Hello Cricket!

  Did I mention we got a dog? A sheepadoodle to be exact. Half poodle. Half English sheepdog. He's smart, easily trainable, and friendly to all. Cricket is a welcome addition to our little family. Alex has been asking for a dog since he first learned to talk. With him going to university in the city he will be around even when we are traveling so finally a dog made sense! 

  I had applied for so many shelter dogs I lost count. We never heard from any of them. It was frustrating and very disheartening. We had everything they were looking for... a fenced-in yard, someone home most of the time, and lots of love and patience. Yet every day passed and not a sound. At first, I thought maybe there are lots of folks looking for dogs. Then I saw another posting for one we had applied for saying still available. I now think it's because we were first-time dog owners. Which if true, is totally unfair.

  One day I was venting my frustrations on a rehoming site and a lady private messaged me. She explained that they were considering finding a new home for their puppy. As a nurse working full time during a pandemic, she was pretty stressed. Add to that she also has MS which is made worse by stress. As if that wasn't enough, both of her parents are long haulers of COVID and she is caring for them. But wait there's more. Her husband, a police officer, was just diagnosed with cancer! Can you imagine???!!!

  We messaged back and forth a few times over the next few weeks. It was a tough decision and they wanted to make sure they did the right thing for all involved. She sent me pictures, information, and told me stories. It was obvious they loved Cricket and were struggling with what was best for him and their family. Two weeks ago today I was contacted with the news that if we were still interested she would bring him over that same day. 

  Next came a moment I will remember my entire life. Let me set the scene...it's a little after 9am and both boys are sound asleep. They know nothing that has gone on with this family for the past few weeks. I wake them and ask them to come sit down with me. I tell them the health issues this family is dealing with. Then I say the words both kids had been waiting years to hear...they are giving us their dog! The smile on Alex's face was priceless. He glowed. Riley couldn't contain himself and was asking question after question. When I showed them his picture they erupted with happiness. I can't even explain it. It was palpable in the room.

  Two weeks have passed and the joy hasn't subsided at all. Alex is a little disappointed Cricket doesn't want to sleep with him...he prefers our room to any other. He has already eaten a sock. Let's hope that's only a one time thing. And we spend an awful lot of time standing on the front lawn while he makes up his mind whether he should go into the backyard or not. As soon as this shut down is over we are all going for training! 

  I do want to make one thing clear. We are not, I repeat not, fur parents. Cricket will be treated as a loved member of this family but he had four legged parents. And this momma only has 2.

  Welcome to the family Cricket!

  Ang 

  Ang

30 Days

  After an entire month without a post today I'm ready to get back into it. I will admit to being COVID tired lately. Tired of thinking about it, talking about it, worrying about it, and hearing about it. Being positive when the news kept getting worse became too much for these tired shoulders. But after a bit of a pity party with myself as host, guest of honor, and caterer I feel like myself again. And while I am still "tired of it all" I can once again see the light at the end of this long tunnel.

  A lot has happened in the past month. First my youngest was off for two weeks after a "close contact exposure" at school. It ended up two or three kids in his class tested positive for COVID. As a parent, it's scary to wait for test results for something as serious as that. Not to mention the fear a 14-year-old has of perhaps having infected his family and friends. Thankfully he was negative but still had to isolate another week after the clear results. We sure are getting a lot of family togetherness these past 14 months!

  We are in the midst of yet another 28-day shutdown. Only curbside pick up for anything not grocery or medicine related. The biggest lineup I've seen is at the weed store which could be a problem when all this is over I suppose. Yet even in shutdown some people still visited family and friends indoors over the Easter holiday weekend. When getting my son's test done a lady beside us had her three small kids in explaining they only went to her parent's house for an hour but wanted to be safe. Now she wanted to be safe...ridiculous. And they wonder why our infection rate is on the rise.

  Probably the most exciting thing for my family is...drumroll please...we got a dog! Yup we finally caved to Alex's life-long pleas and a dog fell into our lives like it was meant to be. Cricket's owners (I lost the vote on changing his name to Loki & I'm still a little bitter about that) are going through some pretty serious health issues and reluctantly made the decision they couldn't give him the time and care needed for a puppy to grow. They approached us about taking him and we happily agreed. He is settling in and has easily won the hearts of the entire family.

  One benefit of a dog is the number of steps you take during the course of a day. Throw in two walks a day and boom you are getting a light tan in the early April sunshine! And your Fitbit makes weird movements more often. The weather has been super and we are certainly taking advantage as much as we can. Coffee on the deck in the late morning. Taking the cover off the pool and envisioning how great it will be when we can finally jump in. Seriously that thought has kept us going for a week now.

  Another big change for us over the past month is a new car. We finally decided that KIA was too dangerous for us, and most certainly Alex, to drive. After watching a Marketplace episode about other owners' troubles, fires and accidents we knew the time had come. Now we are the proud owners of a Honda. It's got lots of bells and whistles but my favorite, besides Sirius Radio, is the sunroof! I've never had one before and I love it! It might not be so great in mid-July when it's 45 degrees but right now it's perfect.

  The thing that has brought the most joy is probably the same thing for all of you. My Mom and my inlaws got vaccinated! Three fewer people to worry about. It makes me happy that those people most important to me are getting protected. My brothers and sisters have either received dose #1 or have appts or registered for theirs. Friends who keep me sane like Janet are rolling their sleeves up in the next week or so. And tomorrow my rock in all things gets his first dose! It makes me sleep a little easier.

  That's about it. 30 days of COVID restrictions doesn't lead to many interesting adventures, does it? We just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Staying safe. Staying home. Staying healthy. I hope you are too.

  Ang