I'm still here and all over the place with this post.

Hello lovelies! I'm sorry I've been away for so long. I do apologize for the absence, but I just can't seem to get it together and blog lately. I do so appreciate my readers, and I've missed your wonderful comments. Thank you to a special few of you who have sent "miss you" notes!

So, let's see - it's September and in North Texas that = dove season. Want to see what we've been up to for the last month?

Riley is such a proud bird dog!

"Uh, hey guys? I think you missed a spot right there on the tailgate!" - Riley

On another dog note, Roxy has been missing for two weeks now, and that has had me pretty down. As her "rescuer" and foster mama, I still feel responsible for her. I think that not knowing what has happened to her is the worst part. Did someone see her and take her? Was she hit by a car? Did she just run away? There's just no closure, so we hold out hope that maybe she will still turn up. The unknown is killer.

Speaking of the unknown - I've got to keep it vague, but my husband and I are struggling with a difficult decision. It would be a huge leap of faith, and that scares the hell out of me. I find myself trying to strike a balance between supportive and cautious, between trust and security. I want to be supportive of him and his aspirations, but I find myself thinking selfishly of myself. Has anyone else been caught in this situation?

That's all I'm able to muster at this point without pictures from my home computer. But hey, it's something right?

Oh, and calling all Anthropologie lovers: I have a new blog crush. Kim @ Anthroholic is absolutely fabulous!! I love the outfits she puts together, and it's awesome to see Anthro pieces (that I wouldn't know what to do with) in action. Check her out!

I don't know that I deserve them, but...

I was given the Honest Scrap award by Amber @ The Morrisons and Danielle @ Well, That's Just Fabulous! Both of these bloggers are amazing ladies, and I am so happy to have found them in blogland. For this award, I am supposed to tell you 10 honest things about me that you may not know.

1. I am incredibly scared to have children. Like, I think something is wrong with me.

2. I am pretty much the opposite of a germaphobe. I don't wash my hands that often, and I will drink after just about anyone. I also hardly ever get sick. Coincidence?

3. Estrangement is easy for me. Maybe I'll elaborate sometime.

4. Nightscapes creep me out. You know, the people who put lights in their trees to light up the branches at night? Creeptastic.

5. No matter how many times I go over my knees with a razor, in however many different directions, I can't ever get the majority of the little hairs.

6. I check and balance my bank account every day. Anal much? Wait. Nope, there's just no possible way to make that sound any better.

7. My dream car is an early 70s model El Camino SS. But I wouldn't complain if you got me a Mercedes SLR McLaren. Whatev.

8. I have been known to fall asleep on the toilet after getting up in the middle of the night to pee. I suppose I rationalize that it would take too long to crawl back in bed.

9. My Myers-Briggs personality is ISFJ: Introversion, Sensing, Feeling, Judgement.

10. I have become THAT person that gives wedding gifts about nine months after the wedding.

I was also given the Sexy Blogger Award by Amy @ The Un-Wife Housewife Life. Thanks foxy lady!

Ok, I cheated a little on this one. I don't consider myself a sexy person. Cute, yes. Sexy, no. So I had my husband jump-start this one with a few G rated things he finds sexy about me. He said:

1. "Your amazing smile." I don't know that I would call it amazing, but when I'm not cheesing, it's ok.

2. "Your crooked toes." What a weirdo, that man.

3. "The way you prance around the house when you're in a good mood." Yes, in the privacy of my own home, I am a prancer!

So after a little help from him, I was able to think up a few on my own.

4. I happen to think it's sexy that I'm a good mix of tomboy and girly. I'll camo it up, grab my shotgun and go hunt and drink with the boys. But, I come home, clean up and rock a frilly dress with heels.

5. My hair. It's long and blonde (see above pic), and since I've become very lazy about blowing it out embraced my natural wave, it's usually big and slightly unkempt in a sexy bed-head kind of way.

There ya go! Thanks again gals! And, I know this is a cop-out, but with my absence lately, I really don't know who has these awards and who doesn't. If you want them, take them!

The greatest presents make their way to my mailbox!

So, there are a slew of reasons that I have not been able to post this post until now. I promise it has very little to do with laziness or Sookie Stackhouse and much to do with technology. After major camera/computer issues (GRRRR - if you hadn't noticed lately, I have been posting cell phone pics, pics on my work comp and scans from the office), I am FINALLY able to blog the much-anticipated package I received through Kate's blog swap from Amber!!!

But first, let me say how awesome Amber was to have as a partner. She was so much fun to shop for, and although we only know each other by what we read, I had to stop myself from buying more and more great things that I knew she would love! Check here to see all the neat stuff she got in her package.

Ok, on to the goodies...I didn't get a picture of the before wrapping because I was too excited, but Amber fit everything into a boot box with cute wrapping and tags. After ripping open my package five year old on Christmas Day style, I found all of this great stuff!!

Goodies for Riley and Gidget, a polka-dotted "J" koozie, a hat, Chapstick, nail polish, candle, OREOS! (my all time fave), great tote, magnetic shopping list and a yellow box.

What is that fabulous yellow box? Yellow Box flops!! Anyone who knows me knows that I am addicted to these flip flops. I have at least ten pair in different colors and styles, and Amber got me the cutest pair in blue that happen to match at least three different outfits in my closet!

Here's a close up of some more of the goods.

I have been wanting a pink Dallas Cowboys hat to wear with my jersey for so long, and Amber actually included this at the suggestion of her husband. It's so perfect, and it made its debut last Thursday during the preseason game! I wish I had a picture of that!

The Chapstick, which is a cant live without item for me, is tropical scented and has shimmer. I don't typically venture outside of the plain jane kind, but this stuff rocks! I got a new OPI shade, and that great koozie is residing at the lake. You can never have enough koozies at the lake!

Then, there's the Circle E candle. You ladies outside of certain areas in Texas probably aren't privileged enough to know of Circle E Candles. They are the best! And the best fragrance?? Bird of Paradise! Seriously, this single fragrance outsells all of their other fragrances combined. I've never met a woman who didn't love Bird of Paradise!

And, it always makes me happy when someone remembers my babies. Amber was awesome enough to include some spa wipes and yummy cookies for Gidget & Riley.

A HUGE thank you to a new friend, Amber, and a gracious swap hostess, Kate!! Please forgive me for the tardiness of the post. Amber, I need to ask you about your new camera. I'm not sure if mine is going to make it. I sure hope I didn't forget anything. I feel like I remember taking more pictures, but these are all I was able to salvage off a corrupt memory card. Let me know if I did!

On another fun note...I won a giveaway!! I never win anything, but last week, I got a little email from The Beauty File letting me know that I had won her 100th post giveaway. I picked out my prize from The Inglenook Decor, and it was on my doorstep when I came home from the lake this weekend. Isn't this candle holder precious?

It does not yet have a place in my home. I am working up a complete re-design of my living/kitchen area, and I am saving this baby for my new look! Please check out both The Beauty File and The Inglenook Decor for lots of lovely ideas and decor!

Wow, that was long. Watch out - she's back!

Mutt Monday!

This week's Mutt Monday features pictures of absolutely worthless mutts. The picture of Gidget was taken last Sunday during a rare treat of sleeping in the bed. She was so worn out from the lake that she slept wedged between me and Riley, like this, all night.

This picture was taken of Riley last night after another fun-filled weekend at the lake. He slept like this until I moved from the couch. Worthless, huh??

I probably should've edited out his weenis, but I just posted twice in one morning. What more do you people want from me?!?!____________________________________________________________

Mutt Monday was spawned, in part, by you - my fellow bloggers! In my blogstalking, I have come across so many of you who, like me, have adorable hounds that you love to show off! And what better way to brighten a dreary Monday than man's (and woman's!) best friend???

So all you dog lovers out there, I want to see your mutts and your purebreds, your tiny Chihuahuas and your huge Great Danes, your brand spankin' new puppies and your lazy, graying flea bags! Do you want to join the Mutt Monday fun? Link to your Mutt Monday post (not just your blog) through Mr. Linky below so we can all melt over your precious mutt(s)!!

I'm not a fan of Mr. Linky anymore, but there it is. You can also just leave a link to your post in the comment section if you choose to participate!

Boot Centerpieces!

As promised, I am going to be working today on blogs that don't involve my dogs - but I do have a Mutt Monday post. I mentioned doing boot centerpieces for my in-laws 30th anniversary party last month. We finally got the CD back with all the photos so here are a few pictures of my centerpieces. I think I will post some more later because I was so happy with the way they turned out! But for now, here are a few...

I used both yellow and red sunflowers, safflower, white Gerber daisies, green millet sprays, statice, and a few others with names that escape my memory at the moment.

A stolen survey.

I stole this from Adventures in Newlywed.

• What is your salad dressing of choice? Oil & vinegar.
• What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? I don't have a frontrunner.
• What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it? Pasta, pasta, pasta!
• What are your pizza toppings of choice? None. I'm an Alfredo gal.
• What do you like to put on your toast? Buttah.
• How many televisions are in your house? Tres.
• What color cell phone do you have? Black with a pink protector.
• Are you right-handed or left-handed? Right.
• Have you ever had anything removed from your body? Wisdom teeth.
• What is the last heavy item you lifted? A block of insulation.
• Have you ever been knocked unconscious? No.
• If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? No way Jose.
• If you could change your name, what would you change it to? Buzz Lightyear.
• Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? This truly depends on the amount of time lapsed since my last online visit to Anthropologie. Today, it is a no since I placed an order yesterday. ;)
• Last run-in with a cop? Speeding ticket last year. Boo.
• Last person you talked to? Co-worker. We were discussing True Blood very important work matters.
• Last person you hugged? Tone Loc.
• Favorite Season? Fall.
• Holiday? 4th of July.
• Day of the week? Sunday.
• Month? I don't guess I have one.
• First place you went this morning? Bathroom. What? It's true.
• What's the last movie you saw? Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.
• Do you smile often? Yep.
• Do you always answer your phone? I hardly ever answer unless it's a select friend or family member.
• It's four in the morning and you get a text message who is it? Josh.
• If you could change your eye color what would it be? Eh, I like my green.
• What flavor drink do you get at Sonic? Sweet tea or iced latte. I don't drink sodas.
• Do you own a digital camera? Yes, but you wouldn't know it because I never seem to use it or remember it.
• Have you ever had a pet fish? Yes.
• Favorite Christmas song? "Carol of the Bells."
• What's on your wish list for your birthday? That's too far away.
• Can you do push ups? Yes.
• Can you do a chin up? I haven't tried in forever, so I am guessing no.
• Does the future make you more nervous or excited? Both.
• Do you have any saved texts? No.
• Ever been in a car wreck? Yes, nothing serious.
• Do you have an accent? Definitely.
• What is the last song to make you cry? "Stay" by Sugarland. It's just so raw.
• Plans tonight? Start reading From Dead to Worse!
• Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? Nah.
• Name 3 things you bought yesterday? Only two - iced mocha latte from Sonic and gas.
• Have you ever been given roses? Yes.
• Current worry? Oh gosh, that's too hard to narrow down.
• Current hate right now? None, thankfully.
• Met someone who changed your life? Yep.
• How did you bring in the New Year? With friends and alcohol at home.
• What were you doing 12 AM last night? Sleeping.
• What was the first thing you thought when you woke up? Can I call in sick?

My apologies, dear readers.

I've gotten some complaints about my absence, and I am deeply sorry. I have been too caught up in reading to write. I've been devouring the Sookie Stackhouse novels over the last two weeks. I am starting book 8 tonight, and I should finish the series (what's published anyway) by Monday.

I have lots of things I want to blog - my swap package, Gidget's new collar, my boot centerpieces, awards, griping about my knee problems, a can't/can/shouldn't/should/won't/will post, how elated I have been to reconcile with my BIL & SIL (and meeting my niece for the first time) - but I just can't make myself sit down and do it when these delicious books are calling my name once I get home.

It's all coming...