Goodbye June

Tonight we bid farewell to June!  I'll tell you what, I am so excited to wake up in the morning in the month of July.  Nothing extremely out of the ordinary is happening in July, but it is one more closer to the month I really want to get to.  I have a lot going on in between the months of July and October.
-I start my 5 week summer term at Williams Carey.  4 hours in class two days a week for 5 weeks should be interesting
-I am running a 5K in the Sunfish Triathalon as a part of a relay team
-A trip back to GA gets sandwiched in there somewhere
-My dad's Ironman he has been training for
-I get to move back to GA
-And oh yeah...sometime in there I get my husband back!

So like I said...Goodbye June, see ya, don't come back till next year!

Quitters Don't Win

Yes, it is a true saying that quitters do not win, but you know what?  This is my blog and I can quit if I want, and since I make the rules here, I say...I win no matter the situation. :)

What am I quitting you might ask?  My Blog Challenge.  I am rather bored with it.  I thought it would be
fun/interesting, and give me a go to topic to blog about everyday.  I guess it doesn't say much about my willingness to see a challenge through considering that I quit on Day 10...but the topics it gives turns out to not be that fun/interesting at all.  So I quit it.  I'll rephrase that, I am just going to put it on the back burner.  If a day goes by and I just have absolutely nothing better to say I will default back to my "30 Day Blog Challenge." 

So, back to your regularly scheduled programming. 

Stop...Rewind

Blog Challenge Day 10:
A photo of you 10 years ago


I missed blogging yesterday, but I had good reason.  So today I will pick up where I left off, day 10.  I am going to cheat a little today because well...Do you know how hard it is to find a picture of yourself from 10 years ago that doesn't require you to scan it onto your computer.  I wasn't going to do that, because frankly I don't want to mess with a scanner.  So I stole this one from Why Not on A Tuesday.  Not only did I still the picture my Shannon, but it is also only eight years old, so there...double cheat.

I don't know what we were doing in this picture, looks like we were on a field trip cause we are obviously on an Express bus.  Probably a HOSA trip because that would have been the only club/activity that both Shan and I would have been on.  Just look at us, we thought we were so cool, and check out that long hair I have going on.  I also thought I was fat in high school, obviously I was delusional, someone should have told me.


That was your rewind for the week.

Blog Challenge Day 9:
A Photo I took

My baby Duecy

A sweet picture of the furbaby, who as I type is curled up next to me on his pillow.  He takes care of me while Matt is gone.  I took this picture when I first got my new camera.  Duece was my patient and loyal model, always willing to let me take his picture.

The Price We Pay

Blog Challenge Day 8:

A photo that makes you sad

Surreal scene

Portable toilets stand on the beach as a beachgoer plays with her dog in the waters of Dauphin Island, Ala. on June 21. The portable bathrooms are for oil cleanup crews as they work to defend the coast against oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

In the aftermath

Spc. Christian Hoffman of Sanford, Fla., a medic with the 82nd Airborne Division, listens for the heartbeat of a gravely wounded man after a civilian truck hit a buried mine intended for foreign troops, on June 21 in Khushi Khona, Afghanistan.

The topic today is a photo that makes you sad.  I really don't think these photos need explanation from me.  Both of this pictures relate to me in my life.  I feel like while the rest of the world is sad about the oil-spill, their sadness is really only pity and doesn't even compare to that those of us who grew up on the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.  And I am equally saddened by the fact that my husband fights in a war that the majority of the United States doesn't give a fleeting thought to.  Every day our soldiers and our friends are sacrificing their lives for people that probably couldn't even find Iraq and Afghanistan on a map.

(photos are from MSNBC.com)

Blog Challenge Day 7

A Photo that makes you happy

A sweet note written with french fries that Matt wrote for me while I was in the bathroom.  Makes me happy because it is sweet, and it reminds me of the great time we had in Jamaica on our honeymoon.

Thinking of you...

Blog Challenge Day 6
Whatever Tickles Your Fancy

*warning:  sappiness ahead*

You have been warned...

I really didn't know what I was going to do for today since it had become just another ordinary run of the mill type day.  I didn't want to use yesterday's project because that was really just a continuation from another blog.  Then at about 12:30 something fell into my lap.  Actually, it walked through the door of my work, asked for me by name, and then gave me a gorgeous bouquet of yellow and pink roses.  The only thing that would make them better is if the delivery man had been a 26 year old Army captain with a high n tight hair cut that answered to the name Matt.  Since we all know that isn't possible for another few months, I will take just knowing that he is thinking about me.

Don't be fooled ladies, these flowers weren't for my birthday, our anniversary, or for sucking up (although they would have worked), they were "just because".  IMO the best reason in the world to get flowers is "just because".  I have a great husband, who always tries hard to not let the distance get in between us.  He knows that I love him and that grand gestures like flowers, romantic dinners, and gifts aren't necessary, but he also knows that things like that make an already sweet relationship even sweeter.

So pardon while me and my smile sit here and enjoy the roses!

Voila!

Here are the pictures of my Tuesday afternoon tie dye project.  My very own VBS.  If you need to know what VBS stands for or are just curious as to why I am wearing a tie dye shirt, just take a look here.  I am very pleased with how it turned out.  I went with yellow because:

1. It is a new color that I love
2. The yellow dye happened to be on sale at Hobby Lobby
3. It matched the cute butterfly iron on I had

I liked it so much, I am wearing it to work today and then to class tonight.  The project was so simple and easy, took a total of 10 min.  I was supposed to let it sit for 6-8 hours once the dye was applied, but I was too anxious and couldn't wait that long.  So after about 3.5 hours, this is the result I got.

Total cost for the project?  $2 for the men's shirt, $.49 for the iron on, and $3 for the dye.  You can't even buy a shirt for $3.50.  Score!

Psst...

I tie dyed tonight...come back tomorrow for a picture of my shirt and to find out what "tickles my fancy" as a part of my blog challenge.

Quote Me

Blog Challenge Day 5:

Favorite Quote

I chose my favorite Bible verse to be my quote today.

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”   James 16:33

It is so simple, we are nothing without God.  I depend on my faith in him.  Going through a deployment with your spouse definitely creates a lot of situations that aren't exactly ideal, there are are good days and bad days, but during the bad days I remember this verse.  I know that whatever trials or difficulties I face,  how upset or afraid I might be, that I really don't need to worry.  In the end, Christ overcame all of that for me, for you.

It just does exactly what it says, it gives me peace.

Kindred Spirits

Blog Challenge Day 4:
Favorite Book

I am going to take the liberty to change Favorite Book into Favorite Book Series.  You may call me foolish and childish, but I am going to say that hands down my favorite book series is the saga of Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.



The series introduces you to Anne Shirley and orphan who is taken in by an other twosome made up of a brother, Matthew Cuthbert and a sister, Marilla Cuthbert.  It follows all of her missteps (of which there are plenty, friendships, heartbreaks, and first loves (oh dear sweet Gilbert).  You learn to love Anne through her youth, into adulthood, married life, and eventually parenthood.  When you start a book, you can't put it down.  Just know that there are eight books in the series, so by the time you finish the books, you have a mini library of all the Anne.


Miss Shirley spends her life on Prince Edward Island, Canada.  I am so pleased to announce that PEI is a real place, and does in fact have a town mirrored after Avonlea complete with Green Gables that all true Anne Fans can visit.  I would love to go to PEI one day, and since it is a luxury destination for golfers as well, I might just be able to convince Matt to take me.


Unfortunately, yes I said unfortunately, most little girls these days are Twi-hards, something that I don't quite understand.  But when I have a little girl of my own I hope that when I introduce her to Anne, and the rest of the characters of Avonlea, that she finds them to be the same "kindred spirits" that I discovered so long ago.  I find that no matter how old I get I still find the books just as interesting as I did when I first read it in 7th grade.  My copies are torn, faded, and loved and they will continue to have a special place in my heart.


Whenever I hear of someone else being a Anne-fan, I know that we share something special...I am a sap deep down, and find that there are appropriate times to be corny and sentimental and this is one of them.  I feel like everyone should have a book or series that takes them back to certain feelings and emotions, a book that they can create bonds over, Anne of Green Gables does just that.


Happy reading!

Never Underestimate a Housewife

Blog Challenge Day 3:

Favorite Television Show

I am reluctant to admit this but I watch entirely, repeat entirely too much TV.  And if you are thinking that I am not going to be able to pick a single favorite television show you are wrong...I do have one.  So don't take my inability to pick a favorite song or favorite movie as a sign.  I have a show for every single night of the week.  I have my TV viewing line-up down to a science.  The invention of DVR only feeds my crack-like addition for trashy reality TV and prime-time sitcoms.  But hands down, more so than any other, the lovely ladies of Wisteria Lane, have my heart.

 

I love Desperate Housewives.

Every Sunday I make time for my fix.  I follow the lives of Gabby, Bree, Lynette, Susan, and whoever else is the hot new neighbor of the moment on Wisteria Lane.  Each and every season gets crazier and crazier, the plot lines more outrageous, and more convaluted.  Just like any addict that hates to admit that they are in fact addicted, usually to something that makes absolutely no sense to all others around them...Desperate Housewives is no different.  One time I even tried to explain what was going on to a friend who I suckered into watching with me, and it wasn't until I heard myself explaining out loud that I understood how unrealistic the show is.  

Oh well, one of the best things about TV is that you can suspend your reality and live vicariously through the families on your screen.  At least wee can all relate in part to each of the characters we watch, why else would we watch, right?

Just for the record, I have been a housewife.  I spent the majority of 2008 and 2009 being the perfect little housewife.  I lived on Canyon Oak Loop, not as exotic sounding as Wisteria Lane, but it worked for me.  I was intrigued by all of the things these ladies had to deal with, and I will admit if I had to contend with the affairs, tornadoes, love children, opening businesses, murders, jail, airplanes crashing in the street, suspicious people from the past, deranged mental patients, kids swapped at birth, and shootings in the grocery store,  my life would probably make a better story and I would be a little bit desperate.  As it stands though, I lived a perfectly fulfilling live on canyon oak loop, so I will stick with my simple enough,  sweet life that I have. 

Either you're an athlete or you're not an athlete.

Challenge Day 2

Favorite Movie

Never have there been truer words, than those of Lucas Blythe.  Again, like favorite song, favorite movie is a tough category, it could have a thirty day challenge all it's own.  There are so many great movies out there.  Today though I was lucky enough to catch a classic on TV, a movie that was favorite when I was a little girl, Lucas. 

Lucas (Corey Haim) is about a fourteen year old runt who experiences heartbreak when two of his best friends fall for each other.  Cappie (Charlie Sheen) is the jock of the school who has a soft spot for Lucas, and his other friend Maggie (played by a no name) is a new girl in town that catches Cappie's eye.  Unfortunately Lucas likes Maggie, drama ensues.  For all of it's 80's teen movie cliches it really does tug at the heart strings, and you can't help but root for Lucas.  

I have no idea what it was my favorite when I was little, I wasn't older than 4-5.  I certainly didn't understand what it was about, it wasn't really funny, and there were no cartoons.  At any rate, it is a classic that I can pull out and enjoy just like it was the first time I was watching it.

And for good measure, I will add this one.  National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
Yes, it is a Christmas movie, but let's be honest with ourselves people, it CAN and IS enjoyed year round.
There is nothing better than a family as or more dysfunctional than your own.  We all have a cousin Eddy.  

It's raining baby boy's

Seems like everyone I know that is having a baby is having a boy.  Today I helped host a baby shower for my friend Emily Murphy and her sweet baby boy to be, John Riley Murphy.  It is hard to believe that I am finally at that point in my life where people my age are at the "baby stage".  It was just a small shower for all of the ladies in our Sunday School class, I appreciate everyone that was able to come, and also very glad that Emily's mom was able to come down from Morton.

One more month and Emily and Jay's family of two will become a family of three!  The Murphy's are going to make great parents!

John Riley's nursery is going to be a travel theme, so I thought it would be fun to incorporate that into her shower, esp after I found this great template for an invitation.

I write the songs

Day 1:  Favorite Song

Okay, so maybe it was Barry Manilow that wrote the songs that the whole world sings, but I sure do like to sing em'.  Favorite song is a hard category because I have a lot of favorite songs.  For now I will share my favorite new song.  The other day I was making a CD of fun songs to send to Matt to put him in the mood for our cruise in November.  Yes, November is a long ways away, but when you and your spouse are separated by 1000x of miles, you do what you have to do, and thinking about going on a cruise in November makes me very happy.  So, back to the original topic...

I came across a song by the Zac Brown Band called, "Where The Boat Leaves From".  I love it.  It puts me in a good mood, an instant picker upper.  It is also the perfect song for summer time.   So this is my favorite song for now...Enjoy!

P.S.  The Zac Brown Band visited my husband's unit back in April, very cool.

30 Day Challenge

I found this Challenge from browsing other blogs.  This blog to be exact, Mr. and Mrs. in Training.  I thought this was a neat idea and would make for a fun/informative 30 days.

Day 01 - your favorite song
Day 02 - your favorite movie
Day 03 - your favorite television program 
Day 04 - your favorite book
Day 05 - your favorite quote 
Day 06 - whatever tickles your fancy 
Day 07 - a photo that makes you happy 
Day 08 - a photo that makes you angry/sad 
Day 09 - a photo you took 
Day 10 - a photo of you taken over ten years ago 
Day 11 - a photo of you taken recently 
Day 12 - whatever tickles your fancy 
Day 13 - a fictional book 
Day 14 - a non-fictional book 
Day 15 - a fanfic 
Day 16 - a song that makes you cry (or nearly) 
Day 17 - an art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.) 
Day 18 - whatever tickles your fancy 
Day 19 - a talent of yours 
Day 20 - a hobby of yours 
Day 21 - a recipe 
Day 22 - a website 
Day 23 - a YouTube video 
Day 24 - whatever tickles your fancy 
Day 25 - your day, in great detail 
Day 26 - your week, in great detail 
Day 27 - this month, in great detail 
Day 28 - this year, in great detail 
Day 29 - hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days 
Day 30 - whatever tickles your fancy

Lets see how much we can learn about Chelle in the next month.  I also like this challenge because it means when I am finished I will be half way through July...even closer to Matt being home.  Yippee.

Tie Dye is To Die For

Admit it, each and every one of you secretly harbor a passion for Tie-day.  I know I do.  If I could wear it and it still be considered fashionably acceptable, you bet your bottom dollar I would.  But there is a small piece of me that wants to hold on to my dignity and not back slide into the fashion of the 90's.  

"The 90's", you say?  "Come on Chelle, tie dye dates way back to sixty hippie days".  I am well aware of that, but since I didn't come about until oh...1985, my relationship didn't start until approximately 1992.  While my frame of reference might be skewed, I still have plenty of experience in this "lost" fashion art.

In other parts of the world the summer months of June and July are referred to as wedding season, but where I come from in the deep south, it is Vacation Bible School season.  Every church in the area takes turns hosting VBS and in 1992ish when I was at prime VBS age...VBS stood for Very Bitchin Shirt.  Tie Dye Shirts that is...

Every year at the end of the week we were required to bring a plain white tee with us.  As a class we would all gather in a circle and wrap rubber bands around or tees in hopes of creating the perfect pattern to show off our personalities.  Then we would all take turns huddled over 5 gallon buckets filled with dye in an array of colors, dipping our tees just so.  Then at the end of the day, we cut the rubber bands off to reveal our one of a kind couture, the likes of which had never been seen before on any Paris runway.  And on Friday night when we preformed our songs for our families, we would rock out in our VBS's and the rockin' of the tie dye would continue well on into the summer.    

So seeing all of the VBS statuses over the past couple of weeks on facebook has me really wanting to create my own 2010 version of the tie-dye shirt.  

I know what my husband is thinking right now...

"Chelle, who are you kidding?  You know that you stole my 2002 Senior Class Tie Dye shirt and wear it all the time." 

 And in truth, he is right, I did steal it, I do wear, and I do love it.  He also thinks I am a big uncool goober because I love the shirt so much, but actually what he should be thinking about is this:  If Tie Dye is so "uncool" how come he had one (and wore it) in 2002, when for all intents and purposes Tie Dye was dead.  

Live and Let live, I say.  I think I just found my project for the weekend! 

Chelle's Buds

After receiving a comment on my post from yesterday, about my sweet brother, I was once again reminded of a story from my past.

Preface:  My brother's name is Keith, but for the majority of his life he has been known as "Bud".

When I was in high school and my brother was in middle/elementary school my parents had the bright idea of opening a nursery.  A flower nursery to be exact.  All in all it was a good plan, it was only going to be open during the planting months and it would provide the local citizens with all of their planting needs.  We had it all:  flowers, hanging baskets, perennials, annuals, garden decor, mulch, potting soil...the list goes on.  There was only one thing lacking, a catchy name.  My parents came up with a name, that now I can describe as one step below absolutely embarrassing.  In an effort to include me and my brother in the "family business" they decided that naming the new operation "Chelle's Buds" would show the world how creative they were and how much they loved my brother and I.

Isn't that just a lovely name...Chelle's Buds.  Some might would even say it was clever.  A little play on words, with Bud meaning either my brother or a new flower about to bloom.  In my later years I am inclined to agree about the degree of cleverness my parent's had, but at the time it was less than desirable.

Not only was the nursery named after me, but there was a sign.  A big sign for all to see.  To make matters worse I had to work there.  The working there part wasn't so bad.  I got paid and I actually grew to learn a lot about flowers, much of the information I have retained to this day.  It was the fact that, I, Chelle, had to work at a place cleverly named after me.

At the time my brother couldn't fully appreciate the level of embarrassment that came along with Chelle's Buds, he was too young.  I on the other hand was.  Now I give my parents credit for their ever persistent entrepreneurial spirit, but I still blush a little every time someone reminds me of "Chelle's Buds."

No, he is not my date.

I have the sweetest brother in the world.  He took me to the movie.  I didn't make him pay for it, but he was still nice enough to take me.  However, when we go to the movie together, I feel like wearing a sign that says, "This is my brother. No, he is not my date."  I am very luck that he doesn't mind spending time with his old married sister.

Today we went and saw Killers.  I would give it a B+.  It was cute, funny at times, but also had some very unexpected moments.  I really didn't have any idea what it was about other than who was in it and that it was some sort of spy film.  I was pleasantly surprised by the direction the movie went in.  Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl had great chemistry and were fun to watch.  

We also had lunch at Taco Bell, which I have been craving for a week now.  It started the other day when I intended to eat it for lunch, I had decided that I wanted a Ranchero Chicken Soft taco.  Unfortunately the day took another turn of events and I had to forgo taco bell.  So today, I demanded that we get lunch there...but as luck would have it, I talked myself into trying the new tortada and it wasn't good.  I didn't even finish it.  


Over all it was a good day with my "date".

My first Craigslist Purchase

I have known about Craigslist for a long time.  From time to time I will get on there and look and see if there is anything that I am interested in, but usually I don't find anything, or if I do it is way over priced. I have sold something and even advertised a garage sale on the website before, both successful, but today I purchased something.

I have been reading several other blogs that I frequent and usually through those blogs I find other blogs...that's usually how it works huh?  Well one blog in particular Centsationalgirl.com does a lot of refurbishing furniture.  It inspired me.  I decided to start looking for my first project.  Today I found a cute little vintage armoire that would make a perfect sewing cabinet.

I will of course have to refinish it and do some minor repairs on it, fill in some cracks, change the hardware, but I think the end result will be worth it.  I will definitely post before and after pictures.

What color should I make it?  Purple I am thinking...

Peas

Mississippi Pinkeye Purple Hull Peas to be exact.  Apparently, I like them.  I had them for the first time ever yesterday and I would say I will most certainly be adding them to the rotation.

I have to admit, I am a bit of a vegetable snob.  I am very selective on the vegetables that will try, much less eat. So much so, that I will only eat 3 of the 7 things growing in my own garden.  I just have imagined in my head what certain vegetables taste like and I pretty much talk myself out of ever trying them.  It is easy to just stick with what you know (like a lot of things in life).

Over the last six months I have made a valiant effort at a healthier lifestyle, which means introducing new foods to my diet, vegetable included.  Since that time I have added these previous disliked veggies to my diet...green beans, carrots, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, asparagus, and after yesterday...Mississippi Pinkeye Purple Hull Peas.

They were delish.  My friend Heather made them for lunch.  They started in the pan with salt pork sizzling away (anything with pork esp in the bacon form has to be good), and ended with a steaming pot of delicious smelling peas.  With the aroma wafting through the air and teasing my nostrils I decided to try them, and it was probably the best decision that I made this entire week.  They were served with a slice of a fresh juicy garden tomato (a little slice of heaven) and I am pretty sure that my belly thanked me when I cleaned my plate.

I'll tell ya how we made 'em.
1 large pot over medium to high heat, several pieces of cut of salt pork.  Let the salt pork do its thing until it starts to sizzle and smell like your cooking pork.  Add your peas and cover with water.  Sprinkle in onion powder, garlic salt, and pepper (IMO the more of this stuff the better).  Bring to a boil and reduce heat so the water is rolling at a gentle rate.  Let cook for 30-35 min, make sure you stir occasionally and keep adding water as needed.  And if you like tomatos, I would suggest slicing one up to eat with your peas.

Now, go take a pea! :)

Gossip Girl

Gossip Girl here your one and only source into the scandalous lives of Manhatten's elite

This isn't a show I would normally watch.  Actually my friend Stephanie H. has tried relentlessly for almost a year to try and get me to watch this show, and I always shrug it off, saying it isn't my type of TV.  Well, this weekend at the beach, I was ganged up on by 3 GG lovers and was forced to watched 2 and 3 hour long marathons of Gossip Girl.  Oh okay, I will admit it..I liked it.  I must have been fooling myself thinking that it wasn't my type of show...because honestly it is exactly my type of show.  The things that these so called high schoolers do are so unbelievable that they are in fact believable.   Every minute detail of their lives are rapped up in drama.  And apparently the Upper East side of Manhattan is the place to go if you are underage and want to engage in any form of promiscuous behavior.  I have officially added the remaining seasons to my Netflix...

And who am I? That's one secret I'll never tell. You know you love me. Xoxo, GossipGirl

P.S.  I discovered Moscato this weekend, thank you Lauren O'Rielly for introducing me, sooo good...Even though we messed up buying D'nasty stuff the second time.  

My week off

So I took a week off from blogging...with good excuse.  I was at the beach.  Technically I got back Tuesday night but I just didn't have it in me to blog when I got home.  Then yesterday I just kept staring at the screen, willing myself to push the button to start but I couldn't make myself do it, I didn't have anything particularly interesting to say.  So I needed to get back to my habit.  The longer I neglect it, the easier it will get for me to stop blogging all together.

The beach was great!  Thanks again to my friend Lauren O'Reilly for letting us stay with her.  We did all of the things that four girlfriends do when they go to the beach.  We ate, ate, ate, and ate some more.  We layed out in the sand and got accosted by the giant waves (yes they were giant).  We drank girly mixed drinks, Lauren's Pina Coladas were the best!  Oh yeah, and we shopped.  :)  Four days away from reality is just what anyone could ask for.

Destin, Softball and Real Housewives

I just got home from my last softball game.  I have been playing on a co-ed church team and tonight we lost our second game to kick us out of the championship tournament.  You will see no tears shed from me.  I was so ready to be finished with the "season".  I do have to admit though I had a good time playing our double-header tonight.  Rain and red clay softball fields = LOTS OF MUD.  Playing catcher puts you in really close proximity to the mud, so by the end of the 2 games I was covered in red mud from head to toe.   Also I hit a double...yes you read that right, a double and an RBI.  Tonight was definitely the best I have played, and I really wish that my hunny Matt could have been there to see me, I think he would have been proud.

So now I am at home in the peace and quiet, resting with my puppy, eating a bowl of blue bell vanilla ice-cream all while watching the season finale of RHONY (Real Housewives of New York).  Yes it is drama, yes they are pretty stupid, yes you could probably call them cows, but...I like it.  Trashy reality television is my guilty pleasure.  At least since I am watching it at 11pm on the DVR I can fast forward through all of the commercials.  The only thing that would make me more relaxed is if when I went upstairs to go to bed that Matt would be asleep on his side.

I am leaving in the morning to go to Destin, FL.  My friend Lauren from GA offered us a visit to her condo and my other GA friends Jill and Julie are going as well.  We are just going to have a girl's weekend, with food, drinks, vegging out, and trying to soak up time on the beach before it soaks up all the oil that is heading that way (The oil thing is a whole other post in itself).  So I will be back Tuesday.  Unfortunately I will not be able to get on the internet for the next few days so I will miss updating my blog.

If you are reading this, I love you Matt and I miss you.
Goodnight all, I will see ya next week!

I have a teenager

Today is our dog's birthday, Happy Birthday Duece!  You are now 14 years old in dog years and officially a teenager.  Boy, does that explain a lot about your behavior.  It has been a fun 2 years loving and getting to know you better.  You are your father's little buddy and your are my snuggle buddy.  I know that your dad wishes he could be here to rub you and walk you today, but know that he misses you very much.

Good Morning Birthday Boy

Singing along to Happy Birthday
Here are some reasons we love:

• You make us smile
• You keep our feet warm at night
• You love us
• Let's face it, you're cute
• You are funny even when you aren't trying to be.

And there are a million more...  Happy Birthday buddy, we love you.

Orange Soda

I love orange soda.   Diet Sunkist to be exact.
It is sooo good.  So, today in honor of my love of orange soda I wanted to do a little flash back to my childhood.  No matter what is going on around me, who I am with or what was in my mind the second before...when I pick up a diet Sunkist my mind immediately goes to this "song".

So for your viewing pleasure, sit back, relax, and enjoy a nice refreshing glass


of Orange Soda!