Creatures great and small

Wellsville is such a vast sprawl to find oneself lost in. It's a picture of grasses and valley, framed only by mountain and sky. Mountains alone can make a person feel small. And when they take your breath away, standing on their summit, they alone make you feel like you could conquer the world.

But I don't really want to rule the Earth. Not really. I want to visit barnyards and cow-pastures for Easter, and relish the Springtime when animal babies are sweetening life just that much more.

That small degree, a centimeter really, of measurement, where fuzzy innocent against your cheekbone can flutter your senses and make you feel like the world is a decent place. You can't NOT smile when holding a tiny bunny.

You can't NOT squeal at the sight of a miniature, miniscule turtle---so small and darty that if dropped on the ground, it MUST be chased!

If I could steal that teeny little turtle, I think my life would be complete. I'd hold it forever and poke at it for hours in endless, simplistic-minded fun.

Really though, Baby Animal Days in the Northern Hemisphere of this grand old pioneer conquered state has become a tradition in the 5 short years that Topaz has been on this planet. It's fun for me, it's fun for her, which is essentially what I chalk up to a win/win situation. It's nice to have that in common---our love of animals. While my passionate protection of things great and small may outweigh that of my kidlet's, it's only a matter of time before she becomes a marine biologist, or a starving student of Veterinary Medicine, or something equally convicted and scientifically educated. Right? Ok, so perhaps I'm projecting. I'd be happy if Topaz grew up to be a finance analyst at some boring, pretentious firm, just so long as she adopted the occasional senior golden retriever or 5-toed kitten. Ahhh, to be a dreaming, conniving mother---it's certainly an amusing pass-time...

The Game of Life

The one thing we know for certain is that all good things must come to an end. This was true of the lengthy stint of Vet Teching, which finally bowed its ugly head and lent way to more adventurous opportunities.

However, I did relish those moments bonding with the multitude of creatures I came into contact with. Hours of tears, sweat and blood now haunt my memories. But there were also many kittens purring, tail wags and furry snuggles. I'll take that with me too. And everything else I learned along the way.

As for my blog, the lapse can be attributed to those very shifting sands. If you asked what I've been doing the past 12 months, I could chalk it up to the life of a working mom. Like everyone else probably, I clock in, clock out, then eat fries at a bowling alley with my kid or watch enough movies in 3D to build a fortress out of recycled plastic eye-wear.

I meet the new people that come into my world---some in apathetic recognition, others, more profound, in the shape of baby nephews named Colby.

Still others, who use all your coffee cups and talk to you at night about the men we're seeing. I now have 2 roommates, Lauren and Aiste. I never thought I'd revert back to this college-like stage in my life, but there are definitely times when it's nice. Despite the small disputes over dog hair and rent checks, at the end of the day it's comforting coming across that smiling face, ever-ready glass of wine and lotion-scented female perspective.

And let's be honest, sometimes at midnight, you NEED someone sitting across the couch from you, ready to reassure that everything is going to be ok. Because I can think of the dozens of times I've loved and lost, and loved again, and lost, but when I dust off my kicks, the girls are still there. This has been the year of 2 guys who should probably date a more simplistic creature. One of them will pull away forever while the other will forever chase. Isn't that the way it always goes?

So instead I'll play. I'll play like I'm a young uninhibited free-spirit, dancing in the rain with my friends like I've always done.

...and I'll continue to make the world my playground, like I'm always doing. I've met sooooo many amazing people in such a short amount of time and I like to collect them, like dimes, a friend amalgam for each jar on my shelf.

In this ever-evolving walk we call life, I can happily say that I'm still smiling,

and still ever-ready to do a cartwheel in the grass at a moment's notice. For now, there's not much more I could ask for.

Love is in the air...

A whole week dedicated to my gorgeous girlfriend, Amanda. Her fiance, Leo, made her an honest woman on June 17th, 2010. They are an adorable couple and I had a great time helping them get ready for the wedding.

First, we went to a park, post-bridal-shower. It was a mental health break, since everyone had reached the end of their ropes with family and home-baked brownies. Topie loves Amanda and spent the evening vying for attention.

You've gotta love this girl...

And this girl.

THIS girl had a few too many brews at the bachelorette party. Bah, the details aren't important!

Sir Brandon made a fashionable appearance. He is so much fun!

Amanda is pretty entertaining herself. We gave her a black boa for her last night of singledom. It looked smashing on her.

In this photo, my friend Lexi is leaning in on the right. She works with us at AVC and she's a fabulous veterinary technician. We walked about 100 blocks together to get to the sushi bar. I like to think of it as an incredible journey.

I love how expressions become a little more sloppy as the night progresses. Translation: we're having a good time.

Once all the debauchery was out of our systems, the big day finally came.

This sweet little boy's mom was busy curling Amanda's hair. It was the least I could do to flirt with him ;)

We had great company for this event. Good food, good friends, good times.

Some dancing was definitely in order. Look how big Kyle's hands and feet are next to mine---I love being small next to somebody.

You've gotta love a bride with spunk!

Although, I'm surprised that my feisty, edgy friend agreed not to smash cake into her hubby's face. Disappointing, for sure.

Ahhhh, Lexi...

Lexi aside, here we have Emily on my left and "V" on the far right---two other girls from AVC.

I've decided that weddings at golf courses are beautiful.

But seriously, how many times do you let gay men catch the bouquet? I'm thrilled to know that it will be easier for someone to get married for whom it's illegal in the majority of the states than for me. It should be a crime NOT to marry me ;)

No really, look how much fun I'm having. Who needs a ball and chain?

Not me...



Anyway, congrats to Amanda and Leo. They are so in love, I'm truly happy for them.

If it's not a picnic, make it one!

Another summer, another day at Liberty Park. Actually, I'm there at least 3 afternoons a week. I run, I roller-blade with Colleena, I kick around soccer balls---you name it, I do it. This was Topie's time though and we spent awhile watching baby ducks and snacking on peanuts. FYI, I love the South Beach diet mix because it has so many macadamia nuts. Mmmmmm.

That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

In my delayed blogging, I've not stopped exploring my immediate world, trying always to live life to its fullest. I can honestly say, I NEVER watch TV. Currently, I'm combining a desire to become an adrenaline junkie with my old ponderous past. That's right---I like to play outdoors, but catch a moment on a warm rock in the sun whenever I can. Anyway, I love this little plaque en route to Lake Blanche. Please pause and appreciate :)

Anyway, this is my newest pal Colleena. She's from New York. In her spare time, she enjoys picking fights with roller-bladers in Liberty Park and convincing me to buy a road-bike. She's my perfect outdoor companion!

Here I am smiling despite having just climbed to the highest peak this little asthmatic could handle. There was sweat. There was blood. Well, maybe not blood, but my feet were soaked and caked with mud. Can't you see why I love hiking?!

Views like this make it alllllllllll worth it.

We probably sat on that rock for an hour---eating egg salad sandwiches (my specialty), planning kayaking trips and talking about coworkers. It was pretty peaceful, if you ask me.

And that's my last shot of the day before running back down the mountain. I heart earth.

The first steps in a series of many, hopefully, in Topie's lifelong adventure of determining who she really is. Will she pursue dancing long-term? Who knows. At the very least, we can have fun watching her twirl and whirl through her childhood.

Lots of other people are excited to support her too. Her Grandma Joyce will probably always be Topaz's biggest fan!

I just think it's so sad that she's such a tomboy, because she looks so pretty in pink.

And the added bonus of preschool dancing is the amount of friends we've made. Topaz does her thing, bonding with the other little girls, and I talk to the other moms. I think we both have fun on Tuesdays.

That's her favorite pal Jaycee. Jaycee has an adorable little sister named Ceejay. I just thought that was somewhat funny and therefore worth mentioning. Anyway, they're bffs. It's kindof fun to watch Topie make her first friends outside of family and my immediate circles.

Now let's see what else we can fill up her sweet little life with!