The Spike Series: Mad at Laurie

Hi, people,

Spike here again. My Grandmom (Laurie's Mom) said I should come back, and I always listen to her because she loves me (read: she gives me lots of loving and good presents/treats).

This time I need to vent to you about my Laurie. I have this suspicion that she cheated on me with another dog while she was away. You see, Laurie has been traveling a lot lately for work. Something about researching software options for the electronic medical record requirement for the upcoming implementation of the Affordable Care Act. While I do not understand all that, I do know I have been spending a lot more time with just "the man," or one time my buddy Heather came to hang out with me. I was okay when Laurie went to Albuquerque, I survived both my parents going to Dayton/Atlanta, but this trip to New York sent me over the edge.

Why, you ask...

Polly Cable Renfrew



This is Polly. She belongs to JennCable (yes, one word), and her fiance Doug. I know (and love) Jenn because she has stayed with us a couple times, but I did not get to meet Doug when he was in Denver for the wedding. Another reason I am upset about this whole wedding thing because Laurie says Doug is great.

Anyway, Laurie spent the second half of her New York trip visiting Jenn, Doug, and their sweet girl Polly. Winter Storm Nemo kept Danny home with me rather than joining Laurie in New York City as originally planned. On the one hand, I did have a steady stream of mangoes (more on that next time) from the man, but on the other it also meant that there was plenty of room on the air mattress in NYC for Polly to snuggle with my woman. While Laurie assures me that no one can snuggle like me,

Labor Day Nap, 2012

I still do not like to share. I am trying to stay positive by telling myself that other than one last business trip to Naperville next week followed by a visit home, Laurie and "the man" should both be around for a while. Even better than that, Laurie remembered last night that Polly had sent me a gift - an antler to chew on. I have never had one before but I think I like it.  Thanks, Polly! Perhaps you're not so bad after all...

 

 

Wedding Dress Dilemma

 

This morning I finally took my wedding dress to the dry cleaner. I was not sure what took me so long until I was asked if I wanted to preserve the dress or just clean it. I looked at Danny for the answer because I have been trying for months to make this decision. Finally, I said I would return later with the veil and an answer about what to do with the dress.

Much like many wedding-related decisions (i.e. my wedding ring), I knew what I wanted to do; but I needed help saying the words. I loved (still do) my dress, but I do not want to keep it in a box.  There are no guarantees that Danny and I will have children, let alone a girl.  Regardless, I do not want to put any real or perceived pressure that she should wear my dress because I saved it all these years AND paid an extra $30 to have it preserved. I am pretty sure any child of mine would be worried about the money or the fact that I had kept it for this possible purpose. Nope, I will not do it. 

Instead my hope for my wedding dress is that someone, even if I never meet her, will have the feeling that I did when I put it on. The dress I chose was the second one that I tried on.  I immediately was filled with "the feeling" that this was my dress, but I tried to remain calm thinking, who buys the second dress they try on? Just in case this was my dress, my parents put down a deposit; but I went to another store to try on this one dress that I had seen in a magazine and absolutely loved. I just needed to put that dress on before I could purchase another one. After a fun trip and tour of Coors Field, my parents and I went to a local store that sold the dress I that I could not get out of my mind. The only sample size was way too big for me, but even so it ITCHED! I mean crazy itched; I could barely stand in front of the mirror. I tried on a couple more dresses at that store before returning to the consignment shop the next day to purchase my dress. Once there I tried on a couple more dresses; but the moment I put "my" dress on, I allowed myself to cry the tears I had held back the first time. That moment with my parents (my Dad was such a good sport), was one of my favorite throughout the whole wedding planning process.    

There was a certain level irony in the strapless design, never in a million years did the girl with life-long, self-proclaimed "arm-issues" think she would wear a strapless dress on her wedding day.  So perhaps that dress has some sort of magical powers.  I felt beautiful when I put it on, and I felt beautiful on my wedding day. I want someone else to have that feeling. So when I returned to the store with my veil, I asked that it be preserved; but the dress should only be cleaned. I went through a lot to get my veil, plus I like the thought that perhaps it could be someone's "something borrowed." I walked out of the store comfortable in my decision. Now if I just knew where to send the dress?! One step at a time, I have a couple weeks to figure it out.