BEN
If you're following along on Instagram and/or Facebook, you've already heard the big news: we got a puppy! May I introduce you to, Ben Stewart Jones. Ben is an 8 1/2 week old Bernedoodle. His mom is a Bernese Mountain dog and his dad is a standard poodle. Ben is the biggest of 9 litter mates and weighs 18 pounds, 4 ounces as of Tuesday (but I assure you, he's grown since then). He is expected to top out between 70-80 pounds. He loves his sisters, treats, sleeping, meeting new people, and riding in the car. He is not so in love with his crate but we are getting there.
Richard Parker
If you've been around for any amount of time, you've already "met" our 20+ pound Ragdoll cat, Richard Parker. He's about 9 and half years old and adjusting well so far to his rambunctious brother. Thank you to everyone who's reached out and specifically asked about how RP is doing in light of the big change to his domain. He's doing well. Because Ben has been confined to the kitchen/kitchenette area, we've been able to manage their introduction carefully. We kept them strictly apart for the first 24 hours. Then, when Ben was outside, we let RP explore all of Ben's things and his scent. After another 8 hours of separation, we have given Richard Parker the option of entering the kitchen space at will (our baby gates have cat doors in them). While RP can come check out Ben, Ben cannot get too close to RP if the cat doesn't want him to. So far, there have been one or two curious barks and the closest encounter was within a few inches (Ben was crashed out at the time).
Sleep
Have I mentioned Ben's feelings about his crate? Nighttimes around here are not so peaceful anymore. It's been a long time since I was so sleep deprived. Each night gets a little better than the one before so I feel as though we are making good progress. In the meantime, I'll look back on this pic of Greg and I from the morning we picked Ben up (in Ohio) --it was taken after my last solid night's sleep. May it continue to give me hope that the dark circles under my eyes will not always look so dramatic!
Bog Boots
Potty training a puppy in wet, cold weather is a bummer. We had such a lovely spring tease last week. This week has brought rain and cold to Charlotte. In fact, as I type this post, we are expecting a huge storm and possible tornado-winds. Did you know that puppies have to go outside to potty about every 20-30 minutes during waking hours? Tromping through the saturated lawn and muddy puddles is, in fact, quite fun for a puppy. The outdoor conditions have made me newly grateful for these little rain boots I picked up some time ago. FYI: some reviewers have complained about them rubbing uncomfortably on the ankles but I have not had the same experience. They are true to size and come in black, orchid, and sage (very cute with my millennial skinny jeans).
Chili
Wet cold weather calls for chili. This is the perfect no-bean chili recipe that provides a depth of flavor with little simmering. Despite the lack of beans, it's still very filling. Of course, if you enjoy beans, just add some to the pot. I always serve chili with cornbread (from a box) and a green salad. Topping my serving with a generous dollop of sour cream and some shredded cheddar is a must. If you think it sounds strange to add sour cream to your chili --trust me, that's only because you haven't tried it yet.
The Girl with the Louding Voice on Audible
Highly recommended by my friend, Tracie, listening to The Girl with the Louding Voice on Audible has been such an incredibly rich experience. The novel, beautifully written by Abi Daré and exquisitely pread for Audible by Adjoa Andoh, is "the unforgettable, inspiring story of a teenage girl growing up in a rural Nigerian village who longs to get an education so that she can find her 'louding voice' and speak up for herself... [it is] a simultaneously heartbreaking and triumphant tale about the power of fighting for your dreams." Admittedly, it took a bit of time to get used to the unusual sentence structure. This authentic rendering --paired with Andoh's performance lends a deep cultural and emotional layer to the story that cannot be overstated. While I have no doubt that this novel is wonderful in print, I hope you'll follow this link and listen to the Audible sample to hear what I'm trying to describe.
Clairol Root Touch-Up
I blog about this product every few months and I will continue to do so. It's inexpensive, easy to use, and the results, while not professional-level, are very good. Even if you've never colored your own hair, this application process is super approachable. It's no longer full coverage for my multiplying grays --but it is certainly a terrific "quick fix" between salon visits or more saturating over-the-counter undertakings.
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