Call me a sucker....

but I la-la-LOVE holidays.

Big, small, traditional, patriotic, cheesy or funny....I am in, and ALL IN for the fun! It gives me a reason to wear a funny sweater (Christmas), eat as much food as I can (Thanksgiving Day), drink as much as I can (New Year's Ever), dress up in a certain color (St. Patty's Day), speak with a Pirate Accent (National Speak Like a Pirate Day, September 19th), dress a little risque (Halloween), wave the flag (4th of July), celebrate those who have served our country (Veteran's Day)....not to mention the craziest of all VALENTINE'S Day!

I don't despise the holiday, I'm a little impartial to it after all! I can't say that I have always had an affinity for hearts, the color red, or making someone feel like ONE day of the year they better go out of their way to tell me they love me (they better freakin' tell me everyday). It wasn't until about 5 years ago that I could pinpoint why this day really mattered....it didn't matter that I didn't care about the day...it was the fact that other people did and by them doing something special, it made me feel less special because I wasn't! It also was triggered with a punch on the shoulder and a have a great night by my then "friend" Rich...that made me realize...it's a fun holiday and darn right we are going to celebrate! Of course, it was February 15, 2006 that we decided we were officially boyfriend and girlfriend...so maybe this helps the holiday out too!

We celebrate our love each day...but why not celebrate with everyone else too!!!! Today, Rich was a great Husband and Valentine...he brought me beautiful Gerbera Daisies to work (my favorite) and spoiled me with a mid-day break and Lunch at The Metropolitan Grill....I even got a sappy LOVE card (LOVE IT)....

I guess that I better pick up the pace and do something just ask special for him....LOVE, LOVE!

Happy Valentine's Day from this Love Bird to all the Love Birds out there!

Dog Days of Winter...

With Valentine's Day tomorrow...what a better way to spend a weekend then with the 2 LOVES of my life...lounging, dog-parking, walking, relaxing and just enjoying some QT together. It's been a while (I think) since a blog was dedicated just to Chukar....

First with the good news...on Friday afternoon we went to BPH (Chukar's 2nd Home) and he was given a CLEAN bill of health! No more UTI, no more icky sticky! This boy is ready to go!!! YEAH!

Saturday was spent with a little more of the same...relaxing, a BIG walk, some dog-naps and a trip to M&D Boness' house to play with the bear cubs (Maggie and Buster)!

Sunday...a whole different story...it was Dog Park and Spa Day for Chukar...well, impromptu Spa Day for Chukar...but pretty soon you will understand WHY?!?!

First stop at Marymoor was his favorite swimming area...40 degree water doesn't stop this guy!



Next up...some time with a Pug (no video, but it was hilarious)!!!

Third stop....the Mud Hole!

And going back to the MUD HOLE...
And some VIDEO footage of said Mud-hole....



The AFTERMATH....we used to have a cute, clean Brittany....
Fast forward a few hours...and time for Spa Night. He got his "nails did", his ears cleaned and of course, a trip to the bath tub!



Rub-a-Dub-Dub...it's Chukar's time in the TUB!
Finally CLEAN!
Look at how HANDSOME I am!

Obviously not a lot going on this weekend in the MEYER household...but then again, weekends like this are AWESOME!

Next up...trip to P-Wood with Jen and Alex....a visit from Mama D...a visit from my sister.....and the much anticipated MARCH MADNESS ADVENTURE to VEGAS!

How Stacie Got her SWAGGER back?

Something has been off lately...I couldn't figure it out....was it 2011? Was it the winter blues? Was is stress? Anxiety? Pressure? I'm still not sure what it WAS...but I do know what is making me feel like my OLD self...the 2009 version! Happy! Healthy! Excited! Driven! Focused! I like to refer to this as the IDEAL model of Stacie...and I'm warning you....I'm back!

Last week while wandering through my lunch break...wondering what was going on...figuring out how to relieve some of the pressure on me...trying to get myself healthy, I came across Infinity Acupuncture (Cap Hill) and I grabbed the pamplet. I went back to work...finished my lunch and did some research on the clinic...the approach to health and wellness and decided I was going to take my 1st step to feeling like "Super Stacie"! I was nervous and excited and went to meet with Amber for my 1st session....I told her how I was feeling...what I was looking for and we worked on figuring out my care plan. I sat back and relaxed and let the acupuncture do the work! I don't know how to put it in words...but the experience was more than I could have expected. I questioned if it was in my head...or if something really worked for me...well, from the advice of a good friend (Jen K)...she said "don't over-analyze"...and go with it. So I did!

I went back today for a session of "cupping"...WOW! Again, words can't comprehend how amazing I feel...rested, relaxed, anxiety free, AMAZING! Rich is a little freaked out by the circle bruising on my back...but to feel this good, he's just happy that I'm happy!!!

Stay tuned for my next adventure/experience with acupuncture....

January Goal Update....

With January now behind me...I figured it would be a great time to see where I am with the LOFTY goals set out for me in the beginning of the month! I definitely would have thought that reading would be the easiest one to get started on...but I have struggled the most with that. I have started a new book rec'd by a friend at work and LOVE it...just haven't had the time to fully commit to it. As for the charity aspect, I have to say that this is AWESOME! I've started a team that will participate in the TEAM MS walk in April, volunteered at the local food back 2 weeks ago and have another event this week helping kids with Math (Yes, Mathfest 2011)...just up my alley! As for the vacation....well, still dreaming there...but hopefully, this will become a reality soon! I've also started training for a 5K in March and a Sprint Tri in June! Check me out, yo!!!!