The party is winding down

Today is the last day of the Ultimate Blog Party hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom.  Is it silly that I’m slightly sad that it’s ending?  I hope to continue visiting the blogs of other women after the party has ended, so it’s not like today is the last day and I will never have a chance to visit the 1300 or so that I didn’t get to this week, so why feel sad?

Maybe it’s because we all love receiving love and after today that may wind down.  We’re busy women and it’s not easy to make the time to seek out new blogs that we enjoy.

To everyone, thanks for partying with me, thanks for letting me party with you!  I hope we’ll be able to get together and do this again sometime!

Happy Day!

Back in January, I posted that I had submitted my first article for publication.  They stated that they would notify accepted authors on 2/29.  When March 1st came, I assumed that I was not accepted and went on my way.  I wasn’t upset, it was my first attempt and just hitting send was enough of an accomplishment for me.

This morning,  I opened my email and there was a congratulations email letting me know that my article has been accepted!  I can’t wait until the issue comes out and I can open the magazine to MY article!

At this point in my writing, I still feel like a child who needs validation.  Being accepted for the writing course and getting something published has really helped that insecurity.  I can’t wait to get home tonight and start working on some of the other articles that I’ve had mulling in my mind but put off writing.

The Purse Doesn’t Lie

For a long time, I’ve said that I’m not a “girly girl”. I think that probably comes from the fact that I feel completely inadequate in the areas of makeup, clothes, shoes, and hair. I’ve thought about the possibility of a girly girl being locked somewhere deep inside of me but quickly dismissed those thoughts.

Today, I found my purse. Yes, I had to find my purse. This is another area where I’m apparently not up to par with the average American woman. Rather than having multiple purses to suit my needs, I have one very casual all purpose bag. According to a report on Good Morning America last week, the average American female has ten purses.

Back to the truth-telling purse.

I’ve realized by the contents of my purse that there truly is a girl locked deep inside my tomboy self. I opened the purse, cleaned out the old receipts, papers, an empty gum pack, a half-eaten sucker, and was somewhat surprised with the remaining contents. Right now, my purse contains mascara, lipstick, lip gloss, my contacts case, two different body sprays, and four lotion bottles, in addition to the necessary pens, wallet, Tylenol, Aleve, cell phone, and mints. Truth be told, I didn’t even realize I owned some of those things!

I really do want to find a bit more feminine self. I know that I like the way I feel when I do my makeup and hair. For the first time in probably a decade, I have earrings. I bought some studs and hoops before Christmas and my brother and sister-in-law bought me four pair for Christmas. I took my birthday and Christmas money and bought a flat iron. It looked good when my hair was shorter, hopefully it’ll look good when my hair is longer, but right now I’m at that awkward in-between stage. Maybe I’ll start there and find my way to putting together outfits. If not, I may be the first person to nominate themselves for “What Not To Wear”.

Canine Family

It’s once again time for the AW Blog Chain! This month, DTKelly began the discussion by talking about how we are slaves to our animals. Donna continued by talking about her minpin and trying to write on the floor. She is seeking Haldol because the normal meds aren’t cutting it.

I’ve decided that I’m much more of a dog aunt than a dog mom. There are people who feel this way with human kids, I feel this way about canine kids. I have had dogs, five as an adult (three passed on, one ran away, and one is talked about below) and one when I was a child (but I was too young to remember that dog). There was a time in my life when I loved having dogs. I loved playing with them and walking them, even snuggling up on the couch with them.

In 2006, when we moved to our current home, we had to give up our dog. Juniper is a Staffie that we rescued from the shelter. She was a sweet, lovable dog, we just couldn’t find a place that would take her. I got her in November of 2004, the same month I got pregnant. She was my protector when I was pregnant, she loves Khaila, she’s a great dog.

When we were facing having to get rid of her, my mom and her husband said they would take her in so we didn’t have to take her back to the shelter. She was so depressed when we met her, I couldn’t stand the thought of taking her back. She had this way of looking at those who walked past her kennel as if to say, “You’re not going to take me so don’t bother stopping.” When we met her in the viewing room, she was a completely different dog. She played tug with Rick, gave me kisses, it was great!

The thing is, once Khaila was born, I felt like my time with Juniper wasn’t enough. I was so busy working and taking care of the house that there simply wasn’t enough time for her. Now that I’m just shy of two years removed from the full-time responsibility, I’m not sure if or when I would own another dog. I don’t know if I’m cut out to be mommy to both a curious toddler and a playful pup.

At this stage in my life, I’m going to let other people in my life parent the dogs. I’m going to be the “aunt” who goes over, feeds them treats, plays with them, and once they’re wound up, say goodbye! I’ll leave the poop-scooping, feeding, training, etc to those who possess the patience to do so!

Next up is Virtual Wordsmith.  Be sure to check out all of the AW Chain bloggers:

Secret Government EGGO Project

Fantastical Imagination

For the First Time

Virtual Wordsmith

Polyspace

My Life, You’re Welcome to It

Polenth’s Quill

Food History

Spontaneous Derivation

Spittin’ (out words) Like a Llama

Fresh Hell

SLAKE

Forbidden Snowflake

Virginia Lee’s Vagaries

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