Reflections from Elle: The Struggle, the Trips, and the Addition

Welcome back! It's been forever, how have things been with all of you?

First, I'd like to say, thank you for coming back! I checked and my last post was in July. UGH, why does time fly by? Why aren't there just enough hours in the day? The work, home and social life has not been the easiest to balance. Yes, I'm admitting I'm not perfect (mark your calendars...this probably be the only time I'll ever admit this.)

Second, I'd like to give you a brief update on what's been going on in Elle's world. And guess what? There'll be pictures too!

Well let's get to it. As I mentioned a few months have slipped by since the last time we spoke. To be honest, I've struggled with bouts of depression. Totally sucky, things that usually come with ease, or everyday tasks were so beyond hard to complete. Just the thought of starting the task could be painful. I know it has made me hard to live with or to do things with. But I have some wonderful people in my life who have stuck by my side and have continue to help me push forward. (Thank you Hubby and Mom.)

In June as a birthday getaway, hubs took me to Canada. We spent a few days in Niagara Falls and Toronto. We were able to see the Falls, the shopping/entertainment strip near the Falls and we went to the 2017 Niagara Falls Comic-con. After all of that excitement we headed further into Canada to Toronto to see the Ripley's Aquarium. Yup, we had a blast, pics below. #35neverlookedsogood!

At the beginning of Aug, after many debates, discussions, and begging (on my behalf), hubs and I adopted a puppy! We brought our little ball of fur home on Aug 8th, and our lives have forever changed. Merlin was a rescue from Puerto Rico. Yup, that's right, he went from Puerto Rico to NY. He and 8 other puppies were found abandoned in a field dying of dehydration. Unfortunately, from what we were told one of the precious babies didn't make it. Around 4 months of age Merlin and his sister were flown to One Love Pet Adoption Agency ( http://riversidepet.com/adoptions/) in NY. Shortly after that, we brought Merlin home. I can't say it's been easy. Bringing home a rescue at any age can be very challenging. Merlin will be the third pup to grace my lifetime and I have to say, he is breaking the mold for what I'm used to dealing with when it comes to puppies and dogs in general. We learned very quickly that he has separation anxiety, he's afraid of other dogs regardless of their size, he wasn't house broken, and very cautious when it comes to new surroundings. Can you blame him? You never know what type of life a rescue has come from, and yes, they do remember it all. Despite all of that, he is the sweetest, happiness, friendly, handsome puppy you well ever meet and we wouldn't trade him for the world.

With Merlin now in our lives, Aug, Sept and most of Oct flew by. On the 14th of Oct, my brother called me and said he'd been invited to the premiere of The Walking Dead and Talking Dead (live). I had less than 24 hours to decide if I could go. Long story short the following Friday he and I were on a plane to California. First time ever! Between Friday afternoon and Monday night, we packed a LOT in. The highlights were Universal Studios, Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Disney, and of course sitting in the audience at the Greek Theater and watching the Walking Dead and being on The Talking Dead live (all 6,000 of us!).

So we have come to the third part of this post, the pictures! Happy viewing and I look forward to the next time we meet. If you enjoy my posts, feel free to drop a message. I'd love to hear from you.

Canada

This is now hanging in our basement/mancave

#TWD! Yes, we have a replica of Lucille. Also, now on display in the mancave.

Korean BBQ!

Merlin James the Pup!

For more pictures and updates on Merlin and his adventures you can follow him (us) on Instagram, we'll follow back! @merlin_james_the_pup. https://www.instagram.com/merlin_james_the_pup/

All the paperwork is signed and we are on our way home!

We were told he was a lab mix. After a few web searches we realized he was mixed with whippet. #Whipador (No, really it's a thing, look it up.)

Cali, The Walking Dead.

My brother and I. You'll notice, he never smiles! I thought I would get a pic of him at least once smiling during the trip but no such luck. (Layover in Chicago)

We gave up on trying to figure out Uber in the middle of the LAX and just renter a car.

It's far away, but from our hotel you could see the Hollywood Sign.

So, my brother got the invite for him and one guest to go to the premiere. If we couldn't make it, AMC needed to know so they could invite others. The day before the show we received info about what time to show up and dos and don'ts for the theater. There are three rules that stuck out, one we broke and the others we wish we had. #1, do not show up until an hour before the show. (Thank goodness we broke that rule, 3 hours early and there were at least 1,000 people ahead of us.) Second and third rules, no drinks or umbrellas. (Damn I wish we broke this rule.) It was over 95 degrees and there were 1000s of us standing on a freaking mountain with no shade, or anything to drink. Surprisingly only one man passed out. But he did hit his head on a rock when he fell. #shoutouttothemountaintoppeeps