Now she's 40-some pounds and I still find it unsettling how she can ellicit a tiny whimper and have Jesse scurrying out of her own bed or dropping her favorite toy. It literally pisses me off that she waltzed in and took charge and that all the books say that we have to accept it. As much as I love her, it's just not right.
See, I'm not that kind of gal. If there is something less than mainstream about my personality, I tend to opt to correct instead of just accepting myself. If I need something, I have a hard time asking for it. If someone doesn't seem to like me, I'll probably worry about it. Holy *&*^%, I'm the beta!
While thinking this over earlier today, I firmly (thought I) believed that we humans didn't subscribe to the same pecking order rules of the animal kingdom, but following some introspection, I know that we do. We all have someone in our life that exibits despicable behavior and we just accept it. Some of us would rather do without than just go get what we want. However, there's one small difference between our furry friends and ourselves: we can choose to change.
Reality check for me.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
my best cooking tip
It takes a few moments for your brain to process the fact that you're on fire. I think this is the scariest thing about what happened to me at dinner tonight; imagining how much worse it could have been and feeling so unbearably grateful that I didn't have to process that.
I was cooking dinner with a dressy scarf tied around my neck - it had been there all day. Mike walked in and we were talking while I was cooking, facing away from him. All of a sudden, I noticed sparks flying up in the air. It seemed like forever until my eyes found the source: the scarf that was currently TIED around my neck!
I quickly headed for the sink while trying to quell the flames with my hands, but I was flailing and scared. I tried to pull it off, but I couldn't get it loose. I tried to lean into the sink and get my neck under the faucet, but my 5 foot stature would not allow me the leeway needed to get it under. I finally screamed, "Help me!" and Mike, who was just a few feet away, patted it out with his hands and then quickly untied it.
Being the non-crier that I am, I even shocked myself when I burst into tears. A moment later, Mike and I were laughing hysterically - it's amazing how many emotions a person can feel within the span of ten seconds. I'm pretty sure I covered them all!
Anyway, take my advice all you scarf-wearing fashionistas. Don't cook with your accessory on - it can really mess you up!
I was cooking dinner with a dressy scarf tied around my neck - it had been there all day. Mike walked in and we were talking while I was cooking, facing away from him. All of a sudden, I noticed sparks flying up in the air. It seemed like forever until my eyes found the source: the scarf that was currently TIED around my neck!
I quickly headed for the sink while trying to quell the flames with my hands, but I was flailing and scared. I tried to pull it off, but I couldn't get it loose. I tried to lean into the sink and get my neck under the faucet, but my 5 foot stature would not allow me the leeway needed to get it under. I finally screamed, "Help me!" and Mike, who was just a few feet away, patted it out with his hands and then quickly untied it.
Being the non-crier that I am, I even shocked myself when I burst into tears. A moment later, Mike and I were laughing hysterically - it's amazing how many emotions a person can feel within the span of ten seconds. I'm pretty sure I covered them all!
Anyway, take my advice all you scarf-wearing fashionistas. Don't cook with your accessory on - it can really mess you up!
reserved for party
You gotta love when, as the mom, you're the funniest thing that happens at your child's birthday party. Riley had ten or so good buds join her for a showing of Gnomeo and Juliet this Sunday in honor of her big day and now I can officially say that Birthday Palooza has ended.
But, Birthday Palooza insisted on going out with a bang. During our one (miraculous, huh?) trip to the bathroom, I stayed behind to wait for the last little gal. At that moment, while standing outside the bathroom, I had the strangest sensation that everyone around was smiling at me. "What a friendly place!" I thought.
As we walked back to the theater together, my young friend said, "Um, Miss Molly?"
I said, "Yes?"
She said, "You have a sign taped on your back."
"I do?" I chuckled and stretched to remove it.
And there it was, the cause of all the smiles, in giant black letters: RESERVED FOR PARTY.
Funnily, I am totally grateful for this moment! I have gotten more laughter and stress relief from reliving it all week than I could have ever imagined. I keep thinking about in so many ways. It's just plain funny to have a sign on your back. It's pretty hilarious to ponder my partying self hanging with Steve Martin and Dan Akroyd as one of the "wild and crazy guys." And then I think, maybe it's a sign from above. Maybe it's a reminder to chill out and enjoy life more...be ready for anything, you know?
And then I think, "Naw, it's just $@#!& funny!"
But, Birthday Palooza insisted on going out with a bang. During our one (miraculous, huh?) trip to the bathroom, I stayed behind to wait for the last little gal. At that moment, while standing outside the bathroom, I had the strangest sensation that everyone around was smiling at me. "What a friendly place!" I thought.
As we walked back to the theater together, my young friend said, "Um, Miss Molly?"
I said, "Yes?"
She said, "You have a sign taped on your back."
"I do?" I chuckled and stretched to remove it.
And there it was, the cause of all the smiles, in giant black letters: RESERVED FOR PARTY.
Funnily, I am totally grateful for this moment! I have gotten more laughter and stress relief from reliving it all week than I could have ever imagined. I keep thinking about in so many ways. It's just plain funny to have a sign on your back. It's pretty hilarious to ponder my partying self hanging with Steve Martin and Dan Akroyd as one of the "wild and crazy guys." And then I think, maybe it's a sign from above. Maybe it's a reminder to chill out and enjoy life more...be ready for anything, you know?
And then I think, "Naw, it's just $@#!& funny!"
Saturday, February 12, 2011
large fries. and a cheeseburger. stat.
Five weeks into healthy eating and exercising my butt off, literally, has netted me a loss of 9 pounds. I am super happy with this, but of course my human need for instant gratification demands a faster rate of loss. After momentary frustration following my Saturday am weigh-in, I succumb to what I know for sure:
Any loss is a LOSS. Slow loss is forever loss. All this change can only result in a healthier me.
I'm basically half way to where I want to go, which isn't so bad. The Weight Watchers new program I've been following is something I can really get into and follow with ease and I've got no doubt that I'll forever be more mindful of how many minutes on a treadmill equal a serving of chips and dip. Better food choices (for the most part) will likely follow me around for some time to come.
That being said, with each successful weigh-in and each healthy week, I have begun to crave a restaurant-produced cheeseburger and fries like no body's business. Let me just say I rarely eat beef - maybe once every few months and not much meat besides that. The fact that I am day dreaming about a "huge hunk of meat" (thanks J.B.) baffles me to say the least. But nevertheless, it grows larger and looms over me each week. The fries are no mystery. If you ask me, they may just be the world's most perfect food. Hands down.
Tonight I will cheat! I need a break and WW works in a way that allows you to take one every now and then. So tonight, I will forge a path to Portillos, with an anxious heart and watering mouth and order those deliciously crispy-salty fries (LARGE) and a burger to go alongside. I will enjoy the first few bites of the burger that I've hankered for and then I'll pass it on to Mike, who's sure to finish it. But those fries.... those fries are a different story entirely.
From first to last, I will not share. No, not tonight. I will dip these crinkle-cut spears of golden perfection into ketchup (Heinz, there is no substitute) and savor every bit of oral revelry as I devour them one by one. I'll do it slowly, so I can survive on the experience for the next five weeks when I'll once again give in to that culinary satisfaction only the french fry can deliver. In a couple short hours, I'll be there. Care to join me?
Any loss is a LOSS. Slow loss is forever loss. All this change can only result in a healthier me.
I'm basically half way to where I want to go, which isn't so bad. The Weight Watchers new program I've been following is something I can really get into and follow with ease and I've got no doubt that I'll forever be more mindful of how many minutes on a treadmill equal a serving of chips and dip. Better food choices (for the most part) will likely follow me around for some time to come.
That being said, with each successful weigh-in and each healthy week, I have begun to crave a restaurant-produced cheeseburger and fries like no body's business. Let me just say I rarely eat beef - maybe once every few months and not much meat besides that. The fact that I am day dreaming about a "huge hunk of meat" (thanks J.B.) baffles me to say the least. But nevertheless, it grows larger and looms over me each week. The fries are no mystery. If you ask me, they may just be the world's most perfect food. Hands down.
Tonight I will cheat! I need a break and WW works in a way that allows you to take one every now and then. So tonight, I will forge a path to Portillos, with an anxious heart and watering mouth and order those deliciously crispy-salty fries (LARGE) and a burger to go alongside. I will enjoy the first few bites of the burger that I've hankered for and then I'll pass it on to Mike, who's sure to finish it. But those fries.... those fries are a different story entirely.
From first to last, I will not share. No, not tonight. I will dip these crinkle-cut spears of golden perfection into ketchup (Heinz, there is no substitute) and savor every bit of oral revelry as I devour them one by one. I'll do it slowly, so I can survive on the experience for the next five weeks when I'll once again give in to that culinary satisfaction only the french fry can deliver. In a couple short hours, I'll be there. Care to join me?
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
blizzard of 2011, continued
A few more pics of the craziness!
Snow Dog
Making a path to the front door
Happy Kidsblizzard of 2011
In all my life, I've never experienced anything like the 70 mph winds and thundersnow last night. School's off, activities cancelled, Mike's work closed and a travel ban. Snowly Cow! Here's a bit of the aftermath....
Watching Dad
Digging Out
Can you find the girls?
View out from the garage.
First look out the front door this morning.
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