Cowheads Feed and Westernware

It's raining...and I really don't want to watch TV. Instead, I am going to share some of the pictures with you from our trip from Texas to Illinois. Yes, I realize they are at least 5 weeks late, but if you're really that offended by it, you can just stop reading and go do something else...it's ok...I'll wait.....

Ok..gone?

Good...on with the pictures.

I think this was my favorite from the entire trip...

What is better than a Texas waffle??? And I got it to turn out so nice. Day 2 breakfast was waffles :)

this was my view for 3 days..

and this..

It was a very scenic 3 days, I assure you. With the U-Haul, the truck could only go about 65 mph before it started swaying. It was a little nerve wracking to be behind it and watching it. At one point, it rolled over a piece of old tire and Carol said "is that a snake???" There were actually a few memorable phrases from the trip..I'll get to those shortly. Back to the driving..so at 65, you get passed by lots of things that you aren't too happy to admit to... like a school bus..

but not just any school bus...a school bus towing a truck...

and one of these..does this carry gas? oil? maybe milk? though I suppose if it had milk in it there would be a cow on the side??


and we got passed by this a few times..not quite sure what statement they were trying to make...

And then there were the signs. We amused ourselves by reading them...and counting dead armadillos on the side of the road. It is funny to see what they are trying to sell along the road..16" dolls..at a fantastic gift shop, for $8.95. Do you think there was a survey for which shops should be "fantastic"?

And then there's nothing like Black Market fireworks, right at the same spot with the smokes and the liquor. I don't know..seems like an accident waiting to happen...

And then there is this...hmm..what to say. I wonder who thought of the name of this station? I mean we did see several of them...
..many of them near these... Now that's just gross...and don't try to make it like you didn't think of it too..because I know you did...



I didn't find my camera until part way through day 2..so here were some other memorable ones that I don't have pictures of. You can all come up with your own...

• Cowheads Feed and Westernware - because you like to get animal feed and then pick up a new shirt for your date on Saturday.
• Bobs Good Junk (why would they call it Bob's Shit No One Would Possibly Want)
  
• Topless Tuesday and Thursday (Paul and Dad saw this one too)
  
• Indian Smoke & Snake Shop

Alright..and no post would be complete without Izzie..who was very good and sat in the back for 3 days. Only once did something fall on her :)

Poor baby was surrounded by stuff...good thing she's so little.

and for the grand finale...we couldn't have gotten one more thing in here if we'd tried...the only reason there is open space is because those things fell out when we opened the door.

So glad this is over!

Hope you didn't get dust on you

Holy crap the cobwebs are THICK!!!

I still have no pictures because my camera is dead and I can't find the cord to charge it...so here's whats been going on...

1. We moved.
2. Izzie is not quite sure how she likes being a city dog.
3. I've been going to work almost every day.
4. The commute is only 20 minutes, 35 minutes walking so...see previous point.
5. We got unpacked...yay..
6. We're getting new carpet and Paul has been paining so were back in chaos...booooo
7. We're planning to go to a movie this weekend. The Hangover looks funny.
8. I did some knitting the other night but I need to unravel a cast-on and I am going to need to be well rested and patient to do that - maybe this weekend.
9. I am beginning to wonder if it's ever going to stop raining and warm up.
10. When #9 happens, I'll regret wondering.

That's really it...this is hard without pictures.

Please post in the comments if you have specific questions and I'll address them :)

stuff

We left Texas...arrived in Illinois 2 days later. We had no major issues. All of our old stuff is currently in storage...all of our new stuff is in my parents garage. More new stuff is still waiting to be purchased. We move next Wednesday. Once we move, and have a reliable internet connection, i promise to have a marathon post...WITH PICTURES...written from my new sofa..or my new desk...and you can all see where we live and the view of the lake from our balcony.

I miss you all. I'll write soon.

Julie

counting down...49 to go..

I am assuming we'll leave about noon on Thursday...isn't there a song that says that?? or is it Noon on Tuesday...oh wait..it's something about "drinking beer at noon on Tuesday"...it's a Sheryl Crow song....wait..what was I saying??? Oh yeah, so I'd guess we'll be leaving about noon on Thursday and so that puts us at about 49 or so hours till we leave. I hope that's enough time to do everything I still need to do.

Anyway, we're picking up the UHaul tomorrow..and a very wise friend of mine has already told me that I need to take lots of pictures with the UHaul during the trip..and that those pictures are fun...she also told me that calories don't count when on a road trip..and I hope she's right because gas stations have the best snacks!!! Things you don't see anywhere else...like Hot Fries...yum...

Ok..so that's about it. I am trying to get a bunch of work wrapped up today and then tonight we have loads more throwing away and boxing up to do. Actually, we don't have as much as I think, I am just a little stressed out :)

This post will be picture free...sorta like calorie free....UHaul pictures to come...

A little honesty

I'll be honest...now that most of the packing is done, I am a little bored. Don't get me wrong, there are still things to do and I am still working, but I am genuinely bored. I think I must be mentally in transition - I don't really want to do anything here, but I can't do anything there because..well..because I can't. Fortunately, work has been busy.

So...I've been trying not to read about the swine flu. I think the media is just in complete scare mode..which I am not going to buy in to. I mean, I wash my hands, I don't have people who spit on me, so I am pretty safe. I did find this great blog post though..which really just confirmed a lot of what I was thinking. It's kinda long, but a good, realistic read on the subject.

In other news..we went to the vet today...and guess who cost me $400?

Yep..that's who. At least we're stocked up on all the doggie drugs for a year :)

95% done

Paul and I have been packing...but it took Paul's aunt Terri coming over...dragging everything out of the cabinets..and basically telling us to deal with it to get it done. Believe me, I got a little irritated, but I know why she did it and I am very grateful. All that remains is to box up our televisions (Paul would begin to twitch if we did it before next Wednesday), do some laundry, throw the rest of the food out, and that's really about it. Oh..and we have to pack some clothes for a few weeks, though we can also live out of the wardrobe boxes. So...that means that we can enjoy our last weekend here - we're available.

Also, I don't know if anyone noticed, but I posted a badge of our vacation pictures over there on the right. We had a great time.

We're back!

We had a fantastic time! I'll post pictures later tonight (would have done it last night but fell asleep on the sofa at 8!).

On Vacation

Paul and I are leaving this morning to meet my parents in Florida. From there, we're going on a cruise...jealous? I feel horrible about leaving Izzie..and with a face like this, can you blame me?

I am leaving her in very capable hands, where she'll get lots of love.

Until we get back, have fun, don't do anything I wouldn't do, look both ways before crossing the street, don't take candy from strangers, and don't eat yellow snow :)

Ladybugs

I was watching Zack this evening and we were watching an Elmo dvd - his, not mine, you know, just for the record. There was a episode with bugs...and they were talking about ladybugs...and I SO wanted them to show this..but they didn't. I am such a Sesame Street junkie.

Iron-y

I am starting to get ready for our trip and that involves ironing. Let me tell you, I iron like an idiot. I can iron a skirt and maybe a pair of pants, but that is where my skills end. I now believe that whatever the dry cleaner charges for ironing a man's shirt is fair. He could charge me $10 a shirt..and I'd pay it. If I understand correctly, the point of ironing is to iron OUT the wrinkles..not iron IN monstrous creases...right in the front...not at the bottom where it wouldn't matter....and how on earth are you supposed to iron the top of the back?? and the sleeves...well let me just say it...they are a pain in the ass too.

There are definitely things I was not put on this earth to do...being an ironing lady is one of them...a taxi driver is another..but that's for another day..

the bed hog..and the other one..

Paul went out of town to go fishing. He doesn't go away very often...come to think of it, the only other time he's been gone was for a fishing trip...and then the 2 times he went for a sleep study...so for the past 2 years, he's been gone a total of 4 nights. I, on the other hand, have been gone for weeks at a time...but that's completely different. What I am getting at is though I complain about him actually wanting to use his half of the bed, him making some of the weirdest noises I've ever come out of a human, never getting my hand on the TV remote, and hating the nightly 'what's for dinner' conversation when I really just want cereal...I find it weird when he's gone. I am not saying I miss him because that would involve crossing a line I may never be able to step back over. At least when he's gone I get to sleep with Izzie without massive protest...who incidentally is the worlds biggest bed hog...and at 17 pounds, she totally knows how to maximize it!

Paul also has the camera...which is why I don't have any pictures. I suppose I could dig up one but I am feeling lazy so I won't. Oh..alright..you talked me into it...you're so persuasive.

May I present...my husband...the one who takes up his share of the bed (against my wishes) and the bed hog. I can't imagine a world without either of them. (oh no..it's starting to smell like syrup...)

As promised

Here's my post.

The end.






Haha..only joking. That would be funny though..right? Yeah, it definitely would be.

Let's take a look through my pictures and see what I have to share...

We've been cleaning out a lot of things getting ready to move..and since I have a history of showing you closets and more closets, I figured why should this be any different. (why do I post pictures of this stuff?? Well..I guess I may as well continue the trend.) Here is the pantry...it's never looked so good!


There are still more closets to get to..and if I feel the need, I'll take pictures of them when they are done and share them too.

What else?

Paul and I went to see Monsters vs. Aliens on the IMAX last night..in 3D. The glasses were really good..not the normal cheap ones. Paul had actually thought he might try to steal a pair, but someone came in and made an announcement that if anyone tried to leave with them, an alarm would go off...so he didn't. And actually, when we were leaving, we did hear it go off. Here we are in our glasses...



We both really enjoyed the movie.

I got some new shoes. I ordered these from Zappos and I am really pleased with them. What I love about this site is that you don't have to pay for shipping...and they even sent them overnight and I got them the next day..for FREE. I love getting things for free...well..except I had to pay for the shoes :)

And finally, its not a post without a picture of Izzie.

Izzie had to have a bath today...and I just love how she looks when she's wet...

I think that's about it. I am sure there will be more closet pictures in the future...and you KNOW there will be more Izzie pictures...

Hello Kettle, it's me, Pot

I get a bit annoyed when I visit the blogs that I love..and day after day it's just the same old post about making barbeque sauce. Then it hit me....hmmmm...like the pot calling the kettle black...

Expect a post later today.

Shout out

This is a shout out to Nancy who apparently reads my blog. Nancy..I am so glad someone is reading this :) and that you're fully informed on Izzie, what I am eating, and what ever else I can come up with.

Thanks for reading!

two weeks

Two weeks from tonight, we'll be just about ready to leave for our vacation. I cannot explain to you how much I need this vacation...I don't think I've ever needed a vacation like I need this one.

Also on another shiny note, tomorrow is Friday. Even though we'll have to pack again this weekend, at least it'll be the weekend.

packing

This is the second weekend where we have been packing and getting ready to move. We're down to 45 days! And for a week of that we'll be on vacation. 20 days till that. (I countdown a lot...) I'd like to think that is the reason I haven't been blogging much. So we've been packing and getting rid of things and really getting to know the guy at the Goodwill drop off station. It's been a real thrill...

(wow..my life has become super boring...)

So about the packing...I never thought I'd end up boxing up 4 boxes of DVD's...I have no idea when we'll ever watch those again. Maybe I should tell Paul that we aren't getting cable when we move. Wait...maybe I don't want to cause any panic.

Last weekend, not this past last weekend but the last last weekend...I was in Petco getting Izzie some dog food when I was sucked in by the doggie clothes. I couldn't resist...I thought she needed a hoodie...

I think she looks cute..and it totally matches her new polka-dot collar. But maybe now I have just become one of those people who dresses their dog in clothes....hmm...well I only had her wear it that one day.

So..staying on the subject of Izzie...when we were cleaning out the closet yesterday, we found the big squeaky dog toys we'd found at Costco..I think they were like $14 for the 4-pack. Anyway, I decided to give her the rest of them...so now there are 3 of these things hanging around..I'm surprised we have anywhere to walk because they take up so much room...


And finally...I also found these in the closet...I knew they were there..but it was kind of an outta sight, outta mind...
Izzie loves these! Shocker!

chapeau

I am bored. Its been a really slow week, other than work, and I am really ready for the weekend. Now, don't get me wrong, it's not going to be exciting...mostly laundry and packing...but at least I won't have to set an alarm.

I've bought a few things recently off of Etsy. Today my hat came. Its a little big, but I think it's fine.


Once I get my other stuff, I'll show it here as well. (wow..maybe I should have put on some mascara or something before taking my picture..oh well...never mind.) I love this website..some of the stuff people make and sell I just don't get. But some of it I find is amazing...I think I'll be buying a lot of my future gifts here...I like to support the little people.

I'm the music one

Everyone seems to have the thing they love...I love music. I could spend the rest of my life without television and movies...but don't thing I could go a day without music. I like all kinds of music, with few exceptions really. Last week U2 came out with a new album and I've been spending the last few days getting to know it. I love the whole process, which also includes listening to all their other music - I have all of it. I do my best bonding with music in the car. Since I don't really drive anywhere anymore, I've been substituting the treadmill - somewhere where I have nothing else on my mind. This new album is definitely a little different than their other music, but isn't that why artists put out NEW things? Anyway, I am listening to part one of a three part series with them this week (online) - and Paul probably thinks i am silly sitting here in the living room with my headphones on. He's a TV person...and I am the music one....

I quit

Well so much for Random Friday...I don't know..it made me feel such pressure to come up with something to say. I guess I just don't work that way.

I am going to make dinner..but hopefully I'll have a post later :) At minimum, there will be an Izzie picture.

Birds

I forgot to post this as part of my Random posting...

On my way to the gym Friday, there were birds on the telephone wires. I don't know what it is about San Antonio, but they have whole intersections that seem to be taken over by birds!!! And if you know me you know how I have a total fear of birds...so this, though it wouldn't seem so bad to a normal person, makes me crazy. And trust me..this is one of the really tame bird areas..


I took this while in the safety of my vehicle...with all the windows up.

Random Friday..plus one

May I present Random (Fri)Day....

Last weekend I bought some new sandals. I tried to take a picture of them then Izzie appeared...so I took the picture with her...

And then I managed to get one of just the sandals. I've been wearing them to break them in so that when we go on vacation in 6 weeks - 6 WEEKS - they'll be nice and comfortable.


Easter Peeps are out...actually they've probably been out since the day after Valentines day...but I've only just bought some...and I love the orange color..I think they taste the best!

We were standing in the checkout line at Walmart last night when we saw a girl with one of these!
Of course we had to have one! Well..it actually tastes just like Big Red...but I think I like the blue color better. There are just not enough blue things out there.

And lastly, what would this day be without a final picture of Izzie...this one just makes me laugh.

is it hot in here? or is it just me?

Have I really not blogged since Friday? hmm..well thats not good...and especially seeing as how I have pictures too. I've been really busy with work and catching up on LOST and other shows. Alright..Im a slacker! I admit it. I'll blog later.

For now, I don't want anyone to get jealous..but its apparently going to be 90 here today and tomorrow. Seeing as how its currently only 74, not real sure how thats going to happen..but I'll assume it will.
If it's going to be 90 tomorrow..we might have to barbeque.

Random Friday

Today on Random Friday, a few things to say.

First, Cathy is here visiting us in San Antonio. We had salad for lunch today..it was nice...don't you think?


In other breaking news, I sat online waiting in the "virtual waiting room" to buy Cubs tickets. They went on sale at 10 this morning, and at 3:30ish, I finally got to buy some. I waited over 5 hours to get tickets! We are going August 26th to a night game - its the day before my dad's birthday - and I have 5 tickets. I am sure I can find 2 more people who will go.

Lets see..what else...last Sunday we went hiking...and took this picture at the most scenic area we found..this was after a serious climb..which explains why I am looking a wee-bit tired.

That's it. I can't think of anything more to say...most of my week has been spent working and doing laundry...oh..and Izzie hopes you have a nice weekend.

preschool

Lindsay sent me these pictures of the boys. Gavin doesn't like to have his picture taken...so I had to bribe him with a McDonald's gift card...because I really wanted to see the shirt he had on.

And then I guess Hayden was a little jealous so she sent me his picture too.

They're so cute. I miss them.

86!

It's Thursday, which means I am working and having the bi-weekly calls that I don't really like. Anyway, I'll be leaving in about 25 minutes to pick Cathy up from the airport. I'm guessing she will like the 72 degree weather were going to have today...even though yesterday it was 86...86!!!!! Wow. Can I move to Chicago but take the weather? Now that would be something.

That's Classic Man!

I totally miss the classic shows...I can't stop singing the theme songs..and wishing they still had good shows like this (ok..the first one...)



I used to love this one too...watched it on Saturday morning. The show was fantastic..even though the intro (and I am sure the whole show) looks really ridiculous now - was it always that fake?? I am disappointed that they are making a movie and it'll have Will Farrell in it - I think there are some things they just should leave alone. Anyway..enjoy..

Dodgy

For anyone not on Facebook who has missed out on the bangs/no bangs advice giving, yesterday I went and got my hair cut. I got bangs. Anyway..that is not the point here. The point of this post is that I was parking my car, I noticed the car in front of me and had to whip out my camera.

I thought..now there's a word I don't use enough...Dodgy. That..and cheeky... Nothing about this car was dodgy but maybe a little cheeky. I really just thought my mom would find this mildly amusing.

Nothing about my haircut was dodgy really either..but like the car...Paul may have been a little cheeky.

Guess what time it is...hint..its Friday...

I am so excited about Random Friday..because..yes..it's actually happening on a FRIDAY.

Ok..so a few random things.

If you missed my post yesterday, I am SO almost out of Vegemite. If you don't know what it is, then you most certainly would not like it, so don't rush out and get any - unless you're planning to send it to me. I (heart) Vegemite!

Secondly, the Green Machine has been making noises lately. I'm sure it has to do with it being 9 years old and having 116,000 miles on it..and probably being incredibly rusty underneath (I'm talking about my car in case you're confused). All of this is making me want one of these...

Yep..that's the Dodge Challenger. Totally impractical for driving in snow or transporting a child (not that we have one in the oven..don't get excited) but so, SO cool. I would LOVE to have one. The responsible side of me would never get one...I'll just get TGM fixed..afterall..it IS a Honda and has been a gem of a vehicle. (Besides..I haven't had a car payment in years..and that is really nice...but the Challenger is actually quite well priced..but I don't need one...)

Again..random..but I feel like I am suffering from Post Song Lyric Contest Syndrome - otherwise known as PSLCS. Kate had a contest over at her blog and we had to identify song lyrics for a week (well..I guess you could have figured that one out). I was one of three winners which really made me feel good and also wondering what I could have been doing with the part of my brain currently being taken up by song lyrics. I think she should do another one..maybe with lines from movies?? Ugh..more wasted brain..less..but more..

I love making up ACRONYMS...(and Vegemite...)

And my final comment here on Random Friday...why does my husband do this? Do all of them do this?

Did he think I might want a 1/4 of a glass of orange kool-aid during the day? or maybe I'd like to have a full glass but would want it really, really watered down? I don't get it.

So there you go...random Friday...on Friday.....peace out.

Put away the tool belt..

...renovations are done! I had absolutely nothing to do with it...and that's why it's fantastic. Thanks to Laura for the design.

Renovation

My blog is going to be undergoing renovation soon.

In other news..I am almost out of Vegemite!

It's Official...

..I am becoming my mother.

I've noticed that this has been happening for some time. When Paul and I were visiting my family at Christmas, there were several times when I looked at him and said how something my mom had done..that I do it too...and I won't do it anymore :) Mostly it was about arguments she and my dad have or different interactions (that aren't arguments). I must state here that Paul, at times, behaves EXACTLY like my dad..which is why they get along so well..but this isn't about them..its about me.

While working this afternoon, I thought I'd have a cup of tea. While it was brewing..I got a craving for a cookie..you know, to go with the tea. I started looking through my cabinet and I found some.

Yes..that's right...best by April 27, 2006. I brought these with me when I moved from Illinois.

I opened them, they've never been opened..and ate 2. They were fine...nothing wrong with them...so I put them back for next time. I'll be sure to offer some to Cathy when she's here. She loves foods that are 3 years expired!

Random Friday...appearing on Tuesday

I don't know how she does this..and what I REALLY don't know is how is that comfortable???


I've been knitting. I started a new pair of socks..haven't really knitted any since before Christmas..and I had this Harry Potter sock yarn...and time on my hands..so I thought I'd start something new.

I also started working on a new cardigan. I thought if I could get it done then I could take it on vacation when we go in April. So far I love the color..and it's really soft.

Happy Birthday Paul

Today is Paul's birthday...he claims he was born around 9 in the evening..so this post is quite timely actually.

We spent most of the day not doing a whole lot. Paul spent some time doing whatever he does on the computer (hopefully not looking at porn..but it WAS his birthday..haha) and sitting with Izzie.


We were both off work, so that allowed us to go to Costco during the middle of the day, as well as go to the movies. We went to see Taken which was a really good movie.

We then went to this Brazilian barbecue place - we were there at 5 - mostly because of the timing of the movie and the fact that traffic is horrible at 5 and so we decided to go to a movie near where we were going to have dinner - but seriously, I felt a little like we were going at senior citizen time. We decided to sit at the bar and have a drink..

This was my drink

Paul had a Crown on the rocks...but I didn't take a picture.

We did finally sit at a table and Paul began working towards his meat coma.


I don't know if you've been to one of these places..but they have a token salad bar but the main thing there is meat. They walk around and basically offer you various kinds of meat...kinda like this...


I think he had a good day all filled with his favorite things.

Nothing to Say

I haven't had much to say lately...I don't know if it's been because I've been busy working..or because I've been working out 4 mornings a week and so I am just generally exhausted? Maybe it's because there are times in our lives where we just don't have much interesting to say. I think this may be one of those times. I am open to topic suggestions.

I've been knitting...and I am almost done with a sweater I've been working on..it'll be perfect for next fall. I am also just starting another one that I plan to take on vacation with me. I haven't taken any pictures of that yet...however..

....I decided to unload the pictures from my camera. I had 7 pictures...all of Izzie.

She was on the couch the other morning...all curled up with her blanket and pillow...

Nope..she's not spoiled at all..not one little bit :)

Izzie's had a busy week..she had a meeting with all her friends to discuss that we'll be moving soon. She's making sure everyone has a moving partner so they don't get lost....

She decided the meeting was stressful..so a nap was in order.

You have to know that if it wasn't for Izzie...I'd probably never post. It's a good thing she's cute.

Tomlin Epps?

I am a HUGE House fan...and am so glad they've had a marathon on all day today...and I'll be getting back to it soon..but I've been watching the Super Bowl and cannot get over how much Mike Tomlin looks like Omar Epps. I came home and asked Ms. Google for a picture of Mike Tomlin..and apparently I am not the only one who thinks this! I found this side by side on a Newsweek website...