It's the small things.

I find it amusing sometimes, how much the small things really bring a smile to my face. Whenever I am in bad mood, it seems these things cure all.

Here is my 10 ten list of things that bring me instant happiness.

1. Food- You should see my face light up with either chips or salsa or anything chocolate related.
2. Bubble Baths- It is like instant relaxation
3. Candles- I think I appreciate them on another whole level after becoming a homeowner. I refuse to be those people who have that "dog smell" and do not even notice
4. Pajamas- The best feeling in the entire world is slipping into a big t-shirt and pj bottoms after a long day.
5. My car- I bought a brand new car in August, a 2009 Toyota Camry, and whenever I drive it, I feel happy and in control
6. My dogs- Ok, this is a given. I love how Dakota curls up as the "little spoon" with me and when Daisy falls asleep on her back with her legs straight up in the air. Or when Daisy shoots me a look of "I need help".
7. College Football Saturdays- I don't know if it has to do with fall or change, but there is something different in the air on those mornings with Herbie, Lee, and the rest of the gang.
8. A good workout- I may be crazy, but I love that exhausted, I can't move my body feeling after a kick butt workout.
9. My mom, dad, brother, and sister- I love when my brother plays football or how my dad talks sports with me or how my mom is my best friend or how my sister is always there for me. Even more so, when we are all sitting around togther just talking about life.
10. My best friend- Oh there is just something about him. I love the random text messages I get throughout the day and they always seem to come when I'm in a bad mood and it puts such a huge smile on my face.


What is your Top Ten?

College Football

I had a relatively quiet weekend. We headed up to Penn State (his Dad's alma mater) for the PSU-Illinois game. And since Daisy is struggling with the whole potty training thing, I refused to leave her with anyone, so I seperated the dogs. Now they're back together and louder than ever.

Katie's (his sister) boyfriend, who coaches at Illinois, scored us seats at the 25 yard line, 5 rows back. PSU seriously has the best fans in the country.

I do have a few vents about the Top 25:

• How is USC still in the top 10? They lost to an unranked team while poor Georgia played a much better Alabama team and dropped to 12.
• Wake Forest at 25. They lost to Navy!!
• Illinois dropped out of the top 25, even though they lost to a tough team, who at the time were the #12 team in the country and now ranked #6.
• Oregon is in the top 25? I wish people would understand that the PAC-10 might be the most overrated conference in college football.
• BYU, or any team in the Mountain West, should not be in the top 10.

Walking the campus of PSU made me kind of miss college and the fact I did not go to a big school. I absolutely do not regret my small, private liberal arts school outside Chicago, but I just wonder what could have been.

Our weekends away only reinforce my feelings for him. I love the way I feel when I am with him. I love that I am a complete idiot sometimes and say the most off the wall things and he just smiles at me.

We're heading to Rucker for 10 days tomorrow for some training. It's going to be an interesting week to say the least.

5 Weeks Later

5 Weeks Old

10 Weeks Old

Alright, what did you do with my puppy?

Sick as dogs

Since Monday I have been fighting off a stomach virus. I wish it upon nobody. I couldn't get out of bed for 2 straight days. Orginially I thought it may be food poisioning. However, my poor baby came home today with the exact same symptoms.

He is tough, but this seems to be kicking his butt right now.

As a result of my sickness, I am behind on housework. I started cleaning tonight since my mom arrives tomorrow evening. While I am cleaning I hear poor Daisy throwing up on our master bedroom carpet (I swear I need hardwood floors).

After I finish cleaning her, I lay down beside her to rub her stomach and I swear my baby puppy gained about 5lbs and 5 inches right in front of me. I am amazed at how fast she is growing.

I pick her up more frequently as of late because I am sure going to miss this.

While I was gone.

Life has been crazy, yet wonderfully blissful.

• My sister is married! The wedding went beautiful. If you're curious about the photos. Click on purchase photos then scroll to "Lindsay and Brett Navarro"


• On the job front, I promised myself I was going to actually try to look after the wedding. However, the whole time is precious keeps replaying over and over in my head. I'm basically getting paid to do nothing. I am studying as we speak for my personal trainer's license, so wish me luck.
  
• Everyone here has been wonderful. My FRG leader is awesome. I had lunch with my realtor, mortage lady, and their friends today. These women are so much fun. Not to mention everyone loves to get out and do something. Last weekend we had football, beach volleyball, racquetball, dog walks/parks. Its a lifestyle I absolutely love.


• Daisy and Dakota have been my sanity as well as the main reason I go insane from day to day. Daisy has learned how to climb over the babygate (smart puppy) so I always feel I have to be on my toes around her. Her puppy class starts on Saturday. Thank goodness!


• He and I couldn't be happier. Things are going really well and he's been so sweet. I love that we are exact same person. For instance, we just started a 750 piece puzzle together.
  

It's weird. Even though I'm not working, I swear I'm just as busy with so many different things. My mom comes to visit this weekend! Yeah! I can't wait to start decorating and turn this place into a home. She's pretty much amazing when it comes to this stuff.

My sister and I

Powder Puff Football

My FRG leader and the winning QB/center combination in Powder Puff

Munster, Indiana

My hometown has been in the news consistently over the past couple of days. The Midwest was hit extremely hard with flooding caused by heavy rain, thanks to Hurricane Gustav.

Tonight I just found out 3 houses exploded about 1.5 miles from my house and about 50% of the town is still under water. The National Guard was also sent in to rescue families by boat.

You know the expression, hitting close to home, it's too fitting right now.

Luckily both my family and Dave's family are both ok and received minimal damage.

Article

Wonderful Weekend

I've always loved the long holiday weekends because it meant either I was going to be visiting him or he was going to be visiting me.

Although we had no major plans, I really had a nice weekend.

We kicked it off on Thursday at my very first Hail and Farewell. They held it at actually one of my favorite restaurants/bars downtown. I could hardly hear anyone speak, except when they started poking fun at him (8 years and no ring?!).

Friday we ran a whole bunch of errands that included purchasing a TV and Rock Band. It sounds so pathetic, but we've been spending more time on the other side of the house now. That night we went to a party with a CPT in his company, Matt, whom I absolutely adore.

Saturday morning was beach volleyball for like 3 straight hours. We played with another couple who is just as competitive as us, if possible (Ollie & Abby), Matt, and his company commander. That night we all went to Jazz on the Lawn, which is apparently a big deal here. Its held at the winery, yeah wine :)

Sunday we had Matt, Abby, and Ollie all over for a BBQ and swimming. We played a F.R.I.E.N.D.S trivia came then ended up playing rock band for 6 straight hours. I have a huge blister on my right hand from gripping the drum sticks too hard, ha.

Yesterday we just laid around all day and then headed over to his company commander's house for a bbq. His kids and wife were amazing. It's so nice to be meeting people.

And apparently I'm playing Powder Puff football with all the wives in his company this month.

I find more comfort in living here by myself the more people I meet.

Time to go break up the dogs wrestling match occuring at my feet right now.