My Most Loyal Friend

I was thinking about what to write today and since it's Wiener Dog Wednesday, I looked over at Ginny to bounce some ideas off her – as you might imagine, she is an excellent listener. As I was looking at her little face, I was kind of overcome with emotion. Even though things are fine, and the people I love are healthy, and both C and I are fortunate to have jobs, it's still a strange and unsettling time!

Do you ever just have one of those moments when you are overwhelmed by feelings of joy and gratitude?

Ginny and I have been through losing seven of her sisters in less than ten years. That is an unbelievable amount of heartache. A billion tears shed. A constant awareness that they are no longer with us.

She and I have dealt with all of it together.

And when I looked over at her today, it just hit me how much I love her. And how grateful I am to have her with me. Up on the table beside me during all meetings. Beside me on the couch when I'm grading. Just with me wherever I am.

She's not a particularly snuggly dog, especially compared to some of our other girls; we've often joked that she is a cat trapped in dog's body because of her standoffish nature. But her loyal companionship is something I treasure immensely.

I thought about one of my favorite dog quotes of all time, and these words can certainly apply to any silent, devoted friend you may have in your life!

“I think dogs are the

most amazing creatures;

they give unconditional love.

For me they are the

role model for being alive.”

~ Gilda Radner ~

Happy Tails to you!

Lovely Libraries

We've been fortunate to visit some amazing places, and one thing we try to do is visit libraries whenever possible! Not every library was particular noteworthy, and there have been times when we've wanted to go inside, but were denied entry because we were tourists or not students at a particular university, etc., which we completely understand!

For Travel Tuesday, I'm sharing pictures from some of my favorite libraries we've been to on some of our trips!

In addition to these wonderful places, there are SO MANY MORE libraries I want to visit, with the Austrian National Library in Vienna at the very top of my list! We're in the early stages of planning a trip to Austria next summer, so I'm hoping that works out because I have longed to see the library there in person for well over a decade!

The Old Library at Trinity College
Dublin

Boston Public Library

Public Library
Amsterdam

Royal Library of Denmark
Copenhagen

National Library of Finland
Helsinki

Stockholm Public Library
Sweden

National Library of Catalonia
Barcelona

Czech National Library of Technology
Prague

Rainbow floors throughout!

Happy Tails to you!

Magical Music

Today's Magical Monday is related to Disney, but is really about music.

If you've read some of my other posts about WDW or our vow renewal a few years ago, you may recall how much I love one of the piano players from Jellyrolls. I have been a huge fan of his since C and I first saw him perform in June 2003. I won't go on and on about how much I love him because I've already done that in past posts, but five years after our vow renewal, when I think of all of the perfect and magical moments, Scotty performing at our reception is at the top of the list.

He has been doing Facebook Lives for the past several weeks and sharing his gift with people all around the world. He is so kind and if you aren't watching his videos, you are definitely missing out on some amazing entertainment! He sings and plays piano – and sometimes the kazoo! –  while his lovely wife manages the requests and comments. The variety of music he shares is incredible and C will tell you I have cried many times listening to him play because it makes me so happy!

Of course the music is wonderful, but what makes it appropriate for a Magical Monday is that Scotty is doing all of this out of the goodness of his heart! He has raised a very impressive amount of money for charity through donations of people who are thankful he is spreading joy during this crazy time.

I obviously think the world of him, and I'm so glad people who might never make it to Jellyrolls have the opportunity to hear him play!

Happy Tails to you!

Quarantine: Week 5

Five weeks into the quarantine! Things around here are pretty much the same…lots of zoom meetings, lots of grading, lots of time with Ginny!

She was sleeping on
my mom's hand in the backseat!

I used to have this cup at school
and dream of being at
home with Ginny...
my dream has come true!

Our only walk of the week and Ginny
could not wait to get back to the car!

Ordered these adorable masks from Etsy!

never has there been
a more accurate
description of me

I did actually do some baking – not an activity I'm typically associated with! – and we borrowed a puzzle from my sister-in-law, so I guess we're doing what it seems like most people are doing with their time at home!

banana bread

my mom-in-law's smartie cookies

I had these cute boxes,
so I delivered some cookies
to my BFFs

this puzzle is no joke

We took my mom to my brother's house so she could spend the weekend, and the absolute highlight of my week was seeing my niece and nephew, even if it was only for a few hours. I love them so much!

On hour way home, we took a drive to Hagerstown, Maryland because there is a Primanti Bros. there. If you are unfamiliar with this restaurant, they make the greatest sandwiches on earth! The greatest! We usually go to one of the many Pittsburgh-area locations, but it's nice to have one only a few hours away from our house and it made for a fun adventure yesterday afternoon!

fried pickles!

One of the best parts about my drive to work in the springtime is that I pass two large ponds that are home to Canada Geese and I love seeing the adorable goslings when I am going to and from work each day. Today, we drove over just so I could see them. SOOOOO cute!

Finally, it's been one month without Riley, and I received two lovely gestures in her memory. I have the sweetest, most thoughtful friends!

from my incredible first grade teammates
<3

from my BFF

Happy Tails to you!

Lovely Lyrics: That's What Makes the World Go Round

C and I went for a long drive today and while I was admiring the change in scenery, this song came to mind! The movie is not particularly popular, and its soundtrack even less so, but it seemed like a good choice for Sing Song Saturday! Even though the scene in the movie is a bit odd, I do love the song's message and it seemed uplifting and lighthearted!

That's What Makes the World Go Round

from The Sword in the Stone

Left and right

Like day and night

That's what makes the world go round

In and out

Thin and stout

That's what makes the world go round

For every up, there is a down

For every square, there is a round

For every high, there is a low

For every to, there is a fro

To and fro

Stop and go

That's what makes the world go round

You must set your sights upon the heights

Don't be a mediocrity

Don't just wait and trust to fate

And say, that's how it's meant to be

It's up to you how far you go

If you don't try you'll never know

And so my lad, as I've explained

Nothing ventured, nothing gained

You see my boy, it's nature's way

Upon the weak the strong ones prey

The human life, it's also true,

The strong will try to conquer you

That is what you must expect

Unless you use your intellect

Brains and brawn, weak and strong

That's what makes the world go round

Music and Lyrics by

Robert Sherman and Richard Sherman

Happy Tails to you!

My Second Mom and Dad

Family dynamics can be complicated. Grievances, jealousy, misunderstandings, grudges, favorites…the list goes on and on.

And then if you get married, there is suddenly the merging of two families, which can complicate things ten-fold! It's a balancing act to give the same amount of time and attention to everyone, and it's something I struggle with because of my mom. I'm the oldest and the only daughter and the one most in a position to be her main caregiver. I wouldn't have it any other way. But I never want my brothers and sisters-in-law to feel like they're not involved or don't have a say in any decisions that need to be made.

I won the lottery when it comes to the family I joined when we got married. I know some people don't get along with their in-laws, but that is not the case for me. I adore them. Absolutely adore them. They are my second mom and dad and have been since the age of fifteen. They've been so good to me and I'll never be able to repay them for their kindness and generosity.

We are those two families that have merged very successfully. C's parents love my brothers and their wives and over the years, we've spent many Christmas all together at our house. In fact, this past Christmas, while C and I went to London and Paris, they came down from Canada to stay with my mom so she wouldn't be alone. I mean, C's parents are amazing.

They live in Canada and we don't get to see them nearly often enough. They don't get the kind of time with us that my mom does and I feel extremely guilty about that. Today is my father-in-law's birthday and we were able to facetime with him for over an hour and it was awesome. While there are many reasons I'm looking forward to the end of this current craziness, the number one reason is so that we can go to Canada to see them and they can come down here to see us. We miss them so much!

Here's a pic from when the four of us went on a Disney Cruise together three summers ago. On this Framily Friday, I am so grateful to have married into such a wonderful family!

Happy Tails to you!

A Cup Of Gratitude

I don't know if anyone else fills in those fun templates on Instagram to post in your story - they're often "This or That" or "Favorite Things" or "Never Have I Ever" - but I do them sometimes because they're a quick way to share a few things about yourself!

Last night, I came across one called "Grateful Gifs" and the directions were to fill the cup with gifs of things you're thankful for. What started as something mildly amusing turned into an exercise actually requiring some thought and reflection! In this limited amount of space, I had to sum up what I was thankful for and this is what I came up with:

C

our Dachshunds

my family

my friends

our home

Disney

Harry Potter

music

books

coffee

rainbows

The Office

One thing I realized I forgot - as soon as I shared it to my story, of course! - was a plane or train or car for travel! How could I have forgotten travel?!? Nonetheless, still perfect for Thankful Thursday!

And if you're questioning how The Office could possibly be worthy of a spot on that list, trust me, it is more than worthy! LOL!

Happy Tails to you!