Play Dates

I guess the best way to tell this story is to tell how things occurred. It’s one of those situations where you realize - after the fact - that you missed the signs.

Okay, so I came home last night and as I walked into the house I was hit with the smell of wet dog. Since I have a doggy door and a wading pool for my dogs, I checked them out to see which one of them was the smelly dog. They were both dry.

I figured that maybe the smell had been from earlier in the day and it didn’t last long so I didn’t think much about it.

Then, in the living room, Max’s dog bowl was on the floor (it’s usually on the elevated area in front of the fireplace) by the sofa. I thought that was kind of strange and even had the fleeting thought that in the almost six years that I’ve had Max, that’s never happened. But again, I brushed the thought aside and didn’t think much more about it.

However, I did notice that Max didn’t seem himself last night. He was breathing heavy when I got home and lacked energy. When I would call him, he wasn’t coming - which normally he does at breakneck speed. I hounded that dog, trying to figure out what was wrong. I massaged every part of him and kept expecting to have him whimper or cry when I hit the spot that was hurting him - he never let out a peep. Although, he did seem more whiny about me petting him when he crawled up in my lap (for those that don’t know, Max is a 120 lb. lap dog) - more so than I can recall him ever being. I was really getting concerned about him.

He seemed okay this morning so I went to work without having much concern about him.

And then I came home.

I parked the car in the garage and heard the dogs excitement at me being home, although it wasn’t overly enthusiastic, like it normally is. Then, when Brewsky wasn’t really jumping on the door, like he normally does, I had another flash of worry. I was concerned about what I was going to find inside the house.

So, I opened the door and there was Max and Brewsky, like they always are, excited to see me. Then all of a sudden, bounding around the corner is this yellow dog I’ve never seen before - and this dog is caught up in the excitement of me being home as well.

I let out this scream as my garage door is closing behind me. (It kinda scared me!) Then, as my door is still closing, I recovered enough to say, “Who the hell are you?” I can only imagine what my neighbors thought about that. LOL

Anyway, I came in to find that Brewsky’s bowl was upended today and one of the expensive dog beds I’d bought the dogs had been ripped up and one of the dogs (I assume the guest) had thrown up a couple of times in the house.

Come to find out, two of my fence posts had been knocked down and that’s how this dog got in. I put him (or her - I didn’t check closely) out and went to get a hammer to nail the posts back up and s/he was gone, or so I thought. S/He was on the side of the fence, trying to get back in my backyard.

I got the fence nailed back up and that dog hung around for two hours (at least) whining at my windows and pawing the screens because s/he wasn’t ready to leave.

But the bottom line is this, when you have a doggy door, you have to remember that anything that can fit through the door could be inside waiting for you when you get home. I guess I’m lucky it was a friendly dog. :~)

The Secret Blog

Last night I went to my local RWA chapter's holiday party. I was sitting next to Alyssa Goodnight, whose blog I frequent and occasionally comment on. We were talking and she asked me why I didn't have a blog (you see, I don't have this - or any blog - listed on my blogger profile so when I would post, she didn't have anywhere to come see me).

Well, being as I'm not a skilled liar or anything, I sheepishly told her I did have one.

She seemed kind of excited but I could tell it was because she thought I'd recently gotten one, because otherwise, people would know about it, right? And she asked me when I got it.

I couldn't look her in the eye when I softly mumbled, "Um, over a year ago."

She seemed really surprised at this. We talked some more and I finally had to confess, "Alyssa, no one in our chapter knows I have a blog, well besides you now, it's kind of a secret."

"So, the only people that comment on it are people who randomly, accidentally happen upon it?" she asked.

Still not looking her in the eye, "Uh, pretty much, yeah."

I went on to tell her about The Alphabet Girls, telling her that I used to be a part of that group blog so that they all knew about the blog and that I think, in part, that's why a few others have found my blog but that really, not that many people knew it existed. One friend from work and then a few from the RWA Online Chapter but that's pretty much it.

I further confessed that no one in my family knew anything about it, or the fact that I wrote or anything.

And in saying all that, I came to the conclusion that I guess it's because I just get intimidated by what other people do. For example, I read my friend's blogs and they always are so insightful or fun...and then there's my blog. Alyssa asked me what kinds of posts I make and I drew a blank. About my own blog. She made a comment that made me realize that she thought I didn't want to answer but the truth was, I honestly drew a blank. It was like "I know I have a blog, and I know I make posts but what do I post anyway???" I mean, if I can't even remember what it's about, why would anyone else even care?

But, the bottom line is this... It's not that I have a secret blog per se...I just don't want anyone to know it exists. ;~)

Hot off the presses - literally

Out today! Ellen's book is finally out. Just in time for Christmas.

Ava Carrolton has decided to make her own fate this holiday season. Tired of being alone and hoping to find love, she finally agrees to date the dashing and persistent owner of the department store where she works. Who wouldn’t enjoy spending time with a man who looks like a GQ model? But, she has one misgiving. She doesn’t feel The Spark with Mr. Debonair, so how is she to know if he’s The One?

When Ava literally bumps into Noah Shepard, every girl’s definition of The Boy Next Door, they form an unlikely friendship. As they bond, Noah seems to transform through Ava’s eyes. His thick frame glasses and shy stutters fade away, while a knight in shining armor emerges. Will Ava choose excitement and security with the handsome store owner, or a lifetime of making snow angels with a man who’s anything but ordinary?

Tagged - Again ;o)

All I can say is me and my big mouth. Ellen had been tagged and when she was tagging people she said “Lucy’s already been tagged”. I read that and thought, “I was? When? By Who?” And stupid me, asked the question. I was told where they thought I’d been tagged and I came back, “Oh, that wasn’t me that was tagged.” Next thing I know Honey’s saying “I’ll fix that.” And here we are. I’ve officially been tagged.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Egg Nog. Although I love, love LOVE chocolate, hot chocolate just doesn’t do it for me but I love egg nog. And now that I know Mr. Honey has a special recipe for it, I think I’m going to have to ask Honey to bring some to Dallas this summer. (What? Haven’t you heard of Christmas in July? ;o) ) Although I’m with Honey on the alcohol thing...I’ll take the virgin, thankyouverymuch.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Actually neither. Santa sets out the presents in strategic areas - unwrapped - in the room with the tree. Each area is labeled with the name of the individual the gifts are for. But the fact that they’re not wrapped identifies them as being from Santa, as opposed to from family or friends.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No, I never have.

5. When do you put your decorations up? I haven’t put up decorations in probably 15 years but when I did, it was usually a week or two before Christmas.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Deviled eggs. I think I’m the only one in my family that doesn’t know how to make these - but I saw that Honey makes them for Mr. Honey so Hon, can you bring some of these to go with the eggnog in July? ;o)

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? I just remember waking up on Christmas morning, all excited because Santa had been there the night before. We weren’t allowed to go into the living room until the adults were awake and could go in - first - so me and my sisters were as noisy as could be on Christmas morning. :o)

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don’t know exactly when I learned the truth but I got my first clue when one year some of my presents from Santa were sporting price tags. I mean, with all the elves working for him, why did Santa have to buy presents?

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We didn’t until my nieces and nephew were born. Once they were old enough to understand the concept of Santa, they would spend Christmas day at home and we’d do the family thing on Christmas Eve, opening all of our presents.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? I’ve seen an assortment of answers to this question so I’m not sure what is expected here but I will say, there are an assortment of ornaments. Some store bought, some handmade, lots of lights, ornaments, tinsel and stuff.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Since 2004 when I was stranded in Little Rock for two days at Christmastime, HATE IT. Before that, since I rarely got to see it, I had loved it. Now, hate it.

12. Can you ice skate? I used to be able to a little.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? When I first got married, or even when we were dating, my ex-husband would buy me presents that were very unexpected. During the year when we’d be out shopping and I’d mention I liked something, he would store that information and then months later, surprise me for some occasion. I loved that!

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? I don’t have an answer for this. Sorry.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Fudge. (I’ve mentioned I love chocolate, right?)

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? When my family started having Christmas on Christmas Eve, I started going to the movies on Christmas day. I see at least two movies - one that’s been out a while and one that opened Christmas day. Never less than two movies on Christmas day.

17. What tops your tree? An angel.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? I liked Honey’s answer. Giving, so long as there's a personal touch to it. That’s what I loved about what my ex did. Plus, I have a sister who would ask how much you were spending and then tell you what to buy. Kind of killed it for me and I couldn’t tell you what I ever got her - and twenty plus years later, I can still tell you the first few presents my ex gave me.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? I like the silly songs like Grandma Got Run over by a Reindeer and I Want a Hippopotamus and Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas song.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Not a big fan but they’ll work in a pinch when I’m having a candy craving.


Now I’ll tag Kim, Monica and Mr. Honey (say thank you Honey!).

And next time I keep my big mouth shut. ;o)