Just Call Me Dr. Doolittle

What do you do for your little girl who was too sick to have her birthday sleepover?

Postpone it? Rent a movie? Take her for out for ice cream? Rent a clown?

Nope. We buy a bunny. I'm not talkin' about a trip to the Build-a-Bear store to create a stuffed bunny complete with a satin heart tucked inside. Yes, you read it right. We spoke her love language... animal kingdom, aka animalia leporidae, aka the cutest softest velvety black bunny you've ever laid your eyes on.

Meet Luna.

She is a Mini Rex which means that she will only reach about 4.5 lbs. (compared to the lops which reach 9 lbs.) Don't let this little tidbit of information fool you. Most people do their research and then go purchase a pet. Not us. No, we like to make impulse purchases that go something like this:

Mr. NEM: Hey, I'm at the farm store and they just got some really cute bunnies in.

Me: I don't know how to take care of bunnies, but they sure are cute

Mr. NEM: I had rabbits growing up and they are super easy

Me: um... okay, but where will it sleep?

Mr. NEM: I'll build a little hut for it in the backyard.

Me: Sure, as long as it is low maintenance.

So he brings her home in a plastic crate and after getting parents of the year award, we decide to keep the crate in the garage until he can build the hut.

By bedtime I'm thinking it might be wise to do a little research on the internet about our newest family member.

**Note to self: research is usually more beneficial prior to purchase of live animal**

This is when we realize that cute-little-ball-o-fur probably won't survive in our backyard, and said ball of fur needs a leeeetle more than just a plastic crate.

Somehow, Mr. NEM found pure delight in the prospect of building a bunny condo.

He did not disappoint.

Now before you go thinking I've lost my ever-lovin' mind, the bunny condo is not IN our house. She resides very comfortably in our garage complete with heat lamp and softly playing music.

Our birthday girl (and maybe her momma, too) makes sure that Luna gets plenty of playtime...

and snuggle time, too!

One little detail that Mr. NEM forgot to mention was that the rabbits he owned as a child were actually wild rabbits that he caught and kept as pets. Um, hello feral rabbit. Ever heard of rabies?! Just a little sumpin' that he kinda left out when he was expounding his knowledge of rabbit care experience. ;)

But since Luna is so cute and snuggly, I totally forgive him!

Remember our ducks? One of the benefits of owning ducks was the short term commitment. In my little bit of research, I discovered that bunnies live between 8-13 years. Years. That means I'll still be hanging with Luna when Birthday Girl leaves for college. Wowsers.

Any tips on bunny care? Do tell!

A Friendly Reminder

Hey girls, I know you spend most of your time caring for your family, friends and all the bajillion things that have to get done in a day. But today, make time to take care of YOU. Have you had your annual PAP exam? If the answer is no, DO it.

Don't delay. I know it's no fun, but we need to take care of ourselves.

Have you checked these lately?

You know what I mean. Do a monthly check. It takes 2 minutes. Two minutes that could save your life. Ask your doctor about a mammogram. Let the good times roll!

If you are 40+ admit it long enough to schedule an appointment, then you can go back to denial and enjoy being 39 for another year. ;)

What a way to start a Monday morning, huh?

You know I love ya. You're worth taking care of!

Take care of yourself so that you can handle all 106 bajillion things on your list. Wait, I guess it's 107 bajillion now.

If you are one of my few faithful male readers and you actually made it this far into the post, make sure the woman in your life is taking care of herself. She deserves it.

Happy Monday!!!

Sunday Rest

God's voice thunders in marvelous ways;

he does great things beyond our understanding.

He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,'

and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'

Job 37:5-6

East Meets West

Bloggy world has been good to me this week. First of all, I finally got to meet IN REAL LIFE Gretchen of the West. We've been blog fwends for a few months and what a blessing to finally get to give her neck a hug.

She's just as wise, adorable, and funny as I thought she would be. And she has a talent for making you feel special when she calls you "honey." Love her.

CPQ hosted a brunch, complete with her amazing orzo, for us bloggy friends to get togetha. The conversation flowed so easily, you would think we've known each other forever. Laughter, encouragement and conversation about real life spilled out onto the page of life that day.

I placed my first etsy order this week, yes I did. It's about time, huh? I'm a little slow sometimes. Anyways, I was so pleased with how quickly it arrived. Can you believe the price? Hopefully I'll have pictures when we do the big room reveal.

I felt all grown up and faincy-like with 2 ladies lunches this week. My mom treated me to an amazing new French restaurant in town. Ooh-lala! Even the menu was written in French. Oui!

While my dad treated the grands to a lunch of their own, we feasted on crepes.

On Valentines Day I received this beauty from the uber-talented Heather. She was having a giveaway and I WON!!! Thanks, Heather! Love, love, love it!

May I Suggest...

Ever get tired of the car mess? Me too. Now that the kids are older, the crumbs are much more manageable, but I still have stuff. I keep this basket in my front seat to contain all of my papers, books, coupons, snacks etc...

A dear friend gave it to me as a gift and I use it all the time. It's the perfect size and durable. Want one? Last year Target had some solid color ones in their spring/summer picnic collection, so keep your eye out this spring. I've also seen some cute ones in Hallmark stores.

Are your hands suffering from the winter weather? We are constantly bathing our bodies in using hand sanitizer. I keep this in the car because it is not as harsh on my skin and the smell isn't perfumy:

I found it at Harris Teeter (grocery) in the pharmacy section.

Since the theme of the day is the car, I thought I'd share the best $4 I've ever spent:
We keep one of these in the backseat and it has greatly improved the quality of life back there. When the kids were little my husband used to say that he didn't have to worry if we got stranded because we could live for a week off the cheerios, goldfish, and half eaten chicken nuggets hidden in the backseat. Now I guess we'll just starve. :)

Well, the kids will starve. I'll live off of these:
Swoon. My mother-in-law brought these back from a recent trip to NYC. A little piece of heaven in your mouth. They are so rich and delicious I only eat 3-4 and I am satisfied. Shocking. Did I mention how pretty they are? They have a shimmer. What girl doesn't like a little shimmer?

Tell me about something you keep in your car.

Olympic Madness

Ya'll. I'm addicted. I find myself squealing and jumping off the couch. I never jump off the couch. Evah. I cry over the personal stories about brothers with CP, overcoming injuries and first-time medals. I stay up waaaay too late cheering, holding my breath, and learning all kinds of new words like fakie, biter, and choctaw.

In a world of chaos, war, and strife, we all come together for the next two weeks to cheer on the home team as well as the underdog. I found myself enjoying the view of my children as they sat riveted to the screen as they watched mogul skiing and couples skating for the first time. What a great life-lesson in hard work, risk, courage, victory, failure, and determination.

I know most girls love the figure skating, but my favorite events are the snowboard halfpipe and snowboard cross. I might have to skip out of the fellowship time of bible study tonight to make it home in time to watch. :)

What is your favorite Winter Olympics sport?

Do you stay up past your bedtime during the games?

Sunday Rest

Give thanks to the Lord

for He is good;

His LOVE endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34

Happy Valentines Day