Januarys and Mondays

Isn't January just like some great, big, looming Monday?  We start our weeks with Monday and our years with January.  What makes them so darn tough to make it through?  My husband's birthday is in January, and even he dislikes it.  I'm relieved to say hello to February.  There will still be plenty of snow hanging around (Utah anyway) until March at least I'm sure, but something about Valentine's Day just reminds you to hold on tight, spring is coming. 

Even though we have a lot to be grateful for in our life right now, it just seems like we've hit a rough patch since September.  I have been hoping 2013 would start us off right, but January is always a little tough.  So, 2013, I won't judge you by January.  February and I have hope for you yet.

It's amazing how in tune dogs can be to your emotions.  I am sure glad I've got this smelly puppy to sit next to me and rest his head on my leg when he knows I need it.  Lately he'll find an occasion to gently rest his head on my tummy and I think he knows something big is going down around here soon. 

We're going to hunker down on the couch to watch the super bowl (meaning Lee is watching the game, I am perusing the internets and waiting for the 'much anticipated commercials') while eating marshmallow popcorn until we're sick.

And if you're into that sort of thing, here's a quote which brought me a little cheer when I read it at church today...

“My young friends, there is an opportunity for you to become great—just as great as you wish to be. In starting out in life you may set your hearts upon things very difficult to attain to, but possibly within your reach. In your first efforts to gratify your desires you may fail, and your continued efforts may not prove what may be termed a success. But inasmuch as your efforts were honest efforts, and inasmuch as your desires were founded in righteousness, the experience you obtain while pursuing your hearts’ desires must necessarily be profitable to you, and even your mistakes, if mistakes you make, will be turned to your advantage.”  

^{President Lorenzo Snow (President of the LDS church from 1898- 1901)}

 
PS: Wish me luck at the dentist tomorrow! I'm really hoping to keep up with my cavity free streak despite the baby in my belly leaching away all of the good nutrients and calcium! Yikes!

dreaming of a white.....

I am dreaming of a white Christmas, but I am also dreaming of a white couch. 

Yes, a lovely white loveseat for my formal living room which I like to call a parlor, because why not?

This is the white couch I want... lovely and cheap from the IKEA.  Just trying to keep it classy.

I have this puppy though, with black fur.  He doesn't shed much, although he does think he's the king of the castle and he is usually allowed on things like couches and beds.   After all, we are horrible dog owners and our dog doesn't think he's a dog.  He thinks he's people.  Not only do I have this silly puppy, but, one day I might actually have small children running around this place (running around with small smudgy fingers) but who knows about these things really?

So.. white couches.

Please discuss.  In the comments.   Pros and Cons.

makings of a great day

You know it's going to be a great day when... 

You get all this produce for $15 (check it out bountifulbaskets.org)

Blueberry muffin mini-wheats? Where have you been all my life?

You have a new magazine in the mail! And you know it's going be amazing when the cover says "Save Your Knees," and has rock hard abs on the cover.

Pink Lady Apples are in season; Best. Apples. Ever.

Frank, the cookie jar, is chilling in the kitchen while you do some hard core baking.

Waking up to a great hair day, without doing any work.

Your dog is pumped to hang out with you and always wants to play.

PS: This lil' chump is 4 years old and he just learned to catch a toy in his mouth yesterday! Maybe your kid can walk and talk, but my dog can catch a toy in his mouth.  It's pretty amazing.  I mean he probably catches it 5 times out of 10 when I throw it directly at his face with no arc.

That's some serious skill.

Are you watching LDS General Conference?

I am.  I think these gentlemen are pretty darn special. 

gifts from kids

now this student really knows me

getting gifts from kids is the best.
whether it's a macaroni necklace or a homemade card, gifts from kids are so much more original and full of thought than most gifts from adults.

this random calendar of dogs doing yoga poses totally made my day.

PS: I wish I could give gifts (and shop for them) with the same innocence and wonder a child does.