Tattoo

I saw this tattoo online today and just LOVE it. I've been wanting another tattoo for a while now - I already have one on my hip and one on my lower back. I haven't been able to figure out where to put another. As much as I love them and think they're beautiful, and that some girls can pull off a pretty tattoo with a nice dress, I'm too chicken to get anything that is too visible at a time when I may not want it to be.
I think I've decided to get a henna pattern done on the inside of my left ankle. I'd have it inked in an auburn hue to look like a naturally faded henna. Now I just have to find the perfect henna pattern....

Incubus at DTE - 2011

My friend Amber and I are huge Incubus fans (more their old stuff than the new stuff). We were hoping to get seats somewhere in the first 10 rows or so this year, but ended up halfway back under the pavillion, dead center. Still great seats, and still an AWESOME night. :)

Meet Emma

After losing Meadow a little over a month ago, the house felt so empty - she always made herself a part of whatever we were doing. She sat and talked with me while I got ready for work in the morning, did my homework with me, surfed the net with me, sat in the back yard with me while I gardened, made the bed with us at night (or at least played in the covers while we tried to make the bed), and slept beside me through the night. Needless to say, I have been feeling quite a void with her gone. And with our other cat Griffin being so needy for attention, we know he's been lonely too.

We have been searching Petfinder.com for a while now looking for that special kitten to help with the loss. But it couldn't be just any old kitten, this kitten has some really big shoes paws to fill in the personality department.

Enter: Emma (or Daisy as she had been named by the shelter). I found her on Petfinder and she was ADORABLE! But she was also in Indiana (a 4.5 hour drive from where we are in Michigan). I knew there was no way the hubby would drive that far to meet a kitten. I asked him anyway. He said there is no way he would drive that far to meet a kitten. (Told you.) BUT THEN, the HUBBY found a firework display that he wanted to go to in western Michigan this past weekend, just a few miles from the Indiana border. Oh, so nnooowwwww he's willing to drive 4 hrs - for FIREWORKS.

I told him this kitten I really really reeeeeaaalllly wanted to meet was at a shelter just under an hour from the firework thing, and we were already driving so far..... he said yes.

We went.
We fell IMMEDIATELY in LOVE.
We signed.
We left, with "Emma".

She literally took my breath away when I first saw her in person. We had looked at a couple kittens - going thru the INTERROGATIONS (application processes) that make you feel like you are attempting to adopt a child of royalty and are entirely not worthy. We were approved each time though, but none of the kittens were the right fit, until now. There she sat in all her cuteness, captivating me... and then she tilted her head to the side and batted at our fingers, and that was that.

*This was one of the friendliest shelters we had been to, and they just wanted to see these animals get homes. If you're anywhere in their area and looking to adopt, or just want to help out - I can personally vouch for this shelter and would love to see them get a little extra support.*
Visit their page here: Starke County Humane Society

So here is our newest family member, Emma.
Griffin has slowly been warming up to her over the last couple of days. She is convinced that his tail is her plaything, and he is convinced that it is NOT. But I think they'll soon be best of friends. She is very sweet, and affectionate, and already makes herself a part of everything we do. I will never forget Meadow and her place will never be filled, I still think of her every day. But I'd be lying if I said it didn't help ease the pain to have a fluffy, clumsy little kitten rolling around at our feet.

If you are looking to bring a new pet into your home, please adopt. There are so many homeless animals out there needing a caring home. Take a look: Petfinder.com

I am so devastated to have lost my beautiful Meadow Kitty. I have had her for 7 years, and she was so incredibly special to me. She will be forever in my heart as one of my dearest companions. I love you mau mau Meadow kitty.

Seeing Red

I'm beginning to plan out our as-yet-unattained home. We tried purchasing a house last year. We put bids on a few, but in the end the cost of the wedding prevailed and we decided to put everything on hold until this year or possibly next. So we don't have a house of our own yet, but that doesn't mean I can't start tentatively planning it out!

(Example above. This is not our house. Yet.)
Currently, our kitchen and dining room are starting to aquire an ethnic feel. I love it. I want an asian or moroccan ambiance. I love the vibrant colors and am becoming very stuck on the idea of red walls - so I am beginning my collection of "inspiration photos" and waiting for the day we have a house of our own.

I'm picturing red walls with a black or very very dark brown (nearly black) wainscoating. And perhaps drapes in the same color as the walls in the photo to the left.
Or would it be better to do the walls in the olive color shown here with lots of red accents, to allow for a more versitile room in the case of a desire to redecorate?

I just LOVE the warm, vibrant atmoshpere created by the bright red tones. It feels inviting and lively. I can picture large family gatherings, and simple family dinners with the kids (also as-yet-unattained). :)

Soon enough. Until then, I'll keep planning and dreaming.

Yoga

This yoga video from Yoga Journal is such a good core workout. I love it! :)

I Can See!

I've known for a while that my vision when driving at night is not the greatest. Especially if it's raining. I went to the eye doc and he gave me a prescription for eyeglasses needed only for nighttime and distance. I had no idea how bad my vision was until I put these on! My up-close vision is fine, but wow was I missing out on the far away stuff! So those street signs still have words and numbers at night, eh? And no more stopping at shadows in the road thinking it's an animal!

I'm pretty excited to have my new glasses. I got the frames for a really good deal! If I wear them a lot I may end up getting a pair that I like a little more, but for now these will do.