Hot day!

My kids like to get messy like any kids. Frequently, my attitude towards messes are "Bring it". I can clean- and sometimes the mess motivates me to clean- and sometimes I need that incentive.

One day recently it was crazy hot. Let me re-phrase: it has been crazy hot frequently- however one day I did something new and fun with the kids.

We took a roll of hard wood floor covering paper that people use when remodeling, and unrolled a large section in the grass, then gave the kids paints and set them and their creativity free.

I had no idea that hard wood floor covering and tempra paints could mix to make a slip and slide. The things you learn. Good thing it was hot because I stripped the kids down and hosed them off before letting them in the house.

It would have been disastrous if this took place in the house, though outside it was great fun. Even Pixie got in on the action and was thrilled to wiggle her toes and fingers in paint.

Buh Bye Diapers

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation

She may not be declaring her independence from an oppressive empire, but Peas is in the process of a revolution of sorts: the Potty on the Potty revolution- which is pretty exciting.

The little lady is potty learning- she did really really well the first day. The second day- ehhhhhh not so fantastic.

But she will get it. She is a strong willed little lady.

Be on the look out for field notes from the project: "Peas Potty"

A Pole-less week.

And boy am I sad about it. I have not been this depressed about missing something in a REALLY long time.

My week is all thrown off and I am super not pleased about it. Tuesday night sexy time with "Carlos" is MY time with MY friends. Stupid kidneys making it not work.

Normally, I get up on Tuesday and start my internal count down to Tease time. By 5:30 I am usually so anxious to get out of the house- by 6:30 I am running out the door. Yesterday, I watched the clock but couldn't go anywhere. I was in pain.

It was very depressing.

Tease is not like going to the gym and hitting the treadmill. It is a life- style, a mind set, a vacation. Tease time is mine.

I feel like I talk about Tease too much. Wax on about the glories of it. That is not really my intention. But I believe in it. Silly as it is to believe in pole dancing I do. I believe it. My confidence is improved. I am more comfortable with myself as a whole. I am learning so much. I am so grateful for the chance to do this.

Some people have said it is 'not their thing' or think it is trashy, or get 'holier than thou' when I talk about it.

Don't knock it til ya try it. Seriously. I went in to it scared and overwhelmed and came out a shaking sweaty mess ready to sign on the line but not ready to leave the studio.

In my treatment for kidney issues one of the first questions is when can I get back to pole dancing... usually that makes the doctor stop and turn and look at me incredulously, then eye my four children- inevitably in the room with us, like he is unsure if this is okay to discuss in front of innocent ears, and say "excuse me?" I repeat myself: "I take pole dancing- for exercise, like yoga" but more fun.

Then they breath a sigh of relief. But I don't. Because I miss my Tease Time.

Pamper Me (July Giveaway)

Who doesn't need a little pampering?? Especially with the sweltering heat we have had- not to mention the CRAZY rain.

So I am giving away a special prize: A one hour massage with Massage For Women and Families

This is a unique giveaway as the winner has to be local to the western suburbs of Chicago and the contest is only open to women ages 18 and up.

For those of you who are not local (or even if you are local) and want one of these awesome herbal neck wraps

This will be a quicky giveaway offered Friday, July 30th. Watch for that post!

For the massage:

Comment. (duh)
"like" the Facebook Page: Making it Fun, and tell me you did in another comment
"like" the Facebook Page Massage for Women and Families
, and tell me you did in yet another comment.
Tweet this giveaway, and tell me you did.

Remember: you must be a woman aged 18 and up and be local to the Chicago Metro Area to be eligible for this giveaway.

The giveaway will run from now until August 1, 2010 at 11:59 pm Central time.
At which time I will use Random.org to generate a random comment number.

Please make sure that you have an email address either associated with your blogger profile- or leave it for me (or email it to me @ almostsinglemom(at)makingitfun(dot)net)

Good Luck!!

Edit to add: Please comment here.. on my blog so I can enter you.

his name is Burt

No not a boyfriend. A pimple a large zit on my chin. It is one of those deep painful ones that throbs.

I woke up with it this morning. Last night, there was nary a hint of him there. Now he has blossomed into a large and imposing presence. I woke up this morning and had a prompt flash back to Jr. High School.

However, in the intervening years I have stopped stocking my cabinet with acne remedies. So I will be winging it,

I hope Burt is a short visitor. He can really go anytime he feels like it. I would not miss the throbbing.

You know how every woman wants to look younger once she is older than a certain age? Well- this is not what I meant when I said I wanted to look younger.

Simple things

Today was fantastic. Nothing bad happened. Nothing amazing.

The kids and I weeded in the garden (Sea of Mud) we picked up worms. My kids were covered in mud after a few hours outside. Then we played hose tag to clean up. I felt like a kid again. Spraying and getting sprayed. Listening to my kids shriek and giggle in the pleasure of playing in the hose.

We played in the hose until everyone was soaked and clean. Then came in and had lunch.

I hope my kids will remember me playing with them like that and not remember as much of the yellypants mama that I have been lately.

They deserve the fun mama who will run in the hose with them and laugh and play. Not the grumpy mama who hurts to move.

I want to be back to normal now, please.

it was quiet

and then it wasn't.

I was consciously wondering what I would write about this week. We have been so busy enjoying summer and being out and about.

Well two days ago rain was forecast. Rain? We had 6 inches of rain overnight. The backyard was flooded. it was coming in the door in the garage and then down the stairs into the sump pump well. The back stairs looked like a waterfall. However, apparently there is a crack somewhere in the foundation so we got some seepage. Not flooding like we have had before- but enough to be annoying. I almost canceled the party. Flooding? Company? could not end well

Timing was perfect. We were planning a huge party for that day to celebrate Stinky and Princess's birthdays. A lot of people couldn't make it- it was the weekend of Country Thunder up at the lake house- a summer tradition for one side of the family.

Even more people called to cancel because they had flooded. That I understood. Despite flooding my sister made it. My brother tried to leave too early and got stuck but he called and arranged to stop by next weekend. My mother drove back in from visiting her family in Iowa through and made it.

ILs? They did not flood. They just could not deal with it and didn't come. Maybe I should not let it bother me; to be honest I am bugged by it. I am offended by it. I am offended for my kids. It is not like they had water. B's grandparents made it. His friend made it. His parents? Nope. Mother in law called B's brother and told him not to come and that she would relay the message- which she never did. Oh well. It is what it is. It can't be changed. I'll get over it.

Every Once in a While

It needs to be said and acknowledged: as much as I whine about my children, as much as they push my buttons (so that sometimes I feel like one big button), as much as they are kids, they are wonderful. I am blessed to have them. Each of them brings their own personality and quirks, they are pretty great kids.

Pictures!!!!

How old is Stinky??

Happy Birthday Stinky!

All together!

Princess Skiies

Not used to this

Pixie has been in our family for nearly nine months. Which, is not so long. However- I cannot imagine our family without her. She brings a fantastic fun dynamic to us. She laughs and smiles and wiggles and exudes joy from her whole person- as long as she is not screaming bloody murder.

When Pixie smiles she curls her tongue and giggles. Which makes me belly laugh to- it is the best sound ever.

For the past month or so she has been crawling. I am still not used to it. I can set her down near me and in half a second she is across the room- to go hang with the big kids.

I need to call my friend to help document her growth.

Belated Birthday Boy

Stinky is four. Yep, the big 4 fingers.

In the past few weeks he has grown up so much. He is taller- but he also is acting older. I remember when Princess went through the same thing- when she went to bed and woke up more mature.

These developmental leaps do come at a cost. Whenever my kids are approaching a developmental milestone they seem to get stressed and act on the stress- Stinky displays his by whining and issues with his sister.

Anyhow. Today three days after his birthday he did something that he all of a sudden decided to do. He wanted to go down the water-slides at the pool. He did it. This is a huge leap for him. Last year water-slides were super scary even when he went down with a grown-up. Today though, he conquered them- several times.

He also discovered he prefers to swim with goggles. He can put his head under-water and swim a bit. My super sweet boy is growing up before my eyes.

Looking forward to it

I have to have some surgery. It would help if I would schedule it.

It must admit though I am kind of looking forward to my time in the hospital.

Why?

- I do not have to share a bed with anyone
- I can pee alone
- I may even be able to shower alone
- Someone will bring me food that I did not have to shop for, cook, or clean up.
- I can use my grown up voice and be called my name
- Maybe- just maybe I can sleep.

So what is surgery? A small price to pay. A pittance, really. The part that has me worried is the recovery... stay quiet for six weeks. Clearly, they have no idea about my life.
Even with the assistance of my four very active visual aids the doctor expects 6 weeks of recovery. Wishful thinking dude. Obviously he has not had the pleasure of living my life.


To be honest, I am scared. Not really as scared of the surgery itself so much (I am nervous about that) But the part that has me worried- really worried is the recovery. Six weeks of recovery? really? I don't know if I can do that. I don't know. I can use all of the positive energy and prayers you can muster please sned it my way.

Joyful

I was thinking recently about what I want for my children. What are my goals in parenting them?

Of course I want them to be well behaved(not stepford kids,just nicely behaved), contributing members of society- but I also want them to be joyful.

Part of them being joyful includes allowing them to explore their curiosity, nurture their inquisitiveness, and fostering their authentic selves.

I do not want my children to 'make me happy'; I want them to be happy. I do not want them to do anything just to make me happy. That is a slippery slope to get on: to start people pleasing.

To be sure-they will irritate me, and frustrate me along the way, and I accept that. We are individuals, we will not always agree.

I want them to be self motivated, to be proud of themselves, not to seek others approval. Here I am, as an adult parent, still seeking my parents approval. Still wanting to know if they are proud of me- and that is not helpful. If I were better at intrinsic motivation I would be a healthier individual.

To accomplish this I try and remember to comment not on how proud of the I am (that is obvious)but to praise their effort, to tell them they should be proud of themselves. I also let them hear me talking about them in a good light. Telling people how hard they worked or how curious they are.

Thus far we seem to be doing okay.

Their eyes light up when they smile, they are themselves and I love them for that.

Footprints in the sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,

“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”

The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”

I was in the ER again tonight. It started with some achy feeling then worsened to intense debilitating pain. Then the bleeding started so much blood- I was nervous and scared. With clots. Vicodin was not touching the pain. I was useless.

My friend J kept my mind off of it and was a wonderful sympathetic sounding bored. I love her.

The doctor told be to go to the ER. But I had no one to watch the kids. I called Karyn from pole dancing. She orchestrated a life saving adventure to have her mom, husband, and daughter, hold down the fort. The watched the kids and drove me to the hospital.

My friend E drove 2 hours to take my kids for me.

My mom drove an additional 3 hours after sitting in the car for a previous 5 to help. She came and did my laundry and folded it. She cleaned my house. My mom is amazing.

I have been so so blessed with friends who love me and my children. I am privileged and honored to call them my friends. I will without a question give of myself to help them. I love them like sisters.

While I was sitting in a drugged stupor in the ER I began tho think of this poem/prayer. It dawned on me: G-d carries us through our friends and family and faith. We may be given more than we can individually handle- but we are not individuals we are a community, a family. Through all of this- I have never felt alone- I have felt loved and supported. That feeling of love has allowed me to face this and deal with this challenge. G-d works in each of us when we allow Him to.

I am humbled by the love my friends have shown me. If ever they need something it will be my pleasure to support them. I love them and their children dearly- they will never have to face anything alone.

It was a clot that was obstructing my ureter- my entire thing was one big clot once that was passed I felt much better (I suppose the morphine helped a bit too).

Thank you my friends. You are more than friends. You are my family. I love you. When you need to be carried- I will gladly carry you.

Leaps and Bounds

Pixie has grown up so much- any day now she is going to drive away, off to college.

She just got two teeth her bottom two incisors. She looks so freaking adorable with her two teeth.

Pixie can also crawl now. She loves it. She can get herself places. The new found independence sits well with her. Also she has discovered how to pull herself up to standing. There is a whole new world available to her now. As well as a chance to irritate her sisters and brother. Up until now she has been fun to play with; now she has an opinion and a way to get what she wants. Oh the places she'll go!

What happened to my little baby? My little brunette lady in a sea of blondes. Pixie is so grown up now. I am so proud of her. I am so proud of my kids for adapting so well. There is always more room in our hearts for more love; and as Pixie grows our hearts grow too.

Splish Splash

Someone- relatively recently- came up with a genius idea. The Splash Pad. Which is a glorified sprinkler/in ground fountain- water play with almost no drowning risk- hey when you are out numbered by kids the way I am....... it is a concern, especially when you have a dare devil like Peas to contend with.

It is genius. I would have lived at the splash pad if they were around when I was a kid. As it is now- my kids and I live there- a lot.

We are very fortunate that we have several around us to choose from. This allows us to keep thinks fresh and stay cool. My favorite splash pad is fully fenced so the kids cannot escape with out an adult.

I have little fishies. My kids are drawn to the water it is some kind of amazing magnetic thing.

Peas has no fear. When my friend and I were at the pool she was amazed that little Peas will jump in over her head and go under water on her own- and giggle hysterically. She gets upset when it is time to leave the pool.

Princess this year figured out how to swim underwater. Now getting her out of the pool is harder than ever. She also developed a love for water slides.

Stinky is still cautious. He goes in but does not want to go under.. totally typical for a three year old; but still getting him out of the pool is never easy. However- this week he has started putting his face in the water.

Even Pixie the little baby loves to splash. One of her favorite things to do is to go in the water pretty far in- like to her chest and have me hold her while she kicks her feet and giggles with joy.

carry me

as you know I had pole dancing on Tuesday- the BEST night of week. Except this week.

One of the girls in my class is out with an injury from vacation, I am facing more surgery- therefore will be off for a bit, and last night another girl was injured. So three of us will be out for a while.

When the girl was injured- class stopped- obviously. Except it did not start again. After she we to the hospital we could not get back into it. I was worried about her. I was sad. She is not just a girl I dance with once a week. She is a girl whom I care about. She is my friend.

That is the thing about Tease: I feel safe there. Even when I am vulnerable; when I am scared. I am safe. I feel supported.

When one of our group is absent, I miss her chemistry in the room; her energy.

Learning that I have to have surgery and will be off for a somewhat extended period of time I was crushed. No Tuesday playtime. My class would move on without me. My friends would not be in the same class as me. I would not get to go on my journey the rest of the way with them and that saddened me- much more than the kidney issue.

Enter Kristin. Patron Saint of Pole Dancers.

I went to another class tonight to try it out (Booty Boot Camp- I loved it-but that is another post), and briefly talked with her she sees the bond that my class has with each other. That we love each other. That we carry each other. We support each other, and does not want to break that up- so she is going to teach the three of us sidelined dancers and teach us what we missed after we can dance again.

Had it not been awkward- I would have kissed her. I got all teary and weepy- all of this has been so overwhelming- having this kindness was too much.

Thank you Tease. Thank you classmates. Thank you Kristin.

Making Mama Pretty

Sometimes even I get tired of going all the time. I really do try to keep things fun and interesting for my kids. Partly because I have the attention span of a fly, and also if I keep them busy- they pick on each other less- which makes my job much more enjoyable.

So anyway in desperation and pain I allowed Princess to give me a make over from her make up box. Stinky decided he wanted to join in the fun too and she let him- as did I *gasp*.

This make up is kids make up- princess themed- heavy on the pink and purple. I went into it expecting exaggerated colors- I was not disappointed. My face looked like a less defined and pink/purple version of KISS.

Things got concerning when I felt lipstick on my shoulders and arms. The lipstick on my forehead and cheeks I almost expected. But---- the shoulders-- that was a surprise.

After I began to wonder how I was going to get all of the make up off without a chisel we went up stairs to admire their work.

Wow. Creative. Colorful.

(and I must admit I liked the lip gloss color- I might have stayed in the lines better....)

'I hungry'

I hear that many times a day. My typical reply is 'I'm not'. Even while I say that though in my head I am running through the food options for snacks- do I have anything?? What should they have?? What am I not going to have to debate about that is still reasonably healthy.

Snikiddy snacks just started offering a baked snack and asked me to try it out (I was thrilled!)They mailed me a free sample of the Baked Fries and one day when the kids were 'I hungry' I had something to go to. Ok so *I* really did not try it. My kids did- and the neighbor kids.

However- the verdict was unanimous. They loved them. When the sample was gone they were asking for more. I loved what was in them... or not in them... No HFCS, no gluten, and peanut safe. Fantastic. Something that is quick that I feel good about feeding them. I will buy them again.

Change of luck.

I started this post at 7 am. It was a whining, "whoa is is me" post. I am glad I did not finish it or post it.

I have had a chance to review it in my head and think it through. Ok so I have had a run of some less than great things happen- but I have had some absolutley wonderful things happen too.

The less than fortunate things that have happened were not so bad either. They were bothersome to be sure- but not that bad. Everything that I have been handed I can deal with- there is amazing support in my life and wonderful people to help me carry the load.

So thank you to everyone who helps carry my load. I will be there for you whenever you need.

I just wanted to swim!

It is hot here. Not as hot as the northeast but still hot. My friend and I decided to meet with our children at the pool for a picnic. From the way the day started I should have just stayed in bed.

My kids were being kids and making me nuts (in other news today ends in 'y'). I threatened to cancel a Grammy visit in desperation. Off we went. Except I knocked over the garbage cans all over the street. After picking that up we went. Finally.

Arriving at the pool a mere half hour after anticipated our friends were thrilled to see us. We got in claimed our chairs and got settled for an afternoon at the pool. It was fantastic because we also ran into our neighbor/friend and her children.

What seemed like minutes later I felt a cramp in my foot- fantastic. Holding Pixie, Peas and I waded to shallower water where I could set Pixie and stretch my toe. Except it was not in the right place. It was off to the side. It started to throb and I walked over to my friend we conferred and determined my toe was dislocated. I got some ice and tape and relocated my toe- oww. lots of oww.

We swam and paddled some more then my kids started to whine and complain for starvation (they had not eaten in an hour). Being the mama I am, I packed food! After feeding the lunch they were still famished and clearly in danger of withering away. So I took pity on them and offered to buy them and their friends some snacks.

Then it all went to hell.

While we were eating popcorn, watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, and popcorn while sipping on pink lemonade the pool manager came on the loud speaker and told everyone to get out of the pool and go towards the front gate... ummmm ok. I went up and asked if we needed to leave- as usually there is a 2pm safety check- and I was told to get my kids leave our things and go to the community center. Baffled I looked at the sky thinking- well it was supposed to storm but not until later... thinking that maybe there was a weather issue.

My friends and I followed instructions. We gathered our children and went out- into a freezing cold gym. Surrounded by guards and police officers everyone at the pool was shepherded into the community center for safety. Without towels or more importantly diapers- we were cold and concerned about getting peed on.

News leaked slowly that a man with a gun in a bathing suit who wanted to end his life was in the area. Seriously- I JUST WANTED TO GO SWIMMING!

So we were in the artic gym for an hour. Thankfully, the kids were able to entertain themselves. Thank heavens that we had their friends with us and I had other adults to talk to around. The kids were able to play and the moms were able to chat. Someone brought out balls an hula hoops- it was like watching animals swarm a dead animal. Whatever- they were happy. No meltdowns.

At last a door opened. People began to head towards freedom and warm air. It was a tease. Only if you had your keys and could go to your car immediately were you allowed to leave. Well no- we did not- we did not even have towels.

Back we went.

Finally we were allowed to leave. After getting out belongings and a refund for the lunch that we left. We went home. As we were leaving we heard the police helicopter circling above and saw numerous armed officers.

We found out later that the man in question did kill himself.

Thankfully- we had our kids with us and they were not at a camp or dropped off. I can only imagine how scary that would be. We were with our children. We knew where they were. Not knowing, not being able to be with them, would have been a million times worse.

So it was frightening for all.

Journey back to cloth.

When I had Princess I wanted to use cloth diapers- but it didn't happen. There was far to much else going on washing diapers would not have worked. Then Stinky was born- we used Pampers as well for him for a long time until he started getting rashes- then we switched to cloth.

I dabbled then. I did not commit to cloth wholeheartedly- I searched a little for diapers that would work but did not *really* work at it. Which was fine- we used cloth and all was well.

Enter Peas. In the NICU they used Pampers. Fine, we stuck with it and clothed at home.

Enter Pixie and DryMax. After the realization that I could buy a hundred dollars worth of diapers and it would literally be peed and crapped away, and would not biodegrade; out came my cloth. Unfortunately, Pixie and Peas wet right through my previous dipes that worked just fine for Stinky. This has required some searching on my part and trial and error to find the dipes that work for them and me.

So now I am cloth diapering two children full time. So far I love kissaluvs and bumgenius. Check out Shop at Granola Babies they have an awesome cash back program there, free shipping,and I am thrilled to be able to offer a discount of $7 off a first time $75 order, the code is NEW4147. But you need to click through link above to get the code to work.

I am thrilled to be able to bring these awesome products to you.

EWWWWWWWWWW.

I can stand A LOT of gross things. I deal with four kids 24/7 and they can challenge me a lot with my first aid skills.

There is one thing that I cannot stand: teeth. I have not been able to stand them ever even when mine were loose. Seeing them wiggle would make me need to sit. Tingling, roaring ears, the whole bit; I just cant stand teeth! So guess who has loose teeth? Princess.

She is beyond thrilled and I am beyond grossed out. They are not even that loose yet! They are just *kinda* loose. And she shows me, often. Every time, I am reduced to a quivering pile of mama who needs to go sit down with her head between her knees.

What is the standard Tooth Fairy prize these days?

Why do I miss the dog now?

I still think about Ali every day. I think about a lot of animals and people daily that I wish I could share something with. Sometimes thinking about the person makes me happy sometimes sad.

But since Fred died I have been remember how awesome he was. I was thinking about taking him to the beach the first time and swimming with him. I remember him chasing me in the water when he thought I went to far, playing in the yard, running, walking, just him. Most of all- the part I have replayed in my head over and over is when I came home from Utah. How he greeted me. He ran up the flight of stairs as fast as I had ever seen him move and smothered me in doggy love.

I have not lived with him for 10 years- but when ever I went to my parents house he always greeted me- he was always happy to see me- I was always happy to see him. Now he is not there anymore- and I miss knowing that when I call my mom I'll hear him barking- I miss knowing that when I go to visit he will beg to be petted and have his ears rubbed.

He was a good boy. We were so lucky to have him.

Photos!

I lost my hat and my sunglasses and had a kidney stone (again) but it was FUN

The kids and dogs and I hit the road yesterday to B's families lake cottages in southern Wisconsin.

Going there is stressful for me. It just is. I feel like I am being watched and judged every moment- which is probably not the case- feelings are not logical all the time though.

The kids love it. There is a lake, a boat, a waverunner, sand, and cousins/aunts to play with- what is not to love???

This year was no exception. They are played with and entertained and run around and played with until they can hardly see straight. Yesterday, Princess went tubing (alone) and on the waverunner with her aunt. She LOVED it. However she has not spent much time being afraid of the water.

Stinky however was perfectly content to hang out in the sand and build a metropolis.

Peas always the daredevil was fearless in the water as usual. Jumping in over her head, going on the waverunner and she even went tubing! My two year old was tubing- and shrieked with glee the entire time. She would go water skiing if I would let her.

Pixie also fits in well. She is a fish just like the others. I was in the water with her and she got angry when I took her out. She wanted to stay! Kicking her feet splashing what is not to love??

The lake was perfect- just warm enough.

The sad news? I lost my favorite hat. On the waverunner it flew off of my head and when I stopped to go back for it it had sank. I looked for it for twenty minutes- to no avail- my favorite hat is gone.

Also lost were my sunglasses. I took them off and set them by the picnic table- then when I got back from the wave runner-they were gone. Very sad.

The worst was sudden onset of kidney stone pain. Intense pain. Pain that robbed my of my focus. Pain that cut through the fun.

Not a good thing. It sucked.

Despite that- I had a great time. Watching Princess tube was a blast. Swimming with the kids was fantastic. Watching them be loved and happy made me happy.

June Winner

I sent an email off today! I hope that I get a response back.

Since this giveaway was so popular- I think I'll do another Amazon.com giveaway for July- thoughts??

Fred Died.

No way to preface this. No way to soften it. Fred died. Fred the dog. He was a fantastic dog. He was always there. Always wanting to make everyone happy.

He got me through so much. He got my parents through so much. He was loved so very very much.

Fred became my parents baby. He loved the beach and the water.

I have so many wonderful memories with him. Playing on the beach. Playing the snow. Walking, running, petting- he was loved. He loved us.

I'll miss you Fred.