When work gets crazy...

I tend to get crazy.  It is difficult to strike the balance of performing above expectations at work and keeping everything else afloat.  The one thing I can boil down any personal conflicts to when I feel stress at work is communication.  If I'm not keeping Josh up to date about work we tend to break down. I feel stressed out and misunderstood but its usually because I am not communicating effectively.  Maybe I need to read this book?

Griffin's First Haircut

Last Friday Griffin went to North Bark Pet Grooming for his first hair cut. They did a great job and they said he behaved wonderfully (which surprised us all).  I was a little surprised by how short his hair is now. He lost that puppy scruff that is so endearing but it is healthier for him so he doesn't get mats.  You can scroll down for before pics!

The Holidays

This year we will be in attendance at 11 holiday parties (at least). We're down a couple from last year's 13 and I haven't figured out how that happened, or maybe I just mis-counted.  Last year when we got home from party #13 I cried because the Garmin I received was not the Garmin I actually wanted and the Garmin I wanted was on sale but I couldn't bring myself to go to Target to make the exchange. Too much holiday partying?  I'd say so.  This year I am going to try and approach things a little differently.

• Do not plan a bathroom remodel for the first week of December
• Do not plan a vacation to Vegas for Thanksgiving
• Start Christmas shopping online early
• Take advantage of Black Friday for the best deals
• Plan a weekend to do the big clean... corners, behind furniture, base boards, you know the drill. This is looking like December 18th.
• Begin shopping early for hosting needs (festive plates, napkins, table covers). Save money by going to TJ Maxx and Marshall's
• Im going to *try* to not worry if I don't have a brand new, complicated, impressive cookie recipe for every party
• Wear dresses that are already in the closet with fun, new accessories
• Order the Christmas card now (done today - check!) so I can begin addressing and mailing the week after Thanksgiving.

Here is a shot from our Christmas Party a couple of years ago.  

And here is a sneak peek at the star of our holiday card. I really do think he was having fun

Time change

The time change certainly puts a kink in my evening plans.  We got Griffin, our Wheaten Terrier puppy, in July. Once he was old enough to behave on his leash we would go for a walk every day after work. Since it gets dark by about 5:15pm (Western Michigan), I'm not quite comfortable going for a 45 minute walk when Daddy (my husband Josh) isn't home.  Luckily, my work is pretty flexible so if we are going to be out all night I will go in a little early so I can come home in time to get in a walk before we head out for dinner club, soccer, fill in the blank here.  Look at this guy, isn't he a doll?