Puppy Love.

Our sweet doggie Scout is at the vet's today. They're trying to figure out what seems to be upsetting her stomach to the point that she can't walk. We're pretty certain she ate something that got stuck - she is part goat, after all. The thought of leaving her at the vet in a crate all night is just awful. Sure, the doc will be back twice tonight and a tech will be there overnight to check on all the animals. But my puppydoo is used to sleeping on her big soft bed or curled up with one of the children. I know she'll be OK, but I miss her very much.

Happy Calendar

Our lives are ruled by the calendar. Soccer games, tests, tennis lessons, camps, work meetings, classes, appointments - before you know it, that nice clean month ahead of you is soaked in ink to-dos.

But I love this time of year, when the calendar gets happy. The spring market starts downtown in two weeks, which means tons of fresh, organic veggies to be had. Spring carnival at school is next Friday. Only 6 weeks until school's out. Two months from last Monday is our big summer vacation. Two conferences at fun beach places in July. Our pool opens in 6 weeks. The Braves game on Memorial Day weekend. Our wonderful new musuem opens in mid-June. The new Zac Efron movie comes out this Friday (oops - was that out loud?).

Sure we're zooming downhill - and fast - toward the end of the school year, but look what's waiting for us at the end!

Juliette Knows Best.

There's an old saying in Girl Scouts: "Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the other gold."

One of my dear friends and her family were at Callaway for Spring Break and we met them for brunch this morning. It was so ... easy. We slipped back into our old conversations, talking about our former school, our childrens' new schools, travel, changes in our lives, etc. It was like the best comfort food you've ever had. I hadn't realized how much I missed that - conversations with people you've known for years, people who don't judge you, don't question you. People who are just ... friends.

It was only a few hours, but we made plans to get together again later this summer. Speaking for my children: we can't wait!

A sugar-free, tin world.

This past week saw two journeys begin in our family. The daughter child got braces, and I embarked on a 30-day trek to go without sugar or yeast.

My sweet girl's braces are just HUGE in her mouth. She has only 12 brackets, but then she got a Herbst appliance she'll wear for 9 months, the purpose being to move her jaw forward just a smidge. Bless her, she can still barely open her mouth, and brushing her teeth is quite the ordeal. But she's really only complained for one day - yesterday. She's being so strong about it, even though I know they drive her crazy. Very proud of her and the maturity with which she's handling this.

As for me, well, it's time for the sugar "addiction" to take a hike. This is drastic and crazy - and amazingly, annoyingly hard - but it will be worth it in the end. I need to do much better at taking care of myself overall, not just for me but for my children. I intend to be around playing with their children, and my current diet didn't mesh with that goal. Plus I've been blessed with parents who are super-active healthy eaters - and tremendous role models for the entire family. Rus has hopped on board the train a little bit and is cutting way back on sugar and yeast. We're exercising together, which is healthy - and fun.

We're on Spring Break this week, enjoying time at the beach with my parents. A change of venue is nice, and we spent lots of time outside today. On tap for tomorrow: cruising the spring art fair at the Village and visiting the national park right around the corner. And lots of exercise. :) Care to join me?