Christmas Eve Eve

Moxie and I had company today! Mom & Dad came over to celebrate before their trip. I put up a few decorations and cooked a few things. Mom brought dessert and helped prep the appetizers. The food was good, the company excellent - and the B0ggle game intense! To keep up with family tradition -I brought out the antlers...

Bark and Hi

Time for bed, but a quick picture...

barks and hello for now...

Reactions

I cried too after the results – I think I felt a lot like Chris – it was hard to believe until it was official that the country didn’t make the same choices that we have been making based on fear and scare tactics. So I was excited, and watching Dr. King’s daughter react to the results made me believe that change is possible. For a moment I forgot that I was too scared to put a campaign sign in my yard because of the area that I live in. That I listen to people use words of hate on a regular basis and not even notice. That half of the people that helped make history also voted against rights for others. So I am hopeful, I want to believe that people really are good, and I want to do my part, but I am still saddened, by the denial of rights to another portion of our country…I don’t know what exactly in my life to attribute my feelings too either – I consistently have friends tell me that I vote based on my parent’s ideas – but I didn’t know how my parents voted until I was older. (Although I do credit my parents with raising amazing women!) Maybe as Chris mentioned, it was the religious upbringing, maybe it was the different environments I was able to live in, and maybe it is watching the hatred still prevalent where I live now. I don’t know exactly why I fell this way but I do think that everyone wants a better life, and most do not have the opportunities that I have been handed my whole life. So why shouldn’t my time, money, talents, strengths, etc. be put to use to help others. Maybe more people are realizing the beauty in building a real community, where differences are honored, and tolerance is common-place, where we help each other and not stand on others to get ahead. But maybe I am still an idealistic young adult…

Just an interesting snapshot of life here – these are my facebook and myspace friends’ mood/status in the 24-30 hours after the election. Minus removing the names and few spelling changes – these are the attitudes I see on a daily basis…a few willing to believe in change, but most… Oh and a prize for figuring out which one is a family member!


Is praying for America. (Nervous)

Is sad that I may never get to marry the love of life due to what other people think. (Aggravated)

Saw what "the change" was all about last night. (Disappointed)

Packin my bags and movin to Costa Rica.... who's with me.

Is scared for our country. (Shocked)

Thinks 2012 can't get here fast enough and is scared for our country (bummed)

Get a f*#&ing job, stop having kids and pay your own damn taxes. (Disgusted)

Is OMG a new beginning!!!!!! Go Obama! Changes are coming and the answers are blowin' in the wind...Amen! Oh Happy Dayyyyyyyyy! (Accomplished)

Is sad at the direction our country is moving in. (bummed)

Moving to Canada... Who's coming???? (Disappointed)

Is proud I voted for McCain!!

Is concerned about the next four years

Is going to be in DC for Election Day celebrating. I'm so grateful to live in this era. (Enlightened)

Ready to move back to the Cayman Islands...(Insert link to conservative site here).

"Welcome to the People's Republic of America or what I like to call an Obamanation of the ages..."

Wants to head back to Belize now!

Having a celebratory lunch today!

Thinks Obama better be ready to put his money where his mouth is.

Is moving to Canada. Anybody wanna come?

Still can't believe it. Now the real work begins! :-).

Is not ready for the govt to take money out of my paycheck and give it to the poor and illegal immigrants.

Likes to see the Dems in for the economy, we'll see about everything else.

Where do I get a Bumper sticker that says 1.20.13?

Loves that American finally wised up! Go Obama!

Thinks that 2012 needs to hurry up and get here!

Smile and grin at the change all around, pick up my guitar and play, just like yesterday, and then I'll get on my knees and pray we won't get fooled again.

"Socialism has come to America."

Well we hired a president who thinks that the gov't should steal from the people who earned it and give to the people who didn’t, is pro abortion, and is Muslim!

Is at least glad to know she lives in a sensible red state.

Is pissed at the results. There goes the neighborhood.

Is sad about the election.

And the world changed and another dream was realized

Welcome to the new U.S.S.A.

Is thrilled.

Is O-freaking-bama baby!! Yes we can!!

America, you asked for it...

Says "YES WE DID!"

Last toot for the night. He is the 44th president and well, 44 are about the only non prime number that I like! geee? 44fish?

Is wondering where to sign up for my government handout.

I hope he can back up all that "TALK" of his...

Young barak obama I’m all for it. Haters began hating or just thank bush.

Saying I’m glad that I’m alive to see this moment in history.

Yes, we did!!!!

Yes We Did.

I have never seen an election like this before. It's almost like everyone is acting like we just won our independence again.

Believes this is a dark day in America. There goes capitalism, national security, and freedom.

Is thinking about his 401(K). Will I still get a tax break after this election?

♥ Barack Obama.

Is praying...

Doesn’t think his money should have to pay for your uncle's prostate exam

Voted Pro-Life and it only took 6 minutes...gotta love Paulding County.

Is clinging to his bible and his guns and would also like to reiterate that change is not a destination, just as hope is not a strategy.


****Disclaimer - These are other's opinions - not mine.*****

Spooky Karaoke

Wednesday nights after work, you can usually find us at karaoke at the local Mexican restaurant. We have become regulars who know most of the other patrons and all of the employees. So when karaoke was moved to Friday for a costume contest, where else would the kids too big for trick-or-treating go?? Just a sampling of the costumes…

Indiana & his personal chef

My favorite for creativity - A Mac & a PC

A Black Widow

The Wizard of Oz meets the classy South

And the winner...

No one could figure out who this couple was all night. They even did a performance, and still no one could figure it out. Then the masks came off - and turns out, they have been coming to that restaurant for 10 years!

Then the fire goddess (the title of the costume I borrowed at the last minute from someone at work -- not my first choice, but the only choice) sang a little Pat Benetar and Bangles. Maybe an 80's costume would have been more appropriate!

Savannah

I went to Savannah for the weekend. It was a quick trip, but still fun. A friend from work was getting married so a bunch of us traveled down together. We got a chance to eat a wonderful seafood dinner Friday night, walk around downtown Saturday morning, and then off to the wedding. The sun came out just in time for the wedding. The wedding was large – 10 groomsmen and 10 bridesmaids, junior groomsman & bridesmaid, ring bearer, a miniature bride and groom, plus a wedding crier?? Not sure what that meant, but she was about ten and her job appeared to direct the two children (mini bride & groom) down the aisle. The reception was fun also – a lot of family, friends and dancing! While I was gone, Moxie went to the “pet resort.” She was tired when I picked her up, so I guess she had fun too. She was able to stay next door to Scooter, so I hope that made her feel less abandoned. Now back to work again!

Just a neat church we walked by - the architechure and history in the city is so rich - I wish I could have spent more time there getting to see more and learn about the biuldings - and ghosts they say live there too (referring to a great book...)


The Bride and the ring bearer( the couple's 20 month old son) were having a goodtime dancing!

The Newlyweds pose with the motley Global crew!

Progression...

So I am having a little indecision on the hair it seems… I started here… then that got boring and the roots were showing, so I looked under my sink… and there it was… red! Sounded good, but I guess it wasn’t a permanent dye so it faded within days… and then I was still bored… so off to a new salon and a new look! But I still think I am going to try to match the roots and go a little darker once it stars growing a little… Unless someone has a better idea. Other than that, my life is not too exciting still. I am still working at least 50 hours a week, plus at least 10 at home each week. I finally sat down with my boss and it looks like I cam finally getting to expand my staff and hire another person! Also, he is going to revise my pay to be more competitive with the market and more in line with all of the added responsibility I have taken on the past year. So I will wait and see if that makes the job more tolerable. I did get a break last night. I went to see Wicked! at the theatre. Our seats were almost at the very top, but the production was amazing. The people directly behind us left at intermission making the rest even better (apparently they did not read the etiquette guidelines in the playbill). The music was fantastic and the set was pretty good too. Hopefully I converted the friends that went with me who had never been to a musical before! Now back to work…

On the road again...

I guess this is how to tell the fair is in town again...

Can I wear these shoes?

This weekend was a wedding weekend. On Saturday, two of my high school friends got married. Leah and I went together and took little S. It was good to see some people from the past and catch up. Then on Sunday, my friend from work who had a destination wedding held her reception. Good thing she lives close by because I don’t have much gas! And it is hard to find around here! That’s all for now – back to work tomorrow!

Guest Blogger

My mom has been really busy lately so I am filling in… Not much has been going on around here lately… walking, sleeping, eating, and chasing my orange octopus, eating ice cubes, sleeping, barking at the kids in the cul-de-sac… the usual. I had to go to the doctor a couple of weeks ago for my check up. Uncle Andy was really nice to me. He gave me treats and I got a pedicure! The nice ladies weighed me and I gained five pounds in the past year. But I don’t need to diet which is good because I really l like those treats. I had an infection on my chin from scratching so much, but the pills aren’t bad. Mom puts them in a spoon with peanut butter and then lets me lick the spoon. Yummy! I have been exhausted lately so I have found some new places to sleep… on my couch – but boy I look old with that grey hair! And the top of the stairs is good too! The step allows me to hang my head upside down – it is a lot more comfy than it looks! My other favorite spot is in front of the window and that’s where I am going right now… I’ll have my mom get back on track with this blog thing – after all it is pretty fun! Barks to everyone - Moxie

Exhausted

Sorry for the lag in blog world. Things are good here, but I am exhausted. And so is Moxie. The summer has been a whirlwind, between work, work, and work, there is not a lot left of me when I get home! I luckily still have had a few chances to get to the lake and relax, but other than that, I don’t have any exciting stories or pictures. Hopefully something good soon...

I cooked!

Yes I really made dinner. I found a recipe for stuffed pork tenderloin that looked really good. I changed it a little bit since I have to make do without some spices and no meat thermometer. It turned out pretty good though – surprised me since I never really eat pork! The potatoes were yummy too – Swiss Potatoes Au Gratin. Next on the list Parmesan Crusted Chicken…

June in a nutshell

So June went by pretty fast – I can’t believe it is already July. I started out the month when a surprise get-together for my birthday. I thought I was just eating sushi with my friend P, but then we went down the street and there were my friends! I went to two Braves games in June. For the first game, about 20 of us rode down to the game on a converted school bus. The second time, it was just two of us, so we rode the train down to avoid the construction in the perimeter. For my birthday, I decided to pack up and head to the beach. Five of us drove down in a mini-van and stayed for four days. I think it was a much needed break for all of us. We enjoyed the sun, some good fun, a little dancing. Only one casualty of the trip: my phone fell off the twelfth story balcony! Luckily I had insurance. I ended the month with a rafting trip on the Ocoee River with a group of 15. We also stayed and camped out afterwards in North GA. The rain held off until after the rafting, but the tents were a bit wet! And July is starting off with a bang – the summer flu! But hopefully recovery will come soon enough for this weekend!

Too much, but still missing something.

Ok, so quick catch up…I really haven’t fallen off the face of the earth, just been… well quiet. I guess I needed a little regrouping lately. I still can’t figure out what I am looking for I guess (see Resolution post). I keep trying new things and hanging out with more people, but I just feel overwhelmed. This weekend, I turned off my phone and spent the weekend with Moxie. I think it was definitely the right thing to do, but still no direction. I have a clean house, a clean dog, a mowed yard, completed work, and now a new blog post, to show for this weekend though! Just to keep you updated for the past few weeks: I went to the lake with the triplets,-the normal summer spot, celebrated some birthdays, went to a funeral, caught up with mom when she passed through, went to Florida for a work conference, broke up with my boyfriend, had a new nephew, took scuba diving lessons, saw my goddaughter eat cake for her first birthday, lost a good friend, went to a club, bought some stuff at the fun Swedish furniture store, saw some fun creatures, worked, and well worked! I promise more to come soon… birthday adventures and another beach trip…

Urban Dare

I participated in my own mini Great Race! Everyone should check out the website (urbandare.com) and try it when it is in your city. Team Optimist did not win, but we had a blast… here are some samples of our clues: 1.This Georgian put his John Hancock on the Declaration of Independence. Get your picture with the building at Georgia Tech that bears his name. 2. Get your picture with the statue Emerging by Mark Smith. 3. Go to the park with the statue of Baron Pierre de Coubertin and get your picture with the brick that says Amanda Snyder God Bless All. 4. This animal travels the farthest of any land-based mammal. The North America one can travel as much as 5,000 kilometers a year. Go to the coffee shop of this name near Piedmont Park for your trivia dare.

Bonus. Get your picture with someone wearing a Varsity hat.….There were 13 clues in all, some just involved a picture and others “dares.” Due to the weather, however, some of the dares were replaced with only pictures. The rules included walking/running and public transportation (bus and train only). It took me and P about 4 hours to finish – not first but not last! I was exhausted when we were done, but I would definitely do it again!

Caving!

This past Saturday, I went caving with a group from a local outdoor club. We got up bright and early to drive to Chattanooga in the pouring rain and then geared up at Raccoon Mountain. It was actually nice to know that we were leaving a rainy day to go underground. If it had been pretty and sunny, I might have felt like we were wasting the day. We spent about three hours in the cave, descending to about 195 feet below the surface. It was fun and not too strenuous… And what trip would be complete without a good food afterward. My friend P and I stopped for lunch in downtown Chattanooga. It is hard to believe that only 20 years ago, Chattanooga was named the most polluted city in the US. Now the riverfront area is amazing. It is definitely a place to stop if you are in the area. We got ice cream at B&J’s. I haven’t been there in years but the smell when you walked in was unmistakable! Saturday night, I got back just in time for more good food with mom, dad, g-ma, Aunt K, and Rolan and his wife. It was a good visit, but I slept hard after such a long day!!

Whirlwind

How to tell that you are eating a healthy breakfast... ... and yes that does say Grease Only! I guess that's how you make good southern biscuits.

So I am falling behind in my posts, but hopefully I still have some fans. A lot has happened in the past couple of weeks, and sometimes I feel like I am barely keeping my head up. Right before my car accident, my friend needed an emergency place to stay, so I helped her move all of her things into my house. She settled in and Moxie loved having the extra attention. She decided, however, that she wanted to have her own place, so two weeks later I helped her pack everything back up and move into her apartment. I am happy that she is figuring things out on her own, but I was actually excited to have the company so she will be missed. I did get to have a fun break in the midst of all that moving. “The triplets” went to the Beach for a long weekend and enjoyed some perfect weather. I got to work on my tan and relax.

Of course when I got back, my desk was piled with work and things were pretty hectic. I have been trying to exercise more on top of learning to adjust to the dog, working, traveling, cleaning, commuting, etc. Some weeks are better than others. This week Moxie and I managed to take four 1.5-2 miles walk/runs, so this week was a little better. We also went to the lake Friday night, and she had fun meeting new people and being the center of attention. Besides walking, I have to get back to the gym. I am tentatively scheduled for a sprint triathlon in May, so if anyone has any training tips that would be great! Today I spent the entire day cleaning the house top to bottom and it looks great – I only wish it could stay that way. Having a dog and trying to sell my house at the same time is a lot of work, but I guess that’s what I signed up for when I brought Moxie home. And tomorrow it’s back to work!

Just add water...

And the people in the metro area forget about brakes, stop signs, turn signals, and traffic lights. But the good news is everyone was okay! I was rear-ended pretty hard on the way to work today about three miles from my house. It was quite a shock, I never even saw it coming, coins from my coin tray sprinkled all over me, my body is a little sore, my boots were covered in mud from talking to the police on the side of the road… what excitement!! The Camry doesn’t look so pretty, but nothing that my friends at the body shop can’t fix. Now I just have to remember to be careful in Mom’s driveway when I get it back!

Rocks, Foundue, and Octupi

Last Saturday, I spent a couple of hours at an indoor rock climbing facility. It was challenging – my arms definitely are not that strong – but a lot of fun. It was nice to do something a bit out of the ordinary, and I got a chance to meet more people. I joined an outdoor group that does a lot of activities in and around the city. I signed up for caving in a couple of weeks, so that is next!

Later in the weekend, I visited with mom’s visitor, see the pics on her page for all the good food we ate. In honor of JT, we had a choo-choo train at the sushi restaurant and then fondue at my house. Moxie enjoyed having people over just as much as me – and she was pretty well-behaved, too.

It is raining and cold here, so tonight Moxie and I had to forgo our walk and we played our favorite game: fetch with the orange rubber octopus! She seems pretty tired, but so am I!!

Disco Fever

So Saturday night I attended a charity function for C-ville Service League. The annual disco ball was quite a draw for some very interesting people. We had a blast and maybe even tried to dance the hustle!

Our costumes fit in very well with the rest of the crowd. Several people asked where I found my dress and I was proudly able to say it was an original!! Thanks Mom!

The go -go boots were a must - and actually pretty comfortable - although I did get some funny looks at the gas station on the way home!

I also made some new friends at the party!

It was fun to dress up and step out of my comfort zone and try something new. I wish the crowd had been slightly younger because I was looking to meet new people. Overall though, I have to say I am glad I was talked into going - we got to dance, eat some good food, act silly, and raise money for a good cause! Now what's next??

Indecision

e·quiv·o·cal - /ɪˈkwɪv ə kəl/ - adjective
-of uncertain significance; not determined

That about sums up my thought process right now. So the big decision is this: to moxie or not to moxie. Seems the hyperactive little fur-person somehow broke her tie-out, jumped out of a 6-foot privacy fence and then into another 6-foot fence to visit the neighbor’s dog (who by the way was recovering from surgery and not looking for a play partner). So I now face a decision I was putting off as long as possible.

For the past year and a half, little moxie has been staying in “foster care” with an extremely generous friend while I finished school. Unfortunately, that time has come to an end due her latest escapade and the caregiver’s increasingly dwindling time. I have at most three options in my mind:

1. Finding a home for her myself. This means screening applicants and maybe giving her to someone who would love her as much as I do. However, this also means she may go to someone who cannot handle her unbridled energy and she could end up in the dreaded shelter. This idea also includes a lot of effort and internet searching to find the perfect family. But on the upside, she may find the perfect home and I could hopefully get updates and pictures from time to time.

2. Adoption society for boxers. With this option there is no doubt that she ends up in a home with a family that understands the needs of such a high energy breed, BUT (and this is a big but) I sign away all rights and never know where she is or how she is doing in her new home.

3. Bringing her home! Right now seems like horrible timing because I want to do all these new things and try to find my place after graduation. Plus my house is on the market, which is a very slow and competitive market. I have put my best friend (who happens to be my real estate agent) on a fact finding expedition. She is going to talk to a seasoned real estate veteran to find out what my options are with a dog in the house with people looking and visiting my property. So that is in the works. Then there is the task of finding ways to help train Moxie and to expel her excess energy when I get home from work. Plus the many questions that surround the balance of my life outside my home and spending more time here in the middle of nowhere. I do not have friends that live in this direction and I am an hour from work, so having a dog here means less time with others and less time at the gym that I just joined – BUT I did it before and things weren’t all bad. Plus I keep thinking: who gives up on their children? Why can’t I sacrifice some of the things I want to do in order to keep my baby? I know she isn’t a person, but she is my fur-person and that means just as much. The other part to this is that I can try. Then if after a month or two, I realize that adoption is the better choice, I can still do that. And then I don’t ever have to look back and think, why did I not even try?! The other way around (chosing adoption right away), I never have a second chance.

So these are the options and I am running out of time to decide, but I don’t want to give up on such a loving animal. She is MY Moxie after all. But maybe what is best for her isn’t being with me either. HELP – I need some weigh-ins on this one. I know that ultimately it is my life and my decision, but any advice or thoughts on the matter may help swing the pendulum in one direction or the other.

A brief recap

It really does snow here! Although it didn't last long, I took a picture as proof -a little dark, but I had to take the picture while I had the chance.

The snow was pretty, but I really hate cold weather! I cannot wait until it is ninety degrees again.

I also received a package. They always say that good things come in little packages, but I guess the phone company never heard that saying. (The battery on the right came in the box on the left)

I also saw little S. last weekend. I stayed with my best friend and her family Saturday night. We had a good dinner out, but unfortunately S. also caught the bug going around and she was a little under the weather.

And last but not least, I celebrated JR's birthday last night - Hibachi and a movie. I think after twenty-seven years, the celebrations are not quite as big, but I think everyone had a good time! I thought we were taking a serious picture but I should have known better. In the time I have known JR, I think I only have a few non-goofy pictures. But at least we can remember the fun we had!