* Change your perspective - -

Some people are so boring.
I feel bad for them. 

- - Rocket Man and Stay with Me * *

So, my best friend and I went to Seattle over the weekend...
These pictures pretty much sum up our weekend : 

 Haha, no, but really, I had an AWESOME time. I'm not one who loves the city life all that much. But indulging in it every now and then is pretty cool. And Seattle was an awesome place to do it. We stopped along the way to our hotel at some outlet malls and I spent too much money. But we found some awesome deals and some awesome items. We stopped at the Lululemon outlet which after I found three awesome things which were all on sale, I made myself leave as I knew I would blow my budget in that one store alone. Christina got some cool Dr.Who stuff and I got some Sherlock stuff!! Made me super happy.
We arrived at the hotel and it was beautiful. Super old style which I loved. We walked around town for a bit and found a Barnes and Noble! It was so cool. I love book stores and this is now definitely one of my favourites. I even bought my first book on London to slowly prepare for my trip! We had dinner at a lovely Italian restaurant which I can't remember the name of but the food was delicious. Maybe it was because I was starving by the time we ate but either way I enjoyed every bite.
We got back to the hotel and relaxed for a few minutes as we were both SUPER stuffed. We finally decided to go downstairs to the Hotel bar and order a drink. Well....Let's just say it was MOST DEFINITELY a drink. One was enough haha. So after we finished we went back upstairs and eventually passed out.
The next morning we woke up to a horrible downpour of rain. But we pretty much said "F*** it" and got dressed and checked out of the hotel and went down to pike place market. We found the original starbucks and got a drink and then a cinnamon bun and sat in a cute little cafe and waited for the market to start.
The rain had stopped by now and there was blue sky and sunshine! I must say, we were pretty lucky weather wise this trip as it was supposed to be horrible outside, but I think we had sun for 85% of it!
The market was pretty cool, we didn't buy anything but it was neat to just walk around and see some of the cool stuff.
We started our route home and stopped at Cabela's on our way! I was in love with everything in that store. I want it all. I even found Ryan a cool thing for Christmas which I'm very excited to give to him.
So, all in all, it was a great trip. I don't think Christina and I have been on a big adventure like that for far too long. It was much needed and I'm so happy we did it.

- - Mr. Brown *

Rest in peace you big old wonderful man you <3
You were one of the most loving and giving dogs that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
I still remember the days when I would sleep over at Christina's house and you would come and keep me company and sleep by my side. Or when you would escape from your yard and wonder on over to my house and say hello to Sparky and have my mom give you a treat and then make your way back home.
Please give Sparky a kiss for me and we will see you soon XOXO
Love you to pieces

A quick catch up of days past :

Friday I went with my friend Tess to get....my next tattoo!! The one I wanted from the beginning. Sparky's paw print <3 It feels so good to have it done now. Now I feel like I'm carrying him with me always and it also resembles every other dog that has come into my life. And how dogs are such a big part of it. Geoff did a wonderful job. The way he made it look so close to his actual paw print is incredible. I gave him the picture of the next tattoo I want and he says he will draw something up for me. Tess got one as well when we were there and hers turned out beautiful to. 

This past Saturday I went to Steveston with my parents.
We shopped a little in a few our favourite shops and then had lunch at Dave's fish and chips. Then went for a walk along the water. It's been awhile since I've been back to Steveston. When my aunt died I didn't think I would be able to go back there without feeling sad the entire time. But it turned out being alright. It felt nice to be to there and have those memories come back. 

 Sunday I went fishing with Ryan and Mark. We went out to Chilliwack and fished three different spots. They were all beautiful and the water just looked great. A couple little guys and lots of bites. Made it an extra fun day. On our way out there Mark's mom facetimed all of us as she is back in England for awhile. I got to talk to her for a bit and then a nice surprise was that she was with Louise! A friend I had made at Mark and Julie's wedding. So we got to catch up!
When I've saved enough money to go to London in the next few years I hope I will get to meet up with her and her family again to say hello. They were such wonderful and welcoming people. Louise keeps pressing me to come this year or next but unfortunately my wallet would not allow that anytime soon. Fingers crossed though!

Also, the best part about the past couple weeks....I finally watched Sherlock for the first time.....

If you haven't watched it yet...watch it. I am in love with the show!! The writers are just incredible. And the acting is superb. So unfortunate to hear that they haven't even started filming for the next season and won't be until January. SO LONG TO WAIT. But I guess I can just keep re-watching the old ones. Definitely no complaints there.

Also, Have you seen this man?! If you were looking for a good reason to watch the show....This guy is definitely one of them. My future husband :)

"Going to the mountains is going home" - J.M

The reason why I do it or I love it so much?
I don't think I would be able to put into words how amazing it makes me feel. How right it feels.
I don't think I could ever sit there and speak words that would make you understand why I want to hike, why I want to fish, why I want to stand on top of that mountain, or why I just want to be outdoors.
Why even just the very sight of mountain peaks at times make me want to cry.
Have you ever had something or someone in your life that just makes you feel so alive? That reminds you how lucky you are to live the life that you live because you get to experience the things that you are experiencing?
Ever since I was a young girl and took roadtrips with my family to Christina Lake. Those mountains stuck with me. My family always loved camping and had a huge appreciation for the outdoors. Most of my memories as a kid involve tents and lakes and mountains.
My uncles hunt and fish all the time and my grandpa was what you would call a 'Mountain man.'

It's just always been there for me. Always felt like home to me.
A sense of comfort and familiarity overwhelms me.
 
One of the things I love about it, is that I do it for me. Not for anyone else. I don't have anything to prove to anyone. I am in competition with no one. This is for me. And just me. It's not a hobby. It's what I've always loved and always wanted to do. And I think that knowing this, shows me that I'm doing it for all the right reasons. No questions asked.

"I am degenerating into a machine for making money" - Such a powerful line.

I love my life

It's not even Saturday night and I'm already so happy with this weekend!
After work last night I came home and Ryan surprised me with a "surviving in the wild" book which I'm so excitd to read and going to try to learn everything in it!

Then later on that evening Spencer came over and we ate too much pizza together and laughed about pretty much everything. Then later on Pat joined us and I went off to bed with the pups while the boys played video games into the night.

This morning I got to sleep in! SLEEP IN. It was glorious. When I woke up my favourite tv shows were on in a row on tv so I made breakfast while watching them. Spencer arrived yet again and the boys took off fishing. 
I eventually loaded up the car with all three dogs and went to my parents house. Shadow, Kobe, Kora, and Jackson all played in the backyard for 2 hours! I was with them the whole time. I couldn't leave, I wanted to be out there all day. There's something about my parent's backyard in the fall. I always loved it growing up. It's always so beautiful with the leaves and the colours.
Once my parents arrived home we loaded the dogs back up and drove to tynehead. We walked an extra long walk just because it was so nice out!
After the walk we dropped my dad back off at home and then my mom and I went to the daycare so I could give the dogs a bath and so that they could play a little longer while not getting so dirty. (They are currently passed right out as I type this blog haha)

All in all, today was a fabulous day. I love my life so so much. It was a beautiful sunny day and I got to spend it with 4 amazing puppies and my awesome parents.
I took so many great pictures today that I won't be able to upload them all but I'll pick some of my favourites.
Right now I'm drinking my Fort Fog drink from Euphoria chocolates in my sweat pants. Ryan and Spencer just got back and Spence is heading home and Ryan and I are going to put on a movie and cuddle and relax.
Did I mention I just love today? 
:)
Tomorrow is Sunday! Woo! I think Brittany and I will be getting together to have sushi and discuss our go plan for the upcomming months. I'm super excited! 

Here are some pictures from today, I'm sorry for the overload of them! ... :)