Day 28: My dream home

I know I said this before, but I'd love a home theatre.


A laundry room with plenty of space to fold clothes and put them in baskets, so each family member can come in take their basket and put their own clothes away. I want the red electrolux washer and dryer set :) Another feature I'd like my laundry room to have the wash basin sink to soak stains.





















Some where in my house I want a doggie shower.  From the sounds of it we are going to have lots of pups and it would be nice for them to have their own shower and not get my other ones all hairy and scratched up! A specific place we can keep all the dog supplies would be great too.




Central Vacuum.


A roomy kitchen with bar seating and a formal dining room attached. I want to be able to have lots of people in the kitchen. It seem like that is always where people tend to gather so I want people to be comfortable.


Hidden outlets. Wouldn't one of these be nice in the kitchen on the island, maybe one the office. It would also be nice to have a few in the floor in the living room.


A bar where we can entertain and serve some home brewed beer among other things.

How cool would this be to have in the bathrooms!

 I want my home to be a gathering place. I want people too feel comfortable just popping over to say hello and have a drink. And where all my kids want to be and their friends always want to come over. I want to be able to have summer barbecues, birthday parties, Halloween parties, Thanksgiving, etc. I realize that all of those things have more to do with the environment then the things you have, and no matter what our home ends up looking like I'll always have the open door policy. But its also nice to have the space and equipment to accommodate :)

Day 27: Picture of a hobby I have...

Scrapbooking! I love having a movie or tv show on and sitting down with all my supplies and putting memories together in a book. 

Day 26: Something I Miss...

My family and friends!

I like branching off out into the world, but at the same time it is really hard to be away and miss out on things where I grew up.

Day 25: What someone would find in my bag...

A MESS! Ok lets see what's in this bad boy. I haven't cleaned it out in a while, this could be interesting...

• Wallet
• Sunglasses (not in a case)
• Hand sanitizer (everything here is dirty!)
• Size 6 diaper
• Newborn diaper
• Wipes
• Nook Color ( I've finally started reading the Harry Potter series! I'm on the second one.)
• Chap stick
• Light long sleeved hoodie (it gets pretty chilly on some of the subways)
• Mascara (just in-case I forgot to put it on in the morning, or need another coat!)
• Hair ties (I actually think every bag I own has at least 4)
• Gum
• Gum wrappers (I also think every bag I own has at least 4) :)
• Toy car (Seriously, you would think I was a mom if you looked in my bag!)
• Kleenex
• Socks (The toddler has classes at Gymboree and they require the adults to be in socks)
• Doggie clean-up bags (I'm not sure why... I rarely have this bag when walking them...)
• 3 pens (why 3, I have no idea!)
• Umbrella (I think this is habit from Dominica)
• Camera
• Dove go fresh body mist (I don't want to be smelly)

Wow I have a ton a junk in that bag!

Day 24: A Letter to Someone I Love

                                                                                                                                August 4 2011

Dear Mia Monkey
                                                                                           
     I just want you to know that I love you more than words can possibly say. When your mom first told me she was pregnant with you, she and I had a rather large argument about it. I was worried because she was so young. But eventually we worked it out. The first time I saw you was at her first sonogram. I had no idea what I was looking at but when we heard your heart beat I cried and knew that I was already completely in love with you. Your mom and I became really close over the course of her pregnancy with you. When she called and told me she had come home from work because she had been having contractions all day I dropped everything I was doing and drove over. We sat around and talked for a while about how we couldn't wait to meet you and wondering if it was really labor. Finally we went to the hospital and about 4 hours later you greeted us. I was lucky enough to be in the room when you were born and of course I was crying. When the nurse put your pink hairy little body in your mom's arms, you were the most beautiful little baby I had ever seen. Then when I got to hold you, I never wanted to give you up! You made me melt. Now that you can talk its amazing to see all that you have learned at to be able to have conversations with you. I can't believe it has almost been 3 years! You are so grown up and even a little sassy! You are turning out to be an amazing little person. I am so lucky to have the privilege of being your Aunt.

     I know it's hard because I am so far away, but I want you to know that you always will have someone to love you, to believe in you, to listen to you, and to help you when you need it. You can always Skype, call, email, and I promise to visit when I can. Someday you will even be able to come and visit me! In spite of the distance I will always try to be the very best Aunt I can. Someday I will have my own children, but don't you ever worry, you, Miss Monkey will always have a very special place in my heart.

     I know right now you are too young to read this or to understand it, but someday you will be able to. I love you all the way to the moon and back Mia, and I promise I always will.

Love Always,

     Aunt Shannon

Day 23: Something I Crave

What I'm craving really depends on where I am and what's going on. Had I been asked this question while living in Dominica my answer would have been Ice Cream and Milk hands down. They were rare on the island and I missed them soooo much! However, now living in New York I crave nature. The stars are what I miss most. I never thought I'd say that, but not being able to see them because of the glow of city lights makes me so sad! That was one of the things that was amazing about Dominica, the stars were so bright and you could see them so well with so little electricity and unpolluted sky. I would just stand out side and stare at them.

Another thing I crave sometimes is starting a family. Especially, when most of my family and friends are starting their families. Being around a newborn and a toddler everyday doesn't help either! (I'm a nanny) Sure they are a handfull at times but I love those little tykes! Children are just so amazing. They change so fast and they learn even faster, they are little human sponges. But at the same time, I love it just being the two of us, and can't imagine having to share my husband with a baby!

I also crave stability. I want so badly to settle somewhere. Not knowing where we'll be in a couple years is incredibly unsettling. I know where I WANT to be but who knows where this road will actually lead us.

Then of course I crave normal things like chocolate, french fries, diet coke, a hot bath, etc.

What kinds of stuff do you crave?

Day 22: What makes me different

I hate this one. This is one of those questions they always seem to ask at interviews as well, and I feel like I can never say how I actually feel! So thats why I chose this one for my 30 Day list. I always say what they want to hear, something about how I'm outgoing and I'm a people person, blah, blah, blah. But if you REALLY want my opinion, people are people, and mostly, we are all the same. You can try as you might to  make yourself different, but somewhere, someone is the same. I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing either. If most people saw someone trip and fall, they would ask if that person was alright. Most people would help an elderly man cross the street. And generally, if you give them the chance to be, most people are nice. Don't get me wrong there are some bad eggs out there, but I have found that MOST people are good. I think that brings us together as a species, and gives us hope that maybe if we can unite as a whole, we could live in a more peaceful world. So being the "same" is a good thing if you ask me. Now I'm sure some of you may not like this answer or agree but it's just how I see it.

I do have my freak eye lashes, I suppose those would make me different ;)

My Poor Lily Girl...

I'm interrupting the 30 day challenge to bring you some breaking news. My Lily girl has ringworm on her leg:( Poor Lily has the WORST luck. Ever. Bad things are always happening to her. Even on our way to the vet, she stepped in some gum. She is one unlucky pup. But we love her to pieces!

Look what they did to my baby!

The cone is so she doesn't get ringworm in her mouth and so she doesn't lick the medicine off. 

Unfortunately she has to wear the cone for TWO weeks :( Poor thing keeps running into corners and door jams. I really do feel bad for her, but at the same time its kinda hard not to laugh. After two weeks she should be back to normal and hopefully without a her cone!

Day 21: Picture of something that makes me happy

Day 20: Favorite movie/song

My all time favorite movie is Love Actually. Its such a fantastic story of love. My favorite quote in the movie is right at the beginning it literally brings goosebumps to my skin every time. Here it is:

 "Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion... love actually is all around."

<3<3 LOVE IT<3<3

Picking a favorite song is impossible. I love music way to much to be forced to pick just one. Plus different songs bring back different memories or feelings that mean so much to me and I can't choose from all those songs with memories attached, they are all my favorites. I love when a song pops up on ITunes that I haven't heard in a while, but I am taken back to a place several years ago laughing and sining with friends. That is truly one of the best feelings in the world.

Day 19: Nicknames

I've always wanted a super-cool nickname. Here are some that I've had

RHLS (Red Head Little Snot): One of the counselors at my high school that I was really close too used to call me that. It always made me smile. If he saw me in the hall he'd shout "how ya doin' today RHLS?" and it was always funny because my friends always asked me who he was talking to and what that ment.

Sugar: My Gramps calls us granddaughters that

Shan: My Gramps uses this one some times too, Gram uses it almost always as well as Kelsey and Jordan

Shanner: This one started in college I can't really remember how

Shay-shay: My best friend Kate's husband came up with that one for me and still to this day calls me Shay

Day 18: Plans/Dreams/Goals

Dreams are big right now for both Aaron and I. We are anxious for all this med school stuff to be over and to actually be able to  "start" our lives. We dream about buying a house in Colorado with views of the mountains, and sipping our coffee on the porch on the weekends, watching our dogs and children running around in the yard. We also talk about what features we'd want in our home. I of course want a nice open kitchen, with an island that has seating for the kids to eat breakfast at. I also want a master bathroom with a walk-in shower, seperate his and hers vanities and a jacuzzi bathtub with a big open window looking out at the mountains. Aaron's only request....a "man cave". Here are a few more of our Big house dreams....


A wine room. How cool would having a wine room be?!


It would be fun to have a movie room to watch movies with our family and friends


I'd love to have one wall in a living room or sitting room be floor to ceiling book shelves. I have always liked the look of that.


Then, of course, there are children. We definitely want a couple of those :) I personally would like to have one or two of our own then adopt one. There are just so many children in the world that need warm loving homes and I'd like to provide that for someone if we are able. I still have to convince Aaron, but I'm sure he'll catch on :)

AND.......more dogs!!!!! I think we are going to have to live somewhere with a lot of land because we also want a bunch more four-legged babies!

We dream pretty big around here because it gives us something to look forward to and something to work towards. Med school can be pretty taxing on both of us and dreaming is our way of getting through it.

Day 17: Someone I'd switch lives with for a day and why...

Hmmmm..... this is a tough one! I think I wanna say Oprah. She knows so many people and has so much money that for that one day I could literally go anywhere and do anything. So that would be pretty cool. On the other hand I wouldn't mind being Victoria Beckham, it wouldn't be too shabby to get to hang out with her hunky hubby all day!!!!!! (no offense sweetie, I still love you and think you are as hunky as they come)

Who would you want to trade with?

Day 16: Something I won't Leave the House Without

Mascara. Yup can't live without it. Even if I am in sweats, a t-shirt, and haven't brushed my hair in a week, I WILL NOT go anywhere without a quick swipe of black mascara. I have eyelashes the same color as my hair, so they are barely visible without mascara and it makes me feel like a freak! I love mascara. <3<3<3<3 

Day 15: First 10 songs that play on my IPod

1 Octopus's Garden  The Beatles
2 Purple Rain  Prince
3 What if I Do  Foo Fighters
4 I Never Told You Colbie Caillat
5 Suddenly  LeAnn Rimes
6 My Friends  Sweeney Todd
7 Bring it On Home  Little Big Town
8 Mercy  Glee
9 You Thought Wrong  Kelly Clarkson
10 Career Choice  Ben Lee

There ya have it my crazy IPod's mix

Day 14: A picture of Me and My Family

Here is my beautiful family. Can you believe in a couple weeks Aaron and I will have been married for 8 months! That's crazy talk! I also feel like we just moved to NY and yet we've already been here for 6 months. Life moves fast, too fast! (Much like dogs when you are trying to get a good picture)

I think Aaron's face in this one is the best

Day 13: Places to go before I die

I know, I know I fell behind :(  And I was doing so well! But in all fairness I warned you... :) OK here are the places I day dream about

Ireland, Shannon Ireland to be exact. I also want to go to the Guinness brewery.

Octoberfest in Munich Germany, because who doesn't like a celebration all about beer?!

Australia, to dive by the great barrier reef, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, and so mush more, I may need to visit Australia more than once

Paris, They say it's dirty, but whatever, I want to go to the city of love and see all there is to see.

There are more, but those are the highlights and the most important ones to me. Now here's to hoping I get to see at least a couple of those places in my life time! Happy Friday!

Day 12: 10 things I'm thankful for

1 My friends and family
2 My wonderful husband
3 Fresh baked amish friendship bread
4 My loving and loyal puppies
5 Skype
6 Air conditioning
7 My health
8 Books
9 Freedom
10 Greek yogurt :)

Day 11: More pictures of my friends and I

Flippy Cup...T and I always win!

Cody Bud

Aaron makes a fantastic Riders girl

Napping with my two best friends

"I'LL SEW!" 

My Canadian Family

Kate and Cody looking their best!

Shots at Champs

Team work

Our last time at Red Rock

This was right after the giant wave hit Jordan in the ass

Homemade avocado masks

jager bombs, the boys favorite

Fun night on the town

<3

Day 10: music according to my mood

Happy: When I'm happy I pretty much listen to anything. Definitely something I can sing along to.  Here are some of my favorites

• Elton John- Tiny Dancer
• Beatles- all their stuff
• Glee soundtracks
• Britney Spears
• Barry Louis Polisar- All I Want Is You
• Show Tunes LOVE them!

Sad:

• Ingrid Michaelson- Keep breathing
• Sara Bareillies- City
• John Mayer- in repair
• Andrea Bochelli- Time to Say Goodbye
• Inara George- Fools in Love
• Brandi Carlile- The Story
• Melissa Etheridge- Breakdown
• Daniel Powter- Bad Day
• Lea Michele and Idina Menzel (Glee) and Les Miserables- I Dreamed A Dream

Excited/ getting ready to go out:

• Ke$ha- Tik Tok, Your Love Is My Drug, We R Who We R
• Pink- Raise Your Glass
• Britney- If You Seek Amy, Gimme More, actually anything Britney gets me pumped, I love her :)
• Garth Brooks- Friends In Low Places
• Bon Jovi- Livin' On A Prayer
• Jesse McCartney- Leavin

Mad:

• Get Set Go- I Hate Everyone
• Blue October- Hate Me
• Pink- So What
• Theory of A Deadman- Hello Lonely
• Ingrid Michaelson- Starting Now
• Glee Cast- Hate On Me
• Linkin Park- One Step Closer, Runaway
• Lily Allen- F*** You
• Shinedown- 45

Relaxed:

• Zac Brown Band- Toes
• Michael Buble
• Dave Matthews- Crash
• Foo Fighters- Times Like These, Miracle
• Sister Hazel- Champagne High 
• Iron & Wine- Such Great Heights

Sentimental: Songs that bring back memories

• Mariah Carey- Shake It Off
• Chris Brown- Forever
• Craig Morgan- Redneck Yacht Club
• Snow Patrol- Chasing Cars
• Finger Eleven- One Thing
• Vanessa Carltion- White Houses
• Moulin Rouge- Come What May
• Darius Rucker- It Wont Be Like This For Long

There are soooo many more I could list, but these are a few highlights.

Day 9: Something I'm proud of in the last few days...

I'm proud of my Meeka baby. She was only 5 weeks old when she was rescued, so because she was so young when she was taken from her mother and litter mates she missed out on some really important puppy socialization skills. The only dogs she was ever around on the island was Lily and a few play dates to the beach with a couple litter mates Dora, and Koa. So she never really learned how to "play nice" with other dogs. When we first got home, when we saw a dog her fur would stand on end and she would start to try and prove her dominance over them, growling, trying to stand over them, etc. However after taking her to the dog park regularly and forcing her to be around other pups she is finally starting to learn how to act around them and even play with them. I used to get so nervous when other dogs would come around, but now I know she can handle it. She is doing so well! Whenever I see her playing with other dogs I feel like the parent who's child just scored a goal. She LOVES to play with a little beagle named Peanut. He likes to rile up all the dogs and get them to chase him, and oh boy do the girls love it. Meeka also loves the water. the place we go has an area where they are allowed to swim in the lake and so we bring along the Aqua Kong and throw it in and she jumps in after it. I'm so proud that she is learning that playing with other dogs can be fun. I am so happy that we can go to the dog park and let the girls run and play, and its fun for me too because we have met so many nice people there. We have even become members of FIDO which is the organization that got the park to allow the off leash hours. Its great, they have a little get together on the first or second Saturday every month where the dogs can play and the humans can eat breakfast, drink coffee and socialize and they have the occasional "pupnic" where everyone brings some food to share and watch the dogs play. They also help with lost/found pets. We really like it. 

"What, who is it? Who's there?"

Leading the way

All kinds of smells!

Making new friends

Keep up the good work Meeky!