It looks like we brought Bellingham's weather with us to Florida. I was so looking forward to making everyone back home seeth with jealousy as I penned about our days of frolicking in the sun. Splitting our time between the beach and the pool. Retiring to the back porch for an evening of watching golfers, sipping sweet tea and listening to the harmony of the crickets.

Here's what I get for being so shallow: Not rising the first morning until almost noon--we did get in at 1:00 a.m. afterall. By the time we got it together the sun was a distant memory behind the clouds that were arriving for the next two days. Day two the sun didn't show her face--AT ALL. Made our way to the hood of Jacksonville to "one of the first skateboard parks ever built in America". Trey reminded us how many occasions he had visited this place as a young lad. It wasn't such a big deal when he discovered that most of the skaters hitting the rails with my kids weren't EVEN BORN the last time Trey was here.

Today we got up "early" around 9 a.m. and hurriedly readied ourselves for a day of sun and surf. As Mimi and I settled our buns onto the beach to watch the boys test their boogie boards against the waves, the skies opened up. While Trey and the kids threw caution to the wind ("we're getting wet anyway") we huddled under the boardwalk and an umbrella willing the sun to find its way to us. No such luck. The only thing that found us was some hungry seagulls. Two hours later everyone (but me) was at the movie theater watching the new Indiana Jones movie. We're still holding out hope for tomorrow.

On the brighter side, (no pun intended) it is 80 degrees! That makes it count as a tropical vacation, right?

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How do you like the new look?

Compliments of Mr. Bush, I was able to hire a very cool chick to recreate my blog. The reason I mention our Commander-in-Chief is that thanks to our economic stimulus check there were some extra funds to cover this project. It has been on my to-do list for a few months but other items took priority. Like groceries and gas and keeping the heat on May. Yes, May. (another subject for a different post)

Below is an email I received about spending that refund to help stimulate our economy. Enjoy.

"The federal government is sending each of us a $600 rebate.
If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, the money will go to China.
If we spend it on gasoline, it will go to the Arabs.
If we purchase a computer, it will go to India.
If we purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.
If we purchase a good car it will go Japan.
If we purchase useless crap, it will go to Taiwan.
The only way to keep that money at home, is to buy beer as it's the only thing still produced in the United States.
Thanks for your help!"

Is this a great country or what?

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All week I have been mulling over numerous subjects that I've been wanting to blog about. Going "Green" without going crazy. Our new summer houseguest. Helping kids cope with disappointment. Links to friends' new blogs I want to share with you.

I plan on hitting those subjects in the coming days but for today I thought I'd venture into a much more shallow topic: Miss Millie the rapidly growing pup. (see previous posts for pics and intial introduction)

Please don't worry that I have become obsessed over my canine. She is very cute and fun but not interesting enough to blog about weekly. I do realize this is the third time I have blogged about her but this isn't just about HER. Keep reading.

I have not darkened the doors of a Veterinarian office in almost 10 years. Our other two pets didn't live long enough to warrant a visit to the Vet. God rest their souls. We've owned Millie for 6 weeks now and I knew I had to get her in for vaccinations and that I was probably past due. Living in a town in which many believe dogs are of equal or greater status than people, I feared the tongue lashing I might get when my incompetence as a pet owner was made public.

Today Ben and I took Millie to her first visit. I was so proud that I remembered to bring the immunization records from her previous owner. I was promptly told they were basically worthless and we'd be starting all over since too much time had lapsed since her initial shots. Bad pet owner offense #1.

The "vet tech"(never knew there was such a term) came out to greet Millie like a long lost friend. Ben and I weren't acknowledged but reluctantly invited to join her in the exam room. The doctor then came in and repeated the fact that they needed to administer new shots and follow up again in 3 weeks for more--oh, and bring a stool sample. (I briefly considered going back to the park across the street and retrieving the lovely plastic bag of her fecal matter I had just thrown in the garbage on our walk over there). I mentioned Millie's incessant need to want to void on the kitchen floor several times a day and inquired as to when that might cease. Oh, what a surprise, I really need to keep an eye on this and if it continues, bring in a urine sample. Cha-ching!

I'm almost done. When we returned to the lobby to check out, Ben tried to lure Millie away from the small dog wandering around that clearly belonged to an employee there. He was sincerely trying to protect the smaller animal. The receptionist informed him that the two dogs "have it all worked out between them and can communicate with each other in a language only they can understand." PULEEZE!!

Yes, I know I was visiting a veterinarian clinic and their job is to take care of our pets but I'm sorry, that was just an ODD experience. Whatever happened to getting Fido or Fifi their rabies vaccine and some good old Purina at the supermarket and leaving the rest up to nature ?? Pet care has turned into a multi-million or possibly billion dollar industry and we've somehow been convinced that we are irresponsible, heartless human beings if we choose food on the table over $800 in vet bills. It's the new status symbol.

Before anyone is tempted to report me to the Humane Society (that's already been done when our cat decided to climb a 100 ft. tree, stay up there two days, jumped down and broke her leg in the process--but somehow that was OUR fault for neglecting him or FORCING him to climb that tree) rest assured that we love our dog and will take precious care of her. I've learned over these past few weeks that owning a puppy is an experience I never dreamed I'd enjoy. The unconditional love is a bright spot when the rest of the world is in constant demand of your time, attention and wallet. I guess my point is: everything (well probably not EVERYTHING) in moderation. You get my drift. Thanks for reading.

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Walking in to "Jackie's party"
Oh, my this is for me???
Overwhelmed.
I'm going to kill you!!


So just when Trey thought his birthday celebrations were all behind him, I was (barely) able to pull off an amazing coup and surprise him with a party celebrating his four decades.

The party itself wasn't the only shock. Many friends and relatives came from near and far and those who couldn't be with us sent their wishes via video. Gotta love this technological age.

This was no small feat considering that he works from home and for the past two months was around ALL THE TIME. He did say I was acting rather peculiar for the past few weeks. He heard me talking in hushed tones and quickly minimizing my computer screen when he passed by. Guys can be so clueless--that trait can come in handy in situations like these. (I mean that "clueless" part in the nicest possible way) I, on the other hand, would have been so suspicious, reading into EVERYTHING and probably been digging through the computer and eavesdropping like crazy.

Here's to the next 40!!

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Trey is the big 4-0 today. That's right he married an "older" woman. A fact he is way too proud of. The kids and I posted these signs all over the general neighborhood for him to view on his way to Starbucks. He said he prefers to spend this day flying under the radar but I think he was a little tickled by the gesture.
I wanted to share something from a funny card he received for those of us who have turned 40 recently or may be on the way to this milestone in the near future.

• Do you realize that 40 years ago .....Call waiting referred to a line outside of a phone booth
• A flat screen was something you put in your window to keep the insects out.
• An airbag was someone who talked too much.
• SPAM was found only in the kitchen.
• A cell phone was what you used to make your one call from jail.
• Guys only got pierced ears from going to a really loud concert.
• High speed access was an on-ramp to the freeway.
  

Happy 40th Trey!!

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It's been two weeks since Millie made her way into our home and life has not been the same. As cute as she is, this potty training adventure is beyond frustrating. Toilet training my children definitely doesn't rank up there on my top 10 but at least I had the choice to put a diaper on them. I've been seeking advice online and in books. The common advice is "do not punish or yell at them when they soil in the house. " Yeah, right! So instead I should take her out at 3 a.m., stand in the backyard freezing, wait 10 minutes for her to do her business, watch her lay in the grass and do nothing, bring her back in and smile as she pees on the carpet???? Who wrote these books? Everyone says it will eventually click. I'll just say "it's a good thing she's cute.

In my previous post about Millie joining our family I mentioned all the "I'll nevers" that used to grace my lips prior to being a dog owner. One tidbit I failed to share was that I would frequently tell my husband that I just didn't understand why all my friends would get a dog once their youngest child entered Kindergarten. I mean you're just getting a taste of freedom again and you go and ruin it by adding a puppy to the mix. So here I am 6 months after Ben started school with a dog of my own. You'd think I would learn to keep my mouth shut at some point. Instead I'll just entertain all of my snickering friends by filling up on my share of "crow". I have earned it.

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Thursday morning (4/3) I came to the computer to find that Vicki Courtney had posted to my blog. Vicki is an author who writes on teen culture. She has some excellent books on parenting teens and staying plugged in to what they're up to online. I frequent her (very entertaining) blog weekly. A couple weeks ago she announced a writing contest asking for submissions on subjects that would be relevant to teen girls. I had been working on an essay for a friend's upcoming book about waiting until marriage to be physically involved. Unfortunately it seems to be such an antiquated subject these days but one that could stand to be discussed.
I quickly condensed the article to 700 words and sent it on its way. She picked four winners and left me a post that morning saying she loved my blog and I was a winner. The four articles will be featured on her website that reaches 6000 teenage girls: www.virtuousreality.com.
Oh and she's sending me a Starbucks card too. What a gal! Check out her blog sometime: www.virtuealert.blogspot.com

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• I'll never show people pictures of my dog.
• The dog will never sleep in our room
• I will never kiss the dog on the mouth
• I'll never talk baby talk to my dog
• I'll never assume that everyone is equally as enamored by my canine as I am
• I'll never sign her name on greeting cards as if she's part of the family

So check back in with me in a few weeks and see how much crow I'm eating. If you're local, stop by and see her. She really is a sweetie.

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March 29th--34 degrees and snow
Only in the Northwest would they not cancel a game
Where is the ball???

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I don't know if anyone is even reading this blog anymore since I've been terribly remiss in updating it. For a while there I didn't have much to say. Well that's not exactly true. I usually have a lot to say but felt like I was regularly on my soapbox simply venting about my current frustration. Yet, I realized "what's the point of doing that without offering solutions?" It's not particularly constructive or beneficial to others reading my rants--or to my own soul.
With that being said, I took a hiatus from venting simply to fill the pages of my blog. I'm not sure where I'm being led with it but I'm trying to listen more and complain less.
I know there is a place and a purpose for my writing but I'm attempting to not get ahead of myself and try in my own might to solve the mystery. When the time is right, all will fall into place.

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