Doodles, Dogs and Bees

One Year Ago Today

I wonder if we might still have outdoor lights this year?  Honey?

Don't the boys look happy in this shot?  Especially looking at Scotty's  smile because I continue to be stumped about some behavior issues that have popped up since I went back to work.  Today was a paticularly bad day and I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

Went to a workshop for my job tonight that focused on why preschool-age children are the way they are.  That level of development goes from age 2 1/2- 7!  How can you compare a 2 1/2 year old with a 7 year old????

After working at the preschool for a few weeks now, I was beginning to think that I wasn't expecting nearly enough of Scotty (or both boys).  After this workshop, I'm beginning to think that I might be expecting too much...  I'm really stumped.

I'm Psychotic.

I'll admit it.  My husband will tell you.  I'm psychotic about my weight.  I've been fat, I've been skinny and every degree in between.  I was a chubby little girl and endured all the abuse that school children dish out, which I believe with all my heart, scarred me for life.  How else can you explain a woman who weighs 110 lbs at 5'7" tall, thinking she's fat.  (that's where I was in my 20s and early 30s lots of times.)

So, I've been obsessively pissed off and discouraged for weeks now because last check-up with the skinny doctor, way back in October, I gained 3 lbs.  And I had talked myself into the possibility that the lap-band was done and maybe the weight loss was over...  I thought I was gaining weight.  My next appointment with the doctor isn't until December 28th and I felt like my brain would explode before then, if I didn't find out what was going on with my body.  So I weighed myself. 

The results were so positive, I sat in the bathroom and cried.  I sat on my bathroom floor and cried.  (told you...  psychotic.)  I've lost 78 lbs now.  It's a slow process these days, so slow in fact, that I was able to talk myself into thinking I was gaining weight.  So, down a few more pounds is just perfect with me.  I now have the positive reinforcement I need to move forward with serious effort again.  My honey is going to fix my bike today.  (haven't worked out since we got the new puppy, who on one of her first nights in her new home, chewed through the electrical cord on my stationary bike.)

Also rewarded myself with some new clothes yesterday.  Clothes shopping has become fun again!  Thankfully we live in a town with very little available shopping places...  Got 2 new pairs of jeans in another smaller size.  And 3 new sweaters.  It's such a joy to NOT be hot all the time!  I so much prefer to be chilly and wear a cute sweater! 

Truth be told, I still have 50 lbs to go and it may take a good while.  But I feel GOOD and I even think I might be looking a little..........  cute.

Tina, What Did You Do On Your Snow Day?

 We put a big dent in Bee's Book It stack. 

 We played in the snow!! 

Worked on Bee's Christmas Alligator scarf with my new fuzzy knitting buddy.

She looks really small in this shot.  Don't be fooled!  She's 17 weeks old now and weighs 21 lbs.  That would make her three times as big as the other girl... 

And frankly, no, they don't get along very well.  tootsie pop feels threatened and bites Boo and Boo just loves to fool with tootsie-pop, putting her paw on top of tootsie's head...  If I weren't afraid someone was going to get hurt, it would be funny to watch the two of them "deal" with each other... 

Made pb&j for my boys, who were, yes, still in there pajamas at lunch time.  They're having a relatively perfect day today too! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Got some homemade (and previously hidden in the freezer) cookie dough out and baked cookies for my spoiled rotten boys.

When we took a knitting break, I read some of my current reading obsession...  (ooo, my wedding ring is really pretty in this shot, huh?)

Noticed my little Christmas cactus is about to bloom.  Also wanted to show off the red flowerpot cover that my mother-in-law made for us while she was here last week.  I love it.  Thanks, Sandy!

Now it's 3:20 in the afternoon.  It just started snowing again.  Not really sure, at this point, if we'll even have school tomorrow...  Probably won't know til tomorrow morning.

I'm drinking a hot cup of decaf and I think Boo and I are going to go knit some more.  What a lovely and unexpected gift today has been!  

  

So Cute and Growing Like a Week

Love her more and more everyday...  which is a really fortunate situation, since she potties in our house pretty frequently...

Love Our Tree!

I know, I know, we don't have a tree topper.  I've decided it's too big a pain in the butt to get it up there and I love my tree just the way it is, so screw it!  Yep, screw it.

The tree is in a new spot this year because we have a new, taller tree and it wouldn't fit in the bay window...  We're all good with it though, if it means we have a giant tree!

Didn't get the little tree outside lit up yet, but maybe tomorrow...

Hung out today, drank coffee, and...   SCRAPPED! 

Oh, isn't she the sweetest, little thing?  And she seems to be getting sweeter and more mellow every day!  I just love her.  (giggle, giggle)

 

She's so, so smart.  We see her learning new stuff almost daily.  But we are confused about one really undesirable behavior...  and if you have any advice, please share! 

She's doing great peeing and pooping outside and we give her a little treat and kisses every time.  Then she comes in and pees a little, every few minutes inside!  We're stumped.  She could have just gone out and peed 10 minutes earlier and then come in and pee.  We're wondering if she's doing it for the attention?  She's bored?   Any suggestions? 

Today has been a perfect Sunday.  I didn't knit, but I did a bunch of other stuff at home that I love to do!  And my wonderful mother-in-law is here and everyone's happy and healthy.  It's all good! 

 

Thanksgiving was really nice

We went to my Mom and Dad's house for Thanksgiving this year.

We had a real time getting ready and out the door and ended up being very late, but it was all good anyway.

 

The table was beautiful, the food was delicious, the company was great.  We all had fun.

 

Our friends (might as well be family), Ron and Noreen joined us this year.

The boys were made to try all kinds of new, nasty-tasting foods...  But they lived...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our little Boo and the sweetest dog in the world, Duke, got along really well, playing together and chasing each other and running.  It was fun to watch them having so much fun together.

We had a great time just hanging out and enjoying the day.

This boy had fun at Guh's house.  Then, in the afternoon he accompanied  Daddy to a Broncos football game.

He was dying to get his face painted...  and they did!

Bee and I stayed at Guh's house and doggie sat and hung out.  It was great.

Friday, got up and went to the airport and picked up Grandma, who is currently knitting in the living room.  (I'll harrass her with the camera afterwhile...)

Going to put up the Christmas tree today...  Wish us luck. The whole process usually turns Scott into Scrooge...

   

Settling Back In

I had a really wonderful time in Vail.  Spent lots of time knitting and relaxing in front of the fire.

It was wonderful and at the end of it, I was truly looking forward to getting back to everything my regular life offers:  my home, taking care of my family and my pups, working.  Yes, I  was even looking forward to going back to work.  My little preschoolers didn't let me down today either.  There were lots of big hugs and "Where were you, Miss Tina?" 

Got my third pair of Bella mittens done, on the trip.  I gave them to Mandy yesterday, on the way to see New Moon.  She loved them.  I'm so happy I could make them for her.

 

 

 

 

And got started on Scotty's alligator scarf.  I'm actually a few inches into the body now.  I'm still hopeful that I'll have it done in time for Christmas.  Wish me luck. 

Guh is already done with Will's scarf.  I just love this pattern.  I think our boys are going to love it too!

 

 

One more crafty thing to share:

We went to a paint-your-own-pottery place while we were on vacation.  The lady who owned the shop introduced me to a new painting technique and this Christmas tree plate is the result.  It was so messy and fun.  You mix the paint 50-50 with water and put a drop of dish washing soap in it and then blow bubbles into the mixture until it overflows all over what you're painting.  I loved the look of this as soon as I saw it.  I can't wait to put Christmas cookies on this plate!

Hoping to put up the Christmas tree this Saturday.  (this will be the latest I've put up our tree in years...)  My mother-in-law will be here by then, coming to help out while Scott is recovering from hiatal hernia surgery, which is scheduled for December 1st.  It's going to be a busy December again this year.  (last December I had my hysterectomy...)

It's going to be busy, but we'll find time to fit in all the good stuff. 

Wow!

Been twice.  Gonna go more!

Still on Vacation

We go home tomorrow and I can't wait to pick up my monster puppy, on the way.  And can't wait to smooch on my little pups too, who were left at home with a friend.

This trip has been just what we needed:  renewing, completely renewing.  We've played, we've relaxed, we've enjoyed each other's company.  We've napped and eaten good food and hung out.  It's been awesome!

My Man

He looks peaceful, being the father of five, doesn't he?