Sea World Day

Okay, so there are tons more, since I totally figured out how to use my continuous shutter on my camera, but here are the true greats of the Sea World Day.

Our start was taking this ride way up high into the air, and I took some great shots looking down, and a not so great shot of H&K&I sitting in the ride.

Then we went to see the Sea Lion and Otter show with Clyde and Seamore. The real benefit to this show is going about 15 minutes early to watch Tom the Mime-Pirate (who is DJ's personal favorite). I'm not gonna give this one away for those who have never been. Trust me - worth the entire day's admission to see this guy!!!

We saw the dolphin show, and of course, Shamu. The night Shamu Rocks show is totally awesome, by the way!

Florida Pictures!!!! - The Caribbean Night

Our arrival in Florida was true on first sight of the palm trees. I love palm trees. Green, leafy, and no bags of yard waste!!!

On Saturday night we went to a little party at the condos. There was an entertainer there. She was on stilts, dressed up all carribbean and made balloon things. They are amazing!!!

Pictures from the Patch

The Elder's Quorum was kind enough to let H&K&I bring two friends to the pumpkin patch!! WE had a pretty good time!

Politics

I'll be the very first to admit that politics is not my personal joie de vivre! I could take the whole thing and dump it, to be honest, but I was very interested in the progression of last night's news coverage.

I found it fascinating that 2-3 hours before the polls closed, the news anchors and analysts were announcing the winners. Some people hadn't even voted yet!!! As alarming as this was, I found it truly disheartening that because of these "projections" made in the media, some people didn't even bother voting because they were afraid that their vote wouldn't matter in the scheme of things. Additionally, by their own admission, some people only voted for candidates because of nationality, or political party, rather than researching what the candidate truly was working toward.

I had to take a citizenship issues class in high school... my senior year. I'll be honest, I didn't retain much. This year, though, I wanted to understand the power of the vote, and the responsibilities each of us has to our nation. I downloaded, directly from John McCain's website, and Barack Obama's website, their plans and platforms for the presidency. I printed off transcripts of the debates. (I don't learn well by just watching and listening. Reading, for me, is better.) I was terribly confused by everything.

So I went back to the beginning.

I found a free, online course, put out by Brigham Young University called An American Citizen's Guide to Government and Politics. I was ecstatic! I enrolled (it takes, like, 2 minutes) and started reading the lessons. Further, I found this cute little book at Barnes and Noble that has the exact wording of the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation. My research had begun!

Now, the ideas and foundations of government make sense, but the platforms put out by the candidates don't. I really struggled with how to take the knowledge of government I had and apply it to what the candidates were saying.

Further, I had to wonder how they were going to put these platforms into place since I wasn't even sure the presidential candidates had that kind of power.

I think perhaps we, as Americans, are not given the right information to be the best citizens we should be. Further, I truly believe that taking a course in Citizenship Issues, and demonstrating a knowledge of the subject matter, should be required to obtain a voting license, and the license should be renewed every four years. (They test us to drive, they should test us to vote!!!)

That set aside, and back to the news coverage, I didn't hear anything about a candidate's platform, or the actions they were going to take as an influence to voting last night. All I heard was demographics: race, religion, political party, past voting, etc. Does the press think so little of us to believe that we cannot think for ourselves??

I, for one, do not intend to be one of the nameless and faceless many who do exactly what they are told by the person speaking the loudest. The only way change is truly going to come is by people educating themselves and then doing something with the education they have. Don't let the press decide for you what you are going to think - figure it out for yourself, and then do something about it. This year I did. I voted for the person who I believed would best follow the government as it was outlined by the founding fathers in the Constitution, which, as I understand it, is still in effect.

I didn't vote for a nationality.

I didn't vote for a political party.

I didn't even vote for a platform.

I voted to support the Constitution.

What did you vote for?

Doctor Visits

Not many people can say that they love their doctor.

I LOVE MINE!!!! He is the best!

I went in this morning for my 3 month diabetes check up. Long story very short... I have three months to get back on track or I get to use insulin... (Unless of course miracles happen and I end up preggers, which is not recommended or on the likely scale.)

He also reminds me that I am 31 and that mom had her hysterectomy at 34. (He is mom's doc too.) My biological clock is ticktocking fast!!! He reminds me that he knows I want to have a little Bink. He tells me I have three months to fix it, or he will.

I have an appointment with the lifestyle coach at my doctor's office Monday morning 8am.

I have a follow up appointment with my doc in three months.

I promised him I would start excercising more.

I promised him I would take better care of myself.

He promised me that if I do better and am losing weight, and am excercising, etc, he will help DJ and I get a baby Bink.

He gives me a hug when I leave. (Okay, I am a natural huggy, so this means the world to me!!!) How great is it to know that your doctor truly cares about you as a person!

Okay, okay... aerobics classes twice a week at church. I will come now.

I'm not thrilled about the yoga thing on Fridays. I think it is too much for me, but I am willing to try.

I'm trying not to work in the mornings anymore so I can take better care of myself, excercising, etc.

How great is it though, that my doctor cares enough to look at my whole person??? I love it!! I love him!!! and I want to do better because I know he is rooting for me, and that somewhere so is my future baby Bink!!!

We're Back!

We're back, and over the course of the next week, I will be filling you in on our little excursion.

But for today, I would like to discuss the power of the break!

We pulled into Lincoln just before 8 PM last night, unlocked the house and all of us promptly fell asleep. Rather than send the girls to school this morning, I called in and gave them the day off. I cancelled their piano lessons, and I let everyone sleep in a bit this morning.

While this may seem a bit unorthodox, I am convinced that we all need mental health days sometimes, and that coming off of a vacation is a perfect time to take one. (I needed one, believe me.)

One of my friends described the need for time after vacations to get resettled into life.

I agree with her completely.

Furthermore, after the stress of vacations, it has come to my attention that we should be taking mental health days more regularly than we do. It is simply a part of our very well-being. The more I considered on this topic over the past few hours, the more I realized that the Lord has encouraged us to look for the peaceful moments in our everyday life, such that we can maintain our mental health.

What do you do to maintain/improve your mental health?

On the Road Again...

After months of waiting, I am finally in route to Florida.





Truth be told, I am probably sleeping. (Aren't scheduled posts fabulous???)





I have my parents to thank for my willingness and ability to road trip anywhere roads will take me. They had no problems hauling us all over the country.





So, I would like to share with you a few of my favorite-ist road trips from my life story.





My first long road trip took place in a 1970's station wagon. If you are too young to remember these, I'm truly sorry for you. They were quite the experience. We traveled from Provo Utah to New Orleans Louisiana. It was just SuperHill, WonderWoman, the Judge and I.





Our next travel was to San Antonio... I know, not bad.

We then went to California, and the Philadelphia in one of these. (My parents called it the reverse Mormon Trail trip.) Our pickup was the most attractive safety orange color. At least we got to sleep in actual beds, rather than on seats.





Suffice it to say, that upon moving to Alaska, (and preparing to drive there) my parents traded in the camper for a brown suburban (the first of my mother's obsession for large utility vehicles). After a brief visit with my grandparents in Utah, we arrived in Fairbanks Alaska several weeks later. Click here if you want to see a map of the drive. (4254 miles)





Lest you believe that this was all boring and motionless, may I remind you that at this time, third seats were optional, as were seat belts, so my parents would fold down the short second seat, and my brothers and I would crawl all over the back of the suburban. (BREATHE AHNAH!!!) It wasn't all bad, and I had some really great memories to share later on.





We traveled up and down the Alaska Highway at least 5 times, that I remember to go fishing in Seward. Then we drove to Lincoln Nebraska.





This is my second drive to Orlando, and after these cute little maps, can you see why the driving part doesn't really faze me??? The only problem I face is the brief periods where I can drive. Because of my traveling experience, I have a natural tendancy to sleep in vehicles, because that was my conditioned training.



So, TTFN!!! Wish me bon voyage (or sweet dreams!!!)

Packing...

The girls and I started packing for the trip last night. My goal was to have us packed before I went to sleep.

That did not happen, but I did get lots of laundry done!!!

This morning I folded it all. (6 loads all together... thanks for the applause. it was not neccesary...)

Hopefully, hero and munchkins can get the outfits loaded into the suitcase this afternoon and then I pack mine tonight when I get home from work. I will finish loading axe, unload my camera, and be on my way.

Speaking of packing...

We have had a small foundation leak in our basement for a few weeks, just when it rains. This morning the guy came to patch it up. I'm rather impressed, and it only costed me $60.

It was great! No more smelly soggy carpet!!!

Poor Axe...

In an effort to lessen the amount of stuff I have to load and unload into the wagon train on Wednesday, I decided to load Axe's SD card with songs from my collection. I figured I could just run music off of that, and I'd be good for the weekend. (I have a magic little adapter that makes Axe talk to the radio and broadcast. It's awesome!)

I am not going to lie to you.

I have three huge CD cases FULL of CD's and then some.

Axe has a 2GB SD Card.

I really thought this was going to be okay since I wasn't pulling all of the songs off of the CD's, just some off of each one.

Plus, I went through and took off a few songs that I didn't want on her anymore.

UHHHHH...

I obviously had no idea how truly sick I am.

I barely got through ONE CD case before the memory thing told me that it was almost full.

It wouldn't be so bad if the cases weren't labeled by genre, and then alphabetized. I barely got through country, because that is DJ's favorite (I don't have a favorite... I am too ecclectic for that) and I figured he could listen while he drives and I can sleep.

So now I am under the impression that I need to go pick up another SD card (or two, or three) to load the rest of my songs, then I can just choose which card to stick in, and voila!!! A radio station with none of those pesky deejays and commercials.

My husband thinks I'm nuts.

He is probably right.

SO... which songs do you think I should take???

The Birthday Blog

Its no big secret that I completely dig my birthday...

There is nothing better than celebrating a day that is completely devoted to you. I chose to make it a weekend thing, and had a pretty great time!

On Friday, I got to sleep in, and do a whole spa day right in my own home. Facial, tips and toes, hair, makeup, the works. Hero, me, Rybin, BK Drea, Homeowners, Root Beer, PK and Jenni went to Omaha to the Blazin Pianos bar at DJ's Dugout. I have pics, and I will post them as soon as I find the cord for the camera (again!!!). It was fun!

On Saturday, I woke up with the migraine from who-knows-where. Hero let me sleep, medicated, and with the help of munchkins, cleaned the main floor of the house so that I could have my friends over to watch the Relief Society General Broadcast. Again - absolutely fabulous! Wendy brought me some brownies. (She always makes sure that I get to blow out candles for my birthday. Last year, she brought me ice cream cake...)

Sunday I was without voice completely. For those who know me, you know this was a terrible sacrifice... As I was sitting in Sacrament meeting, one of my best guy friends (we did not date, but were really good friends!!!) walks into the back of the meeting with his wife. Of course I ran to get my hug.

After church I got to take a nap, and then my home teacher (who just happens to be Wendy's husband) brings me homemade wontons and crab rangoon... (which I have yet to share, and probably won't. Like a jury of my peers would convict me for not sharing....)

Hero ended up having to work. BLAH!!! (The troubles with being the big boss.)

We went to mom's for dinner. I got cake and ice cream (more candles).

I came home and did laundry and organized my cds. When Hero got home, he presented me with a blueberry muffin (more candles) and some roses.

All in all, a pretty fabulous weekend.

Nights in Rodanthe - 2nd Chances

I know.. I know...

My readers are getting tired of hearing about my Hero...

Here is the real story, as I am trying for this fabulous little prize!

At the ripe old age of 22, I found myself seperated from my husband, with a 20-month-old and a 2-week old. I left my life on a week's notice, telling only my very best friend, and disappeared to the shelter of my family, 1000 miles away.

2 years later (almost to the day, now that I think about it) I had been divorced for almost a year, and spent the majority of my time on the computer after my kids went to sleep.

Except for my ex-husband, I had never really dated much (He was my first boyfriend, first kiss, etc... He was a romantic - dancing, starry skies, lonely campfires in the fall, drive in movies with bubbly drinks and popcorn...) and I figured that wasn't going to change. I was overweight and I worked and I had two small children.

One night, someone bleeped in an instant message while I was web-surfing. I responded and we began "chatting" every night. Two weeks went by, and we decided to meet IRL. We went roller skating.

He gave me 3 dozen roses for Valentines Day and went as my date to a church dance a few weeks later.

He took my kids and I bumper bowling when I couldn't get a babysitter.

Three weeks into our IRL relationship, I met his parents. They told him that if he broke up with me, they were keeping me.

I still thought this was just a transient thing. I truly believed that I missed my one big chance at true love when things broke off with my ex-husband.

The Selling Point:

6 months in to the relationship...

Sunday morning - 8AM

Hero calls because he just got off an overnight shift at work.

My 2 year old had just regurgitated all of her breakfast onto her dress and mine.

I had 4 responsibilities at church that I really couldn't miss.

He walked in the door 10 minutes later, took the baby and told me to go to church. I changed and ran out the door with the other child in tow.

Sunday afternoon 12:30PM

I arrive back at home. Hero and baby are laying on the couch in the basement. He is flat on his back and she is laying on his stomach, face down, with only a diaper on, and both of them are snoring. (THIS HAS TO BE LOVE!!!)

Monday 10PM

Hero calls because he got off work (the swing shift). 4 year old and I are sharing a garbage can because the toilet is already occupied (the sickness spreads). He comes over, takes the child, gives me medicine and sends me to bed. Bathes child, gives her medicine, then sleeps on the floor in children's room so that he can get up with them.

Does it get better than this??????

We date for about three years, and then decide we are going to get married.

He never actually proposed. We were sitting at my kitchen table eating chinese food. I had a piece of sweet and sour pork in my chopsticks, lifting it to my mouth, when he says "Girls... I'm gonna marry mom. Is that okay?"

Okay, so traditional romance, candles, and music are not something that I can count on with him. What I do love is the little things.

The spotless kitchen.

The fresh towels that magically appear while I am taking a shower especially when I know I, personally, haven't washed towels in the last week or so.

Helping raise my kids.

I know that my life will never be the same again. I got to be romanced once, and I loved it, but it didn't end well. I don't need it again. What I need, want and live for is someone to share my life with. I need the little things. Hero is my great second chance and my true partner, love and friend.

Just stuff

LDS Living picked up the story of NieNie.

In other news...

My daughter wore my running shoes to school today... They fit her perfectly...

When did that happen??

Let's Hear it for the Boy!!!

DJ Hero-B has struck again.

Yesteray morning and today, he has gotten up with the munchies so I could sleep in before work. I got up at 9AM today, 8 AM yesterday. (I know this doesn't sound like sleeping in, but when you work until 11PM and your kids are gone on the bus at 7:20AM, 9AM is heaven on earth.)

The plan is to work a good 50-60 hours this week. Our Houston calling center is down (DUH!) this week, so we need to cover their hours. They are offering an extra $5 per hour, over and above overtime, TIPS and regular pay. (Just so you understand, right now I make between $11 and $15 per hour. with this extra pay, that will go to $20 per hour, without counting the overtime.) Of course I am going to do this. I put in a twelve hour day yesterday and am going to repeat it today, tomorrow, Thursday and Friday I will do ten. Saturday I will do 6. I'm taking Sunday off.

I got home last night and there were groceries in the fridge, clean-ness in the kitchen, the living room and in our bedroom. Then Hero put some money in my account at the bank so I could get food, and cover some bills that were bigger than budgeted.

HOW GREAT IS HE???

On a side-note... Praying that NieNie and her family are blessed today, and that the surgery goes well.

Hanging Out to Dry...

Hero got home late last night. I don't remember much of it because my semi-comatic state barely registered his attempts at cuddling me. I feel a little bad about that.

This morning I got the munchies off to the bus, and then went back to bed, and woke up at ten. I was supposed to get into work by nine today. In my feeble (and half-asleep) fashion this morning, I discovered that the basis for any outifit I might choose to wear were all in the dirty clothes hamper.

Off I go downstairs to clean clothes. Mutual benefits: I won't go back to sleep. I can play on the computer. I won't be tempted to wake up Hero, who didn't sleep much. One load should do it except that our dryer has developed a bit of a 'tude.

The door won't stay shut. You have to prop up something heavy against the door to make sure that the door won't pop open, thereby stopping the drying sequence, and extending the length of time you are graced with my musings. Currently there is a full clothes hamper and a full storage tote propped against the door. I also had to turn down my music so I could hear if the dryer did stop.

I do have a clothesline in my backyard, and when it is not raining, I am not in a big hurry, and I am going to be home, I will actually use it. There is just something about fresh laundry from an outdoor line. It just smells, and feels, good. Why is it that the best things in life come to those who wait???

I thought once about a story I read where a mom decided she had had enough being a grown up and wanted to be a dog for awhile. Aside from the sanitation issues of relieving oneself outside and eating from a bowl that sits outside in the dirt all day, I can see her point.

One of my girlfriends was having a rough day with one of her sons. She had fed him his favorite dinner, bathed him, and then put him in his dark bedroom with one book, quiet music, and then removed everyone else in the house to another floor so he could go to sleep, by himself. The child did not appreciate this. I wanted to know exactly how bad I had to be to get this "punishment".

I think sometimes, as women, we forget that we need to take some time to just hang out to dry... Let all of the stuff that runs us through the ringer (i.e. the washing machine - the cleaning, child care, the husband support, the church stuff, the community stuff) and just let it all seep out in the wonder that is sunshine and fresh air. Yeah, we could hurry through the dryer, run the risk of shrinkage and static, and most of the time, we do. But sometimes we just need to HANG OUT! The great thing is, the fam loves this kinda stuff too. Munchies love hanging stuff on the line, we talk and we laugh. It makes it so worthwhile. Then they play while I sit in my chair on the back porch and read my book, taking pictures of how cute they really are, because I know that isn't going to last either.

I didn't realize how big they were until last night when I picked them up at Enrichment nursery last night and they were the ones "in charge." They were the oldest ones in there, taking care of 6 other children, and doing a pretty great job. When did that happen? Suffice it to say, they earned an ice cream, and we enjoyed it the whole way home.

My pearl of wisdom for the day - Take the time to hang out and dry!!! (We could all stand to smell and feel pretty good!!!)

Orron, We Are Praying For You

I grew up in the military.

My family moved to Nebraska when I was a freshman in high school.

My next younger brother, The Judge, followed in SuperHill's footsteps and joined the Army National Gaurd to help pay for school.

He got deployed last week to help with the hurricane efforts.

I found out yesterday.

I was at Wonder Woman's when The Judge called to fill WW in on where he was and what was going on.

He is fine, and currently in Alexandria. They are waiting to see what Ike does before they come home.

The Judge's wife (who I have yet to blog-nickname), is pregnant with their second child and first son, (Nathaniel????) due early November. The Judge's wife's birthday was Saturday. The Judge left THursday. ick.... Their daughter, EEAH (WW loves this nickname but it is strictly a blog-only title), is 20 months old. Auntie Shannon is going to make a phone call to see if EEAH can play this weekend.

Good luck Judge! Come home soon!!!

Holdin' Out For A Hero

So my husband totally digs his new nickname...

I guess I should probably explain.

Before I got the new phone, DJ Hero-B's ring was "Holding Out For a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler. There are many reasons, I guess, but probably the biggest one is that he came along at a point in my life when I didn't know how I was going to move on in the love department. He didn't demand anything I wasn't willing to give. He was patient, and 6 1/2 years later, we have been married for just over 3 years. Sometimes the days are not so great, but then there are days like this weekend when the world is so fabulous.

This morning I woke up wrapped up in the warmth of my husband's arms. I'm one of those people who can't fall asleep with people smothering me, so, he waits until I am asleep, and then cuddles me. It was especially wonderful since it was FREEZING in our bedroom because the windows were open. He kissed me gently and said, "I need to get up."

He didn't want to move because he didn't want me to wake up mid-jostle. He sweetly woke me up first.

HOW CUTE IS THAT???

I think he knows I am going to miss him. He leaves early tomorrow morning for Las Vegas (yes, without me, again) for a work thing. He'll be back until very early morning on Friday. I will be working that whole day, and have church stuff on Saturday, then he works Saturday night, then, hopefully we will both be off on Sunday. I can't wait!

FYI-His new ringtone is the UNL Husker Fight Song: There is no place like Nebraska!

My husband the Comedian

DJ Hero-B thinks he is hilarious.

I suppose sometimes he has a point.

Regularly, he is in charge of the evening activities because I work nights. He gets the girls fed, homeworked, piano practiced, and in bed (they are responsible for their own hygiene).

The other night, I went to a fabulous concert with some friends, and Hero-B wanted to go out with his friend, BK-J, the next night.

He says to me, during a conversation, "O-M-G"

"What are you yelling at Him for?" I say.

"He didn't read my resume."

"What resume?"

"The one that said I wanted to be a husband, not a babysitter and dishwasher."

I guess you can't beat the benefits....

Love ya hun!!!!

My New Blog Title

I'm taking a little inspiration from Nie Nie, who I was introduced to through several friends (thanks Wen, Chris, Deb, et al..). Even though we have never met in person, I know that she is a wonderful person who has set a beautiful example for others. Please do click on the link, if you don't know Stephanie. Her story is amazing!!!

I have a tendancy to be a bit of a grump... (SHOCKER!!!! I know.) I also have a tendency to put myself first, rather than others.

It gets especially bad when I get so caught up in the day to days of life that I realize how important it is to focus on the good stuff. So, I'm changing the focus of this blog to reflect the good stuff in life, the stuff that helps me remember that my Heavenly Father loves me. That He loves my husband, my children, my family members, my friends, and even those people I think I really could live without.

For the record, I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the most wonderful message anyone could ever receive. I love knowing that there is someone out there who knows all of my pain, sadness and sorrow, and who wants to help me get through it. It humbles me to know that he cares for me enough to die for me. Then He came back to show me how to live that I might return to live with Him.

I love this picture. I love that He is talking with these women. He knows them. He loves them. He recognizes the busy-ness of day to day life, and reminds us to put it all aside to appreciate the things He teaches.

He sent me a best friend in the Holy Ghost, who can be with me, anytime, anywhere, as long as I am doing my best to follow the commandments of the Lord.

He also sent prophets, seers and revelators to continue to teach me the things that I should know, be and do to return to my Heavenly Father. I know that these men are truly mouthpieces for the Lord, and that by hearkening to what they say we are blessed.

My Heavenly Father also gave me a wonderful family, parents, husband, children, brothers, sisters, extended family and friends, who enrich my life and are the best sources of love that I know. And, while I don't say it enough, I hope they all know how much I love them, and how grateful I am for the love they show me.

At this point in my life, there is nowhere I would rather be than among all these wonderful blessings!

Thank you Stephanie for being my inspiration. May blessings come to your family in this time of hardship, and know that we are all praying for your family, and for the Lord's will to be done!

Labor Day Weekend

Crazy, but fun, weekend. It was nice to just be able to relax a little.

I made these earrings at work between calls. Never done anything like it before. It was different, but good!!!


Elizabeth loved playing at Grandma's.

Athena and Caroline joined us at my mom's for the Husker game on Saturday. Athena was all excited about the baseball stuff.

The Styx concert Monday night with Christy, Shauna and Wendy was great!!!





































Sunday night, I spent a couple of hours cleaning off the girls bookshelves. i'm going to be rearrangin a bunch of stuff, and needed the space. Plus, I needed some books for some activities, and couldn't find them.

There must have been a hero vibe in the air this weekend. My one friend's husband came home from work early so she could rest, and actually held down the fort for the afternoon and evening so she could sleep.


I'm having my own little form of hero worship - in the form of my husband.

While I was dealing with children and bookshelves, he was upstairs in the kitchen. It took him about an hour, but look at how amazing!!!!









Brownie points for sure!!!!

Set the Night to Music....

I have been waiting for months for this concert... Starship and Survivor.

Okay, I know that I don't come off as the type of person who loves hair rock bands from the 80's... but I kinda am.

My friend Wendy and I made a night of it, and had a great time!!!

Many of their well-known songs are on my playlist, so feel free to click and listen!!!

I have pictures of the Survivor part of the concert, but I only took video at the Starship part. (Which I found out later I wasn't supposed to.) When I tried to download the video to the computer, I was told that my USB port is not fast enough.

I'll get that remedied and post the videos!!!
Wendy and I picked up the "Fair Fare" - corn dogs, lemonades, and made for the openair auditorium. When we saw REO Speedwagon two years ago, we arrived an hour early and had to sit outside the auditorium on the grass because it was packed!!! This year we got benches. We were chatting, listening to the sound checks (because that is what you do before concerts if you are early) and enjoying the running banter behind us.

From what I can gather, these two midddle-aged women had been sitting in their seats since 4:30 waiting for the concert. They had already listened to 2 sound checks, and just wanted the band.

Wendy and I kept laughing at the comments.

20 before the concert started, my phone rang. (I had been gone maybe 30 minutes.) Hailey got bit by a neighbor dog. I got up and went to where it wasn't so.... noisy, and talked to DJ.

Okay, it is a bichon. He is not violent. He was scared of the bike and chased and bit her.

DJ (my hero) cleaned it up, put some antibiotic ointment on it, and she's fine. He told me he could handle it, and I culd stay at the concert. Of course, I had a great time, but I felt like a lousy mom.

Wendy and I had to find new seats after I took the call. That's too bad.

The next morning, to help Hailey feel better I showed her the video of "We Built This City." The girls have loved that song forever. and it did make her pretty happy.

I totally understand the law, but my doctor, if I had come in to check her out, would have had to call the police and report the bite. Of course I am not going to report this. It is a natural response for a scared dog to bite.

I was pretty casual about it, because I know Hailey would have freaked if I did. The mom of the dog was more upset. I told her not to worry. Hailey is fine.

My bigger concern was Hailey developing a fear of dogs. I did call my friend and ask her to bring over her dog, though. Fatty is a big german shepard, golden retriever cross who basks in attention. He sat, and Hailey went right up to pet him. She'll be fine. She's a SURVIVOR!!!!