The Story

I have never been more relieved in my life.  Really, truly, and utterly RELIEVED.

Grateful :o)

Lucy's story (from my pespective):

I talked to Rekka, a friend and one of the DT6 reps, Monday morning around 11.  I called to ask her a question about Lexi (my current foster) and she was on her way to check on a Lucy lead.  Truth be told, I didn't think much of it.  There have been a bunch of them over the past few months (most I'm probably not even aware of) so I just took this one with a grain of salt. 

45 minutes later, JP, the DT6 President, was calling me.  I don't think I even said "hello."  I think I just picked up the phone and said "Ohmigod.  Was it her??"

Miracle of all miracles, Lucy was in the back of a squad car when Rekka arrived to the call site.  Here are the details posted on Facebook:

From one of Lucy's rescuers, DPD Officer Maria Gutierrez:

"I spotted Lucy sitting in front of a house [on] Empire Central. We had just read the flyer posted at Starbucks by Lovefield & I have been keeping up with all of th emails that your forward to me. We talked to the owner of the house & she told us the dog was a stray ...that showed up 2 months ago & she gave us some hot dog weenies to get the dog close to us. I was able to get close enough to read her collar & was soooo excited, but then Lucy took off running. After a brief foot & car chase, we then called for cover & with the help of the NW patrol officers listed below, were able to catch Lucy & put her in the back of the squad car. My partner Gloria called Amy Brewer [who contacted Lt. Kimberly Stratman] & she was able to get the contact info for the owner from Lucy's Facebook page.
The owner arrived to the location & was almost in tears & was very thankful.

There are so many of us who prayed for this day. So many of us who wished for it.  I won't lie, I lost hope.  My prayers went from "God, please bring her back" to "God, please keep her safe, healthy and happy wherever she may be."

At the vet with my girl.  I was incredibly selfish and stayed by her the entire time.  I couldn't not be near her.

I started crying when I talked to JP and the rest of the phone calls, text messages and facebook comments had me in tears for the remainder of the day.  THANK GOD I was working from home!

I don't really know who reads this blog, but if you, in any way, helped bring Lucy home, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

Lucy was gone for 78 days.  (The most classic response I got to that statistic was from my friend Sheree who said "that's longer than Kim Kardashian's marriage!!")

This has been a long and stressful 78 days.  I tried not to talk about it.  And I tried not to think about it.  But the fact that she's home still brings me to tears 48 hours later. (HOW DO I HAVE ANY LEFT?!?) 

I am forever grateful for my DT6 family.  They understand the torture of losing a pet.  (And yes ya'll, it IS torture.)  Not once did anyone blame me.  Not once did anyone say anything bad to me.  This group has been nothing but supportive, loving and hopeful.  They've answered my calls, calmed me down when I've been upset and cheered me up when I was worried.  And hopefully, visa versa.  I have made life-long friends throughout this ordeal and I will foster for them as long as they'll have me.

Below are more pictures from various friends on Facebook.  I also posted the link of us seeing Lucy for the first time. (Please forgive my ridiculously cheesy reaction.  The only words that would escape my mouth were "it's REALLY her!")

She took a nap on my leg and let us all love on her. Pure bliss :o)

Posing for JP.  I love this face so much!

Lucy at the Vet

Lucy Irene

FOUND HER!!!!!!!



Recipes

Obviously, with me getting back into the gym, health has been a popular topic on my mind lately.
I'm lucky enough to work at an office where everything is at my fingertips.  It's a blessing and a curse, all in one.  I've enjoyed the luxury of having coffee shops and cafeterias at my fingertips.  That being said, it's not easy on the wallet.
A few weeks ago, I decided to start bringing my lunch and breakfast (and sometimes dinner) to work because spending $70+ a week on food is ridiculous to me.  And I'd so much rather get new furniture and save that money than spend it on things that won't matter to me in the long run.  Being financially smart is a learning experience and it doesn't come easily to me.  I struggle with making good choices everyday but I'm very happy with the ones I've made lately!
I started cooking meals for the week on the weekends again and I was so happy with the way they turned out that I wanted to share them with you.
Enjoy!
Giada's Turkey, Kale & Brown Rice Soup
Turkey Spinach Meatballs
Egg & Avocado Toast (I make this in the morning before I go to work and eat when I get hungry in the morning)
Personal favorite snack: I'll pack grapes, blackberries and 2 clementines in container with greek yogurt and drizzle of honey.  YUM!!  (Sometimes I add granola but it's expensive and I don't necessarily miss it when it's not there.)
To satisfy my sweet tooth, I munch on Cinammon Graham crackers  They're messy but do the job when I start to crave sugar.
I don't know if ya'll are struggling with maintaining (or getting to) a healthy lifestyle but I always appreciate when someone offers new recipes and insight to me so I thought I'd try to help others out too.  If you have anything to share, please comment!

Skinny Vs Healthy

I'm blessed.
Other than a few months in college, my weight has fluctuated within the same 7 pound range all my adult life.  Go ahead, hate me. 
I'm only saying this because while I have been the same number on the scale for oh so many years, it doesn't mean I've looked good, felt good or been healthy whatsoever. 
I admire people who take their health seriously.  Because I've been lucky, I'm jumping on the health bandwagon a bit later in life than I'd like to admit.  I finally got clearance to work out in January (within reason) and I'll admit that getting back in shape is harder than I thought it would be. 
I have never been so unhappy with my body as I am now.  Yes, I'm thin.  Yes, it could be worse.  I'm not saying I'm fat.  I'm saying that I'm not happy with the way my body looks.  There IS a difference!  I'm currently working out 2-4 times a week (depending on my back) and obviously, that's not enough.  While I've always been lucky to be able to eat what I've wanted, I've noticed a few things as I've gotten older. 
My energy levels depend on what I eat.
My metabolism is all over the place because of my eating habits.
If I don't get at least 7 hours of sleep, I'm absolutely exhausted the next day.
I'm 31.  And way too young to have any problems like this.  I always thought I'd be one of the lucky ones to get better with age.  For the very first time, I'm GRATEFUL for my injury because it's teaching me that no matter what the circumstances, I'm human and I need to take care of myself.
Point being: I can only work out 3-4 times a week and I have pretty strict limitations on what I can do.  Some would push those, I will not.  So my only option to being as healthy as I'd like to be is to eat better.  I'm good at eating lean and whatnot but there is just SO MUCH information out there on how to eat the best way possible.  I'm not a super disciplined person.  And with my job, I don't have a lot of time at home during the week.  If go to work and then workout, I get home at 8:30 at night, which is way too late to eat dinner or prepare any meal for that matter.  I will never give up Diet Coke or wine.  Balance is my enemy Monday-Friday.  To make up for my shortcomings, I do increase my water intake, I will eat more small meals daily and I might possibly consider chugging a green juice for dinner if it means I'll get the protein and vitamins I need for a balanced diet.
Do ya'll have anything you swear by to be in your best form?  I've started following a few health blogs (they're in my blog list on the right) that I'm hoping will help me adapt a healthier lifestyle.  I'm interested in juicing but am TERRIFIED of the way a spinach, celery, apple, and mint juice will taste. (If it's not good, I won't drink it.  I'm a snob like that.)
If you have anything that will make me a healthier me, I'd appreciate it!  Please share!!

PS-Completely off subject but we may have had a Lucy sighting today.  PLEASE PRAY!  I hate that there are so many stray dogs out there that could be her.  Dogs deserve a home, end of story.  Please pray we get Lucy and her friends off the street soon!

Late Day Confessions

I'm a bit late to join the Confessionals, but better late than never, right? :o)

**I am very conscious of my actions when I'm in a new situation.  I'm not really comfortable at work yet so I find myself constantly apologizing, playing with my phone, picking at my nail polish or saying yes/no ma'am (or sir) to people who are YOUNGER than me.  This is not okay!  I'm driving myself crazy but I can't stop.  Can we fast forward a few months so I feel like me please??

**I have good news...I found my planner!  It was behind my couch.  I don't know why or how or what it was doing there but I'm not asking questions.  Planner is found, I'm a happy and (hopefully) organized girl! 

**I'm thrilled to be back in the gym.  I am NOT thrilled I pulled my hamstring last Thusday. (Of course I did.  For whatever reason, I have to "injure" myself at least once a week.  Otherwise it's just not a normal week.)  What was I doing?  Oh you know, just WALKING ON THE TREADMILL.  This whole getting back into shape thing is no picnic.  Fortunately, I have a few months before bathing suit season!

**I'm avid about not having regrets.  I like to think everything happens for a reason.  While I've always regretted not keeping in touch with my nearest and dearest college friends, for some reason, this has been on my mind more than ever lately.  (I spoke to my little sis a few weeks ago, maybe that's what started it.)  It was never my plan to come back (or stay) in Texas after going to WVU.  If anything, I thought I'd start an amazing life in Pittsburgh, Baltimore or DC.  That didn't happen but that's okay.  I do think I'm where I was meant to be.  My roomates, Mere and Emily, along with my sorority sisters, have a special place in my heart.  I hate that I'm not really close with those who were such an important part of my life.  I keep up with everyone on Facebook but it's not the same.  If any of ya'll are reading this, I love you.  I'm so happy you're happy and I hope one day you will make the trek to the deep South for a few days!  And as fake as it sounds, I don't care...xoxo) :o)   

**I was dreading work today because I had to do a floor set and from what I've been hearing all week, I expected hell.  Maybe I'm nuts, but I had fun!  Yes, it's a ton of work but I loved seeing it all pay off at the end of the day.  The only hell I suffered is that I put myself on a spending freeze and refused to let myself buy anything. :o) (I may have had an incident with a few plastic pegs too. I'd advise you to not sit on one of those...ever.)

**I'm still really upset about Lucy.  A few people have tried to tease me about it and call me emotional and sensitive when I don't laugh at their jokes.  I like to think I have a good sense of humor.  But as far as I'm concerned, Lucy is my dog.  She's gone and that's on me, no matter what anyone says.  It's not funny, it's not amusing and it's absolutely nothing to joke about.  I don't expect everyone to agree with my feelings but I do expect people to respect them.  How has it been a month already??  I just want my girl home. :o(  We had news of a sighting on Wednesday but no luck finding her.  Please pray we find her soon!   

**I tend to say this a lot, but now I'm serious.  I think I may be on Lifetime one day.  The trusty police officers of Dallas have knocked on my door twice in the past two weeks looking for my neighbor.  The first time I didn't think much of it.  This week, I asked for "the reason behind their search."  (At work, I'm a nervous wreck...with the police, I'm apparently refined and polished.  ???)  They said not to worry and that I'm not in danger.  Maybe I should have paid more attention to the city notices taped to her door the past few weeks...YIKES.  Good thing I have a 5 pound guard dog!        

My parents are coming in this weekend and I'm looking forward to some low key quality parental time.  It's my Dad's birthday on Sunday and I'm looking forward to brunch with "old" family friends and I hope ya'll have a fabulous weekend! 

PS-I'm SO EXCITED about my new followers!!!!  Thank you for following me.  I promise I'll make it as entertaing as possible. :o)

Update & Confesional

Good Morning peeps!  (Or really Good Evening since I’m writing this at 10:30 Thursday night but whatever…details, details.)  ANYWAY, YAY FOR FRIDAY!! 

This is an update/confessional since I’m linking up with Leslie from A Blonde Ambition today but haven’t written since early December.  Let’s kill 2 birds with one stone, shall we?

**I apologize for stepping away from the blog, friends.  There’s a bit to catch you up on but let’s start with how HAPPY I am that 2012 is O-V-E-R.  The year ended with a loud THUD when my foster pup ran away on December 21st in my attempt to transport her.  Long story short, she freaked out when I tried to put her in the car and got away.  We still haven’t found her.  And when I say “we” I mean upwards of 200 people.  It eats at me every day and I hope to God my Lucy girl is okay and will come home soon.   (You can find info on the situation by looking up Duck Team 6 on Facebook.)   

**On the bright side, my new job has taken over my world (as most new jobs do) but I am happy, healthy and loving it.  It’s a lot of work, a lot to learn and very overwhelming but I’m anxious to get to the point where I can keep up with everyone else and hopefully one day, become as good at my job as they are at theirs!  (Seriously, these people are amazing.  Sometimes I wonder if they hired me by mistake!)

** I have 2 resolutions for 2013. The first one is to get and stay organized.  I love to have things in certain places all nice and pretty; it just doesn’t come naturally to me.  My 2nd resolution is to enjoy my life.  I’m 31 and catch myself wishing I was in my 20s again.  In 5 years, I’ll wish I was 31 again so I want to enjoy and love this time.  Resolution #1: EPIC FAIL.  It’s January 17^th and I’ve already lost my daily planner.  Resolution #2: so far so good!  WOO-HOO!

**I was FINALLY cleared by my doctor to start working out again.  I’ve never considered myself athletic but O-M-GEE.  I love a good workout.  I had no idea how much I missed it until I realized how happy I was to leave the gym, wake up sore and NOT CRAVE WINE.  Healthy Me=Happy Me.  Who knew??

**It’s possible I’m becoming a ridiculous amount of girlie.  I’m not happy with my outfit I picked for tomorrow (although I LOVE it) because it clashes with my nail polish.  On top of being girlie-er than girlie, I’m also stubborn.  So even though I hate that my outfit doesn’t compliment my nail polish, I’m still going to wear it.  Simply because I want to.

Happy Weekend loves!!  I hope ya’ll have a fabulous one :o)