All up in the kool-aid, dont even know the flava

Fall Line Up

There are many things I love about Fall. The cooler weather (which we starting to get if you call 85 cooler), the leaves changing color, the breeze, the open windows, the holidays, and yes, the new tv shows!

This is what I watch.

Mondays

Prison Break (eh. Used to LOVE this show, but now it just seems SO crazy. Plus I really want to watch How I Met Your Mother and that new show Bang, so Prison Break might have to go... I could always watch it on DVD one day)

Heroes (Jason's FAV show. I like it too.)

Tuesdays

Biggest Loser ( how inspiring!!! LOVE this show)

Wednesdays

Back to You (the new show with Kelsey Grammer, so far I am not overly impressed. I REALLY loved his Fraiser show and I love Patricia Heaton, but so far Im not feeling the show)

Till Death (eh. Again, like the actors but the show isnt all that)

Kitchen Nightmares (LOVE Gordon Ramsey)

Thursdays

Survivor (I can take it or leave it)

CSI (did you watch the premiere last night?? Do you know who the female singer in all the previews leading up to the premiere is? That song that played in the background of the previews showing Sarah trapped?)

Grey's Anatomy (same time as CSI, so I tape it to watch later)

Fridays

Men In Trees (starts 10/12, I really like this show and am looking forward to it coming back. One of the main reasons I like it is it is set in Alaska. Of course, for all I know they could be filming it anywhere....)

Sunday

Extreme Home Makeover (inspirational, wonderful)

Desperate Housewives (Im at the take it or leave it place with this show)

And, to confess, I also watch the first 30 minutes of Young and The Restless everyday at lunch.

Im excited about some of these shows this Fall. And obviously VERY excited about the return of LOST in January. 

Dear Emma

Oh sweet little girl. Today you had your 15 month well baby check up and they confirmed that you are indeed, a Well Baby. Hallelujah!

You're still on the low-end of charts for height and weight (19.6 lbs) but, if it means anything (and I think it does), the nurse thought you looked like a "little person". Not a baby, a little person. In fact, you did look very cute and stylish this morning in your Old Navy Jeans and long sleeved ribbed top. Your father dressed you, and he did fantastic job. He is also the one that took you to your doctor's appt. Which is lucky for you, because afterwards, he decided that instead of dropping you off at daycare, he would bring you home and let you play and rest at your own pace since you had to have shots. Of course, what he didnt know is that you havent had a hard time with getting shots since you were 6 months old! So you certainly lucked out today.

You've been on a preventative medicine (taken daily) for your sad little ears. The doctor started you on it about 3 weeks ago as a way to combat your constant ear infections. He thinks its a better plan for you than to get ear tube surgery, and I am certainly willing to try whatever is an option. Well, today they confirmed that your ears are doing well with this medicine. They arent 100% as they probably wont be until you grow older, but they are holding steady.

 

Your father also discussed with the nurse your developement. You can point to your belly button (oh so so cute) and you pointed to the nurse's nose when she asked you where it was, and you jibber jabber and sing a LOT but you arent using real words. This concerns me, but the nurse was not worried at all. She said as long as you are saying consonants and vowels, that you are on the right track. Eventually you will put them into real words. You do say "Ba" for ball and "Dah" for Duck so I think we are on the right track.

 

You've started walking this month, which has been simply amazing to watch. At first, you needed lots of encouragement and two people to walk to and from. Now, you'll stand up on your own and take a few steps even when you think no one is looking. You're not a strong walker yet and from what I hear, you don't walk at Daycare yet, but you'll be there soon.

 

You've become an independent player this month. And thank GOD because Mommy has had her share of sick times and can do nothing but lay around on the floor with you and make sure you dont get into trouble.

 

I love you doodlebug. Even when I'm crying because I feel so crappy, you make me feel better.

Love,

Mommy

Because I love you all so much

It is 2:26pm. I have a doctor's appt at 3pm. I have to arrive 15 minutes early to fill out new patient paperwork. Obviously, I should NOT be blogging right now but be in my car driving to said doctor's appt. But I love you all and I know you worry, so here I am.

I do in fact have a sinus/ear infection. The doctor on Monday (in and out in 45 minutes!!!!!) agreed with my thoughts and prescribed some "safe" antibiotics. I've take 4 doses, but am not feeling better yet. Oh well. Hopefully soon?

Anyway, I cant blog from home because our home computer went on strike last week. And I've been out of work since Monday afternoon for either doctors appts or all day trainings or meetings, so today at 1pm was the first time I've seen the internet since Monday afternoon!!! AHHHH!!!!

It's a busy busy work week, but I promise I will find time to write a decent (ha!!) post tommorow!

For now, all is well, and I'm off to meet my new OB practice. It's a silly appt where they wont actually do anything but "talk" but a requirement none the less.

Hugs and Kisses to all of you! See ya tommorow.

The weekend that never was

I was looking forward to Jason's first weekend off in a month for a LONG time (a month!).

Let me list what went wrong this weekend:

• He got called in to work saturday
• I called my grandmother to let her know we werent going to be able to come down and she informed me, " I just had to put my cat to sleep yesterday and NOW you tell me you arent coming down to visit?"
• (He was 17)
• As suspected, she did her best to make me feel as bad as possible.
• Bad congestion/headache/ear pain/pressure all weekend.
• Jason calls from work Saturday : "Um....looks like I have to work tommorow too...."
• Yes, he worked all weekend. ALL WEEKEND.
• Lot of wallowing in my own misery.

But because I am cursed with always looking on the bright side, here are the good things that happened this weekend:

• I sorted thru Emma's clothes and weeded out the latest batch of ones that she had outgrown.
• I washed some new winter items for Emma (remember those clothes I bought last...February at Old Navy for cheap cheap cheap?)
• Vaccummed
• Did lots of laundry
• Lots of good times with Emma
• Taco Night at Jason's parents house (Saturday night)
• Watched a semi-decent movie on one of the basic channels (remember, we arent cool, we dont have cable)
• It was something about a Loch Ness monster and Ted Danson
• Not bad.
• Ventured to Target where, becuase of my sick delusional state, I bought Emma this:

• No, you didnt miss anything, we have not won the lottery. I've been wanting some variation of a push N ride toy for her for some time now, and when I saw this at Target for $25, we just HAD to have it. (Thank God Jason worked that overtime!)

So, I suppose there was some good to the weekend. But man! That sinus pain/ear stuff was ROUGH. It's still here today (got a doctor's appt at 3pm) but as long as I am sitting at my desk, I dont notice it as much. Im tough. :)

I didnt take any pictures of Bella this weekend (or any pictures at all) but I promise I will try this week. I dont want you to think we sold her into dog slavery. (can we do that? How much would we get? She's real smart!)

(lest some crazy person think I am really interested in selling my dog into slavery, NO, I JUST JOKING. As we all know though, I am a pug person and poor Bella is not a pug. She's a great dog though. I would like her a lot more if she would stop leaving giant tufts of hair around the house.)

Well, here's hoping the week is better than the weekend. Im destined for another Jason-less weekend, but Im sure I'll find some sort of bright side at some point. (darn my eternal optimism!)

The upcoming weekend

The chilli? Was EXCELLENT. Really really good. We topped it with fritos and shredded mexican blend cheese. I had two bowls. SO GOOD. Usually when we make chilli we have a lot left over (b/c you fill up the crock pot). But not this time, one serving left only.

And suprise of the evening was that Emma loved the chilli too! I knew she loved beans, and things with flavor, but even though the chilli was mild, I still thought she would find it too spicy hot. But no! she loved it. Which was awesome.

I really thought about taking pictures for all of you because with the variet of beans, the chilli was just so darn good looking, but I couldnt stop eating long enough to get up to get the camera. That's how good it was!

This weekend is Jason's first weekend off work since August. Today, the high temp is 79 (very nice) and tommorow the high temp is 89!! How is this fair??? Sunday's suppose to be 94! AHHH! Anyway, we had plans to go see my grandmother down in Charleston this weekend (we are trying to visit once every two months, and with Jason's 1 weekend free a month and the 3 hour drive....not looking realistic). A work buddy of Jason's asked him to cover his on-call day this Saturday, and while that seems like no big deal, on-call days usually amount to calling in at 6am, and being told "No, we don't need you!", the jail is overcrowded and lately they HAVE been needing the extra help.

On the one hand, it will be overtime and that means time and a half, which YEAH! On the otherhand, if he gets called in, we cant go to Charleston and my grandmother will never let me hear the end of it. I just KNOW. Plus, we wouldnt be able to make it back down to visit until November! Yikes.

(And no, I will not drive my 15 month old 3 hours alone and haul a pack and play up to the second floor of the guest cottage. Will not.)

So, we'll see how the weekend plays out.

Daddy and Emma at the Park

Because of Jason's work schedule, he hasnt gotten to take Emma to the park in a LONG LONG time. Definetly not since she's been standing and the park has become more than just the baby swings. Well, last Thursday night the weather was fairly mild, Jason didnt have to work that day, so after work and dinner, we headed to the park!

Daddy, your not going to leave me, right?

I love the way he is looking at her.

Daddy Love.

I know its blurry, but its still cute darnit.

What are those big kids doing?

Whoa Daddy!

Look at me! I'm such a big girl!

I literally have like at least 5 more pictures to show you, but Im afraid you on picture overload. If you are not, please click on my Flickr sidebar ---> to see the rest from this trip to the park!

The weather is still mild today, so when I was home for lunch, I threw together a pot of vegetarian chilli! Should be perfect for when I get home for dinner.

Ingredients (This time, I rarely make it the same twice because of my bad bad memory):

• 2 cans of black beans
• 2 cans of dark red kidney beans
• 1 can of chili beans in chili sauce
• 1 can of diced tomatoes in chili sauce (hunts I think)
• 1 can of corn
• 1/2 diced onion
• 1 pack of Food Lion brand chili seasoning

Becuase of the mixture of various chili flavorings, I dont think it will be the BEST ever chili we've made, but it should still be good. The best chili is when Jason assists with the chili seasoning.

I also bought a bag of fritos to go with the chili! 

Holly Day

Holly is approximately 11. We adopted her in 2004 when she was approx. 8. We were fostering for South Eastern Pug Rescue at the time and we drove deep deep into South Carolina to the middle of NOWHERE, and picked her up from a puppy mill. Oh sure, they claimed THEY werent the puppy mill, THEY rescued her from the puppy mill. Whatever. We could so totally tell.

Anyway, Holly was the first dog I ever fostered (and I have fostered a LOT) that I truly fell in love with. The rescue group kept asking me for pictures to post of her and a story so she could be "advertised" for adoption. I kept delaying. Finally, I just told them, I can NOT give her up. She belongs with us.

She was the first foster dog that Alfred ever seemed to take notice of and care about. In the past, he either ignored foster dogs, tried to take advantage of them, or just out right peed directly on them. But with Holly, he would wait by the door for her to go outside with him. He'd wait in the yard for her to be done before coming back up the steps. He just cared. A lot.

So, we kept her.

Although in our approximations of Alfred and Holly's ages, they are only 1 year a part, she is a LOT older. Basically because she's been thru a LOT more. Continuously being bred damaged her hips and spine. Her eye sight is now at probably only 10% good and her hearing is gone.

But you know what? She is a real trooper. She gets around pretty well, although the move was tough on her because she had to learn all the new places to go for bed, food, outside etc.

Her favorite things to do are sleep, eat, and get belly rubs.

I think Holly's time to cross the Rainbow Bridge is drawing near. All I can do is make sure her time left on Earth is filled with cuddles and treats. 

COUNTDOWN BEGINS!!!!!!!

Do you know what is happening ONE MONTH FROM TODAY????

Oh, yes, It's Bloggy Meet Up 2007!!!!!!!!

October 19-21, 2007 in Charlotte, NC!!!!!

(And yes, I am oh so proud of myself for convincing everyone that we should have the first EVAH Bloggy Meet Up in my neck of the woods!!! WootWoot!)

At last count there were TEN bloggers coming! 10!! That is awesome!

I tell you, I am EXCITED. I cant believe it is all coming together. If you arent already planning to come, but have just realized HOW AWESOMELY COOL this Meet Up will be, email me at JPCPBAH AT GMAIL DOT COM and I will fill you in on all the little details like preferred hotel, times, activities, guest list etc.

(If you are unable to make it this year, have no fear! We WILL do this again! We will discuss at the Meet Up if this should be an annual or biennial event and determine future location possibilities.)

Holly pictures after lunch....

Alfred

I love all my dogs. But, to be honest, I love Alfred the most. Is that horrible to say? He's my BABY. I got him first and he's been with me thru a lot. I got Alfred before I even met Jason. Alfred and I grew up together in college. He's 10 now, but still very young. He is deaf (probably my fault for playing loud music in college), except for clapping noises, but his vision is fine. I think if any dog can live to 20, it will be Alfred. Gosh I hope so.

Here he is doing his half elvis impression. Sometimes one side of his lip is all bunched up, really looking like an elvis impression. 

He loves loves loves to sit up on the top of the couch and look outside.

I mean really, isnt he just so handsome? 

Regal really.

I think Emma's noticed that looking out the window is the "cool thing" to do.

My two babies. Gah. Does it get better than that?

(And dont go saying that slews of babies and puggies would be better, cause we aint havin "slews" of anything. Period.)

Man, I wish I could bottle up weather like this

Is it nice where you are? Here, we've been on a 79-81 degree kick for the past few days and it is HEAVEN for the South. A good chill in the morning when I get up. The weather was so good this weekend, I opened up all the windows in the house (reminding me I desparately need to clean our window sills, inside and out. GROSS)

It has been a LONG LONG time since I posted pictures of the dogs. So long in fact, I am sure that you all thought I had sold the dogs to a dog hair weaving company. Well, they do shed enough to create new dogs every week with the hair I collect on the floor, but NO, I have not sold the dogs.

This weekend was one of Jason's work weekends, so Emma and I simply hung out around the house.

There was lots of rearranging of toys.

And Emma playing with her twin.

   

Nothing spectacular.

Except, I FINALLY got around to taking pictures of the dogs.

I have so many to show. Pictures of dogs doing nothing, pictures of Emma and the dogs, pictures of just Emma. So many.

 

Today, I will share pictures of Emma and Alfred. Tommorow, probably solo picture of the pugs. It's good to spread the love around.

Emma's BIG thing right now is to get in and out of chairs. (With help, obviously).

What better way to enjoy sitting in a big chair than sharing it with a pug friend?

(so so cute. I know.)

Alfred: If I remain very still, she wont jump on me...

Alfred: OH NO! SHE'S GOING TO ATTACK!!!

Alfred: Gentle! My hair is delicate!

Alfred: I suppose we can both co-exist.

Really, that was our weekend. There was some church, some visiting with the in-laws, some Taco Bell (YUMMY) but mostly just hanging around the house.

Truly, the weather was awesome.