a costumeless pug

Pug is rather joyous.

I think he's realized he will not be stuffed into a costume this year and paraded around.

Last year he participated in a Puppy Parade as a giraffe. My parent's live in a small town so I thought it'd be cute to take him to the square and endulge ourselves with all the other crazy pet owners...and surely he'd win. Just look at that sweet face. How can one not win with bug eyes like that? But he did not win. Did not even take third place. In fact he lost to a lab that was dressed as a cow with a blown up latex glove attached underneath him. Leaving the parade I suddenly had visions of me becoming one of those "pageant moms" forcing faux lashes on our first born.

So we did not participate this year.

I had thought about it though and found a hilarious golfer costume at Target for $10 bucks. I searched every Target and could not find it. It even had little golf clubs. He would have been Pugger Vance.

Oh well, he will just enjoy greeting all the tricker-treaters at the door. Maybe I'll put a tie on him and he can go as Dwight from "The Office".

And speaking of tricker treaters, I'm probably going to have to attach a warning sign on the door letting them know in advance that because I cannot eat candy. I'm going to make everyone else miserable and hand out the narly stuff like pixey sticks. Hey sorry I have to otherwise it's too tempting. Sorry tricker treaters.

Photoshop anyone?

Hey y'all!

I need a little help/advice from my blogging girlfriends. I'm scouting out Photoshop programs for a mac and need your imput. If you have photoshop or know even about it (cause see I know diddly squat), it would be so fantastic if you'd comment. I know the ones that you would need to refinance your home are good, but I just want something to do photo editing and some graphic stuff.

Thank you so much!!

The boy who called pregnancy

Boy has figured out the most ingenious way of ensuring a return phone call.

Instead of "hey, it's boy call me back" he has opted for a more interesting take on the message to guarantee his call is first on their list, "hey it's boy call me back we have some EXCITING news!"

Gotta hand it to him. It works.

Last night while I was in the living room watching Grey's, boy was in the other room. His cell rang, and then it rang again, and then it rang again. 3 different times. I felt his was a serious emergency of sorts, someone in the hospital or a car accident.

I ran in giving him the phone nervous and curious as to why someone was calling multiple times at 11:30 at night.

Nope... no emergency. He giggled out his confession and my heart now goes out to the folks on the other end planning a baby shower.

I now realize that NO ONE will believe us when the time does arrive.

Meet my new friend!!

Organic Ranch!!!

I had no idea that made such a thing and low and behold after sending a desperate e-mail to my doc. asking for a little help in this detox roller coaster she said go and get me some organic ranch.

Friends, it was a great day!

Right up there with my wedding day.

Some of you have asked how much longer, and I apologize for not having ever mentioned that in my posts. About another week. They want me to come and do some tests on the old liver to see how things are going. I do miss my food, but more so I miss cooking for my husband. That part is really getting to me because I so loved his praises after a good meal.

And speaking of good meals. This is my new fav. It was my last normal meal and I can't wait to make it again because it was so deliciouso.

Black Bean Burritos:
1 Can of black beans drained and rinsed
1 8 oz. of low fat cream cheese
1/2 of a red bell pepper chopped up
tortillas
1 tsp. olive oil

So easy...all you do is saute the red bell pepper in olive oil for a few minutes. Then add in the cream cheese and the black beans until warm. The cream cheese will completely soften up. The spoon onto a tortilla.

Oh my...so good. My mouth had never taste such goodness before these babies.

Popcornless Movie Night

Okay I've cheated just a little bit on my detox and tossed in a tsp. of sugar to the smoothie I have to drink because there is nothing worse then drinking tar. Sorry Doc. I really do not know how much longer I can do this. I'm praying for God's strength and each day is a little better, so PRAISE Him for that. I'm supposed to do another couple weeks, but with just eating chicken, vegetables, and only organic strawberries and granny smith apples my blood sugar feels real low. I'm beginning to hate this doctor just a little bit at the moment.

Today was my first day out of the house. I had to run to the post office and boy came with me so we could take pug to the local puppy park. Y'all this puppy park is just the sweetest thing ever. They have a big dog play area and and small dog play area. Obviously, pug goes to the small dog area. It's all outdoors too so they can run and chase each other, and boy and I loved just getting out and enjoying Texas' one day of nice weather. We went at 4:00 and pug has been asleep for the last 3 hours.

Last night I had a husbandless and popcornless movie night. I watched "A Mighty Heart" and "The Ultimate Gift". Oh my word bawled like a baby, but both great movies. Now I'm not a huge fan of Angelina Jolie, or recommending "r" movies but it is a true story and so some language and the overall story line is what makes it "r". Then the "The Ultimate Gift" was hands down amazing. I'd seen it a gazillion times at Lifeway and had been meaning to buy it, but while in blockbuster I saw it and rented it. This is a movie that I will have to buy and add to our collection...even a good Christmas gift for friends.

It's only been 3 days?!?!

Thank you sweet blogging friends for your encouraging words and prayers. Oh how I need them.

It's only day 3. It feels like waiting for Christmas morning as a kid where the hours just creep by. Yesterday was by far the worse. I hate to admit it, but I was in such bad shape I had my own "bedside baptist service". We teach each Sunday and I think the real reason that Boy was so insistent I just stay home was his fear that I might yell at a child. Very likely.

Poor boy has been a huge trooper, except for this afternoon when he brought me a granny smith apple and a salad with chicken minus the DRESSING! How is one supposed to eat a salad without ranch? Anyways it was so sweet, but when I was finished nimbling around Boy took over and finished the salad off for me and then said, "Wow this was a really good salad! I could eat this again".

Yes ma'am it took everything in me not to slap him upside the head for that comment.

Hungry

I wish I could bring you a much cheerier post, but the truth is I'm far from being a happy person. I mentioned a few months ago that I was having some extensive tests done. They found some abnormal levels in my liver and we are working on bringing them down. Part of that work includes a Detox program, where basically I eat nothing but protein, vegetables, a few fruits and nasty supplements to top it off. The goal of this is to rebuild my intestive linings (gross huh). I'm only on day 2 and this is soooo hard. I'd do anything for a piece of bread or cheese. I'm also drinking tons of water (not being able to have juice or milk or sprite). This is rough. I'm weak, grumpy, and can't stop crying.

I'm praying to regain some energy soon. In the meantime, hope you all have a wonderful Sunday and eat a burrito or a piece of pizza for me.

What does cool weather feel like? I forgot!

I'm catching up on all my blog reading, gradually, and I noticed one thing. Everyone is wearing a coat because it is either chilly where they are or snowing. This blows my mind because today my car showed 97 degrees. Yep, still hot here in Texas.

Obedience

Here I have been moaning and groaning the last few days about our second attempt at pug's obedience school when I got knocked upside the head with my own level of obedience to my rightful owner...God.

I started a new devotional. It's a really cool format and today asked us on a scale of 1 to 10 how obedient to God are we?

Oh ouch! Of course we always want to shout out 10! 10! nothing less, but sadly that is not MY truthful answer.

You see I have control issues.

I have a horrible problem of letting go and letting God (as the saying goes).

Today I would have to admit I was a lousy 4 maybe even a 3 1/2. All I did was rush through my day without stopping to listen. What did He want me to learn from today? How did He want me to react to the situations I faced? I never got to hear his opinion because I made them on my own. Oh it's tough.

He's such an amazing God though, because only He can forgive us for our weak days. The mistakes we've made can be learned from and a new day brings a fresh start to try it again. That's some serious grace my friends.

You don't have to answer/comment out loud if you don't want to, but how would you rate your obedience today? Think about it, get real with it and then pray about it.

Tales from the Vet and Garage Sale Highlights

Hey look Michael Jackson's coat showed up at the garage sale. Anyone up for a rendition of "Thriller"

I'm still alive and kickin'. I had no intention of abandoning the blog this week...but life hits hard sometimes. It's just been one of those weeks which would include choking on a piece of halloween candy (yes a grown woman who apparently cannot handle a small jawbreaker), getting locked out of the house, a quick last minute trip out of town, the vet and then last but not least the garage sale.

Friday I had to rush out the door with the pug to get him to a vet appointment. This is a new vet; much closer to home. I loved his old vet, but got really tired of them staring at the word "sucker" on my forehead all the time. They could talk me into anything by making me feel like a poor dog owner.

Pug loves the vet. He actually loves going anywhere, but especially the vet.

Before I could even open the door, he was running in. The door kicked back a little bit due to his scampering and the next thing I know 3 vet nurses are running to the door to make sure the pug that is crying hysiterically because the door hit him is okay. Wow what a dog mama impression I can make, I'm sure they think really highly of me.

"Hi, I'm pug's mom I slam him in doors, not to mention he is over a month late on his shots because I lazy!"

Needless to say he was a mess the whole time. I always cringe at misbehaving toddlers and here I am with my dog I can't control. I do not think I will make a good mom. In the visit the vet stated that you would not have known he graduated from puppy school and that this is one stubborn dog. No kidding...stubborn is his middle name.

We left with an enrollment in our second puppy school and a bank account with $200 less because pug is getting an ear infection. So now not only do we have to repeat puppy school, we may be living on the streets if this dog keeps it up anymore.

$75 to repeat puppy school
$125 shots and meds and exam
Feeling like you failed as dog momma...priceless.

Oh and I cannot forget to mention the garage sale highlights.
I'm always shocked at what sells right away and what stays, for instance...
- I so wish I got a picture of it, but our quesadilla maker went before I could even get the garage door up. I was like your kidding right? Someone is probably serving up some mean quesadillas for dinner. Why I got rid of it you ask? It's a pain to clean and took up too much room.
- Okay check this out. A zebra skirt. Was once in style, now I'm not so sure. I just sort I think I 've got too much animal print in the closet at the moment. No one bought it though??


And then it rained...so I cleaned up. All and all a successful garage sale.

You can't help but sing along

This song "Bubbly" helps me get through a good run. What's on your ipod right now?

I've discovered bubble wrap!

Pug found the magic of bubble wrap this weekend. It is hysterical watching him pop it and scare himself, but keep doing it.

Any cooking that requires almost no energy I'm in for...Pizza Biscuits

Ta Da we have a picture. And I added the picture from last Monday's Terriyaki Pasta that is so yummy.

So I really feel like that Cheap Couture Cuisine is a lame name...so I'm thinking of something less loser like. I'll get back to y'all on that. But it will still be a receipe for under $12.

Now this week I'm really hitting it low in price. But I just had to share this one because it's my go to meal when we have busy evenings like our Bible Study nights.

So here you go...
Pizza Biscuits

3 oz. cream cheese $1.32
Large biscuits $1.14
Italian Cheese $1.98
Sliced Pepperoni $2.12
8 oz. pizza sauce $1.19

Bake biscuits as directed. I have also substituted the biscuits for bagels and english muffins, but the buttermilk biscuits are my fav. In a small bowl mix cream cheese and pizza sauce. Add in 1 cup of cheese and a cup of chooped up pepperoni (you can add more or less depending on your pepperoni love). Mix well. Cut open biscuits and add 1/4 cup to each biscuit and microwave for about 30 sec. or until hot. Sprinkle with cheese.

I know so easy, but yet so good. Makes a great leftover lunch or snack.

TOTAL: $7.75

The Great Tip Debate

After standing in line at the post office for what seemed like hours, I needed a quick pick me up to get through the rest of the day. I headed over to the Sonic because a large Sprite with Sonic ice always does the trick. It's like a little cup of joy. Now if you remember I recently gave up Dr. Pepper and all other caffeinated beverages. It was rough, but I am proud to say that I am 2 months "caffeine sober" and y'all know what... I don't miss it at all. Now my new crutch is Sprite...d'oh!

I order and the lady brings it out right away. I handed her more than enough, she said thank you and walked away. I'm sitting there like "uhhhhh hello change please?"

This is the not the first time this has happened. So I started thinking about our tipping habits.

1. Okay I sometimes tip at Sonic. I'm just a little more willing to tip when they don't take the money and run. If they are super sweet or come out with roller skates...more tip for you. I love people that make the effort.

2. We always tip at restaurants. I know the rule of thumb is 15% so we usually double the tax. Again if they go above and beyond with service and friendliness we are more than happy to throw down more in gratitude. Sometimes though I hate to even tip, I do, but I'd really like to right a little note saying "be nice!!"

3. Hair. I ALWAYS tip my hair dresser. I love my hairdresser lady...it's such a fun 2 hour therapy chat. And I always want whoever to step foot by my hair with scissors and color know that I tip...so please don't junk it up. This was a new one for my husband.

4. Nails and Threading...I usually put down a couple extra bucks on the toes and then I get my eyebrows threaded instead of waxed, it's AMAZING if you've never done it, and some tip there too.

5. But then here's my kicker, does anyone tip at Quizno's or Subway? They've started to put a tip spot on their receipt. I'm like ugh??? what do I do???

They really need a tip class in school's...so I'm curious tell me how you tip because maybe I'm missing a big one.

I'll be back later with a new receipe.