CharleeSue's Journal, 23 May 13

What a week! So glad that this is my Friday.

My stress level has been quite high lately - unusual for me. I am normally steady as a rock. But last night I lost it. Monday was all about the flowers for work and in the midst of it all I had to help my daughter with a huge financial and logistical nightmare. She had a car accident a week ago - thankfully was not hurt - but Monday evening we were told that her car was totalled. And, she needed to clean it out Tues morning so they could take it away. And, return the loaner car...And...what? She is currently acting at a very prestigious theater in Mpls - her first play. If she misses one performance she will never act there again. It is her dream to pursue this career. Hmmm. I have a huge day Tues at work with our annual meeting. She has no way to get to her job. So, at 8:00 p.m. Monday night after much calculating and juggling, I bought her a car. And in MN if you are are on the loan, you are responsible for the insurance. OK. Did that too. She bursts into tears because of the burden it has put on me....long story short she has a car and all is well. Back home at 10:00 p.m. to finish the flower arranging. Dead on my feet by midnight.

I didn't sleep even one hour on Monday night. Too much on my mind.Got up at 5:00 a.m., loaded up all my flowers and had a day full of annual meeting preparations and angst. Home at 6:00 p.m. Sound asleep at 7:15 p.m.!

Wednesday found new things to stress me out. I had a wonderful night's rest. Have I mentioned that I have three little weiner dogs? I have been a dog owner since before I was born. I have never been without a dog. I can't imagine life without my dogs.....until Wednesday. :) I imagined it clearly!!!

I have a nine year old, black & tan smooth doxie. Easy going. Sleeps a lot. Then I have 5 yr old sisters - wire-haired doxies. CharleeSue and Miss Kitty. Charlz and Kit have decided to enter themselves into a real, live pissing-contest. I noticed the other day when I let them outside...where one tinkles...the other one waits...then tinkles on the exact same spot - thereby claiming one-up-manship. And if the first one notices, she will return to the same spot and trump again. Superiority!! Hmmm. Well, they have used incredibly poor doggie judgement and decided to take it into the house. NOT ON MY WATCH!!!! They started it yesterday afternoon. Normally they ring the bells to go outside. (I have sleigh bells on ribbins hanging on the door - I have taught them that when they want to go outside - ring the bells. They're really good at it). Or WERE. They did not ring the bells on Wednesday. I was home. I was with them off and on throughout the day. But no...they took their match for Champion of the World to my kitchen and family room floors. Luckily the floors are ceramic, however, this is NOT an option girls!! I sent them outside with a scolding and washed the floors. I had an errand to run later in the day. Let them outside before I went. When I got home two hours later...same story. AAARRRGGHHH!!!! Sent them outside...washed the floor.

Today we have new doggie rules. They are outside whenever possible. When inside they must be kept in separate areas unless we are with them. Anytime we leave the house for four hours or less, they have to be put into their kennels. (They love their kennels - we just got lazy and quit using them). Hopefully this will change their routine enough to impact their behavior.

I am looking forward to stopping at a local greenhouse on my way home from work today. Loading up with the flowers that I wanted to plant on Mother's Day and didn't get done. (another stressor for me). Heading home to plant and beautify my home...with the doggies outside with me. Then a nice warm shower and early to bed. Ahhhh. Even writing this makes me smile.

The best part of this whole week...I did not turn to food to find comfort! Yay! That in itself has made this whole week's worth of angst worth it.

I wish for you a wonderful, restful Memorial Day weekend with your family and friends. Pray that we find Mandy. Hug your loved ones and tell them you love them. Stay healthy....and don't yell at your dog.