While the Human is Away

If Toby could send me postcards, I have a feeling this is what they would say...
"Mom, where have you gone now?? At least you did good this time and let me stay with Aunt Jana and Uncle Scott! I love their view."

"This guard dog/modeling stuff is hard work...don't be mad Mom, I know it's not a WVU sweatshirt, but I was cold."

"It's very possible I was really whiney and Aunt Jana yelled at me...but don't I look cute pouting in my house??"

"Mom, when can I come back? Aunt Jana put eggs in my breakfast!"

Thank you Aunt Jana and Uncle Scott for watching me. I had a great time!

A Weekend Surprise

This past weekend, my sisters and I flew to Chicago to surprise my Dad for his 60th birthday.
We all took the day off and flew in around 2:00 on Friday. Thankfully, he called my sister, Lauren, (not knowing she was at the house) and they had a nice, long 20 minute conversation where he happened to reveal he was heading home early since it was his birthday! Thanks for the heads up Dad... When he got home, my Mom asked him to grab a bottle of wine out of the fridge in the basement (where we just so happened to be hiding.) As soon as he hit the landing, we jumped out of our hiding spots and scared the crap outta him. :o) I love the expression on his face in this picture. We got him!

Saturday we went to see some Alaskan Husky sleddogs...these furbabies are absolutely gorgeous. And they live for sledding. We got to see a few in action and before they were allowed to run, they were howling and whining like they were in pain. They were R-E-A-D-Y to go and they did NOT like being told they couldn't run yet! Talk about being dramatic...it was pretty entertaining.

After our Alaskan/Chicago adventure, we spent the afternoon bowling and went to Uncle Julio's for dinner...yes, I flew all the way to Chicago to get Mexican food. :o) (I don't care what state I'm in, Mexican food is always yummy!)

The weekend ended with this...
Sisters toast at Chicago O'Hare Macaroni Grill. That's how we do it :o)

Happy Birthday Dad!! I love you lots and hope you had an amazing 60th!!!

Hope ya'll had a fabulous weekend!

Pinterest Love

I'd like to introduce my new addiction. I pin everything from fashion to recipes to things that make me laugh to random pictures. It's 110% a girl thing, but I love. My new thing on Fridays will be to post my favorite pics from the past week. Happy weekend!
Uploaded by user

Pinterest from IPhone

Click here for link

www.google.com

Honey Spiced Chicken

Some House Pics

I love, love, LOVE my condo. And while it's not quite done yet, I couldn't resist sharing pictures of everything that is done! I'm thrilled with the way things have turned out so far and I can't wait until I feel like it's 100% finished (although I'm told I will never, ever feel that way.)

My Living Room
View from the front door (or corner by the front door where I took the pic)

View from the Kitchen (which is obviously at the back of the house)

The Kitchen (table area will have to wait...it's just way too messy!)

My Bedroom
**Sidenote: Toby appeared in 3 of the 4 pictures at his own free will. I think it is safe to say my dog is a camera whore :o).

A Dog's Purpose

My sister forwarded this email to me yesterday and it really touched me. It seems like we should really learn from the way our dogs live. And, like the author, I found a lot of comfort in such a simple explanation.

A Dog's Purpose? (from a 6-year-old).
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why!'' Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting
explanation. His words have changed the way I try and live.
He said,''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'' The Six-year-old continued,''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Remember,if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like: When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy. Take naps. Stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily. Thrive on attention and let people touch you. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good. So, love the people who treat you right. Think good thoughts for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy.

Falling down is part of LIFE...
Getting back up is LIVING...

Have a great life.

Thank you, Overstock.

I am not patient in my 30s.
I ordered a bookshelf from Overstock.com a couple weeks ago and the massive white box has been sitting in my living room mocking me for about a week now. I finally looked at the directions Sunday night and took note of the "2 persons" needed for assembly. Being the smart girl I am, I decided to wait until 2 persons were present.

Fast foward 24 hours...patience is certainly a virtue. And one I obviously do not have.
2 persons? Hmph. How hard could it really be?

One hour and 2 episodes of Sex and the City later...

I DID IT! A small feat in home ownership but nonetheless, I am quite proud. I haven't attached it to the wall yet because 1) I actually have no idea how to do that and 2) I'm pretty sure it involves a power drill. While I may not be patient, I'm also not stupid. I am NOT touching anything that can drill a hole and requires electricity to do so.
I went to bed feeling quite accomplished only to slam my finger in a window 20 minutes later. I can put a bookshelf together but I can't open a window without hurting myself? Seriously??