Changes

Things are about to change around here in a HUGE way. This is my last week in Lubbock. Although I am going to miss many friends that I have made out here, I'm also glad to be moving closer to home. We put our house back on the market about a month ago and really haven't had many lookers, but with school ending and summer upon us I'm sure it will pick up. I'm excited and anxious at the same time. My last day with the City will be Friday and it's going to be very hard to say good-bye. I had a garage sale yesterday and will have another one Saturday to clean out some more stuff. Then on Sunday we will head to Rowlett/Plano. My first day with the City of Plano is supposed to be next Monday, June 7th. That means this next weekend is going to be CRAZY BUSY! JP has a final interview and more evaluations this week and next with the City of Plano also. Hopefully that will come through, they sound pretty promising. Lubbock has been a good growing process for us, hopefully Plano will be also.

Bella

In February, I noticed an add on craig's list for heeler/corgie mix puppies. Me being the animal lover I am had to look. Sure enough they were cute as a bug. I remember Gunner being the cutest thing, so I told JP that I had found Gunner's sister. I didn't realize that it seriously was the same family that JP got Gunner from. When JP woke up from his nap, he looked at the pictures and wanted one so bad. They had 4 females and 1 male. After going to work and thinking about it all night he decided he wanted another one. When we get there we are told that these pups are Gunner's nieces and nephew. We noticed that the adult females were so much smaller than Gunner and decided on a girl. Bella is the sweetest dog, next to Bucky boy. She has put Gunner and Bucky in their place since she got home. Since Bucky is only 4 months older, they are the best of buddies. Gunner plays with her at times, but they are napping pals.

Bucky and Bella nappin on the floor.

Bucky curled up on the couch.

Bella and Gunner resting on the couch.

Bird Catchers

Our dogs are the silliest things. You never know what you are going to find in their mouth outside. They love to chew on sticks, and have pruned our little pecan tree for us. We got a jolly ball, a ball for horses, for the boys to play with. They always tear everything up, so we thought it would be pretty durable...WRONG...well partially. I think we have had the ball since September, and I looked outside the other day and Bucky was chewing the handle off. I guess it couldn't last forever, but they can still play with it.

Tonight while I was sitting on the couch, I noticed white flying around outside. All three puppies were crowded around the white object. So I get up and notice it is moving. Bucky and Gunner had caught a bird. It wasn't dead, but still. I didn't want them to catch some disease from it! So I freak out and make JP come get rid of the bird. Gunner kept taking it away. It was such a funny sight! Who needs a cat when you have bird catching dogs? :)

Taco Ring

I have been trying a few new recipes lately. The one that has had rave reviews is the taco ring. I got the recipe at a Pampered Chief party. After I made it the first time JP "gave me permission" to make it again. It is super easy and takes a no time to make, so I thought I would share for anyone that wants something for a change.

Ingredients:
1 pound of ground meat (I've tried ground turkey and hamburger. They were both "approved".)
1 package of taco seasoning (Follow the directions on the package, the one I use has 3/4 cup of water)
1/2 cup to a cup of shredded cheese (This just depends on your preference)
2 cans of crescent rolls

Pre-heat the oven to 375
Brown your meat and drain the grease.
While the meat is browning spread the crescent rolls out on a pan. If you have the round stone from Pampered Chief use that, if not a flat sheet will work too. Overlap the big ends around the inside of the stone/pan.
Add in the taco seasoning and water to the pan to cook as if you were going to make tacos.
When the seasoning is done, stir in the cheese.
Scoop the mixture on the big end of the crescent rolls.
Roll the small end over the mixture and tuck it under.
Put the pan in the oven for 15ish minutes till the crescents are done. Really just follow the directions on the crescent roll can.


When the taco ring is done enjoy! I enjoy putting a little ranch on mine, but it is great without it. The ladies at the party put lettuce and tomatoes in the middle of the ring after cooking, just like you would a taco.

Just food thought. Enjoy your weekend! Let me know how you like if you try it!

Crafts and Such

This weather is so driving me nuts! This week we got snow again on Wednesday. Thursday it went away and then today it was nice and pretty outside. They are calling for more snow next week! I'm not sure that it will stick since it's supposed to be in the 50's most of the week, but you never can tell.

This past week I've been a crafting fool! Tiffany and I got a few letters and began doodling. She made a few for some kids that she babysits and I made some for a guy at work. Let me know what you think.


Our sweet Bucky is being a handful! He has found his voice and lost all of his teeth. He is chewing on everything, even gnawing on Gunner's leg or ears. Any sock he finds on the ground ends up in his mouth. From there it becomes a tug-o-war with Gunner!

Red Skies!

Today it is super yucky outside! The sky has been red! While California is getting tons of rain and Canton getting tornadoes, we get the dust/wind storm. It's so strong it would almost blow you off the road if you are driving or on the ground if you are walking. I may be exaggerating a little on the walking part, but it's pretty strong! Hopefully it won't stay to nasty all weekend!

Sweet Bucky is growing like a weed! Since JP works nights, I have let the boys sleep with me on the weekends. They take up the whole bed! Gunner always tried to sleep on me or right up next to me. Bucky tries to sleep on my pillow. It wouldn't be so bad if it was just one pillow. When it comes to a pillow he only wants the one that my head is on at the moment. When he sleeps he cuddles my head and when he dreams kicks and scratches and claws at my head. He is a mess. He is enjoying playing outside with Gunner and the Jolly Ball. (A Jolly Ball is a ball for horses, but Gunner has torn up everything that we have bought for him to play with but this ball.)

Hope you all have a great weekend!

The Beginning of the End!

Last week started another adventure for us, JP started back to school Wednesday! I'm so excited for him and us! Hopefully, he will be through with school by May 2011. This semester, he will be going to school during the day, coming home to sleep and do homework, and then making his way to work. I know he can do it because I worked full time while I was going to school. With the support from friends and family, I know it will be a lot easier on him this time! Pray that WE make it through math together. I have always been good with math, but it has been years since I really tried to do any "real" math. To me this is marks the beginning of the end of our adventure in West Texas. I'm so ready to be back in the trees and lakes of East Texas!

Counting down the days and praying for opportunities to open up! God will get us where we need to be!

Hope you all have a great week!

Good-Bye 09 Hello 2010!

2009 has definitely been an interesting year! Not that it has been bad by any means, but just a little tough. I've heard that the first year of marriage is the hardest and they wouldn't go back to it for anything, but our first year, I would say, has been great! Here is a run down on our year.

January - I started out the year subbing for LISD and JP in the academy.
February- I got a call from the temp agency I worked the fair for saying that they had an interview for me at the City. JP started working as a dispatcher.
March - JP and I went camping at Palo Dura Canyon, on a cold, windy night. I didn't check the weather, as well as I thought, but we had a great time! We sold my truck and got a car.
April - We celebrated JP's 24th birthday. On his birthday, a horrible storm came through Lubbock, producing tornados, hail, and a lot of rain.
May - JP's family came to stay with us to watch his cousin, Ashley, graduate. I had a bad spell with migraines.
June - JP and I put a bid on a house that we had been looking at for a few months. I was finally hired on after a 3 month "trial period" at the City of Lubbock in the Purchasing department. We went to Pampa to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary with and got to see Nanny and Pa.
July - I totaled my car in a wicked fenderbender. We closed on our house after a few mishaps.
August - We both got vehicles. JP got a 07 Ford Lariat and I got a 07 Ford Excape.
September - Daddy scared us all and we made a running trip home in the middle of the night. Thankfully he was ok, and we got to see everyone, including Tabitha and Aubrie. I got promoted to an assistant buyer and JP finished his training. Matt and Beka came to visit.
October - I worked the fair again. We got Bucky.
November - We had to say good-bye to Tucker, it was a very sad week! We got to go home the week of my birthday, 25, and see most everyone. It was our family Thanksgiving and Christmas. We celebrated our first wedding anniversary. Thanksgiving day, we went to Canyon to eat with some family.
December - We got snowed two days before Christmas, it was a REAL blizzard. There is still snow on the ground in places. Mark and Sharon came to see us the Sunday after Christmas.

I don't usually stick to resolutions, so I'm not going to make any this year. I hope everyone has a great day, safe weekend and an even better 2010.