It's a dog's life

In preparation for vacation, we decided to check out a new boarding facility closer to home. This new place has doggie day care, is cage free and very close to home – walking distance in fact.

When we inquired about boarding, we were informed that she had to come in for a day to ensure she got along with the other dogs, very important considering the cage free environment. We are not really the “doggie daycare” type, but it was required.

It was a Tuesday before work when I loaded her into the car. Usually sleepy and not really awake when I leave, she was perplexed but eager to wake up as I dug for her leash. As I led her to the car, she danced with happy feet at the excitement of a car ride.

Around the block and down the street, I pulled into the new place. Sniffing, smelling and straining on the leash, I let her pull me inside. Once inside, I met the owner face to face and introduced her to Sammy who’s tail was wagging so hard I have lash marks on my legs. I let her know that Sammy is good with other dogs BUT she tends to have an excessive amount of energy. She will insist other dogs play with her despite the fact that they have exceeded their exertion level.

I waiting for a couple minutes uncomfortably, not sure I was ready to leave her before I decided to go.

I finally departed for work worried that I’ll never be able to manage leaving my kids at daycare if my hemming and hawing about leaving the DOG was any indicator.

I was eager to leave work and hear how she did at her first day with friends. I pull up and she was outside near the fence. She recognized me immediately with the perked ears and alert stance. I called out to her and she looked back towards her new friends, conflicted. She couldn’t get to me from where she was, so she stood there watching me unsure what to make of the whole situation.

I went inside to get her grade. The owner said she was wonderful, a truly happy dog. I was beaming from the pride. She let her inside and Sammy came to greet me, excited to tell me all about her day’s adventures.

She was full of excitement and energy until we got home. Once home, she collapsed on the cool hardwood floor, panting with true satisfaction. From what the Husband tells me, she was pretty immobile the next day, another indication of how hard she played.

As we get ready for vacation, my only worry is that she plays so hard she makes herself sick! Must be a good life.

Remember me?

I'm still here. Guess what, it's SUMMER. That is my only excuse for not posting as of late. The summer schedule has been in full swing and I'm caught up in it all.

The summer kicked off for me and the Hubs with the Warrior Dash. We had signed up eons ago and when the time came to compete, we forgot to train. Oops. It was still a blast, with the obstacles being relatively easy while the uphill trail running and afternoon 90 degree sun depleted what energy we had to begin with.

It was a muddy, wet, knee-scraping competition and we had a blast. At the end we were all smiles behind a wall of mud.



I was disappointed in my lack of athletic ability, but the Hubs was nice enough to wait and walk with me. I think part of him wanted to make sure I didn't really hurt myself. I mean really, I'm not the most nimble. It was much more fun to have someone by your side.

Afterwards we were sprayed down by a guy who was having way too much fun wielding a fire hose. Wet and not even relatively clean, we sat in the sun to dry and people watch. The event was huge and the people watching was never-ending. The boys drank beer while I gnawed on a turkey leg, proud warriors content to spend the day outside.





More summer fun to follow. Come back next week to read about Sammy's First Trip to Doggie Day Care, A Christmas in July surprise and of course our Annual Fourth of July Party Recap.

Random Friday

This week has been busy so this is my Random Friday recap.

We saw baby Lilly this weekend. She is so cute. Evidently she has a strong resemblance to Hubs Grandma. Let's hope she grows out of that.

During the week I was running around with so many things to accomplish, I forgot to pay attention to what Roxie was telling me. That little orange gas light was on all day. I didn't even look down at my dash until it was TOO LATE. Yes, that's right. I ran out of gas. Did I mention that I was ON THE HIGHWAY. I pulled over and turned on the hazards preparing to hear 'I told you so' as I dialed the Hubs. Turns out, he had a feeling something bad had happened and was just relieved that I was ok. He was there to my rescue in record time. Thanks Babe.

My absentmindedness continued throughout the week, putting the peanut butter in the fridge. I know some people keep the peanut butter in the fridge but we do not. It gets hard and cold, yuck. I told you this was a random post....

Tonight is dinner with some of my friends that I haven't seen in a while - YAY.

This weekend I have NO PLANS and I am going to keep it that way. I will instead worship the sun in my back yard - wanna join me Biscuit???

I hope you all have a great holiday weekend!

No new post?

The SUN IS OUT. It is 80 degrees. I do not want to be inside.

Get out and enjoy the blue skys. Remember, soon it will be over 90 with crazy humidity and we'll be cursing the weather for other reasons.

Maybe I'll take Sammy to the Park and post some pics on Monday.

Happy Friday All.

Infertility Myth – Infertility means you will never get pregnant

As you’ve noticed, I’ve dedicated my posts this week to National Infertility Awareness. This awareness week is sponsored by RESOLVE. This organization has challenged bloggers to bust an infertility myth. The goal of this challenge is to bring together bloggers from the infertility community as well as other bloggers interested in the topic to answer the question: What is the biggest infertility myth and how has it effected your life or the life of your friends and family members?


The Myth – If you are diagnosed with infertility, it means you (and your partner) can never get pregnant. The second part of this myth is that once you get pregnant, you are CURED or no longer affected by infertility.

We are so lucky to live in a society with medical advancements that make it possible for someone like me, with a hormone imbalance, to take medication to assist in conception and pregnancy. Don’t get me wrong, each month that I take my ever increasing dose of drugs, get blood work and skip lunch for a doctor’s visit it eats away my hope for a positive outcome. But the chance is still alive. My doctor is confident that it will work.

Infertility means something is medically wrong, standing between you and your future. Infertility steals the romantic picture you imagined of that unexpected surprise. It divides you from your friends and family that don’t understand your journey. For a time, It silenced this typically outspoken woman. It challenges your sense of self as a woman. It erases any naivety that you control how you will have your family.

I know this process has worked for MANY other women. If When it works, infertility will still haunt me. Even if I get the positive result I’ve been seeking, I’ll still be plagued by the knowledge that my hormone imbalance could cause me to miscarry. If I am able to have a baby, I will always carry the knowledge that this emotional, cold, scheduled process will have to be endured for each subsequent child.

I am extremely hopeful that I will end up with a healthy pregnancy. Please take time to read some of the other myths that bloggers have busted, here. There is an amazing diversity of stories. As I was sifting through these blogs, I was inspired and comforted.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog posts this week. Hopefully I've given voice to a topic that is typically silent.
A basic understanding of infertility here - http://www.resolve.org/infertility101
Background on National Infertility Awareness Week - http://www.resolve.org/takecharge

National Infertility Awareness Week - Day 3

This week I'm honoring National Infertility Awareness week by sharing the one way I've been able to remain positive throughout this journey, letters to my future baby.


To learn more about infertility and how it affect 1 in 8 couples visit http://www.resolve.org/.

Come back tomorrow for a post that is part of RESOLVE's Bust a Myth challenge.
 
Dear Baby,



Well baby, this wasn’t the month for us to meet you. It is better this way though. As long as you spend the proper 9 months in the oven, I will qualify for maternity leave. It will be a better financial situation for all of us. I’m going to take this month to get healthy so everything is good and ready for you baby. I’m also going to schedule the appropriate Doctor’s appointments so we can get everything checked out. If we can’t conceive you, we need to know so we don’t lose time trying to adopt you. I’m open to all the potential ways you may come into our lives. We are getting ready for you.


We saw a friend’s baby yesterday. She was asking all about you. Why you are not here yet? Why we are not talking about all our efforts to find you? She made me mad baby. She doesn’t understand that this is going to happen on YOUR schedule, not ours. I was upset about this because she made me question my efforts and process.


I need to let it go. She doesn’t know how hard it is to wait for you. She may have her own struggles that I don’t understand. I went to see your Aunt Biscuit and she was so supportive. She listened to me be angry, sad and finally helped me rediscover my confidence. You will love her baby. She is almost as impatient as I am to meet you. It would be great if you were here to see her wedding!


Oh baby, we have so much planned for you. Your dad and I have so much fun together. It almost makes me sad that you aren’t here to experience it and play with us.


We love you!

National Infertility Awareness Week - Day 2

As I mentioned yesterday I'm honoring National Infertility Awareness week by sharing the one way I've been able to remain positive throughout this journey, letter to my future baby.
To learn more about infertility and how it affect 1 in 8 couples visit http://www.resolve.org/.

I should add a caveat that these letters were all written in the previous 6 months and represent the roller coaster of emotions I'm always trying to curtail.

Dear Baby,
Oh I hope my uncomfortable cramps are you…. Your dad and I got into a fight last night because I told him I’m pregnant. He is doesn’t want me to be sad if it’s not true. He hates to see me sad. I tried to make him understand that I’d rather fantasize about how great it will be. If this is not the month, I will be sad, but I am still full of hope and anticipation.


Plus I feel little twinges. Is that you baby? Are you trying to let me know that you are growing? I will take a test this weekend and see...