My Weird Dog

 Lately I have been taking my weird dog Pippen on long walks.  I'm trying to get him back into shape.  In other words, making him exercise instead of sleeping all day.   Luckily going on walks is one of his favorite things to do in life (well, other than nap and worship the ground I walk on).

I'm sure that I have mentioned in the past that Pippen is a rescue dog.  We have no idea what happened to him before he joined our family.  I'm sure RT would answer that with, "A lot!"  And that is what makes him weird  special.

Pippen can get a little aggressive while on a walk.  What makes him aggressive?  Other dogs, especially those small ones.  I call it his snapping turtle mode, that's where his jaw starts snapping, like he is trying to eat the other dog (which is probably what he is trying to do).  It isn't pretty to watch or be the owner of an aggressive dog.  People look at me like it's my fault he acts like a psycho  snapping turtle crazy dog.  They say that owners and their dogs are a lot alike, but this is not one of the traits that I share with my dog.  I don't always aggressively try to attack everyone I encounter.  This issue is something that we have been working on for awhile.  I think we might be making progress.  OK, it's been ten years and after every walk I feel like Pippen might be turning the corner.  Unfortunately, on the next walk, everything that he learned is easily forgotten and I am left apologizing to other dog owners.  

When we are out on our walks, I notice a lot of people walking their dogs and staring at their phones.  I'm not sure if they are checking Instagram, updating their status on Facebook or looking up fun stuff to do on Pinterest.  I mean, it's great to multi-task, but, not while you are walking your dog.  You should be on the look out for "things" that you will need to clean up and other dogs/owners that are approaching.  Especially those owners that are off to the side of the path, trying to keep their dog from killing  attacking your dog.  

What would you do in this situation?

Do you have any suggestions on what to say to these ignorant dog walkers?

Vegan Diaries - Home Made Salsa

 I love salsa.  And home made Salsa is definitely the best!   I prefer to use fresh tomatoes in this recipe (well, as fresh as they are in the grocery store in the middle of a Chicago winter).   This is also a great recipe to use with those tomatoes and peppers you grow in your garden during the summer months.  I mean, that's one of the reasons why you have your own garden, right?  

The recipe is so simple that you can make it year 'round.   This salsa doesn't last long in our house.   

If you make the Home made Salsa, let me know what you think in the comments below.

Here's the recipe:

Home Made Salsa

ingredients:

28oz can whole tomatoes*

15 oz can diced tomatoes

1/3 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup cilantro, finely chopped

1.5 TBSP lime juice

1-2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp cumin

directions:

Place all ingredients in food processor or Vitamix.  Pulse a few times until salsa consistency.  

Add more spice if needed.

*I use fresh tomatoes in this recipe.  I substitute a couple of pounds of tomatoes for the 28oz can of whole tomatoes (about 4-8 tomatoes).  Make sure to remove the seeds and to chop into pieces before putting into the blender/food processor.  I still add the 15oz can of tomatoes, though.

* I add chopped green pepper and poblano pepper (1/2 cup).

*I like my salsa a little spicy so I will add a jalapeno or two.

*When using the Vitamix, pulse slowly or the salsa will get frothy.  

*Feel free to use salt when making the salsa.  I don't add salt to my recipes and usually forget to add that in the recipe ingredients.

Are you a salsa lover?

Enjoy!

My Weird Dog

 I had to dig this scary story out of the depths of my mind.  It's an oldie but the message remains true to this day.

When my children were little, we went through a horrible nightmare a lice phase.  Yea, before you get grossed out judge, I heard that kids getting head lice happens.  You just deal with the situation and move on.  I never had it growing up so this was a first time experience for me.  This story isn't about our lice experience, although I should write about that another time.  This just goes into a piece of information that I was given during this horrific  awful  nightmare  experience.  

During our lice phase, we had to clean everything in our house that could possibly have come in contact with anyone's head and could potentially be a place where lice could live.  Look around your home.  Imagine cleaning everything in a day before your children decide to put their head down on a pillow, couch, bed, carpet, etc.  Everyone has their special tips and remedies and, believe me, at this point, you are willing to try anything.  Some things work while others didn't produce the outcome expected, except more work for you.   

At one point during this process, one of the kids had to go to the doctor.  For some reason we had a different doctor.  I brought up head lice during the consult.  I explained everything I was doing to get rid of the pests and to prevent further outbreaks.  The doctor was impressed with my cleaning and attempted prevention techniques.  She went on to ask me if we had a dog.  To this, of course I answered yes.  The doctor started telling me that I should get rid of my dog.  They are "unsanitary, dirty and he is the reason why you keep getting head lice."

Now, if you know me, then you know that there is no way in #ell I'm going to get rid of my dog.  My kids?  Well, some days it sounded very tempting (just kidding, I love my kids) but the dog?  No way!

Luckily I had researched the subject and became quite the expert on head lice (I probably should add that to my resume).  I told the doctor that she should do a little more research prior to answering a question when she clearly knew nothing about the subject.  Head lice does not live on animals, especially dogs.  A dog can not get or give head lice to a human.  And there is no way I will get rid of my dog.

The doctor was shocked.  My children were happy and so was I.  

By the way, we did get rid of the head lice (thank God!) and kept the dog.

Oh, and to answer that burning question on everyone's mind, the dog never had head lice during this time.

National Cleaning Week

 This year I am posting about the fun National Weeks throughout the year. 

This week we are celebrating National Cleaning Week.  What an awesome time to place this holiday!  Spring has sprung, warmer weather is hopefully on the horizon and it's time to put away that winter gear and start scrubbing those baseboards.  OK.  I probably won't put away all of my winter gear.  I mean, let's be realistic here.  I live in Chicago, it could snow anytime up until June.  

Here are some interesting cleaning facts that I found:

Americans spend about 6 hours per week cleaning their homes

28% clean their home more than 7 hours a week

10% clean less than one hour a week*

*who are these people?

When? Where? How did Spring Cleaning come about?  Some say it was started through religion.  Jewish people cleaning in anticipation of Passover.  The Catholics clean the altar before Good Friday and the Greek Orthodox clean house for a week leading up to lent.  

In the 1800's spring cleaning meant removing the layer of soot in the house by opening up windows  and cleaning everything in the house.  Of course this had to be done during warmer weather.

How to celebrate the day?  Clean!  Make a plan working on one room at a time.  Start from the top and work your way down.  Don't forget to move furniture and clean under rugs and beds.  This is a great time to let go of stuff and donate to your local thrift store.

Happy Cleaning!

Open Communication

 I try to have an open communication relationship with my children.  When they have a question, they know that I will give them an answer.  If I don't know the answer, well, then I will find out.  Maybe have them help me do some research.  This worked out very nicely when they were younger and were asking all of those tricky sensitive interesting questions.  During the teenage years, this sense of openness is helpful so you can find out what's going on with them and their friends.   I thought this was a great start and would keep our lines of communication open.

Now, open communication and sharing is great between parents and their children, but there are some things that should just be kept to yourself.  I don't need a play by play of your day (although I do have one child that lives to tell me every single detail of the day).  A highlight reel, for me from this child, would be a lot better than a minute by minute recount of the day.  Then there is the over sharer (a different child).  This is the one that relays stories, happenings or situations that you, as a parent, should be excluded.  These are stories that you know probably happened or are happening but you choose to pretend that they don't exist.  And, finally, there is the one that is a special agent that is in charge of confidential undercover operations.  You really have to work hard to extract  get any information from this one.  If you are persistent and sit them down in a dark room with a bright light shining in their face have the proper questions and are able to rephrase them multiple times (basically a law degree) then you can obtain the evidence  you can have a great conversation.

They are no longer little children, but I'm glad the communication lines are still open.  

How do your children communicate with you?  

Do you have an over-sharer or a day detailer?

National Introverts Week

 This year I am posting about the fun National Weeks throughout the year.   

This week we are going to celebrate those quiet, shy people that choose not to be the life of the party.  The ones that prefer to avoid being the center of attention.   National Introverts Week is to celebrate the qualities of the introverts.

Some famous introverts that made some noise may have crossed your path:  JK Rowling, Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Mark Zuckerberg.

This week is to celebrate and embrace the introverts in your life and to help them achieve their full potential.  If you are an introvert, know that you too can achieve your goals in life and are not limited by your social engagement.  

I find this holiday a little odd.  I'm not sure why we are celebrating and bringing all of this attention to a group of people who would like to keep their life on the down low.   I believe in celebrating everyone.  Maybe with introverts this should just be kept to a one day celebration of their life and then let them go back and live their awesome life.  

My Weird Dog - Pupcakes

 It's another weird  strange  adventurous trip around the sun for my weird dog Pippen.  The old man spent his day trying to grab a quick nap  lazing on the back deck protecting his kingdom.  He got the royal treatment (special breakfast and lots of cookies throughout the day).  And, of course he was the center of attention while we sang, "Happy Birthday" to him.  

OK.  OK.  I guess I should tell the truth.  Pippen had an egg with his breakfast.  Hey, he had a really strenuous workout  went on a really long walk.  And it's his birthday!  So, lots of cookies on your birthday is expected, right?  Alright, alright, you got me.  It was probably just me singing to him and spoiling him all day today.   It was worth it, though.  Look how happy he is in this picture! 

Sorry for the naked picture.  Pippen wanted to spend the day in his birthday suit.  Eating a pupcake outside on a beautiful day in your birthday suit.  It doesn't get any better than this, does it?  

Thanks for putting up with me and my weird dog, Pippen.

Here's the tasty pupcake recipe.  They are Pippen approved.

Cheddar Apple Pupcakes

ingredients:

1.5 cups whole wheat flour

1/4 cup oats

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup apple sauce

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 TBSP hone

2 eggs

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

directions:

Oven 350F.

In large bowl mix applesauce, oil, honey, eggs and cheese.

In separate bowl mix the dry ingredients: flour, oats and baking powder

Combine the wet and dry ingredients.

Spoon mixture into silicone muffin cups.

Bake 18-20 minutes.

Allow pupcakes to cool before serving to your dog.

*I cut this recipe in half and it made 6 pupcakes.

The Black Pencil

RT and I often run errands together.  This started a few months ago when I refused to drive my car I was having car troubles.  During this time we shared one car.  Well, I'm not sure if RT knew about this car sharing situation, that's a story for another day.  Anyway, instead of making multiple trips, we would hop in the car and tackle our "To Do" lists together.

On this particular day, I had to stop at the Post Office.  My package already had the postage but I wanted to make sure it was scanned by one of the workers.  Since I was driving, RT hopped out and headed inside with the package.  The parking lot was empty so I figured this would be a quick trip.  After twenty minutes, I turned off the engine (hey, gas prices are pretty high!).  More cars entered the lot with people filing into the building.  At thirty minutes I began to worry about him.  What's taking so long?  I know he didn't get lost because we live in a small town and it's a small post office.  Did someone go postal while he was in there?

Just as I was about to head into the building I see RT leaving.  As he is getting in to the car he tells me, "That was the worst experience in my life."  I figured the postage was wrong on my package and had to be recalculated.  Apparently this had nothing to do with my package. 

Here's the story:

RT was in line when someone ahead of him went up to the counter and asked about a black pencil that he left when he was there earlier.  The postal clerk could not find the pencil at her desk and proceeded to check the other stations.  She checked the floors and behind the stations.  Time (and work) stopped at our little post office all for this little black pencil.  After twenty minutes of searching, another worker came up front.  They told him about the lost pencil and he launched his own investigation.  

This is where I stepped in and said, "You gotta love the small town life.  Something like a lost pencil sends the entire town into chaos."  I probably should have kept my mouth shut.  

RT was pretty worked up over the pencil saga.  He was about to tell the guy he would buy him a new black pencil.  He even had thoughts of painting a pencil black and giving it to the guy.  And then RT said to me, "Why did he bring his favorite black pencil to the post office?"

Did he find his favorite black pencil?  

Why is this pencil so valuable?

Why did he bring this pencil to the post office?

I guess we will never know the answers to these questions.

National Weeks

 This year I am posting about the fun National Weeks throughout the year.  This week, there are several to be celebrated so let's get started.

International Women's Week

One day is not enough to celebrate us women so we decided to take the entire week (oh, and the entire month of March, too).   The week is set aside to celebrate the social, economical, cultural and political achievements of women.  Looking for a way to celebrate this week?  How about donating time or skills to a local women's shelter.  How about helping/empowering some young Girl Scouts (it's not too late to buy some Girl Scout cookies)?  Because, it is also...

National Girl Scout Week

Girl Scout week is always celebrated around Girl Scout Day, the anniversary of the very first Girl Scout Troop meeting that took place on March 12, 1912.  The troop consisted of 18 girls and was considered a big deal.  The girls were able to get out and experience outdoors adventures and develop resourcefulness.  Hiking, camping, basketball and horseback riding are some of the activities.  This was an organization run by women for women and girls.  Remember, this was a time before women had the right to vote.  Today, 110 years later, there are over 10 million members in over 146 countries.  How can you celebrate the day?  Learn a little more about Juliette Gordon Lowe (the Girl Scout founder).  Or, even better, help out by purchasing a box of cookies from your favorite Girl Scout.

I was putting this one off until the last possible moment.  I can't believe it's here already!  I'm not even prepared!  You see, it's also

National Procrastination Week

This week is celebrated the first two weeks in March, or "whenever it's convenient."  I can see this holiday getting pushed off until later.   The goal of this holiday is to put off any necessary tasks until later.  This is supposed to give everyone a little break (or create even more procrastinators in the world).  This holiday does not give the green light to laziness, though.  This is to lighten your load a little so you can indulge in some of those fun activities you save for later (reading, cooking, exercising).  I do have to note that one of the items suggested as a "fun activity" was cleaning.  I would like to add that to my procrastination list (Who sees cleaning as fun?  You people need to get out more!)

Have fun this week!

Grand Opening

 A new Amazon Fresh grocery store opened up in our area.  I wish I could say that this post is sponsored and that I am going to receive all of this cool free stuff, but, unfortunately, that is not the case.  This is just a story about how I forced dragged encouraged RT to go to the grand opening with me to see the store and, of course, to get a free gift card.

I want to elaborate a little on the encouragement part of the story.  You see, RT wasn't all too keen on going to this grand opening.  First of all, the store opens at 7:00am, which means you have to get up really early in order to be one of the first 250 people in line.  RT isn't a morning person, so the time is my first hurdle.  I also knew that if we didn't get a gift card after dragging him out of bed at the crack of dawn this experience will haunt me for the rest of my life.  This started with RT's scenario where we would arrive at the store and somehow miss out on the free gift card or he would get a $5 gift card.    Ever the optimist.    

I would like to say that everything went smoothly, but, hey, this blog is about the scary journey inside my life for a reason.  The parking lot was full so RT dropped me off and I got in line.  When he joined me, he didn't have his coat on (it's 30F here) because he locked it inside the car (I had the key in my pocket).  Luckily there were heating lamps.  Everything after that went smoothly and we both received a gift card (phew!).  Of course, after all of that hard work getting RT there, I'm the one that ended up with the $5 gift card.

We are now officially those old people that go to store grand openings and get free stuff.