Happiness is a dog's wet nose...

I just came back from taking the Brandy girl to the vet.

Those of you who are long time readers may remember about 18 months ago when I received a bad diagnosis stating that my dog was dying and that I should strongly consider putting her down.

Well, here where are two years ago and she's going strong. Except............
Over the weekend, she had many an incident that led me to believe that she's either in congestive heart failure -- or kidney failure. Or scarily, the possibility is both. And truthfully, I was leaning towards kindey failure which is not a diagnosis one wants to hear.

While we're awaiting the results of her bloodwork -- her symptoms preliminarily seem to be more symptomatic of congestive heart failure. This, is good news. Because that is controllable with medicine. But we'll know more after her xray on Thursday. This doesn't mean that she's not in renal failure, because we need the bloodwork to rule that out. But it does mean that if we can rule it out -- the heart is a very manageable condition. I also learned that her heart murmur isn't nearly to the extent that I'd been led to believe it was previously.

This girl is very thankful that she didn't "consider the options" at the time I'd been told I should.

So with fingers crossed, and hopes for good news -- a seemingly much happier Brandy and I left the vet's office.

Complete with her giving wet kisses on the way home.

Small groups are better...

Busy, busy weekend for this girl.

Let’s recap.

Saturday was the Princess’ birthday party, so my one day off for the summer was scheduled to be spent running errands to prepare for the big soiree. Which, I did end up doing – along with my girlfriend Nancy who was gracious enough to volunteer to spend the day with me AND have a sleepover that night! Which was perfect since I was having a dinner party with some of my girlfriends that evening, she being one of them! So, in addition to running errands and whatnot – I cooked dinner for about 10 girls. Nothing super strenuous – spiral ham, shrimp scampi, garden salad and rolls. We did manage to squeeze in a little fou fou girly time for a pedicure, which was great.

Then, after all the fun of the girl’s dinner – was the birthday party. Which, I’m going to vent about for my last time regarding parties and RSVP’s. Because after all, if you’re upset about a situation, what should you do? You should fix it, right? So that is what I’m going to do. People don’t respond – which means you never know who’s coming and who isn’t. So while I cut my list down from how large it usually is – I still was planning for 50+ people. We didn’t get quite that many, which means the food that I had leftover was just…insane. And though I didn’t grill like I usually do – I opted for the catered route, and so I had a TON of food. I had 8 pizzas, a huge fruit salad, potato salad, pasta salad, cold cut platter, chicken broccoli and ziti, and eggplant parmesean. Seriously, people had to take food home – which isnt’ a bad thing but truly was a necessity because I had so much left over.

The upside to all of this is that it taught me two things.

1. I’m done with being grillmaster for the parties. Having it catered like this was fantastic! It was easier in the big scheme of things which made this girls life easier overall, however….

2. I’m all set with inviting everyone and their mother. Because I invite all my friends – all the kids friends (and that’s perfectly fine, I’ll always do that) but all the extended families who say to me “Oh Rebecca, please don’t downsize the parties because you’re party is the only one we get to see everyone at…” but no one RSVPs…and then no one shows. And truly, it’s too much of an expense to do it – and too frustrating for me.

I’m a firm believer that it doesn’t matter who doesn’t come – it’s those who do that are important. However, when you’re paying the bill for those who don’t show, then it starts to feel like it matters. And I don’t care for focusing on that during a birthday party. So, no more!

There, I feel better already.

How’s that for self therapy!

Happy Birthday to my Princess Petunia.....

Four years ago today, 5 weeks earlier than expected -- my little girl made her entrance into the world.

Today is her Princess themed birthday party -- thankfully, complete with a pool!

Pictures to follow shortly....!

Life is a funny thing

Today, clearly the “big guy” in the sky felt that my friend Michelle and I were in desperate need of a laugh.

I’ve got to be honest, we always run into some sort of craziness on our coffee runs that will send us into hysterical fits of laughter. Without fail, there is something that someone says or does that will seriously make us think that we’re on Candid Camera. Today was no different. I don’t know that this story will translate all that well in writing, but here goes….and keep in mind that all this happened within an 18 minute span of time.

As we were walking out to go to Whole Foods and pick up our lunch, she was relaying a story to me about something that happened in work the day before. It was pretty funny, and I made the statement – “if you can’t laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at?”. Which is a theory I wholeheartedly subscribe to. Saying the phrase aloud made me remember something that happened to me on my way to work yesterday that I retold. I had been at Dunkin’s ordering a coffee, when I tripped on the mat on the floor and almost fell but I caught myself by my hands on the counter. The girl said “oh, I’m sorry – people have been doing that all day”. (Thought that ran through my mind was “hmm. How about fixing it then?” But then it dawned on me, not only do they jack up our coffees – they’re laughing at us as well! But I digress….) So I order my coffee, and as I was waiting for it, I started laughing. All I could picture was my almost falling and then imagining if I had – and I found it hysterical. So I said to her, “If I had fallen, I’d have laughed so hard!” And she responded with “when I was younger I used to laugh if I saw people fall or hurt themselves, it must be a nervous reaction” – to which I agreed, because I too on occasion have laughed when I saw someone fall. Not nice and I don’t mean it in a bad way, but if theyre obviously not seriously injured, it’s sort of funny. And whenever I fall, I always laugh, I think it’s a riot. And I said to the girl, “hey, if I can’t laugh at myself – I have no business ever laughing at anyone else about anything”.

So I finished conveying this story to Michelle as we arrive at Whole Foods. And as we’re walking, a woman trips and falls to the ground. Right in front of us. ?!?!?!

So of course, we say “are you okay?!?” (and then we have to look away because now we’re both giggling out of control. Fortunately, we have several feet to go before we get to her and we’re able to compose ourselves before we reach her.) We get to her and ask again if she’s okay, and make small talk and we’re on way. Fortunately, we were well into the store before the two of us burst into tears. What are the chances of that happening!?!?! So while it was so not at all funny that this woman fell, and fortunately she’s not hurt – the timing was just, bizarre.

Moving on to Dunkin Donuts. Now I know my coffee presents issues. However, it was not my coffee that was the problem.

M: Can I get a medium coolata?

Dunks: A Hazelnut?

M: No, a medium coolata.

Dunks: Sure, we have bottled water.

(Insert my hysterical snorts of laughter HERE).

M: (Firm and slowly) No. Can I get a COFFEE COOOOLLLAAATTAA.

Dunks: Yes, we have those.

(Surprisingly enough, they had no issue with my coffee order. Until we get to the window.)

Dunks: What was the coffee you ordered?

M: Medium Hazelnut/Coconut, Skim Milk, 3 Splenda

Dunks: That was iced right?
M: No, hot please.

(Dunks girl in background: “Oh, that’s not iced….”

Funny thing is, she made my coffee iced – but in a hot coffee cup. ?!?!?! So, she proceeds to dump out the iced coffee and make a hot coffee in the same cup.

Now, we’re laughing almost in tears as we pull away. Between the woman falling, and reliving how Michelle said Coffee Coolata that last time – we’re just beside ourselves. When out of the corner of my eye, I see a girl in a little silver car pulling out without looking getting ready to slam right into Michelle’s passenger side. You think I’d say something like “OMG, Michelle stop”, or “Wait, someone’s not looking”….anything? No, I suck my breath in so loudly that I sound like I’m making an Ewok mating cry. Fortunately it was drastic enough of a sound to make Michelle look in my direction and hit her brakes and beep the horn.

Seriously, we laughed so hard the rest of the way to work, I swear I had a buzz.

God sure does work in mysterious ways – and he clearly felt that we needed a little somethin’ something to brighten the day today.

15 is a charm....

What a great game last night!

I unfortunately, was unable to stay awake past the bottom of the 5^th. So imagine my surprise to see the game go 15 innings – with JD Drew winning as MVP. How’s that for a Cinderella Man comeback story, eh? Last year, most of us in Red Sox Nation (including myself) was (ahem) “unimpressed” with the injury riddled Drew. And now look at him. Good for him! I’m not too proud to say that I certainly will eat my words on my thoughts on him from last season – and again, goes to show how sometimes we the fans just can’t jump to conclusions about a player.

That’s not to say that I’m not hoping to see Jed Lowrie stay at SS. But I digress…

Now I’ve gotta say – sorry to anyone from NY who reads this blog, I certainly don’t mean to offend, but – how’s about a big ol’ WTF to the Yankee’s fans and NY media who were classless all day yesterday and booing the players last night at the game? Truly, this whole issue with Jonathan Papelbon was so out of proportion. Clearly he didn’t expect to not have Mariano close. Is that truly all that there was for the media to run with? I’m sorry, but here’s a little newsflash for ya’ll – it’s us the fans who have issues with the rivalry of the teams, not so much the players themselves. They’re all kind of “friends” to a certain extent. (With the exception of course, of maybe some who genuinely don’t care for one another. It happens…) Especially when they’re playing on the same team! And might I just remind you once again – that it was Red Sox player JD Drew who helped make it possible for the AL to win?

So dear Yankees fans, my suggestion is this. Think about whether losing Hidecki Matsui (whom I really love, it’s lousy that he’s injured again) means that your ball club is desperate enough to want to see Barry Bonds play in a Yankees uniform. Is there really worth the money to rent an aging jail bound baseball player for a short term in a last ditch effort to try to win another championship?

I don’t hate the Yankees. There’s many players on the club that I really enjoy watching. Some, not so much. (Like, Jason “I take so much steroids that it isnt’ sweat coming out of my pores it’s serum residue” Giambi. Somebody, please tell that man to shave.) And a good rivalry is always fun. But when it gets to a point of where people are fighting in the streets over which team is better, or a player gets threats of harm to them – then I think the fanbase is a little out of control. I’m not saying Red Sox Nation isn’t guilty of stupid things either. I think everyone needs to get a grip and realize that it’s really just a game. And have fun with it…! It’s not your paycheck that’s affected by wins or losses.

Now, it’s time to look forward to the second half of the season. And anything is possible….

Swing batter, batter, batter...swing!!

Before I launch into today’s thoughts, a big THANK YOU to everyone who sent kind words to me yesterday, both in the blogosphere and real life. They were helpful to hear. The day turned out far better than anticipated. Quick wrap up: 1. Job scenario is looking like the psycho company got the hint during the telecon and life may be a bit quieter now on that front. 2. Sitter is fine. No one is sure why she experienced what she did yesterday but the doctor said not to worry. 3. Liquor license transfer was declined to the party that was applying for it, which hopefully means it will become available for application in the near future.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

And now, a little baseball…Hello Josh Hamilton!! I don’t know about anyone else, but I went to bed thinking he had that Home Run Derby in the bag… surprise, surprise. And what a great story with regards to his batting practice pitcher. What an arm on him. I bet he’s sore this morning…. I didn’t really get overly excited about the HR Derby this year because no one that I really was excited to watch was in it. No offense to the guys who were but let’s be honest, the big draws are those DH’s that we all know and love. I am however looking forward to watching the game itself.

And one little Barry Bonds jab, because clearly he’s desperately seeking employment – despite the fact that he’s more than likely going to jail in under a year. And while there’s “no official” grievance that’s been filed, Team Bonds is concerned because there have been no offers since he’s become a free agent. Um, hello?. Do you really think that any All American & Apple Pie baseball team wants the negative press that’s going to come along with this incarceration? That’s not collusion my friends, that’s common sense!

"It's called talent. I just have it. I can't explain it. You either have it or you don't." – Barry Bonds

I have another quote for you Barry. It’s called “Steroids. You either do them – or you don’t” – Most of society.

Does he have a God-given ability? Absolutely. But so do hundreds of other baseball players – and they didn’t cheat to showcase them or break records either. I have some advice for you Barry – and maybe Brett Favre could heed this as well, though not notorious or infamous – but egomaniacal just the same. Know when it’s your time to go. Exit quietly, and revel in what you had. Age gracefully. Keep whatever dignity you have (or in Barry’s case, thinks he has). Everything has it’s season – and yours has passed. Say goodbye, and let it go….