Coming Soon!

 

If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you've already seen the news, but we are expecting! I am officially due August 5, so I am about 13 weeks now. I found out just before Thanksgiving (literally that Monday) so I haven't blogged a lot lately because I knew I would spill the beans! Our families are as excited as we are and we feel so blessed that we were finally able to conceive after trying since July 2014 and losing a pregnancy early on last May.

Now, my thyroid does complicate matters. The doctor I mentioned that spotted my levels and ordered me on immediate medication? My midwife! Thankfully she got me on a high dose of Synthroid ASAP. My rheumatologist really dropped the ball by saying my levels were a little wonky but should be ok, just to mention it to my OBGYN when I saw them. I should have started treatment immediately (over a month before I actually did) and I am very annoyed by the way that all went down.

I officially saw an Endocrinologist last week and was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism, which is an autoimmune hypothyroid disorder. We are super concerned on how this could affect the baby and are keeping a close eye on things. My endocrinologist told me with my levels it was a miracle I was able to get pregnant at all, let alone carry as far as I did without treatment. I am convinced we have a little fighter for that and hoping for a healthy baby more than anything else. When we do the anatomy scan we just have to make sure that everything formed properly organ wise and there is a risk of low IQ.... but I am trying super hard not to stress about those possibilities.  That's the main reason I am so angry with my rheumatologist, I could have started treatment when I was six weeks pregnant instead of ten and a half. The baby uses my thyroid for at least the first twenty weeks so let's just hope all will be well. My doctor mentioned he has seen women later in their pregnancies with worse levels than mine have perfectly healthy babies, but he won't put my risk level at 0%... so any prayers, good thoughts, or karma you can spare for our little Bean are most appreciated.

We are still over the moon and I cannot wait to continue on this journey!



Orkin Prize Pack Give Away

The Orkin Scientific Back-to-School PRIZE PACK includes: - Clip-on Fisheye Lens (iPhone, Galaxy, Android compatible) - Orkin On-the-Go Drink Tumbler - Orkin Drawstring Bag - Orkin “Field Notes” Notebook w/ Pen

Do you know your bugs? Living in the south I have been exposed to more spiders, mosquitoes, and other creepy crawlies than I ever experienced north of the Mason Dixon line! I even got my first chigger bites this week, I kid you not. For as many bugs as I see, I usually hear different facts about them too...

“Daddy longlegs are poisonous.”
“Mosquitoes prefer adults over children.”
“Ants can survive underwater.”

You’ve heard the myths about bugs before I am sure, do you know what’s fact and what’s fake?

Take Orkin’s Scientific Fact or Scientific Fake™ Quiz to test your knowledge, and be sure to watch every clip for the scoop on these infamous bug myths.



Orkin uses the latest technology and unparalleled training to develop a treatment that's right for your home and your needs. To learn more about pest control that's based in science or to schedule an inspection, visit orkin.com or call (844) 503-8251.

Orkin Facebook Page: facebook.com/OrkinPestControl
Ask The Orkin Man® Twitter Page: twitter.com/AskTheOrkinMan
Orkin YouTube Channel: youtube.com/user/OrkinVideo


If you want to win the prize pack Rafflecopter will walk you through the process! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway







Each household is only eligible to win One (1) Orkin Fact or Fake School Pack via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

The prize will be sent via FedEx or USPS. No P.O. Boxes please. Please note that the assets included within this message were delivered to the author to promote Orkin LLC. All other opinions are my own as the author of this blog. I will be sent a prize pack for my participation but that does not effect my opinion in any way.

Observations

As many of you know I work at the base library. With my new job at reference I am interacting with hundreds of Marines daily.... literally. Then I go home to my Marine (he's my favorite for sure, I am definitely biased there) and life is good. Being it is a library there is a wide variety of Marines, all ranks and jobs and the like doing everything from printing leave requests to MarineNet classes to research papers. Sometimes I complain about being tied to the desk at the "computer" person (usually the first half or more of my shift) but I do love interacting with the Marines and I do enjoy helping them the rare times they need assistance with research or databases.

Since the sleeves went back to being rolled this year I've also noticed a certain accessory a lot of the Marines seem to be wearing these days...

Picture from this link via the AP

The KIA bracelets.

Maybe with the winter cammies and the sleeves down it never caught my eye as much... but with the rolled sleeves and the summer weather I cannot tell you all how many I see a day.

And to be honest that breaks my heart.

These Marines, easily from 18-50, have seen and done so much these past ten years. So many have lost collegues, friends, and brothers/sisters to the point that I can barely track how many I see each day... and those are only for the ones who wear a bracelet... I know plenty do not.

So although we hear in the media "the war is over" we all know the truth. If you have some extra thoughts to spare send it for these Marines. It is a rainy, cloudy morning here in North Carolina and the three hours I have been on the desk so far I have counted 43 bracelets and it is making me a little sad.

That's all.

Relax With Simple Skin Care

 

If you haven't noticed my poor blog has needed a break lately. It's been a hectic year so far. Ever since we returned from our trip things have been going going going. But it's important to take time for yourself too. When I received a box of goodies from Simple Skin Care to do so I was pretty excited. 

 

I finally have an amazing soft robe like my husband does that I can curl up with in front of the fire. The book of inspirational quotes and the candle gave me a perfect bubble bath one evening and the commissary gift card helped so much when our budget was very tight. 

 

I also love the products! 

 

I have very sensitive skin and the cleansing wipes didn't irritate my skin or make me break out. Neither did the moisturizer. Both were soothing and not heavily scented and felt refreshing. 

Being a military spouse sometimes means you run in circles until you don't know which way is up.

 

With my husband coming home, our reintegration, our trip, the loss of a family member, getting cast in a show with our community theatre, work and just day to day life I feel a little dizzy lately. So the other night when I took my bubble bath and snuggled in my robe it was a small reset button for me. It's important to take time for yourself, even if it's just twenty minutes in the tub. 

 

Don't get overly dizzy my friends!

 

And here is a little something that may help. A $25 commissary gift card provided by simple skin care. Since you can buy Simple Skin Care at the Commissary ;) Rafflecopter will walk you through it all below. You have until March 1 to enter. 

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/30c1268/

 

 

Note: I was given some Simple Skin Care products to review (as well as a robe, candle, quote book and slippers to fully "relax" as well as a commissary gift card) but all opinions expressed here are my own and are not influenced in any way by the receiving of products.

 

Best Part of My Day

Thank you FaceTime and a semi decent wifi connection. 

Thank you

I just want to personally thank all of you for your support the past few days. All of the comments, both here and on facebook, mean the world to myself and my family. The picture has FINALLY been deleted. I know 15,000 people have seen it, 2,000 people have commented and over 7,000 have shared it but at least the original source is gone. The amount of people who showed their support truly overwhelms me. Once I saw it was gone I literally dissolved into tears at work. My coworker and manager were so kind and let me take a moment to collect myself and also showed unending support.

I created a second facebook account and comment on the picture my legal copyright to the photo. I emailed it originally and it was ignored but the comment on the picture itself must have finally reached home. That photo is legally MINE and copyrighted to this blog. Please bloggers, copyright and protect yourselves and your families. I don't have the time to go back and watermark four years of photos on this blog but from here on in I believe I will start to do so.

My husband was also wonderful in all of this. He is active duty and even though I am just his wife he pulled support from so many amazing friends and coworkers that our gratitude cannot even be expressed in words. Thank you Ryan for dealing with me when I was sobbing in the bathroom at 3 in the morning. You are truly a remarkable man.

My grandfather honorably served his country. He has been proudly married for 65 years, has six children, fifteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Being tied to an old, dirty joke is not something he needs to be recognized for. His service, his morals, and the amazing person he is are what should be recognized.

Again, thank you all for your support. It truly means the world to me.



PS - I will catch up in the Doctor Who March Madness link up in the next few days. As much as I love the Doctor this has definitely taken presidence and I will catch up soon.

Wishful Wednesdays

See... this is why I have a prompt! A week of no posts and now I am back!

This week I wish...

Both our families lived closer. I enjoyed visiting the inlaws in SC and I am missing my own parents too!

That groceries were not so pricey. Gah. Same goes for gas.

That tonight at rehearsal everyone is on top of things. It is scary to take four days off with less than two weeks before the show!!!

The show goes well. Crunch time ya'll!

Super Ty still gets his miracle. Please pray for them.

To go to a Renn Fest. Man I miss those... NC you are letting me down there! Maryland had a killer one!

To go apple and pumpkin picking. 

I lived close enough to Disney to still work there. It is Food and Wine Fest time in EPCOT and the pictures on Facebook are killing me.

My blog had more going on. It is lovely that google is bringing people based on my Dos and Donts for a Marine Corps Ball entry, it is getting to be that time of year! I am glad it helps people though.

And last but not least...

I wish the beautiful weather would hang around. I can do 70s and sunny!

Big or small, silly or serious.... What are you wishing for this week??

Quarter Century Birthday

Happy Birthday to meeee!

This is currently my mom's facebook profile picture. Yes it is me. No not much has changed!

I am 25 years old. I cannot believe it! When I started this blog I had just graduated college and my boyfriend was preparing for his first deployment to Iraq. I was 21 and I had no idea what I was doing with my life.

In the last nearly four years I completed my job at Disney, got engaged, married, moved to Alexandria, got a grown up job, met amazing amazing people, got my first pup, did nine months on opposite coasts from my husband and did our first PCS to North Carolina.

Whew.

And that is only the really big stuff! All the little things, the commercial, getting cast in this show, driving a road trip on my own.... they happened too.

My brothers all went from kids to young adults who are now all taller than I am.

My family moved from New Jersey to North Carolina and still managed to be seven hours away from me in the same state!

I have had my longest period of unemployment since I started working in my early teens.

I had french toast given to me in bed this morning by an amazing husband. There is also a huge bag on the dining room table I am not allowed to open until tonight!

And a box from my family. And Georgetown Cupcakes. And a cake that is yellow inside with chocolate icing and blue letters, my ultimate favorite. And a watermelon draining in the bathtub to make a vodka watermelon for all the people (friends who are new and wonderful and some known for a long time who are equally as wonderful) coming this evening.

Plus, for the next five months I get to be older than my husband!!!

The first 25 years of my life have been an amazing journey, I cannot wait to see what the next quarter of a century has in store for me!

Thank you for all the birthday wishes (here and on facebook and instagram and texts etc!) (:

Poor Pup Pup

Just in case I wasn't sure if Rylie had me in over my head or not she just had to give me a little nudge back to the other side! Oy.



As a dog owner, I am definitely not bored, let's put it that way.

This weekend my best friend Sam came to visit. I loved having another person around (especially my bestie!) because Rylie had someone else to bite play with and I had someone else to talk to... that could talk back! We went down to the harbor and Rylie girl insisted on sitting on the bench with us. People would come up to her and pet her and she didn't even have to move, good deal! I got up quick and took this picture on my phone as she people watched. So cute.

But we noticed Rylie, how can I put this delicately... was gassy. I mean craZy gassy that had us running for cover. Then I noticed when she went to the bathroom it was a little (TMI)runny. So Monday I call the vet and they told me to bring her in tomorrow as they were busy. I bring the pup in, as a walk in, and surprisingly saw the vet quicker than when I had an appointment. Hmm...

Long story short poor pup pup has giardia. Puppy Mommy Fail. It is a parasite they usually get from drinking puddles or from other dogs who have it. My vet personally thinks Rylie's favorite snack gave it to her, that being mulch. She loves to chew on it and since it had rained last week and the mulch was damp it more than likely came from there. Now I am trying my hardest to not let her pick anything up on our walks but it is not easy.

For awhile now (worse since she has been sick) Rylie has been extremely bitey. Mostly to me, rarely other people, but when we play she will bite at my hands like no other. I will give her toys and tell her no but she does not seem to bothered by that. It has gone up tenfold since she has been sick. I cannot even sit down without her biting at my hands, feet, shoes or pants. I am constantly up and giving her toys and ice cubes, anything. Geeze pup teethe already!

But two nights ago was a rough rough night, similar to the first night I was alone with her. I think the antibiotics I gave her were messing with her because she was up whining from three am til five am. Non. Stop. Whining and barking. We went outside five times, two of which she went. Needless to say I was a mess yesterday. I was so exhausted and when I get exhausted I get way too emotional for my own good. Sobbing phone calls to my mother usually ensue.

It was a gorgeous day yesterday so Rylie went on two very very long walks. I was sore and tired by the time we were done. For once I was able to shower without her poking her head in or barking at me as she was passed out on the floor. I put her to bed and either I was so tired I slept through any whining/barking or she slept through the night. I think it was the latter.

Thank. God.

It isn't anywhere near as gorgeous today as yesterday (I will take 70 in January ANY day) but we will try lots of walks again. Wish me luck. Two weeks until I visit Ryan and I get a nice little break!!

And to link up with Goodnight Moon, I have Queen stuck in my head today.

Well, She's Not Boring

Life with Rylie will certainly never be boring.

Last night Carrie and I went to do laundry and Adam kept an eye on Rylie for me. Well she was bad with Adam having not one but TWO accidents in his apartment (mind you it has been a long time since she has peed in mine). Mortified Mommy. Adam said it was no big deal but I still felt awful. Plus at the vet the other night she got a deworming dose and of course that night I notice she had a worm :( The vet said since she JUST had a dose it was fine, but if in a day or two I still saw them to bring her in.

Eww.

Well Carrie and I get home pretty late from laundry so Rylie is chilling unsupervised (I am trying in SMALL doses here) in the living room. As I get the last clothes put away I hear a CRASH, almost like dishes falling. Well I use paper plates most nights when it just me so I was very confused on the sound. I step into the living room in time to see Rylie speed by me and fly into the bedroom. She won't even look at me.

Uh oh.



SOMEONE climbed on the table and pulled the Scentsy down. Normally I don't have it on when she is in the apartment having free reign but silly me turned it on before going to do laundry and forgot to turn it off. Sigh. Hot Welcome Home scented wax all over my wooden floor. And wall. And lamp.

I get a scrubby sponge from the kitchen and begin to try and remove it when I realize Rylie has not left the bedroom yet. I go check on her and I see my puppy is half purple. Apparently some of it got her on the way down so her back side, back paws and tail were purple. PURPLE. And waxy. So I abandon my scrubbing and try to get it off her with my hands. No dice. I get out the brush and did a little better but not enough.

So into the tub pup pup goes. She did better this time but she kept drinking the water! I usually do not give her water after 8 or so as it prevents her from waking up in the middle of the night. Here she is drinking gross, waxy, soapy bathwater! Ugh! I tried to hold her head up but I couldn't do that and scrub her and brush her at the same time. Between the shampoo, washcloth and brush I got most of it off. She only has slightly faint purple looking fur on the back and a few dots on her legs I couldn't get off.

I toweled her off and blow dried her as much as she'd let me and then took her on a LONG walk outside. It is after 11 at this point. Then I showered since I smelled like wet puppy and passed out in my bed near midnight. Just as I started to doze the husband called a little after midnight. Needless to say we just said good night instead of our usual phone call.

Sigh indeed.

Rylie pup... you make my life interesting if nothing else!

Resolutions?

Hahaha. I kid. Sort of.

I am never good at making resolutions. I am one of those people who says they will start working out, eating right, quit smoking and become an amazing guru of all things photographic/cupcake/yoga/whatever and then never do.

I even meant to do a 365 photography project but here it is the 3rd and I kind of forgot.

Maybe I can fudge that last one?

I'll let you know!

Happy 2012 everyone!

Winning!

I just have to give a major shout out to ! The Crafty Military Wife ! and Skinnie Piggie for this awesome beauty....



Sorry, had to edit for security!

But my husband and I love the sign which is currently hanging in our dining room. We will add duty stations to it as we go and it is definitely something we will treasure. Thank you Skinnie Piggie for hosting the give away for your birthday and thank you Staci for the gorgeous sign! You will be hearing from me again once we know where we are PCSing to exactly. Check out her facebook page or shop to order one for your family.

Thanks again!

Giveaway Time!

UPrinting is an online printing company that offers different printing services that are pretty awesome. You want just regular poster printing? Calendars? Bookmarks? Got it. They can even go a step further and offer custom posters for you! Their site offers amazing services besides posters and their design templates are great. You can upload your own images and text with their design studio, it is pretty easy!

Prize Details
One (1) Winner of an 18”x24” Poster Print
Semi gloss OR high gloss
1 business day print turnaround time *Free Shipping
Restriction: Limited to *US residents 18 years old and above only.


How can you win?

Mandatory:
- Follow my blog with GFC (one entry)
- Leave a comment saying what ideas you have for your poster! A series of pictures? A design for a business? A welcome home from deployment sign? (one entry)

I kind of want to take all the pictures of all the houses I have taken in Old Town Alexandria and put them together... I think it will look neat!

Optional:
- Blog about it! (two entries, leave two comments saying so)
- Facebook about the giveaway with a link to my blog (one entry)
- Like UPrinting on Facebook (one entry)
- Tweet the giveaway once a day, linking to my blog (one entry per day)
- Follow UPrinting on Twitter (one entry)
- Refer someone to follow! If they comment that you recommended them you each receive two entries! Just post both your names each comment.

So for two entries:
Post one comment/email 1
Post another comment/email 2

That is at least ten (or more!) chances to win!

Please include your email address with at least one entry to win! No email = No prize!


This give away will close on October 14th, 2011

Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive a poster for hosting. (:

Ten Years

This was taken Labor Dady Weekend 2001... our first visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island... days before the attack. This was taken on the ferry between the two by my dad.

I know a lot of people have written many things about 9/11 already. I even wrote about what I experienced on 9/11 on this day last year. But I have something different to share this year too.

In my acting school, on September 12, 2001, when we came back to school, our teacher had us write a note to ourselves in the future. He promised us to mail them to us ten years from now. After experiencing the tragedies of the last twenty four hours the mere idea of comprehending ten years into the future seemed impossible. I remember sitting on the studio floor, struggling with what to write.

A few weeks ago I remembered that we wrote these letters. I wrote to my teacher Joe on Facebook asking if he still had them, and he did. On Thursday the letter arrived to my address here in Virginia. This morning I opened it and took my time to read it as I watched memorial coverage in the background. I was fourteen when I wrote this letter and had just experienced one of the biggest horrors imaginable. My handwriting is different, it is when I did the circles over my eyes and curled the bottoms of my gs and js. Joe included his own letter to us.... not to judge ourselves or what we wrote. We are to use this as a vehicle to recall the person who sat on the floor of the dance studio and tried to figure out what was happening.

I debated sharing it here, but I will. I think it is important to remember, and I know having such a direct link in my hands is something most people do not have. So, no judging, here it goes.

Hi,

I am sitting here in Joe and Shelias class for drama writing you a letter. Do you remember yesterday? Yesterday was the attack on America. I don't understand why this happened. Why did thousands of poeple have to die? Why were those planes hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon and World Trade Centers? Do you remember sitting in Mrs. Pacilios Spanish 2 class and hearing Dan K**** tell you what you and Jay heard on the radio was true?

On the bus from Vo-tech Jay, Meghan C and I heard a plane crashed into the twin towers, or one of them. Do you remember thinking the pilot just couldn't fly? Hijacking never entered our minds. Then in Spanish, actually hearing the principal come on the loud speaker and telling you this, and to feel free to call relatives from the guidance office.

Do you remember missing part of Algebra to call Mom and Dad to see if Greg, Rob, Ken, Uncle Bob, Joni, and eventually remembering George... were ok? They were. George ended up being off, and you call him before lunch with no answer and lecture him for forgetting your birthday but to be ok.

I'll never understand why this was done. Ever. Or how it was fully done. These sick people may cause a World War III, but they haven't broken us. They made us stronger. Don't ever forget that.

And don't forget the discussion we just had in Vo-tech. You, Jay, Melissa, Megan... everyone. Speak your mind.

Love always,

Allison O Age 14 -> You!


Wow.

I forgot I called George... my biological father. He worked in the Lincoln Tunnel. This was the first birthday of many of mine he had forgotten but I didn't care, I wanted to make sure he was ok. He didn't go into work that day. I don't remember that. Or the convesation I wrote about at the end.

This event caused my husband, then a 13 year old 8th grader, to want to join the Marine Corps. He decided on THAT day then and there.... this altered our futures and made our lives into what they are today. I will remember all those who were lost in Washington DC, New York City, Shanksville PA, Iraq and Afghanistan. We will never forget.

24!

"Happy Birthday to our beautiful and amazing daughter! Enjoy 24 cupckaes for the 24 years you have Blessed us! We Love you, Dad Mom and Stef"


My family rocks (: Thank you so much! And thank you all for the birthday wishes, both here, texts and on facebook (which I think is going to burn out due to overuse!!)

I am very blessed!

Hey Pintrest!

Thanks for the delicious dinner idea!




I am sooooo full now. :P

Nothin but blue sky...

I have tried entering a lot more photo contests lately... no luck so far but I keep trying! This is the Crazy Days of Summer Entry sponsored by Project Alicia. Her photos are gorgeous and make me green with envy! This week's theme is Blue Skies, and I had just the picture to enter.





I took this when I studied abroad in Italy, the trees and sky were just too perfect. I loved all of it! This was right in the middle of Rome. Bliss indeed.



After work tonight I am heading to a Parade with Kendra, another Marine wife whose husabnd Tim was close with Ryan. Her newborn Bentley is coming as well as her little brother. I haven't been to a Friday parade in ages, I hope I keep it together! Seeing all the guys (especially ones Ryan worked with) and not him may be difficult. Wish me luck!


Also, I have been following this blog for awhile now... this little boy Ty has just passed his one year mark having a series of brain tumors. His mom updates their blog regularly and I always keep the Campbell Family in my prayers. Since Ty just hit his one year mark with cancer his mom made this video...



September is pediatric cancer awareness month so check out the video, and maybe read along with Ty's story. Of course, say a prayer or two while you're at it.

Thank you.

I Love Skype

Best invention ever! It is so good to see his handsome face (:

Oops, Hello Blog!

So when your mother calls you and says, "Allie you haven't updated your blog since Friday. You are being a slacker blogger!" you know that you're a bit behind. Properly chastized indeed! So here I am filling you all in on the past few days so my mom doesn't drive down here from Jersey and ground me for a lacking of blogging!


Friday apparently was the last time I blogged... since then Ryan and I have been spending a lot of quality time together before he goes to school. He has leave so he has been doing a lot of errands around the house and such and nights and weekends we do as much as we can! Friday we dragged a whole bunch of neighbors out in front of our building. It was literall 105 degrees, even when the sun went down, but we had wine and beer and liquor flowing so it was a blast! The dogs were out, people were chatting, cigars may have been lit, we had so much fun.

Saturday we slept in (finally for me!) and then went with our neighbor Adam to the indoor shooting range. We had about a two hour wait and once we got in there it was BOILING. Apprarently the fan or the AC was not functioning, so we literally had sweat pouring off of us. Icky. I was so hot I honestly had a hard time aiming, I did much better in March when it was cold! :P

When we got home I made Ryan these amazing grilled cheese jalepeno sandwiches that I borrowed from another blogger and he liked it so much he asked me to make them for his going away party on Saturday! Done deal my love. I am also making cheesey cornbread ala secret family recipe since I love you so.

Sunday was church, IHOP (tradition!) and then we went and saw Friends with Benefits. Hilarious at times, predictable at others.

Monday we hung out at the apartment, watched season 6 of Weeds on Netflix, then went and finally regsitered me at our church. We'd been going since January but we thought we were leaving, now knowing we, well I, have 8 months left I might as well.

Yesterday we had a delicious steak dinner, curtosey of my husband and George Foreman. It was so nice out we decided to walk down the street to King St and get some ice cream at Pops. We sat down at the waterfront and enjoyed that. Going back Ryan realized he had never ridden the free trolley, so on we went!



We snagged a seat and Ryan had his arm around me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. The old lady behind us smacked his arm saying, "Stop that!" It was hilarious, she was joking around so it wasn't creepy I promise. I said, "I can't take him anywhere." to which Ryan looked quite affronted as the woman offered to call security! :P

We got off the trolley at our favorite bar Murphy's where they were having TRIVIA NIGHT. I was pretty stoked. I love pub trivia nights, even did one at my bachelorette day! We didn't win and ended up being out way too late for me (since I do have work in the mornings)so I was totally dragging today!

Tonight I am going to see JOSH GROBAN! So so so excited.

Tomorrow Ryan and I are going to Busch Gardens, gotta love places that let military in for free!

Notice how I am being upbeat? Trying not to panic that he is leaving in about four days? Yea... we'll pretend that is really working!

Dogsitting Miss Molly

As some of you may have noticed in past entries Ryan and I have been dogsitting for our neighbor Brittanie's dog Molly. Molly is a Havanese and extremely loveable. Any time Brit would take her outside she'd have like a radar for us and run straight towards us... well more Ryan... like a 17lb black and white torbedo. She would lay down for the belly rubs or jump into our lap and smother us with kisses. So we agreed to dogsit her over a long weekend back in May. And she was great! That was just the warm up as we have had Miss Molly from July 2 until the 13th, tomorrow? Yes, tomorrow. Ok.

At first Molly was on her best behavior, but the past few days she has made me want to bop her one. (Not really, don't go crazy I promise I never would, she has just been frustrating!) The second or third day we had her she did run into the Potomac River and emerge looking like a black swamp thing alongside Oliver. Lukcily Ollie's owner had sume puppy shampoo and we had the apartment hose and she looked fluffy and cute again. But since then she had been behaving. Having a dog while both of us work has been different from that first long weekend.

Since Ryan cuts it fine in the morning to make it to work very early I tend to take her out before I go to work. Some mornings she decideds to sniff around and take her sweet time but I gotta go to work! I give her a fair amount of time, I promise, but some mornings Molly has her own agenda. Mainly smell everything and chase the birds. Oy. We have a dog walker come in the middle of the day while we are at work and she usually stays out of trouble.

Molly looooooves attention. If we are sitting and watching tv and not paying attention to her she sits and stares at us and whines. Just a bit usually, but after two weeks you want that half hour tv show to yourself! Even at 5am this morning after Ryan left she was whining and staring at me like "Aw come on he left play with me!" Absolutely not. Well, after this past week or so she started to get mischevious.... proving she is comfortable with us!

We went to the Alexandria Sesquicentennial on Saturday (an entry for another day) and when we got home she found the crayons. Liam, our other neighbors' son, was over the night before and back from my camp counselor days (of last summer) I had some crayons to keep him entertained. Well we put them on the bookshelf and Molly found them. We came home and there were colors of the rainbow in wax and paper all across our living room rug. Sigh. And before you ask, because people have, no her poop was not colorful. Begin the bad streak.

The next day Ryan and I are playing Rummy. We look under the table and there is puppy vomit. Not because she was sick or anything, but because she ate her food waaaay too fast. Trust me, we could tell. I will spare details.

Yesterday I get home from work from a very long sucky Monday and Molly greets me in her usual friendly OHMYGODIAMSOGLADYOUAREHERE manner. Normally we shut the doors to our bedroom and bathroom so she cannot get in there. Our bathroom door does not shut but our bedroom does with a bit of force, but I suppose I did not give it enough force that morning. Surprisingly not much damage but there was one thing I saw on the floor.

My birth control pack, chewed. With two pills missing, one placebo, one not.

PANIC.

Molly seems to be acting fine but I have no idea how long ago this was so I call my friend Lauren. Lauren is a vet tech in training, she'd know! Lauren is at work and did not pick up. PANIC AGAIN. Then I remember in Brit's original email she sent me there was a number for an Animal Hospital nearby for emergencies. I turn on the laptop and frantically dig through my emails and find the number. Molly is sitting and looking at me with her head cocked to the side like, "What?" as I begin to babble on the phone.

I tell the guy the situation, what she may have taken what my dosage was, her information (which was in the system) and the like. The guy goes to consult with the doctor. In my nervousness I begin pacing and then making the bed and as I pull up the sheet I see the miracle of miracles. A little pink pill and a little white pill just sitting there. Not teethmarks, no dissovling, perfectly pristine. I pick them up and the guy comes back on the phone and I tell him I found the pills and she hadn't eaten them. She must have just been gnawing on the pack for its plasticness and those two fell out.

He says, "Well, if it makes you feel any better you are not the first one. But the doctor said with that dosage and her size and just one pill she would have been fine. So there you go!"

There you go.

Ugh Molly!

I still love the little furball and I will miss her (most definitely!), but she is driving us slightly nuts!


Such love :P Molly got tired on her walk so Ryan carried her! This was obviously Day One of dogsitting