Essential Sunshine Photography

I was going through some images I took around the house and thought I’d give a Lexi update. She is as smart as ever and it seriously amazes me sometimes what she seems to be able to understand. I’ve only had outside dogs growing up so I never had the same bond with a dog as I do with Lexi. Plus, I just think she is pretty special.

Here she is in her favorite spot. She has basically claimed this purple blanket as her own. I can only use it with strict supervision. (And these were taken right after Christmas. Our decorates are down.)

Speaking of Christmas, Lexi got a new bed from Santa. She is at the stage of chewing up all of her toys. I cannot find a bed that she won’t tear into and chew up. I had been getting my dog beds at Ross or TJ Maxx but decided that they aren’t put together well enough to uphold Lexi’s terror. So I found this one at Target and thought it looks better constructed than others we have tried. It has a coutour solid foam and most importantly a solid bottom (mesh bottoms don’t hold up well). Just a zipper so that the cover can come off to be washed. No stuffing except in the pillow. Well…her bed didn’t last long. The pillow was torn up in matter of minutes and it took her a few weeks to get through the zipper. I am tired of going through beds with her. If anyone has any suggestions we’d love to hear it! I especially don’t want to spend a lot of money since I am worried about what she will do. She doesn’t chew up anything else just her toys (thank goodness). She likes the challenge of getting to the stuffing. She never eats it just tears it apart.

Lexi also got her very own stocking full of treats, a new collar and a toy.

Here is what her bed looks like now (taken with my phone). Well actually it is in the trash.

I wanted to share with everyone my favorite treats for her. I simply love Waggin’ Train & Canyon Creek Ranch. They are American made and don’t have much of any additives.

Lexi loves them too! They are decent size treats for her so she is always happy to get one.

I’ll leave you with some portraits I took after her recent grooming. She has so much hair I feel like she always just looks unkempt. That is what we love about her though.

I am starting a new feature on the site every week. As part of my 101 in 1001 goals (more on those soon) I want to blog more. I figure starting a simple question and answer section is a great way to accomplish that. I get the questions from this website. Feel free to leave a comment with your own questions and I will be sure to answer them in future ten on tuesday posts. Now onto this week’s questions….

1. How did your parents decide on your name?
I am sure my parents have told me this but I can’t remember! Maybe my mom will comment and tell me. I do know that if I was a boy my name would have been Adam. I like to think Samantha was because of Bewitched but I am not sure that is true.I know my sister’s name, Ashley, came from the girlfriend of Fonzie on Happy Days.

2. Do your initials (First, Middle, Last) spell out anything fun/funny?
SEC are my maiden name initials. They don’t spell anything except for the abbreviation of second.My brother and I have the same initials which I thought was neat when I was younger. My initials now are SEV or SVW (which is what Ben always uses…which I think is weird.). So now they really don’t spell anything.

3. Did you take your middle name from childhood or did you take your maiden name as your middle name? (If unmarried, what do you plan to do?)
I kept my middle name from childhood. Erin is my middle name.

4. Are you or will you name your children thematically (ie. same first letter, all of same origin…)
No we won’t do that. At least not intentionally.

5. Did you decide on baby names as a little girl? Did you stick to them or change your mind?
I do have a few baby names from when I was a little girl that I still like. We’ll see if I stick to them or not. It’s hard because when I was little I didn’t know what my married name would be and now I am not sure it works with Van Wagner.

6. Does your family have any names that have been passed down through generations?
Um, not that I am really aware of. My dad is named after his dad but he isn’t a junior since his middle name is different.

7. Do you look at the meaning of the name or just the name itself?
A little of both. I like the meaning of my name. It means Listener.

8. Do you name pets with human names (Sally, Henry) or with pet names (Fluffy, Mr. Bo Bo)?
I guess human names but I am not tied to that idea. Lexi is obviously a human name.

9. Are there any names that you have an affinity or dislike for based on a childhood experience/someone you once knew?
Sure. None off the top of my head but I am sure when the time comes to name our children I will voice opinions based on childhood experiences, etc. I think it is hard not to do that.

10. What are some of your favorite names? Why?
I like Alyssa, Charlotte, Madison. Not sure why. I tend to think of girls names I like verses boy names. Though I do know I like strong and simple boy names like Paul, Matt, Ryan. I am not tying myself to any of these names though.

That was fun! Hope you enjoyed getting to know me a little better. I’d love to hear some of your answers to these questions. Leave them in the comments or send me the link to your own post.