I'm Just Wondering...

Why do dogs want to eat their own throw up?

I mean, that's like the NASTIEST thing. In this entire world.

And, why doesn't my dog warn me anymore that she's about to puke?

She used to make that "I'm about to throw up" sound at least 4 times before she'd puke.

Now?

She just throws up.

No warning.

Then, we stick her outside (because this dog can't throw up just once).

You want to know her FAVORITE place to throw up outside?

On our Welcome mat.

It's like, "Welcome to our house. Please excuse the dog puke."

I swear, Matt has sprayed down that mat at least 10 times, just in the past few months.

(Thankfully, it's just the mat on our back porch, so it's not like it gets a lot of foot traffic.)

After he sprays the mat though, Maisy wants to go back outside to eat her regurgitated food.

Seriously, people, that's so freaking gross, I want to throw up just thinking about it.

Then, she comes back inside & wants to eat the food from her bowl.

Uh, no.

You just threw up like 3 times & ate it.

(OK, not all of it. We had to chase her around outside & force back in the house, so she wouldn't eat it).

No more food for you.

I just have one word: EWWWWWWWWWWW!!

My Husband, The Exaggerator!

So, Matt comes up to me yesterday at work & tells me his back hurts.

Me: "Where does it hurt?"

Matt: "Right back here." (points to his lower back)

Me: "Did you pull a muscle or something?"

Matt: "Yeah. Either that or I have a kidney stone."

What.

Seeing as how he's not puking, nor does he have a fever & he can stand upright, I told him it probably wasn't a kidney stone.

Me: "Do you want some medicine?"

Matt: "No. I can handle it."

Um, OK.

Later that night...

I find Matt laying on our bed with a sickly look on his face.

Me: "Omigosh. Are you okay?"

Matt: "Yeah."

Me: "Is your back hurting?"

Matt: "Yeah."

Me: "Do you want some medicine NOW?"

Matt: "No."

Me: "Well, what do you think is wrong?"

Matt: "I think I have back cancer."

What?

Me: "Sweetie, I don't think it's back cancer."

Matt: "But, what if it is?"

Me: "Well, we'll just have to cut your back off!"

Matt: "Maybe it's just a pulled muscle."

Me: "How about some Tylenol?"

Matt: "OK. Can I have a cup of water too?" (in his best whinniest voice)

I get him a Tylenol & a cup of water.

Then, I ask him if he wants my heating pad.

Matt: "Yeah."

So, I pull out the heating pad & plug it in for him.

Matt: "How do I know if it's on?"

Me: "When it gets hot."

Matt: "Well, what if it gets too hot?"

Me: "Turn it down."

Matt: "OK. But, it won't burn the sheets will it?"

Me: "No."

I turn to leave the room.

Matt: "You're not going to leave me alone with my back cancer, are you?"

********

Guess who's feeling fine today?

MATT.

Men.

Order #2: Complete!

Check out my designs website to see Hunter's frame & an update on my orders.

Don't forget, I take credit cards!

Can You Please Hang Up Your Cell Phone While You Pee?

Ok, seriously people, is it THAT important that you HAVE to talk on your cell phone while you're using the bathroom?

I mean, REALLY?

So, I'm in the ladies room, peeing, & in walks another woman, talking rather loudly to someone.

She gets into a stall & then I hear, "Oh, hang on...I've got another call."

WHAT?

She's on her cell phone, talking to one person, with another person on hold.

SERIOUSLY, lady.

I'm sure the person on the other end really doesn't want to hear you peeing, nor wants to hear me pee.

Well, she gets off the phone with the 2nd caller & then clicks back over & says, "Are you there? OK. Hang on...I gotta flush!".

WHAT?

Hopefully, the person on the other end was her husband or good friend or someone who didn't mind listening while she emptied her bladder.

Anyway, maybe I'm the only one who feels bothered by this, but I just think that it's not that difficult to say, "I'm tied up right now. I'll call you right back."

Or, don't even answer the phone.

Do your business & call the person back.

Is it really that hard?

Order # 1: Complete!

I finished this last night!

It's a frame I did for a co-worker's niece.

If you want to check it out, go to my designs website.

And, remember...I can do one you too!

I also take credit card orders.

March Madness, Madness

Dear North Carolina Tar Heels,

I would just like you to know that you cost me $100 dollars tonight.

You see, I had you winning the entire NCAA Tournament on my bracket.

And, things were going great until tonight.

You choked against Georgetown.

You were up almost 10 points & then you just quit playing.

Georgetown tied it all up & forced you into overtime.

For a solid 4 minutes, YOU DID NOT SCORE A SINGLE POINT.

When you did finally score, it was too late.

Georgetown was up 11 points.

There was no time for you to catch up.

I was in 2nd place in the brackets at work & now I'm like 12th.

I had a chance at winning $100 bucks.

But, not now...NO, because you choked.

Thanks a lot, North Carolina.

I have Florida winning the tournament in my 2nd bracket.

I'm sure THEY WON'T LET ME DOWN!

Your former fan,
Robin

If You Were Me, What Would You Do?

Okay, Internet.

I have a major delimia.

So, my nephew, Jackson's been asking my sister FOREVER if he could go to a Kenny Cheseny concert.

This boy is such a fan. He knows what songs are on what CDs & will ask for them by name.

On a whim, I checked Kenny's website to see if his tour was coming through Arkansas. Much to Jackson's delight, he's coming in May.

My sister, Jackson, me & Matt made tentative, but almost deinite, plans to go.

However, tonight, I found out that Jermain Taylor, a boxer from Arkansas, is fighting to defend his championship title in Memphis.

On the same night as the concert.

Folks, let me tell you...I am a HUGE boxing fan.

In fact, Matt & I are watching a fight right now on HBO.

And, I have NEVER missed a Jermain Taylor fight.

I mean, people, I sat 3rd row from the boxing ring in Las Vegas, when Jermain fought Bernard Hopkins for the 2nd time.

Like, I got Jermain's sweat on me.

Plus, Matt & I always throw a party at our house when Jermain fights. Like, our friends COUNT. ON. US. to throw these parties.

I even have 2 boxing gloves, signed by Jermain, that I put out as decorations!

So, what do I do?

Concert or fight.

The more I think about though, the more I'm leaning towards Kenny.

I mean, he hasn't been here in like 3 years or so.

And, this will be Jackson's 1st concert & I think I'd regret it if I didn't get to see his little face when Kenny takes the stage.

He'll be so pumped!

I mean, Jermain fights like every 4 or 5 months. So, it's not like I won't get to see him fight again soon. I can see the replay of it Sunday morning.

Plus, when Matt & I went to the last Kenny Cheseney concert, a fight broke out in the row behind us. So, maybe that's like the best of both worlds.

Concert or fight.

You decide.

Are We Going on a Road Trip?

Matt & I were cleaning out my old car the other night, in preparation to get my new car, because my lease is up.

Matt was sitting in the driver's seat, trying to take out the wire to my satellite radio & I was in the passenger seat, cleaning out the glove box.

Maisy was out in the garage with us & saw us sitting in the car.

In doggie language, that means "ROAD TRIP!".

So, she jumps into the car, over me & gets comfortable on Matt's lap.

Yes.

She sits on our lap when we drive.

Yes.

She's a big dog.

No.

She won't admit to it.

She's so convinced that we're going on a trip, that she won't get out of the car.

She just looks at me like, "C'mon Mom, get in the car. Dad's in the car. I'm in the car. LET'S RIDE!".

I finally was able to bribe her out with a piece of cheese.

Does Your Husband Read Your Blog?

Um, because my husband doesn't.

He "claims" he can't remember the blog address.

What.Ever.

Even though it's saved under the "Favorites" on our computer.

And, he knows that.

Every day, I'm like "Honey, did you look at my blog today?"

And, he's like, "No. What's the address? Maisy Queen?"

And, I'm like, "Never mind."

I mean, maybe it's a good thing that he doesn't read it because then if we have an argument, I can just tell you guys MY side of the story & he'll never know!!

But, seriously...

Blogging's a part of my life now & it's weird that he doesn't even look at my website.

When he tried to start a baseball blog, I looked at his everyday...until he stopped updating it, which was the day after he started it.

Can You Explain Something To Me?

Why is it that EVERY.TIME. I clean our bathroom, Matt thinks that's an invitation to shave his face?

He says he cleans up after himself, but I always seem to find little whisker hairs in the sink.

Why is it that when my dog pukes, she always manages to get ALL.OF.IT on the carpet?

I mean even if she's standing on the tile floor & feels the urge to throw up, she makes a beeline to the carpet.

Why is that when Matt SEES me doing laundry, he still puts his dirty clothes in the hamper in his closet?

Hello?

I guess I should be thankful that he actually puts his dirty clothes in the hamper, instead of all over the house.

Why is it that Target, Wal-Mart & Walgreens don't carry Tide With a Touch of April Fresh Downy (powder detergent) anymore?

I mean, come on, I finally found a detergent that doesn't make Matt break out in hives & now it's nowhere to be found.

Why is it that EVERY.TIME. I sweep or Dust Bust the kitchen floor, Matt, Maisy or I track dirt or grass in the house?

Why is it that those really big mosquitoes always seem to find me & me only?

I go outside with Maisy & they automatically swarm to me.

Matt goes outside & they get out of his way.

Why is it that I'm addicted to March Madness?

I can't stop watching basketball.

I was at the gym today & I couldn't tear myself off the bike because of the Florida / Purdue game.

A man on the bike next to me (& Matt) was rooting for Purdue because of all the times Florida has beaten the Razorbacks in football & basketball.

One of my brackets has Florida winning the entire tournament.

The other bracket has North Carolina winning.

I'm in 1st place with that bracket!

Why is that I didn't buy this really cute dress at Old Navy when I was there 2 weeks ago?

Today, when I went back, the only sizes left were XL & XXL.

I did, however, find some really cute black Gaucho Capri's that tie in the front.

Maybe you can explain this to me because I'd really like to know if I'm the only one this kind of stuff happens to.

An Addition to Designs By Robin

Please check out my OTHER blog, Designs by Robin.

(Just click on the link to the left).

I finally added Pay Pal to it, so that I can accept credit card orders!

It's a big day in my world.

Also, I am currently working on 3 orders I received from 2 girls at work.

3 WHOLE ORDERS!

Which, of course, I will post pictures of as soon as I finish them.

Can you hear the excitement in my voice?

So, go on over, check things out.

Let me know if you have any questions.

I'll be around.

Never. Never. Again.

Omigosh.

This week has totally sucked...as far as schedules go.

As I said in the previous post, Matt has been working a weird schedule. We're down a few photographers at work, so that means other photographers have to fill in.

Even though Matt's the Chief. Photographer. he sometimes has to work the crappy schedules.

And, CRAPPY is the ONLY word that describes it.

This is how things have gone in our house since Monday night.

2-3pm: Matt gets off work & comes home & goes to bed
6pm: I get home from work & wake him up
6:30pm: I get dinner ready & we eat together
7pm: He checks his e-mail
7:30pm: He goes back to bed, but usually doesn't fall asleep til 9pm or so

(Because he has to ask me a million, bazillion questions, like "Could you get me some water?", "Could you turn the lamp off?", "Could you get Maisy out of here?", "Could you shut the door?", "Could you turn the TV volume down?", "Can you come in here & give me a kiss?", "Can you come in here & give me a hug?".)

7:30-10:30pm: I am by myself to do all the housework, mess with the dog, etc.

(However, I have perfected the "flying leap" technique to grab the phone before it rings a 2nd time, so that it doesn't wake Sleeping Beauty).

10:30pm: I let Maisy outside (for like the 18th time in 2 hours) & then put her to bed
10:40pm: I get into bed & watch about 10 minutes of TV (on Mute, might I add)

Matt leaves for work around the time I get up & start getting ready...which is about 3 hours BEFORE his usual "wake up" time.

What makes this even more crappy is that our dog is very pissed off because apparently, we have disrupted her schedule too.

And, because I'm the one who's been with her the most, I get to hear about it.

She's confused because I've been putting her to bed at night, earlier than she's used to & Matt's been getting home from work earlier than usual...which quite frankly, is cutting into her sleep time & she's spent her time making sure I know that, by driving. me. crazy.

I guess I should be thankful that he doesn't have to work overnights.

At least this schedule is over tomorrow & things will get back to normal.

Hopefully, we won't ever have to repeat this week because I think I'll just book a room at a hotel.

March Madness, Another Blog & My OB/GYN!

So, I apologize for not posting sooner, but Matt's working a weird schedule this week & he's been going to bed at 8pm. That means I'm in charge of the house, the phone & keeping Maisy quiet.

I haven't really had the time to even get on the Internet this week, much less post on my blog.

However, I did find time to set up my NCAA Basketball Bracket. March Madness is one of my FAVORITE times of the year.

Seriously.

Last year, I won our office bracket, by picking Florida. I won like $100 dollars.

I won't tell you who I picked this year because I don't want to jinx myself.

******

I signed up to be a part of the 5 Minutes for Mom blog. Yes, I know, I'm not a mom, but there are other women on that blog too who don't have kids.

It's just another way to get my blog out there.

The hosts of the blog interviewed me & you can read it here.

Don't get all excited...they "interview" everyone who wants to be a part of their blog.

I also signed up to occasionally post stuff on their blog. If that happens, I'll let you know.

******

OK, it's GRIPE TIME!

I just called to make an appointment for my yearly "exam" with my Gynecologist & the NEXT AVAILABLE appointment is APRIL 30th.

Like 7 WEEKS FROM NOW.

I know these doctor's are very busy, but come on...you don't have another appointment open for 7 weeks?

And, then when I get there, I know I'll have to wait like 2 hours.

I always do.

I'll be sure to bring a good book with me.

******

I have a lot more to write about, but it'll have to wait another day or so.

Matt's weird schedule ends Friday & then we're all back to normal.

Or, at least, normal for us.

A Few Odds & Ends

First of all, I really enjoyed meeting some fantastic people through the Ultimate Blogging Party.

Thanks to everyone who posted a comment! Keep them coming. I love logging on & seeing that someone left me a new message. It doesn't matter if you're a regular or a first-timer!

Secondly, many of you read the letter I wrote to the baby I lost last July. Thanks, also, to those of you who left comments on that post. It's heartbreaking that there are so many of us that are part of that "club", but it's also very uplifting to know that we're not alone & joy does come out of sadness. If you look to the left, under "Check Me Out Here", you'll see a link to the letter.

Thirdly, my sister & my niece, Riley, loved the present I made her for her birthday. My sister hung it in her room & she says it looks really cute! I brought it up to work before I gave it to Riley & 2 of my friends (and co-workers) placed orders with me. I'll get to work on those soon.

Finally, I have officially started work on my debut novel. I have a character list & I also wrote the Prologue. I'm currently in the middle of Chapter One. Wish me luck!

But, for now, I must go because it's Cliffhanger Friday on SoapNet.

"Days of Our Lives" is on & I have to find out what Sami's going to do about EJ & if Nick will tell Chelsea that he slept with her mother! Don't you just love the DRAMA!

The Ultimate Blog Party

Thanks to Jenny's blog, I found out that one of the coolest parties has been going on all week!

It's the Ultimate Blog Party, hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom (see the link to the left). It's a way to get your blog out there, make new friends & maybe even win some cool prizes.

What more could a blogging girl ask for?

So, if you're a "first-timer" to my blog, pull up a chair & allow me to tell you a little bit about myself.

I will be 29 years old on July 31st. My husband, Matt, & I will celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary on May 25th. We both work at a local TV station -- I'm the 5pm News Producer & he's the Chief Photographer. My job totally rocks. It's VERY stressful at times, but so very rewarding at the end of the day.

Matt & I bought a house almost 3 years ago & we have a Beagle named Maisy. She'll be 3 years old in June. We don't have any children yet & if you read the post below this one, you'll understand our struggle to have a baby.

I started blogging about 5 months ago. I have several friends who had started blogs, but I was reluctant to start my own because I sort of felt like I needed to have kids to be able to fit into the world of blogging. I didn't think I would have anything in common with anyone. Finally, I realized I was being stupid & I decided to put away my insecurities & sign up!

So, here I am. I don't write about anything spectacular. I just write about things that have happened to me, my husband or my dog. I write random thoughts & stories. Right now, I'm in the process of writing my very first novel, so I'm sure I'll post plenty of stuff about that!

I have made some really great friends through my blog. They've made me laugh, made me cry, but most of all, made me understand that you CAN be friends with & learn a lot from people you've never met, face to face. I know my blogging friends support me 100% in all that I do & vice versa! It's a wonderful feeling.

Feel free to look around my blog. Make comments if you wish (I love comments!). Let me know how to find your blog!

I would love to meet you.

My Story of Love, Life & Loss

My Precious Baby,

Your dad & I found out that we were pregnant with you on June 6th, 2006.

To tell you the truth, I wasn't really expecting a positive result. We'd been trying for more than 2 years & each month, I'd wait, hoping this would be THE MONTH. But, it never happened.

Why would this month be any different?

I was almost 2 weeks late, when I finally asked your dad to stop by the store on the way home, to buy a test. But, when he got home, I didn't take the test right away. We ate dinner & I did a couple loads of laundry. Finally, around 9pm, I decided I couldn't put it off any longer.

I needed to know.

I went into my bathroom & took the test. I looked away for 30 seconds, to turn the TV on & when I looked back down at the test, it said "PREGNANT".

I was so surprised. I couldn't move. I had to put my hands on the bathroom counter to steady myself. Then, I thought to myself, "We have to go tell your daddy!".

With the test in my hand & tears in my eyes, I walked into the living room to show your dad. I didn't say a word. I just handed him the test.

He looked at it, then at me & asked, "Omigod! Are you kidding me? We're pregnant? You're going to have a baby?"

To make sure this was for real, we made a quick trip back to the store & bought another test.

Same result.

You were on your way.

Finally.

Over the next few days, I had several blood tests, to make sure my body was doing what it was supposed to do. Your dad & I felt so relieved every time the nurse at our doctor's office called to say my hormone levels were going up & that we were, in fact, going to be your Mommy & Daddy.

The first person I told about you was your Aunt Holly, my sister. I waited until we got the results back on my first blood test that confirmed I was pregnant. Slowly, but surely, we told our parents, your daddy's sister & a few other family members. We also told a handful of people at work, but soon, we couldn't hold the good news in any longer & told pretty much everyone.

Your dad & I went on a roller coaster ride of emotions. We were excited, thankful, scared, worried, terrified & so, so happy all at the same time. One minute, we'd think to ourselves, we can do this -- we can be parents. Then, the next minute, we'd wonder what in the world we were thinking -- WE'RE GOING TO BE PARENTS? We don't know how to be parents.

From the moment I knew I was pregnant with you, I made some big changes. I threw out my Diet Cokes & switched to water. I started eating healthier & exercising more. I started thinking about our budget & how to rework it so that we could start saving more money for you. I got on the Internet & searched for baby furniture & crib bedding. I even sent links to your dad, so he could check it all out! I could already imagine you lying in your crib, in your nursery, decorated just right. I couldn't wait for you to arrive.

I loved knowing you were inside of me. That your dad & I had created something we had wanted for so long. Even though you were barely the size of a pea, I loved you as if I'd known you forever. I talked to you a lot, especially at night. Your daddy talked to you too. When I would tell him goodnight, he'd rub my belly & tell you goodnight & that he loved you. We couldn't wait to watch my belly grow, knowing that you were getting bigger & developing.

During our first ultrasound in June, we saw you & your little heart beating. The doctor gave us a picture of you, that I brought to work with me & showed everyone. I put it in a frame on my desk. I was so proud to show you off. That's my baby!

It was during our second ultrasound, when we found out something was wrong. You weren't growing. The doctor measured you & you were the same size you were in our first ultrasound 2 weeks before. He tried to find your heartbeat, but couldn't. That moment was the most devastating moment in my life. One I hope I never have to experience again. I couldn't speak. I couldn't cry. It was like I was paralyzed. The doctor told us you weren't going to survive. He started running down the list of things that needed to happen next. I didn't hear a word he said. I was in total shock that one minute, you were alive & the next minute, we'd lost you.

Your daddy & I went home & called our parents. Then, we just sat together & cried. We cried for us & for you, the baby we'd never get to know. The pain of losing you was just about unbearable. I couldn't understand why something like this would happen. I'd only known you for a short time, but I felt like I'd lost someone that I'd known for a lifetime. You were our baby.

Over the next few weeks, after we found out we'd lost you, your daddy was so sweet. He did everything & anything to make me feel better. He's the only one I wanted to be with. I didn't want to talk to anyone or see anyone, except for him. I couldn't be more than one room away from him or I'd go crazy. He was my strength. He still is. He has to be.

I will never get over the pain of losing you, no matter how much time goes by or how many babies your daddy & I have in the future. I will always think of you as my first baby. I know I never got the chance to feel you move or to watch you grow, but that doesn't mean I loved you any less.

You will always be my little angel.

I love you,
Your Mom

Please Excuse the Paw Prints in the Bathtub

How come EVERY. TIME. I clean either bathtub, my dog, Maisy, thinks it's an invitation to jump on it or in it?

Take Saturday night for example.

We had a guest Saturday night & being the good hostess I am, I cleaned the guest bathroom from top to bottom (even though Matt insisted that it wasn't dirty), including the bathtub. I was pretty satisfied with my cleaning job & was in the process of rewarding myself with some chocolate, when I hear the unmistakable sound of Beagle paws hitting the still wet bathtub floor. Knowing what was going on, but still trying to give Maisy the benefit of the doubt, I started walking towards the bathroom, hoping I was imagining it & that I would see Maisy, in the computer room, comfortably sleeping off her 2nd bowl of Weight Watchers dog food.

Not a chance.

She's in the bathtub licking up all the excess water left behind after I finished cleaning it.

So, I stand in the doorway & call her name.

Nothing.

Before I go on, let me just say that this dog has learned how to move the shower curtain & the liner over, in order for her to have ample room to leap into the tub. And, might I add, that's she's also learned how to close the shower curtain, once she's in the tub, because she thinks it will mask the noise of her slurping the water.

I call her name again.

Nothing.

Now, it's time for drastic measures.

I pull back the curtain, to find a dog who knows she's been caught red-handed, because she gives me the biggest puppy dog eyes (pardon the pun) I have ever seen. And, before I can even shake my finger at her, she's out of the tub.

Left behind are little Maisy sized paw prints.

Because not only did she jump in the tub, when she knows she's not supposed to, she did AFTER going outside & playing around in a little mud puddle in the backyard!

Thanks a lot, dog!

A Year From Now, I Hope To Have a Book Deal

My fellow bloggers, you are my witnesses.

One year from today, I hope to have written 3 or 4 chapters of my yet-to-be-published novel, as well as my book proposal. And, I hope to have letters out to agents & publishers, begging --uh, I mean asking -- them to give me a deal. I know I'll get rejected over & over again, but hopefully, someone will take pity on me & give me a deal.

At first, I wanted to have my entire book written within a year, but I decided that was too much, with working 45 to 50 hours a week & trying to keep up with my scrapbooking & other projects. Besides, I'm such a perfectionist, it'll probably take me 4 months to write one chapter!

So, Internet, I hope you'll support me in my endeavor & if I start to slack off, remind me that this has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl & that sometimes, you have to push yourself, to hopefully, get a sweet reward in the end.

1,000 & Counting!

I would just like to say that my friend, Becca, was my blog's 1,000th visitor!

I wish I could say I had some kind of prize for you, but I don't.

You just get the awesome privilege of knowing you helped mark a milestone in my world of blogging.

Which seems fitting, since you were there for many of my other big moments, including the night I met Matt!

I love you, Becca!

A Little Bit of Everything

My laptop came today!

Word.

Tonight, Matt & I are going to help celebrate Pete's birthday (he's a friend & co-worker). The party doesn't start til 10:45pm, though. (That's the news business for you!). I never can remember the name of the freaking place, so I always call it "The Kitchen".

Tomorrow is Riley's birthday party. I am so excited for her (OK, for my sister) to open up the gift I made her. I hope she loves it.

On a more serious note.

A few months ago, I told you guys that I had had a miscarriage this past summer. I've never written about my experience, though. But, lately, I've been writing to another blogger (check out Kari's Blog over on the left of the screen), who also suffered a miscarriage, but is now in her 26th week of her 2nd pregnancy. I don't really know how I found her, but when I was reading about her experience, I really seemed to identify with her, so I e-mailed her. She was kind enough to share her story with me & I shared mine with her. I found it very therapeutic to get it all out & it may have given me the courage I need to share my story with all of you.

I'd like to do that, but not tonight.

I don't know when, but soon.

I promise.