The Yaris has a boo-boo.

Ever notice how as soon as you get something new, it’s like that thing automatically has a giant target placed upon it? For example, white tennis shoes. The first time you wear them someone is destined to step on your foot or you’ll get stuck in a downpour when there was no mention of rain in the forecast. Or, you have a giant bruise on your arm and everyone and their uncle decides to slap/squeeze/grab you there during casual conversation. (Granted that example isn't really getting something “new” and it’s actually kind of creepy that people would slap/squeeze/grab you in casual conversation, but roll with me here...)

OR, you have a new car.

Last night on the way to puppy class, the poor Yaris (Ryan still hasn’t given him a proper name yet) got "rubbed." It had recently snowed (don't even get me started on that), the roads were slick in spots, and, while coming down a hill, a car slide into us. It really wasn’t much; just a nudge that resulted in a couple of scratches to the bumper. But, it still sucked. New car, new scratch. No fun.

Ironically, the woman who hit us was an insurance agent. She immediately admitted fault, filed a claim and off we were. It was seriously the fastest and most polite “accident” I’d ever witnessed.

Hopefully, now that the car has been initiated twice (remember, it also got rubbed in the dealer’s lot before we bought it), the target is faded if not completely gone. Here’s hoping.

Success!

Two people came to my core training class tonight. Yay!!!

And, not to brag, but, um, they totally loved it. Oh yea.

Oh God, I'm hungover.

I seriously had the best birthday yesterday. Friday evening, my parents came over to drop off my birthday gifts and go out to dinner. They got me the latest Biggest Loser workout DVD and Guitar Hero for the Wii. So awesome:




Saturday morning, I opened my package from Tish. It's this awesome photo album along with stickers with words like hyperbole, food for thought, bad as I wanna be, and my personal favorite, beans and toast. The idea is that I take a photo to represent each title in my own creative way. How cool is that?!


I spent the afternoon at KCFitnessLink, celebrating Yoga Day and the studio's open house. After enjoying an hour of yoga, I spent a couple hours chatting with new clients and promoting my core class (Mondays, 6-7 pm, btw. hehe.). I also had a delicious lunch of sushi and this ginormous cupcake that Darryl got for my bday.

Note how its size dwarfs my hand:


That afternoon, I came home to a clean house (yay Ryan!). I took a leisurely 40-minute nap, talked to some friends and family on the phone, and played some Guitar Hero. (I'm still on the easy level, but I'm getting better.)





Then we went out to Lulu's for a tasty din-din. That's when the drinking began. lol. The circumstances that lead to the above title are as follows:

• Mojito at Lulu's
• Sangria-tini at Swizzel
• 2 K Ciders, upside-down pineapple cake shot, lemon drop shot and 2 irish car bombs at Hoopers

Here's some of the gang after a couple shots:

And here's Ryan and I towards the end of the evening. Ryan is in pensive mode, I'm in feelin-it "happy cow," as Ryan calls it.

It was a late night, but seriously so much fun. Granted I have a massive headache today, but it was worth it. It's not a good b-day unless you feel it the next day, right? ;)

Also, I'd be a bad puppy mommy if I didn't mention that my b-day marks Siena's 3-month b-day. Here's a few pics of how much she's grown and what she's been up to.

Siena has taken over the papasan, which is awesome because it's really not safe for people to sit in anyways because it's falling apart. Also, we can tell Siena to, "go to papa." And she does!

Siena has two poses, crazy and sad Orphane Annie. Here's two of Annie:

And one of crazy:

In conclusion, here's a Ryan and Siena moment of Zen. Ryan's probably mad at me for putting this on You Tube, but whatever. It was my birthday, and I can post video of him dancing if I want to.

Oh God, I’m 27.

When I turned 16, it was awesome. I can drive!
When I turned 18, it was awesome. I can vote! I can gamble!
When I turned 21, it was awesome. I can drink!
When I turned 25, it was awesome. I can rent a car without extra fees!
When I turned 26, it was extra awesome. Golden birthday year!

But, now I’m 27, and there’s not much of a bonus this go-round. I thought I’d be all clever and try to create a motto for 27. Here’s what I came up with:

Pure heaven at 27. Lame.
Hittin Up 7-Eleven at 27. More lame.
Flying like a raven at 27. That doesn’t even rhyme.

So, screw it. I’m going with the creative, “Oh God, I’m 27.” Now, don’t mistake my tone. I’m not upset at being 27. In fact, I’m quite comfortable with it, but I’m still amazed that I’m actually 27...and married…with a house…and a dog. There’s no going back; I’m an adult.

Although it may not be my “golden” year, I have high hopes for 27. I’m looking to change some things up this year, and spend more time doing the things I love. Out with the gold and into the new!

Tish on TV!

Check this out, peps! There's my girl!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UNcRRyKNZU

Master training

Siena had her first puppy class last night. True to form, the mini-beast was the most rambunctious puppy there, but I like to think the brightest, too. Regardless, she definitely had the most spunk and gave the instructor some sass. In so doing, however, she left the class with her rear-end totally soaked. When the instructor doesn’t like something a puppy is doing, say barking while he’s trying to talk, he squirts them with a little bit of water from a spray bottle. Needless to say, Siena was a “fighter” (his words) and took a few squirts to get the gist. (It’s the red hair in her, I guess.)

It was cuteness overload though. There were about seven other puppies there – little ones, big ones and itty-bitty ones. I could clearly pick out a lab, two golden retrievers (one was the white kind like Oprah has), a schnauzer and a very timid pekingese. Siena loved playing with them all and was very gentle to the ones that were a quarter of her size.

Despite the time spent playing and squirting Siena, the class was mainly for the masters or “coaches” as our instructor called us. He gave some great tips on walking on a loose leash, house training and getting our puppies to come when called.

We have also successfully instated the 1-2-3 rule. Basically, when you want your dog to do something you tell them once, twice and then if they still haven’t done it, you make them do it (i.e., pick them up, sit their butt down, put them in the kennel, etc.). This way the rascals learn that they have to do what you say, one way or the other. Resistance is futile, basically.

The best message of the night though, must have been that puppies are exactly that. They’re young dogs just out exploring and figuring out the world. They get their cues from you. You just have to show them how it’s done.

For anyone out there who is thinking of getting a puppy…I highly suggest puppy classes that are reward-based and gentle. It’ll bring out the pack leader in ya -- promise!

Seven things that make me happy, and three things I could use some help with.

1. Celebrating MLK Day

2. Getting ish done (laundry, gym, Target, g-store and getting a printer cartridge refilled -- go me!)

3. Watching bad tv. Ryan is at work, so I'm indulging in the terrible Housewives of OC, Oprahs that have been waiting patiently on my DVR for weeks, and I'm finally going to check out Make Me a Supermodel.

4. Bonus time with Siena. We went on a 40-minute walk this morning, have played some fetch, and now she's so exhausted that she's super snuggly.

5. Going green! A few weeks ago, Ryan and I picked up these reusable bags at Price Chopper, and for the first time, I remembered to bring them to the grocery store and actually use them. They totally rock! They hold more than traditional bags and they're easier to carry. Score one for the environment and me. I highly recommend them.

6. Fiber One bars. They're delicious and chewy and chock full of fiber. However, with 9 grams per bar, I recommend only eating one a day...

7. My shuffle. His name is skky. I got him for Christmas, and I love him. He's the perfect brother for Tori.

Something that would make me even happier:

1. Figuring out where I should go for my birthday. I think I've settled on LuLu's for dinner...not sure about drinks though. I want Henry's. Waaaaa!

2. For someone to go see The Orphanage so that I have someone to discuss it with. Ryan and I saw it last night and still have some major plot questions, although the film was really good -- and really freakin scary.

3. Lastly -- and most importantly -- For everyone in my family to be healthy.