My boys (minus Ollie)

The Sartorialist does it again

Love it.
{via THE SARTORIALIST}

I've been remiss (and exhausted)

I am so sorry to have been absent for a full week. I started my new job this week and it is intense. A lot of hours and a lot of learning to do in a relatively short period of time. Last night I fell asleep on the couch at 8 o'clock. When Honey came home from work, he had a hell of a time waking me. I think I may have mumbled something about being so tired; but I am sure it came out more like "m sss trd".

So . . . let's catch up.

• Many many thanks to all who wished me a happy birthday. It meant the world to me to receive so many kind wishes.

• It was a happy one indeed. We accidentally went on a 12 mile kayaking trip. The kayaking was on purpose, but the 12 miles . . . not so much. By the way, if anyone ever asks you how long it might take one to kayak on a mostly still river for 12 miles - the answer is roughly 8 hours. But it was fun none-the-less. And I do note how accomplished I felt afterward.


• Ollie our new boy is starting to fit in just fine. Izzy is no longer exhibiting her passive aggressive protests; and I have even caught them playing a couple of times.


• The new job so far is both difficult and stressful.


• I still like the new job better than my sucky sucky old job.


• The week that I have been missing from my blog is also a week's worth of missing workouts and housecleaning. This is not good. I am hoping that the dishes become so disgusted with my laziness that they start to clean each other.

Here are some photos from the past 6 days. Enjoy!

Ollie, Izzy & Bean - my loves

The gorgeous new boots Honey got me for my birthday. :)

Just in case you needed another image to recognize the beauty of my new boots.

I love how Oliver sleeps with his legs thrown back like that. So cute!

The day I turned 28

Today is my birthday.

Happy Birthday to me!

That is all.

This is us

I mentioned earlier that Honey & I were able to see Wicked. Of course camera's are prohibited in the theatre. So the only photos we have to commemorate that evening are the ones we took of us being complete dorks just prior to our elegant & mature night at the theatre.

So Scary

A report on the imprisonment of Euna Lee & Laura Ling in North Korea for 12 years of hard labor.

Please pray for them.

I will (again)

Last night I could not stop myself from mentally adding more and more to my list of goals. I think I spurred something within myself that urges me to move forward with all that life has to offer. It is exciting really. Here are a few more goals I want to accomplish in my life.

1. Learn how to ride a bike


2. Learn how to go under water without holding my nose


3. Start my own animal shelter


4. Zip line


5. Hold a monkey


6. Swim with dolphins


7. Try mountain climbing


8. Learn how to bake


9. Organize my recipes & constantly add to the book


10. Become an aunt


11. Become a mother - maybe :)


12. Have a simple wedding - close friends and family only


13. Attend the Willie Nelson 4th of July picnic


14. Get a job I actually love


15. Improve my pathetic photography skills


16. Learn at least one other language

{photo found here}

I will

I was recently inspired by a post I viewed on EVERYDAY MUSINGS to come up with my own list of goals. I love to write things down. It makes things feel so possible.

This is what I have so far. I hope it is an ever expanding list.

1. Live somewhere other than Texas. I really have been trying to figure out how Honey & I may be able to move to Colorado or Oregon. Even if it is just for a while.



2. Visit Europe. Preferably on honeymoon. (fingers crossed)



3. Earn my Masters degree. Then earn my PhD.



4. Buy a house and make it our own.



5. See Honey figure out his dreams and watch him accomplish them.



6. Volunteer at the Homeless Fair this time next year.



7. Figure out small ways to take care of others (without neglecting myself).



8. Read. Read. Read. (I will post a list of books soon).



9. Watch the sun rise or set on a rooftop with Honey.



10. Go to Africa. Take many pictures while on Safari. Volunteer in a refugee camp.



11. Leave less of a footprint on the earth and more of a footprint in the lives of others.



12. Learn more about attachment parenting.



13. Laugh as much as possible.



14. See much more live music.



15. Go white water rafting.

{beautiful image found here}

I am here

Honey and I have been through a lot. Ups & downs. Good times & hard times. And all of those other cliche's. However, through it all - we have kept a sort of stick-to-it-iveness. We choose to love each other. Even when it is hard.

And now - I am more in love than ever.

I am here.

{via I CAN READ}

One full weekend

This weekend was absolutely lovely. On Wednesday (not actually the weekend, I know) Honey & I went with 2 of my dearest friends to see Wicked. FANTASTIC! I had the music stuck in my head for days after. We did have an invite to check out backstage via the super sweet girl who tailors my clothes (I'm short and need much hemming). Unfortunately, we were unable to locate each other after the show. Nothing stings quite the way a missed opportunity does, however the experience was still a positive one. Then on Friday, I went with my movie club - which in reality is really just me & my friend Oscar - to see Up. AGAIN FANTASTIC! I adored everything about it. The dog humor was especially heart-warming. I don't often buy movies, but this one will be added to my meager library.

Saturday night I went to a local bar with a group of friends to watch the UFC fight. Franklin vs. Silva. While my absolute favorite fighter is Forrest Griffin (*sigh*), Franklin is a close second. Franklin won = great night of fun.

Then on Sunday, we ended up taking in another dog. We named him Oliver, but are already calling him Ollie. Izzy is in full-on pout mode. I am hoping she adjusts soon. Bean, on the other hand, just loves him. I'll be sure to post photos soon.

How was your weekend?

You shouldn't have

{found via ERIN EVER AFTER via MADE YOU LOOK}

If you wish to get me this lovely clutch as a birthday present - you may do so here.

Thanks in advance!

:)

Sharing the Love

Chrissy at Eric & Kalei's Best Friend awarded me this little bit of joy. I am not ashamed to say that I love acknowledgement :) I am new to the world o' blog and this is my first award/tag. I feel like giving a thank you speech devoted to all the little people out there.

I kid, I kid.

Anyway - Thanks Chrissy! And here are some blogs that I feel are deserving. I limited myself to ten , although there are so many wonderful blogs out there, because I tend to blog at inappropriate times (like at work).

Please feel free to share the love with others.

1. monsterawr - so funny!
2. marvelous kiddo - who has exposed me to the world of attachment parenting (along with so fawned, who is next on the list)
3. so fawned
4. simply recipes - I use this blog often
5. the typing makes me sound busy - I laugh so hard I may pee a little
6. you are my fave
7. erin ever after
8. I *heart* you
9. prosecco and lemonade
10. milk

These all hit home (for one reason or another)

I'm not feeling very chatty today. So here are some images that can speak for me.

The 1st one is in honor of one of my current bloggie favorites.{all found via I CAN READ}

Great Gatsby!

There is something about this entire photo that is just so very handsome. Even the cigarette (which I usually hate).

Is it just me?

{found via The Sartorialist}

UGH!

Apparently Tuesday mornings bite the big one. At least this particular Tuesday morning does.
I left the house early today so that I could get gas and pick up a prescription that I need. However, somehow in between gas and my local CVS I managed to lose my debit card. I called the bank frantically to cancel my card only to find out that it will be 10 -15 working days before I get a new one. I therefore had no money to pick up my prescription (which I really wish I had right about now) nor did I have any money to pick up the breakfast tacos I intended to devour this morning.
To sum it up: Girl with empty belly and no antibiotics, gives free reign of her almost empty bank account to shady characters at local gas station.

Through my eyes

Friday night Honey and I had a date night. We had a gift certificate to Soleil, a lovely restaurant/ wine bar. We tend to revolve our activities around food, so a tasty dinner out is always appreciated by the both of us. This was our first visit to Soleil and we were not disappointed. Escargot, pasta with bleu cheese and bacon, and scallops with a fantastic vanilla saffron sauce were all ordered and enjoyed.

We also went to see The Hangover. It was a bit funny and a bit gross. The ratio of funny to gross was not my fave. But I will admit to several laugh out loud moments.

*

Escargot with sage & bacon = yummy

********

Sunday was my baby sister's birthday. She is now 25 and according to my dad we are to call her 2-bit for the next year. My dad can be adorable in that way. We went out to my parent's to celebrate over mom's dinner and my homemade brownies.

*

Izzy LOVES to ride in the car.

Dad's new larger-than-life bbq pit.

Captain Jack

Dynasty

Birthday Wish List II

These are something I both need and want (in blue).

{found here}

Any of these from J Crew would make me happy :)

{all 3 found here}

So cute! AND on sale.

{found at Bandolino}

Not my biological clock

Today I told my mom about my new found interest in Newfoundlands (see what I did there?) and was shocked to hear her response.

ME: I think I want to try and find a Newfie to add to the family.

MOM: *sigh* *ugh* You're never going to have kids, are you?

I love my mother, DEARLY.
But really mom?
Really?

I hope my sis gets preggers soon.

Wanted - An Addition to the Family

Before we had Izzy, it took me a full year of begging, bargaining, and insinuating that his refusal may send me straight into a depression to convince Honey that we needed a dog. He eventually broke down. We went to a shelter, saw Izzy that day and immediately fell in love.
Fast forward 2 years and I think its time to add to the family.

I am a huge proponent of adopting animals. But I have to admit, I am highly interested in one specific breed this time around. The Newfie.
Even easy temperament? CHECK!
Lovable and kind? CHECK!
Good with kids? CHECK!
Highly intelligent & trainable? CHECK!
Capable of saving a drowning man? CHECK!

I'm smitten.
Considering that this breed can weigh as much as 150 lbs I think that it will take more than a year to get Honey to acquiesce to my desires.
Wish me luck!

{photo via Imajan Photography}

A Change is Gonna Come

F#$$%^$&%^*)^&*!!!!!!!

That is for Sucky job #1.
I have decided to take the new job for sure. I have a meeting this afternoon to finalize the details.

Suck it, old job!

Featured Favorite Blogger

I love reading other people's blogs. I like to get a feel for what others live like. Maybe it is a little nosy on my part, maybe I am just fascinated by human nature. Maybe I just use this to gage how "normal" I actually am :)

Either way, I have accumulated a list of several blogs that I visit on a regular basis.

One of my favorite blogs to visit is Leigh's creation, Marvelous Kiddo. I recently contacted Leigh and asked if she would be interested in participating in a humble little interview conducted by yours truly. She agreed. I giggled with merriment. And now, here you go. . .

WHAT ARE 5 THINGS THAT YOU JUST ADORE?

Eating fresh cherries by the bowlful

Browsing for hours in a bookstore

Witnessing a great live performance

Paris

Snuggling in bed with my husband and son on Sunday mornings

WHAT ARE 5 THINGS YOU JUST CAN'T STAND?

Bigotry

Prompting a child to say something polite

Smoking

Bad listeners

Anchovies

WHAT ARE 5 THINGS YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO? (side note - never know if I should use "to" or "too")

Meeting my new baby (due August 30)

Seeing the movie version of Where the Wild Things Are

Attending a friend's summer wedding

Hanging out with my son tomorrow (and every day!)

Traveling to someplace I've never explored before

By the way - isn't she the most lovely pregnant woman you have ever seen?

Quote

My favorite line from last night's episode of The Hills
"Anyone who owns a ten thousand dollar purse deserves to have potato thrown on it."

Preach it Holly!

Without further delay . . .

As promised, here are some photos from this weekend's fun.

Playing apples to apples.

Jackson & Tulah. Brother & sister. It was so funny to watch how they tend to do things in unison. We took 3 dogs on the trip, but I didn't get a good photo of Maggie. Izzy couldn't go because of her legs :(



Tulah - sandy and tired.

Kayaking = fun

I really want to plan a white water rafting trip sometime next year.

I've returned

The mini vacay was fun. Ocean kayaking, 3 excited dogs, good food, and great friends. I will be sure to post some photos and details asap.
In the meantime - I just thought you might be interested to know that I am almost decided that I should take sucky job #2. I have to let them know by Wednesday, so I will know for sure then.
Let's hope that this is not a mistake :) Yikes I feel nervous.