As my lovely niece and her new husband enjoy the sights and sounds of Italy, we get to enjoy the sights and sounds of their beautiful 7 month old pup, Bella, who, along with Lucky our own energetic pup, has wreaked total and complete havoc on the house. And I am enjoying every luscious, crazy moment of it. Poor Steve, on the other hand ...well... not so much.
I cannot imagine going to work and being all "Hey, I am a professional doctor dude. My clothes don't have any bodily fluids produced on them other than my own." and then having to come home to "Zach puked into the toilet. Sophie is making spit bubbles. Little pup is licking someone after drinking some l'eau de potty. Lucky is drooling as Zach attempted to eat some fritos. I am covered in all of it since I am in HHELL (Head Housekeeper of this Estate, aka Looney Land" The mind warp you have to transition from the outside world just to walk through the door at our house is immense.
One day I realized that I hadn't showered in nearly 4 days. Now, on most occasions, I can say that it is because I didn't have the opportunity. But not this day. It just didn't make sense to me. Why go through all that trouble and dirty up the fairly pristine shower just to feel momentarily cleansed and then have to encounter a toileting accident? Hmmm? The change in state is often the issue more than the state itself, I have realized. So Steve struggles to stay clean while I struggle not to think how gross I am.
The juxtaposition of my life in a suburban town of a city that appears in some state of decay, with that of a newlywed couple filled with all things hopeful in the beautiful land of cities such as Florence and Milan may seem ironic (note I did not say pathetic). Syracuse NY was once the twelfth largest city in the United States. Now it is the 240th or something else inconsequential. I looked to the history books a bit about the namesake city of Syracuse, Sicily - a city that has been through quite a bit itself, and also suffers from population decay to the suburbs, although nowhere near that of our Salt City. Seeing that it has a Mediterranean climate and mild winters - I realize there likely isn't much else to compare. So why bother?
That is how I feel about my life, in particular, my family and that of others. Quite often I feel like there just isn't a lot in common - so beyond some obvious issues that we may face, I just don't often think in detail about how others live and the issues as a family they face. I guess I try not to think in detail about it out of fear of being resentful, but more often than not, I am just not afforded the opportunity. But I miss trying to connect with others whose lives are different than my own - that path that I would most likely have been on. It is one of those things I miss the most.
Truth be told, I have lived a great life with many things to be grateful for. I have a good education, a nice family (even the extended parts and their associated humanities), a comfortable home to dwell in. I have traveled to some great cities and countries, read great books, ate great food, drank fantastic wine, befriended fabulous people, even been loved by a few. When given the chance, I have tried to live life as full as I can.
As I attempt to write this post, Zach has vomited once again, for the third time today. Yes, he is sick. No it is not the stomach bug. I am guessing something viral, seasonal allergies, or possibly yet another sinus infection. His vomiting is a result of a coughing fit from the drip of sinus congestion. Poor Zach.
I no longer see world travel in my immediate future. Who else would step up to the plate to deal with such encounters? Steve and I had been invited to speak in China - an idea that made my heart flip. However, I am unsure of how I could make this happen. The idea has faded away, leaving a little hole in my heart, but not a large one. It was so awesome just to be asked. After all, someone thought I had something meaningful to share with others a world away - not too often you hear that.
Being that I don't shower all that often, am fairly crazed, and am often found wearing clothes that are meant for cleaning the house, I am not necessarily the most alluring creature. My husband rarely shows me an amorous side, not that I blame him. With little sleep, and the fatigue hence faced, I doubt he even notices my lack of hygiene, so I don't think that is the issue. At least not completely. A cute little blond boy who can quite often be found present in our room, sleeping or otherwise, is most likely the culprit. Nothing says birth control like a young child, especially when found in your own bed.
So being that I don't garner much individual affection around here, it is nice to have two pups who are there at my side. I cannot tell you how long it has been since someone actually fought for my attention! Brings me back to the good ol' days when I was young, cute, single, and living the dream.
Saturday Aug 18 (Day 2 of our Puppycation)
From the New Mrs. Pandori:
Hey we are in Florence. Hope all is well with Bella! We miss her like crazy. Communication is tough it is really expensive to call and I just got wifi at our hotel we just checked into.The Morphet Report on Pupsters:
All is well here. Bella doesn't appear to understand peeing is done outside. But she is having a lot of fun w/ her girl Lucky. She also doesn't appear to love her food - but boy does she seem to want people food. Lots of fun - Sophie and I took the girls into the field and they had a ball. She seems very happy
Sunday Aug 19 (Day 3 of our Puppy(forni?)cation)
From the New Mrs. Pandori:
Well we are off to brave the heat again for dinner. It was 104 today! Can't wait to see what it's like when we go south! Love ya! Ciao!The Morphet Report on Pupsters:
She has tried to swipe (and been successful a few times I might add) food off the counter & kitchen table. Naughty little girl! I also should report that she is either an alpha dog or a lesbian.
Monday Aug 20 (Day 4 of our Puppycation)
From the New Mrs. Pandori:
Everything has been amazing! Food was a bit rough in Rome but we has some the best local dishes in Ascoli Piceno thanks to our friends who live there! They even took us out to a local festival where it was just local Italians. No tourists!!!!! Great food and entertainment beyond our imaginations! Venice had some great pizza finally! Tomorrow is our last day up north then we head to our final destination the Amalfi Coast! Give Bella some more love from us! Thanks again!
The Pandori'sThe Morphet Report on Pupsters:
Even Zach knows how to handle the puppy thing! She is learning the words: No,Off, and Settle. Today, she actually came to me when I called her as she was about to go into the neighbors yard. HURRAY!
Tuesday Aug 21 (Day 5 of our Puppycation)
From the New Mrs. Pandori:
Silence.
The Morphet Report on Pupsters:
Bella is quite resourceful: she jumped on the counter and hit a plate so that it catapulted the contents onto the floor in which she and Lucky then enjoyed. The contents: Lucky was the happy recipient of a plank of salmon and Bella conjured up 3 large bay scallops for herself. I admire her fine taste in food - especially since it was to be my meal. However, her choices in drink I find ironic - no toilet is left untasted. Even when she has a clean bowl of water 3 feet away. HmmmWednesday Aug 22 (Day 6 of our Puppycation)
From the New Mrs. Pandori:
More silence. (probably having a rocking time eating kick butt food, seeing great places, or just dawdling with her handsome new husband)
The Morphet Report on Pupsters:
Today was the first day the dogs actually could be calm in the same house while not sleeping. haha! Progress! I am enjoying some snuggle time with both pups now which I ADORE! The door is open to the backyard since the weather has been cool - and that means no accidents. I think she is picking up the rhythm of the house by following Lucky's routine. Bella is such a beautiful name for a dog who farts so much.And that's it for now. Best part of the story is that I have no idea when the lovely couple are returning from their phenomenal honeymoon. I can't remember when I was left to get away without having to report such details.
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