Free Chocolate? Sign Me Up!

I'm a sucker sometimes for freebies.  I'll admit I have a couple of credit cards that I have solely for the reward coupons I get while using them.  And this past week I fell into the trap again... but this time, an easier reward.

While passing through the mall on my lunch hour, a friend twisted my arm to stop into the Godiva store where she was asked if she wanted to join their rewards program.  And then I heard, "...free chocolate, once a month... no purchase necessary, and all you need to do is give us your email address."

You had me at free chocolate.  No lie, they will give you one free piece of chocolate in their case once a month, your choice, along with some other discounts (to which I found less exciting than the one free piece of chocolate.)  How can you pass that one up???!!?!  No minimum to spend.. no accumulating purchases... just free Godiva!!  I chose a white chocolate truffle with raspberry puree... but got a free key lime truffle just for because I asked if 'lil bug qualified for the offer too.  (Just kidding -- we had an extra generous salesperson. :)

What a fun trip to the mall that was... and tasty, too!

Idiot Proof Parenting

Re-designing the Hot Dog?  Right.  Might as well re-design the apple, grape, cherry, and banana while you're at it, because not chewed properly those could also be a choking hazard.  And don't forget bread and cheese chunks.  What village idiot thinks it's ok to toss one of these things at a toddler and call it good?  Come on people, open your eyes and become an educated and responsible parent.  Accidents do and will happen, but we all know the majority rule here applies to the irresponsible.

Boggles my mind.

If you can't drink it...

... craft with it!

It's been forever in the making, but my wine cork board is finally complete. It's not perfect by any means, but it's cute and for my first one, didn't turn out too badly. Can't wait to do some more!!  (In my spare time, of course.)

The problem, now I want a glass of wine -- the sips here and there AREN'T CUTTING IT!!
 And they definitely aren't helping me earn more corks, either... ha ha!

CHEERS!!!

Coming Soon to a Vet Office Near You...

.... My first 'tears at the vet' experience. Yeah, sappy.

Many of you will recall almost two years ago how we rescued "Bethany". Affectionately named by my Goddaughter, Sophia, Bethany was a small little orange and white tabby living outside under a trailer on the property. Declawed.. scrawny.. AND SO SWEET! We fell in love, and although had no intentions of getting a second kitty, she made out hearts melt. Just six pounds we thought for sure she was a baby.. and all we kept thinking was how this sweet little baby kitty was living outside alone..... and it was getting colder...

.. and so then there were two. Baxter wasn't keen on having a baby sister. (OK she's actually about four years or so older but she's still a baby compared to the 16 lb beast known as her brother.)

I couldn't handle the constant chasing.. pestering.. crying.. yowling.... it was a mess.. nonstop running, pouncing, tormenting. We would wake up at 3am to this ridiculous cry, and find her cowering under the recliner where Baxter couldn't reach her. In my mind it was best to find her a home and avoid the constant torture from the beast of a brother. I gave up when Chris put the guilt on me... and slowly.. slowly... I grew more and more deeply attached.

Sammy, as she is now named, is probably the sweetest cat I have ever met. At night, she comes up near our faces in bed before we turn off the lights, says her goodnights with nuzzles to our faces and the loudest purrs you could imagine, and then moves to the foot of the bed where she stays until the alarm goes off. She gives amazing hugs.. both paws on opposite sides of the neck and she clenches you, nuzzling her face in close. What's not to fall in love with?

Yesterday she went to visit Dr. Rachel for an oral exam and cleaning due to some funny eating patterns. After a 6 minute car ride in which she hugged me the entire way, She wouldn't let go of me as I went to give her to the vet tech. And as she curled in close to the tech, shuddering, I cried. The thought of putting her out and making her stay at the day away from the family just made me lose it! Ok and maybe it was pregnancy horomones talking a little bit. I'm quite sure the tech thought I was a lunatic...

Ten hours later we brought her home. Baxter of course thought she was a new kitty since she smelled so differently. Instantly the tormenting began again and has lasted a good 24 hours. But somehow.. it's music to my ears this time.

Welcome home Sammy Sue. Your family missed You :)
XOXO

We're Childbirth Educated!

How embarrassing is it to admit that our lives are so incredibly busy that we had to take Childbirth Classes 3+ months before our due date?

We spent the day with 11 other first time parents, learning to swaddle.. burp.. bathe, and flip a baby... along with some fun learning about epidurals, circumcisions, c-sections, and the gory details that go along with it. I have to say I did learn quite a few things... but also can say that many of them made me downright queasy!

We are both baffled at how things have changed from when we were born. No ultrasounds.. epidurals.. or carseats for that matter. Blankets, bumpers, and pillows in a crib are no-no's... but fans in the nursery and swaddling are a must! How on earth did we turn out so normal? I suppose that's to be determined... we haven't started parenting, yet.... But Baxter & Sammy are doing just fine.... :-)