plotthound – Page 3 – PlottingTheWay

Where is my map?!

I am at a major cross road in my life and have been thinking a lot about what direction I want it to go in. And, what scares me the most, is that I really don’t know. I don’t know what I want my next job to be, where I want to live or even who I want to be. This obviously opposes a problem that I have been desperately searching for a solution to.

How do I figure out what direction my life should go in? I think I am having such a hard time figuring out the answer to this question because for the past 3 years I haven’t been living for myself. I had taken jobs, moved my entire life and been “living” to please someone else. Let me tell you from first hand experience, living for anyone but yourself is not living at all. So now that I am finally free to be and live life for myself, it’s like I don’t really know where to start.

It hasn’t been easy to start this new chapter and I have to accept that there are going to be bad days. But something that is really helping me to begin to build my new map is doing one thing a day for just me. Whether it is walking Mason, going for a hike, working out or writing, it is something that truly brings pure joy to my day. My goal is to continue doing things for myself that truly make me happy with hopes that will lead me in the direction my life is suppose to go.

Happiness is not always easy, but by taking these small steps, I know one day I will find my place on the map.

My Holiday Cinema

The holidays bring so many wonderful things! From the yummy food, to the family traditions, to the presents and getting dressed up in your favorite outfits. All those things are great, but no one ever talks about the pressures the holidays can bring for you to make everyone happy around you including yourself.

I’m not completely blaming the stress I feel on this holiday season, however, I think it is definitely a factor. I have suddenly felt myself being pulled a million different directions and it’s hard to know which way is the right one. I mean is there even a “right” one?

What if I make a decision and it doesn’t make me or anyone involved happy? Then we are all screwed and the holidays are ruined for everyone (I’m being a little over dramatic here :)), but seriously! I am really struggling with making decisions lately, no matter if it’s as simple as where to eat dinner, it has been really hard for me. I am feeling like any decision I have been faced with lately could change my life in some dramatic way. I am putting so much stress on myself to do the “right” thing for me and everyone around me.

After putting all of this stress and pressure on myself, today I find myself asking why. Why are the holidays causing me to feel this way, they are suppose to bring people together and create happy memories. It’s because I am doing it to myself. I am not taking the time to just enjoy and live my life. I am overthinking every move I make and to be happy you can’t do that. You have to go with the flow and let life, good or bad, just happen.

So this holiday season, I am going to take the time to “stop and smell the roses” as they say. I am going to enjoy every moment of this short cinema we call life.

Wrong Turn.

Yesterday was a long, hard day. Every time I do the 13 hour drive, it gets more difficult and tiring it seems like. Especially when it’s just Mason, my 2-year-old plott hound, and I.

Don’t get me wrong Mason is the best travel buddy in the world.

"Mom, are we there yet?!" — “Mom, are we there yet?!”

But we both get more restless as the hours drag on. When we are making the drive between KY and FL, we usually stop about 4-6 times. Stopping with a dog is tricky when traveling, especially when it is just you and your pup.

Usually when we stop, it is because I have to use the bathroom (I have a smaller bladder than Mason does 🙂 haha). So I always crack the windows and run, literally, inside to use the bathroom first. When I am running back to the car, I can always see Mason wagging his tail waiting for his turn to get to stretch his legs.

Walking a dog around a rest area or gas station is never fun. Most of the time it isn’t the cleanest and, especially at gas stations, there is minimal green space for the pups to sniff around. After getting frustrated with the lack of grass area for Mason at gas stations on our last trip from KY to FL in August, I decided this time we were going to stop at more rest areas.

I found this to be a strategy to be a success! Mason much more enjoyed stopping at the rest areas, which we tested out in each state we drove through (FL, GA, TN and KY). They each had plenty of territory for Mason to explore and I wasn’t constantly pulling him away from trash or food that he shouldn’t be getting into. Another one of my favorite advantages of rest areas over gas stations is that they have designated doggie areas with poop bags included! Trust me, these few key factors during our stops helped make our long journey much more enjoyable for both Mason and I!

After the long day of traveling, we finally arrived safely in KY yesterday evening. Both VERY happy to be out of the car and home with the family for Thanksgiving.

travelbuddy2

Dog Mom Hack #3: The first turn might not always be the right one. Take time to explore the best/most comfortable options for both you and your pup when traveling together!

Leave a comment sharing any tips you have for travel with your dog! 🙂

My Favorite Kind of Kisses

The day I adopted Mason, my plott hound, my life changed forever. I know it may sound crazy to some people, but we developed a bond stronger than I have ever had with anyone. It is one we did not form with words, and maybe that is why it is so pure. I know when I look into his eyes he knows exactly how I am feeling.

Lately, I haven’t been the happiest person. I haven’t smiled or laughed or wanted to play with him like normal. That doesn’t matter to him though. He still wags his tail and jumps up smiling every single time I walk in the room. He is here for me no matter what I do without judgement.

In today’s world, it is hard not to be judged for everything you do. It’s hard to find even find one person who doesn’t judge you and I am lucky enough to have found that in Mason. He listen’s to me complain about the dumbest things, let’s me talk out my feelings when I don’t know what to do and licks away my tears when I cry (now who else would do that ha!).

Mason is truly the one who keeps me going when I don’t think I can anymore. His wagging tail and wet kisses gives me reason smile even on my darkest days.

"The best therapist has fur and four legs." - unknown — “The best therapist has fur and four legs.” – unknown

We all deserve someone as wonderful as Mason to lick away our tears and I hope you all are lucky enough to find that person like I have.

Dog Mom Hack #2: ALWAYS embrace a kiss. Even when it is a slobbery, wet one.

Leave a comment telling your story about how your dog has been there for you.

The roll

One of my favorite parts of traveling is packing for the trip. Your probably thinking who actually enjoys packing… but I do! ha! I love going through my closet, trying clothes on and closing my eyes to imagine what the trip would like in that outfit.

The hard part is, I also like to have options. So I have to be able to fit as much in my bag as possible! One very effective way I have found to do this is by rolling my clothes instead of folding them.

I begin by folding the clothes in half and then roll them as tightly as possible. As you can see, I do this with not only shirts, but pants, dresses, my undies, everything! The rolling also prevents my clothes from wrinkling as badly, which is definitely a plus!

I promise, once you try “the roll”, you will never go back to folding your clothes for your travels again.

Comment letting me know your favorite packing hack 🙂

Two is better than one

Walking with Mason, my two year old Plott Hound, is part of my daily routine. It is probably my favorite part of most days. I listen to the leaves blowing or the water roaring against the seawall. My favorite thing to listen to, when the world is quite enough, is Mason’s feet scuffling along the side walk. I love being able to hear him walking right beside me. I don’t know what it is about this pup, but he can not pick up his feet. Ha!

Today, Mason and I went on one of our usual walks to a near by park (it’s about 8 blocks away). I always carry a small purse with my essentials which include my taser, phone, keys, chapstick and, most importantly, a poop bag. I should have learned this lesson before, to always bring two poop bags, but shit happens (literally).

So along our walk, Mason went potty in his normal spot and I picked it up. We crossed the road to the park and are both taking in the beauty as we stroll along with not a care in the world. All of a sudden, he stops to sniff and begins to squat. I immediately begin to panic as my heart beats faster. I franticly search through my small purse for another poop bag. Checking every small crevice and pocket to find nothing.

I quickly look around to see if anyone is watching (luckily they aren’t). Then Mason and I make a break for it leaving the “evidence” behind. So embarrassing, but we made it home without anyone scolding us.

I seriously hate doing that. I hate not being a responsible pet owner and picking up after my pet, but sometimes even the best of us forget an extra bag.

shit happens.. literally. — shit happens… literally.

Dog Mom Hack #1: ALWAYS carry more than one poop bag.

Leave a comment telling your story about that one time you didn’t have a poop bag.

The day is finally here…

I have literally been wanting to start a blog for at least 4 or 5 years now. Why haven’t I? I’ve made excuses… such as I don’t have time, don’t want to spend the money, etc. Those were just excuses because I have been nervous. Nervous of what people might think, of sharing too much, of sharing too little and of not knowing what to write.

But I finally realized fear is a lie. I was scaring myself into being afraid of starting this blog.

I am not afraid anymore, and this is how I plott the way through sharing my life and tips and tricks I have learned along the way.

Meet me and Mason :) — Meet me and Mason 🙂