Sprinkled with love

Happy Sprinkles

On Friday, something magical and crazy happened. We picked up a lost dog that had been running around our neighborhood for almost a week. At first I thought she was a bit too little and barked a little too much. But once we gave her some food, water and a belly rub, she was a happy little lady.

I was able to track down (through her microchip) some information about her.
1. Her name is Sprinkles. Yes, sprinkles.
2. She's a 3 year old Aussie/ Chihuahua mix and despite the second of those breeds, she's quite cute. 3. She was adopted out through a non-profit rescue shelter and, unfortunately, her owner has made no effort to find her and bring her home (which makes me really mad).

Since we already have a crazy dog, who is also a very jealous dog right now, we can't keep lil Sprinkles. But the rescue is working hard to find her a new home. We'll keep her another couple days until they can take her.   

Her first dog park trip!

Even though it's only been a few days, I feel like this experience has taught me a lot.

1. Compassion is a very strong virtue. I have always been a dog person. I love dogs, I used to think I wanted a whole house full of them, and I rarely meet a dog I don't like. But knowing Sprinkles was outside in 105+ degree heat for a week (or more?) with so many people walking past her everyday was heart breaking. She is the sweetest, cutest little thing and to imagine her owner being totally ok with losing her is so sad. I definitely don't want a house full of dogs, and being responsible for her on top of our already crazy life has been really stressful, but knowing we might have saved this little dog's life makes it worth it.

2. Lucy is a genius. I always knew Lucy was smart. She's a combination of 2 very stubborn, bossy, sassy and smart breeds. But having Sprinkles around makes her seem like Einstein. Don't get me wrong, Sprinkles isn't dumb. She just has no training and lots of energy. She's fallen off chairs, run into walls and watching her try to untangle herself from a tree on our walks is hilarious.

Her and Lucy- BFF's (almost)

Belly rubs make everything better

3. There are good and bad people. Finding a stray dog is a great way to gauge the people you interact with. The neighbors whose house Sprinkles was hiding near for a week didn't make any attempt to feed her, give her water or report her to the humane society. This is terrible. The woman who chose to let Sprinkles run off should never be responsible for life. But, in this, I met some very wonderful people. First, the vet that scanned her for the microchip- they spent almost 45 minutes trying to track down ever bit of info they could on Sprinkles. Second, the rescue shelter. The woman I spoke to remembered Sprinkles, thanked me a million times for saving her and has been working diligently to find her a forever home. It's because of people like this that make up for the crummy ones.

Sparkles might not be ours, but she sure has brought love and happiness into our home. (Just don't ask Mark and Lucy what they think of her). And if you're interested in giving this little lady a good home, visit the rescue's website:  http://azpawsandclaws.com

Wedded Bliss

Do you hear that? That right there? That's silence. That's called peace. I am no longer talking to myself, frantically scribbling notes on the back of Hobby Lobby receipts and I'm not cursing at my computer screen.  That can really only mean one thing.


I. GOT. MARRIED.

 

Yes, it's true. The big day has come and gone and now that the dust has settled, I'll try to recap the highs, lows, tears, laughs, and everything in between. 

From a bride's (incredibly biased, still basking in the after glow) perspective:

1. Family. I cannot even begin to explain the love you feel for/from your family when you get married. Maybe it's because I'm the only girl on my mom's side, or because it was just because our families are so awesome (maybe both) but I felt nothing but love from my and Mark's family. My aunts worked for hours and hours on my bridal shower, rehearsal dinner and on the day of the wedding to make sure it was perfect. My cousin Weston hand carved the center pieces out of downed aspens. My Dad and brother hand made yard games for the reception. It was incredible how everyone came together and made our wedding so incredible. I don't even know how to thank them enough.



Weston made this!

2. Friends. Even now, I get goose-bumps thinking about how amazing our friends are. Only 3 out of our enormous 14-person wedding party was actually living in Colorado. Our friends loved us enough to travel from: Thailand (!), Maine, New York, Portland, New Mexico, Ohio, Montana, Reno, Cali... The list goes on. And not only did they come to the wedding, but they were in it. They dealt with anal emails from me, goofy socks, staying in my parent's camper, and even brought their spouses with them. I cannot express how much it meant to us that our friends would do all that for us. 



Our enormous(ly awesome) wedding party.

I was ugly crying into Dad's shirt

Ugly crying. At our rehearsal dinner we introduced all our wedding party, which was really special and amazing and yes, Mark told me 10 minutes before it happened so I had no time to actually prepare anything to say. But it wouldn't have mattered anyway. Mark talked about his brother/ best man and started crying, then the waterworks started. I cried, Mark cried, everyone cried. So, naturally, I was terrified that it would be 10x worse on the actual wedding day. Plus, the girl who did my makeup informed to AFTER it was done that it was not waterproof. Excuse me? But, I was able to lock it up and hold my sh*t together. Well, for the most part. But if I learned anything it was that crying is actually really appropriate and endearing at your own wedding. So future brides, cry away!

It truly was an amazing day. I wouldn't have changed a thing!

Hot Sweet Home

I've put off blogging for long enough.  So much has happened since my last post that writing a blog seemed a bit too overwhelming to take on. But alas! The wait is over. Now I still have an entire 3 week trip to Europe to plow through, but since we've received so many questions about our new life in Arizona, we'll start there.



Little toasty

I have to mention that the best part about actually living in Arizona in the summer is that no one here talks about how hot it is. Everyone else can think of nothing else to talk about than the weather- which gets a little old. But here, everyone talks about everything except the high temperatures.

But, that being said, I will still acknowledge that it's f***ing hot. It was 121 driving in and it's not uncommon to see it in the mid 110's. Luckily, you adapt really quickly.  It's been a change, but I can't say I hate it. And no sunburns yet!! God bless air conditioning and ice cream!

Our humble abode
 

We got REALLY lucky in the house we are living in. Mark's friend needed someone to live in his house between his renter moving out and him moving back in and it happened to fit right into our schedule. We plan on buying a house in the next few months, but right now we're living rent free in a super nice house. I still can't believe it's worked out!



Entry way. Lucy's favorite spot




Our massive closet

Tiny patch of grass. Oh and Lucy's pool


 



Our awesome kitchen!

 

 

And since I know everyone really wants to know how Lucy is coping, she is just fine! She was a little nervous and stressed during the move. The first 2 weeks we got here, she wouldn't leave my side no matter where I went (ahem- bathroom) but she's slowly starting to get used to her new home.  We have a huge park 2 blocks away and every day we walk there and she gets to hunt lizards. This is her new favorite past time and she's obsessed!  This is usually followed by a long nap in front of the fan. It's a rough life.
 

 

 

It has officially been 4 weeks since we moved and it's pretty nuts. I'm still trying to find my bearings, get to know this place and avoid the scorpions (successful so far!). It's definitely different than Portland, but I knew it would be. Next step (after getting married of course) is finding myself a job. In the meantime, we are accepting visitors any time!!

One last Bender

One place I've always loved is Bend, OR. It reminds me so much of Evergreen, where I grew up. The climate is much drier than Portland and there's always some sort of festival or race or hike to do. Plus there's some really great restaurants we like to enjoy too. So when Roy asked Mark and I to volunteer at the Sister's Stampede- a local mountain bike race- we didn't hesitate.

Bend has a great dog park right on the river. It has a swimming spot, which Lucy is still too wimpy to jump in. But she loves to get her little paw wet and watch the other dogs swim by.

The race was fun, but chilly. We directed the racers at an intersection. It was pretty cool to watch these riders- they are in way better shape than I will ever be. We were very important because we got the wear neon yellow shirts. 

Lucy got to run free in the meadow and we are proud to announce she caught her first animal! It was a mole and holy cow, she was proud of herself! Unfortunately, she had more fun playing with it and wouldn't kill it. So Roy had to finish the job. It was sad, but hey, that's the circle of life. Don't worry, we had a proper burial for him. Lucy even said a few words at the funeral. RIP little buddy.

One down, countless to go

Well, its all over. Yesterday was my last day at work. I was so busy all week I didn't have a chance to really let it sink in. On Thursday, I worked at our East Portland office and I had a very odd moment standing in the elevator alone holding my box full of random desk supplies.
Yesterday my 3 co-workers took me to lunch at New Seasons. We chatted, talked about my upcoming trip and they presented me with a nice card and a bottle of sunscreen (yes, I get it already). Then it was back to the office where I signed some papers and they took my badge. After a couple hugs and cleaning out the last of my desk, I was gone. I didn't even cry! I got a bit teary walking to my car, but was proud of myself for holding it together.
Then I got home.
And Mark hugged me. And it was all over. I think I was in the fetal position on the living room floor for about 20 minutes. Tears of sadness, of fear, of relief. But mostly tears because I am now dependent on Mark for my survival. I don't have a job and that is a really scary feeling. I never wanted to be dependent on anyone and giving up so much for him is a really scary leap.
But, I'm leaving in 36 hours for my great European Adventure! I still don't think it's hit me that I'm going to be in Europe with my best friend. I'm very excited!
I feel like this is the first of many big changes and I'm nervous and anxious and excited and scared to see what the next 4 months hold for me. But I'm glad I have a wonderful, supportive sugar daddy fiancé to stand beside me.

It's happening

Secrets are not fun. Secrets are hard to keep and even harder to keep if there are a bunch of them all intertwined together in a mess of secrecy and lies. So now, finally, our secret(s) are out and I can finally stop walking on eggshells and worrying if I let something slip.

Here goes...

I'm quitting my job and we are moving to Arizona.

Phew. I feel better already.

I put in my 2 weeks at work last Thursday. It was by far the worst part of this whole journey. I had rehearsed it in my head a million times, but once those words came out of my mouth, I lost it. How professional of me. Luckily my boss was super supportive and even hugged me (weird). But it still stings. I love this job. I'm perfect for this job. I'm lucky I found this job. It's hard to leave. And it's even harder to leave because of someone else's opportunities. Don't get me wrong, I would follow Mark to the end of the Earth, but moving to a place Mark used to live, that Mark loves, for Mark's job is really challenging for me. When I moved to Portland, it was for me. It was because I wanted an adventure and I had an internship waiting for me. Now, I am following someone else on their adventure and I'm struggling to find where mine is and how it fits in. I am proud of myself for finding this job and for working hard and suffering through shitty jobs and finally starting a career. Now I'm walking away from it. From my independence, really. I never wanted to be reliant on anyone else. But now I'm moving to a place I've only been as a tourist, where Mark has already established a life and I'm doing it with all the hope and ambition I can possibly muster up, but I'm truly doing it knowing I might not find anything as great as I have now.
But there's not much I can do besides mourn this loss, pick myself up and move on with my life. I am moving with my future husband and the man who I never want to live without. I certainly didn't have that when I moved to Portland. Arizona is just going to be a new chapter, the first chapter, really, in our new life together.
Plus, I get to go to Europe! My BFFFE Amanda is living in Poland and teaching English. So, I'm going to meet her, her mom and sister and we are traveling around Europe for almost 3 weeks! We'll head to Krakow, Warsaw, Berlin, Prague and Amsterdam! I'm very excited! I need to start packing!

Big Day!

Today was a big day. Today I went to the gym.  It was glorious. I may be in awful shape, but I enjoyed every painful, sweaty, breathless moment. Victory!!