Off topic...

Motherhood - wow it's not easy. I didn't THINK it was going to be easy when I had my first child 13 years ago but it's so much harder right now than I thought it would be.

I wouldn't repeat my teenage years (at least the early ones) again for anything. Especially middle school. But to see this 13 year old and recall how much he used to adore us hurts. And I know how lucky we are - he's a good boy, everyone always tells us how sweet and polite and helpful he is. He's getting good grades, attends youth group at our church and is even going on a mission trip this summer and getting ready to take confirmation classes. The latter I know he's doing for my benefit - at least in part. But he's starting to be sneaky with things like his math homework. Now, I have to check it which takes 2 hours every evening because he's making the lamest mistakes.

I guess it's just easier when they are small and all you have to do is feed and love them. Or when they are small and furry like Frankie, who really does just want food and a lap! :)

Rain!

Ooooh, it's been raining here! I'll tell you who doesn't like to pee in the rain (well, who does?) - Frankie. I had to keep picking her up and putting her in the grass. Then she'd wait until I turned my back and run up to the door. And she hadn't been out in hours so I knew she had to go.

She came in after finally peeing and shook. Then, she rolled all around on the carpet for 10 minutes. She wasn't amused! :)

Guilt!

So much guilt! It's been forever since I've written anything.

Also, we left town again and put Frankie in a kennel again. :( I hate it. I wish we could bring her but there are times it just isn't possible. We got home tonight and I gave her a bath as soon as she got home (to add insult to injury). Now, she's settled on my lap under a fluffy fleece blanket dozing happily. I'm so glad she doesn't hold a grudge! :)

Merry Christmas!

Hope everyone had a paper-tearing, present squeaking Christmas! ;)

Oh, Christmas Tree!

Frankie Mae doesn't usually spend too much time in this room. Unless an irresistible sun patch happens across the floor.

Since the tree has been up, though, she's been hanging out in there a lot. She drags her toys in there and just cozies up.

"I wonder which ones are for me!"

Brrrrr!

Temperatures have dipped into the 50's here. Frankie (aka: the Soupster) isn't happy about it at all. She dislikes the leather couch, but when I pulled out the Christmassy fleece blanket, she couldn't resist. I know she misses stretching out in front of the fireplace in our house in Washington.

Evolution of a Nickname

"I like to play with the dollhouse, too!"

"What name will you call me today?"

"It's Miss Sill-Merica!"

Poor Frankie. I wonder if she has an identity crisis. She has so many names.

First, she was Francesca Mae Furter.

This became Frankie, obviously.

Then Frankie Mae.

Then Miss Frankie, and Silly Miss.

Then we called her Sill, short for Silly Miss.

Then, she was (and still is) Little Sill.

Sill became the Sillionaire or the Sillionator.

The, because she's so pretty she was Miss Sill-Merica. Sometimes with the song. "Theere she isssss! Miiisss Sill-Meeerrrrica!"

Next, The Great Sill-Dini.

That became Super Sill (it's a bird, it's a plane, it's SUPER SILL!)

Somehow, from that we got Soup.

She was Silly Soup, and now just Soupy. Or Soup-de-doop.

Most recently, she is the Soupster, or Soup Spoon, which is from me but doesn't appear to be catching on with the rest of the family.

Does anyone else do this with their dogs? When I call her to come, it's with her real(ish) name, Frankie. Or Frankie Mae if she's in trouble. Or "Francesca Mae Furter James Larson Edward!" encompassing a few of the middle names of our family. LOL!!! I didn't realize how funny this was until I was writing it out! :)

Please, let me know if you have any nicknames for your dogs!