Friday, hooray!

I am so glad that its the weekend! Normally Fridays make me want to pull my hair out, but today work was actually manageable and enjoyable.

Typically, I go into work at 9am and immediately jump into the rush of Friday appointments: being friendly to clients and dealing with difficult patients. We have a running joke at work, that anything and everything will go wrong on a Friday. No one comes on time, co-workers call in sick, every animal is a "caution." But today was nice and slow, I got to socialize with co-workers, and learn how to do new things.

Sometimes I think its odd I spend most of my time at work, but yet don't truly know my co-workers. Most discussions revolve around drama at work or food. Is that what all office conversation are limited to?

From now on I challenge my slightly socially awkward/horrible small-talker self to be more inquisitive and a good conversationalist. It can't be hard... right???

Agave love

Organic sweetener? Low glycemic index? No chemicals? Blue agave nectar is good stuff.

Though I would like to claim the reason for buying this wholesome and healthy sweetener was to start eating better, it wasn't. Whole Foods was having a sale. But I have come to love the many, many uses for agave nectar.

Its starting to replace honey and Splenda (which I use to sweeten everything) in my diet. It is less thick than honey, and dissolves nicely in iced drinks. So far I have used it to sweeten iced coffee, iced tea, oatmeal, peanut butter and banana toast, and yogurt. And I think it would be the perfect alternative to maple syrup on my protein pancake tomorrow. Yum.

Looking forward to an agave filled breakfast tomorrow :)

Image: m_bartosch / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

My Life as a Dog- part 1

Inspired by getting winded walking to my car (it was up a hill!), and having a thousand pimples pop up all over my face, I've decided to turn over a new leaf, adopt some healthier ways, start a new life... as a dog.

Screeech! Put on the crazy brakes. Woof, woof? Bow wow? Ruff ruff?

No, no. I am not literally going to sprout a tail, start panting, and walk on all fours. However, working at an animal hospital has shown me that our canine friends can teach us a thing or two about good living. So, here is what I've learn from the pups in my life.

Tip #1: Sleep when you are tired
Do dogs stay up past midnight to watch a "Criminal Minds" marathon, or write blog? Have you ever seen a dog look at the clock and decide its "too early" to go to bed? I constantly say I'm tired, but proceed to stay up until midnight simply out of principle.

If I were Max, a little Shih Tzu at the hospital, I would not be ashamed to call it a night at 6pm (before dinner!).

If I were Buttons, my snoring Lhasa Apso, I would wake up to eat breakfast and fall right back asleep.

If I were to start my new dog life now, I'd better learn how to turn off the TV earlier. Maybe I'll even start getting 8 hours of sleep a night. Gasp, imagine that...

Hope you all sleep well, and have wonderful dreams full of chasing cats and belly rubs! Good night and sleep tight!!

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Dear ole August

My oh my... I feel like a granny saying "ehhh..where has the time gone?" in a croaky old voice. But at least this month consisted of more than my normal TV watching. Big step.

In the past month I have:

• Played host to visiting relatives
  
• Been to the local courthouse for jury duty
• Went on family adventure to Alaska and Vancouver
• Been to the local courthouse for jury duty... yes twice.
• Gotten good at telling potential employers that I don't have a wealth of experience, but I learn really fast. And am dependable. And am easy to work with.

I've decided (after watching Julie & Julia) to try to write more regularly. Since I'm not doing anything but bumming around the house, I figure this will give me some kind of structure. Or help make sure I don't forget how to write. Or keep my mind active. Or help me with social skills. What if I forget how to converse with people?! Seriously. What if I hang out with my dog all day and then talk to seals on the weekends. I might become the new version of the lady with a million cats. Hmm, I'll keep you updated.