Sickie

Blah, I am sick again! I seriously have ZERO immune system! At least I feel better than I did yesterday! I could barely get out of bed! Fever, sore throat, cough, running nose---I sure hope I feel better by tomorrow! It is supposed to be a lovely weekend!

Whirl of a LONG Weekend: Girls, Girls, Girls!

As a HAPPY 30th Birthday to my sister Julie, I stole 2/3 of her children for the weekend! Katie is about to turn 9, and Sarah is about to turn 3 in July. Little 2 month old Alison was a bit petit to make the 2 night adventure! I wanted them for a weekend anyways, and it just happened to work out that it was my sister's birthday weekend. We had so much fun!!!

We watched movies, ate popcorn, had fancy hot tea in kitty mugs and stayed up late in our big bed bed with the puppies...

Went to McDonald's for breakfast...

and of course, played on the play ground!


Took Oscar on a Walk...Worked on some dance moves...

Made cupcakes for a party at our friend Christie's House!

Might I add, they were really COOL cupcakes!

We also gave the dogs LOTS of attention!
I love my girls. They are beautiful and so much fun! I wish I could just keep them, but that might not fly with my sister!

It's in the Details

Okay, so I was a little bit worried about waking up this morning totally freaked out with quitting my job yesterday, but I am feeling GREAT! Yes, there is a little nervous excitement looming inside, but I am so, so glad I finally did it! I think I have wanted to quit my job most of the time I had it- all 4 years! Crazy huh! I am so excited to see what God has in store for me.

I still have a month left to wind down my current projects and train someone new. So, I am not quite a broke woman yet. I had a wonderful talk with two of our board members before I told my boss, and they were wonderful. They are going to help me figure out my next step, whatever that may be! Until then, I am going to paint and do some freelance work.

All I know is this:

-I am finally FREE!
-I have a very sweet and understanding husband!
-The World is my Oyster
-God is Good
-Life is too short to be miserable!

P.S. mab- No, I had no big blaze of glory/I'm outta here suckers moment, but just wait until 30 days from now! You might get it!

Holy Moly!

I quit my job today!!! How crazy is that! More details to come!


Holly put Woody in a choke hold! Too funny.
-- Post From

Duck and a Win!

Yesterday when I got home from work, I walked into the garage and saw a little ball of fluff hop off our garage steps and behind a big box. No idea what it was, but I had a hunch it was a bird because of the nature of his little hop.

Of course, I call Gregory outside. We investigate the hopping little visitor, and guess what we find- A baby DUCK! How a duck got into our garage is a mystery. Our house backs up to a creek, but I have never seen a duck in the creek. I had the garage door open for about 10 mins. when I came home for lunch b/c I was watering the plants and treating some of my roses for black spot- boo. That is my only guess of how he happened into our garage. We searched around and found no other ducks. He must have got left behind- poor little thing!

We grab a shoe box and try to catch him. Greg eventually put on some gloves and grabs him. He was a nervous little guy! We put him in the shoebox, and we decide to call our vet. With 5 animals, we have a very close relationship with our vet's office. They are great! Wendy, our favorite helper, tells us to bring him in and she will take him to her farm. For 2 seconds, I wanted to keep him, but what on earth do I know about baby ducks?!?Anyways, I am excited to get updates on our little ducky from the vet. I hope he lives a long happy life!

In other news, congrats to Kris Allen! I am excited he won. Adam was good too, but Kris was more my style. I recommend you download his version of Heartless on itunes. Magical!

Sing and Dance!

Okay, so I am not normally into Dancing with the Stars. I can't stand some of the "celebrities" they use on the show, but about half way through this season I started to watch. I loved it! I especially liked the final 4. I was so excited to see Shawn Johnson win last night. I liked all 3 of the final couples, but Shawn's freestyle last dance was awesome! Hooray for her!
I am also excited about tonight's American Idol finale. I watched most of this season. I tend to skip the early stages until they have it down to like the top 8. I voted for Kris. I like him, and would buy something of his more than Adam's style of music, which is a little heavy for me. Anyways, it should be a fun tv night!Ugly Betty season finale is tomorrow too... what will I watch next week? Maybe I will actually get some painting done!!!

Whirl of a Weekend: Dallas and Demons

Scary title ehh!? My weekend was NOT scary, but awesome!

Friday night was spent at home. We are always beat on Fridays! I went and had a massage Friday after work because my back was KILLING me. The spot between my right shoulder blade and spine is not happy with me. I think it is my overly large purse obsession, 3 puppies in my back when I sleep, sitting on my foot at my desk and sitting Indian-style when I paint. I need to make some changes! Anyways, my massage was great! Becca at Salon Kalea did a great job! Very deep tissue- my favorite! If my back isn't sore the next day, then I didn't get a very good massage! Then I picked up some dinner for me and the husband. It was a nice end to the day.

On Saturday I woke up early and picked up my mom to head to Dallas for a haircut, lunch with friends and a movie. Well, on the way to Dallas I got stuck in some SERIOUS traffic on Interstate 20- so I missed my hair appointment. Don was sweet and let me reschedule for next Saturday. Then mom and I went and did a little shopping. We then met Courtney, Alli and Alli's boyfriend Justin at Abundance off of the Tollway and Haverwood. YUM! It was no nice to see them! Court, my mom and I then went to see Angels and Demons- AWESOME MOVIE! I loved it. I still love Tom Hanks. Always have, and always will! Ron Howard is a great director too! The movie was really good, a little gruesome, but I loved the combination of art, history, religion and a little mystery. So good! I like to learn while I am entertained! I recommend! See the Da Vinci Code too if you haven't yet!

Then we three went to Whole Foods. YUM. I got some goodies and then mom and I headed back east.

On Sunday Greg had to work in the morning, and my back was really bugging me again so I stayed home from church. When Greg got home we went to lunch and we drove around in the country outside of Tyler a bit- I love when we do this. Then I decided to get my butt out and run some errands. I went to Lowes, Target and Wal-Mart. Greg suggested I get my oil changed at Wal-Mart while I pick up some groceries. Worst idea of the weekend. 2 hours at Wal-Mart- not my idea of fun on a Sunday night! In my boredom I purchased the super awesome Kinoki Detox Foot Pads at Walmart for $9.00. I used them last night, and actually felt better this morning! The dirty pads were nasty! Not sure if it really works, but I will keep trying them. My back hurt less, and I am much perkier today!

I hope you all have a wonderful week!!

Happy Colorful Dots

Look what my sweet Greg finally let me get today. I am so excited! I have drooled over this for months! I got the 5x8. WOO HOO!

God's Splendor

I was up a little early this morning and decided to go hang out with the puppies outside. I was taken back by the beauty and peace of the surroundings. I have never been so thankful to live in East Texas. We live on about an acre of property, and I love that when I am outside I can't really see anyone else. Sure we have neighbors, but they are not right next to us. I see lots and lots of big beautiful trees when I walk outside. Here is a bit of what I am talking about. I had to take some photos this morning to try and capture the beauty.

Take a moment over the weekend to appreciate God's beautiful creation and be thankful.


Oh yeah...Oscar REALLY likes his yard. He also likes that the yard guys showed up this morning to give it a trim :)

I've Been Bad

I'm sorry I have been a bad blogger this week! I have been super busy at work. I am excited to say the scholarships will be close to over after next week! HOORAY!

I am dreaming of this...Whose with me? Let's go!!!!

Whirl of a Weekend: Moms and Lost Fish

I had a super fun Mother's Day weekend! I missed my husband an awful lot, he had to work, work, work, but I had fun with my family and girlfriends!

On Friday Greg and I stayed in and ordered a little pizza. It was nice just to relax! Saturday morning he got up WAY to early and went to work. I headed to my favorite garden store, Hughes in Bullard, and got some plants for gifts for Mother's Day. Then my friend Tracy picked me up for a movie with Jessica and Jill. We saw Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. Now, I love Matthew Mc., but his character was a little over the top. It was fun to get out with some girls though! Greg got home when I did, and then we got ready for a nice little date night. I love date nights!

On Sunday, Greg once again had to go to work. BOO! But, Christie came over with Nathan and we drove to Canton to attend my parent's church. They are in the church choir, so we sat with my Nana and brother James. It was a great sermon, and my parent's choir was lovely!
(Me and the BEST Mom ever)

(Me and Christie- also one of the BEST moms ever!)

(My Nana ((The BEST Nana ever)) and the newest addition to our family, Alison Renee- my niece.)

Then we headed to my parents house for a little bbq, Mother's Day parting and oh yes- Wii Fit.

I had purchased the Wii Fit for my mother for Christmas. She had liked mine and made a request. After having Christie's mom purchase it in MISSOURI because I couldn't find it in Texas, I made her dream come true- Wii Fit for Christmas.

And what do I find out on Sunday? They had YET to take it out of the box! So after a little griping and help from my dad we got it set up. It was SO MUCH FUN! Watching everyone try to hula hoop was the best. I now know that my mom is the one who gave my my dysfunctional hula hoop hips! Here is a funny picture of Christie and Nathan hula hooping together!


It was a really fun weekend. One sad thing did happen though. Sometime on Saturday, my super cool carved fish garnet fell out of my ring. I have NO idea where it is. I am sad, but it is just an object, and I will recover. Greg let me get these to with the recovery. I love Bianca Gomez! I am excited to have the series!!! If we ever have kids, I want to use this color pallet and prints in the nursery.