JAMAICA!!!!!!!!

Pretend like these pictures are of Hubster and I and you'll get a preview of a blog post coming your way in about a month!!!  Wooooot!!!

Credit: http://www.jeweldunnsriverresort.com/

Yep.  We're going to Jamaica!!!  It's a bit last minute, but we found a DEAL and we got a yes from Uncle Sam.  So we'll be off!  Now, to spend the next 4 weeks making sure I look like that in a bikini.  ;)

So Inspired

This weekend, I attended Teach for America's 20th Anniversary Summit.  More on all of that later, but here's a piece of inspiration.

John Legend and KIPP Orchestra perform "Shine" from TFA 20th Anniversary Summit on Vimeo.

Consolation Message

MMS from Hubster:

I am sorry my dog is a bad pooper... Thank you for being so wonderful and patient... We can BBQ Sammy this weekend.




He always knows how to make me smile.  :)  And I've got the BBQ sauce ready.  Anyone want to join us?

Kind of Crappy

(WARNING: Grossness ahead.)

Literally.  Like, of the dog poo variety.  But more on that later (and why I'm such a bad puppy parent).

I feel blegh.  Really just icky.  Usually I'm the one in our little family that deals with being sick and sucks it up and kind of ignores it.  I think this cold/whatever is the last few months catching up with me.  That and probably some nasty bug that Hubster brought home with him from the hospital.  Boo aches and sore throats and bad sleep and feeling crappy.  :(

And boo to all of those things making me a horrible parent.  Our pups NEVER have accidents in the house.  Well, I can count on two hands the number of times it has happened in almost 2 years of being puppy parents with two mutts.  So, really not bad.  Except that when it does happen, it always happens on carpet (because that's what we have in our casa).  And a brand new wool rug (2 month old).

Said rug:

In my general malaise, I waited (and waited and waited) to take the pups out this morning.  And when I finally did, it was like 7 hours after Hubster took them out before heading to work this morning.  Don't judge, he leaves really really ridiculously early.  Apparently that didn't sit well with Sammy and when I came back in the house I was grossed out by smells.  SMELLS!  Checked shoes.  No evidence.  Checked dogs.  No evidence.  Checked brand new rug.  EVIDENCE.

CRAP CRAP CRAP!!!

Probable offender:

And at this point, I couldn't help being mad at the pups.  I'm just being a VERY lazy parent.  And, unfortunately, the other half of this parenting duo isn't exactly available all the time for walks.   So I'm in a weird state of pissed at myself/irritated at the dogs/miffed with my busy husband.

Good thing the carpet cleaning guys can come today to get the rug.  Bad thing it will cost about a quarter of what we just paid for the dumb thing.

I think it's time to crawl back in bed.  As soon as I take these poop-machines out on a walk.


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Have you ever felt like a horrible (puppy) parent?  How do you combat the it's freezing/raining/dark and I really don't want to go out in this weather/deal with responsibility feeling?

Best. Morning. Ever. Recap

So, I clearly meant to post this the day that contained the "best morning ever" but I was pretty busy enjoying my best morning ever.  And EVER might be an exaggeration.  It's probably more accurately titled "best morning in a really really long time."  Either way.

Hubster is on a pretty ridiculous rotation.  He's technically on call every single day this month which means he can be home from work and be called back in.  Even if he hasn't slept in 36 hours.  Even if it is 3am.  Even if we are at a party in VA (which almost happened after the best morning ever).  So when he told me on Thursday night (late, he had a long day) that he would have Friday morning off, I looked at him like he was an alien.  And then I set my alarm for 8:30am!!!  The last time we saw 8:30am together was.  Um.  Exactly. .......  I have no idea.  Even on a weekend when he isn't working, he's never up at that time.  Anyway. Back to the story.  We woke up.  And talked and took the pups on a run.  And then while he got ready for work, I made breakfast (hoooooooray eggs and banana bread toast).  We ate said breakfast TOGETHER, AT THE TABLE.  And then I drove him to work.  At 10:15am.  Approximately 5 hours later than he normally goes in.

It was a dream.  And I know that most of you probably think I'm crazy for being so jazzed up about what is normal for approximately 75% of other married couples, but, it was just awesome.  :)

It's the simple things.

Back on Track

So, it's done.  I completed all of the requirements for my MPH and it feels AMAZING!!!  I won't re-live some of the ridiculousness that occurred prior to my presentation (or during, or afterward for that matter) because it's over.  Finito.  Gracias a Dios!!

With the one teeeeeny-tiny problem that my grade is still not on my transcript!!! Grrrrr.  But, that's part of the ridiculousness that will be worked out by people who are not me.

What else...I feel like I have to turn my brain on every once in awhile since I shut it off 10 days ago.  It's been lovely.  I was home in NC visiting with friends and family.

And this little one...

...how could you not love that face???

The Bro and I hit up the ski slopes one evening.  It was fantastic.  :)  Both family bonding and night skiing.  I'd never been to that slope nor had done the night thing - actually, I've only ever been skiing 3 times.  The fact that I didn't fly straight off a snowy cliff is a miracle.  But my brother?  He seriously should ski professionally.  Or be an instructor.  He's a rock star.

And now I'm just kicking back.  I received a job offer just before Christmas (more on that when it becomes official) and am just waiting to hear more...like, a start date and all that jazz.  But I'm not stressing at all.  Just enjoying being a slave to some good coffee, good books, and the occasional load of laundry.

Life's rough.  :)  But incredible.  And I will be back more often, here and commenting where you are.

So.  Happy everything, everyone!