Taking it easy...

Sure, call us doodyheads for not asking where you were, then tell us you're gonna leave us hanging....
 
Most of the time I don't think I have any genuine contribution - I mean, I'm not a trainer, not a show person, groomer, or anybody special.  Heck, I don't even have a dog right now.  Does that mean I should go away, too?

No, you are both two of my favorites! 

I'm not an expert on anything either.  I may be a little opinionated at times, but I have no experience other than what I've gone thru with Willow. 

I actually like having other owners to bounce things off of, I don't always want an expert opinion, just a real life opinion. 

Hope you feel better Jules.  And, I miss Shari a lot too, Tina.  Are you planning on getting another dog sometime?

Lol Tinadoodyhead...When I got sick and missed about a week it looked like nobody noticed I fell off the planet.  That absence gave me the time to notice that I needed to ease up, not disappear completely.  I miss you guys too much to be gone more than a few days.  I look at it like I am recharging my batteries in a way.  I do have a funny event that happened yesterday though. 
I have been trying to encourage Nicholas to potty train lately because he is maxing out the size 6 diapers.  Anywho, I got a cool suggestion to float cheerios in the toilet as a target to hit and reward him with a sticker for a job well done.  I didn't have any cheerios on hand but I found cheddar goldfish crackers in the pantry that float just fine.  I get him in front of the potty trying to pee on the goldfish.  I tell him to stay put a moment while I dashed into the kitchen for a sticker incase he really does pee.  I was gone about six seconds.  I get back and no pee.  He hadn't flushed but all the goldfish were gone.  I had a bad feeling.  I said, "Nicholas, show mommy your see-food." and sure enough he opens his mouth and shows me a mouthful of softened goldfish just as he swallowed!  OOhhh ack!!
Needless to say that's the end of target practice for stand up peeing!!  I won't look at another goldfish cracker the same way!
That's about my only excitement here, and I still check in on my fave doodyheads; Loridoodyhead, Amydoodyhead, Joycedoodyhead, Glendadoodyhead, Billydoodyhead, rondoodyhead, Lesliedoodyhead, Katedoodyhead, Jeanodoodyhead, there are so many to list.  I will check in later...love to all from Julesdoodyhead. 

Thread hijack alert - you don't mind, do ya' Jules?
 
Lori,  I do want another dog, but I know right now is a bad time because I'm still grieving for Shari.  It would be completely unfair to a new dog because it wouldn't be Shari and I don't want to hurt a relationship because "it's just not Shari".  On the back burner, in my mind, I'm thinking of adopting an older dog (as in, not a puppy) because I work full time and wouldn't have a chance for proper housebreaking.  I think I will know when the time is right and the dog is, too.

Tina--I totally understand.  I'm more of an adult dog person myself. 
 
Sorry, JULES!!  I didn't even think of thread hi jacking when I started that! 
 
Have a great day and nice 4th, my friends.  []

I said, "Nicholas, show mommy your see-food." and sure enough he opens his mouth and shows me a mouthful of softened goldfish just as he swallowed! OOhhh ack!!

 
That will be a story you can share with everyone for years to come [sm=rofl.gif]

See, Jules?  That's exactly the reason we neeeeeed you - the stories about you adventures in raising children are hilarious!

I dont ever feel like I have much to contribute... most of what I know if from you guys.  I just post away anyway lol.  I was gone for a few days too and didnt think anyone noticed but that doesnt matter... lol... maybe they did and didnt say anything.  I did actually notice when you were gone and though about asking but then I just thought, people get busy....
 
I post a ton and start to feel like Im annoying sometimes (not fishing either) but like you said I think thats normal. 
 
We all make this forum what it is, I hope you decide to come back soon!

Lori, I do want another dog, but I know right now is a bad time because I'm still grieving for Shari. It would be completely unfair to a new dog because it wouldn't be Shari and I don't want to hurt a relationship because "it's just not Shari". On the back burner, in my mind, I'm thinking of adopting an older dog (as in, not a puppy) because I work full time and wouldn't have a chance for proper housebreaking. I think I will know when the time is right and the dog is, too.

I felt exactly like that.  Thank goodness DH forced me to go to the shelter and look.  I feel in love with Bailey the minute I saw her I knew.  She was the 2nd dog we saw.  There were a ton more cute ones but I just knew with her.  She just looked into my eyes and it was like Kayla was telling me something.  Some people may think Im crazy but they are connected.  I totally agree that the dog will speak to you when its the one... and you wont compare as much as you think you will.

I still grieve for Kayla all the time.  Every day I still cry at least once.  I dont think that will ever go away... I really dont.  Bailey makes me cry sometimes because so much she does is just like Kayla and its like a sign that she is still here with me. 

Not to hijack,but Jules - that potty training story brought back so many memories.  My sisters youngest is a year older than my youngest.  I remember her telling me that when she was potty training, she tried to teach him when to stand and when to sit ... but he couldn't remember. So he'd sit on the toilet and pee straight across on the wall, or he'd stand in front of it and poop on the floor.  When it was my turn, I just got mine a little step stool so he could get up there and straddle, sitting backwards.  Then, whatever he did landed in the right place. []

Joyce

Aww Jules, I'll miss you...I love the stories you share with us about Grrrrrady, they're hilarious! But you gotta do what you gotta do....Take care and make sure those batteries recharge soon and get back to us soon! We'll all miss you! [] 

 
Can I be a doodyhead??? []

Jules - I can relate to the "not contributing much" feeling, and it's true that the forum (actually, the internet in general) can really become a major distraction from other things in life that need some attention! 
 
After you recharge your batteries a while, please come back and regale us with your huh-larious child rearing stories!  I don't have kids, but my neighbor does and she's always telling us these crazy situations that are highly stressful for her, yet truly comical to me.  Lately I've been able to make her laugh by sharing your stories.  My husband cracks up at them, too. 
 
Hey, I have an idea.  With the extra free time that you'll have away from the forum, I think you should write all the funny stories of your kids and put them into a collection.  You have a way with words that would make for a great book!  I'd buy it for sure!! 

I don't always post when I'm here. Some people might find the idea of me being gone for a few days a cause for joyous celebration. But you do whatever you've got to do.
 
Sometimes, a rest is good. It can renew your perspective.