Ryker's New Trick

Ok, I'm thinking this might have to be Ryker's new trick.

Get a load of this little guy. Made me laugh...


Next up, burning the fat by belly dancing with your dog! ummm...nah.

The Weiners!

Ok, so for those of you who took a gander at the below photos and took a guess, the correct answer is a deck to be located behind our back bedroom.

Emily, Lydia and Teresa guessed correctly.

However no one told me the function of the little guys in the photo...so I guess that means I won? The function of the blocks is to be screwed into to hold the metal pieces for the deck to be held in place. (Or supports...)

Noo.... Since I told Lydia what we were planning, that does kinda exempt her, but I'm sure I figure out something for her. But Emily and Teresa, I will ponder your prizes and get back with you soon!

Thanks for playing, and for you lurkers out there, STOP lurking...I know you were guessing too!

I Spy Something New...

I spy a new project forming...

I spy something fun a-coming...

I spy a contest forming...

If you can tell me the function of what is pictured here and what project it pertains to, you might just find yourself a winner of a little prize. One entry per person strictly enforced by the little red dog, and ends on Wednesday!

Busy Times

Between birthday celebrations, graduations, wedding planning, moving and life...life has been busy.

Here's a few photos and notes to get you up to date!

Jennifer's first wedding shower in Jamie's hometown of Springhill, LA.The sisters turned 30! We were able to surprise both Jennifer and Sarah with their own shin-digs!Jamie graduated!!! We are so proud of you Jamie! Way to go!
Our plants are growing! We have actual BLUE Blueberries.
We now also have a lime bush! (it's starting with flowers like the blueberry bush)
Our hydrangeas are beautiful...
Joe has gone into the gardening business!
Congrats Holly and Jim on your new house!
The pool and hot tube a much appreciated bonus!(whew! that was a lot of stuff. I'm tired just from the uploading! =)

50 Things

Because I can, here you go...

1. What color is your toothbrush? Light blue and white - yahoo for electric tooth brushes
2. Who made you smile today? My puppy when he curled up next to me on the bed.
3. What were you doing at 8am this morning? Reading
4. What were you doing 45 minutes ago? Still reading! =)
5. What is your favorite candy bar? Hmmm...3 Musketeers
6. Have you ever been to a strip club? um, no, and not planning on it.
7. What is the last thing you said aloud? "Wanna go outside?"
8. What is your favorite ice cream? Marble Slab Sweet Cream
9. What was the last thing you had to drink? Milk
10. Do you like your wallet? Yep, love it. It's fossil and makes me smile.
11. What was the last thing you ate? A chocolate chip cookie, not the breakfast of champions.
12. Have you bought any new clothing items this week? Sadly, no.
13. The last sporting event you watched? I tried not to watch basketball last night. How did the Rockets do?
14. What is your favorite flavor of popcorn? Caramel corn! LOVE IT!
15. Who is the last person you sent a text message to? My mother-in-law.
16. Ever go camping? Yes. I love it! Esp. with my air mattress.
17. Do you take vitamins daily? I'm trying to
18. Do you go to church every Sunday? Every Sunday that we can
19. Do you have a tan? No. I'm pale. But since we now have a pool in the family, I plan on working on that.
20. Do you prefer Chinese food over pizza? Totally pizza, although I won't refuse some good Chinese.
21. Do you drink your soda with a straw? Yes, but I only like skinny straws. McDonalds and Wendy's are too fat.
22. What did your last text message say? "Need any help?"
23. What are you doing tomorrow? Who knows. That's tomorrow.
25. Look to your left, what do you see? My pupster, curled up by the door.
26. What color is your watch? Silver and brown leather.
27. What do you think of when you hear Australia? adventure and cute animals
28. ??
29. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru? Both
30. What is your favorite number? 8
31. Who's the last person you talked to on the phone? Jennifer
32. Any plans today? Laundry, read, take the pupster for a walk and have a fun evening with my hubby.
33. How many states have you lived in? Just Texas, are there really others worthy?
34. Biggest annoyance right now? Stupid Stupid Laundry. We've discussed this.
35. Last song listened to? Yellow Submarine played by Joe
36.Can you say the alphabet backwards? if I think about it and go really, really slowly!
37. Do you have a maid service clean your house? that would be a no. Anyone volunteering?
38. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time? Old Navy flip flops or my All Stars!
39. Are you jealous of anyone? Seems it creeps in there more than I wish.
40. Is anyone jealous of you? I wouldn't know.
41. Do you love anyone? Yes! and very much.
42. Do any of your friends have children? Many of them. Seems it's inevitable.
43. What do you usually do during the day? Take care of the house, read, sometimes go to school or other jobs.
44. Do you hate anyone that you know right now? No.
45. Do you use the word 'hello' daily? Yes.
46. What color is your car? Black or white. We like to keep it even around here!
47. Do you like cats? Yes, and I miss having one. Stupid allergies of other people.
48. Are you thinking about someone right now? sure, now that you mention it.
49. Have you ever been to Six Flags? Yeppers. I like the really fast, smooth roller coasters. No wooden ones for me, thank you.
50. How did you get your worst scar? I guess I don't have any bad ones. Worst one lately was a mystery scratch that showed up after we went White Water Rafting last year, and it's still here.

Pure Evil

Pure Evil = Laundry, Laundry = Pure Evil

I have a love/hate relationship with laundry. Mostly just the hate part. I mean, I like having clean clothes, but can't I really just go by more?

It is NEVER done. It did not feel this bad when I was younger. Was it because I was single? Was it because my mommy used to do it for me. Definitely, the last is true, but that hasn't been the case for quite some time.

I have piles of it. Clean piles. Dirty piles. Piles to be ironed. Piles to be folded. Ugh. It gets me down man! It makes my knees hurt from standing and ironing. It makes me tired. Double ugh.

Anywhoo...just had to vent, because I'm taking a break, from, yep, you guessed it, LAUNDRY.

Blah.

On another note. It is Thursday. Thursday evenings are happy times. Every other Thursday we have small group with several couples from church. I am so happy we made the commitment for this as I am enjoying learning more and more about our new friends.

Also, Joe is starting work softball. He was supposed to start tonight, but church group got moved. So we'll start next week...we're the on/off reliever. I am happy to be headed back to the ball fields for what I hope to be much shorter, less nerve-wracking games! One thing I know, Joe will not be pitching... =)

Photo Tag

I did it. I am not liking Lydia at this moment, but I did it.
Name of the game:
1. Take a picture of yourself as you read this post.
- no primping, no preening
2. Post and enjoy

I tag:
Emily
Brianna
Hillary

(Note: Ryker curls up into the cutest ball of fur you've ever seen. Joe and I call it the 'bunny ball,' since we call him bunny from time to time. You can't help but want to cuddle up and hug him too!)

The Adventures of No, No, Bad Dog.

Hello dear readers. Let me introduce myself to you. My name is No, No, Bad Dog. Some of you may have seen me in person or on this site under the guise of my alter ego, Ryker.

You ask, "Why the two identities, Ryker, I mean, No, No, Bad Dog?" I shall try to explain, dear reader.

As you all know there are some things in life you yearn to do, feel compelled to do, seem to do, but you don't want to. When these deeds are done, you might say, "oh, if only I had a secret identity, then no one would know it was me!" For me, I have such a luxury. In these necessary, but sometimes unwanted times, I am No, No, Bad Dog. I am free to cower, smile, shake or whatever the moment deems appropriate -- and no one is wiser that it is I, Ryker Stryker O'Brien, Cutest Puppy in the World.

You may have heard of some of my earlier adventures. I am a young pup, and I can assure, there will be more. But for this post, I shall tell you of my latest adventure.

My folks decided that they wanted to run a few errands before a very important first birthday party for my friend, Jonathan. My folks left me. In the yard. By myself! NOT COOL!

This is almost always a catalyst to bring out No, No, Bad Dog. And today was no different.

After weeks of planning and carrying out daring escapes in instances just like this, I have come to aquire a very well fortified back yard. My man folk, Joe, likes wood just as much as I do. But for some reason he doesn't scratch or eat his? He used it to build a big fence (which I ate through...at least 3 times so far). I also dug underneath it (at least 5 times). So he decided to strengthen it with concrete and a wood peremeter and a new rock path.

Neat. Don't they know this cannot stop No, No, Bad Dog?

As I said. They left me! Not cool! However!!! I found a weak point in Joe's plans...a tiny area between the fence, garage and driveway. It had newly tilled soil, just perfect for digging. So I went to town!!!!
I was almost free. But my stupid big head could not QUITE make it through the hole yet before my folks got home.

They saw the hole. They opened the fence. They did not see their precious, lovable Ryker - no - they met their arch nemesis, No, No, Bad Dog. Covered in mud!!!! (Did I mention it had rained, and the dirt was quite muddy?)
My lady folk, Leanna was spitting mad. They had to leave in a little less than an hour. And here I set. Muddy, crusty and a giant hole in the back yard.
Somehow, Joe wandered off and it was Leanna's job to deal with me. She tried to hose me off outside, but I would have none of it. She then decided she needed to get me to the tub, but how. And as soon as she opened the door to the house, I ran in and -- SHOOK! Yep, I shook in all my muddy glory!

That was it! She had it! She picked me up and ran! Right to the water torture room. Ugh! It took three bath fulls of water to get most of the mud off. She need something else to help get the rest off, but when she turned her back. Yep, I jumped out and shook again! In all my muddy, watery glory.

Joe then sought out poor Leanna all alone with me, came to the rescue and finished me off in the water torture device while she cleaned up my mess all over the house.

Ahhh, it didn't end quite as I hoped. They still left me. With my dopey side-kick (not by choice) Ursa. But I do believe this was a wonderful day for No, No, Bad Dog!

Stay tuned for my next adventure...

To be a Texan...

It's good to be a Texan!

You know why? You get to take fun pictures in fields of bluebonnets with your Texan hubby and Texan puppy!

Happy Weekend!

This was a happy happy weekend for several of our family!

Happy 1-Year Anniversary Sarah and Adrian!
To celebrate, the happy couple completed a mini-triathlon...it wasn't very mini in my opinion!


Happy 1st Year Jonathan!
His mommy, Julie, celebrated with a wonderful party with friends and family and monkey food and decoration for her favorite monkey, her son!

Congrats, congrats! We love you guys!

That was NOT a moth!!!

Last night around 9 or so, I decided to take Ryker for quick evening walk down the block. As I opened the door ---woooossshhh!

It buzzed my head! I screamed!

I thought it was the giant 5" moth I saw the night before.

It was not!

It was a bird!

ACK! There's a BIRD in our HOUSE! At NIGHT! What in the world!

So, of course, you don't just take these things amazingly calm when a bird is flitting all over your house. We left the door open and decided to let it try to find it's way and fly out.

I thought perhaps Ryker would find it (as we had lost it at this point), and start barking at it to frighten it away.

He did find it! He LIVES for this. He is a sight hound. He is a hunter.

The bird flew through the dining room, kitchen and then to the living room -- where it swooped and dove and clutched to the ceiling. All the while, Ryker is flipping out and rushing after it! Joe has a trash bag at this point, trying to catch the bird to release outside. I think, "this is a great moment for a picture."

Just as I grab ny camera, I see the bird swoop down. Joe begins to shout, "No, Ryker, No!!" The bird gives a few last horribly pathetic squeaks. And Ryker finishes the job we didn't quite know we gave him.

Something about it's head not being with it's body, made be quickly stow the camera and back way up as Joe did the corageous man thing and cleaned up the aftermath.

We felt horrible. We feel horrible! But Ryker was so stinkin' proud of himself...what were we to do. I told him good doggie, took him on his walk and Joe and I each said a little prayer for the bird and his family.

Ugh! Was not expecting that last night. Just goes to show life is NEVER as boring as it may seem. (complete with bird poop on my couch pillow!)

And beware of birds...and/or 5" moths!

It's Bloomin' Crazy, I tell ya'.

It's true.

We're actually growing things around here! Joe has turned in to such the gardener.

And here's our latest development! ROSES! Beautiful red roses.If you will remember, we planted three rose bushes a while back. This is the only one blooming so far. The 2nd is doing well, and the third...well, we're not holding out much hope! We've also added a hydrangea to the mix as our Easter gift from Joe's parents. I can't wait to see it bloom. I LOVE hydrangeas!

Anyway...I leave you with a few more blooms...

We'v had a few more flowers show their pretty faces in the last few days than these three! So fun!Our ever-present supervisor, Ryker, checking on our soil conditions.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter.

What a wonderful, wonderful day. Hope you all had a special holiday with family and friends to remember the sacrifice made three days before, and the promise realized on this day!

How to Make Blueberries

This Valentine's Day, I became the proud owner of a blueberry bush thanks to my hubby. We put in a few flower beds and needed something to fill them with...so a blueberry bush and some rose bushes where what the doctor ordered this time around.

Now, you may be asking, "how do you make a blueberry?" Follow these easy instructions, and you too may be the proud owner of a home-grown blueberry.

Step One: Buy Blueberry Bush (check)

Step Two: Have hubby plant Blueberry Bush before it dies a slow death in the garage (check)

Step Three: Water Blueberry Bush - they really appreciate it! (check, most days at least)

Step Four: Let God take over because you have been known to kill green things way too easily (check)

Step Five: Marvel and take pictures!
As you can see from the photos, this is what I have gathered on how a blueberry actually grows. With water and sunlight, they produce the most wonderful white, delicate, bell-like flowers. The flowers then drop off, and you're left with the flower base where the white part attached to and the middle stamen.

THEN...something marvelous happens and they start growing round and out, but still retain the leafy petal-ness of the flower base. So, if you ever look at a blueberry, you will note this on his bottom.

Crazy!

And that is how you make a blueberry!

**Update**

Rufus (aka my civic) now has both his side mirrors again!

We are happy. And we are even happier Joe found the part the next day and it did NOT cost a fortune! Thank you Honda for generic parts!

What's Different Here?

So, you know when you go to the doctor and they have the Highlights magazine with the two photos and you're supposed to find out what's different between the two.

I'm not going to post the first picture, because I think you're smart enough to discover what's different here.Can you believe that?? This is what Joe finds as he's heading off to work. Makes me so mad. Of course no note or anything. We are NOT experiencing the best of luck with automobiles this year. I am just trying to remind myself that God always provides and this is just a little, although LARGELY annoying thing in life.

Blah.

It's Here! It's Here! It's Here!

What you may ask? Spring!!

There are signs everywhere. The warmer weather. The flowering trees. Tulips! (love those!) Birds singing. It's here and it's growing steady each day. Oh, shorts weather, how I've missed you so!

You may be skeptical if you've seen the weather forecast for this weekend, but really, IT'S here, and I'll show you!

The pretty blooming Bradford pear trees all around town. I just love the white blossoms, however I would like them even more if they didn't smell so bad.

A sign of new life on Carl the Maple Tree. We're excited to see his progress this year!

Beautiful flowers on the blueberry bush Joe gave me for Valentine's Day. Aren't they neat!

One of our new flower beds and a rose bush, also given to me this Valentine's Day!

And last but not least, the return of the hammock. Oh, how I've missed our sunny afternoons together. Good to see you again, old friend.

Officially Going Crazy

He did it again. We went to have dinner with friends who are family (isn't that fun). And Joe beat me home, and was the first to welcome Ryker on the WRONG side of the fence.

I don't know what to do. I am afraid he'll get hurt or someone will take him. Does anyone know what to do in this instance?

I played down leaving. I left him treats. I took him for a walk right before leaving to 'get some energy out.' But he found a new place to dig out and was waiting for us on the front porch!

AAAHHHH!!! This dog will be the death of me!

The Perfect Pansy

As a relatively new house owner still, I thought I'd try my hand at planting some pansies at the first of this year.

I always love when people have tons of colorful pansies in the midst of a usually gloomy and cold time of year. So, Ryker and I set out to plant our two flats of newly aquired flowers one gorgeous January day. Do you know how LONG it takes to plant those stupid things if you don't have one of those nifty hole diggers...a LONG time! And the silly dog that can dig is NOT helping.

Anyways, I did it and vowed not to buy any more flowers for a while, even though we could have used a few more to make it look fuller.

Now it has been a few months, and my pretty pansies are still bloomin' like no tomorrow. I used all different colors because I thinkit is more fun that way. And yesterday I came across the perfect pansy, so I took his picture. I did a little tweeking on this first image and it made the color muted, so that's why there are two.
And, wouldn't you know it, Ryker was so excited by the fruits of our (my) labor, he decided to do his "Happy Puppy Dance." If you have not witnessed this dance in person, you are in for a treat -- pure puppy joy at its finest!

The Season of Lent

Well, I hope everyone had an enjoyable Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras celebration. Joe and I decided we would enjoy our excess in the form of sour cream enchiladas and an apple fried pie with ice cream. It was good.

But some of you may know, that this time of overindulgence is in preparation for the liturgical season of Lent. As a Baptist growing up, it seems we never really dove into Christian Liturgy too much, but I have enjoyed learning a bit more about this through our church, Irving Bible Church.

Along with the normal teachings, our church has also added a devotional to the season thanks to the writings of Shawn Small (also the guy who married us, I know, cool!)

His book, Via Crucis, follows the journey of not just Christ, but those he met, those who only heard about him, and those who persecuted him. It is a powerful and fresh approach to look at Jesus' journey to the cross. It is a way we can almost see our own selves there some 2,000 years ago. Who would we be? What would we do? Thoughts we can ponder, but with the truly gracious benefit of knowing the hard part is done and our God is great.

If you'd like to walk this "way of the cross" or Via Crucis, during this season of Lent, you can find the book on Amazon, or let me know and I can hook you straight up with the author himself!