My Dog is Fratacular

At the State Fair a few weeks ago, I bought Tucker an NC State Block S collar from the Unleashed booth.  Since Jake and I are State alums, we thought it was only proper for him to represent our Alma Mater.  When I was talking with JP, Unleashed's owner, I mentioned that we were having trouble with Tucker pulling on his walks.  He recommended that we come in to get him a harness, so we did just that.  Unleashed on Lake Boone Trail is an awesome dog store that has tons of dog-friendly treats, food, collars, leashes, and of course, toys among other dog-related items.  If you are in the Raleigh area, I highly recommend them!  And treat your dog to a trip to Unleashed - Tucker loved it as he got lots of treats during the harness-fitting process.

So back to the harness.  Of course we had to get a manly harness for our son, since he is such a handsome boy after all.  So no pinks, purples or anything like that.  The best option that they had in Tucker's size at the time was a pattern called "Bone Hunter" in camouflage fashion.  Here's a picture of Tucker sporting his new look as he stopped to check out the ducks on one of our lunch walks this week. 

I think he looks mighty fratastic, don't you?  Camo and a Block S collar would make any NC State frat boy proud.  And the harness has been one of our best dog-purchases to date.  Tucker rarely pulls and I feel much more in control on our walks.  I'm very grateful especially since Tucker hit 78 pounds this week and at 10 months, has a lot more growing to do!

Home-grown Rose

I was out on our balcony Tuesday night and realized that my Climbing Rose had a new bloom!  This will probably be the last rose of the season, but it was too beautiful to leave outside.  It's still lovely sitting on our kitchen table.  This is just an iPhone shot, but I love it!

Kiva: Loans that Change Lives

I'm taking a break from Wedding Related posts today to tell you about Kiva.  In a nutshell, Kiva is a micro-financing website that connects lenders, such as myself, to hundreds of Entrepreneurs worldwide who are trying to become more economically self-sufficient.  The loans start at $25 a piece - lenders come together to collect enough for an Entrepreneur's loan.  Then over the course of a few months to a year, the Entrepreneur will pay back the loan.  You are able to search different regions, genders, and types of business before you make the loan.  I've contributed to a Fish Seller in Azerbaijan and a Poultry farmer in Vietnam, for example.  Once the loan is paid back, you are able to re-lend it to other needy individuals or groups.

Most of the businesses will keep track of their progress and keep lenders updated through journal entries.  Its very fulfilling to know that just a small loan from one person can combine with loans from others to help get a small business off the ground.  Kiva makes it very easy to make a difference when you are physically worlds away.  I encourage you to check out their website and learn more about the Kiva story. Visit http://www.kiva.org/ today!

Real Wedding Find on Green Wedding Shoes

Green Wedding Shoes is one of my favorite Wedding blogs for inspiration.  Now that I have more time to actually read wedding blogs again, I had to share a Wedding that I found inspiring.  Please check out Megan + Simon's Backyard Wedding on Green Wedding Shoes.  It has color, it has style, it has succulents!  I also LOVE the bouquet shown below.

(Photo credit: JAC Photographers)

Going for a R-I-D-E

One of Tucker's favorite things is going for a ride.  Until Jake and I are completely, 100% ready to put him in the car, we cannot say the "R" word.  If he hears it, he will bark until you just have to get in the car, forgetting whatever else it was that you were supposed to do before you left or bring with you.  So here is a recent picture of Tucker on a ride, nose out the window, taking the world in as every Chocolate Lab should. :)

A New Look

I have another confession: I was never really in love with my Blog template.  But luckily, I found one that I feel suits me and the blog, its Rounders 4 by Douglas Bowman.  Wherever you are, thank you Douglas!

Back to Blogging!

I know I've fallen behind on blogging, okay?  The first step is acceptance - no denial here.  Its very clear that I have been slacking off when Jake has asked me 2 or 3 times since my last post if I've updated my blog at all.  The answer now will be, YES!  October always has been an incredibly busy month for my family, so I can put some of the blame there.  Work also has been extremely busy - I've been working overtime every week which is nice when the paycheck rolls around but long days are not my favorite (are they anyone's?). 

We have our first wedding-related event coming up the first weekend in November, our Engagement Party!  Mom and I still have a lot of work to do to prepare, but we are both looking forward to it.  I don't have any real updates in terms of wedding planning, except that Mom's friends have called dibs on my Bridal Luncheon.  Oh and Jake and I took some fabulous engagement pictures at the State Fair last week!  We had a lot of fun with April and Emily, her lighting assistant.  I expect to have proofs sometime around December and I'll be sure to share once I do!