Which picture should I use?

Ok, here's the background:

I have done online dating several times. Each time, I get discouraged after awhile becasue of the plethora of inappropriate responses. Either they seem like nice guys but I'm not interested, or they are perverts ("I'd like to rub my mandingo all over your body". Huh. Sure fella, that sounds like a great idea. Call me.)

In order to cut out the riff-raff, my family had the idea that I should post a picture of me, WITH Charlie, WITH the three dogs in the hopes that guys who wanted a one night stand would run to the hills as soon as they saw that. Theorectically, this type of picture would only attract responsible men who were compassionate, looking for a serious relationship, and slightly crazy but in a good way (like me).

So here are three pictures, which one do you think is better? I kind of like the eyes shut one, because it's sweet and heartfelt, and all three dogs look like they MIGHT listen to me on occasion. But then you can't see my eyes which are my best feature (imo). What do you ladies think? Can you get your hubbies and boyfriends over to the monitor and ask them?





What do you think about the whole idea of cutting out the riff-raff and showing the level of responsibility needed to be in a serious relationship with me? Good idea or too scary for the potential partner?

Here We Go Again... in more ways than one.

It's 10 PM and I just shoveled 7 inches of snow off the driveway. I'm scared of waiting until the morning when it will be a colossal 14 to 16 inches. And I believe I'm living in The South. Yea....

Last month my mini-pines and bushes did not fare well (they look like God split them in half with a karate chop) due to the weight of the snow, so I also brushed them clean. I have about 40 bushes, so it's quite a job. I was unable to move the next morning when I did this last month... let's see if my body is in better shape tomorrow. Knocking the snow off the tall bushes is kind of fun work, like beating a rug but instead of dirty dust sparkly white flakes shimmer in the street light. Sometimes a short branch "domino effects" a tall branch and unexpectedly dumps a handful of snow down my collar, which cools me right down. Good times :-) Wish you were here.

Actually, this weekend will probably be the weekend I start the great "hunt for a partner". Being snowbound and all, there is no longer any excuse to procrastinate.

Maybe next winter I'll actually have someone around to share this heavy load. Stay tuned for an interactive post where you'll get to vote on my profile picture that I'll post on the dating website.

Stay warm and safe all of you in the path of this storm!

Besotted

Being grandparents sufficiently removes us from the responsibilities so that we can be friends. ~Allan Frome

I find it somewhat amusing that my mother (heretofore known as “Babcia”, the Polish word for “grandma”) is so completely besotted by Charlie that she is blind to any faults or less than perfect moments Charlie may have.

I’m wondering if most grandmothers are like that… or grandparents.Or perhaps it's just with the first grandchild?

Am I supposed to be like that? As Charlie’s mother? I know I’m supposed to be biased towards thinking she is wonderful, and I am and I do. But I’m not "blind" to her challenging moments.

The other day we were at Wal-Mart and Charlie had not had her nap. For the most part she was patient and good, but she had a meltdown in the cashier line. When we got home, Babcia described her behavior as “angelic. She was a perfect little angel. And without any nap too, can you believe it?”

Meanwhile, I’m thinking to myself: “Hmmm. Did I IMAGINE that shrieking, stiff-backed, head fling that caught me in the nose??? Nope… nose still sore… it happened….”

Or yesterday, when we were going through the toddler book, and Babcia was convinced my 16 month old was way ahead of her peers: “Charlie is at a 20 month level. She is sooo precocious!” I note that yes, she is very verbal and stringing along up to 3 words on a good day. But she is also not doing everything listed at the 17 month level, her next bench mark. Which is fine. There’s no hurry. Not a race.

The video of Charlie saying “thank you” is a good example of what I’m talking about… In the video, Charlie absolutely does NOT say “thank you” the first time, but Babcia hears “thank you, Babcia, for that succulent tangerine segment” quite clearly. Her Opa (grandfather) is also convinced she is a little genius. Which is cute.

And probably true ;-)

Are the grandparents in your family like that?

At What Point Do you Let Your Kids Fall?

Ok, I'm donating $250.00 to Haitian animal relief. I didn't get anywhere near enough comments to reach my limit and I'm too impatient to wait for them either! Probably would never get that many anyway. I'm sure the animals don't want me to wait for comments either, really. So I'll get the money there today and move on blog-wise.

On to the next topic:

Charlie is climbing the furniture, like any good tomboy would.

At which point do I let her go for it?

How high before I take her down?

If she falls from one foot, it's probably a "lesson". If she falls from three feet, it's more of a danger. Is there a certain height where you as the parent draw the line? Or do you just not let them climb at all? I wish there was a guide that told you "anything over 1.5 feet the risk of breaking her neck overrides the benefits of learning about pain" but so far I have not found any studies like that. Well, I haven't really looked for them either ;-) That's what you guys are for.

She is 16 months and pretty agile, but still trips on occasion when running. She's all about getting higher and higher right now.

Do you let your kids fall? What about at the playground/jungle gym? When do you swoop in and rescue them? This is probably a question that will continue to arise throughout her childhood, and possibly adulthood, where I have to ask myself if I'm being too over-protective, or giving her enough independence to learn her own lessons....

Ugh. This parenthood thing. Why is EVERY decision so fraught with long term implications???

Help Me Help Haitian Hurt Animals. With Update

UPDATE #2: I am nowhere near my limit. I will keep this post open until I get closer to my limit, or pass my limit. Please help spread the word. As the human aid starts to filter in and help, soon the animal aid will be ready to deploy.

UPDATE: I will now donate $1.00 per comment. Originally, I was worried this post might "go viral" as I saw other donation blog posts doing, but it's going slowly so I can afford to up my donation per comment.

For every comment posted on this entry, I will donate $0.25 to International Fund For Animal Welfare. I looked them up on CharityNavigator.com and they rate well. I've seen some other blogs doing this for human aid to Haiti, and they got thousands of comments. I highly doubt that will happen here, as I'm not that popular of a blog... but I'm curious to see how many I can get. I also have been wanting to donate since the earthquake, so this can be a way to determine how much to give.

When I traveled to New Orleans, a month after Katrina, the people were all gone and the streets were empty... but behind locked doors were starving pets, underneath houses were hurt dogs, scared cats, carcasses.... It was awful and it seemed like the aid was only going to humans. Let's not forget there are other souls suffering. So AFTER we take care of the people please, let's not forget to help those hurt animals.

As printed on the Animal Rescue Site (please go there and click on their link daily):

"As is always the case with disasters like this, many animals are also suffering and in need of help and care. Haiti has an estimated 5 million head of livestock, a large stray dog population, native wildlife, and, of course, an untold number of companion animals.

IFAW has partnered with WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals) to launch a coordinated animal relief response. Together they will lead a coalition of animal welfare groups to help the animals of Haiti. Their first priority will be to treat critically injured animals. They are also very concerned about the possible outbreak of rabies, leptospirosis, and other diseases that can pass from animals to humans, so they'll be vaccinating animals as quickly as possible, as well as be distributing food, water, and basic medical care.

Animal teams are in the Dominican Republic preparing for this critical mission. They're setting up a mobile veterinary clinic, and donations are needed to stock it with medicine, syringes, bandages, food, and other supplies.

Once human relief efforts have taken hold and security is in place, and depending on the needs found on the ground, animal teams will deploy and begin their lifesaving work. No one is certain of all the challenges to be faced,we need to be prepared."

So post a comment and I will donate. I'll keep comments open until I hit my donation limit.

And pass this along!

Thanks!