Penny's Boyfriends

I am pretty sure Penny will be the hook that gets me a man one day.  That day has not yet come, but I can tell she is trying to work her magic on the male sex.  She is quite a flirt and the men love her.

This is Penny when she sees a boy.  Any boy, she has no discretion.  Then she goes crazy and tries to go home with them and will just forget me for the rest of her life.  

Usually the boys she is flirting with are nice and totally into me and my dog. The only problem is Penny hasn't learned to tell the hotties from the notties!  So here is a list of the men Penny has attempted to procure as her new dog daddy. 

1. My Tire Guy - I am not sure if I actually have a tire guy, but they guy who filled my tires with air was quite smitten with Penny and me.  I was just happy to get my tires inflated. 

2. All the high school kids who work at In-n-Out  While free burger would be fun but well I have morals. 

3. Japanese Grandpa - Whilst at the DMV last week Japanese Grandpa just told and starred at us for 5 minutes.  It was OK though cause he didn't talk. 

4. Man who thought I was Russian and kept smoking in my face - Again at the DMV.  This dude decided he needed to smoke cigarettes in my face and ask me if I was from Russia.  Penny, come on man!

5. Duck Dynasty Man - A rather large man with tats and a long white beard.  I was pretty sure he was going to kill me until he saw Penny and began to talk in a high squeaky voice proving he was a big softy. 

There have been others, but these five men take the cake.  How exactly do I get Penny to hook me a hottie instead of the men that give me the creeps? 

That Time I Met Lee Brice

This post was a long time coming.  I went to see Lee Brice at the House of Blues in Anahiem over a week ago.  My friend Justina bought tickets for my birthday a few weeks ago.  It was a super fun night. 

One of the best parts of the night was that we got to meet Lee Brice before the show.  I am not sure how that one happened but it did. I didn't know it until I actually met him but I really like him!  While we were in line the girls in front of us were being very silly and overly excited to meet Lee.  Justina and I were both very confused and thought they were being overly excited.  When we actually got to the front of the line we both became totally were star struck and forgot how normal people acted. 

It may not seem like it but that man is quite charming.  Pretty much upon meeting him I just wanted to leave the concert with him and have him sing to me at my house alone. 

Before we got to the photo line we decided where to stand to optimize our hotness.  I have to tell you Justina forgot and went to the wrong side.  I started to argue with her and then they took our picture.  I think we look excited.  Then Lee Brice said we were pretty so that was nice.

Before we left Lee and I had the following conversation.

Lee: Hope you enjoy the show tonight!

Me: You too!  Oh wait, you are singing.  Hope you sing well tonight.  Er, uh, Thanks!

I am so smooth.  

The concert was really fun once we got over our silly run in with Mr. Brice.  He is one of the most sincere singers I have seen in concert.  I actually believe he loves his wife and he has a lot of conviction in his songs. 

If you get the chance to see him do it!  If you get the chance to meet him don't be a knucklehead and forget how humans talk.  

A Woman Like You by Lee Brice on Grooveshark

Getting Back In The Swing Of Things

We made it to Friday.  Life can not be that bad today right? The last two weeks I have felt the lazy creeping.  I work out a couple times a week I blog later in the evening, I quit watching what I eat.  It is just me being lazy and complacent.  
In an attempt to get back to getting stuff done and feeling my best I made a little, simple weekly checklist of the 8 things i thing are most important to get me out of this little funk. 
I learned about my love of a task list this summer when I read The Happiness Project.  Rubin uses them to complete her tasks each month.  I tried it this summer and loved the results.  I am somewhat of an achiever and having things to check off totally works for me.  
Below is my list that I will use every week for the rest of the year.  I will check in each Friday here to help keep me more accountable.  At the beginning of the year I might change my tasks, but this may be the kick in the booty I need. 
Feel free to use my ultra glamorous chart and change it to what you may want to accomplish before the end of the year.  

Holiday Tasks
Task	Saturday	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Log food into My Fitness Pal
Exercise 30 minutes
Do not eat sugar
Run 1 mile each morning or walk dog
Clean house 15 minutes
Read devotion
Do something nice with out being asked
Do not watch TV on a weeknight

 

My Friend's Dads

Today I am a little more reflective.  Maybe it is the rain falling outside that is making me a little quitter and more thoughtful. Maybe it is the fact that Penny has finally realized she doesn't have to chew on me or my computer when she sits on the couch at night.  Or maybe it is the fact that the Ducks are winning right now (they lost in a terrible way. I don't even want to talk about it).  Whatever the reason I am happy to sit and reflect a little on my life and part of what makes me so happy. 
I am not sure if you know this, what with all the thankfulness on my Facebook feed and bloglovin' feed it would be hard to miss, but November is really a month were we as a people try very hard to be thankful for the blessings in our lives.  I love that people are thankful and feel like sharing with everyone what it is they are grateful for.  I often read those statuses and think, "oh yeah, I am thankful for Chipotle too."  
Most of the people I know will mention their parents towards the top of the things they are grateful for. I too list my momma first, she is a gem.  You know the type of mom that is friends with your friends too.  She is just the best.  

In Hawaii this summer.

My mom is all I ever mention when it comes to my parents.  I never mention my father and I never say that I am grateful for him, outside of the fact that he contributed to the fact that i am a person and I have a half sister and half brother because of him.  I simply do not have a relationship with him.  It is just the way it is and without getting to personal it is the way it needs to be.  My brother and sister are older than me and tried throughout their lives to be close with him and he is not capable of being in our lives.  It is what it is and I am usually OK with it. (I mean Father's Day is usually the pits, but most of the time I don't even think of it). 

Me, my brother and sister a couple thanksgivings ago.

As I think about my life and my not having my dad around I think there are a few key reasons that I am OK with the fact that my dad is not apart of my life.  First, my mom is just a rock star.  I have always felt so loved by her that I never felt unloved in my life.  Second, I know that God is there for me.  Maybe that should be first, but it is true.  I have always grown up with a knowledge and love for God and I have always felt that he was with me in this one.  Third, my friend's dads. 
I have some really great friends in my life.  These friends have some really great fathers in their lives.  Looking back throughout my life and my closest friends I can tell you who their fathers are and I can tell you a story or something about them.  They are good men who care about their daughters and in turn care about their daughter's friends.  
What really got me thinking about this was that my friend Laura's dad asked me how the Ducks were doing so far this year and then "pounded it" when we said good bye.  He was kind, knew what I was interested in, and took time to care.  It was a simple gesture but one that was much appreciated.  
I just want to take a moment and thank all the dads out there that are just good men.  Men who show love to their children and in loving their children show kindness to their friends.  Men who give a girl hope that there are really great men in the world who stick with their families and love being with them.  
Thank you dads that have invested in my life and helped me feel loved and cared for.  Even in your simple ways I am so blessed that you take time to invest in my life.  Thanks friends and family for sharing your amazing dad and letting me be part of your family in some small ways. 
You makes a huge difference in my life and gives me hope for a future with a man who will demonstrate these qualities with the children I may have one day. 

We All Have Skills

This has become one of my favorite sayings in the world.  Probably because of my favorite families has totally adopted it as their family motto since I went on vacation with them in Palm Springs this summer, which I wrote about here, in case you care.

Although, I use this saying in a playful way when someone usually fails or epically fails at something I am good at.  For example I am bomb at basketball played in a pool, I could dunk all day.  When my friend sucked at it, to point it out/make her feel better I told her we all have skills.   I think it is a better way of looking at life.  For example, that friend is a much better speller than I am.  Whenever she finds a typo in my blog, facebook, lesson plan, she is quick to point it out.  I remind her we all have skills and I feel better about myself.

Today I had a ton of fun getting my school picture ready to send out to the 18 25 people who asked for it on facebook, instagram, or twitter when I posted the following "Pretty Much Oprah Giveaway":

Today I sat down and went through to see if I actually even had 18 likes across the social media networks.  I had over 20 and I was so surprised.  I am pretty sure no one expected me to actually send out my school picture, but Today after work I sat down and wrote cards and put my cute little face in those letters.

 


I really love doing silly little things that do not take a ton of time but let others have a little laugh (maybe at my expense), and also makes them feel a little special. I would say that those are some of my skills.  I will say that I ma way less skilled at actually sending out Christmas cards.  In fact I don't think I will do it at all this year.  Gretchen Rubin in her book The Happiness Project gave me a great idea to send out Valentine's day cards instead.  I will have time to do it and it is sweeter anyway. 

What are some skills you have that you like to share with the world?  What are you totally not skilled at, but it is cool cause we all have skills and someone else can do it anyway?

_________________________________________________________

Also don't forget about Breanna's Birthday giveaway all week long she has different items up for grabs in honor of her birthday.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

- Only open to U.S. residents.

- Must reply to e-mail within 48 hours to claim prize or it will be given to someone else.

- If you are not honest with your entries, all of your entries will be deleted. Honesty's the best policy!

- Each giveaway will be open for 3 days, so get your entries in! 

One Month

Dear Human Mommy, 

It is me, Penny, your new owner.  I have owned you for a month now and I felt like we needed to mark this important day with a note on the internet. 

So far I can tell you I like the way my life is going.  You feed me and give me a lot of toys.  Even though grandma thinks I need more I know she just is trying to spoil me.  I really like to take all of my toys and put them in my bed.  It is probably because I am an only child and I do not like to share.  They are mine!

Some things I have decided I really like about living here:  waking up in your bed and eating your hair, pooping on the carpet, figuring out ways to get past any gate you put up in the house, pooping on the hardwood floor, nibbling on your finger, foot, triceps, table, floor, yoga pants, and from time to time my toys.

I also really like it that people come here just to play with me.  I think I am really popular.  I know that no one comes to my house to see you mommy, because they all say my name, or they say potty, It is kind of heard to the the difference between the two right now. 

Somethings that happen around here that I do not like: When you wash everything in the house because I came with fleas and tummy problems, When you make me go outside to party, or is that potty?, when you give me a bath (I like the cuddle after though), when you leave to go to work, when you take me to the puppy doctor and I get a shot. 

After bath time cuddles.

After animal doctor sleepy time.

So far I have been here for some pretty important things.  There was that one time a lot of tall people came over and I blew out the fire on a sugar circle. 

There was that time I was watching hockey with you and I became a Ducks fan, or was I looking at food?  

There was that time I was smoking in the house and you caught me.

There was that time (everyday) where we go for a walk and I just sit there.  And the time I was pondering the meaning of life in the car. 

Overall I would say life is pretty good.  I will stay here and continue to own you.  I will wake you up every morning and I will try and eat your toes every night. 

I am so excited for this month because I can meet other puppies finally and I think I will poop outside more often so you can have fun with your friends again. 

Thanks for loving me! 



Lick lick sniff sniff!
Penny The Puppy 
#themostphotographeddogintheworld

Miley Ruins Everything I Love

Welcome back from the weekend.  This weekend I had some tragic revelations.  It has become rather apparent to me that the lovely Miley Cyrus is on a mission to destroy everything I love.  

It all started on Friday's post where I let you all know about the hottest and most amazing Anaheim Ducks hockey players you should all be cursing on, read about it here.  While I was looking for hot photos of my guys I googled "Anaheim Ducks Sexy."  There were a lot of picture of the Power Players, the "cheerleaders" for hockey.  As I scrolled for a moment I saw this monstrosity.  

Somehow Miley worked her ways into my hockey team and broke my heart. I then realized that Miley is on a mission to ruin my life.  She has somehow found out about me and hates me.  I am not sure why, but after I present the evidence I am sure you will agree. So I present to you:9 Ways Miley is Ruining My Life. Penny The Puppy  Today I googled "Penny The Puppy" to see what came up.  I was shocked and heartbroken.  MILEY NAMED HER DOG PENNY!!!!  As in Penny Lane. As in my puppy Penny! 

I am sorry Miley, but MY Penny is way cuter than yours, and I think you need to change your dog's name…. Now!

The one and only Penny, get over it Miley!

I have written her a letter of cease and desist.  There can only be one true Penny,The Hemsworth Family  So it is no secret that Miley and Liam dated or were engaged or on drugs for a few years.   The only reason I really care about these two is because I love Liam's brother Chris, or as I like to Call Him Thor, and because I like The Hunger Games.  Miley leave the Hemsworth's alone.  Haven't you see the crazy hammer Thor has? 

 My Alphabet Sweater I was recently given a really cute, comfy fall sweater for my birthday.  I hadn't even been able to wear it  yet because I live in California where it is still 90 degrees in November.  I finally wore it this weekend at a basketball game at my Alma Mater. 

I saw this weekend that you were smoking pot in stage during a performance.  As disturbing as this is, it is even more disturbing that you were wearing the opposite of my new sweater.  I mean come on!  I already have a friend who looks like my twin.  I reject you as my new twin. 

 Party In The USA Yes i know this is your song, and all I have to say to that is whatever.  I mean come on!  This was hands down the best song in the world if you needed a crazy party song, afternoon dance party at work, or ring tone.  

The only thing I have to say is praise God Katy Perry recorded Roar and it has helped me cope with the gaping hole Party in the USA has left in my life.  The Church of The Nazarene  So rumor had it that Miley went to church during her life.  Not just any church she was a member of the same denomination as me.  The church she apparently went to was just ten minutes away from the one I went to.  She also was considering going to Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego.  Below is the marketing video the university used to entice fresh faced high school students to attend their school. 

 Teddy Bears I might as well just through foam fingers in this one too.  Childhood toys and sports fan's enthusiasm are forever ruined.  Macklemore's Haircut I actually didn't love his haircut, but Miley did ruin that cut, and maybe Thrift Shop.  I loved singing the "I got twenty dollars in my pocket!" But now I can't bring myself to do it. 

Wrecking Balls I had a dream of becoming a wrecking ball operator one day.  Now that dream is dead. My Students This may seem like a lie, but it the truth.  The seniors at my school are still mad that I would not let them dance at a school assembly to "We Won't Stop".  Call me crazy, but, it is just not the message a high needs to put out there. If it were Party In the USA I would have let it go. ----------------I am pretty sure I have presented enough evidence to convinces you that Miley is single handedly trying to ruin my life and everything I hold dear.  So now that it is clear that Miley has a personal vendetta against me.  Because of this I am begging you Miley to stay away from the following things, I just love them too much.  The Kardashians 

McDoanld'sThe Real Housewives of any location

Country Rap Music Please just stay away from those things.  *This post was a really hard one to write, due to all the images of Miley I had to look up.  I am not going to take a shower and wash out my eyes for the next two hours. You should also go check out Breanna at Sweet Silver Lining and enter her birthday celebration give away.  

Monday (Target): a Rafflecopter giveaway

- Only open to U.S. residents.
- Must reply to e-mail within 48 hours to claim prize or it will be given to someone else.
- If you are not honest with your entries, all of your entries will be deleted. Honesty's the best policy!
- Each giveaway will be open for 3 days, so get your entries in!

Weekend Playlist: Songs That Make Me Happy

On Friday my best friend took me to The House Of Blues in Anaheim to see Lee Brice.  It was my birthday present and it was incredible.  I actually got to meet Lee Brice.  I was an idiot, but that is a story for another day.  I loved the concert so much so I obviously have to include his music on this weekends Songs that Make Me Happy Playlist. 

Week 6 by Erica Thompson on Grooveshark

The Best Day of My Life by the American Authors
First, they have a great name.  The English teacher in me is smitten just by the name, American Lit is the best.  Second, this song is my new happy drug. 

Parking Lot Party by Lee Brice
Yes this song is straight up silly, but it gets inside you and all you want to do is go tailgate or go have an after party. 

Woman Like You by Lee Brice
I mean this love song is such a great balance of realistic love I can not even handle it.  When my future country music playing boyfriend writes me a love song he will collaborate with Lee Brice. 

Red by Taylor Swift
Maybe it is her use of simile, mate it is the fact that I love singing "red, red, red, red" or maybe it is just cause it is T. Swift, but this song has me hooked. 

Compass by Lady Antebellum
The song actually just came on my iTunes and I had to stop writing to have a dance party.  

That is all I have today!  Happy Sunday and keep on jamming!

The Hottest Men In a Ducks Uniform

This post is a long time coming my friends. The title actually came from one of the sports announcers during Tuesday's game. His exact quote was "Andrew Cogliano is the hottest players in a Duck's jersey!" Although, he was referring to the fact that Cogliano scored a goal in his last four games I know deep down it was a reference to his all around hotness.

One of my favorite things to do at the beginning of a season is access the players and pick out which one I will dream about for the rest of the year. Now my best friend, Justina, plays this game too so we have to share. It is great fun and I totally recommend you and your friends play along with your sports team. It adds a little more fun.

So this years Duck's Crush goes to Andrew Cogliano. I am sure you didn't see that one coming from my introduction.

True love right there!

Justina's crus this year and my second choice is Daniel Winnik

It also looks like they are best friends so that works well for Justina and me.

And everyone's favorite player has to be Teemu Selanne. He has been with the Duck's since the team was started in 1993 and this is his last season (so he says).  You can not be a Ducks fan or pretend to be a fan not not know who Teemu is.

Today I am linking it up with Sarah over at Venus Trapped In Mars for Fan Friday.

Who is your favorite athlete on any team?

Random side note: This is a top image for the google search "Anaheim Ducks Sexy." I am sad.

Get My School Picture!

So my school gives us our own school pictures every year. I never know what to do with them so I give them away. I have 10 left for anyone who wants to carry my awkward school picture in their wallet. Just leave a comment and the photo is yours.

I know I am pretty my Oprah handing out her favorite things. My face makes a lovely holiday gift.

This Is Totally Going On My Blog!

I am sure this happens to most of you bloggers out there.  You are having a normal conversation and suddenly you realize:

That happened to me this week at work.  I was procrastinating working and so were some of my work chums.  One of the guys I work with, the front desk receptionist, a former student and myself had quite the time not working and telling stories of silliness.

While we were talking my teacher friend said that I tell some funny stories, but his favorite is the one about the old lady.  It took me a few minutes to remember what stories I told about an old lady.  The time my grandma asked me if I was a knocked up lesbian?  I don't think that one came up at work (it might now if the couple coworkers who know about this blog happen to read today.  Hi guys!)  Then It all came back to me.  Ah yes the old lady story!  I decided then and there it was a blog worthy story.  I am even going to try to pull out some deep meaning from this story so bear with me.

When I was in high school I worked part-time at a couple of different places.  I was a waitress for the most part, it was terrible, mad props to the service industry.  I also worked in a nursing home as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) at an assisted living facility.   It was never my lifetime goal to be a nurse, but I am good with people and it paid more than minimum wage so I was in.

The job was really simple, cleaning room, changing beds, helping patients when they called, helping the nurses when they need someone else to lift a person.  One of the duties (ha, duties) was that I had to help change adult diapers.  Let me tell you after working there I decided growing old is just not going to happen for this girl.  I am sure I will either die by 70 or Jesus will come back, but me living in a nursing home type place ain't going to happen.  This also goes for my immediate family, sorry momma you will have to live with me one day.

One day I was cleaning a room and changing the sheets on a bed.  In order to guarantee sanitation you had to wear gloves even when you changed the sheets, praise Jesus.  As I was wrapping it up I was paged by a patient, let's call her Ruth, to come help her in her room.

Her room was just a few doors away so I went there to see what I could do to help her. I had worked with Ruth for a few weeks and I knew she could be a little loopy.  She wasn't ever really sure what was going on, but she was always so sweet and kind.

Ruth asked me to put my hands out.  I did (mistake!) and she pulled her hand from under her bottom and proceeded to place her poop in my hands.  My hands were astonishingly filled with another person's poop and she kept trying to give me more.  I managed to get my 17-year-old self to yell for help after another CNA looked in the room and ran away pretending she didn't see what was going on.   A nurse came in and helped with the code poop and life went back to normal.

I learned two major life lessons that day.  1. I never put my hands out when someone tells me they have a surprise for me.  2. Even on my worst day I can remember that I did not have a mountain of poop in my hands, so I am OK.

I told this story at work one day because I was sitting at the boy's table and somehow conversation always turns to their own personal poop.  I know far too much about the bodily processes of the men I work with.  I will not talk about my poop, but I will tell stories of poop whenever I can.  I have said poop so many times in this post I am pretty much an 11-year-old boy.

Now here comes the deeper significance, I hope.  Yesterday The guy who remembered this story asked me if I was a really nurturing, caring person.  His implication is that only a really selfless person would have a job like this.  I was really caught off guard by his question.  I mean what do you say? Yes I am better than Mother Teresa!  No, I hate humanity.  The job just paid more than minimum wage.

I realized something somewhat important though.  Since high school I have not really talked about myself and what I do for others.  I think it is good to be humble and not brag about this kind of thing.  I think I am the same person I was at that time that really wasn't bothered by handfuls of poop.  The same kid who was kind to the elderly and wanted to help bring them dignity in their final years.  The same girl who organized a clothing drive for one old lady who only had 2 outfits.  I really think I am that girl, I just do not share it.

My time and my house are pretty much always open to ministry.  I have a student from China that lives with me, May.  When she asked me if she could move in I committed to her that i would 'p//be her family here in America.  I would help her with her homework, provide good food for her, and her friends were always welcome at our home.  My home became her home and her friends are here all the time.  I take them on outings, I share advice with them, I help them with their SATs and College Applications. I take them on driving lessons, God keep me alive.  There are very few weekends where there isn't something going on.

I think the thing that got me going on this whole topic was that the coworker asked me if I was really a caring person.  It struck me to my heart so hard and it hurt.  I hope that when others see me they do not have to wonder what person I am.  I also hope that the person I let others see is the person that I really am.

So here is my thought. I think that as a people we need to be more outspoken about the good we see and the good we do in the world.  Maybe it is just my corner of the planet, but it is easy to go through a day without hearing about much love and hope.  I want to change this in myself and hope that others around me will too.  On top of this I will also promise not to think you are being braggy or trying to be to crazy Christian when you talk about the good you see around you.

And just because I mentioned her and she is kind of amazing here are some of my favorite Momma T quotes.