These are random musings of my life journey, the people, animals, places, and events which have woven, and continue to weave, a tapestry that is me. We all know there is no real destination, only the ongoing experiences which blend together, creating the trail. Each step gives a glimpse of what is to come, without allowing me to see the end result. It is exciting. I have a home base that is mine, that gives me a place to rest. This is it. This is where my heart is, no matter where I journey...................

Thursday, August 21, 2008

I'm So Easy. To Please, That Is!!

I mowed my lawn! I know, that's not exactly exciting to most people, and I'm sure that I will eventually return to your side, the dark side, of yard work one day.

If you think back a few weeks I planted grass. First a "test patch" to see if my idea about building my own top soil would work, and then more recently I seeded the remainder of the yard. Then a couple weeks ago I bought a lawn mower as the original area was getting very long. Since then it has rained every few days, so the grass hasn't been dry when I had time to mow.

Well, yesterday was that great window of opportunity when the grass was dry enough and I had time to do it. I got the mower ready and took it out back before the rain came, and .... TA DAHHHH .... mowed my lawn!! The oldest section looks really good. There are a few spots that haven't filled in, but they are small, mostly less than my hand print. I think they will fill in on their own, and if not, I have more seed that will go down before a snow in the fall/winter. The most recently planted, that section that I was so worried about during the flooding rains, looks good, too. There is not a full coverage there as yet, but the little tender blades of grass keep popping up as time goes on. Even the areas that I reseeded are coming up now.

I am so relieved. And I'm delighted that when the dogs go out, even after a rain, they are coming in with less mud or dirt on their feet. My sweeping and mopping of the tiles in the laundry room has greatly decreased, and the carpet is looking less brown at the end of a day.

Another good thing, speaking of carpet. There have been just two puppy piddle/poo accidents in more than 2 weeks!! Jazmyn seems to be completely trained, and The Boys continue to respond to the Pavlovian techniques very well. I'm encouraged enough that I actually began the serious cleaning to remove all stains and odors in readiness to having the carpet deep cleaned. I know there will probably be uh-ohs in the future, but the biggest hurdle has been cleared. [big relieved sigh] The babies will continue to sleep in crates until I can trust them 99.9% of the time.

I have to confess that last night I fell asleep without putting them in crates. I usually let them have some time with me on the bed just before I put them in their crates for the night. An hour or so of TV or reading with them napping is a good time for us all. I woke at 2:00 with everyone but Ali on the bed, and I was so sleepy that I couldn't do anything but close the book, turn off the light and go back to sleep. This morning I checked the whole room and found nothing!!! Whew. But they'll still be crated for a few more months. I'm encouraged, but I haven't lost my mind!

Speaking of Ali, he has decided to join us in the living area of the house over the last couple days rather than staying in the bedroom all day long. I don't know why the change. Perhaps my being gone three days had something to do with it. Perhaps he has resigned himself to having the little pests around and believes they are here to stay. Perhaps the presence of Jazi has changed the dynamics. I donno, but I'm really happy to have him present with us again.

OK, I need to get out and do some yard work before it rains again. Not supposed to rain till this evening, but who knows about that? And it is cooler now (10:15) than it will be at 1:00. So ....

Later, y'all!!

10 comments:

  1. Wow!!! That is great news that the kids seem to have "gotten it".

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  2. Your family is so beautiful, such sweet little faces, makes me want one too. I was wondering if I could send Grand Dog to you for training. Bella is so cute and adorable but when she leaves that little pile in the middle of the carpet I could scream. I never have her long enough to make a difference, and at her house its way easier cuz they just open the patio door and she goes out into a fenced yard. When she's here we have to take her on a leash. She never sleeps in her cage and never makes any mess during the night. I love having her here, she is so cuddly and getting spoiled at Grammas. I pay attention to your training methods but dont have her long enough to make them work. Your "kids" are coming along so nicely. Good job Lyn.

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  3. Darn forgot to sign my name LOL

    Ruth

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  4. Where are our photos of your lawn? Where I live it's been so dry that even in well-tended parks, the grass has turned yellow.

    Hugs,
    Betty

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  5. It has rained her a lot this summer also.Pepper gets crated everytime we are not home as she cant be trusted. She loves to counter surf or chew something up.

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  6. That's great about the lawn, Lynilu ! Congrats :)

    And just as good news about only 2 accidents by the puppies !!! And Ali now joining in more :)

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  7. I am kind of laughing at you mowing your yard because know how small your back yard is compared to your house in KC. I remember the ONE time I mowed your yard and I think it took me 4 hours.

    So glad to hear that the babies are doing well with the house training. And glad to hear that Ali is joining everyone else.

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  8. Daisy, it occurred to me that it is much like potty training kids .... once they "get it," they seem to have it completely down pat! Funny!

    Hi, Ruth! I can't tell you how "right" my family feels right now. :)

    Even when I've had a doggy door, I've tried to house train the dogs anyway, for the reason you mention. They go to visit, and they don't know what to do with different expectations. I also try to walk them on leashes occasionally, too, so they are used to the leash when we travel. Now .... I'm still working on the leash with Sam, and it is slowly, gradually getting there.

    Betty,HEY!! You're back!!

    I didn't think about pictures of the lawn. I'll do that later! Thanks for the reminder!

    Redfrog, after months of drought, it is very good to have rain, and I hope it continued in the more moderate style as it has done recently, No more flooding!

    Annie, yes, it has been a good news kinda day all around! I love it this way!

    Oh, Caroline, that lawn was a beast, wasn't it?? Even on the riding mower, it was a chore to get it done! As I recall it was between 2-3 hours on the rider. Yes, I remember how exhausted you were, and you were offered the riding mower, but you chose to "do it your way"!! LOL! I notice you didn't volunteer to do that again!!!

    I love that they are becoming a cohesive pack and following "house rules"!

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  9. I'm laughing at the image of Ali and the "little pests". having met him I can believe he thinks exactly like that!

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  10. MQ, he has an air of snobbery at times! I'm really happy about his more relaxed attitude, and I hope it lasts!

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If you have something to say about it, just stick out your thumb, and I'll slow down so you can hop aboard! But hang on, 'cause I'm movin' on down the road!!! No time to waste!!!