I am a gal who hates to exercise. I've tried everything- yoga, bicycling, etc. But everything bores the hell out of me, so I give it up after a while. However, I do believe I have finally found my personal diet miracle- or, perhaps, I should say, he's found me.

I recently adopted a German Shepherd from the Humane Society. His name is Murphy. Murphy is quite enthusiastic about taking long walks, digging in holes, and being outdoors in general. Ever since I got the dog, I promised him and myself that we would take long walks multiple times a day. On average, he gets around four walks, about 20 minutes or more each walk. And he's thrilled about it. For that matter, so am I. When I got a dog I thought that walking him was going to be drudgery. But I was more wrong than I would have ever believed. Murphy is making a fan of the outdoors out of this hermit. Tucson, AZ has lots of unique plants I've never seen before, and together Murphy and I are discovering every one of them. He's also introduced me to tiny hand-sized lizards that roam freely out here. I actually find myself looking forward to his walk time. And the way that he just turns into a big pile of happy goo when you brush his coat... well, I'm in love. Murphy is going to be the happiest dog that I can make him. He seems more than willing to return the favor. He's welcome to keep sleeping on my bed.

Wanna lose weight? Get a dog. It's the only thing that has ever worked for me. Oh- and I think he's the greatest thing since shrinky dinks.

...into civilization once in a while. Being homebound without a personal driver (that's my husband) can drive me stir-crazy after a while. I don't mind being an epileptic at all. What I do mind is not being able to drive because of it. And so about once a month I beg him to drive me into town and leave me at the mall for a few hours. Borders, the book superstore chain at our mall, usually swallows me whole for a good hour or two. Tonight's adventure there left me annoyed, however. I was looking for some good solid books on debunking supposed supernatural phenomena and was disappointed to see that, although there was a large section on the paranormal, there weren't any books from skeptics. I like a good mystery, but lately I've become disillusioned by people trying to take advantage of others and gain a buck preying on gullibility. I like reading both sides of an issue.

I guess you could say I adhere to the Mulder slogan- I want to believe. But I want proof, too, on so many things before I do. Because I believe that there is a God. What I don't believe is that he talks to those televangelists with diamond rings on every finger and five hundred dollar haircuts. Call me cynical. Life has eaten my naivete. And that's sad. But it's also a part of growth. Still, I am taking this box of hair dye and doing away with these rude gray hairs. I mean, who invited them? I'm only 32! Hello! Come back in twenty years.

Was tagged by ~CorGlacier7

Post these rules
1. Each person tagged must post 8 random (hopefully interesting) facts about themselves
2. Tags should write a journal of these facts
3. At the end of the post 8 more bloggers are tagged and named
4. Go to their page and leave a comment telling them that they're tagged

Kara's stuff:

1. When I was around 14, I wandered one day into my grandfather's record collection and sat on the floor by the record player crying at his opera records. I have loved opera ever since, and I owe it all to him. He died in January, but we had a wonderful bond between us I will always remember.

2. My mother is a kickass dungeonmaster. I grew up playing Dungeons and Dragons because of my mom and stepdad. They were always playing DnD. There were always people at her house playing. And she is a storyteller like no other. When mom is the DM, you will feel like you are there.

3. I love men. I love how they look, taste, smell, sound, and move. I am happily married, and have been for 12 years. But sometimes when I see a nice looking man without his shirt, my mouth hangs open like a goofy teenager. If you have seen my favorites folder, this should come as no surprise.

4. I am never, ever seen without a book in hand. When I was in middle school my friends and I were accused of "readwalking"- that is, walking down the halls between classes with a book in front of our noses, causing us to walk into lockers and walls. There's just something about being able to dive into a fantasy world at will.

5. Yes, I AM a goody goody. I don't smoke or do drugs, probably drink once or twice a year tops, obey the law, pay my taxes, rescue furry animals when it applies and am faithful to my husband. If I were dropped into one of my favorite books I'd be a paladin or a priestess. Maybe it's sad, but I'm the girl who won't take 14 items in the 13 item checkout lane.

6. I have a box of treasured things. Inside of it are colorful rocks, love letters, cards, a lock of my daughter's hair, newspaper articles of loved ones, poetry from friends, and photos. It looks like a treasure chest, and that is just what it is.

7. I take freedom very seriously. You know that motto, "Live free or die"? That'd be me. If you want to put me in a cage or limit my freedoms- tell me what to read, tell me what to believe, tie me down, you're going to have to kill me first. I believe that slavery is the greatest evil that humanity has ever perpetuated. Humans and animals were meant to be free.

8. I want brain candy. Books, music, games, photography. If my brain isn't entertained, I am no fun to be around. At all. I'm grumpy when I'm bored. Feed the mind and keep me happy.


I am tagging: budgie, codewidi, Gold-Seven, hibbary, JayJay88, Lillyfly06, Myar, and quemas.

...I never forget some moments. Some I throw out with the morning trash. I don't like clutter, even heart clutter. I like to dwell on beautiful moments in time. I remember passing marigolds through the fence to a playmate when I was a child. The smell of grandma's kitchen when you spent the night at her house and woke up in the morning. A teenaged stolen kiss in my attic bedroom that I'll never, ever let go. It's become clear- I collect beauty. It belongs to all of us. My memories are mine, and, come what may, they cannot be chiseled from the face of my soul.

You know those DnD tests that circulate online for your true alignment and race? Turns out I'm a neutral good halfling. Halfling=hobbit=kender, for those that don't know anything about Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms, uh, ANY fantasy games or books- well, you get the picture.

I wasn't at all surprised. The one thing I knew for certain after reading The Hobbit in middle school was that I was a hobbit. I've always made little hidey-holes for myself in people's cabinets and under tables. The only problem is that it's not really all that acceptable to burrow underneath someone's furniture when you're an adult. Still, as I play Lord of The Rings Online, playing my hobbit Finaera the Minstrel and cook, I dream of living inside a hobbit hole of my very own. I guess filling my house with candles and quilts and coffee and tea of every make is the closest I'm going to get. True bliss for me is cuddling up on a rainy night with a book in my lap. Keep out, world. Friends, however, are welcome.

A merry heart is something I'm not likely to give up anytime soon. Come to my house, and you're going to be cozy. I don't fudge on that.

Some people may dream of going to faraway places. I'll stay right here in my hobbit hole. And, if forced to relocate once again, I'll create another one just as cozy as the first.