Just a Quick Hi

I completely forgot I even had a blog!! haha.....Just dropping in to say hello, I am still alive. I guess I will have to write something on here soon for those of you who still look at this site. For now, goodnight! Gotta be up at 4:30! :)

Poo Poo Princess AKA Triple P AKA Star

Star has regained her previous name. Let me start with Thursday. Mom and Quala came over for a Mary Kay party (which was a lot of fun) and Quala asked to take Star home for the night. (Ryan was going to their house Friday.) So, Star got to spend the night with Grandma and Grandpa and cousin Hannibal. Friday, I went to EB for Mom's Mary Kay party (sooo much fun). Ryan was supposed to drive to EC after work. OF course, you know our luck, his starter went out and was stuck in Houston! Since Ryan would be unable to take care of the dogs, Quala asked the neighbors to check on Star and Hannibal. For those of you who don't know Star, she does not like strangers and HATES leashes. Thus, when the neighbors went to check on the dogs, they put Star on a leash, she freaked out and ended out running towards the hightway! I get a frantic call saying Star is out and take off to EC to get her. (Remember she hates strangers too, so she is running AWAY from the neighbors who are trying to help her). Mom and I made the trip together and experienced some crazy drivers on the way there, but made ti safely. I figured as soon as I pulled in the driveway, Star would see my car and run right infront of me. I was right! Star's location: under the trailer right next to the goat pen! Star sits and waits by the goat pen every time we go to EC because she LOVES to chase them! I jump out of the car thankful she is alright, swoop her up in my arms and cringe. She has a yellow/brown tinge to her fur and is crunchy....any guess as to why???
Star is a prissy dog, but has her hillbilly moments...She had taken the opportunity to roll in as much cow poop as possible! It was disguesting! She had cow feed clumped in her hair; not because she had found a bowl of it but because the undigested feed came out in the poop! It took me FIVE minutes, literally (ask mom), to get clear water rinsing from her! I proceeded to bath her TWICE and then clean and sanitize the bathtub.
That obviously was not enough, she still smelt like a stock yard Saturday all day. The plan was just to shave her bald yesterday, but I can't stand to look at a bald dog. Instead Ryan and I double teamed her and scrubbed her again for about 15 minutes with green apple shampoo. Can you believe that she still has a faint smell to her?
Thus, her previous name was Poo Poo Princess because we though she was eating poop, but now she is Poo Poo Princess or Triple P due to this experience!

Flip That Dog

Welcome to another edition of flip that dog! On tonight's edition we will be adopting a stray minituare doberman pincher, feeding and watering her, and then passing her on to an apartment agent!!

Yup, that is what Ryan and I did this afternoon. To start off with, we cleaned out our filing cabinet in effort to lighten it up for the move. Then noticed a dog running around the complex. You know me, I don't want to find her squished all over the street or in our complex! So, I lured her to our apartment with treats, fed her and started calling around looking for a home. We first called Mom and Dad, then I called Sue and Justin, then we called the apartment complex to notify them of a stray dog hanging out on our balcony. Turns out the agent we spoke to is a softy too and took her. He said he was going to take her home for the night and then take her to the shelter in the morning. (He aslo mentioned he has a girlfriend that loves dogs.) My guess is that the dog willl be staying with them. She was a very sweet puppy; skinny though.

Other things going on in our life...

-I finished internship!!! The job search begins......Studying for the RD exam also begins.

-I have decided to be a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant.

-Ryan has his car back (for good). It sounds really awesome and goes really fast!!

-I took and passed my exit exam for graduate school! Once I finish the fall semester (12 hours) I can gradute!

-Raider got his first trip to the Beach July 4th weekend. (Star came too, but she has been before) They both loved it! Raider chased me up and down the coast, but was acting afraid of the ever-moving water. Star was panicking and running in the street so we had to put her in the truck by herself.

I'll finish off with some pictures of the past months....

Caught You!!!

Tough Situations Always Seem to Find Us

I suppose by now most, if not all, know about our fun filled weekend last weekend. Actually I did enjoy myself when it came to hanging out with Sue and Justin and painting their new home. However, it was not fun getting a call from Ryan saying that he was stranded in high water. I was already in Katy and he was leaving work to come meet me. What is frustrating is that the water he got stuck in was only about 2-3 inches. Plus, other people were going through it is small cars, even other mustangs were making it through!! Like I said, tough situations just seem to gravitate towards us lately. Anyway, so Sue didn't care for me to drive my car into Houston to go get him, so Justin drove me to our apartment. (Thanks again Justin!) Once we got back to Katy, we got lots of painting done and were able to relax, have a few drinks and forget about all the crap. Then Sunday rolls around and it gets better. Ryan thought he would be able to remove the spark plugs, shoot the water out and be done with it. The oil pan didn't have any water in it, so we were hopeful. I guess hopeful too soon though. The car locked up and then Ryan couldn't get it to turn over or anything. My Monday was exciting then....I got the car towed to a shop here that specializes in Mustangs. They gave Ryan a call Tuesday monring with a diagnosis: severe engine damage or beyond repair engine damage. Ryan made an insurance claim that same day. Now, we are without a car, just waiting to see what the insurance company says. Just dandy! I guess this is just another learning experience for us. I think God just believes that we are strong and can handle anything....I say bring it on! :) Ryan and I can do anything with our love!!

Sorry I got all corny! Other than that exciting news, nothing else really going on. Right now I do not have an internship rotation. I am trying to set something up myself. Ryan is working hard; even today, Saturday. Our lease for the apartment is up in August and we have to give a 60 day notice, so we are starting to think about that. Also, it is actually getting close to the end of my internship, so I am starting to look for jobs.

To end all of this, I am going to post a few pictures. They always make things better!

I have so many pictures to share! Spring Break has come and gone (already a month ago) and I still have pictures to share. Right now I am working on getting some homework done and then figuring out what classes I am going to take in June. I need 6 hours in order to receive financial aid, but I really only wanted to take 3. Looks like the need for money wins! :( Anyway for now I am giong to share thos pictures and then try to explain some tonight.

What I Have Been Up To;

I have been feeling bad for about the past two weeks: extremely tired and getting plenty of sleep. Ryan has actually been giving me a hard time about it. Well, turns out on Thursady I came down with either a severe cold or a small flu like sickness. I was falling asleep at internship while I was reading information it was so bad! She sent me home on Friday and I slept ALL day Friday and Saturday. Then Sunday worked my tail off on finishing a presentation for Monday. I didn't finish the presentation on Sunday, because I fell asleep. So, Monday morning meant to get up at 6, woke up at 8. Then, had class at 1. Worked even more on the presentation from 2-4. Turned in presentatino at 4, went to class at 5:30 then. THis is the class that had the presentatino. Well, turns out I needed a hard copy printout, which I did not have. But, I had sent the presentation via email. So, I ran to the lab, printed out the presentation and Finally turned it in. it was not very fantastic, but it got done! Then, today, Tuesday I have a test. Last night I got home from class about 8:00, ate, took a bath and studied from 10 until 1. Exhausted form being sick and working on that presentation so much, I decided to get some sleep. Layed down at 1, set alarm for 4 and another for five just to be sure. Well, four oclock came, I shut off the alarm and the snooze onece. Heard another alarm and though it was just the snooze again. Nope that was the five oclock alarm going off to make sure! I actaully got out of bed at 6 when I realized what time it was. I freaked out for a while, but right now I am just exhausted! I am thinking what can I do now to fix this? The best thing possible is to clear my head of all my frustrations (which is waht I am doing now), drink some coffee (got it) and calm myself down so that I am thinking clearly for the test. That a way I can actually answer what I know!

That is longer than I was planning! Excuse my incomplete sentences and run-ons. This is me a little frantic and a lot tired! :) I am feeling better though!

Introductions

Couple of things....I know it has been along time, but I would like to introduce you to a couple of things. First, meet the Mr. and Mrs....

Second, Meet Foxy.....

Betty has been retired. I had been hearing noises for several weeks, possibly months with Ryan trying not to worry me with details of what they all were. Finally, one sad Sunday he told me that Betty was dying. Foxy has taken her place. Ryan told me I couldn't cry, but it was pretty hard not to when they drove Betty away! I do love Foxy. It is just taking some time to get used to her power and swiftness! :)

Snow in Houston

I was so sad that Lubbock was getting snow and we were not there to see it. Well, I guess last night solved that! Here are some pictures of all the snow we got.

Just wanted you to see what my desk looked like on Sunday night as I was studying. This is at about eight at night and it only got worse from here......Papers were everywhere and I had three books open on my desk.



Today I spent a lot of time doing wedding things and then cleaning our apartment. The apartment needs some major TLC. I only got the bathroom done today: cleaned and organized. As I was flipping through magazines at the checkout counter last night though, I came across a couple of ideas. Tell me what you think...Please. Neither is perfect, but I was just playing with the pine needles that were here at the apartment.

FInals!! Finally!

Just to let everyone know I will be off of the radar for the most part this weekend and Monday. I have an online test due that will take me 3 hours plus I have to study for my other two finals that are Monday. One is over Human Metabolism so it is going to take ALL Sunday to cram for that. Amanda, I am still working on a picture list for you. I have it started and almost done, but I am trying to make one for Becky based on what I have on yours. So, still working on both. Hopefully Monday night or Tuesday AF(after finals :)) I will have it copleted and will be all wedding then!
Melanie, I will be calling you too after finals. I bought some pins for my hair. Plus I was going to talk to you about makeup and nails. Once class is done I am calling....it has just been hard to find time for phone calls.
Ryan only has ten more days of school!! Hooray! He has senioritis! I never thought I would see that in him because he is such a hard worker and a perfectionist when it comes to his school work. Well, he is just stressed and overwhelmed with school and work. Too much on his plate at once. He comes home tired and then has to hit the books. Only ten more days!

After Monday I will be open to any and all questions you may have about the wedding and/or Christmas with a smile on my face and a new found appreciation for vacation!!

Crunch Time

The time is slipping away faster and faster now as the day draws nearer. Ryan is excited about his last days of classes (he has already completed his final) and I am getting more and more last minute wedding things to do. Be glad if I don't draw you in to help in some way or another! :) No, seriously, things are falling into place and getting done. Today was my last day of classes and then next Monday I have two finals. Wish my luck on that! Will post more when I have more time (whenever that happens)!

Brideorexia?

I am working on a research proposal currently for one of my classes. I had no idea what I was going to use as a topic because I really am not interested in research that much..until now. Upon telling people about my wedding dress, I got numerous responses asking if I am losing weight for my dress or will lost weight. Being in nutrition, I replied of course not, the dress has to fit me not the other way around. Hence, this is my inspiration for my research proposal. I am only proposing this design and not acutally doing the research. But did you know they actually have coined the tems "brideorexia" and "wedding anorexia nervosa?" I was stunned. Anyway I am really interested in these facts and my proposal revolves around soon to be brides and the onset of an eating disorder. Cool, huh?

Adding More to the To-Do List

Looks like I have to clean and pack stuff up...yet again! Ryan and I have had some weird spots coming up on our carpet and after two weeks of badgering, I finally just told them it was mold. (I did actually see some black stuff by the back door which they claim is just carpte discoloration) Anyway, they did come look at it and told us today for sure that they will be in here Saturday to replace all of our carpet. Literally about 90% of our apartment is carpet and we have new gifts! I have to pack things back up in their boxes and clean, clean, clean. I do not want them touching anything slightly breakable since the manager told me they cannot be held accountable! I guess I should be glad we will have new carpet! I am just dreading everything that it has taken and will take to get us there!

It has been a busy couple of months!

I know that I probably am not quite as busy as some of my sisters/brothers and/or relatives, but for me it has been so crazy! Wedding showers, care plans, tests, assignments, hurricane renovations, internship rotation assignments and responsibilities, planning the wedding, flower girl dress mishaps etc..... have all kept me on my toes. Just to let you know I am still here, I thought I would take a little spare time I have this morning to post some pictures of things that have been going on.

Some of our Lubbock friends were able to make it to the couple shower.

Garrett was a great helper. Amanda said he was disappointed that I didn't get any good gifts! I guess my idea of good gifts are not the same as his.

Wedding Shower #2

I think this is why I have a huge bruise on my right elbow! I told Ryan I have a rule....no playing with Baxter at least one week before the wedding!

Still Recovering from Ike

I thought we were pretty much finished with this whole Ike situation until today. It is raining and since they have not fixed our termite wall, we have water dripping into our apartment. Yeah.........

Everybody Needs a Day Like Today

Before I go to bed, I wanted to brag a little bit. I have had a fantastic day!! First let me start with a random chain of events:
-Ryan and I move to Houston into out third floor apt. and are estatic!
-Notice the VERY strong smoke smell in our apt and decide we have to move.
-After waiting for a month to move, we finally do, but have boxes everywhere due to no time to unpack and settle in.
-Hurricane Ike hits.....
-Boxes everywhere plus water damage
-Maintanence comes TODAY! (one hooray) to fix the drywall. They rip out a lot of walls...
-Findings: TERMITES!!!
Surprisingly, I am cool with this and actually laughing at the random chain of events that have brought us to this point. Honestly, who would have guessed all of these weird incidences coming together!? Anyway, we are unsure if the apt. knows about it (they have a contractor doing the jobs) but if the contractor does not say something....we definietly are!!!

On to the great day.......Yesterday was terrible. Horrible test, LONG lecture, got singled out in class for talking(I was NOT even talking!!!!). I decided to check the tracking on the wedding invitatinos though and it said they were delivered here on Thursday. Funny because it is Monday and I have no invitations! After a little freaking out and frustration.....I have wedding invitations!!! That started the good day today. Then, class this AM was pretty interesting and Ryan called me with GREAT news......He got the job!!! My fiance has his first job in his career choice! I am soo proud of him and estatic!!! I was screaming on the phone when he told me(mind you I was in the computer lab)! Next news he tells me is they are working on our apartment. This is great news because we thought it was going to take them at least a month to get anything done and also because we miss our puppies SOOO bad. They are with the grandparents now until the apartment is fixed, organized and people are done coming in and out. Yeah!! Job and apartment!! Ryan was so excited about his job that we decided to go to the mall and actually order his wedding band. Check that off the list to do! We were so relaxed though we just walked around the mall, browsed around and enjoyed spending time with each other and not spending time studying. Is it bad that lately all of our "dates" have been study dates!!? It was great having an afternoon, just him and I, together and laughing about little things that are important to us. Sooo sweet too! We walked past Build a Bear and Ryan asked me if I wanted one. So, Ryan and I made a bear for me for night when Ryan sleeps on the couch or when we are apart. He is so adorable. Came home then to cook supper together and to our surprise, one of the movies I have been wanting to see came in on netflix. Sex in the city. Ryan offered to watch it with me too! So to end our magical day, we ate supper and watched sex in the city, the movie. He didn't finish the movie with me, but it really was a treat to have him all day to myself!

Fantastic day and I hope you all have a chance to spend a day like this with the one you care the most about! :) Now I have to get some sleep so I can think tomorrow while I am interning!

I am sure you can find a ton of pictures online of Hurricane Ike damage;however here is what Ryan and I experienced.

Shingles spread ALL over the property...gutters too. The one in the background isn't ours, but you will get to see ours in a later pic! I knew I heard something scratching and banging the side of our building. Apparently, it was the gutter coming loose!


One of many tress at our complex.

Every single tree in the courtyard behind out building was uprooted. Keep in mind, all of these trees were also newly planted and some were pine.

Another tree that did not make in through intact.

Uprooted...We are so lucky that we did not have any large trees around us. The only one close was about 15 feet infront of our bedroom window, but we were fortunate that it did not break or uproot!

This was our major problem of the night. Water was pouring into our apartment from around the windows. The office had a steady stream (not just drips) that you could hear. We really did think the window had a crack in it or that it was busted because so much water was coming from the top and the bottom. This picture is actually in the bedroom, where it was leaking from the same places, just not as severly as in the office.

Weird right? How does water come in from an inside wall and from the electical switch. We noticed this and immetiately turned the breaker off and grabbed the fire extinguisher to be safe. Can you see the paint peeling up around the plug?
This is our gutter! It is also the first thing I saw when I woke up!

Ryan and I usually park our cars in the same area that this car is parked in...this makes us so glad that we put ours in a parking garage! (Can you see that his back window is smashed out?) We are thinking that our gutter might have been the culprit.
The poor dogs. They were so confused and scared. When the storm first started, Raider was barking at every little noise. Once he got used to the storm noises, he became my shadow. Star was so scared that she actually peed! Ryan and I layed down to try to nap when we heard a train like howling. We grabbed the pillows, ran into our safe room and started putting more pillows. I reached for Star to put her in and she peed all over!! Poor girl.

That is all for now. I have some more pictures that are of Houston and then even a couple more of our apartment. Perhaps tomorrow I will give you more to look at, but right now I am exhausted, out of words and confused as to what is going to happen next. I am going to get started on my big project that is due Monday in case I do have class first. As far as the test that I am supposed to have, I will study for that once I know for sure. :) Everything is just up in the air.

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Recovery

Ryan, Raider, Star and I are both safe at our parents' houses now, but not without a few stories about our experience! Thanks for everyone who was so concerned! Just letting most of you know, yes we are fine, yes we are out of Houston, and I will be posting some pics and stories just as soon as I can figure out how to get my pictures onto mom and dad's computer.
Couple of things now: our power is still off at the apartment and the poor dogs literally were scared shitless(well pee-less). Be back soon! :)

I am not going to say much other than we are fine. Here are some pictures to hold you over though...