I've been seeing the tabloids mentioning the new first dog. And I wondered what kind it is. I cant help but say, this is the first thing Obama has done right....

No, this is not a political commentary. I think he's ridiculous and full of empty promises (like every other politician) and I don't see any "CHANGE" but us sitting in this slump we're in. Thats another post...that wont ever happen. I hate politics.

BUT...

I love this dog!!! How precious is Bo?? I'm guessing a labradoodle. And if the mix of those two breeds wasn't enough...look at his white chest and paws. I'm DYING... I want one!!! May 23 is only a month away for those of you looking for birthday gifts for me!! :)

In other news...work has been dealing with a lot of these this week:

Yeh right. Add on about 20 years and 60 lbs and thats the group of firefighters I've been dealing with. We're kicking off our Fill the Boot season aka my summer. And we're starting off with our biggest campaign here in Tallahassee.

You've all seen them. The firefighters stand on the street corners and collect donations at intersections. Ok, Ill admit, I used to HATE it when they would come to my window and I'm ashamed to say that. Because they are out there volunteering their time to raise money for kids who CANT walk and I was always selfish and said, "sorry I dont have any cash." Please dont be like I was. You're all going to start seeing them in your neck of the woods sometime soon.

Its time we all quit hoarding all our money to ourselves and give back. I can guarantee you that you would give all the cash you have in your wallet if you met the sweet children affected by these diseases. I cannot even imagine being a mother to a 10 year old child who needs a walker and has dietary restrictions, knowing he probably won't live to see 20. It makes me cry just thinking about it.

Sorry for that push for MDA. I'm completely passionate about it now. Its the hardest I've ever worked in my life and the most rewarding job in the world...hands down.

thats all for now...its almost friday!!! Gosh this week has FLOWN by!!!

Had a super busy weekend packed with a bunch of Nelson family time and activities. The 5k was a success. Mrs. Nelson was able to raise $27,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and her goal was $5000!! She did a great job. I helped out at the water station (i said no thanks to the run) and hung out with the other non runners in the group, which is not many at all.

We got back Sunday afternoon and now I'm just trying to play catch up with cleaning and all that fun stuff you gotta do when coming back from being out of town.

We're going back to the beach this weekend with some friends and staying at their condo and I am pretty pumped to be in Destin and RELAX!!! The past several times we've gone down there, we've had agendas and no spare time to put our toes in the sand. Although, Ryan could care less about the beach...I guess that's what happens when you grow up there!

Nothing else going on around here besides the normal daily life. Work work work!!

GOOD NEWS!!! I found my camera...FINALLY! I know you're super excited too. I had it in my office all along. I was going through some stuff last night at work and stumbled across it!! So the good news for you is that hopefully these posts won't be as boring...HOPEFULLY!

I'm winding down the work week and packing my bags to head to this Heaven on Earth spot....
Yep...going to the beach...again! Guess its one of the perks of living in Florida. You can just jump in the car Friday after work and get to the beach in time for dinner. Be jealous!

I actually won't see much of the beach this time. We're all heading down to Destin because Ryan's mom has been organizing a 5k for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The race is early tomorrow morning so we're all heading out to support that. She has worked really hard on it and has enlisted me to help run it tomorrow. I do this for a living after all!!

AND...This morning Ryan informed me that their friends who are coming with us went yesterday to look at a few guys like this...

and probably came back with one. Baby Wyatts!!!!!!! I cannot even begin to explain how jealous I am! Heidi and Jamey have a Viszla (Wyatt) and I am completely obsessed with the guy. I really want one of my own! BUT they are super pricey...totally worth the big bucks in my opinion!

Hopefully they came back with one and I can play with it this weekend. OF COURSE there will be tons of pictures on the way!

Does anybody else watch this show? The Real Housewives of New York. There's something about this show (both Orange County and New York) that just mesmerizes me. I dont know what it is, but I like it.

Thanks to a friend, I am usually reminded weekly to turn this on and I'm not gonna lie...I'll stay up late to watch it!

LOTS AND LOTS been going on around here, but I'll have to keep it short and sweet. Someone has waited until the LAST minute to do her taxes and will be working on those tonight...oops!!

Procrastination is my middle name...perhaps the reason why it took me such a long time to graduate college.

BACKING UP....

Saturday afternoon, we headed over to Heidi and Jamey's for some Nelson family time. Ryan's parents got in around 2 and we sat around and talked (rarity with them...its always GO GO GO!!) for a while. Then Heidi and her mom went off for some mother/daughter shopping time and I opted to stay with the boys...aka work on the laptop while they played pool.

Turns out, the Nelsons are big Easter people. Heidi and her mom really get into Easter...REALLY. They were so sweet and got us all gifts, including the dogs. I got a fun tote bag and beach towel (soon to be used at the pool I'm sure), and Ryan got a 30 day pass to a local pool facility for him to work on his swimming for his tri's.

The fun part about it was how it was all so secretive. I guess it was fun because my family has never done presents for Easter. My mom has always felt strongly that Easter is about one thing and one thing only. So we've always gotten candy and nothing else. I can't help but think I'll be the same way when I have kids one day. Its so easy to forget what the REAL reason is that we celebrate Easter. Its not about the new dress or the big meal. Its about the ULTIMATE sacrifice Christ made so that each of us can spend eternity with Him.

But all that aside, the gift was fun and totally unexpected!! Then, Jamey's family came over for a big Easter lunch. And when I say big, I mean it. I mean 13 lbs of boston butt cooked in the smoker, 5 sides, 3 appetizers and drinks...lots and lots of them! **Apparantly I missed the memo that there is a Sweet Tea Flavored Vodka. Yall, I'm a sweet tea connoseur (sp??), and I'm not going to lie... I liked it...A LOT!

Anyway, the day was fun. Fun and tiring. I slept VERY well Sunday night!

Yesterday, I returned to another busy week at work. I swear, they just go by faster and faster each week! We had an event at the capital on the 22nd floor which was pretty neat...got to see all of Tallahassee. Not gonna lie, its quite the pretty town that high up in the air!!

And then after that, I trekked it over to Publix to do a big round of grocery shopping. I am so proud to announce that I bought food for MEALS! This is some major progress for me. Of course the one time I pick to buy a whole cart full of groceries is when the bottom has fallen out and its raining cats and dogs...seriously! (Monsooning...DECK!) Fortunately, I had a hungry helper waiting at the house for me who was generous enough to get soaked to bring in the food. And the best part was...I walked in to see...get this... Dinner COOKED on the table and waiting on me. Now THATS what I'm talking about!

Got a new haircut, registered for an awesome AVEDA raffle worth $2500 and helped out the environment while doing it. AHHHHH its been a good day.

Now to those stupid taxes..........

So its early Saturday morning, and I'm still here...

Just under the covers without all the pillows...


Last night, Ryan and I had our own little barbeque. I have been raving about the Hotdogs in Aruba ever since I got back (** yes I said hotdogs and yes they were delicious). So, last night when Ry suggested we grill hotdogs, I quickly agreed. Nothing says springtime like whipping out the old grill!!

After dinner, we watched one of my ultimate favorite movies, Something's Gotta Give. I don't know what it is about that movie, but I love it more every time I watch it...and I've watched it ALOT!

Every time we watch that movie, I always remind Ryan how much I love that house. It is practically my dream!!

And for those of you who for some odd reason haven't seen the movie, which go rent it NOW, here are some pictures of the set design.

Ok, so I wouldn't pick that rug, but I'ld like to say that if I were to have a house this nice, I would decorate it VERY similarly to this. I like how clean and inviting this living room feels.

And lets be honest here. If I had this pool with these lounge chairs, I'ld probably be parked here 24/7. Ok, I might go in every now and then...Maybe.

And NOW I remember what started my love affair with this movie. Its the kitchen. I love the combination of white, black and stainless steel. AND the backsplash is subway tile...my favorite! This kitchen looks VERY similar to one I posted a few days ago. I think I see a trend starting here. That, or I know what kind of kitchen I want.

All this decorating talk got me to thinking. I love the beachy/homey/comfy feeling of this house, but I want to put in some more modern elements into a house one day. And then I remembered, I'm OBSESSED with the house in my other favorite movie, The Holiday. I'm almost 99% sure I read that the same set designer from Something's Gotta Give designed the set for The Holiday. And its very obvious. There is that same welcoming feeling in both homes.

A shot of the living room. I think its the white, black and tan that I love so much. No color overload. Just how I like it.

This kitchen is too modern for my tastes, but I had to post it because it is so pretty!

So every time they show the shot where Iris comes in the her new "home" for 2 weeks and sees her new bed, I ooooh and ahhh. Who wouldn't want to run and jump on this guy?? This picture does it no justice.

*******

Today, Ryan's parents are coming in town for Easter. Not sure what the plans are for today. I know Ry's running (2) 5K's just for fun this morning. When I asked him, "why don't you just go run instead of paying to run?", his response was, "For the tshirts and the competition."

Whatever...I don't get it. I do know what I do get. Its 8 am and saturday and I'm still in bed while hes out running and getting gross. I like my choice better!

I may be early...

So I may be a smidge early...but I've put together my birthday wish list. There are items for all budgets on here :)



HAHA Just kidding, but hey a girl can dream right??





So I REALLY miss my little Lexington. I let her stay with my parents from numerous reasons. One, she turned in to my mom's dog when I moved home. She got to where she stayed with Mom, ALL the time. She didn't really want much to do with me. Second, Mom took that and ran with it. For example, she now wears diapers. I really cant have a dog wearing diapers. Don't get me wrong. I've always put sweaters on my dogs, but diapers...NO. Lexie will stay there. I thought my mom was going to have to go to therapy when I took Madison back with me. I just couldn't do that to her. BUT...Madison is bored and lonely. The poor little girl stay home alone a lot and she needs a playmate. So I would LOVE LOVE LOVE a little yorkie pupster!!

AHEEMMM RYAN...listen up buddy!! I would really be ecstatic with a weekend getaway to Savannah. REALLY ecstatic!!

And since I have to be realistic, I'll throw the rest of these in here for good measure. I REALLY want Photoshop. I cannot explain how much I hope to unwrap this!

I sit at my desk everyday and the only thing that helps pass the time is listening to the radio. But lets be honest, the radio is terrible! I really want to have Ipod speakers to listen to what I want!

And I'm caving. I've been hanging around Ryan's family too long. I want a French Press. There. I said it.