It Can Be A Good Thing

Last night I had a Southern Living Party at my house.

We had fun conversation, yummy food, and great drinks ;)

At the end of the evening, conversation turned to small businesses, and home businesses, and how difficult things have been for everyone with the state of the economy.

Of course I did my fair share of moaning and groaning, and made sure to let everyone know that I spent 6 months worth of work that all went down the tubes last year when none of my house listings sold.

I'll also admit, though, that I seemed to maybe be the only one that doesn't really think the state of things are such a bad thing for the poeple of our country. I am by NO MEANS saying that this economy hasn't had some serious or even devastating consequences for some people, and I don't mean to diminish that.

But in my corner of the world, the main effect I've seen it have on people is just that it's making them watch their spending a little bit more. Maybe things are tighter than they've been in a while. I understand - it's that way for us right now, too.

Even though I'm not thrilled with the fact that there isn't *extra* money to be spent in our family, I just don't think it's a bad thing. Our country's expectation of what normal should be is so far off from what I hear it was just one generation ago. People actually saved money for years to take a vacation. They saved and saved and saved to finally be able to buy that new sofa. New floors or counters or vehicles just weren't a part of normal, everyday life. And I guess recreational shopping wasn't considered the norm, either. (Can you imagine???)

There's part of me that wants this recession to be over - like, right now.

But there's another part of me that hopes it lasts a while. Maybe just long enough for most of America to get used to doing without, and to be ok with it. Can you imagine how it could change the state of people's hearts - to actually be CONTENT with what they have? (And believe me, I'm including myself in this, too.)

I read this little poem somewhere, at some point in time, but don't remember where:
"Use it up,
Wear it out,
Make it last,
Or do without."

Yikes!!! I SO do not live like this. Do you??
But I do wonder what other parts of me would change if I adopted this attitude.

Whew. That's enough thinking for me on a Thursday morning.......

I can't BELIEVE what I did.......

I cannot believe what I agreed to this past weekend.

It all started a few weeks ago.
My husband says: "I have an idea. But I don't want to tell you because you're going to think it's crazy."

Uhhhhh.......

Me: You want to move????
Hubs: "NO"
Me: You want another BABY???
Hubs: "Well, along those lines...."
Oh, Lord have mercy.........

You guessed it.......
A DOG.
Isn't three kids enough???

Here's the problem. I am not, Not, NOT, NOT an animal person.

My mother raised me to think I would get rabies from touching a bird feather.
(and I am SO not joking.)

If I come to your house, and you have a dog, I will smile and exclaim how cute and sweet he is.
And, I will be lying.
I don't like your dog. Or your cat, or your stinky hamster that I smell from downstairs.
(SO sorry........)

The fact that both of my girls not only want to be vets, but ride horses every week is hard enough. They have been begging their whole gosh-dern LIFE for a dog.

(I will NOT mention the fact that we got a puppy a few years ago and GAVE HIM AWAY a few months later because he was such an idiot.......)

(Animal lovers, please just let that comment pass........)

ANYhoo.

Back to the story.

After Ryan picked me up off the floor, and gave me glass of water, I listed to his explanation.

He wanted to do something really WOW for the kids.

Yep, that's WOW, all right.

Here's where the problem comes in.
My ladies group is doing a book on marriage. We've been talking about things we can do to bless our hubbys.
Could my husband have asked for a clean house, a back rub, a nice dinner? Lingerie?
No, he wants a stinkin' dog.

And I obliged.

After looking for the perfect dog for a few weeks, we adopted a sweet, 5 yr old dachshund/chihuahua mix named Chaz. Ryan surprised the girls on Saturday, and an hour after we told them, he was delivered. He's so quiet, and he snuggles all day. I have to admit, he's not that bad.
Actually, I kinda like having him around.

So on Tuesday morning, when my friends are talking about the new recipe they fixed for their man, I will show a picture of a canine......
Who woulda thunk it????

Is it really OVER?

Happy New Year!


I'll admit, this is the very first year that Ryan and I have EVER had our decorations put away before New Years. We had our second annual "family friendly" New Year's Eve party again. With 60 people that rsvp'd, I felt like I HAD to take everything down to make more space!

I've actually heard some people say that they take their tree and decorations down the day after Christmas.

SERIOUSLY??? I would love to know how they explain THAT one to the kids.

Christmas night: Tuck the kids in bed, give hugs and kisses, kids go off to bed dreaming of all the presents they found under the tree that morning.
Wake up: BAM! Sorry kids, Christmas is OVER!

To each his own, I guess......

Not that I've ever had issues with wanting to extend the Christmas season.
Nope. Not me.

Because I surely DO NOT have a picture of Ryan and I, in front of a Christmas tree, holding a sign that says "February 2nd, 1996 - Christmas is OVER!!!"

No, I most definitely do NOT. :)