Introducing Princess Sassy Sophia!

Patrick and I did get a little dog afterall. She is a little Maltese and we just got her today. Despite the big name, she will only get to be about 4lbs when she is grown. We are going to call her "Sassy" for her functional name. She is so cute!

TAG! I'm it!

Anna Maria tagged me- which means I have to write 6 weird things about myself on my blog (Only 6? But there are so many...) Anyway here it is, the random things about me that you probably didn't know. I am supposed to "tag" 6 other people, but I don't know 6 people with blogs, so I can't do that. If you would like to write 6 things about yourself in the comment section that would be nice too.

1. I like a clean house, but I hate laundry. I will let it pile up for days and days until it has ended up strewn all over the room. It isn't necessarily the washing that is so bad, more the folding and putting away. I think this might be because I fold clothes all day at work, so when I come home I don't want to do it.

2. I never sing in the shower. Never ever. I don't understand why people do because it just amplifies the sound so much and makes your bad singing super loud. Not the best way to start off the day in my opinion.

3. I dislike talking on the phone. I can never hear very well (maybe from too many years of playing the drums) so I find myself guessing half the time what the other person is saying. I prefer to talk in person or communicate via email. This is probably why I am bad at returning phone calls.....

4. I love going to the grocery store and I can spend hours just going up and down the aisles looking at the stuff and thinking about what I can make with it. I take lots of time and read all the nutrition labels on pretty much everything I buy and compare them with the other things on the shelf before I make a decision. I like to go on my day off when I have plenty of time to shop. I don't like when I have to just run in for a quick couple of things because it makes me feel anxious that I haven't picked the right thing, or gotten everything that I need.

5. Patrick and I are thinking of getting a dog. I know, I know- you all thought I hated dogs right? Well, I still do- but, I think I might really like to have a little purse dog. Patrick and I both recently discovered that our stress levels are too high and we thought a pet might help. Also, it would be nice to have a little friend around if Patrick gets deployed again. We'll see.

6. I am a closet hypochondriac. I think every little cough, bump, or bruise means I am dying. In fact, today I am going to the Doctor to have my cholesterol checked because I got freaked out the other day that it might be too high (no reason, that's just me). Patrick thinks it's funny, but the bad thing is that if I really do ever get sick he is not going to believe me! Go to http://www.queendom.com/tests/fx/hypochondriac.html and you can take this funny test to see if you are one too!


Ok that's it. Hope you still love me!

Falling through the Gap

As many of you have probably heard, the CEO of Gap Inc. Paul Pressler, resigned this week. That is not necessarily a bad thing. In the fashion industry styles come and go, stores' popularity comes in and out, and most of the time- change is good. I linked an interesting article about Gap from the USA Today, and you can click on the title "falling through the Gap" to read it. I agree with a lot of things that are written in here, especially the part about Gap being boring and struggling to find a niche. Retail is a hard industry, particularly when you are targeting those indecisive and fickle 16-30 year olds. Fear not though my friends! As you will read in the article, Banana Republic is as strong as ever! Things are fine over here on our end of the banana tree and we're all as happy as little monkeys wearing cardigan sweaters and high-heeled shoes. Five years from now, the story might be different (hopefully not) but as of right now, we all still have our jobs! : )
As for you Mr. New CEO? All I can say is good luck buddy- that is not a job I would want!

Welcome Baby Alyssa Dawn!

Patrick's good friend from the Army Gary, and his wife Kayla welcomed a new baby girl into the world on January 18th. We went to see them in the hospital yesterday. Baby Alyssa was almost 10 pounds at birth! Wow!

Still Red Hot

Patrick and I went to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers last night in Nashville. They played several of their hits (they have so many it is hard to get to them all) as well as some random mix-jam type things. I have seen them before, and they were just as good this time as they were 3 years ago when I saw them in Denver. They were the same, but I must have changed. I think I am getting soft since living in this quiet little town of Pleasant View, because I was tired and ready to go home by 10:00- despite the entertaining concert. That's late for Patrick and I to stay out on a weeknight! Maybe next time we will try to catch them when they do a nursing home tour- that might be more our speed! haha ; )

Quick to be replaced

I held Sadie on the first day she was born. I have been a pretty constant fixture in her life ever since. I love her very much and I always have a great time playing with her. I can't resist but spoil her and I usually have a present for her when I see her. I remember the firt time she said "I love you Nancy" my heart just melted and I knew I would be a complete sucker for this kid for the rest of my life. Now Patrick, on the other hand, has gotten to spend very little time with her since he left for bootcamp shortly after she was born. The last time he spent a few hours with her she was only about 9 months old. Now 2 1/2 she wouldn't know him if she saw him, but we talk about him all the time, so she knew this Patrick person existed. On Sunday, I had to work for most of the day, so after Patrick took his parents to the airport, he spent the entire day entertaining Sarah and Sadie. By the time I got off of work at 7:00- she would not leave his side and was very verbal that he was her new favorite! 2 1/2 years being the favorite, and he knocks me out in a matter of hours! I can't blame little Sadie though- Patrick is pretty great- He's my favorite too!

Busy Weekend!

We had lots of guests come to visit us this weekend. Patrick's mom Patsy and her husband Bert came out from El Paso to spend the weekend with us. Since it was MLK day, Patrick had a long weekend, so he got to spend lots of time with them. On Thursday, Sarah called me and told me that she was planning on surprising me this weekend and coming out for a visit too! I was so excited because I miss hanging out with her so much and I really wanted to see little Sadie too. Sarah and I spent Saturday taking Sadie swimming and to the nail salon to get her toes done. We had an awesome weekend! Thanks for coming everyone!

Finally!

Hooray! Today is one of the best days of the year! You know why? Because we got all of the new spring stuff at Banana! I love when we get new merchandise because it opens up a whole new world of shopping opportunity. I really like the new stuff they put out, and I want it all- but I limited myself to 3 dresses, a skirt, two shirts, a jacket, some pants, and two pairs of shoes (for now anyway!). If you want to check out the new stuff, just click on the title Finally- I linked to the page for you. Style tip- polka dots are big for spring along with large belts and volumous tops. Unfortunately, skinny pants are still in, but I predict that they will go out next season since only about .5% of the population can actually wear them and look good. Happy shopping!

New Beauty

I spent a lot of time on Art.com today searching for the perfect piece of art to cover our large living room wall. I already have two other pieces I am planning on putting up, but I needed the perfect center piece to compliment the others. Those of you who know my taste in art I'm sure will agree that this one will fit in quite well with the rest of my collection. New art is one of my most favorite things to get because it really can change your mood and your entire outlook on things. I believe that it is like love at first site- when you find that perfect piece you know it in an instant. Click on the title New Beauty to link to the piece I chose.

Night with the Boys

Dennis and Garrett came to visit us this weekend. Patrick had to work yesterday, so I took the boys on a tour of the base. They were most interested to see the bunkers where the government hides all the alien ships (that's what Dennis figured was in them anyway). After Patrick got off of work, we came back home and the boys spent the rest of the night playing the video game Guitar Hero. It was pretty funny watching them rock out with their little guitars. I can't really talk though- because I can't even finish a song on that game. It is hard!

We're Back!

Happy New Year everyone! Sorry for the long absence. I was having some technical difficulties with the computer and I was too busy over the holidays to get it fixed (lame excuse, I know). My New Year's resolution is to keep up with the blog so you all can see what we have been doing. Patrick and I had a wonderful and busy holiday season. Here are some pictures of NYC. Patrick took me there for my 26th birthday, and we spent three days just wondering around the city and checking everything out. It was an amazing experience and we will definitely go back! We hope you all had a wonderful holiday season as well.