Visiting Fountain Place and Santa

We got up early on Saturday so the pups could meet with Santa and so we could get some family pics.  The kitties were excluded as they don't travel well.  Poor kitties.  Here's a link to my facebook pictures of the pups with Santa and a few pics of our Martha Stewuart Christmas Candy & Crafts.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2871809557232.152238.1319676789&type=1&l=2a3d1cfa1f

 

Thanksgiving and the Beginning of December

So its been a while since I wrote to you.  Things have been pretty busy with the new addition to our home.  Bailey, our new pup, has brought a little excitement, if not destruction, to us for the holidays and we’ve been enjoying it even when we’ve been arguing over who has to take her out at night when its cold outside.  Regardless, she is a super sweetie and hopefully, on Monday, I’ll be able to add Santa pictures of the puppies.

Thanksgiving

Shea and I hosted Thanksgiving this year and it was stressful.  But on the upside it was a joy to have family and friends at the house, use my china and eat left overs…yummmm. 

Chuck and Mom carving turkey

Shea bought me flowers and we got to use my china...even the gravy boat!

Lots of food, we had it on the table and on the counter.

Pies, pumpkin, pecan, pecan sweet potato, cherry, blueberry, chocolate, coconut & strawberry rubbard

If it weren’t for Mom and Don coming over the night before to help with the turkey and dressings, I’m not sure I would have gotten it all done.  I do have to say…it was funny to see Shea and me struggling with a 20+ pound turkey trying to corral it into the roasting pan.  Both of us were saying things like should we…and responding with I don’t know I’ve never done this before…anyway.  Although tired I did enjoy the day and Lisa Christensen’s wine addition was delish. 

Once everyone left, Shea and I lay on the couch watching TV while the puppies played and I finally got to look at Thursday’s ads.  Mom decided it wasn’t worth it to shop on Thursday so I headed out myself to Walmart…what a nightmare…The parking lot was full and so were the parking lots of all the stores around it…people were parking on the other side of the freeway and walking over…luckily I found a space on the side of Walmart (ever the optimist to even try) and since there were no carts…ended up making 3 trips in and out hand carrying items.  The first was toys for tots, the second was niece and nephew gifts and the third was for everyone else.  Boy did my arms hurt after lugging all that out to the car.  People were crazy and I think a little drunk.  I’ve decided if they do another Thanksgiving night opening that I won’t be part of it…So that was at 10p and by 11p, I was at Super Target in a line that wrapped ½ way around to store.  I played angry birds on my iphone for an hour while waiting.  By the time Target opened at 12a, the line was doubled…Luckily, they were only letting 50 in at a time so it wasn’t crazy like Walmart.  Got in and out fast and went to bed so Mom and I could start shopping at 6am.

Black Friday

Wow what a difference, we missed the 4am openings so were following the crowds…and there were no crowds.  Whats weird is that we got we were searching for.  Bestbuy, the parking lot was almost empty and Mom found all three items that she had wanted.  All of which were on sale.  We then went to Bass Pro Shop…when we walked in, there was a line to the entrance…we grabbed our donuts (thank you bass pro) and headed over to the item Mom wanted…both of us were in agreement if it wasn’t there we weren’t waiting in that line…but come to find out there was one left; it was the model opened for viewing…As Mom waited for the box, the guy came racing out to let us know he’d found 6 more … way cool and even better, by the time we walked up to the front there was no line.  Next was Bed Bath and Beyond…again store was nearly empty and there was no line.  Every store we went to the lines were 2 deep or less…we just kept getting good parking places and finding all of our sale items…WOW.  It was a really good Black Friday and we were done by noon.  That night, Shea and I went and saw the Muppets…Great movie. 

Saturday

Shea and I started putting up our trees (yes plural).  I’ll get pictures up soon.  But the house looks great.  That evening, we went over to Rose’s where I hope she continues to have her “Christmas Card Party” although Shea and I were the only ones who actually worked on our cards (thank you Suz for helping with the stamps.  Got most of them done while we watched Buddy the Elf, A Christmas Story and the Grinch…and we got to eat Rose’s yummy Chili.  It was great.

Sunday

Rose and I went to Casa Manana to watch Santa Clause…YUK, the music was horrible and it wasn’t like any story I’d heard of for how Santa became Santa.  Whatever.  Rose and I suffered through it and survived. We even agreed that we’ll try another one next year since we liked Rudolf so much last year.  After that I went over to Lita and Chuck’s as Shea was hanging with them, while the dogs had a play date.  Boy were the pups tired.  Poor Prince could barely move on Monday.  Always enjoy visiting with Chuck and Lita.  It was a great weekend!

First Weekend of December

Our first weekend in December was spent cleaning and decorating.  I’ve got more to do but as early as it is…we’re in pretty good shape…we even have decorations outside this year though I need to find a place for our plastic Santa…he’s a cutie and find the gooses’ outfits…Right now they’re naked cause I can’t find the Santa outfit … not sure what I did with it.  We also attended a Veteran Show that our dance teacher put on in Wylie…It was very small townish and there was a lot of sweet spirit.  My favorite part was the guys with the riffles where the leader actually walked up the rifles like it was a stairwell.  Too cool.  So most of the Christmas cards have been mailed, most of the decorations are up, most gifts are wrapped and have been mailed to out of town family.  I’ve even got my lighted village up this year.  I think Shea thinks I go over board…he’s right.

Bailey, the new addition to our family

Saterday, the plan was to clean up the house for Thanksgiving company.  Shea was going to clean the fish tanks and I was going to re-sort out the kitchen but first I wanted to go to the Rowlett house to gather up some more kitchen items that needed to be incorporated into our home...of course we never made it to the Rowlett house.  First we stopped at Firehouse Subs for lunch, then we stopped at the Petco to check out the puppies...Shea and I had discussed getting a second puppy and I had told him we really should wait until after the Christmas holiday since we had thought about going to Cinci...  Well since we're not going to Cinci until spring that issue was resolved so there was really no reason to hold back on the search.  Shea had mentioned seeing a full blood german shepard on Petfinder but when we called the pup had already found a home.  We went to the Rowlett Petsmart and checked out their adoptable doggies, we stopped at the Rowlett pound and found an adorable brown lab mix named Bravo with the possibility of adopting and then we went to the Sachse pound, which is were Shea found Prince.  Bailey (previously unnamed was one of the few quite dogs there).  I took an instant liking to her because of her pretty face (racoon markings lol). 

Prince

Prince and Bailey begging

Bailey with her new squeaky toy

Prince is just a little jealous but he is enjoying the extra treats

She's super sweet in temperment but she needs to be trained...  Specifically, she likes to get onto the couch and she jumps on people...and of course being one and having probably spent most of her life in someone's backyard she isn't potty trained.  Poor Shea is having to clean up mess #2 because I left her unattended after I left... We've agreed until she's potty trained that she can't be left alone outside her crate...  Shea had me practice with her for about a 1/2 hour when we arrived getting her used to her crate.  She now runs to the crate (as does Prince) because I give them a treat if they go in...  We've yet to introduce her fully to the cats as we've blocked of the house...that should be interesting.  As for Bailey's name.  I was looking in the Bs for girl names and it was one of the first ones I named.  Shea instintly took a liking to it and so did I.  So naming was easy.  Welcome to our family, Miss Bailey.

Prince (left) and Bailey (right) waiting for a treat

Yes its late but...things to do. etc. - Wedding Rehearsal and Dinner Picturebook

Hi all, there was another 50% coupon at shutterfly that had me workin late into the night to finish a photobook.  I still think there may be some more pictures of the wedding rehearsal and dinner but I don't have em!  Anyway, I still have fond memories of both even if the rehearsal did drag on a little.

Here's the Shea & Julie Wedding Rehearsal and Dinner photobook:

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8EbMXDdu1bNnw

 

On unrelated news, Rose and I are going to see Antonio Banderez aka Puss in the Boots on Friday and on Saturday, Rose, Suzy and I are walking in the American Cancer Society's Breast Cancer walk at Ranger stadium...I of course will walk the entire way.  Rose and Suz like to run the last block or so.

 

Talk to ya soon.

 

Juls.

Halloween 2011 - Taking over the WORLD, Narf!

Pinky: "Gee, Brain, what do you want to do tonight?"
The Brain: "The same thing we do every night, Pinky—try to take over the world!"

The Pinky & The Brain Theme Song, by Tom Ruegger

Pinky and the Brain

They're Pinky and the Brain

Yes, Pinky and the Brain

One is a genius, the other's insane

They're laboratory mice

Their genes have been spliced

They're dinky

They're Pinky and the Brain, Brain, Brain, Brain,

Brain, Brain, Brain, Brain, Brain

Before each night is done

Their plan will be unfurled

By the dawning of the sun

They'll take over the world

They're Pinky and the Brain

Yes, Pinky and the Brain

Their twilight campaign

Is easy to explain

To prove their mousey worth

They'll overthrow the Earth

They're dinky.

They're Pinky and the Brain, Brain, Brain, Brain,

Brain, Brain, Brain, Brain, NARF!

Pictures of us on Halloween 2011

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2622319640140.147817.1319676789&type=1&l=c63e64db9e

We had a wonderful time at Lita and Chuck’s. Lita was a ninja, Chuck a pumpkin, Lori was the energizer bunny (too cute) and Shea and I were Pinky and the Brain.  We still have the world ha, Narf!  Its in Shea’s pickup.  Had a wonderful time.  Food was delish and as always the company was awesome.

And, we also went trick or treating. Way fun...and it was the good stuff...chocolate!

Happy Halloween!

The weekend before Halloween

We went camping at Ray Roberts just north of Denton Texas.  Felt like I was freezing on Friday before we lite the fire.  Yea fire!  Awesome place to go; very relaxing when I wasn't falling off my bike...good news except for the handle bars the bike came out unscathed.  All I got was a scrapped knee and wounded pride.  Shea really liked his new stove/grill...me too.  Too bad I didn't take pictures of the heart shaped banana pancakes that I made him on Sunday...of course I put peanut butter on mine with warm maple syrup.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2617272993977.147631.1319676789&type=1&l=9c3e2159bb

 

Then on Sunday we went over to Mom and Don's.  We were fed Fried Chicken, Potato Cassarol, Red Lobster garlic bisquits and an incredible salad...yum...then we carved pumpkins.  I think Rose wins hands down.  Mom did great too!

 

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2617262073704.147629.1319676789&type=1&l=8abe123ca3

 

Tonight we're headed to Lita and Chuck's to hand out candy and bond with beer and wine.  I've got a chilled bottal of Vampire wine waiting wa-ha-ha

 

 

Rose and I had a Martha Stewart day and Shea had a I'm going to play/clean outside day

This weekend, Rose and I made homemade pistachio bread, pumpkin bread, yeast bread, cake balls and whoopie pies.  And we did 3 crafts, tombstones, glowstick face ballons and glowing mirrow eyes.  The yard that Shea worked in all day looks great!

 

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2590027472856.146783.1319676789&type=1&l=6e5e0bc05b

 

Africa - Its on my places to go list...

My friends Bert and Patti went to Tanzania this summer and Patti just sent us some of their pictures.  They are truly amazing.  Check em out if you'd like.  http://www.photoshop.com/users/fuzzydogphotos/albums/ea5474a24363490785ce16056771128a/slideshow

Wedding Video

The wedding video finally arrived.  Not bad for amature friends and family footage!  Again, thank you to everyone who held a camcorder throughout the day...

Short 2 min - http://www.wedit.com/video/davis-highlight-reel 

 

Almost 2 hours - http://www.wedit.com/video/davis-full-length 

Our Professional Wedding Photos by the Troups

If you would like to see our professional photos:

Click on the link below and on Julie and Shea. Then put password - flynn

 

Link: http://www.georgetroupphotography.photoreflect.com

Julie and Shea  7/23/2011

Password: flynn

Sorry this is a belated post to the blog.

In September, Shea and Julie went to Chicago

We ate Indian, Cuban, Gino's East, and Chicago Dogs.  Lots of fun visiting!

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8EbMXDdu1bNla

In Sept., 2011 - Henry, Shea & I went to the Rangers/Indians BBall Game

My boss, Henry got us 2nd row seats at the Rangers vs. Indians game.  We were about 12 people from Nolan Ryan.

There were a lot of hits and the rangers won.  We had an awesome view of the game.



We had someone take our picture but for whatever reason, I don't have it...anywho...luckily I snaped this pic of us as we sat at the game.  Shea said he must luv me b/c I smelled of my garlic fries (yummy).



Shea and Julie's Wedding Photobooth pictures and more

Click here to view this photo book larger

Start your own Shutterfly Photo Book today.

Honeymoon Pictures

Here's are honeymoon album. 

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8EbMXDdu1bNjg

I've been a slacker; it seems there is just as much stuff to do after a wedding as before...I'm still planning on talking about the wedding...but I've been stalled partially because of getting the Rowlett house ready for sale and partially because I'm still waiting on some pictures from friends and relatives...excuses, excuses.  Hope you enjoy the honeymoon pics almost as much as we enjoyed the actual honeymoon.

Preparing for the wedding - an overview

So the weeks before the wedding are all kind of blurred together but even though it was a tad stressful, I had few complaints although I clearly must have been showing signs cause my honey sent me for a massage at the Crescent called Lavender Dreams and sent roses to the office (for ME).  Gorgeous roses that smelled wonderful.  His comment, take the time to smell the Roses and he’d call periodically and ask me if I’d smell them.  So SWEET!  The massage was wonderful and I arrived home feeling like jello.

So what did we do the weeks before the wedding…we prepared.  Mind you there are things we did that are not covered in this blog…as mentioned, the days ran together and I’m sure some of my dates and times have been confused and everyone who helped may not have been mentioned but…to everyone who helped… thank you, thank you so much…

• I worked on the guest list receiving responses and planning a seating chart. 
• I started my thank you cards for all the wonderful gifts from the bridal showers and for our wedding. 
• We spent hours running down a babysitter only to find out one wasn’t needed.  At least we had one on hold in case of emergency.
• I wrapped gifts for the people who were part of our wedding, the fathers and groomsmen and ring bearer received mugs with their names on them, the mothers received framed pictures of the bride, all of the parents received a double picture frame of our wedding invitation and our engagement picture, the bridesmaids and flower girl received heart shaped necklaces and earrings, and aprons with their designations on them that were actually ironed on by me, the readers and others either received heart picture frames, jewelry or bubba mugs.  All were wrapped and ready to give out to everyone in these huge costco bags with “Don’t mess with texas bags full of touristy stuff like maps and coupons (I’m thinking they were like regular shopping bags but they were leaf bags huge enough to fit a little boy!)
• Mom, Don, Shea and I all took dance lessons
• For the memorial tables at the church, I found and placed in frames pictures of Shea’s Mom and our grand parents who passed.  Enjoyed picking out the pictures and remembering.
• Mom removed the collar from Grandma Anderson’s wedding dress so that it could be used to wrap my bridal bouquet.  It was my something old.
• I practiced making Kransekake at the shower and one other time but never got to practice making the cornecopia
• I went to Walmart and Costco to buy food for the hords and order food for the day of the wedding and I went to Taste of Italy and ordered food for brunch the day after the wedding
• Shea spent an entire day cleaning out the garage.  We hid large items at my Rowlett house and took his mower over to our next door neighbors (awesome neighbors!)  We filled the closets (and attic) with junk and warned visitors to enter at their own risk
• We borrowed Mom and Don’s window air conditioner and plugged our window unit into the garage to see if they would cool the garage (and later the tent).  We discovered they couldn’t so Shea found (and rented) a 3 ton air conditioner to cool the tent and we kept his window unit in the garage.  Last minute fix!
• Mom and Don picked up nuts at vendor nut company in Fort Worth for the cookies
• Shea and I cleaned the house, made up the beds and put the Rehearsal gifts and clean towels on the beds for our first visitors Kathy, John, Jimmy, Jake, Bill(Dad), and Shawn
• Shea and I cleaned the Rowlett house (kinda) made up the beds and put the Rehearsal gifts and clean towels on the master bed for my Grandpa, Aunt Diane, Uncle Olaf and cousin Jada.  I drug my fridg from work so they’d have something cold to drink and I had the air conditioner worked on so it was actually running when they arrived.  Two pipes hit each other and all the freon was gone.  Very expensive repair.  Ouch and right before the wedding.  Then I quickly (in my work dress) mowed the lawn at the Rowlett house while the air conditioner guy was fixing the unit
• Mom and Don removed red wraps and replaced them with purple wraps on the heart shaped chocolates for the tables
• Shea and I got our marriage license and met with the 3^rd priest.  He was wonderful
• Shea and I met with the photographers and gave them our list of pictures
• Shea and I met with the DJ/MC and gave him our list of songs
• I met with the florist for the final flower arrangement list
• Mom and I met with the Linens lady to get the purple table cloths and green napkins
• I drove over to the Hyatt and gave Holly our final list (but forgot to give her a copy of the seating chart
• I actually talked on the phone with most of the vendors multiple times getting everything in order (ON THE PHONE).
• Then things ramped up the week before the wedding.  Stay tooned...sorry that this didn't happen before the wedding but I needed sleep lol



Shea and I put together the favor boxes, hotglued the ribbon and hearts onto them sometimes leaving burnt flesh behind

 

I made bride and groom heart shaped cookies for the favors.

Mom made the Goose’s wedding dress.  My favorite part is the lace on her butt feathers.  I loved it.



The goose and her attendents all dress up



Liane made the number cards, table menus and name cards for the reception and pre-reception.



Prince liked his "Don't let the Dogs Out" cookie jar more then the goose!



Shea spent hours and days working in the yard making sure it stayed green until the wedding, not that you can tell now that we've stopped watering the lawn





Don worked on sanding down, replacing pieces and making pretty two rocking chairs for the porch.



Shea and I created the wedding programs with help from the church, I printed them out at the office and then Lita, Lori, Mom, Rose and I put 200 of them together.  After that fun project, we removed the wrappings of heart shaped chocolates for my wedding version of peanut butter blossom cookies while we all watched the Princess Bride.  Still love that movie.



I put the conversation hearts and chocolates in the candy dishes and boxed them up for the reception



Shea spent hours and days working in the yard making sure it stayed green until the wedding, not that you can tell now that we've stopped watering the lawn

 

Shea and I worked on the program words; I printed and then Lita, Lori, Mom and Rose all helped put them together



Liane made the number cards, table menus and name cards for the reception and pre-reception.



Mom made the table runners for 3 entry tables at the church.



The lawn was green for the wedding but water restrictions happened and you can see the results.  We've lost 3 bushes so far.



The table numbers that my step-mom Liane prepared; aren't they awesome!

I put together recipe books for our out of town guests, pre-reception hostesses and attendants as a thank you gift and also burned a copy of the cookies cookbook and bars cookbook onto a cd and then I wrapped the rehearsal dinner gifts in gift bags that I decorated with hearts and stamped rodeo pictures.  The girls got the cookbooks, the guys got shot glasses with “Shea and Julie” written on them and the kiddos got stuffed armadillos with “Don’t Mess with Texas” written on them.

The recipes initially came from my Grandma Anderson's loose recipes.  She would write a recipe on anything!



I made up the mixes and marinades for the hanky pankies, chicken breast ramaki and cream cheese mints and Mom, Rose and I very industriously made the mints and put together the hanky pankies and ramaki.  It was like a 12+ hour marathon…lots of food that was frozen before the event.

 

I did my bridal pictures at the Arboretum with George and Lydia Troup, our photographers.  They were wonderful.  After, Mom took a few pictures of me but it was hot and I had to get back to work so we didn’t stick around.  After the session, I was completely enamered with our photographers.  They were great, picking places and moving me so that I’d look my best.  It was really nice knowing before the wedding how professional they were.  It was also nice to know that my dress would hold up to a drive across town.  And, I got to wear it one more day! ha.



Shea and I finally brought over the goose and Shea put together the new glider that Tammy, Kenneth and family gave us for our wedding gift





Shea and I planted flowers and bushes (and broke/bent Shea’s back)

 

Mom made the flower arrangements for the church sign in table and memorial tables



Shea and I stocked up our liquor cabinet, bought beer, pop, juice and wine for the hords.



I wrapped empty boxes to display wedding pictures at the sign in table at the reception and I put pictures of the parents, grand parents and great grand parents into frames for the sign in table at the reception



The armadillows wre a big hit.



Don refinished the photo room divider for the living room and we put childhood pictures in it.



Mom made the seat covers for the benches that Shea and I sat on during the ceremony



I made the rehearsal dinner invitations and decorated the rehearsal dinner envelopes with Rodeo stamps





I finished putting together the emergency kits for the bride and groom and I finished putting together bathroom baskets for the guests in case of emergency and stocked our downstairs closet with guest items



Mom and I had a makeup test



testing makeup and hair; it was fun.



• Mom made the flower arrangements and candle arrangements for the house party






 













 























 











 


 

We're Married!

The day flashed by in seconds or so it seemed.  I've got a lot to say but I promised myself I had to get the thank you cards done before I played with the blog so... in the meantime, here's some pictures to see:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8EbMXDdu1bNgO

Mrs.

 

Marriage License and Our New Priest

I though I had my stuff together.  I researched where to go and what documents we needed.  I double checked to make sure we werein the 30 day limit for the license and we both made sure to have our counceling certificate.  So we walk in the door and the first thing I see is a sign that say $71 cash only. Gulp.  I turned to Shea, "Do you have any cash?"  I think I have a dollar..."  Then it dawned on me, we received a $60 discount with our counceling so the cost was $11.  Shea had EXACTLY $11 in his wallet.  When we walked up to the counter.  There was another sign.  Exact change only.  ha ha.  We got our license!  Mr. and Mrs. Shea.  WAY cool.

Even better was our meeting with the new priest at the church.  Father Timothy is working on his doctoral dicertation and has a wonderful Irish brogue when he wants to.  Shea and I instantly took a liking to him and he is going to try being at the rehearsal but said he probably wouldn't be at the rehearsal dinner. 

Anyway, things are going pretty good.  This weekend we'll be working on preparing and freezing the food for the pre-reception and finalizing the formatting on the programs and getting them printed.  The presents for the wedding party and parents have been wrapped.  I'm just missing bows for some.  The favors for the rehearsal have been bagged but I'm still working on decorating the lil' favor boxes for the reception favors.  The reception table chart is pretty much done, just got to get a final OK from Shea and I'll be able to give the info to Liane for the placecards.  

Only 23 more days til the wedding.  Can't wait to see you all!

3 Priests - Will the church do the bait and switch again!

So Shea and I took off work yesterday to meet with the Bishop at 3p, who we picked after the first priest in Shea's parish said he couldn't do our marriage earlier this year (see previous post, my first panic attack).  As soon as we walk into his office, he told us that he has other obligations that he needed to handle on the 23rd, and that the church was assigning Father Heines as our officiant.  No I'm sorry for the hassle, no we'll set up an appointment for you to meet the person that is marrying you. Nada.  I'm just wondering why we had the meeting at all.  Father Heines is the new priest in the parish.  We've never heard him so hopefully the church will let us meet him.  Anyway after I calmed down and stopped thinking very negative thoughts about how these people were treating us, Shea and I started joking about who we'd have next as our officiant when/if Father Heines gives us the ol heeve ho...Shea suggested that he line up a JP...I wondered if we floated in a kiddy pool in the middle of the church if a sea captain could marry us.  Stay tooned for the revolving priests...they still have a month to switch our ceremony to another priest or deacon! 

On a happier note, today is the deadline for people to turn in their RSVPs.  Hopefully, you have!  I've got a count that is within budget and I've already (as of 10 minutes) ago sent out the Rehearsal Dinner invitations to out of town guests and wedding party.  There is already a typo that was caught, of course, after I sealed everything.  It was a late minute addition to the itinerary concerning the Rodeo (I put it under the reception instead of the rehearsal).  Basically, Shea was told that if our numbers got close enough to 100, that we'd be let into the Rodeo a 1/2 hour earlier then the masses.  Sweet.

Met with the DJ - Just one Little RANT

We met with the DJ last night at Snuffers.  The meeting went really well he made some more suggestions and told us he would prepare a timeline and that is that and its most definitely crossed off our list.  We just have to give him our last payment and he just has to show up on the wedding day.  Yipee!  Of course the best part was the awesome burgers and the even awesomer cheese fries with bacon (homer simpson noise), green onions, jalapenos, and ranch dressing.  YUMMMM.

We just have one more week for people to turn in their RSVPs.  We've already gotten a pretty good response and the number of RSVPs is within "containment".

I'm ranting now.

So the parents are coming over tonight for dinner so yesterday I stopped at the local Krogers to pick up pot roast ingredients, crockpot to the rescue!  Anyway, I'd found my ingredients and got in line just after a couple who had about 20 items.  Didn't think that was too bad until they sat there arguing with the guy over their 20+ coupons and whether they could use them in a combined fashion...no this part wasn't my rant...just a typical..I get stuck behind story...  No the winner goes to the hispanic woman (aka the crazy lady) who actually (and casually) walked up from behind me and put her potting soil in front of my groceries on the checkout stand.  I looked at her funny.  The checker looked at her funny. Then we all waited for the elderly couple to pay.  This is where I have an issue.  It wasn't my job to tell this crazy lady that you can't cut in line; the checker should have said something like I need to check this lady out first since she was already here with her food going warm on the conveyor belt.  Mind you, I was giving her the stinkeye but I didn't say a word until...she turned to the checker and actually said, with her finger pointed in my direction, "you tell that lady I'm not cutting in line, I was here before." I piped up, "you cut" (under my breath, but clearly load enough for her to hear) and thought.... It doesn't matter if you bought groceries in this line 5 minutes ago or 5 days ago.  If you leave the line you go to the end unless you've got an agreement with the person behind you...  This is when it went all nuts or should I say she went all nuts.  She refused to pay until the checker and a manager verified that SHE WAS NOT cutting in line, yes at some point she was actually yelling it in english and in spanish.  Did the checker or manager pull her out of the line and tell her whatever she clearly needed to hear, no.  Did they suggest to me and the 4 people behind me that we should go to another line...and point the way.  No.  Did we get apologies, of course not.  We sat there, I kid you not for more than 10 minutes as she, in spanish, explained to her daughters (who arrived belatedly to deal with her) that she was not cutting in line (I'm guessing that's what she said cause of course I don't speak spanish).  Anyway, nothing was resolved.  I ended up going to the line where I checked myself out.  And yes, I told the manager after I checked out and bagged my own items that training was an issue and that there were other stores that I could go to if they didn't fix their customer service.  Course, training people to deal with crazies is very difficult I do get that but still.  Anyway,  I got an apology but really, did it have to go down that way.  Grrr a good 15 minutes, I'll never get back.    Oh ya, my rant...I'm getting mighty sick of poor customer service.  Its an every other day occurrence.  Of course, I'm sick of crazy people too I just don't think they can be fixed unless we shut them up in loon farms but thanks to...oh never mind. Sigh.

Dallas Shower - Had a Blast!

Hi all, just wanted to thank all of you who were able to come to the shower.  I had a wonderful time and I was so glad you could come.  I woke up this morning and as I slugged down 2 cups of coffee, I started on the thank you letters.  Then is was wash the dishes, wash clothes, clean, put away bridal shower gifts, yard work and a nap.  Boy did I need the nap!

Here's some of the pictures of the shower! 

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8EbMXDdu1bNZE

Thanks to Kendyl for the pics!

The Mailbox and Back Injuries

So last weekend I almost crippled my fiance (all because I hate his cookie burning stove). 

He seems to be walking just fine now but there for a while getting him up and down the stairs was a chore.  As mentioned before, we moved alot of heavy appliances on Sat.  On Sunday (after refusing a back massage cause he wanted to get to work on the flowerbeds), Shea went out to the back of the house to dig holes and I went to the front to dig more holes.  He said he was on his second shovelful when he heard the pop in his lower back.  Long story short, we iced him down, put him in a chair and gave him pain meds.  He's working from home this week, seeing a chiropractor and as of yesterday, he no longer needs a cane!  Anywho why the mailbox you might wonder...its because since he's home, I'm getting immediate access to the mail.  I've been calling him in the afternoon to find out who RSVP'd.  Immediate Gratification. Yep, silver lining and all, maybe not for Shea, but I'm sure enjoying having him home (Prince and the kitties are enjoying it too!)

Bridesmaid dresses arrived and Taste Testing went really well!

So if you're wondering what you'll be eating at our wedding reception, well now you know the menu:
beef, chicken, mashed potatoes, salad and veggies.  hahaha  Went to the Hyatt and they did a fancy taste testing.  Liked the food alot, liked one better then the other.  We also went over other issues like white table clothes or black, extra black napkins for men, check.  Anyway, I think Mom, Don, Shea and I all agreed on our choices.  Hopefully you too will enjoy the food.

Oh ya, to cap off the week, the bridesmaid dresses came in and we've already UPS's Emily's dress to Cinci.  Check that off the list. 

Looking forward to relaxing this weekend.  We're meeting up with friends so should be fun.  Hope you too have a wonderful Memorial weekend.

Office Shower - a few more pictures!

Shea, Me and Henry Talavera

Sally Lunday, me, Shea and Kayla LaRue, our wonderful amazing hostesses

Picture in foreground is our shower gifts (CHINA); in background is downtown Dallas from our conference room