The Ball is Rolling

 When I launched myself into this project, I told myself to do at least 1 thing a day (big or small) for Travelling Tails.

 
So far, I have bought a cabinet that was too big to fit in the car,

 

 ripped wallpaper off of many, many walls,

 

 then patched and painted those walls,

 
and all while having the company of many dogs, 

 
 
On the days when the 3 year old doesn't have a nap, and cries because Barbie's clothes don't fit perfectly - it's more of a challenge. There are days, like in any other job, where I want to run to the creek and see for myself, exactly how far it stretches. The difference now, is that I don't walk into my house and feel a sense of loss. I haven't lost time with my family, nor have I spent time getting to and from a job that makes me feel like I'm losing a piece of myself. I have, however, been able to watch my son learn things (and repeat them 400 times a day), and I have already felt like a member of this community by simply being here. I don't feel the stress of having to clean my house when I'm exhausted, because I'm not the same kind of exhausted. I am still waiting for the day when the Professor sleeps through the night, but for now, it just means more bed sit ups for me to work off my 10 pm snacking!
 
Have I done at least 1 thing a day for the bed and breakfast? Yup.
Is it measurable to everyone outside of this house? Nope.
Will it be super awesome when everything is done? Pff, heck yes!
 
I am very grateful for the help of my mother! She pushes me to do a little bit more everytime she's here, and without her, I wouldn't be as far along as I am. I want to have all my painting done in the next couple of weeks, so there's no slowing down now!
 
Here's what my painting list looks like now..
 
Guest bedroom 1 - walls, trim
Guest bedroom 2 - walls, trim
Entrance and hallway - walls, trim
Dining room - walls, trim
 
I feel like I have been painting forever, but when I look at the list, I just want to stop typing and get to painting! Here's hoping I can say goodbye to the paint cans by my sister's birthday!

Speaking of painting.. did you know that I have launched my very first contest?? If you answered no to that, click on the highlighted link to enter for your chance to win a $25 Wal-Mart gift card! Hurry though, I'm making my decison on Wednesday! If surveys are more your thing, you're in luck because I have 2 of those you can fill out that would provide me with useful information for my bed and breakfast!
 
And as always, don't hesitate to contact me! Follow along as my progress continues!
 

{Daily Odd Compliment: I honestly think you can do anything you put your mind to. But I know what kind of thoughts you have, so maybe hold off on that for now.}

Another Chapter

So I recently posted that something big was happening.

The word has leaked and the ball is rolling - I am opening up Travelling Tails Bed and Breakfast soon!

I am very much looking forward to this new adventure.

I have taken a leave of absence from my government job, to pursue a lifestyle that includes the love of dogs, while spending a lot more quality time with my kids.

I don't want to spill a whole lot yet, but I will say this - I'm setting up this Bed and Breakfast to try something new in the community, by bringing in dog lovers, and younger people who may not normally travel to such accommodations with their families. Bed and Breakfasts aren't typically geared towards all you pet lovers, so I'm bringing this to the table. My pooch will lovingly greet your pooch at the door, and my family friendly environment will keep him tired for the duration of your stay!

Can't wait to share with you all that I have planned! My fantastic friend, Lisa, is hard at work in the background to make my ideas come to life!

Don't forget to 'like' my page to catch all the updates and contests!

Happy sunny Wednesday and thanks for stopping by!

{Daily Odd Compliment: I like having you around because my weirdness doesn't look so weird when you're doing it too.}

What Dreams May Come

Wow. It's been too long since I have written. The half-a$$ed craft room attempt doesn't count. There has been a major life shift and dealing with it has not been the easiest, but for now, let's take a look at the present..

. 

I'm feeling grateful for a multitude of things in my life, and it has given me a reason to push forward. I'm not one to stay stagnant. I do well with change and for that reason, am constantly seeking it.

This day is no exception. 

I have something pretty big up my sleeve and I can't wait to scream it to the world.

Can't wait to put up a sign in front of my house (not an apartment building).

Life doesn't wait, so I won't have to wait too long to showcase my skills and the things I love to do. Of course, dogs will be involved in this, because as I stated in my post about dog love, dogs are a necessary part of my life now. It's just how it is.

So, I will be keeping up with this blog more as I venture out on my own, away from the comforts of a government desk. Hope you will follow along with me!

{Daily Odd Compliment: I don't mind being alone, but I'd rather be with you.}

Crafting space: Part 1

It's happening! I'm getting a space that's dedicated to my awesome craft projects! 

I haven't really had this before so I feel like a kid on Christmas!

Stay tuned!

The Wall Unit

This wall unit has been idolised in Jay's family for many years.

There's not much about it, really. It's a long bookcase that's from the 70s. 
It's dark brown, with many spindles and shelves, so it's actually made to last.

Both Jay and his sister have been debating over who holds the adoption rights of this shelving unit.

Until now.

Their grandmother's friend was getting rid of her unit that was pressumed to be the same as the original shelving unit in question.

So, I went to see Grandma and picked it up, just in case.

I was very delighted when I saw it in person because I knew it was the unit.

I brought it home and immediately put it together in The Professor's room.

I thought that there should be baskets or boxes to hold the smaller things, and the things that are on their way out, either to a friend or Value Village.

So I started with an old drawer that I have kept for many years.

Ok - it was given to me in college by an ex-roommate because the drawer unit was broken, but I haven't been able to part with this pink drawer! I'm sure she will get a good laugh at seeing this!

I used an old baby blanket that was given to me second hand, so it's not particularly sentimental to me, and works really well in the jungle themed room. 

I layed it out and started hot gluing it in place, then cut the excess.

I was very lucky that The Professor was entertained throughout the hot gluing process!

This one is for toys with wheels (roues) and since Xavier can reach it, he just takes out the cars he wants and the box stays on the shelf! 

I made another one, using a diaper box, but of course as soon as it was seen, there was a marker taken to it. 

It's nothing that the wall can't hide though!

I also covered a bigger diaper box with an old Winnie The Pooh sheet, to use for donations. I was inspired by Amy's idea, and while I don't have the need for many boxes, I do have a need for somewhere to coral stuff that I want to get rid of. 

So that's it! 

I managed to empty a large toy chest because of organization and getting rid of an entire box of clothes and toys! 

Yay purging! 

{Daily Odd Compliment: daily odd compliment: If I had to pick between being friends with you or being friends with Sir Patrick Stewart, I would pick Patrick Stewart. But I'd talk about you all the time.}

DIY Nails and Yarn Card Holder

The change table is gone. 

It was time. 

When we took down the change table (above), we were left with the 1x4's and a big space. I debated what to do with that space for a couple of weeks when today,
 it dawned on me - nails and yarn! 

It's the perfect custom piece that is functional, compact, easy to do, and fun to look at! 

I put in my first nail, then I used a random nail file (different nails but equally useful) to measure the distance between 2 nails. I marked it at the end of the file with a pencil, then moved it to the mark and did the same thing, for the rest of the board. I used 7/8" finishing nails so they are only in the board, not the wall.

Then I tied some yarn to the top left and circled all the nails. I wrapped the yarn a couple times around the nail to keep the tension. Then I hit hammered the nails in a little more, so they aren't going to hurt anybody. 

See?

It was simple, quick and pretty! I call that another DIY win!

{Daily Odd Compliment: Sometimes when I see you, I want to run and hug you. But I don't do that, because it actually happens all the time, and I don't want to run that much.}

Puppy Love

I haven't always been a dog person. But, once Draco shoved his way into our lives, I was hooked. I now know that dogs are one of life's necessities. 

We have pretty much always had pets growing up, but nothing too serious. 

A dog is a fair amount of work and while I was pregnant and we were talking of getting a dog, there is no way I was going to get a puppy. We love to travel and the idea of having a dog seems like a hassle. I wasn't convinced until I saw picture of the black hair ball and long tongue sitting in the grass. 

Of course, if they had properly represented his size, I may have hesitated, but he is the perfect dog for us! 

This past march break, I took care of many dogs and I absolutely loved it! 

So a dream was born - A doggy daycare. 

Who wouldn't want to be surrounded by dogs all day?! 

I want to take a personal dog trainer course, to be able to understand and work with dogs a little better. But if there is 1 thing I have learned from dogs, it's that love is most definitely the way into anyone's heart! 

Currently, besides randomly dog sitting, I work for the Government. 

Ottawa is a Government city, so it's really no surprise, I'm sure. However, every time I walk into the office building, I feel a part of my soul die. 

I want to give all the love back and that's not happening here. 

I'm not exactly sure of who I am (does anybody?) but I know I don't like the person I am becoming by working in this glass building. 

So, on weekends, I clean up dog leavings, to get me a little closer to my dream.

This week, I am taking care of Cleo and Xander again and it's heavenly. 
Cleo even let me cuddle with her! Seriously, that never happens! 

Here's to the future being even more dog filled!

{Daily Odd Compliment: Your smile is proof that the best things in life are free}