Happy Accidents

Serendipity is one of my favorite words. One...it sounds fun to say. Two...I love the meaning of it. A happy accident, pleasant surprise, or a fortunate mistake. However you look at it, serendipity can be a wonderful thing.
 

 

Today I had a few serendipitous experiences.

• I woke up to an unexpected message that put a smile on my face.
• I randomly found a dollar bill in the parking lot. This in turn paid for my delicious vending machine Mt. Dew that I enjoyed this morning. Where I also happened to find a penny heads up. I then found myself humming "Find a penny, pick it up, and all day long you'll have good luck."
• I feel like today is the first time since having my heart broken that I've felt like "me" again. This is definitely a pleasant surprise and a welcomed change. For the last three months I've definitely been "me" but just an altered version. The happy, confident, take no crap girl may have been knocked down but not knocked out. So as awkward as it may sound, I'm happy to be back. Haha. :) And most importantly, happy to have my heart back in my control.

I think today may be the start of some positive changes.

 

 



World of Dating

 



The World of Dating...

It is both fascinating and annoying at the same time.

 

 

I swear every time I enter the dating world it has changed from the time before. Two years ago I had first tried online dating and can honestly say it was a great experience. I went on a handful of dates, none that were awful, nice guys just not for me. Then I met Joe online and the rest was history... through online dating I met a great guy who became an important piece of my life and a great friend. So naturally when I recently decided it was time for me to jump back in the dating pool my first stop was to fill out the old online dating profile.

 

I always wonder what to write. How does a person 'sell' themselves against the hundreds or thousands of other online dating competitors? And lord knows I have to 'win' competitions... Instead of writing a novel about myself, I've always thought stating a few quirky and random facts about myself was an easier option. It's a little more playful and less boring. Because lets be honest, do you really want my whole life story in one sitting? No. I put just enough info in my profile to where you may have a glimpse at what my personality may be like but not enough to where you'll actually need to ask questions if you're interested. This can be good and bad.

 

It also brings up my biggest pet peeve. Men...when trying to get a woman's attention please DO NOT use these lines in your initial message:

• Hi there!
• Hi, how are you?
• Hi, how's it going?
• Hey beautiful!
• Hi. We seem to share a lot of the same interests.

Seriously. This shows you most likely did NOT read what was written in the profile. Put a little effort into it or be prepared for no response. Ninety percent of the messages I get are variations of those messages. And 100% of those do not get a response. If you wear Affliction or Tapout shirts in your online pictures, no response. If you have a bathroom selfie with no shirt, no response. If you have crooked teeth, no response. I am picky, beware. I have standards and they may be too high for most but I won't settle.

 

Also, how do you put that you're looking for the love of your life but you're also not looking to just jump into any relationship either? Yes, I'm looking to date casually but at the same time I'm also looking for long term... this makes it tricky when selecting the pre-set options on what you're looking for. There is no in between.

 

Ultimately, I am looking for the love of my life. The guy that will make me laugh uncontrollably, love me unconditionally, accept all my quirky traits, support me in all that I do, understand that bad days/moods do pass, someone that can make sitting on the couch more entertaining than a stand up comedy show... basically someone that will love and appreciate me for me and who is willing to believe in a 'once in a lifetime' love.

 

I have gone on a few dates over the last month with guys I've met online. All nice guys but none of them sparked a giant interest from me. And to me that is huge. I feel like when the 'right' one comes along, there will be no question. I'll know.

 

This weekend was the first time in two years that another guys smile and conversation made me giddy. Something so minor made me happy and gave me hope that this love of a lifetime might be out there after all :) I just need to either look harder or just stop searching and let him find me...some day.



Swamp Invitational

Obviously since I did not join Joe and Gordie on their hunting adventure, this was written by Joe...

 

This past weekend was Gordie’s 2^nd annual Swamp Invitational Grouse camp. Last year he was only 7 months of age and hadn’t properly been trained for the field. This was his first real test as to how great of a hunting dog he can be. This year had some great stories/memories created.

First let’s talk about the hunting. The weather and seasonal environment were against us however. It was either raining too hard, too hot for time on “the job”, or the leaves and trees hadn’t fully transitioned into prime condition.  We gave it our all though. Gordie worked hard and created some nice points and flushes. He really showed this is what his breed was bred to do.  I was unsuccessful at getting any birds for him and feels awful about it. But he showed his skills and improvement over last year tenfold. This year was a great first look into what the “Jordie Hunting Team” will be like for years to come.

When we weren’t in the field Gordie was able to run around the camp and play with the other dogs. Needless to say they couldn’t quite keep up with his, how do I say, chipper personality. Haha. But he had a blast and made some great puppy pals.

 

All in all is was a great trip.  Gordie and I are really already looking forward to next year.

 

 

Goodbye #27

On my birthday I made the list of thirty-two things I'd like to attempt to accomplish by my next birthday. I am happy to say a few are slowly but surely in progress of being completed. One that is officially checked off the list is, #27 Join a Book Club.

My first book club will be at the end of the month. First book... The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison.

Not only am I excited because joining a book club is something I've wanted to do for a while. (Nerd alert, I know) But it will also give me a chance to meet new people outside of my regular circle of friends. Plus, this one is at a wine bar... books and wine together?! Count me in :)

October = Hunting

It's that time of year, the time when Gordie will spend days away getting to do what he was born to do...hunt. This will be his first real hunting year. Last year he went but it was more to just get him adjusted to the surroundings and the other people/dogs. Since then he's gone through training and also been out with Joe a few times at some game farms. In a few days he'll be going with Joe for 5 days up to grouse camp like he did last year.

I will miss my snuggle monster.

We all know I am about as far from a 'hunter' as they come. Lately, however, I've been thinking about how fun it might actually be to go with a few times to see Gordie in action. I know, I know...pigs are about to fly. ;)

Hunting update to come next week.

Autumn Brew Review '13

Way back in the beginning of the summer Joe had bought me tickets to the Autumn Brew Review for a birthday present. These tickets sell out in less than a minute so I was pretty pumped that we scored tickets two years in a row. Last year it was insanely, sweaty hot. This year was drizzly and cool. I definitely preferred the drizzly weather.

I was actually a little disappointed this year in the beer selection. Don't get me wrong, the breweries in attendance we great as usual but the selection of the beers offered weren't my cup of tea. A LOT of stouts and porters this year. I just can't get into the uber dark beers. I enjoy a few sips and then I'm done.

This year instead of being excited to get in to try all the different beers we took a different approach...we hit up the food trucks first. First up, pizza from Pizza Luce. Always delicious. Next we tried, GastroTruck. I had the whitefish taco and it was AMAZING. Definitely a new favorite in the food truck department. We also did NateDogs and saved A Social Cupcake for last. They honestly have the best cupcakes I've ever tried. If I wasn't worried about gaining 200lbs, I'd probably eat their cupcakes all day long.

My favorite beer this year was Mummy Train Pumpkin Ale by Flat Earth Brewing out of St. Paul. Hands down the best beer at the ABR.