Midday Treat

Last week, during my fabulous spring break, I decided to make cupcakes. Funfetti cupcakes with strawberry frosting. It doesnt get much better than that, if I do say so myself. However, I had a hidden agenda for the delicious cupcakes.
You see, Steve has been getting picked on at work. Even though hes fairly high up in the ranking, hes a nice guy... I think you understand. So I was making cupcakes to take to work, hoping he would become the cool kid. (He hasnt really been getting picked on... it all started several months ago with a story from Padres about a new guy who brought in cupcakes and milk to a bunch of men in the office - totally childish. And everyone in Steves office laughed it off. It is funny. But dont knock it til you try it.)
So I made the cupcakes, frosted them, ran to the store for some milk, and embarked to Annex Brands Inc. to deliver the treat. I walked in, identified myself, and was led to Steves office, which I had never seen. A woman was standing in the doorway, but she was no wall, so I entered the office (which by the way had TWO computer screens sitting side by side on his desk - I thought that only happened in the movies) and said "You forgot your lunch this morning!" He looked at me with a puzzled look. Yes, this was the moment. The unveiling.
I took off the lid that was hiding the cupcakes. He started laughing. We gathered quite the crowd as I explained to him that maybe NOW people would look at him at the "cool kid." I brought the milk out of the bag and opened up some paper cups. He laughed harder. Well, we may have been laughing because it was hilarious to us, but those three, four, women to had gathered at the door didnt care why they were there - they wanted a cupcake. We then proceeded to round the office, dispersing the remaining cupcakes.
These are adults people. Yes. They may have been laughing a while ago, but that day, when they had cupcakes in their hands, nobody was laughing. And needless to say, I think Steve is now the cool kid of the office. He wont get picked on anymore - hopefully not at least. He is the Vice President, after all.
I left the office and laughed almost the whole way home. I kinda figured people would want a cupcake, but I didnt expect everyone to get so excited! So tip to you all, you want to be liked in your workplace? Make some cupcakes. No matter how old people are, or what diet theyre on, they wont dare turn down a cupcake.
I was thinking of going to my moms work to take a few.... then I thought, I should make something that isnt so sweet. It might be bad if they were passing cupcakes around a dental office - even though we all know dentists eat chocolate too! So. I gotta rethink my midday treat for her.... and I have to decide which office to take it to... But no matter where I am - I know people will get excited! And maybe then Mom will be the cool kid in her office too!

Impulse Buying

Today was my first official full day of break at home. Yesterday was filled with packing and driving.... it was a little stressful of a trip - the longest ever. Acknowledgments to drivers on the road who randomly like to break, box you in so you cant get over, and cut you off. Ahhhh. The joys of driving.....
I need to start off by saying how much of life is filled with temptations. And things you want but shouldnt get. Its hard to say no. Its wouldnt be a temptation if it was easy. I faced one of the greatest temptations today. Its not the first time I have had to exhibit self-control in this type of situation. And each time I overcome, I get frustrated with myself that I didnt cave. Its like a child who knows theres cookies in the cookie jar. They know they arent supposed to take one, but they want one. And truly, I dont think its not a bad thing. Its just disobedience. But its not like one cookie will kill the child. Besides. If that kid figured out how to climb up on the counter, open the jar, and grab out a cookie - then he deserves to eat it. Anyways. My point is today, I should be proud of myself. I said no when I wanted to say yes. And in the end, I know that a yes answer would be impossible, but nevertheless, Im still disappointed. Sometimes, my self-control astonishes me. And the times it chooses to take over, frustrates me.
The story.
Today was filled with church, Petco, and sushi. A mundane day you say? I disagree. When my parents and I received a call after church from my sister and brother-in-law, my whole day changed. I literally ran to my car and embarked on an adventure that would either quickly end or would be the beginning of a lot of other adventures. I pulled into the Petco parking lot, found a spot, jumped out of my car, and started running towards the puppies in front of the store. Then, I heard my name and saw my brother-in-law. As I rounded the corner, I saw what I was headed for. My sister, sitting on the ground, had a short-legged brindle dog in her lab, smiling. Actually, both the dog and my sister were smiling.
Ah. I love seeing people fall in love with animals. Not every human understands the joy an animal brings to your life. But when you have an animal, they are your best friend. They dont leave you. They dont judge you. They accept you. They love you. And even though my dog gets up and walks away from me when I try to give her kisses sometimes, I know that she loves when Im home. And even though she would never admit it, I know she loves when I kiss her. Dogs truly complete my life. Living in an apartment on campus that doesnt allow dogs has been incredibly difficult for me. I have never lived without a dog. Never. Its depressing to not have someone greet you when you walk in the door. I love coming home - having my dogs get so excited to see me, coming in my room in the morning to wake me up cuz they want to be with me, sitting with me and watching a movie. I love love love my dogs.
Expanding on this thought. I was reminded the other day of how important my buddy, who happens to be a stuffed animal, is to me. He has always been with me and has gotten me through a lot in my life. Hes a constant. Yes hes stuffed, but that doesnt matter. If you know me, you can understand my love for him. I feel this way about my stuffed animal, you cant imagine how I am with my dogs. Now - I have desperately been wanting a puppy. I dont know why - except who doesnt want a puppy (besides the lady who told me puppies are a pain today - I nearly took her head off with my comments.... and my hands). Maybe you could say my biological clock is ticking. I dont want children. I want a puppy. Or plural. Im not picky. I found the puppy I want. Actually, there was a family - 3 little ones. And because everyone knows you cant separate a family, I was entirely open to adopting all of them. Ill leave a picture of them, so you can understand my difficulty in leaving them.
Well. In the end, I have a nephog. A nephew dog. Hes very cute. Very sweet. Jordannas blog shares much much more on this excitement, and Ill leave it to her to fire those details off - since it is her family. But as the aunt, I cant wait to have my two little ones together. I cant wait to be the aunt I try to be to Emma, to this little guy. These experiences always make me think...
I really really want a puppy. I cannot emphasize enough how much I want a puppy. I love my sweet Casey to pieces. And I love Sammy boy too. But I cant take them away from their home. They are getting older. I would never ever try to replace them. I just need a dog in my life. Its that simple. But I was so sad while I stood there, dreaming about the life I could give these puppies... if I could have them. If it were my choice, I wouldve adopted all of the dogs that were there - with the exception of Jordanna and John's new addition. I dont know why I want to be a vet. Im going to be overthrown in my human abilities. Dogs will take me over. Every week, I will go home with another dog. I just know it. I know myself. Im setting myself up for doom. But a happy life!
I got so excited for the future. When I have to live on my own, Im getting a puppy. Maybe 2. They need a buddy for when I cant be there. I know Ill get dogs because I need a dog. Its not a want. I realized that long ago. And when my self-control took over my impulse today, I told it 'you will not control me forever!' Basically, I was arguing with myself the entire way home.
I feel like everyone needs to have times when they allow their impulse to take over - as long as its not an impulse to kill someone or hurt someone.... I think you understand my idea. Want a piece of cake? Eat one. Want a new outfit? Buy one. Splurge. Want a puppy? NEED a puppy? Well. My time will come.....