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Lessons Learned

Flow

Flow

I’m back from vacation, a birthday celebration in Belize with my two best friends and their partners, one of whom we just met while on holiday. As much as I relished the warm weather, I treasured the togetherness the most. Long lingering breakfasts, discussions about what to do that day with no one having any strong… View more

Blossom

Blossom

To say my sweet dog is thriving is an understatement. Aside from some self-soothing paw licking and the occasional nelly belly, Mabel’s health is amazing after eight infections, viruses, and parasites. Her eyes glow, her fur is thicker and softer, and her confidence blossoms daily. Mabel’s now grabbing anything I accidentally drop: dirty socks and a brussel… View more

Giving

Giving

This time of year, many of us feel compelled to give more. We’re glad we have cash when we pull up to a stoplight and see a person holding a sign in the bitter cold. Or we realize we and our employees are overflowing with quality control test treats so that we can donate the extra pouches to… View more

Fancy

Fancy

One of my all-time favorite Christmas gifts is a foot-tall snow-white sparkly ceramic squirrel from my nephew Isaac. When my brother Chris asked Isaac why he picked that present for me, Isaac said, “It’s fancy and Aunt Brandi’s fancy.” I chuckle whenever I look at the decoration because I’ve never considered myself elegant or formal. Still,… View more

Fragile

Fragile

Everywhere we look, we’re told to be merry, bright, sparkly, celebratory, and cheery. Our hearts don’t know we’re supposed to be festive when they’re feeling fragile. I miss Gavin so much. Mabel shares Gavin’s snuggly and sensitive proclivities and Finn’s never-ending energy and needs for fun, fun, fun. Ten years apart, my boys left this world… View more

Oh, What Fun!

Oh, What Fun!

It’s the time of year when songs, movies, sales ads, and deals inundate us with hope of magic and miracles. We’re to believe that a prince on a horse will make everything perfect or a mythical being disguised as one of us will ring a bell and all our dreams come true.  However, this season… View more

Grateful

Grateful

I like to think I’m a thankful person. When walking Mabel, I often silently list things I’m grateful for in that moment. Or, as I enjoy my coffee every morning and watch my sweet girl snore easily, trustingly against my leg, I’m beholden to her and all the joy, laughter, and absolute shenanigans she’s brought to… View more

Closed Doors

Closed Doors

We all know the saying, “When one door closes, another opens.” But, how often when we lose someone we love, don’t get that amazing opportunity we were sure was ours, or we peacefully part ways with someone because we’re finally brave enough to accept they’ll never love us back, do we put the car in… View more

Better

Better

We spend a lot of time and energy on better. We educate ourselves and train our dogs to behave better on walks or when guests arrive. We research games and places to take them so they’re living their best lives. Or, we add veggies to our diet and workout more so our clothes fit better. But… View more