Netflix to Wii

Big and I have joked here lately about needing a second Playstation 3 for the living room. The one that he got for his birthday is now residing in the bedroom which was fine until Netflix happened. I am addicted to it now! (Thanks Becca) I am sure Big isn't quite as thrilled because there are times that I am deep into a movie and he wants to play games on his own system. I even went as far as to say that maybe he would get one of those slim ones for his birthday so that we can share.

On the flip side, after playing a Nintendo Wii at some of Big's friends house, I have been wanting one. I have been dropping hints that I possibly need one for my birthday, but I know that it is expensive so I understand why we haven't jumped in the car and ran to get me one. Now, I read an article earlier today that Netflix is finally coming to Wii!! I was so super excited. Looks like there is another reason that we now need a Wii!

New Room

Seems like most of my blogs are starting with the same sentiment these days. Work has been so busy and hectic that I haven't had time to hardly think here lately. I know so many people experience this type of stress every single day, but having to deal with it and then a household of my very own is all new and, at times, overwhelming. I love coming home to a place that somewhat feels like a home of my own and having responsibilities that are my own. Big constantly says that I like cleaning up because it gives me a sense of purpose. I don't know about all of that, but I do feel like my jobs have increased. I do love it.

I basically was explaining to you guys why I haven't been blogging much here lately. I mean, after working all of those hours dealing with patent's and all the questions, the last thing I want to do is come home and type boring stories about my day.

So now I will tell you guys some domestic and boring stories about Big and I.

Here lately, we have been consumed with ideas of remodeling his/our house. Painting, furniture, flooring, and new counter tops have all been discussed at length and the carpet is a whole other bag of worms. We will slowly but surely get this place right where we want and then we will probably move out of it. Let's hope not.

Today we bought patio furniture. Nothing fancy, but the glass table top and the comfy chairs that accompany it are quite nice at the moment as I write to all of you. It does kinda feel as though we just added on a new room to the house. Both of our puppies are really confused by all of it because we are outside with them. Big is in the house getting himself a beer right now and as I look through the window from the outside, I can't hardly remember what is was like without him and our little family. Tucker is at my side right now wanting me to throw his Kong while little Austin is taking an opportunity to hump him. This is our life. We barely leave the house these days and are extremely happy to be here.

A couple of nights ago, we took the boys to PetSmart. While being drug from aisle to aisle it dawned on us that there is a huge scale in the store. I immediately took Austin over to it to see how our little fellow has grown over these past wonderful weeks. The scale took it's sweet time as I tried to keep him calm on the scale. When it finished, it read 44.8lbs. Chunk. Tucker's was much harder to manage and from what we can tell he weighed in at about 109lbs. Yep, we are growing ponies.

Okay, until next time if you can't find me I will be on our patio soaking up this beautiful weather.

Silly Thoughts for the Day

All weekend long, I have been wanting to blog about this and that, but never quite found the time to do so. Work has been absolutely insane lately with a heavy load of patients coming in daily, and it doesn't seem to be letting up any time soon.

My boys (dogs) have become the my entire life. Of course I love and adore Big, but those dogs are like my children and since I don't currently have any children they are going to have to do. Austin is still struggling a bit with some potty training while Tucker is trying to help him into as much trouble as possible. It's hilarious! They are getting along famously and just love being around one another. Big and I are still adjusting to having a "baby" around in the house because it has been a while since we had to watch a pup like a hawk. He just has the sweetest disposition and the funniest little personality. Tucker is the most loving and caring doll ever. We couldn't be happier with our little family.

I am on the hunt for an Easter outfit. I absolutely loathe shopping especially for me because I am not exactly comfortable in my own skin and haven't been in years. I just get so worked up at the mere thought of traveling from store to store, trying on size after size only to be in tears leaving empty handed. I just detest crawling over people also doing what I am doing. I am going to do it. I am going to get my rear end out there and find something that I am comfortable with and hopefully will be a hit. If you guys have any suggestions, let me know. The only "instructions" I got was for it to please not be black which is what I have in spades.

To finish this strange ramble through my crazy thoughts for today, my system hasn't quite adjusted to this time change thing yet. I feel a bit tired but am very excited for that drive home from work today that will be in the daylight!!! Our boys love to go on walks in our neighborhood but we have been unable to do so because I found out, the hard way, that I can barely handle Tucker much less Austin also. When walking they have different interests and needs. Austin likes to "stop and smell the roses" along with every single light pole, mailbox, bush, or stone he can. Tucker, on the other hand, thinks we are running to a destination at warp speed. He pulls until your arm just about goes numb. Everybody has an opinion about this. They tell me things like make him walk behind you. Uh, year right! Get a choke collar with the prongs was another popular option. Now, this does help and worked great in the beginning, but he has learned that it will not cut or harm him just sort of choke him up a bit so back to business as usual. He just is so super excited to be out of the back yard. It is so funny. Now that the daylight will last a bit longer, Big will be able to go with us on these walks and enjoy them as well.

Until next time, hopefully I will focus and write a complete thought here soon.

Special Delivery from Zappos

The door bell rang just a bit ago here at the lab and low and behold it was the UPS man. Now, he comes several times a week without any surprise or celebration, but today was to be a different day.

Becca, co-worker, has been awaiting a pair of running shoes for several weeks now. She ordered them from a shady website that didn't deliver, however; Zappos came through for her and overnight I might add! I answered the door and was in the process of signing the electronic pad when I asked her if she ordered the shoes from Zappos. She screamed with delighted and ran from her desk to the door only to yank the shoes from his grasp and clutch them as if it was her long lost child. I started to laugh immediately, I mean I LOVE my shoes but it has been some time now since I have been able to get that excited over a new pair due to not being able to purchase any lately. Excitement and jealousy rose in me as I watched her jump for joy over her new Asics and I just kept smiling. Then I realized that she was thanking the delivery man and he was standing there smiling back at her. She later mentioned that he had probably never witnessed someone be quite so excited over a package before. I assured her that he probably had.

At this point in time, I am needing a pair of tennis shoes to work out in as well. After this obviously display of affection that she had for this newly bought pair of shoes, I think I am going to take myself to the finish line and try on a pair of Asics. Any suggestions to the shoes dilemma?

Big and I have had a great couple of weeks with our new puppy Austin. Glad to report that we now have him all caught up on all of the shots that were possible. You see, we thought that according to the shelter's guess added to the number of weeks we have had him, he was almost six months old. This wasn't exactly accurate. The vet, who I loved, stated that according to his teeth that he was four months max but probably more like three and a half months. We were indifferent to this news until we realized that she was trying to make us understand that he was to be a very large animal one day because he already weighs about 35lbs at his young age. Nice. Big certainly can pick some big babies. Tucker is somewhere around 115lbs and very tall. Needless to say, we are raising small horses but we love them.

Austin has adjusted very well to our home and it's rules mostly by observing his big brother. We have frequently said aloud how grateful we are to have him around.

Until next time, listen for the doorbell because it might be a special delivery.

P.S. Becca, you just make me laugh all day, every day. Love it.

Lead by example, please

Very often, I feel that I need to be back in church and involved in a church family so that I get that constant reassurance and support that I need in order to maintain my faith. I have so many options as to where I could go and who I could go with but I can't seem to make it in every Sunday morning. I hate the feeling of missing out on something so satisfying but more than that I despise the attitude of most "churchy" people that are there to judge and gossip. For those of you out there reading this that are this way, please don't take offense just know and understand that this is my blog and it portrays how I feel.

Today people get so hung up in denominations and formal processes that I think they forget the REAL reason that we are all there in the first place.

I have listened to so many people talk about the attire of visitors or even members to the point that I want to turn to them and ask if they have any clue about witnessing. What I mean by this is, if the person isn't well off enough to buy a brand new suit but the Lord called them into the building are you going to judge him? At least he walked in to hear God's word! Respect is important and necessary when in the house of the Lord, but do you think that he cares? He wants to lead his sheep to the promise land, not be a judge in a fashion show. People that are constantly shoving religion and pious behaviour down other people's throats aren't leading them to Christ, they are turning them off.

I am always way more impressed by people that live by example not by smearing it all over everything that surrounds them on a daily basis. Some people get in church and "pray" for others in trouble. Now, let me stop here and state that I believe in the power of prayer, but these people are straight up gossiping. When I was young and my cousins were young, we used to pray to NOT get lifted up in prayer because that meant that our friend's grandparents and family members might know about that sin we committed and wouldn't let us hang out anymore. Grant it, we shouldn't have been participating in something bad but it just was a bit tough growing up in small town USA where everyone knew everything and gossip blazed like wild fire. I just wish that all Christians had a pure heart when in church and when witnessing.

We should talk about God on a daily basis to whomever will listen, but we should also understand that making the general oblivious public think that we are a part of a clique that is unforgiving and relentless isn't accomplishing anything. Maybe I am too soft to witness. Maybe God didn't bless me with this gift, but I feel that actions speak much louder than words for all situations in life. As my co-worker just commented, Jesus came so that we were freed from the bondage of "rules". Sin is sin, there is no doubt about that but this world was created by God for us and not all of it is horrible.

Personally, I believe that God has a sense of humor and if you don't believe me, just look around you. If you can't find it there look around me. My family is crazy and wonderful but for us to remain sane, we like God, have to smile and realize that life is short and no one gets out of it alive.

I love the Lord, always have and always will, but I definitely need to hit the recharge option on my church going battery and get my booty back on the pew on Sunday mornings. If anyone has any suggestions, they would be great. Big has a home church and we may end up going there, but then again, maybe we should branch out and find one together as a couple starting out. I am not sure. What would you guys suggest?

Please don't think that I hate church-goers because I love being around other Christians that can fellowship with me, but I just loathe those that are hindering all of the perfectly fantastic examples that are out there are our jobs or in our communities. Until next time, sorry I must have dragged my soap box into work with me today and I will leave it at home for the next post.