Leah Barr

It has come to my attention, from several comments sent to me, that I need to update this blog. I agree, I’ve been completely swamped lately and it has been neglected. I shall try to be more diligent with this in the future.

So much has happened since the last time I posted. The kids are now out of each respective grade and looking forward to the new school year because they’ll all be going to new schools. We’re moving, starting today, to a very nice part of town with excellent schools and a very low crime rate. We haven’t had anything happen to us crime wise but it’s always nice to move into an area even safer than the one you’re in. Our new place is slightly smaller (the laundry and front closet are infinitely smaller) the kids bedrooms are actually a bit larger than the ones they have so they’ll be happy. I will miss my big bathroom but the new one is very cute.

The kids are sleeping still but will have to be woken shortly since we are taking seven yard bags of clothes and toys to Goodwill this morning. I estimated it was in the neighborhood of seven thousand dollars worth of clothes, since things like junior bridesmaid dresses and unopened packages of socks and underwear (too small when received as gifts for the kids) are in there. I’m really happy. These clothes have been clogging the drawers and taking up all the space for ages. Someone else deserves to enjoy them. There’s even multiple coats and jackets and dress shoes in there. I didn’t go through my shoes but I will for another trip later this week. It feels good to be giving these things away, especially with the economy the way it is. Keeping things you no longer need has started to feel very selfish.

So the pet situation: the dog had to be given back to the  place we adopted her from for numerous reasons. She’d become impossible in an apartment and it wasn’t anyone’s fault. She is a large dog and a lack of a yard as well as close quarters was too much for her. She became destructive and had started biting at faces, no matter what kind of discipline we used. We kept trying to train her and use ideas the trainer gave us but she was just too much. It took my husband 7 months to realize this. I’d known it the moment I looked at the dog, but at least he had those months to enjoy her. I do hope she’ll be adopted soon. Her name is Maya and she is at the PetCo on Pleasant Hill in Duluth, GA on weekends. There are so many dogs and cats that her foster home cares for that all deserve good homes. I hope if any of you are in the area that you’ll take the time to go look.

I’ve been watching the situation in Iran but on twitter as the CNN and other news sources don’t seem to know their arse from their elbow on this. If you haven’t been going to twitter please do.  There are so many pictures and messages from the people there. They are having to try to find proxy servers since the government is trying to stamp down their freedom in every way possible, including internet access. These people are fighting for their right to democracy and although it is scary and people are dying…it’s the way freedom and democracy has always been won. I hope that the people of Iran know how many here in America are watching and hoping with them that the violence, usually brought about by the “police”, ends soon and that they can find peace in their country.

Well, it’s about time to wake the children. I know that I didn’t update you on my book or on a million other things I meant to but for now this is all I have time for. I will try to update again later this week and hopefully then things will be a little less crazy. In the meantime, thank you to everyone who has commented (who wasn’t spam) and please understand that I get a TON of spam so I often don’t get time to actually go through the comments to weed out who is a real person. I’m honestly surprised I have people who read this and happy that you enjoy it. Please feel free to ask questions or prod me when I’ve taken too long to update. In the meantime, have a WONDERFUL Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on where you are and when you read it.

I’ve been working on my novel quite a bit lately. The story is having some hiccups but all in all it’s turning out quite well. Matt has been working on his as well and his writing is always wonderful.

We took the kids to Disney World last month. For any of you who have read earlier in the blog, I had mentioned a big surprise. That was it. They only found out about it the night before we went. They were ecstatic, the blonde kid even screamed. We had a marvelous time in the Magic Kingdom (although I could have sworn my feet were going to fall off) and then hung out with the short one’s grandparents the next day at Disney Hollywood Studios. A fantastic time was had by all. I have, somehow, lost an entire outfit of clothes. Jeans, shirt, bra…all missing. I’m wondering if I left it in a hotel. I can’t imagine I’d have not noticed them but they are not here so I have no idea.

My crazy, sweet, violent, black cat has been extremely put out with me lately. I haven’t been napping with her and she gets rather annoyed. I can tell because when she sees me (if I walk into the bedroom for anything) she gives me the stink eye and then swings her huge puffy tail around violently. On occasion the violent tail swinging results in Maggie hitting herself in the face. You have to stifle laughter in front of her, however, or she waits until you’re not looking and bites your ankle. It’s special.

Speaking of special, Maya (the dog) is driving me nuts. She is a very active dog and is going to be getting trained shortly. I cannot stand that she is so…what’s the word…orally fixated. She tries to eat the short kids hair and is constantly trying to eat my fingers, feet, legs…really anything she can get her mouth around or tongue on. I know most of you don’t know me that well so I’ll clarify for you…I don’t like being nosed (having a wet nose put on me, even my clothing) or licked. I am not a dog person. It isn’t that I dislike dogs, and they all LOVE me, it’s just that I like having my own space and every dog we’ve had doesn’t give me that. I think that’s why I prefer cats. Although Maggie wants me to nap with her she isn’t out here with her mouth, tongue or body all over me while I type. She will just ignore me for a few hours after she gets up, assured in her feline knowledge that her absence is punishment enough.

So my birthday is a week from tomorrow. I do not celebrate but I do look forward to it. I will be 29. I know, you’re wanting to know how many times I’ve been 29. Well, I’ve never been 29 before and when I turn 30 I’ll be proud to admit that too. I’m one of the few people who sees age as an accomplishment. I can’t wait to be 30, 40, 50. I think that each year is a triumph in that you did not become a statistic. I have survived for almost 29 years, sometimes by force of will alone, and I’m looking forward to each year that comes. It doesn’t hurt that I have a baby face, though. I can imagine that if I were aging prematurely or had lines of really any sort on my face that I’d be more horrified by the passage of time…but I don’t know. I think that laugh lines and crows feet can add character to a face. Just not mine right now.

I saw Twilight on Friday night. I was disappointed that one of my favorite exchanges between Bella and Edward had been butchered (superhero reference) but other than that I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed Kristin Stewart as Bella and Rob Pattinson can bite up my pillows, break my headboard and bruise me up anytime…so long as he’s Edward when he does it. There were things I understood needed to be changed and things that made sense for a movie but would have ruined the book. I think it was well done and kudos to Stephanie Meyer for her cameo in the diner. I’ll do a full review later.

I got back in touch with some old friends today. It was good to hear about their lives and all the stuff they’re doing. I find myself completely cut off sometimes, so much so that Saturday night, when I went to a small party at a friends house, I managed to learn all kinds of developments. Some people had lost weight, some had gained, some had cut their hair (me included) and some had grown it out. Some had started new relationships, were progressing in their relationships or had ended it. It was like being thrown into a reunion and, honestly, I realized how much I’ve missed all of them. They’re great people and so generous and caring. I couldn’t ask for better friends. That and Apples to Apples is a kick butt game.

So today was a bit of a loss. I got things done but only under the surface, nothing big. We’d been moving furniture around all weekend to change around the rooms. Once I’m done I’ll post pictures. The place is looking great. Today was fighting with the ever growing paper monster and figuring what our next steps were (and not lifting anything because my back was ticked off from the even minor lifting I’d done this weekend).  

Do you ever look back at the past and realize that the answers to things you didn’t understand are so much clearer now? I mean the reason I left jobs or relationships now seems so much more understandable and sometimes…weren’t very good reasons for the change at all. Don’t get me wrong, I’m really happy and all my mistakes and weird choices have led me to being married to a wonderful man and having three great kids who keep me on my toes. Add in the lame (literally) dog and mentally disturbed cat and it makes for one fun household. I don’t know that I’d change anything, except maybe the cat litter. Have to do that in the next day or so. What I mean is that I realize how childish I was at times, even in the relationship I’m in now. I’ve said and done things that were so stupid and yet he loves me enough to let it all go and just be calm. I love my taciturn man.

This is one of those moments I feel like we should discuss what we’ve learned today but I think I summed it up. The cat needs her litter changed and Apples to Apples is a great party game when you’ve had a couple drinks and of course muscle relaxers and pain killers are necessary if I lift anything more than about six pounds. Go back and neck injuries!

Well, I’m done rambling. I know you’re relieved.

Stay out of trouble.

It seems fitting that my first post to this blog will be about inane things that no one is really interested in. I’m 27, married and have a daughter and two step-children. Life is complicated at best. We also have a rescue dog who is intimidated by our five month old dark chocolate colored cat. It’s easy to understand his being intimidated as she is rather aggressive and yet manages to get cuddled on far more than he does.

With a place full of animals, kids, homework, a spouse and running my own business there is really only one thing I want: To be able to go to the bathroom by myself, without someone (usually a pet) joining me.

Maybe someday.