Wandering in the Woods

A Tale of Two Poodles: Sophistication & Chaos

February 20th, 2026
Or as I like to call them: Lenny and Gilbert. My boys. My sons. My bubbas.

Lenny & Gilbert: The Poodles Who Run My Life

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to share a home with two standard poodles, imagine living with a pair of highly intelligent, emotionally expressive teddybears who happen to have legs for days and opinions about everything. That’s my daily reality with Lenny and Gilbert — the furry co-authors of my chaos, my joy, and my ever-growing heart that keeps getting bigger (like the Grinch).

Lenny: My Soulmate

Lenny is the older brother, though he’d prefer the term “distinguished gentleman.” who behaves like he’s been through several lifetimes and is frankly tired of everyone’s nonsense and just wants his ball…and food. His hobbies include:
- Staring pensively out windows like he’s contemplating the meaning of life – then barks at nothing
- Judging me when I am singing or dancing
- Sitting on me, not next to me — because he doesn’t believe in boundaries
  
  He’s the dog who senses emotions before I do. If I’m stressed, he materializes like a therapist with his kisses and nose nudges. If I’m happy, he nods approvingly, as if to say, “Yes, Moms. Continue.”
  
  Gilbert: The Chaos Goblin
  
  Gilbert, on the other hand, is the embodiment of pure, unfiltered enthusiasm. He wakes up every morning like he’s been shot out of a confetti cannon. His life philosophy is simple:
  
  If it moves, chase it. If it doesn’t move, boop it. If it can’t be booped, bark at it until it reconsiders. Or just bark at nothing at all alongside his brother.
  
  Gilbert is the reason I can never leave food unattended. He’s also the reason I laugh at least ten times a day. He runs and jumps like he is a gazelle. He has no fear. He is also the dog that wants to be in bed as much as can be.
  
  Together: A Perfect, Ridiculous Duo
  
  Individually, they’re charming. Together, they’re a sitcom.
  The occasional wrestling match that starts around 8 every evening (witching hour) that sounds like I’m harboring two moose in my living room. They share toys, beds, and a mutual belief that they are, in fact, lap dogs.
  
  Why They Matter So Much
  
  Lenny and Gilbert aren’t just pets. They’re the heartbeat of my home. They’re the comedic relief, the emotional support, the warm bookends on either side of me during quiet evenings. They make ordinary days feel like stories worth telling.
  
  And honestly? My life is better — messier, louder — because of them.
To My Forever Roommate (Who I Actually Still Like)

February 19th, 2026

I am sharing a personal note that I had recently wrote to my husband as a gift. For anyone who knows me, I don’t do heartfelt or “lovey dovey” crap. So this was a big deal to him.

To my Husband (James, Jim, Jimmy),

I am writing you this letter as a memento for you to have for times and moments when life is hard and times are tough, or even just because.

Lately, our lives have seemed impossible, one thing happening after another, and we’re always just in limbo. I want you to know how strong of a man you are (both mentally and physically 😉). I wouldn’t have been able to get through the last few months without you and your unwavering support. I wish you could see you the way that I see you. I wish you could feel the way you make me feel, even after all these years. You are steady. You are calm. You are strong. You are silly. You are forever and always loved.

I love hearing you laugh, no matter where you are in the house, or what mood I am in. If I hear you, I immediately smile. We have a special bond like no one else in the world. I trust you with every piece of me. It is surreal that we have been able to grow together, learn together, laugh together, cry together, and be in pain together over the last 15 years. It is weird to think that it has already been so long, and we still have so much more time to enjoy together with more adventures and experiences. We are a team.

I still feel butterflies when you look at me from across the room and smile. It still makes me melt. I love that we can sit in complete silence with each other and be comfortable. You are such a hardworking man which the boys and I definitely take for granted. We don’t always remember how hard you work to give us a warm home and a stable life.

You are THE most handsome man, and I get to look at you every day. How lucky am I? Your loyalty is the most precious gift you could ever give me. You are the only person I want to hug forever and never let go. Thank you for being the kind of husband who lifts me up and supports my choices, and makes sure I am doing what’s best for me.

You are such an amazing Dads to our two boys, and hopefully one day to our child. You deserve the world.

In every lifetime, I would choose you. Endlessly. I love you.

Always,

Your wife,

Kelsey

“Look, in my opinion, the best thing you can do is find a person who loves you for exactly what you are. Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty, handsome, what have you, the right person is still going to think the sun shines out your ass. That’s the kind of person that’s worth sticking with.”

—Juno (2007)
Wandering in the Woods (Yes, It’s My Last Name — I do not Hike)

February 18th, 2026
Welcome to Wandering in the Woods — a blog named after my last name, not because I’m out here living my best outdoorsy life. If you ever catch me in an actual forest, please have water, I will be out of breath and fighting for my life.

This space will be where all my favorite things collide in one gloriously chaotic swirl: reading, writing, poetry, coloring, drawing, organizing, making lists (I could win awards for list‑making), video games, TV shows, movies, and whatever else currently has a chokehold on my attention. My brain is basically a cozy library, an art studio, and a gaming lounge all stacked on top of each other with strong structural integrity.

And then there are my dogs — Lenny and Gilbert — two standard poodles who are, without exaggeration, the center of my universe. They’re cuddly, dramatic, emotionally intelligent, and fully prepared to appear in this blog more often than I do.

A few of my favorite things you’ll see sprinkled throughout:
- Harry Potter references, because I will never stop wishing my Hogwarts letter simply got lost in the mail (by the way, I’m a Hufflepuff)
- Peacock-themed everything, because why love something subtly when you can love it loudly and colorfully
- Photos of things that make me happy or feel
- Art, doodles, and coloring pages that keep me sane
- Lists — so many lists — because organizing chaos is my superpower
- Thoughts, rants, and ramblings about whatever book, show, movie, or game has taken over my brain
  
  This blog is basically a digital scrapbook of my life: the creative bits, the silly bits, the heartfelt bits, and the “I don’t know why I’m posting this but here we are” bits. Some posts will be thoughtful. Some will be chaotic. Some will be me holding up a metaphorical shiny rock and saying, “Look at this!”
  
  If you’ve wandered in — intentionally or by accident — welcome. Grab a comfy seat, maybe a snack, and follow along.
  Here’s to wandering, wondering, and embracing the magic in the everyday.
Things No One Cares About

February 18th, 2026

This is a space for me to write what I want, post what I want, about whatever I want. If you don’t like it, don’t look.

A Tale of Two Poodles: Sophistication & Chaos

To My Forever Roommate (Who I Actually Still Like)

Wandering in the Woods (Yes, It’s My Last Name — I do not Hike)

Things No One Cares About