Happy Friday!
The husband and I are about to head out to not one, but TWO birthday celebrations tonight! And then we're off to the beach tomorrow to stay at my grandmother's condo for the rest of the weekend. So I wanted to get this post out really quickly before we get going!
Freebie #1: https://everymove.org/ORmoves
A website that encourages you to get active for a cause of your choosing through Oregon Moves, a partnership between EveryMove and LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon. I love how easy it is to track your activities, knowing that each "active day" you achieve leads to a $1 donation by LifeWise to a good cause. I'm sweating for PlayWorks - what will you choose to get active for?
Freebie #2: Purina Pro Plan's Run for Rescues partnership with MapMyFitness
For those specifically wanting to get active for an animal-focused cause: If you sign up (for free) for MapMyFitness (mapymyfitness.com), you can also sign up (for free) to join the Run for Rescues group, which will donate 10,000 meals to animal rescue groups if 1 million running miles are logged. You have to hurry on this one - this challenge ends on October 28th!
Freebie #3: Free 3-day trial at The Xtreme Edge Gym in Beaverton, OR (http://www.theedgegym.com/)
A plug for my local gym. The staff are very welcoming, and the group classes are super fun. If you happen to live in the area, it's worth checking out. There's something for everyone!
Freebie #4: Free McDonald's Fries!
For those living in either Oregon or SW Washington: If you download the McDonald's app, and the Portland Trail Blazers score 100 or more points when playing at home, you get a coupon for free fries at McDonald's! You don't even have to attend the game to take advantage of this. (Let it be known that while I do not think it's a good idea to eat fast food on a regular basis, I do have a soft spot for McDonald's fries and will definitely be treating myself to this deal!)
Freebie #5: Free admission days at local Portland, Oregon museums
I missed out on sharing information with everyone about the Smithsonian-sponsored Museum Day Live (free admission) to museums around the country, but The Oregonian is saving my butt on this one and shared a list of free admission days to the following Portland-area museums. (If you live outside of Portland, visit freemuseumday.org to see what's available near you!)
*The International Rose Test Garden - always free
*The Oregon Historical Society - free for Multnomah County residents
*Portland Art Museum - free on the fourth Friday each month from 5- 8 pm (kids 17 and younger are always free)
*Portland Children's Museum - free on the first Friday each month from 4 - 8 pm
A more complete list is available at freemuseumday.org/pdx.html
That's all for today, folks! Make sure you stop by next week to see what's next on the list!
A.
Friday, October 10, 2014
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
I'm still here!
Hello, Internet!
I know my blog has been quiet for some time now... but no more! I'm back!
(You've all been very worried, I'm sure.)
My life has been full of ups and downs during the past few months... I started a new job that I absolutely LOVE, but we also weren't able to keep Dexter, our second dog. After a week, we realized that we couldn't give him the intensive training that he really needed to make him comfortable around ALL people, and not just our immediate family. We returned him to the shelter with heavy hearts and tears in our eyes, but we know there's someone out there who can give him the home he needs. So, for now, we're content to be a family of three.
Our house continues to be a work in progress. It was move-in ready when we purchased it, but now that I'm living in it and settling in, I've started a list of all the things that I would love to update - hardwood floors, expanding/re-doing the backyard, re-painting the walls and ceiling a new color, and so on. It would have been so much easier to do all of this in the beginning, but it's taken me a while to learn the feel and flow of the house and how our family fits into it. I don't know if anyone else has this experience with their home, but it's definitely been my journey. However, I'm sure just about everyone can relate to the budget issue playing a role in home updates... scraping together enough money to tackle one big project at a time. Plus, living in the Northwest certainly limits our ability to complete outdoor projects for most of the year (although we are having a very lovely streak of warm weather, even in October!).
My goal here is not to make excuses, but to remind myself that it's perfectly alright that I haven't yet completed every project on our to-do list.
One step at a time, right?
It's also my goal to hold myself more accountable to this blog, trying to make Tuesdays and Fridays my "blogging days." I feel bad that I missed out on sharing some more freebies with all of you - free coffee at McDonald's, free admissions to local museums, free admission to national parks... oops! Don't worry - I've got a new list to share with you this Friday. :)
See you then!
A.
I know my blog has been quiet for some time now... but no more! I'm back!
(You've all been very worried, I'm sure.)
My life has been full of ups and downs during the past few months... I started a new job that I absolutely LOVE, but we also weren't able to keep Dexter, our second dog. After a week, we realized that we couldn't give him the intensive training that he really needed to make him comfortable around ALL people, and not just our immediate family. We returned him to the shelter with heavy hearts and tears in our eyes, but we know there's someone out there who can give him the home he needs. So, for now, we're content to be a family of three.
Our house continues to be a work in progress. It was move-in ready when we purchased it, but now that I'm living in it and settling in, I've started a list of all the things that I would love to update - hardwood floors, expanding/re-doing the backyard, re-painting the walls and ceiling a new color, and so on. It would have been so much easier to do all of this in the beginning, but it's taken me a while to learn the feel and flow of the house and how our family fits into it. I don't know if anyone else has this experience with their home, but it's definitely been my journey. However, I'm sure just about everyone can relate to the budget issue playing a role in home updates... scraping together enough money to tackle one big project at a time. Plus, living in the Northwest certainly limits our ability to complete outdoor projects for most of the year (although we are having a very lovely streak of warm weather, even in October!).
My goal here is not to make excuses, but to remind myself that it's perfectly alright that I haven't yet completed every project on our to-do list.
One step at a time, right?
It's also my goal to hold myself more accountable to this blog, trying to make Tuesdays and Fridays my "blogging days." I feel bad that I missed out on sharing some more freebies with all of you - free coffee at McDonald's, free admissions to local museums, free admission to national parks... oops! Don't worry - I've got a new list to share with you this Friday. :)
See you then!
A.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Freebie Friday - July 11th
Happy Friday, everyone!
Okay, where to even begin with this post...
Well, first things first: Our little "furry" family has grown by one - we got another dog! The initial meet and greet with our first dog and the new fella went really well at the shelter, but things have been a little tense back here on our home turf. Our first dog, Blaze, doesn't seem to quite understand why our new little guy, Dexter, is still in his house! We don't quite feel comfortable leaving them alone together, so we're constantly keeping an eye on both of them. But, each day seems to get a little better - Blaze is becoming more tolerant, and Dexter is becoming more comfortable with his surroundings. (I should also mention that Blaze has a torn toe pad that's healing, while Dexter is recovering from his neuter procedure done earlier this week. As a result, both dogs are supposed to be taking it easy, which is easier said than done for two active dogs who are still getting to know each other!)
But, wait folks - that's not all! I also started my new job this week! And while things are going pretty well on that front, there's always a bit of chaos that comes with taking on a new position. I do my best to leave work at work, but it sure can be hard sometimes - especially when there's so much to be done!
The cherry on top of this messy sundae? My husband has left town for the weekend, leaving me alone to supervise the two dogs.
So, we'll see how this goes.
To focus on the positive instead of stressing about what could or might go wrong, let's celebrate another round of freebies! Here are some of my latest favorites:
1. Free popcorn samples (plus a free take-home tub!) at Goody's
Okay, where to even begin with this post...
Well, first things first: Our little "furry" family has grown by one - we got another dog! The initial meet and greet with our first dog and the new fella went really well at the shelter, but things have been a little tense back here on our home turf. Our first dog, Blaze, doesn't seem to quite understand why our new little guy, Dexter, is still in his house! We don't quite feel comfortable leaving them alone together, so we're constantly keeping an eye on both of them. But, each day seems to get a little better - Blaze is becoming more tolerant, and Dexter is becoming more comfortable with his surroundings. (I should also mention that Blaze has a torn toe pad that's healing, while Dexter is recovering from his neuter procedure done earlier this week. As a result, both dogs are supposed to be taking it easy, which is easier said than done for two active dogs who are still getting to know each other!)
But, wait folks - that's not all! I also started my new job this week! And while things are going pretty well on that front, there's always a bit of chaos that comes with taking on a new position. I do my best to leave work at work, but it sure can be hard sometimes - especially when there's so much to be done!
The cherry on top of this messy sundae? My husband has left town for the weekend, leaving me alone to supervise the two dogs.
So, we'll see how this goes.
To focus on the positive instead of stressing about what could or might go wrong, let's celebrate another round of freebies! Here are some of my latest favorites:
1. Free popcorn samples (plus a free take-home tub!) at Goody's
My local coupon mailer included a lovely little deal for a free mini-tub of popcorn. So, I stopped by on my way home from work yesterday, and I discovered that Goody's is happy to give you free samples (much smaller than what's pictured above) of all of their yummy options. My coupon got me a bigger take-home sample, so I enjoyed a lovely pre-dinner snack of sour cream & onion popcorn. Mmmmm.
2. Free home improvement items at Harbor Freight tools
http://media.snagajob.com/employer/images/logos/21243_HFlogo_lg.gif
My local paper, The Oregonian, has been carrying coupons for Harbor Freight Tools that include free tarps, free tool sets, free tape measures, and free flashlights - no purchase necessary! Time to stock up!
3. Free movie screenings through Gofobo
http://indiesunchained.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/gofobo.jpg
I've been to several free movie screenings through this website; the last one was Obvious Child, starring Jenny Slate. All you have to do is sign up with your email address, and you'll periodically get invitations to free screenings in a city near you. (Disclaimer: this is definitely one of those freebies that you have to be on top of - tickets often go fast, and you have to get to the theater early because they give away more tickets than there are seats to try to get a full house.) It's hard to pass up a free movie these days, so I definitely recommend signing up for this one!
4. Throwback freebie: Chalupas!
http://www.grubgrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Taco-Bell-Bacon-Club-Chalupa.jpg
I'm feeling a bit nostalgic today, so I just wanted to reminisce for a moment on one of my all-time favorite "freebies" - the Free Chalupa coupon that was handed out at Portland Trail Blazer games if the team scored 100 points or more during a single game. Sadly, this one is no more (replaced instead by a free Egg McMuffin from McDonald's - meh), but it will always have a special place in my heart - even if my digestive system is much happier without it.
5. Gold Standard Freebie: the Library
http://www.wccls.org/sites/all/themes/wccls2011/logo.png
Ah, the library... one of my favorite places, both as a child and as an adult. While I know that the library's services are paid for by our tax dollars, it's "freebie" status goes waaaaaaay beyond just books - I'm talking music, movies, books-on-tape, and even admission at local attractions! If you live in Washington County, Oregon, go to your local WCCLS branch and ask for the Cultural Passes to places like the Lan Su Chinese Garden, Pittock Mansion, the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum, the Portland Children's Museum, and several other spots around town. If you're outside the county, I challenge you to go to your local library branch and learn more about their programs and offerings (and check out a book or two for some summer reading).
Help me spread the freebie love! What are some freebies you've enjoyed this week?
A.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
My Turn: DIY Monogram Burlap Wreath
Good morning, and Happy First Day of July!
I don't know about you, but I can't believe how quickly June went by... although I am looking forward to some more consistent sunny weather here in the beautiful Northwest (June is always a toss-up... will you wake up to heavy rain and 60 degrees, or sunny and 80 degrees? You just never know!).
Our biggest to-do for our new home is our backyard, but it's such a big, intimidating task that my husband and I keep finding other, smaller projects to tackle instead. One of my personal goals is to use up our leftover wedding decor as much as possible when decorating our home.
So, I present to you (drumroll, please)... burlap wreaths!
But, something was missing... it still seemed incomplete to me.
As popular as chevron prints have been, I haven't done ANYTHING with chevron - so I decided that I'd spruce up the W with some paint. I figure, if I didn't end up liking the chevron pattern, I could just paint in the rest and have a solid colored W.
I apologize that I didn't take any pictures of assembling the burlap onto the wire wreath - I promise I'll do it for my next one, for those of you who are interested in how I arranged the fabric.
I initially didn't have any glue to attach my "hooks" (paperclips) to the back of the W, so I used duct tape. (Disclaimer: the tape holds up well in cooler weather, but when the direct sunlight hits the wreath hanging on the door on a hot day, the W ends up falling off. I'll try some hot glue and let you know if that holds up better.)
Next, I cut down the stems of some fake flowers and stuck them into the burlap (I find that if I weave the stems through a few of the burlap loops, and bend the stem a bit so it's not stick-straight, it stays in place pretty well).
Finally, it was chevron time. I didn't have any blue painter's tape handy, so I used some regular masking tape and created 90 degree angles when attaching the roughly 3 inch long pieces together. I tried my best to really push down along the edges of the tape to try to prevent paint from leaking underneath it.
Next, I applied some white acrylic paint with a sponge brush all over the W. After waiting about 10 minutes for the first coat to try, I then applied a second coat.
My favorite part was next - the big reveal! I carefully removed the tape and was pretty happy with what I saw, with the exception of a couple blurred areas where the paint got under the tape.
The last step: bending the paperclips to create little hooks, then placing the W onto the wreath. Voila!
For me, the most time-consuming part of this project is getting the burlap onto the wire wreath, but even then, that only takes about 30 minutes (again, sorry I didn't take any pictures of that process - next time!). I chose not to glue down any of the decor on the wreath so that I can easily remove the items and change it out with new stuff whenever I want.
I love this way this turned out, even with it's imperfections.
What crafts are on your to-do list this month?
A.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Freebies!
Happy Sunday, readers!
Things around the house are a little quiet this weekend... husband is gone fishing in Central Oregon, and dog-son is still recovering from a cut in his foot pad that required sutures. I've got HGTV on in the background (Flip or Flop marathon, anyone?) this afternoon while I take care of some domestic duties - laundry, vacuuming, the usual. But my weekend has also been filled with fun outings; Friday evening brought dinner with a college friend visiting from London, and Saturday was filled with shopping, Paint Nite with the bestie, and celebrating the album release of our friends' band.
All in all, another successful weekend in the books.
For today's post, I wanted to celebrate some of the freebies that I like to throw into my routines or onto my calendar. I remember learning from my high school economics teacher that "there's no such thing as a free lunch," but it's hard to argue with a good "free" deal when you find one!
1. Free REI classes
Things around the house are a little quiet this weekend... husband is gone fishing in Central Oregon, and dog-son is still recovering from a cut in his foot pad that required sutures. I've got HGTV on in the background (Flip or Flop marathon, anyone?) this afternoon while I take care of some domestic duties - laundry, vacuuming, the usual. But my weekend has also been filled with fun outings; Friday evening brought dinner with a college friend visiting from London, and Saturday was filled with shopping, Paint Nite with the bestie, and celebrating the album release of our friends' band.
All in all, another successful weekend in the books.
For today's post, I wanted to celebrate some of the freebies that I like to throw into my routines or onto my calendar. I remember learning from my high school economics teacher that "there's no such thing as a free lunch," but it's hard to argue with a good "free" deal when you find one!
1. Free REI classes
http://static.infowars.com/bindnfocom/2013/11/REI-logo-300x300.jpg
My husband and I have attended a few of the free classes at our local REI store, and we've enjoyed learning new ways to enjoy the Great Outdoors from area experts. The ones that stand out in my mind focused on lightweight backpacking, and local hikes that are dog-friendly. I've also taken a couple skills classes through REI's Outdoor School, but those come with a fee (so they don't quite fit the nature of this list). If you live near an REI store, and you want to learn more about getting active outside, I definitely recommend signing up for their monthly email.
2. Free tire checks and tire repairs at Les Schwab
http://sandpointlivinglocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/lesSchwabLogo.png
I remember, when I first started driving, my dad always told me to go to Les Schwab for my tires. Sure enough, they've been my go-to tire shop; I recently bought a new set from them last fall. And I'm sure glad I stopped by my local shop a couple weeks ago - I noticed one of my tires was a little low on air, so I asked if they could inflate it (which they do for free). After taking a look at the tire in question, the employee who was assisting me informed me that I had a leak, and he repaired it at no charge. Another positive experience with a great company.
3. Free ring cleanings at Fred Meyer
http://www.fredmeyerjewelers.com/Assets/images/FMJlogoCenter.gif
I had some time to spare while waiting for Les Schwab to fix my flat tire, so I wandered over to the Fred Meyer across the parking lot and asked for a quick ring clean for my wedding ring, which they provide for free. Because I work with children, my ring often doesn't stay clean for long, so I LOVE it when I get to see it freed up from the dirt and grime that dulls it. Plus, I had a Fred Meyer coupon for two free reusable shopping bags (no purchase necessary), so it was a double-whammy of freebies that day!
4. Free Victoria's Secret panties
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A friend once told me, after she moved into her new place, that she kept forgetting to check her mailbox at her new house until she realized that it'd been awhile since she last got her coupon for a free panty from Victoria's Secret! This is always a fun freebie - just sign up to receive mailings from them, and every couple months you'll get a coupon for a free panty, no strings attached. And the options are always cute - no granny panties here!
5. Free listings on Cragislist
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This one is my favorite, both for the potential of the free items that you could find, and for the entertainment value. If you're ever needing to kill some time, check out the "for sale" tab on the website and select "free stuff." And then the fun begins. From a practical point of view, I scored a free set of really nice bar stools for my new house - the only cost to me was the 10 minutes to find the listing and the 45 minutes of round-trip driving to Portland and back. However, my enjoyment from this freebie option usually comes from the random listings for things like "free chicken broth," "free Buddhist magazines," and a listing from a woman seeking revenge on her cheating boyfriend by placing all of his fishing gear and equipment up for grabs on the side of the road.
In a world where the bills seem to pile up quickly, it sure is nice to save some money wherever we can. What are some of your favorite free things?
A.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Favorite Things
Ha! I couldn't even stay away from this thing for more than three hours. I kept looking at my computer every time I walked past it, thinking about what I wanted to write about next.
So, I gave in. I've had a pretty great week so far, and I just wanted to sit down and acknowledge that.
Some of my favorite things from this past week:
1. Friends - the best television show ever created.
So, I gave in. I've had a pretty great week so far, and I just wanted to sit down and acknowledge that.
Some of my favorite things from this past week:
1. Friends - the best television show ever created.
http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110911163321/friends/images/8/88/Friends-s9.jpg
I have all 10 seasons, and I love to just pick a random episode and have it on in the background while I'm doing stuff around the house. (Side note: when I was growing up and watching this show, I wanted nothing more than to marry Chandler Bing - or Miss Chanandler Bong, as his TV Guide was addressed.)
2. Grocery Outlet - definitely the bargain market!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b0/Groceryoutlet_logo.png
I stopped in here the other day on a whim, since it was next door to Dollar Tree and I wasn't in a rush to get home. Minute Maid Peach Tea for $1.49? Yes, please! Decorative lantern with flameless candle for $9.99? I'll take two! Betty Crocker Gluten Free sugar cookie and brownie mix for under $2 each? Time to stock up!
3. Online shopping - oops.
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/community/blogs/025bf606-020a-48e9-89bf-99adda13e9b1/resource/BLOGS_UPLOADED_IMAGES/online-shopping-security-lead.ashx.jpeg?lang=en
I've been bad. Like, lazy-bad. There's an Old Navy and a Victoria's Secret less than two miles from my house... but it's so much EASIER to shop from my iPhone, sitting on my couch in my pajamas! I have to admit, though, that it's pretty fun to open your front door and see a "present" waiting for you. But, to make up for bad online shopping habits...
4. Clearance sales!
http://denverbargains.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/michaels-arts-and-crafts-store.png
How convenient that Michaels (and Joann's) happened to be on my way home from the gym the other day... and, apparently, it's super-clearance time! Throw their weekly coupons into the mix, and you can have yourself a pretty good time. I stocked up on some burlap and wire wreaths, and added in a few other non-essential things (mini wooden W's, votive candle wraps... and too many other things to list). I figured these mega-discount prices help make up for the semi-sale prices I paid online. Sort of.
5. Time off from work.
http://www.salary.com/Image/300/300/Media/Default/graphics/vacastress_intro.jpg
As I transition from two part-time jobs to a new full-time position, I've been able to have some time off in the process. And, boy, do I love being at home more! I wish I could do the stay-at-home thing forever, but my student loans dictate otherwise. Oh, well. Instead, I'll just try my best to soak up every free moment!
Okay, I'll just leave it at five things for now. What have been some of your favorite things in the past week? What are you thankful for?
A.
The First Post
Okay. Just take a deep breath, and let it out slowly... Place my fingers over the keyboard. Look at the screen. And...? Oh, geez. Alright. Just type something. Anything. What's on my mind? Isn't that the whole reason I started this blog - to get my thoughts typed out and share them with The Internet, in case someone, anyone, might be interested in what I'm thinking about?
So, I guess the first step is to introduce myself, explain what the heck I'm doing here?
I can do that.
Hi! My name is Ashleigh, and I decided, on a whim, to start a blog. I've only blogged one other time in my life - does anyone remember Xanga? - and I think it's safe to say that my posts as a teenage girl were pretty predictable. "Oh, so-and-so is super cute, and we made EYE CONTACT today!" "Oh, I love my BFFs and we're so cool and we're going to go to college together and live next door to each other and..." Or, "Oh! My life is so difficult - I go to a great school, have a wonderful family, am surrounded by awesome friends, but my hormones are out of control! WHY DOESN'T ANYONE UNDERSTAND ME??"
You know, the usual teenage angst that plagues us all at some point in our lives.
Thankfully (for my sake, and I like to think yours, too), this is not that blog.
Disclaimer: this blog is still about me. But it's about twenty-seven year old me, instead of fourteen year old me. I like to think that alone will make for a much better reading experience.
A brief introduction: I am married to a wonderful man, and almost two years ago we adopted a black lab-mixed breed rescue from a nearby animal shelter; I often refer to him as my dog-son, and I am his dog-mom. He's covered with a beautiful brindle coat - hence the "Brindle" part of this blog's title. The "Brick" half of the blog's name refers to the purchase of my first house with my husband a few months ago.
My little house ("Brick") and my little family ("Brindle") make up the center of my universe. I am completely in love with my husband and dog-son, and I am really enjoying making this little house of ours a home.
The idea for this blog came to me at 6:45 am this morning, when my dog was lying next to me in bed and hitting me with his paw to wake me up so that I would get out of bed and feed him breakfast. I wasn't quite ready to leave the comfort of our new king-sized bed, so instead I lay there petting him, and thinking about how handsome my dog-son is with his brindle coloring. And then I somehow got to thinking about how much I miss writing, and journaling. (Don't ask me how I got there - I often have a hard time tracing my line of thought, as my mind always feels like it's spinning with new ideas and questions and comments and I can hardly keep up.) And then, suddenly, it just seemed very clear to me - start a blog. Write about the things that I love, the things that are important to me. Write about things that bring joy to my life. I figured it would be a nice way to start focusing on the positive instead of the negative, as I tend to worry and stress a lot. (I'm very thankful for my husband, who helps keep me grounded and can put things into perspective for me when I get a little lost.)
So, here it is. My blog. There's no plan. There's no timeline, or deadline, or any real purpose to this other than to allow myself the opportunity for self-reflection and ramblings without interruption.
Alright, how do I end this post... The End? Bye for now? Cut to commercial?
Ugh, how embarrassing. I'll get this whole blogging-thing figured out eventually... right?
So, I guess the first step is to introduce myself, explain what the heck I'm doing here?
I can do that.
Hi! My name is Ashleigh, and I decided, on a whim, to start a blog. I've only blogged one other time in my life - does anyone remember Xanga? - and I think it's safe to say that my posts as a teenage girl were pretty predictable. "Oh, so-and-so is super cute, and we made EYE CONTACT today!" "Oh, I love my BFFs and we're so cool and we're going to go to college together and live next door to each other and..." Or, "Oh! My life is so difficult - I go to a great school, have a wonderful family, am surrounded by awesome friends, but my hormones are out of control! WHY DOESN'T ANYONE UNDERSTAND ME??"
You know, the usual teenage angst that plagues us all at some point in our lives.
Thankfully (for my sake, and I like to think yours, too), this is not that blog.
Disclaimer: this blog is still about me. But it's about twenty-seven year old me, instead of fourteen year old me. I like to think that alone will make for a much better reading experience.
A brief introduction: I am married to a wonderful man, and almost two years ago we adopted a black lab-mixed breed rescue from a nearby animal shelter; I often refer to him as my dog-son, and I am his dog-mom. He's covered with a beautiful brindle coat - hence the "Brindle" part of this blog's title. The "Brick" half of the blog's name refers to the purchase of my first house with my husband a few months ago.
My little house ("Brick") and my little family ("Brindle") make up the center of my universe. I am completely in love with my husband and dog-son, and I am really enjoying making this little house of ours a home.
The idea for this blog came to me at 6:45 am this morning, when my dog was lying next to me in bed and hitting me with his paw to wake me up so that I would get out of bed and feed him breakfast. I wasn't quite ready to leave the comfort of our new king-sized bed, so instead I lay there petting him, and thinking about how handsome my dog-son is with his brindle coloring. And then I somehow got to thinking about how much I miss writing, and journaling. (Don't ask me how I got there - I often have a hard time tracing my line of thought, as my mind always feels like it's spinning with new ideas and questions and comments and I can hardly keep up.) And then, suddenly, it just seemed very clear to me - start a blog. Write about the things that I love, the things that are important to me. Write about things that bring joy to my life. I figured it would be a nice way to start focusing on the positive instead of the negative, as I tend to worry and stress a lot. (I'm very thankful for my husband, who helps keep me grounded and can put things into perspective for me when I get a little lost.)
So, here it is. My blog. There's no plan. There's no timeline, or deadline, or any real purpose to this other than to allow myself the opportunity for self-reflection and ramblings without interruption.
Alright, how do I end this post... The End? Bye for now? Cut to commercial?
Ugh, how embarrassing. I'll get this whole blogging-thing figured out eventually... right?
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