Football Season Is Here

Welp, it's officially college football season! 

Here's to many wins, tailgating, late nights, lots of drinks, and good times with friends! 

I've always been a Tigers fan...Clemson tigers fan, that is! My blood bleeds ORANGE! There is something about being in a sea of orange, surrounded by thousands of screaming fans. And its something I like! 

I can't recall ever cheering for a team other than my Clemson Tigers. (Other than anyone playing against South Carolina.) That was until two/three years ago. 

I'm also a MAIZE & BLUE girl! Hail to the victors!

I'm amazed at myself, at my passion for both of these teams to succeed dominate! I wasn't raised in a home where football was everything. I wasn't even raised in a home where football was watched regularly. Crazy, huh?! 

There is nothing like actually being at the game, especially if the team you're pulling for is wining! You're into the game, folks around you are into the game. The atmosphere is contagious--cheering for the players, yelling at the refs, jumping up-and-down because someone scored a touchdown, biting your nails because its a tie game in the fourth quarter. It's mesmerizing!

But, for those of us not fortunate enough to attend the games, we have tailgating. And, thank God, for the invention of the TV! 

Tonight, Jason and I plan to kick it at home with our boys! Not only will we be rocking our game day attire, so will the boys! (Love it!) I have the pizza ordered and the beer chillin' in the fridge! I can't wait! Pizza, beer, & football! Woohoo! 

Only downfall? I'm stuck at work until 5:00. Michigan kicks off at 3:30, and the TV in the office isn't working. Dear God, please say I can watch the game online! (Fingers crossed!) 

Happy College Football Season ya'll! 

GO TIGERS! GO BLUE!

...Engaging

Life is engaging.

Not like 'he put a ring on my finger' engaging (which maybe one day he will), but just busy engaging. Whenever I find a minute to relax, or sit down, something always seems to come up. 

So with that being said, 

I do have a few posts up my sleeve!

Later blog world!

Our Adoption Stories

Jason and I have been very fortunate to adopt two beautifully amazing dogs together! What a joy they bring to our lives! 

I'm not sure I have done the very best job at introducing them to the blog world, so today, I will! 

On March 3, 2011, Jason and I went to the Greenville Humane Society to LOOK at the puppies. We both agreed, before entering the doors, that if by chance there was a puppy that we really liked, we would think about it over night before we adopted one. 

There were so many cute pups in the building that day. And I'm sure we held every single one of them! 

After 45 minutes in the shelter, I thought I found the one! She was a yellow lab mix, three months old, and very sweet. She nestled in my neck when I held her, too presh, and did the same when Jason had her. We were in love! 

As we were holding her, Jason saw her brother, Bird, hiding in the back of the cage. He grabbed him out and it was love at first site. Jason said, "This is the one!"

I was a little hesitant. I just didn't see what Jason saw in him; there was no way he was cuter than the fuzzy ball I was holding. To me, it seemed as though Bird looked like an obese hamster. Cute? Not so much! 

Shortly after receiving several warming kisses, we decided we HAD to get him. If we were to go home and think about it, we were positive this little guy would have been gone very quickly! We went through the whole adoption process, and an hour later Bird was ours! 

First act of business? Changing that ridiculous name! Before we got in the car, Jason came up with the perfect name--CHARLIE!

 (Charlie the day we got him!)

 (Riding with Mommy!)

 (Toys!)

(Knocked-Out!)

Charlie was an AMAZING puppy! He was a breeze; we got really lucky on him! Training was simple, as he picked up on everything very quick--even potty training! 

A few months after getting Charlie, Jason and I decided to move closer to work. It was a plus for us, but not for Charlie. At the time, we lived in Greenville and frequently took Charlie to the dog park, not to mention he had numerous friends at the apartment complex we lived in. 

Being the good parents we are, we decided it was time to add an addition to our family, if we found the right pup! To the Greenville Humane Society we went! 

Once again, we were greeted by many adorable faces. Only one little guy stood out to me--Andy! He was in a crate with two of his siblings, one of which Jason really liked. Andy was only a month old and weighed a mere six pounds. He had the cutest, floppiest ears I had ever seen on such a small pup! I knew he was the one! Charlie was going to be a big brother. 

Unlike our trip to find Charlie, we did go home and think about getting another puppy. I'm almost positive we actually wrote out a Pro's and Con's list. We listed normal things on the cons list--two dogs are harder than one, we work a lot, we'll have to train another dog, added expenses of feeding two. But, we soon realized that the weight of the cons didn't supersede the pros! Charlie would have a friend all of the time to play with and we could train the pup in a house with concrete floors were the best pros we had. Did we need more? Absolutely not! We were getting this puppy the next day we had off, and as long as he was still there! 

Two days after meeting this brown-eyed beauty, Jason went to the pound and adopted little Andy! Charlie was then a big brother, and I a mother of two! And I couldn't have been happier, other than the fact that I was a work and Jason was at home with our boys! 

The name came easy for us--we definitely weren't going to call him Andy forever. The little black dog we adopted had a small patch of gray hair on his chest, quite like an old man would, like Jason's grandpa Howard would. The only fitting named? HOWIE! 

 (Little Andy at the pound before we adopted him!)

 (Howie's first vet visit!)

 (Riding in the car with Daddy!)

(Swimming with Mommy!)

The boys have been best friends since day one--playing together and getting in trouble together! 

Now both boys are two, and loving life! They are both filled with so much character and personality! No day is the same at our house! 

We have been blessed! 

Just Maybe, Maybe I'll Make A Good Aunt

Growing up, if there was a baby around, you can bet it was attached to my hip! I've always loved babies. Maybe it's their smell, or their innocence, or even the slightest little gummy grin! They melt my heart! 

I have always dreamed of becoming a Mommy! At one point, my life-long dream was to be a stay at home mom. (I may have told my guidance counselor that's what I wanted to be when I grew up! She didn't seem to like that answer.)

But then, over time, something shifted. I got older. I matured. Life started to take place. Real Life. Not the joyous early years that now look like a blur--wishing on stars, popsicles, basketball practice, and those repeatedly long days at school. I went to college. I started a job...I grew up.

As many of you know, Jason has a few more years of living on me. And I am constantly reminded of that. I'm sure he'll be ready for children long before I will. With all of the pressures and stressors life has piled on my shoulders, babies have fallen to the bottom of my wish list. I just don't feel that longing anymore. The maternal instincts that I'd once been convinced we programmed in me have somehow dissolved. No where in the near future (10+ years) can I picture myself rocking a new born baby in the wee hours of the morning, or changing numerous corrupt diapers. Maybe sleepless nights, dark circles, messy buns, and spit-up stains just aren't meant for me? Those are the things Mommies look forward to, right? Taking care of myself is a job in itself. I can't imagine felling responsible for another beings survival. Maybe, as much as the notion hurts me, I just don't have it in me. 

Or, maybe I do?

Two years ago, in July, my nephew was born. I remember the day like none other. The hallway to his room was ever-long and bright, butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I approached his room.  As I entered the room, not a dry eye remained. And the next thing I remember is observing this tiny, perfect little human resting in his Daddy's arm. 

My brother asked if I would stay the night at the hospital with him, to watch over Dalen. Night couldn't come soon enough. He didn't cry, never even opened his eyes. He just slept soundly near my heart, his little body rising and falling with every breath. As I looked at him, I knew: 

This baby is going to change my life.

And just like that, it came back to me. Loving a baby was a natural skill. The next morning I congratulated his parents on having such a beautiful child. As I left the hospital, I finally understood why so many women become mothers. It's a gift! Since that day, I've discovered being an AUNT is too!

I consider myself pretty lucky. Just five short months later, I became the aunt to a beautiful baby girl, Zoey! She, too, is just a perfect and unique as Dalen. 

I'm more like their buddy. We play with toys and wander their Grandparent's house together, trailing a mess as we go. Their personalities develop little by little, everyday, and my perspective on life--and my understanding of my role--evolves right along with it. 

You know, that's the great thing about being an aunt, especially if you are lucky enough to experience it before you become a mother. It's a taste of what's ahead, a perspective-changer. I see life as a step-by-step process and, like babies taking their first steps, we all progress at different paces. It's important to think ahead, to anticipate the later steps while you're still mid-stride on the present one. 

That's the other thing about being an aunt--although I'm a buddy most of the time, I'm also a caretaker when each of them needs it. (Granted, Zoey doesn't allow me near her majority of the time, I still care for her as I do Dalen.) 

I anticipate their falls. I give them hugs when they cry. I know when they're hungry, tired, or just in a foul mood. Babies need non-stop assurance and patience--just like me. 

Dalen and Zoey have given me one of the greatest gifts I will ever receive: 

an understanding of what it means to love!

While today I am an aunt, a buddy, a friend, I can see myself transitioning into the role of a mother. Until I met these two bundles of joy, I had no idea how much love I had to give. Now I get what raw, real human love look like--its selfless, its unconditional, not strings attached!

With that being said, I have written a letter to these babies: 

Dear Dalen & Zoey--

Welcome to our family!  I may be the first to say, but I don't believe anyone dreamed either of you being here so soon, but we are ever joyous that you both are! I hope you'll enjoy being a part of our crazy family as much as I do! 

Hi, I'm your Aunt Jessica. Feel free to call me whatever you'd like, but just so you know, I think Auntie Jess has a nice ring to it! 

I don't plan on bossing you around, or telling you what to do, unless you deserve or need it. I'm not the best cook, nor can I carry a tune in a bucket. I can't golf, I have a hard time being on time, and I don't like Chinese.

Nevertheless, I'll do anything for you--from playing with cars, or painting your nails, to skydiving. And, I make a solemn promise to turn off my TV/computer/phone/other electronic device anytime you ask. You may force me to sing karaoke, finger-painting no matter what I'm wearing, and eat outrageous amounts of candy with you (and not tell your parents) whenever you want! 

I've baby-sat my fair share of babies in the past, so I know how fast you'll grow up. Every day brings something new, and it utterly sucks that I'm going to miss so much of it! But, unlike my past baby-sitting experiences, we're stuck with each other for the long hall. You two are my NEPHEW & NEICE, I'll know you forever! 

I may not be the coolest aunt right now, but I get so long to figure it out, and I think this opportunity to forge a lifetime bond with you might just be what it means to be your aunt! I hope I do a good job! And, I hope that both of you are comfortable enough to tell me what you need from me.

I love you both more than you will ever know! 

XOXO,

Auntie Jess

A Running Mind

I've always had a running mind--thoughts coming and going as they please. The over abundance of synaptic activity is to blame for many sleepless nights and numerous daily distractions.

(Maybe this is why I have such awful migraines?!)

I am constantly overwhelmed with nonsense taking a guided tour through my head. Maybe today it will help getting them all down, in a central location, out of my head and somewhere else? 

There is only ONE way to find out!

1. Why do I have migraine all of the time? Shouldn't they be able to find a cure? Haven't I suffered enough? 
2. Yesterday, I went to a counselor, for anger management. For some the past month, I would say, I have been very frustrated and angry for no reason at all. I'm not sure where these feelings come from, and frankly I would like to know. She didn't seem to be of any help to me. 
3. I work with adults who act like high-schoolers. The constant drama is very annoying and somehow, I get dragged in the middle. 
4. On the subject of work, I have taken on a couple of new titles--office manager and guest services coordinator. I have taken the GSC job and ran with it, and might I add, I do very well at what I do. However, I am struggling to get where I want to be in my OM role. You see, everyone I work with is old enough to either be my mom or my dad. Kinda hard to tell them what to do, it just doesn't seem right. Maturing into this role is something I am very slowly, and ever-so carefully, working towards. 
5. Why must people throw honest, hard-working folks under the bus to make themselves look better? It utterly blows my mind. Day in, and day out, I have watched a co-worker of mine slap everyone else in the office with a bit of un-wanted and un-needed criticism and ridicule. Why? I have no idea. Do any of us deserve it? No. I think I may be more ticked off at the fact that there is no remorse or guilt felt by this individual, even after seeing us scolded for things that were never done. (As I type, I can feel my blood starting to boil, my hands are perspiring, and my fingers are typing so fast it is as they are in a race to the finish line.)
6. I wonder what we will have for dinner this evening? I sure as hell don't want to cook. 
7. Damn it, I do believe we are out of dog food. Ugh. 
8. I could really use a nap right now. 
9. Wouldn't you know, Jason's car is ready to pick up! I'm so glad he will have it back, but I'm dreading the drive back from picking it up. (I'll save the story of what happened for a later post.)
10. A nap would really do a great deal of help for me. I wonder if anyone will notice if I slip under my desk and doze off for half an hour or so? 
11. Can one really cause herself to develop a disorder? I'm pretty sure I have worked myself up so much, its possible I have an anxiety disorder. 

How do I make it stop? 

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated my friends! 

If anyone knows of a yoga instructor in my area, please let me know! I desperately need to relax and de-stress! 

OHANA

The family.  We are a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bind us all together.

--Erma Bombeck 

The Smallest Feline is a Masterpiece!

'The risk of love is loss, and the price of loss is grief. But the pain of grief is only a shadow when compared with the pain of never risking love.'

I wanted to give you all an update on the kittens. 

On Saturday, August 3, Eve passed away. Heartbreaking, I know. It was a shock to me! She was doing so well--eating as she should, gaining weight, using the bathroom, starting to crawl around.

Just as her brother did a few days before, she too started gasping for air. Immediately, my heart was pounding, and I was scared. Minutes later, Eve took her last breath in my hands. 

And I lost it! 

How could this little creature who was doing so well die so quickly?

It was beyond me. 

I called the vet to see if they could ease the pain of losing another of these precious babies. She said more than likely the kittens had a respiratory defect/virus that the mother cat knew about and decided to let Mother Nature take control. Or, maybe we didn't get to the kittens in enough time--if kittens miss eating for more than 24 hours, life is fatal. 

I'm blessed to have helped both kittens for the short time I did. It was definitely a learning experience for me! I'm sure I will encounter many more scenarios like this one in the veterinarian field. 

Before we go, I would like to share a couple of Eve's last pictures! 

(1:30am feeding. Eve was in a milk coma.)

(Why yes, I do sleep with one eye open!)

(Those baby blues!)

'Kitties play with the best yarn in Heaven!'

Maybe I Should Take A Step Back...& Introduce Myself

Welcome!

Hi, I'm Jessica! 

And thanks for stopping in! 

Life is _________. 

Daily. Ever-Changing. Tough. Love. Laughing. Living. Work. Hurt. Discovery. Fun. Best Friends. Finding True Love. Adventure. Spontaneous. Crazy. Ironic. Hard. Joy. Peace. 

Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself. 

And that's what I'm doing!

I love life--my life! I love a good laugh, preferably one that comes from deep inside the belly, one that takes over your whole body! Smiling is a MUST! I love being outdoors--whether it's tanning, kayaking, running, or swimming--I absolutely love the sunshine! I love baseball, Detroit Tigers baseball that is! I am a nerd: I'm an avid reader and I love learning! I'll try anything once; its kind of fun to do the impossible! Believe it or not, I do enjoy doing laundry! I love crafting! I believe everyone deserves a card just to say hello every now and then! I frequently Google quotes that pertain to things happening in my life at the moment. A little quirky at times, but I am the perfect version of me!

I am thrilled to say that I'm in a VERY LOVING, LONG-LASTING relationship with a man too good for words! His smile--that goofy kind of grin, the one that hijacks the face of the helplessly smitten--is heart-warming! His personality is envious! I am fortunate to have Jason in my life!

Jason and I have been blessed with two wonderful puppies--Charlie & Howie--whom both have us completely wrapped around those huge paws of theirs! Our lives wouldn't be complete without the two of them! 

(Howie & Charlie)

Creating myself is my goal, through my blog, I hope to share that with you. 

I am intensely loving the adventure that is life! 
I hope you'll join along on the ride! 

Challenge Accepted

Ironic?

A lady I work with was going to have one of her female cats spayed last week. The night before, she had four kittens. 

True story!

The mother cat neglected to nurse two of the kittens, and they were on the verge of death. Knowing this broke my heart; I had to do something to help. I asked if I could take the struggling ones and nurse them back to health. As a last chance at life, we all agreed I would take the kittens. Challenge Accepted!

Meet Ryan and Eve!

Tiny little things!

Neither would eat to begin with, although they were starving! You could feel every little bone in their body! Precious as could be, but very malnourished and under-weight. By 6:30 pm, yesterday evening they learned to eat with a bottle! I fattened their little bellies up! 

I was ecstatic they were eating! (I think I text everyone in my phone to let them know!) 

Normally, I am in bed by 10:00 pm, especially on a work-day night. Last night I stayed up until midnight, to feed the little kittens, as well as woke up very early. I do believe it was still dark outside. 

Kittens need to be fed every 2-3 hours at 9 days old, so to work the kittens came! (I am so thankful that my boss, and co-workers, don't mind animals being here!) 

Today, tragedy struck!

After the lunch-time feeding, Ryan was gasping for air and laying on his side. I've seen an animal like this one other time in my life; I knew he wasn't going to make it. At 1:03 pm today, little Ryan passed away. 

(Ryan is ALIVE in this picture. It was taken yesterday to show his size.)

Eve is a bit heartbroken; she hasn't stopped yelping for her little brother. 

(Eve all curled up.)

Determined as I am, and as I think Eve is, she will make it through! I'll be sure to keep you posted on her--how she's doing, growing, finding a family to adopt her. 

For now, we shall chill at work!

Job. Career. Niche.

You know how creative people are, we have to try everything until we find our niche! 

When asked as a high-schooler what I wanted to be when I grew up, I answered a doctor. High ambitions I, then, hoped to attain. I was a bright student, took honors classes, and excelled. 

College was different than I expected, as were the classes and curriculum set before me to become Dr. Hightower. 

My plans changed. 

After taking a few anatomy classes and labs, I soon realized that a doctor was NOT what I wanted to be. 

So what did I decide to do next? 

Spanish. 

Then Psychology. 

Then Accounting.  

By this point, I was annoyed and disappointed with myself. Now in college for 3 years, and four majors later, I finally decided on my career of choice. Accounting. 

Wrong! 

A few accounting courses and I was over that!

I've been working in the hospitality business since I was 15. That makes eight years of restaurant business, receptionist, insurance agent, retail sales, business owner--a lot of jobs to get me where I am today. I am currently the office manager at a high-end real estate firm. Do I like my job? Yes. Do I love my job? Depends on the day. 

I've been searching for my niche. Something that brings a challenge daily, something entertaining, life-changing, some way to give back. Believe it or not, I think I FINALLY know what that is!

I need to work with animals! 

I'm not sure yet if a Veterinarian Technician is enough, or if I will reach higher to become a Veterinarian! I'm thrilled about finally knowing what I want to do! (Now, I just have to get there!)

As many of you know, for my birthday this year, I wanted to foster a kitten from the Greenville Humane Society. I did, and I LOVED IT! I took care of a kitten too young and under-weight to be adopted. When we picked "Smoke" up from the Humane Society, she weighed 1.2 pounds. My duty? Get her to 2.0 pounds. The day we took her back she weighed 2.6 pounds! Job well done! 

So rewarding!

Taking care of this little cutie, and my boys (which to my surprise, they all got along very well), validated my ambition for working with animals! 

I'm thrilled to pursue this dream! 

Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. it is not a thing to be waited for; it is a thing to be achieved!