Pet Adoption Diary // Shit Just Got Real

Remember that one time I rescued a dog from the animal shelter and felt all good about myself?

I was like "April, you're an upstanding citizen in your community and an all around great human being."

And then shit got real.

Literally, the shit.

When we took Bella to her first check up a few days after she had her stitches out we were advised to have her checked for parasites and worms, you know, since we had no idea where she had come from. I patiently waited for the test results and I'm sure you can correctly guess how that phone conversation went. We were told she had been exposed to giardia and needed 5 days of medication. I was freaking out, and my husband thought maybe a parasite could crawl in his ear.

Great.

I was the lucky lady who had the job of giving Bella her white chalky awful medicine. She hated it, I hated it, my bank account hated it.

Why that medicine had to be liquid I'll never know. It spilled everywhere and made a huge mess of my kitchen floor.

During my time cleaning I had a lot of time to contemplate my relationship with this dog.

 I made up this story in my head that she ran with the wrong crowd before she ended up in the shelter. Maybe she was in a gang, hopefully she didn't have to be jumped in.

I've considered the past few weeks detox for Bella. Putting the past behind her and giving her loving memories with our family. We have been training her to behave, shocked her system with meds and basically changed her entire life.

I've had many moments over the past few weeks where I've thought

"maybe I made a mistake."

Isn't it normal to second guess a decision that causes you so much grief? 

But then I'll look over and see her cuddling with Dylan or playing with her toys and remember why I wanted to rescue a dog in the first place.

I wanted to help.

I wanted to set a good example for my boys.

And we all deserve to be loved.

Dogs are like people, they have baggage and issues that need to be work through.

and really, shit happens.

What I Found Thrifting // My Style Doppelganger

I've basically been thrifting my entire life. I can remember shopping at thrift stores as a kid (like 4 years old) and buying baby clothes for my cabbage patch doll. 

She always looked great.

With that being said I can honestly say I've never rolled up to a garage sale and thought "Wow, I could literally buy EVERY single thing here". 

This past weekend I did.

I found my style doppelganger.

A doppelganger is someone who looks exactly like you in every way. 

My style doppelganger was selling crafts supplies, items from Ikea, vintage clothes, furniture and colorful beaded jewelry.

Of course I had to tell her I had walked into a parallel universe, and fortunately for me she didn't think I was crazy. She even let me take photos of her driveway full of vintage goodness. If I had only brought more than $20 and had a larger house to justify buying more stuff.

Sigh.

After talking to my style doppelganger for a while I loaded my car to continue hunting. I love meeting new people and making idle chit chat. 

It's my favorite.

This is what I actually came home with.

I'm going to spray paint the chair and recover the cushion. You can't really see the back of the chair because of the pillows, but it has the most amazing lines.

And it was only $3!

I'm not sure if I'll ever find another style doppelganger, but I'm sure going to try, and next time I'll carry more money, and bring a truck.

xoxo

You Look Damn Good.

As I was scrolling down my Facebook feed I had a thought.

I realized how much I enjoy, I mean LOVE seeing my blogging "friends" on my computer screen. I love seeing your "what I wore" and "home tour" updates.

Whether it's your Pyrex filled kitchens or DIY hand made necklace tutorial.

I just love YOU!

I find inspiration in every post.

You don't need to buy a magazine to find great fashion, style and art.

Blogs are amazing.

I can easily hop onto bloglovin or Facebook and view posts made by REAL people.

Mothers, daughters and sisters.

Just like me.

They aren't photoshopped to make themselves look skinny.

They don't have staff styling their outfits or people doing their hair.

Just real women taking photos of themselves as they journey out into the world.

And you know what?
You look damn good.

Thank you to those of you who open your homes, lives and heart to the rest of the world.

You make it beautiful.

Just thought I would give all the bloggers props today.
Because blogging is hard work, and sometimes you can feel like it doesn't serve a purpose.
But it does.
You bring beauty, bravery and inspiration to so many lives.
Me being one of them.

**If you feel the same way leave a sweet comment for someone who inspires you.

It will surely make their day.**

xoxo

Quinoa Energy Bar Recipe // Gluten Free

I don't work out, but I always need energy.

Having an autoimmune disease leaves you tired alllll the time. I wake up tired, make the kids lunch tired, and of course go to bed tired.

I've entered a new journey and brave adventure to live gluten free.

After much prayer and research online I hope that treating my digestive system well will lead to more energy, less pain and a clear mind.

Enter this snack recipe.

I found a non gluten free quinoa recipe on youtube that I decided to change up a bit for my own needs.

*Side note: YouTube is a wealth of knowledge for a visual learner like myself. You can find recipes, medical information and general first hand accounts of other people living with specific medical conditions.

I modified the recipe to be gluton free, which meant taking the oats out of it. If you can eat gluten I recommend adding them to add a bit more "fluffy" texture to the bars.

Pure oats are thought to be gluten free, but doctors advise not eating more than a cup a day because they contain a protein that can aggravate the digestive system. 

You will need:

// 2 cups cooked quinoa

// 1 tbsp chia seeds (optional, I add them to all my meals)

// 1 tbsp honey

// 1\2 tsp cinnamon

// 1 cup dried fruit

// 1\3 cup milk (you can use coconut or almond milk)

**optional- 1 cup oats

1. In a blender mix quinoa, chia seeds, milk and oats (if you choose to use them) until it's a dough like texture.

2. In a large bowl gently fold in your fruit, honey and cinnamon.

Bake at 350 in a greased small casserole dish for 20 minutes. 

Let cool and enjoy!

These bars left oat free are dense and very filing. 

I like to eat one in between meals when I get hungry and am super tired.

They give me a little pep in my step.

Happy baking!

xoxo

Life Lately // It's Really All About Me

My life lately has looked a lot like this: 

Thrifting.

Coffee drinking.

Researching.

Swimming lessons.

Guitar lessons.

Succulent planting.

Learning to needlepoint.

Gluten free diet recipe cooking.

This summer is flying by so quickly I can hardly catch a breath.

I have so many photos to blog about but not enough time to actually blog.

Life is just moving so fast.

I have been struggling with my diet these past few weeks. Attempting to eat clean and gluten free is not only expensive but also time consuming. And wouldn't you know that time and money aren't things I have laying around.

The nerve.

So I struggle to not eat my kids' yummy chips, sandwiches with regular bread, or super thirst quenching beer.

The beer is the kicker, I can't always say I'm successful with that one.

I am definitely a quick fix gal. I like indulging in food and drink when I get stressed or emotional. This includes both happiness and sadness...basically all high level feelings.

Sitting in a pool of those emotions is my own personal hell.

You can expect more health related recipes on the blog soon, and more about our sweet rescue dog Bella.

She pooped upstairs AGAIN.

Lord help me.

I'm also working on a new creative business adventure and blog redesign. 

I vow to never work on the design myself ever again.

Ever.

I'll leave that to the experts.

I've been reading this book.

Mind.Blown.

I recommend this for anyone looking to fight the demons in your head.

You know the ones, that keep you from becoming your awesome self.

At least that's how I look at it.

This book is giving me clarity and courage.

All the "c's". 

In general this years' summer is all about me.

Making me healthy.

Happy.

And demon free.

xoxo

Pet Adoption Diary // Keeping Your Dog From Chewing Your Shoes

Well this is fantastic right?

Our last fur baby never graced us with the need to handle a dog who chewed all things shoes and stuffed animals. 

Which is exactly what Bella does. 

If she doesn't have a dog toy or bully stick to chew on she takes it upon herself to find whatever has been left on the floor.

Case in point, my favorite Reef flip flops that I've had for probably 3 year.

Did I mention they were my favorite shoes?

Awesome.

If you aren't familiar with Bella's story, you can read about it here.

When you have a new pet you have be flexible to their personality and roll with the punches.

This meant I had to adjust Bella's surrounding to prevent any more chewing, destroying and general mayhem.

Over the past few weeks I've learned a few things that have prevented any further shoe chewing, I thought these tips might help you if you're having the same problem.

Dogs are like kids, you should provide distractions.

I usually leave 2 or 3 dog toys laying around the house so at any point if she feels the need to chew she can grab a toy instead of my shoes. She DOES go for these toys and it helps a lot!

Have a routine and include bully sticks.

I give Bella one bully stick or raw hide a day to chew on. If we are going to run errands I give it to her before we leave, so it cuts down on her separation anxiety.

Bully sticks can get to be expensive, so if those aren't an option you can put a small amount of peanut butter in a kong to occupy your dog when you're gone.

Exercise is key.

You know how you purposely tire your kids out so they will have a deep nights' sleep?

You take your kids to the park and let them run a muck in the afternoon?

The same rule applies to dogs.

If you give them lots of physical activity they will have less unwanted energy to chew and make poor choices.

Yes, poor choices.

We take Bella on a short walk in the morning and at night, and I take her out to go potty several times a day.

This varies every day, but I try to let her run her short little legs off as much as I can.

I've had this new routine for a few weeks and Bella hasn't chewed up anything, although last night she crapped all over Dylan's room. So that will be a whole other post.

Wish me luck!

xoxo