A rejuvinating weekend

I don't know noticed, but last week was rough for me.  I was anxious for the weekend more than any other week.  I also had the house to my self since the Hales clan was heading up to PA on Friday to see some of Justin's family.

I had a good chat on Friday on the way home with MEM.  It was good to talk to someone and get some honest feedback.  She suggested I go to church to seek some guidance.  Now, I don't typically talk about religion, especially on a blog, because it can be a very touchy subject.... like politics.  But as this is my personal blog, with my personal opinions, I'm making an exception.

Anyways, Friday night was pretty uneventful.  I watched some regular TV and headed up to bed early because I was so tired.  Saturday morning, Samson and I went on our regular walk and then I did some cleaning before we had to head down to VA to see the vet.  It was Samson's regular check up time.  We even planned to stop at his old favorite dog park while we were down there.  Last summer I went to a vet closer to my house, but I wasn't really happy with all the stuff they pushed on me, so we headed back to the place that was most comfortable.  Everyone was so happy to see Samson and he was well behaved while he got his blood drawn and his couple of vaccine shots.   He (and I) were both ready to go home at that point.  We made it back by 1:30 and both of us were pretty useless after that.

I decided instead of dealing with walking Samson and going to church in the morning that I would try the Saturday afternoon mass.  I had researched this church previously while we were looking at the marriage prep courses, so I was pretty familiar with where it was and everything.  I headed up after walking Samson and made it on time.  The church was very nice.  Smaller, but pretty.  I made it early enough to have some quiet time before the mass began.  They are a traditional church, which was sort of refreshing since I prefer the more traditional aspects of mass.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to sit there for a bit after mass because they had a funeral mass immediately following.

I can't tell you the last time I went to church on a random weekend.  To be honest, I'm really glad I did it and wish I hadn't made so many excuses for why I couldn't do it earlier.  I plan to continue going.

On my way home from church, I stopped at the grocery store to pick up some things since the fridge was pretty bare.  I was back in time to watch a movie and eat dinner before heading to bed.

Sunday was a day of doing nothing... absolutely nothing.  I walked Samson and watched movies all morning.  My roommates were back shortly after lunch so there was more activity in the afternoon.  I babysat Kayla for a bit so Melissa and Justin could run a few errands.  They were back in time for dinner and had brought a surprise.

I may make her wear that around like a regular outfit. :)

Sorry for the not so great photo... she was flapping her arms and yelling at me.

My protector

My guard dog....

Doesn't he look terrifying??

Samson has developed a reputation (unknown to him) of being an extremely intimidating dog.  So much so that almost everyone we encounter in my community runs away from/steps back onto their porch/crosses the street when we are out walking.  Kids are their terrified of him, or yell from the sidewalk, "can you make Samson speak?"

Adults are even worse.  There are so adults that will wait at their front door until we pass before they come out to their cars.  In fact, I can count 3 people in the community as a whole who have actually interacted with Samson and know what a big baby he is.

It has come in handy in my neighborhood, especially when I have been living alone, that he is so scary.  It's usually dark out in the mornings when I walk him, so it's nice to have the reassurance.  Even though I know he is a big furry baby.... doesn't mean everyone else does.  In fact, there have been people (men mostly) that have made comments to me in passing about "having protection" or "not having to worry about anyone bugging me with him around".  It does make me feel safer.

But it still is hard to imagine.  I know a lot of people compare huskies to wolves, but honestly....  does he look intimidating?

All I see is a big squishy dog who likes his belly scratched and is tickled when you touch his paws.

I write this post now because this morning on our walk, Samson did what he does best.... acted scary.

We were walking our typical routine and there was a guy walking to his car in his workout gear.  We said good morning to each other, but Samson was a high alert.  He stopped in the grass to watch him approach us and then got his best bark on.  I couldn't help but laugh because really... how do you take a dog seriously that does the pounce-bark and tries to be scary. 

Thankfully, the guy just smiled at me and said "guess he's doing his job, huh?"

Man, I love that dog.

The need to write

Yesterday evening I had that urge to write.  It doesn't happen very often, but it hit last night.  So in lieu of the old school journal, I opened blogger and a new post page.  And just sat there.... staring at the blank screen.  Sure I wanted to write, but I had NO idea what I wanted to say.  So I closed the page and figured something would come to me.

Then I went to bed early, well, attempted to at least.  Instead, I laid in bed just staring at the ceiling.  Eventually I was mentally composing a blog so I pulled out my phone and open the notes app (this would be the time I wish I had an ipad).  I started typing, about nothing... and in the end I just deleted it.  That was the second night in a week that I composed part of a blog post in the notes app (the other one is coming later.... I didn't delete that one).

I guess I just feel frustrated with life right now.  I'm angry about the house situation (yeah, don't think I don't notice how infrequently I am able to update the blog about it)... In fact, I started a blog post titled "house update" two weeks ago and haven't had anything worth putting in it.  The last time I updated.... MAY.  Seriously.

There are some other things that are going on right now that I can't really blog about.. yet.  I will, don't worry, but it's not yet.  And these things are adding to my general life frustration.  I'm doing my best to keep perspective, but as you know, sometimes that can be difficult.  Because sometimes all you want to do is feel sorry for yourself for a little bit....

Mid week slump

I'm tired today, so a simple outfit post is all I can muster.   Hopefully tomorrow.

*sweater & tank - Jcrew, skirt - gift from Leslie, shoes - Target

Feeling Patriotic

I can't help but feel like I should've worn this outfit to a 4th of July party.  I guess that's what happens when I am motivated to get dressed shoes first.

Please let me I'm not the only one that does that.

*dress - Anne Klein, shoes - Jessica Simpson

My version of the Pinterest Challenge

So completely unplanned, I did my own version of the pinterest challenge.  While I was browsing pinterest on Sunday morning,  I couldn't stop staring at this chocolate peanut butter torte.  Seriously, doesn't it look delicious?

I don't know if it was my multiple out loud comments about the dessert or the fact that Justin wanted some too, but he offered to go pick up the remaining ingredients we needed.  An hour or so later, I was cooking away.

Honestly, it had been a while since I have done any baking.  Not since Valentine's day when my homemade oreos won the cooking contest at my office.  :)  And I missed it.  It was really nice to bake again, even though this was a low key dessert.

I asked Melissa to take some good photos of the results because I think it was pretty close to the original recipe.

What do you think?

I was the only one that had any on Sunday night and it was good (though not completely set up) and then Melissa, Justin and I had some last night while watching the finale of The Bachelorette.

So I guess it was a bit of a pinterest challenge (minus the "make it your own" bit).  It totally counts.

*Thanks Melissa for the food photos. :)

Monday-ness

Is that a word?  I think it should be.

This morning was rough for me.  For some reason I was just plain struggling.  I couldn't seem to get my outfit together for some reason.  I tried on 3 different things, three different ways and it still didn't work out.  Finally, I just gave up because I was starting to run late.  Do you know how irritating that is?  I hate not feeling good about what I'm wearing.

In addition to the outfit snafu, I also struggled with my make up.  Lesson learned, don't try "something new" when you are already running late to work.  Just don't do it.  Keep it simple.

I'm hoping that the rough morning will improve significantly as the day goes on.  And, well, really as the week goes on.