Doom Room Zoom Zoom

Saturday evening we took Leroy to his second annual Doom Room puppy party at the Hollywood agility establishment, the Zoom Room.  Leroy's brother Bentley has weekly classes there, where he learns tricks and top notch agilityness.  They have themed parties throughout the year, where a small number of dogs get together and play games or just run around having the best time.  It's quite the cute and we never miss it when invited.

Last year Leroy wore his Star Wars Death Star sweater because it's awesome and I forgot to do anything else.  This year I kinda remembered and his costume was a tough guys' viking helmet.  His brother Bentley's handsome face adorned a zebra.  Bentley's mum Jess and I couldn't get enough of our two little boys and said so repeatedly, through a sea of happy, wagging tails.

 

Construction Junction: A Horizontal Hug

This statement shouldn't come as a surprise, but I can't have the entire front totally finished like I want, at least not right now.  And that's ok.  for now.  Who doesn't want to have their {insert project} seen through as they envisioned?  So it's not a total selfish desire to want that swell curb appeal, handsome sittin' picture, and a transition into the home that makes sense.  But I can't right now and that's fine, because I can still do the little things.  Spend time acquiring pieces we need and still find an area or two for planting over the winter.  That's pretty rad still - seriously.

And also rad is the one other bit item to bring solace to the process.  A new front fence.  Not only does it tie the black metal \m/ roof together aesthetically, it gives Leroy more freedom to kick ass on squirrel patrol. It'll be made from sustainable harvested Ipe/Ironwood in the horizontal style, have an automatic gate for the cars and like 25 foot high imposing side gates because we obviously live in a horror video.  Hopefully that construction will start soon and I can figure out what my next dance moves are.

Being a grown-up commands tough choices or some junk.



P.S. I couldn't fit this line in anywhere, but it's important.
But what good is that if the facade is still crap and then ok, I have some plants?

35 Year Check Up

In two months, at the stroke of 2:48p (I think) on December 9, my bells will ring for the 35th time.  And although no one's tinkering with the switch in that on/off kinda way, I feel like it's my halfway point.  Or I just had a numbergasm: I like even things.  And before you say "pray tell, the number 3 & the number 5 are odds," which duh.  I say 35 is half of 70, which is an even number, and I group actual even numerals, halfsies, and splits of things together into one bucket.

Because obviously I'm dancing with one foot over a grave, I've been taking stock of all things Brandi.  Tweak and adjust the things that I'd like to refine; Strive for quality time against what I enjoy or want to pursue, which in the past often came secondary to others.  Especially that last point is just my nature, but it's time for a shift.  Seriously, there's some rad shit I wanna do!


Wellness takes many forms. 

• BODY: I've done the gym thing for nearly 20 years.  You know the routine: mostly cardio, some free weights, comparisons of my body against 'dem other bitches.  Overall it's been a long-form study of just getting by, so the last 12 months I've taken a different approach because insanity.  I've made efforts to understand nutrition and its effects on my individual model unit.  Currently reading about sugars and fiber and proteins.  And I tell you, it's been an incredible WOW experience for approaching food and why holy ballz we have such an unhealthy culture.  I don't ever want to be a statistic, so...
• I credit this simple, long overdue education as an aid to realizating many, many results!  I still continue to learn, because life doesn't stop after a suss.  But check it kids, I'm eating more because I'm eating smarter.  AWWWWWW YEAHHHHH.
• also this
• MIND: I've been seeing a therapist for several months now.  There's always been an internal agitation of emotions and frustrations I didn't know how to handle, and certainly didn't know where to begin expressing.  But as fellow problem solvers are one to do, thought "Well I was never taught how, so I guess I'll figure it out like everyone else."  wrong.  I don't have to feel utterly helpless against the situations my parents put me through.  I don't have to feel downright tethered to my inability to read & articulate my emotions.  I don't have to feel alone.  Nope! I finally have this really swell counselor in my corner, providing tools for change.  CHUCK NORRIS KICK!
• finally found a name for something I may have a mild form of this
• also this

• SKIN: With unavoidable changes due to the environment, aging and that "BODY" update, I've been paying a lot more attention to my skin because I'm seeing shifts.  Face, neck, hands.  For 10+ years, I've used sun block, every. single. day.  I don't squint, I don't frown, I don't raise my forehead when a moment of shock attacks, and I sleep on my back.  I've upped my commitment to washing my face twice a day, using a facial sonic brush, and researching what an epidermis needs at 30, vs 40, vs 50, on till old.  Just like internal nutrition, our skin deserves the same attention to detail.
• I saw our resident dermatologist for a surface check up and his official diagnosis: THUMBS UP!

~~~~~

I don't mind aging, I look forward to it actually.  Because wrinkles are inevitable, I have the means to showcase those experiences in the best way. Or maybe I look forward to the diminishing concern for what others think as the years go on.  But until I admit that, I look forward to additional wisdom, evolution, taking photographs, volunteering, reading, retiring, the things I don't yet know yet, and sharing a solid life with people I care mmensely for.