Saturday, September 30, 2017

I Am So Much More Than A Work At Home Dog Mom...


A couple of months ago I flirted with the idea of creating DIY Dog Mom Projects that weren't necessarily doggy themed. I was inspired when someone reached out asking if I could make a sign for their wedding. I immediately said yes and I was excited to embark on this project. The finished product was gorgeous. Since then, I've viewed photos of their wedding and received a special photo of that sign displayed at their wedding.

Friday, September 29, 2017

It'll Be Our 4th Year Participating In Whiskers In Wonderland



It's happening again this year. Whiskers In Wonderland. This event has been running strong every December for the past 5 years. This year, it'll be our 4th year participating. It's our favorite event and the only one we've continued to participate in.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Crazy Dogs Live Here. Do Not Knock. I Will Yell.


Throughout the Summer months, people kept posting a doggy themed sign that I fell in love with. It said, "Crazy dogs live here. Do not knock. They will bark. I will yell. Shit will get real. Text if you know me. Absolutely no solicitors." I posted the sign on the Our Bodacious Dog Mom Life Facebook wall. The photo was accompanied with a mention that I wanted to make one of these signs for our door. People replied expressing interest in these signs. I asked what color. They replied.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

I Learned Years Ago That Shipping Costs Can Make Or Break A Deal


It was a little over a decade ago when I began my work at home career. It all started when I stumbled on a deal site that offered free stuff. I'm a sucker for free samples. After a few months, I started getting into the deal portion of the online shopping and coupon site. I expressed interest in working for the deal site. After training and a lot of hard work, I was hired.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

The Bodacious Halloween Bundles Are Done!


Over the weekend, I made 3 more wooden doggy themed pumpkins to include in a few Bodacious Halloween Bundles. I wanted to offer something festive that included some of our homemade peanut butter dog treats. The bundle includes a handcrafted pumpkin, a bag of our biscuits, and a bag of large peanut butter dog treat pumpkins drizzled with my mixture of white chips and peanut butter. And, of course, I added some festive sprinkles.

Monday, September 25, 2017

I Made Soup. Because That's What I Do When People Are Sick.


Last week, Lisa caught the horrible head and chest cold that's been going around.  Yesterday, I woke up with it. By the end of the day, I was sofa bound. Head and chest cold. Fever. Aches. Chills. Nausea. Today, I learned that our neighbor friends, who we enjoyed dinner with on Saturday, are sick too. Despite how crappy I feel and the amount of work that's piling up because I have zero motivation, I made soup.

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Yep. For the 3rd Time This Year, I've Been Hit With A Nasty Head And Chest Cold. Over And Out...


Earlier in the week, Lisa woke up with a sore throat. By the end of the day, she was feeling miserable with a head and chest cold. I threw up my hands. In the past year, between the cold and flu season, Lisa being diagnosed with Lyme Disease twice, and testing positive for Mono, I was holding out for a break. No such luck. I blamed yesterday's congestion on severe Fall allergies. My. Bad.

Saturday, September 23, 2017

We Have Kids. Two Sons. Two Daughters. It Shouldn't Matter If They're "Dogs"


The other day, I was chatting in the virtual world with an acquaintance of mine. I've known her for quite some time. She occasionally reads this blog and keeps up with my Facebook posts and our Bodacious Biscuit Love and Our Bodacious Dog Mom Life Facebook page. I appreciate her candid nature and aversion towards beating around the bush. At times, she's crossed my proverbial line, but I've never allowed myself to be caught off guard.

Friday, September 22, 2017

When It's Quiet, I Think. My Brain Is Flooded With What's Going To Happen In The Next Few Months...


After completing 2 huge projects this week on the work front, it was time to move to the kitchen to complete some DIY Dog Mom Projects. About a month ago, I posted a sign on the Our Bodacious Dog Mom Life Facebook page. A lot of people commented with interest in purchasing these signs and replied with their choice of color. In addition to the signs, I wanted to make a few more doggy themed wood pumpkins to include in our Bodacious Halloween Bundles.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

If We Could Get A Break From Being Sick, That Would Be Great...


From the time we moved into our home in 2012 until last summer, Lisa and I had a fairly decent run of not being sick. During those years, I can count on one hand how many times we were stricken with a cold or stomach bug. Then, about a year ago, that all changed. The past year has been horrible. And, it continues to suck because apparently, the cold and flu season is starting early this year.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

I Reached A Goal. It Was Kind Of A Big Deal.


I got 2 really big projects done yesterday and today. I had set a goal. To have it done by Wednesday afternoon. I busted ass. And, I got it done. I was really excited. Beyond excited. I shared my excitement with the kids. Of course, they ran around, tails wagging. They got excited with me even though they had no idea why Mama was so happy.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

There Is Going To Come A Time When There Is No More Time


When we first moved into our home over 5 years ago, I was climbing up the corporate ladder and making a name for myself. During this time, I had a horrible habit of not slowing down. I'd be so focused on what I was doing that I wasn't able to be fully in the moment. I wasn't present. Too often I'd say, "not now" or "in a minute." That minute turned into 30 minutes or an hour.

Monday, September 18, 2017

Thank You, David. You Made My Day.


A little over 3 years ago, a friend of ours asked if they could purchase some biscuit love for a friend of theirs out of state. We said yes. About a week later, this gentleman sent a video of his box o' biscuits. We were overjoyed. I sent him a friend request. He accepted. Since then, we've had friendly exchanges via Facebook. He and I have a standing joke about my dislike of spiders.

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Go Home Jose, You're Drunk...


The quiet before the storm. All the way around. Mother Nature. A neighbor friend's unexpected business trip out of state. Having to spend the overnight at their house because of that. It's going to be a crazy week. We're prepared. Now, we're waiting to see what Hurricane/Tropical Storm Jose will decide on. So far, his path has exemplified the motto, "Go home (Jose), you're drunk..."

Saturday, September 16, 2017

I Do These 10 Things To Keep My Sanity Intact As A Dog Mom


Over the years, I've followed several mommy-of-human-kid bloggers. Several times a week, I read their latest posts. Their blogs are candid, they're not afraid of dropping the F-Bomb, and they keep it real. Some of my favorite posts have been ones about the extremes they've gone to for a few minutes of alone time or to indulge in something without the kids around. These comical efforts range from locking the bathroom door while pooping to hiding a box of Girl Scout Thin Mints in a box of fiber cereal to having a quickie in the garage with the spouse while the chicken nuggets are cooking in the oven to hiding in the bathtub with a bottle of wine.

Friday, September 15, 2017

A Little More Balance Because There Is Always Room For More



Last month, I published a 6-part series of blog columns focusing on maintaining balance in our home. Prior to writing the series, I thought it would be difficult to break it all down into 6 parts, but it wasn't. I probably could have written another blog column or two within the maintaining balance series. Evidently, things were chaotic and out of balance here and had been for quite some time.

Thursday, September 14, 2017

My Overnights Were Once Kid-Free. That Was Over 6 Months Ago.


Once upon a time, I had a break from the kids after Lisa went to bed until she got up for work at 3:30 a.m. I stay awake on the overnight to do most of my writing work and other odds and ends. There were seldom any interruptions. As contradictory as it may sound, the overnight was my time to exhale and rejuvenate even though I was working, doing a little quiet housework, or baking. I didn't have to worry about tripping over the kids or their toys, having to get up from my desk chair 322 times an hour, being interrupted by barking because the kids heard a squirrel fart or other distractions.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

An Obstacle Of Chew Bones And Fetch Toys


Within 2 minutes after sitting at my desk in the morning, before I take my first sip of coffee, Willa drops her fetch toy at my feet. Most times I bend down to grab her toy within seconds. If I don't, she sits there patiently for about a minute. Then, she'll make one of her cute little noises as if to say, "Mommy, I want to play fetch. Mommy. Mommy. Mommy."

Monday, September 11, 2017

The Dia de los Muertos Bodacious Patchwork Doggy Quilts Sold Out


Last year, I purchased this vibrant Dia de los Muertos fabric. It was on clearance. It's a popular print and I knew by the following year I'd be inspired enough to incorporate it into something. Last Monday, when I was straightening out our biscuit/craft room, I pulled it from the holiday fabric shelf. To be honest, I had forgotten all about it. I put it on the table beside of the 10 pieces of wood and 2 dowels that were soon going to be doggy themed wood pumpkins.

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Willa Has Made Great Strides Towards Transitioning To Homemade Meals And Treats


Our family got a little bigger on March 2nd when we rescued and adopted Willa. We were overjoyed and she instantly bonded with Coco, Sophie, and Lobo. However, we had quite a few challenges to deal with. Willa was in full blow heat. Her ears smelled yeasty and she was constantly digging at them. Willa's stools were slightly soft. And, it appeared she was not responding well to being transitioned from a special store bought food to our homemade meals.

Saturday, September 9, 2017

It's Serious Business Sharing Homemade Pumpkin Muffins With The Kids


A month ago, I published a blog column explaining why I was done with the Summer season. For those who know me well, this came as a surprise. Prior to this year, I was always hell bent on not rushing the Summer season to be over and done with. I had a strict policy. No pumpkin spiced anything allowed in the house before the first official day of Fall. No pumpkins. No Fall decorations. No mention of dried corn stalks. No talk about how we were going to decorate the outdoors for Fall. No apple anything.

Friday, September 8, 2017

The Doggy Themed Wood Pumpkins Sold Out...


On Monday, while straightening out the biscuit/craft room and taking inventory of our wood pieces, I discovered some smaller square and rectangle shapes. I also found a couple of medium length dowels. The first thing that came to mind was pumpkins. Wooden pumpkins. Doggy themed wooden pumpkins. My brain kept throwing out ideas and presenting mental visuals. I put the wood aside. Lisa cut the dowels down to size. The following day, our kitchen table was covered with 10 soon-to-be doggy themed wooden pumpkins.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

My Doggy Themed Wood Pumpkins Are Almost Done!



On Monday, Lisa was outside replanting rose bushes that a neighbor friend gave us. We had just finished making a DIY Doggy Bed for our kids the day before. During the process of straightening out the biscuit/craft room, I went through the totes of wood. I noticed quite a few square and rectangular pieces. The pieces weren't big enough to make decorative plaques or leash/pup apparel holders. I put them aside. At the bottom of the totes, I also discovered 2 dowel sized pieces of wood. One round. The other square. I'm not sure why pumpkins instantly came to mind, but they did.

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

I Needed To Have That Talk With My Fur-Nephew. So, I Did.


We have a lot of fur-nieces and fur-nephews that we take care of when their Moms and Dads go away for the day, weekend, or on vacation. We love them as if they were our own kids. When they're in our care, they are spoiled by their Aunties. There's no shortage of playtime, snuggle time, outdoor time, bedtime stories, lovin', and treats. Just recently, we took care of our 2 fur-nieces and fur-nephew. This time, amid all the lovin' and playing and being spoiled, there was sadness. I tried to avoid it, but I couldn't. I needed to have that talk with my fur-nephew, Dusty.

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

The Kids Love Their Vintage Chair. The Operative Word Is "Their"


Last month, after several years of searching, Lisa and I scooped up a vintage chair at a yard sale. The chair wasn't for us. We wanted one for our kids. Over the years, we've come across well over a dozen, but they've been in poor shape or the price was much too expensive. Then, finally, one morning while out and about checking out a few yard sales and flea markets, there it was. It was meant to be. Great shape. No repairs needed. Jaw-dropping price.

Monday, September 4, 2017

Here's What We Made With 2 Pieces Of Old Barn Wood


A neighbor friend of ours gave us 2 big pieces of old barn wood. Originally, I was going to use it for a custom order. However, after examining the wood, we decided it wasn't a good fit for the custom piece. We ended up buying the wood for that project. The 2 pieces of old barn wood sat in the hallway for almost 2 weeks. I knew I could make something out of the gorgeous aged wood. I was waiting for that proverbial light bulb to go off.

Sunday, September 3, 2017

Despite The World Of Differences, There Is Common Ground



I love being a Work at Home Dog Mom. Sure, it's not easy working at home while taking care of 4 furry kids. I'm in a constant state of sleep deprivation because I get between 2-3 hours of sleep a day. Housework is never ending. I'm interrupted at least 142 times an hour while I'm trying to get work done. My schedule revolves around everything and everyone else. I work on the overnight because it's quiet and I can focus. Being a Work at Home Dog Mom isn't glamours. I've published a few columns over the past couple of years trying to explain all of this.

Saturday, September 2, 2017

I Have Plans For These 2 Pieces Of Aged Barn Wood


These 2 pieces of old barn wood have been sitting in the back hallway for about 3 weeks. I had asked a neighbor friend of ours if he had any extra wood laying around. I had a custom project to make. I gave him the measurements. He delivered. Unfortunately, I was not able to use the wood because it's aged barn wood. This particular custom order required new, solid wood because it was eventually going to be a memento to commemorate a special occasion.

Friday, September 1, 2017

I Raise My Cup Of Pumpkin Spiced Coffee To The First Day Of September


It's September 1st. The Summer season is winding down. As with every year, right around this time, my social media streams are plastered with posts from die hard pumpkin spiced season fans and those who absolutely despise it. I'm always amused by this redundant debate. On one hand, you have those who jump right into it with gusto. On the other hand, there's the crowd of people who want to milk out last few weeks of Summer.