It's about time for an update.

I wish I could say that I have been losing sleep over all the laundry I am doing because of clients.. but I'm not. I have only had 1 people client, and a few dog clients. 

(Doesn't that look comfy?!)

My people clients were fantastic, mostly because they are some of my favorite people - one of my oldest friends who I admire and am the most like as a mom.

(Isn't she adorable?!)

But enough about my quiet house - onto the more exciting things I have done at Travelling Tails recently!

I made these awesome Catan shaped pancakes with my Catan cookie cutter (that I got for free, but took months to actually get to me!). It was totally worth the wait because these pancakes were fun to make, gluten free, and delicious! 

If you're interested in more yummy treats like these, check out my online bakery!

At the beginning of June, I got to be a chaperon for a few kids in Abby's class, as we went to Upper Canada Village. My mom and sister came along too to take care of The Professor, which was great!

Then came the Kemptville Ribfest!

3 days of BBQ pork, face painting, a petting zoo, bouncy castles, and ice cream!

I saved the best for last! 

Lisa roped me into volunteering for the dunk tank, as part of the fundraising for relay for life.

Even though we walked away with completely numb limbs, it was so much fun! 

The dunk tank and pie throwing were put on by Tom Clowncy and Friends, and they are fun people!

Yes, I would totally do it again! Maybe next time, they (relay for life organizers) will place the dunk tank in the sun!

Coming up next - a few 30th birthdays! 

Stay tuned for my DIY gifts!

{Daily Odd Compliment: If you're reading this, you have nice legs. And can read. Congrats on both, friend.}

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.}

March Break

For the first time since Abby has started school, I took the week of March break off work!

Granted, there was almost more work to be done at home, but it was definitely nice to wear sweatpants and spend time with my kids! 

I also took care of a bunch of dogs and it was awesome!

Monday: We started the week off with some face painting for Abby, and then we (Abby, Xavier, Grandma and Aunt Vanessa) all watched a Little Ray's Reptiles presentation. 

Both of which were free! Yay!

Tuesday: It was a pretty quiet day! My mom was wonderful and kept the kids overnight Monday, so I took all 4 dogs to the dog park, and then went up to the woods with Draco, Felix and my sister-in-law and her puppy. Abby requested we take another walk, once The Professor woke up. She walked Draco, and I love seeing people's face when they see a 6 year old girl walking an enormous dog - priceless.

Wednesday: We went hiking with my mom, and even though it was a little below freezing, it was a very nice morning walk!

Thursday: We started the day off with a visit to some friends, had some lunch, then took care of 2 more puppies! 

Friday: I started the day off with another walk and Abby went skiing with Jay!
I also completed my sweater skirt, and made some pretty good progress on Jay's ripped shirt that I am turning into a dress! Of course, now my sewing machine is being funny, and I have googled it and will reattempt fixing it in the morning!
Time to work on Mel's skirt! Here's a little preview of my work so far...

There are a few more projects I want to get done before April, so I better get on it!
March break was a blast!

 * Thank you to all those who let me take care of their puppies! *

{Daily Odd Compliment: I'm so glad I know you because this year would have sucked a lot more if you weren't around.}