i need to work on this...

I am terrible at taking self-portraits.

1. I generally hate pics of me


2. my camera is big and hard to balance in my hand and reach the shutter button


3. I never seem to be able to remember to have the tripod and my remote shutter around
   

But, I am going to make an effort this weekend to do 1 grouping of self-portraits each day. Well, a self-portrait of the G-Man and I, not just me! He turned 4 months old yesterday and this pic is a sad example of the self portrait I took. Yuk. I really want to get some fun pics of he and mommy. It's wonderful how much he is growing and changing nearly every day! He is smiley and just a trooper with all the teething. Also, he is starting to show fear and that he gets scared. I was re-enacting for K a *very* scary HUGE spider incident that I had at work and I was jumping all over and yiping (it was a great re-enactment if I do say so) and my poor little G-Man looked at me, got a worried look on his face, the lower lip started to quiver and he was crying! Tears and all! I just looked at K and said, "See, even he is scared by the spider!"

G-Man is also getting really, really close to rolling over from his back to his tummy. We practice every day! I love this time with him and I want to capture one of our regular days...so maybe that will be my photo assignment this weekend. Capture a day in the life of G-Man and Mommy. Hmmm....this is starting to take shape in my head. I guess I'd better get the camera battery charged, my remote shutter shoved into my pocket, the tripod handy and at least a 1GB memory card in the camera, it's photo shoot time! I will share our day with you later this weekend! Have a safe, reflective Memorial Day weekend.

The Yellow Monster strikes again

Last nite was a therapy dog nite. The Big Yellow Monster and I visited a women's shelter in St. Paul. We are a part of the art therapy program for the kids there. It's rewarding, frustrating and heartbreaking all at the same time. We see alot of the same kids come back time and time again. Their mom's are just in bad relationships or making bad choices and they are trying to break the cycle of violence. Last nite, the group of kids consisted of 9 gorgeous kids, ages 6-13. The Monster was the only dog there so as soon as we walked in the door there was a moment of shreiking, yelling, cheering and basically, pandemonium. We all got settled on the rug on the flooor, Monster in the middle and 9 new faces all around him petting, touching, talking all at once. And like a trooper, he rolled onto his side, listened to me murmur "good boy, easy, nice dog" and he let the kids glom all over him. It was wonderful to see them all lovin' on him. We spent time talking about dog safety and rules, then Monster did a little show of all his tricks and obedience. We talked about what happens when dogs are naughty. I told them that we don't hit him because that's not allowed in our house. Most of them were shocked at a rule like that.

Last nite's art project was for the kids to make a painting or drawing of their dream fort or tree house. Then we talked about who would be allowed in, why or why not and what the rules are. It was so insightful and sad at times. Of course, the Monster was a hit and he was allowed in pretty much all the houses and in one, he was the guard dog to keep mean people out. The kids were told that I was pregnant and there were a few questions about that. One little girl asked me how many kids I have, I told her that this was going to be my first one. She looked at me and said, "You're a teenager, right?" Whoa, that is a perspective and a way of life for her! I told her no, I was 35 years old. Then several of them told me I was too old to have my first baby, that their moms were all younger. It was hard to hear them talk about how normal it was to be a teenager and pregnant. Talk about living in a different world, right under my nose. It ended up being a great conversation. Of course, I am choosing to believe that she asked if I was a teenager because I just look so youthful! (ha!)

What does Memorial Day mean to you?

Memorial Day is celebrated on Monday. Many of us have the day off work, we have picnics planned or maybe we are going to the cabin. But what does Memorial Day *really* mean? Why do we have this holiday? I will be putting together a week of posts for next week, starting on Monday talking about my love for this beautiful country (which is different from love for the politicians!), my gratitude for our servicemen and women and highlighting some veterans who are dear to me.

Above is Baxter at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center getting ready to do our therapy work!

Therapy Dog

My dog, the Monster, is more than a pet. He is a therapy dog. He'll be three years old this summer and he's been doing volunteer animal assisted therapy with me for almost 2 years. We began obedience training the day we brought him home from the shelter at 20 weeks old. From there we took puppy kindergarten and then additional classes at our local Animal Humane Society. We took our animal assisted therapy test and passed with flying colors when Monster was 14 months old and we've been busy volunteering ever since! We "work" at two women's shelters with the kids and also at the VA Medical Center. Both of these places let Monster shine and really touch hearts. It's a thrill to have such a loving dog who touches lives! Last nite was one of our therapy dog nites at a shelter for women and thier children who are trying to get out of domestic violence situations. It breaks my heart to see these kids and their moms who have suffered so much. Please, please, please, if you see domestic violence or think someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please call. Get help, get out. There are places that will help you make a plan and there are places you can stay that are safe.