7 intriguing items about me

Thanks for starting this group, Will! It's nice to have a centralized place where everyone can post and learn about each other. I enjoyed reading about everybody else.
Here are my 7 things:

1. I really love dogs. I like cats too, and we actually have one who wandered up and has been staying with us during this cold weather (we haven't decided yet if we'll be able to keep her). But dogs are my first love. As a child, all I ever wanted was a dog. My parents were animal-lovers and both had grown up with dogs. However my brother and I had allergies (and I have asthma) so they were reluctant to introduce a dog into the home. My entire early childhood was filled with yearnings for a dog (I know, it's very "Where the Red Fern Grows") and finally my parents decided to take a chance. When I was ten, we brought home our first dog, a wriggly little dachshund puppy named Fritz. From there it snowballed - our family got puppy fever about every four years until we ended up with a total of four dogs in the home. Those days are long gone and a couple of the dogs have passed on to doggie heaven, but I still love my dogs. Currently I have two great dogs who are part of my life.
2. I enjoy a wide variety of arts and crafts. From the more traditional (i.e. painting, drawing or scrapbooking) to the more obscure (i.e. miniatures), I will try anything at least once. I like to experiment, which usually leads to a new passion and more projects that I can't keep up with.
3. I am a planner to the nth degree. Having structure in my life keeps me grounded, focused and able to complete the tasks at hand. I like to have a schedule and a routine. I make lists and write everything down on my calendar or a post-it note so I can get it done.
4. I'm getting married on August 1, 2009. My fiance and I have been together a long time and waited until later than most of our friends, but we've finally decided to take the plunge. It's a very exciting time and I feel fortunate to share my life with such a great and loving person.
5. I'm a dreamer and I like to dream about the future. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my day-to-day life very much and I try to take time to stop and smell the roses. But I do enjoy dreaming about all the possibilities and thinking about what my life will be like in the coming years.
6. I own a home and I love it. I saved money for many years before I finally decided to experience home ownership. It's just a simple little home in a suburban neighborhood, but I love coming home everyday. Despite the sometimes challenging aspects of upkeep, my fiance and I enjoy taking care of our home and yard and doing home improvement projects.
7. I love to work in my flower gardens. I'm just an amateur, but the summer months bring me so much happiness as I watch all my bulbs and perennials bloom. I like to plant annuals each year and dig in the dirt. I love my roses, even though they're possibly the most challenging flower that I try to grow.