Pilgrim in a Cart, Pilgrim in a Bag...

He liked the shopping cart...

The shopping bag...not so much.

Spring and All Its Secret/Hidden Memories

Springtime is bittersweet.  Whereas Autumn is filled with the fluttering of beginnings, spring usually means the end of something.  In my case this spring would have been the time I graduated from Stanford.  One of my tutees (who is in elementary school) recently asked me if I cried once I went on leave because of my knee.  Cried for what I asked?  He wondered if I cried because I missed school and my friends.

I told him I hadn't but that's a supreme lie.  Sure I cried.  Hell I still cry sometimes and let the tears fall on Pilgrim's fur, crimping it in the area that becomes wet.  Mostly I cry for what I remember and what I feel like I'm missing.  Lost time and lost experiences, lost years I guess are what I cry for.

I can see the path that would have led me to graduation this year, a senior.  I guess I would have already had to decide whether or not I wanted to pursue a Master's or PhD degree.  Would I want to teach or would I have been as set on writing?

Then I think that I would've almost been stuck in time without ever really growing or evolving.  I would have been set in my ways, in a box.  Stuck with the same old friends and close-mindedness.  I wouldn't change or trade the person I am today for the naive one I was.

I hadn't written for a while.  Tomorrow I am seeing my surgeon to find out if the cartilage transplant was semi-successful.  I am back on the two crutches and feel like throwing them into the fire.  I want to be able to walk Pilgrim finally and to return to college in the fall. 

The summer is an open book.  What lies ahead I don't know but I feel some excitement in the air. 

Waffles!

I love waffles (this from the girl who almost named her dog Waffles-it was either that or Lucky before we settled on Pilgrim).  I am so excited because I finally got my waffle necklace made by Tiny Hands Jewelry!  It is made out of clay and simply adorable.

The tiny package was put together so nicely in a box with the Tiny Hands logo.  There was also a hand-written message from Mei Pak (who makes the jewelry in Minnesota).  I had to make sure to keep it away from Pilgrim, who was extremely curious about the miniature waffle necklace.

You have to check out this website  http://tinyhandsonline.com/  where all the necklaces are handmade and shaped like tiny desserts.  I couldn't decide between the scented birthday cupcake necklace, the scented raspberry French macaron necklace, or the waffle (there is a stack o' pancakes necklace too!).  What sold the waffle was that Amy Poehler had worn it on Parks and Recreation (one of my fave shows). 

Amy Poehler wearing the waffle necklace on Parks and Rec!  Cute pairing with a fancy dress

Did I mention the best part?  The jewelry is scented!  My waffle smells like maple and butter, or butterscotch.  It makes me so happy.  Basically I'm obsessed and it's the cutest thing I've seen in a while.  Pics to come!

Me with my waffle necklace!  It smells so good

Look at the tiny squares of butter!  You can also get the waffle with fruit and whipped cream

A Pilgrim in a Cart!

I didn't know you could go into stores with your dog as long as you put them in a cart!  That is seriously so exciting.  I'm thinking of all the places we could go now (besides Fashion Island, Irvine Spectrum, and Palm Springs, places that notoriously love and allow for pups).  Come on Pilgrim, let's go!  Who's pushing who though I don't know.

Pilgrim is excited!

Ooooh, home goods