me, Mike Hyland at Hong Kong Disneyland, 5 months before Grand Opening

I can’t believe 5 years have passed. Since then I’ve been back to Hong Kong for another 2-month stint in 2006, spent 6-weeks in Paris in 2007, toured Madrid and Barcelona in 2007, been to 4 Super Bowls (7 total) and so much more (WDW Moms Panel, Disney Parks Blog, Twitter, Facebook, and so much more.)

Super Bowl XL in Detroit  and trying to look deep in thought in Paris 2007.

What kind of a mom would I be if I didn’t bring out the baby photos!?! (Please don’t click away – these are worth seeing and there’s not very many of them.)

This is one of my favorite pictures of Jefferson. Total action shot!!

Here’s a photo of Ashley- my very first dog. She lived to be 14 years old and was quite a girl! She was an awesome dog.

And then came Mikita in December 2007.

And following Mikita’s arrival was the re-friendship with Mike.

I’ve had some really wonderful life moments shared with you here on the blog. I’ve been struggling lately trying to figure out where it goes from here. I have to be honest, I’m confused with all the advice I read on blogging and the “rules” they establish for bloggers and realize I don’t fit into this realm, based of what they consider the “right” way to blog. I blog about everything in my life – my dogs, my man, my friends, my work life, my home life… everything. Yet the “experts” say I should have a niche and focus. This thinking has me all confused and wondering if I should even continue on.
But I will. I enjoy this, even if it’s not what a blog expert says it should be. I hope you continue to read my blog. It will be what it has been for the past 5 years – a blog about my life. A blog about what I do, who I am, what makes me happy. I don’t write this for advertisements so I have no guiding light other than my heart. I hope you continue to stop by once in awhile and enjoy what you see.

Location:  Orlando, Florida

Outside Temperature:  68-degrees

Water Temperature:  57-degrees

Dogs say:  Let’s Swim!

Mom says:  Not me!

Gotta get the ball out of the water.

I can get to it this way.

I’m going in.

Got it!

Ah – Let’s do it again – about 30-times!

Happy Sunday everyone.

]]> http://leanneslife.com/2010/02/21/the-first-swim/feed/ 2 http://leanneslife.com/2009/11/04/wordless-wednesday/ http://leanneslife.com/2009/11/04/wordless-wednesday/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:27:59 +0000 Leanne http://leanneslife.com/?p=857 My Canine Wordless Wednesday

And this is how the day ends.

So, today was that shopping day.  I hit DSW Shoes, Off Broadway Shoes, Stein Mart, Ikea, Petco, and Marshalls. 

The coolest thing I got and probably the most fiscally responsible (read cheapest) was this napkin holder. I know! A napkin holder! But just look at how cool it is. It’s from Ikea. The napkins (also from Ikea)  lay on top of a black plate and there’s a weighted arm that holds them in place. I love it!  (P.S. Hey, did you  notice the awesome photo in the background?)

The biggest purchase of the day was my 4 new pairs of shoes.  Yes – 4 pairs! For you shoe-nistas I am so going to disappoint you. I buy frugally and purchase based on 1) comfort 2) usability 3) need  and lastly 4) fashion.   Don’t come here expecting to see me in Jimmy Choos – it ain’t gonna happen.

But I am excited about these pretty shoes:

The photo doesn’t do them justice.  They’re really dark black suede pumps and look amazing on my feet.  I got some really fun shoes today between DSW and Off Broadway. 

Back to cool stuff – I also got a pretty new duvet  from Ikea.  It’s really lovely in person. 

One last note, nothing to do with shopping.  The other exciting thing that happened this weekend was Mikita jumping into the pool all by herself, no pushing by me or Mike.  Last year she learned to swim.. this year she’s learning to jump in alone.  Yea for Mikita!

Shawnie 1990 - 2009

If there was ever the “sweetest cat ever” – that title went to Shawnie.  She constantly purred and loved sitting in laps.  She was never sickly and lived a very long, happy life.  Nineteen years is a pretty  long time – we were lucky to have her for so long.

My mom is obviously taking it very hard.  For the past five years or so Shawnie has been at moms side – sleeping next to or on top of her every night.  I last saw Shawnie yesterday and it was obvious her time was coming. She looked awful and was having a hard time walking. I’m glad I got to say good-bye yesterday.  She is in a good place now.

Shawnie & Mikita sharing dinner

I’ve done you wrong.  You showed me how to earn respect and gain control of my dog.  I just didn’t follow through. Now, I’m paying the price.

Mickey Towel Art awaiting me in the room at the Boardwalk

It’s no secret to anyone that part of my job involves working with many talented and amazing mom bloggers. While I’m only a mom to my baby dogs, I do blog, occassionally so I have the experience to know what it takes to maintain a blog.  It truly amazes me the work these women put into their blogs. The writing is often flawless, the stories are creative and captivating and the accompanying photos are all so professionally shot. I sit in shame and bewilderment as to how they do it and maintain their homes and families.  My hats off to all of you. You inspire me.  I will provide a blog roll list on one of my next updates so you can check them out yourself.  I can’t do it right now because I need to be downstairs in a few minutes to meet the next wonderful mom bloggers - who are calling themselves on Twitter – #disneymochamoms.  Follow our trail this weekend on Twitter.

Leanne’s 1st Video Blog