This is no way to start a post, but listen. My dog has the runs. I should have known yesterday morning when I called Heidi to tell her how on top of things I was, that it’s the golden rule of failure. Do not, under any circumstance, declare “Look at me! Everything’s going so great! My house is so clean!” because the problem gods have radar ears and are very tuned in to those sort of phrases. They’ll sniff you out and take your clean house and your checked-off to-do list and your laundry all folded and put away, and they’ll flip it upside down. When I realized the dog was sick, I locked her up, but she had eight hours while we slept to hide presents all over the house. Like a really fun scavenger hunt. Hey kids, grab a bag! The piñata has broken!
Somewhere between cleaning Pile of Dog Mess 15 and Pile of Dog Mess 32, I kind of snapped. My dad called just to say hi, and my head spun. “I can’t talk right now, okay? My kids are crying and Latte has the shits”–the last word emphasized, of course, because he loves it when I talk like a lady.
Poor Latte confined to our lanai. The kids had visitation with her through the glass window.
The rest of the day spiraled, naturally. And I think there’s nothing you can do to fight it but LET GO.
Okay, there’s something you can do to fight it. Put the snow village up.
That we did. Of course, four out of six light bulbs were blown on our light strip because they got yesterday’s memo. But I’ll be damned if that post office and church didn’t shine the little lights they were given. Besides, the Antique Shop had been puttin’ in way too many hours. It needed a night off.
Moral of the story? When only two bulbs are burning on your six-light strip, shine ’em bright. The village will carry on. It always does.
I’m over at BabyZone this week for their 30 Days of Thanks with 20 of My Favorite Grateful Moments, Captured.
I have had three of these days in a row. This morning, I got up 2.5 hours before the kids (they sleep until 10 so it wasn’t the crack of dawn) and laid on the couch playing on my phone and reading for the entire time. Mama needed some zone out time. Here’s to hoping the rest of your week gets easier!
I had about 3 weeks of scavenger hunts before getting a doggie door. Apparently my dog just couldn’t keep it in at night. She would shit in the spare bedroom, the one room that I don’t really use, and I would find it later. Then, after the shitting stopped, she decided to go on a chewing binge. A whole, economy sized package of maxi pads all over my backyard. Yes, I have a facebook album entitled, “My dog is an asshole.”
Seriously I wonder if tough days are sporadically splattered so glorious days shine that much more brightly. We had a rough one yesterday and I am tentatively declaring today an easier one. Glad your lights are shining.:) Hang in there Momma!
Hugs to you.
Adorable photos.
Love the lil cone trees with yarn and buttons on them. Too cute!!
Sorry for your trouble but this question needs to be asked… Where O Where did you get those Christmas tress in the pots??? Thanks 🙂
We purposely turn off a few of the lights in our xmas village town… after all, it’s WAY more realistic that way. xo
Oh no! We had a similar scavenger hunt a few months ago. I kept saying, “I know I smell dog s*&t, but I just can’t find it!”
It was under the bean bag chair. Figures.
Hope today is better!
I LOVE YOUR BLOG. You are among other things, so, so, so, funny. This is the post where I email my sister and see if she’s read this one yet. Also, I will go to my daughter who just had a C-Section on Monday and get her to read this post. I’m staying with her at the hospital but came home to shower. As she was recovering in her room yesterday and hubby and 2 kids had left for lunch with his parents, we wondered how you had/have the presence of mine to plan a party for labor and delivery. We love your blog for so many reasons, but I don’t have time to write anymore. Have to get back to the hospital to see my precious 9 lb. Evelyn Edith. She’s my 7th grandchild. No. 8 is due in April. 2 daughters married, 2 single. Keep writing. Your children are adorable and you and your husband are gorgeous. 🙂
lol (sorry!)- I’ll remember not to get too happy about my clean kitchen! 😉
I’m dying laughing. Thank you for this. Here’s to a better week!
You broke the rule! NEVER say (or even think) that things perfect! LOL You are awesome for everything you share, especially your off days!
Love the pics and the stories, hope Latte is feeling better!
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Oh, I feel for ya! One year our dog ate an entire $40 chocolate advent calendar and had the runs for two days.
We fondly referred to that incident as Shitfest 2011. 🙂
What I love? Stepping in the crap your dog leaves you first thing in the morning. NOT.
The photo of Nella just says it all, and the one of Dash just says, “What? Have a happy day anyway.”
I’m going to delete my latest blog post ’cause I’ll be stepping in dog vomit tomorrow……
xoxo
lynn
I was wondering how long it would take you to paint that stroller! That unfinished wood was just a blank canvas begging to be painted!
Love the comment to your dad….made me laugh….just what I needed. thanks!
Bomb pops and gingerbread lattes. It’s the only remedy for a day like that. Eff it all and start fresh tomorrow.
We’ve all had days like that..thankfully they pass. Hope Latte is feeling better!
Thanks for the “moral of the story”… I needed that. And your humor-sprinkled-post was great. Hope Latte is on the mend! 🙂
Thanks for keeping it real! I laughed & laughed because a) I’ve been there but with kid poop b) I have the maturity of a 10 year-old boy when it comes to fart/poop stories!
I can always count on you for a pick me up laugh even in the face of “disaster”! All in the perspective. Gives me encouragement to turn my day around.:)
I’m sorry to be laughing out loud at this post but you really do have an amazing way of writing about your ~shitty~ day:) tee hee I couldn’t resist the pun!
I’m also glad that I’m not the only one that must know where you bought or how you made the cute Christmas trees in the pots. SO ADORABLE!
Yes…I made the mistake of mentioning how well the baby was sleeping recently. She must have heard me and woke up screaming at 4am. Her recent milestone, sitting up all by herself, came back to bite me in the ass. She sat up and refused to lie back down. Eventually she slept bent in half at the waist, but I was awake from 4-6:30, then had to get up at 7 to get the big girls ready for school. Ugh. I will never boast about how well the baby’s doing ANYTHING!! BTW, love those chompers on Dash! My baby is one month younger exactly and still has no teeth.
Yep and perfect. I’ve been saving our village for a moment such as that. Lol. Love everything about this post.
I always LOVE, LOVE your pictures! They give me such motivation to get outdoors with my little gal and play. Thank you for sharing!
I am sorry for your “crappy” day…but you still somehow salvaged it & gracefully created memories in spite of some chaos. I seldom comment, but check out your blog often, and just have to tell you how precious your children are…and little Nella captures my heart! Our son is living with autism, but we are 14 years into that journey. I love watching the journey you are creating and the joy your children are experiencing!
Oh girl, I feel ya. Love your words like always!!!
Oh geez. I had a similar moment that I wrote about last week where I was high and mighty in my “I got this thing DOWN” mood. I actually thought about you and your posts about juggling balls… I was juggling some like noone’s business, and then apparently just forgot that I’d left a whole other one on the floor. whoops!
http://themurrayedlife.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-day-i-thought-i-could-do-it-all.html
Though in the end I’m still really glad it didn’t include my dog and incontinence… That’s something that can break down any brain.
Laughing so hard I’m crying!!!
I hope Latte’s okay. I love that cute little dog.
Lol.
Lol.
Lol.
omg … pumpkin … feed your pup pumpkin and it may stop the diarrhea … a lifesaver!
Only after scrolling back to look at the pictures after reading did I notice Nella’s one eye peeking through her hair. That little one is so friggin cute with her antics and faces.
Oh man not fun.For sure do the canned pumpkin for the dog just a little in place of her dog food.It really does do wonders we give it to our dog.
Kelly you crack me up! The dog has the shits. Tell em like it is. Must be something in the air, came home and my poodle had puke in a few places. Not sure if there are more. Hugs honey, tomorrow is a better day!
Diane
I agree with the previous posts, try giving your dog a little canned pumpkin. Not the canned pumpkin pie with the spices just plain canned pumpkin.
Dude, this is why I can’t have a dog…so glad the teeny village healed the day 🙂
OMGosh, can’t get over the Starbucks Christmas cup, along with the Popsicle and sidewalk chalk (says the jealous lady from WI with 20 degree weather overnight!)
Poor Latte! Some bland food like ground beef and rice should clear that diarrhea up.
Wait, when did newborn baby Dash get TEETH?!?! The madness!
I feel for you though on the crazy days. That is college in a nutshell. It will deceive you into thinking that you are finally on top of things and it’s all easy going with very few assignments due, no exams, and then BAM exams in every class all at once.
And then you suck it up, buckle down, and drink buckets of tea until it’s over. Or peppermint mochas for that holiday cheer!
I so hear you. We are a military family and just moved to the UK from Oregon 2 weeks ago with our 3 littles ages 6 down to 7 months. And it has left all my bulbs flickering, to say the least. Thanks for your words.
I love you.
Let me tell you about last Tuesday. I was at work until all hours working on a paper about behavior and children with special needs.
My child with special needs was biting her nanny/a dear friend over a cookie.
Seriously.
Here’s to a great hump day!
Good Golly! Hope today is a better day!
Kelle, I LOVE that picture of Lainey, it actually brought tears to my eyes! I know that probably sounds strange but there was just something about it that touched my heart! It was just stunning. Thank you for sharing.
Oh goodness hope today is better! I was on top of things going to bed early last night and feeling like I could take on today and then Gray was up in the middle of the night with a fever, needed a bath, and today I’ll be pleased if I get up off the couch! 🙂
Steph
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As always, your post made me smile… and I can see it’s going to cost me! Last year I coveted (and subsequently bought) a felted ball wreath… this year, I’m lusting over your white cone trees with dots! OMG – where did you get them? PLZ don’t tell me you made them yourself – cause that would shame me into being crafty – and I have too much to do before Christmas already!
Cracking me up as usual Kelle! Your sarcasm is a fave of mine 🙂
Here’s to better days and less poop scattered about! Poor Latte!
Love your Christmas village! They are so magical.
And hey cool paint job on the stroller – we have the same one and I never thought of painting it 🙂
Ha!! I love this post! I have six kiddos and some days (ie: today) I feel like I am going flippin crazy!! Two steps forward two million steps back. Love your blog, Lady. It is a like a breath of fresh air, albeit one that smells a little like dog sh*t. You are a talented writer and you make me smile. Thank you.
Love this post! Carry on, Warrior!
We haven’t had a really horrible day in a while, but I know one is coming : ).
Thank you for sharing your life and your love with so many. You always make my day.
Love, Becky
Thanks for keeping it real!
I hope Latte gets better soon.
Your blog is adorable. This story had me laughing- hope your puppy gets better!
awww poor doggie! This is a great post though. What a fun little village! I don’t usually comment but wanted to say your children are so beautiful, and I love your photos of them!
Just want to say, you have such a wonderful energy, and when I’m having a ‘down’ day, I just pop over to your site and I feel uplifted – thankyou for spreading sunshine!
Thank you for this post. This line made me cry: “When only two bulbs are burning on your six-light strip, shine ’em bright. The village will carry on. It always does.”
Kelle….
“I should have known yesterday morning when I called Heidi to tell her how on top of things I was, that it’s the golden rule of failure. Do not, under any circumstance, declare ‘Look at me! Everything’s going so great! My house is so clean!’ because the problem gods have radar ears and are very tuned in to those sort of phrases. They’ll sniff you out and take your clean house and your checked-off to-do list and your laundry all folded and put away, and they’ll flip it upside down.”. I love this!! 😉
Listen to some cheery Christmas music!! It always makes us happy!! ;-D
–Raelyn
I cracked up and then cried reading this post!!! I can so relate. Life really is about what we choose to make of it all. It’s never going to be perfect and I think that’s actually the “perfection” of it all! Life! How boring it would be if there was no spice! It’s all in what we choose to make of it. YOU, Kelle, have an amazing talent, please don’t ever stop writing! You put into words what I feel (and I know I one of very many!!), it’s just incredible! Much love to you and your beautiful family!!!
when my parents come for a visit they always bring their two small dogs… last time fergie got into their food and we woke up the next morning with piles of poo and vomit all over our bed and carpeted bedroom. OH JOY! i feel your pain. it was so disgusting…and we were sleeping in it and didn’t even know. geesh! hope it turned around for you;)
btw i dreamt about you last night. we met. you were weird. i was weird. we didn’t like each other. somehow i don’t think that will be the case. too funny!!!
your blog always makes me smile, laugh out loud, cry… I love it. and your photography is always stunning.
you’ve probably answered this questions millions of times, but I will be annoying and ask again, because I have to know!! where did you get those adorable purple – and I’ve seen gold too – moccasins? an etsy shop? do you remember which one?
thanks!
Maybe for once the tile is a blessing? My parents have still got the original 70’s brown shagpile in their home, I still remember the horror of cleaning up after the family dog when he had the runs.
Girl, you cleaned up dog poop AND put the xmas village up? You are my mom goddess. 🙂
Ok, random off topic comment…where did you get those adorable yarn, button, pot Christmas trees!?!?!
Ha! Loved the story…thanks for the reminder that less than perfect days aren’t the end of the world. 🙂
Thank you, thank you, thank you for that laugh!! I hope the dog feels better soon, though. I probably laughed so hard because I have been there. Totally relate!!!
As usual, lovely photos! I must ask about the darling (yarn?) trees … how to make? or where to buy?
,,,best laugh at someone elses expense i’ve had in a long time, thanks! where do i leave the gratuity?,,,