FatBoy Ernie is making it difficult to blog this morning.
Aside from that, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Matt, the furbabies, and I are watching the Rose Parade and plan to relax all day long. Its my most favorite kind of day. Last night was pretty low key.
Pappy and Wally did enough New Years kissing for the all of us.
They love each other so much.
New Years Resolutions: they're just so............ pointless. Dont get me wrong. I truly believe that everyone goes into January 1st with honest intentions, but in all reality--- its very rare that people actually KEEP their resolutions.
Last year's resolution was to go yoga three times a week. I went into 2014 with good intentions, and even DID yoga a couple times.
But, ultimately I failed. Wahhh!!
DONT WORRY THOUGH! The constant reminder of failing does not stop me from making more New Years Resolutions. TEN-- TO BE EXACT. Lets just hope they last longer than the first week of January.
My first New Year's Resolution is to try again:: Practice yoga at least three times a week.
I really, really love yoga, but I can never find the time. I need to learn to focus on my health and happiness and make time.
Matt and I did some research yesterday. The American Kennel Club says that "Puppies should get at least five minutes of exercise for each month of age two times a day." That means, Pappy and Wally (who are almost five months old) should be getting two 25 minute walks a day....
We like NEVER walk them. We're horrible puppy parents.
New Years Resolution #2:: Be a beter puppy mom
We guesstimate that Pappy and Wally run around this house, acting crazy, wrestling, and playing at least 20 minutes a day. Which means, they need to go on TWO 15 minutes walks to get out their excess energy. Matt and I have committed to this, and I REALLY hope we keep this one.
Also, we need to get these puppies POTTY TRAINED AND HEALTHY. They are still struggling with bladder infections (Dr Appointment tomorrow @ 2pm) so once that is cured, I hope they're house broken shortly after.
On another note: Pappy STILL also has a skin infection. Which basically means their two week rounds of meds for the bladder/skin infection(s) didn't work. Pappy has cut himself and caused himself to go bald in certain spots due to his constant scratching. It breaks my heart.
Please send your prayers.
Another part of being a better puppy mom entails getting these boys some freaking MANNERS!!
Puppy Classes resume January 10th and following their graduation from those classes, we will be immediately enrolling them in Intermediate Classes. Hopefully we'll finish Advanced classes by the end of the year. I mean, seriously ya'll.... They really need it.
New Years Resolution #3: Be a better kitty Mom
We have spent so much energy and time on the puppies that poor Ernie and Lulu have been neglected (well, not really. They're actually still pretty damn spoiled. BUT compared to before the puppies....... they're PRACTICALLY neglected). We need to learn to balance our love, cuddle time, attention, and energy into all four furbabies.
No matter what, though, I'm never going to share this - girlfriend. That's Mama's special juice.
Ernie and I enjoying some cuddle time while I blog.
New Year's Resolution #4: GO BACK TO BEING VEGAN.
For real. For real. For real.
On Thanksgiving, we ate the best, MOST delicious Mac-n-Cheese ever. From there, we could ONLY pass as vegetarian at best. And in the two months, we've gained about five pounds and felt like complete and utter shit (stomach issues, constantly tired, etc.) I am determined to go back to a fresh, healthy, plant based diet while cooking homecooked meals seven nights a week. And won't stop until we do.
Hopefully, all organic, as well. That is, if our wallets allow....
In order to go back VEGAN, I need to get rid of eat all the nonvegan items in the house TODAY.
Cookies..... Cheesecake....
I mean, its NECESSARY.
DON'T WORRY! I made all the chocolate chip cookies this morning.
(you're loving all my "no makeup, hair in a messy bun" pictures, aren't you??)
New Year's Resolution #5:: Half Iron Man
You thought I forgot alllllllll about that, DIDN'T YOU!!!!!
On July 23, 2013 -- I wrote this post. Promising all of you that, one day, Matt and I would complete a half Iron Man. I promised to start a gym membership in the middle of August to begin our training. And what happened?!?!?
Our condo sold in a day and a half. I know! I know! Excuses, Excuses. But we were so sidetracked with packing and house hunting -- and needing to move in 30 days.... and SO MUCH. THEN - we rescued the puppies... And got even more sidetracked. And (siggggggh)....
So yes, needless to say -- After all those excuses. I still want to do it!!!
But - Lets be honest. Training for a triathlon is NOT cheap. We need bikes and running shoes -- and swimming gear - AND A POOL (gym membership) - and so.much.more.
I am NOT going to promise that we will be ready for the Iron Man in 2016 BUT I am going to "promise" (new years resolution, remember??) that we will train. The puppies will help.
New Year's Resolution #6:: Finances/The envelope system
Budget, Save, Tithe, repeat!
In my opinion, we've done really well financially. But we want to do better.
Long term goal: Pay off our mortgage in 15 years and travel the world.
Short Term: Control our "miscellaneous" spending. Hence, the envelope system.
We will have a LIMIT for EVERYTHING: groceries, clothes, gas, car maintenance, date nights, liquor, etc. And we need to learn to stick to it. If we do--- the sky is the limit. Let's just hope this works. It's going to take LOTS of discipline.
New Ten Year's Resolution #7: (completely opposite of number 6):: TRAVEL, TRAVEL, TRAVEL
Yes, yes, yes -- I probably lost all of you by now. And you're probably all reading this as: Bullshit, Bullshit, Bullshit. But what better time than to share our long term plans as well.
Matt's and my priority for the next 5-10 years is SEEING THE WORLD.
Vacations we have already planned/booked:
Roadtripping in July: Nashville, Alabama Shores for a week, New Orleans, and Memphis
New York City in August: Five nights in Manhattan.
Cruising to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands in Spring 2016: A surprise gift from Santa Claus
Vacations on the horizon:
California Coast cruise and roadtrip
A week in Hawaii
Alaskan Cruise
Vacation Wishlist:
London Cruise
Tour of Italy
Paris, France
Fiji
Two weeks in China
FAR FAR in the Future --
Rio de Janeiro
Cape Town
Germany/Poland concentrations camps
Norway/Northern Lights
Australia
Moscow, Russia
And the list goes on and on.....
Hey, a girl can dream, right?
Also - I just decorated my office and gave myself inspiration while working.
New Year's Resolution #8: Donate more money to Beauty and the World Wildlife Federation.
New Year's Resolution #9:::: And MOST important - Become members of a new church (closer to home), worship every Sunday, tithe, and place all and complete faith in God's timing/plan.
2015 is going to bring SO MUCH HAPPINESS and CUTENESS.
Babies, Babies, Babies!!!!
I hate how you cut off your pretty face, Ashley! So I'll post this one, too! A little better....
Carmy and her little nugget!
And Chelsea - and her sweet baby GIRL!!!!!!
I just have to share this, too!
New Year's Resolution #10::: Spoil my friends' precious babies and our furbabies, nieces, and nephews...... and spoil ourselves by traveling the world (just had to put that in again).
Happy 2015 Everyone!
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