What can I do?

What to do about Sassy Sophie? While I was downstairs, she was upstairs. She shimmied over the baby gate, messed around upstairs and wreaked havoc in my closet. When I went upstairs I could smell alcohol (not the drinking kind). I didn't know if I was going to deal with nail polish or something else. Turns out she put on my whole bottle of fragrance and found some makeup. She climbed on my dresser, reached up to the top shelf where I had her glitter hair gels, etc and pulled them all down. I thought that they would be out of reach up there... sadly mistaken.

She knocked off my jewelry box and all the loose jewelry that was on my dresser. (take note: this is how I lost one of my pearl earrings already.)

The red mark on her nose is from tumbling down the stairs, aided by Lily.

And, because she's not cheeky enough, she just cut a big lock of her hair. She was holding scissors, I asked for them and held out my hand. She said no, reached back and cut the back of her hair! What am I going to do!! She's 3!! I'm exhausted already and I still have 2 other children to raise.

good dog

My sweet dog Lilly has been plagued by a nasty yeast infection in her ear.  She gets it every year about this time.  It's been 3 years now.  Not the nicest thing to talk about or imagine.  Why am I posting about it?  Because she is the sweetest, gentlest dog I know. Not only has she tolerated me flushing her ear out repeatedly and poking it with q-tips and cotton balls but she lets me blow dry her ear!!

I recently read that you can use a half white vinegar and half warm water solution to clean the ears and I must say that it works like a charm.  Certainly better than the stuff I was getting from the vet.  I also read that moisture and warmth are factors in a yeast infection and since a lab's ears are long and floppy, she is a prime candidate.  *They* (people in the online world) suggested drying the dogs ears to reduce these factors.  One person said their dog didn't like that so they just took lots of trips in the back of the truck to let the wind dry their ears.

Well, I settled in and prepared to put Lilly in a headlock but surprisingly she loved it.  She started to get sleepy eyes and kept putting her paw up for me to rub her.

Who knew that dogs like spa treatments as much as ladies do?  

The writing's on the wall

Okay, I guess I see it now.  The teenage years are going to be tough.  Spunky Sophie likes to do things her own way.  She climbed on my bathroom vanity and *drew* on my mirrors.  At least it was with soap.

Lincoln Memorial Inauguration Concert '09

clip of U2 at the Lincoln

Performance at the Lincoln

Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images - found on AOL's home page

My oh my, C. went downtown to help with final preparations for the concert and to watch.  He just called and gave me a quick rundown.  He said there are 35 celeb/performers there!!  He casually mentioned that he saw Bruce Springstein, Jon Bon Jovi (Hello, Slippery When Wet was my very first concert and I still like him.), Queen Latifah (love her too) and so many others.  Casually he says, "oh, you should see what Will.I.Am is wearing today - he's cool."  Gee, if I only could see!  I'm very envious.  Even if I did want to take all 3 kids downtown, walk, brave the cold...and the crowds, I still wouldn't have the backstage access he does.  I'd have to hang with the proletariat.  Which, by the way, is behaving quite unruly I've heard.  C. said there has been a lot of pushing and shoving with a number of small injuries.  I don't have an estimate of the crowd numbers yet.  He's concerned that the swelling crowd will knock down the barriers by the Reflecting Pool and people will fall in.  Although it's only 2 feet deep, it has a thin layer of ice on it and there would be unpleasant consequences.

The concert is scheduled to begin at 2:00 est and C. had to abruptly hang up, seems some celebrity caught his attention.   I guess C. didn't hear me screaming "put them on the phone!  Whoever it is, let me talk to them!!  Find James Taylor for me!!"

He said that his other cell phone wasn't getting service (he called from the work phone), probably because POTUS* was in the area.  Word is, when Mr. Obama is in the vicinity, all cell phone transmissions will be blocked.  The security on this gig is unbelievable.  

C. promised he'd take a lot of pictures so check back later.  I've no idea when he's coming home.  Some of his colleagues who have to work on Tuesday are spending the night in their offices on Monday so they don't have to deal with getting into the District.  Thankfully he doesn't have to report on Tuesday.

*POTUS (President Of The United States)

Presidential Inauguration preparations

What a week! C. is on the logistics coordination team for the Opening Ceremonies of the Presidential Inauguration and has worked until 11:00 pm or so every night for the past week and a half.

He's starting to reap some of the rewards though; today he got to meet his idol, John Mellancamp. They are both from Indiana. They spoke a bit and DH even gave his family a tour of the Lincoln Memorial! He made some neat connections with U2's production crew - we may even get to go to their concert and backstage later this year! Keep your fingers crossed.

There are so many wonderful performers here in DC right now. Another public figure that C. is hoping to meet is Tiger Woods! C. is a fantastic golfer and admires Tiger (who doesn't?)

He got to hear Sheryl Crow and Will.I.Am practicing for their duet.  He also got to hear the Boss but no pics.  

What do you think of the portapotties?  Is that too much or do you think it's festive?

HBO will be showing the Lincoln concert for free at 7:00 pm EST on Sunday, 1/16.  Be sure to watch.