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.}

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}

Awesome Foundation Birthday

Awesome Ottawa was having their third birthday and they were looking for someone to make some cake so I volunteered.

The Lego cake I envisioned was more like what would happen if Martha Stewart walked into my kitchen and took over, but the result was pretty good, for an amateur!

So, Martha can keep her skills - I have plenty!

I used Satin Ice fondant and it worked really well! Also, very delicious! (I got a few compliments about the fondant at the party) 

I learned from my past experience with using fondant for my wedding cake, that my counter needed to be generously coated with icing sugar! 

I bought a container of white fondant, and a container of pink fondant, and dyed some of the white fondant blue. 

Once all the cakes were leveled and covered in fondant, I cut pieces out of a smaller cake, to use as the top pieces of the Lego. I coated them, along with the rest of the cake, in butter cream icing, then fondant.

Yum.

It was actually a lot of fun to make! (Besides the first cake layer that had too much butter cream icing and cracked fondant. Eek!)
But yes, I would totally do it again!

 (the cake all ready to be enjoyed)

It should be noted that I don't normally do this, but it was just a fun way to try something new and promote myself at an event :)