Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11

Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas and time to revel in the Greatest Joy!
-- Leanna, Joe and Ryker!

A piece of cake?

A piece of cake? I think not. Way too simple a phrase for this decadent baked good.

This from-scratch Chocolate Truffle Cake should be more like "a piece of holy cow, I went and ate the whole thing because it tastes and smells so good, so please roll me to the door and grab a carton of milk too!" cake.
Yes, that is it!
This little beauty is accompanying Joe and I to our church group's Christmas party tonight. It's gotta taste as good as it looks, right? I sure hope so. If all else fails...we'll just eat the chocolate truffle icing and ganache in between the THREE layers...

Now taking orders! =)

Congratulations Jon!

Just wanted to give a shout out to Lydia's husband, Jon, who graduated from Seminary this weekend! He is officially a real live preacher. And even more exciting than that, he's done with school! (at least for a while!)

Jon, we're so proud of you and happy that you'll get to enjoy this Christmas season with your beautiful wife and the wonderful Caleb...without the worry of books!

Yea!

How about that!

Thanks to Sew, Mama, Sew for hosting their first Giveaway Day last week, you know why?? I won something! It was so neat to see all of these crafty people out there in the world and so honored that they would share their creations with their jealous skill-lacking compatriots like myself.

Well, I just so happen to comment on the most precious birdie wristlet at Empty Elizabeth, and I won! How fun, how fun! And thank you so much, Elizabeth! I can't wait!













Who's excited for Giveaway Day '09! I am! Heck, maybe I'll contribute too!

Just Say No to PreK

This is my new motto after the oh-so-interesting day of subbing I had this morning.

I accepted a special ed job for a half a day this morning, figuring what's the worst that could happen. (last time I was surprised with a class of autistic kids). Well, today I go to my school sign in and ask for the room number. They say, "Oh, she's not here in the morning she's at this Discovery place." Oh, ok, I guess this is an alternate learning campus....so they give me directions and I head on over.

Oh, what? It's a private day care!!! What??? Yes, this teacher splits her day between this day care and the school. So I walk in, looking for some place to sign in and someone to tell me what to do, because I do NOT do little kids...what am I even doing here????

This security guy at the front desk just says, "Ummm, she gets some kids off the bus, then you'll go to the fourth room down the hall." Um, Ok...do you want to know my name? Do you need me to sign in anywhere? No, great...glad those security measures are in place.

So, this CISD bus comes with 4 really cute quads, and they guy again just points. So I go down the hall...NO ONE IS THERE. I'm stuck with 4 short people and I have NO IDEA what to do. Other kids start coming, but no adults. WHAT!

FIFTEEN MINUTES later this other teacher shows up with about 10 more kids and the chaos begins. The morning is filled with glitter glue, tiny people getting angry at each other and screaming, potty breaks, potty accidents, changing of pull-ups (ick) and weird-colored boogers!

EWWWWWWWWW!!!!!

Needless to say, I am NEVER doing this again, and I did not appreciate being blindsided by 16 short people with runny noses this morning. ugh.

Welcome Mr. Caleb!

Caleb Alan Norvell made his arrival this Thanksgiving after a long and laborious labor by his trooper-mom Lydia, along with his ever-encouraging daddy, Jon.

Joe and I got to visit Newbie Friday morning, along with a few of Lydia's family. It was so wonderful to see this baby we've all been praying for, wishing wonderful things for, and guessing just who he'll look like.Well, let me tell you, he's a cutie. With long legs, feet, toes and fingers...he's definitely got his daddy's height. And with a beautiful nose and delicate lips from his mama!
I was also blessed with the chance to baby sit yesterday and assist mama, and it was so much fun. He's a scrunchy little baby that likes to nestle right in and get all warm and snuggly and stay that way. I'm sure this will all change soon enough, but for now, oh, how sweet you are to hold Mr. Caleb!

We are so excited you are here and can't wait to see the man you will become. We have so many fun things to show you and to teach you...but most importantly, we're content just to love you! --Love Auntie Leanna and Uncle Joe

Oh Christmas Time, Oh Christmas Time...

In an effort to appease relatives and friends, I have decided to post my Christmas list! If you have any suggestions, snarky comments, or donations, please feel free...

AMAZON.COM Wish List
Here's a few things I've found off of Amazon's site, and since they have this nifty wish list feature, why not.

As for other stuff, here's a few items I've thought of and probably will continue to add to.
Leanna's Wish List:
- Warm athletic pants so I won't freeze my butt off when we go on walks
- Fun ski/wool cap
- Garage door openers
- A pretty piece of jewelery for my sister!!
- Cool thick leather band watch - fossil has a few
- Assistance in installing under-counter lights and fixing the middle bedroom's plaster issues
- iTunes gift card
- Fun scarf from Ann Taylor Loft - I really like the purple - or Target
- Tangerine Salon gift cards
- Other gift cards
- Tamales!

New Music

In my quest to expand my horizons or at lest get out of musical ruts, I try to find new things.

I remembered this random movie, "Once," that one the Academy Award last year for best song, "Falling Slowly." So, when we were at the new video store the other night, that is MUCH cheaper and nicer than blockbuster, we rented it.

It was very interesting and sometimes you had to work to follow it, because One: it's an Irishman and a Czech woman - accents abounding. Two: it's an indie, so there's a bit of weird camera angles...but other than that it was a really interesting and sweet film filled with great music.

Which led me to find out more about the lead actor/singer guy. Turns out he's the lead for the Irish band, The Frames, which has a great folksy-alternative-rock sound. I LOVE IT! And they also have a great violinist...so here is a bit of music for your listening and learning pleasure. Check it out!





ALSO< keep up the posting on the vacuums ppl! I need to know!

This sucks...

This sucks...and I do NOT mean literally.
I have a hate-hate relationship going with my vacuum. It is a little guy that never really had much get-up-and-go, but with the addition of very fuzzy carpet, a dog and just plain hard flooring, this guy does NOT cut it!

I need a new vacuum as sad as that is to say and have to spend money on something I don't even like doing. So, I'm wondering, do any of you out there have a vacuum that you like that didn't cost a fortune and actually WORKS?

Hoover dude, your days are numbered!

Happy Birthday Weekends Abound!

We started on our parental birthday-polooza last weekend. You see, My dad's is the 1st, then 8 days later is Joe's dad, then 8 days later is Joe's mom.

So this year, we switched and celebrated Jim's on the 1st as we were in town for our church's annual Water is Basic Run (a GREAT cause if your church/group/whatever is looking to give.)
We had a great meal at Pappasito's with very poor and strange service and followed it up with a movie watching of The Express. This was a great film about football and adversity, but more than that, pursuing what God put in you to do and to wholly.

In the insuing week period that we must all suffer through to get to the next weekend, we had a few bumps. Ryker the wonder dog, who finds no man, woman or dog a stranger, decided to dart away from me as we were going to the car and greet an on-coming walker. Now, Ryker being the speed demon that he is, doesn't just trot up to said walker and dog...he RUNS as fast as he can startling walker and 95lb boxer who does NOT like Ryker. Tussle insues and lady decides to tell me all about what a depraved and horrible human being I am, as well as Ryker.

Me not one to enjoy a good barating, appologizes and slings Ryker into the car and drives off shaking! I finally pull over and check Ryker to make sure he's ok where I find his neck thoroughly wet, but nothing else. MEANWILE, lovely neighbor lady storms into backyard where Joe is working and begins again on her tirade agaist dog and owner saying her dog is bleeding and he can't defend himself because he was on a leash....on and on...

UGH! Ok, let me get a few things straight. I think this is NOT good that her dog is bleeding. I feel horrible when I hear this, but her dog is more than 2 times the size of mine and has bulldog jaws that could snap his neck in a matter of seconds. Her defense that the boxer couldn't defend himself because he was on a leash is null since Ryker's neck was wet - he just has more hair thankfully! We apologized several times, offered to pay for anything and so on.

I guess the problem I had was that she attacked ME for an animal acting to defend itself. She made me feel like a horrible person who has no regard for anyone else and doesn't try to be a good pet parent, when all I've ever done with any neighbor is say hi and try to be nice and raise a good, friendly dog. Really just made me want to move right then, and I still feel this way. I am sad.

(I may take most of this down later, but I just needed to rant right now...I'm sure I could tell you more, but it still makes me sad.)

THEN ON FRIDAY...I scooped up Joe from work and headed to Kingwood to visit the folks for my dad's delayed birthday. Jennifer and Jamie were also in town for Jamie's 14th wedding he's participated in, so we had a LOT of fun together. We really had a great time and I greatly appreciated the time I got to spend with my parents.

HOWEVER, on the way home, ughhh...
We were driving for about an hour and a half when all of the sudden I saw this THING coming...a 3 INCH diameter rock or something like it. Like a flash, Joe and I had our arms over our head when a big BOOOMMMMM struck the windshield (mind you we're traveling at about 70 mph).
And now we have a LARGE 5 in diameter ripple-effect crack with about an 18 in arch on the last ripple extending across the windshield.
There were no big trucks, there was no one slinging mud or hauling anything. It was a fluke and now we have to shell out to get a new windshield.

Can't wait to see what this week holds and then we'll get to wish Holly a happy birthday.

Moral of this post: Watch your dog, be kind to your neighbors and remember they have feelings too, and AVOID LARGE SWIFT-MOVING ROCKS!!!!!!!!

nap time

You know life is good when you can curl up in a warm space after a long walk and sleep so hard your tongue sticks out. This is how I found my puppy after a bit of Internet research this morning.

I like my puppy. He makes me happy.

Sleep on, little one!

Are you smarter than a Fifth Grader?

Ummm...I guess not. I'm not even smarter than a fourth grader!

As I sat in my classroom of 15 or so 4th graders mulling over and over a logic puzzle with no luck. One student suggested, "Don't you have the answer key? You're a teacher, you should have the answer key." Ummm...yeah! Hello....leave a sub out in the cold why don't you.

I hate these things. I've always hated these things. BUT in the final moments before bell ring, I had a breakthrough and me and a few other kids started getting it. So did we redeem ourselves? I hope so.

Next time you're over, I'll have you take a stab at it. So there!

And on the sixth...

A Tag of Sixes (thanks Em)

So, here's the deal:

Open your pictures folder

Go to the SIXTH folder

Go to the SIXTH picture

Publish it to a NEW POST and tell the story of the photo
This photo, besides containing to stunningly beautiful people, is of Joe and me on our honeymoon after we boarded our flight headed to Jamaica! We were married less than 24 hours when we boarded our plane to our island destination.

Our original flight was supposed to leave around 1o or 11 a.m., giving us plenty of time to relax, pack and have a lovely breakfast before we headed out of our beautiful hotel room. HOWEVER...airlines being their stinky selves bumped our flight to 8 a.m. that morning - and mind you a few hours in the morning makes a hell of a difference when you had YOUR OWN WEDDING the night before.

So, we rushed downstairs to check in (how sweet is that), and took what we could of our wedding buffet leftovers and got on the plane. Wedding cake is AWESOME when you are starved! (as well as any other time! =)

So, since we just celebrated our second year of marriage, I will tag two - Lydia and Karen D. - however anyone else is totally welcome!

Anniversary Funness

Last week, Joe and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary. Can you believe it, because sometimes I can't.

We kept gifting to a minimum, as we both wanted to try out JR's Steak House in Colleyville/Grapevine. By the way -- superb! You need to be willing to spend a bit. But wow! it was great. I totally recommend.

Anywhoo...my love got me some nice red roses for the day. And I just didn't want to stick them in a vase like every other time. So I remembered something I saw while looking for wedding flowers. It incorporates river rocks...making the roses feel a little more 'organic.'
So here's my attempt:
Also, here's a self-portrait of my new hair. Nothing really to write home about. I was looking for a bit more wow-factor, but I don't think I got it. Guess there's always next time...

Meet Carl

This weekend we welcomed a new family member into the O'Brien household.
Carl, an October Glory Red Maple!!!How exciting, I know!!! We've been wanting a tree for a while and I LOVE maples and I love fall...so why not a striking red tree for our backyard. After a short/long trip to Lowe's, Joe dug Carl a little home and set him right in.

Planter Joe

Our constant supervisor, Ryker.

Welcome Carl! We love you!
The very first thing we've planted at our new house!

Welcome Baby Carl!

Carl has joined the family! Welcome Baby Carl. More updates coming soon!

Cut!

Today I'm getting a haircut. I liked my latest haircut...way back in May/June...and I'm thinking of going that route again, perhaps just a little edgier if my hairdresser understands that.

However, I'm up for suggestions if you have any. The big cut is scheduled for 4:30!

We're ready for our grand entrance!

Alright folks! It's here! Our very own grand entrance...well, it's grand to me!

I gave the idea to Joe. We went to the wood store and bought our materials. We hunted for the perfect hardware and paint colors...

Ladies and gentlemen, I present the new Casa de O'Brien Grand Entrance!
I've also included the slide show below so you can see some of the steps we took! You all must come by and see it in person some time!

A bit of inspiration...

So, all it took for my to find my inner seamstress (yeah right) was the announcement that my buddies Lydia and Jon were going to have a baby Caleb! That started me on a roll to create a few little baby gifts and other crafts.

Here are a few that made a recent appearance at Lydia's shower:

A few little balls for a precious little boy. Soft and squishy to mouth on and and get his pitching arm into shape!

A swaddle blanket for the little man, complete with zoo animals.

A contoured burp cloth.

A lovey blankie complete with little tabs, perfect for a curious Caleb.

A few other burp cloths that just had to be made...All Boy!

Lydia's favorite print of the season.

Circles and dots...just too darn fun!

Evacuees, Roadtrips and Woodworking

It's been an interesting past few weeks at the O'Brien house.

We had our first ever hurricane evacuees come and stay with us at our new house, and no it wasn't my parents! It was my good friend Dina and her troop of dogs...CieCie, Jango and Frenchie. We looked like a traveling circus when we took these kids out for a walk - a little rat terrier (all of 5 lbs.), a huge great Dane (all of 150 lbs), a lovely black lab AND a Ryker dog! We at the Casa de O'Brien do not descriminate on against race, size, age or gender! No sir-ree-bob!But, we had a great week besides the ever-lurking feeling of impending doom you have when your best friend's house may be destroyed and her husband is out driving around in it because he's a sherrif! But, God took care of our nerves and our families keeping mine safe in Kingwood and Dina's relatives safe in South East Texas.

Her parents really got into the spirit of evacuation and took their little selves to Hawaii. They claim it was for their 30th anniversary, but we'll just wait and see what Mr. Jack turns in to the IRS when it comes time for deductions! =)

We enjoyed catching up, crafting, shopping, FISHING and cooking. Dina, though the circumstances were a bit stressful, I'd love to do it again! Even with all the dogs!

In the midst of that, Dina and I took a rockin' roadtrip to the hoppin' town of Buffalo! Buffalo you may ask? Yes, I like to dub it our "Ugandan Missian Adventure." But actually, it wasn't. We had a rendesvue with my parents to deliver to them one mighty large generator, 3 5-gallon gas tanks, 2 power cords and a partridge in a pear tree. You see, my poor parents had been sitting in the dark since the night of Hurricane Ike, and my mom decided she wanted to see where she was going. It was an interesting journey as we got to see tons of cars also hauling generators and gas cans south, convoys of linemen and their work trucks and tons of cop!

Our initial meet-up was supposed to be in Centerville, home of the famous Woody's Truckstop, but my dad called and they were JAMMED full...cars lining ever side of the road east and west of the highway, so that's when we decided to stop and wait in Buffalo. We waited in a 4-car-deep line to fill up our car and our three gas cans, met some other very nice evacuees and waited for my parents. All in all, a successful trip and it was fun to hang out with the parents and hear their survival story over lunch!

That about concluded our excitment. Since then, we've been filling our time with things around the house. I finished up my many sewing projects for Baby Caleb to bring to his momma's shower on Saturday and Joe and I have been working hard on our entry table. It alreay looks awesome! I can't wait for the final product!!

Our next adventures?? Dog training and marriage building classes! I'll let you know which one I use the leash in most! ;)

And we're back...

We had a great Labor Day get-away with the O'Brien family to Oklahoma last week. I think we're setting up for a tradition here, as last year we took a trek down to Florida too. I think I can handle that...a fun vacation each year...I'll try to survive.

We started with a slight detour to Arkansas...we hit three states in one day coming from Texas...that's saying something.
We had a nice cabin (aka - large home) in the woods.
We went on hikes (errr...death marches) up winding roads with speeding duely trucks passing us by.
We attempted to go canoeing, but were denied because it was...ahem...raining. Nice.
We went to Wal-Mart - as any good trek to podunkville should offer. Joe purchased a John Deere tractor poster that we all worked on and may soon be showcased in our very own garage!
We went fishing in the rain a lot. We did not catch anything.
We finally succeeded in renting a boat, and had quite a good time. We even caught fish this time! Most of the guys got a nibble, Jim finally brought one out, AND....I CAUGHT ONE TOO!!! My very own bass!

We made it back and relaxed...a bit...before Joe finished up the last little bits of a comic book table he'd been working on for a friend. This has been our big baby in the garage for quite some time. Joe had to come up with the design, we went to the hardwood store to get the goods (awesome by the way), started the cutting, the re-cutting, the gluing, the biscutting, the staining, the other million pieces of hardware and glass to buy and we finished it up on Sunday.
I had just put the final swipes of furniture polish on when our 'client' came to check it out. He liked it! Success! Just so you feel included, here's the finished product!Next up in the O'Brien workshop is an entryway table just for our little house! It will looks something like this Pottery Barn one, and I'm even going to try my hand at distress painting it. It involves a blowtorch! Anyone want to play with me??I think that's about it...finishing up some baby crafts for Mr. Caleb and his momma, starting back to subbing and doing whatever else! Most importantly, waiting in excited anticipation for Fall and my favorite Country Living issue, October!!!

Who'd a thought?

So I spent some time with my grandma yesterday after I took her to the doctor, and let me tell you, she's a fun one.

It's always fun to hear stories from back when. And yesterday's included a few about her college days. She used to live in Harlingen with her mom and aunts and brother and when it was time to start college at TCU, she took the train! The train? I didn't even know there was a train that would do that.

She'd get on the milk train in the Valley that would stop at all the small towns along the way delivering milk till she got to Houston to switch to the Zephyr. On one such ride, she remembered that they played the Chattanooga Choo Choo the whole way there it seemed. All the boys and girls were getting up in the isles and dancing. It just so happened that she was sitting with this boy she dated from home who did not dance, and when she was asked my this SMU (pronounced sm-you) boy to dance, she accepted. Well hometown boy was not happy, but she didn't care...she'd rather dance!

She the next year or the middle of that year when the war started it was a totally different story on the trains. It was hard to get a seat because the service men were always given seats first. On her way back to TCU the conductor asked her if she'd be willing to stand the whole way to Houston. She said she'd sure try, cause she needed to go! So she stood for quite a while, then sat in the isle on her old typewritter box. Finally about 30 minutes before they got to their destination, some corporal asked if she'd like to sit down. UM, YEA! You'd think they'd be more chivalrous, but I guess they were already doing their duty fighting in the war.

Grandma remarked that TCU became a ghost town with the only boys really remaining were preacher boys. Most of the professors were gone and the newly established Business School was hurting. For one of her accounting classes, they stuck the girls with this ancient retiree, whose mouth was always blue from poor circulation and heart trouble. Turns out, the guy had a heart attack in their class! (I'm sure that made for an interesting lecture!)

So Grandma and her roommate decided they were done with TCU. They were in charge of their education and they wanted the best. TCU was good, but it's business school just wasn't up to snuff in those days and with a lack of qualified professors because of the war. SO, they decided to transfer on down to Austin the next year to their WELL established school.

Gone were the days of the train though. The bus was faster to take to Austin. Although, I'm not the biggest fan of UT, I'm glad she went. Because that's where she met my granddad!

Dancing in the isles of a train. Seems straight out of a Hollywood movie.

All I had was a long car wide with Mr. Bear strapped in the seat next to me and country music.

A Good Read...

As many of you know, I am a big fan of sci-fi books. It is a trend I picked up from my dad at a very young age and still continues. There's something exciting in dreaming up new worlds, new tools, new species - and always - new problems.

The past few weeks I've discovered the Ender series by Orson Scott Card and have VERY much enjoyed them.

The first book in the series started out as a short story, but was fleshed out to make sense of the 2nd book Card already had in mind. "Ender's Game" deals with Ender Wiggin, a Third, a genius, a small little boy, who is whisked away to Battle School to see if he is 'the one' who will help the humans rid the galaxy of 'The Buggers,' the first alien species that has shown human-like intelligence with more advanced star travel and weapons. It follows Ender's trials at Battle School with his peers, his commanders, the training games, and most importantly, himself.

"Ender's Game" makes the reader really ponder - who gets to decide what is best? Is it ok to sacrifice the one for the many? How far can we push a person? Can we really know what our actions should/must be without knowing the truth? Can we know the full truth before it's too late?

The second book, "Speaker for the Dead," follows Ender and his sister, Valentine, in their travels across space and time...teaching, speaking for the dead and trying to forget Earth. In a twist of fate, Ender is called to a planet that boasts the only other human-like aliens since the Buggers, and Ender must once again decide whether their fate is life or death.

Many religious ideals are exlpored in this book, as well as 'the human condition,' whether scientific standard practices are helps or hurdles, what makes a family - what is the depth of love?

There are two other books that round out the quartet of Ender, as well as a few added later. I hope to get around to read those as well, because I like the character. I find it intreaging that he can be viewed as the devil himself, a priestly figure of knowledge, a father, a friend, a lover. Nothing is as we are so eager to seem it to be. If nothing else, these books ask us to take a step back, seek the truth and go from there.

All that in a silly sci-fi book, who'd a figured?

I Have a One-Year-Old!

That's right folks! Our little red puppy turns the Big #1 today. It's so crazy...it seems like so long ago when we got him from Operation Kindness and he was just a little guy at 6 months old!

If you couldn't tell from the blog posts, this little guy has found a quite cozy place in our hearts - as well as developed a taste for blinds and plastic objects.

But today is your day Ryker Stryker! Puppers! Pupster! Bunny! Ploopers McGee! (he has a lot of names!) Thank you for the kisses, the ever-eventful walks, the constant entertainment, the perfect nap buddy, watching out for squirrels, possums, birds, dogs, cats...well anything! You're fun, and we like you!

Happy Birthday Ryker! We love you!

Colorado Adventure

Here's a few of our pictures from our Colorado Journey. We had a great time visiting with Brianna and Matt and Dutch the cat. Our time was filled with flying, foraging for food at all the Subway sandwich shops we came upon (if you say you're supposed to be open, you SHOULD BE OPEN!), hiking, catching our breath, hiking some more, baseball, waiting for the rain to stop to watch baseball, baseball, rafting, saving people from drowning, rafting again, museum fun and flying some more!

Hope you enjoy...


(all for you Jamie!)

Just one word...

The Rules: Answer the questions using only one word. Then tag three others.

1. Where is your cell phone? DESK
2. Your significant other? LOVING
3. Your hair? BLONDER
4. Your mother? ENCOURAGING
5. Your father? ENTERTAINING
6. Your favorite thing? SLEEPING
7. Your dream last night? LONG
8 Your favorite drink? COKE
9. Your dream/goal? PARENT
10. The room you’re in? BRIGHT
11. Your hobby? PHOTOGRAPHY
12. Your fear? SNAKES
13. What do you want to be in 6 years? TRAVELER
14. What you’re not? INFORMED
15. Muffins? APPLE
16. One of your wish list items? CAMERA
17. Where you grew up? TRIANGLE
18. The last thing you did? CHAT
19. What are you wearing? PJs
20. Favorite gadget? COMPUTER
21. Your pets? COMICAL
22. Your computer? SLOWING
23. Your mood? SULLEN
24. Missing someone? YES
25. Your car? HOT!
26. Something you’re not wearing? SHOES
27. Favorite store? TARGET
28. Like someone? YEP!
29. Your favorite color? GREEN
30. When is the last time you laughed? MINUTE
31. Last time you cried? JULY

I tag: Emily, Brianna and Leah

Home Sweet Home

Seems we might have a bit of the luck o' the Irish after all.

One day last week, I happened to venture out for a walk with Ryker while Joe was working in the garage and this is what i found! I don't think Ryker saw it, but I sure did. I didn't find a pot of gold, however a found a treasure of beauty!
Thank you God for your grace and gifts!

Opossum, my possum

Last night was not a restful night. Around 1 o'clock, after you finally got to bed and dreams were fast approaching, I heard our dog start to make some interesting sounds.

For some reason, Ryker likes to barf. Ok, maybe he doesn't like to, but he seems to do it a lot. Many times it is to get rid of some plastic he found to eat, and I am oh, so happy that he decides to rid himself of that instead of digest. However some times he just...throws up.

So he was making his tail-tale signs last night, so I quickly ushered him outside where he promptly started chowing down on grass, leaves, what-have-you.

WHEN...all of the sudden he went a little ballistic on the grill. Joe called him to come back and Ryker became even more determined. A few seconds passed and a tiny hairy thing LAUNCHED itself from the grill. It was a baby possum!!! IIICCKKKKKK!!!!!!Ryker, being a dog, thinks this is the best thing ever! Joe and I being humans, think ICK! again and begin to worry about rabies, bites and worst of all...MOMMA Possum.

Ryker toys with it a bit, gets it into the grass...and yep, you guessed it...the little guy 'played possum.' Meanwhile Joe and I are calling franticly to Ryker to leave the darn thing alone and come back in the house...because really, if there's baby, there's bound to be momma.

He FINALLY decides he'll leave his new toy, although he's not sure Joe has his priorities straight. We usher puppy inside...where we wait for the momma to come out and also see to make sure that the baby isn't already dead...just mostly dead, or playing dead. And yep, the baby starts to ever so slightly inch towards the sidewalk, raise it's head...and by that point convinced it's ok, we go back to bed.

Dogs!

THEN, around 4 in the morning...Joe adjusts and sends his 30 oz. water cup flying between the night stand and the bed. Ugh...should we just get up now? Really, what's the deal??

Hope your night was more restful than ours!

Oh, Sew Crafty...

(A.K.A. - we all have to start somewhere)

Over the past few days, the craft bug has hit me. And I broke out the sewing machine that my friend who shall remain nameless for her own safety has let me borrow.

I first started off with a t-shirt for my favorite new two-year-old for her birthday. This one I did by hand because I wanted to, and because it was probably safer. I am really happy with how it came out and I think she was too! (well she was, two, oh, you get it...)
Then I thought this morning, I am tired of losing my cell phone in my big tote that I have been using this summer, so I decided to make it a little tote of it's own I can attach either on the strap or the zipper inside. It's lined with a fun polka-dot fabric on the inside.

Next, my friend mentioned she needed a glasses case for her sun glasses. I said, let me try! I NEED the practice. So this is what I came up with - complete with a nifty ribbon to attach where needed. Hope it works!

Hip Hip Horay for Journalistss!

I can certainly attest to not always being the best proofer on the block. The problem usually creeps in when you've stared at the same block of text for a week or more. However, I do feel slightly vindicated by the article I read about the little New Hampshire paper pictured below.
To note, the editor did acknowledge the quote the next day, saying "for the record: We sure feel silly."

That's all right. We all need a bit of silly. =)

Death to Mr.Bear

It was a sad day last evening. We lost a dear friend. Mr. Bear experienced an untimely death between the hours of 5-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23rd. What follows are some amazing on-the-scene photos taken from our Ace reporter AllStar O'Brien.

Parents beware; what follows may not be suitable for young eyes.

This was my first glimpse of the savage beast. I was very afraid, which resulted in a rather shaky photograph.

The carnage continued...Mr. Bear never had a chance.

Alas, we come to the end of Mr. Bear. Strewn about like a common play toy. Limbs mangled. Entrails missing. It was a horrid site.

I was able to catch the beast in one last image as he surveyed his work with a crafty grin before he slunk away back into his lair. I tell you dear readers, it is a site I will long remember. Farewell Mr. Bear. Farewell friend.

July Fun...

So for the month of July, we've already done a few fun things...

1. Joe brought me flowers. No reason besides he loves me. (and I think that's the best reason of all.) Aren't they awesome.2. Addison July Jazz - Joe and I met Jennifer and Jamie for a cool evening of jazz. We camped out with our picnic blankets, basket, hot and fresh pizza and awesome Central Market Cupcakes. A fun time was had by all. We will be returning in August for some symphony sounds if you would like to join us!3. Ryker now answers the door for me! Dogs are awesome. Unwanted solicitors - just pretend you're not here and let the dog bark at them through the door and window! Works like a charm! Here's my dog-wonder in his official uniform...he's a man in blue, er, teal...4. I escaped jury duty. Enough said.

Just a few things...here's hoping for a lot more!