Happy New Year!

For many, the new year represents an opportunity to start fresh. With an open door and a clean slate we step forward in hopes of fullfilling our dreams and leaving the past behind us. I did just that on New Year's Eve, 1976 when I asked the Father to cleanse me from all unrighteouness and to make me a new creature in Christ. I am that new person today because God bestowed grace upon me. And because of that grace I was washed of my sin and given the Spirit of adoption into the family of God.

Just like the many diet plans that have failed me, and the many resolutions I've broken, I've found myself failing and broken and returning to God. Without His unfailing grace I'd be lost because this life has shown me over and over again again that I can't do it without His help.

Few author's have written as much about grace as Liz Curtis Higgs who says, "I'm on a mission to help women see that God's unconditional love expressed through his mercy is not based on our performance, on our goodness, on our worthiness, but on HIS atoning sacrifice, on HIS goodness, on HIS worthiness. Grace is simply a gift. We can't add to it or subtract from it, and we dare not refuse it when we need it so desperately."

Liz is at CWO this month to talk about her newest book, Embrace Grace, her recent trip to Scotland, and some of those Bad Girls of the Bible, as she chats with Heather Ivester in the "Book Buzz." She's an amazing woman who's smile lights up a room, and who's words shine light on hope.

In looking back, you'll find human frailty, in looking forward you'll find hope. This year embrace His grace, and let your hope be found in faith.

Check out CWO this month to read Heather's interview with Liz and all of the regular columns including a new one for Baby Boomer women by Allison Bottke.

1 Corinthians

Dear Diary,

It's funny how God knows the mind of man even better than we do, but after 40 years I still forget that He knows me better than I know myself.

I've had this "Body, Spirit, and Soul" stuff on my mind lately that I've been trying to sort out. I just find it all interesting that we are created in three parts, and I'm reminded of the three parts of God--Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Last night I was impressed to read 1 Corinthians. Actually I was just impressed to read period. It's kind of like those days after a week of camping when my body is so tired of junk that it craves nothing more than a big bowl of salad. 1 Corinthians was my bowl of Salad, and it was so good I couldn't stop feasting on the Word. God understood my thirst to learn and so He knew where to lead me to drink.

I've read it many times before, but last night, God led me to that particular book to teach me more about the mind of Christ--how it connects with our Spirit, and about the fact that my body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. I have always known the verse, "Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost..." but it wasn't until last night that I noticed the verse is mentioned twice, in both chapter three and chapter six as Paul urges the Corinthians to glorify God in their body and in their spirit. I'm always learning new things; I like that.

I find that the Bible is much like a jigsaw puzzle. When you first open it up, it looks like a bunch of pieces that don't make all that much sense on their own. But if you take that puzzle out and start fitting the pieces together one by one, you start to see the big picture coming together. It's an amazing piece of art--the plan of salvation--God's plan for man.

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The Most Annoying Thing in the World!?

Dear Diary,

We did the unthinkable and bought our kids "Crazy Frogs" for Christmas. They strap onto their backs like a backpack and play annoying music. So the kids can run wildly through the house disrupting the peace. I suppose that these things are meant to annoy parents, but truth be told, I kind of like the little frogs. If you don't have a kid in your life, you might not know what Crazy Frog is yet, so let me enlighten you by showing you the video. Adorable or Annoying? You be the judge...

Crazy Frog Techno Video

A Cell Phone?

Dear Diary,

My daughter is barely nine years old and she asked for a cell phone for Christmas. I guess this is where the ho ho ho originated from--Santa's daughter asked for a cell phone and once he started laughing he didn't stop.

Did we get her one? Uh--not. But what we did manage to find was a product called "Chat Now." Chat Now allows you to call your buddy or buddies as long as they are within two miles of your phone. It's also a digital camera and text messager. So, when she's over at a friends house, she can call mom anytime she wants. Basically it's a walkie talkie that looks like a cell phone and rings like one. The digital photos appear black and white on the screen and of poor quality, but the kids think it's way cool.

Listening to the radio the other day, I found out that cell phones are popular with eight year old girls now. This is too weird. She came home one day swinging her rat purse, asking for a laptop, a cell phone or an ipod for Christmas.

Sheesh--kids aren't cheap these days are they? What ever happened to the days when kids scribbled "Baby Giggles," "Kerplunk" or "Etch a Sketch" on their wish list? Where do they get these ideas? I don't know, but I've got to run, the cell phone's ringing off the hook, some email just came in, and I've got a few songs I still need to load on my ipod. :)

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Winding Down

Dear Diary,

Christmas is winding down for the Schacht Six, but we're on two weeks holidays, so the fun has just begun. I've eaten way too much for one person--way too much. But I'm not going to beat myself up over it, I'm brushing myself off and getting back in the game of modest eating.

I found this verse just before Christmas:

"Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it." ~ Proverbs 25:16

I shared the verse with my parents on Boxing Day while we all reflected on the holiday eating that's been going on. My daughter who was listening to the conversation slid over to whisper in my ear. Sometimes it takes a child to point me in the right direction.

She explained to me that food is a gift from God, and when we take advantage of His goodness we're not showing our appreciation for it. I guess it's a bit like getting a new toy from your parents and leaving it in the driveway.

Wow! That's my kid. I think I'll head her warning.

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Merry Christmas

Iris from Sting My Heart suggested that we post our nativity scenes this Christmas. So, here is mine, in part, with the wise men worshipping our Lord.



Visit other participants to view their nativity scenes by stopping in at Sting My Heart.

A Guy Thing

Dear Diary,

Yesterday my husband gave the boys a haircut, which was all well and good, but after the haircut there was a lot of screaming and giggling going on up there. Nathaniel ran down to tell me that Dad was vacuuming them. Should I have been worried? Ok, he must be using the little hand vac to clean up the mess, I figured. But my figuring wasn't correct.

Turns out that Dad was trying out his new "Rigid Power Vac" that frankly is strong enough to swallow a German Shepherd or two. Looking at the shop vac, the slightly deflated boys, and the husband with a grin on his face, I had to wonder if this might be a guy thing.

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My "Husband's" Favorite Christmas Story

Dear Diary,

Michael and I were sitting down for a chat today, and just when I thought I had heard every one of his stories 10 times over--well,maybe 8--he comes up with yet another--A Christmas Story.

Waaaaay back in the day, little Michael got the role of a Shepherd in the church Christmas play. The crowd was arriving, the cast was in costume, Mary was in the early stages of labour, and the baby Jesus was nowhere to be found--in all of the hub bub of decorating the set, someone forgot the star of the show.

Being the quick thinker he was, my then very young--and I might add cute--husband offered to dash home and grab his sister's doll--his house was right around the corner. So off he went. Robes trailing behind him, the shepherd left in search of a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Returning just in time, he laid the babe in the manger, where it stayed till Mary and Joseph arrived on the scene. All was well.

Pushing her veil aside from her face, Mary affectionately drew the baby into her arms to cradle and rock him to sleep. The room fell silent in adoration of the child.

It was silent, it was holy, all was calm, and all was bright. All eyes were fixed on the Virgin and child, and all ears were fixed on the "Baby Doll Giggles."

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I Found Jesus!

Dear Diary,

If you've been following my writing for a while, you may remember what happened at our place a couple of years ago...

Just as I have learned so many times before, ‘it’s all fun and games till someone loses their head’. And someone did. Unfortunately, we found the Virgin Mary’s head on the living room floor. Apparently, in all the hubbub, she got broken. Nathaniel was appalled, and for some reason, he chose to blame me. I have no idea why this little three-year-old would blame me, I am not sadistic, I do not torture little animals, and I don’t rip the heads off barbies--anymore.

Nathaniel offered to buy Daddy a new one, but Michael pointed out to him that he didn’t have any money, so I guess Crazy Glue will have to do. I didn’t have the heart to tell Nathaniel that we couldn’t find the baby Jesus, not after the way he reacted to the broken Mary. I found a little boy doll, on the floor, and suggested to Brendan that we put it in it’s place, but Brendan said, “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Mom--uh... that’s a Bratz doll!”

Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be anything holy enough to put in place of that little dude. Perhaps a grain of Uncle Ben’s Converted Rice will have to do.

There's been a turn of events at our house this year, and with it some good news to proclaim--He was lost, but now is found! Maddy set up the nativity scene on our fireplace mantel, and lo and behold when she pulled on a piece of tissue paper, out rolled the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes. He's a one ounce bundle of joy and I can't wait to show him to you.

Iris at Sting My Heart is asking blog friends to share their nativity photos on their blog this Christmas day. So if you come by, you'll get a chance to see the wonderful set that we have and the little baby that we lost and found.

I know that our nativity set just wasn't the same without Him, we had the shepherds, Mary and Joseph, and some cool looking wise guys, but all the while we knew that something was missing in the group--Christ. How wonderful it would be if the world could open their eyes to the season around them and feel that missing something too.

"And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." ~ Luke 2:12

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Still Time to Bless and Be Blessed

I cried when she told me the story. I could almost see him as he read the note to the class--his too short jeans crowning his worn out shoes, his faded t-shirt slung on thin shoulders, and his radiant face lighting the room. I could almost feel the warmth of the children as they pressed in close to share in his Christmas joy. I could almost hear the excitement in his voice as he cleared his throat to read aloud:

You have been blessed by our own angel network in celebration of the twelve days of Christmas. Santa’s elves will be by your house at dinnertime with KFC. Each day following, up until Christmas, you will receive a note in your mailbox telling your family what the gift of the day will be.

I imagined those little hands reaching into the bucket in search of the crispiest, most golden piece of chicken he could find. I imagined the family from the north end of town anxiously waiting for the next note to arrive, and I imagined the warmth they felt in their hearts knowing that somebody cared.

I wondered who this person or people might be who were willing to give of themselves this Christmas—to take what could have been theirs in excess to give to a family who has never lived in excess for even a day. I wondered what was next on his list, what gift would appear in his mailbox, and I wondered why I hadn’t found time to open my heart like that to someone this Christmas.

As I see the difference someone made in the name of Santa’s elves, I see that someone cherished Christmas more than I did, and I’m guilty. I can’t help wonder what kind of difference I could have made in the name of our Lord, if only I too had listened to the real spirit of Christmas. The good thing is, there’s still time to bless and be blessed, and I’m not going to miss this chance.

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas."
~ Calvin Coolidge ~

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” ~ James 1:27

Please take a moment to visit the other participants:

Breezing Through Winter - Update

Dear Diary,

Not five minutes after I posted the blog, Michael placed an iced cappucino before settling down on the sofa accross from me--a hot coffee in his hands. "You know, I was thinking..." he started, and I knew exactly where this conversation was going to go, "it might not be the best idea for me to take the van downtown without a window this week. It would just be a target for vandelism."

Argh! I knew it, I was going to be the one speeding down the road with my frozen hair flapping against the window of murky plastic. And I'd be the one with the blue lips saying good-bye to the kids when I dropped them at school.

"Yeah, that's my mom--" they'll say, "she's the one with the frozen hair. Don't worry she looks happier when she melts."

I had finally got my own car four months ago after waiting for ten years. That little red baby is mine, and I love everything about it. I love the way the dips in the seat fit my cheeks to a tee, and the gas peddle is just within reach for my little legs. I like that radio station comes on when I start the engine, and that my windows are crystal clear and wind free.

But Michael had a point that I didn't want to consider, because it pointed to the road of self sacrifice. It was easier to choose the selfish road because that road was filled with glamour and warmth.

Through out the day, I softened till finally I suggested it on my own. "You know, I was thinking," I said, "you're probably right. The van won't be safe downtown, take my car, and I'll use yours."

I feel good. It's funny, but when you finally take the road of self sacrifice, even the little ones that face us from day to day, it's only then that you realize you're finally driving in the right direction. For now I'll be looking through a murky glass, but eventually I'll be seeing things face to face, when I finally arrive at my eternal destination.

Here's another great verse for today:

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. ." ~ Ephesians 5:22-24

Breezing Through Winter

Dear Diary,

Hubby got his van window smashed by an intruder early yesterday morning while it was still dark. The scary thing is that his employee happened to be on the fire escape watching and hollered out to the guy but he still proceeded to smash the window and rummage through the car. My husband and his brother ran down the hallway and then down five flights of stairs to try to catch the guy, but he was too quick.

I fear that this can only mean one thing--my husband will be driving my cute little red car to work for the next little bit, while I shuffle the kids to and from school with a piece of plastic protecting me from the elements of this harsh winter. He hasn't suggested it yet, but I fear this suggestion may pop up between now and Monday morning. :(

I suddenly recall the many times I've said, "Wow that guy must be freezing!" as I looked at others drivers in this predicament. So, I'll have to let you know how this unfolds. And, if my ears get frostbitten--whether they unfold too.

Here's a great verse for today:

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;" ~ Ephesians 5:25

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Largest Ring Surf

Dear Diary,

I just peeked into ring surf this morning to check our stats, and "Wow!" I found out that Christian Women Online has the largest blog ring on Ring Surf with a whopping 775 members and growing.

I remember the night I started the ring, I needed three bloggers in order to start, so I asked my sister and my niece, and I put myself on there. Three names sat on an otherwise blank page, mocking me telling me that this thing would never grow to more than maybe five people.

Then I remember when it reached about 75--I thought wowzers, that's huge (well maybe I didn't think the word "wowzers"--it was probably far more sophisticated than that). Anyway, never did I ever think that the blog ring would grow to what it is today and keep growing.

If you're looking for some awesome Christian blogs, our blogroll is the place to find them. I've been blessed by so many of the awesome writers, and Christian Women that I've met through it.

Wowzers! Visit the blogroll at CWO: http://www.christianwomenonline.net/Blogroll.html

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Anxiously Waiting

Dear Diary,

Maddy sat in the car looking out the window as we passed the snow covered mountain tops of the banks that lined the winding road. The chill in the air was warmed by the feeling of Christmas and the excitement that the birth of our Lord was the celebration at hand. Maddy snuggled into her cherry red coat, her hat dipping forward to cover her brow.

"Are you excited about Christmas?" I asked, knowing that she was, but wanting to see the world through the eyes of a child again. That world is a wonderful place filled with newness and excitement, where Christmas candies glisten like gold by the light of the tree, and colored sheets of paper wrap their arms around gifts waiting to be a part of that one special day.

"Yeah, I can't wait!" she grinned.

"I can't wait until the day we're in heaven. You'll be able to go outside by yourself anytime because Jesus will always be watching, and you'll be able to go to the river and play with Him in the water all by yourself." I said, turning into our driveway.

"Yeah, and we'll be eating there," Maddy added, remembering the feast of the Lamb when all the saints will be gathered with their Lord.

Turning off the car, we sat in the garage for a while sharing excitement, and our hope for all that heaven holds. I wanted to know her thoughts on it all... Will we sleep? Will we need to eat? Will we serve, or will we be served? So I asked, "What do you think, will you be serving at the supper, or do you think you'll be served by others."

Immediately her eyes lit up, and sitting straight in her chair with a smile she replied, "I'll be serving." I could feel her excitement as she added, "I can't wait!"

Children glisten as gold by the light of the tree, where like colored sheets of paper--little arms wrapped around their gifts--they anxiously wait to be part of that day, when they will serve them to our Lord.

"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him, and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. " ~ Matthew 2:11

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Blog Mates...

Just so you know, I'm still in the process of adding names to my blogroll and setting things up here. I have so many new friends that I've met this year, that haven't been added to this old list yet, but I'll get to it within a couple of days. :)

I'm Home Today

Dear Diary,

I didn't feel well, and as a result couldn't sleep last night. My oldest son also didn't feel well because he had a sore throat, so I decided to let us all stay home today.

I remember the old days when staying home from "work" meant that I might be able to lie in bed all day watching day time television and sipping on 7-up, but now staying home is being at "work". I still have four kids that ask me, "What are we doing today?"

Maddy has been working on a plan. With pen in hand she's scribbling fervently trying to form a list that we can follow for the day, and if I was a millionaire, maybe we could do half that stuff, but we're not.

My "ill" son is laying on the couch eating a 235 gram bag of ketchup chips. So my guess is that either this can't be too serious, or ketchup is a healing balm for the throat.

I'm feeling much better too now that I've rested and showered so we'll probably head out to pick up my husband's Christmas gift today. I'd say what it is, but in the off chance that there is a "blue moon" tonight, he might read the blog.

My Bible is open beside me to Psalm 7, with a wonderful verse full of praise...

I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high. (verse 17)

Keys to the Atmosphere

Christine from Fruit in Season is hosting "In 'Other' Words" for CWO at her blog today. "In 'Other' Words" is a blog meme in which we are given a quote for the week, and participants all write on that topic. So, I'm joining in today with my take on the quote, but if you want to check out the others as well, visit Christine's blog were you'll find the list of participants.

Here's her link: Fruit in Season

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It’s often been said that we should start the day off with a good breakfast cereal, but for most women, the day starts long before we even make it to the kitchen. We look in the mirror, we either put on our robes or shower and dress, and we might even greet several members of our family before we even sit down to eat. It’s important to consider how we are presenting ourselves in that first moment of the day.

A good friend once told me that she’s made it a personal goal of hers to greet her children in the morning with a smile on her face. She believes that the attitude that she starts the day with has a great impact on her family. When she told me that, I started to ask myself what my children were seeing first thing in the morning; let me tell you--it wasn’t a pretty sight. I took those words of wisdom to heart by applying them to my morning routine.

What boy wouldn’t like being greeted with a sweet voice calling out, “Good morning sweetie!” with a reminder of the good things this day holds for him? They all would. What girl wouldn’t love to lift a lid only to find breakfast being served to her in bed by Mom and her brothers? I can’t think of one. What teenager wouldn’t like to woken up with mom and the “shoo-bop” kids singing a song in his room? Well considering the scowl and the slamming door behind us, I’d have to say “most,” but they get over it.

Terry Maxwell, author of Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit says, "I am the one holding the keys to the atmosphere in our home." That’s a powerful statement, and one I believe to be true.

When Christ is the foundational groundwork and the parents are creating a peaceful and spiritual environment for which children can echo, they have a recipe for success.

"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock." ~ Mathew 7:24-25

Want to join us for a week of "In 'Other' Words"? Visit Christian Women Online at:

Tis the Season to Get Neutered

Dear Diary,

The dog got neutered last week, and with the operation came all kinds of questions. Basically I said that he got his balls removed so that he wouldn't have babies--blunt perhaps, but that's me. Ok, I did cutesy it up just a bit referring to them as his "Christmas balls," along with a round of "Tis the season to get neutered," just to soften the blow and prevent the little ones from having night terrors.

Of course the kids gave all kinds of pro-life arguements trying to convince me that a life with 101 Retreivers would be the best life there is, but I didn't buy it for a minute. So, Digger went under the knife and came home two balls short of a toolbox.

Things have started to return back to normal around here. Digger is leaping all over the place, his appetite has returned, and he's enjoying the pillows a little less than he used to.

Graham came up to me as I was setting the table, "Mom what if I decide not to get married?" he asked.

"Well that's fine," I said as I laid down a plate, "you could live with Dad and I."

"But what about my balls?" he asked looking down at his Bum Equipment from Wal-Mart, while I choked on a breadstick.

"Uh... what about your balls?"

"Can I get them removed?"

"You want to get neutered?" I asked trying to swallow my grin.

"Yeah, like Digger!"

Of course I did the only thing I could do at that point. I gave all kinds of pro-life arguements trying to convince him that life with 101 Kids would be the best life there is.

He didn't buy it for a minute.

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Home Alone 2

Dear Diary,

My kids have been enjoying holiday television this year, in particular--Home Alone. I remember the first time they watched it a couple of weeks ago--I could hear them killing themselves laughing all the way from upstairs, which was a welcome change from the usual sounds of killing each other.

Well, we needed an encore to that so Michael and I have been searching far and low for a copy of Home Alone 2. Last night after calling two video stores and popping in on one "just in case," I returned home empty handed.

Turns out that was a good thing because after I got home, we discovered that it was on television at 6:00! Well color us happy--we were about to embark on a Home Alone 2 party in Mom and Dad's room. All we needed was a bag of Jujubes and a bowl of popcorn and we were set.

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Super Mom

Dear Diary,

Last night I did the "supermom" thing by camping out in a line up with my teenager and his friend so that he could have a Nintendo Wii for his Birthday. They are extremely rare to get a hold of this Christmas, and seeing that we were celebrating his birthday, I decided that we could just move the sleepover to the local mall.

We got there around 3 am and the other early bird customers arrived at 5 am. Only three of us got the Wii, the other latecomers (5:30 am) were out of luck

Wow, I never knew that this devotion to my children would be an attractive attribute in the eyes of my husband, but it was. :) He couldn't stop hugging this morning and telling me how great I was. Makes me want to pull out the Scrabble, the Monopoly, and every puzzle in the house to spend some more quality time with the kids.

My husband just finished doing the grocery shopping and he's on his way home with an iced cap for the special "mom" in his life. This is great.

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Ugly Mom

Dear Diary,

Today is my little girls birthday--halfway to adulthood. It's been an extremely tough year for her, but thanks to God she is doing wonderfully well, and back to her normal adorable self.

She's wearing glasses now and prefers the thick black framed ones over the wire--so do I. Who wouldn't--she's adorable! So, the other day I ask her, "Do you want me to wear my black glasses to school tomorrow too, so we can look the same?"

Too quickly, she answered, "No... uh... that's ok."

"Oh, ok then," I said not wanting to push the issue.

"Well, Mom," she added, "I don't mind if you wear your glasses, but I just don't want you to have to be 'ugly Mom' for a day--that's all."

Ugly Mom? Is that what my family thinks of my glasses? I picked them up in hopes that I'd look like Michelle Pfeifer's character in "I am Sam," but instead of being Michelle, I'm Ugly-Mom.

So, IHOP into Maddy's room that night to lay a few kisses on her cheek as she tries with all of her might to redeem herself for the Ugly-Mom comment that made the whole family crack-up just a half hour before.

"Mmmmm.... you smell great," she said with eyes half closed.

"Really? You like my smell?" I ask.

"Yeah, you smell like Brocolli soup..." she lays back, eyes still half closed taking in the scent of my veggie packed aroma.

So there you have it, I'm Ugly-Brocolli-Soup Mom, but I'm loved.

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Into the Loop

Since I haven't been blogging over at wwjblog for a while, I've been feeling so out of the loop. So, this week I decided to jump back in to this little corner of the web and start yet another blog. So much has been going on around our place that I just get a hankering to write about it sometime.

Like yesterday--I wondered, Am I a bad mom? Or is it just that I'm having trouble keeping up with this new fangled world.

I was at the vet getting our he dog turned into an it dog (another new fangled thing) when the vet asks me how often he eats.

"I just put the food down and let him eat when he wants," I answer.

"Is he a grazer, or does he eat a whole meal at a time?" she asks.

"Oh, he's pretty much a grazer," I say, "is that ok?"

"Yeah, as long as your brushing his teeth regularly--"

Hello? Did I hear that correctly? As long as I'm brushing his teeth? Yep, that's what she said. And not just once in a while either. Apparently if I'm not brushing his teeth at least three times a week, there is really no point in doing it at all.

If I had time to brush the dog's teeth I'd be brushing my teenager's teeth, or my own! I could use and extra brush three times a week, why would I waste is on someone who's been licking his stitches since he waddled through the door yesterday, and I won't even mention what else he's licked since he moved in last summer. Yuck. No thanks.

I'll keep my toothbrush to myself, and pay for braces when and if the time comes.

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