Daily Photo for 8.30.10

This is what I did last night.

I am on a biography kick right now. Just finished Tammy Wynette's a couple days ago, and have moved on to the Possum now. I think next up is going to be Roseanne Cash's (should arrive today).

I love books - I read like crazy, and I tend to have several going at once (I think I am reading about 5 right now, but George Jones is my main read). I think I will have to do a post soon about some of my favorite reads, and maybe a little library update, too... making a few changes in there!

In other news ... Wedding is in 4 days! I can't concentrate on anything! Very excited.

Daily Photo for Sunday, 8.29.10

The Bipster and his pretty niece, yesterday at Arrington Vineyards.

Daily Photo for Saturday, 8.28.10

Josh clicked on my blog this morning and was horrified: "You haven't posted a daily photo SINCE FRIDAY!"

Oops, I am a little behind. But it was a busy and stressful weekend. This is the best I can do for Staurday's pic. Sorry for the dog overload, but I haven't been snapping many photos lately.

Daily Photo for 8.27.10

Dogs on their new bed...





Bonus photo of goofy face Julio makes when he's scratching himself:

Daily Photo for 8.26.10

Working on wedding playlist...

Our "almost" dog - Lola

Over the last week and a half, we have seen this pit bull on our street. Didn't think much of it at first, as our ghetto neighbors down the street have one or two pit bulls. I thought one of theirs just got loose or wandered down the street to pee in uncharted territory.

Then we started seeing her more and more often and she was getting skinnier, and we came to the conclusion that she was a stray. We tried to give her a treat one day and she ran from us. She was just terrified of people, so we assumed she had been abused. We started leaving food and water out on our porch for her (the bowls would be empty in the morning) and slowly gaining her trust. I told Josh that once she warmed up to us we needed to get her in our back yard, pronto. I just can't stand the thought of sad, homeless, abused dogs. I didn't know how incorporating her with Jorge and Julio would work, or if we would need to find her another home, but I knew I couldn't have her spending most of her time hungry, scared to death and cowering under a neighbors tree like she had been.

Two days ago, I got her as far as our porch, luring her with food. I could tell she really wanted to trust me, but just couldn't. When I would go inside she'd come eat the food, and even make eye contact with me through the window. Progress.

Yesterday, Josh (my own personal dog whisperer) got her to come to him while I was at work. She ate three bowls of food and licked his face. He got her in the back yard, played with her, etc. That's when he snapped the picture above. The first thing I noticed was how happy she looked - she almost looked like a completely diffrent dog because before she had looked so sad and forlorn.

I was ready to go buy a dog house, get her her shots, find someone to come feed her while we were on our honeymoon, etc. Josh decided to check with some neighbors and be sure she was really a stray.

Unfortunately, he found her owners. They are up a block or two from us and the wife said she jumps over the fence and escapes a lot, and her husband would come get her from our house when he got home. He also found out her name was Lola.

(We are unsure if she was a showgirl or not - haha)

Sure enough, before I even got home from work, her owner (the husband) came to get her. For various reasons, I don't feel good about her living situation, and I imagine she jumps the fence for a reason.

All I know is if our girl wanders back over this way, she's getting a collar and a tag slapped on her right away and she will never have to run from anyone again.

Hard to believe I miss and love a dog so much that I never even got to touch.

Come back, sweet Lola. We'll give you a better home (and name).

Daily Photo for 8-25-10

New bed linens make me a happy girl (soft & gorgeous grey sheets not pictured)! I didn't get to sleep on them since I fell asleep on the couch before 8:30 last night, but the Bip says they're quite lovely.

Gym Rat (AKA Last Ditch Fat Burn)

The Bip and I have been going to the gym 4 times a week for a few weeks now. I hate getting up at 4:30 on weekdays, but I'm usually pretty happy to be there once I'm there. I really enjoy working out. I've been largely (no pun intended) inactive for quite some time now, and my metabolism is sllllooooowwwwing waaaaay doooowwwwwn, so it's necessary at this point in my life, as well.

To be completely honest, if it wasn't for this guy,


http://dontreadthis-bippy49.blogspot.com/

I wouldn't be going at all. He is the one that joined for us, and we're members for the next 3 years, so I imagine I'll be pretty hot 36 months from now. Watch out!

Monday night, I had a bit of a meltdown. I was trying on my dress, seeing how it looked with the flip flops (awful by the way - going to have to get white ones or just go barefoot, and we {ok, he} did find some yellow heels online, too. They'll be here by the end of the week. I think the shoe crisis is over!) and... it's too tight. Right in the rib cage. Uncomfortable and looks terrible, too.

I'm not going to lie and say I didn't spend a few freaked-out minutes trying to find a different wedding dress in a more flattering color - like black. I did. I was hysterical. I am not a high-maintenence type of girl at all. I'd rather read a book than fuss with my hair or clothes any day of the week, but I do want to look nice in my wedding pictures, and not have the seams of my dress digging into my skin because it's too tight. After whining to a friend via text and talking rationally about it to the Bip (and also watching an episode of Intervention, which really put things in perspective), it was decided that I will stop doing the weights for now, and just do cardio at least once a day until we leave for Tybee. So, with the exception of Monday, I will have been at the gym for almost 13 days straight or something like that by the time we leave. I'd love to be able to hop on my Gazelle when I get home and do cardio a second time every day, but my leg has started acting up again and I don't know if this is possible. I feel I get a far better workout at the gym, so maybe it's best to just do that and not risk overdoing it. We'll see. All I know is I am hurtin'!

As for my leg - basically, my only other option is to go to an orthopedic surgeon. I called the other day to see if I could get another steroid shot so I don't have to limp down the aisle, but I was told no (they can only do them every three months) but they recommended I take some ibuprofen! Seriously? This has been going on since March or April and I have been taking anti-inflammatories (OTC and prescription strength) for months straight. I think if that was going to work, it would have by now. But then again, what do I know? I'm not a doctor. (That was sarcasm)

So, I probably will indeed be a limping bride. In the meantime I just need to get a knee brace for when I work out and keep at it. I don't know if it was the endorphins or what, but after this morning's workout, my leg pain wasn't so bad. I could feel that good exhausted ache all through my body, but my leg wasn't screaming as loudly as it usually does. Or maybe I just couldn't hear it over all the other ruckus.

After the honeymoon, I think I am going to try acupuncture. Doctors haven't helped yet, or even been able to tell me what the issue is. Maybe this will work?

Daily Photo for 8.24.10

I work with some great people. They surprised me with a little wedding shower yesterday, and then really surprised me by having the Bip show up, too! These cupcakes were beautiful and quite possibly the best I've ever tasted, as well!

As I type this, Josh is probably at home making up the bed with our new luscious bedding (the grey and yellow bedspread we've been eyeing at Target for months, and some beautiful grey organic cotton sheets... aren't you feeling like you need a comfy nap just thinking about it?)...

Thanks, guys! You are the best and I love you even when you make my face all red!


(P.S. This is my 100th post!)

Daily Photo for 8.23.10

Talking me through a wedding dress mini-breakdown.

Thanks, babe, I owe you one!

Weekend photos...

It was a pretty productive weekend at Casa Parker, and of course it was all over much to soon!

Saturday morning got off to a delicious start with some sausage biscuits (Old Folks spicy sausage and Pillsbury Grands Buttery Layer biscuits - heck yeah!) and a dark cherry mocha (mmmm) from Starbucks.



Then we headed outside to do some painting for some of our wedding stuff:









We didn't end up painting the trays (at least not yet) because we're not sure if we'll need them. We 'distressed' one of the frames this morning before I left for work, and it looked great! Can't wait to share the finished products...

We then headed to Home Depot for more paint, Hobby Lobby for a glue gun, and Books-A-Million just to fart around for a minute. I found this Graceland Pop-Up book there, and I loved it. Wish I would have gotten it!









Then, it was time to hit the gym! It was legs day, which is usually my favorite, but I was just having a rough time of it for some reason. We did shoulders, too, and abs of course, then we used the hot tub and the pool (wonderful way to end a gym visit, I think).


After that, we stopped at a few liquor stores. I was looking for one wine in particular, but couldn't find it. We bought this one at the first store  we went to:
 

 
It's very good! We found two more we wanted to try at the 3rd liquor store, but it started pouring down raining and their credit/debit machines stopped working, so we had to leave empty-handed.
 
Yesterday morning, breakfast was peppered bacon and Nutella toast.
 

 
We watched a little Food Network, then worked for a couple hours on making tags for the baskets and printout for the frames.
 
Then, it was gym-time again!
 

 
Sundays are cardio days, and man, it's a killer! Especially since my knee/leg has started hurting again within the last few days. I switched it up a bit - started with the treadmill, moved on to the bike, and finished with a couple minutes on the elliptical before I was ready to keel over. Did a little bit of abs after that, and then into the loving and welcoming arms of the hot tub and pool again. That was the only thing that got me through yesterday - I kept thinking "After this I can sit in the hot tub!!"
 
Post-gym, we made a quick Target run, then back home again for a very late lunch/early dinner:
 

 
(Not healthy at all, but delicious!)
 
Then it was time to relax for a few hours before watching True Blood and going to bed. Weekends just go by too quickly! I just gotta make it through this week, and then I only have to work 3 days next week before heading off to Tybee!
 
That reminds me, still gotta find a necklace...

Daily Photo 8.21.10

Seasoned tilapia, roasted okra, and brown rice.

I finally found a way to get the Bip to eat one of my favorite vegetables - okra! I got the idea from his friend's wife to roast it. It's surprising I had not tried it that way until now, as I usually roast any veggie I get my hands on. I usually prefer it boiled, but whatever works and gets us both eating it, right?

We have more salmon and tilapia than most restaurants right now, thanks to a sale at Kroger and Josh's overwhelming enthusiasm about it. We bought a fish/seafood seasoning, which I put on it before cooking, and it was really delicious!

Great dinner!

Daily Photo for 8.20.10 - sticking together

The boys are hanging out with Josh today...



Julio, for being as cute as he is, is not the brightest crayon in the box. He is the most loving little guy you could ever meet. Smells like hot garbage, but he's adorable. He also always feels the need to follow Jorge's lead. When they go outside, especially in the morning, if Jorge is done with his business and ready to go back in, Julio thinks he should be done, too - even if he isn't.

This has led to some poop-in-the-house issues, which Josh has remedied by staying outside with him every morning and gently reminding him "Go poopie, Hoolie."

Well, today I was in the tub when the boys came back in and just a few minutes after Julio had pooped outside, he pooped again in our room! When Josh found it, he brought Julio in to show him and discipline him. It was just a stern reminder to go outside and NOT in the house and a few swats on the butt - nothing hard of course, because Josh is a softie.

Julio's ego was more hurt than anything else (because he is used to having Josh wrapped round his finger, and it breaks his little heart whenever "Poppa" has to set him straight - he gets very dramatic and yelps even if Josh just snaps his fingers at him), but I heard a lot of crying and yelping, certainly more than what you'd expect over some minor poop discipline.

I asked Josh why Julio was crying so much, and he said that Jorge was standing with Julio and everytime Julio cried, Jorge would, too! Now that is some solidarity between brothers! It was sad, but cute at the same time. They both got over it quickly, though.

And even though Jorge hates getting a bath more than just about anything in the world (besides thunderstorms), whenever Julio is getting a bath, Jorge will pop in and 'check' on him (lightning fast, of course, because he doesn't want one, too)!

It's just so fun to see them interact - especially because Jorge wanted nothing to do with Julio for the first year and a half after we got him. I think it's safe to say he loves him now.

Wedding Shoe Saga!

So, I have had this vision of wearing yellow shoes with my wedding dress. Not just any yellow shoes, but the perfect yellow shoes. In my head they have a kitten heel and a rounded toe. Or maybe a slightly higher heel and an peep toe. And they are the perfect buttery shade of yellow.

Problem? They don't exist.

First, I bought these:



And I loved them. I really did. But they just didn't look right with the dress. It's a very closed, conservative shoe, and my dress is strapless and knee length and white and summery. With pockets.:

So, we sent them back.

Josh had his own vision of what my shoes should look like. Strappy, strappy, strappy! Low-heeled. We found a pair on eBay. Bought them. Ugh. The straps start behind my toes and it just looks so odd. I will not be wearing them, needless to say.

Then yesterday, I found what could be the most perfect pair so far, also on eBay:

Problem? They are in Hong Kong and it would take 2-3 weeks to get here. Wedding is two weeks from tomorrow.

So now what? I have googled and searched for weeks now, and still have not found 'the' shoes. At least not the ones that could arrive in time.

I have a pair of yellow flip-flops to wear for the ceremony (I was going to go barefoot, but then I thought about sharp broken shells slicing my feet up on my way down the aisle). Josh is wearing flip-flops the entire time, and thinks I should, too. I would not normally be adverse to this, but he is about a foot taller than me. When we dance, I'd like to be looking into his eyes instead of his belly button.

Wish I could fast forward two weeks and see what I end up with on my feet. Something tells me it's gonna be flip flops.

Daily Photo 8.19.10

Kind of disconcerting to see this in front of you on the interstate. I did a little bit of a double take.

Daily Photo for 8.18.10

Sick today. This is my view from the couch, where I was all day and still remain.

Daily Photo for 8.17.10

The Cooter's sweatshirt made a comeback yesterday!



And here's a bonus flashback photo to when the Bipster had hair:

Daily Photos for 8.16.10

Hooptie stayed so still and posed for the above picture. It was cute.

Bonus photos:





I captured the nightly event of Jorge cleaning Julio's eyes and ears. Julio just lays there and takes it. They are so weird, but entertaining. Even though it's gross, it's also sweet how Jorge tries to take care of his 'little brother'!

Weekend wrap-up in pictures (and a few words).

Friday night the boys (dogs) came home from their dad's house (yes, my ex and I share custody). They were so sweet and loving and happy to be home! Look how happy Jorge looks here, and how he is gazing adoringly at the Bipster.



Saturday we ran some errands, and we also made a stop at World Market (I don't get there as often as I used to). There we bought some stuff for dinner - chorizo, gnocchi, and a butternut squash sauce.



We also got this wonderfully packaged root beer. Unfortunately, it tastes like crap. But I love the bottle!



After errands, we hit the gym (Saturdays are my favorite days there), and cooled off afterwards with a refreshing mango ice from Rita's.



Julio was very lazy that day.



I went out to the garden and found a jalapeno that looked like this:



Looks like some sort of gross bug got to it.

Then I found that all of my cherry tomatoes looked like this. Is it possible for them to burst from the heat?



Sunday we hit the gym again. Sundays are NOT my favorite days there, because the Bipster seems to want me to cardio myself to death. I did nearly 5 miles worth of cardio, then abs, then we hit the pool, hot tub and steam room. Yesterday was the sorest I have been so far from working out. It's been just over a week, so there are no drastic changes in my body or weight yet, but my stomach is not nearly as bloated-looking. I think that's because I am actually utilizing my stomach muscles and they are kind of holding things in. I appreciate you, stomach muscles. I need to get on a stricter diet, especially with the wedding so close. I would like to shed some actual pounds in addition to all this toning.

Yesterday afternoon we decided to do a hair and makeup run-through for the wedding. Josh used to sell Arbonne and actually knows how to apply makeup. Here's what he did to me:





(My hair doesn't look exactly as I planned. It was still kind of wet and not totally straightened. But I am going to wear the headband with some front pieces pulled back.)

I washed off the makeup he did and proceeded to do it myself and see what I could come up with. 20 minutes later, I didn't even look like I had any on!



And I swear I did!

So this is my dilemma. I don't really like to wear heavy makeup. But I need to wear enough that it will actually show up in photos. So I guess I will just keep playing with it for the next few weeks and see what we come up with. Pretty sad that he did a better job than I did!

Here's how I looked after I added some red lipstick and black eyeliner. I liked the way it looked, but Josh is not a fan of lipstick. Especially red. So I gave him a big ol' kiss on the face just for spite... Er, I mean out of love.







Then I washed it all off...



...while Julio watched.


Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!

We spent the rest of the day/evening relaxing, and we had a good dinner made by Bip and watched True Blood.

Tuesday we dye my hair. Eek! So many hair changes in this household lately.

17 days until we leave for Tybee!

19 days until the 'main event'!

Our napkins and such should arrive today. We still have a few more DIY-type things to get done, but for some reason, they're just not getting done. Hmmmm.