Puppy playdate

It's amazing when you get a puppy how many people you either know or meet that also have a puppy. A friend and her sister from work has a Great Dane puppy named Lewis and for months, we've been saying we should get together for a puppy playdate. Well, after running into each other on a late Sunday night walk in the cold, we decided to really go through with it.

Meet Lewis. 

A 110+ lbs. long, skinny puppy who sure showed Blu who was boss. And made her look like a little puppy again. Blu wasn't sure what had hit her after Lewis knocked her to the ground and pawed at her a few times. But she kept going back for more. It was pretty funny to watch Lewis tease and torment her... and great exercise for both of them! When she'd had enough of him, she'd run in between my legs or over to my friends. Of course she knew they'd brought treats, good, expensive treats too. What a mooch!

It was great socialization for Blu and Lewis but man, do I need to figure out a few things. Like STAY! Blu doesn't get it... at least the kids did this time though.

Also, getting Blu to stop jumping up at people when she's super excited. She seems to only do this to adults now and it's just recently, since she's been getting her adult teeth in. And she still pulls horribly on the leash in situations with lots of distractions. So frustrating and a little embarrassing since Lewis is much more obedient. Of course he is older than Blu and has a shock collar that works wonders in getting his attention when there are distractions. On the positive, Blu is so friendly and lovable with other people and my kids. And she comes fairly well when I call her... of course I still don't trust her though. Advice from any dog whisperers out there?

The kids came with me and had a ridiculous amount of fun racing up and down the soccer field. For more than an hour! I think the kids ran more than the dogs! I couldn't turn my back for 10 seconds without one of them shouting at me, "Mom! On your mark, get set, go! Mom!" It was so fun watching them race each other. Afterwards, Pearl told me, "Mom, I exercised so much. My muscles are going to be so big they are going to pop out of my legs and arms!"

But the best part about our puppy playdate? All the kids (even the four-legged ones) slept like a rock that night.

Thanksgiving meltdown

I may or may not have had a slight meltdown with my self-imposed assignment to bring 4 dozen rolls and three apple pies to Thanksgiving dinner. That's 5 lbs. of chopping, peeling, and mixing apples and a double batch of pie crust, three times over.

In the thick of my baking frenzy I didn't realize how crazy I'd become. Jeff had to look me square in the eyes and tell me to CALM DOWN! Apparently I was a tad impatient with my family and had some crazed hair-on-fire look in my eyes and veins popping out from my heart and mind racing uncontrollably as I calculated an estimated bedtime if all went according to plan. Late.

I may or may not have forgotten the Cool whip after said meltdown.

I may or may not have also forgotten the pecan pie (Jeff insisted I NOT make another pie, but just buy a frozen pecan pie) from my frantic flour-crazed baking frenzy followed by packing crap for four people and a dog for a two Thanksgiving dinners and a football and basketball game weekend away. Of course it didn't help my blood pressure that we were running WAY behind leaving for Logan, the kids were screaming disobedient monsters, someone peed their pants, I forgot to wash Jeff's pants (the only thing he requested I wash for the weekend), my pants weren't totally dry when I had to get dressed, and I had no idea how we were going to get delicate pies and rolls to Grandma's house. I kept thinking the turkey meat better calm me down into a stupor because I'm on the verge of taking myself to the nut house!!!!!

And I may or may not have called my little brother in a panic, sending him to the depths of Hell (aka Walmart) to battle the crowds for Cool whip and a new pecan pie. I still owe him $20.

But the finished products from my meltdown(s) sure impressed my Dad. And in-laws. And 27 of my Allen relatives... well, the ones who made the smart decision to try a slice of my apple pie.

Remind me next year to either start making pies sooner and freeze them or to volunteer to bring the veggie tray.

My cousin Chandi makes a mean roll herself. Thanks Chandi for saving me from another meltdown.

Can you imagine what meltdowns might occur when it's my turn to host Thanksgiving dinner? I have no clue how my Grandmas or Aunts or Mom do this.

The other tree

Alright. 

I know Thanksgiving is long past and most people have one of these kind of trees up in their house

but I had to post a picture of our Thanksgiving Blessing Tree (early in the month... forgot to take a picture of the finished tree) before I get completely sucked into the Christmas craziness.

We started out about 12 days late and then had a frantic finish by my lonesome self one night because we hadn't written anything down in days. Next year, maybe life won't feel so chaotic and we'll find 15 seconds every night to actually think of our daily blessings. 

The things we were thankful for this year included:  

Grandpa and Grandma
Recess at school
Pockets on our pants
Daycare
Merlin Olsen Field @ Romney Stadium
Blu
Good jobs
Cousins
When the laundry is done
For Jeff when he drives us home late at night
Macaroni & Cheese
New shoes
Chapter books
Playing in the snow
Strong and healthy bodies
Church
Opportunity to get an education
Timeouts
Our Best Bites cookbooks
Warm Halloween
Toys
Sports
The chance to vote
The Scotsman
Our house
New snow boots and snow pants
Warm soup on a cold day
Temples
David and Vickie
The pies are finally done!
Family (added by my sister)
Veterans
Nice weather
Going on walks with Blu
Warm dinner
Bear Lake
Library
Ability to read
Laptop so I can blog
4 wheeler rides
Art stuff
Our own rooms
Snow blowers
Aunts and uncles
Kids who make me laugh, cry, and love