Smacksy Sunday Links

 
Eight wake up calls you need to receive

Three keys to your financial happiness

And two foxes jumping on a trampoline.

Happy Easter.

Smacksy Saturday Photo: Our Gal

Hanging in there, with love and snacks.

Plenty of Mud

"Bob we have to go home for dinner. We've got to leave the park in about five minutes."

"Mom, we're doing something really, really icky right now. I'm going to need at least seven minutes."

Seven Is Soon

Bob has started planning his 7th birthday party. We always start with date, time, venue, and theme.  This year, his birthday falls on a Sunday so we will be having the party on his actual birthday. The time will be the classic: noon. Bob has chosen to have his party at Jump n' Jammin' a kids entertainment center that is long on fun and heavy on apostrophes.  Past themes have included balloons, Elmo, Star Wars (x2), and Zombies & Ninjas.

Today Bob chose the theme for this year's party, his favorite band: Black Sabbath.

I am now busy shopping for black balloons and black streamers and bats, I guess.

Bedtime Prayers

Bob and Daisy, circa 2008

"...and God bless Bob's school and all his teachers. Bob, who would you like to bless tonight?"

"God bless just four people: Daisy and Daisy and Daisy and Teddy. Oh, and you guys."

"Amen."

How We Do

We are all still hanging in. Our ad hoc doggy hospice is in place. Daisy does not appear to be in any pain. On the contrary, she is very busy eating lots of fancy pants canned food that cost more than our weekly grocery budget. Both dogs are enjoying special snacks (fettucini, anyone?), tummy rubs on the couch, and unrestricted barking at the FedEx guy.

Teddy is at Daisy's side, following her around the house and through the yard. He doesn't try to wrestle with her or play hard like he used to. He knows.

Everyone is still sleeping in one bed, for better or worse. There are a lot of dog hugs being given and received. The vet said we might get a couple of weeks. We're filling our time with the good stuff. What a gift to get such a long goodbye.

Thank you for all of your sweet comments and support. It does help a lot.

Daisy's Diagnosis

Our sweet Daisy endured an overnight-er at the emergency pet clinic, a trip to our regular vet, and numerous tests and procedures at the veterinary specialist. What we thought was a simple tummy problem has turned out to be much more.

Daisy has advanced cancer. She has tumors in her liver and her heart; her tiny puppy heart. She's only eight years-old and this is completely unexpected. She's back home with us now and we are giving her lots of treats and hugs during this time we have left with her.

Read a little more about Daisy here.

Smacksy Sunday Links

 
Love tiny spaces. Check out this wonderful 500 sq foot apartment.

Beautiful photos taken by children.

Dancing and walking just for the happy of it all.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Saturday Photo: Daisy

Circa 2009: The year we all dressed as insects for Halloween. Because we're cool.

Dog's Best Friend

Daisy has had tummy trouble all week. Last night she was finally eating more and seemed to be feeling better. We thought whatever was wrong had sorted itself out. This morning she got sick and by the end of the day wasn't keeping water down. Daisy seemed out of it. We knew that at the least, she was getting dehydrated.

It was after six and our regular vet was closed. Mr. Rosenberg got her leash to take Daisy to the emergency pet clinic. Teddy bolted out the door and into the car. When we attempted to carry him out of the back seat he shrieked as if he was in pain. We let him go with them, intending to leave him in the car while Daisy went in. Teddy wasn't having it. He yelped and barked until he was allowed to accompany her into the vet's office.

Daisy is spending the night at the vet for more tests and IV fluids. Teddy came home without her but he wasn't happy about it. We will know more in the morning.

Truth-ish

 
"Mom, did you know that it's true that if you drill to the center of the earth your head will explode?"

"First, I don't know that it's possible to drill to the center of the earth."

"But if it was."

"I've never really heard of anyone's head exploding."

"But Desmond and Felix read it today with their third grade reading buddy and it was a non-fiction. That means it's real mom. Real."

There's One Named Phil?

"Mom, who's your favorite Jedi commander?"

"I don't know."

"There's Commander Bly, Commander Wolf, Captain Rex, Commander Cody, Commander Gree, Commander Phil, Commander Nero..."

"I really haven't spent enough time with any of them to have a favorite. I guess Commander Phil sounds nice."

"No, you like Commander Gree."

"I do?"

"Yeah, because he has green armor, your favorite color, and he's Yoda's commander, your favorite character. You should try to remember that."

Perspective

A "battle station." Not to be confused with a "piano."

Foodstuffs

 
"Mom, I don't think it's right to eat animals or take animals out of their homes and then eat them."

"It sounds like you might like to be a vegetarian."

"Yeah, but why do they have to taste so good?"

"It's like you're inside my head right now. Would you like to try not eating meat?"

"Okay, but can I have cheese? What's just a cheese-eater called?"

Smacksy Sunday Links

Fascinating: Photos of children from around the world with their most prized possessions.

Bob wasn't allowed screens this week, and it was lovely not to hear the noise. Thinking of making it a habit at least once a week.

This went viral in the past few days and deservedly so - Billy Joel singing accompanied by a music student.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Saturday Photo: Zzzs

Nice guys catching some winks.

Noted

"Mom? This consequence you gave me for crossing the street is really good."

"Why do you think so?'

"Well, with no screens all week and no playdates all week, I'm super bored."

"And that's good?"

"Yeah, you really made your point."

NYCNY

photo

"So, Mom? I decided my favorite city is New York."

"That's a fine choice. Why is it your favorite?"

"It has lots of buildings and restaurants and everything."

"It does."

"I'm going to live there when I grow up."

"What will you do in New York?'

"I'll live in a building and eat in the restaurants."

"Nice. What will you do for a job?"

"Well, my band will play at night."

"Okay."

"And in the day I'll make movies about monsters and maybe bears."

Oh, Dad

 
"Dad, there are a lot of records in this box."

"The record label sent them. These are new records they made from an old band I was in."

"What was it called?"

"Pink and Brown."

"That's a weird name."

"I was Brown and my friend John was Pink."

"Dad? Why are you naked in this picture?'

"Well, it's sort of a long story."

"What is it? What's the story?"

"Hey, Bob! Bedtime!"

Busted

"...And whose idea was it to cross the street without a grown-up, Bob?"

"It was Dylan's."

"Really?"

"I don't really remember whose idea it was."

"I think you probably do remember, Bob."

"Yeah, it was actually my idea."

"I was afraid of that. Do you know how serious this situation is?"

"I think I probably might for sure I do pretty much kind of yeah."

He's Gaining On Him

"Mom, Dad's getting shorter."

"You think so?"

"Yeah, definitely."

"You don't think you're just getting taller?"

"Hmm. No."

Smacksy Sunday Links

 
My latest obsession: This family sold their home and moved to Costa Rica. They became raw food vegans and are homeschooling their kids. It sounds hard and also sort of great. Or maybe it's just time to plan a vacation?

Six things you should love about your life.

And an excerpt from the ballet in An American in Paris. Beautiful.

Happy Sunday!

Smacksy Saturday Photo: Going

On the run.

Just No

"Mom is that rock and roll on the radio?"

"Yes, it is."

"What band is it?"

"The band is called The Who."

"What?"

"The Who."

"Who?"

"I'm not going to do this."

Lavender Diamond at KEXP

If you guys have been hanging out here for awhile, then you probably know that Mr. Rosenberg is in a band called Lavender Diamond. The band was in Seattle a couple of months ago and they recorded four songs, and a short interview, live at radio station KEXP. The result is on video, it is lovely, and it is here and below. Thanks for watching-listening-enjoying. You guys are nice.

But Who's Counting?

"Are you taking a bath tonight, Bob?"

"No, not tonight."

"You sure about that?"

"Yeah, I only have about four dirty parts."

Turbulence

The man picked up his little girl and swung her around. Holding on tight, she flew like an airplane in the park. She laughed and called out, "Flying!" After one last turn, her dad set her down gently. She landed in front of Bob, Desmond, and Felix. She stepped forward tentatively, dizzy. She looked at the boys and threw up.

"That was cool," said Bob.

"So cool," said Felix.

Rocking So Hard

photo

"Bob, we need to talk about your birthday."

"I know! It's only two months away!"

"Do you want a theme this year?"

"Like last year it was ninjas and zombies?"

"Right."

"Yeah. This year the theme is going to be Black Sabbath."

"So a rock and roll theme?"

"No. Just Black Sabbath."

Smacksy Sunday Links

 
Meditation: The Most Fundamental Habit. (It makes the day that much good-er.)

I have a crush on this tumblr site.

And a baby laughing at a dog eating popcorn.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Saturday Photo: He's Back

Mr. Rosenberg has returned from his business trip. We're all glad.

Hobbitses

"Mom, who's your favorite elf?

"You are, Bob Rosenberg."

"Mom, this is a serious question."

"Me too."

"Mom! First, I'm not an elf. I mean like in The Hobbit. Never mind, just tell me your favorite dwarf, then."

"The one with long hair."

"That's only all of them."

"Okay, the main one."

"Thorin Oakenshield?"

"Yeah, that guy."

"Mom, I really don't think you're taking this seriously enough."