Dolphin and Kitty sittin' in a tree...

UPDATE 5-4-11: The video now works! 

K-I-S-S-I-N-G. Ohmigoodness, this is so cute I had to share.

Princess Jennifer

Um, yeah. You read that right! Muwahaahhhaa. So, if you haven't noticed by my sidebar... I've been reading up a storm these days. Really, I haven't read this much since I was a kid and I have to thank the Harry Potter Series and the Twilight Saga for they made me realize that Young Adult books rock. Since I embraced this genre, I haven't stopped reading! I still keep "grown up" books in the mix too, but I'm devouring the YA ones. Reading was such a large part of my life growing up, and now I feel like I'm back to that part of myself. If that makes any sense at all.

Anyhow, to get to the point of this post... I follow a few of my favorite authors' blogs, and a recent favorite of mine, Stephanie Perkins (author of Anna and the French Kiss, sooo good - don't get hung up on the title), blogged about procrastinating from writing and shared this link for Princess Maker. And since I'm procrastinating to avoid filing a monster stack of papers, and typing up some almost-too-late-to-post blog posts... I happily clicked and made Princess Jennifer. I was going for comfort, even as a princess I avoid dresses (I blame my mom for dressing me up like a doll at every opportunity when I was little). 

Princess Jennifer

OK... back to the filing. :(

Kiva Goes Green

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard of kiva.org. If not, here's a very brief description:

We are a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world. 

Why we do what we do
We envision a world where all people - even in the most remote areas of the globe - hold the power to create opportunity for themselves and others.
We believe providing safe, affordable access to capital to those in need helps people create better lives for themselves and their families.

I've loaned money through Kiva.org three times now, two have been paid back in full already. They are a great, GREAT organization helping empower people all over the world. It really feels good to help a person help themselves and their family. I also love hearing about the progress they are making, as some will post updates on how their business/project/housing is going. I didn't think I could rave about them any more highly, until I saw today that they are going "green" and are offering loans to help people live sustainably around the world. For more details click here. I just tried to make another loan, but unfortunately all the green loan requests are already funded! I was too late. But never fear, there will be more opportunities soon I'm sure, so if this is something you're interested in check back in a few days... OR... go ahead and make a different kiva loan. :) 

Happy Earth Day and... allergies?

Well hello!

Happy Earth Day!

I'm supposed to be at Gem Lake hiking and celebrating today. But nope. I'm sitting here, thinking about how much I've neglected this blog lately (I have at least 4 posts I've been meaning to get to....) and waiting to go to my doctor's appointment :(. I've never had allergies before moving here, and I think I now have them. But I'm not sure if I can blame these cold symptoms on allergies or not. I'm a little confused. Can allergies cause a sore throat? Anyhoo, I'm going to the doctor to try and figure it out. I was sick for almost 3 weeks at the end of Feb through March and... I. am. just. so. frustrated! 

I'm going to drag myself off the couch to take Koda for a walk and get some vitamin D. Wish me luck that I can breathe out there. Then I may come back and *gasp* add some posts :). Coming up: painting my "masterpiece 2", hiking Three Sisters, hiking O'Fallon Park, and maybe finally post about my awesome snowshoe from back in December. I know it's April. Maybe you're sick of snow and don't want to see it... but really, it was awesome sauce.

Cuteness

I know I'm biased but I think her fetus position is adorable!




I love this pup!




I can't believe she just turned 6 years old last week!

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