I miss the good 'ol days

Yesterday I had to take one of my little ones to the dentist. I was told that I needed to bring her in at 8:00 in the morning and to plan on about seven hours. I was also told that they would have to put her under while they cleaned her teeth. Here is a rundown of the prices they charged me:
1 catheterization IV...$32
1 IV drip line...............$15.20
1 Sodium Chloride......$26.80
1 Sharps disposal fee..$3.40 (I guess I should have offered to throw it in the trash myself)
1 teeth cleaning...........$165.50
2 x-rays.........................$45
1 isofluorane................$51.50 (does anyone even know what this is?)
2 Dental nerve block...$68
2 extraction...................$34.60 (perhaps Blake could have pulled out his pliers)
1 molar extraction........$58.50 (this one must have been a doozy to pull)
14 Clavamox..................$31.08
4 Rimadyl......................$26.80

It turns out that she had two teeth that were so loose, they had to be pulled. She also had one tooth that was abscessed. They told me they would have to take a minimum of two x-rays and possibly more. So my grand total was $561.24. Now, some of you might say well, that's the price you have to pay to keep your kids healthy. But what if I told you this was for my DOG!
Yup that's right. $560 stinkin' dollars to get my dogs teeth cleaned. What has this world come to? I grew up with dogs. We always had one or two. I never remember my parents taking them to get their teeth cleaned, and guess what, they lived happy and productive lives. They played outside. They ate horse poop. They slept on my bed at night. And we NEVER brushed their teeth! Now you might say, "so just don't do it then, if it's such a problem". Well, here's the dilemma. Whenever I take her to the vet to get her shots updated, they shake their fingers at me and say "you are such a bad mom, you need to take better care of your pet. How can you possibly not take the best care of her that you can. You don't even deserve to have a dog. ABUSER!" Okay, so maybe they don't actually SAY it, but they are thinking it! They put such a guilt trip on me, that how can I NOT do it? Then to make matters worse, I have to go home and tell Blake that he has to fork out half a grand to get our pooch's teeth sparkly clean. Yesterday, when I broke him the news, it drove him into a cussing, ranting, frenzy. So, now I have to decide. Am I more afraid of the vet, or Blake? Who will rant the most. Can't we all just get along? Well, I've gotta run, it's time to give the dog her pain pills and antibiotics. Oh, yeah, and I have to cook her a scrambled egg. The vet said I have to. Perhaps we should put her in our will as well.

Gold Standard

I found this video very interesting and wanted to share!

To be naked or not to be naked...

The other day, I woke up at the crack of dawn, and threw on my suit and headed to the pool. Yes, it's the beginning of Triathlon season. After an invigorating swim, I headed for the dressing room. It was there that I was posed with a question that I have been mulling over in my mind ever since. My friend sat waiting for me, as she had already showered and was dressed. Now, the big question...to change in the dressing room, or out in the open. I have been puzzled by this dilemma for a couple of years now. If you walk over to the men's side, you'll see a flock of happy men, walking and talking and showering...naked. They don't care if they know each other or not. They don't care if they are fat or skinny. They don't care if they are hairy or bald. They are just naked. Now back to our girls side. You hardly see a naked body anywhere. The women are scurrying behind curtains and covering up with towels. Why the difference? Is it modesty (or lack thereof), is it shame (or lack thereof), is it judgements? A couple of years ago, as I began running triathlons and swimming at the pool, I thought I'd take a stand and start a revolution. I'm tired of women being ashamed of their bodies. I'm tired of us never feeling good-enough, or skinny-enough, or tan enough. So I started changing out in the open! But I have to say, I am self-conscious every time. Maybe it's because I'm one of the only ones standing butt-naked in a group of carefully covered up women. Maybe it's the strange looks I get. Whatever the reason, I try to stay strong, but sometimes I falter. So back to the other day. I'm standing there, thinking about taking my stand, (my naked stand) and my friend is sitting right there, waiting, watching. I stalled a little as I tried to decide what to do. Finally, I caved. I grabbed my stuff and went behind the curtain. When I came out, there stood my friend, talking to another fellow swimmer. Who was standing there completely naked! I shook my head, (at myself) and silently applauded the bravery of my fellow birthday-suitee. I resolved to stay strong. As we left my friend said, "It's kind of hard to have a conversation when a person is standing there naked." So, I guess the battle continues. I have to try to remain strong, to stand up for women everywhere.
To be like the guys and just be happy to be me. To be okay with my body no matter what the shape, size, or color. But for now, just give me my towel!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Tell me one I haven't heard...

Story #1
Last Saturday morning, Blake and I were enjoying a rare "sleep in" day and we were reading in bed. Halli came in and jumped on Blake and started telling him knock knock jokes. He wasn't really in the mood and said, "Halli there aren't any knock knock jokes I haven't heard so you don't need to tell me any." Now, one thing he should know by now is that you never tell one of us Davis girls that there is something we can't do! I saw the look in Halli's eye and I couldn't wait for the next few minutes to unfold. I was really rooting for her behind my book! After a minute, her eyes lit up and she said, "Knock knock," to which Blake begrudgingly replied, "who's there?" There was a pause then Halli said, "I forgot!" He thought he'd be funny and said, "I forgot who?" Then a full smile broke out on Halli's face and she yelled, "I forgot you!" We all started laughing so hard, and Blake conceded, "you got me, I've never heard that one!" Aaaahhh, Saturday mornings! One of my favorite parent moments!

Story #2
Faith was playing around in the kitchen where I was trying to get dinner on. I am usually an expert at zoning out everything around me and doing what I need to do, but she was being extra loud. I asked her a couple of times to quiet down, but she was still being super loud! I finally said, "Faith, why don't you go turn on Planet Earth (her favorite movie)". She said, "Okay, Mom...that's so I'll be quiet right?"
They are on to me!

Ring in the new Year!

I always dreamed of hitting the jackpot when I was little. I'm not a gambler, so I'm not talking Vegas here. I'm talking about in the man department. I would sit and gaze out my window and wonder what my future husband was doing. Being a bit of a musical lover, and having seen the show "The Music Man", I would sing every night to him. "Good night my someone, good night my love" etc. Okay, okay, I know it's cheesy, but it shows what a romantic I am! I don't put much value in "things" unless they have sentimental value to me.

A little over a year ago, I lost my wedding ring in Chicago. I was sick to my stomach as I tried to retrace my steps and track it down. But it was to no avail. I was so sad to have lost the ring, not because it was big and fancy or even expensive, but it was the ring with which Blake asked me to spend the rest of our lives together...and longer! I've been ring-less for over a year now and to tell you the truth, I have begun to wonder if he'd ever get me a new one! He jokingly said that one was all I'd get and I was beginning to believe him!

He really tricked me good for Christmas this year. I had no idea what he was getting me. He was throwing all kinds of curveballs and I was so confused! Finally on Christmas morning he gave me the present. Before I could open it, he gave me the picture that is posted above. He told me to read it out loud and as I did, I could barely see through the tears in my eyes! I knew right away what was in the box. (The box filled with a towel and a package of flour to throw me off!) I opened the box, and there was the most beautiful ring! The thing I love the most is that it has such beautiful symbolism. The ring has one big diamond and several smaller diamonds "flowing" away from the bigger one. It represents a lake and a river. It ties in with the poem that he wrote.

So I think I did hit the Jackpot. I am so lucky to be married to my best friend, the person I want to tell everything to, and share my life with. The man who is an amazing Father to our beautiful girls. The man who loves me much more than I deserve sometimes, and who I look up to and adore more than he'll ever know. So, to the "someone" who has become mine... True love can be whispered from heart to heart, now goodnight my someone, goodnight!

Note: I have grappled with whether or not to post this. As it is personal, and yeah, a bit cheesy! However, since I'm using this blog as my journal; personal is what you get! If it's a bit too sugary for you to swallow, just skip to another post! ;)

Happy Anniversary!!!

Hey Baby,

Henry David Thoreau said, “For every thousand people hacking at the leaves of evil, there is one hacking at the roots.”
That reminds me of you and your constant resolve to do what is right.
As an example of everything that is right and good you are one in a thousand.
As a Mother you are one in a million.
As a Wife, there is no number to compare. You are truly priceless!
I love you more than life, and I look back with immense pride at the last 13 years we have had together. As always, I look forward with great hope and love to our future together. With the strength we have built together I am sure we will breeze through whatever comes our way. Happy Anniversary.

I Love You,

Blake

P.S. To prove I actually wrote this: You’re also Stinkin HOT!!!!