For Kandi Puppy

I'd like to dedicate this post to my dog Kandi. In honor of all the joy she brought to my family.

We brought Kandi home on a sunny day in early June of 2000. I was an (almost) 12 year old, anxious to play with my first 'real' pet. (I put real in quotations because our family has had an odd assortment of animals in the past. The most noteworthy were Betty and Bobby the freshwater clams that my dad dug up out of our stream, so we had pets for pet day at daycare. I'm serious.)

We adopted Kandi from a kennel a few miles from our house. Her owner dropped her off on a cold, rainy evening and never returned for her. Kandi was timid and shy - a result, we believe, of being beaten by her previous owners. In short, Kandi had quite a sad background. However, our family, equiped with lots of love, was more than ready and willing to give her a new home.

Kandi had a beautiful redish coat that glowed in the sunshine. She was a mix of an Irish setter and golden retriever. She fit in well our family from the beginning. She always seemed to have a smile on her face, and a rapidly wagging tail. Her friendly bark welcomed all who entered our driveway.

I'd take her for walks up and down the streets surrounding my house. I can still hear her nails clipping on the pavement and her faint panting as we walked along. She enjoyed puppy treats and cheese and pretzels - often given to her by my mom. We all loved Kandi, but she loved my dad the most. Her loyalty to him melted all our hearts.

Kandi was always a good sport and played happily with all our other pets. She would sit nose-to-nose with Pudgy our bunny. She would snuggle with Patches our cat. She didn't even fuss when Gary the cat batted at her tail.

It has been almost three weeks since she passed away, and our house is empty without her. At 12 years old, she lived a good, long doggy life. She is buried in our field under a tree, so she will always be home...right where she belongs.

We miss you, Kandi.

Love always,

Your Family xoxo

Kids Say the Darndest Things

I had the most entertaining conversation at my place of employment this afternoon. My boss and his wife have an adorable-6-year-old-firecracker of a daughter. She generally comes in after she gets off the school bus and brings lots of crumbs and smiles to my office.

Today, I was getting ready to leave. She attached herself to my leg and wouldn't let go. I explained that I had to get going home. The rest of the conversation is as follows:

ME: K, I have to get home soon. My mom is expecting me.

K: Mom? You're a mom?

ME: No, no I'm not a mom.

K: But you're at work.

I had to smile because K thought that I must be a mom or 'grownup' since I was working. Her innocent expression absolutely melted my heart.

Also, it made me realize that I must make monies and move out of parents house because, as K sort of pointed out, 'grownups' don't live with their mommies.

Random Things That Make Me Happy: Part 2

Time for the second installment of RTTMMH. In this post's addition, I address this random thing that makes me happy: daydreaming about my future.

I've noticed recently (and I've been doing it for ages) I spend a lot of time inside my own head. My mind plays a continuous loop of thoughts. This loop of thoughts contains life moments like me picking out complicated Swedish furniture at Ikea for my first apartment, me jumping up and down after signing a huge client, or me kissing an attractive stranger under a starry sky.

I read somewhere that a way to achieve success is to picture yourself doing said thing you want to become successful at. In that case, I should be kicking back in new digs and rolling around in a giant pit of money while a handsome stranger waits to slip a sparkling Harry Winston diamond on my finger.

I would like to point out that none of this has happened....yet. Still, I can't help but smile when thinking about all the things I have yet to experience. I'm young. Technically, the above scenario could happen. Is there a one in a billion chance? Well, probably. However, I get off on daydreaming, so don't burst my bubble.

Pessimists would tell me I'm certifiably insane and that I should spend more time with my feet on the ground and less time with my head in the clouds. Yes, but I don't know if you've spent much time around here on Earth. It's kind of depressing, you know, with the recession and rising gas prices and corrupt government and everything. Life is much better in Allison land where everyone rides unicorns bathes in champagne waterfalls and meets men with good taste in jewelry.

Oh there I go daydreaming again! But wasn't that fun? I rest my case for part deux of RTTMMH.

Swoon Playlist

I want to sip a glass of red wine, light a candle, and listen to this song.

Ladies and Gentleman: Diana Krall, The Look of Love. Go grab your sweetheart and take a listen.

Growing Pains

Taylor Swift sings...

I'll be strong, I'll be wrong, oh but life goes on
I'm just a girl, trying to find a place in this world

Amen, Taylor. Amen.

I think I have things together, and then I realize I have nothing together. Do grownups ever really have it 'together?' Or is that a facade that we believe as children? Maybe the idea of 'together-ness' isn't reality?

In any case, I'm trying to get all the pieces of this life puzzle to fit. It's really hard. They don't warn you about this shit in college. Of course, what was I thinking? That I was going to leave campus with a diploma and a magical unicorn spewing fairy dust was going to pick me up and carry me, seamlessly, into a 'big girl' life? Well, that didn't exactly happen.

I need a post college support group. One where we talk about how it is possible to transition to life back in the nest, pay off college loans, and still retain the ability to drink a case on a Thursday night and function Friday morning.

The thing is, I like being a twenty-something. I just wish I had a path to follow. The whole "forge your own path" thing is great....until you realize you're deep in the forest without a map, which is equal to being up shit creek without a paddle. Guess what? Shit creek was a lot more like fun water rapids than "holy-crap-I'm -going-to-fly-off-this-raft-and-impale-myself-on-a-rock" when my biggest worry was what time I had to wake up for class and not how am I going to pay off thousands of dollars and save for a future.

Not to mention, now people want to know when I'm getting married. Dear God can we not throw that wrench into the mix yet! I don't even know what I'm going to wear when I wake up in the morning not to mention who I'm going to spend the foreseeable future with. Obviously I'd like to spend my life with a man and not just Gary that cat, but put the brakes on, people. I'm 22.

For now, I'm going to enjoy being young and hopefully find some more pieces to my life puzzle. If anyone has seen any 'Allison' life pieces, please point me in the right direction because I'm just a girl, trying to find a place in this world.

Automobiles: A Woman's POV

Today, I was on Glamour.com (go there!) and perusing their lifestyle blog, Smitten.

One of the posts I found particularly interesting was this one: When it Comes to Guys and Cars, What Drives You Wild?: glamour.com.

I definitely note what kind of vehicle a guy is driving. I'm not going to base a whole relationship around what brand is on your keys, but I'm always curious. As an automotive enthusiast, it's in my nature. Furthermore, if you can fix what you drive...well, I'm beyond sold. Below are my picks (and glamour.com users) for sexiest vehicles:

-Audi (or German-made cars, in general): Now, if you know me, this was a given. I can't help it. I have a huge passion for Audi, and if a guy shares that, well, that's awesome. I always scan the driver's seat when I pass an Audi. Then, I subconsciously day dream about said driver. I can see it now: the two of us waxing our cars in the driveway in preparation for that car show we are entering together. Our Christmas card picture where we pose, clad in four-ring gear, in front of our S5 and Q7 (respectfully). The rec room in our basement (which we have converted to Le Mans-viewing headquarters) decorated with Audi racing flags and memorabilia. The Audi Club of America magazines in the rack in our bathroom or the Audi Driving Experience in Switzerland that we are saving up or the four-ring onesie we buy for our kid. I'm getting slightly carried away here. Moving on...

-Glamour.com users ranked Jeep as the 'sexiest' brand. Most ladies seemed to agree that guys in Jeeps are outdoorsy and to quote the article , "[Men who drive Jeeps] Know how to pitch a tent...and then some." Maybe there is something to be said about the "it's a Jeep thing" slogan. However, I withdraw the previous statement if you drive a Jeep Liberty. Sorry, not sexy but fine if you're carting your kids to and from little league.

-Classic/Muscle cars were also cited in the comments. Specifically, Camaros and Mustangs. I can totally get behind that. Nothing better than cruising in a classic Camaro and who can resist those big block engines? In addition, vintage Mustangs will always be cool. However, I'm not impressed if you drive a 2000-ish 'stang. You know why? Because everyone and their grandma drives one, including the really sloppy guy in line at the McDonald's drive thru. When I saw him drop a pickle out of his Big Mac onto the dashboard, well, that killed it for me.

Pick up trucks, sports cars, and foreign cars rounded out the online list. You know what wasn't on the list? A Toyota Prius. I'm sorry. I don't care if it's "fuel efficient." You look like a dumbass driving one.

I've ranted a raved enough. Now, I want to know... What make or model revs your engine? (Bad pun but I had to take it).