First Visit to the Dog Park!

Did you know there were such things??? A Dog Park?? I had no idea!!
Well, In Ohio there are parks that are specifically for dogs-not just any animal, just dogs! It is crazy! We found a few near us by hearing people talk about them and then searching on the Internet.
Today when I got of work, I came home and Derrick, Max, and I went to Big Walnut Dog Park. The park is only about 10 miles from the house, so it isn't a bad drive. The park is about a 3 acre lot with a chain linked fence, so the dogs could not get out, and it has a pond the dogs could swim in. As soon as we unleashed Max he took off. I was so nervous that he was going to fight with the other dogs or jump all over the other people in the park. Neither one of those happened! He ran right over to the dogs and within just a minute or two he was in heaven! He ran around that park for 2 hours, non-stop, and loved every minute of it. We would even call him over to us and he would start running towards us and then zoom right past us. He didn't even care if we were there. All he cared about were the other dogs that he could chase or that would chase him. Shortly after we got there someone threw a tennis ball into the pond. All the other dogs jumped in and Max followed the crowd and went right in with them. After that, we couldn't keep him out of the water! We were told to take a towel just in case Max got into the water. WATER?? I was thinking "My dog hates baths, he isn't getting into any water!" Good thing I took a towel!!
It was nice for me because there were people there that I could talk to! I met two nice ladies Amanda and Mary. Amanda was there with her husband and 3 dogs- Dozier (Bullmastif), Chance, and Dingo. Mary was there with her little boxer puppy, Sally. We aren't best friends yet, but hey, who knows!! Hahaha! I will actually be doing good to remember their names next time I see them, if I see them again! Max has lots of new friends too. It was funny to sit and watch them all play. We are going to keep taking Max so he can get his exercise in and not get too fat and lazy from being cooped up in the apartment all day.
Of course we took the camera and Derrick took some pictures of Max's fun day! I hope you guys enjoy them!!

Family picture after a day at the park

Max and all his new friends playing in the water

Max playing in the water- his new favorite thing!

Max jumping in and out of the water. I think he likes to splash the water.

Max found a frisbee and we were so happy to see him chase it and carry it

This is what Max did the whole time we were there...when he wasn't playing in the water!

Another one of Max running. It was hard to get too many pictures of him running and playing because they all came out blurry.

Lots of walking....

Have you ever walked so much that you felt your legs were going to fall off?? That is what I did Saturday!

On Friday I was getting all bummed because I knew that Derrick was leaving for Indianapolis on Saturday and would be gone until Monday evening. When I got home from work on Friday, he surprised me and told me that he wasn't leaving until Sunday morning and that we were going to King's Island in Cincinnati on Saturday. I was so excited. We got up on Saturday and headed to King's Island. It was great because Derrick and I went from ride to ride. We never stopped at any shops or to play any games. It was so much fun and we rode everything---well Derrick did. I don't like the carnival type rides that you sit in and they twirl you around in a circle all while turning you upside down, or those sudden drop rides that last 10 seconds. Derrick rode those while I sat and people watched! We grabbed a snack and ate it while we were in line for the next ride and didn't take any time out for anything except for roller coasters.

We had a great time walking fast with our long legs and not having to wait for anyone to catch up or decide who was riding with who! It was just a fun day together with my husband! I must say that I have a wonderful husband and I love him very much!

Well, yesterday and today I am paying for all that walking. My legs hurt and wearing heals all day today didn't help any. Maybe I can talk my husband into a leg and foot massage tonight!

BY THE WAY-- GO KENTUCKY!!! THEY BEAT LSU!!!! That made for an even better weekend.

P.S.- HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARLY!! I MISS YOU AND I WISH I COULD HAVE BEEN HOME FOR YOUR PARTY!

First Day At Work

Today was my first day at my new job here in Ohio. It is with a local bank in Gahanna, Ohio. I was going a little stir crazy and I needed to get to work so I could meet people. I am having social interaction withdrawals. I had to be there at 8:30 and I was there by 8:25. I hope they made note of that because I am horrible about getting somewhere on time! When I got there everyone welcomed me right in and we actually had a branch meeting today and they introduced me and announced my title and position. Basically I am Branch Manager---just kidding!! I am a customer service representative and I will also help out on the teller line if they need help.

It was a nice day but quite boring. I had to get through all the bumps of the technical side before I could even do anything. Once we got through that I went shopping in the supply room to fill up my desk. Then I just sat there for the rest of the day. I talked to clients as they walked in and I walked around and watched other people work. One of my co-workers took me to this local upscale diner for lunch and it was very good. Then my mom and dad sent me the beautiful fall bouquet of flowers which really brightened my day. Ohh, I stopped and got a cup of coffee and a cookie in the lobby. Did I mention that the bank gets fresh snickerdoodle and chocolate chip cookies from a local bakery every morning??

So, needless to say I didn't stress myself out my first day!

Tonight Derrick and I were invited, by the bank, to attend The Taste of Gahanna, along with 8 other employees and/or family members. The event is put on by the chamber and about 50 restaurants from the city of Gahanna come and set up booths with food from their restaurants. All you had to do was walk around and get a plate full of food from each table!! A lot of the vendors gave coupons for free food. Derrick and I ate so much that we were just sick! It was a fun evening and now we are so sleepy.

We are in Ohio!

Well, we have been in Ohio for 3 days now. It hasn't really hit me that I have actually moved away. It kind of feels like I am on vacation or something. The drive here wasn't bad but it sure was nice to get here. Unloading the big truck into a second story apartment wasn't that fun. When we got here we came into the apartment and the air wasn't working. It was about 80 degrees in here, on top of the fact that everyone was sweating from moving furniture and boxes. My brother, cousin, and my parents are the best!! They all drove up from TN to help us move in. They were so much help and we really appreciate all that they have done.

We have a one bedroom apartment with a balcony. It is nice but thankfully we will only be here for 6 months. I hate that Max doesn't have a yard to play in and I feel like we are always yelling his name because when he walks into another room we are afraid he is going to use the bathroom or chew up something. He has been great in the apartment so far. Keep your fingers crossed that he stays this way!

We took my parents to the lot that we have chosen to build on and they really liked it. Then we took them out and showed them the model home that matched our floor plan. They are just as excited about our new house as we are! They haven't done anything new on the lot yet, but as they do I will post pictures so everyone can see the progress with us.

I definitely miss the fact that I don't know anyone, or where anything is. The cable guy came this morning and he was trying to tell us where PetSmart was located and he said "I live over in West Jefferson, so I go to the one that is over off 70 by the big Wal-Mart." I wanted to say "Where is 70, where is the big Wal-Mart, and where the heck is West Jefferson?????" Instead I said "Ohh, ok......thanks!" :(

I start my new job next Monday. My brother and my cousin went home yesterday and my dad is leaving today. Mom is staying until Wednesday to help unpack boxes, but since we are all unpacked we get to go shopping!! She wanted to stay a little longer since so she could go around town and see the area. For all I care, she can stay as long as she wants. I am sure that when she leaves is when I will realize that this is my new home and possibly when I start crying.

Pray that I will learn my way around and that Derrick and I will find a church and meet some people up here. Dad said that we need to find a big church, with lots of people, so we can get them all to help up move into our new house and he can come and visit after we move in, instead of coming to help move in!! Haha! He is a funny guy.