Saturday, August 31, 2019

Take The Time To Make Time


A couple of weeks ago, Lisa and I were chatting about dishes and desserts that our parents and grandparents made when we were kids. Our mouths were watering as we described the savory and sweet nostalgic culinary yumminess. One of the desserts Lisa mentioned was something that had graham crackers and marshmallows in it. I tried to search for it online, but nothing came up that was familiar to her. 

Friday, August 30, 2019

I Should Probably Feel Like The World's Worst Dog Mom, But I Don't...


Lisa took a couple of vacation days this week. Yesterday. Today. Saturday and Sunday off. Monday is a holiday. So, that totals 5 days. Staycation. We got a lot done yesterday. We ventured out to stock up on wood and paint and other supplies for our 2019 Bodacious Fall pieces. That included a healthy lunch break at Panera. We came home for the afternoon to spend time with our kids, take them out, enjoy lots of playtimes and snuggles, and to keep them on their usual afternoon snack times.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

I Finally Tried My Hand At Restoring An Old Rusted Hand Saw


Early this Summer, a neighbor friend of ours gave us a couple of antique saws that were in pretty rough shape. They knew I was looking for this and other similar items to try my hand at. The majority of what I work on in the Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Project Workshop is wood and fabric. I haven't had the opportunity to experiment with old, rusted metal pieces.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Tomorrow Begins Our 5 Day Staycation...


This will probably be one of the shortest blog columns I've ever written. Why? Because I have a ton of stuff to get done in a relatively short period of time. Why? Because Lisa has the next 5 days off. Yes. A mini staycation. After the long hours she has been working since March, I couldn't be more excited. Why?

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Fall Is Right Around The Corner. I Can't Wait.


This is the second large basket of fresh garden tomatoes that our neighbor friends have given us. As with the first basket, I gave them a good soak and wash in the sink. Cut them up. Ran them through our food processor. Put the gorgeous tomato puree in freezer bags. We now have over a half dozen bags for me to use when making homemade spaghetti or pizza sauce.

Monday, August 26, 2019

Happy National Dog Day!


Today is National Dog Day. Of course, every single day is Dog Day in our home. However, to honor this special day, I wanted to get a photo of all 4 of our kids. That very seldom happens, but I was determined. However...

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Finger Condoms Because Grace Is Not My Middle Name


It was a very busy Dog Mom day. We woke up a little late. Took the kids out. Fed them breakfast. Had playtime. Snuggle time. Then. I groomed our kids. Gave them baths. Then. We tackled our kitchen cupboards. We put together a couple of boxes to donate. Rearranged a few cupboards. The last thing to do was the cupboards underneath our kitchen sink. Lisa handled that. Due to a few plumbing issues, it's a bit damp and mildewy. I'm highly allergic to milder and mold.

Saturday, August 24, 2019

A Gigantic Basket Of Freshly Picked Tomatoes Inspired Me And Shed Some Light


Since 2012, during the Summer months, a very special neighbor who has become family provides us with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables several times a week. I incorporate them into our meals, snacks, and desserts. I also prep a good portion to freeze. We also share a lot of what I make with him and his wife to extend our gratitude.

Friday, August 23, 2019

One Day At A Time


During the early morning hours yesterday, I had a little meltdown. After snuggling and napping with the kids, taking an hour or so to reflect, making a list, and having an incredible conversation with Lisa over dinner, I feel refreshed. I woke up with a positive attitude this morning. Rejuvenated. Motivated. Determined.

Thursday, August 22, 2019

When You Have A Meltdown At 4:30 In The Morning...


I made a promise a few years ago to share the messy stuff. Yep. So here it goes. I had a meltdown at 4:30 this morning. I got up at 4. Made Lisa's breakfast and lunch. Sat at the table to begin my workday. I asked Lisa a question. She answered. I replied back. The brief conversation went on for less than a minute. I don't even remember what it was about. That's when it happened...

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Today We Discovered That Willa Is Our Tornado Girl


All of our kids have reactions to thunderstorms. Coco paces from room to room and barks. Sophie is absolutely terrified. She shakes and hides behind the sofa or underneath one of our nightstands. Lobo wants to be held through the duration of the storm. Willa gets restless and will pace alongside Coco. This is why we don't leave the kids alone if we know bad weather is in the forecast. When a storm hits, we either lay on the bed or sit on the sofa with the kids.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

The Past Week Was Not About Being Challenging. It Was About Growth.


I  wanted to begin this blog column with something that amplified how challenging the past week has been. Between a few things not going as planned around Lisa's birthday, Lisa being down with the sickness, and me catching what Lisa has less than a week later, it has been exceptionally trying. However, our life as Dog Moms is always busy and chaotic and challenging. That's nothing new. As I look back on the past week, I see beyond that. If I could sum up this period of time in a couple of words, it would be...

Monday, August 19, 2019

Happy 7 Year Gotcha Day To Our Sweet Coco


Happy 7 Year Gotcha Day to our sweet Coco! I can't believe it's been 7 years already! When he adopted him, he was sick with Giardia, the start of Sarcoptic Mange, a bacterial infection in both ears, and he refused to eat storebought food and treats.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Even Though We Are Both Sick, Stuff Has To Get Done...


I didn't wake up feeling any worse or better than I did yesterday. I made a hot breakfast and afterward I felt as if I had swum an ocean and climbed a partial mountain. Lisa is still not up to par. She's got a bad cough and her ear is still plugged. Fatigued. Worn out. But, the show must go on...

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Something Magical Happens When You Make Soup The Old Fashioned Way


Lisa came down with the infamous summer cold a week ago. Mine hit a couple of days ago. We're both down with the sickness. Lisa is feeling a little better, but she's got a bad cough and her ear is plugged. I feel like someone hit me in the face with a shovel before pushing me in front of a bus. I honestly tried to conquer some items on my Work at Home Dog Mom Weekend Honey-Do list, but...

Friday, August 16, 2019

It Kind Of Sucks When Both Dog Moms Are Down With The Sickness But, We've Got This


I'm moving a bit slow this morning. I didn't sleep well last night. I moved a few pieces of heavy furniture yesterday. I finished organizing and making the Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Project Workshop more efficient. That was no easy feat because our kids were a bit out of sorts. I completed some housework. Made dinner. And, because Lisa has been down with the sickness for almost a week, there is a good possibility that she passed it onto me.

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Our Kids Were A Little Out Of Sorts This Morning Because They Are Sensitive To Change


Lisa is still sick, but she went back to work today. Our alarm went off at 4 a.m. At 4:15, our usual weekday morning routine resumed. Lisa took the kids out and fed them breakfast. I made Lisa's lunch and breakfast. The kids were a little confused because Lisa got out of work early on Tuesday and took a sick day yesterday. When Lisa takes sick days or vacation days, we are on a "weekend" schedule. After Lisa left for work, the kids sat there looking at me as if to say, "Where is our other Mommy going? We thought this was the weekend. What is going on, Mommy?"

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

I Am On A Mission And I'm Determined To Get It Done By End Of Day Friday


As a Work at Home Dog Mom, it's necessary that our home remains clutter-free. Organized. Clean. Efficient. Over the years, maintaining all of that has required quite a bit of effort. In order to maintain efficiency, we've had to make some changes within our home. It's been necessary. Our family has grown. We've shifted focus. Lisa's hours at work have increased. The work I do in the Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Project Workshop. Etc.

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Lisa Is Down With The Sickness. Our Kids Have Deemed It As Mission Snuggle Time.


A couple of days ago, I mentioned that Lisa woke up congested and run down the day we celebrated her birthday. By the time I tucked her and the kids into bed, I knew it wasn't allergies. When she woke up yesterday morning for work, I knew. Head cold. Chest cold. Sore throat. Fatigue. It progressed as her workday went on. By the time she got home, she was completely worn out. I made sandwiches for dinner. She barely had the energy to eat.

Monday, August 12, 2019

I Will Continue To Cook And Bake. For Lisa. Our Kids. Friends. Family. With Pride.


The photo accompanying yesterday's blog column was the birthday cheesecake I made for Lisa. I made it the day before. While Lisa napped yesterday afternoon, I added the special finishing touches. Chopped strawberries in the center. A chocolate ganache drizzle. And, my hand-dipped strawberries along the top edge.

Sunday, August 11, 2019

Lisa Had A Wonderful Birthday Weekend Even Though A Few Things Did Not Go As Planned


We celebrated Lisa's birthday today. A day early. Tomorrow she has to work 12+ hours. The kids and I wanted to make her birthday celebration special. Although a few things didn't work out as planned, it turned out pretty great.

Saturday, August 10, 2019

I Felt A Little Guilty About Canceling Plans This Evening, But...


It's very hard for us to make plans. Between Lisa's unpredictable hours during the week, being Dog Moms, housework, yard work, and other small projects around the house, it's difficult to plan something that's etched in granite. In the past, we've had to postpone and cancel plans. Today was one of those days.

Friday, August 9, 2019

More Birthday Gifts For Lisa. Wanted. Needed.


As mentioned earlier on my personal Facebook page, "This year, for Lisa's birthday, instead of getting her a single BIG gift, the kids and I decided to get her a bunch of smaller gifts. One gift a day until her birthday on Monday. Each gift is symbolic. Because each gift is something she's mentioned wanting over the past few months. She got her first gift the other day. A leather wallet. To replace the one I bought her in 2011 which is currently falling apart.

Thursday, August 8, 2019

"I Have To" Versus "I Get To"


I took this photo yesterday at about 8:30 a.m. I did not sleep well the night before. I got up at 4:15 a.m. to make Lisa's lunch and a hot breakfast. I was a bit pissy. Our local weather channel already had us on an Early Warning Weather Alert. Severe storms through the afternoon and evening hours. The humidity and dew points were already high. The kids didn't settle down for their morning nap like they usually do. They sensed bad weather approaching.

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

This Year, We Are Doing Something A Little Different For Lisa's Upcoming Birthday


Lisa and I do not exchange Christmas gifts or any other holiday gifts. I've written about that numerous times on this blog. The only exception is our wedding anniversary and birthdays. We always celebrate Life and Love. For Lisa's birthday, the kids and I usually purchase her a single big gift. This year, we decided to do something different.

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

I Used To Take Pride In Being A Workaholic. Now, Not So Much. Not Even Close.


For as long as I can remember, I've always been a workaholic. Back in my early 20's, I was a manager in training for a convenience store. On top of that, I made handcrafted dolls and sold them on the weekends at craft shows. When I became a manager, I worked 2 or 3 days straight. I napped in my office or on top of the large freezer chest. In the years to follow, I worked multiple jobs at a time. When we moved into our home back in 2012, I was working about 100 hours a week. It didn't stop there...

Monday, August 5, 2019

After Cooking And Baking For Almost 40 Years, I Finally Have A Candy Thermometer


I have been cooking and baking for almost 40 years now. It's a passion of mine. Over the years, I've tried a myriad of kitchen appliances and gadgets. With most, I have not been impressed. At this stage in my life, what I have is what I love. You won't find fancy kitchen gadgets in any of our kitchen drawers. And, our kitchen counter certainly isn't decorated with appliances to air fry or cut cooking times in half. However...I will admit, there is one kitchen gadget that I've never tried or had in my possession, but I have wanted.

Sunday, August 4, 2019

When You Can No Longer Promise Your Kids That You'll Be Back When You Leave...


Last night after I tucked Lisa and the kids into bed, I went online for a little while. I wanted to start a blog column and see what was going on in the world. I wish I hadn't.

Saturday, August 3, 2019

Bags Of Freshly Picked Produce And Sharing A Meal With Friends Who Have Become Family


A couple of weeks after we moved into our home back in July of 2012, we arrived home from running errands. There was a bag of freshly picked garden produce and sunflowers at our door. The bag was filled with corn, yellow squash, zucchini, tomatoes, and cucumbers. We were wide-eyed and excited. Lisa and I both grew up with fresh produce all Summer and we love it.

Friday, August 2, 2019

The Honey-Do List Just Got A Bit Longer For The Weekend


Back in May of 2018, Lisa took a vacation week from work so we could tackle our Big Bodacious Painting Project. That entailed clearing one room out at a time, painting, letting the walls dry, redecorating a bit, putting everything back into the room, repeat process. We moved our bedroom to the middle room which was the former Bodacious Biscuit Love Room. Our old bedroom became the Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Project Workshop.

Thursday, August 1, 2019

My One Day Of Frozen Lemonade Bliss


I honestly can't believe it's the first day of August. There have been quite a few people on my social media streams who have posted that Halloween candy and Fall merchandise is already spreading like wildfire at their favorite retail locations. I've lost count how many Back to School ads I've seen. The online coupons are pouring in. Pumpkin spiced everything will be available shortly.