it's nothing special....it's just kriss

Okay - so this post was supposed to be published like...a while ago. Sorry. Slacker? Yep - that's me. How cool is this - last week a friend and I had lunch with our 11th grade weight lifting coach. Yep - an entire decade later and we're still good friends. I'm surprised that she didn't give up on us years ago! We were nuts in high school (and still are)! Hopefully we've grown up a little since then - though it's highly doubtful. It's always awesome to see her and no matter how long it's been, it feels like we just saw each other yesterday. I didn't realize until recently just how much I have gained from Coach: weight lifting knowledge, a disdain for running, a love of (or tolerance of) Diet Coke, an insatiable desire for knowledge and learning, an understanding that learning is hard work but pays incredible dividends, an appreciation for great literature, a sense of self-confidence, and a deep respect and gratitude for those who dedicate their...

For your sakes - I wish I had pictures. But, since I don't - a thousand words will have to do. :) Tuesday I came home to work on my house for the last time (insert slightly sad sigh here). It was warm and sunny. I needed to paint the outside doors and mow the lawn so I was extremely grateful for the sunshine. I opened the front door, put up the baby gate in the doorway so the tiny puppy couldn't escape and put a towel under the door so I didn't accidentally paint the carpet Piper thought the towel on the floor was just for her and plopped herself right in the sun. She was far enough away from the door that I didn't think twice. So I started painting. As soon as I painted far enough down the door that Piper could reach the wet paint, she decided she needed to smell it. So, naturally, she got a little bit of paint on her face and ears. I scolded her and she returned to her spot in the sun. I finished painting the door, went to put the roller in the other room, and retur...

Last week I think I experienced the ENTIRE spectrum of emotions. It was an amazing yet slightly traumatic week. Monday: I listed my house for sale. Tuesday: Someone called to look at my house. But I wasn't ready yet. So I took a half day and finished painting and yard work. Wednesday: My closest friend at work was let go. And to make things worse, her job wasn't eliminated ... it's been moved to me. Talk about awkward. But Wednesday I also took my final for Lab - only one more to go!! Thursday: Signed the contract to sell my house. We close May 21st. Kinda freakin' out. Friday: Aced my last test of the semester for lecture. Just one more class and the final - then I'm free! And found out that I passed my Anthropology class. Whoo hoo! Saturday: Had a fantastic time shopping, eating yummy food and hanging out with my whole family! Best day eva! Also found out someone very close to me has decided to move in with their significant other. Not so best news eva...

A few weeks ago on fast Sunday one of the sisters bore her testimony ... it was her birthday. That was tender. And she cried. Then she said, "Well, I guess it's my birthday so I'll cry if I want to". Audible laughter. Awesome! So, I decided since today is my birthday and I don't really want to cry, I'll blog instead. Cuz I want to. So thank you for joining me for this epic post. That is all.

All stuffed animals be warned. This house is armed and dangerous. Picture proof below. Notice the innocent looking dog hiding just outside the doorway... At least the mouth she created is in the right spot. :)

Yesterday after lunch I happened to glance out the window. On the mountain near my office there was a huge festival going on! There was a big canopy up and lots of cars and tons of people. It was a beautiful, sunny day - perfect for a festival. Then it dawned on me. The mountain behind us isn't a park.... It's a cemetery. And my festival...was actually a funeral. Face palm.

Piper plays hide-and-seek. Seriously. She sits in the family room and waits for me to hide. Then, as soon as I say, "Okay, come find me" she jumps up and starts tearing through the house to find me. When I hide somewhere new, she runs through the whole house and then stops outside the family room door and cries for a minute before starting the search again. It's pretty hilarious. For the dog who doesn't hold still long enough to lay down on command - it's pretty impressive that she can search for me in a house full of distractions and people without getting distracted. And she is so proud of herself when she finds me! It's pretty cute. And I decided if she's smart enough to play hide-and-seek ... she's smart enough to write my Anthropology papers for me...right?!