Meet Mt. Park Labradoodles

Hi. I'm Shyla the dog. This is Anna, my human sister,
from Mt. Park Labradoodles - that's where I was born.

Anna came to visit me recently in my new home.
We used to play Scrabble together at
Mt. Park Labradoodles.
She's a Scrabble Champion.

Anna gave me the nickname. "Pinot."
She says I was a whiner. I don't get it. Do you?


I used to jump on Anna and smother her with juicy wet kisses.
We were in love.

This is my doggy mom Paisley. She's pretty special.
In this photo I'm telling her, "GoodBye Mom. I'm leaving the nest here
at Mt. Park Labradoodles."


This was my human mom
at Mt. Park Labradoodles.
Her name is Debi Martin. She helped bring me into this world.


I left my home at Mt. Park Labradoodles when I was 7 weeks old. I've moved in with a groovy family who adores me - I have them wrapped around my little paw. They've taught me some cool tricks: SIT; STAY; COME; and to walk on a leash. I'll be learning how to cook next week.

Life is good.


I have a couple brilliant sisters and a really hot brother
looking for awesome homes like yours.
Did I mention the name Mt. Park Labradoodles before?

Click on the logo below and it will give you a zippy ride there!

Remember Milk Bubbles?

They are simply magical.

My son has discovered this classic joy of childhood.
It makes him smile.

I have found an adulthood joy...

...called Photoshop!

It makes me smile.

Spring Makeover

Every year about this time, I find myself with an urge to redecorate my WHOLE house (not that my urge will get satisfied mind you). Everything seems a little gray and dull. Spring is around the corner. Time to liven things up a bit. Especially my living room.

I make a trip to Walmart. Pick out 4 bright pillows. Things are looking up and I'm starting to feel better.

I purchase tulips (my favorite), instead of pork chops, when I do my grocery shopping and stick them in a vase with some black rocks. Instantly I become Martha Stewart.

The next transformation happens when a ray of sunshine pierces through my window. Warmth is spread throughout the entire room and everything is changed from dull gray to full technicolor! I feel as though I've been reborn and everything in life is good. I am complete. The birds are singing sweetly and my living room has been redecorated.


Now...I wonder if anyone in my family will notice.

Need Some Green?

St. Patricks Day is around the corner. It's also my dad's birthday. It's also the day you get pinched if you aren't wearing green.

Did I mention self promotion really isn't beneath me?
These are my latest "Green" pendants in case you need that color in your wardrobe soon.
www.monicamarie.etsy.com

Pop Can Purses

One day I had a crazy idea to turn used soda cans into a funky purse.

I started by painting the outside of a wooden box gold and lining the inside with rich velvety ultra suede. Is that a condradiction of terms? Velvety and Ultra Suede?


I cut several cans apart and arranged them like a puzzle until they covered the entire outside of the box. I used a thick adhesive to attach the soda cans to the wood box.


I used an actual "pull tab" to hook the chain on the side. The chain can be removed and I could use my purse for a really cool box for remote controls. Or for a jewelry box. Or a recipe box. Or just for a purse. I decided to use it just for a purse.


One day I wore my pop can purse to a hoighty toighty arty party. It was a hit and a really great conversation starter.


My husband doesn't "get" them.
They're kinda funky. Kinda wierd. Kinda like me.
Guess that says a lot!

Cigar Box Purse (without the cigars)

I used to be a graphic designer for a living. I really wanted to be a package designer but wasn't cool enough. Not to mention I didn't know math well enough to engineer a package design. But I could do a label design that would go onto a package design (Close enough for me).

Now that I'm a Stay At Home Mom, I live vicariously by just looking at package and label designs when I do my grociery shopping. Chances are, if a label is nicely designed, I'll buy the product. Can you say SUCKER? Yep. That's me.

Take this coffee label from Trader Joes for example. I fell in love with the label, so I bought the whole big container of coffee. I really can't remember if the coffee was any good, but dang...just look at that label. I put it on a cigar box purse I made. Isn't it pretty?

Then, just to fancy things up a bit (cause I really am a sparkly girl) I added glitter and rhinestones to highlight certain areas on the label.

Here is a label I liked from a can of olives. I put it onto a black jewelry box. Wouldn't you like a jewelry box with an olive label label on it?

Now...go out there and buy some products just for the label. The marketing and advertising companies will thank you for it.

When the real thing isn't available

If you're taken away from your litter of 10 siblings, and two of them are black... slippers are a good substitute to cuddle.

If you've bonded a little "too much" to your new owner and she isn't around...an empty pair of blue jeans will stand in quite nicely.


If you're craving a rich chocolate brownie but the cupboard is bare...
a handful of chocolate chips will do.

If your husband is in "the mood," but gosh darn it you're not....Naaaaah. This is a family friendly blog. You didn't think I'd really go there did you?

What could possibly be cuter then a teddy bear?

Our new pup Shyla.


7 weeks old. We just brought her home.
If you need a cuddler of your own,
http://www.mtparklabradoodles.com/

Dr. Laura and The Bachelor

I haven't watched the T.V. show, The Bachelor since way back many years ago with Trista and Ryan. That was an amazing romance and every girl's fairy tale. I've always been happy to see the occasional blurb about them on the news stands. They are still together and dreams DO come true, fairy tale romances CAN last. Sometimes?

A couple of weeks ago while surfing channels one monday night, I landed on the current Bachelor show with Jason. I got a brief introduction and decided to watch the season finale last night. What a complete dissapointment. I'm still feeling "disgusted" by Jason this morning.

If I was Molly, I wouldn't trust Jason with a 10 foot pole. I wonder what affect all this "women chasing" will have on Jason's little son?

I wonder if Dr. Laura was watching last night (though I can't imagine her spending time that way). She suggests divorced people wait until their children are grown and out of the house before dating again. Bringing other adults into and out of children's lives through the whole dating process only compounds their stress and loss. Adults change their minds, but often only after attachments with children are already made. Did you see how important it was for Jason's women to "connect" with his son?

NOT dating after divorce would be tough, but after watching Jason play musical chairs last night with his women, I think Dr. Laura makes a valid point. I hope I don't run into her alone in an elevator sometime - she'd probably scold me about a thing or two in my own life! But then again, maybe that would be a good thing.

NeonAftershock

Let me just brag a little. This is my girl after only 2 months of guitar. She figured out how to play "Blackbird" by the Beatles completely on her own. Not an easy song to play. She hasn't even shown her guitar teacher because she's shy that way (so i decided to show the world). She recently joined the Portland School of Rock, and also started a band called "NeonAftershock." You may ask, "in a band so soon?" And I reply, how can you play the electric guitar, be a teenager and NOT start a band? Doesn't it just go along with the territory? Enjoy the music and check out that pile of dirty clothes in the background!

Dog names

Cast your vote for your favorite dog name. I have my favorite but ultimately the kids will win out...unless of course I have a little viewer help! Shyla, Lucy, Thirty, Sharnay, Milly, Daisy, Mila, mugsy, Clover, Joy.

A New Puppy

We've lived in our house for nearly 14 years now. We've had all kinds of rodents for pets and several guinea pigs. We've even fostered kittens and a bunny once. My kids have begged for a dog for years. I was a little hesitant and my husband was adamant not to get one. This past weekend we caved - but only under the condition that they agree to my terms - share in picking up the poop, agree to take their turn going on walks, feeding the dog before they eat themselves...and so on. Now you may be thinking that's unrealistic and it will really end up being my responsibility. Yes I know and I can hear your collective laughter. But...I'm going to do my darnedest to hold them accountable too. So, before I laid any money down for a puppy, I had my kids sign a contract. It basically says that if they fail to the terms, or if Mom has to remind them constantly to help, they will forfeit a privilege or item of Mom's choice (something like cel phone usage, or screen time) until they are back on track. I also noted that the puppy we want costs money - a lot of money! There's the cost of the puppy itself, we need to build a fence, and of course routine vet visits and grooming. It will require some financial sacrifice on all of our parts - so I asked the kids what they would be willing to give up in order to help us afford the dog? I was thinking something along the lines of a couple months allowance. To my astonishment, they offered to give up a trip to Hawaii we have planned for this summer. Wow. That was a real indicator of how much they want a dog. So, we cancelled the trip and picked out a new puppy. Wish me luck. We'll bring her home next week and I for one CAN'T WAIT!

Teenagers

My little girl used to be the apple of her dads eye. She could do no wrong. He would throw her in the air, laugh when she pulled the books off the bookshelves, go for long adventures around the swamp together getting shoes and clothes completely soaked. Life was always so much fun with dad around. It was always me who would enforce the bedtime rules, the table manners, remind her to do her chores and be the main disciplinarian. It was hard, and sometimes I felt alone and sad doing it.

Today, my little girl is a teenager. 15 to be exact. She is so much like her dad in the way she thinks, processes, and argues - just like a lawyer. Today, they had a big fight about homework, grades and loss of priviledges. She stormed out of the house. He slung a little mud at me and then withdrew. I felt sick.

My husband is having a hard time seeing his little girl grow up, gain her independance and yes, talk back. It is hard for him to discipline with any effect now that she's a teenager. I'm witnessing in action what they always taught at parenting classes - You can't be your child's friend and expect to have authority when they get older. There needs to be fun, but a good measure of discipline along the way too. He's learning this the hard way.

I know the teen years are supposed to be challenging. Some days I want to completely give up. My daughter is used to me disciplining her...I've done it all along. We get mad, I dole out the consequences. We yell, we cry. She says how she hates living with our family and can't wait to move out in 3 more years. Sometimes she says she hates me, tells me I'm "mean." I know she's just venting, and I'm usually able to let her venom roll off me. Somedays I'm not as strong and it really hurts. I go to my bedroom and cry – wondering if I'm doing the right thing. Wishing there was a parenting manual like the one they give out prior to obtaining a drivers license. Something that has concrete directions for what is right and what is wrong, "do this but don't do that."

Within 24 hours we usually make up and my girl is right back sitting next to me telling me about her music, or important issues in her life. My heart melts and I feel bad for giving consequences. I waiver a bit, wondering in my head if I should let the consequences slide - I dread enforcing them and my baby girl is only here for "3 more years." But, I follow through, knowing I have to be consistent and hoping I'm helping her in the long run.

Now...if I could just remember where I hid her cel phone...