I have had a tremendous year! I am totally happy and in love with my best friend and partner, Jay. I am thankful each and everyday that I found him and that we fit so well together. We haven't been spending a lot of time together lately with my CIS job taking up center stage with getting Emanuel live on Epic. We are a month into that and things remain hectic and we have yet to finalize next month's schedule. I completed my 2 night shifts this weekend and things went fairly well, no huge issues that we couldn't handle which was nice. Thank goodness nights aren't going to be a consistent thing since I really do not like being up all night...takes me days to get back on track.
Jay took advantage of the time I would be sleeping during the day and rented another mondo camera lens and went to take pictures of the waterfowl at several different areas around the city. He got some great ones again and will be posting them soon. He takes such great photos. I wish we were able to manage a big lens with us on our trip the end of May to Utah. We are going to visit the 5 National Parks- Zion, Bryce Canyon, Coral Reefs, Canyonlands and Arches. I cannot wait for the sunshine and the warmth and the breath taking scenery we will be encountering! I know his pictures will be amazing and if we could manage the large lens, well...it would be over the top!! I know this trip will be life changing. You cannot help but be awed and inspired and humbled by the glory of nature at its finest here...I am moved to tears by the photos I've already seen online and in the travel books, seeing it in person will just blow me away! I hope to return next year with the kids and see the Grand Canyon as well. We decided not to do that part this time. We will go as far a Moab then back to Las Vegas for a couple days relaxation by the pool with a fruity drink and celebrate my 45th birthday in style! I can't wait!
So Easter was yesterday. It was the first Easter without the kids being home and that was weird. I had all the baskets prepared up in my room and Jay and I went to his lovely daughter Ashley's apt to have dinner with her, Doug, their friend Kimberly and her gorgeous little man, Camden and of course, Jay's son Ryan. We had a fabulous dinner! Ashley did a great job and it was so much fun playing with the little guy. He's 3 1/2 months old and just a little doll. After dropping Ryan off at home, we headed back here to the house to see my kids and give them their baskets. I walked up to the bedroom to get them and OH MY GOD---the baskets were strewn all over the bedroom, the grass scattered, the boxes of chocolate bunnies with chew marks on the corners and every single piece of chocolate was gone!! Every single one-including the wrappings! I couldn't believe it! Our 2 bloody dogs had completely descimated the stash! I could have killed them! And would have if they had torn up the concert tickets I bought to Bruno Mars for my 3 girls! Jay scrubbed the chocolate and colored candy coating stains from off the carpet while I put the baskets away and went to see if there was any vomit anywhere in the house. Never in the 5 years I've had Bosco had he ever done anything like that before. Both stood around in full awareness that we were totally miffed at them. Neither seems at all affected by their transgression even though chocolate is one of the most toxic things to dogs. Of course ours go unaffected!!! At least thats what we thought....
Jay woke up at 5:30 this morning and was scared lifeless...he nudged Dakota, his chocolate lab, to take him out to the bathroom and he appeared cold and unresponsive. Well that got us both awake in a hell of a hurry! I rushed and switched on the light and half ran to the dog, and the little booger was just deeply asleep! As soon as I touched him he popped his head up, licked me and got up. Poor Jay was hung over the bed sick with worry and trepidation that his beloved dog had died overnight after the gluttony of chocolate. Well, after the shock wore off, Jay still took a few hours to feel right, but Dakota was totally oblivious to the shock and stress he'd caused and continued to be his happy, tail wagging self. Bosco on the other hand this morning is leaking chocolate from both ends and I am having a hard time feeling sorry for him!! Little bugger! But, yes, I will keep a close watch on both of them and run them to the vet if they get worse.
Until then I am washing laundry, cleaning the kitchen and waiting to go to my Bikram Yoga class. I started going last week and I am enjoying it very much. I didn't think I would like it because its done in a room that is near 105 degrees and you sweat like mad. But I feel so much better after a 90 minute session...so limber yet exhausted. I focus ultra hard on correct form and pushing each stretch just a little further than the last time. Its more challenging almost than going to the gym and pumping weights. I still go to the gym on average 4 times per week. I have been concentrating on more cardio for weight loss (gained 15 lbs that I can't seem to shake, urgh!!) and will do weight training at least 2 of the 4 or 5 times I get to the gym, but I find the yoga to be a big workout for me. My muscles shake and the lengthening that it is forcing on my hamstrings and quads is helping to lean me out. I also feel so much mental clarity when doing the yoga. I focus on every moment, each breath and movement...its very centering and calming. I look forward to it each day and miss it when my schedule makes it impossible to attend. I hope Jay can work up to coming with me, I think it will be very beneficial to him.
Its almost the beginning of May and we have had 1 nice warm sunny day so far. I am tired of the grey and the rain...I want to be able to get the garden ready and to be outside in the warmth and sunshine! That is another reason the yoga appeals to me so much...its warm in there!!
Seriously, nothing makes me happier than colorful flowers growing in beautiful pots and veggies growing in good, nutritious soil. I can't wait to start gardening...but will have to it seems....oh well...better sign off and get ready to leave for yoga, at least I can pretend I'm lying outside on a beach chair with the sun shining down and drinking in the warmth!!
