Gus

So, I work a little later than usual. No big deal.

I get home, cuddle with the Mr. and fall asleep. Ooops! A little cat nap never hurt nobody, I needed it bad.

I cooked dinner for my babies, Hamlin style and late as all get out.

See the boy usually feeds my sweet Gus dinner every night. And well that night he didn't.

And I'm glad. So glad I did.

My boy Gus is a black lab shepperd mix, he's 5. And not on the small side and will eat your face off. Not really. Well not if you are a friend or family anyways. I fill his bowl, and place it in the chair for him. Again, he's tall and I love him so yeah.

I noticed he seemed to be walking a bit funny the night before. I didn't stress about it.  Well last night he seemed to have a hard time putting weight on his hind legs. Didn't finish his dinner and laid in the grass.

Something was wrong.

My Gus never leaves dinner in his bowl.

I kneeled down with my boy and fed him the rest and gave him some ice, cause I love him.

Poor thing was miserable and in pain. He seemed delirious and kept pacing the yard away from me and would randomly lay down in the grass and whine.

Something was very wrong.

I was upset. And a little pissed off.

Me and the Mr. tried coaxing the poor thing inside to go to bed like a bajillion times. From various back doors. It was starting to rain and the wind was ridiculous. I sat outside kneeling by him tenderly petting his sweet face forever it seemed like. In Brad's big old dress shoes cause I'm scared of spiders and it was all I could find at that very second. I even took his bed outside to see if I could make him more comfortable. He wouldn't budge.

I dragged the Mr. outta bed because I couldn't stand it any longer. And we managed to get a sheet under my boy like a gurney. That damn dog is HEAVY! And we got him inside and in his bed, he seemed a bit calmer.

Did I mention I still had a sore upper back? And was not supposed to be lifting heavy ass dogs?!

We slept.

Then off to the vet first thing in the morning. And wouldn't you know it that little turd perked right up as soon as I got the leash out. His adrenaline kicked in full speed at the vet's office.

Seems he has either arthritis or a ruptured disc. He's on an anti-inflammatory pills, pain meds and muscle relaxers. He is to be confined so not to re-injure anything and walked on a leash for 2 weeks.

He is too dang young for this arthritis crap, but hey it's common in large breeds so whatever. Poor thing.

I guess the supplements will start soon enough for the old man to help.

Thinking I need to be confined to the laundry room and a leash too. My back is killing me! Dang 90 pound ball of fur will do that I guess.

Love my Gusser's and so glad my wonderful husband could be with me to help. There is no way I could have done it without him... Here's to a quick recovery for us both!

Louisiana

I love me some Louisiana!

It feels like home to me. I have been more times than I can count. And I fall in love with it more and more each visit.

The Fox Force Five graciously opened their home to us over graduation weekend. Did i mention how much I LOVE my husbands family? Well I do. Very much. And they have the cutest dogs eva. For reals.

It was Danny's big high school graduation celebration! I can't believe it, I swear he was just a sweet little boy and ring bearer in our wedding... And now all grown up, so proud of Dan Man!

We had a blast and ate entirely too much! Chargrilled oysters. Shrimp boil. Abita Strawberry lager. Beignets. Cafe au lait. And of course... Uncle Phil's master grill'n was not to be eaten lightly ha!

Toured the city with our fave Aunt Mary, Rachel and Danny. Had lunch at our fave Acme Oyster House. Went on a river boat ride, it was awesome. Had the best Fox tour guide. And so pretty, didn't see a gator or snake one, score. And we got to visit with our family we don't see often enough. Ryan even took sweet talky talky Natalie to the park to give us a tiny break, ahhhh love him!

The kiddo's had more fun than I could have wished for.

The long drive home wasn't ideal considering I was a lil' loopy and in more pain than a woman should ever be in except during childbirth. Note to self. My daughter is too big to carry across parking lots while wearing her life jacket. Meh. And a Honda Civic is fighting grounds for siblings who love each other so.

My husband spoiled me with mommas day gifts and the best BBQ in Louisiana. They even deep fried their dinner rolls for goodness sakes. Yum.

And we weren't even at the Texas State Fair.

Can't wait to go back even if it's to fill my hollow leg. Love me some Louisiana. And our sweet wonderful family. It just warms my heart.

Dress For Success

It was Dress For Success day at school today i.e. make parents scramble and try to be creative the night before day.

For reals. I know they send notes home but I never seem to get them. I wonder if my children like eat them on their way home to rid of any evidence. It feels like I'm always a step behind.

Leighton has always wanted to be a Lego Designer. He even googled real life ones and insisted they wore white shirts and name badges ummmmm...

I just picture some nerdy "gamer" type dude. Wearing what else but some snazzy Lego shirt with something completely "funny" on it. Like on the wall of some trendy teen store in the mall. I tried to get him to go with my idea but noooooo...

So, I went with what the boy wanted. And the kid made the coolest clip on name tag that spelled LEGO in what else but Legos. It was neat.

And I wish I had gotten a photo.

But I didn't, only one of my rock star Natalie.

She has never ever mentioned this before. Pretty sure she just wanted me to buy her a cute new outfit. It worked.

Before she only wanted to be an artist and a professional shopper like her Aunt Jenne. This weekend it was a dog trainer. Sadly she's allergic to most dogs and really only likes our Gusser's? That girl!

I was having an awful morning.

My upper back was killing me. It hurt to breathe. It was that bad. I write this as my muscle relaxers, pain meds and heating pad kick in. And i'm not a bit snoozy. Just my luck but I feel great so, score!

I left my car keys in my husband's car last night.

We don't have a spare at home.

He so nicely turned half way around on his very long commute to save me.

And my neighbor so kindly took my offspring to school. We were already late cause I couldn't find my dang car keys. Yep, awful morning.

My evening got better. The doctor prescribed drugs kicked in. I mean I could actually move like a normal person again without wanting to cry.

I got to snuggle and hold the most precious brand new chunky monkey baby boy tonight.

Had a nice dinner at home that I cooked and everyone liked, shocking I know.

And I got the best compliment. Well I think it was a compliment anyways.

That I was a stay at home mom. Ha! Me? Really? Need to win that lotto already...

Is that you Monday?!

I HATE mornings. No lie.

I fell asleep last night with the lights on. I was that tired.

And the alarm went off about 5 times, all the while I’m hitting snooze. But clearly awake and should just get out of bed.

The Mr. is so noisy. I cannot wait for him to leave, no lie.

My princess cheerfully crawls into my bed to snuggle with her momma. This makes me happy.

Except I’m pretty sure she didn’t wash her hair for like the 3^rd day in a row. Even though she swore she did.  Whatever.  

I do a load of laundry. If I don’t my children will either have to play hooky or wear dirty clothes. I am not that mom. Yet.

I need to go uniform shopping. But school’s almost out. Yep.

I’m out of white sugar. So I use brown sugar in my coffee, not the first or the last time I’m sure. And… I like it better anyways.

My mother would die if she knew I ran out of white sugar. Pretty sure it’s some depression era southern unspoken rule, I think from her momma.

I lay out their clothes, make toast, serve up some bananas and a glass of milk. Divvy up the daily asthma meds. Which at the moment is stopping me from pro-creating. I do not want another kid with asthma. Like ever. It scares me.

And I can’t decide who is to blame. Either it’s my awesome DNA or the culprit is indeed all the Mr.’s fault.

I go shower.

There is yelling and more yelling. I am screaming at them to knock it off. Classy right.

They are fighting over snack money. There are only 7 quarters on my nightstand. That their daddy so nicely scavenged for.

There is a war going on in my bedroom. I knew I should have just hidden that extra quarter.

I get out. And make them give me the change.

I then proceed to lecture them and tell them I’m going to give it to Natalie’s teacher’s room Mom for her  gift basket next week. Because well she deserves it.

I haven’t gotten a request from the boy’s class yet. I’m sure a letter was sent home.

He probably made a cool paper airplane with it.

I am lame and haven’t contributed to either yet.  It’s been a real busy week. And I never have cash, like never.

I then decide that well $1.75 sucks. So, I will be a rebel and not contribute at all.

And instead send them a Starbucks e-gift, for teacher appreciation week. I don’t need cash. And I can do it on my handy Starbucks app.

I ended up giving them the snack money anyways as we were walking out the door. Because I am weak. And I love them.

Awesome.

my happy hour

And no, not the alcohol induced fun happy hour.

Sure I like getting hammered on discounted overpriced drinks on a patio as much as the next girl.

But...

I'm talking about the happy hour I like to call, my lunch break.

It was amazing.

I went shopping.

Without kids or a nagging husband.

I scored free stuff with coupons at one of my favorite stores.

And enjoyed the best iced coffee of my life today.

And they got my name right. I was not April or even an Amber.

Yeah for being me.