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Yes, I am a crazy dog lady.

Can't help it. I love dogs. All dogs. I would rescue every single one if I could. Not to mention we just depleted our savings account to give our lil pup emergency back surgery.

Needless to say, I REALLY enjoyed my latest read: The Art of Racing in the Rain.

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The hubs recommended this one. (He is a crazy dog man. And I am his crazy dog lady. This is why we work.) But this novel was such a creative, fun, and EASY read. The entire story is told from the perspective of a dog. At first, I wasn't really digging it, then, about half way through I couldn't put it down. Not because of some crazy, interesting plot...but simply because I felt like I could truly see inside the mind of a pup. It was hysterical! I would definitely recommend it to dog lovers. Made me want to snuggle my pups extra hard. :)

Speaking of our pups, we've taken a few adorable pics lately that I feel the need to share. But first, I'd like to give a special thanks to those of you who either a). don't understand why some people love dogs so much or b). don't like to read. (I'm sure if you qualify for either a or b, you are no longer even reading this post.)

No Place Like Home

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I get it.

The first things that pop into your mind when you hear "Kansas" is: tornadoes, flat land, wheat fields, farms, tractors, The Wizard of Oz, and people who talk really slowly.

Yes, SOME of Kansas is like this. However, not where I grew up. Not at all.

I grew up in an actual city with over 400,000 people and didn't even see my first farm until I was like 12 years old. Farms and anything related to them are VERY foreign to me.

But I do understand how people who have never been there automatically get a vivid mental picture in their minds of nothing but windmills and wheat. Understandable. Kansas is in the middle of the country and flat as a table.

However, sometimes, I get those comments or questions that make me scratch my head and laugh. Most of these Jessica Simpson-esque comments come from individuals in a teeny-tiny little state (whose name I will not mention) where no one has ever gone west of New York City. ;)

Some actual comments:

*All individuals were completely and totally serious.

• "Oh, you're from Kansas. That's near Utah, right?"

• "What is it like being southern?"

• "Out there, you guys typically go square dancing on the weekends, right?"

• "So, it must be pretty fast-paced for you here. Is it hard to keep up?" (The answer to this is NO!!! It is NOT fast-paced here at all!!!)

• (This one was overheard) "Yeah, everyone from the Midwest joins the military."
  

And the conversation from lunch today which sparked this post:

Co-Workers were talking about how school starts in early September. So, I pipe up.

Mrs. Ruby: Wow. Schools start so late here. Kansas schools usually start in the middle of August.

Co-Worker #1: Oh, really? Why is that?

Co-Worker #2: It's because of farming season. They have to tend to their crops and stuff.

Mrs. Ruby: Yep. And I fall asleep every night in my overalls and with a long piece of straw hanging from my mouth.

But I will admit, Kansas is super flat. I am sadly reminded of this every time we visit home. AND there really are lots of tornadoes - I've lived through several.

BUT, I can assure you that we do not wear bonnets and drive John Deer tractors everywhere!

For Real???

Holy Moly.

In two weeks it will be September. This means that fall is right around the corner.

Not ready.

I've got two weeks left of summer camp left, and then the following week we head to CALI!!! And the moment we get back - summer is over. Boo.

But, we DID have a most fantastic summer weekend. It was full of pre-wedding events and full of emotion and fun times!!!!! On Saturday afternoon, I went to a friend's FABULOUS Breakfast at Tiffany's themed bridal shower. I mean, every detail accounted for, my friends. From the cake to the decor. We even received these little infamous blue Tiffany boxes with pearl bracelets inside. So posh. Oh, and I experienced my first-ever meeting of a bloggy friend in PERSON. Jen over at A Girl in Pearls and a Boy with Toys is just as classy and gorg in person as she is on her blog!!!

And then Saturday night, we continued the celebrations. We celebrated a good friend's birthday at a Mexican restaurant. First exciting highlight of the night. After a few margs, a burrito, a birthday song, and some reminiscing memories of our cruise, my DEAR friend and her fiance presented all of us at the table with gifts. I was so confused. (And felt like poo because I only bought the birthday girl a card...and here she is presenting me with a gift). So, we open the gifts, and she and her fiance asked all of us to be in their wedding next September.

And in good ol' Mrs. Ruby fashion, I start to sob hysterically.

I couldn't help it, I got overwhelmed with emotion. We all watched these two get engaged, and now we're going to part of their special day. AND, she wrote some pretty darn heart-felt things in my little card which made me realize how thankful I am for our Little Rhody family.

(Told You.) Sobbing like a baby. HAHA!!

NEED a vacation

While many folks have been enjoying summer vacations and breaks from from school, I have been working long days and coming home to piles of homework.

I need a vacation. Badly.

This is why I am more than ecstatic that in exactly three weeks from today, we will be enjoying the beautiful west coast. We will be driving on one of the most famous highways in the world: The Pacific Coast Highway.

I love me a road trip. Especially when the scenery is more than miles and miles of flat land, wheat fields, and cows.

Ahh. I can't wait.

Did You Know?

Yesterday, my kiddos somehow got on the topic of God and Jesus. I heard things like "God is our daddy and Jesus is our mommy" and "Christmas is Jesus' birthday".

And then, one of my five year olds informed me very matter-of-factly the following:

"God is really old. He was born in 1989."

I seriously couldn't even try to mask my hysterical laughter on that one. So cute.

Whirlwind

Umm. Can somebody tell me where the weekend went?

I know. I say it every single week. But the darn thing just whirlwinded through, and I simply can't believe it's Monday.

We were home for a few hours this weekend. And that was to sleep. And that was on Friday only. Decided to stay at a friends on Saturday.

So now, there are piles of laundry, dust, and many household chores that have accumulated. Ugh.

But, I'm going to focus on the weekend. Made me feel like a kid again.

Highlights:

• Friday night was "Bring Your Own Pizza" night - a term coined by a friend just as kooky as I am.

• Saturday, went to spin class with Mr. Ruby. We haven't been in 4 weeks and deeply felt the repercussions. Both of us thought we were going to pass out or throw up 15 minutes into the class.

• Headed to the beach after spin. This is our third weekend in a row at the beach. Yes, the beach. Doesn't get any better than that.
  

• Continued to enjoy the beautiful weather with friends and the pups. Scene: deck, tiki torches, cool New England breeze, cocktails, and belly-busting laughter

• Traveled back in time. Played an intense game of Man Hunt at midnight. (Yes, we are in our mid-twenties. And yes, our friends' neighbors think they are crazy.)

• Sunday = Day of Laziness. Lounged around. Watched a movie. Ate one serious hearty breakfast.
  

And now, it is Monday. Boo.

Repaying the favor

First of all, long overdue CONGRATULATIONS are in order for my best friend and her new fiance. Congratulations Lauren and Eric!

These two are a perfect match, and I've never seen my bestie happier. Love really is what life is all about. :)

Lauren and I were sorority sisters in college and shared the same major/interests/desired career paths/senses of humor/love for the lake/love for talking (to each other and in general). At one point in college, we were roomies, had all but two classes together, were involved in the same clubs (therefore went to every meeting on campus together), savored every moment of the weekend together, and then we would still find ourselves chatting via aol instant messenger while sitting next to each other on the couch working on the same assignments.

Sickening, I know.

So, I obviously asked her to stand next to me on the most important day of my life. She was a kick-booty bridesmaid!!!


And now, the time has come for me to return the favor. I have been given the honor (no pun intended) of being her Matron of Honor! I could not be more thrilled. And even more exciting? I get to share this incredibly important and exciting job with another fabulous friend who will be her Maid of Honor. Double the awesomeness!!!

This is my first time to be a bridesmaid (let alone the matron of honor), and I am taking it very seriously. I am going to do my absolute best to make this the happiest time of the blushing bride's life.

So...if any of you have ever been bridesmaids/maids/matrons of honor, PLEASE feel free to share advice, knowledge, websites, books or anything that can make me give this little lady an awesome wedding experience. Feel free to e-mail me at mrs.rubyredslippers@gmail.com
I'd love to hear your thoughts!

P.S. Happy (almost) Friday!!!!