The Big 1-0-0

That's right. Post number 100 right here. You're in it. And to commemorate this momentous occasion, I am going to post 100 things you don't know about me...

Just kidding. I would get bored after number 3 - which is that I have a serious love for Doctor Who and number 4 - that David Tennant is my favorite Doctor and number 5 - I recently watched every Top Gear episode featuring a Doctor Who actor/actress.

But that would be super boring, and you guys might stop reading. So here's to 100 things you don't know about Dillan.

Just Kidding. You know everything about Dillan. Except the fact that the quantity of freckles have multiplied by 100 (see what I did there) and it basically melts my heart every time I look at him. And then I panic because I have a deep fear that one day all his freckles will meld into one giant freckle and he will no longer be white and red but all red, which will exemplify his resemblance to a deer.

So, finally I will write 100 things about the 100 things that I could list for you.

No, I won't do that. But it would be much easier than creating any other list of things.

But all that to say, I'm really glad I started this little blog. I'm pretty excited that I've reached this mark and excited that people want to continue on in our journey, which will get pretty interesting as we transition into Nashville life. So, thanks for reading.

<digital high five>

Memorial Day

Cook-out with the in-laws yesterday evening was a welcome break from all the sorting and packing I did yesterday.

While waiting for the food to finish, Dillan and I had a little photoshoot. He's very dramatic.

 

After Dillan was exhausted from modeling, we - yes we, because I was closely followed by the puppies each trip - moved all the food out to the gazebo, where the puppies were left out.

 

But did not have to wait long for some attention.

I hope you all had a great Memorial Day weekend. I'm thankful for all the men and women who have served and are serving in the military.

The Way the Dill Pico Lies

Came across this artsy photo of Dillan.

Okay, so it's not actually artsy, it just shows my lack of photo skills, but it's fun, and I love the look in his eye. It's so bored, or something. Basically the look in his eyes all the time.

No TV

I think today is the day that we finally have no cable or internet in our apartment.

Gasp. Shock. Ahhh! The Horror! I'm scared.

You might be asking yourself, "self, why would anyone want to be without internet. I get cable, kind of, but internet?!?"

Well we have a few reasons.

1.) We are moving. We only have about 3 weeks in our apartment, and would rather save that money for the move than spend it on a bill - even if they can pro-rate.

2.) The next 3 weeks are going to be super busy. We have to pack. Nathan is leaving for Nashville early in the morning for a job interview. Then the next weekend he has 2 shows at the Blue Plum Festival. Then the next weekend we will be in Roanoke for my little sister's wedding.

3.) I love shows toooooo much. I watch TV. Oh, do I watch TV. And it's not healthy, I get on these "just one more episode" kicks that turns into 4 hours of "Scrubs." And I don't always pick good shows to watch, i.e. "Being Human" I just have to watching something. So I'm hoping that time without internet and cable will free me to pack, read, exercise, and visit with friends and family more before we move.

Do you have any experience with being internet free? Is it just the most freeing thing ever?

Thank you Clif Bars

This morning, sweet, sweet husband climbed into bed as my alarm was going off and said "Puppy's been out and fed so you can sleep in"

Thanks budsy!

Unfortunately, I set a new alarm that didn't go off so I slept a little too in. I feel like I've been wiping sleep out of my eyes all morning, and since the office is out of regular coffee (only decaf), I'm thankful for you, Clif bar.

Chocolate Mint is literally my favorite flavor combo

Happy Birthday Big Sister!

Hi big sister! I hope you're having a wonderful birthday!!!

Thanks for always looking out for me! I miss you and am so excited to see you in a couple of weeks! Then we'll all be grown up married girls with different last names, but always have the same hair, memories, and love.

Enjoy your day!

 

(this is the only picture of just us...let's fix that). 
((also I'm going to squeeze your baby first thing, and then she can squeeze Dillan))

The News is Out

Well friends, it's official. Nathan, Dillan, and I are moving to Nashville.

We leave here many friends, family, jobs, security, and comfort. But we are excited to go on this new adventure. One of uncertainty and faith. Knowing that God will provide us the right jobs, the right friends, church, everything.

Here we go!

Ticks

Yesterday Dillan brushed up against some small bushes to do his business. When he walked away there were 2 ticks clinging to his side. It wasn't a huge deal, they hadn't had time to burrow in there, so I brushed them off.

What is a big deal is that Nathan brushed one off of him last weekend.

And last week I found one crawling on him inside our apartment. Which I flushed down the toilet - the proper solution to any "bug in the house" problem.

After this first incident I promptly applied the Petarmor stuff (off brand frontline). I then assumed that that would take care of the tick issue. Apparently not. 

The Petarmor website says "...providing full-body protection to help keep your pets flea and tick free. And they stay gone for 30 days. It's that simple."

So does that mean that the ticks won't stay on? Or that they shouldn't be jumping onto my puppy to begin with?

Either way, We've been doing thorough body scans before I'll let Dillan back inside. I've also found that ticks are much more active when it gets hotter. So in the morning when we go out, they aren't around. Also, I guess it takes a while for them to get in under the coat to bite.

So, for all you other dog owners out there, beware the summer of the tick. We had a super mild winter, with a lot of days in the 50's/60's and no real snow or big freezes. Ticks have to have warmth for their larvae to grow (eww). Our warm winter promoted tick growth...and I'm sure it didn't hurt mosquito growth or flea growth or spider growth for that matter either.

It also isn't super comforting that I've seen deer twice in the morning along the back of our apartments. And deer population is directly linked to the population of deer ticks, which cause lyme disease, which is bad.

So, now being paranoid, I research some tick bite prevention for myself.

1. Wear light colored clothing with pants tucked into socks.

2. When you return home remove clothes and wash and dry. Ticks can survive a warm bath but not an hour in a hot dryer.

3. Inspection.

4. Infection will not occur within the first 24 hours of tick attachment. And after 48 hours of attachment, infection is only a risk of 12.5%.

5. Insect repellents won't necessarily repel ticks.


Info from source.