So I'm wondering: my new favorite pastime just might be having an adverse affect on my weight control...

She looks bigger in this pic than she is. All of 3.10 lbs. Eventually, she's probably going to lose the black hair :( and end up a lovely golden color...

all the world's a-travelin'...

except me that is. 

• John and Shawna are in Louisville with a group from MPCC to see the Easter pageant at SECC. (and visit Sara and Max of course!)

• Veronica and David drove to Pennsylvania yesterday for a work-related weekend of inventory for OTR. They are bicycling through Washington, DC today, without a doubt recalling their child-free years many moons ago. Anyone up for the math, Kev and I have three kids until Monday night. So far, so good.

• And then of course Pam and Yvonne left for Greece on Thursday with a busload of Crossing folks. Once again the math: Kevin and I opted out. Hard at first but it was a lot of money (worth it I told him...) but it would have postponed my surgery as well as the puppy so I'm happy with his decision if not still a little envious of those who went for it.

On top of that, Jennie landed in Sweden,  Erin's back in Costa Rica, and Gil's out there somewhere cruising all his favorite eateries and calling it ministry. Lol. So maybe I'm more than a little envious after all. We are entertaining an afternoon trip to Hannibal tomorrow for 50 miles of art. It's nothing postcard worthy but it's something. And did I mention I have a puppy? 

what a wittle wookiee...

It's hard to believe we've had Mylie for nearly three weeks already but we have. She isn't all that much bigger but her hair is much fuller and her face continues to change. She's a cross between Benji and Chewbacca. Cute.

The breeder had told me over the phone that she was a little hoarder. I would imagine being a small female pup among several larger males she learned to grab and go if she was going to claim her share. The night we got her home Kevin and I assumed the postures we have since subjected our bodies to on the kitchen floor and immediately witnessed this hoarding of hers. I completely ignored the cautions to overstimulate and tossed every toy I've nested away in the last few months at her furry feet. One by one she carried them to her bed. (Adorably soft- pale yellow stripes. A Target find next to the box of "iced" puppy cookies in Easter shapes that also found their way into my red plastic shopping cart...) Anyway, this went on for some time, toy after toy. She even managed to drag a stuffed dog that's bigger than she is across the floor several times. And then all of a sudden she started bringing the toys to me, curling up and settling herself snuggly in the pocket between my face and arms as I laid on my stomach on the floor. Score. Since then she has also found "secondary" refuge in Kevin's arms but she trusted her hoard with me first. Only when an infant Shawna reached her arms up for me to pick her up have I felt a similar rush of joy. (or even now, when she makes me her transit phone call...)  But every time Mylie trots across the floor and retrieves her little treasures, rushes toward me tail a-wagging and plops, curls and kisses me all in one fell swoop; Dancing. Much dancing in this heart of mine. So much joy. And last night being a "Wonderful Wednesday", I was late getting home with rehearsal all night and as soon as I hit the door I hear Kevin laughing and see Kevin struggling to hold onto the little furball from the sofa in the living room. Where does it come from? This mutual adoration we have going on. And how does something smaller than my purse contain such intense excitement? I gotta say I'll take it all. Mercy this little walking carpet has done a number on me...

gotta stop watching t.v. in the morning...

Ap"pear"ently, my larger lower half is supposed to decrease the odds of developing dementia in my 70's. Who knew I'd ever be thankful for thighs. The bad news is my "menopot" that's recently growing around my middle is equally increasing my odds of the same thing. For all my

friends  over 40, (from Venus or Mars...) check your waist to hip ratio (no matter how thin you are...) or we'll all end up in the nut house. If they had said "in my 90's" I might have considered it as a nice exit prank on John and Shawna...

this just in...

Thin, petite caucasian/asian women are more apt to develop osteoporosis later in life. Glory be to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. Chalk one up for all us big boned gals...

There's seldom a day that passes that God doesn't amaze me by at least one of the immeasurable things He has thought of. This particular morning I thought of something that might have made that list had involuntary memory loss ever been a struggle for the Almighty. Were my mind more user friendly, it might offer a drop-down window for referencing recent thoughts that vanish before I finish with them. Imagine the handiness of a mental history window: "re-open windows from last session;" "add bookmark;" "earlier today or yesterday;" or even this little gem that could replace the Tylenol PM: "clear history."  It would save a tree or two from all the post-it notes I use, it would eliminate the endless trips into a room for naught when I can't for the life of all good things remember what I went there for, and it would alleviate the nightly pleas with the mind  to stop long enough to fall asleep and stay asleep. Still, I trust He fashioned us just the way we need to be so I'll content myself knowing my vast collection of seasonal post-its makes the process at least cheerful and trendy. As long as I remember where I keep them...

what the...

chillin' with the homies...

mylie...12 weeks old...3.1 lbs...

Go ahead and say it. She's all that and more...

him: I'm going to be tasting those tacos all night...

me: you want some Pepcid?

him: no. I like it.

me: 

him: so do you think John could watch her while you run to the store? you could just take her next door to his office when you leave.

me: remember I'm not going to work today? remember I just told you I have Meals on Wheels at noon?

him: oh. sorry. that's right...I forgot. (I told him last night and again, not 20 minutes ago...)

me: you're taking my car so I can have the van, right? (also, not 20 minutes ago...)

him: yes. (feigning recall with betraying smile...) you have to understand, I'm not wired like you. I'm doing good to get my pants on in the morning. (heading out the door and glancing down...) I do have my pants on don't I?

and yes. we have our puppy :)

So my sister and I were contemplating a round trip to Tulsa today. (Actually, I was doing the contemplating she was filling her gas tank!) My breeder said she'd bring Mylie today and due to the possibility of winter storms passing through decided to delay the trip. After calling her this morning and being reassured she was only postponing until tomorrow and not next week, I made the decision to wait it out. Again. In the meantime, two friends who weren't even in the market for dogs a month ago both have puppies at their homes and I'm still sitting here waiting. Though not completely immune to the irony of it all I am thrilled with their recent additions. One's even named after me :) 

A loyal cat owner for nearly a quarter century as well as being the proud grandmother of Shawna's  beautiful yearling Ada, I would still have to admit to having a particular fondness for puppies. We had two Irish setters and a mutt growing up, as well as a pony, tanks of fish, multiple birds, guinea pigs and rabbits, all smack dab in the middle of town---so I love all my animal friends, but there is just something about a dog. So I'm more than ready to get my hands on my little 3 lb. fur ball. I did call when she was getting her breakfast this morning and got to hear her bark over the phone. Crazy stupid is what I am.

Anticipating her arrival around 7:00 tomorrow evening. I'll be sure and let you know how that plays out...