Monster Under My Bed

Tonight on my Facebook page I shared that we've paid off $10,090.65 in credit card debt since November 19th.  It's a feat I'm quite proud of, and it's exciting to finally be in control of my credit card debt.  I have no shame in talking about where I was and where I'm going with this project because what I realized was, as soon as I took control of the "sinking money ship," by sharing this project and discussing it in the light, others were encouraged to do the same.  It also made paying of $20,000 less scary.  You can be scared of the monsters in the dark and you can pretend things aren't there, but what you can't do is be quite as afraid in the light.  I brought my monster out from under my bed and into the light.  And you know what?  He is not as scary now.  Ugly?  Yes.  Scary? No.

Well, not minutes after I posted this information I got an email from a very concerned Facebook friend and her email went something like this:  "Where I am very proud of you for paying off as much credit card debt as you have in such a short period of time, I can't help but feel sorry for you.  You share so much of your life online either on your blog or on your Facebook page. Do you think this is healthy for you?  I worry you are going to have regrets about posting these things."

I chuckled and shook my head.  Silly woman....

Yes, I know I live a fairly "open" life, and if you've followed my blog for any length of time, you know I'm pretty much an open book as long as you aren't rude.  (We don't even have to agree on things, and I'm still open...)  I started this blog knowing my life was going to be public, and there would be people upset by what I shared.  That doesn't bother me in the slightest.  What would bother me is hiding my thoughts, feelings, or what is going on in my life.  If I censor what I share, you are only getting half of me, and that is not fair to you as a reader.

If you read this blog, I can't promise you that you're never going to be uncomfortable.  I can't promise you you're not going to cry.  And I won't be responsible if you laugh and shoot your morning coffee out you're nose.

What I can promise you is a real person, blogging her life, and being authentic 100% of the time.

The people who read this blog and are inspired to dig themselves out of credit card debt, aren't concerned I shared this information.  Instead they are relieved to know they aren't alone....

Meet Gus!

I got off work Friday with every intention of doing nothing - all weekend.  I had mountains of laundry, 5 great books and was going to make the most of my time off.  Then I got a text message: "Can you run to the shelter and evaluate a dog?"  The dog in question was a dachshund mix that was not available for adoption to the general public due to a concern with his temperament.  I agreed to go have a look at the little beast, knowing Christie was going to be at an adoption event all morning and would not be able to make it to the shelter before close, and Monday morning it would be "curtains" for this boy if we decided not to take him.

I arrived at the shelter and found a dog that was completely shut down.  He was quickly ran behind his bed in an attempt to evade me, and as I pulled out a leash he weaved back and forth dodging my attempts of capture like a well seasoned boxer.  Finally in frustration I decided we needed to have a conversation.  

"Dude, listen to me.  I am your only ticket out of here.  So, you have two options.  You can stop acting like a fool and allow me to pick you up or you are going to meet Jesus on Monday."  I said frankly.  He looked at me silently, and for a minute we both stood there, taking each other in.  I must have been convincing in that moment though, because he quit acting like a twit, and allowed me to pick him up and eventually carry him out of the kennel.

We took him straight to Christie's house, where he received a much needed bath and haircut, and I was blown away by the dog that greeted me this morning when I went to pick him up.  He surprised me with a tail wagging, forward moving body, and a light in his eye that wasn't there yesterday.  We brought him home and he has been quite the gentleman. (Even though he is still sporting his testicles!)  He gets along with all or my dogs and cats, loves the couch, is an excellent snuggler, appears to be housebroken, and is crate trained.  (He originally came into the shelter as a stray that had to be live trapped...)  He has adjusted so well to our house in just this day that it makes me wonder what his life was before we got him.  Sadly, that is one of the great mysteries of rescue and the answer will likely remain unknown.  We do know that his future looks bright though, and he is looking for a forever home, so if you are interested email lostandfoundk9@gmail.com and ask for an adoption application for Gus!

Gonna tell me no?!

This morning my sister brought my daughter home after church, and Isaac (my nephew) wanted to stay for a visit.  Not one to ever turn down a day with "my boy" I offered to keep him while his mom and his brother went to the grocery store.

I was making lunch when I saw him walk up to an antique croquette set in the living room.  He surfed out a mallet and was swinging it around, using it as a little boy would.  It was a gun, a sword, and then a baseball bat.  Finally, his eyes hit the ultimate solution.  A ball, nestled in the bottom of the croquette set.

He looked at me, and then back at the ball in his hand, and said:  "I betcha you're gonna tell me no, huh?"  It instantly took me back to a time when my own daughter was his age.  I time when I wish I would have been a parent who said "yes" more often.   I turned around, smiled, looked him in the eyes and answered back: "Have fun!"  He looked at me confused and quickly reassured me, "I will be very careful!"

And with only two simple rules:
1) You may not hit any humans or animals with the mallet.
2) You must swing the mallet only to waist level.

He had a blast putting that croquette ball around our house, and we all survived!  Pets, people, the house, and I was reminded that sometimes in life it's important to say "yes".  A reminder I needed 10 years ago, and again today.

Snow Day Superstitions!

Evidently, in what was news to me, children all over the mid-west are participating in rituals to help conjure up days off school.

Are you in need of a snow day?  Read my article on daytonlocal.com for all the steps to make your next snow day a reality!

Oh, and this works best when there is a strong chance of snow in the forecast....

Read more in the link below, and good luck!

http://www.daytonlocal.com/blog/family/snow-day-superstitions.asp

School Closure!

Well, the teenage human isn't the only one who got a snow day and day off school.  Linda and Tru's obedience class was canceled tonight as well.  Like typical children, they're okay with this.  They'll take playing in the snow over learning any ol' day!