we have stairs!!!

Tyson is still a little unsure of them--but with each trip outside he's getting more and more used to them. He likes running up and down the stairs. He also likes standing at the top of the stairs and seeing his neighborhood. I love these stairs--because if the dogs are in no rush to go inside, I don't have to stay outside with them! I can leave them out there and go do things inside. It is wonderful!!

almost the best thing since sliced bread

In Our Little World...THIS is the BEST thing since sliced bread. In just a few days-I can let my babies outside without having to keep a constant eye on them. For those of you that don't know--we have a deck and a fenced in backyard. But no access to the yard from the deck-or anywhere in our house for that matter. Whenever I take the pups out for a potty break, I have to go out to the front yard with them and wait. Ty is on a tie-out that restricts how much he can run and play. So--these new steps will give us access to the backyard from our back door!! You know, those mornings when you're running late and have to take a minute (or ten) to let the pups do their biz??? After these steps are done, that will be a thing of the past!! We're SO. EXCITED.

On another note, on Monday night the U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 277, a bill authorizing September 2009 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. If you have a man in your life that is important to you, I beg you to check out my friend Shawna's post. Please, please, please. Awareness is the first step to beating all these cruel diseases that affect so many of our lives.

summer days drift away--but ah-oh here comes the fall!

I know. That was cheesy. But I'm feeling cheesy today. I had a non-stop day at work and now I'm relaxing by doing my daily blog routine. (Ok, let's be honest, I'm actually procrasinating from doing things like cleaning, or addressing Save the Dates or homework...) I figured I'd upload some of the last pictures I took this summer to say "until next year" and one SUPER cute picture of a SUPER cute mini-Razorback (from first football game of the season) in honor of the first day of Fall. Enjoy!

Big Lin got us a table for our deck. Love, love, love it!!!

Pip is checking out the deck...

Nick got a new car!! (thanks Cash for Clunkers!)

Ty is relaxing...

A "father/son" bonding moment. Ok--a "father/fur-son" bonding moment...

My puppies cuddle. Sometimes.

Last trip out on the boat...Bubba was getting the tire fixed on the trailer while we took this shot.

Awww fall. Halloween, the state fair. FOOTBALL. FOOTBALL. FOOTBALL. How cute is this little one?!? Woo pigs, right Lizzy girl?

where was the defense?

**As promised...see below for pictures from our Razorback game watch party!!**

For either team in the Georgia/Arkansas game? Seriously? On Saturday night Tim and I went to Jess's house to watch the game against Georgia. And a game it was--for the offense. The final score was 52-41 Georgia. Seriously. Are you seeing those scores? 52-41. We decided that there was no defense for either team. This was an offensive blowout.

I saw a story this morning in the Demo-zette that was quite interesting. Going back to Arkansas' first football game in 1894, a 42-0 victory over Fort Smith High School, the Razorbacks had been 139-1 when they scored 40 or more, that is, until Saturday. It is now 139-2. The only other game that the Razorbacks scored 40 or more and lost was in '90 against Texas Tech.

We had a great time. Check back later, I was very good and actually took pictures! The pictures, of course, are on my computer at home, so I'll have to update the entry later tonight. There are some entertaining shots, for sure. We had a blast Saturday night.

On a completely DIFFERENT note, how about those Saints? What an amazing game. Troy Aikman kept telling us how great Philly's defense was. Not to get too cocky but, I think our offense is just that much better. Loving that final score: 48-22. Perfect. Here's to hoping we can maintain this momentum all season!!

"I feel so bless"

Ok-the blog title is done on purpose for Miss V's benefit. But seriously, I feel so blessed.

Each week I record "So You Think You Can Dance" and watch it when I am able. Last night I caught the 2nd week of auditions and I must admit I boo hooed for a good five to ten minutes. Even Tim came in and watched the segment with me (which NEVER happens).

On this week's audition show, a young lady by the name of Allison Becker auditioned. What's so unique about Allison? She's hearing impaired. Allison became hearing impaired after contracting spinal meningitis at 16 months. She's not the strongest dancer I've seen on the show, but she is obviously overcoming major obstacles by dancing with her disability. She is a good dancer, and thinking about it more, she's probably better than most dancers, if you consider what it takes for her to stay with the music, etc. To Allison, it's more than just the technique. It's learning to find the beat, the soul of the music and dance from there. Sound is nothing to her.

So-now it's time for me to explain to you why this dancer caught my attention which ultimately made me boo hoo.

When I was 9 months old, I contracted spinal meningitis (Influenza B-bacterial). Meningitis is an infection in the fluid around the spinal cord and brain. No one would tell my parents what the consequences could be (that just wasn't done in the early 80s according to Moogie), except my Uncle Roy. He told my parents what could happen to a child of my age with an infection as serious as meningitis (blindness, severe hearing loss, loss of limbs, death). My mother knew that I could easily die and tells me that I was in a coma for a few days. When I came out of the coma, my parents noticed a hearing loss (I had no hearing at all) -- but God blessed us and it came back. 80% of it came back.

I have lived with a hearing loss my entire life--many do not know this about me. I actually was told two months ago that it is getting close to time for a hearing aid. I have accepted this and will probably get one sooner rather than later. I am actually delaying it because I'm afraid of what it will be like to be able to hear at certain octives. When you go your whole life without hearing certain things, it can drive you crazy to all of a sudden be exposed to those sounds. I know, its a ridiculous reason but it is mine. When I think of all the times I complain about my loss or get frustrated, I can't help but think of Allison, who has a much higher percentage of loss than myself. I should be thankful not frustrated. I am blessed. Probably more than I'll ever realize.

When I meet people or hear of people that have suffered much greater losses than me from meningitis I can't help but wonder why me? Why did I get to have the majority of my hearing back? Why did I get to have (decent) sight? Why do I still have all my limbs --my life?

Watching Allison on So You Think You Can Dance filled me with a sadness/happiness/calmness that I haven't felt in a long time. The Lord works in mysterious ways, doesn't He?

Psalm 107:19-21 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress; he sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.

shhh...don't tell Tim!

So-I have decided I need a pair of rainboots in a DRASTIC way. This summer and now fall has just been SO wet. So, since pay day is tomorrow, I went out to target.com to check out what's available.

...and look what I stumbled across?

Um yeah. Super cute. And super on their way to my house! I may just have to wear these on Sundays even if the sun is out!

Got Bobby?

So, one of my best friends, Mrs. G, is married to a man named Bobby. Bobby loves to promote his name.

For instance, you remember that song, "Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me?" Well, our lovely Bobby changed the words to, "Don't you wish your boyfriend was--Bobby?" He sang that to us quite a bit back in the day.

Well, at the Little Rock game on Labor Day weekend, Miss V and I were walking to our tailgate and passed this shirt:



We instantly stopped and looked at each other. That is for sure a shirt Bobby would wear--regardless of the team promotion on the back.

Last Friday, Bobby approached me with a gleam in his eye and told me he was getting this shirt. He reminded me a little bit of a young boy excited in a toy store.

How cute. Just thought I'd share the story and give myself an opportunity to say:

"GO HOGS GO. Beat the Bulldogs!"

...and also because I feel like being super tacky:

"Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner"

From People Magazine: Patrick Swayze lost his battle with pancreatic cancer Monday, 9/14/09. He was 57.

What a sad day. I know there is not a single one of you ladies that didn't have at least a tiny bit of a crush on good ol' Swayze back in the day. I still know EVERY word to the movie Dirty Dancing because my little sister made me (and Moogie) watch that movie every. single. day.

REST IN PEACE PATRICK.

Team JaNoel and the Saints

So--I missed posting yesterday, the third anniversary of the passing of our dear, dear friend, JaNoel Lott Bess. Tim and I got up and about quite early and headed to a local sportsbar to watch our Saints open the season with a W vs. the Detroit Lions. I must say, they looked pretty good. Even though the final score had more points allowed than any of us cared for--it must be pointed out that defense was hardly responsible for most of the points allowed (which is something I've never really been able to state before). Special teams and our dear Reggie gave up quite a few yards with missed tackles and fumbles, which would put defense protecting the red zone at the beginning of a possession. Just not fair. Hopefully they'll make Reggie carry a football around New Orleans all week (see The Program)--and just do something with the special teams.

And...just so there is NO question about where my loyalty lies (because some people seem to be misled in thinking I'm a fan of a certain Southern LA team): The Hogs had a bye week this past week--so we're gearing up to play Georgia on Saturday. I'm a little nervous-but Tim has been telling me we're currently picked to win. I'm not sure I like Georgia going in as the underdog. We also tend to have a tough time against the Bulldogs. At least we're playing them on our turf, which I hope gives us an advantage. I'll be glued to a television on Saturday for sure!

Ahhh...now back to the point of the post. Yesterday, 9/13/09, marked the third anniversary of one of the most difficult days in my life. I am going to copy and paste some of what Moogie wrote on her post remembering Mrs. JB--because she says it best. (If you'd like to read the whole post, click here.)

"I'm an only child who either had to cultivate or 'marry into' sisters...

...And three years ago this morning, my clever, mischievous, funny friend lost her 18-year battle against breast cancer that began when she was only 31 years old. She was surrounded by love as she peacefully left for the next stage in this God-guided voyage that we call existence -- her family was at her bedside; my family was there to hold their hands and watch their backs.

In 2001, at the same time I moved to join Pepper full-time in New Orleans and a few months before 9/11, JB and her husband made a calculated quantum step in their lives: they sold their house, quit their jobs in New Jersey, and moved halfway across the country to be closer to their families in Arkansas. They purchased, updated, and operated a B & B in the mountains on the Spring River, and dreamed of opening a coffee shop and bookstore someday in the quaint 'old town' section of their adopted village. Their older daughter summed it up perfectly -- Only her Mom would give up everything familiar to throw slumber parties and drink coffee for a living!

As her illness progressed, JB had trouble keeping weight on ('I'm quite svelte!' she would say). So, often, when I would visit and we could chase her husband out of town, we worked on crossword puzzles together in front of the television, and ate fudge and popcorn for supper with ice cream for dessert. Good for her figure, not so good for mine. We did that kind of give-and-take thing for one another, except that she couldn't stay awake late enough to suit me and I couldn't get up early enough to suit her. She would let me sleep in though, that cultivated sister of mine, and I knew that she would be sound asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, so we engaged in our antics mostly during the in-between hours.

On Thursday, the day after she left us, we decorated the Inn (and Words bookshop, which had opened a few months before), with billowing-pink-ribbon-bedecked grapevine wreaths. That send-off seemed especially appropriate for a woman who had come up with the idea to support and encourage literacy by starting a 'Children's Kite-Making-and-Flying Festival...'

...So, because JB always signed off our phone conversations by admonishing me, 'You take care of you,' I'm going to indulge myself in a little Saintly happiness. And I wish an end-of-weekend happiness for you and yours, too, because JB would like that -- along with a little fudge and popcorn for supper."

Well, I sure hope Moogie had more than fudge and popcorn for supper--as she knows better than that. I wanted to take a moment to let you know about our Race for the Cure team, Team JaNoel, that was established in 2007 in JaNoel's memory. Each year we walk together to remember JaNoel and others as well as show support and courage for those battling the C right now and the survivors that are so important to our lives.

If you would like to make a donation to Team JaNoel --or sign up as a spirit runner--or are looking for a group to walk with during the Race, please, please, see below:

To join Team JaNoel:
Go to http://www.komenarkansas.org/. Click on the tab, "Komen Race for the Cure," then click "Register." When the registration page appears, click on "Join a Team." When the team page appears, scroll down to team search. Enter "Team JaNoel" and click "search for a team." When the page refreshes, scroll down and click Team JaNoel. The password is dance.Even if you can't walk with us--you can join the team and be a spirit runner!!

To donate to Team JaNoel:
Click here or here.


I miss you Ms. JaNoel--each and every day. Sorry for my delayed (and unoriginal post)--but I know of all people, you'd be the least surprised! Love you!

Remembering 9/11/01

I will never forget. For the past 8 years this day has been a day I dread. No matter how great life seems--on 9/11 I am always overcome with a sadness that consumed me in September 2001. Each year gets easier, but I will always take a moment to lift prayers for those lost, those left behind, and our country. None of us should ever stop remembering how it felt that day 8 years ago.

God Bless America.

P.S. My flag is hanging today in front of my house...is yours?

Gluten-Free

So...gluten free it is. At least for the next two weeks.

Tim has been placed on a gluten free diet for the next two weeks. He's just so distraught about it, the poor guy. Last night we went to Whole Foods and there is an entire gluten free section. Tim's spirits lifted a little after that discovery. We were even able to get some dinner to go from Chili's--who has a gluten free menu.

We found gluten free flour, pretzels, snacks, sweets, tortillas and pasta! I told him he'll never even know the difference!!

In our research, we also discovered there is gluten free beer. Now, we haven't tried that, but it is on our list of things to do.

I'm remaining positive about this, even if it becomes a permanent deal. As I told Tim, we'll just learn to live with it. Nothing to fret about.

Wedding Dreams

...or nightmares.

So, I had my second wedding nightmare. The first one was a couple of weeks ago and was very detailed and very odd.

The second one was last night. It was not detailed--it centered around one thing. My Save the Dates and invitations. In the dream--I had not sent out ANYTHING. And it was April 24th!! No Save the Dates went out, no invitations went out. Nothing.

I finally convinced myself that it was not April--it was only September, and Save the Dates aren't even scheduled to go out for at least a month! Crazy.

Well, I was a horrible photographer this weekend and didn't get ONE SINGLE picture. I know. Terrible. Maybe I can go find some to snag from other people, but I managed to avoid the camera, too. So...nothing to show for our first Little Rock tailgate and Labor Day weekend.

Tim seemed to have enjoyed his boys' weekend in Memphis/Tunica. He has bruises (?!?) to show for it.

The pups enjoyed being in Miss V's backyard for an entire weekend. There was so much exploring and running to do!!

And...that's about it. Sorry I didn't have a more entertaining post. Though, you've got to admit. The invitation nightmare was kind of funny. It had me in a cold panic when I woke up!! And so I suppose it begins, eh?

Facebook Fiasco

OMG--what a day I had yesterday! It started around lunchtime. I noticed I couldn't log into Facebook, but thought nothing of it. Well, until my phone started blowing up with people asking me if I was in London. London?!?!? Nope I am not in London. I'm in school, working full time and planning a wedding. When would I have time to even THINK about going to London?

Well, apparently some thoughtful hacker high jacked my account and started chatting with my friends on Facebook. I was mugged in London and needed $800 wired immediately. Thankfully, my friends thought that was BEYOND odd (um...why would I get on Facebook if I had been mugged in London and ask people I hardly talk to to send me money?!?! Yeah--pretty sure I'd be CALLING a family member--not chatting it up on FB!!).

Well, ok, no big deal right? Wrong. This thoughtful hacker managed to change my permanent email address--so I couldn't even get the "change password" to register. I contacted FB and asked my friends to as well--6 hours later they replied. AHHH!!! SO....I am deleting the old account and starting a new account. Hopefully my password will keep me safe this time. Geez. That made me so mad!! So inconvenient.

Tim mentioned that maybe we should deactivate the accounts and just live a Facebook free life--but I must admit. I love Facebook. I love how it keeps me in touch with friends I would have otherwise lost through the years. I love how it reconnects me with friends I had lost over the years. I just love Facebook. I am going to be a lot more cautious now, only using it to see friends updates, etc. I'm not going to get involved with any of the games or anything.

A friend sent this to me (for my records):

Here's the transcript of the chat I just had with someone on your facebook:

Shay hey 12:31pm

Danny Hey. Hows it going 12:32pm

Shay not too good12:32pm

Dannywhats up12:33pm

Shay we stranded in London 12:33pm (SIDENOTE: WOULD I EVER SAY "WE STRANDED")

DannyHow do U do that?12:34pm

Shay got mugged at gun point last nightgot mugged at gun point last nightall cash,credit card and phone were stolen 12:34pm

DannyOh shit. Everbody OK12:38pm

Shay it was a brutal experience but thank God we still have our life and passports 12:42pm

DannyS omeone wiring U money?12:42pm

Shayour return flight leaves in few hours but having troubles sorting out the hotel bills12:42pm

DannyI m sorry ..12:43pm

Shay wondering if you could loan me some few $$ to sort out the hotel bills and also take a cab to the airporti will definitely refund it back tomorrow12:45pm

DannyHow12:45pm

Shay you can have it wired to my name via western union 12:47pm

Shay do you know any western union outlet nearby?

On a happier note: I went and started looking at China/Silver and all that fun stuff last night!! Registering is so much fun! It's like being a kid in a candy store!! :)

Hope you have a great Thursday!! I'm SOOOOO ready for the weekend to get here (FOOTBALL!!!)

American Heroes

Well, this is a post that is out of the norm--but then again, "Randomness by Shay" is pretty normal on this blog, so I'm going with it. With September 11 looming in the future--I always find that I get pretty nostalgic. Remembering that horrible day, but also thankful for the soldiers and soldiers' families that have fought and died for my freedom. The freedom that allows me to get up and go to work each day without worrying if I'm going to get there safely or not. The freedom that allows me to keep this blog. The freedom that allows me to start and raise a family how I so choose. I am forever thankful for our military and the families that have shared their loved ones with us.

On that note, I'm going to share a link to Moogie's World that talks about what her MOWC is doing for our WWII veterans.

Also, Moogie sent me an email that I wanted to share. Puts things into perspective, if you ask me. It's kind of long but well worth the read. Not sure who the author is of the email, but James Bradley is the author of Flags of Our Fathers. While reading, please take a second to think about what our past, present and future military means to this nation and Our freedom.

Each year I am hired to go to Washington, DC, with the eighth grade class from Clinton, WI where I grew up, to videotape their trip .. I greatly enjoy visiting our nation's capitol, and each year I take some special memories back with me. This fall's trip was especially memorable.

On the last night of our trip, we stopped at the Iwo Jima memorial. This memorial is the largest bronze statue in the world and depicts one of the most famous photographs in history -- that of the six brave soldiers raising the American Flag at the top of a rocky hill on the island of Iwo Jima, Japan, during WW II.

Over one hundred students and chaperones piled off the buses and headed towards the memorial.. I noticed a solitary figure at the base of the statue, and as I got closer he asked, 'Where are you guys from?'

I told him that we were from Wisconsin. 'Hey, I'm a cheese head, too! Come gather around, Cheese heads, and I will tell you a story.'

(James Bradley just happened to be in Washington, DC, to speak at the memorial the following day. He was there that night to say good night to his dad, who had passed away. He was just about to leave when he saw the buses pull up. I videotaped him as he spoke to us, and received his permission to share what he said from my videotape. It is one thing to tour the incredible monuments filled with history in Washington , DC, but it is quite another to get the kind of insight we received that night.)

When all had gathered around, he reverently began to speak. (Here are his words that night.)

'My name is James Bradley and I'm from Antigo, Wisconsin. My dad is on that statue, and I just wrote a book called 'Flags of Our Fathers' which is #5 on the New York Times Best Seller list right now. It is the story of the six boys you see behind me.

'Six boys raised the flag. The first guy putting the pole in the ground is Harlon Block. Harlon was an all-state football player ... He enlisted in the Marine Corps with all the senior members of his football team. They were off to play another type of game. A game called 'War.' But it didn't turn out to be a game. Harlon, at the age of 21, died with his intestines in his hands. I don't say that to gross you out, I say that because there are people who stand in front of this statue and talk about the glory of war. You guys need to know that most of the boys in Iwo Jima were 17, 18, and 19 years old - and it was so hard that the ones who did make it home never even would talk to their families about it.

(He pointed to the statue) 'You see this next guy? That's Rene Gagnon from New Hampshire. If you took Rene's helmet off at the moment this photo was taken and looked in the webbing of that helmet, you would find a photograph... a photograph of his girlfriend. Rene put that in there for protection because he was scared. He was 18 years old. It was just boys who won the battle of Iwo Jima .. Boys. Not old men.

'The next guy here, the third guy in this tableau, was Sergeant Mike Strank.. Mike is my hero. He was the hero of all these guys.. They called him the 'old man' because he was so old. He was already 24. When Mike would motivate his boys in training camp, he didn't say, 'Let's go kill some Japanese' or 'Let's die for our country.' He knew he was talking to little boys. Instead he would say, 'You do what I say, and I'll get you home to your mothers.'

Arizona ... Ira Hayes was one who walked off Iwo Jima .. He went into the White House with my dad. President Truman told him, 'You're a hero' He told reporters, 'How can I feel like a hero when 250 of my buddies hit the island with me and only 27 of us walked off alive?' So you take your class at school, 250 of you spending a year together having fun, doing everything together .. Then all 250 of you hit the beach, but only 27 of your classmates walk off alive. That was Ira Hayes He had images of horror in his mind. Ira Hayes carried the pain home with him and eventually died dead drunk, face down at the age of 32 (ten years after this picture was taken).

'The next guy, going around the statue, is Franklin Sousley from Hilltop,Kentucky . A fun-lovin' hillbilly boy.. His best friend, who is now 70, told me, 'Yeah, you know, we took two cows up on the porch of the Hilltop General Store. Then we strung wire across the stairs so the cows couldn't get down. Then we fed them Epsom salts. Those cows crapped all night.' Yes, he was a fun-lovin' hillbilly boy. Franklin died on Iwo Jima at the age of 19. When the telegram came to tell his mother that he was dead, it went to the Hilltop General Store. A barefoot boy ran that telegram up to his mother's farm. The neighbors could hear her scream all night and into the morning. Those neighbors lived a quarter of a mile away.

'The next guy, as we continue to go around the statue, is my dad, John Bradley, from Antigo, Wisconsin , where I was raised. My dad lived until 1994, but he would never give interviews. When Walter Cronkite's producers or the New York Times would call, we were trained as little kids to say 'No, I'm sorry, sir, my dad's not here. He is in Canada fishing. No, there is no phone there, sir. No, we don't know when he is coming back.' My dad never fished or even went to Canada. Usually, he was sitting there right at the table eating his Campbell Soup.

'You see, like Ira Hayes, my dad didn't see himself as a hero.. Everyone thinks these guys are heroes, 'cause they are in a photo and on a monument. My dad knew better. He was a medic.. John Bradley from Wisconsin was a caregiver. In Iwo Jima he probably held over 200 boys as they died. And when boys died in Iwo Jima , they writhed and screamed, without any medication or help with the pain.

'When I was a little boy, my third grade teacher told me that my dad was a hero. When I went home and told my dad that, he looked at me and said, 'I want you always to remember that the heroes of Iwo Jima are the guys who did not come back. Did NOT come back.'

'So that's the story about six nice young boys. Three died on Iwo Jima , and three came back as national heroes. Overall, 7,000 boys died on Iwo Jima in the worst battle in the history of the Marine Corps. My voice is giving out, so I will end here. Thank you for your time.'

Suddenly, the monument wasn't just a big old piece of metal with a flag sticking out of the top. It came to life before our eyes with the heartfelt words of a son who did indeed have a father who was a hero.. Maybe not a hero for the reasons most people would believe, but a hero nonetheless.

We need to remember that God created this vast and glorious world for us to live in, freely, but also at great sacrifice Let us never forget from the Revolutionary War to the current War on Terrorism and all the wars in-between that sacrifice was made for our freedom.

Remember to pray praises for this great country of ours and also pray for those still in murderous unrest around the world.. STOP and thank God for being alive and being free at someone else's sacrifice.

God Bless You and God Bless America ....

Next Friday, September 11, 2009, please remember to show your PRIDE and REMEMBRANCE of lives lost for this nation--be it on a battlefield or in the workplace--and hang an American flag in front of your house.

Let us show those that despise us that we fear them not.

Now, I'm off my soapbox. Have a wonderful day.

Amazing.

I can't tell you how amazing it is outside. It's September 1st and I was COLD driving to work. COLD guys. No lie.

I am THRILLED that fall is almost here. I love the smell in the air--you know the one--that reminds you of football games, the State fair and trick or treating? That coolness that brushes your face and relieves you from the suffocating summer you just survived. It's so refreshing and brings a smile to my face.

Well, this week is pretty packed full. Tonight I'm taking my dress to the seamstress to be altered. YAY!!! I love my dress.

Opening season game is in Little Rock this year. So, my sis and I are planning on having a girls' weekend at her house (walking distance to the stadium) so we don't have to worry about traffic and all that. The pups are super excited to have a slumber party with their "fur-cousin," Zeus. The boys are headed to Memphis/Tunica for a little bachelor revelry. Not sure why Tim did this so early and I'm almost positive he'll try to have another "bachelor party" closer to the big day.

Me and my girls will probably head down South...maybe for the St. Patty's parade? Amanda--make sure to let me know the date. :)

Ahhhh...Football. Haven't seen or heard much of my Hogs (I'm way too into the Sookie Stackhouse series to watch the 10:00 sports) but I can tell you my Saints have a promising look. I won't get my hopes up--I know better (all of us poor Saints fans know better than to get our hopes up too much)...but MAN--they're looking good!

Here's a picture of Tim and Tyson from Saturday night. Like I said, the weather is SO gorgeous--and Linda got us a WONDERFUL table for our back deck (still lacking stairs--but we're getting closer!), so Tim and I have been sitting out in the back enjoying the weather. Sorry about the quality of the picture--it was taken with my phone at night. Who ever said Boxers weren't lap dogs?!? ;)