Dish: Cone of Shame, Science Fair, & What I'm Reading / Watching

I haven't dished in a while so I thought I'd chat a bit about what's going on here, besides spring and sunshine and warmth and daffodils. God bless the south. This time of year reminds me of why we live here. It almost makes up for the fire ants and oppressive humidity come July.

Jetta

Jetta was spayed yesterday. "Spay" seems far too polite a term for a COMPLETE HYSTERECTOMY ON A 6-MONTH OLD. Poor girl. We have all been in near tears over the ordeal. I know it's for the best but it seriously felt like I was taking my real baby in to have her ovaries and uterus removed and the whole thing still feels wrong and unnatural. {One of the many reasons I never became a vet.} My husband has been walking around singing, Girl, you'll be a woman soooooon....

When we got the post-op report, our vet told us that Jetta is a very sensitive girl and that she started crying as soon as she came out of surgery. I nearly died. Thankfully, our vet is a big believer in pain meds and she ordered sweet Jetta-girl another serious narcotic and a sedative. Stat. 

Three different people at the office told us she is just the sweetest dog but "very sensitive." My daughter, taking advantage of my grief, almost talked me into one of those $50 Martha Stewart pet beds. After all the poor pup had endured, we felt she should be able to convalesce in comfort and style. Luckily I came to my senses and it's a good thing. We got home and made her a cushy bed using an old pillow and comforter. Which she promptly peed upon.

After a groggy and whiny evening, she is hobbling along a bit better today but hating the "cone of shame." She keeps bumping into the furniture and walls and oh, it is going to be a long 10 days. I remind myself that all of this is nothing compared to the ordeal of her getting knocked up by a neighborhood dog, having an emergency c-section, and costing us thousands. 

I've been thinking about how pets are a lot like children. You think they'll be easier than they really are. You think they'll cost less than they really do. They're messy and rascally and ruin your stuff. I find myself muttering cuss words under my breath one minute and holding her like a baby the next. She is essentially our fourth child, only hairier.  

School

In other news, our real children are still faring well in school. They love it actually. And I couldn't be happier about that. It would be hard on a mama if they were sad and homesick and miserable. They love being with friends, they love their teachers, they enjoy telling us what they're learning, and they think their school is just the best. I do realize that this could all turn on a dime but for now, I am simply grateful. 

Crazy Birds

For the second spring in three years, a mama bird has built a nest in the wreath on our front door. The front door! The one that slams open and shut all day long with the hustle and bustle of noisy kids. A friend of mine said, I doubt she'll stay. Birds don't really like crazy. But lo and behold, she laid her eggs and has settled right in. She even flew into our house last week and perched on the mantle. No lie. It's like Wild Kingdom around here. 

Yard Sale

And to make things even wilder, we're having a big ol' yard-sale Saturday. I am purging my house in the biggest way and putting it all in the garage but the house still looks just as full! I don't understand. I have a theory that clutter breeds in the closets and cabinets when you're not looking. So, the purge continues and I'm saving up my pennies for something special. I'll let you know if it all pans out.

Reads and TV

I finished the Hunger Games trilogy recently. Loved the books and cannot wait to see the movie. Right now I'm reading The Red Tent by Anita Diamant , as well as A Praying Life and a re-read of Grace for the Good Girl. I don't watch much TV anymore but The Man and I are riveted to Downton Abbey, the most brilliant thing I've watched in a long time. 

So that's the scoop around here. What about you? Any great reads or shows? Are you having a yard sale or hosting a nest of crazy birds on your front stoop? Do tell.