It's true... I need a hiatus for now since my life is in a bit of limbo, but I won't let this little blog die for good. For now I highly recommend BLT's blog: BLT's Norwegian Tales (link in the column to the right.)
...But thank you to those of you who noticed the silence :)
Lovebugs are very diverse. Some like to sneak in kisses, some hugs... some like soft rubs and some sing poetry of the top of their heads.
This lovebug wants to wish all you other lovebugs out there a Happy Valentines Day. I hope you all find some way of sharing your lovely loviness today because I LOVE YOU!
We're off to Palm Springs for the holiday weekend, so here's a sneak peak at the love that was showered on me in honor of this day...please note, this is a very special bottle of champagne because Mr. Shanahan had it engraved just for moi. Holler! :)
(*Side note: I'm actually not that big on VDay, but since it's Friday the 13th, my luckiest day of the year, I felt inspired to get in the spirit. Wahoo!)
Ok, not fair. The Pronoun Police argue that it's actually Ha (ha ha)-nus.
Regardless, I bring up this spectacular name because Hanis is the executive chef at Kensington Grill and the maker of all culinary dreams come true. Last weekend we had the pleasure of sitting down to a special "Chef's Dinner", six courses prepared just for us with unique selections not on the regular menu. Granted, this restaurant already scores five stars as far as I'm concerned... but this was just... freaking delicious. Corbin and Lana joined us for this big evening because the guys actually finagled the whole thing back in October when they introduced themselves to Hanis at some food and wine event. The best part: they only charged us $25 a person, which is the best recession-friendly deal EVAH considering this is the cost of one typical dish. Just extra niceness on Hanis' behalf. (I even hugged his big sweaty German torso out of extreme gratitude.)
Soo... I thought I was going to have loads of time to share all over this blog, and alas I do not. Being Duncan's professional dog walker extraordinaire, AND a student of both life and teaching, I find I'm actually very occupied.
I still get up pretty early in the morning (read Confession: I sleep in until 8 am), head out with the Nood for some serious nose-yanking training and lots of treats and then I'm all about business for the rest of the afternoon. Sure, I throw on Gossip Girl in the background, and I make a mean spaghetti lunch almost daily... but I'm all for the school grind. It's so fulfilling. Here's a look at our fancy new lifestyle:
Uhh... I decided to take a note from Top Chef's shenanigans and attempted to cut my thumb off while chopping an onion. I proudly swaddled it in paper towels and finished preparing my marinara sauce like a real trooper. Ok, maybe this is after I warned Mike I was feeling woozy and near fainting status from loss/sight of blood. I am a wuss. A wuss who now has trouble typing. Gah!
I can't believe how behind I am with posts sans ICW, but I have to say- I am much busier with school than I anticipated.
My last day was very bittersweet, as we all know I was happy to leave the Skink but devastated to say au revoir to some of my favorite people around the office. It's a little bizarre to wake up and hit my dining room table- err, "desk"- at home, instead of sitting in my cubicle.
I'm still getting used to the online format for my classes... I find that it's actually better than sitting in a phycisal classroom in some ways because it's such a collaborative experience. You end up working on discussion boards all day so you really have to stay on top of commentary from the professor and classmates, and you are forced to think out of the box when you respond so you don't repeat what has already been said. Next week, I'll sit in on Kaity's 4th grade class for my first observation- I can't wait!!
Next up on the to-do list: Sign up to take the CBEST test (so I can substitute teach or find a position as a teacher's aide in a Special Ed class), get certified in CPR/First Aid, register my fingerprints for clearance and meet with one million and two advisors over at National.
And here we thought I'd actually have time to pick up my piles around the house ;)
Lil D is so popular with all the ladies... because his handsome mug is being featured as the Pet of the Month in San Diego's Downtown News!!
We are practically drowning in marriage proposals from pups like Dolly, down the hall, and girls we don't even know on the street. Paws off, he's a mama's boy!
Oh Bear. Sweet little couldn't-be-cuter Duncan.
We are the proudest pup parents ever. D is really so special to us. He has been enrolled in Doggy Boot Camp, trained with Joel for over four months, gotten himself kicked out of Petsmart day camp, tried to eat several dogs at the park and can't cross a horse or pigeon without incident to save his life... but we could kiss his nose for three days straight for being the sweetest, most loveable boy.
Our very own Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde...Duncan is an angel when he wants to be, and he'll snuggle all over you given the chance. In fact, if he doesn't get to snuggle during his day, we all end up in a funk.
D is three years old today, and for two great years we've had the pleasure of toting this pup all over town. We happily contend with his go-get-em attitude because he's really the best. Happy Birthday Dunclebean. Mom and Dad think you are the cat's meow! ;)
My grandpa, Tom, is such a character. I have learned so much from him over the years, and spending time together during my last few years of high school brought us closer than I could have ever hoped for. I love his ability to laugh at most things, be brutally honest and always find the silver lining. He is quiet and austere, but a real softie at heart- and I love him with all of mine. Happy day "Grampa"!
Ileanna,
I'm incredibly thankful for your friendship. You are so true to yourself, and I admire the extra sparkle you add to all you do. I know I have been a terrible, terrible yoga partner as of late (ok, as of the last six months *wink*) but I appreciate that you never give up on the encouragement. Jimmy is a lucky man to have such a spicy saucy wife.
I can't wait for the Round the World potluck dinner party to celebrate your special day next Saturday, and in the mean time I hope you feel extra love all week. Happy Birthday!
Last night we celebrated Janie and Kaity's birthdays. I was hoping I snagged a better pic of Janie, but alas she was busy blowing out her candles.
I'm pretty certain that I am one of the luckiest daughters in the world. My dad sets the bar high in many ways, most importantly offering unyielding support and love. He is one of my best friends and I can always count on my dad to make me smile.
(Eric's the skeptical lookin kid on the right)
As it turns out, I know a bazillion Capricorns and Aquarians. This means tons of birthdays to celebrate in January so I've decided to write a post in honor of each special person I'm celebrating this month.
I just realized the beauty of having your own blog is that you don't have to apologize for stepping over the PC line.
Most know my take on my current (soon to be ex!) Place of Employment, but what you don't know is that I really dislike the way we are commonly treated by our department management. I used to refer to them individually as Dubs (Flub a Dub) and Bird (She'll never leave the nest.) Nowadays, I know them only as a Skink.
Definition (per wikipedia): Scincidae, the largest of the lizard families. Often, their way of moving resembles that of snakes more than that of other lizards. They are generally carniverous. They are active foragers that move through their habitat looking for small animal prey.
Here is a two-headed skink (Google images) for your viewing pleasure. I like to think squatty arms on the left is the Bird.
It was the one of the best bon voyage celebrations I've ever attended... Friday night we headed into Carlsbad dressed to the nines in our golf gear for pub golf. The ladies donned argyle and the gents wore their sweater vests... and we "played" nine holes from 8-12pm. Great fun... cheers to Los Champions!
Brittanni L. is leaving us for an au pair stint in Norway next week (last day together at ICW, our bubble has officially burst!)... and I felt I needed to send her off the right way for all the things we love about her:
1- BLT has an infectious smile... she's probably been given awards for all the niceness that oozes out of her
2-She's always willing to cover for our team at Rolling Readers
3-I don't even have to turn and peer out my cubicle doorway to know when she's flirting with a boy because the giggle sets in ;)
4-I've never known anyone else who grew up in the 80s but failed to see a single episode of 90210
5-Brit is not afraid to show her Twilight pride- do vampires live in Norway? It looks cold and overcast... ok, I just made that up... but still...
6-We both share an affection for our friend Jack and his sidekick Diet... esp when Aveda is hanging with the crew
7-She's always willing to put up with a lot from us... I know it's not easy B!
8-Our Ladies Lunches couldn't be nearly as special without our busiest bumble bee (I know we had to suffer through a lot of "I can't make it because I've got other plans" but we re-couped and couldn't help but love her for having a life)
9-BLT was actually going to risk herself on a small fishing raft all day with three men and no bathroom. She's practically a boy scout if you ask me...
10-She's a rockstar softball Butterfly
And while I could go on all day like this, the most important thing I -we- love about her is that Brit is a genuinely wonderful person and friend. She can cheer you up, rally with the best of them and inevitably inspires lots of smiles. Leslie, Vic and I will miss you something crazy, B, and we can't wait for you to send that link for your new blog from Norwizzle. ;) Huge hugs and many congrats on following your dream to travel and live abroad!
Props to M Shan for building some totally bomb diggity shelves over the weekend. Granted Duncan tried to run in the stain and had to be tackled before reaching the beige carpet (who owns light beige carpet with a black haired shedding machine anyway?)... but I must say I'm proud of his first home improvement efforts. Nice work :)
I've spilled the beans here and there... but since I'm officially giving word tomorrow, I can't wait to announce that I'm saying goodbye to my place of employment (also known as Home of the Devil) to go back to school for my Masters in Education. No more logo cookies *high five!*
One piece of paper... again, MOMA.
Lots of dancing ensued...
Courtney "participating" at MOMA. I think I might commission her to create something for the condo.
Note to self: watch Kasey like a hawk when you let her loose around $600 centerpieces. She can't be trusted with roses. This was the Starlight Lounge at the Sir Francis Drake. I don't really recommend unless you are jonesing for a bad wedding-like experience, but we still killed it on the dance floor and shut the place down. 
Best day ever. I mean- look at how amazing the weather and views are! We lucked out big time.
We are bringing hot mess/trainwreck into style. I love these girls!
Three thumbs up for the best girls' weekend. Thanks to both K and C for all the smiles and fun times!
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