So it's been over four years since I last wrote here. Clearly, I had some commitment issues with having a blog. But I'm back again because of two things I want to write about:

1.) Gratitude. I need a place to post about gratitude - you know, a way to remind myself of all the good things in my life. I get so negative sometimes that I need to be reminded of the good things. My husband (grateful-for thing #1) bought me a little dry-erase board for Christmas, and I was using it to stick little post-its to in the beginning of the new year, but then the post-its would fall off, or the damn cat (sometimes-grateful-for)would decide to nibble said post-its and then I was just less grateful overall. So, I figure, maybe a permanent place to store my gratitudinal thoughts and musings will prove beneficial and more rewarding. We shall see.

Here's my first gratitude post: I'm thankful for having this blog and for typing into it at this moment as a way to alleviate negative thoughts and be more mindful of all the good in my life. There.

2.) I went to a volunteer orientation session for NYC Animal Care & Control last night. I want to walk doggie bears again. It's funny how being passionate about something can be so motivating. I realized, sitting in that session, that if I got to go to work everyday and love what I do, or at least be passionate about a cause, I might be a much happier person or not need a gratitude board. Just the thought of getting to spend some QT with needy shelter dogs makes me feel like I have a purpose. It might not be for everyone, but it's for me, and screw the haters.

I'm an animal-lover. I'm not some crazy cat lady animal-lover, but I'm an animal welfare proponent and just want to help them out in whatever way I can. For now, I know that's through dog walking. I hope it grows into more, but, if it doesn't, just giving back a little of my time in a way that's meaningful to ME is all I need right now. Since the Sophie-girl passed back in May there's been a huge void. It's time for me to give just a little bit of my love to all those shelter dogs who need it so badly. It's been a long time since I've been to the AC&C and I'm really looking forward to it.