Que the Rocky Theme Music

because this dog is running! 

Blogging

Easter

This year the Easter bunny was sober enough to remember to hook the kids up with requested Wii games and lots of little goodies.  

It was a happy Easter!

Egg Hunt

Rya and I went to our community Easter egg hunt and didn't find one damn egg so I said, "Screw this!  Let's go get pedis!" 

And all was right in the world again!

The Greatest Show On Earth!

Currier was in his first school performance as the lion tamer.  He did an incredible job hamming it up.  I was a proud Mama. 

Teacher Comments

Last week I asked Rya, "Do you have to pee?"  She said no so I asked, "Why are you touching yourself?"  She replied, "Because it feels good." I recoiled, "touché."     

Rya In Deep Thought

I made the switch from Blackberry to iPhone and love the Instagram app so I can take cool pictures like this!

Spring in Charleston

The grass is turning green, the tulips are blooming and the air is getting warm and sticky.  It's spring in Charleston!  We kicked off the first weekend of April by decorating Easter eggs.

And having a picnic lunch on the Isle of Palms.  Although a little breezy, we still walked away fully relaxed and sun kissed. 

Bring on the summer!

Rya D

Also known as Rya Diane, Rizzy Dizzy, Lizzy Tish, Rya Papaya, Nut Job, Rya Jambalaya, Rya Diane, Giggle Goose, Stink Butt & Mental Case.  I love this kid!

Shenanigans

We tried to trap a leprechaun with a wee pint of Guinness and a nip of Bailey's. 

We were all so excited/nervous on St. Patrick's Day morning to see if we had indeed caught a real live leprechaun. 

But when we lifted the trap all we found was empties and a pair of leprechaun pants.  Apparently that little bastard got drunk and took off his pants before wreaking havoc.  He left green pee in the toilet, threw coins and shamrocks all over the house and hid a treasure for us to find. 

A series of photo clues lead us to the bathroom closet where he left us Lucky Charms and Rolos. 

For lunch we made mini Reuben sandwiches, green macaroni and cheese and green jello. 

And the kids spent the afternoon swimming in leprechaun pee.  Happy St. Patrick's Day!   

Paolo Walking

He walks like a drunken sailor on a ship but I'll be damned that boy is walking!  I'm so proud and totally inspired by this dog. 

Ham Stand

Guess who stands for ham? Paolo takes a stand for ham. He did a ham stand! Imagine if I offer him ham & cheese? The possibilities are endless!

Help Has Arrived

Carrie, Heather and Max came down from Tennessee for the weekend to help clean up after the major shitstorm that has swept through our lives.  First it was Paolo’s injury and then we lost both of our cars within two weeks of each other.  Carrie and Heather came down to lend a much needed hand.   They generously helped out around the house (picking up dog shit) and with the kids (allowing Trent and I to sleep in and take naps!) and with the dogs (walking Paolo on his sling & taking Bruco to the vet for an ear infection).  Also Carrie, being the saint that she is, left us her car to borrow until we get back on our feet.  We’re so thankful to have family to lean on during times like these.  Thank you Carrie and Heather!

Paolo's Progress

It’s been one month since Paolo’s injury. Paolo is making progress and we’re feeling pretty confident that he falls into that 70% chance of recovery from spinal surgery. He’s wagging his tail, he’s moving his right leg, he’s able to control his bladder (mostly), he can stand with some assistance and he can walk a few steps with a sling.  Those are pretty significant strides for a dog that was paraplegic one month ago. He is a fighter and he has a will to live.

I first met Paolo as an emaciated, flea ridden puppy in a boatyard in Sicily six years ago.  He’d been hit by a car and his mouth was taped shut with medical tape. The man in the boatyard, Salvatore, said he’d been dumped there and I should take him or he would die. After a lot of tears and an argument with Trent, Paolo came home with us. The vet told me that Paolo had a severely deformed nose and a massive respiratory infection and probably wouldn’t make it through the week.  

Fast forward six years, 2 children, 2 countries, 3 cities and 4 homes.  I wake up to find that Paolo’s fall off the bed the previous day was more serious than I thought.  He’s paralyzed and he needs a very expensive surgery that I can’t afford.  I’m faced with taking out a loan or putting Paolo down.  While I’m left in the room alone with Paolo to “think about it”, I say to Paolo, “Damn you!  This isn’t how it’s supposed to end.  You’re supposed to grow old with me.  Please tell me what you want me to do?”  And he just looked up at me with those same eyes from the boatyard and said, “Save me!”      

I know some of you think I’m crazy for the choice I made. Someone said to me, “Wow, you’re a better person than me. I can think of a lot of other things I’d rather spend $6,000 on than a dog!” I have two things to say to that person. 1. Yes, I am a better person than you. 2. Paolo may be just a dog to you but to me he’s someone that I share my home and my bed with. He is family. He is my child. He is my friend. He was there beside me on the bathmat when I peed on a stick and learned I was pregnant with my first child, he welcomed two babies into our family, he cuddled me through several periods of debilitating depression, he has greeted me at the door everyday with ridiculous enthusiasm even when I’ve just stepped out to check the mail, he has witnessed many trials and tribulations in our family. To me Paolo is not just a dog. He is part of my life story and that chapter isn’t over yet.