crazedparent

Project Life Change: Diving in...

I have a secret. And by sharing it with you, there's no turning back.

Okay ready? Deep breath.

I can't swim. I can *get by* in a swimming pool...if the dog paddle counts. But I'm not the gal you'll find swimming graceful laps.

Yet.

Last month I wrote that my body feels old due to some recent problems related to my hips and leg. I was put on a "no exercise" regimen to see if any inflammation would subside. My doctor did say I could swim. In fact, he said swimming would be most excellent.

Most excellent, indeed, if only I could swim.

For the past month I've felt like a slug. I don't like being inactive. I hate not being able to take long, brisk walks. Or perhaps a jog (even though running is not high on my list). I don't like my clothes fitting more snug because my body can't handle old fitness routines.

So if swimming is the only thing I can do, then so be it.

I signed up for swimming lessons today and I start in a week. When I spoke with my instructor today, I was giddy with excitement. I also signed up for a pass to the pool so I can swim laps daily. And by telling you about it, I have even more incentive to follow through.

My Project Life Change is about getting back in shape and being as committed to my new fitness routine as I am about other aspects of my life.

Change is good. And I'm ready.

You've been boo'd business...

I wrote a post one year ago about my sons being boo'd in the days before Halloween. They opened the front door to find a bag of sweet treats along with a paper ghost and poem instructing them to do the same to three other neighbors. Again this post is a year old. But of late there's been a little comment debate about whether or not this booing business is plain fun or plain inconsiderate. Is it spreading the Halloween spirit or just a glorified chain letter? The truth is that it's both. I still dig it, but I don't want other parents with children on the receiving end of a "You've been boo'd" ghost to feel pressured to participate. It's hard enough to get Halloween costumes together and prepare for school parties. This I know.

So, for this year, I decided that I will do the booing with a crazedparent spin.

I created two goodie bags for Five and Q. and filled each with some small bits of chocolate, candy corn and other Halloween treats. I made a mini paper ghost and attached it to a clothespin, which I used to put a poem on the goodie bag.

Here's the poem:

"A little ghost came to your door because Halloween is near.
You don't need to Boo anyone else - just spread your Halloween cheer!"

I'll leave it on the front porch tonight and use a little mommy magic to ring the bell and still manage to get back in the house to see the the looks on their faces when they discover their treats.

And if you want to participate in the "you've been boo'd" fun on a one-off basis, feel free to use my poem and idea. I'd love to hear your stories if you do!

The Halloween countdown begins...

As a shutterbug, I often have to remind myself to put the camera down so I don't miss the actual moment. But during our Sunday visit to the pumpkin patch at Pastorino's in Half Moon Bay, this was one event I was all to happy to capture. Spookiness defined.

Recovery is a b*$&@...

...unless you're a puppy and your owners let you cuddle up on their bed. Sometimes.

Luna is home and despite the fact that her pelvis is currently held together loosely by steel plates and screws, she is a happy pup. She spends most of her days in her Taj Mahal-sized crate and a few moments in the morning on our bed. I have photos of her scars, but why frighten you. Let's keep her looking cute, shall we?

Again, thank you all so much for your well wishes for our puppy. I'm still in awe at how cool you guys are for thinking of us and this little puppy. Luna says, "Aroooo!" to you.

The diva...

(Mickey Mouse blanket courtesy of the Disney Internet Group...it was part of a swag back when I visited last spring as part of an advisory board meeting).

The Luna report: there'll be no hip shakin'...

For those of you who continue to send your good puppy love wishes in Luna's direction, she's having surgery today for her hip dysplasia. She'll be home later in the week once she can put pressure on her hind legs.

Last night, before the sun had fully set, we played fetch in the backyard. She won't be able to play for a few months so I wanted to make sure he got her fill of fun. Luna's a lean and graceful puppy who loves to retrieve. It's her job and she takes it seriously (even though she still refuses to come to me when I call "here.") I felt a little pang in my heart when she'd run across the lawn and back to me because I knew what was coming today.

Later in the evening I saw some photos on Flickr of a puppy that had hip surgery and I realized just how much of her fur was going to be shaved off as part of the procedure. I used to think those puppy sweaters were ridiculous, but now? Not so much. Girlfriend puppy is going to be chil-ly.

And finally, if anyone ever tells you that having a puppy is easier than raising kids, send the my way.

Daily Card: The motherlode is coming...

I'm behind on snapping photos and uploading my Daily Card shots for the past week. But I'm on track. Amazingly. Stay tuned.

In other observations:

My husband instant messaged me the moment he read that children's cold medications had been recalled. The ping was simple: a link to a news story. Our youngest is two--he gets cold medicine a few times every few months.

My husband did not instant message me when news was published that 61 percent of popular lipstick brands contain lead in them. I wear lipstick every single day.

Should I be worried? (Hi honey, I'm only kidding. Sort of.)

Early riser treatment...

1. 5:49 am: Get jumped on by kids and dogs while sleeping soundly in bed. Pretend to sleep through it.

2. 5:55 am: Realize pretending won't work.

3. 5:56 am: Look at husband. Roll eyes.

4. 5:56 am: Tell kids not to jump on bed.

5. 6 am: Look at husband. Conversing with eyes.

6. 6:02 am: Get up, put jackets on kids who are still in pajamas, get in car, go to Krispy Kreme.

7. 7 am: Have sugar-induced food coma.

8. 7:09 am: Get back in car, pick up real coffee, take kids to Stanford University to run off sugar high around campus.

9. 9:02 am: Bring tired, sleepy kids home. Let them play in sunny backyard (read: get more tired).

10. Noon: Enjoy a Napping House.

Holy water in a school parking lot...

"Don't forget, we're bringing Luna to school tomorrow for the Blessing of the Animals."

"Mom, we don't need to bring Luna. I'm going to bring my stuffed animal that looks just like Luna. I can bring a picture. Miss X. said that would be okay too."

"Sweetie, she's having a pretty big operation in a few weeks. Our puppy needs to get the Holy Water sprinkled right on her fur. She needs a little extra special attention."

"But Mom, Miss X. said the blessings can travel."

We arrived at school on the Day of Saint Francis. The parking lot was filled with dogs big and small, a few cats, rabbits, a turtle and four goats. After the second bell rang, all nine classes lined up in a circle in the yard, with students accompanying their parents...and pets. The kindergarten class huddled around their room pets, two cute rats.

Five held on to Luna's leash with a grin plastered across his face, his resistance to bringing her long-since forgotten. He dispensed dog treats to his friends when they asked if they could pet her. "Here," he said, "Hold this in front of her nose and tell her to 'shake.'" His friends complied and so did Luna when she saw the food.

Under clear bright skies, the school pastor came out with his bucket of holy water. He recited a prayer and asked all of us to talk to our pets and give them our own blessings. He walked around the wide circle of pets and kids, sprinkling holy water on all the animals and their owners.

I knelt down next to Luna and whispered in her ear, "You stay healthy, okay puppy? Stop with all this surgery business." A bit of water landed on her shiny black fur and I smiled in relief. While not always a consistent practicing Catholic, blessings are a tradition I back with my entire heart.

I grabbed Luna's muzzle and looked in her brown, non-cherry eyes with some more words of protection.

"Stay healthy, pretty girl. And if you poop on my lawn or jump on my kitchen counters again, you're going to need more than holy water to help you out."

Daily Card: 10.7 - Perspective is everything.

Two of hearts: Heidi Swapp chipboard label holder, Cobblestone paper by Chatterbox, cm fine-tip black pen.

 

Daily Card: 10.6 - Rock and roll.

Three of spades: Paper and sticker from Rock and Roll stationary kit from Inviting Co., gluestick, sharpie.