Tallulah Jane

Growing up, I never had a pet. Well, one time I bought a sea monkey kit from Spencer's, but I accidentally spilled them down the drain, so I don't think that really counts at all. I couldn't love and cuddle them or walk them down the street unless I carried their container in my arms. I wasn't really that into them anyway.

I had always wanted a puppy, but my mom wasn't having it. When I got to college, my desire for a puppy increased exponentially, but as an RA, sneaking a dog into my dorm room wouldn't have been a good thing for my job, and my job paid for my housing. You see the dilemma...obviously.

From college, I moved into an apartment that was not conducive to animals because they "made too much noise," even though the lady who lived beneath us had children who made more noise than an entire pound full of animals. Anyway...for years I had been following Mustard Sandwich, which I maintain is the best place from which to adopt a dog. Anyway, I was looking one day and saw this cute little Chug (Chihuahua/Pug mix). She was a girl, and she was absolutely precious. I immediately e-mailed her picture and description to my husband, and he convinced me that we could get her and keep her quiet in our apartment. We got her, and though she wasn't always quiet, we never were asked to get rid of her. Now, we're obviously in our own house, and she has free reign of the place.

Before we got her, I never realized why people were so crazy about their animals. I actually thought it was kind of loopy. Now, though, I know. She is a bright spot of every day, and I am still completely smitten over her.

Yes, I realize I should fold those clothes, and there probably shouldn't be blinds in the middle of my floor. It's Spring Break; get over it.

My Nanny and Unkie

I have not done as well as I hoped I would with updating this blog. It's been a busy week of trying to get my classroom back in working order before school starts...which is coming all too quickly.

Tonight was my night to cook dinner for my Nanny and Unkie. And this could probably use an explanation. My Nanny is in her late 80s, and for lack of any better description, she is a pistol...and a fiery one at that. She has an evil eye like no other, and she can hold a grudge for at least 80 years, I'm sure. Definitely not someone you want on your bad side. Earlier this year, she fell in her kitchen. She was standing on the top step of a step-stool, putting her cake plates on top of her fridge. (Did I mention she was independent?) In her words, she "got them up there just fine," but on the way down, she got caught up on a step and fell. My Unkie (fill you in on that in a moment) came home about two hours later to find her in the floor. An ambulence was called, to the hospital she went, and she had broken her leg/hip and her wrist. While she has recovered quite well, she is still not up to standing at the stove long enough to cook, so different members of the family have taken nights to cook dinner. Thursday is our night, and we love it.

My Unkie (one of my most favorite men in the world) is my Nanny's 90-year-old brother. He is a former military man and a family man who moved here from Florida to live with my Nanny right before I was born, and nearly 25 years later, he's still here! He is the only grandfather I've ever known, and I have always thought of him that way. Because I was the first "grandkid" he was here to see as soon as they were born, I have always been "his," and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Cooking for them over the past few months has given me so many special opportunities, but it has made me deeply regret not spending more time with them over the years. Their age is really starting to show, and it makes me sad that they aren't physically able to do all the things they used to love to do. I am thankful for the time I spend with them each week.

My Christmas Fairy Tale Dress

As mentioned in the previous post, I have "blog stalked" shamelessly for a while now, and during this time, one of my favorite blogs to read has been Kelly's Korner. I have enjoyed watching Harper grow and loved touring bloggers' homes virtually through the "Show Us Where You Live Friday" tours. I was always a little sad on Friday because I didn't have a blog, and I didn't have a large, fully decorated home to share. This week, I got excited, because I do have a wedding dress!

I was married to my husband on December 29, 2007. Since I was a little girl, I have always dreamed of a "Christmas wedding" complete with lights and trees and the wonderful spirit that surrounds Christmas. My husband knew better than to mess with a childhood dream, so he obliged my every wish when it came to our wedding.

My wedding dress is not the first one I slipped over my head. It was actually probably number eleven or twelve at the third or fourth boutique, but as soon as it was all laced up, I felt like I was "smack dab" in the middle of a fairy tale. This picture is of my mother lacing up the back of my dress on my wedding day.

I can't seem to find my wedding CD with my portraits on it right now, and I just freaked out a little when I realized that...but, here is a photograph of my portrait we displayed at the reception hall. It now hangs on my husband's side of our bed.

Here is another of my portraits. I apologize for the poor quality. I ganked it from my husband's beside table and threw it in the scanner before he knew what happened.

I'm not sure who the designer was for the dress, and I'm not really the type of girl who cares. The dress was a light ivory, halter-top style gown with a pick-up skirt and a long train. The bodice had a beaded design with crystals and pearls, and it was beautiful. Somedays I want to put it on and just wear it around the house, but I'm afraid my husband might have me committed.

This picture is us walking into the reception. For some reason, it distorted horribly, but it shows the back of my dress.

And this. This is my most favorite picture from my wedding, and I absolutely adore it.

This is my first post with photos, and I now have a new appreciation for those of you who post photos frequently. It is time-consuming. Maybe I'm going about it the wrong way? Any suggestions?