Stunt Double

Hhhmmm. Seems the only thing Mya's missing is a hood and
walking stick.

12.5 inches of Snow

Today we woke up to the most snow I've seen in one snowfall since 1996. The State Police
wanted people to stay off the roads so I obliged and stayed home from work. I have to admit, since next Wednesday is my last day, I'm not exactly breaking my back in the work department.
I did some things around the house, dusting and whatnot. Then I grabbed my camera and took the dogs outside in the backyard.

Mya stayed on the deck and was having none of it.

Farley on the other hand, dove in head first.

As a Lab, he seems to enjoy all forms of water including

fresh snowfall.

Mya saw Farley having all the fun and decided to get her

fanny off the deck and jump in!

Here she is digging a hole trying to find the snowball I threw.

I'm telling you, Farley is a madman in the snow!

He got so excited bounding around that he miscalculated and mushed

Mya down into the snow. Then it was time to go in because Mya had her

feelings hurt.

I'm going to do some editing to get rid of the "blue" cast in the pics, but I wanted to get them

posted quickly so y'all could see what we've been doing today in Indiana! 8 weeks until spring!

Something different.

An old country church that I am facinated with.
The willow tree in my backyard.

A late summer morning at sunrise. Foggy field with ghost tree.

I did it!

I did it. It took all day for me to put on my big girl panties and say what I wanted to say. But in the end, I did it.
I quit my job. Yes, I turned in my two weeks notice today at 5pm. I went out this morning and made sales calls all day as if it were any other day then I came home and called my manager (he lives in Kentucky) and told him I was leaving. He said,"Damn, I hate to lose you, your such a good rep." Which was a nice compliment and the same sort of feedack and reassurance my self image is going to miss.
I really struggled to make this decision. Most people would be thrilled if they had an opportunity to quit their job to pursue things that matter to them. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited. Just sort of a tenuous, nervous excited.
See, I've worked my whole life. I started babysitting when I was 12, began waitressing at 16 and worked a few different jobs thru college. Then I graduated and began working to actually support myself completely on my own, changing jobs a few times to increase my wage. I got married (the first time) and was the breadwinner in that situation. Then I got divorced and had to go out and find my own place again and change jobs to increase my salary. The focus was always money. With each new position I made more money so I could provide for myself. My parents raised me to be self-reliant. I recall my womanizing father training me up to "never put yourself in a position where you're depending on a man." And I never did. I worked hard, moving up the salary scale. I always had a nice apartment, a nice car, boarded my horse, had nice clothes, went out for dinner and drinks with friends. I did pretty well for myself.
For awhile now though my thoughts wander to those talents and interests I had when I was younger. I was always into photography, creative writing, acting, art. The original liberal arts girl. I always wondered if I could earn a living doing something I enjoy. I've never had the chance to pursue any of those dreams because I was always the main source of income and money came first.
Until now. My husband, Boo, told me if I wanted to chase some of those dreams that I should because if I don't, then I may regret when I'm an old woman. He said, we are in a position right now that it would be fine if you want to try some of those ideas.
I have about four and a half months before our baby arrives. I will never have this time to myself again. I feel that I have worked hard for a long time and I'm about to work even harder when the bundle arrives. I should take advantage of this time to chase a dream or two. Boo is behind me all the way, and I trust him. This is a new and wonderful feeling in my life.
I have an underlying fear that I will somehow screw this up and botch the whole thing. I'm worried I will produce nothing from my efforts. It's a little intimidating to be faced with the task of facing your dreams. I don't have a plan yet. But here goes.

Am I really doing this?

I'm freaking out a little bit this morning. If I were a nail-biter, I'd have nubs.
There are nervous/excited butterflys in my belly. I'm on the verge of something that makes me want to A. Make a joyful noise and run out of the house chasing dreams and/or B. Vomit and crawl under the covers.
Pray for me. I'll be back this afternoon to clue you in.

Not so easy morning.

I have not even had a cup of decaf yet. I like quiet weekend mornings. Slide out of bed before Boo and sneak out into the kitchen to make some coffee or cup of tea. Sit quietly on the couch or at the dining room table enjoying the solitude of the morning hours. Maybe read a book, catch up on blogs or simply gaze out the window.
My two dogs usually curled up at my feet.
Not this morning. The little dog woke me up whining to go outside and I couldn't drag myself out of bed just yet. Finally my own bladder couldn't wait any longer. Then I let the dogs out to handle business and because our yard isn't fenced and we live in the city, I have to stand at the back door and monitor them. Farley won't leave the yard unless there's a rabbit but Mya will wander off just to spite me. There's snow on the ground and temps are near zero. Farley wasted no time and wanted back in. Mya peed, chased some birds, peed again, scavenged for sunflower seeds under the bird feeder, barked at the neighorhood in general, circled, circled, pooped, swiped her paws in the snow while barking her warning to invisible dogs. This is my cue to call her in. "Mya, c'mon let's go!" My bathrobe wrapped around me as the wind whips at my ankles. She ignored me. She went back to the bird feeder. Then her paws got cold and she sat in the snow looking back at me. So I called her again and she thankfully ran inside.
Ready to begin my solidude I cozied up on the couch to read blogs. Boo was still in bed. Both dogs began sounding the alarm! Somebody was in front of our house. Farleys deep throaty bark and Myas higher pitched, incessent, wide-eyed warning. Then I heard the storm door creak open and barking grew in intensity. The doorbell clanged, adding to the boisterous Saturday morning symphony. I admit, it always unsettles me a bit when the doorbell rings and I'm not expecting anyone. By now the dogs are dancing and pacing in the foyer continuing their din. Meanwhile Boo is still in bed.
I cautiously approach the foyer and peek out the window. *sigh* Relieved, I discover it's just the Fedex guy. I opened the door to find a large envelope stuck between the doors. It's from work. I am trying to enjoy my Saturday morning and they found me. The envelope was marked "Saturday Priority." Whose priority is what I want to know. Certainly not mine.
After the world started spinning a little slower, Boo emerged from the bedroom. How could he sleep thru all that? I'll try again tomorrow for a quiet morning.
P.S. Did anyody else notice during the Hudson River plane crash one of the ferrys that assisted said "Sightseeing tours" across the side? I thought that was kind of funny and ironic. What a sight to see.

hodge podge

I wore my first pair of maternity pants today. The only dress pants I have that still fit me are black. I wear them constantly. Over the weekend a friend dropped off a bunch of maternity clothes for me to go thru. I was afraid there would be a sack of disney characters and matronly floral numbers. To my astonishment the sacks
were loaded with nice, modern assortments of cute jeans, khaki's,capri's along with billowy peasant tops and dress shirts. She also threw in a "wet wipe warmer"..say that ten times fast. I wasn't even sure what that was for until she explained that warm wet wipes are supposed to keep little boys from peeing on you. Two important points to note, #1. I don't know the gender of our baby yet. #2. She has a little boy and is giving me the thing because it didn't work. So, maybe my bundle will just have the luxury of a warm wipe whether it serves any other purpose or not.
Anyway, I was so excited this morning because I didn't have to wear black pants. I pulled out a pair of pinstriped dress pants and paired them with a chocolate turtleneck and long sweater coat. I've been looking pretty goth for the past several weeks wearing my only black pants all the time. And I'm too lazy to wear my contacts so I wear my black frames all the time...I do look pretty artsy...but it was nice to have a break from black.
In other news...I have a new manager at work. She rode with me on sales calls the other day and called me "Girlybop" all day. She also smiled and confided that she was a "cool manager" and I could "be real with her." Red flags. Nothing but red flags to me. To me that says," I will use anything you say against you if I have to and I am trying to make you think I'm your friend." She also thought I was 25. Ha ha! She about fell out of my car when I told her I was 33...but continued to call me girlybop anyway. Then she called me Friday evening at 6:30 to rehash our lunch at a doctors office and she wanted to hear about the rest of my day. I was trying to go to dinner with my sister-in-law and never would have answered the phone if I'd known it was her. Oh, apparently I haven't checked my voicemail since Thrusday afternoon so I checked it this morning (monday) and had 30 new messages from her. Not. Even. Kidding. In the great words of the Beatles, Help!
*intermission while I take long, cleansing breaths*
My living room carpet looks as if the area rug pooped on it. There are small balls of reddish brown fiber tumbleweeds defecting across my beige carpet. Boo has not vacuumed in about a week and that is his job. There are shoes and books cluttering the rest of the living room...it's kind of starting to feel like an armpit in here.
I'm trying to keep my head above water in the house cleaning department right now. Tell me I'm not alone. If you are a domestic diva, shut up. I don't want to hear about your dusting dynamics and toilet cleaning magic. What's that? You say you fold your laundry immediately after it comes out of the dryer...I don't believe you. And I certainly don't want to hear about your lemony freshness. So, there.

Happy New Year!

I tried to think of a more original title but...well, there you go. It is New Years Day 2009. In fact January 2nd is only a few hours away now. It's been a busy couple of days for me. Yesterday was my 33rd *gasp* birthday. Yep, New Years Eve is my birthday and everyone usually forgets it because of the New Year, and I've made peace with that. Actually, this year I was s-p-o-i-l-e-d for my birthday. Exceedingly spoiled. I woke up to a "Happy birthday" text message..stumbled into the bathroom and began finding little birthday love notes from Boo. My stepdad called me before 8am to give me well wishes. I had already recieved a nice gift from one of my best friends. At noon my Boo sent me to a fancy spa for a massage and pedicure! I was beyond relaxed so I oozed home and curled up on the couch for a snooze with my dogs. Boo arrived home just in time to leave for the dinner reservations he had made for us. We had a lovely dinner at Sullivan's Steakhouse. They had a New Year's Eve package special so I had a lump crabcake appetizer, mixed greens salad, an 8 ounce filet served "Oscar style" which meant that it had lump crab meat, asparagus and a bernaise sauce over the top of it. The was served with a heavenly side of light whipped horseradish mashed potatoes. For dessert I had chocolate mousse topped with strawberries and blueberries. It was a very nice dinner. Thanks Boo!
When we got back home my mom and stepdad came over to bring in the New Year. We had some snacks...okay, they had some snacks..Boo and I were stuffed. Stepdad fell asleep at 11:30pm so my mom pushed him into the guest bedroom where his snoring raised the roof. Boo, mom and I stayed up chatting until 1am.
This morning stepdad made biscuits and gravy then I napped all afternoon.
2009 is already showing lots of promise. Some you smarties have already deduced the big announcement based on a few hints I've thrown out. Indeed, Boo and I are expecting our first child this year. I am thirteen weeks pregnant so we're looking forward to welcoming the little bundle in the sweltering middle of July.
There is more to announce but probably not for another three weeks..stay tuned for that business. I'll keep you posted on the pregnancy but it won't be a day to day digest type of thing...truthfully, I don't know much about babies other than I figured I'd have one or two eventually. It's been a hormonal, emotional saga so far. I was married once before and experienced a miscarriage during that time so when I found out I was pregnant this time all those thoughts and worries came flooding back. I've been a nervous hen for the past couple months. I'm starting to relax a little bit now though, however, the idea of caring for an actual little tiny human still freaks me out sometimes. Whew.
My hopes for 2009 are tall. I wish good jobs for my family members and I wish for Boo's continued success at his company. I wish good health to friends and family. I am thankful for everyone in my life because they've been placed there for a reason. I am thankful for my home and my critters and my reliable car. I am thankful for my wonderful husband. I am thankful for my good health, and this little life growing within me. I am thankful for the food on my table and the hope of a new President. 2009, we're all counting on you.