2011

There were a lot of wonderful things that happened in 2011. I said my trifecta would be if the Mavs won the Championship, Casey Anthony got acquitted, and I passed the bar exam. Mission Accomplished.

But on the whole? Not sad to see 2011 go.

Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2012.

Hard Day

Christmas recap

One of my favorite gifts - new camera!
I got a Canon G12 from my Aunts and I love it.

The pictures are pretty awesome. I wanted a "nice" camera that isn't enormous and it definitely fit the bill. Of course the first thing I thought was how much it sucks that now I have this nice camera and no dog to take pictures of... :(

I haven't taken a photography class since my sophomore year of high school, so I have some brushing up to do before I can take anything decent that's not in automatic! My photog friend who took my Christmas card pics said

But I got some good shots of Elle's sister, Satin...

She looks so regal! I love how even though they're the same breed and from the same parents, Elle and Satin always looked so different.

 

Sweet Mug

Satin getting love from my brother

Then I went to visit my old neighbors and to check out their Christmas loot...

This is my absolute favorite picture of Daniel, who turns 6 in a few weeks.

He got this weird bike thing from Santa, which is actually pretty cool.

And no, he isn't mad, just WILD. Absolutely cracks me up. 

Anyone have any good websites/camera tips for me?

Merry Christmas

First of all I want to say thank you to everyone for your kind words this week. It's been incredibly difficult, but I suppose I'm doing alright given the circumstances.

I was going to promise that this blog wouldn't become some sort of creepy crazy dog lady tribute to my dead dog, but I don't like to make promises that I can't keep.

So for Christmas Eve I want to post a couple pictures of Elle on past Christmas Eve's. As I sit here sifting through photos I'm realizing I don't have a picture from last Christmas. :( I can't find pictures of all the loot but rest assured that Elle always had a stocking full of goodies and lots of presents under the tree. She gave spoiled a new meaning.

Baby's first Christmas 2007... She's 5.5 months old in this pic. Such a goofy galoot. Already a big girl.

Christmas 2008. If I ever say that I want to cut my hair short again, please remind me of this picture and talk me out of it.

2009 Christmas cards... so glad we took these.

And of course Christmas 2011 pictures... I was already obsessed with them but I am even more now. Definitely going to get some prints made.

RIP Sweet Ellebaby

I had to make the tough decision to let Elle Woods go. I'll miss her tons, but I'm glad she's not sick anymore. She was more loved and spoiled in 4.5 years than most dogs are in 15. 

I hope doggie heaven has comfy couches and giant dog beaches.

Give your 4-legged companions an extra hug for me today. 

Christmas Card Pictures!

So this is hilariously awesome. 

Last week I was contacted by a girl at the Wall Street Journal after writing about my Christmas Card photo shoot... 

Today the picture ran in a story online and in print!

My quote is kind of hilarious. 

"I kind of felt left out—like, 'Oh, poor single girl,' " she says. Then she had an idea: "I'll send out a damn picture with my dog."

 

And of course my mom's reaction was "I wish they had left the 'damn' out." Ha!

Here is the picture that's in the article/on the front of my card:

And here are the two I included on the back of the card. (Sorry for spoiling it for those of you who will be receiving them in the mail - they're going out next week!)

We all knew I'm a crazy dog lady, but I think it's pretty much official now, right?

Christmas Tips

I need help with suggestions for what to do to tip the staff of the parking garage at my building for Christmas.

The actual building staff is really easy – the management office just sends out a letter telling you to drop off a check if you want to contribute and they’ll distribute it evenly amongst the door staff, maintenance staff, engineers, etc. So I just wrote a check for $100, which I know isn’t a lot divided by the large amount of staff, but there are 900 units in my building, so I think (hope!) it ends up being a nice holiday bonus for them.

My problem is the parking garage doesn’t do anything like that. I definitely need to do SOMETHING for them… it’s valet so they valet my car every day. They also are in charge of packages that get sent to the building that are too big for your mailbox, and I order stuff online a lot. Oh and you have to walk through the garage to take the dogs in/out, so basically they all know Elle and I really well! Problem is there are 12 guys that work there… I’d obviously like to give cash but can’t really afford any significant amount since there are 12 of them. Would it be totally shitty to give them only 10 bucks each? Maybe bake some cookies too? Any other ideas? 

Christmas Card Photo Shoot Recap

"I'm trying to think of what's turned out cute for the engagement photo sessions I've done"
-my photographer, while taking pics of me with my dog.

Totally normal.