and we're off... see ya on the later!

Well... we are off. Our flight is scheduled to depart at 6am. We should be in "Mickey-Land" by 3pm.

We won't be back until Sunday afternoon (November 29th)... I don't have any blog posts scheduled to post while we are on vacation... I suppose my blog is taking a little vacation too.

Check back in around December 1st for some more posts... and I hope everyone has a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

update on Alfie's weight.

Well... I didn't end up taking Alfie to the vet today for a weight check. Things were crazy hectic... plus it was raining. So we will go another day. Not much of an update, but there you have it.

alfie: "i'm hungry"

Alfie is my hungry little man. Due to his weight issues (see prior posts: http://melner.blogspot.com/search?q=obese), Alfie's food is measured and regulated. I know that might sound harsh... I mean he is a dog... but, if Alfie has food, he will eat it. Period. He will not stop. So we have to make sure he doesn't eat too much... needless to say, there are numerous times during the day in which Alfie wants food (note: in general, we space out his little meals and give him small portions of food throughout the day).

Alfie will whine and beg and be generally miserable when he wants food (and many times these moments aren't when he actually needs food). It is so sad... and slightly amusing (not the miserable part, but the whining can get pretty ridiculous at times).

So here are some pictures to illustrate the process (and notice my little helper giving Alfie his food - he is quite helpful at this and loves being my "feeding assistant").

Hayden always likes to give Alfie one more piece of kibble... SO cute!!!And we are back to where we started... only to have the whole process repeated again in 2-3 hours.

Note: Aflie goes in for another weigh-in today at 4:30pm. I'll let you know how that goes later this afternoon with another blog post.

cheese crackers. yummy!!!

Lately I have been in a serious “cheese cracker” mode. This is very unlike me. In general I am a “sweets person” (think chocolate, peanut butter, cake, cookies, ice cream, etc.).

I know processed food isn’t good for me and that these crackers aren't the healthiest things in the world, but I honestly don’t care. I like them.

My favorites are ‘Lance’s Grilled Cheese’ and ‘Lance’s Sharp Cheddar Cheese’.These 6-packs are yummy and I am able to prolong the eating period by only eating one cracker at a time (this works well for me and my eating issue).

They get my seal of approval!

my little casanova

Last Friday, we went to a Razorback basketball game. We sat in the box with my family (as usual). And we had a lovely time.

One unique thing that occurred was Hayden’s flirting escapade with some sweet girls in the box next-door (note: the box next-door is the Coach’s box).

It was HILARIOUS!!!

Toward the end of the game, his eye caught sight of the two lovely ladies and he immediately began courting them.

There is a glass divider between the boxes and the girls began writing Hayden messages and placing the paper against the glass to communicate.

They began by letting Hayden know their names: Catherine and Grace. And their ages: 9-years-old. They wanted to know Hayden’s name and age, so we wrote it down for Hayden and Hayden proceeded to place the message on the glass.

Grace then let us know that she is the coach’s daughter (so Hayden was hitting on the Arkansas Razorbacks’ Basketball’s Head Coach’s daughter… awesome!).

They asked Hayden if he liked ice cream… then they asked the funniest question, “do you work out?”… I cracked up!

Hayden was just having a fabulous time… I, of course, took some pictures of the escapade… I mean, the whole thing was priceless!

Hayden placing his message on the glass (while Grace writes her message in the box next-door)

Showing another message

Playing with each other through the glass...

And on the way to the car after the game, I asked Hayden what he thought about the girls. His response: "good."

Note: We asked Hayden if he wanted to go over to their box and actually see them or say good-bye and he said “no.” He was extremely adamant about that. So although he wanted to communicate with the girls, he only wanted to do so behind the “safety” of the glass: without having to actually be with them. I understand that though… I am very reticent to communicate in person (I would rather email… or blog).

a little update on "my fickle friend"

Note: Reader discretion is advised. Especially men-readers! The following blog post discusses a feminine “issue” and may be disturbing to some readers.

About a month ago I posted about my “fickle friend” (meaning monthly menstrual cycle that isn’t exactly monthly)(see prior post for full details: http://melner.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-fickle-friend.html).

My cycle is so irregular and annoying, ranging in length from 28 to 55 days (with no consistency regarding its times of existence).

Last month, after stressing out over its delay in appearance it finally showed itself at cycle day 54.

And this month… back to 33. Silly cycle. You really do annoy me.

But I will say, I would rather it come early as opposed to late (because now I won’t worry that I am pregnant – which I do not want to be). Also, it came before my big trip to Disneyworld.

I have to say, it feels very good to “get it out of the way” and to not have to fret about its impending emergence.

So my thanks’ goes out to my “fickle friend.” For once I appreciate you. Maybe I will appreciate you more if you continue to come at 33 days. Work on some regularity and I will truly be impressed and grateful!

bip trip... going to disneyworld!

This upcoming Saturday (November 21st), I will be heading to Disneyworld!

I am excited; however, I am also stressed and nervous.

I may be the only person who stresses out about traveling, but I do (note: my husband thinks I am crazy and neurotic and doesn't seem to understand my apprehension...).

I am a home-body and when I am away from home it makes me anxious. Also, as someone who struggles with food and eating it’s tough going out to eat a lot and being surrounded by so much food (and not being in my comfort-zone where I feel safe in terms of food and my food options).

I worry about how Hayden will be (on the plane, at the hotel, at the amusement parks, etc.). I worry about the family dynamic and how everyone will get along and “behave” (note: in all there will be approximately 15 of us going – all family members).

I just worry. I am a worrier.

The trip will be awesome though. I know that. And there will certainly be posts pertaining to the trip after I return (note: we will be gone for OVER a week – not returning until Sunday, November 29th).

So wish me luck... and that I won't worry too much. I certainly need it!

P.S. This will be Hayden's second trip to Disneyworld... we went for his 1st birthday... I know... we are odd.