5 Things I Wish I Knew 8 Months Ago...

It is amazing how 8 long months can feel like just a blur. Sometimes I stare down at my left hand and still think "wow, when did this get here? I am so lucky!" (or even "oh crap, what did I get myself into..."). So much has happened in 8 months that is non-wedding related: I finished my first full year of teaching, received a successful evaluation from my principal, got a gym membership (and used it more than once...I am currently working on a 3 times a week goal), adopted a puppy and two cats, renovated 3 rooms in my house, held my beautiful baby cousin, managed a classroom, tutored, coached, lifeguarded, made new friends, kept up relationships with old friends, and celebrated milestones and life in general. It is unfathomable that 8 months has passed since JPK took me to Jacksonville for a Florida State football game and put a ring on my finger the night before. Since then, I have accomplished many wedding related tasks: chose a ceremony site, chose a reception site, booked a DJ, booked a photographer, booked an officiant, started reading the pre-marital class book(s), bought a dress, settled on colors, chose a theme, and I am currently in the process of booking a videographer, florist, cake designer, as well as hunting for the perfect accessories and bridesmaid dresses. These past 8 months have been blissfully happy, yet stressful and when I think back there is not much at all I would change...

But,

I was just recently asked by a high school girlfriend, Miss. CR, the 5 thinks I wish I knew when I first gained this change in status. So without further ado, fellow brides and faithful readers, here is the list:

1. Expect that your man isn't going to be as into the planning process as you.

Now I know all guys are different and I am sure that there are many guys out there that possess a sensitive side that strongly surpasses my JPK, but know that they aren't going to be into every detail. They will definitely want to help pick out the venue (in fact, JPK picked our reception site), help decide on the colors (you'd think they wouldn't care, but oh no! don't change that color scheme on 'em), help pick out the food, and make any other MAJOR decisions. Will he sit with you as you scrutinize every photo on your photographer's blog? Probably not. Will he be interested in reading each and every magazine with you? No way. Will he agonize over the music on your wedding website? Maybe not, but the key is to include him without smothering him (oh yeah, I did just use one of my students' vocabulary words for this week). Do yourself a favor and prevent any or further arguing by not pressing issues. He's marrying you right? That means he loves you unconditionally and trusts you are going to make every detail beautiful. This does not mean exclude him though. Feel your man out and find out what he cares about most before you inundate him. Trust me on this one.

2. Explore all your options and be open-minded.

Miss. CR told me that she and her Mr. BP are planning on having the ceremony in his parents' backyard. I LOVE this idea! It brings a sense of family and togetherness to the ceremony. There are times that I will I would have explored all of my options when it comes to my venue (don't get me wrong I am INSANELY happy with my choice in location), but sometimes I think about my house. JPK and I put so much into the house and want to share our hard work with other. It would have been nice to research what it would have taken for us to had the ceremony in our backyard. Plus, that would have meant using the money we would have spent toward landscaping which would have offset a huge homeowner issue we have yet to take care of.

Also, be open-minded as you browse different internet sites for ideas. You may pass over an idea or suggestion because you feel that it doesn't fit into your theme, but save the image or bookmark the page anyway because there is so much creative freedom when it comes to your wedding that (I am willing to bet) if you work really hard, you can make that idea work. Just think Tim Gunn (or maybe Ellis and Associates lifeguarding) and make it work, girl! (Ok. I know I added the "girl", but I totally had to figure out a way to make that phrase my own).

3. Plan your dress shopping experience.

I am a drama queen. I was overly dramatic about my dress shopping experience. It was not bad per say, but definitely not what I expected. I went home and cried a bit, but like any great warrior/athlete/woman, I shook off my injuries, tried it again, and low and behold: SUCCESS! So what should you know? Well, mainly shop with as small of a group as possible. I love my girlfriends just as much as anyone else, but it is really hard to concentrate with all the differing opinions, and of course your own desire to keep people happy. Although my friends gave GREAT advice, I found myself unable to focus on what I really wanted. Instead, I was focused on keeping the group happy: striking cute poses, making sure everyone could keep up with what I was doing, making sure I displayed each and every dress I tried on, etc. Although this was great fun, it started to feel more like dress up and less like a serious trip for the most important outfit you will ever wear. Do I still want to go to Kleinfeld's with my entourage? OF COURSE! But, as the wise director of sales, Randy, knows: girls that come with an entourage rarely buy a dress.

My advice? Choose 2-4 people MAX to share in the shopping experience with you. Take people that you know you can trust (i.e. not someone that will tell you that you look FABULOUS in everything because that isn't helpful). When the group is smaller, you'll be less concerned with their boredom and hunger and more focused on yourself and your vision. The last day that I went shopping, I had my mom and a girlfriend, SM, with me and it was glorious. The three of us were on the same page and the shopping was not only successful and productive, but also fun. Honestly, the experience could have only been better if my sister and my bestie JAM were there to see it, too. But I know (just as you hopefully realize too) there are multiple fittings and at those special times, you can bring along the entourage for a viewing. Also remember about the element of surprise...your wedding day is the day. You can always just surprise people then.

4. Set a guest list limit (and limits in general) for your mamas (new and tried-and-true) and make sure they are in complete compliance.

As much as everyone had told me to speak my mind and be firm in this sticky subject area, I didn't listen and I wish more than anything that I had. It is your wedding, meaning there is no reason why you shouldn't invite more people than your parents (both current and in-laws) invite. If you don't limit the mamas, they will take over. Now, not every parent is like this but you are bound to have at least one that is exerting (or will try to exert) too much influence. It is very hard (especially for me as such an accommodating person) to tell people no, but brides DO IT!!! I can't stress it enough. If you don't, you may end up with an out of control guest list (keep that list as low as possible to give the people that matter MOST - the bride and groom - some wiggle room to invite more friends if necessary. I am starting to worry that these obscure relatives will show up instead of people I would much rather have there. Please don't let this happen to you). Also, do you want to end up with a weird entertaining act at your cocktail hour? I didn't think so...so please, even just to show up a softie like me, control the mamas while you can!

5. Make a budget and actually STICK to it!

I honestly don't even know how to write advice for this because I am already on track for going over budget and I don't even know how to set a budget in the first place. My advice to you is to do more than just set a spending limit (i.e. $20,000) but actually decide what that money will be spent on and do your absolute best to stay in your limits. It is very easy to go over budget because there are so many possibilities out there, but really consider your limits and splurges before you book (for example, is the entertainment more important than the flowers? Then plan to splurge on your DJ and limit yourself when you visit the florist). You'll be happier and feel less guilty in the end.

So there you have it, ladies (and any gents out there)! Some things to definitely think about as you embark into a wedding experience (or maybe keep in the back burners of your mind for when you will need it). Now, to change the subject a bit, I must get going because school has begun and as the ever talented teacher that I am, I must prep!

Parting is such sweet sorrow,

JLF, the All-American Bride-to-Be

p.s. For all you Florida brides out there, here is a list of some amazing vendors to check out:

The History Center, Orlando, FL.

Ceviche, Orlando, FL.

White Rose Entertainment, Orlando, FL.

Kallima Photography (LOVE!), West Palm Beach, FL. (Florida Destination Photographer)

Storybook Beginnings, Orlando, FL.

Sivan Photography, Orlando, FL. (up-and-coming photographer. Great talent. Hoping to book a trash-the-dress shoot with her)

Mulling it Over

One of my favorite Harry Potter movies (and books) is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Although there is much to like about this movie, one of my favorite scenes happens when Harry takes the Golden Egg into the Prefect Bathroom (ya know, the one where Moaning Myrtle lives) and creates a luxurious bubble bath in order to find out what message the Egg has in store for him. In the bathtub, Moaning Myrtle reveals to Harry that if you put the Egg into the water it is easier to understand. After trying out her tip, Harry resurfaces and asks Myrtle if there are merpeople in the lake. She remarks that he is clever and tells him that it took Cedric "ages to riddle it out. Almost all the bubbles were gone."

Aside from Myrtle's obvious problems with voyeurism (or as a YouTuber more aptly put it "Myrtle is a perv"), there is much to be said for Cedric's behavior. Waiting until all the bubbles disappear to mull his thoughts over. Riddling things out in a tub full of soapy water. Sunday night, after an intense cleaning binge due to the new furniture that was delivered, I decided to take a nice, long bubble bath to mull things over. Much like Cedric, I decided that I needed to wait until all the bubbles were gone to riddle things out (although I must say, I was happy there were no pesky ghosts to observe me). Not only did I leave my beautiful double-slipper bathtub feeling squeaky clean and refreshed, I also left feeling satisfied and happy.

Things I recently mulled over:

Am I ready for this? This as in new house and marriage and future. Wow. So many big steps and the fact that I will only be 25 for 3 days and then married shocks and scares me. I don't have cold feet (especially not in a warm bathtub) and the scared feeling is a good scared; let me explain.

I am shocked just because 25 seems so young. I don't think there are many 25 year-olds that are as settled as I am. It just seems weird to me that my life is in order when most post-college grads are still in an awkward state of limbo. Is it weird? I mean, when I was in the 8th grade interviewing for the honor of Walt Disney Dreamer and Doer (I didn't get it in case you were wondering...at least I had a shot though), this was how I pictured my life 10 years later (so pretty much right now...24). Settled, steady job, and married. If this is how I thought of life at 14, why am I having such a hard time at 24?

Scared should probably just be replaced with the word "uncertain". What is going to happen in my future? Will I ever get that museum job (and, just a quick side-note shout out to NCS - thanks for your comment. You made me not only smile, but also gave me the desire to not give up. I hope you are doing well post-HC and can't wait to visit your managed museum one day)? Am I going to have time to be a stay at home mom as well as a career lady one day? What will happen if I have to move from my magical hometown? Will things change after I sign the license? What will my friends think when I am one of the only married girl in the group?

After mulling this all over, I realized I was missing an important piece of the puzzle: JPK. Everything that I wrote (and thought) above was I and me when I should have been thinking we and us. After all, marriage is a two way street, right? The truth is that I am so ready. I may feel shocked and scared and unsure about my future, but whenever I think of JPK I know that everything is ok. Whenever I think of him I suddenly want to plan and write vows and, it sounds cheesy, but it is like my heart is filled with a song that overwhelms my entire body. Ok. Just made myself puke there because that sounded a little too Twilight-esque and we all know how I feel about that... Anyway, the point is, I am sure when I think of JPK and those doubts and fears I had before seem to melt away when I think about us. If that doesn't equal a good omen then I don't know what does.

New school year. A new school year brings so many challenges for teachers, especially new teachers who, well at least me, still feel like they are swimming in a really deep tub of uncertainty. Am I really ready for the challenges of AP and honors classes? Am I ready for the whisperings and behind-my-back conversations of that cranky coworker that suddenly dislikes me because, let's face it, I am amazing?

Now, I must confess, this took much longer than the bathtub to mull over and, in fact, I didn't really come to a positive conclusion about this until the end of the day today. I am ready and there is nothing better than being greeted by enthusiastic and prepared students to make you feel good about the new year. Also, the support in my PLC is absolutely incredible this year. So, how can I feel unprepared and uncertain when I have amazing people to back me up? I am always up for a challenge (as long as it doesn't involve too much sweating) and we'll see what happens this year...I am hoping for intellectual conversations, laughter, and learning and I feel confidently that my hopes will turn into reality.

And as to my cranky coworker, the non-confrontational Blue side of me is going to just ignore and hope she goes away while the deep-thinking Green side of me is going to shine through in the form of attitude whenever she speaks. This sounds like an identity crisis and it is...although my Green side will be toned down to just the occasional annoyed sigh and eye roll when I turn to go back into my classroom.

Hopefully, my dear readers, you have the time to mull over something in a luxurious bubble bath. No, I don't hope you had the time to do this, I am challenging you to take some time out and rest your body and mind. Take the challenge this week and let me know what you mulled over and if you reached a happy consensus.

Happy Back to School Time!

Parting is such sweet sorrow,

JLF - the-I-mulled-it-over-Cedric-style-all-American-girl

p.s. I realized I promised a dress shopping advice post, but I was just too inspired by my bubble bath to hold back. I SWEAR dress shopping is my next post!

p.p.s. I also need to blog about the True Colors activity we did on the first day of pre-planning. When I do, I will link back to this post so you'll understand the whole Green/Blue bit.

When I Grow Up...

When I was younger I assumed that "grown up" meant moved out and done with high school. After high school, you went to college and breezed through it and quickly got a job. And college was the "real world"; it prepared you for things. Right? Well, the reality of today is pretty frightening. First off, college is a less guided form of high school. You are still trapped in a community where your biggest responsibility is making sure you get your latest homework assignment done. College is school, not a job. They are two completely different worlds. Plus, most college students return home for the summer and/or are still dependent on their parents and not true "grown ups". *Disclaimer* This post does NOT say it's o.k. for you young 20somethings to act immature. After struggling through college (meaning 4 + years of working your tail off) most graduates do not really end up in their dream job and most end up jobless (or working their high school jobs) and stuck back at their parents' places. That certainly does not sound like the dream world that most people (myself included) were brought up to believe would magically happen.

I have two major points I want to make on this subject:

1. Why do high school students still have this fantasy that their grown up life will automatically start right after their graduation from college? Two words: POOR ADVISING. It took me 4 years of high school, 4 years of college, and 1 year of teaching seniors to figure this out. High school seniors (and remember, we are talking 18 year olds...adults here) do not receive any GUIDANCE whatsoever. The major irony is that there are these people at high schools (what are they called again?) oh, GUIDANCE counselors, that don't offer any guidance whatsoever. I am not trying to offend guidance counselors here (I work in the public school system too, trust me, we are on the same side). The problem with the role of the guidance counselor is that these poor people are so overworked. Guidance counselors are responsible for creating schedules for about 5,000 students as well as making sure that all of these students are properly tested and "on track" for graduation. This leaves little to no time for guidance counselors to advise students on what they are supposed to do after high school. The burden then falls to the teachers and, please, do I really need to tell you that teachers are overworked also? The amount of attention that is placed on the goal of just finishing high school trickles down to the students. Students are also overburdened with what is required of them and, unfortunately, future planning often gets pushed to the back burner. In the student's mind, if his/her teacher and guidance counselors are just focused on graduation then it is o.k. if I think the same way, too. Obviously, this leads to problems later on in the school year when it suddenly becomes too late to get into that competitive university. Then, you must wait for spring admission and then you are already a semester behind, which puts your grown up life on hold for a few months. So here we are, students getting little, if any, advice and being completely unsure about their futures. Why does this bother me so much? I teach seniors. I want them to have the best possible future plans. Be something. Live out their dream. Even if their dream is just to be able to buy a car soon. I want them to be able to know how to get there. Unfortunately, school sometimes isn't the priority and because that is the case classroom time is significantly decreased. (FYI. The reason for this is not just because students don't consider school necessary, but also their parents and even the school itself taking SIGNIFICANT amounts of classroom time away for things like pep rallies and ice cream socials and birthday "skip days"). For more information on why this personally bothers me see below.
   
2. What does it mean to be "grown up"? I am really confused about this...I have a job, a home, little ones *see previous post* to care for, I am planning a wedding, and I pay my own bills. Oh, and I have "grown up" non-Ikea furniture, too. No offense Ikea, but you remind me of a college dorm room. Check out the new bedroom set JPK and I just bought today for our master bedroom suite. I should feel like an adult right? I mean, I am about to live in a master bedroom with furniture I just bought myself. For some reason though, I don't feel grown up. I still feel the same. Just as I felt in college. I still procrastinate, I still watch the exact same television shows, I still dance to music as I cook and clean, and I still get stressed out to the point of tears. If nothing has changed then what does it mean to be "grown up." Maybe this is just another thing you are supposed to "feel" that apparently I am desensitized to. Like wedding dress shopping (I think this may be my next blog post) dress shopping advice. Maybe for some people there is a moment of great clarity, while for others there is just a seamless no feelings involved transition. Maybe that is the true mark of maturity, being able to seamlessly move through life without becoming jarred by the major changes. Let's hope my future "big transitions" (i.e. marriage, pregnancy, job changes, menopause ha!) will be just as seamless.
   

So I bet you're wondering: "what is the dream job for this All-American Girl"? Is she living it now? The answer is no. I am not working in my dream job. Do I love my job? Yes. Can I see myself doing it forever? No.

I love teaching, I really do. I love making lesson plans based on literature. I love it when my students say funny things and I love it even more when they say smart things. And I especially love hearing that the student that hated Shakespeare coming into my classroom, hates it a lot less when he/she leaves. If you look at the things I dislike about teaching, they are quite trivial. Grading, waking up early, and complaining coworkers being my top 3 reasons. The big question: Do I want to leave teaching? The answer is no. I want to stick with it for a while and see where this career can take me.

At the same time though, I wonder that if I had better guidance during my high school years, I would be doing something different. I didn't have any guidance. I had people pushing me to go to college, but I didn't know what I wanted to "do." I knew that I liked to read, liked to analyze literature, liked to write, and liked to talk. So teaching was an obvious choice, but it wasn't a passion. I wish someone in high school would have told me that there was a difference between choosing a career in what you are good at and choosing a career based on something you love. I went to college think that being good at something was the same thing as loving it. I am also a pretty good lifeguard/swimmer. Does that mean it should be my career? No way.

What could I be doing (or maybe will be doing depending on my future)?

Museum curator/education director - I am good at analyzing literature, but what I love is art. I wish someone would have told me not to give up on this career path. I love everything about museums. I love the pristine floors, I love the blast of cold, preserved air you feel when you walk in, I love the lighting, I love the maps in different languages, but mostly I love the art and what you learn when you are there. If I could do anything in the world, it would be to plan exhibits and educational programs for museums. One day when I am more financially stable, I hope to do some summer volunteering at museums and figure out how I can work my way up without spending the money on a master's program in DC (although, I kind of wish I would have moved there and tried out that program at George Washington...biggest and only life regret).

Wedding dress consultant - Now that I have been through that traumatizing (o.k. maybe that word was a little dramatic) experience, I want to help other girls feel relaxed. Not to mention I love the silky fabrics and fresh, new designs. I love the endless possibilities that a wedding dress entails. It is more than just the dress, too. It is the perfect accessories, it is the veil, it is the feeling of joy, and it is money (spending money...my favorite)! Not to mention, the consultants at Kleinfeld's seem to have a blast!

Wedding planner - I might just be having fun planning my own with my dear friend JS (the future Mrs. RLeV) and her company Storybook Beginnings, but it is fun and the creative possibilities are endless. Maybe, I'll just see how my own wedding turns out and help my friends with their weddings before I get carried away.

What do you think the future will hold? Here's to your future, reader. I hope you are living your dreams. Cheers.

In other random news, I still don't know what to get my brother for his upcoming birthday. APF is going to be 20 years old. He currently works for the Orange County Fire Department. He loves mudding, being annoying, not reading, country music, and dogs. He also, apparently, enjoys spending time with his friends who get him in trouble...for example getting jumped by random strangers in the middle of the night causing him to receive the biggest black eye ever and stitches above his left eye. Well, maybe that isn't really a hobby but definitely an unfortunate, yet newsworthy mention. Long story short, what gift (around $30) would this young man enjoy? Thoughts and advice greatly appreciated!

Parting is such sweet sorrow,

JLF - the almost-ready-to-want-to-know-what-it-feels-like-to-be-a-grown-up

I've Returned with a List and More

Hello World!

I am back, although I suppose I had never really left. This All-American Girl has been living her life to the fullest and yet something was still missing. What could it have been?

A fabulous job(s)? No, I am a teacher at a local high school, tutor extraordinaire (specializing in F-word-test prep, SAT/PSAT/ACT, and writing), and of course lifeguarding for the all-mighty Mouse.
Fantastic friends and family to occupy my life? Still no. My circle of friends is ever expanding as is my family as I welcome new members through both births and marriage.
A manly lover? Also, still no. And nothing really has changed. Unless you count the 1 carat stunner on my left finger...still trying to get used to that one. Add "wedding planner" to my job list as well. Oh, and in-laws to my ever large family. Oy vey!
A home-sweet-home? Also, a no. This burden, yet wonderful time occupying 1920s bungalow has taught me much about managing a budget, cooking, designing, and remodeling.

Furry friends with which to frolic? I was missing these little essentials from my life, but thanks to the wonderful people at Pet Rescue by Judy I now have three children that bring smiles to my world. More about them later.
So, you have read all of that and are probably wondering what is still missing from life. It sounds pretty cushy writing about it and maybe that was missing all along: writing. A cathartic and creative exercise that I have been told I am somewhat good at (yes, thank you my dear FAW-P for filling my head with that nonsense). Thus, I have begun my blogging adventures and here is what you can expect from me:

• Book Reviews
• Teaching Tips
• Travel Plans and Confessions
  
• Wedding Planning Woes and Wonders and Wows
• (Mis)Adventures in home ownership
• Cooking craziness from the so-called (un)savvy kitchenista
• Photos of just about everything
• Gossip and all things girly

Since I currently have some time off during the summer I have been spending it with my darling pets. And therefore, to keep this first of what will hopefully be many posts brief, I have decided to think of the top 10 reasons a person should be a pet owner. Whether it be fish, cats, dogs, horses, or rocks (ok, maybe pet rocks took it a little too far), being a pet owner is wonderful because:

1. You will spend more time away from the television or computer (ahem, Facebook) because your little ones will always be up to something interesting (or into something valuable).
2. Speaking of valuables. Pets can help you decide what you truly care about in your home. Before you get a pet, it is important to prepare your home for what is about to be an ambush of hair, slobber, and messes. What is most important? Keeping those sharp little puppy teeth away from your brand new sofa? Or maybe those kitty claws? Or the salt water from the fish tank off the carpet in the office? You learn to set boundaries and protect the material things. After all, we are still living in a material world and I am (forever) a material girl. Although I love my pets, they have their boundaries in the home.
3. Pets cause you to exercise. I realize this does not work for all pets, but let's face it all pets require some sort of (my all time favorite thing ever) manual labor. Cleaning a litter box, adding water to a fish tank, walking a dog, or cleaning your bird's cage requires your booty to move from the sofa to multiple rooms in the house or (dare I even suggest) outside. Did you stop gasping enough for #4?
4. Pets can teach you a great deal about behavior. Obviously, (or maybe hopefully you realize) that your pets do not speak your language, so you need to brush up on some inter-species nonverbal skills. I have learned to recognize their nonverbal signs and translate them to (what I am hoping) helps them to live more comfortably. Hopefully, this can help me recognize similar nonverbal signs in my human counterparts. Maybe.
   
5. Pets will always take your frown and turn it upside down (yes, the cliched cheese was necessary). There has not been a time since owning my precious 3 that there has not been a furry face nudged up to mine to wipe or lick the tears away. A crazy tounge on your cheek (or sometimes in your hair) or a purring cat in your lap is a great mood booster. And might I add, much cheaper than my other mood boosting activities (facials, shopping trips, and pedicures oh my!).
6. Do pets help you practice for the future? Well, I should ask the new mama in my family MAW, but I think she would say yes anyway. Her pets probably didn't set her up for the 3 am feedings or diaper changes, but they certainly forced her (and me and possibly you) to start thinking of something else beside her/my/yourself. Although you can't relate equate motherhood with pet-motherhood one simple connection is clear: caring for another human being or animal requires at least some form of commitment. And the latter (and less serious) of the two may help you on your way to a bigger commitment. Did I really just suggest that to myself and readers? Um, yeah we are done with baby talk. Sorry family...I may be getting married, but human babies are way down the line still.
7. Your pets (all pets by the way) force you to meet new people. Of course the obvious "taking the dog to the dog park" is a great way to meet other enthusiastic dog lovers, but you also meet people in the waiting room at the vet or at the local pet store. Pet owners, from my brief experience, seem to be in a great mood when they are doing something for their animals and always seem to offer up some friendly advice or a nice word. Scratch that, sometimes people at your vet's office laugh at you when you accidentally drop the cat carrier outside. Hmmm. Well, almost all pet owners anyway.
   
8. Your friends and family that visit, strangers on the street, or really kind adoption owners will smile at your sweeties and want to know about them. *Disclaimer* This probably only works if your pets are well behaved/friendly. One of the best smiles/hugs that I have received this summer was from the owner of PRBJ. Judy was so happy when she saw that David (who had been at the shelter for over a year) and the puppy formerly known as Evander (whose siblings were all adopted before him) were finally going to a good home. I love making people smile.
   
9. Your pets help to take your mind off of anything stressful. Grab a kitty, plop a seat in front of your fish tank, ride a horse, walk your dog, play fetch, listen to your bird's song and then come back to me and tell me if you are still stressed out. Take a break and bond. Oh, and remind me to do this at some point during the school year. Thanks in advance. :)
   
10. JPK and I walk our dog together, we cuddle with our kitties together, we shop for salt water corals and fish together. I've pretty much decided that the pets bring us together. Yes, he still has the Xbox, but now we have something else in common to share and work together to perfect. Thus, more human-lover bonding. *Disclaimer* I am not suggesting that you either a. jump into an adoption before you are ready or b. adopt a pet to save your failing relationship. I am no Dr. Phil, but it probably won't work.

So, to end this not long-intended, but super long post (I know my one and probably only reader JAM is probably saying "that's so JLF" right now), here are some pictures of my little ones.

Gatsby (a better name, wouldn't you agree?)

Trinket (the ultimate princess...a cat after my own heart)

David (seriously, who would not want this awesome guy to be a part of their family?)

Parting is such sweet sorrow,

JLF aka the future Mrs. JPK