Happy Fostering 3

Poor Happy.

Since he's was still having the pudding poops, I called Hope Rescues and got instructions to take him to the vet.  He's got worms.  (I can't remember which.  Either whip or hook).  So he's got some meds to take.  I hope this clears up our intestinal issues.  It's getting old.  And I'm sure it's uncomfortable for him too.

Short post.  Sorry.  But I've got kids that think I should get them some lunch.  Who do they think I am?  Their mother?

1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

My youngest son just said he had to go to the bathroom.

His brother asked him if he had to go number 1 or number 2.

He said, "I am going 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5!"

I didn't ask.

Happy Fostering 2

We've now had Happy Gilmore for about 48 hours.  The "no accidents" phase didn't last.  But I don't think either "accident" was his fault.  The first one was yesterday morning.  I wanted to give him a bath, so I decided to bathe him, then take a quick shower afterwards.  I planned to take him outside before his bath, but my neighbor was on the sidewalk chatting with someone I didn't know.  I was in my jammies and I didn't want to have to deal with Ginger barking at someone while I was holding onto Happy with one hand and my pajama pants with the other (they are too big.  I have to hold them).  So we went up for a bath.  Then while I was in the shower I heard screams from downstairs - "MOM!  HAPPY PISSED ON THE FLOOR!!!  Accident #1 - totally my fault.

Then I had to go to my workout (the one Bambi skipped).  So I put Happy in his kennel.  When I got home there was an overwhelming stench wafting out the door.  See, my 13-yr-old had gotten home and taken Happy out of his kennel.  He did take him out, but then left him unattended while he went to the bathroom.  He didn't even realize (he must have no sense of smell) what Happy had done.  He pooped (several pudding-like piles) on the living room carpet.  Accident #2, not really DS's fault, but not Happy's fault either.

Today we've had no accidents!

And Happy seems to be settling in.  

Since it's Tuesday, I thought I'd do a few random thoughts like Bambi does, but will make them "Happy" thoughts

• He can curl himself into the smallest little ball when he is sleeping
• He seems to have some separation anxiety - he cries when I leave the room
• Sassy doesn't like him too much, she's given him several warning growls
• He sounds like a hound dog but he's pretty quiet all in all
• Someone saw him yesterday at the pet store and asked me for the website address
• He's a chewer
• I'm trying not to fall in love with him

Happy Fostering 1

This is Happy Gilmore.  He is our new foster dog.  He comes to us from Hope Rescues in Alton, IL.  First of all, yes, we are crazy!  We have 2 dogs already (Ginger and Sassy) as well as a cat (Spooky).  So why do we have a foster dog?  Because we are crazy!! I just said that!

But, seriously, we wanted to be able to do something constructive for one of the best organizations we know.  And they always need more space to rescue more dogs (and cats).  If dogs are in foster, there is more space.

We are hoping he'll find his own home soon.  He's cute as a bug's ear and a full-blooded beagle.  In 24 hours we've had no potty accidents, so I'm thinking he's house-broken.   I'm optimistic he'll have a home to call his own soon.

Until then, I thought I'd share the chaos.

Sassy's not too sure this is such a good idea.  She has spent some time sulking in the corner of the kitchen and she's given Happy a warning growl or two.  Ginger, on the other hand, just goes with the flow.

First thing we have to do is change his food.  The food he's been eating produces some pretty rude smells.  The first of which happened in the car on the way home.  It was a crazy scene of boys blaming each other, screams of disgust, uncontrollable giggles, enthusiastic congratulations, and windows rolled down to let in the 97 degree heat.  Then later the deposit he made in the yard was not one that can be easily picked up.  Besides, he likes Ginger and Sassy's food.  It's herring and sweet potato.  Gourmet!

Day one ended with some complaints about having to sleep in his kennel.  But he soon settled down for the night and there was brief respite from the chaos.  Stay tuned.

Holes and Skeletons

You may have plenty of skeletons in your closet.  We, however, have a skeleton on our ceiling.  See him over in the corner of the picture.  My dear sister threw him up there weeks ago and he's still there.

As for the holes, they are there because we are trying to figure out why our shower continues to leak into the kitchen.  It's a frustrating problem 'cause we can't seem to find the source of the leak.  I guess that makes it a ghost leak?

OMG

OK, I really thought that other water slide was scary.  Then I did it and it was all fine.  This one, the yellow one, on the other hand, was really scary.  And it was not fine.

My 13-yr-old and my husband (for now, anyway) "forced" me to go on this slide.  We climbed up four flights of steps.  My heart was pounding, my palms were sweating, and I was really, really panicking.  I looked at the life guard and asked him how bad it was.  He took my hand.  He told me, "it's only 3 seconds.  You'll be fine."

As you sit at the top, it is STRAIGHT down.  I can't believe I did it.  I sat at the top, crossed my ankles and arms, and plunged straight down.  I was so scared I couldn't even scream.  I'm not sure how long it will take me to forgive myself for getting talked into that one.  I guess I am too old.

I Guess I'm Not Too Old Yet!

No, this is not me.  It's my middle child coming off one of the water slides at our resort.  But I also found myself flying down this water slide.

 When we planned this vacation with the boys, I have to admit that I had a certain amount of dread deep down inside somewhere.  A resort with 2 water parks?  What are we thinking?  But I figured since DH and I got our trip to France and Scotland (sans kids), we could take the kids someplace that they'd really enjoy.  We even signed up for the Family Fun Package that comes with up to 5 (yeah, 5) free pizzas, 5 vouchers for 100 tokens each for use at the arcade, free bowling, etc.  

When we got here we headed straight for the indoor water park.  It has an impressive number of slides and rides as well as the other water park stuff.  After spending some time in the hot tub, the boys really wanted me to experience some of the other stuff with them.  So we headed up a flight of stairs.  Then we went up another flight of stairs, turned on a landing, and went up another flight of stairs.  We were at the python plunge.  The huge black and orange body flume has a closed section that winds around for a story or so, then an open section that shoots straight down for about 2 stories and ends in a section full of water similar to the one in the picture above.

As my turn approached I started to panic.  I could feel my heart pounding.  I was thinking "I'm too old for this".  I was wondering if Liam and Rowan would believe any excuse I could come up with not to go down this slide.  I was sure that I'd somehow make a fool of myself.  But their smiling encouragement was too much for me.  I couldn't disappoint them.  

I stood at the top of the slide waiting for the life guard to give me the nod.  When he did, I got myself into position (on my back, ankles crossed, arms across my chest) and let go.  I was plunged into darkness.  As I slid through the darkness I told myself "You're fine, Barb.  This is nothing.  The kids can do it."  Then I couldn't help but scream as I plunged through the near vertical section to waiting boys.  It was awesome!  I loved it.  I'd forgotten what that adrenaline rush was like.  So I'm 43.  But I'm not too old to enjoy a day at the water park with my kids.  Five days, I'm not sure.  But since I've survived two of them so far, I'm optimistic.