Yikes, I just noticed that it's been over a month since I last posted on here. I kept meaning to, but it wouldn't be me if procrastination wasn't involved.

Today is my 7th anniversary. Ryan and I aren't into big romantic gestures or anything, but we did have a nice day together. Ryan's parents took Griffin for the afternoon. We originally wanted to take a nice ride and get lunch, but it poured out all day, so it didn't quite work out that way. Instead we had a late lunch at an Italian restaurant and then ran some errands. It was nice to have some quiet time together, and talk without answering 100 questions from a 3 year old.

Speaking of my 3 year old.......we are totally going through the terrible 3's right now. No, it's not terrible 2's, it's 3's! Someone once told me that 3 is a professional 2. They weren't kidding! Oh the joy of hearing the word "No", or having to say "no" 5 times before he'll listen. We are constantly having to take away toys or put him in time-outs lately. It's so frustrating. I keep reminding myself that it's a phase, and that it will pass.

There is good side to. Griffin's finally sleeping in his big boy bed and not his crib. I'm kind of embarrassed to admit that I let him sleep in a crib that long, but hey, it worked and we were all happy. We put the bed in his room months ago hoping that he'd be excited for it, but no luck. Ryan finally took the crib down, and Griffin didn't have a choice. Apparently we did something right because he went right to sleep in it that first night, and has ever since. No fighting, or getting out of bed.

Now....if I could go to bed and stay in bed all night without the dog waking me up or Griffin getting up at 5am, life would be good.

A couple of weeks ago, I took part in the Rally for NH. We were there to protest the budget bill that would make severe cuts to programs for the handicapped, elderly and low income. Much needed programs, mind you. The bill would also strip public union employees of their collective bargaining rights. Seriously, what kind of society do we live in when we start taking away from the people that we depend on the most, firefighters, police, teachers, etc. I'm a proud union girl, and I'm ashamed of my government.

I can't believe how busy the Karcher house has been these last couple of weeks. I wish that I could say that it was all exciting, but we've just been busy with everyday boring stuff. Reuben is doing well. He still loves Ryan, but he's become a lot more attached to me. I'm guessing that he's figuring out where he's going to get the attention. He may not be real happy with me right now though. Yesterday he was neutered. I was going to wait, but since he started directing his affection towards my cats, I made the appointment right away.

I've had Dr appointments myself this week as well. One of them was for a mammogram. Seriously, when the hell did I become old enough to need a mammogram?? It was my baseline, and as long as all looks good, then I don't have to go again until I'm 40. I was so worried that it was going to be painful. I found it to be uncomfortable, but not painful and it was over really quick. So if you've been putting it off for fear of the pain, go ahead and make the appointment.

Any of you couponers? I use them, but only here and there. Or, I'll clip them and forget about them. I saw a segment on a talk show about couponing, and have become totally inspired. No, I don't think I'll ever become an extreme couponer, but I did save a lot of money this week on my first try. I also learned a lot and found a great website to get started. I'm very excited about this. My grocery and shopping bills have become so extremely high, and it depresses me to even think about the amount of money that I spend on food.

If you're interested in the website, it's thekrazycouponlady.com

So not fair! Tell me how the dog that I had to fight for, the one that I wanted sooo badly, is so drawn to my husband? The same guy who could care less about him at all! Oh yeah, Reuben follows Ryan all around and lays at his feet when he sits down. Ryan just went to bed and shut the door and Reuben doesn't know what to do with himself! Figures.

I'm a slacker, I know. I have so much to post about, and so many pictures to put up. In my defense, the last couple of days have been rough. Because I'm a lucky girl, I caught a really fun stomach bug. I basically haven't been out of bed or the bathroom for days now. I think that I'm finally over the worst of it, and I actually managed to eat some soup. On the upside- nothing beats the stomach flu for losing 8lbs in 2 days! Now, fingers crossed, I'm hoping that Griffin doesn't catch it.

All the arrangements are made and Reuben arrives tomorrow! I still haven't told Griffin. I think it will be a nice surprise for him. I've slacked on getting prepared for another dog. On the way to the airport, I guess I'll be stopping at Petco for a couple of supplies.


On a personal, and serious note I just want to send out all my love and prayers to my friend Kelly and her family. I know that you peek in here once in a while Kelly, and just in case, I want you to know that I'm thinking of you.

Here'a a picture of Reuben. I sent the money off today, and hopefully he'll be here next week. Love his little face!

We have passed a major milestone in the Karcher household. Griffin has slept away from us for the first time ever! In my opinion, it should have happened 3 years ago, but hey, what do I know? Ryan and I had planned a night out and my mother in law babysat for us. She offered to let him spend the night and I jumped on it. Hell yeah, he can spend the night! She did warn me that if he wouldn't sleep, that I would probably be getting a call to come pick him up. Well guess what? We didn't get a call. He loved it and had a great time, and so did we!

I've been meaning to do a post about some of the funny stuff that Griffin has been saying lately. It's not surprising that now that I finally sit down to write it, I can't remember most of it. The biggest thing is "That's Disgusting!". Right now every time there is something that he doesn't want to eat, he calls it disgusting. Then he says everything smells. When you ask him what it smells like, his answer is always either poop or skunk. He is such a boy! Today in the car, he told me that his tools are a "piece of junk". He said that he works hard, but his tools are all junk. I don't even know where he got that from. There's never a dull moment.

Now we'll be adding a new dog to our crazy mix. Yes, I got my way! A friend of mine is getting her 2ND King Charles Spaniel puppy next month. In talking to the breeder she found out that the breeder has a 14 month old that she needs to find a home for. There is nothing wrong with the dog. The owners lost their job and home and couldn't keep him. Per the contract that the breeder has the buyers sign, she gets first dibs if they have to get rid of the dog. So she took him back, and my friend immediately thought of me because she knows that I LOVE Cavaliers. LOVE LOVE LOVE them. After some back and forth with Ryan, and a couple of talks with the breeder, I've decided to get him. His name is Reuben, and he's crate trained, house broken, and an all around good little guy (only 16 lbs). He's in Tampa though, so arrangements have to be made to ship him up here. I'm calling the breeder tomorrow to get it started.