Wednesday, October 31, 2018

An Evening Of Festivities. Fun. And, Heavy Hearts.


For the past 5 years on Halloween, I've always made a big "cauldron" of corn chowder. I only make it once a year. In addition, I make homemade bread. For dessert, I also make something I only whip up once a year...homemade pumpkin Whoopie Pies. During the hours of trick or treating, our neighbor friends and a handful of people we invite over will stop by for a bite to eat.

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

A Little About The Homemade Meals And Treats We Make For Our Kids


A sweet Dog Mom posted this on my personal Facebook page the other day. I love it when people reach out to ask about homemade meals and treats for their furry kids. Although we've been making homemade meals and treats for our kids for over 6 years, I don't have recipes for their homemade meals. Homemade treats, on the other hand, yes. If you'd like the recipes for those, go here.

Monday, October 29, 2018

Our Bodacious Holiday Season Starts This Coming Week. That's Okay. We've Got This.


I took a break from blogging over the weekend. I had some work stuff to catch up on, deadlines to meet, small projects to get done, and I needed to get the Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Project Workshop organized and inventoried. While doing that, Lisa and I discussed some Bodacious Holiday Projects that we've been planning in our heads.

Friday, October 26, 2018

It Takes A Lot Of Effort To Be Prepared, But It's Well Worth It


Earlier this week, I planned on spending the entire day today in the Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Project Workshop. I wanted to make sample pieces for our 2018 Bodacious Holiday Ornaments and get started on some bigger projects. Unfortunately, those plans fell through. Instead, I worked on blog columns and prepped for a Nor'Easter that will be pounding our area beginning early tomorrow.

Thursday, October 25, 2018

All We Have Is Today. You Can't Do It All. That's Okay. Exhale.


I have moments throughout the week when I overwhelm myself unnecessarily. I will sit at my desk or the kitchen table and think about everything I have to do. That quickly spirals out of control. I start thinking about what I haven't done yet, the goals I haven't reached, the stuff I should do, the length of my Bodacious To-Do Lists, all the stuff I'd love to do, etc. Within a relatively short period of time, my anxiety is blowing through the roof.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Our Intentions Will Always Be Genuine. We Have No Desire To Be Crappy Humans.


Lisa and I talk quite a bit. These discussions may not be in big chunks. But, when we're able to have personal discussions, they're pieced together. Bit by bit by bit. These pieces are strewn together from texts, short social media chats, brief phone chats, and emails

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

The Everyday Moments Act As A Barrier To The Darkness


As a Work at Home Dog Mom, there are so many tiny treasured moments that I will continue to embrace every single day when it comes to our kids. These moments serve as a barrier of sorts. All 4 of our kids are rescues. Lisa and I are well aware of the environment they were rescued from. For a couple of our kids, we've seen the gruesome photos. The photos and stories will continue to haunt us. They're not something you forget. Ever.

Monday, October 22, 2018

Our Holiday Season Will Be Much Different This Year...


This is the first year, since 2013, that we're not baking and providing homemade Bodacious Biscuit Love Holiday Dog Teats to the public. We're not participating in any events. We're not offering Bodacious Biscuit Love Holiday Packages. Lisa isn't taking the week off after my birthday to assist with the orders, mixing, baking, delivering, and shipping.

Sunday, October 21, 2018

I Can Tell When Something Is Not Right. When Things Are Off Balance.


Many times throughout my childhood and teen years, I can remember my mother saying, "You feeling okay because I think you're getting sick." I'd always look at her with a puzzled glance. I felt fine. No symptoms. My immediate reply was, "I'm not sick." She'd guffaw and tell me that I was indeed getting sick. I always exhaled with irritation and stomped off because I knew within a few days, I would be sick with the flu or a cold or strep throat or bronchitis or all of the above.

Saturday, October 20, 2018

Baking And Selling Homemade Dog Treats Is Not An Easy Way To Make Money


The other day I received an email from someone who wanted to know if I made doggy doughnuts. I explained that we no longer make homemade dog treats for the public. When we did, we only offered our original Bodacious Biscuit Love Peanut Butter Dog Treats. Throughout our brief conversation, it became apparent that she was interested in making homemade dog treats to sell.

Friday, October 19, 2018

Sophie Isn't The Only One Who Has Mastered THE LOOK...


The other night, I was going through some old photos and came across this one. If any of our kids could mimic my resting bitch face, it would be Sophie. Yep. She's got it. Just like me. That look. For as long as she's been part of our family, Sophie hasn't been shy about giving us the look. Once in a while, I entertain myself and think, "If Sophie was a human child, she'd totally be my protege."

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Work At Home Dog Mom Struggle #289


Once in a blue moon, about an hour or so before Lisa arrives home from work, I'll tackle some work stuff from the sofa. Today, I did just that. But, about 15 minutes after sitting down, I had to pee. I got up. Made the short trip to the bathroom. Peed. Walked back to the living room.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

I Embrace All Of The Work At Home Dog Mom Daily Favorite Moments


As a Work at Home Dog Mom, I have quite a few "daily favorite moments." Listening to our kids eat their meals with gusto. The sound of our kids lapping from the myriad of water bowls we have scattered throughout our home. The excitement when I yell, "It's snacky timeeeeeeee, baby loves!" Covering each of our kids in their favorite blankets and kissing them on the head when they take their morning and afternoon naps. The excitement when their other Mama arrives home from work.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Sunlight And Snuggles


As our family has gotten bigger over the years, our life has changed. Little by little. In 2012, we adopted Coco. In 2014, we adopted Sophie. In 2015, we adopted Lobo. In 2017, we adopted Willa. With each baby who has joined our family, we've had to make sacrifices, changes, and deal with various friends and family who have criticized our decisions. Aside from the changes, sacrifices, and criticism, other stuff has happened.

Monday, October 15, 2018

There Is No Need To Have A Separate Halloween Party. None.


I was chatting with an old friend last week. She's known me long enough to sense when I'm overwhelmed or frustrated or off balance. At the time, I was struggling with a decision. To go forth with our Halloween Party on the 27th or cancel it. I explained why we wanted to cancel it. I also explained why I was struggling with making that final decision. Her response was simple, but hardcore at the same time.

Sunday, October 14, 2018

Embrace The Beauty. Be Prepared For The Wrath.


In 1980, my parents bought the home I grew up in. I was 7 at the time. The Lakes Region. In New Hampshire. We were 5 minutes from the lake and 10 -15 minutes from the rest of the touristy areas like Weirs Beach and Meridith Bay. During the Summer months, there was no shortage of swimming, boating, water skiing, tubing, spending the afternoons at the beach, walking the boardwalks, lobster rolls and fried clams, ice cream cones, and all that the Lakes Region in New Hampshire had to offer.

Saturday, October 13, 2018

A Lot Of Greatness Happened In Our Bodacious Kitchen This Week


In September, I served a fried chicken tender dinner that I was not proud of. That meal changed a lot of things for me. You can read about that here. Since then, I've incorporated more daily time in the kitchen to make more items from scratch for Lisa and me.

Friday, October 12, 2018

10 Ways I Conquer Writer's Block. They're A Bit Unconventional, But...


Writer's Block sucks. I hate it. Those are the sporadic moments when I sit in front of my Chrome Book or laptop staring at the screen. Most of the blog columns I write for this blog are during the late evening hours. An entire day has just happened. Sharing my days with the world as a Work at Home Dog Mom is what this blog is all about. Yet, I draw a blank.

Thursday, October 11, 2018

The Look Usually Translates To Mischief...


When Lisa isn't home, I check on our kids at least 2 times per hour if they're not within my direct vision. It doesn't matter if I'm in the middle of housework, prepping dinner and snacks, writing a blog column or in the Bodacious Dog Mom Project Workshop. I don't set an alarm. I. Just. Know.

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

It Makes A World Of Difference When What You Do Is Appreciated Instead Of Expected


I've worked from home for well over a decade. Back then, I lived out of state. My partner at the time lacked in the area of adulting. That included maintaining employment. Not only was I was I supporting her, but I was also supporting her mother who lived in their family house beside the house we were renting. Eventually, we took over the family home. Even though I was making really good money, it wasn't enough to support 2 houses, 3 adult humans, and 2 furry kids.

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Sweet Shenanigans Compliments Of Willa


When we adopted Willa back in March of 2017, not only was she in full heat and had a couple of health issues, she also had a lot of, shall we say, unique habits. You can read about some of those habits here. In addition to that, she prefers swiss cheese style comforters and likes to pull all the pillows off the doggy beds throughout our home. 

Monday, October 8, 2018

The Kids Like To "Help" When We're Preparing Their Meals And Snacks


If you've read this blog for any length of time, or know us personally, you're aware that we serve our kids homemade meals and treats. Their meals consist of a variety of lean meats, raw produce, cooked produce, rice, and occasionally Greek Yogurt. For snacks, they get our homemade dog treats, roasted chicken, and raw produce.

Sunday, October 7, 2018

My Shameful Chicken Tender Dinner Changed Most Everything...


Early last month, I served a chicken tender dinner that I was not proud of. I bowed my head in shame for several reasons. The biggest shame was paying for premade chicken tenders. I've been making my own for years. They're delicious. I make more than enough for lunches and leftovers. In addition, the sides I make to accompany my homemade chicken tenders are fresh and healthy.

Saturday, October 6, 2018

It's Time To Crack Open A Bottle Of Red And Enjoy A Stay At Home Date Night...


Almost 8 hours of Fall Cleaning. Trading tables. Lots of play time with the kids. Yardwork. Putting up Halloween Decorations. Finishing up my lengthy Non-Work Stuff Bodacious Work At Home Dog Mom List.

Friday, October 5, 2018

Life Is So Much Simpler When You Stop Explaining Yourself To People And Just Do What Works For You


One thing that irritates me to no end is being put on the spot. There was a time when it happened frequently. Now, not so much, but it still happens. Even though we've learned how to dodge being put on the spot, sometimes, we're caught off guard and cave. Then, within days, I'm kicking myself in the ass because of the stress level.

Thursday, October 4, 2018

When You Slow Down A Bit, Great Stuff Happens...


A couple of weeks ago, we made the decision for me to take last week off to conquer everything on my non-work stuff Bodacious To-Do List. Unfortunately, I got a bad case of strep throat accompanied by a sinus and ear infection. It knocked me on my ass for several days. I postponed tackling my list to this week. I've gotten a considerable amount of stuff done. I have more to do. But...

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

All Of Our Kids Love Their New DIY Dog Bed


When we tackled a few home renovations and our Big Bodacious Painting Project in May, we switched a couple of rooms around. We moved our bedroom to the middle room where our Bodacious Biscuit Love room was. The room that was our bedroom is now the Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Project Workshop. Since then, the only thing that has been missing from that room is a doggy bed for our kids.

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

As A Work At Home Dog Mom, I Received One Of The Best Compliments Today


Prior to our Big Bodacious Painting Project in May, all of our walls were a dull white. To add a pop of color, we bought maroon curtains for the 2 kitchen windows. In May, we painted the kitchen walls a light honey color. And, we gave all of the kitchen cupboards a makeover. They went from a light wood color to a gorgeous shade of pale ivy.

Monday, October 1, 2018

We Shared Some Delicious Love Today


Yesterday, a few of our neighborhood family treated us to a taste of home and provided a scrumptious dinner for Lisa and I. Today, we treated them to a hearty Fall dinner. My homemade chicken noodle soup with lots of fresh herbs. And...