Thankful

Growing up, Thanksgiving was never about sharing what we're thankful for.  It has always been about food, football, more food, and then more football.  It was enjoyed with the extended family but if you got in the way of food or football, you may as well have not been family.  Unconditional love did not cover getting in the way of food and football.  People fought over who got the dining room table seats that had the best view of the living room's TV.  I always lost...

I don't fault my family.  Daily, we ate home-cooked dinner together at the kitchen table (with no TV allowed) but conversation was never lively.  We just didn't (and still don't) discuss the little things of life, the details of our days.  Big events were discussed and as I got older, my dad and I can discuss current events and politics.  It's just the way we are and I can appreciate our peacefully silent yet still enjoyable meals.

This Thanksgiving, I would like to reflect on some of the things I am truly thankful for.  It's really good to take a step back and think positively rather than fret over all the little things.

I am thankful for my family who has always supported me no matter what, always forgives me after angry outbursts, has taught me the morals and values that shaped who I am today.  They may frustrate me but they love me and have done nothing but push me to be a better person.  

At Chichen Itza - Family Cruise 2010

I'm also thankful that my grandfather is temporarily living with my parents and has been here to celebrate my birthday and now Thanksgiving.  He's 97 and each day with him is a blessing.

At my cousin's birthday party - we love food!

I'm thankful for my wonderful boyfriend, Josh.  I'm so lucky to have found him.  He brightens my day and lifts my spirits.  He reminds me to be a little less serious and enjoy life.  He introduced me to the fun of costumes (as evidenced by the picture) and does want to talk about the details of my day.  His family welcomed me into their family with WIDE open arms.

At Texas Renaissance Festival - 1001 Dreams Themed Weekend

I'm thankful for my dog, Zoey.  She's a lover.  I wish I could spend 20 hours of the day lounging around on the bed/sleeping and then the other 4 hours of the day getting belly rubs, hugs and kisses, and treats.  She lives a good life - everyone spoils her and in return she rewards us with her unconditional love.  

At my parents' backyard - lab/spaniel mix (aka mutt)

And lastly, I'm thankful for my friends.  They pick me up when I'm down, they share the good (and bad) times with me, they make me smile and laugh, they're an extension of me that without I am not whole.

 At a UT football game with Amber

At Britt's wedding 

At Maggiano's - my birthday dinner

At Peaches' wedding

Friends who were not pictured, I am still thankful for you but we need to hang out more so I have pictures!

What are you thankful for?

Happy Halloween from Zoey!

Last weekend, the Velvet Snout hosted a customer appreciation celebration which included a dog costume contest.  If you know me at all, you know I couldn't resist the opportunity to dress up Zoey!

We went as matching witches.  Me, a Candy Corn Witch.  Zoey, a Super Cute Dog Witch.  (If you're one of those who doesn't believe in dressing up dogs and thinks dogs hate it... look at Zoey's happy little smile and then try to tell me she doesn't love it.)

For actual Halloween, we dressed up again.  This time Zoey was my pumpkin to go along with my witch outfit.  (Last year after Halloween, Target had their dog costumes for $2.50 each.  It was such a great deal I bought 4.  Yes... seriously... 4.  So this year to justify last year's purchase, I had to make sure to use more than one.)

We sat on the porch and handed out candy to the trick or treaters.  There weren't that many which was disappointing but it was still fun.

Meet Mollie Ann (and see Zoey)

As some of you know, I volunteer with Richardson Humane Society (RHS).  I used to just help with the Adopt-A-Pet (AAP) events where people could come and meet the dogs and apply to adopt them.  But then I felt compelled to start fostering too.  (Every dog is fostered personally in an individual's home instead of in a kennel/shelter.  This allows dogs to learn better behaviors, be housebroken, be socialized with people/other pets, etc.  It requires a lot more love and patience but it's really great for the dogs and the dogs' future owners.)

I don't think Zoey cares at all for the foster dogs (and that's putting it nicely) but I'd like to think since she is a rescue dog, she understands and wants these dogs to get a good loving home just like she did.  If nothing else, it gives her someone to assert her dominance over and what's not more fun for a dog than barking "who's the boss.".  Zoey would note that belly rubs and people food are better but she'll enjoy her cake and eat it too since she gets all of that already.

Anyway, meet Mollie Ann, our current foster.

Brother just finished putting this swing chair set together yesterday and Mollie loves it.

Isn't she a cute dog?  She's a standard dachshund mixed with something.  Roughly 12 pounds, young adult.  She's spayed, disease-free, and micro-chipped.  She's SUPER playful and loves tennis balls.  She can really run fast!  She also really loves belly rubs and people time in general. Do you know of anyone interested in adopting Mollie?

Zoey enjoys the chairs too.

 

I kept saying "Colorado" in order to get Zoey to perk up her ears.

I just love when she does this.

Dog Day at the Grand Prairie AirHogs Baseball Game

My family is a baseball family.  Yes, games can get boring sometimes.  Yes, it's ridiculously hot in Texas and sitting outside in the sun can get miserable.  But, we still go to the games and we enjoy ourselves.  This summer we've tried out every "big" team in the Dallas/Fort Worth area - Texas Rangers, Frisco RoughRiders, and now the Grand Prairie AirHogs!

I was easily won over because it was DOG DAY!  There's nothing better than getting to bring Zoey with me!

Isn't that a beautiful smile?

I was so proud of Zoey - minimal barking at the other dogs!  She just sat on my lap or sat/laid on the floor.

It was super hot but I'm positive Zoey was happier to be in the heat with the family than sleeping alone in the house.  She was definitely hot and exhausted by the end of it though.

The stadium is small but in an intimate way.  For only $9 you can sit right behind home plate!  (We used a Groupon so it was only $3 - even better!)

This stadium also has a pool in the outfield that you can rent just like the Frisco RoughRiders.

It was also $1 hot dog and $1 soda day.

Did Zoey eat her very own hot dog?  Of course not!  How dare you insinuate that!

Oh wait, sorry.  I mean yes.  Duh.  This dog is SPOILED.

And to further prove that point...

It was just the ice after my dad drank his lemonade.  But still.

And then I couldn't resist this photo op.

I'd be a little freaked out if I ever met a baseball player who had a dog face and a strange arm/leg/paw growing out of his neck.

Note: I tried to take a better picture but Zoey didn't really like the cardboard cutout.  She started pushing at it to get away.  We apologized with a hot dog.

All in all, it was a great game.  They won!

Grand Prairie AirHogs 11 - El Paso Diablos 9

And everyone left happy.