Alive and Well! (Month of September Update)

Wow...just saw that my last post was on September 3rd!  How does the time go by SOOO FAST?!!

I've just had so much going on that my "blogging-time" has been put on the back-burner.  But, I've realized how much I really miss it....So, I'm really going to try to start up again....like...for realsies....

Ok...so, if I'm going to do this properly, I really need to fill y'all in on everything that has happened the past...ohh...2 months, right?  Well....here goes!!! (and, I'll try to make it as exciting and sassy as possible!)

Well...September was filled with all kinds of fun stuff...football, retreats, parties and F-U-N!

I'll begin with pics from the church retreat out at Pine Cove Shores in East Texas.  It was spectacularly beautiful out there...and very serene.  I met some really quality people and shared in wonderful fellowship with them.

This dock had two levels and I would sit up on the top level each morning around 7 a.m. reading my Bible and spending time with God...my heart was completely at peace.

How cool is this bus?!  Rhythm is the new "Singles Weekly Event"....

And, what would camping be without ample "S'more-Makin'"!  (although, I have a confession...I accidentally used the last block of Hershey's chocolate, and tried to stuff my s'more in my face before anyone figured it out....but, I think the smudges of ooey goodness on the corners of my mouth might have given me away....)

I had a little "girl's night in" at my friend Amy's house...it pretty much involved lounging around, sipping (a.k.a. gulping) wine, eating yummy appetizers and talking about all things girlie!

Here are a few pics from that night....OH..and I took Lox over there, and he had a blast playing with her puppies!

Here...Ames is getting her dog, Colby to jump for his treat...(I just love "action" shots)

Ames hugging on Locksley....

The following week, I got to reconnect with one of my sisters over lunch and mani/pedis!  Oh..perhaps I should explain for those of you scratching your heads wondering how an only child has sisters....hehe.  Anytime I use the term "sister", I'm referring to a sorority sister.  They are, after all, forever!  (we're bound by blood....KIDDING, KIDDING...LOL....or am I???)

That evening, my girls and I went to dinner at Common Table....a new restaurant that just opened up in the area.  Really cool atmosphere and FAB food!

Here are Lise and Bel primping in the loo...

Me and Alex...self pic naturally...

Me and my sweet Lise...

After dinner, we scooted over to Teddy's Lounge...one of those uber-hip dance clubby-type places (not our usual style, but we were feeling adventurous...)  Plus, we had heard about a burlesque show and were a tad bit curious....

The lighting in the restrooms was really funky and cool...so, of course...we felt it absolutely necessary to take pictures....

 While there, we ended up meeting a group of guys that were in town for the Cowboys/Bears game, and they had a table (a.k.a. FREE Grey Goose) so...they quickly became our best buds...hehe...

Then...almost as if she appeared out of thin air....the show began.....

Let me tell you something....this girl had some MOVES!  I was impressed by her flexibility and strength!  And, although...yes...she did "strip" down to her bikini...It was done in a very classy manner...I almost felt like I was in some go-go type movie from the 60's....It was a fun night....

The following week, I got to hang out with my friend Ashley and have dinner at my friend's restaurant.  Later in the week, Alex's mama came into town and we all had a delish dinner at Salum.

Now, for a few random September pictures of my sweet baby Lox....

He LOVES squishing himself between cushions....

He is always falling asleep either on or holding his toys....He just plays so hard that he conks out in the middle of playing...haha

Such a good little boy...he always says his prayers before bedtime....

Pretty much his favorite place to sleep....

The answer to that question is "No".  (because, I'm sure you asked, "Is there a puppy any cuter than him??"

Weekend Retreat

This weekend, I am going on a fun church retreat!  I will only know one person going, so it will be exciting to meet lots of new people!

From what I've heard/read, these campgrounds are fantastic and there should be LOTS to do!  I'm looking forward to a fulfilling weekend of fellowship, friendship and faith!

I hope everything has a wonderful Labor Day weekend!  "Talk" to you all next week!

Wait...Who is it? Oh yeah...It's SUMMER!

You know....It's been a weird and different time in my life lately...and, blogging has just been the last thing on my mind.

I have been making some changes, setting some career goals and well....let's face it...Wallowing in what you may call self pity for a while....ugh.

I'm always amazed when a person such as myself has these amazing opportunities, loving and supportive family, nothing to gripe about at ALL...and yet, I somehow manage to find ways to make excuses for why my life isn't the "Picture Perfect" way I imagined it should be.

Well.....NEWS FLASH, SUMMER....IT'S ALWAYS BEEN YOUR CHOICE!!!

So, anyway...I'm taking charge once more....and I'm going back to school!

I'm LOVING IT!!!

I'll update more tomorrow!!!

Canton Fun...Brunch...Bachelorette...and Concerts...

My parents and I decided to brave the heat last Saturday and head out to Canton Trade Days....and, of course, we took little Locksley!!!  He loves riding in the car....

The weather channel foreboded a day with a high reaching 104 degrees!!!  That's just plain silly talk!

But, thankfully....at least one of us didn't have to worry about the sun or getting too overheated....

Yes...that is a doggy stroller....haha....But...he just HAS to have it....he would get too worn out if he walked everywhere.....

After getting home...the parents and I went to lunch at Snuffers...

Sunday, my mom and I went to church here in downtown....then, I went to brunch with my friend Kat to Villa-O...

We had a fantastic time chatting and catching up....She's such a dear and sweet friend....


Finally....tonight was the "Bachelorette" finale AND "After the Final Rose"...so, my girls came over and we munched on yummy goodies and held our breath as Ali chose her LOVE! 

Tomorrow, I'm going to see Aerosmith and Blue October in concert!!!  I'll make sure to take lots of pics and post them asap! (I'm going to get LOTS better about my blog!!!)

I MISS YOU ALL SOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!  I have a lot of reading/catching up to do....and I can't wait to hear from you, my sweets!

July Fun...

It's been a fun month....I went to the Dallas Museum of Art "Late Nights" and listened to a fun reggae band.  Then, I entered a drawing to win tickets...and WON!  I love winning....it's pretty cool...haha.  I won tickets to see Beauty & the Beast (musical) at a new performing arts center that I've been wanting to go to...so, I was pretty pumped!

I went to "Bandanaroo" with Fuel, Cowboy Mouth and Bret Michaels...and it was a really great show!!!

Me and Melissa at the concert...

Bret Michaels!!!!

He sang all the best Poison songs and even some Lynyrd Skynyrd and Sublime!!!

Then, a group of us gals went to see Beauty & the Beast and it was magical!!!  Very colorful and fun...quite entertaining....

Hope all of you have had a wonderful month also....

4th Celebration

Ahh...Independence Day....a day to pay homage to our men and women who serve this country...a day to be thankful for our independence....and a day to challenge your neighbors in "Fireworks Wars"....haha

Yep...my dad always has his lighter at-the-ready and his Bucket-O-Fireworks by his side....

It begins innocently with a small blackcat that the neighbor lights..."pop, pop..crackle"....Dad answers back in kind....

Then, it quickly progresses to the M-80's....back and forth...back and forth....One loud "POP" responds to the next...ugh....men....

But, it's always a fun time at my parents....

I made a fun flag cake....

My dear, sweet Edward....

Last night....at 9 p.m.....my love and I were reunited once more......

I know he has missed me terribly...and pines over me day and night...(poor thing)



Alas....last night....my Edward and I were brought back together....

"Eclipse" ROCKED THE HOUSE!!!!

My friend got early screening passes to see it and we had PERFECT seats in the theatre....what an AWESOME flick!  I think it may be my favourite one so far!

I may go see it again this weekend with my mom.....just because...I'm already missing dear Edward....

(yes, I'm a little crazy.  No, I'm not in denial)

Hope everyone out there is having a wonderful "Twilighty" day....

So Much to Update!

I guess I'll go in order to make it easier...

Back on June 5th, I went to the Vigilantes football game.  This is a new arena football league that just started here in Dallas and I'm PUMPED to have ANY kind of football to watch!  (I sort of go into a mild depression when football season ends...haha)  I went with my parents and my adorable cousin Nick....

Nick and I cheering them on...

Then...around the 15th, Locksley had his 12 week vet appointment....12 WEEKS!  Can you believe my little man is growing up so fast?!  He got an A+ on his check-up!  He weighed 6.7 pounds and Lox is proud to announce that his "boys" have dropped...LOL!  He is becoming a man....haha

He is just about the sweetest thing in the world...but, he is also a FIRECRACKER!  He definitely has a mind of his own and can be quite stubborn at times.  He is incredibly smart and already knows several commands...He can "sit", "lay down" and when asked if he wants to go outside, he goes over and stares at his leash by the door!

Now...for those of you out there with dogs, I'm sure you know that having a super intelligent dog is both a blessing and a curse.  Yes, he is easily trainable and very perceptive...BUT, he can also use his smarts to be a little sneakster and get into trouble!  When I ask if he's hungry, he immediately goes to his food bowl and lets out a sweet little soft bark of anticipation....then, hurries over to the cabinet where his food is kept.  Of course, having this knowledge of where his food is stored also leads him to wander over there during "non-feeding" times and scratch on the cabinet door...haha.  Thankfully, he hasn't figured out to open it.....YET!

Here are a few more pics of my sweet baby just because.....

On the 16th, my momsie had Bunco at her house!  For those of you who don't have a clue what I'm talking about...Bunco is a dice game played by a group of 12 people (usually women..haha)  It's pretty much just an excuse to get together with your girlfriends once a month and drink wine, gossip, eat yummy food, win prizes and laugh!  I ended up winning a cool platter!

Living in Dallas (just a block from downtown) definitely has its' perks.  On the 18th, the Arts District had a Summer Block Party.  This involved all of the museums and concert halls....they had street performances and special exhibits at each venue.  It was a lot of fun!  My friend Matt went with me and we had a lot of laughs...

This was one of the street performances....was pretty darn cool....

The staircase at the Dallas Museum of Art...

One of the fun retro exhibits...

Me standing in front of another museum...

One Arts Plaza at nighttime....everything lights up and it's just beautiful...

On the 23rd, I went to the movies to see "Letters to Juliet"....What a sweet flick!!!  I really enjoyed it!  Then, afterwards, I stopped next door to Paciugo and got a little Mediterranean Sea Salt Caramel gelato!  I just thought it made sense to get gelato after watching a movie based in Italy....LOL!


This past Friday, my friend Kat and I went to The Doobie Brothers and Chicago concert!  IT ROCKED!  I am a HUGE Chicago fan and I also LOVE The Doobie Brothers!  We sat on the front row of the lawn and had a fantastic time!!!

While I was at the concert, my dear sweet friend (that also happens to live next door) puppy-sat for me and Locksley and her dog Achilles had a little playdate....Here are some pics from their fun night....

I think Lox wants to put a saddle on Achilles.....haha

Aww...sweet kisses...

This one, by far, is the funniest picture....I was CRACKING UP when I saw it!!! 
*Caption - DON'T DO DRUGS!*

Finally...last night, my mom and I went to a wedding.  The bride is the sister of my best guy friend.  I've known her since she was 5 years old!  She looked beautiful and the wedding was a lot of fun!  I'm very happy for her and the beginning of her new life with her hubby!

So...that about brings us to present day!  I'm about to head over to the 'rents for Sunday lunch (and, they use it as an excuse to see Locksley...hehe)

And, on that note...here are extraneous pictures of my baby...

Hope you all have a beautiful Sunday!  Take care!

New Addition...

This is one of the reasons I have been so horrible about my blogging lately....

My sweet puppy Locksley!  He's a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel...and he's almost 10 weeks old now.  I just love him to death!

Hope everyone is having a great week....I'll update more in a few days!