{Show & Tell Tuesday: Yards!}

Today I am linking up with Momfessionals for Show & Tell Tuesday: Yards & Outdoor Spaces.  My yard is kinda "my thing" & I am sure all my neighbors would tell you I am a little obsessive about it.  I can't stand for it not to be mowed & with all the rain we have received here in Texas lately - it requires mowing twice a week {and sometimes 3 times}...so I feel like that's All.I.Do in my spare time.

My first house had quite a large yard & I always said "in my next house, I want a yard 1/2 this size!".  Well, I had to eat those words because the yard at my new house is over 4,000 square feet BIGGER!!  What was I thinking?!?!  

Here is a picture of my lot prior to the start of construction.  We were really hoping to be able to save at least one or two of the large pecan trees, but after consulting with a tree expert - it was decided that it was best for them to come down.  The last thing I wanted was a giant tree laying on top of my house in a year or two.  

And here's the after!  This picture was taken a few weeks after I moved in last August.   The tree has since been replaced {it died within days of being planted} and the flowerbed has really filled in. I haven't done much with the front yard other than expanding the "builder basic" flowerbed  that came with the house.

The backyard is basically a wide open space, but I love it {and so does my dog Nola}.  I have a dry creek that runs behind my back fence so fortunately, I will never have neighbors behind me which I LOVE!  So, it's kinda like country living in the city...I get to enjoy the peace & quiet and be only 5 minutes from Wal-Mart & work!  I have BIG ideas for what I would like to do back there - a pergola/shade area with a patio, firepit, landscaping & hanging lights - but unfortunately, that all takes lots of $$ so it will come in time.  

One thing I did decide to do when building the house was to add a deck off the back porch. I have a small covered porch, but it didn't provide a whole lot of usable space by itself.  The addition of the deck was PERFECT!  Eventually, once I add a patio/firepit of some sort - I plan to move some of the patio furniture out there & add a grill to the deck.  But, it really is one of my favorite parts of my house - I LOVE it back there in the evenings....nothing better than a glass of wine on the deck after work. =)

 

 

 

 

 

So there you have it!  Definitely a work in progress, but I have to keep reminding myself that I have lived here less than a year & it will get there eventually!  

Thanks for stopping by!

{This Crazy Life}

I last blogged on March 9th...as in almost 3 months ago.  And what a CRAZY 3 months it has been.  I don't need to go into all the details because unless you have been living under a rock, you are aware of what has been going on at work.  Friday, May 15th was quite possibly the most difficult of my life.  As an employee of Blue Bell for the past 19 years, it's more than just a job.  I spend more time with these people than anyone so we are a family.  The thought of not going back there on Monday morning was devastating.  Fortunately, my job is safe for now and believe me - I am ever so thankful & grateful.  But, at the same time, it's bittersweet because I know there were so many that weren't so lucky.  LOTS of tears were shed that Friday.  We have a great group of people who are working nonstop to figure out the problem, fix it, & make us a better company than we were before...and I have no doubt we will be.  Thank you to everyone who has stuck by us and will be there to once again buy the BEST ICE CREAM IN THE COUNTRY once it's back in stores.

 

Other than that - it's been a pretty uneventful past few months.  We have all forgotten what the sun looks like because all it does these days is RAIN! I certainly hate to complain because it's June & I haven't had to water my yard yet {which is a huge blessing right now}. But, there have been devastating floods in and around Houston & Austin.  The pictures coming out of these areas are unreal.  Thoughts & prayers are with those affected.

 

 

 

I hate to rush time, but I really just wish we could fast forward thru the next few months...past the work problems, past the summer heat & past the months with no holiday for me to decorate for! =)  Only about 3 more months & the pumpkins will be returning again!  I can't wait for Fall...and most importantly - FOOTBALL {less than 100 days now}! It's nothing too exciting, but here is what I have been up to the past few months...

Warmer temps & lots of rain mean it's yard work time again {and that the snakes are out...yep - already killed one}. Lowe's has been my home away from home lately & my grass is growing like crazy....as in I am having to mow twice a week right now!  I'm happy with my front yard, but the back has a LONG way to go.  It's currently a blank slate & there is so much I want to do back there.  I want a patio & a fire pit, landscaping & hanging lights.  I know that it will eventually get there, but I am the kind of person that wanted it done yesterday.  Unfortunately, time & money have other ideas so for now, Nola & I will just enjoy the wide open space!

 

I took a break from it all one Saturday & headed out to Warrenton to do a little shopping at the Antique Festival.  I didn't buy much, but it's always fun to look around.  I really tried to think of a spot for the plastic pink flamingo candelabra, but unfortunately I had to pass on it.  =) 

Although it seems like Christmas was just yesterday, Easter has already come & gone as well.  It was pretty low key...supper & an egghunt at my grandma's on Saturday evening and sunrise service on Sunday morning.

It's not been a good year on the job front - I was so sad to see my first place of employment 20 years ago close down at the beginning of April.  That place {and that parking lot} hold so many memories...if only those walls could talk!  I met & worked with so many great people when I worked there in high school & then again a few years ago. I had to go back one more time before they closed & Cassie, Nicole, Katie & Lisa...we still have to do that toast in the parking lot!!

The last weekend in April, I helped work a very successful benefit for a friend/coworker who is "beating the hell outta" brain cancer. And a few weeks later, celebrated another friend/coworker's last chemo treatment. You got this Amanda & Debbie!!

 

That brings us to May & another Maifest has already come and gone. There was school plays, & Morgan graduated from Kindergarten {man that makes me feel old!}.  And of course, it rained some more.  A LOT more...and brought along some really bad weather with it as well!

 

 

And then there is Nola.  I have now had her for 4 months & things are going well.  I think we have worked out her food allergies for the most part & knock on wood - she still isn't digging or chewing up too much. We've had a few issues, but nothing too major...yet.  A few weeks ago I was certain the dog hair was going to be the death of me, but it has gotten better.  I'm guessing she was going thru her spring shed.  She loves people, especially kids, and really is a good dog.  I think she's going to be much smaller than we originally thought.  She's solid at 55 pounds, but is only about 1/2 the height of a lab...she's going to be a petite little thing.  She might be slightly spoiled, but how can I say no to that face?!?

 

 

Here it is June already & we are half way thru the year...CRAZY!! Let's hope & pray the second half is better than the first.  It's like a coworker said the other day - 2015 is going to be a year we aren't going to forget.  Ain't that the truth!!  June will be a fun & exciting month...lots of birthdays to celebrate & most importantly - Colby & Jodie's wedding on the 20th...can't wait!!

{Life Lately}

Yes, I admit - I've been a horrible blogger lately.  It's really hard to believe that it's the second week of March already; this year is flying by & the past 2 months are kind of a blur.  I feel like all of my time is spent either a) running home to let Nola out to go potty or b) going to a meeting.  While I love being involved in things, everything requires that you meet and before I know it, I have a meeting every night of the week.  Honestly, it gets a little overwhelming at times. It's tax time again as well so on top of everything else, work is crazy busy too.  Because of the whole house thing last year, I didn't go on a vacation, but this year it's a must...somehow, someway!  New York City is LOUDLY calling my name.

Right now, 90% percent of my time is being occupied by this little wild child:

{We are working on "sit"...so she's patiently waiting on a treat in this picture.}

In case you missed it, I adopted a yellow-lab mix from a shelter back in February.  You can read about Nola's adoption story here. I haven't had a puppy in a VERY long time so it's definitely been an adjustment.  I used to be on the go a lot...but that has definitely changed.  I'm crate training her so it requires that I go home twice a day to let her out.  No more all-day shopping trips to Houston, etc.  I know it's just for a while & once she gets older and can be outside some, things will be much better.  

I've had her for 5 weeks now & she is still a really good puppy.  We did encounter a few issues about 2 weeks after I got her with what we think now is a food allergy.  She is currently on high dollar food & doing much better.  Between that & SEVERAL vet visits that first month - I might need to consider getting a 2nd job!  =)  I bragged too soon about her not having any accidents in the house; I think the night after I posted that she had 2!  She still has one every now & then, but overall - she has done great.  She has slept thru the night since day one but is an early bird.  Getting up at 5:45 on Saturday mornings has been rough....cause I am NOT an early bird. =) 

{Impromptu trip to McDonald's in our pj's one Saturday morning...followed by nap time}

{She has discovered that she REALLY likes my bed. 
So, as a treat, she gets to "nap" there every night before she goes to bed in her crate.}

I also celebrated my 36th birthday in February!  It scares me to see that in writing...cause now it's downhill to 40!!  But - 40's the new 30, right?!?  I celebrated that night with family & friends, Mexican food, margaritas & cake. 

This past weekend I helped host a shower for my baby brother & soon-to-be sister in law.  Good friends, bbq & beer...what more do you need?!?  Everything turned out really nice & I think everyone had a great time!  June 20th is going to be here before we know it!

The next few months are going to be crazy busy!  So many things going on, but definitely fun times ahead...and hopefully some sunshine.  I know it will only be a matter of time before I am counting down the days til cooler weather, football & Christmas, but for now - I am really wanting some {slightly} warmer temps.  I can't wait to get outside & work in my yard, do some landscaping, etc.  The current state of my backyard is about to make me have a nervous breakdown.  ;)

{It's A Girl!}

A little over a month ago, I began my search to find a dog.  I had been in my house for about 4 months & was finally settled so it was time.  The fish was a great first pet, but come on - it's a fish.  In the beginning, I was fairly certain I wanted a dog that was 2 or 3 years old & I hoped to be able to adopt it from a shelter or a rescue.  Let me tell you - it was WAY harder than I ever imagined.  I totally understand these peoples' passion for what they do & these animals, but when I would inquire about a dog, I often felt like was getting the 3rd degree & was even told no a time or two because I said the dog would be an inside & outside dog.  

And so the search continued.  There were several dogs that I was interested in at various shelters, but they were all adopted before I could go see them.  I quickly learned that "good, healthy dogs" go FAST!  I also applied to adopt a dog from True Blue Rescue, but due to some miscommunication between them & her boarder, I was never given the opportunity to meet her & then ended up adopting Nola before I heard back from them.  

Two weekends ago, I was in Houston shopping and a local rescue group in the Cypress area was hosting an adoption event at Petco. There weren't any dogs there I was interested in, but I emailed them on Sunday to see if by chance they had any labs that weren't at the event.  They didn't, but she did tell me that the Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services Shelter had a mama lab & 12 puppies they were trying to find homes for {this was the one shelter I didn't know about so I hadn't been checking there}.  Although a puppy definitely wasn't part of the original plan, I decided I would be open to the idea. I called Monday & found out a rescue group had come & picked them all up that afternoon.  I was definitely disappointed because they were adorable & exactly what I had been looking for...and it was then that I realized I really did want a puppy & not an older dog.  I was in bed that night doing my daily shelter check for new dogs & these 3 cuties caught my attention {and it just so happened to be the same shelter as the other lab puppies}.

I wasn't going to miss out on these so I called as soon as they opened on Tuesday morning.  I figured that maybe I could put a "hold" on one til I could get down there to see her, but no such luck.  She told me I would need to be there when they opened for adoptions at 1pm & to get there early because there is normally a line.  Seriously?!?  I took 1/2 a vacation day & headed down there...it was quite the interesting place in quite the interesting location.  My mom was terrified I was going to get mugged or shot trying to adopt a dog! I'll admit - it was a little sketchy. =)  I arrived early, took my place at the front of the line & waited.  Once they opened, I filled out my adoption application, was approved & finally got to meet #409.  She was even more adorable in person & there was no way I could say no to this face!  It was hard not to come home with her & her 2 sisters {but no worries, I did  call back the next day & both her sisters had adoption holds on them as well}!

Because she had been brought to the shelter as a stray {a citizen found them dumped on the side of the road}, she had to stay & clear a 3 day hold in order to give the owner time to reclaim her.  It is also their rule that the animal has to be spayed before it can leave the shelter.  Unfortunately that meant she was going to have to stay there for almost a week.  I called on Friday & she had cleared the hold and was scheduled to be spayed on Monday; she would be ready for pickup that afternoon.  

So Monday afternoon, I headed back down there to make the adoption final!  I felt so sorry for her when I picked her up; she looked so pitiful. It was estimated that she is about 12 weeks old...which any vet will tell you is way too young to spay a puppy.  But given the rules, there was no choice. They also want you to come pick them up the day they are spayed.  Again, ideally - she would have been able to stay the night to recover, but given the circumstances - she was way better off with me.  Unfortunately, car ride + recovering from anesthesia = sick puppy.  We literally were on the road 5 minutes & I had to pull over and clean up puppy puke. =)  Thankfully after that, she slept the entire way home.

 

Once we got home, she slept most of the evening.  I have decided to try & crate train her so she sleeps in her crate next to my bed.  I was prepared for an entire night of crying, but she slept all night {and every night since with the exception of one potty break last night!}.  I took her to my vet on Tuesday for a checkup & she got the all clear.  

But, by Tuesday night, she was very lethargic & running a fever.  She had stopped eating & drinking and was having diarrhea and throwing up.  I called back to the vet on Wednesday morning & they wanted me to bring her in immediately to test for parvo.  So, back to the vet we went.  An hour & several tests later, she once again got the all clear...thankfully she tested negative for parvo.  The vet just thought it was probably a combination of all she had been thru in the past week, along with being spayed at such a young age and all the shots & meds she had been given.  She was put on anti-nausea meds & an antibiotic and by late last night, I could tell she was definitely feeling better.

She also FINALLY got a name...it's Nola!  Picking a name was the hardest thing EVER!!  Nola was my original pick because I wanted something different...I didn't want a "traditional" name or a "food/object" name like Buttercup or Honey or a "human" name.  But I was afraid she would get confused with her name & being told "no".  My second choice was Molly, but she just didn't look like a Molly.  And again, no human names, remember?!?  I finally decided to go with what I liked so Nola it was.  

To say she is already spoiled is an understatement.  She is super lovable and loves to be held & cuddled.  And so far, she has done excellent with potty training...not one single accident yet {knock on wood}!  She stays in the crate during the day & I go home several times to let her out.  I really want her to be an inside dog for the most part but since she is majority lab - it's in her nature to chew on EVERYTHING.  So, she will either be in the crate or in a fenced off part of my backyard {I value my deck, patio furniture & future landscaping way too much to give her free rein} when I am not home. We are already working on "no" and "sit" and she now waits by the back door for me to dry off her paws before she comes in {thanks to the 3 days of rain since I got her}.  

The whole adoption thing was a little more difficult that I expected, but she was definitely worth the wait & I do believe she is going to be a great dog.  I promise not to post a million pictures of her on here or on Facebook, but seriously - is this not the cutest face you have ever seen?!? =)