I am a pretty determined person. I'm by no means an expert on all topics, but I can at least be competent at a task if I put my mind to it. This is a skill I've worked very hard on throughout my life and thus it can be exceptionally frustrating when it just doesn't click for a certain topic.
For example, I am quite possibly the world's WORST cook. But this hasn't really bubbled to extreme frustration because I must admit that I have never really, TRULY put my mind to this one. I don't really enjoy cooking...I know many find it relaxing, but I am not one of them. For me, it is really quite simple. When I am hungry, I like to eat. As in, NOW. I don't like to chop, mix, boil, broil, bake, grill, toss, slice, grate, you get the picture. I'm not the most patient of people (would you have EVER known that if I hadn't told you?) and when food is involved, my patience level goes much lower. I'm thinking a lot about cooking lately though and I might just give it another chance...maybe. But that is for a later post.
For today, back to the subject at hand. Namely, taks that for whatever reason, allude me.
By far, the most frustrating to date is a simple little thing we all know as potty training. I know, I know - many of you have actual human children and I'm sure can put my frustration in this area to shame, but this is about me (isn't it always? j/k!) and I came to this party to VENT.
Cooper is stubborn. I mean REALLY stubborn. But also terribly cute which is a dangerous combination. Picture it: he shreds an entire roll of paper towels and then shreds the roll itself. Our upstairs looks like the aftermath of a hurricane...but when I go to scold him for this very naughty offense, he crouches down, wiggles his tail furiously, looks at me with those eyes that turn everything to mush, and does his little growl/bark ewok combination which translates to "yay, isn't this so much fun?? let's play NOW!" My "NO, BAD BOY" isn't nearly as effective when delivered through laughter and followed immediately by a play session. But that is paper. I can pick it up, vacuum and everything is good as new.
His other naughty offense is not so easily corrected. This is no secret to anyone who knows us, but he is horrible with the potty thing. He happily makes his toilet wherever he pleases. Coffe table leg? Absolutely! Dining room rug? You bet. On top of the couch? Why not, doesn't everyone go there??
You know the only more annoying way to be awakened from a lovely sleep than a shrill, shrieking alarm clock? You'd hear this from your hubby: "ugh, is that crap or vomit??" OR you would just stick your foot or leg right in a pile of something terribly pleasant. That's right folks, Cooper hurled all over our bed this morning. Now, we're not angry at him when he's sick (that's different than the poo), but still...c'mon!! What's wrong with the floor? Or over the side? Or anywhere other than the beautiful Restoration Hardware comforter that you've already christened with pee several times before? I mean, how much is that thing gonna take before we just can't salvage it anymore??
I have read books, researched online, talked to animal behaviorists and trainers and groomers and experts...we've tried it all. Nothing doing. It's Cooper's world, we just live here.
He better be glad he's cute.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
It's a ZEN Thing
So I think the universe might be conspiring to make me examine (re-examine?) my spiritual side. Before you go screaming from the room, knocking your computer off in your haste to escape, this is NOT a preachy post or even a religious post. Just a rumination on some thoughts occupying a pretty significant space in my mind these days...
It all started a couple of weeks ago when my Mom came to Chicago for a fun girls weekend (the hubby was out of town for work). At her request, we went to church (let's just say I hadn't been in, um, awhile prior to that) and although I was kind of expecting the priest to be kind of lame and preachy (and maybe even a little boring), he wasn't. He turned out to be pretty cool and had this great sermon about choice and life path and something about weeds versus wheat (sorry Mom, I'm not good with the biblical references). Anywho, I really related and just kind of got what he was saying. So I started thinking about maybe returning to more of a normal schedule as it relates to the practice of faith...
And then last week, I finally picked up the copy of Eat, Pray, Love that I bought months ago but keep putting off because there is some other book I need to read first. I know I'm way behind the times on this one and everyone else who doesn't live under a rock has already read it, but I just started and I'm digging it so far. I happen to be smack in the middle of her journey in India which of course focuses on Enlightenment and seeking your spiritual self and a good relationship with your God (whomever he or she may be)...and in particular, she talks alot about meditation (I don't get it - no clue how in the hell I'd ever quiet my mind), chanting (don't get it and don't want to get it - I just sort of find it odd) and yoga (have always had a yoga-crush from afar and really want to get it).
Now I must confess that I've always sort of thought of yoga in the context of physical fitness. Sure, I know it is supposed to be relaxing, a great stress reliever and really very "zen," but seriously...the biggest benefit I've ever thought it would give me was a longer, leaner, more flexible shape kinda like Jennifer Aniston (stop laughing). But, as it turns out, Yoga is deeply rooted in all things spiritual.
Fast forward to this weekend and the very first attempt for Hubby and me to do Yoga at our gym. Now, he is very athletic and I am nothing if not prepared, so we rushed to Sports Authority and bought Yoga mats (a word of advice...spring for the more expensive versions at lululemon or some other yoga smart place cuz it turns out you actually NEED that tread they talk so much about)and then rushed home and looked up yoga poses online so we could practice. He ran through them with me, I ran through them with him, and then tada, we were totally ready for our class.
Yoga is HARD. I mean really hard. There I was all twisted like a pretzel with the world's nicest yoga teacher (didn't make fun of me at all - just came over and adjusted my placement on the mat so I felt the right way to do things), sweating like no other (it's crazy hot in there)and trying to think of how this could EVER be spiritual?! Well the class was 60 minutes, so after the first 20 or so when I was kina nervous and pretty much obsessively checking out my poses in the mirror to see how dumb I looked, I decided to LISTEN to our teacher (very soothing voice) and really try to connect the movements with my breath. Pretty cool result...I could sink lower into the poses and hold them much more steadily, but most important - I tuned out everyone around me (huge for me) and just paid attention to my own experience. At the end, I really did feel this odd sense of calm, like "I'm ready to start the week - bring it on."
This morning, I felt really sore and like I need 30 more minutes of sleep, but whatever...for that brief moment, I really did feel...connected.
To bring this full circle before your heads explode, now I'm thinking you can be spiritual in many more places than church and that, for me, it is more about exploring connectedness than anything else. And I find it pretty cool, that even for a brief time in the middle of a room crammed with sweaty people, I could be quiet enough to connect mind and breath with movement - really weird how much my brain needed that little break.
So next Sunday you know where to find me - in the back of the sweaty yoga room getting connected and feeling zen - on my new lululemon mat with great TREAD. Namaste ya'll!
It all started a couple of weeks ago when my Mom came to Chicago for a fun girls weekend (the hubby was out of town for work). At her request, we went to church (let's just say I hadn't been in, um, awhile prior to that) and although I was kind of expecting the priest to be kind of lame and preachy (and maybe even a little boring), he wasn't. He turned out to be pretty cool and had this great sermon about choice and life path and something about weeds versus wheat (sorry Mom, I'm not good with the biblical references). Anywho, I really related and just kind of got what he was saying. So I started thinking about maybe returning to more of a normal schedule as it relates to the practice of faith...
And then last week, I finally picked up the copy of Eat, Pray, Love that I bought months ago but keep putting off because there is some other book I need to read first. I know I'm way behind the times on this one and everyone else who doesn't live under a rock has already read it, but I just started and I'm digging it so far. I happen to be smack in the middle of her journey in India which of course focuses on Enlightenment and seeking your spiritual self and a good relationship with your God (whomever he or she may be)...and in particular, she talks alot about meditation (I don't get it - no clue how in the hell I'd ever quiet my mind), chanting (don't get it and don't want to get it - I just sort of find it odd) and yoga (have always had a yoga-crush from afar and really want to get it).
Now I must confess that I've always sort of thought of yoga in the context of physical fitness. Sure, I know it is supposed to be relaxing, a great stress reliever and really very "zen," but seriously...the biggest benefit I've ever thought it would give me was a longer, leaner, more flexible shape kinda like Jennifer Aniston (stop laughing). But, as it turns out, Yoga is deeply rooted in all things spiritual.
Fast forward to this weekend and the very first attempt for Hubby and me to do Yoga at our gym. Now, he is very athletic and I am nothing if not prepared, so we rushed to Sports Authority and bought Yoga mats (a word of advice...spring for the more expensive versions at lululemon or some other yoga smart place cuz it turns out you actually NEED that tread they talk so much about)and then rushed home and looked up yoga poses online so we could practice. He ran through them with me, I ran through them with him, and then tada, we were totally ready for our class.
Yoga is HARD. I mean really hard. There I was all twisted like a pretzel with the world's nicest yoga teacher (didn't make fun of me at all - just came over and adjusted my placement on the mat so I felt the right way to do things), sweating like no other (it's crazy hot in there)and trying to think of how this could EVER be spiritual?! Well the class was 60 minutes, so after the first 20 or so when I was kina nervous and pretty much obsessively checking out my poses in the mirror to see how dumb I looked, I decided to LISTEN to our teacher (very soothing voice) and really try to connect the movements with my breath. Pretty cool result...I could sink lower into the poses and hold them much more steadily, but most important - I tuned out everyone around me (huge for me) and just paid attention to my own experience. At the end, I really did feel this odd sense of calm, like "I'm ready to start the week - bring it on."
This morning, I felt really sore and like I need 30 more minutes of sleep, but whatever...for that brief moment, I really did feel...connected.
To bring this full circle before your heads explode, now I'm thinking you can be spiritual in many more places than church and that, for me, it is more about exploring connectedness than anything else. And I find it pretty cool, that even for a brief time in the middle of a room crammed with sweaty people, I could be quiet enough to connect mind and breath with movement - really weird how much my brain needed that little break.
So next Sunday you know where to find me - in the back of the sweaty yoga room getting connected and feeling zen - on my new lululemon mat with great TREAD. Namaste ya'll!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Ant farm anyone?
Ok, so I know that ant farms are pretty much a staple item in the childhoods of many...I personally never got into them being a pretty strong NON-FAN of bugs in general, but my brother liked them and I knew they were pretty popular.
Anyway, get to the point you're probably thinking - and so I shall. Would you like to know a really NOT fun way to begin your morning? A morning that is already starting even earlier than your typical mornings (which by the way, are still early) and that leads into a day full of work meetings with clients in the office, etc... Just add in the joyous situation of your 4.5 lb Yorkie having an up close and personal moment with an ant farm on his morning potty session that leaves him COVERED in the nasty little creatures. A couple more observations really set the stage here... 1) you are already dressed for work, but are soon to be covered in water, doggie debree, and of course your own fair share of ants and 2) the Yorkie in question has a general aversion to any type of bathing, combing, or messing with his face, head and feet in any manner. Fast forward to two adults wrestling with one yelping (really more like screaming I sware) pup battling furiously to rid him of the ants you fear might be eating his flesh even as you speak (type?). There was a semi-bath/dunking session in the sink, a prolonged and dramatic combing session oh and did I mention the other Yorkie that was totally freaked out by the commotion and doing his own fair share of barking, jumping and running around? And I don't even want to get into what the neighbors must be thinking after the sounds coming from our house...
Yep - a great start to any day folks. Happy Thursday to you - here's hoping your day is productive and ant-free.
PS - thank God for dog walkers who will continue the search, and if necessary, the battle against the ants a little later today. Watch for a future post on whether the dog or the ants ultimately win this war.
Anyway, get to the point you're probably thinking - and so I shall. Would you like to know a really NOT fun way to begin your morning? A morning that is already starting even earlier than your typical mornings (which by the way, are still early) and that leads into a day full of work meetings with clients in the office, etc... Just add in the joyous situation of your 4.5 lb Yorkie having an up close and personal moment with an ant farm on his morning potty session that leaves him COVERED in the nasty little creatures. A couple more observations really set the stage here... 1) you are already dressed for work, but are soon to be covered in water, doggie debree, and of course your own fair share of ants and 2) the Yorkie in question has a general aversion to any type of bathing, combing, or messing with his face, head and feet in any manner. Fast forward to two adults wrestling with one yelping (really more like screaming I sware) pup battling furiously to rid him of the ants you fear might be eating his flesh even as you speak (type?). There was a semi-bath/dunking session in the sink, a prolonged and dramatic combing session oh and did I mention the other Yorkie that was totally freaked out by the commotion and doing his own fair share of barking, jumping and running around? And I don't even want to get into what the neighbors must be thinking after the sounds coming from our house...
Yep - a great start to any day folks. Happy Thursday to you - here's hoping your day is productive and ant-free.
PS - thank God for dog walkers who will continue the search, and if necessary, the battle against the ants a little later today. Watch for a future post on whether the dog or the ants ultimately win this war.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Dog Days of Summer
Ok, I had hoped to post this on Sunday, but what can I say - time got away from me. This past Sunday was quite possibly the most picture perfect day I've seen in years - definitely the best Chicago day I've experienced weather-wise. We have learned by now that a great day in the Windy City is not to be wasted...so we hopped out of bed early and headed for the park. This time though, we decided to venture a little further than we typically do and we went to Montrose Harbor. There we discovered a HUGE dog beach. Now, as most of you know, I'm pretty skeptical on the whole dog park scene here in Chicago because they don't separate the big guys from the little ones, and my munchkins can easily be swallowed by a German Shephard or Doberman who mistakes them for a squirrel. :)
In any case, we tredged on and decided to give it a try. Jack went INTO THE WATER. This is huge. Bigger than huge really. BJ waded out just a bit into the lake to see what they'd do. Cooper had a blast running away from the tide, but Jack followed Beeg right in! We didn't know what to do we were so excited. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera and thus don't have a pic to share, but we'll bring it along next time and show you beach life Yorkie style. Now if only we hadn't had that teeth bearing scuffle with the large dog (a lab mix I think)who really wanted to join in the fun of Jack chasing his very favorite ball...it is orange and it squeaks and to Jack, the sun and moon revolve around it. You just don't mess with that thing. Period. :)
We've decided we need to borrow Lucy from BJ's Mom for a weekend so I can experience the dog beach without holding my breath and fighting anxiety attacks the entire time.
Also did a long bike ride - minus the dogs (they hate the bike crate thing-y, I tried)- which I loved. Got this fabulous gel cover for my seat which gives me a little extra cushion. Next up - a helmet - I know Dad, my priorities are clearly out of whack here. I've decided I might get serious about this biking thing...until of course the next hobby comes along and snags my attention...can you do a triathalon without the running or swimming? Just asking!
In any case, we tredged on and decided to give it a try. Jack went INTO THE WATER. This is huge. Bigger than huge really. BJ waded out just a bit into the lake to see what they'd do. Cooper had a blast running away from the tide, but Jack followed Beeg right in! We didn't know what to do we were so excited. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera and thus don't have a pic to share, but we'll bring it along next time and show you beach life Yorkie style. Now if only we hadn't had that teeth bearing scuffle with the large dog (a lab mix I think)who really wanted to join in the fun of Jack chasing his very favorite ball...it is orange and it squeaks and to Jack, the sun and moon revolve around it. You just don't mess with that thing. Period. :)
We've decided we need to borrow Lucy from BJ's Mom for a weekend so I can experience the dog beach without holding my breath and fighting anxiety attacks the entire time.
Also did a long bike ride - minus the dogs (they hate the bike crate thing-y, I tried)- which I loved. Got this fabulous gel cover for my seat which gives me a little extra cushion. Next up - a helmet - I know Dad, my priorities are clearly out of whack here. I've decided I might get serious about this biking thing...until of course the next hobby comes along and snags my attention...can you do a triathalon without the running or swimming? Just asking!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Happy Birthday Jack!
Our oldest fur-baby Jack turned 3 today! It is impossible to believe three years have already passed with him. It seems like yesterday when we first met him - all 2 pounds of him at 10 weeks of age. He melted our hearts immediately and has continued to drown us with joy every day since.
His sweet face (and Cooper's too of course) greets us everytime we come in the door and I'm always sure noone on Earth is as happy to see me as they are.
We had our little family bash this evening and the boys enjoyed themselves immensely. There was yummy dinner followed by singing and a delicious birthday cookie courtesy of our local Dog-a-holics bakery. We sported birthday attire too - naturally. And as I type this, both boys are making great use of the new birthday "loot."
Happy birthday sweet boy - we adore you!!
Happy 4th!
Ah, how I love the lake. We had a glorious holiday weekend relaxing, sunbathing, playing in the water and enjoying great Q-time with family. It was terrific to catch up with the nieces and nephews - they've grown so much and they play so well together now. We had a blast just watching them swim and roast hot dogs and marshmallows over Grammy's fire pit. I had so much fun watching them in fact that I pretty much forgot about my camera altogether until our very last day! So you'll have to use your imagination to get the gist of our weekend...kids learned to go tubing, adults tried it too (who knew how hard it was to pull yourself out of the water onto a huge tube in the middle of a lake??), I rediscovered the devine joy of s'mores and of course...got in some great reading.
Caught a great fireworks display too - several actually. One we traveled to specifically and others we just enjoyed over the lake...I'm sporting my usual variety of bug bites, but not as bad this year thanks to my nightly bath (pretty much) in OFF. Why do they love me so?! :)
Got in at least one run, although fell short of my goal to go around the lake once every day. Next time!
And of course, we enjoyed every second of fun with our fur-kids. They didn't conquer the water, but they are officially "dock dogs" and loved standing at the end keeping watch on the passing boats, napping under our chairs when they wanted a little shade and just having a great time in general keeping everyone company.
We hope your 4th was just as wonderful.
PS - Simon, Jack sends apologetic woofs for all that barking and "dominant posturing." He's really a sweetie at heart. :)
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Happy 4th!!
Well, it is that time of year again...burgers on the grill (veggie of course), fireworks galore, watermelon tastes even yummier for some reason and lake season is in full effect!
We are heading to Lake Gage again shortly - this time to join the entire extended family which includes 6 kids and 7 dogs to say nothing of the adults that will need to fit in the house too! All in great fun though - a nice reminder of what a blessing it is to be part of such a large, spirited loving group.
Will this be the year for Cooper to enjoy the doggie life jacket and embrace swimming? Will Jack conquer his fear of the water?? Stranger things have happened - after all, he did venture onto the dock Memorial Day weekend and THAT was definitely progress. Either way, they'll have a great weekend and we hope you all do too! If you're celebrating with your fur babies - and I hope you are because there is no better way to spend any holiday or weekend - don't forget that fireworks are sometimes scary and can prompt darting out of open doors or other potentially dangerous behaviors.
I'll post again soon and will share pics from the weekend adventures, but until then...may your days be long and sunny and your watermelon supply plentiful. :)
Happy 4th all!
We are heading to Lake Gage again shortly - this time to join the entire extended family which includes 6 kids and 7 dogs to say nothing of the adults that will need to fit in the house too! All in great fun though - a nice reminder of what a blessing it is to be part of such a large, spirited loving group.
Will this be the year for Cooper to enjoy the doggie life jacket and embrace swimming? Will Jack conquer his fear of the water?? Stranger things have happened - after all, he did venture onto the dock Memorial Day weekend and THAT was definitely progress. Either way, they'll have a great weekend and we hope you all do too! If you're celebrating with your fur babies - and I hope you are because there is no better way to spend any holiday or weekend - don't forget that fireworks are sometimes scary and can prompt darting out of open doors or other potentially dangerous behaviors.
I'll post again soon and will share pics from the weekend adventures, but until then...may your days be long and sunny and your watermelon supply plentiful. :)
Happy 4th all!
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