How can I be mad when its so cute!

Puppy has a thing for shoes. She does not chew them, well except for the occasional shoe lace, but she has not ruined any yet. I know its only a matter of time. She only gathers them when left alone. I think they smell like us and she just wants us close to her. Its kind of endearing... but not really a habit I'd like her to keep.

I work from home and Puppy pretty much sits on the couch in front of the window either sleeping or watching the comings and goings on the street. Usually about every hour or 30 mins or so she will come into the office and make sure I am still there. It had been a while since she came and checked in on me, so I went and made sure she was not into anything she's not suppose to be in. As I rounded the corner I noticed the top of one of my boots on the couch. I was about to scold puppy and tell her no when I noticed it was not just one boot, but both.... and she had them lined up so perfectly. How could I yell at my little puppy's organizational skills!

Gotta love the holidays...

Man life has gotten a little hectic again. At least its not too crazy. Puppy and I are currently laying on the couch taking a break. Its been a long day. She's been helping me mix up cookie batter tonight. Well helping if you call being underfoot and licking up all the flour I spill helping.

I'm putting all the bake ware that I got for the wedding to work this year and making tons of Christmas cookies. Since I'm rapidly running out of time I figured I would mix up and freeze what I can. Oh and plus I made my sister some triple ginger cookies for hosting thanksgiving this weekend. Shoot, I was suppose to take a picture of them all boxed up. Oops... Guess you all will have to use your imagination. =)

I also had to finish up my invites for our family holiday weekend. We are having our family down in December for a holiday dinner. I figured we could make them drive to us one of these times! Not to mention I had 2 birthday gifts to wrap and a wedding gift. I swear I am going to have at least 3 bags for our 3 day thanksgiving trip up north to Michigan. Oh wait... that's not even counting Puppy's bag. Its probably a good thing we are taking the pickup truck. I don't think it would all fit in my jeep.

Well, I've still got gifts to wrap. One of the ladies at work always organizes gift tags for the Goodfellows. I'm not sure if that is a local Detroit thing or not. They basically help under privileged kids. Each tag is for a kid. I got two of them this year. Two boys.... Hubby was pretty funny. Apparently I have no idea what boys would like... go figure!

Guess I should stop rambling and procrastinating and get to it. Tomorrow I get to work all day and then make stuffing, pack, clean the house some, and god knows what else. My puppy is out cold all curled up next to me. It would be so unfair to get up and disturb her.. maybe those toys can wait a little longer to be wrapped...

I still have my job, and that is a good thing.

We have been in limbo at work for the last couple of days. On Tuesday our CEO sent a lovely email to everyone telling us that staff cuts are needed in order to cut our expenses. He said that they should be done with the cuts by the end of the week. So we have all been on pins and needles worrying about it for the last two days. Note to any CEO in this position... just make the announcement when you are ready to actually lay the people off. Don't leave your employees hanging like that. Its not nice.

They finally announced the lay offs this morning. My Boss and I are the only ones in my group who work remotely. So my one friend sent me an email at like 9 saying that Boss was in the office and was going to talk to us all in a few mins. So then I'm sitting there for like 20 mins figuring they were in their meeting and wondering why he did not conference me in. Let me just say I was getting nervous. Then my phone rings and its Boss, not on his work phone, but on his cell phone. SO he wants to have a private conversation. Man my heart sank. He was just calling to keep me in the loop. Thank god!

We did lose one of the girls on Boss's other team, not any of the ones I work with regularly or know very well, but its still going to be quite an adjustment. I pray that she will be able to recover and it will all work out for her... though I know times are not exactly getting any better any time soon. So we will all probably have some shuffling and re-org stuff to deal with... but not as bad as the poor girl who is now unemployed.... and the others I have yet to hear about.

arrrgggghhhhhh!

OK I totally just typed a lovely, witty, and humorous update post...... just to have it lost when I hit the publish post button.

So not in the mood to re-type it.... I am at work and as I said in my clever lost post, my boss does not pay me to blog... but how cool would that be if he did?

I will however promise to catch up later this afternoon... if the computer survives that long!

Puppy's trip to the salon

I know I'm a dork.... but my puppy went to the groomers yesterday and got her hair and nails done. I even bought her a new shirt to wear in the house to keep her warm. She has a very short coat and no body fat to keep her warm. So its not just for the fashion statement! haha

Check out her nails.. they painted them pink to match the new outfit! How cute! Hubby said I had to get a pic of her with her coat on too... Puppy has her hair and nails done and is all dressed up to hit the town!

Too bad the "town" consists of her going in the back yard to do her business! =)

Lesson for Today

If you see an odd brown spot on your carpet, DO NOT rub your fingers in it to see what it is. Just go and get the carpet cleaner.

Actually I guess I learned two lessons today - dogs are not always that great at being able to avoid their own piles of poop, especially when you have a dog who runs around like the devil is chasing her and loving every minute of it. I guess I just always assumed they would have an built in sense to at least keep out of their own old piles of poop. Hey, there's another lesson: mommy and daddy dog owner should be better at picking up the pile in the back yard.

Any ways, back to the carpet.... I turn around and notice this weird spot. Since puppy is fully house trained and had not had an accident in a while... I was wondering what the heck I spilled and when. So there I was rubbing my finger in it and then smelling. Oh yeah it was poop. So then I was all ewwww when I looked at the rest of the carpet. There was a nice little foot path from the back door all through the dining room and living room ending ( or course ) on the couch.

All I have to say is thank goodness for the Bissel Little Green Machine. It does work wonders on both carpet and upholstery! Puppy and I are now learning a new trick. Its called "Sit and Stay on the door mat until I can check your feet!" I have a feeling my dog thinks that I have finally and completely lost my mind!

I'll never understand...

Every time I scroll down this blog and see those pictures of me on my honeymoon it kind of shocks me. I guess its actually seeing how I look. You know how we all have way better pictures in our heads of what we look like than what we actually do look like. I feel like I'm 20 pounds lighter than I look in those pictures. I know, it does not really matter... but still... it shocks me.

You would think it would shock me into finally re-starting that diet and losing those last 20 (ha, ok more like 40) pounds... no its really just pushing me further into that apple pie I baked this weekend and the Halloween candy that we still have left over. So not a good thing! Perhaps I will have a yogurt first... that's got to be better than polishing off half an apple pie! heehee Oh and the rest of the candy is going to work with hubby tomorrow!

Just wanted to share a really cool idea from Lotta over at her Mom-O-Matic blog. I hope everyone reads Lotta musing over raising kids and life in general. She's great and has a terrific idea to help easy the Christmas pain some of us may be feeling this year! Let her know if there is anything you can do to help with the give aways!


http://mom-o-matic.blogspot.com/2008/11/hunting-and-gathering.html#links

Honeymoon Pictures - Maui

Most of these pictures are from our drive on the road to Hanna. Maui is a really pretty island. Most of it is filled with locals. There is a resort area.. but Hubby and I only stayed there for one night. We drove around the entire island. There are some beautiful spots. I had to laugh because it seemed like every 15 mins I was saying "oh look how pretty". Hubby just kept saying "yep".

The best part of the island though was spending time with Hubby's cousin. He's lived on Maui for some time now. Since hubby is an only child, it was fun hanging out with them and hearing all their little kid stories. Plus my new cousin is a fun guy. Easy going and kind. I forgot my camera though that day... so no pictures. We did go on a great hike. I kept teasing Cousin that he was trying to kill off Hubby's old lady already. It was quite an adventurous hike through a "rain forest" looking for a swimming hole. We finally did find the swimming hole and the boys had fun jumping off the rocks. I just walked in and tried not to scream each time a minnow nibbled at my toes! I'm not exactly the adventurous girl! =)

Wedding Pictures

I don't have too many pictures of the wedding on my computer. Most of them are hard copies people have given me, but here is what I do have.....

Me and Sweetie waiting for the ceremony to start

Ceremony Spot... The weather could really not have been any better. It was chilly taking our pictures early... but by the time we got out there to make our vows it was perfectly warm and beautiful!

The cake.... there was also a groom's cake, but since it was a surprise for my groom they did not put it out until we were walking down the isle.

The reception hall. The guys ended up running around and setting up all the center pieces. They did a pretty good job!

Here are our place cards... they were apples.

Here my new hubby and I are opening a gift from my sister and her hubby. They gave us a cute "just married" tote bag to take on our honeymoon and some luggage tags. The bag was a hit everywhere we went!

as promissed...

here's my new hair and puppy's halloween costume.....

Maybe its the new hair...

This afternoon on my normal lunch time dog walk, I actually stepped outside of my comfort zone. It feels kind of good. Silly too for not doing it sooner. My one neighbor across the street was out with her dog and two lovely daughters. They were all running around and playing. Since puppy has been dying to meet their dog, I decided I would take the initative and go introduce ourselves.

Normally I think that I should do stuff like that, but usually talk myself out of it becuase I don't want to be a pain or intrude. When really I think its more like I don't think I'm worth their time, or I don't think I'll be interesting enough, or I don't look good enough... blah blah... basically me and my self worth issues getting in my way.

Today I don't know what it was, I just said to suck it up and go with my first instinct. The one that wants to be out going and approachable. The one who likes knowing her neighbors and does not mind if they want to come over to chit-chat. I'm slowly learning nothing ventured is nothing gained. I did not think or over analyze. I just said screw it and went to meet the cute neighbor family. They were very nice and sweet too.

Perhaps its the new hair. I feel brave and a little funky. The scared and sad girl is still there, but I don't know, maybe now the real me is a little closer to the surface. Who knew all that hair was holding soo much baggage?

mixed feelings day

Man I am all over the place today. Part of me wants to cry, part wants to dance, part is anxious, and another part can't wait for the next thing. My hormones being all over the place this week too probably is not helping.

Last night I got a hair cut. Well, really I got them all cut. hardee-ha-ha I had a lot cut off. No more safe and simple ponytail for me. No more taking comfort in the fact that even for dress up days I can make a fancy ponytail. My hair with all its imperfections are out there for the world to see. This is actually quite a big deal for me. For the first time in years I am determined to accept my hair and go with it. So it flips out and curls goofy. So its thick and full and never lays symmetrically on my head. One side will curl under and the other will flip out. SO BE IT! Here I am world with my crazy imperfect hair!

I have to say I do like the cut. I'm still getting use to the styling of it... but today I just washed and let it air dry.. which it actually did. The long hair would only reach full dryness sometime while I slept that night, after washing it in the morning mind you....

Although at the same time that I am loving the new freedom of just letting my hair be and not trying to always have perfect hair... I am also missing that ponytail. I miss having it to play with. I miss the idea of being able to do so much more with my hair.. but telling myself I was just choosing not to. I miss my hair. Its kind of weird, but I guess its just the simple truth.

I suppose I will try to remind my self why I was so ready to chop it off... the knots in it, the constant shedding all over my house ( I swear there is more of my hair than dog fur on my couch ), the bulk of it always being every where.. and of course that god forsaken boring ass ponytail!

Ok, missing it a little less. I like the new freedom and I have faith I will even grow to appreciate the crazy imperfect curls. Although I suppose I have more work. I must confess that I tried to take a couple "self portraits" but thought my hair was a disaster area and I looked like crap in all of them.... still working on accepting that wonderfully not perfect life thing.... its getting there, maybe next week when the hormones calm down I'll be ready for that picture!

My puppy is growing up

My little girl is becoming such a big girl. We've been working with puppy since we got back from the honeymoon on letting her have more freedom in the house. I must say she is passing with flying colors. She's hyper and crazy, but adorable and trustworthy at the same time. Sure she jumps up and plays with us, but when left alone she mostly just sleeps on the couch. She's allowed on all the furniture except the bed. So the couch is good.

When I'm working she politely comes in and noses my knee when she wants to go out... or she paws the doors. I'm still working on breaking that one. Pawing the glass sliding door in the winter is not a problem... the screen door does not stand up as well though in the summer. Of course I've had a couple phone conversations interrupted with a barking dog, but for the most part they were work people who I don't have to worry about! =)

I can't believe that after all these months of watching and worrying my little puppy is finally house broken. She even sleeps all night on her own in her own bed. If I think about it tonight I'll try to get a picture. She's so cute all curled up in her bed with her blankie. Heck, usually she's the last one out of bed in the morning. I guess the teenage years have begun! She's sleeping late and would rather do her own thing than hang out with mom and dad. haha Well, she still does like a good cuddle in the evening before bed.. so maybe we are just in the early pre-teen. There is still a bit of my little puppy in her! Thank god!

Birthday Suprise for my hubby

A few years ago my mom gave me a nice watch. I loved this watch. One of those Citizen Eco drives. It never needs a battery. All broken in and I'm use to the profile. I'm clumsy, so watched take a beating with me. This watch has held up wonderfully.

I could not find the watch after the move from LA. The watch I love. I have been so bummed about losing, but figured I would not really freak out until I had actually unpacked everything.

I finally got the dresser cleaned off this morning and found my watch.. in my jewelry box, which is funny because both me and hubby looking in there. I triumphantly go out to the living room to tell hubby I had finally found my watch. He gives me a funny look and finally says, damn. The poor guy had gone shopping last night for my birthday present. He bought me the same watch for a replacement. I was laughing and told him we can return the new one. He said it was not fair though because he won't get the bonus points now for being such a good and thoughtful husband. I told him he still gets the bonus points. Besides, I've been saying all along I would find the watch as soon as I bought a new one! heehee

Although now the poor guy feels like he has to start all over again with the b-day gift for me. I keep telling him not to worry but I know he will until he finds another perfect gift.... I am a pretty lucky girl sometimes!

Cookie baking night

Its my twin sister's and her husband's birthday next week. Since my brother-in-law loves treats of any kind, I decided to send some chocolate chip cookies his way. Its been a long week. I'm still trying to get settled in. I was suppose to bake them on wednesday, which got pushed back to thursday... considering our b-day is on monday, my sister's gift is going to be late. At least my bro-in-law might still get his on time! =)

The cookies turned out pretty good. I finally got to use some of the new baking gear from my shower and wedding. Most is pretty good. I have to say though the cookie scoop from Martha Stewart sucks. Normally I trust Martha's products. Say what you will about her, but her perfectionist ways usually translate to pretty good quality crap that she sells. I must say the cookie scoop does not live up to my standards... and I would be willing to bet my standards are way less than Martha's would be if she actually used the cookie scoop she is selling. It kept getting stuck and would not clear out the cookie dough.

So next time you are baking cookies, don't fall for the popular opinion that seems to be all over the place today. Homemade cookies are suppose to be irregular and imperfect. If you want perfectly sized and uniform cookies, just get the chips ahoys! =)

So I ditched the scoop. 5 of the cookies in my picture are my old fashion style of just using a spoon from my normal silver wear. Can you pick them out? I bet they will be the best tasting ones too!

Time Flies...

Oh my goodness, I can't believe its been almost a month since my last post. Then again, it has been quite the month.

My sweetie, although still sweet, is now also my husband. It still makes me giggle to call him that. He of course calls me his old lady. I don't think he has even once said wife to me. Its his term of endearment... I try not to focus on the old part! haha

The wedding was wonderful. Crazy before hand, but once we got to the big event I just put everything in auto pilot and left it up to my attendants. Apparently making the boys get to the hall early was a good idea. They were the ones who ran around and got all the center pieces and candles taken care of. =)

Everyone kept saying what a great party it was. I was happy. I was so worried no one would enjoy themselves. The weather was great, our vows ( which took more than a few days and some fights ) were a huge hit, the food was awesome, the DJ rocked, and the hall was beautiful. I really could not ask for a better day. I promise to post some pictures at some time. I'm still trying to get back into this real world thing!

The honeymoon was just as cool too. We spent a week in Hawaii. Four days bouncing around Maui and 3 days on Oahu. It was so nice to not have anything to do but enjoy ourselves. Seriously, it was relaxing and funny. I'll have to fill you all in on our hotel choices and recommendations in the next few days.

Unfortunately, while hubby and I were enjoying paradise, my Aunt passed away. She has been battling Pancreatic Cancer for some time now. The Drs told her the day before my sister's wedding in June that there was nothing else they could do. I was hoping for some more time, so that she could at least enjoy my wedding, but I suppose that was not in the cards. I take comfort in the fact that she went fairly quick and her suffering is now over. I was pretty sheltered from the day to day survival my mom and grandma have been dealing with for the past few months. At least they can now try to get back to a normal life.

My aunt was a great person. She loved me and my sisters like her own. All her friends at her wake knew us and all our stories. She will be missed terribly. Every year for thanksgiving, the woman baked at least 30 pumpkin pies. She was the pumpkin pie lady.... as we get closer to Turkey day... I'll dig out her recipe and share it. I promise!

So now I am back to reality. Trying to still get the new house unpacked, get caught up with 2 weeks worth of missed work, remembering to use my new name, and train my poor puppy to re-learn her invisible fence boundaries. I thought life was suppose to slow down now that the wedding was done! Someone forgot to tell the powers that be who are responsible for sending stuff my way! I could still use a vacation... maybe no more life changing events until after the holiday... please?

Does this mean I'm an adult?

As I sit here eating my Honey Nut Cheerios a thought has danced across my mind. I can remember when eating Cheerios, even the honey nut kind, was like asking me to eat a worm. Why in the world would you eat boring old Cheerios when you could have Lucky Charms, or Coco Krispies, or better yet, Count Chocula.

Now my mornings consist of skim milk and cheerios. I splurged on the extra 10 calories last time I was at the grocery store and decided I'd go with the "sweet treat" of the Honey Nut version.

What happened to the little girl who could handle mornings full of sugar? Oh wait, she's living in a subdivision, walking her dog every day at 6AM, getting married, and basically functioning as a full fledged adult. My goodness.

Oh well, its not all bad. At least my mom does not yell at me to make my bed every day! Sorry mom, my bed is a mess! Perhaps that little girl is still in there some where! =)

13 days and counting....

I'm still out here. Still reading everyone else's posts... trying to find the clarity, time, inclination, and inspiration to post myself. I just can't seem to get much more than these quick "updates" out there.

We are just under two weeks until the wedding. I'm going a little crazy with all that has to be done. Its kind of a lame excuse, but its all I have. Last night sweetie was living up to his name, being very sweet and working his moves in anticipation of well.. errmm.. gettin' some sweetness back... I won't say it was not working, except all of a sudden I was a crying, mascara every where mess. He does switch very quickly to holding and comforting mode though. Poor guys, not exactly the intimacy he was planning.

So my to-do list is about to get made. I'm heading back to Michigan on Thursday for the big event. I have to work in the office for a few days before I leave for 2 weeks. The ladies backing me up need some in person training. That only means that in stead of having one more weekend home, I'm going back on the road. I have to be packed for the wedding and honeymoon by Wednesday. Plus god knows what else I'm forgetting. Oh and puppy has a weird bump on her shoulder. It does not seem to be bothering her at all. I've pushed and felt it and she just sits there. I'm watching her like a hawk to make sure she does not chew at it... and so far nothing.... but considering we are about to leave her with her grandpa for a week and a half... I also get to add find a vet and take puppy in for a check up to my list this week.

So what's on my plate for this week:
Stress
Stress
and more Stress

Holding on to my sanity as best as I can. At least the cry seems to have settled my brain for a few hours... and I have been sleeping like the dead! I'll try to keep focusing on the good things. =)

frazzled friday

I can't believe its finally Friday. I wish I could be more excited, but I'm worn out today. This has been a long week. Working all day and then quitting just to keep working at home on wedding stuff and dog training. Even though the weekend is here, that just means 2 days of nothing but running around and more work.

We are heading up to Michigan today. Lots of last minute wedding stuff to get done. We have to pay the final bill at the hall, DJ, the florists, and the caterer for the rehearsal dinner. Then finish up our ceremony plan and seating chart. Heck we have not even started the music lists. We both have our bachelor/bachelorette parties on Saturday.... and we have a work function to go to for me on Sunday. Although the last two things should at least be fun. Oh and don't forget the head up to MI part entails an 8 hour round trip in the car with puppy.

Speaking of puppy, she is adjusting better to the new fence system. She's no longer terrified of outside. She even is getting close enough to the flags to hear the alarm. She does not run to cower by the door any more. She runs into the yard where she is suppose to go. I suppose that is a good thing. I figure next week we should start phase two of the training with her.

This morning, with my very short rope of patience, puppy and I are having a battle of wills. She was wandering around outside this morning on her very long lead. I thought, "cool, she's getting use to this yard and her boundaries." She was thinking, "what is that smell? OMG ITS A RABBIT! MUST GET THE BUNNY!"

Thankfully she did not see the actual bunny dart away from her. Her nose was seeing and it was buried too deep into a shrub, but the terrier in her was on the trail. She was so excited. Her tail was just wagging. I let her follow her trail all the way to the flag boarder. She actually stopped when she heard the alarm. Of course she still wanted that bunny. So for the last hour its been her whining to go back out side. Seriously, she's been in her crate whining for an hour. This is not the puppy I need today. Too bad she's just a dog and can't tell when mommy is in a bad mood.

Guess I should be the bigger person ( haha the only person ) and let her out. Not to chase the puppy.... just to make sure that whining is not about having to do other business! The bunny hunt did interrupt that this morning!

I guess I'll have to work on the attitude for this weekend! Hope everyone has a great one!