Tangled Thoughts

“Ordinary Moments” – May 2010

Christina

May 20, 2011

“As a general rule I dont like to repost things that I have already written, but when I read what I wrote May 13, 2010…it seemed to be even more true for today, a year and a week later, as I reflect on that wonderful trip, and try, unsuccessfully, to remember the small, forgotten things. I wish I had written more.”

So I haven’t written as much this trip as I really would have liked to. I honestly planned to write everyday, upload pictures, and do everything of the sorts…but time has just gotten away from me. The first two weeks we were here, I was thinking I had loads of time, we had no return tickets – why stress on writing? I had lots of time. But now, looking back, I really wish I would have. Even writing one sentence each day about what we did proves to be too much, and I am once again relying upon my camera to refresh my memory.

You know how your mom tells you to do something, and you grudgingly do it? Like why mom, does it matter if the date is set right on my camera? I know what day I took the picture, whys it matter? But boy have I been thanking her lately. If I hadn’t set the date correctly, I would be completely lost…at least now I can sort of piece together what was going on what day.

I started my flikr account up again, in hopes that I would at least be able to upload a few pictures…but once again, I haven’t even done that. I just now got around to uploading pictures to my facebook account – pictures that were taken over three weeks ago are just now starting to make their appearance.

I try to remind myself that I will remember things, slowly. They will come back to me, and I will laugh, smile, and maybe even write about them. But I want to write about it all now. I want to write about our adventures, and the wonderful times…I don’t want to forget the small, stupid things that sometimes, just make my day. The things that overtime I will forget. Those are the things I want to journal, to write. The big things I know will stick. I will eventually recall the metro troubles, being pick-pocketed, and getting stopped at the border. I will always remember how beautiful France was…and how peaceful our time here has been…but what about the other things? What about the small details of everyday life here that will otherwise go unnoticed?

What about the little boy who used the water fountain for a bathroom, or the streets that were alley ways? Will I always remember how I felt walking out to the Mediterranean for the first time? Stepping off an airplane into the France heat? Will I forget about the soaking wet bike ride I took? The misused french words? The late night giggling fits I shared with my sister? The things that are over looked, glossed over, and classified as everyday life.

Those are the things I want to remember. The things that I am slowly forgetting. The things I didn’t write down, the things I wont remember. The forgotten things. The unremembered memories. The casual walks, and late night grocery store trips. Gummy worms. Cheep wine. Meeting new people. Seeing new things. Taking it all in. Remembering it all.

Even though I try to write, take pictures, and run over the adventures numerous times each day…there are still things I am leaving out, still things I will forget, and still things that will never be remembered again.

This trip has been awesome, that’s all I can say…because words…pictures…memories even…cant describe the way things have been. Sure, its life. And life isn’t always easy, and it has had its rough spots…but the underline of this trip has been plain and simply: Awesome.

I am thankful for the opportunity. For being given the chance to go. I hate to say good bye. Don’t want to leave behind all the wonderful things that we have done and seen. I want to stay here forever. In this moment. This perfectly happy peaceful moment. That will never make history, because its just another ordinary moment that God has given me to live. Another ordinary day. Nothing special to jog my memory about this moment. Its a moment that I am living now…

…but want to live forever.

“…What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

– James 4:14b

I heart faces: May Flowers

Christina

4 comments

May 16, 2011

Sleeping Cutie

Christina

2 comments

May 11, 2011

I realize that my last few posts have been “Dog centered” or, puppy centered rather. But lately, that’s what life seems to revolve around – puppies schedule. When puppy needs to eat, go outside, run around like a maniac, nap, etc. Of course, life moves along – puppy schedule or not!

Its been a real…process, trying to get things to fit, and work out around here – with a puppy. Lately its been – wake up in the morning to the awful smell of something’s went wrong in the night – uncover the crate to discover just what went wrong. The next hour is spent cleaning said crate, and puppy, washing blankets, and then showering myself.

That’s been the past few mornings – why? I have no idea why. Especially since said puppy has been going outside JUST before bed – and doing her duties out there as well.

But then there is the time when puppy sleeps. The glorious hour (or not! Ha!) when she snuggles up and sleeps. And sleeps. And sleeps. And yawns, and flops over, and sleeps some more. A few days ago – she would come to us to pick her up, flop over in our arms, and let us hold her while she snoozed the day away – but as time has wore on, and a hundred and one naps later – she has found something, or someone, else to snuggle with at nap time.

And considering Slim takes a beating during the waking hours with puppy – I think its only fair to let her have these moments as well.

Take a look at Yoshi’s napping the past….10 days.

Seriously, I think I have snapped a picture at EVERY nap – because shes just so DARN CUTE when she sleeps!!!

Enough with the pictures! Cant a puppy get some sleep?

But as soon as shes asleep again – I just cant resist! Ive been wanting to get pictures of her paws ever since shes been here – but since shes always on the move – I havent been able to. When shes sleeping, its the perfect opportunity!

I dont know about YOU but I would find it a little…odd…if I woke up to find people taking pictures of my feet!!

Good-~~night~~ afternoon!

Yoshi Diary: Day 45

Christina

1 comment

May 7, 2011

Dear World –

Today is my 45th day of existing. I am finding new things EVERY day. So much to see and do, and so much ~~trouble~~ fun to be had! I can hardly contain myself at times. Today I learned just HOW MUCH fun it was to be outside – now? I want to be out there ALL day time! Forget naps! Who needs naps? Not me! Im too big for those. Those were SO yesterday!

My people are trying to teach me these crazy things – like how to tell them when I need to go outside to do my stuff…Im like “Hello, people! I gotta go. Like NOW! PRONTO!” It always gets a reaction. I don’t mind going outside, except when its raining. And wet. Then I don’t like to be out there. Its wet, hello!

My people cant figure out why I was so hyper today – I say hello people, Im a puppy! I like to Run! And Play! And go! Go! Go! Go! Dog! Go!

I love sticks, and toys, and running and playing, and other doggies, especially my best pal Slim…but what I really like? Is this cord. It runs across the floor – and its always guaranteed to get a reaction from my people. They call it the internet cord…whatever THAT means…but it always gets them running with me – and I LOVE to run! From one side to the other, and back and again! Faster! Further! Go! Dog! Go!

There are so many new things that I find daily –

Things that you guys NEVER told me about! Come on, whats up with that?! I love little balls – oh my! Balls = running, chasing, FASTER! I can hardly think about balls without going absolutely CRAZY! Over them. I just love me some balls…especially those little ones. Those are the bomb!

I love things I shouldn’t have, and being places I shouldn’t be – because it always means my people will go after me (run! People! Run!).

There are all SORTS of things outside that I just LOVE to play with too! Sticks! Oh sticks! I don’t mind if they are still attached to the trees – makes it more fun anyways.

And flowers? And pokey things? Rocks? Dirt? Mud? Space? I think outside might be my favorite place! Why didn’t anyone tell me about the outdoors – and why don’t my people want to be out there chasing me up and down the driveway yelling “No! Yoshi! No!” all day? I find it to be GREAT fun!

Well Ive got more places to be – just wanted to let you all know about these new things I discovered and how YOU can have a little fun too!

Chow!

~ Yoshi

Puppy days

Christina

no comments

May 7, 2011

Alternatively titled: Puppy Daze

(I wrote this for our business blog – and decided to just post it here too)

May 5, 2011

As some of you already know, we got a puppy.

Of course the obvious questions are circling around

“Why would you get a puppy?” Followed by:

“I thought you said no more dogs” and close after is:

“Hey…does this mean your accepting free dogs now….I have a second cousin, third removed who has a hundred and one CUTE little puppies I will send your way” Ok, so maybe not the last one, but let me just clarify, that no – we are NOT accepting free dogs at this time.

As far as why we got the puppy? At the moment Im not entirely sure we had a reason! It just seemed logical. Obviously its been a while since weve had a puppy!

Come to think of it – Slim was the last “Puppy” weve had. Well, the ONLY puppy we had – and she is already pushing…12!! She wasn’t really a puppy when we got her – she was already ½ grown. So it you do the math – Amanda and I were both fairly young when we last had a “Puppy.”

Thinking about a puppy – and actually getting a puppy are two separate things.

When we first laid eyes on her – she was a little bitty thing and we melted just a little. All we saw was a sweet little puppy. Needless to say – we filed the adoption papers, and adopted ourselves what is supposed to be a “Toy lab” – named, Yoshi!

Welcome to “The shop” – Yoshi!

Now – heres the thing.

When we first “Adopted” her – she was living at the “dog place” with her mom and sister. She was a nice, cuddly sweet little yellow ball. A few weeks later when we went to visit – she had grown – and nearly DOUBLED her size! Mom and I were somewhat worried – I think I was more worried than mom. I have always been on the “No more dogs” ban wagon. One dog was enough for me! But seeing Yoshi, well, something in me seemed to say “We need her.” But whatever the reasoning (or lack there of) we have a puppy. A ten week old puppy.

Ten weeks.

Puppy.

That means a lot of things. For those of you completely unaware of what this means (considering I apparently forgot a lot!):

Puppies have sharp teeth:

Scratch that. They have razors. Not teeth. This means they are capable of snipping through wires in mere seconds. Yesterday morning I was less than impressed when my internet wouldn’t work…come to find out in a rush of excitement, Yoshi had snipped my connection to the outside world. I would have probably been more upset – had I not been so tired from the night before. Which brings me to point two.

Puppies don’t value sleep at night:

The first night Yoshi was home – she was making noises that I can only describe as “Yodeling.” The lady had told us that Yoshi was crate trained. She warned us however: “Put her in there and she will make a little noise at first – ok she will make a lot of noise – but just ignore her and she will quiet down” A lot of noise was somewhat of an under-statement. And have you ever tried to ignore a screaming dog? Its not really possible!! She eventually calmed down. But was back up again a few hours later – yodeling. At 5am. Thankfully last night she slept through the night. With little noise.

Puppies have no fear:

Or atleast Yoshi doesn’t. The thing is, Yoshi looks to Slim for what to do next. Slim can do no wrong in Yoshi’s eyes. This isn’t always a good thing however, considering Slim doesn’t have the BEST of manners in all areas. And Yoshi? Is not afraid to try every stunt Slim tries – its just that Yoshi is still tiny – and Slim, well, is not! I think Yoshi’s motto goes something like “If Slim can do it so can I!” and with one leap, Yoshi is off – attempting some neck breaking stunt that Slim does with ease (such as climbing stairs!)

Puppies are sweet:

Yes, even with all the accidents, puppy training, keeping you up at night stunts – Yoshi manages to slip in a few “Sweets” here and there. Last night after we came inside, she was cold – and tired. Instead of going to sleep in her crate (yea right!) she snuggled up on me, resting her head on my shoulder. Of course, not ten minutes later she was up chasing the cats around the house like there was no tomorrow.

She loves her new pal Slim, and Slim thinks shes pretty ok too (as long as she chews her bones, and not Slims paws!)

As I type this Yoshi is asleep at the wheel, snuggled up on my lap – tuckered out from a hard day at ~~work~~ play. And so – I leave you our fifth point on puppies: “Im sorry I couldnt order your parts – you see, its Yoshi’s fault.” Of course no one could be mad at that sweet little face, now could they?