Slacker

I WILL update soon :)

Love & Choice

For those that know me well, you know I'm obsessed with quotes. I can sit and read quotes for hours. There is always a 'perfect' quote to match every mood and/or situation. Yesterday I came across a quote on a friends Facebook page that for some reason or another truly impacted me. It gave me one of those 'Ah-Ha' moments. Funny how simply reading a quote can change your view and opinion on certain situations.

The quote I'm referring to:

Love is such a powerful feeling and word. In one swoop it can be the greatest feeling and the worst feeling. I am a true believer in love. I am a true believer in finding a 'forever' love and that such a thing exists. One thing I had never thought of before is how 'choice' plays such an important factor in love. This quote is so spot on for so many reasons. You're not required to love someone, it is your choice. It is your choice to make the effort, day after day. It is your choice who you choose. Unfortunately, who you may choose doesn't always choose you. Everyone has their own choice.

Finding someone to love you may be the easy part. Finding someone who chooses you, day after day, that is the hard part. Good mood, bad mood, pretty, ugly...all hours, every day...day after day. I've realized that is what I want, not someone who just verbalizes their love. I want to be their choice. And their best choice at that :)

Gordie :: Not a Stage Mom

We got the word today, Gordie did not make it to the top two spots for the commercial position. Although Joe and I are a little bummed, we're so happy that he even got this far! Out of all the dogs in the world, he was hand selected...I'd say that is a pretty good accomplishment for him.

It turns out that the brand wanted a more 'traditional' breed and they were looking for a dog a little more mature than a two year old dog with loads of energy. I was hoping Gordie's unique and goofy personality would shine through and win the committee over... unfortunately, his charm only worked on a few and not enough. They did, however, say that he'd be kept in mind for future castings for other brands looking for handsome and quirky dogs. So... maybe his superstar days will come in the future. For now, he'll continue to be king of the house, without the celebrity status.

Lake Superior Mini-Vacay

A vacation was much needed and although I wasn't hopping on a plane to go somewhere I was going to one of my favorite places... the North Shore. There is nothing more beautiful or peaceful than the shores of Lake Superior. It is one of the few places that I am content and can relax without hesitation.

Joe, Gordie and I headed up to Chateau Leveaux near Lutsen and met Jon and Talicia up there for three days of doing nothing but eating, drinking, game playing and relaxing. We had a great time and definitely are thinking about making the trip up that way more often. Especially once the weather gets better so we can take Gordie outside to do some hiking and exploring. The cold and snow prevented that a little this trip. Thankfully, Gordie was more than content just laying around watching us and he also took a liking to sitting out on the patio to watch the scenery.

 

 

All in all, it was the exact little mini vacation that was needed.

The Big T-W-O!

Yesterday, Gordie turned the big T-W-O!

Yes, I even enjoy celebrating my dogs birthday and not just my own :) In the last year he has changed sooooo much! Although he is still a crazy little maniac at times with more spirit than any other dog I know, he's also learned how to be mellow as well. Shocking. He now sleeps in later than I do...how does that work?! If only I could figure out how to take advantage of that and sleep in with him. Ha!

In true 'new' Gordie fashion, he spent his birthday snuggled up sleeping. He had a big day of hunting with Joe the day before. And unfortunately, I have no pictures from that adventure.

:: Side note, we're still waiting to hear what phase he's in with the advertising spot process. To be continued. ::

Possible Superstar?!?...

Earlier this week I received an interesting email...it was from a PR Agency. I'm sure most of you are thinking, "what's so great about that? You work in that industry..." Well, this was actually to inform me that they came across a picture of Gordie through my various social media sites and this here blog and that they were interested in Gordie participating in a chance to become a spokes dog for a large international brand. At first I thought this was spam...it definitely turned out not to be. He is currently in the running with five other dogs to have a shot at TV commercials and print ads for this particular brand. EXCITING!!

Out of the top five that he's already a part of, the next phase narrows it down to two and from there...a winner. We submitted all the necessary info, videos, and pictures needed for him to participate and now we wait. Not exactly my strong suit. Joe and I have been joking that we may have to become 'stage parents' if Gordie is indeed selected.

Even if Gordie isn't selected, the fact that he was hand selected out of millions of dogs across the country is a great compliment. We didn't enter into anything, they came to us...social media definitely has it's perks!

We have nearly two weeks to wait to see if he makes it to the next round. Fingers crossed for our handsome guy!

V-Day :: Not a Fan

Valentine's Day...I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm not a fan. For two brief years it had grown on me a tiny bit but I'm back to thinking it's 'just another day'.

 

 

This Valentine's Day, Joe and I got together with our friends Jon and Talicia, went out for beers & wings and then spent the rest of the night in a Cards Against Humanities marathon. It wasn't your typical Valentine's Day but it was perfect for us and this year.

 

If you haven't played or bought Cards Against Humanity...you seriously need to check it out. BEST game I've played, ever.



A Few Favorites

"The best way to appreciate someone is to imagine your life without them."

While trying to figure out what life choice I was going to make and if I'd be moving, Joe became my rock. He helped me rationalize every scenario, helped me weigh the pros and cons, and most importantly...he just listened when I needed him to. It's funny how a situation like that helps me realize not to take small things for granted. Although we may not be 'together' any more, he has definitely became my best friend and the one I consistently turn to when I need someone. Some people may find this extremely bizarre and truthfully I may not even understand how this is all possible... who remains best friends with the guy who crushed their heart?! I'm either really smart or really stupid. I'd like to think smart.

The day I was to make my final decision on moving I came home to this...

Three of my favorite things: Orange tulips, lobster, and Excelsior beer. Plus, dessert in the fridge! He knew what a stressful day I'd be having and wanted to either celebrate my new adventure or celebrate to me staying...he didn't know which until I got to the house.

I've said it before and I'll say it again... since the first day I met him he has always known just what to do to make a bad day good and bring a smile to my face. No matter what may or may not be between us, he will forever be someone I truly appreciate.

Ice Bar :: Up North

On Saturday, Joe and I ventured up north to visit Lindsay & Ryan and decided we'd all check out the Blu Ice Bar at Grand Superior Lodge. After an hour drive up the shore we finally arrived...only to find the 'ice bar' was literally a tiny tent with a few Olympic themed ice sculptures and a bar. We had a few specialty drinks and then hit up the Splash Rock Restaurant for dinner. Although the ice bar was a bit of a disappointment, Splash Rock was definitely not. The food was amazing, as was the view! We were all surprisingly impressed and it definitely made the drive up there well worth it.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

In response to my Opportunity post...MN is where my heart is...for now. After taking my sweet time to come to a decision, I made the choice to stay where I am. I'll be honest, it wasn't what I thought I would do. My heart told me to stay but my brain told me to leave. The saying, "Follow your heart but take your brain with you," definitely was the case in this situation.

It all came down to Gordie. It wasn't fair to leave him or ask Joe to give him up so I could take him. I also realized that I love the life I have, why change it? Sure I could be happier at my job but who couldn't be? Sure I wish my love life was as good as it used to be but maybe someday it will be again? I just know that the people I have in my life are the people I want to keep. Moving away would have meant being away from those I care most about and I wasn't ready to give that up. I'm sure the opportunity to move would have had many positives and who knows, I could have ended up loving life more than I do now... but that will remain something I will never know. For now, I'm content staying here and seeing what this MN life has in store for me.

The Notebook

Nicholas Sparks is known for his books turned movies about incredible love stories. He is most known for The Notebook. I have always been a huge fan, mainly because I am a hopeless romantic. I truly believe in and love, LOVE! With that said, it is rather shocking that I had never watched or read, The Notebook, until this last weekend.

I have always said it was the one book/movie that I didn't want to read for fear that it may really give me unrealistic expectations of love. I gave in to temptation this weekend and bought it at Target since it was $5.00 and Joe had said he'd watch it with me. How bad can it be, right?! Well, I now have a movie that makes me cry harder than Marley & Me ever has. This movie tops the cake for turning me into the worlds biggest cry baby. You'd have thought someone died! Joe was a good sport and only laughed at me a few times. Haha.

The movie managed to bring me back to my recent opportunity. It reminded me that on top of my family, friends and my life I enjoy here...MN also is home to the guy that I've loved like no other. In the movie, Allie and Noah, go their separate ways and make their way back to each other years and years later. This reminded me that if I am meant to be with someone, time and distance will not be a factor. It will happen when it's suppose to, if it's suppose to. If it's truly a 'once in a lifetime love' then it never really will be over... no matter where life takes us.

“They didn’t agree on much. In fact, they didn’t agree on anything. They fought all the time and challenged each other ever day. But despite their differences, they had one important thing in common. They were crazy about each other.”  

Opportunity

Opportunity. Such a simple word that can cause a million different outcomes.

Every single day, every single person is presented with at least one opportunity. It can be something as simple as the opportunity to hit every green light in traffic...or something larger that could change your life. I never realized how many opportunities are presented to me every day until recently. Most go unnoticed or unseen. Then there are some that will turn your world upside down. Those that turn your world upside down are the ones that make you stop to think, re-evaluate, and learn to appreciate the simple aspect of an opportunity.

I'll be honest, I'm generally not the type of person that appreciates something as simple as hitting every green light in the morning on the way to work. In my mind, it should happen every day. Clearly it doesn't though.

Recently, I had an opportunity fall into my lap. One that has made me re-evaluate all aspects of my life and not just the career side of things which the opportunity pertains to. What do you do when your potential dream job is offered to you? Sounds like a no brainer, right?! Well, lets add in that it's hundreds of miles away from the life you know and love... now what?

Being the over-thinker that I am, my logical response to it all is to make a pros and cons list. Well, after doing that at least a 100 times I'm realizing that isn't as logical as I've always found it to be. In this case, my brain, gut and heart are all giant contenders fighting to make the decision. I feel like I have an internal war going on inside of me.

How does a person know what opportunities to accept and what to pass up? Will there ever be an opportunity like this again? Will I regret not taking it? Better yet, will I regret taking it and leaving MN? Will I regret closing the door on a possible second chance at a love of a lifetime someday? And will I regret leaving everyone I know and moving to a city where I do not know a single soul? And most importantly...Gordie...what would happen there?! Both options have so many pros and also so many cons. There isn't one side that stands out more than the other on paper. My life is filled with a million questions these days...all because of one simple opportunity.

Stay tuned for the internal battle winner...

2014

I'm generally not one for New Years Resolutions, however, this year I've decided to change a few things. This picture basically sums it all up. Less and More.

Lets hope I can stick to this "resolution"...

Bad Blogger

I've definitely fallen in the bad habits of a bad blogger. No matter how many times I tell myself I'm going to get better at it...it never happens.

What else is new?

New Years was spent with Joe just hanging out at his house. I guess as I get older the appeal of hitting up the bars and staying out all night dwiddles away.

I have stepped down from one of the animal rescues that I was the Director of Communications for. I realized that I do not have the time to commit as I once did. I also realized that my passion was more focused on the other rescue that I was helping with as it focuses strictly on Gordie's breed. What breed am I more passionate about than that of Gordie's?! So it seemed like a better fit.

 



Over the last few weeks we've really seen a change in Gordie. He's SLOWLY starting to calm down a little bit. He's now more content just laying around at times instead of constantly going 100 mph every second of the day. He also continues to do great at his new daycare. It's amazing what a difference the staff and routine have on him at the new place. They think he's the sweetest boy (who wouldn't!?) and we have nothing but great things to say about the new place. Perfect fit. Outside of that, I continue to be the crazy dog lady and absolutely adore this adorable goofy boy.

There are a few things going on that I will write about once I have more details in place.

Until next time... hopefully it won't be months again! Oops.

Christmas

For Christmas this year, Gordie and I headed up to Bemidji for a few days. It was nice to get away, spend time with family and just relax. It was a pretty laid back Christmas this year which was great and exactly what was needed!

While at my parents house, I found my favorite holiday ornament...a mailbox. My brother and I used to use this to pass notes to each other to tell the other about Christmas gifts we found throughout the house leading up to Christmas. (Clearly we're not into surprises)
I found this note from five years ago.

It's little things like this that make the holidays great!

I didn't do a Christmas card this year because I basically just got sidetracked and before I knew it, it was too late. Gordie did, however, try out a few potential Christmas looks for next year. Ha!

Gordie -1, Joe - 0

We all know Gordie is a crazy and goofy dog. Well, he took that to a new extreme. While running around the yard at Joe's, Gordie managed to knock Joe over...and broke Joe's ankle in the process. I was on my way to Joe's for dinner and when I got there Joe was sitting on the couch in major pain. I asked what happened, he explained and then showed me his ankle... One word: gross. I convinced him that it didn't look normal and that we needed to head to the ER. After a few hours at the ER, the doctors confirmed it was broken, it two places and surgery would be required. Fast forward a week and Joe went in for surgery to have 8 pins and two plates put in his ankle. Thanks, Gordie! Haha.

I spent the end of October and all of November staying at Joe's to help him with day to day activities. He wasn't able to put any weight what so ever on his leg. We did seem to go to Target quite a bit though, I'm pretty sure it had to do with the fact that Joe was obsessed with riding around in the scooters.

I'm happy to say that Joe is moving around a lot better now and although he's not 100% back to walking normal, he is able to do everything on his own again. We're both a little more cautious with Gordie when we see him come running towards us. We now know his legs don't always 'stop' him. ha!