Mouse Catcher

So a few weeks ago when Tyler was out of town, I woke up at 3:30 a.m. or so to the sound of scratching, banging, and squeaking in my nightstand. Needless to say, I was concerned. A few days later, I caught a mouse under my bed. This was certainly a test of courage, but I managed to get it disposed of by myself.

I also spotted a little critter in my kitchen; I didn't just hear this one, I saw him twice. Ugh, talk about getting the jitters. Two days ago I saw "evidence" (and we all know what that is) in my kitchen cabinets, so I put a trap in there, right next to my casserole dishes.

This morning as I was drinking my coffee at 6:30, I heard a loud snap. Success! I looked in there, and sure enough I caught one...or so I thought. When I got the trap out, I saw not one but TWO mice in my little trap! Talk about good luck and lots of mice! I got my rubber gloves on and grabbed a bag to dispose of them. One slight problem: as I released the trap, one of them, obviously alive and well, tried to scamper off! My thoughts, you ask? AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!! After a few deep breaths, I decided I couldn't just throw him away--I had to let him go. My conscience wouldn't allow me to let him suffocate in a trash bag! So, I went outside and opened the bag. The little guy stared at me for a while, and I told him to watch out for Moochie (my cat), wished him well, and threw his deceased brother in the trash can.

So now I'm the Mouse Catcher with ethics. Ironic, huh?

Penny Lane

Meet Penny Lane, my sweet little 2.5 year-old chow mix. Penny came to live with us a little over 2 years ago when a friend found her half-starved and wandering around her neighborhood. We took her in simply because of how cute she was. I confess there were many times while she was young that I wanted to kill her (she was a terrible teether and chewed on everything!), but she has grown up into a very well-behaved and obedient dog (and doesn't chew anymore at all).

Penny loves people and other animals, particularly my cat Moochie. If Penny can make friends with Moochie, she can make friends with anyone I'm convinced. She loves to play and often I look out the window and watch her running in circles as fast as she possibly can--it's pretty funny.

Penny stays in the yard unless she sees a squirrel, and she knows how to come, sit, lay down, go lay down, and stay. She does ok on a leash, although she will stay with you on a walk without one.

Why am I telling you all of this? Well, unfortunately, I think we will eventually have to get rid of her. We are planning on moving downtown sometime in the next months, and with little to no yard and busy streets, it's not the place for her. I want her to have a place to run around and have a family that will love her and take care of her. I don't want her cooped up in my house or a tiny yard, and I'd hate for her to get lost downtown.

So, if you or anyone you know needs a friendly dog, please let me know! I'm not in a hurry; obviously we aren't moving yet. She's easy--already had all her shots, her female surgery, etc. She's house-trained (although she doesn't stay inside with us anymore), and otherwise trained. And she'll love you!

Silly Baby Boy

So we finally decided to record him cackling! If you notice the shaking camera, it's because I was laughing too! : )

I'm a Single Parent!

...for the week, that is. Tyler's away in NC working. Hmm, it's funny how things work out sometimes. Tyler quit his crap job just a few weeks ago, and let me just tell you, I was scared to death. I didn't know what was going to happen or how we were going to make ends meet. I knew I was supposed to trust God and trust Tyler to take care of me, and I said I did, but I don't really think I believed it. It seems like the day Tyler quit, the calls started coming in for jobs! He's had music gigs, random marketing jobs in Atlanta, and now this appraising job that's taking him all over the place! Sheesh! We're making more money now than we were before with the crap job!

Anyways, on to the subject of this rant: T-man and I are holding down the fort here on the home front. I was really dreading it, honestly. I love my son so much, but dang, sometimes you just need a break! (Can I hear a "uh-huh" from all you moms out there?!) It's actually been so much better than I thought, though. We're having a blast. I'm learning that sometimes, no matter how much I want to study anatomy or clear out some dishes so I can actually see the bottom of the sink, Tucker needs me more at that moment, and I'm becoming OK with that. However, I'm pretty sure I just failed my latest anatomy test...maybe I should lock Tucker up in a closet next time! : )

I've been showing Tucker pictures of Tyler throughout the week--as if he'd forget his daddy. Not a chance. But it makes me feel better. He's also been sleeping with me at night which is SO sweet! He woke up last night and was stroking my face...I know he's only 7 months old, but it sure felt like affection!

All right, I'm out. Thanks for reading!

Need Some Parenting Advice

Well, Tucker has this new thing where he yells at the top of his lungs. Cute, right? No. I'm really silly with him, and sometimes we get pretty loud just goofing off, but now he's gotten to where he yells in frustration AT ME. Now I realize that he can't talk, and his crying is his only way to communicate, but he can be fed, clean, comfortable, etc. but he gets frustrated and wrinkles up his eyebrows and yells as loud as he can! This morning I was in the kitchen making breakfast/cleaning, etc. and he was in there with me in the highchair. I don't know if he wanted me to pay attention to him or what. He had snacks and I was helping him with it, but every time I turned my back he would let out this ear-busting yell! Ugh!

What should my response be to this? It drives me crazy! What I've been doing is putting my hand over his mouth and saying "No" firmly. When is a child old enough to understand discipline? Obviously I'm not talking about spanking, but I don't want this to become a habit! Should I ignore it and go out of my mind? Parenting pros, I need your help!

The One About Poop

Why is it that Tucker picks Sunday mornings to play all his pranks on me? This is the one day of the week that I actually shower before 3 p.m. and have to get us both dressed, packed, and out the door by 9:30 a.m. Why couldn't he have picked, say, a Tuesday morning? Well, on this particularly delightful Sunday morning, I had just put my little man in the bathtub. I stepped out to get something, came back 30 seconds later to find him perfectly content with his little feet crossed and his hands clasped neatly in a tub full of poop. Ugh! I've just recently transitioned him into the big tub, so before when he pulled this trick on me, I only had to clean out his little baby tub. And back then, it was little more than a tablespoon or so to clean up. Not this time. Oh, no. It was A LOT and it was EVERYWHERE. You should have seen the look on his face. He was like, "Oh yeah, that's much better, Mommy."

Oh well, welcome to parenthood, Sarah! I love it! And btw, it's impossible to gross me out anymore! : )

The New 'Do

It's always the same with me. I grow my hair long, then I get tired of it and decide to cut it. I usually go on a whim and get it cut and hate it and immediately regret it and wish all my hair back. Well, this time I did it a little differently. I've been wanting to cut it for months now, so I at least get points for a lack of spontaneity. AND I printed the perfect picture out for the hairdresser to look at...a mistake-proof plan, right? Well, this plan assumes that the hairdresser isn't scissor-happy! This ALWAYS happens to me! Let's just say it's a teensy bit shorter than I had originally planned, but we're going with it.

I always said I wouldn't get the "mom" haircut (i.e. short), and that I'd embrace my youth and keep my hair long. But here I am cutting it all off (sorry, Tyler)! Ah well, I like it, and of course, it'll grow.