Checking in...

My posts seem to be getting further and further apart. I apologize for that. It is just by the time I finally sit down to jot my thoughts down, it is way past my bed time. So what's been going on? 

Let's see, I attended my first ever Barry Manilow concert. It was actually more fun than I thought it would be and considering that Barry is 70 years old, he does put on a pretty good concert. He sang for a little over an hour and a half straight. 

Myself, Jenny and Elizabeth before the concert. 

What else? Baseball season has started. Yay!!! Not sure how LSU will end up doing as they are struggling a little bit, but at least there is something to watch til almost football season. 

Mardi Gras! I went with my friends on that Saturday for the Endymion parade. It was so HOT! I think the temperature almost reached 80 that day. After all the cold, it was a relief to be in the warmth and sun. We were able to get pretty close to Ian Somerhalder's float. He is even more gorgeous in person as he is on tv. We caught a ton of beds and had a great day all around. 

Craft update: 

I've created another burlap wreath. This one has made its way home to Texas at a very good friend's house. Burlap isn't hard to work with but it can be difficult. This one took me about 3 hours to complete. A little over 2 hours to complete the base and another hour to decorate it. The flowers, the ribbon and the letter are all removable so if one wanted to change out the theme you could. 

I finally have completed page 1 of the Mini Alice and Snow White. On to the next page! 

Now the best for last! I have been looking the last few weeks for a new companion. After losing Duke, I was on the fence about whether or not I would ever get another dog. While I've enjoyed the freedom of being able to go where I want when I want, I've missed the companionship a dog brings. Well, I have finally found one. I adopted, just yesterday, an 8 week old puppy. It is a male and he is soooo tiny!!! Not even 2 pounds. His mother is a mix of rat terrier and chihuahua. It is believed the father may have been a Shih Tzu. 

His name is Chuy and so far he is really good. He spent his first night in the crate from about 10:30 pm to 6:30 am. Never once cried or whimpered. He is eating well. He is biting everything but his toys cause he is already teething. I think he is going to be a smart fellow. 

What a week!

It has been one very long, strange week here in south Louisiana. Not one but TWO winter storms. We didn't get any snow but plenty of ice!!! I had two days off from work because the roads were closed. We just don't know what to do with ice! 

While I was forced to stay indoors due to the ice and cold temperatures I managed to watch countless number of movies, finish up a few books and work on a few projects. 

I finished my first burlap wreath. This was a learning experience. Had to learn how to make the wreath then how to make a bow. I'm not a good bow maker but the technique I used made it easy. 

Now it is time to make a custom one for my friend who ordered one from me. It will be done in burlap and black with an initial on it. 

I've also been stitching on the mini Alice and Snow White. Still working on the first page but it is coming along nicely. 

Crafty updates

I haven't had much time to be creative but I've done a few projects. 

The first was a stocking for my sister's newest dog. This picture is pretty dark but there's a lot of sparkle in this stocking. I do have to make some repairs because Lulu managed to chomp the head off of one of the reindeer. 

The next was a new LSU wreath for my sister. The last one became a nest for birds. Here's hoping she keeps the birds out of this one! 

Currently I'm working on a burlap wreath for a friend. I've never made one before so this is a learning experience. I'm not finding it as easy as the mesh wreaths but it isn't difficult. Just a different technique. I'm thinking this first one will be for me and the next will be for my friend who ordered one from me. 

And in keeping with being a serial starter, I began a new cross stitch project. Haven't finished any but thought, what the heck, I'll start a new one. This one is Mini Alice and Snow White by Jasmine Becket-Griffith. This will be either for my sister or my oldest niece. Not sure yet. 

I did manage to finally finish the third book of Game of Thrones so I am all ready for the new season to start! I have quite a few other books to read before I can start the 4th book. I am now reading Styxx. 

'Twas the night before Christmas....

Snuggled on the couch in my flannel pajamas and favorite blanket watching one of my favorite holiday movies, Love Actually. I was lucky enough that my company let us off at noon so I took the afternoon to run presents to my friemd's house for the kids then spent the rest of the time with my parents, my sister and my sister's 2 dogs. We had our annual Christmas Eve gumbo and then went to mass. 

Now I am at home relaxing because my Dad said I looked tired and needed to rest. He means well. 

This past weekend I spent all day Saturday in New Orleans for the New Orleans Bowl. Tulane and ULL were playing. My friend Jenny is an alumnus of Tulane and her mom works there. They were nice enought to invite me. 

We started the day off at the House of Blues for the Tulane sponsored brunch. It was good food, mimosas and a jazz trio. We had a good time. 

After the House of Blues we went to see some Christmas decorations. We went by the Roosevelt, the Ritz-Carlton, and the Hotel Monteleon. 

After checking out the Christmas decorations we went to hang out at Pat O's piano bar. We enjoyed a few songs and indulged in my favorite drink, the Fuzzy Leprechaun. 

Next up we walked over to the Cathedral to light a candle then we decided to take a pedi-cab to the Hilton. Why? Well why not? At the time it seemed a good idea (after several drinks). We did give our driver a good tip. 

We took a trolley back to the Quarter. Then it was time to head to the Dome. Tulane was hosting a pre-party at Club XLII in Champions Square. It was quite nice. Food. Cash bar. Band out in Champions Square. We second lined to the Dome before the game. 

Tulane ended up losing the game but it didn't put a damper on the good time and the memories that were made. I am still a LSU Tiger through and through. There is no good time that could ever change that!!! 

It's been a long time....

It has been quite a while since I've written.  So much has happened.  I've been busy but mostly I haven't been motivated to write anything.

 

Where do I start?  I guess at the beginning.

 

Back in August, my little man began to fail.  He wasn't breathing comfortably.  He lost his appetite.  But he never lost his spirit.  He was still my sweet little boy up until the very end.  I realized that I had to stop being selfish and stop his suffering.  The combination of the heart tumor and heart murmur was just too much for medication and love to overcome. The vet did say that of the dogs that he has treated with similar symptoms, Duke lived the longest. Most dogs live an additional 6 months to a year from diagnosis, not 2 years.  The early diagnosis and treatment with medication helped out a lot.  It's been difficult coming home to an empty apartment but I know I did the right thing.

 

In late September I took a trip to visit my nieces and nephews in North Louisiana.  I rarely ever head up that way but for them I made the trip.  The two girls were competing in the state fair pageant.  Marly won Junior Miss Claiborne Parish State Fair Queen.  I am so very proud. 

 

Even Cassady participated.  As big as her personality is, she completely clammed up once on the stage.  I really thought she would be hamming it up for everyone.  She was a little bummed that she didn't get a crown though.

 

I attended my first ever Tulane football game and tailgate.  That was definitely very different from an LSU tailgate.  They tailgate in a parking garage. So few people go that you can pretty much sit anywhere.  But they are having a good season and are bowl eligible for the first time in 10 years (?).  They are predicted to go to the New Orleans Bowl.  So, I may be going to my first New Orleans Bowl game this year.

 

 

 

I've done a little bit of stitching.  Not much.  I've managed to complete 2 pages on my peacock pictures.  One day I will finish and it will go in my bedroom.  That is if I finish before I change the colors in my bedroom again. 

 

Halloween this year was a rainy, wet one.  We did a themed Halloween at work.  All of the women were "cheerleaders" and our boss was the "coach".  I made shirts for all of us to wear and Jenny accessorized the outfits.  Yep, that's us with our "head pieces" on.  I think I would have preferred a big bow!

 

We had a luncheon and my contribution this year was deviled eggs.  So I decided to make them Halloween themed.  I had deviled "eyes" and spiders.  In my opinion they came out much better looking than they tasted.  But it was my first time ever making deviled eggs.  I typically just like to eat them, not make them!





I've already gotten a jump on the holiday shopping.  Our girls night out in October was an afternoon/evening of shopping at a local event called Holly Days.  I managed to snag presents for my mother and sister in addition to a sweater for me.  Now I need to sit down and make my list of the things I need to buy for the rest of my family and friends.  Black Friday will be here soon!

Work has been extremely busy and I see a lot of overtime for me in the coming month.  That's ok.  I prefer to pay cash for all of my Christmas presents!

I'm sure I've missed something that happened over the past few months but those were the most significant and recent events that I could recall! 

I hopefully will be better at documenting the upcoming holidays!