Favorite Posts

Day 21 of the Blog Every Day in May challenge is to list a few of your favorite posts.

 
Problems on the Farm....squash bugs and chicken hemorrhoids :(

Hercules Takes Over... probably my all time favorite post because to me it sounds exactly like him if he could really talk. I laugh every time I read it.

Love is Patient...because I open up and go a bit deep

Those are the ones that I can think of off hand. 

Go check them out and just cruise my archives...I mean it's my blog...I wouldn't write it if I didn't like it.

So since I'm obviously not a good judge of my own content what are you favorite posts I've done?

A Life Update

I haven't posted this past week on my blog...

1. Because I don't have any great news

and

2. Because I've been feeling just bogged down by life lately and needed some time to regroup and try to get myself together.

I don't know about ya'll but sometimes {usually by my own fault} I just get  behind and overwhelmed in life.  I'm a planner and even though I know I can't plan everything when I feel unorganized and like my little world is becoming messy I sort of freak out and get really anxious and need to regroup, get organized, and back on track. 

This week has been like that. 

 

Nothing bad or anything that I can't handle but you know the regular stresses of life like changes at work, school, dog problems, and financial woes

All on top of a 26 year old, Type A personality that's PMSing and has procrastinated her past 2 weeks away!!!

WATCH OUT WORLD I'm going to be on a roll. LOL 

 

Like I said all this is manageable but I let myself get bogged down with school by not doing it and it compounded all those other stresses by like a MILLION!  I didn't go to class Tuesday night and I took the entire week just getting it together.  I'm tackling my homework today and I'm going to start this week right.  I just have to get through this week then it's Spring Break.  WWOOHHHOOO!  I plan on getting a lot of to-dos done over Spring Break that I should have done a long time ago.  I know if I get a lot accomplished over my break then I will feel tons better going back into the rest of the semester. 

 

I've found one main thing that really helps me get it together when I feel overwhelmed...

 

* Make lists- by doing this you can really SEE all the things that need to be done and you get satisfaction and the feeling of accomplishment each time you finish a task and get to cross it off.

 

Other news....

I'm playing doctor to Hercules.  He had to go back to the vet twice this past week...once on Monday and again on Friday and his leg is healing but he has a bit of infection.  At this point I'm babying the wound, he's staying inside with a cone on his head and hopefully in a week or two I'm really going to see a difference and he will be on the fast track to being his normal self.

 

On the whole dog thing....last week we got home from work and Tyson had just been in another fight with the neighbor's dog.  We got in the car and went and talked with the neighbor.  He was very understanding and had already had plans himself to get rid of the dog because he's been causing him a lot of problems as well.  The nice part of this is that Lincoln got to shoot the dog himself and get some of his aggravation with the situation out. LOL  After such a chunk out of our pocket books and fighting this same battle for months with no help from the owner it was the satisfaction he needed.  The neighbor totally understood and I'm so glad that it turned out peaceful and we were all on the same page.  I'm a little peeved still just because the dog has been dead over a week now and is still causing me problems and worry over Hercules.  Oh well...hopefully it will be a REALLY long time until we have any more problems with our dogs.

 

Monday was Lincoln's birthday and I usually go all out on him but this year it was lower key.  I still got him a really unique gift which I love doing.  I think unique gifts are so thoughtful and the receiver will always remember them.  So this year I got him an ice cream maker.  Not just any ordinary ice cream maker but a Kitchen Aid ice cream maker attachment that works with my mixer.  We tried it out on his birthday and the ice cream was so good.  We even have a good bit left over in the freezer.  I'm sure you're wondering why he would WANT an ice cream maker....well he never said so but every time we are craving something sweet his initial suggestion is ALWAYS mmmmm ice cream, which we never have. LOL  So now with his own ice cream maker he can always satisfy his sweet tooth.

 

 

 

I'm off to tackle a list of To-Dos that consist of homework, a bit of light cleaning, and baby shower projects! 

5 Days

The past 5 days have been very exhausting, rewarding, sad, and happy all at different and sometimes even the same time. 

WORK
At work this week I relinquished my teller supervisor duties over to my backup teller, Lesley.  I loved doing that but when an opening in the accounting department opened up I was glad to jump on it and get my feet wet in that area.  It's going to be great not having to deal with personnel issues or customers but the stress I put on myself to learn a new job is hard.  My new job isn't going to be hard but there is just a whole lot of stuff to learn and that's what I'm worried about. 

SCHOOL
I went to school on Tuesday as usual and found out that I made an 82 on my test that I was convinced I was going to bomb.  Success!

GRANNY
My best friend's Granny passed away on Tuesday night and after I left school I drove to MV to be with her and her family a bit.  It was sad since Granny was not only Piper's Granny but her close friend's Granny as well.  We shared some fond memories of our childhood with Granny and cried over her passing. 

When I got home Tuesday night around midnight I was so exhausted.  I slept so hard that night but my week was nowhere near over.

HERCULES/ ER
Wednesday when I got home from work I couldn't find Hercules or Tyson.  I called and called and they never came.  I started looking for them and what I found was horrifying.  They were out in the pasture and had gotten in another fight with the neighbor dog.  Tyson wasn't that bad off but Hercules was BAD.  His head was covered in blood and his leg was torn!  I freaked, talked to Lincoln a million times on the phone and after 2 hours of calling finally found a vet that would see him that night.  I loaded him up and raced to Tri-Lakes Veterinarian Clinic to see Dr. Cranmore.  She was amazing!  I had to leave Hercules there over night and Lincoln went to pick him up Thursday afternoon.

Friday went semi normal just stressed over work, finances and animals but the weekend brought just enough needed relief.  An awesome thing that happened on Friday was receiving and chatting with my closest girlfriends over the birth of sweet Ryleigh!  We were all chatting as I got ready for work before 7 AM on Friday.  I told Lincoln that times have really changed LOL as we get ready for work at 6:45 in the morning we are all texting each other on births.

I know the next couple weeks are going to be trying I just hope that I can survive.

Hercules Takes Over

 

Hi ya I'm Hercules and since my Mom is all the time blogging I decided that I was going to take over today and tell about me and my broder but mainly me because I had a traumatic experience this week!

See I used to run the show at my house then Ty Ty came and he shows me how to act like a real dog. We eat chicken poop, sun ourselves, and sleep late while Mom and Dad work to get us good treats.

 

This is Tyson I calls him Ty Ty.  He doesn't have any teeth and he has to growl at me a lot because he's older and I really like to play but sometime I'm ADD and I get on his nerves.

Mom took these pictures of us because we are just the same me and my broder.... we like to lay crazy and play with each other all day long and sometimes all night too...

when we play at night instead of sleeping in our house we gets in big trouble...Mom comes out in her sleepy hair and yells at us and pinches our faces.

We really don't ever cause any trouble but the other day Mom got home and I was all bloody.  She really freaked out but I liked it because I got to go in the house and get looked at and take a bath.  Ty Ty cussed me out later because he had to get a bath too and he don't understand the bathtub he likes the water hose outside.

After Mom checked me out I told her my story....during the day while Mom and Dad were at work the neighbor dog came over into our yard and he was talking mad shit.... Ty Ty was asleep in our house and before me or hims knew it the neighbor dog had jumped on me and we got in a fight.

I got beat up bad because I's a Boxer and my under bite doesn't let me bite very good and I's really just all bark and no bite... that goat dog got me good on my neck, he scared up my head, ears, and even bit me leg...that ashhole

Ty Ty tried licking my blood up and cleaning me before Mom got home but she still knew something was wrong.  She called Dad and told him and he checked me out real good when he got home. 

The next day Dad took me and Ty Ty to the vet.  I love getting my leash on because I know I get to go and I love traveling just like my Momma.  I really like riding inside but that day Dad made us ride in the back.  The vet told Dad Tyson had lost 20 pounds since his last vet visit.  I think I need the credit for that because I play with him all the time and he used to be real fat but not now we's almost the same.

After Ty Ty got the rabies rabies shot that makes him puffy and real sleepy for two days it was my turn.

The vet poked cotton sticks down in my bite marks and it hurt bad but I never cried.  He gave me antibodies and now Mom is shoving them down my throat. After we got home Dad went to talk to the goat dog's Dad but I doesn't know what's going to happen if he beats me up again I think Dad is going to bring out those loud sticks that me and Ty Ty don't like (guns)

...they hurt our ears

....for now I'm enjoying the fall weather and taking all my antibodies so I don't get infectious. 

Packed Weekend

Sorry for the blog silence the past week, other than a scheduled post on Halloween I have barley had the energy to check some of my favorites much less come up with something witty and fun to talk about. 

 

The past couple weeks have been really crazy, trying, and let's not forget TIRING at work. 

 

I couldn't wait for the weekend and even though I have a million things to accomplish I'm just glad for a little reprieve. 

 

This weekend consisted of:

• Attending a dinner/auction for the fine arts in Winnsboro Friday night after work.  I was asked to attend by a fellow coworker because her date couldn't make it and even though I was really tired after my week I rushed home to change and freshen up then raced back to town and ended up having a nice time with wine, a yummy free meal, and some art.
• After my art experience I came home to Lincoln and a friend talking by the fire pit so we visited a bit longer and after the friend left Lincoln and I stayed up til 11 talking, making smore's, and having fun taking pics of ourselves and the dogs.  11 is pushing it for us these days between both of our work schedules we are usually in bed by 9:30 LOL we are definitely OLD!

• Saturday I got up and cleaned house so I could feel ready to tackle the mountain of homework that awaited me
• Went to Longview with Mom and Caleb to do a little Hobby Lobby shopping where I got most of my Christmas present craft supplies, ate at the Jalapeno Tree, fell in love with the NEW and so improved JC Penny (JCP), and helped mom find some cute riding boots
• Crammed on Saturday night for several test and lots of reading I had to catch up on by midnight Sunday
• Sunday started with the best part of waking up....(Folgers in my cup) LOL oh I crack myself up and yet more homework until about 10 am. 
• I got ready and headed into town to help volunteer at the Winnsboro Fine Art Market for a couple of hours
• I did homework for the next 8 hours finishing up in time to relax with a little Amazing Race and Ice Loves Coco.

 

Even though this weekend was packed and I really had no time to relax I enjoyed it and felt like I got a lot of things accomplished. 

 

Now I have to concentrate on planning my Thanksgiving feast in a couple weeks with all of our family, some Christmas DIYs, and yet more homework.  

Wiped Out

It's been a while since I've posted on any of our animals....

 

I guess I need to start documenting my chicken drama again. 

 

This week I have gotten a couple good pictures from Lincoln while I was at work....

 

 

Lincoln got his first deer of the season on Monday and his first deer bow hunting...he was ecstatic to say the least.  The doe was running so it was a rushed shot and went into her gut but she went down anyways and he spent the day processing the meat and then cleaning up the kitchen.

 

 

Yesterday Lincoln sent me this picture while I was at work.  When he got home from hunting I guess he came home to this..... Hercules is asleep in the dog house but hims so tired he didn't even make it all the way in.  I asked Lincoln if he was even alive. LOL  Poor baby....

Weekend Happenings

That should really read weekend nothings since that's about all I got done.  I got a few things done but the main thing which was GET AHEAD ON HOMEWORK...didn't happen. Not even a little bit. 

Saturday I got up early and cleaned house before Lara arrived for us to make a "quick" trip to Tyler.  I had to order my bridesmaid dress for Piper's wedding. 

After that trip we got home from Tyler and running a few other errands around 3.  The rest of the day was spent in the office making my recipe book, organizing this and that and just whatever it took to not do my homework. 

Today Kaylynn and I had planned to go fishing but it is so cold today so we scratched that. When I first got up and was in the kitchen making my coffee I checked on my plants and found little sprouts in several of my pots!!! I am so excited.  I couldn't wait for Lincoln to come home so I texted him right away and told him of our baby sprouts!

My pots last week when I planted my seeds last week

Tomato sprouts this morning!

I stayed most of the morning in the office and did this and that...more on my recipe book, made Lincoln's Valentines gift, and got my homework assignments organized for the week. 

I don't have a lot of original recipes of my own but I am compiling all the recipes that I love and use often into my own cookbook just for better organization and I am starting to gather a few of my own original recipes so this way I can have them all in one spot....MORE on my cookbook in a later post

I was in the middle of making myself brunch when I heard a yelp and bark all at once and I went to look out the laundry room window to find Herc running like a bat out of you know where around the house.  I went to the front of the house to watch what he was doing.  I thought he had been stung by something because he kept pawing at his mouth and shaking his head.  I see something silver hanging out of his mouth so I go out to see what he has been up to.  What I find sends me into a panic....A FISH HOOK IS IN HIS BOTTOM LIP!!! I tried getting it out but no luck.  It was a double ended hook so I went to get some pliers to cut the other hook out so it too wouldn't get stuck in his flesh somewhere.  I put him in his crate until Lincoln can get home tonight to take it out.  I have no idea where he got it from because none of the poles are tore up??? MYSTERY  I hope he heals ok :(

Poor thing

half of a hook and other evidence I gathered??

Doggy Nanny

I need to enlist the help from a super doggy nanny to help contain my horrible mutt!

Hercules has been acting HORRIBLE!! He tears up anything and everything that is outside and isn't concrete.  He has torn up faucet covers, water hose, sprayers, lounge chairs, tropical plants and the pot, any paper product that gets blown into the yard, and mail delivered by UPS or FedEx.  He is a perfect angel inside he never has accidents, chews, or tears up anything.  The only thing he does do inside is NOT MIND but I suppose that's my fault for not teaching discipline. 

Saying all this, today was the last straw.  I got a text from Lincoln this afternoon and he said that while he was in the shower Hercules had PEED and took the most ginormous dump on my cowhide rug.  I cracked! I was so mad and I had decided to give him away to a loving home.  I confess that if he continues on with this bratty rebellious behavior he is going to have a whole in his head and I am not speaking figuratively. 

Lincoln cleaned up the pee before he went to work but the poo was still too soft so I got the joy of cleaning that up when I arrived home from my AWESOME day at work.  Now you are probably saying well he just really had to go.  WRONG!! He had been outside all day long while Lincoln was in the house napping and milling around the house.  He only let him in to eat and stuff while he got ready for work so there is really no excuse.  I have no idea why he has been acting like this.  He should be out of his puppy stage he is 14 months old!!! 

I have decided to get a game plan together and regain control of my household because right now Hercules rules the roost.  He doesn't know any discipline besides what outside means and he goes into his crate great.  It's not that he causes so much trouble inside but it is all his outside antics that are driving me crazy.  All he does is continue to cost me money.  If I don't get a handle on this dog immediately I am going to have to get rid of him and I really hate that because he has a great personality and he is very loving not to mention he doesn't really do anything too bad inside the house (where he spends the majority of his time). 

My main goal is to teach him to leave things alone outside and mind more commands.  The only obstacle I find in my way is that he doesn't get hurt.  You can just beat him and spank him but he still comes back wagging his little nub IMMEDIATELY! It doesn't sink in that..."hey I shouldn't do that ever again"  I just don't know.  Lincoln is going to have to help me a lot because I haven't ever trained or even had a dog as a pet so I am a new mom.  This whole game plan is coming a year late but for a while it wasn't bad but now it is really taking a turn for the worst and I am at the end of my line.  Anyways he has acted nice tonight since I have been home and I have semi- forgiven him and we will be working on things soon. 

Fall Photos

Last Sunday my Mom came down and took some pictures of me and Lincoln and a couple of me and Hercules.  Lincoln of course rolled his eyes when I told him in a very enthusiastic tone to GET DRESSED!!! Mom is here to take our picts....REMEMBER I told you about it. LOL!!!!!!  He grumbled ooohhhh geez and went to the closet. LOL  He can't complain too much since I don't ask for a whole heck of a lot. :)  Our pictures turned out great and I just finished editing a few of my favorites at picnik.com  If you haven't ever used picnik its great and FREE.  Anyways I think the pics turned out great and I can't wait to print and frame them.

Love this one, we are REALLY smiling and not faking it

Love this one too. LOL which ones don't I love??

the boot pic didn't turn out exactly like I thought but its good still

I love the way this one turned out after editing.  I have some other faves but out of all the edits that I did this one takes the cake.

<+tbody>

Doesn't Hercules look mean?

Thanks Mom you did a great job.

Hercules 1 Year Old

October 10th Hercules turned 1 year old.  I can't believe it.  This year has flown by.  I picked him up on January 21st and he was a little over 3 months old.  The past 9 months have flown.  He has really grown up and gotten very muscular not to mention developed his own very funny and quirky personality.  I couldn't imagine the my little family being complete without him.  Even though Lincoln gives him a hard time he loves him too.  :)

Baby Herc at 5 weeks



Hercules in the girl's Dora chair at Nana's when he was 2 months old

Hims a big boy at 1 year old

The next few months....

are going to be looking like this for me.  But since I will be in front of my computer pretty much nonstop then hopefully I can get some blogging done as well.  Wish me luck in my whopping 9 hours of school this semester plus taking care of my baby-dog Hercules and spending time with my honey.  Bring it on accounting, marketing, and statistics I'm going to kick your butt! :)

Look at how big my bebe has gotten! Hims a pretty baby

Herc at Nana's

This weekend my mom babysat Herc and they had a BALL! ;)

My mom sent me this picture last night and said that Herc loved Averie's Dora chair.  Averie kept dumping him out of it and then he would crawl right back into it.  I can't wait to meet him he sounds like he has so much personality and is super playful.  I was on the phone with my mom yesterday morning and she had taken him out to use the bathrooma but he wanted to play instead.  I heard him barking and it was so cute.  I can't believe he is so big at only 9 weeks!

Happy Monday!

New30 Day Blog Challenge- Days 9, 10, & 11

Ok so I have been slacking so I am playing catch up with 3 posts in one. I also didn’t make the good ole Happy Thanksgiving post but I think day 10 will take care of all that. So without further procrastination….

Day 9- A Perfect Day

There are so many variations of what I would classify a perfect day but I’m going to go with, since I’m in Iraq what my perfect day would consist of.

My perfect day would be waking up in MY OWN bed after sleeping in late and for the rest of the day doing NOTHING except the things I want to do.

I can probably tell you that would probably be a lot of lounging while watching Lifetime, taking a very long, hot bath, cooking a bunch of homey comfort foods, and just enjoying my day.

I wouldn’t mind if people stopped by or called but I wouldn’t be leaving the house.

After not having 1 full weekend off in almost 3 years I am so exhausted and it’s going to be a big adjustment going back to 40 hours and weekends off rather than 84 hours and NO time off.

It’s amazing what we take for granted and really don’t understand how much those short weekends help us through life’s everyday stresses, I mean even if you're busy AT LEAST YOU'RE NOT AT WORK.

Day 10- 10 Things Your Thankful For

• Family
• Friends
• The great opportunities that I have had so far
• Bathtubs
• Cell phones and modern technology that lets me stay in touch with my family even though I’m thousands of miles away
• My education past and future
• A Safe and free country
• My passport so I can go anywhere I want
• Chances at true love and the hope of finding it
• God’s and the blessings he continues to give me

Day 11- Your pets

Drum roll please……………………………….

I have been waiting for the perfect time to share this news and the perfect time and opportunity has finally come.

I have BIG BIG news!

I have a puppy waiting back home from me and he is adorable.

He was born October 10, 2010 and is staying with my friend until I get home.

He is an all white boxer and I am very excited to meet him in person and take him home with me in a couple months. I have already named him.

I wanted a very masculine and strong name since he is a male and he is all white so I wanted something almost regal. I decided on Heracles and will be calling him Herc for short. I really like Greek mythology and thought this name fit him great.

 I get weekly updates from my friend and he sends me the cutest pictures. From what he tells me Herc has quite the personality. The below pictures are from a week or so ago when Herc was 5 weeks old and my friend took him by my Mom’s.

Isn’t he so cute?