Ups and Downs

Words I would use to describe this past week: Challenging. Exciting. Disappointing. Tiring. Encouraging. CRAZY.

Last weekend, we stopped by our favorite dog shelter, and they just so happened to have a couple litters of PUPPIES! We had been thinking for a few months about getting Finn a little brother. We fell in love with a little spotted bulldog-mix pup, and the shelter said that he'd been there for three weeks. His littermates had been adopted, so it felt like he was just waiting for us. We put $25 down to hold him and then went home to mull it over. We also had to call our landlords to make sure a second dog was OK. We got very excited at the idea of bringing home a little pup, brainstormed names, and waited for the landlords to call us back.

Well, they called us back on Saturday night. And they said that "Finn is wonderful, but one dog is enough."

Cue my hysterics here. So sad! Thankfully, we called the shelter, and another family had already expressed interest in adopting the little bulldog. So, he's probably settling in all happily at his new home. We, on the other hand, were disappointed for DAYS. We like our city apartment, and our landlords are very, very nice... but having to abide by the property-owners restrictions can be tough at times.

So I considered the natural solution to this challenge: buy a house. Sounds great, right? No landlords, more space, as many dogs as I want. Considering that I have put aside approximately $146 in my savings account for a house, this is clearly a realistic possibility. Not. But nonetheless, I have been scouring real estate listings and dreaming some pretty lofty dreams. I still have hope that it could happen, somehow, in the coming months, so stay tuned.

In other news:
- Hugo Chávez died, which is a VERY big deal in this half-Venezuelan household.
- Some exciting things are developing with work. More details coming soon.
- We're getting ANOTHER snowstorm tonight!

And I'm grateful for:
1. A luxurious place to live. Even though I don't own my home, it's a pretty neat apartment in an awesome location.
2. One very cute, sweet, and cuddly dog that is all mine. (Well, and Crisp's.)
3. Spring is almost here! Green leaves, longer days, and warmer weather--hurry up!

Lastly, a girl from my hometown, who I knew through from cheerleading in high school, passed away today. She and I weren't close and hadn't kept in touch, but I got the news via Facebook this morning. Her passing is sudden, tragic, and devastating for her friends and family -- especially for her young son. My heart aches for everyone who knew her, and my heart breaks for her little boy who will forever miss his mommy. I'm sending thoughts and prayers to all who loved her, and I'm reminded how sweet, short, and precious life is. I'm reminded to be so grateful for every day and for everyone I love, and I'm reminded to have faith in the Lord and in His plan for us all.