So. . . we went to Arkansas this weekend (more details to follow, later - I hope). We took Daisy with us - she's such a good trooper. She travels well and adapts pretty quickly to a new environment - even if she WAS absolutely THRILLED to be back home!
All of this led me to determine what we would do with her while we make our 10-day trek through various states doing all sorts of things, later this summer. In the process, I discovered a totally cool website - which is the prompt for this post.
http://www.bringfido.com/ - it not only finds local hotels and pricing, but also shows you their current pet policy, fees, deposits, etc. For those of you who are new at the "dog-mama" gig or if you've been at it a long time and never discovered this amazing site. . . . enjoy! :) :)
Monday, May 30, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
It's official
With no replies to our "sweet girl doggy found" post and a scan for an ID chip not successful, Daisy is officially licensed to the Kent family.
And I now have another tool for getting "nap time" to occur. :) :)
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Chapter 87
Note: I am aware that this is the second post in one day. When life hands you winter weather in the Spring, you do what is necessary to survive.
I've been told at least 100 times that I should write a book about my life. So, for kicks. . . I give you the beginning of Chapter 87 (yes, it's a LONG book).
Having only one test left in my Accounting course, I was excited that Matt was taking both of the kids to C's tball practice. Five minutes after the house was emptied, I settled down to kick out the last test in the only class I actually enjoyed this semester. It was a timed exam and the sight of the clock made me anxious, but I pushed through. Within 30 minutes, I received a text, "Look what we found", attached to a picture of a very cute dog.
By now, you know I'm not really a dog person. I don't hate them or even dislike them, I just don't prefer them. It's not them. . . it's me. Still in the middle of an exam, with the clock ticking in the background, the phone rings. I hit "reject" - I must stay focused. Less than three minutes later, the phone rings again. Again, I reject it, but follow up with a text, "in the middle of a timed exam". Not to mention - I know what the call is for. He's been trying to talk me into a small dog for a year now. I always win and we still don't have a dog.
After finishing the exam (and the semester with an "A"), I call him back. Because that's the right thing to do and because I love him and because it's just right.
Matt starts with, "she's such a sweet dog" followed by "I think she's almost an adult - she's lost all but one puppy tooth" and "she hasn't barked once and there are plenty of other dogs around" and "she's so gentle with the kids - even P isn't skiddish" and lots of other convincing statements to which I simply reply "yup" at each pause. Then comes the kicker, "I think we should take her home and try to find her owner and if we can't then we'll just keep her". Being the one who thinks things through quite obnoxiously, I reply, "You can't just bring her home. We rent now, we'll have to call James (our landlord) and get permission. Plus, we still haven't unpacked and I'm still in school and it's just a lot to deal with right now. Let's wait a month and talk about it again." By the last statement, I meant "talk about getting a dog later - in about a month", but he responds with, "So, we'll see if she's still lost in a park in a month?!?!?" I think I simply sighed and we ended our conversation.
After eleven years of dating, eight years of marriage, two children and a host of other exciting milestones, I would've thought that I had made myself perfectly clear. He should know by now that the sigh meant, "no, seriously, this is not up for debate - let someone else rescue her - we have enough on our plates. . . and. . . I don't want a dog!"
Twenty minutes later, I hear the sound of my family coming home. They're not exactly quiet about it, ever, but I've kinda missed them and am a tad bit excited. The door opens and my beautiful princess bounces in, her eyes gleaming, with the greatest smile, EVER, screaming, "mommy, mommy. . . we got a new puppy!!!". I just responding with "yup" and kept up with what I was doing (more homework). I all but ignored the canine that my darling husband was carrying and pretended to not exist for the remainder of my homework. The truth was, I couldn't forget the look on P's face and I found the new puppy to be rather adorable. I must not allow myself to be taken by these minor details - after all, I had all but said, "hell to the no".
When I felt like I'd had a little time to recover from shock, and was better able to stand my ground, I went out back to join my clan. The kids were both beaming and Matt was rolling on the ground with this adorable mutt. Had I gone to sleep??? Did I miss something?? Maybe the part where he called me back and talked me into it and I agreed to bringing the dog home??? Nope. None of that. Reality was - I was now the foster mom to a dog that I was convinced someone was missing terribly. Because. . . she was adorable and trained and smart and trained and clean and sweet and adorable. . .
It was now time for bedtime and we went through our usual rituals, tucked them into bed and started to get settled into the evening. Before doing so, however, we made another trip out back to check on the well-being of this mutt that had invaded my home. At some point in that visit out back Matt said, "we just can't name her" to which I shamefully admit, "I've already named her Daisy". He just laughed. That night, she spent an hour cuddled on the couch with the two of us and I kinda liked it.
The next day I started the search for her owner and with every possible match, my heart sank. It was then that I knew I hadn't won at all. In fact, Matt and Daisy had won. I even showed off pictures of her at work that day. Then someone said something that struck me with so much fear that I almost passed out, "awwww, you're such a good dog-mom". ME?!?!? Really?!?!!? Okay - I WAS dreaming. But dream or no dream. . . we still hadn't talked to our landlord. Later that evening, he & Matt talked. He wasn't too excited about it and initially said "no" at which point I wished that I could somehow rewind time and be more fierce with my "no, you can't bring her home". But a little later he told us that we could keep her, but she couldn't stay inside (meaning while we were gone or while unattended) - I found myself relieved and then completely shocked that I was even concerned to begin with!!!
There you go. . . a taste of chapter 87. I will say that it's been 3 days now. . . I have taken her to a ball game and even allowed her to come in and sleep with me this morning because it was cold out. I have no idea what is wrong with me, but I secretly hope that we can't find her owners.
I will add this, however. . . as a responsible adult, a good pet-mom, and good person all around. . . I took plastic bags with me to the park so if she pooped, I could clean it up. And my stance is still this, "I don't allow my children to walk around the neighborhood, pooping in people's yards and so even if you consider your dog to be like your child, clean up your mess - it's nasty and rude!"
I've been told at least 100 times that I should write a book about my life. So, for kicks. . . I give you the beginning of Chapter 87 (yes, it's a LONG book).
Having only one test left in my Accounting course, I was excited that Matt was taking both of the kids to C's tball practice. Five minutes after the house was emptied, I settled down to kick out the last test in the only class I actually enjoyed this semester. It was a timed exam and the sight of the clock made me anxious, but I pushed through. Within 30 minutes, I received a text, "Look what we found", attached to a picture of a very cute dog.
By now, you know I'm not really a dog person. I don't hate them or even dislike them, I just don't prefer them. It's not them. . . it's me. Still in the middle of an exam, with the clock ticking in the background, the phone rings. I hit "reject" - I must stay focused. Less than three minutes later, the phone rings again. Again, I reject it, but follow up with a text, "in the middle of a timed exam". Not to mention - I know what the call is for. He's been trying to talk me into a small dog for a year now. I always win and we still don't have a dog.
After finishing the exam (and the semester with an "A"), I call him back. Because that's the right thing to do and because I love him and because it's just right.
Matt starts with, "she's such a sweet dog" followed by "I think she's almost an adult - she's lost all but one puppy tooth" and "she hasn't barked once and there are plenty of other dogs around" and "she's so gentle with the kids - even P isn't skiddish" and lots of other convincing statements to which I simply reply "yup" at each pause. Then comes the kicker, "I think we should take her home and try to find her owner and if we can't then we'll just keep her". Being the one who thinks things through quite obnoxiously, I reply, "You can't just bring her home. We rent now, we'll have to call James (our landlord) and get permission. Plus, we still haven't unpacked and I'm still in school and it's just a lot to deal with right now. Let's wait a month and talk about it again." By the last statement, I meant "talk about getting a dog later - in about a month", but he responds with, "So, we'll see if she's still lost in a park in a month?!?!?" I think I simply sighed and we ended our conversation.
After eleven years of dating, eight years of marriage, two children and a host of other exciting milestones, I would've thought that I had made myself perfectly clear. He should know by now that the sigh meant, "no, seriously, this is not up for debate - let someone else rescue her - we have enough on our plates. . . and. . . I don't want a dog!"
Twenty minutes later, I hear the sound of my family coming home. They're not exactly quiet about it, ever, but I've kinda missed them and am a tad bit excited. The door opens and my beautiful princess bounces in, her eyes gleaming, with the greatest smile, EVER, screaming, "mommy, mommy. . . we got a new puppy!!!". I just responding with "yup" and kept up with what I was doing (more homework). I all but ignored the canine that my darling husband was carrying and pretended to not exist for the remainder of my homework. The truth was, I couldn't forget the look on P's face and I found the new puppy to be rather adorable. I must not allow myself to be taken by these minor details - after all, I had all but said, "hell to the no".
When I felt like I'd had a little time to recover from shock, and was better able to stand my ground, I went out back to join my clan. The kids were both beaming and Matt was rolling on the ground with this adorable mutt. Had I gone to sleep??? Did I miss something?? Maybe the part where he called me back and talked me into it and I agreed to bringing the dog home??? Nope. None of that. Reality was - I was now the foster mom to a dog that I was convinced someone was missing terribly. Because. . . she was adorable and trained and smart and trained and clean and sweet and adorable. . .
It was now time for bedtime and we went through our usual rituals, tucked them into bed and started to get settled into the evening. Before doing so, however, we made another trip out back to check on the well-being of this mutt that had invaded my home. At some point in that visit out back Matt said, "we just can't name her" to which I shamefully admit, "I've already named her Daisy". He just laughed. That night, she spent an hour cuddled on the couch with the two of us and I kinda liked it.
The next day I started the search for her owner and with every possible match, my heart sank. It was then that I knew I hadn't won at all. In fact, Matt and Daisy had won. I even showed off pictures of her at work that day. Then someone said something that struck me with so much fear that I almost passed out, "awwww, you're such a good dog-mom". ME?!?!? Really?!?!!? Okay - I WAS dreaming. But dream or no dream. . . we still hadn't talked to our landlord. Later that evening, he & Matt talked. He wasn't too excited about it and initially said "no" at which point I wished that I could somehow rewind time and be more fierce with my "no, you can't bring her home". But a little later he told us that we could keep her, but she couldn't stay inside (meaning while we were gone or while unattended) - I found myself relieved and then completely shocked that I was even concerned to begin with!!!
There you go. . . a taste of chapter 87. I will say that it's been 3 days now. . . I have taken her to a ball game and even allowed her to come in and sleep with me this morning because it was cold out. I have no idea what is wrong with me, but I secretly hope that we can't find her owners.
I will add this, however. . . as a responsible adult, a good pet-mom, and good person all around. . . I took plastic bags with me to the park so if she pooped, I could clean it up. And my stance is still this, "I don't allow my children to walk around the neighborhood, pooping in people's yards and so even if you consider your dog to be like your child, clean up your mess - it's nasty and rude!"
Home for the Holiday
Okay - maybe not "the holiday". . . but it was an event - that's for sure. Mom2's Surprise 50th Birthday Party. It was FABULOUS!!! Which only means that picked the appropriate theme for the party, "Fabulous at Any Age". My mother-in-law has two very blessed boys, if I do say so myself. My SIL, Abbie, and I worked very hard on the evening's plans and we were so very blessed to see everything fall into place.
On my way home from Arkansas, after Christmas, was when the planning began. With the help of the internet, I immediately recruited a few helpers - Abbie being the key piece. At the same time, I contacted Mom2's BFF from high school, Chris, about coming from California. I might add that the excitement that overwhelmed me on that day carried me through the next four months. Besides planning a party in another state (a surprise party at that), we were moving, I have in 3 classes, we have children and jobs and and and. . . God's grace is the only way (looking back) that we pulled this off. BUT anyhow. . . .
For the next two months, I worked with the amazing people at our home church in Benton (Mom2's church) to secure a venue and attempt to get the word out, quietly. You have to understand that Mom2 is a server in all meanings of the word. She is always doing for others and in the process, she's really in tune to the church calendar. So - that's where facebook came in. After a couple days of testing (thank you, Amy Ann & Nina for your help), the private group was created and about 100 people added.
Inviting Chris and being excited about the surprise element of having her here (they hadn't seen each other in 5 years - since Mom2 went to California to surprise CHRIS on her 45th birthday) - that was the easy part. Actually getting her here was not-so-much. To say it was going to take a miracle to get her here (she's not only a mom, but her daughter's teacher - and airline tickets are expensive) - that's the ultimate understatement. But - after prayer, looking at every possible option for a cheaper flight, more prayers and a tad bit more prayer, God came through and we now had airline tickets. Let Laura's ridiculous amount of excitement begin! By this time, we were pretty sure everyone in the church knew along with family & friends - had about 95% of the plans finalized and now just had to wait. And waiting is NOT my strongest suit. . . I think I might've caused Amy Ann to wish I'd just go to Arkansas already! OH - almost forgot. . . . Amy Ann is the one who created the beautiful email invitation that was later sent out. She did a FABULOUS job!!!
Then - the day before. . . . the reality that Chris was really about to board a plane sank in. I was overwhelmed to tears and was essentially worthless in all other areas of my life. The evidence that God had been in the midst of the plans all along was even more visible (I remind you that her ENTIRE church family knew and had known for many months). Abbie & I had planned our first family event together and while I can't speak for her, I will say that it was FABULOUS. On the way to Arkansas the next day, I couldn't help but cry - tears of happiness and thankfulness that not only did I have a MIL that I loved - who loves me. . . but that both of her boys and their wives and their mom get along so well - there aren't words to describe how blessed we all are.
Back to the party. . . . Chris had flown in very late Thursday night, just before the tornadoes came through that fatally effected Hot Springs Village and Scott. This meant that the phone call I received from Chris Friday morning (while I was still in Tulsa) was. . . ."I have no power in my hotel and I have no windows - only my phone as light". It took a couple phone calls, but in the end, Abbie came to her rescue and while plans had been altered, all were safe and sound and the day went on. My mom was so helpful in the plotting and lies (teeheehee). She's such a good sport and AMAZING at keeping me calm while I semi-panic about the cakes not being finished in time. Thank you, mom, for your support and the bazillion emails while I went insane during the last week attempting to get everything and everyone (and the story, aka, ball-faced lies) settled and finished.
Now - enough of this sappy stuff.
At 6:30, a limo arrived to pickup Mom2, Matt & C (P was with us girls - initiating plans and plots). The story was that they had to pick me up from the church because I had been finishing a gift with the help of Terri (mom2's other BFF).
I have very few photos to share because I was not the photographer that night (thank you SO much, Christine Apple - you make my world go 'round), but try to imagine. . . .
They come into the darkened halls of the church and round the corner to the hospitality room where a host of family & friends are waiting to yell "surprise" and honor someone who means so much to so many.
That surprise was awesome and very much worth the time and effort. I wish everyone in the world could've been there - it was amazing!!!
She then spent a few minutes hugging and looking around (completely missing Chris for the time being - she was very overwhelmed). Then - she hugged her dad and he motioned that she should look at the other side of the room. Again - two full sweeps and then. . . . . as Abbie & I cry. . . . she notices Chris and it was perfect and wonderful and movie-like and perfect and wonderful. Just writing about it makes my heart flutter and my eyes tear - it was fabulous!!!!
And now, as if accepting an Oscar, Abbie & I have a ton of people to thank - and I will do my very best to not leave anyone out.
Centerpoint Church (especially Vicki, Terri and Christy) - thank you SOOO much for loving our mom so much and respecting her to the degree that you could go almost 3 months without spilling the beans. You all amaze me - I adore each and every one of you and am so thankful for all of you.
Our husbands - while this WAS for YOUR mom. . . .your patience and support for us - in all aspects of our lives - is better than any fairytale could ever describe. You are our knights in shining armor and we are so blessed.
Our moms - you guys ROCK. How amazing is it that - not only do we adore our MIL - you two do as well. Our family is so richly blessed. :)
Christine Apple - thank you for taking camera duty. Thank you for being such an amazing friend to Sandie. You totally rock! :)
Terri - thank you for playing part in our lies and deception (how horrible does that sound?!?!) and for keeping it a secret. I know it was painful and we appreciate you.
Food-bringers - THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was all fabulous and we couldn't have pulled it off without you.
Givers - thank you to all of you who contributed to bless Mom2 with money for her & Chris' Disney trip - celebrating their 50th birthday (something they've been planning for a long time). We believe you will see 100-fold return on your generous gifts.
Amy Ann - thank you for your support and for putting up with my giddiness and ridiculous stories. The invite was beautiful - just like you. I love you dearly!
Donny & Girls (Chris' husband and daughters) - thank you for allowing us to borrow your beautiful wife/mom. The weekend wouldn't have been the same without her.
Flight giver - to those, unnamed and unknown, who contributed to Chris' flight - what a blessing you have coming your way!!!!!!!!!!!
Grumps - thank you for the limo and the driver! It may have seemed a simple gesture, but it was the icing on the cake. :)
I feel like I am forgetting a host of people, but please know that we appreciate everything that was done to help this come to pass. It was PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :)
Wow. . . I think I may have written a book!
On my way home from Arkansas, after Christmas, was when the planning began. With the help of the internet, I immediately recruited a few helpers - Abbie being the key piece. At the same time, I contacted Mom2's BFF from high school, Chris, about coming from California. I might add that the excitement that overwhelmed me on that day carried me through the next four months. Besides planning a party in another state (a surprise party at that), we were moving, I have in 3 classes, we have children and jobs and and and. . . God's grace is the only way (looking back) that we pulled this off. BUT anyhow. . . .
For the next two months, I worked with the amazing people at our home church in Benton (Mom2's church) to secure a venue and attempt to get the word out, quietly. You have to understand that Mom2 is a server in all meanings of the word. She is always doing for others and in the process, she's really in tune to the church calendar. So - that's where facebook came in. After a couple days of testing (thank you, Amy Ann & Nina for your help), the private group was created and about 100 people added.
Inviting Chris and being excited about the surprise element of having her here (they hadn't seen each other in 5 years - since Mom2 went to California to surprise CHRIS on her 45th birthday) - that was the easy part. Actually getting her here was not-so-much. To say it was going to take a miracle to get her here (she's not only a mom, but her daughter's teacher - and airline tickets are expensive) - that's the ultimate understatement. But - after prayer, looking at every possible option for a cheaper flight, more prayers and a tad bit more prayer, God came through and we now had airline tickets. Let Laura's ridiculous amount of excitement begin! By this time, we were pretty sure everyone in the church knew along with family & friends - had about 95% of the plans finalized and now just had to wait. And waiting is NOT my strongest suit. . . I think I might've caused Amy Ann to wish I'd just go to Arkansas already! OH - almost forgot. . . . Amy Ann is the one who created the beautiful email invitation that was later sent out. She did a FABULOUS job!!!
Then - the day before. . . . the reality that Chris was really about to board a plane sank in. I was overwhelmed to tears and was essentially worthless in all other areas of my life. The evidence that God had been in the midst of the plans all along was even more visible (I remind you that her ENTIRE church family knew and had known for many months). Abbie & I had planned our first family event together and while I can't speak for her, I will say that it was FABULOUS. On the way to Arkansas the next day, I couldn't help but cry - tears of happiness and thankfulness that not only did I have a MIL that I loved - who loves me. . . but that both of her boys and their wives and their mom get along so well - there aren't words to describe how blessed we all are.
Back to the party. . . . Chris had flown in very late Thursday night, just before the tornadoes came through that fatally effected Hot Springs Village and Scott. This meant that the phone call I received from Chris Friday morning (while I was still in Tulsa) was. . . ."I have no power in my hotel and I have no windows - only my phone as light". It took a couple phone calls, but in the end, Abbie came to her rescue and while plans had been altered, all were safe and sound and the day went on. My mom was so helpful in the plotting and lies (teeheehee). She's such a good sport and AMAZING at keeping me calm while I semi-panic about the cakes not being finished in time. Thank you, mom, for your support and the bazillion emails while I went insane during the last week attempting to get everything and everyone (and the story, aka, ball-faced lies) settled and finished.
Now - enough of this sappy stuff.
At 6:30, a limo arrived to pickup Mom2, Matt & C (P was with us girls - initiating plans and plots). The story was that they had to pick me up from the church because I had been finishing a gift with the help of Terri (mom2's other BFF).
I have very few photos to share because I was not the photographer that night (thank you SO much, Christine Apple - you make my world go 'round), but try to imagine. . . .
They come into the darkened halls of the church and round the corner to the hospitality room where a host of family & friends are waiting to yell "surprise" and honor someone who means so much to so many.
That surprise was awesome and very much worth the time and effort. I wish everyone in the world could've been there - it was amazing!!!
She then spent a few minutes hugging and looking around (completely missing Chris for the time being - she was very overwhelmed). Then - she hugged her dad and he motioned that she should look at the other side of the room. Again - two full sweeps and then. . . . . as Abbie & I cry. . . . she notices Chris and it was perfect and wonderful and movie-like and perfect and wonderful. Just writing about it makes my heart flutter and my eyes tear - it was fabulous!!!!
And now, as if accepting an Oscar, Abbie & I have a ton of people to thank - and I will do my very best to not leave anyone out.
Centerpoint Church (especially Vicki, Terri and Christy) - thank you SOOO much for loving our mom so much and respecting her to the degree that you could go almost 3 months without spilling the beans. You all amaze me - I adore each and every one of you and am so thankful for all of you.
Our husbands - while this WAS for YOUR mom. . . .your patience and support for us - in all aspects of our lives - is better than any fairytale could ever describe. You are our knights in shining armor and we are so blessed.
Our moms - you guys ROCK. How amazing is it that - not only do we adore our MIL - you two do as well. Our family is so richly blessed. :)
Christine Apple - thank you for taking camera duty. Thank you for being such an amazing friend to Sandie. You totally rock! :)
Terri - thank you for playing part in our lies and deception (how horrible does that sound?!?!) and for keeping it a secret. I know it was painful and we appreciate you.
Food-bringers - THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was all fabulous and we couldn't have pulled it off without you.
Givers - thank you to all of you who contributed to bless Mom2 with money for her & Chris' Disney trip - celebrating their 50th birthday (something they've been planning for a long time). We believe you will see 100-fold return on your generous gifts.
Amy Ann - thank you for your support and for putting up with my giddiness and ridiculous stories. The invite was beautiful - just like you. I love you dearly!
Donny & Girls (Chris' husband and daughters) - thank you for allowing us to borrow your beautiful wife/mom. The weekend wouldn't have been the same without her.
Flight giver - to those, unnamed and unknown, who contributed to Chris' flight - what a blessing you have coming your way!!!!!!!!!!!
Grumps - thank you for the limo and the driver! It may have seemed a simple gesture, but it was the icing on the cake. :)
I feel like I am forgetting a host of people, but please know that we appreciate everything that was done to help this come to pass. It was PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :)
Sandie & Chris
Abbie & Me - we worked hard to earn the right to wear that sash & boa! :) :) :)
Mom2's "special" boys. Two AMAZING men of God!!!
Wow. . . I think I may have written a book!
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