Puppy Love

I love puppy dogs. I'd pretty much rather hang out with a room full of doggies than anything (or anyone) else. To sum it up, this shirt explains my life goals:

So, when Dave and I recently had a conversation with our financial advisor, and he was talking about how he and his wife have taught their children from the beginning about the principle of giving, it perked up my need to look into a cause. His example was simple. When their kids get allowance, they are required to split the money into three categories: spend, save, and give. This was also coupled with another conversation I had recently about a friend who requires her child to pick a volunteer project both during the school year and over the summer. I did some volunteer work in school and always found it rewarding, but as an adult, I've honestly found a hard time finding the right opportunity with an organization that was willing to take advantage of the time I was offering. After having a few of these inspiring conversations, I decided to give it another go and tried again by exploring some options on the web site volunteermatch.org. I had heard good things about the site, and after some searching, I came upon on opportunity with a local humane society that looked like it might be just perfect for me. I did my research, reached out for more information, filled out an application, and after a couple of weeks and a background check, I was selected to move forward to their training program and start volunteering. Yea! 

What I like most about this organization already is that they rely heavily on volunteers. They are very organized in their training, scheduling and how they care for these dogs. They are also a private organization, which means they are privately funded based on a true love of dogs. This fits all of my personal criteria and seems to be a good fit in that they actually want to take my offer of time and greatly appreciate it. I've already had my first training session, with a mentoring session set up this week and then a little more training over the weekend. After that, I'm all set to do walking shifts, vet transportation and adoption counseling on nights or weekends that fit into my schedule. 

An urgent opportunity arose last night where a momma and her three, 3-week old infants had been rescued in Gooding, ID and needed to be transported back to the Boise area to be placed in a foster home until they can be adopted. The shelter needed someone to step in and make an almost 4-hour round trip drive. Dave and I were able to help, and we drove this sweet girl back to town to her new foster mom last night. What a rewarding experience. And man, what a shout out to Dave for helping out when this wasn't his idea. :)

I'll get to work my first shift as an adoption counselor this weekend, and I've been told the experience is so rewarding, as we get to help these sweethearts find their forever homes. I'm really looking forward to that, as well as spending time doing something meaningful outside of my Game of Thrones binging. So, fine, I'm almost all caught up on GoT, but you get the idea.

And when I'm not helping these new doggies in my life, I'm still catering to this crazy head and her bone addiction.

Check out www.volunteermatch.org if you are interested in finding some volunteer opportunities in your area. And, please please please, adopt - don't shop.

Travel keeps me sane(ish)

Ahhhhh, travel. There's no better word for me. Okay, maybe "cupcakes" sort of ties, but cupcakes will wait for another blog. As a matter of fact, I had a Key Lime cupcake on my trip last week that deserves its own blog entirely. Nom, nom. So, anyway...

I never traveled much growing up. As a matter of fact, my first time on a plane was for my honeymoon trip to Disneyworld. But, for Dave and I, we started early (even in those salad days) with the dreams and plans that we would sneak in any trip (big or small) whenever possible. For me, this quote sums it up.

So, considering I want to read very far into my book... have suitcase, will pack at a moment's notice. Since I just finished a really fun trip to San Francisco, I thought that a travel topic was in order, and since I'm the sucker who clicks on every link on the Internet that starts with "Top Ten ..." (or 5 or 12 or ... you get the drift), I thought I'd stick with that theme, and cover my Top 10 Travel Must Haves. Are you in? Okay, let's go.

10. Coolio bag that folds up in a tiny little pouch.

So my friend Kate hooked me up with this little gem as a birthday gift right before my last trip to Italy. I've seen lots of different styles since then, and this little guy sure is genius. It folds up so tiny, but so nice and roomy for carrying things around while you're traveling.

                     

                   Tiny travel bag takes Tuscany

9. Best lip balm evah

I should say that this guy is on the list thanks to how drying air travel can be. But, the truth is, I love me some lip balm. I've tried them all, and this one is my number one fave. It's thick and creamy and a great nude tint. And....and, it tastes like a glazed donut. You're welcome. But seriously, it comes in several shades, and I will be trying them all. 

8. Travel docs holder

So, everyone out there loves Etsy as much as me, right? This little gem is an Etsy find, and it's as practical as it is cute. Even in our electronic age, there is still so much paperwork with travel: passports, confirmation pages, etc. It all fits in this little guy, including a pen for filling out those international travel documents mid-air. It's inexpensive and comes in a bunch of different prints too.

7. Big bag for cords

While we're on an Etsy roll... you can find a fun, new little bag there, or use a makeup bag, large wristlet, etc. The idea is that you can have all your cords in one place! I got so tired of mine finding their way all over my larger travel bag or purse, and invariably, sinking to the absolute bottom when I'm scrunched up mid-air, that I decided to start putting them all together. Big win. Next I'm on the lookout for a cord organizer to go in the bag. (Rejoice all my Type A friends.)

6. Cashmere travel set

So, it's time to sneak a little wish list item into the mix. I don't own this one, but if a bunch of gift cards dropped on my lap, I might add this to my travel collection too. COZY!

5. Sunblock 

Have you seen me? I'm a fair-skinned chick. I have embraced the "sunblock is my life" mantra. I have a close relationship with my dermatologist. :) So, I know all things sunblock, and this keeper (found in one of my monthly Birchboxes) is a GREAT sunblock for the face. It's mineral-based, so it goes on very sheer, not greasy at all, and it has a nice tint. It has great staying power too. 

4. Maxi dresses

Comfort, comfort, comfort. Comfort is muy importante for air or car travel. Enter the maxi dress. I recently found some super cute ones at Target. Wherever you find your faves, these things are awesome. You can layer a jacket or sweater and be super comfy (and cute) while traveling with usually no wrinkles at your destination. Off the plane and onto an excursion and no need to change.

3. Steamer-style luggage

Okay, one more wish list item (David reads this blog after all.) I saw this collection (and Website) in one of my travel magazines, and holy schmoly are these things awesome. This is steamer style luggage, but with modern conveniences like the pull handle. Mama really likes. (Especially the Carry On from The Entrepreneur collection David Fox... ahem... I mean in case anyone was looking for more detail.)

2. Easy groceries for when you get home

This isn't exactly a fun tip, but you'll be glad you listened to me when you get home, tired and full of post-vacation blues and you are stuffed from eating out, and you have a little something to tide you over until reality has to fully set in. Cooking extra before you leave and freezing a few leftovers will work or just buying a few things that will last until you get back to whip up a quick dinner. Dave and I did this last night for our first night back. I made extra pasta sauce before our trip that I had frozen and also had some fresh ravioli I had picked up from the store and froze before we left. I took them both out when we got home late Sunday night, and it took about 10 minutes to whip up a nice pasta dinner, so we could put off the grocery store for another day. Nothing says vacation is OVER like the grocery store.

1. Travel books for photos

This is my favorite tip and something I wish Dave and I had done since the beginning of digital photography, but we are catching up now. Many of you know this and probably use it, and that's the Shutterfly photo book. Our first big project was the book that recounted our trip to Italy in 2012, but since then, we've started a yearly tradition of picking just a few photos to make a smaller book. I find that I look back on these pictures so much more than I thought I would. To go find all the past vacations that are saved online or on CDs... well, it's just too much trouble. Plus, it's fun to show others your trip in this way, rather than scrolling through a bunch of small digital pics on Facebook. 

Thanks for hanging in for my Top 10 Travel Must Haves list. There's one little tip I'll leave you with as a bonus, and that is Have a Great Travel Buddy. Unfortunately mine is taken, or I'd loan him out. He's great at taking pics, carrying shopping bags, general entertaining conversation, and most of all, genuine support of my wanderlust. Time to book that next trip!