This really resonated with me.

“Let everything happen to you

Beauty and terror

Just keep going

No feeling is final”

― Rainer Maria Rilke

Warning: emo rant to follow!

I've become a firm believer that whatever happens to you if for a reason, and that the Universe has your best interests at heart. 

 

But sometimes I struggle to understand why it keeps denying me of the one thing I want most in life. The one thing I believe is my true calling and I know I would be so good at.

 

It gives me glimmers of hope that it's finally around the corner, then takes it away from me again. Every time a heartbreak and the feeling of being back to square one.

 

And sometimes I think I should just give up, but the calling is too strong and I just carry on trying, carry on hoping. But with each setback cannot help but feel my wish is getting further and further away, to the point that I almost can't imagine it every happening to me.

 

Throw me a frikkin bone here, Universe. 

2013

I stopped making New Year's Resolutions a few years ago when I realised they were always the same - eat healthier, exercise more blah blah blah.

This year, however, I thought I'd write down a few intentions I have for the new year so that I can look back and see how the year goes.

- I'd like to spoil George less, in order for her to be less needy and stress out less when she doesn't get her way. This includes teaching her not to sleep in the bed with us (waaaaah, this is SO HARD, as I love cuddling up to her in bed) and stop giving her tidbits of food whilst cooking or after dinner, so she stops begging for food.

- I'd like to save up as much money as I can in 2013, so that Andrew and I can look at buying our own place near Brighton in a few year's time. I know I can do it, but I'm constantly tempted by nice clothes or stuff for the house, and I am quite the impulsive shopper (thank you, internet).

- I've been working towards being more minimalist in the past few months and have managed to purge my house of bags and bags of unwanted/ unused items. I'd like to carry on in this fashion and cut down even more in 2013. I really struggle to do this in the wardrobe department, as I am unable to part with certain items of clothing. Yet when we were away for 3 weeks last month I managed to live by wearing the same 3 outfits on rotation. I think maybe instead of getting rid of more clothes I can just try to stop buying any more? Hmmm, this is a tough one. 

- I'd like to blog more. I nearly bought one of these today but then I thought about my minimalist intention above and decided that I could do this on this blog or in a paper diary rather than buying it.

 



I really miss keeping a diary - I've attempted to start writing again plenty of times but I don't know if it's being an adult or what, but my thoughts just aren't as diverse as they used to be. I guess that's what happens when you get up, go to work, get home, eat and go to bed. But I think that writing one line to sum up the day is a good way of keeping the thoughts flowing and a fun way to look back at the year. Let's give it a go!

Happy New Year :)



Meet Pip



 

It's funny how the Universe works sometimes.

A and I had been talking about getting another dog to keep George company for a while now, but concerns about money (hello ,dog walking fees!) and what would happen when we went on holiday had held us back. 

Then one day I come home from work and A asks me if I'd consider looking after one of his friend's dog for a while. She needed a place to stay whilst her owner found a suitable home in London.

"Sure!" I said, thinking it would be a great opportunity to see what life with two dogs would be like.

Enter Pippin. An 11 month old bouncy Jack Russell with the sweetest eyes and the softest fur. I was instantly in love with her when she ran into the house.

The first few days were rough - George was so incredibly territorial, Pip could not even get near her without George growling or attacking her.  Not to mention Pip getting near me when George was close by. I worried that they would never get along and was a bit sad at the fact that George refused to play with her. After seeing what she is like when my brother's dog comes over, I thought that they would be playing all day every day.

Then there were the nights. I thought that Pip's arrival would be a perfect opportunity to finally get George used to sleeping downstairs instead of in our bedroom, as they would keep each other company. But I could not resist Pip's cries in the middle of the night and after a couple of nights spent sharing a sofa with two dogs, we decided to bring them upstairs and let them sleep on the floor in our bedroom...and join us in bed for a cuddle in the morning.

As the days went on, the growls became less frequent, and there were even some signs of companionship, like morning ear cleaning...

....and even full blown doggie kisses!

I think walking them together on a single lead has helped them bond, as they are forced to walk side by side and wait for one another during toilet breaks!

What can I say?  It's been just over 2 weeks and I am LOVING having two dogs. I love both of their distinct personalities, the way Pip inhales her food like it's a matter of life or death in order to get to George's bowl in time to finish her dinner, snoozing on the sofa whilst spooning George and having Pip curled up at my feet, the funny dialogues A makes up for each dog with different doggie voices, and the doubled fan club reception we get when we walk through the door.

I am a little bit in love with this little dog.

Happy birthday George

 

Whoever said money can't buy you happiness has obviously never bought a dog.

Happy 3rd birthday George, you light up my life.

Best £200 I ever spent.

Love love love youuuuuuu!

xxxxx

Today I am grateful for:

- A. making me laugh first thing in the morning with silly impressions
- George's sigh just after she comes into bed to spoon
- walks in the park before work
- mussels and kamut sourdough bread for dinner
- being lucky enough to be able to work from home on Fridays 
- the long weekend that awaits us - filled with cinema dates, tea parties, dog walks, attempting to bake a lemon meringue pie and tending to our garden
- seeing how excited A. is about his chilli plants and shed
- the fact that A. takes pictures of things he sees during the day and thinks I'll love to show me when he gets home