Multiply by Ten

Life is really great at a few things - one of which is pulling me in a million directions, all at the same time.  It's completely reasonable that I be in three different places at the same time, wearing four different hats.  Right?  Wrong.  I can't do it all.  I try most days, but then on some days, I want to give up and just focus on a few of my responsibilities.  I need to have ten of myself. 

Mom Me needs to play with my children all day, teach them new skills, and mold them in to great people.  Real Me is able to get them dressed and fed, and is able to read a book or two throughout the day.

Career Me needs to work 40+ hours a week, make outstanding goals for myself (and meet them), and make everyone happy here.  Real Me gets my work done, but doesn't have much time for new projects.

Chef Me should cook great, nutritious breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks for my girls and husband.  Real Me is lucky to get the girls to eat fruit once a day (veggies do not go well), and we end up eating out 1-2 times a week, mostly because of showings and laziness.

Homemaker Me is getting the most attention these days.  Have you ever been in a house with a 5 and 2 year old?  Chaos.  It's up to me to keep it clean, picked up and tidy, because you never know when you'll get a showing request.  We have a cleaning lady once a month, but recently needed to step it up to every other week because I couldn't keep up.

Wife Me should take more care of my husband.  He's lucky if I ask how his day was, and this makes me sad.  He works hard for us and deserves more attention!  He also gets the brunt of my stress, and that's not fair.

Friend Me should be texting, emailing, visiting my girlfriends, just keeping in touch better.  I definitely feel like I haven't seen them as much, and that's partly on me.  They are the best friends, and understand my craziness lately, but I miss them!

Daughter Me needs to go home and visit my parents.  I haven't been there since Christmas!  That is unacceptable.  Thankfully, I have a wonderful family who understands everything that is going on right now.

Dog Mom Me (of course I couldn't leave out my buddy Charlie!).  He needs me too!  He gets so anxious in the car, and he has been having to leave a lot due to showings.  He needs me to cuddle more, walk him and play fetch more.  Real Me feeds him, lets him out and only cuddles while I sleep.

And, of course, let's not forget about Me.  I would love to take a bath, relax, read, craft, maybe go shopping.  Right now, all of these things feel selfish to me - it's hard to tell myself that "me time" is important.

I know I am not the first person to be busy, or stressed out by the million directions I feel I'm being pulled in.  How do you handle all of the hats you wear? Are there any really good tips for getting the most out of the few 24 hours we have each day?  I'm all ears - all 20 of them!

Single, B/W Boston Terrier

Hi, I'm Charlie. 

Status: Single

Age: 7.5

Height and Weight: I don't think I've ever had my height measured, but I'm definitely pushing 30 lbs.

Body Type:  Stocky.  Longer legs, but a strong, muscular body.

Income:  Nada

Education:  I graduated Puppy School back in the day.  I'm hear to tell you that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks.  I love getting treats doing tricks. 

Occupation:  Professional snuggler and nap-taker. 

Drinking/Smoking/Drugs:  Water, sometimes milk when my younger sisters spill it.  No smoking.  I take a heartworm pill every month along with my flea/tea prevention.  Sometimes when I have to go in the car, my mom gives me something weird that makes me fall asleep - but afterwards I feel totally crazy and won't sleep for hours.  Haven't had that in a looooong time.

Children:  Not that I know of.  wink wink!  Seriously though, I physically can't have children.

Likes:  Cuddling, treats, quiet time when my people leave the house, every person I meet, kissing my sisters, when A drops her food on the floor for me, spooning with my mom (I'm the big spoon), playing outside.

Dislikes:  My sisters are sometimes loud, rain, snow, getting woken up, creaky doors.

My mom said she's linking this up with TexErin in Sydneyland for the Meet the Canines link up.  Maybe I'll finally meet my special lady friend - I've been waiting for her for almost eight, long years!



  

Tomorrow is a New Day

Lately, I feel like things in my life have been moving along at speeds that I cannot keep up with.  Every direction I turn, there is something new to deal with, to worry about, to have fun with, to do.  What I really need is for time to stand still for about a week.  Maybe then I could get some things done, figure some things out and really feel on top of my life.  Until then, we have lists.  And I love a good list.

It's Wednesday, which means I link up with my friend Anne for Wednesday Wishes.  This comes at the perfect time this week.  Let's get to it:

• Right now, or earlier this morning depending on when you are reading this, someone very close to me is putting her body through amazing procedures in hopes of becoming pregnant. It's been a long, difficult road, and I am praying and wishing that this is it.  This has to be it.

• E had a horrible time with pre-k drop off yesterday.  We were doing so great, and yesterday she just kind of freaked out.  She had to be pulled off of me, then they had to shut the door because she was trying to run out.  My heart hurt so badly.  I camped out in the school office and was told not five minutes later that she was in circle time playing with her friends.  I hope that she was just having an off day yesterday, and this isn't our new normal.  We had a rough go last year with preschool drop offs and I just can't put us both through that again.

• Last week on Twitter, you might have seen me post that I was at the vet with Charlie.  My little guy had a bad looking bump on his face that we needed to get checked out.  Because of the location, the vet couldn't get a good sample (needles in the face?  No thanks says Charlie!).  He had also been scratching it, so it was infected.  We are treating it as an infected pimple, but there's a chance it could be cancer.  Just writing that makes me tear up.  So, I'm obviously wishing, hoping and praying that he has acne.  Sounds funny, but I'll take a pimply face over a sick pup any day. 

I always try to keep this space positive - and today is no different.  I am an optimist through and through, and can always find something positive in each situation.  Even the things I am wishing for.  And, above all else, tomorrow is a new day.

A Letter to Charlie

Oh, Charlie.  My sweet, sweet puppy.  I won't ever stop calling you my puppy, even though you are seven years old today. 

The day your Daddy brought you home and surprised me was such an awesome day.  He walked in, holding this tiny little puppy - and I thought we were dog sitting for someone.  When he told me you were mine, I broke into tears and immediately fell in love with you.  You have brought me so much happiness it's ridiculous.

You are my first baby, and always will be.  You love me unconditionally, comfort me when I'm sad, play with me when I'm happy, and are always genuinely excited when I walk in the door.  The love you have for me and our whole family is everlasting.

I watch you with the girls - and I see your love for them too.  E is obsessed with you and has starting calling you by the love names I use: Bubba, Chucks, Boo Bear, to name a few.  A has just recently began to really love you, although she shows it in different ways.  Still, every time she "pats" you, or tries to poke your eye, or pulls on your tail, you always respond in the same way - a quick lick to the face.  You would never, ever, hurt them (or anyone) and I think that is one of your best qualities.

You are there for me when I need a good cry, cuddle, or someone to listen to me ramble about who knows what.  You are my big spoon and cuddle with me every night.  To say I love you would be the biggest understatement of the year.

To many, many more years with you Charlie - Happy Birthday Buddy!

Wednesdays around here are Wednesday Wishes thanks to Anne.  Today, my wish is this:  I wish for so many more healthy years with Charlie.  I think every dog owner ever can share that wish with me.  I also wish that he knows just how much he is loved and needed in our family.

Life With A Boston Terrier

Charlie.  My first baby, my fur baby.  I am a total dog person - I grew up around dogs, embrace every dog I see in public, and can't imagine my life without dogs in it.  When Tim and I were dating, I was always telling him that we needed to live in an apartment that allowed pets, because a day living without a dog was not good enough for me.  The story of how we got Charlie is one of my favorites - and goes to show that my husband was always listening to me when I was whining talking about getting a puppy.

One Saturday morning, a month after we were married, Tim got up to go to the gym.  Looking back, I should have seen the flags because we didn't belong to a gym, and he rarely worked out.  But, it was Saturday morning, BC (before children) and I was half asleep so I didn't think much of it.  About an hour later, he came home holding what looked like a little black blob.  Once it registered that it was a puppy, I said "How cute!  Who are we dogsitting for?", to which he answered "No one - he's yours."  Swoon.

Life with a Boston Terrier wasn't always rainbows and cuddles, however.  Once when I walking him, a car pulled over and yelled "Don't worry - he'll be different once he turns 6 months!" She was so, so right.

He had energy.  A lot of energy.  Always needing to play, run, chew. 

Bostons can be very stinky.  Anyone with a Boston will tell you that. (Plain yogurt on their food helps!)

He ate paper towels and toilet paper.

He liked to chew on feet.  Anyone's feet! 

He has a sensitive stomach.  If he doesn't eat, he will get sick.  If I'm not home, he won't eat.  Such a momma's boy!

Once that six month mark hit, he no longer needed play all of the time, he didn't chew on feet, didn't eat paper products, but instead just wanted to cuddle.  Unfortunately the stomach issues haven't disappeared, but it's a small price to pay for his companionship.  He is so gentle with the girls it makes my heart happy.

I can't imagine my life without him.  I might be a little attached, and he might be a little attached to me.  I'm linking up with Anne from Love the Here and Now for Wednesday Wishes.  My wish is for Charlie to know how much he means to our family.  I know that time with our pets is limited, and I often wonder if he knows just how much he is loved.

Annnnd I've written a whole post on my dog.  No shame!  Now that I've totally pegged myself as a "crazy dog lady", tell me about your furbabies!