Another Vet Visit

When I woke up Saturday morning and came down to let Sophie out of her kennel, I noticed that her cone was no longer on properly.  Oh no, her stitches, I thought.  But, she was only 2 days away from getting that cone off, so maybe there was hope that she really didn't do any damage.  I let Sophie out of her kennel to eat and go the bathroom.  That's when I noticed a fluid with just a bit of a blood tinge to it all over the floor.  Poor Mario had just gotten home at 5:30 that morning from work and so he only had an hour of sleep when I had to wake him to help me get the cone back on.  We knew we had no choice but to call the vet.  Fortunately our awesome, way less expensive than normal vet, had Saturday hours. She had fluid built up around her stitches that had to be drained.  They put a drain in and I elected to have them keep her for the weekend because I didn't want it draining all over my house.  Disgusting!  I think it's probably my fault that she got the fluid to begin with because it happens with too much exercise and I had let her chase a ball last week.

I am now to the point where I don't want a dog anymore.  Why did I have to cry so hard over Buzz that Mario got me another dog immediately?!  Why did he have to get a huge dog that needs so much exercise?  Why does this dog constantly need to go to the vet?  Why does she shed so much?

I have really been enjoying the couple days with her gone.  I can leave food on the counter.  I can put a glass of water down in the family room without worrying about it getting knocked over.  Best of all, I can eat popcorn in peace (Sophie loves popcorn, but I think she is allergic to the corn.)

Now with the move to Spain and the prospect of living downtown in a great apartment, I am ready to say goodbye to her.  I have two people standing in my way-Mario and Zach.  I am trying to think of a bribe that would be good enough for Zach but so far, I haven't found one.  

I am now to the point where I told them I am no longer taking care of her.  I am tired of doing most of the walks, doing most of the sweeping and vacuuming, and picking up after her.  I plan to buy a baby gate today so that I can contain her to the family room so I can manage the dog hair better.  In her defense, we never brush her.

I do love Sophie and I am probably all talk.  I love that if I hear a strange noise at night, I don't worry at all.  If Sophie isn't barking, then I know the house is safe.  I love getting out and playing ball with her. I love watching her slip and slide on the ice in the winter.   I love walking in the house and seeing her there waiting for us. So when all is said and done, I probably won't have the heart to give her up either.

Color Foam 5K

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The Cone is Back

Round three of the cone! Sophie ran into the woods (same woods she has run into at least 50 times in the past) and came out with a huge gash on her inner leg. It didn't bleed so we didn't notice it until the evening about 10 min before the vet office closed. We called and they said to rush her in. Several stitches and a spent night at the vet office, plus $250 later, Sophie is doing great and ready to go back out to play.

The vet thinks she must have tried to jump a barbed wire fence. I don't think there is one back there but who knows. Mario and I will have to go investigate.

The vet office must think we are horrible pet owners. They know Sophie all too well now. I left and said, "See you in a month or two!"

Thank You Mrs. Obama

She will save me hundreds of dollars this year. My high school kids who once refused to bring a bag lunch to school are now happily packing sandwiches. They HATE the new school lunches. Eric couldn't even pay for his lunch yesterday until he went back and put some rubbery broccoli on his tray that he just threw away when he was done. He said all the food is nasty.

I'm not usually in favor of what the Obama family implements, but I do like that my kids no longer want to buy lunches. So thank you!




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Back to School

Sending kids back to school this year hasn't been nearly as exciting as it has been in years past.  I am overcome with sadness that this is Eric's senior year.  But I knew it was coming and yes, it's as bad as I anticipated if not worse.   Major bribery was used to get pictures of Erin this year (the birthday pic we got of her was from Eric secretly taking it with his phone or else we wouldn't have a good pic of her 15th birthday.) The boys started back to school yesterday and Eric and Erin start back today.  Eric and Erin went to breakfast at Panera Bread before school with some friends.

I haven't quilted all summer.  So I guess it's time to pick it up again.  I don't think I'll have near as much time this year though because much of my time will be devoted to getting ready for the big move.

I can't believe Mario took a picture in front of the dirty glass but I guess
he wanted to include Sophie.

Here's a Minecraft t-shirt that Nate made with a friend.

There was no unfolding those arms for any of the pictures.

Happy 15th Birthday Erin!

Erin celebrated her birthday awhile back with friends. She didn't want cake because she ate so unhealthy in Missouri this past week. So I made her some healthy raw brownies and bought cupcakes for everyone else. She chose BBQ chicken for dinner with her favorite oven potatoes.

Besides her expensive birthday party, we gave her a new skirt and a necklace chain for her Young Woman Medallion and Honor Bee.

She's a beautiful girl. I can't believe she'll be dating in a year. Scary, especially without Eric around to approve or disapprove of her dates. We are hoping to spend her 16th birthday in Paris. Hopefully Mario can get some time off from work to go with us.

Happy 17th Birthday Eric!

Eric chose to have steaks with potato skins for lunch. I wasn't feeling well so Zach made the potato skins which were very yummy. Eric asked for "ugly" cake and boy did it turn out ugly! It came out in three large chunks from the pan. But it was still delicious. Mario has a theory, the uglier the tastier. I barely felt up to making the first cake so I didn't make a second one hoping it would turn out better. I almost was too embarrassed to take pics of his cake. He spent the rest of the day with Caitlin.

He got new sunglasses from us and a Guess watch from Caitlin. I think she spent more than we did on a gift. Crazy teenagers!

Who knows where Eric will spend his 18th birthday. I hope with us in Europe but he may not. I'm going to miss him so much. I have a whole year to prepare myself.