Don't Step in a Poodle

I don't remember if I mentioned that on June 10th, on Michael's sweet way home from buying 25 blown up balloons to put around the house for my birthday (I wouldn't let him pop the big cupcake shaped one that is currently floating next to me), without noticing, his phone fell out of the pouch clipped on his belt and landed in a puddle outside. He didn't find it until 30 minutes later and even after drying, it wouldn't turn on. It has been raining so much lately, but it is hurricane season.. So the next day he bought an iPhone. Here are Michael's Instagram pictures that I have been meaning to post:

*please click the photos for larger versions! =)
The first four pictures are from when we went to the new mini golf course at CityWalk/ Universal on my birthday (two weeks ago)! We did the "Alien Invasion" half. There was a haunted house one too, but I told Michael I would prefer to do that one during the day. The fourth row is showing off the current project Michael is working on, which is related to the bottom left picture from Thursday last week. We were in Good Will trying to find a female version of the Penguin outfit for me. (From "Batman Returns", 1992.) Then tonight we had dinner again at Bob's Potatoes.

"def da best"

Today Sana came over around 2pm because we both had the day off from work. We went to the mall (and Platos Closet) to try and find a white dress for a possible anniversary shoot I would like to do with Michael ~ haven't mentioned that to him yet.. No such luck though and the other dresses I did try on looked much better on the hanger.

We had lunch at a place called Teak Neighborhood Grill. It really was back through all these nice neighborhoods. Sana said the menu looked good, as well as the reviews including one that simply said "def da best". After that we used the phrase to describe everything we liked. The place was small and although there were hardly any customers when we got there, the waitress seemed to take a while. She was nice though and the food was really good. I got the Hawaiian burger with a house salad. 

 They had some inventive burgers - such as one with two glazed donuts in place of a bun! This means I can add another tally to my "10 restraurants I haven't been to before". Afterward we stopped by the big Dollar Store. Sana was amazed that everything really was only a dollar, just as I was when I went there a couple months ago. I got Sasha a pretty rope for her to pull on. She likes it! 

Then I was convinced to drive back around near the Universal area to find Fresh Market. I got it confused with Whole Foods, but we still made it. I was very fascinated with the "per pound" area. But instead of candy (however, they had candy too) it was trail mix, pretzels, peanuts and dried fruits. I was feeling adventurous and got a good handful-sized bag of a few. Including dried strawberries, kiwis and cantaloupe! Sometimes I get really excited to eat healthy foods. Today it got to the happy point where I confessed that I was sad that we have been friends for three months and hadn't hugged yet. Ha, so we hugged right there.

I made it home just in time for the new Glee episode (Whitney Huston tribute). Michael got home around 9pm from another full day on the zombie shoot. Then we watched my Netflix movie, The Change Up with Ryan Reynolds, Jason Bateman and Olivia Wilde (Michael's new girlfriend). I liked it, aside from how many times the F-word was used and a couple other scenes, but it was rated R. It was nice getting to see him for a couple hours. Of course he is sleeping again and I still have one last load of laundry in the dryer that I probably won't get put away to until (honestly) Friday?

the Dog Lady

Over the past two days I have turned into the lady who treats her pet like a child. I'm sure Sasha doesn't mind the extra attention. I've been giving her lots of kisses today, even though she is quite stinky. She needs a spa day for sure! A good shampoo bubble bath & her nails need to be clipped something fierce. Do they make breath mints for dogs?

We had lunch (bagel bites) on the porch today, until her privileges got revoked from too much barking - again with everyone walking their dogs at the same time, geez. And we sat outside again while the sun was going down. It was cool out, so I had to put a sweater on and when I noticed Sasha was shaking, I got her fancy jacket out and her blanket. I wanted to show pictures of the few plants I still have too. (From top to bottom: Picotee Cosmos, the name sunned off of the tiny ones, African Daisies, Annual Flower Mix & regular? Cosmos) The older ones died - or they are about to. *sadness* (The pictures are a much better viewing size if you click them!)

I have been on <this> super cute family blog all day and the mom has a lot of high angled shots with the kids looking up and only their faces in focus. I stood on the wobbly chair (basically risking my life) to try a couple with Sasha. Its funny going backwards through her life, watching the kids get younger. Sasha & I went inside when it got dark to watch "the Time Traveler's Wife".

She stared at me to put the blanket over her but once I made popcorn, the blanket moved and a wet nose poked out. It was very funny. I didn't grab the camera fast enough, but this other one is still cute. I'm watching "P.S. I Love You" also because it definitely makes me never want to argue with Michael again, especially not to roll my eyes and walk away about such dumb little things. There is far too much love in our whole bodies to ever waste any precious second!

Our Baby

I know these next couple of years are supposed to be husband & wife time before a new life is created, but I don't get to see Michael very much these days. Especially now that he is working on a low budget indie zombie film with his friend Jared, who helped him out on Blood Widow. I am very happy for Michael - that he is getting paid side projects that he really enjoys, including sculpting, molding face casts and painting fake bodies. I enjoy my 911 job very much as well, but I miss spending time with him.
I began thinking about all the times we were able to spend together during Full Sail (photo by Ryan Walker, November 2009) and the frequent vacations we would take to Birmingham & the amusement parks. (However he did ask me the other day when we were going back to Typhoon Lagoon!) I even watched part of a Howard Berger Make Up Tutorial DVD with him this morning and felt guilty during my long shower for "wasting my opportunities". Unfortunately, he is in serious "Movie Mode" right now. I enjoy hearing him talk about what he is working on - and all the new ways he is able to accidentally injure himself (ugh, boys). But I am unable to discuss the future with him without him getting stressed. So on top of not seeing him, I feel like we aren't able to talk about much other than work.. But I know that there is so much more amazement to look forward to!

I've been trying to take advantage of my free time with Sasha, like taking her on walks (which can be very difficult when every other person is walking their dog at the same time and she turns into a vicious beast!) and snuggling with her more on my days off. Yesterday my "Mommy Mode" went overboard when I bought Sasha an 18-month Onesie (which I later de-haired and returned this morning). It didn't look as cute as I was hoping for. There was a small orange cat sewn to the front that said "Purr-fect".

Post-Lent Lent

I feel like I barely did anything for Lent. Yes, the whole "don't-eat-meat-on-Friday's... unless you forget.." (haha) is the easiest because I've had practice most of my life. I knew from the start that my 2nd chance at New Years Resolutions was a bit over the top. I wanted to suddenly change into who I want to be, like BAM - GO!

But figured if I gave up chocolate for 40 days, I would end up binging and that would only make things worst. For the most part I didn't buy scrapbook items. I can honestly say that I haven't been to Scrappy Boutique in 6 weeks & that is an improvement. There were more, but I think I will just break it down by the week of what I SHOULD start to do.. at some point.. WEEK 1: No computer/internet. (Aside from at work, of course.) WEEK 2: No spending money! WEEK 3: No eating out & No chocolate or candy.  More ideas, please. Otherwise, I may have to simply repeat them. // For now I will leave you with some simple photos to get you through this week! Today Michael and I dyed eggs. It wasn't as eventful as I was hoping for, but I still enjoyed the company during the short celebration..  & Spider found a home in my Marigolds.  I think I accidentally killed the rest of my plants because they are all falling over (they have really long stems without anything to support them) and wilty. But every time I checked their soil, it was all dry!.. (Polaroids) Sasha by some of my newer plants. & Jet Ski sign at Ormond Beach. It made me think of when Michael and I rented jet skis on our honeymoon at the Bahamas - that was sooo fun!

Toy Story

On Tuesday I brought some of my favorite mini books to work to show my trainer, Kristen. She is very nice and also asked to see the premiere ones, so I'll have to bring those this weekend. But now that I have a good amount of mini Polaroids, I've been meaning to create an album for them, especially after seeing the pretty ones other people have made. 

Yesterday during my fun errand run, I picked up this sad looking bear for Sasha at the Dollar Store. I have also been looking for some small bunny & sheep figurines for my own decoration display. I was only able to find this porcelain bunny at JoAnn Fabrics. Such a disappointment that with all the Easter decorations for sale, this was the only "cute" one I could find. (&&&.. I planted six new flowers ~ Phytomania, I know!)

Soft bear with the long torso has been added to Sasha's collection. Soon enough crucial body parts will be missing - such as the eyes from Frankenstein and Santa porcupine's nose! That's her way of showing them love. (I gave her a couple treats for posing.)

Tonight we are having a "dinner meeting" with Julie at Bahama Breeze to tell her our plans to move to North Carolina instead of Los Angeles, to see if she still wants to live with us for a year before we design & build our house (that's the current plan)! Also, Michael has a job proposition for her to see if she wants to be the secretary/manager of the new Special Make Up FX business that he & Osiris are talking about starting.