FIRST?!?!?

They're beautiful together.

Cute!

Yayy, a Chuck & Leta Friday!

AWWWWWWWWWWWW

puppy kisses

they're so adorable. =)

Just like... Carl and the baby.

Hee, Manchurians. Maybe you saw The Manchurian Candidate? :p I like the light on Leta's head in the photo!

Scary. It reminds me of my dog and son 2 & half) in exactly the same situation in a corner naer the frontdoor. My border collie snapped just him above his eye.

Chuck! (And Leta already has a thing for jewelry.)

"I'm cuter than you!"
"Pah. Clearly that's not the case."

Anyone watching THE funeral?

Chuckie is probably checking the belly as well!

That is so sweet, he is going to be so protective of her.

Good for chasing off the boys.

I think they will be very good friends by the look of things. Cute.

what a cute photo. sweet!

I can't tell if Cjuck's about to slobber all over Leta's face, or bite it off. Oh, the tension.

< waves > Hi Liv! Where are you?

Was this taken before or after the tongue bath?

Leta is checking Chuck's tag to make sure he is who he says he is.

Happy Chuck and Leta FRIDAY!!!!!

I also love her, she is just so darn cute!

"come on dog! let's break outta this joint and go for a walk. I'LL take you to the dog park myself! let's go."

great photo as usual

So well put, Heather. I feel exactly the same way. Even when the goings tough (and believe me, there are days when I feel like the birth control fairy, "Bringing the blessing of Birth Control to all I come in contact with") there is truly nothing I'd rather be doing. I mean, how many people are going to get to go explore a smooshed snake on the street for the four millionth time today??!!

How dare you, Heather?!?
Write something that will make me sob and ruin the make-up I just applied. Right in the middle of PMS week.

awesome.

Aww...a canine washcloth for Leta! Makes it easier for Chuck to get his recommended daily value of baby food when they're both on the floor, eh? :-)
Have a great weekend, House of Blurbodoocery.

A dog!

A baby!

A dog AND a baby! *heart explodes*

"I wouldn’t want to be doing anything other than this right now."
Bravo Heather! I loved this post. Sometimes I get sick of reading about people who feel they have to skydive right into the Amazon river in order to get any adrenalin at all in their lives.
There is so much joy in the small things.
Thanks for the make-me-smile morning post!

This photo should totally be framed and hung on the wall. It's really beautiful.

Chuck is so sweet to let Leta pull the collar around his neck... this is probably done numerous times of day and Chuck is thinking... "Yeah go ahead, I'm just the dog."

Chuck: "Hey now Sista, that be MY BLING from my baby Mama. You gets your own. Word."

You can just imagine it "LookChuck that's a door, you open it and we'll make a break for it!" So cute - who says brothers and sisters can't get on, just because my brother and I don't!

A V?????

I really like this photo. Chuck is so emotive, even in profile.

I never let a dog lick me on the face especially when you see they like to lick their balls!

cute photo

I can't wait until we move into a real house where we can have a puppy. My 18-month-old Molly is OBSESSED with puppys--everytime she sees one, her tonge lags out and she makes that puppy-panting sound. So cute!

Leta's a doll!

Heather,

Great. I go from laughing over Manchurian to crying. I love your brutal honesty and also am on what I affectionately call happy pills so I get what you're talking about. A few months ago, everything seemed so hard and nothing ever seemed to go right. Now I'm actually eager to greet the day and see what it brings.

Thank God for Effexor and for your family. You were one of the highlights in my other dreary existence. I'm so happy you and Jon are together and have Leta.

Posts like that and pictures like this are why I keep coming back. Thanks Heather.

This has been the LONGEST week. Thank UPPERCASE GOD that it's finally Chuck Friday!! (Although that Chuck fix on Wednesday was pretty damn nice too).

That's a really sweet picture, it looks like Chuck is about to plant a big wet one on Leta.

that's the first picture i've seen wherein Chuck looks HUGE.

adorable kids, both of them.

I'm sleepy, but that picture made me feel awake. Thank you Leta & Chuck-a-lucka.

Have a nice Friday people.

Wow, it's been a while since I've made the top 100...

I always thought Chuck was tiny... he looks so big next to Leta. I thought he was like lap-dog size! Weird.

My bf and I also do that ridiculous arguing about silly stuff like that. I love it! I usually lose, but that's ok. (He's so CUTE when he's indignant!)

SOOOOOO precious!

Great picture, wonderful post.

As usual!

Yay Chuck Friday!

I think Chuck is getting ready to lick Leta right up. She must have shoved the last bite of pop tart in her mouth a split second before this picture was taken and now Chuck knows it's in there and it isn't swallowed yet and there's still hope that she'll open that mouth and he can snatch it out.

Yay for Chuck Friday!

Oh, so cute. I love seeing a full pic of her sitting up; she's definitely got your legs.

Somehow, it looks like in the next moment, Chuck is going to give Leta a big slurp on her face.

The sunlight coming in through the window really adds a nice touch.

Why was I not able to see any posts to yesterdays Stepping Stone Picure?? Not all day!

My dog loves our baby, but then again she wipes peanut butter on the dogs fur and is always giving her food.

Jo said at 06:55AM, 04.08.2005:
Leta: ‘I want that necklace, doggy!'

That tickled my funny bone, Jo. I could just hear the little smunchkin saying that.

Well, what do I know? I'm just a newbie. Thanks for the info.

um, I just realized that you _could_ take my comment about Leta's legs wrong. I just mean that her legs look looooooooooooong and remind me of your own looooooooong legs in the older pic of you kicking your red-shoe clad foot up in the air in your happy dance of rebellion against Beth's neighbors.

(yeah, so I was Not an English major; and I know my sentence structure bites. But I like it the way it is. thankyouverymuch)

;-)

OK. Forgive me. I have no idea what this "funny mormon underwear is".

Someone, please educate me.

Danielle, Funky sentence structure is fine. I think it's the double negatives and improper verb conjugations that annoy most of us grammar-geeks. Example: I seen that post. AARGH!

Speaking of funny underwear...I have a pair that are bright orange and on the front is a picture of the man that works the Mini-Mart on The Simpsons. Appu? Well, there is a little coversation bubble above his head saying, "Thank you! Come again!" AH HA HA I LOVE that underwear!!!

The weird underwear Heather is referencing has to do with something the Rock Star Mommy brought up the other day. She said she had heard that Mormons wear magical underwear that is supposed to ensure they get into heaven as long as they wear it faithfully. And it is TRUE! It sounds a little Masonic to me, but apparently this is normal Mormon behavior. I just really want to see a picture of what these things look like.

me too Katie b b a w!

Here is a link I found explaining the garments. I haven't found a picture of them yet, though.
http://www.algonet.se/~daba/lds/tgarment.htm

Lovely, lovely, picture, Heather.

And your post yesterday? Just...WOW. That was beautiful. So deeply personal and moving.
I am so happy for your happiness.

God bless you, Heather. God bless you and your wonderful, sweet family.

Beggin' Strips came out with a short-lived product that ultimately fell to the fact that people inexplicably got hungry for breakfast every time they were around babies. It is this failed scented lotion that brings us my caption for the photo...

Chuck: "Iiiiiit's BACON!"

(I'd like to also point out that I am completely incapable of denying the overwhelming cuteness of the photo. If I came with the necessary equipment, my ovaries would be powerless against the cuteness...)

thanks HenryK, happy to be of service

awe, this is so stinkin' sweet!

Oh, I dont know, but that Mormon underwear aint all that bad.....if you live in the Yukon! Makes for interesting nights in the budoir!

Oh Katie b b a w , you have managed to conjoure up a horrible image....eeewwwwwwww!

JUST ONCE, I'd like to do it doggie style, while wearing Dr. Dentons...you know, with the little butt flap in the back.

With some Christy Lane playing on the stereo.

Muffy -- One day at a tiiiiime, sweet jesus...

Just make sure you have that metal snap well out of the way when you drop the trap door on your Dr Dentons.
Uh, not that I would know a *thing* about doggy-style in Dr Dentons of course.

Went greyhound racing last night. One of the hounds was named 'doggies tile' hahaha

Katietoyboy, That's nice. Did you stop for a nice meal of Milk Fed Veal afterwards?
Doggies Tile. I get it now.

Oh no...KBBAW...they don't really leave them on during SEX too do they? That's just too much.

What a great way to start my day! I love that picture!

Ok so we've gone from BJ's to Doggie Style in the space of 2 days...yep, thats Doocekateers for you.

Susannah, yeah it looks like they have to leave them on at all times, except for bathing. The women have slits cut down there for easy access. And you have to wear your bra OVER the underwear.

*Jo*, might be ok for you, but not for me. There are better ways.

Katie-bbaw, this convo is getting more interesting as we go along!

I love baby buddha bellies...they are good for ppphhhhrrrrp-ing on!
(that's a raspberry sound)and making lil' ones giggle.

to bad they arent accurate

Very, very sweet.

Everyone keeps asking
Nobody understands
They just want to know
about my funny underpants.

Sometimes I get offended.
Sometimes I think it's rude.
Perhaps I should start asking folks
what they look like in the nude.

They're clean and white
and covered with crosses
they make me feel cool in the summer
and when I'm feeling stylish, I'll wear golashes.

I like to wear them in the kitchen
and also to bed
and sometimes I will get drunk
and get my shirt stuck on my head.

So see, just because you don't see
all the wonder they are to behold,
don't blame me because
in your underwear you get cold.

Don't hate.
Congratulate.
I take my funny underwear creed seriously,
don't hate me for it.

My butt is pure.
Like a white bleached sheet.
You can check my garments
if you don't believe me.

I love it when a baby's rists are chubby and it looks like they are wearing bracelets.

i'm depressed today, but your post and picture made me smile. thanks, heather. :)

i am guessing mormons are always ready to go skiing.

Maybe that's why Utah's state motto is 'Ski Utah".. the longjons are already on..

ok.. they have to sleep with those things!!! how are babies done in Mormon World???

Adorable! Chuck is such a sweetheart, and despite the rough-play, I think he knows that she loves him too! Brother and sister, how cute are they?!

I realize that for most people, that the idea of wearing something like this is ubsurd, but try to think of it this way.

These individuals are trying to obtain a state of being in this life that is in harmony with the teachings of the gospel (as taught by the LDS church)and at some point they were deemed of such character as to warrant being allowed to make sacred covenants with GOD in the temple. These are no more than a promise to uphold and adhere to the commandments and to set themselves apart from worldly weaknesses (as taught by the LDS church). The real purpose of the garment is to remind you that you have done this. Every day that you don your garments, is a reminder of the promises that you made. Aside from that one purpose, the only times you are not expected to wear them are during bathing, swimming and sex.

They do make you more modest as they are not supposed to be visible when you are clothed.

I hope this clears up some things. A lot of sights can be simply propaganda, and just because they say they are EX-LDS does not mean that they are. There are a lot of groups out there that flatly hate or wish to cause said feelings for the church.

I didn't know you were Mormon, Greenie. Do you wear the special underwear? I'm sorry if I offended you! I don't want to spread rumors about the Mormon undies.

thanks greensthumb!!!

So I need to know, does my leopard print, sidefastening, crotchless, furry thong with flashing lights, go INSIDE or OUTSIDE my magic underwear????? Come on people, crisis time!

Aw, the preciousness of that photo!

Happy Weekend, Armstrongs.

heather, congratulations. You've officially managed to have the cutest child EVER, as well as an exceptionally attractive hound. good on you.

re: katyboytoy....

outside, we would want to see the flashing lights...

Any blogger.commers out there?

IS BLOGGER.COM BROKEN TODAY? I'M UNABLE TO COMMENT ANYWHERE...

Sorry for shouting.

well said Greenthumb

I had a dog like that. He was a bearded collie and his name was Rusty. He was a great friend and playmate who could endure any and all nonsense. Every kid needs a good dog. Leta is lucky to have Chuck. He does look like he is getting ready to lick her face.

greenie is my little brother. Except that he's a foot taller than I. I'm proud of him. And his undies are no one's damn business. Unless he wants to show them to you, which he might, if you ask VERY nicely.

greenie may I see your undies? Pretty please with cherries on top?

re. #185--

Any blogger.commers out there?

IS BLOGGER.COM BROKEN TODAY? I’M UNABLE TO COMMENT ANYWHERE…

Sorry for shouting.
-------------

I'm having the same problem. I think it might be down.. AGAIN.

Greenthumb just checked ur blog and thats one gorgeous dog u got there.

Annabelle, unlike the myth of the magical Mormon underwear, the on/off state of the comments here are ruled by a totally different deity. A lot of folk might speculate as to why this phenomenon occurs here, but my best advice on this matter would be to beseech the fair and often times vengeful goddess Dooce.

Prayers can be suplicated thru dooce@dooce.com

I am off work today so I am very late commenting.

What an adorable picture. Glad to see Leta already knows how to grab up on the men in the house. You have taught her well. :)

I wear a funny undergarment, too. It has a picture of the Ninja Turtles on it.

Thank you Susie!!! I heart You!

Jo: I just may oblige...someday.

Katie darlin: just try to remember one important thing about people in the Mormon church...they are just that. People, human, fallible...They do have a good thing going on for the most part, especially where families are concerned. I don't know where I would be if we hadn't joined the church.

so sweet. A girl & her dog.... and the light makes their hair look like siblings.....

Greenie, don't think i'm gonna forget that obligation. I'ma waitin! :D I'm just desperate for the privilege of seein a gay morman's undies. LOL

mrtl, who know's, but most likely yes. But for Bathing suits, it's not about the garment so much about the modesty. You don't wear them in the water, ever.

Greenthumb!! Good Friday to you friend!!

Such a lovely Leta & Chuck pic!Hooray Chuck/Leta Friday!

Susannah and Deleted - Blogger's being crabby with me too...

Thanks, Greenie. I'm finding this discussion fascinating! The religion I was raised with just had us doing a frenetic pattern of sitting, kneeling and standing while listening to lecture after lecture. We didn't get to wear or do anything cool - no garments, no yarmulkes, so dancing in the aisles or waving the arms or laying on of hands. Maybe this would have made a difference to me. pshaw

Secret handshakes? I would say no. It may be a reference to something in the temple ceremony, which I've never taken part of and is chock full of symbolism.

Modest prom dresses? Not specifically for garments, as garments aren't worn until taking part of the temple ceremony - generally before going on a mission at age 19 or 21 or getting married. Mormons in general are taught to be modest in dress and appearance - spaghetti straps, sleeveless stuff, short shorts, bikinis and other revealing apparel that is standard fare for most everyone else is supposed to be out of the question, whether you wear garments or not.

Muffy, that is hilarious. I like the Bellowing Butthole, but I think the name you like might be a little more marketable. And you're right, everybody poops and we all could use a heated toilet seats, so I think it would be a hit.

lol... muffy... you really need to get your own blog, you made me laugh crazy woman!, and about your man/fiance/boyfriend/hubby to be. just keep calling him what you always have. changing the title or name, just weeks before the wedding is not a good idea.

Regarding your Mancunian post, that's all word for word according to the Gospel of Dooce. "Right on" and "Amen".

Annabellle said at 08:45AM, 04.08.2005:
Can someone please explain why sometimes the posts are shut down?
___________________________________

As greenthumb said, Heather controls whether the comments are up or down, and has not said specifically _why_ she shuts them down, when she does. There are a few prevailing theories, though:

1. When trolls come a-calling, some of the newer doocelings refuse to ignore them, and instead engage in such juvenile behaviour as name-calling and arguing back and forth with them, until things get totally out of hand and really, really, hateful, which usually ends in the comments being shut down for the day (or longer).

2. If anyone comments with a dissenting opinion, even if it's done in a respectable manner, these same "new regulars" form a gang and verbally beat the living hell out of the nonconformist, forgetting that (a) this is NOT their site, and (b) everyone here is entitled to their own opinion.

3. The total and complete monopolization of the comments by one or two people, who spend much of the day doing #1 and #2 above.

(I'm leaving my name off this one, fearing the stonings that tend to take place these days when anyone speaks up about this stuff.)

Cate - thank you for the clarification. I really should talk more about this with my Mormon friend.

To add to the Mormon hullabaloo:

I've had several Mormon friends get married in our local temple. But I never get to SEE the service because as a non-Mormon, I'm not allowed inside the temple proper. There's always a reception on the church grounds, where eveyone shakes hands, eats cake and exchanges gifts, but I miss celebrating the actual event with my friends.

I know I'm a total heathen, but why can't I watch my friends get married? Has this happened to anyone else?

Dissenting opinions are one thing. Being nasty is quite another. And some of the comments I saw the other day, directed at one or two individuals, were not that of a dissenting opinion. They were out of spite and nastiness. I don't like seeing someone get beaten down for their beliefs, but they DO deserve to get an ass kicking when they say mean and hurtful things towards other posters. That's my two cents. And I'm leaving my name off too.

Right here, Ben....

Muffy - how about 'The Throne Room' ????

It's like Chuck is whispering, "I'll get the door, you just make a run for it."
HCF!!!

Here's an opinion from someone who's been reading Dooce for about three years now:

Don't you think that if Heather didn't like how certain "new regulars" were acting she would send them an email asking them to stop commenting? That's all it would take.
That's why I think she closes them to drive the haters away. AND keep us on our toes.
OR.. maybe it's a bandwith issue.

We will never know until she tells us. All of this speculation that it is because of one or two people who DEFEND themselves when they are PERSONALLY attacked is ridiculous.
Honestly, I'm getting bored with people who keep bringing it up. Especially when we are having a perfectly nice conversation about something else.

Now that I got that off of my chest....

*POOP*

And that's totally NOT me cracking down on you, KBBAW.

Smooches.

Ben - Look, I though we worked this out...I'm just, well, *better* than you. Don't cry!

My two cents- KBBAW, I think that hardly anyone is allowed to witness an actual Mormon wedding- or sealing as it's better known- and I don't anything really special happens- and Kristine, I think the word you're looking for is excommunicated- but from what Church? It is really hard to get excommunicated from the Catholic church for instance because that would basically entail a lot of really important church people being aware of bad behavior and caring to go through the trouble of getting you officially excommunicated- which I think officially the Pope has to sign. Anyway- and oh yeah, my two cents on the comments getting shut down. I asked the original question but my theory of this recent blackout is not that there was too much arguing but that all the sex shop and lube dialogue was just really lewd and over the top.