Weekend? What Weekend?

Last week was a complete blur.  With piling design deadlines, school work to grade, lectures to prepare for and driving in the rain to and from Newark, Ohio.  I was one happy girl when the weekend happily arrived. We did have an unpleasant beginning to the weekend, finding out that my husband's grandfather has lung cancer.  Prayers please! But we visited him on Saturday, taking Hudson to visit as well and he was resting and begins treatment very soon. 

Saturday morning kicked off early with the local Specialty Store Sale Spectacular! Which I will post about separately. After the shopping extravaganza ended, my parent's and I went next door to Winchell's Restaurant.  A local place that has wonderful home cooked food and plenty of TVs for catching UK games!

This was my first brunch at Winchell's and I was not disappointed.  Everything was delicious! Right down to my cup of coffee.  If you eat here, definitely get their jalapeno grits.  They are, as I said to our waitress, "Da bomb!".  Hah-aha! Then the hubby and I spent some time visiting his family and running errands, only to end up at my parent's house to watch the UK Game!

With a UK victory and bourbon in hand, we all celebrated with a Filet Mignon dinner!  Cooked to perfection by my dad!  I made Pioneer Woman's fresh green beans and my mother made hash brown casserole.  Apparently my hubby didn't contribute, he just enjoyed our hard work.  I also was very proud of myself and made a Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie for dessert! Not to toot my horn, but it turned out delish.

Not to end the food fest, I woke up Sunday (a bit hungover) and thought it was a great day for pancakes!

Hudson and I enjoyed a walk, then snuggled up for a movie!  We watched The Help, my favorite movie from 2011 by far.  And Hudson liked it, but managed to sneak in a nap during the film (which is fine, he'd seen it before).

So snuggly.  And I'm usually not this yellow I swear!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, I know I'm already looking forward to the one coming up.  Happy Monday to all!

School Eve

Tomorrow is my first day of school, as a teacher! I am super excited about this new adventure.  Although I don't think the students are as excited as I am.  I know when I was a student I wish more alumni were around to support us and advise us.  So now this is my chance to give back! I'll let you know how my first day goes.

Our Hudson is almost one year!  I cannot believe it, but we excited to see him grow!

My boy only eats organic natural.

To top it off, it is a full moon so all the crazies are out and my moods are unpredictable.

From our deck.

Hey Big Spendah!

My latest Essie color added to the family, called Big Spender.  Hoping it will brighten up a dark winter wardrobe and pathetic winter season we have had thus far here.

Blessed Beyond Belief

I hope the holiday was a happy, safe and relaxing one. Ours was fantastic and the husband and I both are back at the office today. Vacations never last long enough, I always want one more day! My husband and I were able to spend time with both of our families on Christmas Day, which was exhausting, but wonderful!  We finished off Christmas with our own gift exchange at the end of day, just us.  We are so blessed that everyone made it to where they were going safely, that we are able to give gifts and share scrumptious meals together!  This was the best Christmas I think!

My big gift from my parents was an iPhone 4S and I am in love with it.  I am sure the excitement will eventually wear off, but right now I can't keep my little paws off of it.  It's amazing all I can do with this little thing!  From my husband my big gift were these:

Michael Kors Black Pumps

I had asked for a classic pair of black pumps and this is what he got!  There are comfortable, beautiful and the perfect staple for almost any outfit.  I am wearing them to work today actually!  Thank you honey!

Our 11 month old pup Hudson was off course along for the ride and Santa brought him a huge braided bone shaped like a candy cane.  He carries it around with him everywhere!

On Christmas Eve.

We are all so blessed and are thankful that we have a reason to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior! What a great year 2011 has been.  We are looking forward to 2012 and the surprises and blessings it holds.

Boo Time

It's Halloween Week! And now that I am what I call "an official adult" (not sure what that means, but after I got married I all of a sudden felt a lot more grown up) although I don't necessarily act like one sometimes. I have decided to have a Halloween Party!  Costumes are mandatory of course! I am debating on who/what to be.  My favorite that I have come up with is Red Riding Hood.  With recent movie release, heroine is brunette (usually), and it just sounds comfy to wear a cozy cape instead of a binding Halloween getup.  Smurfette was another that I thought of, with the movie coming out and everything (but I just don't look that good in blue).  So after much debate and inner struggle I have decided that Red Riding Hood would be best for me and Hudson can be my Big Bad Wolf (I asked the hubby and the offer was quickly declined).  

pretty

 Now to make a cape.  And hopefully I can find a pretty prairie girl dress like the one above.

As for the hubby, working on it.

I am however quite talented thanks to one of my best friend's help.  My friend Brittany taught me to sew and thanks to her I have been able to make some great costumes! For a few years we stuck to Will Ferrell characters.  We were actually on our honeymoon in Hawaii last Halloween so we didn't partake in the celebration last year, but here are some looks at past Halloweens. 

Octomom! 2009

Zoolander. 2008.  I made this suit but in red and Britt was Mugatu.  I can't find the pictures though!

Blades of Glory, 2007! This was a lot of sewing and my first crafted costume!

It's all in the details.  See the headband!

In 2006 Brittany made an amazing Ricky Bobby jumper, I was Chaz from wedding crashers and our friend Shayna was Elf.  We were a Will Ferrell Trio, so much fun!  Looking forward to getting back into costume making! Hope I didn't forget how to sew, hopefully it will be like riding a bike.  Happy Wednesday!

Furry Terror

Our little man turns 9 months today, I can hardly believe it!  He can handle sit, lay down, stay (but not for too long), off (some of the time), playing well with other pooches and walking on a leash (thanks to the genius gentle leader!).  But as far as jumping, hopping up to see whats happening on the kitchen countertops and chewing on EVERYTHING he does not have a handle on.  Hudson tests my patience every single day, but I still love 'em.  We are working on the other issues, I know it takes time.  And I've heard it takes 2 years to train a great dog.  Hudson is one of the smartest dogs we've ever seen, so when he does misbehave (even though he knows better) we forget so fast that he is still so young and not even one year old yet. 

He also isn't getting as big as we thought.  He is about the size of a border collie rather than a Labrador. Now I am not complaining, but I was expected a larger animal.  And I must say he is one the most handsome dogs I have seen in a while (but maybe I'm biased?).  We love him and sometimes I still can't believe I have a dog of my very own!  Happy 9 month fur kid!

3 months.  I could pick him up with one hand!

9 months and 40 lbs later! still so flipping cute!

A Delightful Distraction

Having one curious young pup named Hudson can lead to all sorts of ways to entertain the youngster.  On this particular afternoon, our little fur child was rambunctious and wanted to chew on everything in his sight.  The husband and I led him to the backyard for some physical exertion which immediately backfired.  Hudson began finding items he wasn't allowed to have and running around the yard with them in his mouth.  My husband brought him an ice cube to play with and eat, then my husband went back inside.  Hudson happily chewed on the cube then perked his ears up once my husband opened the back door to join us back outside.  My husband had the ice cube tray over his shoulder and walked into the middle of the yard and dumped our entire stock of ice cubes into the yard.

See.

 

 

 

 

 

 Hudson was in dog heaven! He didn't know where to start, so he just started circling the pile and licking all of them.

If you can't tell he is smiling.

The ice cubes kept sticking to his warm furry paws and he tried to kick them off all the while still licking every single ice cube.

Have at it furchild.

After touching at least every ice cube, the husband dispersed them throughout the yard using a Frisbee.  This made is look like it was raining ice cubes and Hudson happily jumped up and down trying to catch them as they fell.  It was very entertaining for both us and the pup, I recommend this to all puppy owners looking for a moment of sanity and laughter.  Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Hudson lending a paw to me at my office.

M.I.A.

No, not the British rap artist.  I am referring to my lack of posts.  So to all of my adoring fans and readers (ha ha), my recent absence has been long and for that I apologize.  No excuse, just been busy.  House-sitting, dog sitting, puppy raising, working, and a quick road trip to Maryland can really wipe out the month of June fast!  

Our young pup Hudson is now 5 months and comes in a whopping 21 lbs, which is a lot when you think he was only 5 lbs when he arrived! But now with his vaccinations all over, we are now frequenting the dog park.  Hudson is one of the gentlest dogs, he wants to give everyone canine and human kisses.  I hope he stays that way.  But taking your pets to places such as dog parks and dog pools is great for socializing your pet.  Hudson can't get enough of everyone, it also tuckers him out so at home I am not running after him the whole time.  The husband and I are going to take Hudson to a local dog pool to see how he likes it! 

The facilities at Uptown Hounds are so nice, I wish I could swim there too.

 My hope is to get back on the wagon and continue posting.  I need to tell my friends and family that I am even posting or else no one will know what I am writing!  I just need to have confidence in myself, that's all.  Happy Friday and I hope your holiday weekend is a wonderful one!

C'mon 5 o'clock

 As of 5 o'clock my staycation begins and relaxed Carey arrives!  We are kicking off our Memorial Holiday Weekend with an afternoon wedding on Saturday.  I just love weddings, it makes me want to have another one (which makes my husband and father roll their eyes).  I will also be house/dog sitting for my parents while they drive away to NashVegas for the weekend, but oh well, I will be enjoying the pool and sun and project making.  And of course, spending time with the husband (when he is not at work) and the sweet Hudson. 

No matter what the husband says, he is a very good dog.

 It is also important to remember why we all get this upcoming Monday off of work, Memorial Day.  A day to remember all those brave souls who fought and died for us, so that we may be free and live our lives.  As a granddaughter of a passed away WWII veteran, it is unreal to think of all the sacrifices throughout our short history as a country.  Even though America is going through some tough times, we need to reflect on what we do have and just how blessed we are.  Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend and be safe!

Hand over heart please.

Before My Eyes

Happy 4 month birthday to our Hudson!  We haven't had him that long and he has already gained 8 pounds, can handle a leash, go potty by himself and come to me when called.  He has grown so much, but he is still so small.  I wish puppies could stay puppies forever, but he is a great companion and member of our family (no matter what the husband says).  Who can honestly resist these baby browns?

Proud Mother

Happy Mother's Day to all!  I am the proud of mother of...

Hudson "Ninja", our pride and joy.

Pitter Patter

I love his white star on his chest, so cute.

Our family is not ready for the pitter patter of little human feet, but the pitter patter of paws have begun.  On April 15th I picked up the latest member of our family from L.I.F.E. House in Frankfort (link here).  We have named him Hudson, my husband was inspired by Bill Paxton's character from the movie Alien (whatever).  He has the sweetest disposition and is very smart, handsome and well behaved (most of the time).  

We adopted him through L.I.F.E. House via Petfinder.com. If you are interested in getting a pet, I highly recommend adoption.  There are so many animals that need a loving home and deserve it.  Our Hudson was found by L.I.F.E. House along with his brother and sister at a kill shelter.  Now he is safe and sound with us in our humble abode.  When you adopt a pet, they are spayed or neutered already and are kept up with vaccinations, etc.  

My husband was and is reluctant about Hudson, but I have a feeling he is warming up to him.  How could you not, look at this face!

Making love to the camera.

Hudson and myself on Easter.