Who is that?

** Caution: Scary picture below; view at your own risk. The Feather Files is not responsible for any nightmares you may have after viewing this photo. **

Yesterday, I ran across both the DVD of our wedding (which I had never watched) and the CD of photos from our honeymoon. So I popped one in the DVD player and the other in the computer - for old times sake.

Mainly I was reminded of how skinny I was. And how beautifully tan I was. Thoughts went through my mind: So, that's how those pants (or that top) used to fit...now I have to suck-in to get them on. I remembered that my skin can turn dark with a little lot of tanning oil and sun exposure - things I rarely experience now. And how, although I was dark like the natives, Hubs was white as can be - since he was rubbing on 60 spf, while I didn't go above 2 spf.

But then I came upon this disturbing picture. I remember seeing it when we came back and thinking - who is that? It is of course me, but it could probably be counted as one of the worst, unusual pictures ever:

It is just down-right scary. The angle accents, and adds to, my gigantic nose, and one eye is bigger than the other which gives the photo a menacing quality. Like, "my big eye is watching you." The humidity-touched hair frizz simple makes the look more possessed and crazed. Add in the creepy smile, and there it is. The weirdest picture of me yet. (Oh, and mainly the first thing I noticed was my pre-braces smile. The eye-for-teeth has worn off on me)

And because that is SO scary, I am going to post a nice, happy, normal picture of us. I don't want to contribute to any nightmares.

Status

Have you heard of those "Black" American Express cards? The ones that only the rich and famous have; with no limits or denials? I'll never have that kind of status. Nor do I really want it. Really, the only status I have been working towards finally came in the mail yesterday.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have reached Gold status and in the mail today came my very own gold card packaged in such a neat way that you would have thought it was an Apple product.

This is no credit card. It isn't used for clothes. Or groceries. It doesn't get me into concerts or exclusive restaurants. And it isn't my airline mileage account.It's better than that.

I'm a gold-level customer at Starbucks, thank you very much.

Not only is our local Starbucks the place were everyone knows my name. No, tomorrow when they say good morning, I will whip out my gold card. I'm sure the entire store will break out in applause as I get showered in confetti and handed a bouquet of roses.

Okay, maybe that's a little too much. But, I do get some pretty neat perks.

Not only that, but when I lifted up my shiny new card, underneath was a coupon for a free drink of my choice!

What can I say...that's what you get when you are at Gold Status like me.

What should we do in Chicago?

Hubs and I are headed to Chicago later this month. I went years ago on a girl's trip and thought it was fun. But, I am so excited to go with Hubs this time. Besides San Diego earlier this year, it may be our only vacation (I know, shocker for traveling fiends like us).

Anyway, we only have 2 days to spend there and want to make the most of our time. We have a few things on our list, but we want to know what YOU like and what YOU think we should do.

Where should we eat? What should we see? What fun things do you like to do in Chicago? Where should we stay?

After Chicago we are actually headed to Wisconsin - which will be a new state for me to check off my list! And, we are driving the whole trip! Another shocker since we are usually the flying-type. It's not Hawai'i, but I think we are going to have some fun!

The Adoption Process

I don't know how I did it. We moved to Kansas and Hubs said, "No dog." Our landlord said dogs were okay, but Hubs still said, "No dog." Four weeks later we were looking at the local shelters and rescues for an older dog. One Sunday we found ourselves torn between a lab mix only known as Brandon and a lab/husky named Riley.

"Brandon" had a crooked tail and looked a little mangy; Riley was huge and very hairy. Brandon seemed calm; Riley was full of excitement.

We went home and thought about it. We weighed the pros and cons. Four days later, we were approved to adopt Brandon so we decided to go see him one more time.

This time, when Brandon walked into the room I knew I was not going to be able to leave him. This time, we connected and I knew he was mine. Hubs knew too, and we took him home.

The first month was trying. Brandon, now named Ransom, was adjusting to living in our home. And after being abandoned, he had issues. He ate through his crate, not to mention that he devoured a library book and much more. When we left, he would literally go crazy. We would find him soaked with drool, panting furiously, and a crazed look in his eye. He had "separation anxiety."

Hubs was done with him. It caused us problems and I, yes even I the lover of floppy-eared dogs, said that it wasn't worth having him. We could never leave without fearing what we would return home to. As a last resort, we bought a giant metal crate. This time we introduced him slowly to the crate with treats, instead of shoving him in and locking it. This time, we put it in our living area, instead of out in the sunroom. This time, we taught him that when he enters his crate it is a promise that we are coming back for him. There is no need for him to freak out because his crate is a security.

And we had a changed dog. In a year, he has learned many commands. He plays so well with other dogs, he barks only when someone comes to the door or is commanded to. He is calm when we have friends and family over. He doesn't jump on people. He has become a great dog, a running companion, and a true part of our family (read stories here, here and here). Some days I look at him walking into a room and am amazed that we have a 70-pound animal living in our house and that is okay. 

Hubs said yesterday, "I wish we knew if he was happy here." We decided that a dog's sense of happiness is not like ours. Ransom is happy because he is fed each day, because he gets ample exercise, because he is taken care of, and because he has a home. 

Not everyone understands or want to live with a dog, but for Hubs and I, it is a blast. We get exercise, we get to play with him, we get to clean up after him, we get to snuggle with him, we get to laugh at his antics, and of course we get to train him how we want him to behave. But the best is when we come home and that crooked tail just starts a-waggin back and forth. It's been a fun year; and I can't wait for more!

Whirlwind of a Day results in a Lesson Learned

Tuesday was just another day. I got home from work and, just like any normal day, let Ransom outside while I got the mail. There was just one letter in the box. From our landlord. I open it absent-mindedly and freeze when I read the words, "...as of July 1, we are giving you 30 days notice..."

After a minor freak-out, I calmly get online and check out rental properties available. I load the dog in the car and we spend the rest of the afternoon looking at possible new homes.

From the moment we began looking for a rental home 1.5 years ago, we were struck at the grossness of the rentals in our city. Everyone we have met since has affirmed that our town just doesn't have good rental options. We. Lucked. Out. And after a year of life here, we had forgotten just how lucky we were.

That night Hubs and I drove around looking for "FOR RENT" signs and calling landlords. We found two very nice places, but they declined Ransom. The stereotype of large dogs and of renters in general is not us or Ransom, but if I were a landlord I would probably have reservations about a 70-pound dog. When we got home I sat in our office and just looked around at all our stuff. Moving is bad enough. But moving across town seems like such a waste of time.

The next morning Hubs and I called on more places and made plans to visit a couple of places over lunch. Hubs stopped and talked to our landlord to see if there was anything that could be done for us to stay just one more year.

Over lunch we picked the better of two options and agreed that it was livable. I had no idea how blessed we were to have our home. Little things, like two giant bathrooms with clean showers and drawers around the sink, we had taken for granted. A programable thermostat. A giant garage. The last few months I had actually been complaining about our home. I'm not going to pretend I know the mind of God, but perhaps He had enough of my complaining over the amazing blessing he had given us. In any case, walking through these two homes made me realize my ungrateful heart.

Before Hubs called our landlord to tell them our choice, they called us. If we were willing to pay a little more rent, they would let us sign another year lease. PRAISE! The small amount is worth not moving and staying in a home that we love. (As of now, papers are not signed so it isn't final.)

This morning I woke up and immediately thanked God for proving such a wonderful home for us to live in. I pray that this little lesson sticks in my life in all the abundant blessings God has given.

Why Kansas Summers make me go, "bleh."

I moved to Kansas (the first time) in July 1995. From that first day of life in Kansas, I began switching from loving summer to hating summer. Why?

Because it has become pointless to shower. Spending more than 60 seconds outside results in the sweat glands turned on high. Clothes now are gross, hair is disastrous, and body stink-age has begun.

Because my car cannot cool off on my drive home from work. Thus, the sweat gland effect as described above.

Because there is no other word than miserable to describe what being outside is like. As a body who loves to be outside, it is frustrating to be closed up in the house with artificial light all day.

Because I do not have a pool. If I had a pool in my backyard I am convinced summer would be slightly more bearable.

Because of the headaches. I spend 2 hours at the pool yesterday to come home and sleep for 2 hours due to a severe headache. Gotta love the heat and wind combo of Kansas.

I could continue, but then it might seem like I'm complaining...

Paradise, I mean Kansas

So I bought this song off of itunes. It is a reggae hit that we heard all the time during our second Hawai'i trip. It's called "Gimmie Love" and it just makes me smile. When I walk in the morning, it almost makes me feel like I am back on the island....

I begin to see tall palm trees waving in the breeze. Oh wait, that's just an electric pole.

I start to smell the salty ocean air. Nope, that's just the dog poop I picked up.

I close my eyes to hear the waves and feel the ocean mist. Then I open them becuase I trip over my feet and get sprayed by a sprinkler.

I look up into the trees to see the beautiful flowers. Instead, I see the cotton that hasn't yet fallen.

I anticipate a cool breeze to offset the hot sun. I nearly get blown off my feet with hot wind.

So the song can't transform my surroundings; at least it relives the memories.