Life Lessons

On Tuesday it was my daddy's birthday.
My dad, he is a pretty great man. If you do not know him, I pity you. I promise he would make you laugh.

Now, this man has taught me many things in my life.

Like, you ALWAYS get good grades in English and History. They are important.
And he always encourages me to write.
And he always has an answer to my many questions that I would ask growing up.
And that you don't actually have to put your seat belt on until you hit the second stop sign (right?).
And that pepper will make anything taste better.
Or that you should always make sure you can throw your leg over  the poles in front of stores (you know, the ones to protect the store from being hit by a car?)

And all those things are SO IMPORTANT.
But tonight, I want to share some life lessons that I will always contribute to my dad. The things that when I think of my dad, I think of these things.

1. It's a jungle out there.
For a time in life, my family watched Monk a lot- and the theme song was the number one thing my dad hummed/said/quotes as advice for a good year or more.

2. Dog's out, cats in.
Keep your friend close, your enemies closer.

3. The reason for everything is that cats always land on their feet and wet dogs smell bad.
You can't argue with reason.

4. The true art of bugging is the never stop talking.
My dad and I can attest to this.

5.  Every time a frog hops, one lilly pad feels better, but another feels worse.
Stop asking about the chicken and the egg- and start wondering, WHICH lilly pad feels better?


I love my dad. =]

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Things you wish you knew...

Since the world as we know it will be ending in about, 50 hours or so... (And yes, I know that The Mayan Apocolypse is over. I also know that when I say 'world' I really mean the US of A), and because ALL you ever see on the news is BAD news, I thought I would share some things you WISH YOU HAD KNOWN. You know, before the world dies and we have to start fighting over milk, taxes, and whatever else you can think of. 



1. 365 Superheroes

here

This man set a goal to draw 365 superheroes in one year. A new superhero every day.
Well, it's year 3 and he isn't quite done yet, but still. It's almost New Years. Isn't it important that no matter what happens, we decide to finish our goals? Because it isn't about setting them- but about finishing them.
And what about someone as amazing and creative to create this many superheroes? Even Disney can't claim that!

here

2. The Ultimate Jump

Did you hear about the man who jumped from SPACE?

Yes. Space. And not like out of a space ship onto the moon kinda jump.

We are talking he went up in a pressurized capsule, reached the stratosphere (about 24 miles away) and then got out in a space suite, and JUMPED out. Plummeted to earth. And landed in New Mexico.

here

Can you just imagine how hard it would be to be up there and be like, "Great. What did I do now? Well, It's either I jump, or I fall with this heap of metal." And then to will yourself outta that thing? 

Yes, he had a parachute. 

And yes, it is awesome. 

But of course, not one of Barbara Walters top ten, nor googles. Sad. 

3. Ronald Brown

Haven't heard of him either? Color me purple.

Ronald Brown died in mid-October at the good age of 94. He was a Britain who had served in WWII, who had stepped on a land mine in 1944 while serving in France.

After he was cremated, they found 6 oz. of shrapnel in his leg. 

6 oz!!

I don't know about you all, but I walk like I am severely crippled if I have a sliver of glass in my foot.

6 oz is a LOT. 

He would tell his kids and grandkids that he had been hit by a bullet- but NEVER alluded to how much. He would tell them they could not sit on his bad leg, but NEVER alluded to how much pain he was in. No one in the family ever knew. And this man lived a LONG life, and he WORKED. And lived with that shrapnel in his leg for 72 years! 

That is a man for you. 

here

Just some things I thought you all should know.

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How to crate train a DOG and a TODDLER.

About a month ago we got Scout a crate.

It was ESSENTIAL.

She had already chewed/destroyed items such as: Computer charger, scriptures, chair, every soda we would leave in the car, anything on the counters (mostly butter),  binders, food such as flour,sugar, breadcrumbs....even though it wasn't COSTLY, it was getting ridiculous just to clean!

Then, one day I had to run to Walmart. I left Scout in the car, and told her if she was good- we would got to PetSmart after.

Sariah and I were in & out in 15 minutes. And each one of those minutes was filled with heart-thumping, blood curdling moments wondering WHAT Scout was doing.

When I got out, I had discovered that she had torn up the upholstery in our car. =/ Ya. No buenos. The crate was ordered that night. 

But, we didn't quite have time to do the 'traditional' crate training.

So, this is how it went, and how I suggest to crate train a dog in 5 minutes or less!

Step 1: Set up crate.

Step 2: Show dog crate. Allow dog to step in and sniff for approximately 15 seconds.

Step 3: Allow dog last freedom while you grab some dog treats, and any stray toys.

Step 4: Throw in treats, toys, and dog- latch door shut.

Step 5: Tell dog to be good, and leave. Immediately. (Possibly leave some music on).

Yes, bad owners are we. 

But today, I was SO excited when Joe and I were putting on our shoes getting ready to leave- that Scout went in her kennel BY HERSELF and laid down. 

Clearly, our method worked.

A lot less hassle too!

But luckily for Scout, she got to come on this outing (Actually, our dogs come on MOST of our outings. She just normally is in the kennel in the car).

Now, what about your toddler? Well see, Sariah had JUST woken up from a nap, and was not having fun being put down on the floor and not being held. But, needing shoes, I had to put her down. She walked over to the kennel and just cried. Then Scout, being a good dog- got into the Kennel. Sariah was then completely overcome with joy- stepped into the kennel, shut the door, and continued to play with Scout- by trying to steal her squeaky toy.

I don't think I can emphasize enough how cute these two are together.

And they get along great.

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All correct

So apparently some fancy-schmancy s gloat discovered that the origin of "Ok" is not from a town- as previously thought for some reason.

Back in the day (I will leave the day picking up to you), people would change the spelling of words to fit themselves- or to spell things as they saw fit. So, when a teacher would grade a paper- they would write "all correct" so it was made clear the students paper was- correct.
But, as kids will be kids, they had to shorten that even- and change it to a slang term.
Hence, OKAY/ ok.

Just thought I would let you know and become smarter.

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