This dog… she and I… we have something.  Something special.

Could be because we spent hours together learning how to roll over, crawl on our bellies and fetch frisbees when she was a pup.  Or because I’m the all time greatest at giving doggin bum rubs.  Or because we fit together like puzzle pieces when we cuddle.  Or maybe even because we talk about how our day has been and I let her tell me all about her squirrel dreams.  Repeatedly.

Who knows why.  But we do.

So tell me then…

How does she go from all this “something special” to “today I will eat food lady’s lunch box without removing it from the table”?  Or how about “today I will counter surf and devour the biscuits food lady left in that Ziplock bag”?  Or even “tis a nice day  to rip apart a pizza box and lick every ounce of garlic butter I drag my tongue across”?

Because I sure as heck don’t get it.

But I think I’ll keep her.

• I feel the need to apologize.  My existence has been scarce of late and it really is because my to do list is a mile long.  Somehow it keeps getting longer too.  There are not enough hours in the day…
• But I promise I have some fun photos to share and hopefully can start on a new project for Shutterboo.  Yay to new projects!
• I have traveled more in the last six weeks than I have any other time in my life.  First to Charlotte, then the Caribbean, on to Grand Rapids (can’t say I never made it to Michigan) and lastly the oh-so-lovely Bloomington.  I am tired of emptying suitcases only to refill them.  I don’t know how people who travel constantly do it, but I tip my hat to you.
• I am also tired of doing laundry.  The hamper fills so much faster when a suitcase is involved.  Boo suitcase, boo.
• The Super Bowl.  I like football, but could live without the Super Bowl.  What makes it worthwhile is the spread that comes with it.  This year didn’t disappoint with homemade chili dogs and fries.  And I made a Too Much Chocolate Cake.  I might have put Kahlua glaze on it.  And it might have been super delightful.
• February is a month of birthdays.  Between friends and family, I think I wish about 15 people Happy Birthday.
• But as my uncle celebrated his 50th birthday over the weekend, I know that a milestone is looming in my future… and I don’t want to think about it.
• I’ve said too much.  I think I need more cake.

When we explored, I took a camera.  But honestly, none of the pictures are very good.  I was ready to relax and being creative  was not on my list of things to do.  I wanted adventure.  And adventure is what I got alright.

You may wonder where I’m going with this.  

I’ll be upfront and remind you of how accident prone I am.  

That’s where I’m going.

We all wanted to go to the Baths, so we ferried to Virgin Gorda and ohmygoodness is that place beautiful!  The beach was unlike any I’ve seen.  Very rocky, very coarse sand, chickens galore.  (Yes, chickens.  Stupid birds.  I hated them.)  And the water was gorgeous.  I don’t have any pictures that do the place justice because as soon as we threw our towels down, I was in the water.  The hubs had swam out to a big rock and climbed up on it.  Being that I was seeking adventure, I followed.  I happened to not pay attention how close I was getting or how big the rock was underwater or something of value, because mid-kick my foot hit the rock.  And I might add that I’m a ferocious kicker when I’m in the water.  The rock didn’t disappoint – I had a cut on my big toe joint and it hurt but I pushed through.

When ended up leaving the Baths to walk through a cave of rocks – we had to climb, wade through water, duck down low and I was sure I’d hurt myself again.  I came out unscathed.  Tired, but unscathed.  We ended up at Devil’s Bay (that’s actually where the damn chickens were) and it was even better beaching.  It was such a good day, an excursion that we did all on our own and it was great.  Until we got back on the boat and my foot began to bruise.  Big, bad blue and purple on my foot.  I couldn’t wear shoes without it hurting.  I pressed on through dinner though because this girl doesn’t pass up a three-course meal with a decadent desert.

In St. Thomas we explored Blackbeard’s Castle and it was actually a fun time.  I think the best thing I heard that day was a guy say, “They’ll take to you the 99 steps which is actually 103 steps.”  But we drank rum, climbed to the top of the watch tower, walked through several buildings – I actually got my best pictures there.  In Antigua we decided to walk St. John with friends and check out the cathedral.  Most disappointing cathedral ever.  Only because it was under construction.  After seeing what the sidewalks looked like, I can’t imagine how bad a 167 year old building looked.  We unfortunately got rained out in Barbados.  I blame Rhianna.

But we did have another adventure, in Dominica.  Very mountainous, much more so than the other islands we’ve visited.  The hubs recommended we go river tubing.  Sounded like fun – but I’d like to state for the record that this is the second excursion Mike has recommended that has driven us through the jungle and required a helmet.  Just sayin’.  The drive to and from the river was ridiculous.  Road construction… unlike any road construction I’ve ever seen… I’ve never been scared from road construction until our driver decided to drive backwards for an insane amount of distance to let a large work truck through.  Travel aside, the river tubing was fun.

We lost each other floating along but made acquaintance with other folks floating in tubes.  We all got stuck.  We all tried to paddle our way out of situations.  We all hit river rock with our bums.  (The guides would call out “BUMS UP!” when a lot of rocks were coming up.)  I hit several rocks with my bum and it didn’t faze me.  Until I was going through a rapid and slammed into one.  It hurt.  The outcome was a dark bruise the size of a lemon on my tookis.  I still have it and it’s been over a week later.  I don’t get it.

So while I had a gimp foot and a large contusion on my hiney, it was still a wonderful getaway.  I was so happy that friends could join us and I hope they had a great time as well.  We will be cruising again.  Probably go on even more adventures that require helmets.  I’m just not sure where that might be yet.

Not the cruise ship that capsized.  Thank goodness.  But a big floating vessel nonetheless.

I was somewhere warm, sunny, humid enough to turn my dry hands into soft lady-like hands again.

But now I’m back.  And it’s raining.  And dark.  And not so warm.

I missed you.

But not this weather.

It was a long drive there.  A long drive back.  But the good time we had was well worth it!

A little tunnel vision on I-40.

While I was excited about the game, about Coach Strong, about the big Louisville party at the Epicenter and the possibility of shaking Omawarisan‘s hand (which totally happened!), I was most excited about walking through Uptown Charlotte.  I haven’t been to a new city with my camera in a while.  The morning started out with the worst rain.  But the skies lightened and even though the wind blew, we went for a photo walk.   (I was excited.  The children in our company were not.  I can’t blame them… but I love that I got what I wanted.)

The Bank of America Stadium – the battlefield!

I had to snap it.  A self-portrait opportunity in street art.  It’s completely necessary.

The night of the game was a blast.  We walked the path with all the kids games.  We visited with the hubs’ co-workers and had our picture taken with the over-sized Charlie Strong head.  (Thanks Paula!)  We enjoyed the Chris Daughtry concert before the game.  There was so much excitement when we took our seats.  The stadium was a sea of red – you couldn’t tell where Louisville ended and where NC State began.

Well, you could when the cheering started.  We were severely outnumbered.  Severely.  But we cheered our butts off, tried to stay warm, yelled at the refs… and we left with our heads hanging.  We lost.  The walk back to the hotel was very cold and very long.  It was a sad walk.  The drive home wasn’t fantastic either.  But, all in all, it was a great trip.  The only thing that would have made it better was a W.  But you can’t win them all.

So for the New Year, may the year 2012 bring brighter days and silver linings, more time with loved ones, more brownies but fewer inches on my waistline, music to dance to in department stores, Bon Jovi to sing to at the top of my lungs, doggins to cuddle with, new places to explore, new opportunities to learn from, good books to read, good food to eat, learning how not to cuss at my accessory flash (this will probably never happen, people), holding hands with the hubs, continuing to experiment in the kitchen, meeting awesome new people, pushing myself, telling the folks around me how much they mean to me and to turning 30.  Or maybe 29 again.  That one will be reevaluated in February.

I wish you all a great New Year and may fantastic adventures be in your future.  I cannot believe it’s 2012… where has the time gone?

• This is old news now, but did you guys see the Cincinnati/Xavier basketball brawl over the weekend?  BANANAS!  On that same note: IDIOTS!  We’ve said Cincy was thugalicious for years but come on.
• And while we’re talking about sports, it was decided last night we’re going Bowling.  Look out, Charlotte, we’re heading your way!  Looking forward to a great football game… GO CARDS!
• Have you ever been with your long-time friends with new babies to the mall to visit Santa?  No?  You should.  It’s hilarious.  Not because the baby has no idea what’s going on but because mom and dad look like goofballs.  I took a mental snapshot that I’ll keep with me forever.
• Cookie Swaps are the absolute best things in the world.  The only problem I have with them is I eat way too much sugar the day before making my own cookies to bring to the swap.  And then I eat too much sugar at the swap.  And then I fall into a state of hypoglycemia and have no desire to eat more cookies.  It’s quite sad.
• But my fabulous co-workers love me because they get cookies.
• And then I get a jonesing for vegetables and eat salads and whatnot.  What in the…
• Words With Friends.  So much fun.  Hit me up so we can play.
• No Thanksgivmas this year.  After fighting a calendar and settling on a date, a work function had to go and ruin all our fun.  *wah-wah*  But I do hope we can all at least share a meal together before all the holiday spirit has cleared.
• Speaking of work functions (aka holiday parties), having a friend at one is the best thing since sliced bread.  The husbands go talk and banter and have fun.  We have each other to keep company when conversations slow down.  It’s brilliant and I love it.
• I’ve recently seen page views being linked back to Pinterest.  (I love Pinterest.  So will you.)  And I think it’s funny.  I have no problem pinning someone else’s photography epiphany.  But seeing my own being linked back?  I wonder how long it will take for them to know I’m a nutcase that makes up words.
• Who else is ready for the weekend??

I had time to think about it this weekend.  Because I had time to actually catch up on sleep.  (By the way, Pajama Sunday was a wild success this weekend.)  But my calendar is filled with family gatherings, dinners out with friends, holiday get-togethers (look out Cookie Swap… I’m coming for ya) and of course photo sessions.  Every time I blink, there’s something new to look forward to.  It’s something kind of wonderful.

Since October, I’ve had several photo sessions and each one has been different but all of them have been so much fun.  Many have been with friends and I have to say I’m so grateful for friends and family that believe in me and support me on my new adventure.  And I like admiring their beautiful faces before I send out their packages.

I might have missed the bus on Thanksgiving to share what I’m thankful for, but it’s never too late to appreciate that the people I’m surrounded by are the cream of the crop.  And I happen to love them more than my luggage.

• I’ve had some wonderful photo sessions in the past couple weeks and I have even more coming up in the next few.  There’s nothing more satisfying than smiling back at the faces in the images while I’m editing and getting excited to share them.  There’s plenty coming up, I promise!
• But if you can’t wait, there are a few sneak peeks on Facebook.
• I have fallen victim to peer pressure this month.  First in the form of hosting a jewelry party at my home.  Second… well… there’s thing called Twilight that I’ve never really cared about…
• Twilight Lunch [twahy-lahyt luhnch], noun - A midday meal that involves watching the Twilight movies with fabulous co-workers in an effort to relive vampire-werewolf-teenage-love-triangle in time for new a movie.  May span over several days due to limited one-hour lunch breaks.
• Yes.  That happened.  Never read the books (although I want to now), never cared to watch the teenage angst unfold with fangs and fur (but it’s been quite enjoyable) and never thought I’d admit that I like (but I kind of do).  Gah.  What is happening to me?!
• More peer pressure: I’m attending a midnight showing with said fabulous co-workers tonight.  I have two fears.  One is that I won’t be able to stay awake.  The other is running into someone I know.
• I seriously just took up four five bullets to talk about Twilight.  I must be ill.
• On a completely different note, I have discovered the best boots in the world.  I actually discovered them on another lady’s foot and asked her if Frye boots were really worth the money and then she told me her secret.  I bought them and have been wearing all the live long day.  I have fallen in love with a pair of shoes.
• I also fell in love with an L-series lens.  A friend let me borrow his Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L for a wedding and man, they don’t call it luxury for nothing.  I’ve started a little piggy bank in hopes of purchasing my own L-series lens.  But I’ll probably go with a prime because I have the hots for them.  And I’ll probably have to wait a while as the piggy bank will have to grow a lot first.
• I also fell down.  Again.  On the deck.  I had the BDD on a lead early Saturday morning and she saw something she had to get.  With the deck frosted over, homegirl had her feet slip out from under her, slippers flew off and banged my head.  This is not the first time… and I’m seriously contemplating that helmet now.

Anyway, our fortune-teller had a few tricks up her sleeve including tarot, palm reading and aura reading.  (Honestly, I don’t understand the difference but apparently there is one and we went balls-to-the-walls on this out-of-the-ordinary momentous occasion of psychic-ness.)  So while I heard my friend’s life lines being foretold, the number of children they’d bear and the color of their auras, I remained skeptical.  And even as she traced my palm, predicted the children I’d birth (ha ha, funny story!) and told me about my guardian angel, my skepticism crept higher.

But there was one thing that kind of surprised me.  One thing that I had never thought of before.  Until it left her lips.

She of course asked for my birthday and declared me to be of the  Aquarius sign.  Nothing new here, happen to have had the same birthday my whole life.  Then she asked for my husband‘s birthday.  I told her November 3rd.  “Ah, you married a Scorpio… well, that makes sense as he’s in your whatever-whatever of the Aquarius, when the planets are in cycle of some sort or another.  You see, peace guides the planets and love steers the stars.  Booga booga donkey butt.”

And then I looked at Abby, who’s birthday is two days prior to the hubs’.  My long time friend who’s always been a large part of my life.  Also a Scorpio.  We mention it.  “I see, you’ve surrounded yourself with Scorpios.  With the way the moons are in the seventh house and Jupiter aligns with Mars, they make you stronger.  Also, you’re not fully clean unless you’re Zestfully clean.” Ah, yes, surrounded I am.  Because my other good friend, my Mel, she shares a birthday with the hubs.

Is it the stars?  Am I attracted to a person of a certain sign because they have something I do not?  Do they make me a better me?  Probably.  But it is interesting that three people I love so much have birthdays side by side by side.

And so that makes this week Birthday Week.  Three birthdays for three people who make my life worth while.  I think they know that, but sometimes it’s good to remind them.  I wish them the happiest birthday of ever… especially for Abby and Melanie as they make the turn into their 30s.  Thank goodness they’re doing it before me.