Leaving Lizzie at the vet

So as you know, Todd the Bod doesn't let me let anyone know when we are out of town anymore.  That whole "burglary thing" really got his goat!  And so, it KILLS me to withhold all of our comings and goings.  WHY am I this way?!  According to the Myers Briggs, I am 100% extrovert.  That is actually not a good thing.  It's better to be about 50% of something and therefore more balanced.  As it is, I think my thoughts out of my mouth and obviously through my fingertips and onto the keyboard!! 

So, as we are gallavanting with princesses, it is KILLING me to not post pictures and tell stories and share the experience. 

So to all you robbers who read my blog, we are now back home, so stay away!  And I can now commence to tell my story from last week. 

First, we had to postpone our original flight because Ellie, Gabbi, and probably me too, all ended up with the FLU!  Gabs had it first, but she perked WAY up after 24 hours.  At 4:30 am on Friday, when we were scheduled to be on a plane at noon, Ellie spiked a 104 fever, and we were forced to call the airline who so nicely obliged our cancellation. I suppose they didn't want infection control to come force them out of business.

We begrudgingly sat inside the house all weekend long trying to get everyone well, and by Monday, we knew it was going to be a possibility!

First things first, Todd the Psycho, also feels that it is too much of a burden to have anyone feed Lizzie, so we tried our first trip with boarding her. 

We took her to our local vet and dropped her off for a WEEK!

Gabbi Lou held her leash and really didn't know what to expect as we led her into the office.

Lizzie didnt' really know what to expect either.  She is not a dog that I'd say "plays well with others".  She is AWESOME with people, but she seems highly protective over her family and rarely really wants to galavant with other dogs.  Sometimes she does, but she is WAY more of people dog!!

So, we said our goodbyes and loved on her and took a picture or two....

Gabs felt it necessary to make sure Liz was looking at the camera!  

SHe also bawled her little eyes out when we walked outside to get in the car without her.  Apparently, she did NOT know why we were at the vet.  She must have thought we were just taking Liz on a little joy ride.

And so, this is the first picture I posted on FB/ Instagram as a hint of our heading out.  Some of you figured it out.  I mean, I DID post a pic of Gabs in a Chinese outfit!  We don't typically wear that around here.  (although we might start!!)

Tomorrow, I'll post pics of airport drama!  Whoop whoop!!

MO

I did it. I did it.

 Ohhhhh myyyyy gooddnessss!!!!  I figured it out! (If you are wondering WHAT... read the next blog post too!!)

 So:

GUESS....

 WHERE....

 WE'VE...

BEEN!!

MO

(more tomorrow!)

I'm SMIIIIILLLLING!!

We had an absolutely awesome little meeting today at MMPT regarding the importance of a positive attitude!  And so... with that, I am going to maintain mine!!  I have tried numerous times today and tonight to upload pictures so I could tell my story that I really, really, really, really want to tell, but I cannot get all the stars aligned to make it work, so it'll have to wait until tomorrow. 

Imagine, if you will.... a picture of the two girls and Todd pulling a suitcase.

And the word... "GUESS..."

and then a picture of the girls with DeeDee and granddad.

And the word, "WHERE..."

and then a picture of Ellie in a pair of golden mouse ears.

And the word, "WE'VE..."

and Gabbi on Daddy's shoulders in front of Tinkerbell's castle.

And the word, "BEEN!!"

And that would tell you what I tried and tried and tried to get uploaded tonight.  It seems that I cannot upload pics anymore without Google Chrome.  And I apparently cannot figure out how to get Google Chrome.  And then, there's the deal with emailing my pics to myself from the office where I uploaded them from my camera, only to get home and there is no such email.  Shwewww.... so THAT, my dear blog readers, is my story and I am sticking with it.

The GOOD NEWS is that I have about 300 pictures of what our little family has been doing for the past 6 days.  And starting tomorrow, I will have someone SHOW me how to get this little situation straight, and there will be days and days of fun photos and stories.  See?  I maintained my good attitude after all!!

MO

Which month?!!?

Doing great.  Only a couple more.  You still feel like playing?  I feel like I "know" so many of you now.  ha.

Alrighty, here goes...

What month of the year does your nose anticipate the most?!

I'll give you a few of the choices I've been told upon discussion... DeeDee says she like April the most.  The freshness, the flowers, the crispness and newness in the air.

Todd says October.  He always says October to everything!! It's his birthday month, and he thinks it's the greatest month ever anyway.  But, he says it's because the leaves are burning, the grills are fired up for football season, there's a crispness in the air. 

I am going to say I'm with Dee Dee with the spring thing.  I LOVE the idea of taking the top off the jeep and riding with the perfect temp in the air, just cool enough to feel a nip and getting warmer as we head into the summer.  So, for now, I am going with April too.  (I don't like these games, because I am a girl who likes options!!  I am now smelling all that goes with November and certainly December... also thinking about chlorine and suntan lotion taking me back to my babies and falling asleep in my lap by the pool... ok.  I'm done.) Sticking with April.... I can put my hands back in the dirt to plant flowers which is one of my all time favorite things!

Next:

What month of the year best describes your personality?!

Todd says October. SEE?!  He says football, grilling, football, outdoor entertaining, football....

I think mine might be December.  It's the season of giving.   I love to give.  I love the surprises on people's faces.  I love buying gifts.  I love the excitement of my babies with the "electricity" in the air, even in the stores.  I like hustle and bustle and I love excess... sorry, it's true.  MORE decorations.  MORE color.  MORE tinsel and glitter and adornment.  It makes my eyes happy.  I like it when you look around and realize there are things that haven't even been seen yet.  With that said, I am also glad that January follows December!  Things calm down.  It's stark.  It is time to put away the old.... to plan... to set goals.  It is a regrouping of sorts. 

So... what's yours? 

Month your nose likes the best?
Month that best describes your personality?

MO

Book love.

YO!  In the vein of the week, let's do another "how would you answer" post.
It's been fun "getting to know you" all week.  So, here's another:

If someone was looking for you in a bookstore, in which section would they most likely find you?

Well, for me.... you'd have to look three places...
In fact, I had the EXTREME luxury of going to Barnes and Noble last night ALL BY MYSELF.. and might I say it was BLISSFUL, and here's the order in which I luxuriated.

1.  business/ management.  I bought the book Work Happy.  It is how to encourage happy, productive employees, and is written for the "leader" or boss. 
2.  art... I looked through a jewelry book for ideas (even took a picture on my phone of a couple... is that illegal?!  I am seriously asking!) and perused a book called Drawing Lab that I thought had tons of fun ideas for my kids' art classes.
2.  The magazine section.  Oh MY!  Swoon!!  I LOVE this section!!  I came home with Cottage Living, and several of the Somerset artsy fartsy mags!!  I could sit in a magazine section for days!!


So, what is it for you? 
This blog question chosen and brought to you by Granddad!! 

MO

Dinner Guest

I'm really enjoying playing with those of you who are playing along.  I must find an Ikea and get there soon!  I've never been in Trader Joe's, but sounds like I need to go.  And to stay in the spirit of the question game, here's one for today:

Suppose that you had the opportunity to choose 3 people with whom to eat dinner:

A famous sports figure, a movie star, and a popular singer.  Who are the 3 people that would be joining you at the table.

My answers to these questions are forthcoming, as I need to give it some thought.  But the 2 people who come immediately to mind when asked a question like this are Willie Nelson and Bette Midler.

And to keep Mama J happy, I'm including a video of my strange oldest child who is always finding ways to entertain the masses. 

Dream Store

What's up people?  55 comments on day 1 of questioning and 14 on day 2.  Show me some love!

Sounded like Reese Witherspoon was a popular choice to play the role of your life, and I definitely like her, because she's a southern gal!

So today, our question is: If for one month you had to live day and night in one retail store, what would it be?

Mine would be Hobby Lobby.  Micheal's might be a good second, but Hobby Lobby has more housewares so I could decorate my space.  They both have sewing machines, so I could improve my sewing skills.  Hobby Lobby has more fabric and trims for my sewing projects.

Of course there's a scrapbook section and that would take up a good solid week.  And big wide glass front windows so I could wave at my family, and of course I would be making holiday projects for each of their classes and probably my patients since Hobby Lobby has an awesome holiday section. 

They sell candy near the checkout so I'm good on food.  And OMG, the mere thought of what I could do with paint pens and all of the blank surfaces in that store!  The more I think about it, I kinda wish I could spend one month in Hobby Lobby!

I asked a few people from the Ruston office what their answers would be: Jessi says Target, KK says Ulta, and Tiffany says  Macy's.

So, what's your answer??

Today's Question

If you could choose the actress/actor to play the lead role in the story of your life, who would you choose?  And why, if you feel so led. 

My choice would be Sandra Bullock.  She's cool, down to earth, she's an adoptive mom, she's independent, she's humble, and she digs a bad boy.  She's also investing in Louisiana right now. Sandra knocked it out of the park in The Blind Side so I know she'd do a great job with my life story.

No pic week!

Hmmm... interesting!  I think I have a solution for the no photo deal, but until I load Google Chrome on the ol' puter, I might take a week or so and enjoy the no pic blog!

Whatcha think about THAT?!  Let's do a question a night.  And I say, REALLY put on your thinking caps, and it'll be more fun for EVERYONE if EVERYONE joins in!  So, here we go...

If you could live in any state besides the one you live in, which one would it be and why?! 

Ready.... GO!

MO
(I'll be adding my answer to the comments as they grow, so check back in to see what everyone has to say.  And if you read the blog, but don't have an account to comment.... TODAY is the day!  (Misty!)  It's simple.  Or so I'd guess.  Add that account and start playing along.  I am going to have a question every day this week.  Let's do this.

FLU bug done bit!

If you happen to follow me on instagram (melaniemomom), then you know that we are home sick wiht the flu.  It started with Gabs on Thursday night.  And I mean it came on FAST!  IN the matter of about 4 hours, she went from sitting up and doing fine to barely able to hold her head up and on fire with fever.  We had her at the doctor on Friday wiht flu confirmed.  Ellie was not swabbed, but the doc gave us a script for Ellie just in case.  And then, last night, after spending the whole evening preparing for our trip to see DeeDee and Granddad this morning.  We were supposed to be on a plane in Jackson, MS, at 9:00 am.  At around midnight, I felt Ellie's head and sure enough... fever.  I started her on Tamiflu yesterday juuussst in case, and am glad I did.  She also threw up twice in the  middle of the night, so I knew that a flight was really out of the question.  We had reservations at a lunch with the princesses at Epcot on Monday.  Lots of other similar reservations.  We had a big week planned.  I haven't spoken of it, because, as I may or may not have mentioned that we were broken into just before the holidays.  So, Todd the Bod is not cool with people knowing when we are out of town.  The dude didn't really take anything, only a bowl of change.  He must've been messed up, because he looked right over a lot of NICE things to get to a bucket of change.  We think he was actually looking for drugs, but I digress.... oh, and he is now in jail.  He hit several houses in our neighborhood.  Ok, back to Disney... we hope to still make the trip, but the time may change.  My girls did fairly well today, and I started Tamiflu too!  Thanks to folks at work giving me their extras.  We stayed in the artroom making Ellie's class's Valentines, and all was looking much better until I put them to bed.  Ellie was back to 102.1.  Yuck!

And here's another thing:  Does anyone else use blogger for a blog and why can't I load up a photo anymore?  I use the little photo icon on the top of the area I upload, and for the past couple of days, I cannot get it to ofer me a place to choose pics.  SO not cool!  I can't figure out how to talk to Mr. Blogger either.  I am just so confused.  HEEELLLLP!

Okie dokie.  So, that's what's up.  No photos.  The flu.  No Disney world.  (Yet) A home break in.  Valentines.  And... lots of Lysol and hand wiping!  That's what's going on around here.

MO

MMPT Part Three

Last retreat post. I promise.  Next one will be June.

In case you thought only I did funny pictures of eating opportunities.... check out ol' Jessi Mae. 

This is Jessica.  She is a physical therapy assistant and we work very closely together with pediatrics.  She's like my right arm at work.  And she keeps me organized!

This is how we voted on our core values.  We put the main ones that folks had submitted previously. 

Then, everyone got 5 beans and could use them all on one word if they felt really strongly about it, or sort them among five words.

I'm pretty sure the above ended up being our core words.. Service, Fun, Passionate, Knowledgable.... at least they were in the top 7 or so.

Yet another team building game... we had to grasp hands in a circle with someone across from you.  We took one person's hand with our right hand and another person's with our left.

And then... we had to unknot ourselves.

This group was totally lost!

Some just flew through the test, and others well...

We let one group just give on up!

Poor, poor TEam Jessi!

We stood around and watched as I think they went from bad to worse!  haha

Summer is our new director in the Monroe clinic and has proven herself to be an admirable leader at MMPT.

She had a key role in getting the program set for this year's winter retreat.

We were each given an egg and a bag of supplies.  We had to create a protection for the egg such that Summer could drop the egg while standing atop a chair on the concrete floor without it cracking.

We also had to make an intro to go along with it.  I don't actually remember what this was, but it looks pretty entertaining!

And lo and behold, it did not break!

time and time again... no cracking!

To me it was little short of a miracle.

Lemme just say.  We have a good time!  We have awesome employees who love each other and love the patients.  If our values say anything about us, we are passionate, loving, service oriented, fun, knowledgable, and joyful.  I think that's a pretty good package!

MO

(Did I mention BOTH of my girls have the flu?!)

MMPT Retreat Part Deux

I think I'll just keep showing the pics from the retreat and for the most part, no commentary necessary!

These two blonds were trying to decide who would wear the shower cap of shaving cream and who would toss the cheese puffs.  NEITHER wanted to wear the cap!

And the games began!

Tiffany, our PT in Shreveeport, above, ended up winning the competition.

She was on Team Melanie!  Yesssss!!  And Tom, above, did NOT!

This is Laura, appalled by the mess on top of her head! 

But in the end, a good sport!

and then, because Team Melanie and Team Lindsey were in a runoff, the two team leaders had to have a special one on one contest.

Get a chocolate chip cookie from your forehead to your  mouth without using your hands.

WAY, WAY, WAY harder then one would think!!

Once it landed on my boobs, I just KNEW I'd have it in no time!

But NO!  Lindsey took that title!

I think this needs to be a poster!!  And maybe on our Christmas card this year!  Anybody want a copy?!

WOW! 

MO