Taco salad!

I made my special taco salad yesterday for Nick, a recipe I got from my aunt who always made this for family parties.



It's easy and really addicting.

I use:

Western salad dressing (from wish-bone)
Black olives
Shreaded lettuce
Tomatos
Red onions
Fresh cilantro
Shreaded cheddar cheese
Chicken or ground turkey
Crushed tortilla chips

Combine everything in a bowl, as much as you like, and chill in the fridge for about 30 min.

Not really healthy, but damn good.

~*L*~

Home!

I'm back! My trip to Chicago was so fun!

I saw my brother's firehouse, did oodles of shopping with my mom, hung out with a great friend, spent time with my dog, joked around with my younger bro, celebrated my dad's 54th birthday and just had a wonderful time all around.



My older brother and I. We haven't changed much, really LOL.



Me and my brothers of awesome.



My darling old man!

The weather was beautiful when I got back and since then it has been getting nice and stormy, which I love.















Karma and I have been catching up on our cuddling.


And I'm about to put some spring bunnies up in the shop!






More details about them later. For now it's off to bed!

~*L*~

Reading...

And laying with my baby boy trying to memorize every part of his sweet face.

He's made a part of my life so beautiful. This dog has been my friend, guardian and teacher for so long. I know when it's his time a part of me will go with him so he won't ever be alone.

Those of you who have ever lived with and loved an animal know they are more than "just a dog" or "just a cat". They're your friend, a soulmate, someone who you know you can always count on.

Dudley has always been all of those things to me and more. To lose him is going to be losing my childhood and a part of myself he helped to grow.

Even in his old age as his body is falling apart he's beautiful to me. His body is aged and creaking but he still shines.

It's the frailty of life that makes it so meaningful, so important to really live out your days with everything you have, hold nothing back and let nothing keep you back as well. Dogs know this.

I don't know how much longer he has in this life, but I am so greatful he came into mine. I wouldn't be who I am without him.



Thank you baby boy. You know I love you.

~*L*~

In Chicago!

It's amazing how you're reminded just how small we all are when flying. And how fragile all this is.

I sat next to this cute kid on the plane. She had this doll and was all, "Hey! She pooped her pants! Now she needs a shower. Will you give her a shower? There's poop."

So adorable. I want one. I also found it funny when she kept smacking her doll and said, "You're in time out! You stay there!!!". And her mom was trying not to laugh while telling this kid to please not hit her baby.

Fucking hilarious.




So I'm at my parent's house now and my Dad asked me if I wanted to go to church with him and my mom, so I'm going. It's going to be so weird.

Dudley is more frail than I was expecting. I just held him last night and cried. I think his back legs are going to give out soon.



I'm going to make him a pillow while I'm here since he can't get up on the bed anymore.

My dad's dog Wrigley (cub fans much?) is gentle with him, though.



This guy has been hanging out with me as well.



If something ever happens where he needs a new home, I'm first on the list.

Alsoooo, who is this beautiful baby girl???



Maggie as a puppy. Oh my God. Even then she had that Wheaten look down pat.

How could we resist?

~*L*~

The plane, the plane!

I'm here way too early and now have like...an hour and a half to kill. The ride here was nice, though.



So early. Ugh.






Awake before the sun. WTF.

The shops here are awesome, though.



I'm so going to make something like this.



And these. Adorable felted flowers.



Awesome lights! There were so many awesome wallets and purses and pet stuff that if I walked around taking pictures the whole time I probably would end up in the hands of security.

But maybe he would be sexy? Would that count as cheating, Nick? Mmmm...sexy security.



~*L*~

The cuddle is strong with this one

I gave Maggie a bath and a groom so Nick doesn't have to worry about it while I'm away.



What an adorable Wheaten we have.


I'm getting better at the Wheaten cut, too. You should see pictures of Maggie when she was a puppy. It looks like my poor girl ran into a weed whacker. Oops.

Also...



Just because I like to show her cuteness off. I'm going to miss my babies.

You're stuck with me all week, Chicago. Ha ha.

~*L*~

Giggle!

Nick and I had an eye doctor appointment last week because I needed new glasses and he hasn't been to an eye doctor in over 10 years and has been complaining of headaches despite saying his vision was perfect (mmm hmmm).

So I made the appointment and as it turns out he is farsighted and has an astigmatism in both eyes. (oh no, Lisa. My eyes are fine!)

His glasses came in today and I just had to snap a quick photo of him because men in glasses make me squeal hormones out of my nose.



So adorable. His molestation meter just jumped up by a billion points. Too bad I'm going to be in Chicago next week.

You're safe for now, Mr. Or maybe not...

~*L*~