Time to Live

It's a three day weekend. I only get these a few times a year and I crave them. I feel like there is so much time that I can conquer anything! I have this upbeat, positive energy flowing through my body, my brain is whizzing around at 100mph, and I feel like I have everything I need at my fingertips. What to do? Where to begin? 


I like to take time out for the things that I love. I love writing. Too often we're too busy with our "lives" to really live life the way we're meant to. I'll admit, I'm guilty of this crime. We are really selling ourselves short unintentionally. If we aren't doing the things that we love, the things that truly make us happy, what are we doing? We are simply going through the motions of the life we think we are supposed to live. 


This weekend I'm trying to forget silly worries and focus on accomplishing things that I want. This is my three day weekend. 


Harvey (my dog) is so curious about the world around him and he loves to soak it up. Earlier today I was sitting in bed checking my daily websites, trying to decide what I wanted to do next. He jumped off the bed (after nudging me multiple times), stared at me, and then started crying. I opened some blinds for him. He loves leaning on the couch, staring longingly out the window. But that excitement only lasted so long before he wanted more. He told me he needed to go outside. So we moved from the bed to the patio out back. I grabbed the laptop and as I sit here I can really revel in the beauty of the outdoors. My small backyard in South Kansas City isn't ideal, but it's still beautiful. The weather is amazing. My fence line is surrounded by trees and overgrown vines. Their long arms are blowing gently in the wind and that same breeze plays with my hair and tickles my legs. There's a beautiful sunny glow breaking through and gently touching the grass. I hear the buzz of the summer cicadas and a cawing bird somewhere in the distance. Harvey gets it. He knows that being outside is the most wonderful feeling. He stands still and stares at the beauty around him. I look at him and feel it too. This is relaxing. There's nothing like it. 

The Day I Married My Best Friend

Yes, I have been missing for quite some time. What was the reason for my internet disappearance? Well...I got married. :) The last 6 months or so have been a rolling snowball up until the big day- June 4th, 2011. I could've written about the little things that stressed me out, the big things that didn't, and the good times I had with my family planning and preparing all of the details down to the font on the napkins. Yes, weddings are a big thing even when you plan on keeping them small and simple. I may have just tackled the planning and execution for the biggest event of my life, but I couldn't have done it without the support of those who love me. The day flew by as everyone warned us it would. It began with a mani/pedi with my mom, sister, and future sister-in law. The in between was last minute details, laughs, hugs, and pictures. Then, the main event came. I wasn't nearly as nervous as I thought I would be. I saw my closest friends and family, walked to the front with my Dad by my side, and locked eyes and arms with the man of my dreams. Not a shred of doubt or worry ever crossed my mind. Then, just like that, we were married. We were both smiling- so happy, so in love. Best friends, lovers, bonded by the unity of marriage. Forever and always. 

Snow Day!

It's been snowing for more than 12 hours. I haven't noticed a break yet. Funny I was just thinking how odd it's been to only have one snowfall for all of Winter so far. While it's been nice on the drive to work, I haven't been able to wear my snow boots. Snow boots sit idly in your closet all year. They live for snow days!


I woke up for work today and was shocked to find several inches coating everything and more drifting down. While I found a coveted job in education, apparently my university wasn't the best pick. Everyone else woke up to a free snow day and went back to sleep (or I would have anyway). I put on my boots and we carefully slid to work. 


But, to my surprise, we got the winter weather alert that the university was closing at 1 pm! Snow day! Err half a snow day!! A free afternoon regardless. So, we slid back home and bundled up on the couch. 


Harvey was happy to see us and I got to wear my boots! 

Merry Christmas from us!

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It's a Dog's World.

One of my greatest joys are the dogs that have been a part of my life. My lifelong friend, Jazzy, a Cocker Spaniel/Schnauzer mix passed away last year just before Christmas. She was a major part of my childhood and was eager to be a part of whatever my latest crazy dog fad was. Jazzy was a show dog, a sled dog, and an active agility participant. Did I mention her breed? She would do anything for a little love. Some might describe her as a nuisance. She terrorized the mailman and barked at anything that dared to move down our street (watch out rolling leaves!). Sometimes she was difficult but I think we can all agree, we wouldn't have traded her anything. RIP.

Since moving out on my own a few years ago, I realized my dwelling wasn't a home. It didn't take me long to realize what was missing. Eight months later, and after hours of searching, we threw in the towel and adopted a five pound "Dachshund/Fox Terrier mix. He was the cutest little furry mess our eyes had laid eyes on. We named him Harvey. He had a rough start to life and wasn't very trusting of humans. He had serious abandonment issues. We showered him with love and tried to look past his lack of potty training (oh puppies!) and constant finger, leg, and arm biting (thanks teething). Today, Harvey is an extremely active, healthy, happy, thirty pound dog. He is the smartest dog I have ever met and he loves us with every wiggly bone in his body. 

Last weekend I went to the Dogtoberfest with my mom and fiance. This used to be a yearly tradition for us before life got a little too crazy. It's basically events, booths, and dogs. Lots of dogs. The weather was perfect. I think what I love the most is the number of people who care about dogs as much as I do, just right here in my little part of the world. Everyone had a different breed, each with its own personality. I wish I could hear everyone's story. Where did their dog come from and what was the moment when they knew that was the dog for them? 


Dogs are family members. Homes without them are quieter and definitely much cleaner but are missing the love that only a dog can provide. 

Enough of me sounding like a crazy dog lady, here are Seven Reasons that I LOVE Dogs:


7. Eager to Please. Were you reading earlier? My 20 lb. terrier let me use her as a sled dog. Enough said. (Disclaimer: No terriers were harmed while training for the Iditarod).

6. Friends Forever. You may leave your dog (not by choice) for an undisclosed amount of time. They won't be mad that you didn't call. All they care about is that you made it back safely.


5. They will eat whatever you give them. You don't have to worry about getting creative here, just toss some kibble into their bowl and they will happily devour it. That's not to say they won't droll over your chicken. 


4. They will always lend an ear and never criticize your decisions. Sometimes all you want is someone to hear you out without making any judgment. 


3. They don't mind when you have bad days. They will probably even offer to cheer you up. How can you be down when there's a dog around (no rhyme intended)?


2. Snuggling is what they do best. Sometimes they don't realize how large they are. Harvey, if you're reading this, please stop using my shoulder as a perch.


1. They are always, always thrilled to see you. When was the last time you saw a human who was that excited to see you? Never. Harvey takes on the form of another creature anytime one of us comes home. He gets a case of the uncontrollable wiggles and his tail flops around so fast, it has literally cleared our coffee table. 


If you are reading this and haven't owned a dog, you are truly missing out. 

Where are you Summer?

Apparently fall is officially here. Le sigh. 


I love summer. I love the sun, the warmth, the memories of freedom. I love wearing short shorts and tank tops. I love letting my dog out at 7 am and feeling a warm breeze rush over my skin. I love the smell of fresh cut grass and the way it feels under my bare feet. I love barbeques. I love driving windows down with my music blaring, it makes me feel cool. I love sunglasses. I love summer. 


So, to cope with the loss of my close friend summer, I have decided to make a list of 7 things that I actually love about fall. 


7. Boots! I like shoes, a lot. And there is something sassy about a good pair of boots.


6. Apple Cider. Maybe it's available all year, but I like to think it isn't. It's fruit with a kick.


5. Heaters. I love the musty smell that leaks out of the vent when the heater first kicks on. I love driving with the windows down and heat blasting (see ode to summer).


4. Candy Corn. Multi-colored, triangular bites of sugar. The layers are so perfectly proportioned. They are good for the soul. 


3. Pumpkin Cookies. Or bread, or pie. Pumpkin as a food is wonderful.


2. Halloween Decorations. It's true that fall includes more than Halloween but there really aren't any good turkey decorations. 


1. Pumpkin Patches. Call me old school but I still enjoy a good trip to the pumpkin patch. A magical wagon takes us to a field of pumpkins looking for good homes. We find one to adopt and then rip it's guts out. But, it wears a smile. 

Exercise Doesn't Have to Be About Running 10 Miles

Exciting - I'm a guest blogger for fitbotommedgirls.com!!

Exercise Doesn't Have to Be About Running 10 Miles