✾ Life on the Path ✾
✾ cracking up on easter ✾
Easter is a very serious holiday. Jesus rose from the dead, hung out for 40 days - visiting his bros and setting some folks straight - and then ascended to heaven. It's a big deal. A miracle.
Around here, Easter is a time for me to reflect on the miracles I've witnessed firsthand as well.
Shorty living through his run-in with a zipper. Lucky dog making it through parvo as a tiny baby. Me not being fully gray by the time I was forty. Miracles do indeed happen!
Easter is also nostalgic. We all remember our Easter dresses and cute shoes from when we were a kid. The baskets FULL of candy. These days, I skip the chocolate bunny. I have enough hollow people in my life...
But I do still like to have Easter brunch (even if it's on Tuesday when Robert finally has a day off), and this year I'm making these deviled eggs, with Mrs. Cambell's sweet chow chow relish on top. They are SO good! I'm also going to make crash hot potatoes from The Pioneer Woman. Again, super good! And because I'll make some kind of bread, I have to balance the scale with a salad. This one is tasty (though I don't like smoked almonds and use regular) and makes me feel like those six deviled eggs I ate for being "imperfect" while I was making them barely even count!
Speaking of eggs, I just remembered I lied on my fitness app this morning. I logged two eggs for breakfast... but they were Cadbury.
Anywho, back to all things Easter that doesn't involve me lying...
Easter reminds me that being happy in the world today is also pretty much a miracle. While we don't do eggs or candy, these donuts from Chewy make me (and the dogs) very happy on Easter. I like to do something a little special this time of year just to remind them how awesome their mom is. So if anyone has a face-to-face with the big man, they can put in a good word for me. (You know me, I need all the help I can get.)
The fruit trees are blooming in our orchard (aka the front yard) and that makes me happy. Although I don't have the time, patience, or knowledge to grow and pick fruit, I do enjoy having so many trees that bloom so beautifully!
And lastly, these jokes make me happy. Here's to cracking up on Easter...
A man, his wife, and his cranky mother-in-law went on vacation to the Holy Land. While they were there, the mother-in-law passed away.
The undertaker told them, “You can have her shipped home for $5,000, or you can bury her here in the Holy Land for $150”.
The man thought about it for a while and told the undertaker he would just have her shipped home.
The undertaker asked, “Why…. why would you spend $5,000 to ship your mother-in-law home when it would be wonderful to be buried here and spend only $150?”
The man said, “A man died here about 2000 years ago. He was buried here and three days later, he rose from the dead. I just can’t take that chance.”
A German Shepherd, a Doberman, and a cat have died. All three are faced with God, who wants to know what they believe in.
The German shepherd says, “I believe in discipline training and loyalty to my master.”
“Good,” says God. “Then sit down on my right side. Doberman, what do you believe in?”
The Doberman answers, “I believe in the love, care, and protection of my master.”
“Ah, yes,” said God. “You may sit to my left.”
Then he looks at the cat and asks, “And what do you believe in cat?”
The cat answers, “I believe you’re sitting in my seat.”
Remember your miracles, remember to laugh, and remember, some bunny loves you!
Happy Easter Y'all!
Beth aka Bunilla Ice
✾ Resolutions ✾
Well, I guess it's that time of year again. Time to make the obligatory "New Year's resolutions". As I thought about all the things I want to do - visit Harry Potter's Wizarding World, take more walks, spend more time with family, shave my legs more than once a month - I realized that the dogs would prevent most of those things from happening. Again this year. So, I thought about this past year (eye roll) and how I can make things better. Resolutions for all of us. Things to improve our quality of life. And as I was (literally) stuffing Buck into his sweatshirt this morning and watching Red limp down the ramp, I decided we've got to take better care of ourselves. (I've got a little more room in my hoodie than Buck, but I'm like two Oreos away from catching him...)
So, I'm going to switch the dogs to senior food. It not only promotes weight loss, but it also helps support aging joints. I prefer a product that uses ingredients from the U.S. and has few or no recalls so, I chose Victor kibble mixed with wet as our new dog food. For myself, I'm giving up refined sugar and trying to plan better meals and eat more mindfully. (Except on my day off, on which I will probably eat my weight in cheesy gordita crunches, followed by those two Oreos...) I'm going to take more baths, make time to workout and stop cutting my own hair. So, while last year double sucked, I'm going into this year trying to stay positive and take care of myself (and more importantly) others. Here's to a happier new year and some inspiration from the Pioneer Woman's site to help you along.
"What is the New Year but the perfect place to live out what we learned in the old year?"
Craig Lounsbrough
✾ Winter has arrived! ✾
Baby, it's cold outside! It's time for oatmeal instead of Cheerios, hot cocoa instead of milkshakes and it also means it's sweater weather ya'll. Time to get all the hoodies washed and ready to wear! (Not for me, the hot flashes keep me warm. For the dogs...)
All the pups have outerwear and I like to throw their sweaters into the dryer (or the microwave, so watch for dog hair in your soup) and then put them on before the potty runs. That spot of sunlight seems to be helping Buck and Twink and Scooter warm-up, but there's no substitute for a soft, warm sweater on a cold day! (Just ask Twink, she looks gorge in her warm, pink hoodie!)
This one from Zack & Zoey is one of my favorites. It's not a "sweater" but it's warm and the dog hair doesn't stick. If you're into the knit sweater look, this one by Frisco on chewy.com is good as well. You want something your pet can comfortably walk in, and doesn't pee on. (Ricky...) And, of course, keeps them warm.
Winter is here, so get out the sweaters and snuggle up buttercups!
(Sweaters are good for cool cats too, so don't leave your feline friends out the in cold. Literally...)
✾ Contradicting the Good Dr ✾
We've probably all watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas like a million times and heard Dr. Seuss's famous Christmas quote; "Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!” And while I love me some Dr. Seuss, I have to disagree this time.
Everyone has been impacted by the pandemic this year in one way or another, but animal shelters are taking it squarely on the chin! (See how I cleaned that up for baby Jesus...) Shelters rely on fundraisers and adoption clinics to raise money. Two things that just aren't happening right now. On top of everything else, most of us have lost income or aren't working as much as we were and aren't donating. But in the spirit of Christmas, and in direct contradiction to the good doctor, I'm saying Christmas does come from the store this year, in the form of kibble and blankets and kitten formula. Chewy has some great ideas how to help, and we all have a local shelter we can support.
Rob and I love spoiling the dogs at Christmas and getting extra treats and toys and chew sticks, but this year we skipped it. You heard me. Our dogs got zero gifts. Instead, I used the money we saved to buy food for our local shelter here in town. 2020 has helped many of us get 20/20 if you will. Gain some perspective. While it's nice for my dogs to be spoiled, it's also nice for the shelter dogs to eat and have warm beds. My dogs will have it made the rest of their lives. Our goal right now should be making sure the shelter pets get to have lives.
So, my new Christmas quote, forgive me, Dr. Seuss, is - "You can do something big, you can do something small, because whatever you do is better than nothing at all".
(You need to share that on social asap. That shit was good!!! Just don't use my name, I um "borrowed" it off Pinterest...)
Merry Christmas everyone!
✾ political debates ✾
I don't know if any of you have watched the political debates on tv or online lately (I haven't, I like my drama in the form of true crime shows and cake competitions), but apparently, they've been a real circus. Yelling, talking over each other, refusing to cooperate or let the other person make their points. Yeaaaah, nope...And regardless of who you're voting for, we all have to admit that none of the candidates have been on their best behavior.It must be the full moon or the nip in the air the past few weeks. I don't know. But the same kind of Tom Foolery is happening around here. We have our own political debates...First, we have the "climate change" issue. It's cold at night now. Like, 36 degrees the other night cold. I love it. I can finally sleep on our inferno of a foam mattress without sweating through my jammies. (Can I get an eye roll in commiseration from all the ladies who wake up with sweaty hair from the hot flashes...) It's miserable and until we can get a new mattress, I look forward to cooler weather. In fact, I put a fan in the window. Yes. In 36 degree weather. That, however, causes a "climate change" issue for the dogs hanging out in bed with me in the evenings. The solution? A warm blanket. An electric throw, set on medium, and strategically placed in the middle of my bed so everyone can cuddle up and be warm. (Wish the presidential candidates had my problem-solving skills!)But, just like the candidates, there can't ever be an easy solution or calm conversation about anything with my dogs...First, Adi gets on the warm blanket. She's a 10-pound Dachshund on a 4x4 blanket. There's still plenty of room. Then Jr tries to get in on the "global warming" and is told emphatically NO. He isn't allowed to debate or state his stance. She acts like a bully, growling and showing her teeth, and he high tails it off the bed. Then Ricky tries his luck. He sneaks up the side and sets with his back towards her, head bowed low in submission, but is given the same answer. Ricky, however, has a bad back and knee and absolutely loves that warm blanket! His love of warm blankets overpowers his fear of his sister and he flops over on his side with his legs in the air looking like a maniac who has little control of himself. She generally gives him another grumble, checks to be sure his ears are clean, and then allows his presence on her blanket. As long as he doesn't challenge her...Red? Well, Red's a Pit Bull. He's no politician. So he's terrified of Adi and isn't about to start anything with her. He climbs up onto the bed, on top of me, careful not to touch Adi or her blanket, and nestles into a spot between Rob and I. Happy to share his heat with us and NOT be bitten in the face. (Some of these ladies play hardball, am I right...)Oz on the other hand is a Dalmation mix and is given to hating everyone and everything. When he hears Adi growl at the other dogs, he barks and growls from his beloved crate (which no one dares enter) and shows his teeth to anyone walking by. I end up telling him, "no one is talking to you, let them settle it", and closing his crate door, but you know how worked up the independent candidates can get...Then Jr makes another attempt, trying to sneak in his agenda while everyone else is focused on all the noise Oz is making. He pretends to be laying with Red, his head rested on Reds belly, looking over his imaginary glasses at Adi in reproach. She catches eye contact and growls. He gives a whimper at being reprimanded again, and I step in as the moderator and make them behave. She gets a stern look and told "No", he gets a spot under the blanket where they can be separated, and I finally get to have a sip of my now stone-cold coffee. I mean, it's 36 degrees in my room. What did I expect...We also frequently have healthcare debates around here. Adi decides someone needs their ears and face cleaned, and they disagree. They think their standard of care is fine, and she thinks having that much eye punk on your face is disgraceful. So, she starts licking and they start growling and wiggling. The harder they fight the more forcefully she licks. She's been known to hold Red down by standing on him with her feet on his collar for leverage as she gives him the once over. (I know. I'm embarrassed for him too.) And that's all fine and good, he's a Pit Bull, if he can't get a Weiner off his face I can't help him.Bobo, on the other hand, will put up a fight. He growls and shows his teeth, which then just attracts the attention of Ricky who wants to know what all the growling is about but ends up getting a nip for his trouble from Bobo who's already grouchy from the unsolicited licking and healthcare program he's been forced to take. (We practice socialized medicine around here.) Which in turn causes Ricky to yelp and Jr to run through the house in a panic barking his head off. (Now that sounds just like our political debates. Lots of noise and no real focus!)And lastly, we have national security. We have a strict protocol around here for keeping everyone safe. When it's time for dental chews, all the dogs go into their crates, doors closed, and safely enjoy themselves. Same with kongs. Same with food. I don't take any chances. Security is a top priority.But, there's holes in every system and there's bound to be a breach at some point. Sometimes, things that belong to one dog end up in another dog's possession. They break protocol and cause economic inequality. My security policy is routine searches at the border of every kennel to minimize crime. A policy that Buck finds unfair. (Mostly because Buck is a thief and a hoarder. The last time I raided his crate, I found six CET chews, three kongs, two kong bones, three ropes, and a Sam's Yams sweet potato...)So, as I try to explain my security policies to him (while raiding his room) he throws himself against the door in protest, interrupting me and barking in objection. I finally can't take the noise and tantrums anymore and just have to let him in saying, "Will you shut up, man?"On a side note, we don't have race issues in our house. We have every breed and size and color and they all get along fine. Maybe my dogs should run this country...Here's to another season of Halloween Baking Championship and fewer political debates!!
BHY, authoritarian dictator...
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The second book is underway! Stay tuned for updates...