Ch-ch-ch-chaaannnges...

As many of you know, we do not have children. We've been together for 12 years, married for 8 and still no kids. If you are one of those that is just baffled by this- go ahead and take a deep breath, maybe do a downward dog and I'll be here when you are done.

For now, we travel, do what we want at the drop of a hat and love on our furry babies. We currently have a dog and a cat and I love them like they are my children. Yep, I'm one of those.

Bella is a Yorkie-Pomeranian aka Porkie and Caris (Care-iss) is my rescue calico sweetbabylovechild. I have had both since they were babes...Bella for 7 years and Caris for a little over a year. They are BFF's...which is a stark difference from when I first brought Caris home. Bella is EXTREMELY jealous...I mean seriously- jelly bean is her middle name.

But we got through it- and now they love each other.

The husband is NOT an Iloveanimalsmorethanpeople person like I am. If I had my way- I would have my own version of a Dr. Doolittle farm- saving animals from the hands of the horrible  people of the world. (And I must admit I am a bit disappointed I did not get a pair of goats for my birthday. But that's a post for a different day.) However, he has been wanting a "big" dog for years. Yes, years. As in, at least 3. I usually ignored that comment...saying " We don't have the money for that" or " we would need a huge fence" or " I can't deal with a puppy right now"...

Somewhere along the way- I agreed to make the leap. Jump into getting this "big" dog.

One of the reasons I climbed on board, was for protection. Aside from owning a gun (yep- we're those kinda people too) I wanted another deterrent in my life. Bella is convinced she is part Mastiff mixed with Great Dane and her heart would protect me from anything. But lets face it- 10lbs is not alarming or deterring. And if you happen to have a tennis ball in your pocket? Well, she'll pretty much pack her bags and move in with you. A big 100 pound pile of Iwilleatyourfaceifyouevenblinkatmymomma is what I wanted.

So we decided to start looking for what we wanted. And we found him.

Meet our sweet, baby boy...

We decided on a German Shepherd for many reasons...they are horribly smart, they love their families something fierce, are great around children and other pets (when socialized properly) and are amazing protectors- especially when trained. No, we did not rescue him. I wholeheartedly believe in rescuing - we just chose not to for him. So in the event you're feeling overly opinionated, just go ahead and put your judgy pants away. MmmmK?

We have been preparing for him to come home for a little over a month and he comes home this Wednesday. To say I am apprehensive and nervous is an understatement. We are going to be introducing him and Bella in park on neutral territory and kind of make it a very long play date..except he just won't ever leave.

Fingers crossed he is happy and the other children don't try to run away.
Until next time...

Another Month...

Flew by, without a post. The most annoying thing is I have much to write about. Which in hindsight is nice, because it will take me awhile to catch up.

My friend whom I introduced you to in my last post, lost her mom  to cancer on May 2nd. Its somewhat annoying to say "lost" as if she has gone missing or no one can find her...when in reality, when something like this happens you know exactly where they are. And you would give anything for them not to be there. I often feel like I am saying the wrong thing, not doing enough, pushing too hard to try and help...but in the end, I just wish to be the best friend I can- when the rest of the world expects her to be "over" her grief. 3 months, 8 months, 2 years from now. So many people who haven't been through something like this, put a timeline on grief. Where 6 months goes by and its "Oh, you're still having a hard time?"

 I won't ever forget that day- as it was my 8 year wedding anniversary. And a day when I found a loved one was informed of a new health issue. Needless to say, it was an emotional day.

Our anniversary fell on a Wednesday...and it was so nice to receive flowers from the one who remembers this day like I do.

We kept it fairly low key and took a trip to a delish restaurant- Villa Antonio and called it a night as in the next few weeks we had a trip to the beach planned...and really, how crazy can you get on Wednesday night? I am certainly no spring chicken anymore. Le sigh.

That's it for now my sweets- stay tuned as I have been an instagramming fool lately- which tells a pretty good story of where I have been and where I am headed.

Hugs!

Heavy.

Its been almost 2.5 months since my last post. I honestly didn't know it had been that long and I kind of forgot what my blog looked like. But I am back at it. Over the rare occurrence of me cooking dinner for my other half tonight- I thought about my blog and what I wanted to write about. Yes, I want to (and plan to) tell you about the products I use on my hair, my current nail polish or my recent weekend. But as I was thinking about it, I feel like I have so much to say. More....heavy topics if you will. I truly love to write and think of writing a novel often. My fingers are thankful to be busy right now...the fast-tapping of the keys calms me.

Tonight my heart is feeling heavy. Heavy with sadness for a friend who is going through something horrible. We met the end of 2008 through a Bootcamp class...she was the strong runner- and I always remember thinking "How in the hell does she not sweat?" While I was gasping for air. Fast forward to March 2012. We have been on too many runs to count...with the memories and baggage to prove it. She hates dogs that are loose- I turn into a bootcamp instructor yelling "GO HOME!". We get lost together, dodge bats together and curse at eachother in our heads while running straight up the most serious hill in this state. Or wait- is that just me? We have ran hundreds of miles together, several half marathons and our very first marathon- together. You learn a lot about a person when you are running for hours together. No where to go but forward, no one to talk to but eachother. We've had sweat in our eyes, cried about life while running, and solved the world's problems during these runs. She is a much better runner than I, always faster, always stronger. But doesn't mind running twice in one day (and slowing down for you) if you ask her too- because she knows how much the company is sometimes needed. She is the wittiest person I know and the reason I started tweeting. I have no clue where she comes up with the randomness that are her tweets- but they are usually nothing short of epic.

I am no stranger to Cancer. Its a sonofabitch that affects so many people every day. And I hate it. And I mean hate, with every fiber in my body. I don't feel the need to delve into my own personal story (quite yet)...I just wanted to empty my heart, for the ache it feels for her. There is nothing fair about watching someone you love go through something as painful and mean as cancer. It shows no mercy- and causes nothing but pain. It leaves me speechless as there is nothing you can say to someone going through something like this. The "it will be okays", the "keep your head ups", the "time will heal all wounds" is nothing someone who is going through this wants to hear. Because its not okay, no one wants to hold their head up and time sucks. Its just how it is.

Maghan, in case you haven't figured it out {I mean, who else grabs tiny twigs to ward away loose dogs}...this post is for you. I am thinking and praying for you and your family. I am here for you, if for nothing else than to cry with. I know I have told you before- but if there is anything you need- I'm only a text, tweet, FB msg, call or lifeline away. Much love.

The sounds of DIY

I hear the sound of the grinder in the garage. Cutting through some sort of tile by very capable hands and a tile saw that is amazing. Though I am not in the garage, I know it's the grinder and I know it's tile. I know this because we are elbow-deep in our master bathroom renovation. A renovation started 2 weeks ago,spurred on by a jetted bath tub that was ridiculously on sale. So here we are, steering clear of water leaks and cut waterlines, covered in sawdust and grout. This is what true DIY is all about. It's nothing like a series on TLC or HGTV. It's messy, irritating and sometimes costly due to mistakes of others...but damnit- it is gratifying knowing that we did that. It was a horribledirtyannoying project, but we did that. Such a random post, but I had to write. I would add photos but apparently IPad is not interested in helping a girl out. Hugs on this random Thursday.

Behind..

I feel so behind in the blog world. I am behind on my reading and searching of new and insightful blogs. I can't really explain my slump...or how I feel. I can tell you that I am not really sure where my blogging is going from here. So many blogs have been talking about getting "caught up" in blogging, trying to respond to all of the comments and form connections with new, amazing people. I try my best to reply to my followers {by going to their blog and commenting, but many times my browser doesn't like your comment feed or vice versa, and then I can't leave comments- which makes me frustrated and I give up}. But, one thing I am sure of, is that blogging can't/won't take away from the things I need in my life. Like a clean house, a happy husband, a phone call from someone important, and happy fur children. Lets also not forget my job (a girls gotta eat) and my gym time. I am exhausted and haven't found the time or energy to think of amazing and thoughtful things to blog about. Trust me, I have things to say- but let's be honest. The internet is a HUGE place..full of billions of people. Those that know you, those who don't, those that judge you, those that love you. Can you really and truly put yourself out there? Probably not without hurting some people in the process or it coming back to bite you in the proverbial ass. We all deal with mean people, trying circumstances and have really bad days...so I think that is what I am trying to figure out. What I want to say and how I want to say it. I am a very honest person- sometimes to a fault so rest assured I will try my best to always have an honest place to write my words. Hang in there with me. I think we are on the road to figuring it out.

via

2011- A year in review.

Such a popular post this one- but what can I say, I feel like I have to say a proper goodbye to this year. I don't address some months, because they were those months that kinda shot on by. Here is a snippet of what our year looked like...

In short, I am so happy to say goodbye to 2011. I am so thankful for our health, our families and our friends.

Cheers to 2012!

Oh Christmas...

Where did you go?

Seriously- I had been counting down to Christmas for MONTHS. MONTHS, I tell you. This is what happens everytime there is a set date for me to reunite with my family and my beauts (le momma & le sister).

Last Tuesday night we headed out in the dark to the Bluegrass state...oh Kentucky how I love thee. Well- except for the fact you are a mere 6 hours away. But that's okay- they make cars and husbands who drive them for a reason. Because I simply cannot just pick one photo that represents this wonderful time of the year- here is an assortment...

Annual cookie decorating competition- its usually not g-rated between these two.

Naked cookies

I wish I could tell you that it was awful. But it wasn't. Thanks PLL for this bakery recommendation!

Late night poker time.

My Alaskan bebe sis

My beauts, circa 2011.

Annual Gingerbread house- love our own traditions.

Yes- the cookie to the right has on chaps- with his ass hanging out. Told you.

And lets not forget about a few of my new, favorite things!

Such great family ( &hub) who got me so many things I was coveting on my list! They are truly my  heart- and not just because they buy me things. :)

And, no holiday season would be complete without a few things I may, or may not have purchased accidentally for myself.

I never thought I could cheat on MAC, but we are having a full-blown love affair.

So in love with my new Sigmas...

So, there you have it- my Christmas in a nutshell. I know its a week late- but I needed to unplug for a bit {more on that in my New Years post}.

In the meantime- I wonder if you think I am a serious person. I can assure you, that 92% of the time- I am not.
   Your proof.

I am pretty sure Photobooth on Ipad is the best thing invented. Ever.  So many other great pics- but they happen to be of others- and I wish to preserve my relationship with them. You're welcome mom.
Many hugs my pupcakes!