The dog on the left is Kasper, my sister’s dog. The doctors recommend she get an animal to take care of after her accident because it would be good therapy. Kasper is 4 years old in the photo and Muppet is around 4 months old.
We weren’t even looking for a dog, but the moment that I held him (he let me cradle him like a baby!) and he licked my nose…I knew he was meant to be mine. Little did I know at the time that he would be a great source of comfort to me in the years ahead as Cool Daddy and I struggled with infertility. He’s the most cuddly, friendly dog in the world and is every bit my little furbaby. I couldn’t have asked for a better spontaneous one-month-early birthday present!

(Oh. And I also got my hair cut like Peter Pan.)

Other than our wedding and honeymoon I don’t have any other photos from 2003. Then a pretty serious photo drought continues until late 2005 when I finally get a digital camera. 

At Disney Hollywood Studios (MGM Studios at the time) I tried this Grumpy hat on in one of the stores. I asked Cool Daddy to take my picture. He did and then he just walked off without telling me. I stood there like that for the longest time waiting for him to take the picture. He was a few isles over laughing at me. Oh, you silly, silly man. Little did you know how many times I would embarrass you in public by singing, dancing, carrying on, and calling attention to myself when you’re trying to be inconspicuous.

Who’s laughing now, buddy?

At the Magic Kingdom we were over by Cinderella’s well and I was pestering Cool Daddy to take another 100 photos of me. I saw a bunny and got really excited (Who knows why…I’ve seen them before. I think it was just the idea of a “wild” bunny living in Disney World. I bet it talks. And sings.). A custodian was nearby sweeping up. He smiled at me and all of my weird adorable childlike excitement, then he gave me a Cinderella sticker and told me, “You know that’s a Disney bunny…not just any other bunny. It’s special.” Then he winked and went on his way. I put the sticker on my shirt and I’m pretty sure that Cool Daddy laughed and rolled his eyes at all of the nonsense.

While at Universal Islands of Adventure I saw The Cat In The Hat just hanging out all by himself. His back was turned to me and I ran up to him and screamed “The Cat in the Hat!” and he jumped. Not an “I’m in character, oh you startled me” jump, more like a “I think I need a giant litter box now, crazy lady, can you take it down a notch or 12?!” kinda jump. I got my picture taken with him, because it’s been a life-long dream. And then I went home and crossed it off my bucket list. Once I get to hug Big Bird and Snuffleupagus, and sing a duet with Kermit the Frog I’ll be all set.

At Old Town we went to one of my favorite places (Instant Ancestors) and had this taken:

Then we had this drawn:

(I couldn’t get the whole 11×14 picture to scan into the computer because it was too big!)

On my actual birthday Cool Daddy made plans for us to go see Cirque Du Soleil: La Nouba. It was awesome…we both loved it!

There was a cake for me too, and it looks like I was singing Happy Birthday to myself again. I seem to remember the cake being Red Velvet. I’m not sure why because I’ve only had Red Velvet a handful of times in my whole life. I always pick chocolate.

Celebrating 30 Years in 30 Days!

(a.k.a. Happy Birthday to me!)