The Circle of Life

Dear Jen,

And so it goes...

I'm not usually one to admit I've been beat. Especially when only two posts down is a piece completely devoted to the fact that, despite all my best logic, I feel like this dog is special and must be gotten. But if I'm going to be completely honest, I knew within two weeks that all my apprehensions (learned from personal experience growing up) were spot on, and that I was a happier woman when I was pet-free.

But, because I'd agreed to it, and for the sake of Brad, I determined to press on. I would get used to it. I even convinced Brad to ease up when he got frustrated with her a month in. And he did, and we all continued to dwell acceptably together. But when Brad began talking again of how he'd realized that a dog just wasn't the same when you had kids; and this dog just wasn't Sierra (his old dog) no matter how much he wanted her to be; and how much he loathed having dog hair in everything (meals and drinks included), I began to take him seriously. And I supported his decision full-heartedly.

I even wrote the Kijiji ad--which, I must say, I am quite proud of. I would even call it successful, because within 24 hours of posting it I already had four responses, and by the end of the weekend I had ten. Thursday night I posted, and this being Monday night, she is already gone--for a trial. The lady who took her is concerned about her barking when she's away at work, so she's doing a trial till the weekend. I'm not overly concerned though. Incompletely trained though she may be, Marley is at heart a good and easy-going dog. We've left her home lots, and she doesn't care--so long as we don't trap her in a tiny room or something. And even then I'm pretty sure she gives up her whining and begging once we leave the house. So in all likelihood I have succeeded in finding a suitable replacement home for our dear Marley less than a week after I started to look for one. Not too shabby!

I'm excited for the weekend, though. Because I told the kids from the get-go that when Marley is given away we will have a special restaurant dinner (lest they are inclined to get all sentimental about a dog they complain about 80% of the time and enjoy a mere 20). Fast food though it may be, it beats having to plan supper any day!

And, just between you and me, I've realized that this whole affair will have one very valuable benefit: Brad won't bug me about getting a dog for YEARS to come!

WORTH IT.

Love,

Jacqui

Insane Zombie Fro

Dear Jen,

I'm starting to think about cutting Gavin's hair.

I was hoping to make it to three years old, but...well, it's finally getting to "that point". I've always been afraid of cutting it because so many people told me these terrible stories of cutting their children's curls just to have them never return! That would be SO SAD. But then, on some days his hair flops just so that it looks like Krusty the Clown. You know:

Then there's the problem with hats, which instantly destroy the beautiful ringlets and instead turn it into some insane zombie fro. You know:

 

Or, here we go:

 

And then also naps. Naps give him this tangled mess of dreadlocks in the back of his head.

But then, when I wash his hair, and brush it, and tease it up with my fingers, it's just so darn CUTE!

But I think I probably need to cut it. It's time. We've had a good run. I was lucky--with the curly locks, I was able to hold off on the feared "first haircut" longer than most. But...yup. I'm thinking it's time.

Evelyn, however, is looking top shape.

Love,

Jacqui