5 year goals

I recently had a realization that I needed to stop dreaming of things and set reachable goals, haha. I believe that a lot of us (me included) set goals that are not obtainable, which result in disappointment...of course. So, we just need to wipe away the tears and set some goals that are in our reach. 

The best feeling in the world is to check off goals that you reach. I suggest writing out a list of things you would like to accomplish within a few years. Include some that you can reach quickly, a few fun ones and some goals that'll take a few years to reach. 

So, go ahead and write that list! Keep it in a place that you'll see everyday. GOOD LUCK!!!

MOVIES

So, I wrap this week up dubbing it the "throwback" movie week. My husband Joe is a lover of anything antique. This week he was restoring a friends Bell & Howell projector, well more like 3 projectors. My parents like any young couple in the early 1980's were proud owners of their own Bell & Howell projector and Super 8 camera. Needless to say we were excited to get a projector up and running so we could thread in one of their home videos. It was so cool. The image mixed with no sound just gave it the touch. I got to see my parents as a young couple getting their house built, my brother as a baby (Awwww) and family videos that I'd never seen. Plus Joe taught me how to thread a projector!

Then yesterday I dusted off the good old home videos that were on VHS. I'm so thankful for those VHS cassets. After losing my mom those are the one thing that make me feel like she is right by my side. After she passed 7 years ago the my memory of her voice, characteristic, and ways slowly fade. With the videos it's like my memory was fully restored. I can take those times and feel complete once again.So, I say to you whoever read this, go visit your family and watch some HOME MOVIES!!

God bless,

Erin

Beagle Freedom Project

I want to make all my friends aware of an animal rescue that is near and dear to our hearts. Being the proud owner of two wonderful Beagles, we couldn't believe the harm that laboratories inflict on them.We support the Beagle Freedom Project! Here's what they believe in and so do we: (direct quotes for their webpage)

"Beagles are the most popular breed for lab use because of their friendly, docile, trusting, forgiving, people-pleasing personalities. The research industry says they adapt well to living in a cage, and are inexpensive to feed. Research beagles are usually obtained directly from commercial breeders who specifically breed dogs to sell to scientific institutions.Testing done on beagles in university and other research facilities includes medical/pharmaceutical, household products and cosmetics. When they are no longer wanted for research purposes, some labs attempt to find homes for adoptable, healthy beagles. Working directly with these labs, Beagle Freedom Project is able to remove and transport beagles to place them in loving homes. All rescues are done legally with the cooperation of the facility."

Joe and I just found out about this great organization last year. We show our support by buying their yearly calender which is absolutely adorable. If you're looking for a loving pet, we would strongly suggest adopting a Beagle. Please check the shelters first. If we didn't have two Beagles we would totally be contacting them to help a Beagle find their FOREVER HOME. 

Our little man, Rodney!

Our big boy, Maverick!

Links to check out:

• Beagle Freedom Project: http://beaglefreedomproject.org/
• Products that are still testing on animals: http://www.thevegetariansite.com/ethics_test.htm
• To buy a calender or sponsor a Beagle: http://beaglefreedomproject.org/shop

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CULPRIT

Name: Rodney
Age: 2
    Offense: Begin to cute to hold
anything against him.
Prior Offense: Stopped counting after 10

So, in the most sarcastic, but unending love for my youngest pup I write this small post.

My husband and I often joke that buying our two dogs is the first step to preparing for children. To this day I stand by that. I mean look at the facts:

• As a puppy they need to go potty every four hours
• You have to train them where to go
• You need to teach them their commands
• They have their monthly vet appointments
• They have yearly vet visits
• MONEY SLOWLY SLIPPING OUT OF POCKETS......
• Once a year "SURPRISE" I need to go to the doctor.

I feel it's good to stop here

So, my poor little man Rodney aka "CULPRIT" had to go to the vet today for his yearly ear infection. I don't mean to complain, but man I hope we can get him on a bag of dog food cause $100+ vet bill ain't easy to swallow it's more of a choking down effect. Rodney of course has to behave perfectly during the whole visit that you can't help, but forgive him for his poor little ear. Truthfully, it's our fault for not drying his ear out properly. Way to go mom and dad, but at least our little man is all set to get back to normal, and by normal I mean as normal as a cute 2 year old Beagle can get. 

So, here's a little cause and effect photo for ya:

CAUSE: Ear infection

EFFECT: Homemade oatmeal cookies

Happy Friday everyone! If you hear of any pet auditions in Denver let me know! 

ERIN

Our First Vacation!!!

 Joe and I went on our first vacation as husband and wife, and it only took us 4 years after we've been married to do it!  We tagged along with my dad and his wife( my mom passed away 6 years ago) to Michigan and Chicago. We spent a busy 5 days in South Haven, MI and the remaining 2 in Oak Park, IL. We really loved Michigan, and this trip had two firsts for Joe! Joe had never been on an airplane "check" and he had never been in the water "check"! I'm so glad I was able to experience two firsts with my hubs. I guess I had a first too, but I don't really think going in the Lake would be a first since I've been in the ocean before, but I can play along! Here's a collection of our photos mainly taken on Joe's cell phone ( at least they're good for something).

Joe's first plane ride. Thanks for the traveling prayers!

 

This was our view from the observation deck at our hotel!!!
The breeze from Lake Michigan's water crashing against the rocks was beyond relaxing

Joe's first "beach" experience! 

Joe and I

The sunset view from our patio table after our yummy BBQ!
 This is the view every night in Michigan, not fair! 

Watching the sunset off the Lighthouse pier! Beautiful!

Massive amphitheater.

We are now in CHI-CA-GO! Such a crazy fast paced, middle fingers (not ours) flying up in traffic and horns honking. Needless to say, I'm rethinking wanting to go to New York. HAHA

It's da Bean.
I would have to say it's kind of overrated, but you got to go see it!
Joe wore his Broncos shirt the day after we stomped DA Bears!

My father and I front or the water towers!

I've come to the realization that I'm still young!!! Sounds stupid, I know, but being 23 and being married for 4 years got me stuck in a rut.  A rut of looking towards wanting to take the next steps in life. I was telling myself that since we got married young everything else would happen earlier than normal, but HONEY that ain't the truth! I've come to the realization that I'm still young and I need to go out there with my husband and live it up! Now, being a born again Christian I don't mean drinking or partying (we do neither). I mean.....going to the mountains on a random drive, going out to get ice cream at 9 o'clock or randomly going bowling, getting together with our friends more. So, here I am announcing to whoever reads this.....I'm going to act like an early twenty something and live life as an adventure!!!! 


Step one of my destination was just randomly grabbing a chocolate shake and burger with my honey last night at Sonic!!!


Step two........TO BE CONTINUED........................

Living Around The World

So, I have a fascination with picking up your life and moving to another country! SURPRISE!! I've been watching episodes of House Hunters International. It's a great little show that's done through HGTV. I've been thinking and it's probably due to my love of travel and design that has drawn me in. Joe and I are blessed with great families, a house, and jobs in Colorado, so my "fantasy" of moving is just a fantasy. I think I'll fulfill it once Joe and I are old and travel around the world (haha)!! But It's a great opportunity for a family or couple to uproot their life and experience a new lifestyle! The last episode I watched showed a young couple moving overseas due to a work opportunity in Belgium. They have to look at three places and choose one based off of their choices. One of the places they viewed was GORGEOUS!!! It was an old building with lovely architecture and beautiful views, but the downside was it was expensive. So here's my question......if you had to move for work to another country where would you move?

I would move somewhere in Europe. In an old Victorian apartment.
With  beautiful trim modeling, huge widows, and high ceilings.
Decorated in a Modern Victorian way! You have to accent the old with the new!

So, maybe minus the paper deer head I would totally rent this place!
The Black and White accents on the ceiling contrast beautifully with the charcoal
walls. I love things done in an elegant way!