You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. I know. Especially if it’s Phoebe because she’s a special case. She thinks she has puppies right now. She has collected all of her lovies into a pile on the couch, and she spends her day mothering them. And smothering them. And chewing out their squeakers. That’s mothering, right?
Ah, sweet Phoebe. The Joan Crawford of dogdom. The good news is that she’s officially retired as a show dog, so I can spay her this spring. Can I get a hallelujah?!
But that adage (axiom? allegory? alliteration?) doesn’t necessarily apply to humans. This old dawg is learning. And doing. There is hope! This has been my week of learning new things, trying new things, accepting new things. It is good.
For the first time in 25 years, I have submitted a piece for publication. I won’t hear for a while if it was accepted, but I’m okay with that. If I get accepted, it’s a publishing credential. If I don’t I get a rejection letter for the spike and an opportunity to thicken my skin. It’s a win either way. The important part is that I learned I could push past my fear and just do it.
This week, I also learned that time marches on. Squish and I went to Kindergarten Roundup, which sounds like it should involve cattle and lassos, but instead involves text books and tears. Mine. He’s going to start school in the fall, ready or not. He’s ready, of course. It’s the parents who are blindsided.
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- Somehow he went from this…
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- …To this…
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- …to this in 4.2 seconds.
And then there’s my newest venture. I just signed on as a contributor to a local blog, and today my first post went live. You can find it here. If you have kids (or even know kids), go ahead and click over there. Today I shared my favorite free educational website for kids. I teach computer classes to grades K-8, and I love, love, love the website for a whole lotta reasons.
And now it’s the time in our program where I teach you something, too! Impressed tortoises are pretty adept climbers when the situation presents itself. Who knew?
What? There’s a Girl Scout cookie table outside of Target? Get my purse. I’m outta here!
Becoming Cliche 
Love the climbing tortoise! I remember my escapees fondly…:-)
Aren’t they funny? I learned last week that they are too big for the bin I was soaking them in because they appeared where they should not be. They get soaked in their own enclosure now!
I wouldn’t have thought they were so good at escaping until one of our babies repeatedly found his way out of his tank, off the shelf and into the corners of his room. I’ve never seen it in action, though (just the end result), so it’s interesting to see the process in action. 🙂
The extended toes slay me! They remind me of a little kid climbing out of their crib!
He is NOT allowed to go to kindergarten. He’s just not. The post you wrote about him transitioning from his crib was – what? – like last week? This motherhood thing goes too darn fast.
Congrats on sending off your submission!
I feel the same way. Where did that crib-slat-kickin’ baby go? WHERE DID He Go?
Love it all – the pics, your new publishing ventures (congrats; be brave; hang tough). Oh, and can you get an extra box of thin mints for me?
Thank you!
I’ll get the Thin Mints for you. It’s okay if I eat them for you, too, right?
😉 I might just buy a box for you. And eat ’em. That’s what friends do, right? Save each other from calories…
BTW I love the snowman on your cover photos. He has so much character. It makes me smile every time I click on your blog.
Sammy D
http://www.bemuzin.com
That’s exactly what friends do. Exactly.
My snowman came about by accident, but I love him so. He’s so angry, and I’m not sure why! I’m glad you love him, too. When I did my blog face-lift, I couldn’t bear to part with him.
I had a dog in my teens that got so obsessed with mothering a toy that she actually started lactating. No joke.
I believe you. Phoebe has a giant bag o’ milk. I’m about to Craigslist for orphaned puppies for her to feed.
Yeah, I can’t remember what we did, but orphaned puppies sounds like a nice idea. I think the vet may have prescribed some doggie Xanax or something like that. (She eventually snapped out of it when she actually had a litter of puppies and realized what a pain they were.)
That’s exactly what I thought! It’s like he’s shaking his fist at the world and yelling, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not gonna take it anymore.” But at the same time that look in his eyes… he’s just begging for a hug as he melts away. Sort of like a child having a temper tantrum – maddening and loveable all at the same time. Don’t ever take that picture off !!
I’m thinking about putting him on a t-shirt or tote bag.
He looks like he takes himself entirely too seriously. That’s why I love him. He says he”s getting his revenge this winter, so it’s a self-satisfied smirk.
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a baby who looks so much like his kid-self as Squish. That is such a great baby photo of him! That little smile! And you can totally see the kid he’s going to be in his face!
And yay on the submission, yay on the new blogging venture, yay for the spaying of Phoebe, and…well, YAY FOR YOU. There. I covered all the bases!
He really does look exactly the same, just bigger. Lots bigger. When he was born, the midwife said “Who does he look like?” I answered “Bilbo Baggins.” He’s my hobbit-baby.
Oh Phoebe, is that Curious George you’re cuddling? You’ll be safe after the op, so important for a girl dog’s health. Bit of a milestone for Squish, still looks so like his infant self! Love your new theme and the turtle background. Good to see more of those little fellows. Do they land well if they misjudge the height?
I have more escapee shots of the impressas, and I’m going to show them next week. It’ll make you laugh. They misjudge often, and they are NOT graceful. Good thing they have hard shells!
Kindergarten AND mom sent something out for publication?? What a week! Mazel!
I know! I know! All in one week! Terrifying. He and I are both growing up!
Well you both certainly took a leap!
Awwww, all three photos of Squish are so cute I just wanna pick them up and dunk them in my coffee! (um, that’s a Madagascar sort-of-quote, just in case anyone’s wondering WTF I’m talking about/if I’ve recently moved to Crazy Town…though I’m not saying I haven’t 😉 )
Aaaaaaanyhoo, congratulations on submitting your work! I’ll be mentally crossing my fingers for you!
I recognized the quote. I didn’t think you were going to eat him. 😀
Oh good 🙂
Congratulations on your work!!! I’m so excited for you! I feel old…too old knowing Squish is soon to be in K. My “baby” will be an 8th grader next year. Sigh. I swear I just turned around, that’s all I did and Poof! Blessings on your new assignment!
His sister starts her senior year of high school when he starts K. I think I blinked. Just blinked, and she was all grown up.
You have a creative comfort with words as you do with animals. I believe you’ll make it. I too have been trying to get published so I wish you the best of luck.
Bright blog and beautiful images.
AnnMarie
newbie blogger
Best of luck with your book. 🙂 Why do they call it kindergarten round-up?
Good for you for trying new things! I can’t figure out how, where or how to submit anything for publication, so you are my hero.
If you’re already crying about Squish going to K-garden, be sure to invest in some heavy duty sunglasses for that first day. You’re going to need them to mask the river of tears.
Really love your blog! Best of luck with your upcoming endeavors. Plus, I feel like that turtle photo is my inspiration for the week.
Phoebe is so cute! Of course she is mothering those toys!
She’s an adorable little weirdo. I love her.
Oh yeah! Congrats on contributing to a local blog. Not that you need more activities to keep you busy…
Did I ever mention I have two painted turtles in China? Sparky and Whatshername. My grandma, who was helping me look after the turtles several years ago, lost Sparky one day (he’s a Speedy Gonzalez and takes off out of his tank and hides anywhere), so bought me an identical turtle, afraid I’d find out. Sparky decided to show himself so now I have two. They’re now the size of a salad plate, and the last time I went back to China, my grandma’s nurse kept asking me if she could “cook them”, to which I replied, “OF COURSE NOT!” to which she replied, “Well of course not! We should wait till they’re bigger with more meat….” 😦
I am so glad you are around. You make me laugh! Poor Sparky!