I haven't posted any serious photographs lately. This one isn't really serious. It is one of the fun things I on trips. Since I sometimes travel by myself, it is a little hard to do the "I was here" self-portrait. So instead I do "My shoes were here," and you can presume, I was with my shoes.

In a training exercise yesterday, I had to plan a vacation with a group of fellow UK employees. My particularly easy-going group agreed to go anywhere that anyone wanted to go. A spontaneous trip around the world....why not?

So this makes me ponder...what is the next travel destination?

Wee Me

Here is my Wee Me.

It works doesn't it.....except I don't have a pair of yellow Converse.....well not yet.

Quote of the Week

"I think everyone is secretly cool."

(Thanks Kathryn!)

Our Miss D.

we miss your laugh, 

we miss your hugs,

we miss you humor,

we miss your love,

we miss your excitement,

we miss your joy,

we miss you stories, 

we miss your wit

we miss your "love you bunches"

and you are missed

One Year Ago...

A little over a year ago I decided I wanted to get a dog. Around Christmas 2006 I happened to mention to my aunt, that is in charge of an animal shelter, that I was hoping to get a dog sometime over the winter. She asked what I was looking for. My mother had just spent months looking for the perfect dachshund puppy. (He's a whole other story.) I wasn't going to be that particular. I'd grown up with dachshunds, but basically I just wanted something that wouldn't get too big. I travel quite a bit and it would be nice if the dog could come with me some of the time. Besides I needed something that I'd be able to carry by myself in case an emergency trip to the vet's office was in order. Shorter haired would also be preferred due to an allergy condition that I've apparently developed. Other than than it didn't really matter. I told her I'd be thrilled if I could adopt a pet from a shelter. My aunt said she'd let me know if anything came up, and we left it at that.

Less than two weeks later, I get a phone call. Someone had brought in a 3 year old black and

tan female dachshund. She'd been wandering around this person's property for nearly a week, and when the weather took a turn for the colder they though she needed to go to the shelter. No tags and no collar, no id chip. She looked as if she had recently been nursing puppies, but no one had seen any sign of them. My aunt described her as a really sweet dog that just follows everyone around and wants to be petted. We agree that said she'd email me a picture and that would let her know.

So I open this photo and literally said to myself, "Uh oh! I think I have

a dog."

That was one year ago today. I like to think of it as the day that has launched a thousand stories. Little did I know how much this little, seemingly innocent dog would impact my life. (I'm not trying to get mushy here.) Within the first week of bringing her home, she ate an eight inch hole in my sofa. Let us not forget the daily moving of the kennel, which has resulted in tethers across my kitchen floor. (See previous posts.) Remember how she followed everyone around? It's called "seperation anxiety." My backyard now resembles Europe circa WWI with numerous trenches and fox holes. Then there are the snakes. (No, you'll just have to wait for another post to relive that one.)

Despite all the.....what should we call them....adventures (?) we've had in the last year, Miss Bianka has turned out to be a good little companion. She's makes me laugh every day and that makes it all worth it....when you don't factor in the sofa.

Here's to another year of "Adventures."

-crys

My Favorite Journal

Okay, I admit it I've never been a proponent of journaling. And you are saying to yourself, "So you started a blog?" (Now you understand how much of a personal challenge this endeavor is for me.) I've admired other's journals. Most people I know are excellent writers, poets, artists etc. Their journals become these beautiful places to capture ideas, thoughts, sketches etc. I am envious. I am not a poet, nor a great writer. My journals start off with great intentions for well formulated thoughts, but so often they fall short. Mostly they become a place for me to jot down a good quote, make schedules and "to do" lists for myself. Books that I think I'd like to read, and songs I hear on the radio all find homes on the random pages of my journal. Functional and useful...yes. Artistic and expressive...no.



Many of my friends have given me beautiful journals as gifts. These books are so beautiful that I'm afraid to use them. They should be used for beautiful things not my grocery lists or the cost of chain link fence from Home Depot. (This is an actual page from my current journal.) Basically what it all comes down to is that I'm intimated by a blank book. Could anything be sadder?



Well no more. A friend of mine sent me the best journal ever! Its called, Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith. This journal is intended to be useful and inspiring and best of all, it is supposed to get beat up in the process. Nearly every page gives you task, most of them end up degrading the book in some manner. One page asks you to write the same word over and over. Another instructs you cover the page with only white things. Another tells you to tear out a page and make a paper airplane. There are instructions in case you forgot how to make a paper airplane. My favorite page is one dedicated to collecting stickers off your fruit. I love this journal because doesn't take itself too seriously. I'm beginning to agree with the friend that sent this to me. Everyone should own this journal.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Well, we welcomed in 2008 rather quietly this year, which honestly, I wouldn't have had it any other way. A quiet few days around here are much appreciated. The snow flurries outside remind me that winter is settling in. Time to slow down and recharge batteries for a little while. (Currently, I'm cuddled up on the sofa with Miss Binx napping at my side.) It won't be long before everything is on the go again. In the mean time I'm going to welcome the change of pace and enjoy it while it lasts.

-crys