Princess and the Paws: Bye-Bye, Brownie

I was never a 'dog person.' When we first got 8 month-old Brownie from someone who couldn't handle his energy, he was already full grown & would literally knock over old people. They had named him 'Buster' because he 'busted everything up.' I quickly changed his name to Brownie because that was my grandfather's nickname and he looked like a hu-mungo brown bear to me. I was so NOT a dog owner, that I used to wash my hands after touching him. I know, right? Little did I know that I'd be practically laying on him 8 years later as we said goodbye to his sweet, little eyes. 

This is the 'I'm so small...you won't even notice I'm here' face

I trained Brownie to do tricks and he is one of the smartest dogs I have ever seen. He picked up the Army Crawl after I showed him one time. He could high-5, shake, catch just about anything, eat just about anything...he even did a front bow every time I walked in the door (like a true Prince, I'd say!)

His nickname was 'Mr. Happy' for this face alone

But Brownie starting having seizures a few years ago and it has been a hard journey ever since. He lost most of his tricks, except sitting & bowing (of course he kept the bow to his Princess...ha!) We struggled with the decision of when to say goodbye to some(one?) who has unconditionally loved you, day in and day out, even in your worst moments. Well, he let us know a few days ago when he stopped eating and couldn't even hold down water. He went from bouncing around like normal to having to be carried to the vet in a matter of 1.5 days. We are so thankful that he no longer has to suffer. But I miss my big, brown bear. So bad.

I still wouldn't consider myself an official dog person, but I can definitely see why they are called 'Man's best friend.' Because they are. Brownie was 1/2 chocolate lab, 1/2 Australian Shepherd...and 'shepherd' he did. He would be on your heels EVERYWHERE you went in the house, up and down the stairs (sometimes risking your life!), escorting the trash out to the back, guarding our door every night, etc. etc. He has left behind his little gal, Soleil, and she is already standing at the door like he's coming back. While it is hard to see such strength fade in an animal, I wanted to post a tribute video of how I remember Brownie the most. Soleil makes a guest appearance as they do the one thing that STILL makes me & my family laugh (it never gets old!) Watch and see how they twist and turn their heads when I mention 'the word you should never say'. He even looks to the leash basket, as if I needed a reminder of where they were. Enjoy!

Princess and the Pumpkin Pumps: What I *Wish* I Wore

I'm no fashionista, that's for sure. In fact, as most of you know, I have worn this jacket pretty much every day & to every event since October. But I don't think you have to be fashionable to appreciate the lovely in life. My clothing budget is tiny, but I have a 'go big & go hungry' mentality when it comes to the things I like. 

Around the web, some ladies post "What I Wore (WIW)" to inspire them to dress well every day and to link/share with others. I love it! I thought, 'Maybe I should too?' Well, I'm not going to do that. I promise, I have worn that brown jacket EVERY day...you WILL get bored with my WIW after about a nanosecond. So instead, my posts will be 'What I *Wish* I Wore (WIWIW) instead. I will just post pics of outfits that inspire me and make me want to dress up my super-snore wardrobe.

My first post HAS to be about Emersonmade. I am in love with these people. There, I said it. I love Jesus more, but I admit to having a huge fashion crush on this company & this couple (read their bio...LOVE). I couldn't decide what to buy first because it can get a little pricey for my little 'teacher-still-paying-off-college-debt' budget. When I saw the website, I was overwhelmed with eye candy. Seriously, don't visit Emersonmade unless you have cash to spend or INCREDIBLE Dave Ramsey willpower...don't say you weren't warned! Let me tempt you, shall I? Here's WIWIW:

How beautiful is she?? Seriously...smart, talented, gorgey.

I WILL own the Goldie Skirt!

To be honest, I am not super comfortable with my body right now and didn't want to buy any new clothes. I know, that's not good. But that's the truth. And then I remembered a quote from the movie, 'In Her Shoes' when the Toni Collette character said, "Clothes never look any good, and food just makes me fatter, but shoes always fit." So I browsed through the flowers (of course...you know how I love me a good petal) and then I saw these stunners:

Even the tee-niny deer kissing the Patent Pumpkin Pumps made me want to buy them (they are marketing geniuses, aren't they??) So, I did. And I heart them. Big time. I also bought my bestie a flower clutch that I had a HAAARRRDD time parting with. The only sad thing I'd have to say about Emersonmade is that everyone buys up all the stuff before I can save some cash for it!! ugh. And some of my faves are not returning. Big boo. Thanks a lot, Dave Ramsey...it's all your fault. At least I got these before they sold out, ha! {I couldn't find a cute little deer, so I posed mine with my two cute little dears...not quite the same effect, I know.}

Anywho, that's WIWIW. How about you, are you in love yet?

Princess and the Pants: "What's that?!"

I teach small group reading intervention and the other day I was chatting with one of my first grade groups...here's what transpired (and why I'm starting a new section on my blog for health/fitness!):

Me: *talking to kids even though they are probably tuning me out*

Little First Grade Princess Cutie: *Interrupting me mid-sentence* "Miss Brown, what's that?!"

Me: *kinda freaking out & thinking...is it a spider? Baby Jesus, get it OFF!* "What honey?"

LFGPC: *pointing generically to my leg* "THAT! That part that's sticking out."

Me: *Bewildered* "What do you mean, sweetie?"

LFGPC: *Pointing directly to my lower leg* "That fat part right there..."

Little First Grade Peacock: "Um, that's her calf."

LFGPC: *sheepish* "Oh."

Me: *saying silently to myself* "Yeah, oh. Um, my 'diet' starts tomorrow. For realz."

Simultaneously, some of my friends at work rallied together and we started the "Chunkless Challenge"--it's like the Biggest Loser meets Cheaters. We each have a goal (mine is to be more healthy & fit). We weigh-in each week and you have to pay $ if you gain weight or eat sugar over 5g. We have a "cheat" item (which I lovingly re-named a "treat" item) every 2 weeks. We've been going for 3 weeks...I already owe money. Oops.

I planned to post pictures of the "extra love" melting off my body, but my body has not gotten that memo. So, I'll wait until I have lost more than my meager 7 pounds. Until then, remind me to stay away from honest first graders.