Tuesday, April 30, 2019

When You Stop Walking On Eggshells...


Years ago, we met a really cool lady. We bonded immediately. She welcomed us into her family. Over the next couple of years, we spent a lot of time with them. We celebrated birthdays and enjoyed a couple of holiday dinners with them. Lisa and I assisted with many of their fundraising efforts and volunteered quite a bit of our time. We certainly didn't mind and we always enjoyed seeing each other. But then, that all changed in a relatively short period of time.

Sunday, April 28, 2019

Show Up. Be Present. Busy Is Not An Excuse.


Earlier in the week, a couple of our neighbor friends who have become family, invited us over this morning for a homemade waffle brunch. My first instinct was to say no. Sundays are a very busy day for me. But. Before I declined, I reminded myself that I needed to stop using busy as an excuse. We accepted the invite.

Saturday, April 27, 2019

This Was The Scene When Lisa Took Coco To The Doctor


Our kids never fail to surprise or amaze us. Today was one of countless examples. Lisa took Coco to our local veterinary hospital for vaccinations and a wellness check. This was the scene immediately after Lisa closed the door. The photo itself may not depict the relevancy, but...

Friday, April 26, 2019

We Finally Got To Meet Carol. What An Incredible Evening. We Made Memories.


Yesterday I mentioned that we'd be sharing our table with a very special guest this evening for dinner. That happened. I'm exhausted. It's shortly after 11 p.m. I should be trying to fall asleep, but I'm still elated from our fantastic evening. And, well...we're getting a bad thunderstorm right now and there is no way I can fall asleep until it passes.

Thursday, April 25, 2019

When You Have A Day That Feels Almost Perfect...


Lisa took a couple of vacation days before the weekend. Today has been absolutely incredible. We slept in until 6:30. Enjoyed our morning coffee together with the kids while chatting. I caught up on some desk work and housework. All of our kids were groomed and got bubble baths. I tackled some of the items on my Work At Home Dog Mom Honey Do List. After Lisa ate lunch, she spent a few hours outside mowing the lawns and other yardwork. During that time, 3 great things happened...

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Yes, We Celebrate Mother's Day


If I received a dollar every time someone asked either Lisa or myself, "Do you 2 celebrate Mother's Day," we would probably have enough money for a mini shopping spree at Lowe's or Home Depot. Or, I could go a little crazy buying books from Amazon.

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

My Therapy Of Choice Was Playtime With The Kids, Baking, And Reading


One of the bigger lessons I've learned in life is that you can't change people. That includes, but is not limited to, their behavior, actions, negativity, irritating qualities, or the amount of stress they dole out. These not so favorable traits can range anywhere from being slightly annoying, yet tolerable, to causing massive disruption and stress. Regardless, the only thing that you have the power to control is how you respond to it.

Sunday, April 21, 2019

It Was A Busy Weekend In A Great Weird Sort Of Way


While enjoying our unconventional Easter Dinner earlier today, I paused for a moment, exhaled slowly, and said, "This has been a very busy weekend, but in a weird and great sort of way." I could tell that Lisa completely understood because she replied with a simple, "Yes it has."

Friday, April 19, 2019

Spa Days And Shopping Sprees Do Not Rejuvenate My Soul, But These 10 Things DO...


Every other month, an acquaintance of mine gets together with a few of her friends for a "Girls Day Out." They enjoy a mini spa day that includes manicures, pedicures, and a facial. That's followed by a little shopping spree either at the mall or the Tanger Outlets. Their day ends with cocktails and dinner at one of their favorite restaurants. Shortly before their last outing, she suggested I join them.

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Our Bodacious DIY Garden Stake Signs Are Finished!


This year, we decided to create a couple of new DIY Dog Mom Projects. The first were the Bodacious DIY Birdhouses.  Last week, Lisa built a half dozen Bodacious DIY Garden Stake Signs. When she brought them upstairs to my Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Project Workshop, I immediately started working my magic.

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

It Is Not Always About What You Sell Or The Money You Make. It Is About Making Connections.


Last weekend, Lisa made a couple of Bodacious DIY Birdhouses. She wanted to make more, but we had some custom orders to finish and wanted to get a jump start on some slat signs and garden slat stake signs. I've been working on getting those painted, detailed, and varnished over the weekend and beginning of this week.

Monday, April 15, 2019

The Universe Never Fails To Dole Out A Gentle And Humble Reminder


Despite my attempts to start this week off on the right track, that didn't exactly happen this morning. I have Mother Nature to thank for that. It actually wasn't a big deal. In fact, I had a few moments of Work at Home Dog Mom giggles.

Saturday, April 13, 2019

Because Sometimes, An Unexpected Rough Week Teaches You A Thing Or Two...


This past week has been unexpectedly rough. A little challenging. You can read about that here and here. Despite all, we've trudged through. Took things day by day. Last night, we had our pizza party. Today, we slept in a bit until 7. Got up. Went about our usual routine with the kids. Took them out. Fed them breakfast. Had lots of playtime. Then. We exhaled. I worked in the Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Project Workshop. Lisa rested on the sofa with the kids.

Friday, April 12, 2019

In Honor Of Dan Gates


The world lost a really great human earlier today. I'm not posting this for condolences and such. BUT, as a reminder to us all. Because, we're all human and in this day and age, we seem to get caught up in that cycle of "being too busy."

Thursday, April 11, 2019

When I Leave The Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Project Workshop, I Get The Look


I have spent a lot of time in the DIY Dog Mom Project Workshop this week painting the pieces that Lisa made in her woodshop over the weekend. Most times, when I'm in the workshop, the kids follow me. In that room alone, we have 3 doggy beds and the DIY Indoor Dog House. Plenty of comfy spots for the kids to lounge out and nap.

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

There Is A Difference Between Arts And Crafts And Being A DIY Enthusiast


For a little over 20 years, my Mom ran a professional daycare out of our family home. She was fully licensed and was a leader in the Professional Childcare Association. She put her heart and soul into her daycare and made a name for herself within our community. When she received her college degree in Early Childhood Development, she closed her childcare and ventured onto another successful career path.

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

It's Going To Be A Little Rough For The Next Few Weeks...


Yesterday was a rough day. Lisa left for work around 5:45 a.m. and didn't get home until after 8:00 p.m. She had warned me that Mondays were going to be long days. We didn't eat dinner until close to 9. I made homemade blueberry pancakes. While eating dinner, she let me know that the rest of the week and next week was looking about the same. Lisa stayed up for about an hour to let her food settle. I tucked her and the kids into bed around 10.

Monday, April 8, 2019

The Saws And Sanders Got A Workout Over The Weekend


On Saturday, we boxed up a rather large custom order that Lisa delivered later that morning. For approximately 2 hours, I was finally able to see the top of my DIY Dog Mom Project Workshop table. I wiped it down and organized my paints and brushes and supplies. Then, Lisa started stocking the table with pieces from the woodshop.

Saturday, April 6, 2019

I Need The Occasional Reminder To Not Use Busy As An Excuse


Years and years ago, an old friend of mine doled out some wise advice. He told me to refrain from using "busy" as an excuse because life is short. You can always make time for friends and family even if it's just showing up for a few minutes or grabbing a quick lunch. At the time, I was working over 100 hours a week. I worked. Ate. Slept. That was pretty much it.

Friday, April 5, 2019

A Very Proud Work At Home Dog Mom Day


Today was the big day. After spending most of the week painting and lettering 21 signs for a custom order, I had to embark on the most difficult task. Screwing in 189 eye hooks. Then, tying the same amount between wind chime pieces and twine hangers. I'm not going to lie. It was hard. It took me most of the day. But, I did it. 

Thursday, April 4, 2019

I Am A Work At Home Dog Mom. I Do Many Things Throughout The Day.


Last Saturday we received a rather large custom order for 21 signs. We had the option of delivering half one week and the other half the following week. However. I made the decision to get the entire order done this week for Lisa to deliver on Saturday. It was totally doable. I would just need to be a little strict with my time management. 

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Two Books And A Gorgeous Set Of Artooli Acrylic Paint Pens


It's no big secret that Lisa and I do not exchange Christmas gifts with each other. Instead, we surprise each other with "just because" gifts throughout the year. This is something we talked about back in 2011. That Christmas, we didn't buy a single gift for each other. Throughout the following year, we surprised each other with gifts. It's been a tradition ever since.

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

The Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Project Workshop Table Is Full!


THIS is the scene today in my Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Project Workshop. Yep. Over the weekend, we delivered a few pieces. Got a rather large custom order for 21 signs. Lisa had gone to Home Depot earlier on Saturday to stock up on wood and supplies and paint. As they say, perfect timing.

Monday, April 1, 2019

The Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Project Workshop Is In Full Swing!


This is the wooden plant stand that I referred to in a blog column I published a couple of days ago. We purchased it at a flea market many years ago. Since then, it was in the corner of our living room, on the far side of our sofa, with a plant on top. A couple of months ago, we relocated the plant. The wooden plant holder has been sitting in the Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Workshop. Collecting dust. So, I decided to give it a makeover and offer it as an Up For Grabs item.