Sick Bunny :(

I'm feeling a bit under the weather today :(

I think I've got the beginnings of a cold, and I simply haven't the time for it!  My head is stuffy, my body is achy, I've got chills...but, I'm warm to the touch.  And NOW....my throat is a bit sore.  Booooo....

The Voice of Reason and Mr. Swiss were married in Bermuda recently.  Their "reception" is this Saturday at the private Skull & Bones men's club in Smalltown, VA.  I have been honored by being asked to serve as one of The Voice of Reason's "non-bridesmaids".  I will be wearing a little something special to celebrate that, AND...I will be feeling 100% healthy! 

DO YOU HEAR THAT COLD?  YOU JUST GO ON AWAY RIGHT NOW.  THERE IS NO PLACE FOR YOU IN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW.  GO AWAY!

I was planning to attend a little event after work today, and I wore a presh little outfit just in case I change my mind.  However, I think that going home and snuggling up with the pups is probably a much wiser idea.  Especially since he's all nice and clean now :)  We had "bath time" last night.  Bath time is always an experience, and this time it was no exception. 

I went out to dinner with some friends, and got home around 9:30 or so.  I was determined that Louis would have his bath, but he had already begun to fall asleep and was a bit groggy.  I thought that perhaps this would be a GOOD thing?  Perhaps he wouldn't be so feisty? 

WRONG.

Let's just say that my entire outfit ended up in the dryer.  All of my towels were used in an attempt to mop up the bathroom, which was covered in water from floor to ceiling.  The groomer swears Louis "just loves" to be bathed.  I envision him looking a bit like this when they bathe him:

What am I doing wrong?  Bath time at our house resembles something more along these lines:

Perhaps I need to employ these tactics:

I wish I had had the presence of mind to take photos of all of the nonsense that took place during bath time, but it didn't occur to me to do so.  I'm sure you understand.

Anyway, I'm struggling to keep myself focused at work since I feel so badly today.  I just found myself wondering how comfortable the oriental rug on my office floor would be for taking a little nap.  Hmmmm.....

T

Westie Wednesday

Louis says "hi!".  In the picture below he is laying on a purple sheet that is currently covering my white couch.  I purchased a white couch before Louis came into my life, if you were wondering, and had I known he would be a part of my little family I would have opted for a darker color for sure! 

I grew up with a westie, name Piper, and he was NOT allowed on the couch.  However, when we would venture out and about he would spread out on the couch and make himself comfortable.  When we came home we could always tell Piper had been on the couch because it would be warm where he had been napping.

When Louis came home with us, I decided Louis WOULD be allowed on the couch.  What I hadn't planned on were his dirty little paws!  My white couch quickly became gray :(  I resorted to throwing fleece blankets over the couch, but he would still manage to leave his mark.

Last week I decided to wash all of the slip covers.  My couch is once again white, but I need to figure out an attractive way to protect it.  My old college green & purple flat sheets definitely do not fit the bill.  Do those of you that have pups have any suggestions?  I have a large "v" shaped couch, so a normal slip cover probably wouldn't work.  I need something that covers not only the seated part of the couch, but also the back pillows and the top.  Louis loves nothing more than napping on the top of the couch:

I have tried, unsuccessfully, to explain to Louis that I would greatly appreciate it if he would wipe his paws off before jumping onto the couch.  It really would make things so much easier for both of us.  Or, perhaps he could ASK to get up on the couch?  This way I could check his paws for dirt before he proceeded to march all over it.  Clearly he is NOT a fan of either suggestion:

I tried once again to broach the subject, and I promptly had a rear thrust in my face.  And then he tooted.  I guess that means the discussion is over?

I finally acquiesced.  I told Louis that the couch was "ours".  I assured him that we would find a solution that suited both of us.  That made one very dirty little puppy very happy :)

So, any suggestions or recommendations you have would be greatly appreciated!

T

Brother Husbands

Have you seen this Sister Wives nonsense on TLC? 

I'm not one to poke fun at anyone's religion, but I know for a fact that Mormons don't believe in polygamy.  Not anymore.  I know a Morman.  This Sister Wives show has her all fired up.  And I don't blamer her!

So, WHO ARE THE BROWNS?

Meet husband Kody — along with his three wives: Meri, Janelle and Christine and their combined 13 children — and see how they attempt to navigate life as a "normal" family in a society that shuns their lifestyle. From their unconventional family structure and living arrangements to financial challenges, each half hour episode exposes the inner workings of a polygamist household, revealing the unexpectedly tight-knit and loving relationships between Kody's wives.


Sister Wives also captures the intense dynamics surrounding a man juggling three wives while attempting to keep it a secret from the outside world — but the general public is not the only challenge that the Brown family unit is facing. The series begins with Kody announcing plans to take on another wife and her three kids — and although expected, the news is met with mixed feelings. Meri, Janelle and Christine were married before starting families so all of the children grew up as siblings. And for sixteen years, the Sister Wives have established their own role within the group and worked together to maintain a cohesive, loving unit. Bringing on a fourth wife could easily disrupt the balance, changing lives forever. The series chronicles the growing pains as Robyn and her kids assimilate into the family and the sister wives work through the insecurities and uncertainties that are inevitable to their chosen way of life.  - taken from The Huffington Post

I have no words to describe how I feel about this concept.  I sat there for an hour watching as these women insisted they loved each other, like sisters, but then commenced sobbing about a new sister wife joining the mix.  What gives?  If you are willing to share your husband with two other women, why not three?  Oh and by the way...Kody isn't allowed to kiss anyone he's dating until they are married.  GOD FORBID!  Thank goodness he's got some morals.  WTF?!?!?!

I've got to give this Kody character props.  I would very much like to sit down with him to determine how he has talked these women into this arrangement.  I'm not saying that these women are the most clever people in the world, but they don't appear to be THAT dense. 

Oh wait...I remember now!  Polygamy is believed to bring exaltation in Heaven!  That's right. 

Naw...surely they don't buy that?  I mean, there are only an estimated 38,000 people practicing polygamy these days.  (Yes, you read that correctly 38,000 people are seriously doing this.)  They can't believe that all of the rest of us will NOT be exalted in Heaven?  Or can they?  This is making me dizzy :(

Wait!  Wait!  I know.  It's got to be the money!  I'm guessing a polygamist has to have mad cash.  They have a HUGE house and about 4 Lexuses (or would that be Lexi???).  Regardless, he's got money to spend.  I guess with 25 children that's a pre-requisite.  I wonder if the polygamist community requires that you make $50K/year per spouse?  Hmmm.....wait, that's not very much.  Maybe you need to make $100K/year per spouse?  That would require Kody (who btw I accidentally keep calling Rocky) to make $300K, with a recent increase to $400K to support the newest proposed wife.

So here's my question.  Could I convince 3 or 4 guys to marry me and become Brother Husbands?  Can you imagine? 

I've got to be honest.  It creeps me out a bit.  I think I'll have my hands full with the first Mr. Seersucker...thank you very much.

T

If you want to be amazed for a full 30 minutes......tune in for Sister Wives, Sundays at 10 PM (ET/PT), and explore the complex daily life of a polygamist family.

If you want to read more, or have questions that need answers...visit Hollywood Life HERE for more!

An Open Letter to Gossip Girl

Dear Gossip Girl,

I have watched you since the beginning.  I have been a loyal fan.  I have "oooohh'd and ahhhh'd" every step of the way.  I have coveted Blair's outfits and hair bows, and I have secretly wanted to date an overbearing slimy a$$hole like Chuck.  I've done it all.

And now...

I'm over you.

Let me explain.

When Chuck was shot at the end of last year's season I screamed out loud.  And then during the first show of the season he was rescued by this sissy britches Eva...PLEASE!  She is B-O-R-I-N-G.  Girls like her are a dime a dozen in NYC.  Maybe not on the Upper East Side, but they are there.  Trust me.  She is nothing special.  Well, she is apparently a prostitute...which does make her different, but not really special.

But I digress.

Could you have at least made us wonder for a show or two?  Couldn't you have made us beg to know if he was alive?  Couldn't you have given this story line 10 minutes of your time?  Because, my friend, what you have done is not working.  Chuck is now sleepy.  Chuck is only exciting when he is being a scoundrel.  Don't you understand this equation, dear Gossip Girl?  Don't you know that too many nice boys on TV shows get you nowhere?  You already have Nate.

Oh Nate.  DUMB AS A BOX OF ROCKS Nate.

Are you really this naive and dense?  How can a breathtakingly beautiful Vanderbilt be so dumb?  I'm actually looking forward to this Juliet psycho trampling your heart.  Maybe this time you will actually get a clue?  Probably not, but here's to hoping.

Serena.  I would like the show so much more if she would go away.  Permanently.  I am so tired of hearing the following (said in a whiney Serena voice):

"I'm sorry..I just can't tell you what is going on."
"I'm sorry...I have to go.  It's something important.  But I can't tell you about it."
"I really want to tell you how I feel, but....."

Get over yourself girl.  You are beautiful, I'll give you that. 

But, that's about it.  You aren't even interesting.  You are weak.  You are needy.  I'm so excited that currently Sleepy Dumb Nate and Weirdo Dan want nothing to do with you.  FINALLY!  Why don't you call Carter Baizen.  The two of you can run off to some obscure country to search for other missing people like your slime ball father.  Who, by the way, you treated better than all of the people who have supported you your whole life. 

Dan.  Dan, Dan, Dan.  You used to be my favorite.  You were someone I could relate to.  Someone I admired. 

But I think you hung around with Serena for too long.  You no longer know how to form sentences that make sense.  You can't express yourself either.  This may be a problem for a writer...you think?  You are way too smart to have believed for one minute that Georgina's baby was yours without your own paternity test.  These people you are hanging out with are turning your brain to mush.  Please step away from the group Dan.  Step away. 

Vanessa.  Run.  That's all I can say sister.  Run like the wind.

Rufus & Lilly.  Who?  Oh sorry...I think I fell asleep for a minute.

Silly Blair.  I covet your frocks.  And hair bows.  And shoes.  And bags. 

That being said, you have treated Chuck like crap.  Just as he has you.  Who cares that he sold you for the hotel?  Like you haven't done things just as bad!  Quit trying to pretend like you are over him.  Clearly you are not.  You've gone and set up the poor, sleepy, boring prostitute to get rid of her...but still insist you do not want Chuck.  Girl, you are as transparent as Saran Wrap.  Let me tell you what is going to happen.  About 1/2 way through the season you are going to decide that you DO want Chuck, and at that point he is going to want nothing to do with you.  And you will mope around and whine and cry for the rest of the season.  AND THEN...in the last episode Chuck will decide that he wants to be with you.  That he loves you.  More than life itself.  But you will then have a hissy fit and decide that you do not want to be with him.  And this will go on.  And on.  And on.  Your relationship with Chuck will be much like your relationship with Serena.  One day it's all roses and sunshine.  The next day you are driving daggers into their backs.  At some point they are going to tire of you for good.  You do understand this, correct?

Jenny & Eric.  Where have you gone? 

Could I interest you in returning to replace Serena and Nate?  Please, oh pretty please....

T

My Weekend Was...

Fantastic!  Thank you very much :)

Friday night I caught up with an old friend.  Lovely, lovely, lovely...

Saturday I spent the day trying to figure out how to wear my hair Saturday night.  And then.....

I WATCHED MY HOKIES BEAT NC STATE!!!!

Sorry to any NC State fans :(  I just had to brag since VT has had a bit of a rough start this year. 

Saturday evening was Barbie's Birthday Ball, and it was just lovely!!  When I came down the stairs in my dress, Louis started growling and barking at me :(  I think it was all of the sequins on my dress that had him all discombobulated?  I had to sit down on the steps to reassure him that it was just a dress, and not an imposter.

I took a friend as my date, and he and a few others met at my house to ride together.  There was a private pre-party for the birthday girl before the event, and then we headed up to the ball. 

(BFF, LML and me at the pre-party)

(me, BFF, slively, Babbo Natale & Daisy.  i think i was having a Karate Kid moment..)

(the back of my dress...not sure WHAT I was doing??)

(barbie in her birthday ball gown!)

I ended up seeing a lot of people I hadn't seen in ages, which was so nice!  We danced until our feet hurt, and then headed downtown for late night cocktails. 

Sunday we all spent the day recouping.  I checked Facebook at around noon and realized I wasn't the only one who was feeling like a day on the couch was just what the doctor ordered!

I also boiled 4 pound of peanuts.  Mmmmmm....

The last time I made them, I did it in the crock pot.  This time I made them on the stove top, and I think I prefer them this way :)  Needless to say....I will be eating boiled peanuts for weeks!

Today's EXCITING NEWS is that the dealership just brought me my car.  Wahoo!!!!!  It only took a week, but again...the warranty covered the transmission repairs and my car is safe and sound back with me.  I sure did enjoy driving that brand new fancy red Benz, but I know I wouldn't appreciate the car payment :-o

And in closing, it looks like something exciting may be around the corner for DSS!   Do you place any stock in horoscopes?  When they are good I pretend that I believe in them, and today's is definitely good:

Love is in the air, Gemini. Whether you encounter a new and attractive person somewhere along your path today, or you sense a heightened sense of affection from someone already in your life, you will feel good romantic vibrations today. Hopefully you can take some time from your busy day to respond to any flirtations, and to ignite a spark that may well become a warm and welcoming blaze of passion. Make time for more love in your life. You need to devote more effort to your romantic relationships.

Happy Monday!

T

Second Chance

This girl is SLEEPY today!  The first fully sunny day in Smalltown, VA, and I'm having trouble keeping my eyes open.  What gives?

Louis and I had a visitor last night.  We sat up talking into the wee hours of the morning, and now we are both having trouble staying awake.  Little Louis says "mummy PLEASE don't make me wake up this morning":

So he is still asleep.  I, however, had to come to work. 

I am super excited for the weekend.  This is Barbie's Birthday Ball Weekend, and I absolutely cannot wait!  We are all going to put on our black-tie best and head to a ball that is taking place in Smalltown, VA.  I've never attended this event, and don't really know what to expect, but I know we will have a wonderful time :) 

I'm wearing a gown that I wore a few years ago to another formal event I attended. 

(me & JLB)

(me & barbie - my dress is backless...woo hoo!)

(barbie, m & me)

Saturday Virginia Tech plays NC State.  All I have to say is GO HOKIES!!  I'm worried about my boys because I won't be at this game to cheer them on.  BUT...we will all be gathered to send them good vibes before we head to the Birthday Ball.

Sunday I am going to make boiled peanuts.  Again.  Paula Deen told me how to make them in the crock pot, and I made 2 pounds of them.  They were "eh..okay".  This time I'm doing them my daddy's way.  Boiled in a HUGE metal pot on the stove for 10 hours.  Mmmmmmmmmm....

Hope you all have a lovely weekend! 

T

HOPE

I found a part of this on the blog ribbon + redcups.  I wanted to see what else this manifesto had to say.  And I'm so glad I did :) 

Isn't it powerful knowing that there are others out there, others you may not even know, that want the best for you?  That want to know you?  That want to see you smile?  Isn't it powerful to know that even if things are very good in your life right now, things will be completely different in a year?  Or two years?  Amazing.

Enjoy!

the manifesto of encouragement

There are Tibetan Buddhist monks in a temple in the Himalayas endlessly reciting mantras for the cessation of your suffering and for the flourishing of your happiness.

Someone you haven't met yet is already dreaming of adoring you.

Someone is writing a book that you will read in the next two years that will change how you look at life.

Nuns in the Alps are in endless vigil, praying for the Holy Spirit to alight the hearts of all of God's children.

A farmer is looking at his organic crops and whispering, "nourish them."

Someone wants to kiss you, to hold you, to make tea for you. Someone is willing to lend you money, wants to know what your favourite food is, and treat you to a movie. Someone in your orbit has something immensely valuable to give you -- for free.

Something is being invented this year that will change how your generation lives, communicates, heals and passes on.

The next great song is being rehearsed.

Thousands of people are in yoga classes right now intentionally sending light out from their heart chakras and wrapping it around the earth.

Millions of children are assuming that everything is amazing and will always be that way.

Someone is in profound pain, and a few months from now, they'll be thriving like never before. They just can't see it from where they're at.

Someone who is craving to be partnered, to be acknowledged, to ARRIVE, will get precisely what they want -- and even more. And because that gift will be so fantastical in it's reach and sweetness, it will quite magically alter their memory of angsty longing and render it all "So worth the wait."

Someone has recently cracked open their joyous, genuine nature because they did the hard work of hauling years of oppression off of their psyche -- this luminous juju is floating in the ether, and is accessible to you.

Someone just this second wished for world peace, in earnest.

Someone is fighting the fight so that you don't have to.

Some civil servant is making sure that you get your mail, and your garbage is picked up, that the trains are running on time, and that you are generally safe. Someone is dedicating their days to protecting your civil liberties and clean drinking water.

Someone is regaining their sanity. Someone is coming back from the dead. Someone is genuinely forgiving the seemingly unforgivable. Someone is curing the incurable.

You. Me. Some. One. Now.

T