to dreams

I don't mean to be this detached from blogging and I don't make new year's resolutions. I believe that when I decide to do something, I'm just going to do it!

Over this past year...yes, it has been that long, I have been channeling any writing desire toward a different media, my book or in fancy terms, my memoir. I won't speak of it often because it's not something that will come about soon or even in the near future. I have even begged my husband to read it, but he wishes to wait as well so he can be surprised and take it in as any other reader would. You are all in it.

each.and.every.one.of.you. :)

I will adjust names, but not the truth in any sense. Well, now that's enough of that! Listening to Explosions in the Sky always gets me in the mood to write, to process thoughts and dreams as well. It's so funny because whenever I listen to their music I actually imagine words to the songs; I guess they leave room for the listener to be the creator.

Why I'm really here...

It's no huge secret that Chad and I want to have our own business one day and although we've narrowed it down to a pinch of options I have an itch of entrepreneurialism right now. A few years ago I tossed around the idea of becoming a stylist/wardrobe consultant, but just recently figured out my own individual style. I'll use the analogy of a relationship. You can't be with someone until you know and trust who you are, just as, you can't style someone until you have found your style and are confident in it. I do this often in life...I will think I'm ready for something and then realize a few years later, looking back, I probably wasn't ready for that step. Could this funny feeling be growing up? None the less, I'm ready now and I can confidently say so. Just as my friends so ravingly suggested I switch my major to fashion merchandising in college, they have become the backbone I needed in starting Simple Threads. I'm starting out small with a few clients, but a lot of heart :)

E

Time

This past weekend Chad and I were off together and had no plans, no commitments, no worries...just us :) Thanks to cedar setting a record high, the city of Austin quickly transformed into one itchy, stuffed up nose. No stopping us! We had a whole weekend to get out and enjoy our city!

Country Strong came out and we caught the matinee on Friday. We both agreed it's been the best country movie to premiere since Pure Country...cast no judgement on George's acting skills...he makes up for it with his serenade of "I Cross My Heart" in the final scene :) Anyhow, Country Strong was filled with great music, decent actors and a nice message of love. We also decided our "first dance" song would be "Give Into Me" ...you know...when we have our second marriage to one another ha! We love it.

Every time we are downtown we say, "sometime we need to try that Texas Chili Parlor place on Lavaca," and so we did just that! I had the sampler and got to choose three different chilis. Started it off with their White Chili and moved onto Black Bean & Elgin Sausage Chili (Dee-lish) and last, (but certainly not our last visit) was the Original Mild Chili. It was a down home delight! We walked around a bit and then headed for some skillet apple pie at Moonshine Grill. Again, another home run for the evening!

I grew up going to garage sales with my grandpa, or as I like to reference it, garage "sailing." I continued to go throughout college and still do like to catch the occasional sale on my day off. Several times a year, Austin holds a City Wide Garage Sale downtown, so we woke up (slept in) and went "sailing!" Although I did not find the perfect antique TV stand with Hulk-like abilities to sustain our new 60 inch, we still didn't come home empty handed! I found Chad a Houston Oilers glass while he found me an Empire State Building figurine dated 1974 with a special message written on the box, "From Daddy, on his trip to New York." I Love it! We also snatched up some Superman comics to frame for the office and of course a couple of iron nic-nacs for myself, a Fleur De Lei and Flying Pig! With all that excitement a nap was certainly called for. That evening we met Robert for salads and wings at Fowler's, called it a night to go home and watch The Last Exorcism...awful...and Catfish...interesting.

Sunday was our "do nothing" day.

Now that the week has started, it's back to preparing for our annual inventory at the store and Chad is back to "babysitting." We are off Thursday and thinking the midnight showing of The Dilemma is necessary.

I've got an angry little pig begging me to go to bed. Goodnight. Sleeptight.

E & W

Lately...

OK, ok...so I've been a bit of a slacker, I'll admit. I will also be the first to say, "I can't stand when writers start a blog and don't continue!" I promise to be more diligent...

Now that I got that out of the way I'm going to attempt briefing you while playing tug-o-war with Winston and typing with the other hand. I don't know where to start, but I can be honest and tell you that had you asked me a year ago where I'd be in life at this very moment...it definitely would not have be an image of me sitting in our house, typing on our computer, in our office, while skimming the Internet for that perfect vintage piece to complete the living room feng shui. Though it seems, that is just the picture we have been blessed to paint.

When we first realized a house was possible, we couldn't believe it.

When we "signed our lives away," we really had to blink twice.

Now that we're here, we love it! HGTV (Mom and Terri) practically swooped in and had the place in tip-top shape within days. Now, we are adding things here and there. I think my favorite room is the guest bedroom, which Chad likes to call, "Meme's Room." It's very nostalgic, complete with my grandfather's Bear Bryant hat, a reconditioned photo of him and my Meme hanging on the wall and an "antique" bed frame that was my mother's when she was a teenager. It also has a porch balcony that just makes the room a treasure! Life seems very content and it's nice to have something to "own" and literally, a foundation to build onto.

The other major change we've made is Chad's schedule being shifted to graveyards. I'm such the night owl anyhow (great use of time to blog), but it has been an adjustment. He leaves for work at 4:30 pm and arrives home the next morning at 7:00 am. We both know it won't last forever and we just make the most of our days off. It also helps that I make my own work schedule :) so we, of course, have more days off together.

Our big goal this year is to travel to our favorite city, New York, in the fall. Originally, we had set plans to go last October, but we kind of bought a house and decided it took dibs. However, this year we want to go with a couple friend of ours, whom we love, Heather and Jeff! An exciting year ahead, most definitely. The holidays were wonderful here in Austin and then mom came up to visit for my birthday, which has become a growing tradition she and I both look forward to each year! These next few months capture Valentine's, Chad's Birthday, Houston Rodeo our 2nd Wedding Anniversary and a dear friend's wedding.

Oh yeah, Winston is just fine...as I'm sure you were worried :)

I WILL post pictures of the house soon!

E&W

ever mine.ever thine.ever ours.

I'm supposed to type "I can't believe it's been one year since we got married!"...However, I'd like to mix things up a bit and say, I can't believe it's been five years since I first met the most incredible person in my life, my love, my confidant and best friend...my husband. He makes me realize everyday that love truly is a gift...it's sending an "I love you" text, even though you saw that person five minutes before, it's a night at Flashback's or The Shack...and holding no judgement toward anyone :), it's countless nights spent listening to music in the truck, or a trip to Buc-ees for Coke and Dr. Pepper Icees! It's about being with someone who wants to go through life with you, experiencing not only the happiest of times, but the struggles as well...just because they know they'll be able to conquer anything with you by their side.

I found this picture of us on our first date, March 2005 :)

I baked him a chocolate cake to celebrate our 1 year...and it was wonderful, if I do say so myself!

And he took me to San Antonio for the weekend...we stayed at Hotel Valencia (gorgeous and fancy) and I was excited to be in room 910...you know the whole" lucky number 8" thing :)

We had a fabulous dinner at "our" restaurant, The Palm...Chad had the NY strip and I had lamb chops, and of course we shared a piece of the infamous 6 layer chocolate cake! For the past 3 years we've eaten at The Palm on our anniversary...so it looks to be the spot for the next 50+ years!

Stay tuned for a post on Winston's weekend with grandparents G&W!

*Sweet Dreams*

C&E

The Reign of Sir Winston

"ABC, it's easy as 1-2-3!" It's been a busy week of learning new things and playing fun games!...all this rhyming, it must be the Mad Hatter coming out in me...we saw "Alice" on Friday :)

Having a bit of writer's block tonight, BUT the sound of a puppy's snore has done the trick!

The first picture above, greeting you as you tip-toe into this post is actually an action shot while playing "Shark!" This is a game we started up with Milo, who is a furry uncle of Winston's. Anyhow, the game takes place under a "fortress of solitude," i.e. couch, chair or bed...whichever suites your pup's fancy. The pup hides there and we try to get him to come out and capture him! BUT you mustn't get bit by the "shark-pup!"

This picture just makes me laugh...so I had to put it up. I think he might be channeling Kermit the Frog...

He had his last set of shots today AND he weighed in at 12 pounds!

He always acts a little funky after shots....

Passed out after dinner

He loves his house that Grandparents T&D got for him!

A nice way to end the day...relaxing in his oasis, equipped with palm tree and a sunset!

Also, we have made a few adjustments to the apartment and it looks fabulous, if I don't say so myself! Pictures to come and of course a special post on our 1 year wedding anniversary as well.

Goodnight!

C&E

"this little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine..."

Chad and I went home a few weeks ago to visit family and it was Winston's first trip to Houston. He did pretty well considering his kennel was double bedded...rotten! I've been promising my grandfather for a few months now that I would come and help him go through Meme's kitchen and this time was it...

We went through the cabinets and it was like a living scrapbook turning page after page of memories one could only imagine. The cutting board I used to cut on when she and I would cook, my grandfather made for her in wood shop over 50 years ago, the crystal dishes she would let me fill with olives, deviled eggs and cranberry sauce, which was for any occasion, not just Thanksgiving and Christmas, because we loved it so much. The grapefruit spoons that only Meme's have handy :)

A few boxes and some pots and pans later, we arrived back in Austin and as I unpacked their wedding china I realized these "things" aren't just treasures from my Meme's life, but a timeless collection signifying over 50 years of a strong, dedicated and loving marriage. A life that was lived to the fullest and left nothing to regret, she's someone to be missed, but never forgotten. On this note, this weekend marks our 1st wedding anniversary and I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful person to share my life with.

Meme and Pepe at Florida State...

In Winston's World...

He has recently discovered belly rubs, thus the result...

He's also expanding his wardrobe, in hopes of building his ego...

let it shine, let it shine, let it shine...

c&e

Mum's the word...

"No, no" has become the conventional exclamation around the household, I found my ironing board doubling as a manicure table and now I am contemplating a patent for a "puppy palm rest"...to satisfy your typing needs, when blogging of course.

I thought I'd never mutter the words (at least not for another 10 years)...but, "WE ARE PROUD PARENTS!"...to our baby boston terrier, Winston....ta da

He is 12 weeks, 4.5 pounds and every bit of wonderful...even as he snores. It's only his second day here in Austin, but Dallas rasied, he is a city boy at heart. We've been wanting a boston for sometime and were lucky enough to find such a great catch on http://www.craigslist.com/ (plug)...:) Anyhow, this picture to the left is him looking guilty for a crime I've yet to discover, but I love him no less, regardless!

And one last picture to take with you...my puppy loves

c&e + 1