‘Five Photos, Five Stories’ Challenge Day 5: Portland

March 20, 2015 7 Comments

Alex nominated me to participate in the ‘Five Photos, Five Stories’ Challenge. I like Alex’s blog, Only Bad Chi, because it’s awesomely funny. I probably also like it because I relate to almost everything she says, which I guess is a lot of what drives us to read blogs, right?! I’m hoping this shameless flattery will help her not be mad that I’m just cutting and pasting the next part from her blog 🙂

For the challenge, I have to post a different photo for five consecutive days, and include an accompanying story (fiction or non-fiction) along with each. I also have to nominate a new blogger each day to keep the challenge going! If I nominate you, it’s completely up to you whether you participate. The only other rules are to mention the person who nominated you in your first post, and keep nominating others.

view from the tramI love living in the Pacific Northwest. I am originally from Oregon. I lived in Seattle for eight years and then came back to Oregon. I love the moderate weather, easy going people, and quick access to all sorts of beauty- mountains, rivers, valleys, the Pacific Ocean. We have it all (except warm water for swimming).

However, it’s super easy to get caught up in the daily grind and forget that you have it all. This is true of pretty much anything, but I specifically mean enjoying my surroundings.

When my friends come to visit, they always ask for recommendations on what to do. They usually get a blank stare. I’ve lived here for 10 years.

That’s just awkward. What easier way is there to let everyone know that all you do is hang out with your dogs?

I have one friend that is convinced you should always play tourist in your own town (one of the same friends that has given up on getting any good advice from me on fun things to do or places to shop that aren’t on the internet). Once in a while, we actually get motivated to get out and play tourist.

This picture was taken from the tram in Portland. It was built as transportation from the South waterfront up to a hospital, but it’s great for tourists. You get a fun ride and a great view (if it’s sunny).

You also get to feel like you “got out and did something!!!” Then you can reward yourself by going home and hanging out with your dogs some more 🙂

Seriously though, it’s almost Spring! I vow to go outside and play more.

I want to nominate Lisa from Life As Lisa Knows It to do the challenge next (no pressure if you don’t want to!)!

Jillian

Filed Under: Blogging Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

‘Five Photos, Five Stories’ Challenge Day 4: Yoga Bear

March 19, 2015 9 Comments

Alex nominated me to participate in the ‘Five Photos, Five Stories’ Challenge. I like Alex’s blog, Only Bad Chi, because it’s awesomely funny. I probably also like it because I relate to almost everything she says, which I guess is a lot of what drives us to read blogs, right?! I’m hoping this shameless flattery will help her not be mad that I’m just cutting and pasting the next part from her blog 🙂

For the challenge, I have to post a different photo for five consecutive days, and include an accompanying story (fiction or non-fiction) along with each. I also have to nominate a new blogger each day to keep the challenge going! If I nominate you, it’s completely up to you whether you participate. The only other rules are to mention the person who nominated you in your first post, and keep nominating others.

yoga bear

I think it’s just obvious that this picture is EVERYTHING. I was reading a running magazine one day on the treadmill (probably Women’s Running, it’s my favorite, but I don’t remember), and I found this ad. I seriously starting giggling at the sheer cuteness. Then I just could.not.stop.laughing.

I don’t know if you’ve been to a large gym, but there generally aren’t a lot of runners on treadmill laughing hysterically to themselves and holding pictures of bears, while trying to not fall off the treadmill (unless I belong to your gym, then that kind of thing happens a lot).

It was kind of embarrassing. I pulled myself together.

Then I took a picture of the ad with my phone.

And lost it again.

Every time I need a smile, I look at this bear in cobra pose. What makes you lose it?

My friend M just cannot keep any kind of chill when anyone mentions goats. It’s a long story… but she has this idea that the funniest thing in the world would be to put a goat on someone’s porch. Like… where did it come from? What is it doing there? I kind of get it. But not like she does!!

I want to nominate All Around Better Me to do the challenge next (no pressure if you don’t want to!)!

Jillian

Filed Under: Blogging, Health and Fitness Tagged With: , , , , , ,

‘Five Photos, Five Stories’ Challenge Day 2: Shiba Inu Wedding

March 17, 2015 18 Comments

Alex nominated me to participate in the ‘Five Photos, Five Stories’ Challenge. I like Alex’s blog, Only Bad Chi, because it’s awesomely funny. I probably also like it because I relate to almost everything she says, which I guess is a lot of what drives us to read blogs, right?! I’m hoping this shameless flattery will help her not be mad that I’m just cutting and pasting the next part from her blog 🙂

For the challenge, I have to post a different photo for five consecutive days, and include an accompanying story (fiction or non-fiction) along with each. I also have to nominate a new blogger each day to keep the challenge going! If I nominate you, it’s completely up to you whether you participate. The only other rules are to mention the person who nominated you in your first post, and keep nominating others.

Jewel's weddingSo, umm, this one time I went to a dog’s wedding. And it wasn’t even a dog that I am close and personal friends with. But, we were invited, and we drove an hour to get there, and brought gifts 🙂 It was as beautiful as weddings for people that I’ve ever been to. Maybe I should back up?

As I have mentioned before (Kuma’s story and Riley’s story), my dogs came from a local rescue, Northwest Shibas4Life. We adopted Kuma in 2007, and we have been in touch with the rescue ever since. They are a wonderful resource, and we also try to support them whenever we can. Shiba Inus aren’t that common, so it’s hard to find people that can really help with them.

Northwest Shibas4Life is run out of a private home, but they have a huge piece of property and so many safe places for the dogs to play. Every year they host a picnic in the summer for both humans and Shibas. I get made fun of a little when I say I’m going to a dog picnic, but it’s so much fun! They have guest speakers, an auction, a dog park for all the Shibas, food, and more. It’s really cute to see them all play together.

So, a couple of years ago I started to see posts about how Jewel (the spokes-dog of Shibas4Life) was getting married.

I thought they were joking.

They were not joking.

Obviously, this was the most amazing thing I had ever heard. There was absolutely no way I was going to miss this. Guys, it was a real wedding (I mean, obviously not legally binding…). They had outfits, a wedding party, the father of the bride gave her away, there were vows… I have no words. The bride and groom were both rescues, and their stories were told. It was so touching to hear about how much their lives have changed. It was also unbelievably precious seeing them playing along so nicely. If you want to see the invitation, one version is still online here.

There was also a purpose behind it, besides playing dress up and cooing over the cuteness. It was part of the annual picnic, and a fundraiser for Shiba Inu rescue. Gifts involved donations to help pay for dog food, vet bills, things like that. It was even written up in the Oregonian!

I know it sounds like I’m making this up, but it really happened ❤

What do y’all think? Would you go to a dog’s wedding?

I want to nominate Khalkinised at The Buddha Sutra to do the challenge next (no pressure if you don’t want to!)!

Jillian

Filed Under: Blogging, Shibas Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

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