Dogs...

...are hard to train.

But, we are taking the first big step and we enrolled Bruce Wayne in dog training. We're going to Petco every Sunday to work on his 'problem habits'.

Problem Habits include: jumping, barking, leash walking, stealing, listening and probably 10 more things I'm forgetting.

I used to make excuses for him and say "he's just a puppy... he doesn't know any better" BUT I woke up on his 1st birthday and everything changed. Suddenly, I wanted to do anything I could to fix his rotten behavior. Which of course means fixing our behavior.

Dan has never had a dog before. I had two family shih tzu's growing up. Molly and Dixie must have been trained by the owners that had them before they came to add love to our family.

So, we both were clueless on how to train a dog. We succeeded at the potty training - he hasn't had an accident in over 6 months. Thanks to Dan and his dedication to walking the superhero every morning.

We all had our first training yesterday and I feel like we have the tools to correct his behavior and turn his bad habits around.

I walked him this afternoon and didn't yell at him or get frustrated once. Not once. Dan, I know you're shocked.

Also, he stole a sock this morning as I was folding laundry and I was able to get the sock away without getting frustrated because I knew what to do with him. Again, Dan, I know you're shocked.

So, maybe the dogs are easy to train and people are stubborn. Either way, we are committed to make this work and teach him the right way to act. I know every day won't be roses but, we love Bruce Wayne and we're all going to work at this.

Toodles.

Dolphins

So I took this pictures in DECEMBER. And I am THAT bad at posting pictures and adding them to my computer.

Oh well, These are the Top 5 pictures from that day. It was a beautiful day and we were so lucky to see all of these dolphins right next to the boat.

Our family was in from Iowa and I'm so glad they got to see these dolphins this close too!!

(also, this is the first time I'm adding pictures to my blog. Experiment!

Today I said the B word.

Budget.

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not adverse to cursing, but this B word is the most ugly word in the dictionary. Well, behind moist, that is a gross word.

Today I succumbed to the reality that is home ownership at 24. No more cash. (Don't worry, Mom, it will work out). At this time last year I thought being on a budget meant only shopping once a month... and only having around 150$ to do so... OHO I was WRONG.

Confession: I haven't shopped in 6 months. The last thing I bought was an outfit for New Years Eve (and I still wear that $20 dress well!) and a pair of Jack Rogers *cue noise of the heavens*. But, even for the sandals I had won some cash at work that covered it.

Confession: This is killing me. I love shopping.

Fact: I can win this. The emails that I get from my favorite stores (Pottery Barn, J. Crew, Anthropologie etc.) make me think that I could splurge juuuust a little bit. So, I head to their websites and 'OOOH and AHHH' over the fabulous colors and imagining the textures. I add things to my online shopping cart and then I.... EXIT THE SITE. I know that in my mind I have splurged to allow myself to choose items I know "I can't live without" and then I leave. And guess what, I could not tell you 24 hours later what was in those carts. But alas, I have fed my shopping bug and then he flies home to his nest (out of my wallet!).

So onto my budget. I have declared, outloud so it's real, that my budget is... Groceries and Gas. That's it. Everything else isn't necessary. Well, we are out of toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner... so, I may already have to bend the rules a little. But a girl has got to shower!

I am so lucky to be 24, a homeowner and debt free. I have zero credit card debt. And it's because I am crazy about paying off my credit card each month. I will not let it carry a balance. I am so glad my parents taught me that valuable lesson when I was younger (and probably rolling my eyes).

Mom and Dad, Thank you for teaching me this lesson and telling me horror stories about how people didn't know they had to pay the balance ever. Thank you for doing this through the eye rolls, shoulder shrugs and text messages. I heard you. And, most importantly, I listened.

I am now on my GG budget (so it at least sounds cute) until further notice. Please don't ask me to have dinner with you... I will say yes and then cancel. (Same theory as the online shopping... at least I could say yes briefly)

Tonight from the grocerie: Flank steak stuffed with mozzarella cheese and cauliflower smash. Hey, if I'm going to be on the GG budget... I'm going to shop the Publix sales that I LIKE.

Toodles.

well, it's 2012 now

Thought I would start this bad boy back up... much to my readers happiness (Hi, Mom and Dad).

I suppose I could start with all of the things that have changed since my last post. But, where do I start?

• I am gainfully employed in Tampa
• I own a house in Tampa
• I have a puppy named Bruce Wayne (he is almost a year old)
• I have the best boyfriend on the planet, Dan

That's enough for now because... WE'RE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!

and my swollen lymph nodes are preventing my brain from operating at full capacity.

New job, new title

My boss told me I'm in charge of porta-potties this year.

Guess I'm big shit now, heh

Didn't you know that I'm famous?

Yep.

(DISCLAIMER: THIS POST IS NOT FOR THE OCD. Mom, you might have a heart attack)

Well, ok. Not really. But I could have been on an episode of Hoarders this week. I was, just without the video cameras... Which is a shame really because Traci and I had some great commentary for the loads of crap we hauled.

So. We got sent to Lake City with one of our bosses to help that staff person to clean and organize their supply closet. Easy enough we think, oh sure, we'll be back by lunch time. HA! Big FAT Ha!

The trash was unbelievable.

Piled to our waists. And the "supply closet" aka trash can was One in One out. (Now, no one likes One in One out, especially at the bar, but it might be worse when its somethin you have to clean)

So out went the 1997 employee handbooks. And the statistics from 2001. And the random carriage. And 2 bags stuffed full of Santa hats. And used nail files (BAGS OF THEM!). And Old decorations. And a box of pita chips. And broken glass (not a fun surprise). And old pictures of people wearing 'awesome' clothing.

30 bags of trash and 4 hours later we had a nearly empty closet.

Then it was time to organize and actually use the shelves (novel concept) So Traci and I spent our time labeling and boxing up things that ACTUALLY went together!! (placemats with placemats not old christmas lights!)

We had fun giggling about all the stuff this woman "NEEDED!!!" but ended up getting coerced into throwing away anyways.

Made us grateful for our clean offices and being able to keep things organized and clean. (yes mom and dad, I said I was organized and clean. That room at your house is my evil,messy twin.)

So, Out with the old and in with the new!!

And boy do we wish we had a before and after photo... just imagine hoarders minus the cat bodies. (thank god)

Happy Spring Cleaning!!

Savin' Babies!

So, I haven't blogged since I quit my job :) :) and nothing exciting was happening in my life between school and 2 internships in the fall...

But, I'm back!

And, better than ever, I think.

Now I'm interning Full Time (YIKES!) for the March of Dimes and I LOVE IT!!!!

I have my own little desk, that I share with the postage machine and the phone (that we all avoid) in an office that all the Communications Interns share (Hi Traci!).

I work 9-5 and I could not love it more. I thought I would like work more than school and turns out I was right on! Even though my alarm goes off at 7:45 everyday. I just 100% despise school. Sure, I think its neccessary and everyone should go to college and get a degree and do well in school but, holy hell am I glad to be done turning in papers and bubbling in scantrons. I also love having a constant thing to do, like go to work at the same time everyday rather than "hmmm class isnt until 11:45...." "I guess I'll study"

I guess this is good news for my future. I know it makes my parents happy that I would rather work.

Plus!!!! Soon I will make money instead of just spend it!

Thinking about my schooling coming to an end and graduating does make me a little sad sometimes. I have had the time of my life at UF and I honestly think I can say I experienced all aspects that it had to offer me. I love my major and I love what I learned, I loved my professors, I loved my dorm roommates and living in the dorm (when I don't think about the rat infestation :( ) I love my sorority sisters and having that home away from home, I love the internships I've been able to have and my bosses. I loved not being far from my fun-loving parents. I loved Bright Futures for paying my way.

Being a gator definitely helped make me who I am and I'm so blessed to have gotten the college experience I did. And hey, those national championships didn't hurt either.

So now I will enjoy my last semester to the FULLEST and try not to think about leaving the best friends I've ever had.

Who knows where the future will take me but I'm up for the adventure!!