Dear Monday

Writing some letters to start the week with Megan!

Dear Monday, So we meet again.

Dear January, Where did you go?

Dear Riley, I cannot believe you a two years old!  I feel like you were a brand new baby just last week.  Now look at you!

Dear World's Most Horrible Toddler & Tiara Contestant, You are a horrid, horrid child... Regardless of how entertaining you may be.  I blame your mother.

"... A dollar makes me holla, honey boo boo..!"

Dear Blog, Hard to believe you and I will be celebrating our first year together very soon.

Dear Hubby, Recently we've been partaking in a few Wife Swap episodes in the evenings.  I must say, it is both weird and awesome at the same time.  Please do not ever sign us up for a Wife Swap.

Wishing everyone a great week!!

Take Luck,

LP 

Previous Life?

I have never been one to really believe in reincarnation or that we all were maybe someone (or something!) else in a previous life.

Until yesterday.

I got a call from my father-in-law, Danny yesterday afternoon just before going to pick up Ryan from work.  He sounded very excited.

He asked if I was busy, and if I could check Ryan's email for a picture they had just sent to him.

I said that I didn't know Ryan's password, but he would be home soon and I would have him check as soon as we were settled.

I asked what all the fuss was about and Danny explained that he had been watching a little Pure History documentary on submarines in Pearl Harbor and the day of the attack in 1941.

He said that during the documentary they showed a picture that was taken two hours before the bombing started, and something about the picture had given him the chills.  He said that there was someone in this photo that we would recognize.

My father-in-law isn't much of a jokester, so I felt like his excitement and story was legit.  In the back of my mind, I thought - "This is probably a joke and it's probably President Obama's face doctored in somewhere."

So on my way to pick up Ryan and while we were driving home, I was going over countless scenarios in my head on what this picture could possibly be of and if we would really recognize this person who stood out so much to Danny.  As soon as we got home, we opened up the email and saw this picture:

 

I think all of you (unless you are new) know what my Hubby, Ryan looks like by now.

If you can't tell from the picture, he (well, him in his previous 1941 life) is standing in the front row of this picture in the bottom right corner.

What.  The.  Heck?!

Crazy, right?!

The sailor's head looks gigantic (because there is another sailor standing behind him), and his nose is bigger, but everything else is a spittin' image of Ryan!

Since yesterday afternoon we have both been bringing up this picture and how crazy the likeness between the two is.

Who the heck is this guy?  I wish there was someway we could find out.

Anyway, you may not be as fascinated by this as we are (and understandably so!) but I knew I had to share this.

I'd love to hear if you think this sailor looks as similar to Ryan as I do!

Take Luck,

LP

Fill in the Blank Friday

Friday is here at last, here at last!!

Linking up with new mom, Lauren for Fill in the Blank Friday.

[1] My favorite place I've ever traveled to is St. Lucia.

[2] Anywhere in Europe is somewhere I would like to go someday.

[3] I pass the time on a plane (or bus, or car ride or train) by reading, listening to music, or sleeping.  I can sleep anywhere.

[4] My three must-haves when I travel are my itinerary, iPod, and Nook.

[5] My favorite travel companion is my Hubby, Ryan.

[6] The craziest thing that ever happened while traveling was when I was trying to fly home one Christmas from college.  My flight home to Seattle kept getting delayed and delayed due to weather, and ultimately cancelled.  I went to the ticket-counter-lady and was emotional/crying (works every time), it struck a Mommy-cord in her so she put me on a different flight.  However, this flight was horrible.  We landed safely in Seattle, but I do not know how.  It was the most turbulent and unbalanced landing ever.  I debated kissing the ground when I stepped in the terminal, but I was still trying to keep from peeing my pants.

[7] The most exotic food I've ever tried while traveling is chicken creole in St. Lucia.

Wishing everyone a great weekend!!

Take Luck,

LP

Dear Monday

Monday, already? Gah.

Here are some Dear Monday letters with Megan!

Dear Monday, Other than my wicked cramps, you weren't so bad.  We'll see how I feel about you once class starts tonight.  Bleh.

Dear Brock & Sonny, Watching you play with each other (like you are right now) makes me giggle and warms my heart.

Dear Friends, I got several random texts from you today and with each chirp of my phone, I was reminded of how lucky I am have gotten to spend time with you in college, playing the game we love, and growing relationships that are still strong. 

Dear Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, You were without a doubt one of the strangest books I've ever read.  The story line was really interesting and hooked me, but the way you were written was hard to read, and sometimes hard to follow.  I persevered and conquer you!  I know the movie is going to be a tear. jerker.

Source

Dear Honey Bunches of Oats, I cannot tell you how proud I am of you for how hard you've been working.  You were dead asleep last night at 6:30, and it was precious.

Hope everyone has a fantastic week!

Take Luck,

LP

Oh, to be Three

I got to spend some time with my favorite three-year old yesterday, my niece, Kennedy.

Not only is she the cutest bug in the world, but she is hysterical.

She came in our house and plopped down on the couch and asked me, "Do you have a baby?"

Our conversation went something like this:

Kennedy: Do you have a baby?

Me: Uh, what? (Thinking to myself, she's never asked me anything like this before...)

Kennedy: Do you have a baby?

Me: Have you ever seen Uncle Ryan and me with a baby?

Kennedy: No.  Do you have one?

Me: No, babe.  We don't have a baby.

Kennedy: Is your baby sleeeeping?

Good grief.

When driving to pick up her favorite person, Uncle Ryan from work - she knew all the songs on  KISS 106.1.

She also told me, "Burt gets mad at me."

I asked why Burt gets mad at her.

Kenny said, "'Cuz he's got a crack in his butt."

And she immediately followed-up with, "I can run really fast."

And then, "I can jump really high."

I was laughing really hard, trying to stay focused on the road, and she was in her seat - totally straight faced.

We came home and watched 'Spicable Me (Despicable Me) and The Little Mermaid.

She thought Ariel was so beautiful, and that Ursula the Sea Witch had big boobies.

Oh, to be three-years old again.

I love her.

Take Luck,

LP

When Ryan's Tired

Ryan has been working 10's for the last two weeks, including weekends.

We've been getting lots and lots of rest, but still, the 10 hours of physical labor makes Ryan tired at the end of the day.

When Ryan's tired, some funny things happen.  

[1] He tells his co-worker, "I love yo... You aren't my wife" when parting for the day.

[2] He sends me a text in the middle of the day today asking, "Are you at work?"  This is after I told him twice yesterday, and once this morning while driving him into work that today was my regular day off.  Sheesh!

[3] He tries to dry his wet steel-toe boots in the dryer, even after I insist that it's a bad idea.  Instead of trying to argue and reason with him, I let him do what he wanted.  They clunked and clunked for about 30 seconds before I said, "Your boots are going to break the dryer."  His response was, "My Mom used to dry our shoes in the dryer all the time."  I zinged back, "Yes, I'm sure she did.  But did she dry steel-toed boots in the dryer?"  Then, as if on cue, the dryer stopped drying.  

I win.  

Ryan then placed his boots in front of the base board heat.

[4] Again with the drying.  His water proof jacket (made of nylon and polyester) turned out to be not-so-water proof and he wanted to make sure it's dry before tomorrow morning.  He says, "I'm going to throw this in the dryer."  I said, "I don't think that's a good idea, but if you insist (again, I didn't want to argue) - put it on low heat and only for a few minutes.  The jacket will melt."  He didn't believe me.  I asked for the jacket, and read the laundry/care instructions on the tag where it explicitly stated: DO NOT PUT IN THE DRYER.

I win, again.

and [5] He answers a phone call from his cousin, "Hey babe... Dammit!" (giving me quite the chuckle) and continues to tell him about [1].

He is working this weekend, anywhere from 12-18 hours a day.

I can't wait to hear what comes out of his mouth after those long days.

Better him than me!!

I must say I'll take weird and stubborn over grouchy and crabby-panties any day.

Take Luck,

LP

Winter Wonderland

I was awoken this morning by two things.

The first was the sound of my iPhone ding-a-ling-ing, letting me know I had a text message.  At 4:12 am.  A whole 8 minutes before my alarm was to go off.  I hate that.

The second was my sweet husband hopping out of bed and drawing back the curtains in our bedroom, and proceeded to shake me and say, "You better come see this!"

Snow, snow and more snow!

In case you were wondering, the 4:12 text message was an automated message from our command saying that due to the weather, there would be a two-hour delay.

Hallelujah!

Ryan and his crew are considered "essential" at work, so he had to go in regardless of the status of his command.  He says that he's essential, but I think they all just say that to boost their egos.

After I drove him in and made it safely back home (I love our Subaru Forester!), I plopped down on the couch with my sweet (Sonny) and gassy (Brock) pups and waited.

I was waiting for another update from our command station that the base would be closed due to the weather.  My wait was over at 7:30.

Another, hallelujah!

Once it got light enough, I grabbed my camera and stepped outside to capture the snow.  There's something about the snow falling that is magical.  It seems like the world sort of stops and it gets very quiet, and peaceful.

Perfect snow temperature

Hummingbird feeder

Ryan's lawn mowing shoes... Oops

Brock's big paw prints

View from our doorstep

Tree bark

Fallen branch

Boots on!

So far, its been a glorious morning.  My heart is happy, and I love sitting here just watching the snow fall peacefully outside... While Brock lays next to me snoring.

Take Luck,

LP

Dear Monday

Another Monday, and I'm enjoying being at home.  Hooray!

Here are some Monday letters with Megan.

Dear Monday, I thoroughly enjoy spending you with my bum on the couch and watching snow fall outside... Versus sitting on my bum at work and wanting to rip my hair out.

Dear Snow, I love you.  You make my heart very happy.  Now enough with the flurries and dusting.  I want some accumulation!

Dear Chocolate Covered Pomegranates, You are delicious.  And may prove to be the death of my waistline.

Dear Crock Pot, I made chili in you last night and it reminded me that I don't use you and your glorious-ness nearly enough.

Dear Fellow Dog Walkers at Lions Park, I know you feel sorry for me when you see me walking our crazy pups.  But, if I hear "Who's walking who?" "You sure are getting your exercise!" or "Boy, he looks strong!" one more time... I'll probably just keep smiling and laughing with you.  Geesh.

Dear Hubby, You had to work 10's this whole weekend.  I am so proud of you for working so hard and doing it without complaining (or whining like a little girl).  You are superman!

 Happy Monday, folks!

Take Luck,

LP

Fill in the Blank Friday

Another Friday is here and you'll hear no complaints from me!

Filling in some blanks with Lauren!

[1] The last thing I ate was a bowl of Special K Red Berry cereal.

[2] The last song I listened to was Hurt So Good by John Mellancamp.

[3] Using the letters in my name I can spell [Lauren] run, ran, lure, lunar, are, ear, urn, lane, real, near, learn, lean... I'm tired.

[4] If I had to dress in one color for the rest of my life I would pick purple.  Green.  No, purple.  OK, green.  Hopefully I'm never truly faced with this decision.

[5] If you were to look in my bag right now you'd find an Erin Condren planner, my wallet, chapstick, throat lozenges, keys, and some gloves.

[6] When I finish filling in the blanks I'm going to grab a fleecey blanket, my puppies, and curl up into a ball on the couch.

[7] My all time favorite song to dance to is Thriller (Michael Jackson) and Can't Touch This (MC Hammer).  Apparently I'm indecisive today.

Wishing everyone a fabulous Friday and weekend!!

Fingers and toes are still crossed for snow in the PNW!!

Take Luck,

LP

Thursday Thoughts

Linking up with my real life friend, Sar for Thursday Thoughts.

[1] I have been feeling funky with a headache, sore throat, and aching ears since last Thursday.  I would have thought by now that it would all go away on its own with Tylenol, rest, and being drowned by orange juice and tea.  But no.  I'm now debating on whether or not to go to the Urgent Care clinic or not.  Stay, or go?  Stay, or go?  I just don't know.

[2] While watching TV last night, Ryan and I happened to see a commercial for a financial company that advertised unsecured lending amount of $5,000.  Of course it declared hassle-free help and other things to lure customers.  I happened to look at the fine print, which read 116.78% APR.  We aren't in any need of an unsecured loan, mind you.  But good grief!  We were both speechless.

[3] I am really hoping that the weather man doesn't let me down this weekend and next week.  They are calling for snow in the lowlands and at sea level.  This lady is keeping her fingers and toes crossed, and making her husband cross his too.

[4] Last night I watched the movie As Good as it Gets.  I couldn't stop staring at Jack Nicholson's eyebrows. 

[5] I'm itching for a craft-tastic project.

[6] This week I've been taking my dearest into work at 5 am.  That's early.  I don't get to my desk and start working until 5:30.  I'm finding that my brain doesn't function so great at that hour and it takes me longer to get things done.  I'm really happy that tomorrow is Friday.

[7] Did I mention that I'm really happy tomorrow is Friday?

Take Luck,

LP

10 on 10: January 2012

10 on 10: 10 pictures on the 10th day of the month!

Document a snapshot of your life & find beauty among the ordinary things in your day!

Ahh, another 10 on 10.  I get so excited when I remember to do this.  It's kind of silly.

Open Road - Heading into work on the open road much too early.

Big Check - Cashing my big check from a Wells Fargo class action suit.  Thanks, a lot!

Walking Shoes - Taking a lunch time stroll with my co-worker, Peggy Ann.  We look sexy in our walking shoes and business attire.

Happy Shadows - Peggy Ann and I are now off work (hallelujah!) and enjoying the warm sunshine.  You can't tell - but we are smiling really big.

It's time for a walk with the crazy puppies.  They cried/whimpered the entire (3 minute) drive to the park.

Sun on the Water - I couldn't resist the sun flare and reflection off the bay.

Frothy - I told you Brock gets frothy.  He may (or may not) have frightened some small children today.

Court - I couldn't resist more sun flare.  The puddles on the basketball court were just a bonus.

Sunny Sonny - She loves climbing up on logs and barking at the birds.  Last of the sun flares, I promise.

Hot Mess - Yup, that's me.  I was certainly a hot mess after my two pups were finished walking me.  Yes, I said they were walking me.

Clean - They both needed baths.  Badly.  Sonny was the only one of the two who would sit still long enough for proof.

Here's to hoping that I can get my shiz together and participate in February!

Take Luck,

LP

Dear Monday

Another Monday, here already.  Linking up with Megan for Dear Monday letters!

Dear Monday, You + 4:15am alarm = Not cool.

Dear How I Met Your Mother, The Hubs and I started watching you  from the very beginning this weekend.  I must say - I like you. 

Dear Throat, Please. Stop. Hurting.  I happen to like eating.  And swallowing.

Dear "Heaven is for Real," I loved reading Colton's sweet story.

Dear Kennedy & Riley, We spent some time together on Saturday and you requested that I build you a fork.  It took me awhile to figure out what the heck you meant.  The chairs, pillows, and blankets were the pieces to the fork puzzle.  Between fork (fort) and puker (computer), you two are just the cutest ever.

Dear Hubby, A few days ago I was singing.  A sizzling show tune, I'm sure.  You said, "Please sing something else."  I transitioned into Lady Gaga's "Marry the Night" and got as far as, "I'm gonna maarrrryy... The niiiiiiight!" and realized that was all of the song I knew.  I then said, "Darnit!  I don't know this song!"  And you said, "Great.  Sing that one!"  Your wit and honesty is something that I (mostly) love about you.

Happy Monday, people!

Take Luck,

LP

Homeward Bound

You may (or may not) recall that I watched some emotion-charged movies that made me weepy.  The difference between that and this experience I am about to share, is that then - I knew what I was getting myself into.

Yesterday, an oldie but goodie Netflix came in the mail.

Source

Yep, Homeward Bound.

I watched this movie countless times when I was younger.  Who doesn't love talking animals?  I asked Ryan if he was interested in watching it with me - and shockingly enough, he wasn't.  I went in the bedroom to curl up with my puppies and relive some childhood memories.

I soon realized that Chance (voiced by Michael J. Fox) is a boxer.  I guess I had never really paid much attention to the breed of dog he was before, and now that we own a boxer - I was surprised and even more excited to watch the movie!

Source

It didn't take long for me to be laughing out loud at the behavior/personality of Chance, but especially the voice-over and the things that Chance/Michael J. Fox was saying.  I was laughing because I could totally see Brock acting, speaking (if he could speak, ha!) or thinking like Chance.

Well.  The laughing out loud quickly turned into a huge lump in my throat, and every time Chance would do/say something that reminded me of Brock - my chin would quiver, the lump would rise, and tears would well up in my eyes.

At the rate I was going - I knew that I needed to totally fast forward through the (almost) end when Shadow falls into the muddy hole.

I made it to the end.  When all are reunited.

Commence ugly crying, lip and chin quivering, and both Brock and Sonny looking at me like I was a blubbering lunatic.

Wait...?

At that point I was really happy that I was watching this sans Hubby - because I would have never lived this moment down.

After I regained some composure, I came out into the living room all sniffle-y with tear soaked cheeks, said, "I'm never watching this movie again," and made a mental note to add Homeward Bound to my list of tear jerkers.

Take Luck,

LP

Fill in the Blank Friday

It's Friday!  Time to fill in some blanks with Lauren.

[1] One of my favorite things to do when I have free time is absolutely nothing.  I love curling up on the couch or in bed with a snuggly blanket, puppies, Hubby and a book or the laptop.

[2] When I have free time I tend to find things to make it so my "free time" is occupied by studying, cleaning, organizing, or some other domestic-goddess duty - instead of curling up on the couch or in bed with a snuggly blanket, puppies, Hubby and a book or the laptop.

[3] If I had an entire day completely to myself I would sleep in, soak in a bubble bath, read a book, drink a vanilla latte, have lunch at Panera Bread Co., take an afternoon nap, watch a "chick flick" or two, bake, and eat ice cream.  Lots of mint chocolate chip ice cream.

[4] I would prefer to spend my free time (alone or with others...) Both.  I love spending my free time with Ryan or friends and family, but sometimes I really do enjoy spending some free time alone.

[5] Most of my free time happens on my Fridays off and the weekends.  Glorious, glorious days!

[6] The best thing about free time is it's free!  You can do whatever you want.

[7] The next time I have free time I should probably soak it up and enjoy being "bored" but I'll probably keep myself busy with something... And then regret it later.

Hoping everyone has a weekend full of relaxing free time!

Take Luck,

LP

Dear Monday

Monday, again?  I seemed to have spaced-out last Monday and forgot to write these letters with Megan.  I think I was hungover on Christmas joy or something.

Dear Monday, Today marked the third Monday in a row that I have gotten to stay home instead of go to work.  I have loved every minute of you.  Perhaps a little too much.

Dear Brock, For the last several days you have been following me everywhere.  Everywhere.  I love you, but a lady needs a little privacy when using the bathroom.

Dear Naked House, You have been officially de-Christmassed.  The tree is gone, decorations have been put away, and the lights are off the house.  I am already looking forward to next year and basking in your glory.

Dear Bossypants, I have really enjoyed you.  I think Tina Fey and I could be friends.

Source

Dear Coffee-Date Friends, It was wonderfully lovely to catch up with you last week.  It reminds me that there is a reason that you have stayed in my life after all these years.  Hooray!

Dear Hubby, All I can say is that I love you to the moon.  And around our block.  Twice.

Take Luck,

LP

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

Even now that it's here - I am still having a hard time grasping the fact that it is now 2012.

Ca-razy.

We didn't get too wild last night.  Shocking, I know.

We had a nice dinner with friends, and then welcomed the new year at our house with games and lots of belly laughter.

Ringing in the New Year - Peters style

So, I've come up with a list of New Year's Resolutions and New Year's Goals.  And I thought if I wrote them out like this (versus just keeping them as a note in my iPhone) I may hold myself a little more accountable.

I made them two separate lists because I feel that while all resolutions are goals, not all goals are resolutions.  Hopefully that makes the same sense to you as it does me.  If not, whatev.

2012 New Year's Resolutions

- Walk the puppies at least 4 days per week

- Drink more water

- Drink less soda

- Attend newlife church services as regularly as possible

- Plan meals for each week prior to grocery shopping on Sundays

- Take more photographs/pictures

- Take advantage of hiking in the area

- Take vitamins everyday

- Paint fingernails

(I painted my nails red (Ruby Ruby) last night for NYE and loved/love it.  I can't help but feel a little sassy with red fingernails!)

- Make the most of each day

- Be thankful/grateful every day

- Make sure Ryan feels loved and appreciated each day

2012 New Year's Goals

- Start a family

- Complete two semesters (three classes) of graduate program so I will then be 90% finished

- Put a certain (to be determined) amount of moo-la each month into savings

- Accomplish a major-ish renovation on our house (i.e. new roof, new counter-tops and cabinets)

We'll see how these all pan out.

At church this morning, while writing out our prayer requests on our information card, I was a little stumped.  So, I wrote out some brief (and broad) statements:

- Start our family

- Make smart financial decisions

- Love and respect each other

- Health and safety of us and family/friends

Ryan whispered that he had a "good" one to write down.  He doesn't usually write anything down so I was very curious what this request may be.  I half expected him to write down, "I pray that Albert Pujols will be the worst mistake the Anaheim Angels ever made!"  But, when he gave me back the card, it said:

"I need to make eye contact with my Wife when we are having discussions."

How sweet and honest was that?  More honest than sweet, but still!

Before putting our card in the bucket, I wrote (Amen!) after Ryan's addition.

******

Did you make any New Years resolutions or goals this year?

Take Luck,

LP