Monday, June 29, 2009

When Mimi Met Zacc…

Growing up (High School & College), I always said that I would never ever in a million years have my own dog. They make a mess. You have to be on their tail constantly. If they’re puppies they’ll chew up your shoes and who knows what else. They pee. They poop. And not always outside. I thought I would never get one because we’ve always had one and honestly, I would get annoyed with our pets sometimes.

For whatever reason, in 2007 I started getting an itch. I didn’t only want a dog, I NEEDED one. I started saving money and made a list of requirements. Male, puppy (so we can grow old together), cute, white, perfect eyes, perfectly straight teeth, go to a breeder and pick almost a show dog (but not, because he was going to be mine and I’m definitely not going to go through the show business). Yes, the West Highland Terrier is what I had in mind. And I was being a TOTAL snob about it.



Then enter my brother's invitation to go to the pet shop at the mall on CHRISTMAS EVE of 2007! HOLY CRAP. Throw the saving idea out the window. Throw out the minor detail of the Westie and meet this seriously depressed looking Miniature Poodle. Add to that a request to hold the puppy and he fit perfectly into your arms…

I was determined that this was not the right time. I hadn’t even been saving for very long (or really not at all, specifically for this dog), this is definitely NOT a Westie nor are we at a breeder!! So, I gave him back and walked out. I don’t think I got 20 feet from the store when I realized that I could not live without this white puppy with the biggest eyes and the most crooked teeth and uber short legs. I couldn’t leave him there. I had to take him home and make him happy. So I went back and bought him. He came home with me and we celebrated Christmas together.


On his first Christmas, Zacc received rag quilt (perfect for his size), a little teddy bear, a hilarious jacket from my cousin, a home, and a name – Zaccheus.

Have you ever heard the story in the Bible of a Man named Zaccheus? Briefly, he was a tax collector. Wasn’t well liked. He was really short. When Jesus came to his town, Zaccheus climbed a tree so he could get a view of Jesus. Yes – he was very short. He was a wee little man. And since this little guy is a wee little dog, I named him Zaccheus.

Fast forward to April 2009. Zacc needs to be groomed. He’s not too bad, but he definitely needs a haircut. Our groomer ends up with tennis elbow and says - Sorry bout it. And I think - DANG IT! I REALLY LIKE YOU! April through June is like the busy season of the year for me. And now it’s practically JULY and Zacc could officially pass for a homeless dog! You can’t see the eyes that melted my heart. And EVERYONE thinks he’s overweight. However, he’s far from it -weighing a healthy 11 pounds! ;o)

Last week, I took some time off to help my mom with Vacation Bible School at my parents church and I thought, “WHAT A PERFECT CHANCE TO GET ZACC GROOMED AND UP TO DATE!” So, we stop by the vet on Thurs and schedule a Friday 8 am appointment at this not so great place. Before I leave the house I take a before picture of Zacc, excited to see what he’ll look like when I pick him up. When I get to this not so great place (15 minutes early in case I need to fill out any paper work for Zacc) I find out that the manager of this place forgot her keys at home! I stayed calm and politely declined to leave my dog with a random person and waited for this irresponsible manager. She gets there at 8:16 am laughing her tail off saying she can’t find her keys. Have I mentioned that this place OPENS at 7 AM? So it’s 1.25 hours past open time and the shop is STILL CLOSED! I asked for a corporate number to file a complaint and left. There was no way they are EVER putting their hands on my dog.

I tried again on Saturday at another grooming center and seriously went out of my way for it. And when I get there they tell me that the vaccinations need to be at least 48 hours prior to the appointment. That was information they could have shared over the phone!

Now it’s Monday, and Zaccheus still looks like this:


I finally got an appointment for Zacc on Wednesday at a place my friend recommended. It makes me a little nervous, perhaps not as nervous as a mother leaving her child at preschool, but I’m nervous. I liked Zacc’s old groomer.

I’ve been wondering all week, what did I get myself into? I love my dog and wouldn’t give him up now. I just didn’t know it was going to be this complicated. It had been so “easy” - Minus the peeing inside the house phase he went through. We're doing good though....doing real good. I'll post the after picture on Wednesday! (I hope to anyway...)

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day!

To a dad that never misses a birthday
who always tries his best to get the things that make me happy
who never ever missed an orchestra concert
who will fly kites with me
who will drive across the country to make sure I'm doing okay
who would carry me to the car if my feet hurt
who would go broke to invest in one of my crazy ideas
who is proud of me and loves me dearly.
To a dad who continues to work harder than anyone I've ever met and has taught me too much to list here.

I love you, Daddy!

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Uhh Ahh...

My cousin, Isaac, decided to do this and I decided to copy him.

Directions:
1. Put your iPod, iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS

**********

1. IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
La Vida Es Un Carnaval, Celia Cruz

2. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
A Murder of One, Counting Crows (HA HA HA)

3. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
I'm Yours, Jason Mraz

4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
My Eyes Are Dry, Keith Green

5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE PURPOSE?
New Day, Robbie Seay Band

6. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Made For You, Watermark

7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Linda Eh, Elvis Crespo ;o)

8. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Getting Better, Bob Schneider (hahaha)

9. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Eye of the Needle, Brandi Carlile

10. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Say A Prayer, Sara Groves (HA)

11. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Never Make Your Move Too Soon, Ernestine Anderson (HA HA HA!)

12. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Songbird, Katie Hertzig

13. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Gold in the Sunset, Bob Schneider

14. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Love is Everywhere, Bob Schneider (ha ha ha)

15. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Run Through the Jungle, CCR

16. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST
In Your Arms, Jon Foreman

17. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Expectations, Caedmon's Call

18. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Love Wins, RSB

19. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Almost Lover, A Fine Frenzy (uhhhh...)

20. SONG THEY WILL PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
I'm Good Now, Bob Schneider (HA HA HA HA HA!!)

21. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR ROOMMATE?
Pep in Your Step, Satrue

22. WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Uhh Ahh, Boys II Men


I won't tag anyone for this meme because i would not want to be tagged in any either. But if you decide to post this, let me know so that i can go read yours.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Humility

“…humility is not how you dress, it is not the money you make, it is not where you live, it’s not what you drive, it is not even how you look. We’re never once commanded by God to ‘look’ humble. Humility is an attitude of the mind. It is knowing your proper place. Never talking down or looking down because someone may be of a financial level less than yours. It is knowing your role & fulfilling it for God’s glory and praise. I repeat, it is an attitude. ‘Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus’ (Phil 2:5)."

- Charles R. Swindoll, Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Sharing a Song

I've had this song on my ipod since I heard of the Art, Music, Justice Tour. (sidenote: If you're curious, I missed the concert. Sad. But I have the music and I love it.) This weekend a tune kept popping in my head and I knew it was of significance, but I couldn't figure what the lyrics were so I pulled up the lyrics and listened to it (and I teared up). After listening to it and reading the lyrics, there's no wonder why I love this song so much!!

Here is the video:


And here are the lyrics:

Add To The Beauty
- Sara Groves

We come with beautiful secrets
We come with purposes written on our hearts, written on our souls
We come to every new morning
With possibilities only we can hold, that only we can hold

Redemption comes in strange places, small spaces
Calling out the best of who we are

And I want to add to the beauty
I want to tell a better story
Shine with the light
That's burning up inside

It comes in small inspirations
It brings redemption to life and work, to our lives and our work
It comes in loving community
It comes in helping a soul find it's worth, the soul find it's worth

Redemption comes in strange places, small spaces
Calling out the best of who we are

And I want to add to the beauty
I want to tell a better story
Shine with the light
That's burning up inside

This is grace, an invitation to be beautiful
This is grace, an invitation

Redemption comes in strange places, small spaces
Calling out our best

I want to add to the beauty
I want to shine with the light
That's burning up inside

And I want to add to the beauty
I want to tell a better story
Shine with the light
That's burning up inside