Sending an S.O.S to the world.

Does Hero look adequately ashamed?

Ok, so maybe S.O.S was a bit strong- though the poor Petco employees might feel that "Save Our Store" is completely applicable.

It's More like STP - Stop the Pee.

Anyway, I know there is a wealth of greyhound experience to be tapped out there and I would prefer a "flood" of information to the flood we experienced Saturday (see previous post).

Hero has not had any "accidents" in our house since the first week he arrived 4 months ago. So it's not exactly an "indoor" potty training problem. It's a PETCO- potty training problem. The funny thing is that he honestly is NOT a big "marker"- magic or otherwise - (sorry).

A couple of people have suggested that it maybe a sign that he was "stressed". If so, how does one go about desensitizing Hero without inducing some sort of ptsd (post-tinkle stress disorder) in all the employees of Petco?

Looking forward to your advice.

Putting the "P" in Petco.

Did you all get your 10% off coupons from Petco in the mail?

Well I did, and being that we needed filters for the aquarium's pump, and fish oil for the dogs, I figured there is no time like the present.

So after a good 20 minute romp in the backyard, off to Petco we go- Alaina (my 14 year old/ easily embarrassed daughter), Will (the 2 year old), Hero and I. (A motley crew to be sure). Now, I have taken Hero to Petco a couple times before, and he did lift his leg on a display (once) so I requested for Alaina to walk him around outside first. He watered one tree, and simply sniffed another, thus she decided that he was "done" and brought him inside. Now I DID ask her if she wanted responsibility for Hero or for Will, but she decided walking around Petco with a cool looking greyhound was better than chasing a hyperactive 2 year old- normally a safe bet---but not this time.

She caught up with me, and whispered "Hero just peed a huge puddle in one of the aisles".- Being that I believe in teaching my children to take responsibility and never to just walk away from a problem- I told her- "there are towels and cleaning spray at the end of some of the aisles- go clean it up!" Dutifully, she grabbed a handful of paper towels and returned to the scene of the crime. Now I have to admit, the next part I am reporting from her point of view because I was busy trying to keep Will from grabbing fish out of the fish tanks with his bare hands.

Alaina claims that she was pushing the paper towels around with her shoe (which happened to be very muddy from our romp outside)- thus just sort of smearing mud and pee all over the aisle. When a family came in the door and said something to the effect of "That's a big dog- and OH MY GOSH that's a lot of PEE!" This called sufficient attention to that aisle that 2 Petco workers came to her and said-"the mop will be here soon." To which my honor student daughter replies-"UHHH"- but continues to push the paper towels with her foot. So, they tried again, saying- "you don't have to do that, you know- the mop will be here soon". She finally decided to walk off, and ducked into the dog toy aisle at which time Hero felt it was time to make another puddle. I told her, "it's obviously time to take Hero out of the store". As she was heading for the door, another Petco worker stopped to admire Hero, and say what "a cool dog" he was. Alaina later commented that she was afraid Hero was going to pee on his leg- in which case she would have to throw paper towels at his legs, and tell him "Don't worry, the mop will be here soon".

No, we were not banned forever from the store, They do not even have our pictures posted on their wall of shame. But I don't think Hero is ready for indoor "Meet and Greets" yet.

And the next time Alaina mentions that she is "bored" I am definitely going to offer her a trip to Petco.

The night before Christmas retelling - Happy Holidays All

Dedicated to all you greyt bloggers out there-

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the town
Not a creature was stirring, not even the hounds;
The stockings were hung by the chimney that night,
carefully placed ABOVE greyhound height;
The pups were all nestled on their Orvis round beds,
After a number of beads were removed-
just as Patti had said;
Douglas and I had just turned off the lights,
And had settled ourselves, to sleep for the night ,
When right downstairs there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Straight down the stairs I flew like a flash,
Had Hero knocked over the tree, or gotten into the trash?
It was 50 degrees, and not one flake of snow
Weather like this, for Christmas just Blows!
I was surveying the scene, couldn't believe it was true,
When all of a sudden I heard a great ROO
I saw all these greyhounds, so lively and quick,
I thought it must be Jen,
- and could not be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles these coursers they came,
But he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now Riley! now, Reagan! Now Katie, and Tamale!
On Set, and On Dan, On Gypsey and Cali,
On Hoover, On Dana , On Bruno, and Roxie,
On, Ella! On, Wilma, On Belle and On Beau!
On Sugar, On Remi and On Lucy and Omo
On Dana, and Seka, On Stacker and Julie,
On Peanut, On Handy, On Drew and On Allie,
I’ve missed a few hounds, and I truly am sorry,
But don’t you think that it’s time I return to the story?
So there they were, all these greyhounds; wearing Santa Claus hats,
Faux reindeer antlers, jingle collars, you know, stuff like that
I saw a great “greyhound bus” and it really is true
He was there in the flesh- St. Nicholas too.
The hounds were prancing and pawing, with little play bows
yipping and leaping and spinning around
When all of a sudden down the chimney St Nick came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, but now, let’s be fair ,
who of us gets away without wearing a bit of dog hair;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
There were stuffies and greenies and Kongs in his pack.
His nose was cold and wet, and it shined like some “bling”!
And his droll little mouth was drawn up, like a great chicken wing.
The beard of his chin was white, please don’t forget;
It didn’t look, one bit, like a beige shag carpet.
He was chubby and plump, really quite cute,
And Hero greeted him with the ol’ greyhound salute,
Instead of some cookies and milk in a cup,
He got a dose of “Grey Goose” from our sweet greyhound pup.
But a wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He said not a word but went straight to his work
He filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
But when he laid his finger along side of his nose,
I had to believe Hero let an air biscuit go
Then giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
Just business as usual, for St. Nick, I suppose
He sprang to his sleigh, the hounds got a click and a treat,
And I heard him exclaim, as he drove down the street,
"Happy Christmas to all, It’s getting quite late
Happy Christmas to all- and I hope it is greyt.”

Welcome to my world.

Ok, so this is a sort of bizarre post, I know. It's a peek into how my mind works (scary, huh?) . But being that most of my followers either own greyhounds or know someone who does, I'm guessing y'all won't be too shocked.

I mentioned in my previous post that Doug's cousins visited this weekend. It was a very nice visit, but I believe it is safe to say that they are not exactly "dog" people.

Thus Hero's greetings, regardless of how friendly his intentions, were not always that well received.

Add these memories fresh in my mind, with seeing this famous poster of dear "Norma Jeane" , stir well and voila-

you get this - bloggertini. Made with Grey Goosed :-)

Superfreak lives and other Updates

A quick update, mostly because I think that my birthday tribute to Doug has had sufficient playtime ;-)

First of all, Super freak lives. Amazingly, enough our little Cory Catfish has beaten the odds and has so far avoided being an appetizer for our monster cichlid Mr. T. He has grown to little more than an inch long, so I guess there is a possibility that Mr. T. simply doesn't care for the taste of catfish.

In fact, every one of the fish we bought last trip has survived - I know, I've probably jinxed it now, but lets just hope it's one of those Christmas miracles.

Speaking of Christmas miracles- Look the Christmas elves finally finished with our Christmas decorations. Just in time for a wonderful visit with Doug's cousins from N.J. this weekend.

So far Hero has not mistaken the Christmas tree for his very own indoor "potty". I hope our luck holds out.

Happier thoughts

Twenty-two years, 4 months, and 10 days ago, I met this quirky, kind of quiet, but (I was soon to find out) pretty determined, 25 year old guy. He was always up for anything: from Tarot card readings, to SQUARE dancing (yes, emphasis on the word square), to horse back riding (though I later found out he had never been on a horse before). Throughout the years he has constantly surprised me with his bravery (from that 1st horseback ride,- to being willing to take on not only me, but the job of raising our 5 kids), and he is famous for his boundless generosity. (And I'm not just saying that because Christmas is coming :-) There is no denying that while the years have been less than kind to me, each year he gets just keeps getting better looking .
So, Happy Birthday to my best friend in the whole world. (yes, Debbie gets second place;-) You're the best!

Alphabet soup and some whine.

I believe this post may best be taken with alcohol.
The same post has remained on my blog for just about a week.

I have been M.I.A.

Missing In Action?

No, More like:

Managing Interior Anarchy

This is what my living room usually looks like:




This is what my living room currently looks like:

Yup, you guessed it, that wonderful, magical, time of the year, of decorating for Christmas.

A time when my DH pulls dozens of dusty cardboard boxes containing tangled Christmas lights, garlands, wreaths, ornaments, etc. out of the attic, And then leaves them all in the middle of the living room, Waiting I believe, for the Christmas elves.

( Who, as everyone knows- are related to the sock fairy, who picks his dirty socks off the floor , washes them, and puts them back in his drawer)

Anyway, these Christmas elves, it seems, come in the middle of the night, empty all those boxes, put up all those garlands, wreaths, and the tree, and stack the boxes, to be stored in the garage.

My Christmas elves were the victims of downsizing apparently.

I have been waiting to blog till I have an AFTER picture to post. I do have some pride (not much, but some...)

One small problem
I have 2 kids home sick

I don't know which is the more difficult patient , the two year old or the 14 year old. But needless to say my decorating is going more slowly this year.

More alphabet soup

H.O. A.

I leave it to you to come up with a witty phrase the best I could come up with was

Highly Opinionated a$$#*les

We received a "courtesy" letter today. Requesting :

1) that parents be at the bus stop with their children to supervise them and keep them quiet, because they are being too noisy. There is 1 neighbor who works nights in the neighborhood, and she has been complaining to the HOA because: when the 15 elementary school aged children stand on the corner (for no more than 15 minutes) they wake her up.

Now bus pick up time is 8:30 AM., not exactly falling during the time for any legal noise ordinance. ( And yes, I can see the bus stop from my window). Yet I am still supposed to bundle up my sick 2 year old and stand out in the cold with my 8 & 10 year old (these are not kindergartners we are talking about) to assure that she is not bothered for 15 minutes?!

(I wonder if the garbage men received a similar letter?)

And 2)the letter is a complaint because there are toys in our front yard. I kid you not. 2 toy dump trucks, a trike and a scooter at the time of the complaint. Goodness, obviously "Sanford and Son" have nothing on us. Good thing they can't see my living room.

What is this?

A) A replica of Stone Henge made out of Dixie cups

B) A rare Feng Shui cure for stopping bad luck/ evil spirits from coming up out of your drain

C) Proof that one of my children is hiding several small (and apparently very thirsty) children (and/or aliens- think E.T.) in their closet. (If you have seen their closets, your choosing this answer is completely understandable)

D) a decorative display of my rare and valuable collection of Dixie cups circa 2008

E) proof that I am not above using the Internet to try to embarrass my children into cleaning up after themselves.

If you said E- you are right. If you said C- you may be right- I will let you know when (and if) the search party ever returns.

Honestly, Will (age 2) had Nothing to do with this.

This was entirely the result of my other 4 children (ages 19, 14, 10, and 8 !) getting ready for school/ work this morning. And YES there is a garbage can 2 inches to the left of the sink.

And you thought greyhounds were hard to train?!

art imitates life

One of the many perks of being a mom is that whenever the kids get bored, I can pull out the arts and crafts supplies and then join right in (and believe me, I do). I am not above coloring in coloring books (crayons, not markers, please! After all, serious artists have to be able to blend and shade -LOL), but one of my favorite mediums has to be "Sculpey" polymer clay.This is my first attempt at a greyhound (I don't have the proportions quite right yet). I hope you have not been blinded by the rug/slipcover combination in this picture.- This is our "dog" cover the one covered in dog hair- that gets pulled off at the last minute whenever company comes. :-)