Dog Mom Life: Playing Outside During the Summer with a Kiddie Pool

One thing that really sucks about summer time with dogs is it is almost too hot to play outside with them, especially if your dog has black fur, has think fur, or a flat face. The only times I feel like I can play with Maci (and our other dogs) outside is early in the morning (before it gets hot), at night (after it has cooled down), or when we are in the kiddie pool! For the past two summers I have gotten a kiddie pool for Maci in the summer time! The water helps keep her cool so we can play all day long! Maci really likes to drink the water in the pool, which is totally safe because it's just tap water and it helps keep her hydrated in the summer heat. Sometimes I will get in pool with her other times not. I don't think she really cares either way, but it makes me feel like a good dog mom. I never spend more than ten dollars on one of these pools so it is super affordable and honestly if you have somewhere to store it during the other season it could last for more than one summer. When we are playing I normally either throw the ball or splash water in the air (Maci always tries to catch it!). The only two things are to make sure you are watching your dog while they are playing (safety first!) and to empty the water after you are done. If you don't empty the water when you are done the water gets gross (and therefore not safe for your dog to play in) and mosquitoes will start to breed in it.

The only reason this happening is because there is a tennis ball above my camera!

Currently // 001

Currently…

Thinking - Happy thoughts about where I am in my life and where I planning on taking it. 

Enjoying - Me time. I am learning a lot about my self and more importantly how to take care of myself. 

Feeling - A lot of different emotions but mostly peace.

Wearing - My favorite ripped jeans that everyone I know hates, but I love. 

Needing - I honestly cannot think of anything I need right now. I am very lucky to have everything I need and most things I want. 

Wanting - The record player I ordered on Prime Day to get here sooner and my new shoes from Urban Outfitters (they should be here today!!)

Listening - To the sounds of Starbucks in the background. I love hearing others talk about the things that make them happy. There are two ladies to my left talking about Guatemalan coffee. The sounds of ice being dropped into cups is making my heart sing. 

Drinking - Jade Citrus Mint Tea.

Reading - Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Trying - To embrace my truest self. Needy, nerdy, deep, excited, and all the other parts of myself I do not always accept fully. 

I normally write these things in my journal but today I feel like I am in a very good place and I wanted to share everything I am thinking and feeling. My feelings are not always so positive, and that is okay, but when they are I think it is important to share joy with everyone you see. 

Everything You Need For Your First College Apartment + Print Out

Although I never lived in a dorm and I have no idea how to pack to live in a small room with another person for 10 months I do have some experience in living in a college apartment. When I began packing to move into my apartment I was overwhelmed with how much I needed for the tiny little apartment I was about to call home. After I moved in I was overwhelmed with how much stuff I forgot to pack or didn't know that I needed.  I tried to start buying things for my apartment at the beginning of summer because I wanted to give myself time to organize. I also did not want to buy everything at once, which would have lead to a huge amount of money, so I took it slow over the whole summer. Another way I helped reduce the cost of what I needed was to take as much from my room at home as possible. One thing that I did to help make sure I did not forget to many things was search Pinterest for as many different checklist for your first apartment, then I compared them crossing out things that were on multiply lists! This really helped me stay on track but like I said I still forgot so much. When I was making this list to share I did the same thing as well going through my own apartment looking for things to add. No one is perfect so I made sure to leave some space to add things for yourself and really personalize your packing list. Another thing I wish I would have know when packing and decorating my apartment is I was going to gather more things throughout the year so it does not have to look perfect on the day I move it. As far as decor I tried to DIY as much as I could for my apartment. If you are living with a roommate make sure to get with them so you can see what they have or are planning on getting so you don't end up with a bunch of doubles and not have other things. I hope that my little list of things to bring and advice was at least somewhat helpful. I left plenty of space to add your own things at the end of the list, because 1. it is easier to personalize that way and 2. I am not perfect so I am sure I forgot things. 

                    

Sometimes Your Dog is Actually Your Child (For Me That's All the Time)

If you know anything about me it is probably that I am obsessed with my dog, Maci. She is my best friend, sidekick, and support system. A few months ago my mom went and got her pictures professionally taken which is totally crazy, but absolutely perfect for me! I think she is the cutest in the world! If you are in NC and are looking for a dog photographer (or any photographer) Desilu Photography did a wonderful job!