Fun Fact Thursday: Alaska

I have always, *always* wanted to go to Alaska. When Aaron and I first started talking about our honeymoon and he gave me the option of going anywhere in the entire world, I think he was somewhat surprised to hear me say "Alaska!" without hesitation. His response was, (and this was a couple of years ago so I am paraphrasing) "I can't believe I'm marrying someone who, when given the choice to go anywhere in the world, wants to go to Alaska. Score me!" He was relieved I didn't want to go and lay on a beach somewhere sipping frosty drinks (in all honesty, I wouldn't mind that, but it certainly wouldn't be one of my top 3 vacation destinations).

Our vacation/belated honeymoon is going to be amazing and I am beyond excited. Here are some interesting facts about Alaska:

• Alaska is the 49th State in the Union.
• The state of Rhode Island could fit into Alaska 425 times.
• The state motto is "North to the Future".
• Nearly one-third of Alaska lies within the Arctic Circle.
• 17 of the 20 highest peaks in the United States are located in Alaska.
• Mount McKinley ( 20,320 feet ) in the Alaska Range is the highest in North America.
• The state's largest city is Anchorage; the second largest is Fairbanks.
• In 1867 United States Secretary of State William H. Seward offered Russia $7,200,000, or two cents per acre, for Alaska's almost 400 million acres.
• Alaska has 6,640 miles of coastline and, including islands, has 33,904 miles of shoreline.
• Alaska has areas that get: 24 hours of daylight and 24 hours of night.
• Alaska contains approximately 3 million lakes.
• Alaska is 55 miles east of Russia.

Wednesday Oui: Ouizell's Vacation

When Aaron and I first moved in together I bought my dogs a "welcome to your new home" gift; a white weasel looking thing with buck teeth. I bought it (impulsively) at Family Dollar while I was there doing my quarterly acquisition of household cleaning products. This toy, haphazardly thrown into the cart as an afterthought, has earned quite the reputation.

Now, to understand the extent to which my dogs are spoiled you have to realize how many toys/accessories these boys have. They get a new Halloween costume every year, a tee-shirt for every occasion, life jackets, Santa suits, reindeer antlers, winter boots, raincoats, cooling collars, bathrobes and I even had tuxedo shirts imported from Japan for my wedding. These dogs want for nothing

All of our toys (the ones most frequently played with) have names. Why? Because my dogs have a supreme intelligence which allows them to learn the names of their toys. If we were to say, "Bing, where's Bluey?" He would run around the house and seek out Bluey and return him to me (after, of course, first having sex with Bluey [Bluey is a blue bull who happens to be the one and only toy that has earned Bing's sexual affection]). But, the favorite toy of my dogs happens to be "Ouizell" the dollar store toy bought on a whim. Of all the toys they own (including a $20 hand-puppet giraffe [which they completely discarded after I ordered it]) they like this cheap animal the best. So much so that he needs to be with them most of the time. Whenever we travel, if Bing sees Ouizell go into his overnight bag (yes, they have their own overnight bag, from L.L. Bean-- it's monogrammed) he will get so anxious because he knows we're going somewhere. Ouizell has had to visit the doctor several times over the past 4 years, has several scars (stitches), only one working squeaker remains intact and is now tailless and toothless. Plus, not only does Ouizell sleep in bed with us-- every night, Ouizell was also a guest at our wedding.

The point of this blog? Well, Aaron and I are completely stressing about leaving the pups for the 17 days we are in Alaska/Seattle. My Mother is taking them at the farm and they'll have a great time with their cousins (my Mom's chihuahuas) but, as their Mama, I worry about them. So much so that I actually had a nightmare about Alaska/Ouizell last night.

As I said, Aaron and I will be gone for 17 days. We have two formal dinners on the cruise, we will be in various climates and we'll most likely need to pack a lot of clothing. As a result, we have been discussing the purchase or use of one of those things that sucks the air out of stuff so you can pack a bunch of crap in a suitcase. Well, in my dream last night, we arrived safely in Alaska and as I unpacked my suitcase I realized Ouizell had somehow been packed and vapo-sealed into our luggage. In my dream, I lost it. I absolutely, without a doubt, lost my shit screaming that "not only had we left the pups for a significant amount time, we had also taken their baby." (I legitimately cannot explain how much they love this toy). In the dream I insisted on overnighting the weasel to my mother's farm so they boys wouldn't be without this ratty beast for another second. It was crazy and I woke up in a panic.

Come to think of it, I am crazy. It's impossible to explain how much I love these dogs. Seriously, when it comes to my dogs I am certifiably sick in the head. Oui?

Menu Monday

Today's blog really isn't a recipe but more a distraction for me. I need something to avoid the things I really have to do/think about!

I can't even begin to explain how busy I've been. I'm trying to start my practice, finish out my current job, plan for Alaska and do all the yard work/summer cleaning that this time of year demands. I've pretty much been running on empty for a few weeks now. But, alas, I FINALLY see the light at the end of the tunnel; better (more relaxed) days to come! I'm really hoping to find more time in my schedule to blog. I truly feel so much more content when I can transfer some of the things in my head onto "paper." We shall see, however, when push-comes-to-shove, blogging is one of the first things I trim from my "to-do" list when it becomes pages long.

My best friend of 12 years is giving birth to twins- today. She's scheduled to go in at 9am this morning. I can't wait to meet them but I have NO idea when I'll be able to drive the 4 hours to see them... my weekends are booked and I can't take any time off in my current job(s) yet! I wish so badly I could be there.

So, here's the distraction. All weekend Aaron and I spent time in the yard cleaning things up, weeding, putting out our patio furniture, etc. While surveying our land (our yard is about the size of a postage stamp [less than 1/2 acre]) I noticed I had a few strawberries ready to be picked! So perhaps they aren't the most robust of berries, nor are they plentiful right now but Aaron and I will enjoy them on the patio after dinner tonight!

Lastly, my favorite tree which was in full bloom last week. I love this tree!

New Beginnings

It's official. After months of searching (in the most conscientious of ways) I have accepted a new job. Now, you have to understand what a HUGE move this is for me. It was something I went back and forth about for months. I love the work I do, I love my kids, I love my peers, I love my supervisor, program and agency. BUT, I love my family more.

See, the problem is the current number of hours I'm scheduled. Yes, I work too many hours but that wasn't necessarily the issue. I very much dislike the schedule of the hours I work. Many nights, because of the nature my job, I would often work until at least 7:30pm. That isn't very conducive to the thought of starting a family (or getting much of anything else done). June 24th will be my last day at my current place of business. There have been some tears on my part already but I'm really looking forward to my new adventure.

I've accepted a position in a private practice. So what that means is that I'll (basically) be working for myself. I pick my hours, I pick my clientele; everything is up to me. I've decided to work 3 days per week, one of which will probably include a late night- (but only ONE- not three, and if I don't like that, I can change it!) I've also picked up another class for the fall 2011 semester- so the other two days I'll work at the school from 8-12 and then I'm done for the day. Can you imagine?

I'm very excited about the prospect of learning new things with a different population of clients. I'll still be doing some substance abuse treatment but let us not forget I'm dually licensed so I can treat mental health concerns and substance abuse issues. Financially, this will be a great move for us but I will be losing the security of being a salaried employee (which is a tiny bit scary).

Aaron has been incredibly supportive of the move and my new "boss" (per se-- the owner of the practice) has been very understanding of my need to transition slowly out of my current position. He has been nothing but supportive of how hard of a transition this can be.

As soon as I get my beautiful new office decorated (sneak peek- it's a corner office with a view of a foot bridge and brook) I'll post pictures. This is going to be a busy/sad/exciting time for me. I'm not going to lie in that my heart hurts as I leave my current position but, this move makes sense and will provide much opportunity in a variety of life areas.

Wish me luck!

Excuse Me?

So, the other day Aaron and I were arguing (yes, we argue [but we don't yell]) about something or rather (it was stupid and I don't even remember what it was about) and part way through the argument he opened the door to the cellar to bring something downstairs. Our cat was sitting near the door blocking the stairs and Aaron said, "Pardon Me, Shredda." He said excuse me... to our cat! Immediately I was thrown back to when Aaron and I started dating; around the time I first heard him say "Pardon me"

Aaron is a gentleman. Yes he has his flaws and some days I want to kill him but, one thing I will give him is that he is incredibly polite. He's a gentleman in every sense of the word; he treats ladies like ladies (those of us who want to be treated like ladies). Where Aaron is concerned, chivalry is not dead. As independent as I am I love that about our relationship.

I've never met anyone before Aaron, nor have I met anyone since, who uses the expression "Pardon me." It's so old-fashioned and I find it completely endearing. So, at a moment when I was clearly irritated, this Grinch's heart grew a few sizes and I told him how much I loved it when he said "pardon me." I told him that I have always loved that expression and it makes me smile when he says it. I had never told him that before. I don't wear my heart on my sleeve but I know sometimes I need to. We didn't speak another irritated word at each other for the rest of the night. Sometimes getting off my pedestal is totally worth it ;)