Naughty, Naughty Doggie

A recent photo of two members of my household that are both cute and naughty.  I have a true and hilarious story about naughty #2...the dog named Ranger.  

Andy and I have recently had a discussion about getting Ranger's barking problem under control.  It's especially troublesome when people approach our front door or when we are outside and he is not.  It's just excessive, loud and high pitched that really grates on one's nerves.  I am sure our neighbors agree.  They are just too nice to say anything.  

Tonight I was out on our front lawn with Grant, when you could hear Ranger's continuous, annoying bark while he was still inside.  So, I said, "Let's go take Ranger with us to *Naughty Dogs R Us and get one of those Citronella bark collars.  I'm an willing to try anything to get this under control."  I thought we probably should take Ranger along, so we could get the right sized collar, which I knew would be a challenge.  

When we entered *Naughty Dogs R Us, I instructed Madison to hold Ranger tight on his leash as to not give him any freedom to jump up on people or any other dogs that would be in the store.  Ranger loves other dogs, but generally, they don't like him due to his aggressive nature.  Maybe he has ADHD for dogs?   That would be my guess.  I do know, my dog does not play well with others.  

Anyway, Madison had Ranger and I had Grant by the hand and we just rounded the corner where they sell collars and Ranger quickly found a display of raw hide bones in a huge cardboard box and he lifts his leg and wizzes on the display to "mark his territory".  Madison quickly points it out to me and I gasp and say...give that dog to me and (Madison) quickly clean it up before anyone notices.  *Naughty Dogs R Us does provide paper towels and bags to clean up dog messes.  However, he's wizzed on cardboard, so that's a little difficult to fix.  I said, "Madison, let's quickly find an employee who can direct us to the barking collars."  I wanted to get in and out before anything else goes awry.  Shopping with Ranger is about the same as shopping with Grant during a temper tantrum...best to get out of the store quickly! 

I found a nice man who directed me to this locked cabinet a couple isles over to the bark collars.  They are around $100, so that's why they are under lock and key.  By now, I have Ranger very close to me, so as to not get into anymore mischief.  I was even proud of myself when I told him to sit and he listened to my command.  The employee was showing me the three kinds of collars when...you won't believe this....Ranger lifts his leg AGAIN and pees right in front of the employee on a display of plastic covered dog bed covers.  Now, I couldn't ignore this incident and apologized profusely.  I even asked if I needed to purchase the product.  Heaven knows, I would have made me pay for it.  The very nice gentleman, kindly said, "Oh, don't worry about it.  It happens all the time."  Then he adds...."In fact, we just passed a center display where another dog did the same thing."  I just didn't have the heart to tell him that was my dog too!  

Let's just say... I couldn't get out of there fast enough with my bark collar purchase and Ranger will NEVER be allowed to go back again.  

*Name changed to protect myself from incriminating evidence of dog urine. 

My Favorite Foodies (right at this moment)

I thought I'd add a few of my favorite things to eat, while I am enjoying my spring break.  I should be cleaning the bathrooms, but blogging is so much more fun! 

Beer Bread - This is my favorite product from Tastefully Simple, in fact it's their number #1 seller too.  If you haven't tried it, you are missing out.  It not only tastes fabulous, but it smells the house up with that "I've been baking all day scent".  It takes only one beverage (beer, apple juice, pop) mix it and bake it.  How simple is that?  If you'd like the name of my consultant, email me.  
Hot Tea - I've just started drinking tea when I stopped drinking pop, this was a nice change. I went to a "Let's Do Tea" party at my friend Tammy's house and discovered all there is to know about tea.  I love this Carmel Rooibos tea!  I, of course, like to mix it up with Vanilla-Carmel Coffee-mate, whipped topping out of a can and carmel topping that goes on ice cream.  Delicious!  So, my zero calorie tea, becomes a zillion calories before I am done.  Go figure! Also, if you don't know of a Let's Do Tea dealer, ask me too.  
Tomato Herb Soup - I've never liked tomato soup until now...this soup is upscale!  It's made by V8 and I believe it's a fairly new product of theirs.  I also tried their other flavors, but this one is the best.  Better yet, it sells for only $2.48.  

Milk Chocolate Macadamia Cookies - This is my favorite kind of cookie that you can find on the store shelves.  Girl Scout cookies are better, but those aren't located in supermarkets. So, I can easily say that I could eat the entire bag in one sitting.  Yum!  
Natural Peanut Butter - I just recently discovered this kind of peanut butter.  It's located at HyVee in their organic foods area and at Wal-Mart it's with all the other kinds of peanut butter.  This PB doesn't have the shelf life like regular peanut butter and does need refrigeration, but it's sooo creamy, spreadable and tasty.  It's a little pricer than "regular" ones, but I am almost certain that there's no Salmonella in this expensive kind.  LOL

Days 76-80

It's Spring Break and I can now get caught up on all my pictures...YEAH!

Saturday, March 14th - Grant's baptism was tonight at the 5pm evening service at St. Mark's. Our intention was to get him baptized when he was an infant, but I am such a procrastinator, that I didn't quite get it done.  I thought since both sets of grandparents were coming for Tyler's confirmation, that this weekend was perfect. Grant did nice job behaving himself during the service, too!
Sunday, March 15th - Today was Tyler's confirmation day along with about sixty other junior high students.  Tyler put a lot of time and hard work into this with classes, fellowship and volunteer projects.  I was very proud of him!  Way to go, Tyler!  Tyler now receives an allowance, so he can pay his tithe to the church.  
Monday, March 16th - Madison had soccer practice out at Air Park, so Grant went along and had fun playing in the dirt.  It was a beautiful day for outdoor play! 
Tuesday, March 17th - It's Parent-Teacher conferences for 2nd grade.  Madison went with me to the conference and she had a great report.  She's a hard worker, kind to others and a terrific writer.  I couldn't ask for more.  Madison is pictured with her teacher Mrs. Jochum and student teacher Ms. Lewis.  
Wednesday, March 18th - Oh, happy day!  I FINALLY received my long awaited KOTM - Project 365.  I am now trying to decide how I'll go about doing it...digital or mixed?!  I'll sure have fun playing around with it!  

Spring Break To-Do List

I love, love, love making lists.  If you can't tell...many of my blogs are lists.  I thought I'd do a top 12 things to do over Spring Break, which is nine glorious days!  I'll see how many of these things I can accomplish over break.  Some are really fun, some are definitely not!

1.  Paint the north wall in the living room and maybe the west wall too.  (I definitely don't like to do this.)

2.  Vacuum out the van and wash it.  (Why?  It will only be dirty again next week.)

3.  Go to Barnes and Noble with Sherri for a Twilight kick-off with all the 15 year olds in Lincoln tomorrow night.  (Fun times!)  This may go on my 40 x 40 list.

4.  Put my 365 kit together and get it caught up to date.

5.  Get the dog groomed!  He looks raggedy!

6.  Scrapbook at SCC for 15 hours!  Yeah!  This won't be hard to do.

7.  Do report cards...unfortunately not done, but that's why I get a break to do it, right?

8.  Scrub all three bathrooms from top to bottom.  (I think this is one notch better than painting.)

9.  Go with the family to the Shrine Circus...tonight.

10.  Go to Raette's cabin for the day with the Kindergarten Team!  Can't wait!

11.  Make a healthy snack with Madison for a Brownie patch.   Report how that turns out on Tuesday.

12.  Sleep in at least one day until 7:30!  This will be an impossible task with Grant, but I'll try.

Okay...that's all my plans.  I'll let you know how that goes.  Happy Spring!!!

Days 71-75

The next five days I highlighted one family member for each day.  

Monday, March 9th - Grant got a hold of a sucker, unfortunately.  I realized it's just easier to watch him enjoy it at the table instead of taking it away.  He was good for ten licks and he had enough.  When he was finished he handed it to me saying "all done".  
Tuesday, March 10th - Here's Tyler "vegging" on the couch and texting one of his friends.  He doesn't text as much as I thought he would, so the $5 a month charge works for us!  

Wednesday, March 11th -  We went to eat at McDonald's tonight instead of me cooking and made a stop at my room.  I am doing some quick scoring on a few assessments and asked Tyler to take a picture of me at my "desk".  I prefer not having a real desk and use this kidney shaped table instead.  I feel that a teacher desk would just become a dumping ground of endless paperwork.  This space I HAVE to clean it off since the kids work around the table with me daily.

Thursday, March 12th - Andy got back from Kansas tonight just in time to go to Tyler's Confirmation practice at St. Mark's.  Pastor Don asked if Andy would go to Cici's Pizza and pick up 30 pizzas and 12 orders of cinnamon rolls to feed the all the kids and their families.   Wow! What a haul! 
Friday, March 13th - This is what Madison looks like every morning before school...wet hair and all.  

Ode to My Flower

I've created a poem in loving memory of the flower that once graced the entrance of my home.  Sniff, sniff!  Okay...I am not a poet, but I'll try my best!  Here it goes....

ODE TO MY FLOWER

I had a door flower that was so very neat,

In fact, it could be seen from my busy street.

This flower never needed any kind of water,

That's the reason why I bought 'er.

I loved you and adored you for two whole seasons,

That's why I couldn't wait to hang you up again for that reason.

Now that you're gone, my door looks oh, so plain,

Hey thief...you really have something to explain.

I hope you enjoy MY pretty white daisy,

I wish you'd know that stealing is just plain crazy!

If only I could make that darn flower now wilt,

I'd have some satisfaction and leave you riddled with guilt! 

I know with time, this too shall pass,

As for now, dear thief, you can kiss my.......(flower!)

Okay, I am now feeling much better!  Of course, I am still ticked off, but my Dad made a good point.  I only noticed that today it was gone, but it could have been missing for up to a week or more.  So, if I didn't notice sooner, how really attached was I?  I guess I feel a little more violated and vulnerable than the loss of the flower.  Right?!  

Days 66-70

Two things I wanted to mention...I am still soda free after 14 days.  I can't believe it myself!  This is a tough one.  And I DID get a Project 365 kit from Creating Keepsakes!  I now need to decide if I still want to go digital and use half of my items OR go totally by the kit and hand write my journaling.  I'll have to see once I get the kit later this week. 

Wednesday, March 4th - It was a nice day, so I asked if I could get a picture of Sebastian and Grant on Christi's front steps.  They are two little terrors, both born on the same day at the same hospital.  Don't they just look like trouble?  In fact, they escaped from Christi's backyard last week by climbing over a chain link fence.  
Thursday, March 5th - My personal day!  Yay!  I enjoyed the day and did manage to go donate some blood for the good of the cause.  I didn't pass out, which I was worried about. 
Friday, March 6th - Grant is home sick, of course, so am I (the home part only).  Here he is lounging on my bed with my new pretty pillows from Pier 1 Imports.  Aren't they lovely?  
Saturday, March 7th - Grandpa Oogie snagged some free Husker baseball tickets for us while he was at the Husker game yesterday.  We had two seats for both Saturday and Sunday. Madison got the really cold day with Dad at the game.  (The lady who took this photo scrapbooks.)
Sunday, March 8th - This day was Tyler's turn to go to the game with Dad.  (This person didn't take as good of a picture as the previous one.  Probably not a scrapbooker!)