You Don't Know My Dog

Yesterday I had Luke outside so he could take care of his business when the neighbor two houses down took his little dog out to do the same thing. Luke, being the excited to see anyone or any other dog, puppy he is, pulled me over to them and started barking. Mind you, this bark was not a mean bark at all, rather a playful hello. Now I know that because he is a 50 pound puppy and that guys pup was maybeeee 15 pounds at most, that he would be a little hesitant about Luke. However, when I have my dog on a leash and he stops more than 20 feet away from you, please do not step in front of your dog and glare at mine. You don't know him, you have no idea what he's like. It is ignorant people like you that are the reason big dogs have such bad raps. So before you make judgements on my dog again, or anyone else's dog that isn't a ten pound little ball of fur (not that I don't like them, because I think they are freakin adorable) maybe, just maybe, take a second to talk to the owner to see what the dog is like. Maybe if you would have talked to me you would have found out some things like:

Luke's favorite place to be is on the edge of the couch looking out the window. He doesn't try to jump through the screen or eat anyone that walks by, he just watches. He'll even sit there at night and just stare into the dark. He loves watching for anything or anyone to walk by.

If he wants to play he brings you his toy and puts it in your hand. Unless it's a ball, then he puts it in your hand and takes it out, multiple times, until you can finally grab it from him. And if he wants to go play outside, he will go to the door and sit there until you go outside with him so he can pick up a stick and run around with it like a crazy man. Seriously, being outside is one of his many favorite things to do.

As soon as I put my tennis shoes on, he knows it's time for a walk. He's smart enough to know that my tennis shoes don't just get put on by choice, he knows that if they are put on that means he gets to go for a walk/run.

He also knows that 3/4 of the time I grab my car keys, he gets to ride along. And let me tell you, car rides are his favorite thing ever. He may get a little car sick at times, but that doesn't stop him for being so extremely happy while riding in the car that no one could bring him down.

He doesn't try to bite or attack you when he has something in his mouth. He just lets me take it out without any fight at all. Okay, maybe he tries to turn away when I do it, but other than that he has no problems with me reaching in his mouth for something. And while he's eating I can stick my hand down in to his bowl with no problem as well. He's such a mean dog that he just keeps on eating and totally ignores the fact that I'm putting my hand right in his face while he eats...

You may have also found out that as soon as 10:00 p.m. hits it is lights out. He comes up on my lap and passes out. It's every night. I don't even need to look at a clock to know what time it is.

He loves to cuddle too. When I'm not home he cuddles up on Nick's lap and just sleeps for hours. When I am home, he lays his head on my lap to take a quick little snooze. But when it's time for bed, it's up on my pillow he goes. His head lays right on top of mine, or I'm forced to lay farther down the bed so he can have room to sleep. I know, he's spoiled.

You could have learned that when he is around other dogs, he is as nice as can be. And if the other dogs, like my parents seven pound and twelve pound dogs, attack him or go after him at all, he just walks away and ignores them. He doesn't try to fight back or go after them. He's as gentle as ever with other dogs.

It's the same way with children. Yes, he tries to lick them, but never has he growled or snipped at a child. Or another human for that matter. He is the sweetest boy you will probably ever meet. He could run laps with my cousin for hours if we let them, and both of them will have the biggest smile ever on their faces.

The computer cannot be on my lap. Ever. If he is somewhere else in the room and I get my computer out, he instantly jumps up to lay on me. I don't know what it is about the computer, but he has to be right on my lap and cuddling while I'm on it.

You could have also learned that if I show him a video of a dog or a cat or anything really, that he will actually sit and watch it with me. I have no idea if he is paying attention to it, but he watches it with me the whole time I'm showing it to him.

When he is sleepy or worn out from playing or going for a walk, he is the most snuggly boy in the entire world. He will either curl up right next to you or right at the end of the couch where he can watch outside while trying to take a nap.

He never leaves my side, and when I leave you would think I was leaving forever. I can't take a shower or go to the bathroom or do the dishes or clean the living room without him being right at my side. And that's the way I like it. 

One last thing you could have learned about him? He is one of the most loving puppies you will ever meet. He may attack you. But it will be with sloppy wet kisses and that's it. Because those are his favorite things to give. 

So before you decide to step in front of you dog while glaring at mine, maybe get to know him. Most dogs are a reflection of their owners. It's not their breeds fault, but the person who has taught them how to act's fault. And I'm sorry that I haven't taught my dog to act in the stereotypical way that you may think we have, but we have decided to raise our dog to be kind and gentle. Yes, he drags me around while he's on the leash, but that's because I need to get stronger, and has nothing to do with him. And just to let you know, even though I don't have to, he is snuggled up right next to me as I type this. And he's not trying to attack me or eat my face off. He's actually watching the baseball game as this is being typed. So thank you for making me stop for a second to realize how amazing and wonderful my dog is, and just giving me another reason as to why dogs can be so much better than humans.

Spring in Illinois

I have decided that I am going to have four houses in four different areas of the world for the four different seasons that take place. I haven't decided where I'm going to be for winter, fall, or summer but I have decided where I'm going to be in the spring. And for some odd reason, Illinois has won that decision. Weird, I know. One season Illinois won't win? Winter. For sure.

Anyways, this week on campus we have something going on called Spring Fest. It's been going on forever because when I told my mom it was happening her response was "Oh, I use to love that!" So yeah, here for a long time. I don't know how long this whole "ice cream in a canoe" thing has been going on but it's some big deal I guess. I don't usually participate in things like this on campus but I had to be out there for work this year so I got some lovely pictures so you all could experience this ice cream filled canoe as well. You're welcome. 

Yes, that's like a billion gallons of strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla ice cream sitting in a canoe. It is then topped with bananas and strawberries and I think cherries. And yes, I had some. Because it's ice cream. And free.

Moving on. 

My mom, aunt, grandma, sister and cousins came to a park next to campus to hang out because it is a beautiful day. And my cousin's 30th birthday. Having little family picnics are fun because I am a 4 year old at heart and love playing on the play ground. I tried getting Ethan to do multiple different things but all he wanted to do was climb everything. Because Spiderman, duh. It was also Reese's first time at the park. And she enjoyed it. Actually, she enjoyed the dirt. And the little ant hills. Also, I would just like you all to know I almostttttt just spelled ant aunt so there's that.

And one more reason I want to live here in the spring but refuse to be here in like the fall/winter. 

These baby geese are adorableeee. For now. In a few months they won't be. They'll look like that nasty thing next to them. And then their poop will get every where. And they'll get mean. And I won't like them anymore. But for now, I'll consider them a frienmy.

Dyed Deviled Eggs

My mom is on Pinterest more than any one I know. So when she saw the dyed deviled eggs on there, obviously she had to do it. And then on Easter morning, after 7:30 a.m. church, when my sister (who was suppose to help her) fell asleep, I was volunteered to help her make these lovely creations.

Side note: I was so excited that she wanted to make these, not because they were bright and colorful (okay, that might be part of it) but mainly because I was really craving deviled eggs the other day. 

They were actually super easy to make and only took maybe a total of 30 minutes.

What you need:

-Egg dye

-Cups

-Water

-Hard boiled eggs

-A medium sized bowl

-Salt

-Pepper

-Ground mustard

-Mayo

Obviously, you want to hard boil the eggs before you start any of this. So you may want to do that like the day before. Put the egg dye into the cups with some water and let the tablets do there thing. Then after hard boiling the eggs, cut them in half and take the middle of it and put it into a medium bowl and set aside. 

It should look like this. Next you're going to want to dye them. I put two halves in each cup and let them sit for like fiveish minutes. While the eggs are in the cup, put a piece of paper towel on the plate so the dye doesn't run onto the plate and get onto the other eggs. After a few minutes, take the eggs out and put them on the paper towel. Repeat this with all of the egg halves.

You want to put them face down so the middle of them dries. While they are drying you can do the middle part of the egg. I had never made deviled eggs before so my mom helped me a bit (I promise I'm not that helpless). I mashed the middle stuff together and after mashing that together I put 3/4 cup mayo and mixed it together. Then my mom put a pinch of salt and pepper in and a little bit of ground mustard as well. I mixed all of that together and then put it in a little baggy so I could pipe it into the middle of the eggs.

I think they turned out adorable and I think you could make them for any occasion, just change the colors of the dye. I hope you all had a wonderful Easter like I did!

The Bathroom Sink

Today as I was getting ready for work I noticed that our bathroom sink was getting extremely gross. I know, that's probably TMI, but I can't start off a post on things that send me into freak out mode without sharing with you one on the top of the list. Seriously, a dirty bathroom sinks freaks.me.out. I can't handle it. And I've known it needs cleaned for a few days, I just haven't had time. So in the mornings when I'm rushing to get ready for work I get to look at that nasty thing and promise myself that I will clean it when I get home. And then I get home and just want to sit for an hour with Luke before bed instead of cleaning. Oh well.

So here are a few other things that give me anxiety.

1. Having to clean the bathtub/shower. I absolutely hate this. Like probably one of the worst things that come with living on your own. Why have they not made showers that clean themselves? And why is it so hard to clean one? Like before I lived on my own and would hear people complaining about it I wouldn't understand because it didn't seem all that bad. Ugh was I wrong. And having a 45 pound puppy trying to help you doesn't make it any better. Seriously just want to scream.

Thanks Sookie.

2. Pulling by the pump at the gas station. For some reason I freak out and think I am way too close when in reality I am wayyyy too far away. And Nick makes fun of me every single time he is with me when I have to pull by a pump. It's awful. And I realize it every time I get out of my car. But for some reason it just freaks me out. That also includes pulling out of parking spots in a parking lot. This one could stem from the two vehicles I have already hit while backing out of a parking spot. But whatever.

This was just this morning. Perfect example of how the pump barely makes it to my car. At least I'm cautious. 

3. Slow drivers are also theeee worst. Really, what goes through someones head when they decide to drive five or ten under the speed limit? My philosophy on speed limits: they put a speed limit up but really you can go five over. For example, they put 65 up but mean 70 but if they put 70 up then people would go 75 and that's not what they mean. Boom. So please people, at least go the speed limit, but preferably go five over. K thanks.

4. Dirty dishes in the sink. Like why does this exist? We don't use our dishwasher because we never have enough dishes to justify using it. But I cannot handle even just a dirty knife in the sink. I have to clean it. After cooking dinner I never feel like cleaning the dishes but I don't leave them because I hate them sitting in the sink even more than I hate cleaning them.

And then this post turned into me just naming off things I hate so that's cool. Because there are so many things I do love. But after this morning, when I was stuck behind the same slow person for the third day in a row, I made a list of things that send me into panic mode. And then this post was created. So there's that.

Here's a Look Into My Phone

I figured you all were wondering what life has been looking like according to my phone lately. If you follow me on Instagram then you know exactly what I've been up to lately. However, if you don't then I just figured I would fill you in.

Saturday I went to do 3421432 hours of laundry at my parents. I made a pit stop first at my Aunt and Uncles so that Luke could play for awhile. Then we went to cousin Ethan's house to play for awhile. Where I ended up doing all 3421432 hours of laundry. Luke loved it because he got to constantly play with Ethan. He seriously loves car rides too. I mean just look at him.

I swear I thought he was going to sleep for the next week after we got home. I also took a little time to take some selfies with the boys, because duh. Ethan had a few costume changes while I was there as well. He started out as Spiderman, then changed to Optimus Prime, and then ended the night as the Hulk. I love that child.

And then, last night as he does every night, Luke decided it was bed time. Bed time means sleeping on top of my head for awhile. This was alright when he was smaller. However, now he's huge and doesn't fit on my pillow by himself, let alone with my head on there as well. So I decided to take a picture last night to compare to a picture I took of him two months ago. I cannot believe how big he has gotten in just two months. I want him to stoppppppp.

My Favorite Place to Be

There is one place I love to be more than anywhere else. School. Joking, obviously, I hate that place. If I could pick anywhere in the world to live it would probably be Busch Stadium. The atmosphere, especially during playoff games, and the players are my two favorite parts about it. The too expensive food and drinks I could do without, but they're awesome there and let you bring your own drinks in so that helps to save money.

Anyways, Cardinals baseball is my happy season. It may be because they are so good and I can count on them to always be playing on my birthday, but for some reason I love those boys dressed in red and white. If you've been following along since I started this little blog you would know how much I love them. If not, then just check it out here, here, here, and here.

So last Tuesday when one of my friends told me she had four free tickets, Nick and I jumped on them quick! We went with her and her husband and sat on the third base foul line. The entire game I wanted a foul ball to come flying at us from Matt Carpenter, but that never happened. That's okay though Carp (since I know you're reading this) I'll forgive you this time. 

Tuesday night the guys also got their NLCS rings before the game started. It was neat to see that because the hall of famers came back for their rings too.

Friday night was a Cardinals vs. Cubs game and I had bought the tickets back in February for Nick's anniversary present. We started out four rows behind the Cubs dugout in the bleacher section but when we realized one of my friends was also there we ended up sitting three rows from the field in the bleacher section with her. The end of the game was not what I wanted (the Cubs won in 11 innings) but I'm glad Nick enjoyed it because he doesn't get to see them play that often since we live down here. I also got my Michael Wacha bobble head, so that was really all I needed. Well, and maybe a home run ball from Carpenter, but once again, I'll forgive him.

That's Peter Borjous. In case you were wondering, that rhymes with gorgeous. Which is appropriate for our new center fielder. Now if he could just pick up his bat.

And, because we can't get enough sports in one month, we will be attending games 2 and 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoff series between the St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Blackhawks. I will admit, I am a Blackhawks fan and not a Blues fan. But that's because I didn't watch hockey before Nicholas came along and since he's a die hard Hawks fan I just kind of became one too. So hopefully they kick some Blues butt!