Meet Aspen Puckett

Our sweet little Aspen, named after the Colorado ski town, arrived last wednesday (1/22). She is a beautiful (snow white) German Shepherd, going on 10 weeks old.

This is her only a few weeks old, we fell in love but had to wait another month to bring her home.

So far she is more of a joy than a pain, but we both knew a puppy wasn't going to be all rainbows and butterflies. The first few days were hardest. I felt like I was cleaning up after her and telling her "NO!" more than "Yes!!" She loves to nip on you, but we have learned that if we let out a yelp she will stop momentarily, then be back at it but very gently, as not to hurt us.

Im sure she will quickly fit this pillow...

Potty training is by far the hardest part. We were not getting it at all at first. Being on the third floor of our apartment, it is a bit of a task to take her out regularly. She is still afraid of the daunting staircases, at least going down. However, she will bolt up them to escape the "extreme" cold we have been experiencing here in the panhandle.

Her "area" covered in puppy pads.. with the hope she will choose one of them to pee on, which she rarely does...

Thankfully we are already out of the training pad stage!

A side note, the last two days we have woken to iced over cars and frosty rooftops! I was hoping for snow! But alas the cold will have to do. As every other floridian is "girding their loins" and running to purchase a personal space heater, I am embracing the lovely chill in the air and fully prepared with my colorado ski coat! A little cold weather never bothered me!

However, the cold is a nuisance when Aspen needs to be taken out to relieve herself a couple times in the middle of the night. She is sometimes too cold to go. Being a German Shepherd, she is very smart. She knows how to get back home to the warmth no matter how far away from the complex we walk. And she is good at tricking you also, she likes to sit preciously next to you, give you a cute innocent stare then dart as fast as she can in the direction of home. I always hate locking the leash and pulling her violently back, but I am more than over cleaning up after her little accidents.

She has finally learned that she can't relieve herself on the concrete of the third floor of our complex as well, which we were letting her do at first just so she understood that she has to be outside to "go" rather than inside. But now she is understanding that grass or dirt means it is potty time.

She has "sit" command down like a charm and is quickly picking up on "stay" and "lay down". Her favorite place is actually her kennel.. or maybe it is just the blanket in her kennel. We gave her an old blanket to lay on her first night with us, now she will cry in her kennel if it is not there for her.

Just like Michael, she cozies right up to her "Nightmare Before Christmas" blanket

Overall she is a pleasure to have. She is absolutely adorable! She has almost eaten through her Kermit-the-frog toy and every time we introduce a new toy to her, she does a funny pouncing movement all around it as if it might magically come alive and bite her back. But as soon as we start to play fetch she is all over it. She is a loyal friend and has taken ownership over me and Michael. Like a small child she will hide between our legs when a new person or dog approaches.. so sweet. Oh and she loves to chase and chew on my ponytail whenever she can sneak up on me..

Take notice of the green spray bottle in Michael's hand…

Her face looks funny here

Lastly, she has most definitely suppressed the "baby blues" for now...

Michael's 12 Days of Christmas

Is anyone else starting to feel the onset of Christmas Post Partum? I am.

There is always such a buildup to the Christmas Holiday. From before Thanksgiving Day is even here, the Christmas tree is up, or thoughts of pulling it out of the depths of storage are weighing on our minds. Personally, I strongly believe that Thanksgiving is a segue into the full-on Christmas festivities so I don our humble apartment in lights and decorations, including our small tree, a few days before Thanksgiving arrives. My husband thinks I am a little too preemptive but I just can't get over the cozy feeling that the holidays bring and I want to suck up every minute of it that I possibly can.

This year I just wasn't feeling the warm fuzzy feeling right away.

I think a big reason for this was our recent move to Florida. After spending the last 13 years in Colorado for Christmas, it simply feels unreal that there are places in the world where cold, ice, frost, fogging the window with your breath, driving cautiously in a blanket of white snow, losing the feeling in the tip of your nose from the bitter wind… these things, these feelings associated with a [my] lifetime of Christmases does not exist. So I went down every avenue to make it feel like it actually was december and Christmas(ey) whenever you stepped into our home. From a constant hum of christmas music in the background to even running the ac extra cold, lets just say every day I was on a bit of a mission.

In an extra effort to help feel the fun and joy of Christmas all around I lingered upon the idea of doing something for the 12 days of Christmas leading up to the big day. I googled "12 days of Christmas ideas" and found out I wasn't the first to have this thought either! Is anyone the first to think of anything these days?

So I started planning 12 days of Christmas for my husband, Michael. Many women had done this for their husbands and I took ideas from here and there but really wanted it to be special for him rather than generic. I found a great printout for each day of the 12 days to help him catch on to the reason for getting a gift each day. It actually took a lot more thought and planning than I had anticipated but by the end it was well worth it. The entire process also ended up costing me more than I had planned, just for those of you considering doing it as well, I just couldn't find a super cheap way, but again, it was worth it.

A link to these here.

I did my best to take pictures when I remembered throughout the 12 days. I didn't get them all but here are a few and some of my favorites…

On the first day of Christmas.
A penguin mug complete with marshmallows for hot chocolate and KitKats.

On the second day of Christmas, Fun-derwear…
On the third day of Christmas, a belt hanger.

 On the fourth day of Christmas, bright orange and black socks.
On the fifth day of Christmas… well that's between him and I..

The sixth day was by far my favorite, I put together a little scavenger hunt. Michael tends to fall asleep pretty early after a long work day, and once he is out.. he is OUT. So I was able to accomplish this and still be in bed before too late. He really wanted the new Call of Duty for his xbox, and the following morning was his day off. But I wasn't going to just give it to him.. that would be all to easy.

First I bought a couple movies I wanted..

Then  added some weight so they all felt the same.

Next I placed the clues where they belonged.

Starting in the bathroom.

This clue led him back to the bedroom, I did this on purpose. I sensed he would wake up before me and if he started the hunt without me I would at least be awakened by him looking for the second clue. I was right, but unfortunately his bladder called at 6am and so did the hunt…

From the bathroom to the bedroom, to the fridge, then under the sink, outside on the door

                                                                          Then out to the car, yes at 6am.

I thought for sure this clue would stump him for a minute but he went directly to it! 

He is so smart. And this led him to the last clue, which took him to the dryer…

He opened the right one without even thinking twice… apparently xbox games cases are slightly slimmer than dvd's. How did he know that?

It was a fun time at least.

The seventh day had to do with a bell, but that is all I can disclose about that one.

On the eighth day of christmas,

over-doing the expression a bit…

On the ninth day came a mustache pen.
On the tenth day of Christmas I surprised him and all his buddies at work with raspberry jam shortbread cookies.

Michael insisted on Christmas Eve that we let each other open one gift before going to bed. So I gave him his eleventh day of christmas gift, and he gave me mine. We are on the same wavelengths sometimes…

I gave him the winter oreos, and he gifted me the cool mint.. then we actually switched, and indulged.

I kind of coped out on the twelfth day by putting the tag on his stocking, but it was the most packed stocking I've ever seen. So I called it good.

I think he enjoyed each gift, and the thought that went into each one. And I won in the end anyway, for twelve days I got to experience a little bit of christmas and get him into the spirit as well.

It was a wonderful Christmas Day and Season. Our tree will remain up for a little bit longer as the seasons excitement continues to linger. But the post partum just has me that much more excited to start preparing for next year…

At Dad's Request

Last week I received a text from my dad telling me I was overdue for a blog post. So this one goes out to him.

 I finally started working here in Panama City. At home training and in-store training took over most of the past week, but I am officially a Sales Representative for Target Mobile. For those who are unfamiliar, Target Mobile is not necessarily affiliated with Target but part of Market Source, which is an outside company that has kiosks in several places to sell cell phones and other electronics. I work within Target's electronic section at the Target Mobile kiosk.

Target Mobile claims that we are not Target associates.. however, most of our days work is helping the electronics associates and Target guests. I believe we have sold maybe 10 phones since I started last week, and this being the holiday season, I am afraid my long eight-hour shifts will only become more long and boring after the holidays..

The hardest part of this job is product knowledge. Coming from working the food industry for years, product knowledge has always been important in order to increase sales which then led to increase of tips, but the product knowledge behind a Samsung Galaxy S4 is much more complex than a bowl of pasta and meatballs.

Not only do I need to know which phone to suggest to clients, but also the appropriate data plan, what data even is (in some cases), the differences between an android, iPhone, non-smart phone, etc. There is a lot to learn still. Another hard task is not being bias. As a life-long apple user (thanks to dad), I know little to nothing about any electronic that isn't an apple product. If a costumer comes in wanting to upgrade their iPhone 4, I can talk all day about the features of the 5, 5C, or 5S. But when a guest walks up to me to upgrade to a samsung.. I hesitate as to how to turn it on.

I am also biased in that, little features like hover sensors and having two operations open on one screen at the same time (both features of the Galaxy S4) are really dumb in comparison to even the features that the old iPhone 4 offers. The simplicity and sleek look, as well as the incredibly user friendliness of an iPhone trumps being able to personalize your widgets on an android.

Don't be silly, purchase an iPhone. period.

Also last week my dad was snooping on me and texting me regarding the fact I was once again at Target on find my friends (an apple exclusive app that locates your friends and family). I told him I was shopping, secretly wishing I actually was. But it was my second shift at Target Mobile. My feet felt like they were going to crumble beneath me from standing so long in brand new flats that offer zero support.

I am excited to finally be (or soon-to-be) educated about what is out there for cell phones. As well as how all the operating systems differ, what data is and what it means, the differences between 3G, 4G, and LTE, which still confuses me. But I feel like this job, probably the most simple of the electronics world, opens up many new opportunities for the future. I know all I need to know about restaurants for now; it was time to learn something new. It was time to dip my toes into the cyber world that my brothers and father gawk over daily.

So I picked this job, among a couple other offers I received, in the hopes of learning something completely new and to hopefully amuse my family. Who knew this girl would someday be the one who could upgrade her father to his newest iPhone. Or maybe I will deny him an upgrade and tell him he can no longer steal upgrades from his children's phone lines and has to wait his turn. But I live in Florida so the chances are unlikely.

One more thing regarding Target Mobile, if you are reading this and are interested in an upgrade, adding a line, starting a plan, or know someone who might be.. Tell them about Target Mobile. You WILL save oodles of money if you purchase your next upgrade through them, it is really unbeatable and in no way compromises your existing plan. Keep us in mind.

Moving on.

Like I said, this post is for dad. So here are a few pics of me and dad. I miss my family and home back in Colorado every day. Our father is a huge part of why our home and childhood was what is was. There was never a lack of adventure and mystery in our younger days. Dad was the disciplinary when his glasses came off and the biggest, warmest, chuckle and forced hug and prickly-faced kiss when the glasses went back on. Not one of his children would be as successful and prepared for this life without his constant care and love.

Most definitely going to miss this first christmas away from both my parents and the joy and love that they fill our Colorado home with.

Dad and Grandson Everett Schreiber

 

Merry Christmas Daddio

Ornament or Keepsake?

Earlier this week I was so lucky to be invited to an ornament exchange by a woman I had just met from church the evening before. I was so excited by the invitation, I will admit partially out of pure boredom, but more so because I was getting to finally be "in" on something. 

I feel like as newlyweds, we can be a bit ostracized after the big day… Michael and I didn't even have the chance to experience this as we moved states away less than a week after our wedding. So I don't even have people to call upon, I pretty much had to wait for someone to find me first. Thanks to our wonderful church and all the brilliant, friendly people who are members, I feel like Michael and I have been befriended much faster than we could have ever imagined. I am so thankful for this.

Back to this ornament exchange. 

I was invited on tuesday and it was to take place on friday evening. The task was to bring with you eight handmade ornaments (handmade is a loose term of course). We would then trade with each other and get to leave with eight new ornaments to don our trees with. Michael and I being so newly married, and this only being our second christmas together, needless to say our tree is bare and humble. So I was excited to participate. 

I quickly set to work on my ornaments… I decided first to go to a little home-maker shop I stumbled upon a few weeks ago for inspiration. I found this beautiful ornament that I wanted to recreate…

I already had the twine, so I picked up some styrofoam balls and the most similar (and affordable) sparkly jewel beading I could find. Hurried home and worked for an hour or so only to end up with numerous hot glue gun burns and this very sad replica…

Even Michael was having a hard time keeping a straight face while telling me that it looked good. So I scratched the whole idea and went back to the drawing board, a.k.a. Pinterest. I looked and looked… It had to be an ornament that was DIY and started with a styrofoam base. I found many cute things and finally settled with this one..

In my head I kept saying, "keep it simple" and I really thought this was simple. Supplies were just paper and pins, and the flower cutter would be an investment right? So the next morning I went out to buy more supplies. 

At the end of the day I sat down on the floor again to begin my ornaments. I even recruited michael to stamp out the flowers for me! He is so sweet and helpful.

At least another hour later I ended up with a very cute ornament, success!

 (I have no idea how or why that picture is playing tricks with the eyes! Crazy i-phones these days!)

I had to call it a night after just one. I attempted another one the next morning. My flower cutter stalled halfway through. This entire project was costing more than I imagined and taking much longer than I anticipated.. So back to the craft store I went. This time I was smarter. I chose new thinner paper and a larger flower cutter. Returned home and got to it. Just an hour before the party was to start I completed the final ornament. Each was a different variation in an effort to make it faster or easier, but each one took close to the same amount of time! Oh well, what is done is done. Here they are..

I even cut one styrofoam in half to make it quicker. 

I put them together in a shoe box and plated my scrumptious orange macaroons to share! Despite my ornament dilemma, I was still excited to participate and really hoped my flower balls were up to par.

 so yummy. 

 I was so grateful to meet a few new women from our ward and chat more with those whom I had already met. A fun time was had by all. 

We went around the room, each sharing a similar story of trial and error with their own ornaments. Then traded with one another. 

By definition an ornament is a thing used to make something look more attractive but usually having no practical purpose… What I received at this exchange was far from this definition. Yes, each one will make my tree more attractive but each also holds a sentiment. 

This year I would have to consider these new ornaments as keepsakes. Each one will remind me of this first christmas away from home. How I was welcomed and loved without question and better yet, given hand-made and heart-felt gifts. 

For christmases to follow, I know each ornament will don my tree as a simple reminder that this season isn't necessarily about making our lives more attractive with gifts and impractical toys (although fun), but reaching out to those with a loving smile and warm welcome. And remembering that a simple handmade parcel can sometimes mean more than any other gift wrapped under our trees. 

Let us dress our homes and trees with keepsakes as much as we can.

This particular woman really went out of her way to make this one specially for me!