Blame it on the SAD

I'm starting this post with a warning - I'm in a mood.

As I sit here in my living room, I look around with complete disgust.

I am usually VERY into the holidays.  As soon as I return to Indianapolis from my parent's home in Chicago (after Thanksgiving), I pull out the huge Rubbermaid bins of decorations at start turning my apartment into a winter wonderland.

Usually my home....with creative liberties.

There is one whole bin of ornaments and another that contains all kitchen stuff - that's right, I have different dishes for the holidays.  That doesn't even begin to tell you about all the stuff I have just for additional decoration.  I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS.

But this year has been strange.  There is none of the usual desire to pull everything out and decorate.  I know that I am going home for Christmas around the 17th, so that might be part of it.  Why decorate when I won't be here to enjoy it?  But even that doesn't seem normal for me.

So I blamed work - I've been busy!  But I don't know if that is really it either.  It seems that, much like the blog writing, I lack the motivation to actually do it.  The strange thing is that in terms of the "Pursuit of Happyness," I am actually happy.  And I still do many of the items on the list (even Nicole probably doesn't realize it!), but there are other things that make me happy outside of those.  The Christmas decorating just doesn't seem to be one of them.

I think there is probably the little voice in my head that wonders if it's because I'm lonely (a little) and there is really no one (besides Bo and Tucker) to decorate for.  I am not sure what the weird non-decorating desire comes from, but it's there.

Now - if you read yesterday, you know that I did actually brave the weather and a STAPLE GUN to decorate outside.  So I can't be completely void of Christmas spirit, right?  And I even put up a tree and put lights on it (and admittedly, the glow in the evenings as I read is quite nice).

I'm beginning to wonder if it's okay to blame it on SAD - you know, the disorder that stems from lack of sunlight and warmth?  I don't think I've ever had it, but this year, I think it's in full force.  At least that's my story.

Just Call Me Clark Griswold.

The gauntlet was thrown.

The community where I live sponsored a porch decorating contest.  Winner gets money off their January rent.

That speaks to me.  I love paying less - it's like a great sale on something I was buying anyways.

So I cornered my friend Tricia at work and asked her husband to put together a box of outdoor lighting necessities.  The following day I had 2 large boxes of lights, a staple gun, and a warning.

"Brian is worried."  That's what Tricia opened with.  Oh crap.

"I promise to be SO CAREFUL with your things.  Tell him I will be really, really cautious."  But guess what - that wasn't the concern.

"Brian is worried you are going to break yourself.  He sent a staple gun, and protective eyewear.  He's afraid you'll poke your eye out."

Valid concern, TI and BI.  Valid concern.

I actually wasn't concerned about it until I actually went out to decorate.  It was a cold and blowy Sunday, with lots of snow all over.  It had been a pretty good dusting the day before and I underestimated the height of my step stool.  That's right - I don't own a ladder (I live in a 770 sq. ft. apartment - you tell me where a ladder goes.). 

I also realized that I had operated a staple gun before, but never in icy conditions, outside, with electrical wires.  It sounded like a recipe for disaster for sure.  But I am plucky, and continued on with the determination that I was going to win at least ONE of the prizes.

It took about 1/4 of a strand before I realized that the bushes were really going to be in my way, and I moved to the inside of the porch.  This was the best decision I made all morning.  I was (slightly) sheltered from the weather and I was a little bit more flexible about my positioning of the step stool.  After I got one strand up, I decided that it wasn't enough, and I went with a second.

And then a third.

And then a little wrap around the middle pole.

I became Clark Griswold in a matter of minutes.  I couldn't get enough lights!  More lights!  Brighter!  Blinkier! Happier!

Okay - not quite.  But I did think they seemed sort of dim, so I continued the strand additions. 

*Note to future self: lights are not bright at 11am.  Lights are bright at 9pm.

I made a smart decision to stop - my hands were numb and I was out of outlets.  I had already reloaded the staple gun once (thank you iPhone and Google).  My toes were frozen.  So I waited patiently until evening to see my work in all of it's glory. 

And then I realized that a 747 may possibly land in my parking lot.

It's bright.  And it needs some garland or bows or SOMETHING.  And so maybe the right side is a little goofy (project for Saturday perhaps).  But you know what?  It's beautiful!  I did it all by myself.  I braved the weather and the step stool and the staple gun and I decorated outside my house.

I still have all of my fingers and eyes.  And I didn't blow a single fuse!  I don't even care about the prize - I am so darn proud. 

Okay, that's a lie.  I still want to win.

Lions & Tigers....& Spiders! Oh my!

In the process of everything that has been going on, I forgot to share that I had one of those "first" experiences that this blog is supposed to be about!  And besides that, this story really shows how much of a scaredy-cat I really am!

The other morning started out normally.  Wake up, walk the pups, shower, get ready for work.  Until I realized that sometime between walking the dogs and getting ready for work, a visitor had arrived in my apartment.  And it wasn't just any visitor...this one had 8 long legs, a disgusting body, and beady little eyes.

A SPIDER HAD ARRIVED.  And he certainly wasn't tiny.  In fact, it might have been the biggest spider I had ever seen.

Needless to say, I freaked out.  I absolutely HATE spiders.  I don't know why, but for as long I can remember they have been one of the things that I am the most scared of.  And for my whole life, someone has always been there to get rid of them.  My dad, my roommates, my boyfriend - all brave souls who made my world spider-free.

But now it's just me.  Tucker and Bobo proved to be useless, as I don't think they even noticed the intruder.  And as I was freaking out, the spider calmly moved to a location I could not reach him.  I missed my chance!  So as I finished getting ready, I would continually check on where I *thought* the spider was.  I was terrified he was poisonous (yes - it was that big), so I googled the first chance I got.  Of course, the images freaked me out, and that journey was short lived.  I am hoping that he escaped out however he got in, and the dogs will scare him from coming back!

So - what does a girl do now?  I don't know!  One of his little friends arrived later that night, and he met immediate death thanks to a good flip-flop.  Hopefully he shouted a warning to others venturing this way.  That should keep them away, right?  I also promptly purchased some Ortho Home Defense.  You'd better believe I stayed up late spraying that stuff.  Try getting in now, suckers.

It's A Dog's Life

If you know me (as in, we have chatted for more than 7 minutes), you know that a big part of my life are my children (i.e. my dogs).  I am pretty sure that I am probably one of those annoying people that talk about their dogs at random times, act like they are people (doesn't your dog like certain tv shows?), and make life decisions and plans around their schedule.

I get it - I'm like a cat lady.  But with dogs.

However, no matter your opinion on it, it is what it is.  And they are a huge part of my life.  So moving was definitely a big concern.  Would it ruin their routine?  Could they handle being in their crate for a whole workday?  Would they understand that they could no longer just run out the doggy door to the backyard? 

**The answer is no.  Tucker ran into the sliding glass door twice.  He's adorable, but I am concerned about the brain damage....

9 days in - how do I feel?  Well, pretty good actually.  They are doing great (although I hope that my neighbors feel the same way).  They seem to be adjusting to our new walking schedule, they love the dog park on site, and I think that Bo gets a kick out sitting in one chair and seeing me in most of the house (perk of a 1 bedroom apartment).  For all the worrying I did, they seem to be okay.

Is it weird that I devoted a whole post to them?  Maybe.  But what I am discovering in this journey is that I have a lot of "things" in my life, but not a lot of ideas about how I prioritize them.  My other fear?  Coming home to no one.  But what is always important to me, and always excited to see me as I walk in the door?  Bo and Tucker.

Moving Day!

Well, I think the title says it all!  Today was Moving Day!  But let's back up a little....

My mom and dad arrived on schedule and were angels sent from Parents 'R Us.  Dad waited for the cable/internet guy, put together a new coffee table (pictured) and 2 new end tables, and moved box after box to the garbage or Goodwill.  Mom was a master packer and got my kitchen packed in a matter of hours.  (There was a reason I didn't do anything in there...)  And together they spoiled me and took me out to dinner!

Saturday arrived with....RAIN.  I couldn't believe it.  Just as I was trying to figure out how to keep most of my possessions dry, the skies opened up and cleared!  And, thanks to the manly men helping me move (Vince, Alex, David, and my Dad), we literally got the truck packed, moved, and unpacked in 90 minutes.  Not kidding - it was pretty much what felt like a world record. 

So, here I am....Saturday night and pretty much moved in.  My bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom are completely setup.  My living room is setup, with boxes surrounding it with all the stuff I haven't quite found a home for yet.  The dogs will arrive home tomorrow, and get then they will get to explore their new home for the first time.  The panic I was feeling a few days ago about all my "stuff" has started to go away.  I think it *might* all actually fit!

I'm exhausted - so pictures will have to wait.  I kind of want to get rid of more boxes before the apartment's big reveal!