Things I’ve learned from my Grandma

• The best way to welcome a visitor in your home is to ask if they’re hungry.
• If you don’t have seconds and sometimes thirds that means you didn’t like the food.
• Steal the cooked meatballs from the bottom of the bowl; they’re cooler.
• Mix the meatball mixture a long time or your meatballs will taste like Aunt June’s.
• When you’re “spinning” cavetelli, you are allowed to curse if you screw up.
• A cup of bread crumbs on a recipe is actually more like two or three cups when executed.
• It is best to give bad news after dinner. People are in a better mood.
• Stick a pen in a dying plant. It will revive them.
• Eat raisins when you are pregnant.
• A little whiskey on a teething child’s gums won’t hurt them.
• Secretly giving a child a small amount of money makes them feel special.
• When you cook something kids might turn their noses up at, tell them it's chicken.
• Providing cookies and an ear to listen will make a teenager think you are a saint.
• There is absolutely nothing wrong with cheating at cards as long as you don’t get caught.
• When you don’t know what else to do, saying, “everything will be okay honey. You’ll see” is a great option.
• Putting together a care package to send someone off makes saying good bye much easier.
• Hugs and kisses cost nothing but are absolutely priceless.
• Harboring grudges, keeping score and not talking to someone only hurts you in the long run.
• Broken hearts will mend – it just takes time and faith in God’s love.
• You don’t have to get married if you don’t want to.
• Nothing is more important than family.
• Love, True love is unconditional and eternal.

Alpha Baby!

Last night we made the second attempt! I put the harness on little princess Poo and she pretended it was a game, chewing on it as much as possible. She walked around dragging the leash (attached to the harness). I picked up the leash. Lo and behold the mule came back followed immediately by the bucking bronco. I pulled out the bag o' treats (her dinner, actually) and let her smell one. Tried to get her to come for one but she sat on the floor and refused to budge. If she had arms, I'm sure they'd be folded defiantly across her chest! So I dragged her a bit and gave her a treat. I did this down the hallway and out the front door. It was quite the scene to see her sliding across the hardwood floors! I really should have gotten that on video!

I carried her down the steps. When we got on the front lawn, she started to wander, so I followed. Every time she followed me, I'd give her a treat and say "good girl". So I pulled, treated, and praised all the way down the shared driveway. She was starting to get the hang of it when my neighbor came out. Princess pup was nervous but we spent some time on meet and greet while the neighbor and I caught up. We hadn't seen each other all summer! Princess got used to wandering around with the leash and harness on. I'd give her a little tug when she wanted to go further than allowed. So, by the time my neighbor went back inside, the princess was willing to follow me for the treats (she really liked that idea once she figured it out). We made it all the way to the end of the street and would have probably gone further, but I was bored of the game. The alpha had won! :)

I am the alpha!

So last night, I put on biking clothes and get ready to get some exercise. But then the phone rang. It was my friends who live down the street. I had called earlier about bringing our new pup over to meet their Jack Russell terrier, Trixie. So, I decided instead of biking, we'd walk. Well, little Miss Poo Poo decided otherwise...she thinks she is too good for a leash. I put it on her and she sat there like a stubborn little mule refusing to budge. She even gave me a couple of dirty looks (I swear this!) I carried her for a bit, thinking she'd understand we were going somewhere. Put her down and again the little mule emerged. I tugged a little bit and a bucking bronco showed up. I let go of the leash and she became a thoroughbred, sprinting back home as fast as her legs could carry (she is so flippin fast, too!). I wasn't about to give up, after all, I am the ALPHA. That's right, she will do what I want.

So we start down the street again...with me carrying the little princess...thinking if we get far enough away from the house, she'll want to continue to explore. Ladies from across the street come out to visit with her...ogling and ahhing over her. She seemed quite pleased with herself. I put her down while I chatted but as soon as she noticed the leash, she sat down and refused to budge (normally she'd wander around). What a little stinker I thought. The conversation with the neighbors revitalized me and I was determined this little girl would learn to walk on the leash. So I carried her a little further away, put her down and she started wandering in the right direction. Good, I walked beside her...see how nice this is. All of a sudden, she realized she was on a leash and she reared up like a spooked horse and started her bucking bronco impression, complete with snarls and barks.

So, I sweep her up and head back home. We'll never make it the mile to visit my friends this way! I get almost home and stop to talk to C2 and RNJ. I put the little beast down and she starts to wander toward the house. I find that by hitting a piece of plastic on the road, I can get her attention and make her walk in the direction I want her to go. But, once she realizes she is walking on the leash, she plops down and refuses to budge. I tell C2 that it is obvious the dog takes after her pigheaded nature, scoop up Princess Poo Poo, and head to the car! Next time, we try the harness and a few treats! I am the alpha and I'm more pigheaded than that furry, overgrown black rat with with white feet! She will learn to walk on the leash!!!!

In honor of those who were lost 2001

Missed me?

Wow, I’ve been quiet, huh? Did you miss me? Did ya? Did ya?? I guess that means I’ve been busy or happy or both. In this case, I think both apply. A lot to do…really too much, so that I’ve been super busy. This keeps me from thinking too much about all the injustice and the world and keeps my rants to a minimum. And then there’s the new man in my life. Yeah, he’s a man. I’m actually dating someone older than myself, so he qualifies as a man. But, it’s more so his behavior that puts him in that category. No games so far. He’s just pretty much a straightforward, honest bloke who makes me laugh AND makes me feel special.

Of course, I can’t stop worrying about every little thing. I’m sure there has got to be something MAJOR wrong with him. My life has been a train wreck either in process or just waiting to happen for the last couple of years. Can the tides really turn for me? I just can’t believe that God has said, “Hey, you’re finally getting a clue. Let me throw you a bone. How about a nice man who makes you feel all sorts of tingly inside.”

No! The cynic in me believes I am still this lumpy piece of clay that is no where near the shape I’m supposed to be. God is still “working with me” and it is just a matter of time before the rug gets pulled out from under me and I land crying on floor. The good news in that scenario is I still have faith in my amigas to be there and pick me up. But, I really wish I could just believe things are going well, that the man is as genuine and as sweet as he seems, that my girls will love him and he them, and finally the road will smooth out for me.

Can it be possible? I don’t dare begin to hope.

stupid blogger is pissing me off!

my posts aren't posting right.... ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111111

Ho revisited...

what did I do with the text from SZ... Well let's tell you I ignored it, yup I did! Okay, not on purpose. Just got busy and never back around to answering hime. Come Frida, I get a message "don't you want to talk any more?" This time I write, "well, the last time we saw each other it was pretty uncomfortable. So I've been talking to this other guy." He writes back, "yeah well we both know it wasn't going any where." So, any way, we need to add this to the list of things I can't believe I've done...never thought I would. Dump a guy via text messaging...I mean who does that???? Obviously me!