Have you ever had one of those days that is equally awesome and sucks at the same time?
Well, that's my day today.
Amazing breakfast, Tummy ache.
Lots of laughs at work, A migraine is coming.
It's friday, Feel sick. Rehearsal, Feel sick.
Accomplished something I've been working on forever, Can't share it with the person who I want to share it with the most...
You know, one of those days.
So I saw a picture of a huge pink gerber daisy pop up on my computer and I couldn't help but smile -- So I wanted to make a list of things that can always make me happy...
-The color pink
-Gerber daisies
-My neices
-Childrens laughter
-Dancing (in any way, shape or form)
-Photography
-Mountains
-Rain/Thunder storms
-Writing
-Singing
-Making music with friends
-My Dad
-When my mom is proud of me
-My grandma
-Swings and Slides
-Bridges
-Watermelon
-Drinking the milk after eating cereal
-Chocolate Milk
-Camp fires
-Playing in Water
-Shooting stars
-Baggy sweats
-Naps
-Baby Animals
-Snuggling
-Making wishes on stars, in wells, blowing eyelashes and dandelions and birthday candles
-Slippers
-Hearing from a good friend
-Compliments
-Warm cookies with milk
-Foot Pictures
-Pinky Promises
-Yummy drinks
-Goo-losh
-Checking things off my bucket list
-Looking at scrapbooks
-Listening to music
-Hot Showers
-Reading
-Lady Bugs
-Rainbows
-The smell of lavender
-The smell of sage
-Boating
-4wheeling
-Camping
-Hunting
-Thinking about being a mom one day
-Partner Dancing/Lifts
-Watching movies
-Popcorn
-Vampires
That was fun! Make a list of your own!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
If I could, I would.. .. ..
In July, I had the opportunity to go to Ecuador for 2 weeks. I cannot begin to describe in words how it changed me.
If I could, I would go back today.
If I could, I would stay for MUCH longer than two weeks.
If I could, I would visit every school, orphanage, womens center, etc until I have helped as many people as I could.
If I could, I would bring toys and braclets and gum to the children.
If I could, I would bring my passions of dance, singing, photography and love to the people in Ecuador.
If I could, I would bare my heart and soul and do everything in my power to help them in any way needed.
If I could, I would.. .. ..
Me Encanta Ecuador!
If I could, I would go back today.
If I could, I would stay for MUCH longer than two weeks.
If I could, I would visit every school, orphanage, womens center, etc until I have helped as many people as I could.
If I could, I would bring toys and braclets and gum to the children.
If I could, I would bring my passions of dance, singing, photography and love to the people in Ecuador.
If I could, I would bare my heart and soul and do everything in my power to help them in any way needed.
If I could, I would.. .. ..
Me Encanta Ecuador!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Tank
They told me the big black Lab's name was Reggie, as I looked at him lying in his pen. The shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly. I'd only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street.
But something was still missing as I
attempted to settle in to my new life h...
But something was still missing as I
attempted to settle in to my new life h...
ere, and I thought a dog couldn't hurt. Give me someone to talk to. And I had just seen Reggie's advertisement on the local news. The shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just didn't look like "Lab people," whatever that meant. They must've thought I did.
But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes and a sealed letter from his previous owner.
See, Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too.
Maybe we were too much alike.
I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that. "Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see if your previous owner has any advice."
____________ _________ _________ _________
To Whomever Gets My Dog:
Well, I can't say that I'm happy you're reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie's new owner. I'm not even happy writing it. He knew something was different.
So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you.
First, he loves tennis balls. The more the merrier. Sometimes I think he's part squirrel, the way he hoards them. He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn't done it yet. Doesn't
matter where you throw them, he'll bound after them, so be careful. Don't do it by any roads.
Next, commands. Reggie knows the obvious ones ---"sit," "stay," "come," "heel."
He knows hand signals, too: He knows "ball" and "food" and "bone" and "treat" like nobody's business.
Feeding schedule: twice a day, regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand.
He's up on his shots. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet. Good luck getting him in the car. I don't know how he knows when it's time to go to the vet, but he knows.
Finally, give him some time. It's only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He's gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn't bark or complain. He just loves to be around people, and me most especially.
And that's why I need to share one more bit of info with you...His name's not Reggie. He's a smart dog, he'll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. But I just couldn't bear to give them his real name. But if someone is reading this ... well it means that his new owner should know his real name. His real name is "Tank." Because, that is what I drive.
I told the shelter that they couldn't make "Reggie" available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. You see, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could've left Tank with .. and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone call to the shelter ... in the "event" ... to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption. Luckily, my CO is a dog-guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he'd do it personally. And if you're reading this, then he made good on his word.
Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family. And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family, too, and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he
loved me.
If I have to give up Tank to keep those terrible people from coming to the US I am glad to have done so. He is my example of service and of love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades.
All right, that's enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth.
Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight - every night - from me.
Thank you,
Paul Mallory
____________ _________ _________ _______
I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure, I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the Silver
Star when he gave his life to save three buddies. Flags had been at half-mast all summer.
I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog.
"Hey, Tank," I said quietly.
The dog's head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright.
"C'mere boy."
He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn't heard in months. "Tank," I whispered.
His tail swished.
I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my
face into his scruff and hugged him.
"It's me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me." Tank reached up and licked my cheek.
"So whatdaya say we play some ball?" His ears perked again.
"Yeah? Ball? You like that? Ball?"
Tank tore from my hands and disappeared into the next room. And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.
But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes and a sealed letter from his previous owner.
See, Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too.
Maybe we were too much alike.
I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that. "Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see if your previous owner has any advice."
____________ _________ _________ _________
To Whomever Gets My Dog:
Well, I can't say that I'm happy you're reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie's new owner. I'm not even happy writing it. He knew something was different.
So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you.
First, he loves tennis balls. The more the merrier. Sometimes I think he's part squirrel, the way he hoards them. He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn't done it yet. Doesn't
matter where you throw them, he'll bound after them, so be careful. Don't do it by any roads.
Next, commands. Reggie knows the obvious ones ---"sit," "stay," "come," "heel."
He knows hand signals, too: He knows "ball" and "food" and "bone" and "treat" like nobody's business.
Feeding schedule: twice a day, regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand.
He's up on his shots. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet. Good luck getting him in the car. I don't know how he knows when it's time to go to the vet, but he knows.
Finally, give him some time. It's only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He's gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn't bark or complain. He just loves to be around people, and me most especially.
And that's why I need to share one more bit of info with you...His name's not Reggie. He's a smart dog, he'll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. But I just couldn't bear to give them his real name. But if someone is reading this ... well it means that his new owner should know his real name. His real name is "Tank." Because, that is what I drive.
I told the shelter that they couldn't make "Reggie" available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. You see, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could've left Tank with .. and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone call to the shelter ... in the "event" ... to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption. Luckily, my CO is a dog-guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he'd do it personally. And if you're reading this, then he made good on his word.
Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family. And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family, too, and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he
loved me.
If I have to give up Tank to keep those terrible people from coming to the US I am glad to have done so. He is my example of service and of love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades.
All right, that's enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth.
Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight - every night - from me.
Thank you,
Paul Mallory
____________ _________ _________ _______
I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure, I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the Silver
Star when he gave his life to save three buddies. Flags had been at half-mast all summer.
I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog.
"Hey, Tank," I said quietly.
The dog's head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright.
"C'mere boy."
He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn't heard in months. "Tank," I whispered.
His tail swished.
I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my
face into his scruff and hugged him.
"It's me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me." Tank reached up and licked my cheek.
"So whatdaya say we play some ball?" His ears perked again.
"Yeah? Ball? You like that? Ball?"
Tank tore from my hands and disappeared into the next room. And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.
Instantly Fell in Love
Meet Athena! She is a Rottweiler/Lab mix. I have had the opportunity to dog sit this beautiful girl for a little over a week now and I adore her. I get to be her adoptive mom until January 2013. She is not quite a year old. She is crazy, hyper and not trained at all. But she is also sweet, loving and so playful. I've had my ups and downs with her as I try to train her and help her be the best dog she can be. She's had me laughing so hard my stomach hurts. She's had my in tears with frustration. And she's had me feeling like I am the best dog owner ever. She looks me right in the eyes. She burrows her sweet head into me when she's in a lovey mood or when she's in trouble. And she snuggles right against me when I am sick -- she even sat right next to the toilet when I was sick the other day. She's incredible. She had not been trained much at all and in just over a week, I've taught her to sit, lay, stay (she's working on it) and to get and stay in her kennel. We are working hard on "Come" and having her always go potty outside. I seriously am in love with this baby girl. I know it may seem weird to some, but I think I need her in my life right now.
I am also dog-sitting Athena's brother. His name is Zeus. He is a Chihuahua/Yorkie mix. He's pretty hilarious. Zeus is calm and kinda lays around a lot. My favorite thing about Zeus is that he likes to sleep under the covers and right up against me. Cute little guy...
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Days Like These
When your weekend includes organizing messes you've had for months, long drives in the mountains, Swiss Days, dinner in Park City, a new outfit, hanging out with your brother, a BBQ with some of the best people you know, seeing Batman (and falling asleep on your friends lap), going to an outdoor theater with your family, picnic at Wheeler Farm, pizza with 4 of the cutest boys I know, etc etc etc...
You realize how GOOD life is.
There are so many bad things around me. So much anxiety. So many things to manage. So much heartache. But when you look back on a weekend like this last one - you can see the light through the darkness, feel the warmth through the cold and realize that you are BLESSED.
I am amazed at the love, the friendship, the peace I have at times in my life. And those are the things that push me through the ugly, bad and stressful.
So my goal is to remember those little things that truly make my entire heart and soul smile. I'll close my eyes and remember the sound of children's laughter. I'll take a few deep breaths and smell the movie popcorn or the crisp mountain air. I'll think back and remember the taste of slow smoked BBQ. Listening to someone's voice singing as we dance in the parking lot. A random text or message that makes your day.. .. ..
I challenge my friends and family who may read this to do the same -- Find those things that always light you up and keep them in your back pocket for a day you may need a little pick me up -- remember how many reasons you have to smile.
Xoxo
You realize how GOOD life is.
There are so many bad things around me. So much anxiety. So many things to manage. So much heartache. But when you look back on a weekend like this last one - you can see the light through the darkness, feel the warmth through the cold and realize that you are BLESSED.
I am amazed at the love, the friendship, the peace I have at times in my life. And those are the things that push me through the ugly, bad and stressful.
So my goal is to remember those little things that truly make my entire heart and soul smile. I'll close my eyes and remember the sound of children's laughter. I'll take a few deep breaths and smell the movie popcorn or the crisp mountain air. I'll think back and remember the taste of slow smoked BBQ. Listening to someone's voice singing as we dance in the parking lot. A random text or message that makes your day.. .. ..
I challenge my friends and family who may read this to do the same -- Find those things that always light you up and keep them in your back pocket for a day you may need a little pick me up -- remember how many reasons you have to smile.
Xoxo
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