La Dolce Vita

This morning has started off kind of rocky (I may or may not have broken into big 'ole alligator tears at my desk). Trying to hold myself together and simply make it to 5pm when I can go home and go on a long walk with Tucker, I thought I would share something big that I did this weekend.

In the past 12 months, honestly, I've pretty much gotten everything that I've ever wanted and done some things I've always wanted to do. Sometimes when I'm in my kitchen or walking my dog, it hits me like a ton of bricks that I have to be one of the luckiest and most blessed people in the entire would. My Nana Hazel says that I'm spoiled, but I feel like alot of the things in my life are things that I've worked hard for. I worked hard to have the relationship I have with my husband and I work hard at doing my best at my job. Overall, I'm really living a very sweet life.

This past weekend, my sister (aside: I am completely obsessed with my little sister. When you spend 3 years throwing a penny into a wishing well at the Great Falls, Montana mall, wishing for a baby sister, you would be as thankful as I am for such an amazing person in your life. Seriously. She's wise beyond her 18 years and I'm not sure you could be more proud of a person, than I am of her) and I decided that we were going to get tattoos. I've always wanted a tattoo but have struggled with what to get (people don't think you're very smart or serious about it when you say you would want a miny Olive Oyl from Popeye on your hip) for several years. Two weeks ago, I decided as a graduation present for my sister, I would pay for us to get tattoos.

You probably are asking "why" and here it is: Everyday, I put something on my body that I don't really have a choice about. (Yes, I could take insulin shots instead of wearing an insulin pump and I could not wear a CGMS, but my control would be awful) And with a tattoo, I got to make the decision. I got to choose what it would look like and what color it would be and the size of it.

We decided against matching ones, because both Beck (that's my sister) and I were attached to different phrases. But we marched in with our family (my mom, husband, and Beck's best friend in tow). Determined to not be a wimp in front of everyone, I went first and then tightly held onto a hand I've been holding onto for the past 18 years as Beck got "Carpe Diem" etched onto her skin.

Me? I got "La Dolce Vita" because at that moment and even right now, when all things are said and done, my life is incredibly sweet.

The funny things about our neighbors is that we don't know their names

My husband and I have lived in our current apartment for a year now. For the first six months, we didn’t know a single person. The guy across the hall from us would smile occasionally if he saw us on his way out to walk his dog, but otherwise, the only person that really talked to us was the conceige, and frankly, that’s his job.

Then, Ross (that’s the husband) and I decided to adopt Tucker, a 10 week yorkie-bichon mix (or Yorkchon). Suddenly, we were shuffling in and out of our third floor apartment on an hourly basis to the dog park adjacent to our building. Truth be told, this is where all of our neighbors were the first 6 months. While Ross and I were playing Wii and watching Netflix, and going out, our neighbors were drinking beers in the park, throwing balls to their dogs, and trying to keep their mutts from clawing the rest of the pups.

Because Tucker is the cutest, and smartest dog in the whole world, he made friends very early. Several of the dogs have become his very best pals. As Tuck grew, we’d let him off of his leash to be chewed on and chased so that he’d sleep through the night. While our dog was running amuck with the others, we’d talk to the other owners about what they did, where they worked, and how long they had been puppy parents.

But, we didn’t really know anyone’s name. In fact, a typical conversation between Ross and I would go like this:

Me: Did Tuck play with anyone?
Ross: Yeah, Eli and Bailey.
Me: Sweet.
Ross: ...Yeah, and I was talking to Eli’s dad and he’s a huge Caps fan
Me: Eli’s mom was out there earlier and she said they’re moving next month.
Ross: Man, Tuck is going to miss Eli.
Me: His parents are so nice!

So, now it’s awkward because we know every dog, but don’t know any of the owner’s names. We joke that you should have to wear a nametag for your first few weeks in the park (something like “Hi, my name is Allison, and Tucker is my dog, Yes, I know he’s adorable) to avoid the awkwardness that comes with asking someone their name when you know what they do, where they were born, and that they’re dog prefers to go to the bathroom in the left corner of the dog park.

8 things to get to know me

Hi! My name is Allison and this is my second attempt at launching a blog. You may know me from some of my writing at Tales of a Twentysomething, or from a post or two on Diabetes Daily, or from Twitter. However you got here, WELCOME! As I work through some formatting issues over the next few days, here's a quick 8 things you should know!

Eight random things about me:
1. My dad and mom decided on my name after my dad had a dream where he and my mom named me Allison. I would have made an awful Aubrey.
2. I try to act like I'm open minded when it comes to trying new foods, but I'm really not.
3. I like Disney World more than a 24 year old should. I buy a new coffee mug everytime I visit.
4. My favorite alcoholic drink is a frozen swirl margarita without salt (SALT, SALT, SALT!)
5. I've only ever been on one "first" date. And will probably ever only go on one.
6. My favorite expression of the moment is "Because I'm awesome." I say it at really inappropriate times like if I mess up or do something awkward. Then I pose doing what I think looks like a model stance (with my hand on my hip) and exclaim "because I'm AWESOME!"
7. Currently, E.L.F. $1 lip gloss in Honey Do is my favorite.
8. I've had diabetes for almost 7 years.