Happy One Year Anniversary Dragon

 

A year ago on Saturday Phil and I added the newest member to our lil family and of course we celebrated.  We have no idea actually how old she is so we decided to make this her "birthday."  We do know she is around 1 and half in human years.  It was an exciting day.  Dragon and I started the morning with a run along the river.  It was our first outdoor run of 2014, so we were both really happy to get outside. Dragon did a lot better than I did as I was huffing and puffing about 3 minutes in but she kept me going.  

The rest of the afternoon Dragon spent it with Phil while I was having a girls lunch with my friend down in Indy.  I can't really say what they did but I think it had some lounging around, cleaning and vodka involved. Either way it was bonding time while Mom was out for the day.  

When I got back home I made Pork Chops, Thyme Potatoes, and Lemon Asparagus.  While that was cooking I whipped up a Carrot Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting and homemade Sweet Potato Bones for Dragon and Mouse.  I have to say this is the first time I have made a dog cake and for just doing it last minute it came out pretty flippin good if I do say so! 

We attempted to put her princess hat on but she was of course being a diva and didn't want anything to do with it.  We brought her cake out and sat her at the table.  She would not look at the cake.  I swear she thought it was a trap because she knows she isn't supposed to eat at the table.  We were cracking up.   My girl is smart and wasn't fallin for it.  So after our photo shoot we put the cake on the floor and Mouse and Dragon had at it.   I had to take it away from them because they were straight up inhaling it.  I didn't want to be up all night with sick pups.  This recipe is pup-approved.  

If you are interested in the recipe I've included it at the bottom of the post.

I'll never forget the day we first saw Dragon or Zara as they called her at the Kennel.  She was the prettiest thing I had ever seen.  We left that day with no dog until I begged and begged Phil that this dog would be perfect for us.  We went back on February 22, 2013 and officially adopted her. :)

Sure, Dragon didn't make it easy for us in the beginning and if you are new to these parts then you should probably catch up here.  But after finally learning to trust us and with a lot of hard work she has become the best dog we could ask for.  We love you so much Dragon! 

Part One of Cruise 2014

A little bit over a month ago I went on a cruise with my boyfriend, family and best friend.  I don’t know if you have ever done a vacation recap but that shitz takes forever.   Ain’t nobody got time for that.  So I finally am semi, err getting around to it.  To make it easier on myself and everyone else this baby is going to be a 2-parter. 

Philip and I headed down to Fort Lauderdale a day early to spend some time with my Dad.  As I’ve said before, Airports on not my favorite place in the world.  I ended up coming across this new book, called The Genius of Dogs and I mean if you know anything about me I AM IN LOVE WITH ANIMALS specifically DOGS.  I guess you could say I am errrr shall you say obsessed with dogs.  So anyways I thought it would be a good read and would keep me busy on the plane.  

Real cute, Meg.  Needless to say we were both a little excited to be heading down to the warm sun.  Our second flight we weren't able to sit together.  I am not even sure why that happened because when I booked them we were together.  Luckily though, this cute guy in 32A bought me a beer.  :)

We were getting into Florida right as the sun was going down so it was really pretty coming in. My dad and his wife Dee were there waiting for us at the airport.  I don't get to see my parents especially my dad nearly as much as I would like to. It was nice to give him a big hug. They took us to 15th Street Fisheries for dinner.  It's right on the water and you can see all the big mega yachts and million dollar homes.  We sat right on the water and as always I ate way to much food.  I tried conch for the first time and usually I don't have a problem with textures but that was until I met conch.  Not for me.  

After dinner we went back to their apartment had a drink and I wish I couldn't remember what it was called because it was really good.  I wanna say it was some kind of whiskey/bourbon and gingerale combo?  My dad would know, well of course he would know because he made them for us.  Traveling takes a lot of you so we called it in early.

The next morning they showed us around.  Their back yard is right on this canal and during Manatee season they like to hang out there.  For breakfast they took us to Pelican Grand Beach Resort.  It was super special because this is where the two of them got married.  They took us down memory lane.  They told us that a storm had wiped out a big portion of the beach.  We went to the roof top and took some snap shots.  I'm not sure what my eyes were doing, I think they took the day off because I look like I am half asleep in these.

It was time for us to head to the Ship Port so we could start boarding and meet up with everyone else. I think everyone got a little bit sad, well I know I did because it sure wan't enough time together.  It was a great way to start the vacation and I am so glad we were able to spend the time together that we did.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of Cruise 2014! 

I'm Well Prepared For Kids

Guess who decided to show up today? Yup, me.  On Monday I had every intention of posting about my weekend of love but life had other plans.  I was instead hugging the toilet bowl (real cute), laying around, napping, and watching True Blood.  Guess I had some 24 hour thing going on. 

Then I realized what it was going to be like being a parent one day.  Yup, my dogs really are preparing me for the future.  My lil baby Mouse, hates anything bad weather related, I’m talking rain, wind, thunder, lightning, snow, hail.  If it’s not sunny, she doesn’t like it.  She will start freaking out hours before the weather even comes our way.  It really is remarkable how dogs can sense stuff like that.  She shakes, cries, hides in the dark creepy basement in the corner or jumps right on my lap.  I think a lot of this has to do with what happened to her before Phil adopted her.  He found her wondering the streets, scared and alone during a thunderstorm. 

And sometimes you get a butt to the face.

Of course, the bf was away on business Monday night.  She kept me up all night crying because it was balls to the wall windy.  We used to have a thundercoat, which helped a little bit but you know Dragon went through a “I EAT EVERYTHING” phase and well that jacket didn’t stand a chance.  So now I am thinking about taking her to the vet to see what other options we can do to help.  It’s gotten really bad and my heart breaks that she has so much anxiety over bad weather.  She already has a heart murmur and I worry that she is causing even more stress to it. 

So yea I didn’t sleep.  I moved from my bed to the couch to the spare bedroom.  Not to mention that Dragon becomes Ms. Protective when Phil’s gone and sleeps on top of me so no one can get to me.  It’s adorable.  It makes sleeping really hard though.  At work my number one priority was not to fall asleep at my desk.  So I drank stupid amounts of coffee and I’m not sure if anything I did made sense.  I came home, tore off my work clothes and slipped into jammies, ate and went to bed.  I’m going to be a pro when I have kids someday because I will know what it’s like when you don’t get any sleep and still have to show up to work. 

Anyways back to the love fest of a weekend.  Now, Phil really isn’t a romantic guy but I am a super mush lush, cheese ball, hopeless romantic, whatever you want to call it.  He’s not into the whole Valentines thing but because he knows I just love, love and I think that fact that it was our 1 year of living together anniversary he stepped up his game a little bit.  He straight up shocked me by sending flowers to my office.  I didn’t expect it because I just know that’s not his thing.  I was rocking the cheese ball smile all day.  I couldn’t wait to get home to see him.  When I got home the house was cleaned, the table was moved in front of the fireplace and candles were lit all over the house.  It was really sweet. 

I was excited to give him his card because inside I had wrote him my first ever love letter.  Which, totally isn’t his thing but I knew he would love it anyways.  Everyone last week had been posting “We work because…” and I didn’t feel like posting it for everyone but instead just wanted it to be between us.  So that’s what a majority of the letter consisted of, why we work.  Don’t tell anyone but he even got a little teary eyed.  I prepared the same meal we had last year and hope to make this a new tradition of ours.  I have to say though my cooking got way better in a year.  Phewwww.   We sat for a good hour in a half talking about our dreams and the future.  I love when we talk about us, the future and the fact that we can talk about this stuff and both feel the same way.    It is these moments that I love the most.  Afterwards we cozied up on the couch and watched three episodes of House of Cards.  We claimed this as an “our show” thing.  It was a simple and laid back night but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. 

Saturday morning, I got my butt to the gym.  Day 4 at the gym for the week.  Friends, I reached my goal.  Afterwards my friend twisted my arm to go get our nails painted, it wasn’t really a twist at all more of a what color should I get them? 

When I got back I got all ready to head down to Indy for our date night.  I even bought lipstick.  I haven’t warn lipstick since middle school.  I have to say I kind of like it.  We made a pit stop at my brothers first and played with my niece and nephew.  These two, always put a smile on my face.  My nephew is just talking about a storm.  But he talks so fast and quiet that I feel like a terrible aunt because I have no idea what he is saying.  I might also add that I was that Aunt that left lipstick marks all over my pour niece and nephews face. 

Afterwards we went for hookah, which is something we don’t do often but enjoy it every once in a while.  At 7 we met up with friends for dinner at 1933.  It’s right in downtown, Indianapolis and is part of St. Elmo’s Steakhouse.  They are known for the best Shrimp cocktail.  I happen to love their Lemon Drops and I might have enjoyed them a little too much that night.  We got our favorite spot in front of the fireplace.  It was so nice catching up with them and enjoying a night out.

I’m embarrassed to admit that the bf and I spent wasted 10 hours on Sunday watching House of Cards.  We completely finished the entire second season in one weekend.  We also learned that we both have no self-control what so ever.  What we should have done was drag it out so we could enjoy it, I mean at least make it last 2 weeks.  Nope, we just watched and watched and watched till it was all finished.  Now we have an entire year to wait for the new season to come out.  I did not shower, I didnt even think about getting out of my pj's, nor did I move from the couch.  

Did anybody else waste their weekend watching House of Cards?

That Time I Moved In On Valentines Day

Valentines Day also happens to be the 1 year anniversary of the man and I living together. Sounds cliche but it just happened to work out that way.  I can't believe that this time last year I officially became a live-in girlfriend.  

I remember my brain was swarming with different emotions.  I can't quote myself exactly but my thoughts went a little like this...

"OMG, OMG, OMG, I'm so excited."

"Naked parties, 24/7.  Oh yeaaa" (Sorry Mom & Dad, earmuffs).

"I'm actually moving in with a guy."

"Meg, what the eff you've only known this guy for 5 months."

"He's the one though, so it's okay."

"My mom told me to test it out before committing, she's smart."

"This is a day I don't want to forget."

"This could make or break us."

"I'm going to do a happy dance right now."

"God I can't even focus at work on my last day because guess what bitches I'm moving in with a guy."

"If it doesn't work out, I'll pack up the little belongings I have and move back home, not a big deal."

"The nerves are getting the best of me right now."

"He's going to know that girls actually fart."

“I’m super happy right now.”

“This just feels right.”

So anyways you get the point, I was excited, nervous, happy and everything in between. 

The 13^th was officially my last day at work so on Friday I had all day to prepare for the day.  I was used to cooking for myself but I was not used to cooking for the guy that has the world’s plainest taste buds.  I’m a portabella spinach and pine nut pizza gal and he’s a meet and potato kind of guy.  Needless to say I was a little nervous about making him our first dinner in our home.  I ended up going with chicken, green beans, baked potatoes and baguette bread.  Oh ya and I can’t forget the wine!  You can’t go wrong with chicken right?  These were all of his favorite things. 

When he got home from work he came in with flowers on.  We were both just so excited to be sharing our first meal together in the house that we were now sharing. I'm not sure why but we exchanged gifts at my apartment at a later time. Not a friggin clue why but I got him new cologne so he would remember me every time he put it on, I know ewww. I received a picture of the human body with an arrow pointing to the heart saying "You are here." And it's honestly one of my favorite gifts ever. 

The first few months I would call an adjustment period.  We both have never lived with the opposite sex and it does have its challenges sometime.  He was used to having his own space and then I barged moved in with all my girly stuff.  But we really do live well together.

He’s clean and I’m OCD organized, which are two completely different things might I add.  I like to spend hours organizing everything and everything has a spot.   I organize my closet by colors and item of clothing, as in sleeveless, short sleeves, long sleeves, sweaters, pants, skirts and dresses.  He likes everything to appear clean, aka he stuffs everything in drawers and closets.  I kill the spiders and he well screams. I sleep in and he wakes up and deals with the dogs.  I’m used to falling asleep with Law and Order SVU and he likes the sound of the fan.  I grew up liberal he grew up conservative.  We are way different from each other, which is one of the reasons why I love him so much.  I hear opposites attract, just what I’ve heard. It’s working out for us.  What he doesn't excel in I’m strong and where I’m weak he shines.  So really it’s just a match made online.   If you don’t get this let me fill you in quickly, me met on match.com. 

My favorite part about living together is coming home to not only my boyfriend but my best friend.  He’s there when I have a crappy day, when I’m sad because I miss my family and friends, when I need life advice or guidance,  when I try to make some crazy out of his comfort food and eats it anyways, or when I just need a snuggle day.  I don’t know how he does it but he always manages to put a smile on my face every day.  And I hope I do the same for him. 

We’re building a pretty great relationship and home together.  We just work.  There's no other way to put it.  Living together has had so many memorable moments; actually some of my favorite memories have happened right at home.  From throwing our first annual Friendsgiving to blasting the music and dancing around the house like mad people to not leaving the house (except for work) to watch the entire Sopranos for three straight weeks to watching our dogs and laughing because they are beyond funny to redecorating and picking out items to make it ours.  I could go on but I’ll stop.  Here’s to building many more memories in our home together.

I guess I can’t forget to mention the V word.  I love Valentine ’s Day because I love the man that I am with.  I don’t need chocolates or presents to know that he loves me.  So you know what we are going to do tonight?  I’m going to cook chicken, green beans, and baked potatoes, crack open a bottle of bubbly and stay at home with my man.  I want to just enjoying being together and watch House of Cards because the new season came out on Netflix, FINALLYYYYY.  We may even get crazy and take the dogs for a walk. 

Wishing everyone a very happy love day, even if it’s loving your dog. Oh and thanks for dealing with all my mushiness you can officially call me a mush lush.   

"The Only Bad Workout Is The One That You Didn't Do"

I’ve been struggling lately with all things health related.  My motivation is not in existence.  I would like to know where it went.  Maybe it’s because of the cold.  Maybe it’s because of my hypothyroidism and have zero energy.  Maybe it’s because I would rather be snuggling with my pups.  Maybe it’s because I spend 2 hours in the car everyday commuting and just want to get home.   Anyways, it’s gone and I want it back. 

Honestly, I’ve been lazy. My excuses have just gotten out of hand. I don’t want to make any more excuses why I haven’t gone to the grocery to get fruits and veggies or why I didn’t go to boot camp class.  Because there really is no good excuse.  For the past year or so I’ve been struggling with my weight which in turn has made me feel uncomfortable in my own skin. Sometimes I look at myself and don’t even recognize the girl looking back at me.  After finding out that there was a reason for most of my weight gain, I was relieved because I had been working out hard and seeing minimal results.  The hard part in all of this is that I will probably struggle my whole life with weight and have to work that much harder, do to my stupid hormones. Fuck you hormones!! I swear, I know it's not the most prettiest thing ever but anyways I needed to get that off my chest. 

Now that I know this, I have to except it and make some changes.  More than anything I just want to be healthy.  I want to make sure my body is getting all the goodness it needs.    But I mean I also want to look good and feel happier with my body.  Having a positive outlook also contributes to being healthier.  I want to challenge myself physically and actually have muscles.  I want to be the best version of myself. 

I want to commit my self to stay hydrated, have all my work day meals cooked and prepared in my kitchen and workout at least 4 times a week.  I think those things are a great starting point to get me to where I want to be and eventually expand on this list.  

Hopefully some of the quotes and pictures below will inspire myself and your's to make a change.  They may not be what tickles your pickle but hopefully they can provide you with some inspiration and that extra kick to get you off the couch.  I am also in the process of getting together a motivational board to hang up in my house.  Stay tuned.  

I already can feel some of my motivation coming back.  'Bout flippin time.  Well friends, here goes nothing.  Feel free to e-mail, snap chat, text or whatever form of communication you prefer some tips, encouraging words, happy thoughts, funny jokes, cheers to get me through this.  And same applies if you need some cheering as well.  :)