Settling In to Settling Down

Whew...oh life how busy you keep us. I wouldn't/couldn't ask for anything different though.

We have been keep very busy and that's one of the reasons I haven't blogged in a while. The biggest change is that I started a new job a week and a half ago. Unfortunately the job that we moved to Ft. Worth for hit some hard times. But, everything happens for a reason and I'm learning a TON in my new position at a marketing firm in Irving. It's a little further from home, but B and I carpool a couple of times a week and it's worth the drive to be in a stable and healthy work environment.

Now that we're working on getting completely settled down in our home and our schedules I'm hoping that things will balance out some more and that I'll have more time for blogging, running and cooking again!

Some exciting things that have happened over the past few months:

We started fostering a sweet sweet 18 month old furbaby. His name is Rufus but I call him Roo Roofie Poofie, Ruf-a-sauras, etc. He will be such a great kiddo for his furever home. Still on the search for the perfect home for him.

I also had my 10 year high school reunion. It was so great seeing so many old friends. Honestly - most of my best friends are still the ones I went to HS with, but it was amazing having everyone in the same place at the same time as it rarely happens. It was definitely great seeing so many great people I hadn't seen in well...10 years!

Hopefully it won't be so long in between now and the next time!!

Love, 

Lisa

Milestones

Fall is in full force and I couldn't be happier. September is usually my favorite month of the year, but I felt it was still a little warm to really enjoy it... However, football has started and now that October is here, I think the cooler weather is finally here for a while too. I love the 2nd season in Texas (yes, there are only 2)...the season of Less Hot. It makes me a happy person.

We celebrated 2 special birthdays in September - both on opposite sides of the spectrum. Andy Roo turned 1! What a precious little boy and his mommy and my best friend did an amazing job with his party! And I got to play with lots of babies, so that's always fun!

This past weekend we celebrated my Mom-Mom's 90th birthday! Her actual birthday is October 10th, but it worked out best to celebrate a little early. It's the first time all 9 of her children were together for quite some time. Yup - all 9 of them. God bless her! My mom is one of 7...God Bless my Nan too! Times were definitely different back then. Almost all 18 grandkids and 18 great-grandkids were present too. It reminds me of all the blessing in my life to have such a wonderful family on both sides. And it's also made me extremely homesick for the Northeast. What I'd do to live up there again. I've never felt like Texas was home and every time I visit either family in Philly it makes it a little harder to come back to Texas... 

We got some great photos of Mom-Mom's day...in between dancing of course.

Also in September was Courtney's baby shower! We had tons of fun with our mustache themed party! And I made adorable guilt-free cupcakes! ;) This project was a little harder than I anticipated, but well worth it for the results! See below for instructions.

Guilt-free Cupcakes for Baby Shower:

4 receiving blankets

4 onsies (works best with newborn)

I used the following "recipe" to complete: Cupcake Tutorial

I couldn't get my blankets to a perfect 3 inches, but it still worked out alright. I think the best touch is the box and wrapping. I found mine at Michael's. 

Lots of fun coming up in October! My Godson's turning 2!!! We're doing a "trash the dress" session (sooo can't wait for this!) AND I have my 10 year high school reunion. It blows my mind that it's been 10 years already, but I'm looking forward to seeing friends I haven't seen in years! Oh how time flies!

A Whirlwind Weekend and a Day to Remember

This past weekend was fast paced and exciting! Since the wedding, our weekends have been much calmer and relaxing. It was nice for a while to have that break, but I'm not one to waste away weekends on relaxation. Sure it's great to decompress a few hours each day or maybe Friday night, but life is too short and although this past weekend blew right by with everything going on, I loved it so! Now that the fall weather seems to be fighting through, I hope to have many more outdoor-filled weekends and adventures. Fall is by far my favorite season and I can't wait!

Friday night we went out with some of my friends to say goodbye to our fancy DC-living Lindsey. She's making a name for herself in the political world and until we have her back in TX permanently, we wish her the best and enjoy the brief visits we have with her! Lindsey is infamous for dragging us out to Billy Bobs - or Hoots...even worse (or better depending on how you look at it), but this time she threw us for a loop and we ended up in Kennedale, TX. Yeah, I know - you've probably never heard of it... None-the-less, we headed that direction and found ourselves in quite a fantastic Austin-like bbq restaurant/bar called Reds Roadhouse. They have live music outside every Thurs-Sat and the food was incredible. The service - eh, but still worth it overall. Might just become the new tradition!


Saturday morning started off bright and early with the Color Me Rad Run! I did the Color Run in Dallas in February, but I feel that this one was a bit more successful and my shirt turned out a lot cooler! The weather was gorgeous and it was a true "fun run". No chip times and we just had a good time with it! Only downfall was that it reminded me that I am no longer in the running shape I was about a year ago... It takes forever to build up a running endurance and NO TIME lose it! Which is unfortunate, considering I have a 1/2 marathon in a week & a half. Wish me luck!

So, by this point, I've accomplished quite a bit - friends, exercise, outside...but why stop there? I went on a "date" with one of my dear friends, Shannon. We don't get to see each other nearly as much now that she travels for work. We spent a leisurely afternoon at the Dallas Arboretum to check out the Chihuly Glass Exhibit. Stunning, amazing, etc.

I'm trying to dedicate more time to an interest I've always had - photography. That interest intensified when I studied abroad with the Photography Dept. at Texas A&M, in Germany. Ah, Germany...another story, another post... Although I don't have the fancy equipment and editing programs I dream of, I do the best with what I have...and I think I captured some great photos this weekend!

Sunday was a little more laid back. We did some housework and watched every football game! It's so wonderful having football back - just another reason to LOVE the fall!! Then, Sunday night our new foster dogger arrived! I've fostered pups in the past, but took a break for a bit. Now that we're settled in our house and have a yard again, I was ecstatic that B jumped on board with helping out one of my favorite local rescues: Dog Star. Ladies and Gentleman, meet Rufus:

He's as sweet as can be. We keep joking with Timmy that he better take a lesson or two or else we're keeping the foster kiddo and adopting him out. Obviously, joking, but Rufus really is a fantastic pup! He's only a year old and about 45lbs. Thus far he hasn't required much direction. As long as he is exercised properly, he seems to be mild mannered and ridiculously sweet. No accidents, no chewing... Maybe I should knock on wood... Get in touch with me if you're thinking of extending your family! He's definitely a keeper!

So, today wasn't the best day at work...there's some stress and drama there and I let it get me down a little today. But, then I stopped myself to reflect on my blessings. It angers and saddens me that it took what happened 11 years ago to bring our nation so tightly together, but I'm also grateful and have so much respect for all the men and women who did pull together and those that are still defending our country. I'm blessed to be home tonight with my husband and doggers and to have my family and friends. I think we should all always remember and reflect on today as we move forward as individuals and as Americans. I came across this article today...it was interesting to read about some of the "volunteers"...  The Dogs of 9/11

Goodnight and God Bless!