My seat has been thoroughly stolen. 😂😂😂

My seat has been thoroughly stolen. 😂😂😂

Literally just brushed my teeth when...

This is a long one. I just have stuff on my mind. Feel free to skip this. 😄😄😄

This is a long one.  I just have stuff on my mind.  Feel free to skip this.  😄😄😄

So to get this out of the way:  I'm in the midst of the worst menstrual cycle OF MY LIFE.  I felt so sick and exhausted before it started.  Then once it started flowing holy shit did it flow.  I've been using discs for a while now (emptying / cleaning every 12 hours) without any leakage but on Sunday I went with Shaun to pick up food and felt the dreaded "gush" happen.  I immediately grabbed some napkins and shoved them down my pants.  When I got home I'd actually overflowed my disc.  I checked it later on and it was full then, as well.  It's eased up as of now (thank goodness) but that was rough.

Around this same time I thought that since the big scary part of moving (driving a long distance with our animals and our stuff) was over and that we were getting settled I could ease up on my antianxiety meds.  Haha.  I guess I thought I felt fine but I noticed that I started feeling short of breath pretty often when that hadn't been the case before.  Until now I carried my tension in my shoulders.  I failed to realize that my chest was tight and that was restricting my breathing.  Between the awful PMS symptoms I was having and the shortness of breath I convinced myself that I probably had COVID.  I went so far as to schedule a test before I realized what was going on.  Fun times.

Needless to say I've felt pretty rough the last few days and have gotten very little accomplished.  On top of that the dogs have been indoors since the wedding on Sunday.  We've been taking turns sleeping on the couch with them to make sure there's no trouble since this is a new situation.  Cubba is house trained as far as not peeing or pooping indoors, but he'll still chew random things every now and then.  Rose never spent much time indoors but when she did had no issues soiling in the house.  She got into some cat food, though, and has since developed diarrhea.  I woke up the other day to 6 puddles of it in the carpet.  We put down puppy pads and she's using them for the diarrhea when it strikes while we're asleep.  She still hasn't wet indoors so that's good.  Cubba taught her well.

Other than that it's actually going ok having the dogs inside.  Kind of.  😂😂😂

Cubba is one of the most bomb-proof dogs I know.  He's not bothered by fireworks or animals or things being close to him.  In fact, he's so friendly that he will play with / go with anyone.  With that said, he ignores the cats like a good boy and will even pile up on the couch to sleep with them near.  They aren't scared of him, either.  I'm thankful for that.  I've had more kitty and puppy snuggles in the last few days than I can count.

Rose is exactly the opposite.  Everything scares her.  She is clearly very uncomfortable inside and just stays in one place unless she's following Cubba somewhere.  She met the cats a few days ago and is so scared of them that it's hard to get her back indoors once she goes out.  But then she whines and barks at the door if we leave her outside.  It's pretty annoying especially since she doesn't come to us without Cubba and she doesn't respond to her name. (She's not deaf.  She was scared by a sound the other day.)  We would take her out leashed but the child needs to RUN.  We play with her and throw toys for her and chase her because she likes it.  That is all of the interaction she wants from us, though.

The cats aren't afraid of her at all, it seems.  She's been swatted twice that I know of for getting too close.  Bastian hisses at her sometimes, but he also hisses at me if I walk too close to him so that's just how he is.  Balthazar straight up rubbed on her chin the other day and she was so petrified she didn't move.  Thankfully she is not reacting aggressively, but this is not ideal.  I had hoped that more rescues would be less packed here and that someone would be willing to take her but apparently the words "special needs" are kind of a red flag.  (I am not going to lie to get help.  I care about her well-being so I'm always up-front when I contact a rescue for help.)  So, our pretty little dumb-dumb is still here and we're still doing the best we can with her.

We had a mason come by today to give us an estimate on raising our block wall and that should be able to be done within a few weeks.  Once we do that we can put in a doggie door.  Until then we need to keep everyone (mainly Cubba) under lock and key because he will venture out to make friends if he can find a way.  And he's so stubborn that he will find a way.  He is 100% my child.  😂😂😂

Anyway, it's not exactly been a stress-free time.  I'm currently battling a pretty bad headache and kicking myself for wasting the day.  It's not easy settling in and I still haven't painted the kids' rooms and there is so much left to unpack and clutter bothers me a lot so you know - I'm having a great time.  😂😂😂  For real, though, I am loving the early morning balloons and the evening playtime and the weather and the food.  I am happy here and the kids and Shaun seem to be, as well.  But it's hard only focusing on all of the beauty and good things when life still feels upside-down.  I know we'll find our balance eventually and things will be great, though.  I just need to calm down and be patient, I guess.

Well, that's all I've got for now - just a bunch of rambling.  It feels better to have it out than to keep it in, so there you go.  I don't know why more of y'all don't do this.  😂😂😂  I'd read it.  Anyway.  I'm off to do some laundry or something.  I hope you all are well!  ❤

Un-enhanced photo of a double rainbow from our little balcony.

Un-enhanced photo of a double rainbow from our little balcony. Even the rainy weather here is gorgeous. 😍

I was planning to give it a rest today but I just can't.

I was planning to give it a rest today but I just can't. I got some pretty close-up video of a balloon and I thought you might like to see it.

The first photo is the view from our kitchen window of balloons, birds, and my beautiful husband.

The second photo is one that I couldn't have staged better if I'd tried:  Shaun and the pups balloon-watching while Shaun eats a leftover sopapilla with honey.

Best for last: A balloon descending over our neighborhood. You can see the flames and everything! If you have the volume up you can probably hear the pilots on the walkies (I could in person, anyway). But be advised that the flames / gas tanks can be loud so don't crank the volume if you're not supposed to be on social media. 😉

Happy Sunday, friends. ❤️❤️❤️

Balloon Video 1:  https://www.facebook.com/100001265763733/videos/213675437406056/

Balloon Video 2:  https://www.facebook.com/100001265763733/videos/401012054703531/

Today has been pretty good. Tiring, but good.

Today has been pretty good. Tiring, but good.

We were up ENTIRELY too early for a weekend so we could be with the dogs and watch balloons. When the neighbors came out to prep for the wedding, Cubba (of course) ran over to greet them. He's smart enough that he jumped up in a spot where he could see over the wall and get petted. Rose just stood up and looked at the wall. 😂😂😂

When it started warming up we brought the dogs in the house. Cubba is used to it. He likes couches. Rose - not even bad weather makes her come inside on her own. We spent a little time coaxing her in. Finally got her right inside the door with a treat. She was good, but nervous. Scared of the cats and gave them space. Basically sat in one spot until Shaun carried her to the couch, where she and Cubba (and me and Shaun) eventually fell asleep.

After we woke up we walked the dogs outside on leashes so they wouldn't disturb the wedding. Then Shaun and Shadow went to get food. After we ate we decided to get ice cream and take the pups to the park. As we were getting ready to leave I guess Rose decided she'd had enough of indoors and tried to go out through the sliding glass door. It uh... didn't work. I don't know if she was being smart or dumb for that one but she was used to having a doggie door at the old house so I'll not tease her for this. I did laugh hard, though. 😂

We loaded up and had ice cream from Coldstone Creamery. We ate outside at one of the tables. A car with some kids drove by and they were happy to see the pups. The feeling was mutual. 😊 Then we went to the park near our house. As we were arriving we saw Carole Baskin (that bitch!) and the Tiger King walking away from the park. I don't know what that was about and I don't even care. I fucking love it here so much. 😂😂😂

The weather was perfect all afternoon and evening. We had a good walk with the pups. Cub got a thorn in his foot and I removed it for him. I guess if that's the worst thing to happen to us today then we are lucky. 😊 Shadow and Kira also really enjoyed the park. It's walking distance from the house so I'm happy they now know where it is.

Now we're home resting and waiting for the celebration to wind down before we let the dogs out again. There's music and happy people sounds and some really delicious food smells and a beautiful warm glow emanating from next door. I hope they had a good day and that we didn't disturb them in any way.

I hope all of my friends are having a good night, as well. Enjoy this picture of puppy naps before I go. ❤️

I don't know when Shadow started doing this, but...

I don't know when Shadow started doing this, but he's been calling Cubba (pronounced like "Bubba") Cupboard as his full given name and it is GIVING. ME. LIFE. 😂😂😂 I love the evolution of pet names.

For the record, Cubba was named as such by Kira because he looked like a bear cub when he was a puppy. It had nothing to do with cupboards or cabinets or anything like that. 😂

I took a bunch of pictures this morning...

I took a bunch of pictures this morning because I came out so early. My earlier post didn't have pretty pictures; I mostly snapped those because of the sheer number of balloons. I know today was nothing compared to what next week will be with Balloon Fiesta. I'm excited for that. 😁😁😁

Here are a few nicer shots from this morning:

We ended up just buying Rose some new toys. They squeak. She is happy about it. 😂

Very pretty balloons (gotta zoom) as seen from under the pergola.

The dogs (and me, with my allergic-to-the-sun ass) sunbathing with the dogs. I'm wearing long leggings, long sleeves, a sun hat, and sunscreen. It's 60° F out. Chilly under the pergola and comfy in the sun (for a little while, anyway).

Poor Shaun is working on the dog kennel. Cubba keeps digging under. We have a wall around our backyard and Cubba can climb it in some places. 😕 We've got someone coming to give us an estimate on raising the wall a bit. Until then, we're struggling to contain our overly-friendly escape artist. Everyone has dogs here and people walk in this neighborhood and he is LIVING FOR IT. Unfortunately, we don't have a routine yet so he doesn't know how to behave. We've been here just over a week and are still trying to settle in and get situated and work out all of the kinks. It is definitely a process.

Anyway, I hope you all have a great Saturday. We've got someone coming to teach us about our yard soon so I'm excited for that. Maybe once that's done we can get one of the kid's rooms painted. Or maybe not. Today is the neighbor's daughter's wedding day and we don't want our dogs acting out so it might be a dog-park day. We'll see. 🙂

A mother balloon and her 11 babies spotted in the wild.

A mother balloon and her 11 babies spotted in the wild. It must be migration season!

😂😂😂

I don't know if the wind will bring them close today, but Shaun has counted 26 this morning. I think if you zoom hard you can count 20 in the 2nd photo. One looks like a chicken and I'm hoping it gets much closer. I need a good pic of that one. 😂

Edit:  Chicken might be a fish. I'll keep y'all posted. 😂

Edit:  Definitely a fish.

Me and Boyfriend are having a much-needed cuddle day. ❤️❤️❤️

Me and Boyfriend are having a much-needed cuddle day. ❤️❤️❤️

Good morning!

Good morning!

Sorry, not sorry. This will never get old.

Tfw your toys are still packed away...

Tfw your toys are still packed away. and. this. stupid. towel. DOESN'T. EVEN. SQUEAK!!!

🤣🤣🤣

https://www.facebook.com/blu.xenethos/posts/pfbid0xXwVHBSejNZfrAonMrRkf5EkZjWq6UkMYaDwJ7J7DH6nY74azBxsiY4oiLFxPpGvl

I love all of the neighbors we've met.

I love all of the neighbors we've met. Everyone here is so nice. 🥰🥰🥰

Look at this super considerate not-invitation we were just hand-delivered. I swear, people here are just different. Southern Hospitality exists, but I guess most people in the south don't care about stuff like this. It's "This is my property, I'll do what I want, screw whoever doesn't like it." and then there is bad blood.

I really can't stress enough how much I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT here. I have never been able to honestly say that before. It hits different being proud of where I live. I'm about this life and my heart is happy. ❤️❤️❤️

Doggos in action.

Doggos in action. I think they like it here - especially in the evening. 😊 We came out this morning to play with them and it was in the 50s, but super duper sunny. I was pretty surprised!

We have someone coming this weekend to teach us how to tame / care for our yard. We don't know anything about the native plants (or the non-native ones that are planted back here and running up our water bill with irrigation). 😂😂😂 We gotta learn. I'm excited.

Sneaky peek behind the gate of the Sandia Mountains. They are gorgeous all day but absolutely stunning at sunset. I'll try to get a photo of them soon but I know I could never do them justice.

The sunsets here are insane.

The sunsets here are insane. This photo was taken with my cell (completely unedited - not even cropped).

Most of the back yard as seen from under the pergola.

Most of the back yard as seen from under the pergola.

I need to learn about the plants out here and how to care for them. I need a shade for my potted plants because the sun is intense out here. No care needed for the fake grass - we're all THRILLED to check "mowing the lawn" off of our to-do lists forever.

We're still a mess, but it's coming along!

It's a sunny, breezy 80°F here and it's COMFORTABLE outside. Maybe it's a good day for yard work. 🙂 Happy Monday from the Land of Enchantment!

Things are coming along.

Things are coming along. It's much easier for some of us to settle in than others. 😂😂😂 Oh, to be a cat. 😝

I promise to respond to everyone soon. We're finally catching our breath, thank goodness. ❤️

Good morning from Albuquerque.

Good morning from Albuquerque.

Last night was our first night together in our new home as a family after an exhausting 2-day drive. Shaun and Shadow piloted / co-piloted the U-Haul (which for some reason didn't have cruise control, poor Shaun!) and Kira and I drove a van full of ani-pals (including Rose) who were shockingly well-behaved.

We have a lot of unpacking to do. We have to return the U-Haul and the rental van. We have to get settled in. I haven't said much on social media in a bit because we've been so busy for months. We're all so tired. But we made it. We're here. We did it.

I love you all and will respond to your comments soon, I promise. I am overwhelmed by all of the love and support. ❤️❤️❤️ I just need to finish the urgent stuff and catch my breath.

I can't believe this is my life now. I feel so at home and it feels so right. I'm having all of the feelings this morning. 😭😭😭

New home, who dis?

New home, who dis?

Albuquerque, NM

Kira got her braces off!

Kira got her braces off! Look how precious! (with Teddy the therapy dog) Designer Smiles - Braces by Benton.

It's a sad day.