Yesterday, I was able to sneak up on Molly and Sammy while they were napping. This barely ever happens. Whenever I try to sneak up, they wake up, then try to tackle me and lick the camera. So, I rarely get any photos of them around the house. I posted a few from yesterday on Flickr, if you're interested.

-Em

Tonight I am thankful for...

a yard free of fallen leaves...

clothes and linens clean, folded, and put away...

yummy homemade comfort-food meals simmering on the stove...

Christmas presents purchased...

grocery shopping completed...

quality time spent with doggies and hubbie...

and a few more hours of freedom and relaxation before a shortened work week begins.

-Em

So, I cannot keep this secret any longer. I feel too naughty; I feel too completely reckless!

*Deep breath*

So, here it is: Drew and I bought a $130 trash can. That's right. Over ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS of our hard-earned money, down the tubes, just so that we can keep trash, in a can in our kitchen, before it is moved into an even bigger can out into the garage.

Seems completely frivolous, no?

Of course it is. We realize it sounds completely ridiculous, even if this purchase has actually been a couple of years in the making. We finally just bit the bullet and bought it (to be annoyingly alliterative without prior planning).

Reason #1: We bought this particular trash can because it is, well, doggie-proof. We've been having trouble with Molly getting into the trash and strewing it about at night, and this step trash can securely closes without any possibility of doggie noses being able to nudge it open on their own. We got sick of cleaning up trash every morning, first thing.

Reason #2: The genre of step trash cans we've had our hearts set on are of the stainless steel variety, but as you all probably know, stainless steel is easily smudged and not so easy to keep clean. We decided to save ourselves the grief and buy the 'smudge-proof' version. Let me tell you what--our garbage is now, without a doubt, the 'best-dressed' garbage I know.  And with all the sniffing it has received from those two doggie noses, it was well worth going for it.

Reason #3: We had a 20% off coupon at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. So, that exhorbitantly-priced garbage-holding receptable was actually a mere $110, or so, with tax.

See? We are really not so frivolous as all that, actually.  

-Em

Today is my wonderful hubbie's 28th birthday! Ain't he cute?

We both took today off work to enjoy the day together (much needed after these last few days at work--don't ask). Surprisingly, we didn't really sleep in this morning. In fact, big dummy that I am, as soon as I awoke this morning, I got up, shut the door to the bedroom, and went to let the dogs out and get their food/medicine ready. I was so proud to be the first one up, taking care of this chore for Drew on his special day. About twenty minutes later, as he heard the dogs' food bowls being dragged (by Molly) across the kitchen floor, he asked what I was up to. With a smile, I spilled the beans about my big "surprise." But the surprise was on me, as Drew had gotten up even earlier and had already taken care of the chore, without me even noticing! Needless to say, Molly and Sammy received a double breakfast (and dose of meds, d'oh!) this morning. Oh well, it's the thought that counts, right?

Drew and I went out for breakfast this morning, something we very rarely do. It was leisurely and enjoyable (and amazing how much more pleasurable without the weekend crowds!). Next, we went to Meijer to run some errands. We have houseguests arriving tomorrow for the weekend (Drew's friend, Zach, from college and his wife, Kara), so we'll probably spend the rest of the day alternately relaxing and getting things done around the house.

Hopefully we'll make it out for dinner and a movie tonight to celebrate, and I have a special dessert planned.

Happy Birthday again, Drew. Thanks for being my best friend. I love you a little more each day!

-Em

and a new attitude (hopefully). The blogging hiatus has been good for my psyche. I was feeling so overwhelmed with my health woes (and the emotional instability that piggy-backed right along), that I didn't feel I could devote any time to this hobby. Let me revise that statement: I could've devoted time to it, but I don't think any of you would've liked what you saw here. The ugliness was reserved for elsewhere.

There is a lot to catch you up on. Our yard is looking better than when we moved in--all of the weekends of yardwork has paid off. And Molly and Sammy are enjoying having free reign of the yard with the privacy fence. I have a lot of pictures of the yard to upload and share, too. And guess what? Drew and I bought bikes! Yikes! It has been fun making use of all the bike trails right near our house. We are definitely trying to make the most of being where we are right now, and I think it's helping get our minds off of other things, too.

Well, it's the first day of June. Though the calendar doesn't agree with me, I'm announcing today as my first official day of the summer...and I don't know about you, but (even if sometimes I don't want to, or it seems like too much), I plan to relish every minute of it.

My psychiatric advice to myself? Baby steps to the elevator. (Thanks, What about Bob?). 

I'll see you around.

-Em