Crazy Work At Home Dog Mom Life Days

The majority of my writing gets done on the overnight. It's quiet. The kids are sleeping. Lisa is sleeping. Most of the world is sleeping. Minimal distractions. This has been going on for over 3 years. Work that doesn't require quiet time like posting content, baking biscuits, sewing blankets, social media stuff and tending to emails is done during the day. However, writing, that's a whole other ballgame.

I Made Some Changes. I Didn't Broadcast It.

This was my lunch today accompanied with a double shot espresso coffee. It's been a little over 3 weeks since I've eaten sugar, flour, bread, pasta and other high carb, processed foods. I didn't broadcast it. This was a personal decision based on how I was feeling physically. The headaches. Bloat. Tummy issues. Chronic fatigue. Unexplained exhaustion that would hit like a wrecking ball at any given time during the day and evening. Etc.

The Symphony Of Carrots

Aside from our variety of homemade dog biscuits, our kids love to snack on raw vegetables and fruits. Their absolute favorite are carrots. Several times a week, I cut up fresh carrot sticks. Sniff. Sniff. Sniff. Regardless of what the kids are doing, they find their way to the kitchen counter and watch. Tails wagging. They know. Carrots.

Sweet Crunchy Love Hearts Dog Treats

These biscuits have always been my favorite. Heart shaped biscuits with a swizzle of drizzle and festive sprinkles. They're perfect for Valentine's Day, but we make them all year for special occasions or when the kids want to spread a lil' crunchy love to our close friends who are also pet parents. There's just something about them.

It Was A Pretty Great Easter

The kids woke up to Easter baskets this morning. Earlier in the week we filled them with a new throw blanket to add to their already extensive collection, our homemade decorated Easter treats and their favorite chew bones.

Our Plans. It's Something.

It never fails. Right before a holiday, people ask, "What are you doing for (insert holiday)?" Our answer is always the same. We're staying home with the kids. Cooking a nice little feast. Watching a couple of movies while enjoying family snuggle time. No work. Unwind. Relax. For us, that's total bliss. However, most times our holiday plans are misinterpreted as "having no plans" or "we're doing nothing."

Our New Sofa Is Human And Kid Approved

Today was the day. Late morning, the "white glove" delivery men from Raymour & Flanigan arrived and delivered our new reclining sofa. It was love at first sit. I knew our old sofa was uncomfortable and the armrests had no cushion left, but I didn't realize just how bad it was until I spent 5 minutes on our new sofa. It was like night and day. I melted.

It's Time To Say Goodbye To Ol' Bessie

Last night, during family snuggle time, I got a little teary eyed. It was our last night on our old sofa. Despite the discomfort, the deteriorating cushioned armrests (which you can see a little of on the right hand side) and the excessive wear and tear, there's sentimental value attached to this sofa that had once been an entire living room set my parents purchased back in 1994.

Carob Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookie Dog Treat Recipe

A week or two, or maybe three, after I created our first sandwich cookie dog treat, I experimented with carob. Unlike chocolate, which is highly toxic to pups, carob is safe. Carob is available in powder, sweetened or unsweetened, and chips. We purchased the unsweetened powder at the health food store. The following day, I whipped up these Carob Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies. Our kids loved 'em. So did we. 

Bodacious Easter Biscuit Love. Time. Well. Spent.

This is our third year baking Easter Biscuit Love for our local Connecticut animal shelters. It's a lot of work and usually involves 3-4 days of baking Easter and Spring shaped biscuits, 1 day of decorating some of the biscuits and 1 day of packaging, boxing and filling Easter baskets. On top of that, we spend most of the week delivering Bodacious Easter Baskets to local animal shelters that are close by. For the shelters further away, we ship.

The 5 Benefits Of Dog Hair

Dog hair is a permanent part of our wardrobe and home decor. It doesn't matter how often we vacuum, dust, wash our clothes and bedding, it's always there. Years ago, we gave up on our excessive efforts to eliminate the dog hair or at least a good portion of it. We realized the only way this would happen is if we didn't have (fur) kids. That wasn't going to happen. Ever.

Random Rant: Do You Know Where Your Pup Is?

I took this photo earlier today. Gorgeous pup. Roaming our neighborhood freely. It's the second time in 2 weeks I have spotted this pup. A couple of our neighbors have spotted him on other occasions. None of us know who he belongs to. I notified our incredible Animal Control Officer. She's driven around our neighborhood in hope to spot this sweet baby. We both seem to think he belongs to someone as he appears cared for and there's been no visible weight loss in 2 weeks. Still, I worry. The main road and highway are close.

And, In Other News, We Have A New Sofa

It finally happened. We found a sofa that fit our needs, wasn't ridiculously priced and we'd be able to pay off in less than 6 months. It seems almost surreal. A new sofa. It's comfortable. Very comfortable. Pillowed arm rests. And, we decided to go with the 2 cushioned model. Full chaise recliners. If we're both reclined, there will be no space between the 2 extensions. This is a plus because of the kids. More room.

Lobo Had His Yearly Checkup Today

Our lil' Lobo...it's been quite the journey since he was rescued by the incredible Ledyard Animal Control in January of 2015. The day after his surgery, to remove his hind leg, he was transported to our home as a foster.

Breakfast And Dinner Can Be Quite Interesting

Our of our 3 kids, the one who is most consistent about eating their meals in the kitchen is Sophie. Once in a blue moon, when Lisa travels to New Hampshire overnight, she opts to eat on the chair in the living room or another area within our home. Lobo is a close runner-up. When Lisa or I are getting their meals ready, he's sitting beside Sophie on the floor. Waiting.

It Doesn't Sound Like A Lot Of Work, But It Is

A couple of months ago I took on some extra freelance work. At first, it was a struggle. I wondered if I was taking it on because I needed validation. However, after a few weeks of mentally debating, I decided to stick with it. My boss isn't such a bad guy. He's a writer with a warped sense of humor like mine. Nothing I've said or emailed, all laced with F-Bombs, has made him squirm.

Purchasing A Sofa Is A Tedious Project

I had no idea buying a sofa was such a tedious project. It is. For the past couple of weeks we've been shopping around for new sofas. We're in dire need. Our current sofa is almost 25 years old and a family hand-me-down. It's falling apart. The cushions the in the armrest and lumbar area are pretty much gone. It's causing a great deal of discomfort. Several pillows are required to lean on the armrests. The fabric is also separating.

More Than Oblivious

Late this morning, I got a message from a friend of ours. We met her a couple of years ago. Super nice lady. Her message informed me she was in our neck of the woods and was in need of a smile and hug. I didn't hesitate to let her know the door was opened. I had just poured a glass of wine and was in the middle of housework. Her company was more than welcomed.

A Little Late Night Retail Therapy

I used to be an avid online shopper. This began about 10 years ago when I started working for a deal site. My job was to post deals and sales along with the best of the best online coupons. This is what I did 'round the clock in addition to other work stuff in the area of social media, blogging and marketing. The amount of money I saved shopping online and using online coupons was incredible and brag-worthy.

It's A Mom Thing. Mom. Mom. Mom.

Many years ago, while living out of state, I was walking Miss L. She was a medium sized pup. In the neighborhood I lived in, there was a big issue with roaming dogs. The animal control officer and I saw each other at least once or twice a week. From the dog hoarder at the end of our street to the neighbor who moved out and left their dog, and everything between, I made frequent calls to update him on the happenings.

A Few Words To The Presumptuous Know-It-All Clans

The other day, while out and about, we saw someone we know. Not well. And, by no means do we consider them friends. They're just people we know and see on occasion. When we spotted this person, we turned around and made our way to another section of the store. As we finished our shopping, we took turns being on the lookout for this person. I probably should be embarrassed for admitting this, but I'm not.

How To Make Me Speechless And Teary Eyed 101

Being a work at home dog Mom, while rewarding and something I wouldn't change for anything, is challenging at times. Between my crazy sleep schedule, work deadlines, housework, having dinner ready at a reasonable hour, and everything between, I don't always feel my best at the end of the day. When Lisa and the kids are tucked in, I sit on the sofa, exhale and think, "Did I give my all today? Did I do my best? Did I write an exceptional article for work? Did I make a difference? Did I spend enough time with the kids? Did I...."

Thank You Bissell, Once Again

This morning, while sipping my second cup of coffee, I paced. Living room. Home office. Bedroom. Biscuit room. Living room. Back and forth. I did this for about ten minutes. I leaned over slightly while pacing. I squinted my eyes as I examined every inch of our carpeted rooms. Lisa finally asked what I was doing. Brainstorming? Fitness? Hallucinations?

The Art Of Multi-Tasking With One Hand

A good portion of the day and evening hours are spent at my desk pluggin' away at work stuff, writing articles, blogging, editing photos, writing notes, etc. Very seldom is this time uninterrupted. Between meetings and the kids wanting my attention, I often rely on getting stuff done with one hand. This has notably increased since Lobo joined our family over a year ago.

It's Going To Happen. Yes. It. Is.

Yesterday I mentioned that Lisa had a brilliant idea that I was going to run with. We had discussed it over dinner. On the overnight, I thought a great deal about it, as I do with so many other things, and made the decision. Yes. It's going to happen. After spending many years baking dog treats, and with over 30 years of baking experience, why not.

Lisa Had A Brilliant Idea And I May Just Run With It

In October of 2013 Lisa and I started Bodacious Biscuit Love. You can check out that blog site here. In short, we bake homemade biscuits throughout the week to offer our Bodacious Community and we donate our biscuits to local Connecticut animal shelters. We also use our biscuits to raise money so we can purchase much needed supplies for these animal shelters and to assist with medical expenses. Several times a month, during the busy event season, we donate Bodacious Raffle Baskets to shelters, rescue groups and various organizations who are raising money for the animals in need.

Lobo And Sophie Say, "Thank You Auntie Bertha!"

Lisa's "work wife" gave Lisa an Easter outfit to us for Lobo. She's a wonderful lady who attended our wedding with her husband back in 2012. That's the first time I had met her. Good people. I was surprised when Lisa brought the outfit home. In a screechy, girly voice, I said, "Thisssss issss sooooooo cuteeeeeeeeeeeee!"