Category Archives: Life

Duke 2007 – 2018

15 Tuesday May 2018

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I have always wondered how people found the wherewithal to post about saying goodbye to their pets. Where did they come up with the strength to put a post together?

I have now learned how to do it.

We came home on Friday to find our dog, Duke, could not stand up. We scooped him up in a sheet and took him to the vet. After lots of tests, it was found he had cancer and 24 hours later we had to say goodbye.

Duke 2

Duke was our family’s dog, but I was his person. Have you ever been a dog’s person? I had never been a dog’s person until I met Duke. For me, it was an incredible, wonderful, soulful experience. He was the perfect balance of a fierce protector yet playful and harmless with us and anyone who came into our home. Never did someone meet him who didn’t like him. I am heartbroken that he is gone. He was incredible. I will miss him forever.

Although I’m never one to post much about myself, as I moved through the next 48 hours after losing Duke, I felt stuck with social media. How could I keep posting for work, and pictures on Instagram, without sharing this beautiful creature? And who, with his loss, has created a huge gaping hole in our world.

So, back to the question – How do people come up with the strength to post about saying goodbye to their pets? I learned when you are fortunate enough to be graced with the presence of a dog that awesome, you want to share him with the world and you find the strength to post about saying goodbye because he deserves it.

I love you Handsome.

Happy Anniversary

16 Tuesday Jan 2018

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It was 12 years ago today we had our First Wedding Anniversary celebration dinner at Carl’s Jr. It wasn’t my first choice, but we were on our way to the hospital to be induced because our little guy did not want to come out! So, out of necessity we stopped at Carl’s Jr. because my husband wanted to avoid hospital cafeteria food. The next day we had ourselves a beautiful bouncing baby boy.

Tonight our baby boy, he’ll be 12 tomorrow, was with us and it made for the dinner to be that much sweeter. Celebrating our first anniversary at Carl’s Jr. wasn’t my first choice, but now, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

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Kitchen & Bath Design Inspiration

26 Friday May 2017

Posted by in Design, Inspiration, Life, Personal, Style

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I had the pleasure of joining the Kitchen and Bath Tribe Chat hosted by Marble Institute the other day. The topic; Designing with Natural Materials. These chats are fun, but also very educational and informative for remodeling and home design. For example a maintenance tip when using natural stone; avoid the 3 As – acid, ammonia and alcohol. I would have never known these three are not good for natural stone.

Another tip is what’s trending! A popular choice these days is a full slab of natural stone for a backsplash instead of tile. Gorgeous and smart, because a solid piece for a backsplash is a lot easier to clean than tile. Am I right or am I right?! Look at this seamless look from Discover Marble – I am in love.

Discover marble

More ideas include American Stonecraft transforming reclaimed fieldstone into a line of slabs for serving, cooking and tabletop accessories. Brilliant and functional!

americanstonecraft

Then there was this by Brasigran. It’s called Blue Agata – mesmerizing and I would sleep in this kitchen. Seriously, come on… Why must you torture me like this?

Brasigran

There is so much more to see and learn in these chats. Scrolling through the hashtag #KBTribeChat is like looking through a catalog, but with tips and tricks of the best and what’s best for you. Go on – See for yourself!

Tinina Q. Cade Foundation

07 Tuesday Mar 2017

Posted by in Giving Back, Inspiration, Life

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I didn’t think I would have children. When I decided that I would, I prepared my lifestyle and finances, got pregnant and had a baby. Just like that. It has been the best decision I have ever made in my life. However, for some, it’s not that easy.

I recently had the privilege of sitting in on a tweet chat for the Tinina Q. Cade Foundation (Cade Foundation). This wonderful, non-profit organization helps families overcome struggles with infertility. The Cade Foundation offers information and support and connects families who have already overcome their infertility battle with families who are still coping with the challenges this condition presents. In addition to connecting families, the Cade Foundation provides financial assistance in the form of grants to help families with the cost of adoption and fertility treatments as well as hosting hundreds of outreach events.

The Cade Foundation holds events throughout the year such as Pathways to Parenthood, which is a handful of symposiums in various states to include many experts. This year, there is a big event – Race for the Family, presented by Shady Grove Infertility, a 5K Run/Walk with a 1 mile Family Fun Run, a playground for kids with fun activities of face painting, arts & crafts, games and a musician and lots more other family events. This foundation is doing such incredible work and it is inspiring to know these foundations are out there!

I have watched someone struggle with infertility from afar and it is heartbreaking to me because I know this woman would be an AMAZING mother. So I wanted to share the Cade Foundation in her honor and hope that maybe at least ONE person, if at least, connects and gets help.