Finally, we did it!! And yes, I'm that mom who does the photoshoots, events, and all LOL.
#SorryNotSorry

I'm so happy and proud, Hans the Boxador did such a great job during our photoshoot and the photos are live! We met Bobbie from Spunky's Pawprints during a fundraiser event by one of our local shelters. I really loved our on-set photos so I decided to hire her to take Hans' pictures.

Yes, yes. My own husband said it too. I'm a photographer so why not just take Hans' photos. Seems reasonable, right? Well, sometimes I just want to sit back, relax and enjoy. Perhaps be in the photograph too, right? And that's exactly what I did!
​

I couldn't stress it more that he was a very good boy!! ♥
​

The weekend's been sunny and you have no idea just how happy I actually am! See winters are long here in the Midwest and I truly miss the sun! Not the extreme heat tho, not at all.

AlexBear went out with his friends today, leaving me and the Puzz at home enjoying some good me-time.  On the bright side, he dropped off some breakfast before going his way. I cherish those seldom sweet moments.
​

Now, I got delegated the task of taking Hans to get his nails trimmed. Now, this a first needing to bring him to Petco alone. It was fun, but the pulling and all the excitement was over the top. Can't blame him, he was super happy indeed. Getting pulled by an 80-lb extremely happy puppy can be challenging, but it was worth it. You have no idea just how much I love this baby!
​​

I'm rarely alone, oftentimes Alex and I do things together, so this was my moment to do my stuff! Hooray!
​

Ah yes, sitting down and relaxing and gardening!

I've always been amazed by how much things have changed. I never would've thought five years ago that I would be shopping for plants and flowers, let alone pots and mulch. I had a different idea of what my future will be. I guess things do change. I'm pretty content the way things are.

Flowers do make me happy.
​

 I treasure my weekends. Very much. I really hope that it lasts a lot longer, don't you feel like we all have too much weekdays?!

Today's just a typical Sunday morning, nothing special. The day in itself that I can just relax (like yesterday) makes it special enough. I just wish I can curb my epic procrastination and actually do something worthwhile.

Well, as lazy as I am, I cherish every waking day. I think I get to appreciate it more on weekends - because I don't have to hurry to get ready for work. I usually wake up early, as if I'm going to work, but everyone's still asleep. I know this is something I should appreciate very much. I've been warned, having kids will soon rid of this luxury. Not that I'll be having any cutie pies soon ^.^

The best part of my Sunday morning is waking up to this...
​

Okay, so maybe that wasn't so fair to capture a stolen sleeping shot! LOL!!

Actually, this is not the actual wake-up photo. We're usually cuddling and I guess it's too much sweetness to capture (in reality, I look like crap all the photos I took were horrible lmao!). But to wake up next to the ones you love is priceless.
​

Especially when you got a droolly pup right next to you... makes the morning even better!
​

Now, I get up at around 8am - and have all the time in the world to do something worthwhile. Alexbear doesn't really get up until like 11am or noon. All the fun stuff to do, right!!!!???

Nope. I'm lazy AF and I waste the first few hours rolling in bed, taking photos, rolling some more and finally... playing some games on my phone (which I am very tempted to do right now, that I mentioned it. But I won't. Fight the urge. The ADD is taking over... must not).

No I didn't play on my phone. I did check tho. For messages.
(I ended up going to the kitchen instead, washed the dishes.. and oh right, blog... 4 hours later)

Anyways...

It's a good Sunday.
​

...and hopefully do something for real!

My craft corner is such a mess, just waiting to be actually used for longer periods of time ^_^
​

 January 1st, 2018 - the first day of a brand new year. Technically, it's just another day but it gives us the chance to mentally reset things and try to start new, try to do something differently.

We went to a couple of stores including Menards. All Christmas decor was on sale so we got a bigger Christmas tree (yay!). Totally unplanned but we did talk about it a couple of times. Consider that it is 50% off, it was really hard to pass the deal. We got a small tree this year because we know they will be on sale after the season anyway. So finally, we got the big snowy Fir tree which was really nice! Now I have an small extra tree that I can put elsewhere around the house next year. My dad in law asked why, well Alexbear sure knows the answer... "Because she's her!" Yep, Christmas is me.

On the way home, we dropped by Harbor Freight with me hoping to find some sculpting tools. I didn't find what I actually need and I'm probably going to get them in Joann or Hobby Lobby instead. Then we went to WG&R, which was just next door. Who would've thought that this is such a dangerous place to be?

While walking across the parking lot to WG&R in 2°F (-16°C) in two sweaters, I warned Alexbear that we were not going to "accidentally" buy a bed on our way out. You see, we've been talking about getting a new mattress because the one he is currently using is already quite worn out. I said, well if we're going to replace the mattress might as well get a bigger bed because Hans is taking up a lot of space.
​

And it's like half of the bed...​

​Of course I suggested that we get a king bed. I mean come on, if we're going to spend on it might as well get a good one. Afterall, a bed is an investment. You sleep on it almost every night, unless, of course, if you are always on the road. Your sleep affects your actual life from your back's posture to your actual rest and health. Overall, sleep is a sacred thing! Being alive three decades now, I value the importance of this beautiful thing called sleep.

We started looking around and omg, I never thought I would say this but I just love furniture shopping. Actually - I love building furniture, I love refinishing furniture.

Oh... I just love furniture in general.

We started looking at the prices, and I started estimating how much we'll probably spend. After walking around, we saw a bunch of really nice ones. The store was also having a New Year sale with 20% off including items already on sale (except this thing they call "Power Buy").​

I love the classic, rustic feel. I didn't like the shiny ones, but wood is just beautiful. I used to wonder why my mom and aunt were so into wood stuff and I never thought I would love it too! I used to be more modern, but I don't know - wood is elegant and beautiful.

Then we started checking out the mattresses. I almost had a heart attack, I never thought mattresses here were really expensive! Well, they're also nicely made relative to what we can buy back home. We had a lot of "affordable" options back in PH but they're also not the best quality - usually mattresses that you would like to replace after two years or so.

The sales guy checked up on us. I like his style, he didn't follow us around nor was he intrusive. I think he noticed how Alexbear and I liked our privacy. Then he just put it out there ​that he can do the Early Bird special that was 25% - which was until like 1pm. It was already about 5pm so... ah ok, he is doing his sales pitch. Not bad, well played.
​
The worst question to ask if you don't want to accidentally buy anything?

"Do you offer financing?"

I know they do, that's where we bought our couch. So, of course he said, yes.. but this time they offer it up to 20 months with no interest.

Most people here hate winter tho - or the snow rather... but I absolutely love it!! Alexbear always says that it's because I don't drive in it yet - but hey, I grew up in a tropical island and I've always dreamed of seeing snow. Now I'm probably going to spend the rest of my life with it haha!

Christmas, on the other hand, reminds me of my Grandpa! I know that it's family time all the time, but I don't know - there's something about this season that makes it extra cozy and fluffy ^_^
​

​One thing that I do every year as part of our family tradition is our Annual Winter/Christmas family photo. I also do one every summer. I actually want to do it every season but sometimes adulting​ just gets in the way. Anyway, my reindeer pup was a really good boy to sit next to Santa!

And of course seeing my side of the family!

I'm actually really glad that I have family who live in the same state, and that the closest ones are just an hour and a half away. It feels good to have a touch of home even if I'm some thousand miles away from my dear Philippines.

And of course seeing my side of the family!

I'm actually really glad that I have family who live in the same state, and that the closest ones are just an hour and a half away. It feels good to have a touch of home even if I'm some thousand miles away from my dear Philippines.