Dog Park

Besides my Bailey's and coffee, one of my other favorite Sunday morning rituals is a trip to the dog park. After the polar express or vortex or whatever it was we had earlier this week, it was good to get out for a little fresh air.

The only thing I dislike about the dog park is the humans. I have certain "pet" peeves every time I go.

1. The crappers - the uncool people who don't pick up their dog's poop.
2. The talkers - the people who want to become your best friend because your dog is sniffing their dog.
3. The stalkers - those people who constantly are 2 steps behind you on the trail. My dogs are herders, people, they get anxious when anyone or anything walks behind them. Go around!
4. The loiterers - the people who mill around the entrance/exit gates for no apparent reason. Get the eff out of the way.
5. The jackholes - I classify anyone who brings an aggressive dog into the park in this category, particularly if they don't monitor their dog. I have seen some nasty dog fights.

You might wonder why I even go. As noted, mostly for the fresh air. Secondly, to help B2 and Cocoa be less skittish in public and around other people and dogs. B1 revolted the one time I took her to the dog park. She laid in the shade under a bench and looked at me as if to say, "You can walk around if you want. I will be here when you come back." B2 and Cocoa pretend to enjoy the opportunity to walk off leash, though they are always at my side. Lastly, I can be assured they will both crash for long naps when we get home.

You see, despite my annoyances, we get something out of it.

Fresh

There is nothing better than a fresh haircut to boost your self esteem. I used to be one of those people who got my hair cut every four weeks...like clock work. I can't even remember when life started getting in the way, and I was canceling more appointments than I was keeping. Today, for example, was my first haircut since September...when I got my hair cut and colored in Hattiesburg, MS of all places. In keeping with my theme of making 2014 the year of taking my life back, I am not going to go more than six weeks between cuts.

Next up - a refresh on that color!

Hello 2014

2013 was kind of a blur to me thanks to an extremely hectic year at work. I logged over 43,000 travel miles in a little over six months, I worked the equivalent of 17 months, and spent the equivalent of 3 full months away from home. What's that quote? They were the best of times, they were the worst of times. 

Needless to say, I'm glad the year is over. 

I plan to get my "normal" life back in 2014. I'm lying on the couch with my girls as I type this. Truthfully, I hope to spend many more nights like this in 2014. 

As noted at the top of my blog page, I have many things to look forward to in 2014. Some of it, though, is bittersweet. My "breakfast crew" is locationally breaking up. Katie moved to Missouri in July 2013 and Liz is off to Northern Virginia in a week. Our regular Saturday/Sunday morning breakfasts at Perkins will take a little bit more coordination going forward. I'm happy for both of them as they've landed great positions with new organizations. I am selfishly missing my ability to call them at 2 pm after a shit day and say "let's go to Joseph's for half price martinis." 

Happy New Year everyone. I hope to see you all here more often. 

This was what I awoke to on this new day in the new year -- snow!