One of "Those" Days

I can tell today is going to be one of “those” days where I’m probably going to just eat everything in sight. You know what I’m talking about ladies.

I had kind of a randomly pieced together dream last night, and in it, I was at a type of church group gathering at night in a coffee shop, much like Coffee Waves. It was Fellowship Church/church people at first, and the feel was as if we were at a staff retreat. Then the group morphed into the Victory Church group, and we were talking about the fundraisers for VKids and missions. But the whole time, everyone was eating pizza. There were hundreds of pizza boxes everywhere. I didn’t get to eat any, though, then found myself just outside. Everyone had eaten their fill, so the delivery boy was driving off in a jeep with all the left-overs. I tried to get some through the backseat window, even had a slice in my hand. But I never got to eat it because other things were going on. Needless to say, I woke up with a taste for pizza in my mouth.

I went for a brisk run yesterday, and felt so proud of myself. Then Ryan even mentioned that he could tell I have been exercising. I felt so happy about it! But then that taste crept its way back onto my taste buds. Why, yummy pizza, do you have to be so bad for me? I’d really like to be bff’s with you, really. But alas, I must tether to you in more of a love-hate relationship.

Since it is an eat-everything day, I dug a hefty spoonful of peanut butter out of the jar before heading off to work. Mind you, this was after packing a decent lunch, complete with snacks. As I was putting the jar back into the cabinet, I glanced at the nutritional facts: 2T = 190 calories (ok, not bad) and 16g total fat, which is 25% for the day. Well then it’s nice to know I’ve gotten that out of the way. If I ate 3 more of these, then I’d be confined to carrots and celery the rest of the day. I guess I must refrain if I want to allow myself to any of my lunch or snacks that are not carrots and celery.

I won’t go on and on with the details of how I also indulged in a cup of pudding, got my slice of pizza then also went to get jalapeño nachos but didn’t because the line was too long, or how I can’t stop thinking about how I want to quit eating food altogether.

At least it’s only one or two days a month. Too bad it’s a lifelong ordeal. As long as the victories are greater and more in number than the defeats, I will let myself be satisfied.

Things That Make Me Smile

Even though this world has a lot of ugly stuff in it, mostly as a result of the fall, there still remains even more beauty. I love the way that everyone is unique and that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. The same things that I find pleasure in may seem dull or ho hum to you, and perhaps vise versa. I like that because, to me, it makes those wonderful things that much more valuable and personal. I am not only defined by the things that I think, say, and do, but by the things that I take joy in. These details are part of my individuality, and your details are part of your individuality. There's probably no one else who likes the same combinations of things that you like, much less have the same opinions as you have, or look like how you look. If there was such a person, it is probably your twin, which is the subject of a completely different topic, so let's move on.

These are some things that make me smile:
Seeing people I love. Getting to talk with them, no matter how small or grand the conversation is. Seeing that person smile. I take great delight in the joy and happiness of my darlings.
Seeing someone I love cry. Unless it's because of my own stupid self. I am touched when a friend would feel safe enough to cry and and want to talk with me. It is humbling.
Hugs and kisses from little kids. They love so purely and sweetly.
When the sky is sunny, but it is raining.
Seeing the bay on the way to work, when it is deep blue, and flat as glass. Very calming.
Text messages. Not text conversations. But little notes that say hi, i like you, and so forth. Or even just to say you'll be a few minutes late. Now that's classy.
Sharing something in common with a friend, like a show or a joke, or a hobby.
(I do realize that the above statement is a bit of a paradox in this list, as they are supposed to be things that I feel are key in my own personality. But it is the enjoyment of sharing that I want to focus on here.)
Knowing that a few people will read this.
Knowing that at least one person will reply with a comment of some sort.
Watching Ryan sleep. And hearing him talk in his sleep.
Eating food.
The moment I get into bed. It is the Best part of the day!
Tyoing without looking at the screen. In fact i'm doing it right now, and i won't even go back and edit it so ha!
Watching the sun when it is heavy and golden.
Hearing Kara tell stories.
Trying to retell them, and messing them up, then saying that she tells them better.
Experiencing something new, unless it is scary.
Days like yesterday. I wish every day was like yesterday's weather.
Puppies! And most baby animals.
About a half a beer will make me smile too.
Pretty pictures, well made music, well made films. Decent art in general.
Crossing off items on my To Do list.
Stalking and swatting a fly.
Completing a task, and feeling satisfied with myself. I enjoy that feeling, and I enjoy that about myself.
Irony.
Clever puns.
Stupid jokes.
Swapping life stories with new and old friends.
When people remember things that I like. You have no idea how much that makes me smile.
When people get me, and I don't have to explain myself, or end up feeling like a jerk face.
Baby pictures.
Saying I love you to people.
Daydreaming about the future with a friend.
Doing stuff, and then relaxing.

I'm sure a lot of these things may be similar for you. I am betting that at least one of these things, even just one, is not something you'd be able to claim as your own. Hence, this list is particular to me. Anyways, I just thought I'd share these things. They make me smile.

Things That Really Were a Good Idea

Ryan Stanley.
Buying the money pit (the house), I hope.
Every job I’ve had, no matter what I complained about. Even Little Caesar’s.
Selling the Silver Bullet (Explorer Sport Trac) and getting Thunder Dog (Honda Accord).
Going to A&M, WHOOP!
Staying in Taekwondo though I wasn’t very good, until I got good enough to win gold. Twice.
Learning how to play the guitar.
Going to Jamaica for the honeymoon.
Going to Mexico with various missions.
Moving in with Kara the week after we met.
Living with the Stanleys a few summers ago.
Skeek 2006.
LT Orlando 2004.
Being in the Corps.
Registering for a crockpot.
Learning how to cook.
Deciding not to buy a puppy for Christmas, then getting Jack for free a few months later.
Forcing myself to go exercise.
Switching over to French-press coffee.
All 31 out of 31 of my various, random, diverse, normal and crazy roommates over the years. Corina, Kim, Lindsay, Candice, Jenny H, Ashley, Jenny Wu, Lauren, Monia, Holly, Christina, Lois, Leah, Bethany, Amber, Sarah, Nicole, Becky, Karen, Desire, Erica, Emily, Dyanne, Angela, Cori, Liu Qing, Anna, Krista, Kara, and Ryan.
Living in Corpus Christi these past few years, spending time together, and with the friends we’ve made.
Catching up with friends instead of napping, at the retreat last month.
Getting Netflix.
Learning how to use make up and walk in heels.

Hmm, what else?

Things That Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time

Going to the grocery store at 8pm before eating dinner.
Buying into Mary Kay with the most expensive starter package.
Quitting the engineering program to get a degree in communication.
Picking out my clothes for the day before fully waking up.
Eating left over sushi.
Buying a pair of “motivational” pants 2 sizes too small.
Leaving fish in the fridge for over a week.
Going to the 11pm movie on a work night.
Assuming I work best under pressure, then waiting till the last minute.
Having two servings of beans for lunch.
Getting the large box of cheap wine-in-a-box.
Leaving the puppy in the same room with a roll of toilet paper on the floor.
Assuming the gas empty light still works, even when the needle was below E.
Painting my toenails right before going to play beach volleyball.
Wearing shorts in January just because it looked sunny.
Dreadlocks.
Chewing tobacco that one time.
Taking a nap while someone else is driving and they don’t know the directions very well.
Taking a nap while I’m driving.
Asking someone “So what do you really think of me?”
Getting my tongue pierced. Both times.
That wedding cake.
Renewing my AT&T contract by choosing a refurbished phone that only lasted 9 months.
Selling Ryan’s new truck to get the 30 year old BMW.
Ordering CDs from BMG based on the album cover.
Speaking my mind about certain movies/singers before knowing that I'm talking about someone's fav.
Volunteering for 3 events on the same day.
Turning a tan into a burn the day before my wedding by laying in the solar bed for 2 minutes too long.

What is on your list. =)

Our growing family

After doing some internet research, we have figured out a few things about our Jack. He is definitely some sort of terrier, and most likely a Rat Terrier mixed with something else. His characteristics match those of a Rattie, except for his legs. The other types of breeds he might have in him are probably dachshund or maybe corgi. Rat Terrier's have much longer and leaner legs than Jack's. His legs are short and very muscular, like a male dachshund's.

Based on the size and pattern of his teeth, we figure he is almost 3 months old. He has all his deciduous (baby) teeth, and they are well separated in the front, meaning they are making room for the insidious (adult) teeth. He hasn't lost any yet, which usually happens around 3 months old for small dogs. Another hint at his age is that he doesn't look like he is even close to being ready for neutering, which happens around 4 months for small dogs. We want to let him develop naturally, but when he seems to be big enough, he'll be getting fixed.

We went to Petsmart last night to get him a collar, leash, and kennel. The collar and leash are black, which complement his dark eyes and nose very well. He got a lot of attention at the store for being so sweet and happy. He didn't bark at all. He is not very yappy, which is another trait of Rat Terriers. He's only about 5.5 lbs now, and we don't expect him to get much bigger than 15 lbs. When we were deciding on what kind of dog we wanted, the main points were:
-we wanted a boy
-he should not shed, Ryan has allergies
-he should be easy to kennel train
-he should not be too yappy
-he should be fairly cheap to maintain
-he should be small

Jack is all of that and more! He is super smart. He already knows his name, and a few words like Outside, Hungry, Go In, Good Boy, and of course NO! Terriers are able to know as many as 100 words and commands, so we'll be trying to train him soon. I've found a neat website that teaches you how to train and exercise dogs mentally and physically, so we'll probably take a lot of tips from there: http://www.k9station.com/mentalstim.htm

And here are some more pictures!
he likes to lick this corner of the wall, and I don't know why.

this is his ball. we play fetch with it. he likes to run and slide on the floors when he gets his toys.

I couldn't find him one afternoon, then saw him napping in here with my pajamas.

his eyes are so dark. we gave him a fleece blanket to be his bed/toy area in the living room.

he has a little cow lick on his right side. do you see it?



one night, Ryan figured out that Jack mimics us. he'll open his mouth if you do, and wave his paw if you wave your hand at him. he jumps when you jump, too...

...JACK

We've been married for 3 years. We knew it would be several years before we'd have children (if we could help it). Early on, I started replying to the "when" question with the Five Year Plan. Some people scoffed, some thought it was a cute idea, others thought it was brilliant.

I thought it was brilliant until my sister started having babies. I didn't ever really like babies all that much. But now, I love them! And, surprise, I want one to have one, too. But I digress.

The five year plan begins with us successfully growing plants. Within 6 months of marriage, we had a full blown tomato garden with 16 plants, and even a watermelon patch. Grow plants, check.

The second stage would be to maybe get a fish, and keep that alive. Later, we'd get a dog. This would be our first real life to be responsible for. And we could practice team parenting being consistent with discipline. Then, when we're good and ready, a baby.

Around Christmas time, Ryan and I were talking about getting a puppy from the animal shelter. But then the window on my car broke, and we had to spend more than we wanted to for that. So we gave up on the puppy idea easily enough. Then, for some reason, I went through a phase of begging Ryan every day for us to have a baby. He's been so patient with me, and reminds me that we should wait a little longer if we can.

So, to get to the point, we still got a Puppy! I went to a get-together at a friend's house the other night, and saw a little yellow stray puppy that she had taken in. He didn't get along with her dog, and she was hoping to find someone who'd take it off her hands. He was so cute! I said to her that I just might take him home. Ryan and I talked it over for a few days, then made our decision. We brought him home 3 nights ago. He's our new little baby.

There are only 2 or 3 things we know for sure. He is a boy, and he is blond, with a white chest. The rest is speculation, but we think he's part Chihuahua, Fox Terrier, and maybe Jack Russel. He looks about 10 weeks old. His little teeth and little claws are super sharp, but that doesn't keep him from digging in anyways! He is pretty smart, and is even almost house trained. He didn't have a name for a few days, but then we decided on Jack.

The name fits him pretty well. Quick, simple, Jack. I was telling a friend about him yesterday, how he runs everywhere. I don't think I've seen him walk once. He runs to get to his toys, then slides to stop. He runs to get to a place to lay down. He still falls over when he's running, because he's still working on his coordination.

Yeah, we like him. A lot! There's a lot that's already happened in the last few days that I've enjoyed about him. He took a shower with me last night, and that was pretty fun. He is small enough to crawl under and play under the coffee table. He likes to lay on the arm of the couch. He still squeaks and has a baby "ruff!" His tail wags him. He is a pretty neat little guy.

But what I love the most is watching Ryan with him. I like to hear Ryan talk to him in a daddy voice. I like to see them play. I like the way he tells me his ideas on what we need to do to take care of him. I like when he asks me "how's Jack" on the phone, when he's not home. I like seeing Ryan be a daddy.

...Well, he just gave us our first scare. Laying on the arm of the couch became falling off the arm of the couch. So he's limping around now, but he's going to be just fine. He's still trying to run, even with a hurt front leg. I'd like to take some more pictures, but the camera battery is charging right now. Hope you enjoy these for now.

Peaches

the current background has, what looks to me, a peach blossom.

how do you know that? you may ask.

well, i would respond, i just happen to have a peach tree in my backyard.

are the peaches good? you may further ask.

i wouldn't know, would be my response. peaches blossom late in the spring, and the fruit grows over the period of about 3 months. they become ripe in late june, by which time i have been temporarily relocated for the past two summers.

i am hoping to get to finally enjoy a few of this years peaches.

ironicly, the background shows the blossom with lots of leaves. but in real life, the leaves are barely little shoots when the flower is in full bloom. you can see what i mean below...

in full bloom early may

this is what they look like after about 1 month