Big Love

This may or may not be a surprise to some of you - I have always wanted a Great Dane.  However, there have been times, see here, here, and here, where I almost regret having any dog.  When we first talked about getting a dog, my vote was Great Dane!  I came across these wonderful, sweet, and GINORMOUS animals when my friend from college Meghan had one named Stella.  No joke, it was like a person was sitting next to you... except she was furry. 
I would occasionally send my hubby, the cat lover, pictures like this to persue him... at one time (after a little help from his friend Vern, and I'm sure some brews) I almost thought I had won. 

Then I think I scared him off by sending him either one of these pictures via email...

I'm sure the convo went something like this. 
Tony - 'We are not having a dog that can eat our baby'
Me - 'It's like having a live in babysitter!!'

Needless to say, I did not get my great dane.  One day folks, one day. 
So the whole purpose of this post is because I ran across this blog today - Things Great Danes Eat.  Freaking Hilarious!!  Margo doesn't look so bad after reading these stories.  Is it bad that it kinda makes me still really want one???  Can you imagine if we had crazy 'i'll eat anything that's on the floor' Marg AND a great dane... I'd have to become a stay at home mom.

You would think...

...I would learn to put my shoes up... 

Another subtraction to my shoe collection has taken place.

My opinion on what the shoe should look like:

Margo's opinion of what the shoe should look like:

So help me God if she ever gets a hold of my heels...

Lake Bum

Well, after celebrating my birthday for about a week and a half, it ended with a trip to the lake.  Tony and I took off on Thursday night for the 3 1/2 hour trek to Kanopolis.  We had off on Friday and Monday so it was a well needed extended vaca!  I'm sad to report that I was terrible at using my camera this weekend... partly because my battery was dead and partly from the beer and mojitos.  We did a whole lot of laying out, hanging out with family/friends, drinking, sleeping in, and of course eating.  Tony is in a BBQ competition this next weekend and has to smoke sausage (heads out of the gutter please :) ).  He practiced a few different kinds on Friday and we got to test them out.  Tony's family was so cute and made me a 'birthday dinner' with my favorite - salmon!  Tony smoked the salmon as well and it turned out great!  (again, wish I had pictures) 

This was Margo's first trip with us to the lake and she actually did really well!  It seems like everyone has dogs up there and she doesn't understand that ALL of them don't want to be her friend, so we did have to keep her on her leash for most of the weekend. 
My wonderful friends Gina and Emily came down on Saturday to celebrate!  They are too sweet! 

I came away with a couple of pictures from the weekend - here's the view from the cabin.  Thought I'd take a beach picture of my toes :)

And of course a pic of Marg.  This is her scary face... actually she has no idea when this happens.  That's what face you get when you have a huge underbite.  Love it! 

Creativity

These are the adorable cards I received from my cousins...

The last one is from Gage, he said:  That's you (tall one) and that's me holding hands.  That's your balloon and that's my balloon.  So presh!!

Call me Crazy!

But this is why I coupon!!  Check out my receipts. 

This one is from Walgreens:

This one is from Target:

You better believe that I was excited leaving the store last night!!!

Never Again...

...will I watch The Bachelorette with my husband.  At first I thought it was sweet that he was actually going to watch it with me because I know he doesn't like it.  We got maybe one minute in and the comments start flying.  'Really??  We know she chose her job over Jake, you don't have to recap it 15 times.'  'Who actually goes on this show??'  'you can't find love in 3 weeks'  'Deutschebag, Deutschebag, Deutschebag...'
Ok, I start regretting asking him if he would watch it with me.
Then the text messages back and forth to his buddy John start (because obviously he is also watching the show with his wife).  So, he feels the need to tell me what ALL of the texts say.  I started off humering him by pausing the show and laughing at their comments.  The first 6 times.  Then here's how the convo went:

Me - pause tv for the 10th time.  'OKAY, I get it.  Seriously, I'm trying to watch this' 
Tony - 'alright, i'll just tell you at commercial'
Me - 'I really don't need to know'
Tony - 'why aren't you watching this at your friend's house?'
Me - 'I have no clue.  But you can bet I will be for the rest of the season' 

Back to show.  Commercial comes on.

Me - 'ok what was the text from John'
Tony - pouting  'nope, you don't want to know'

Can't a girl just watch a trashy reality show in peace and quiet?? 

Hi, Mom

I had fun today...

Early B-Day Celebration

We will be at the lake next weekend over my real birthday so the family got together at my parents house yesterday for a BBQ.  Normally when I say BBQ, it consists of hotdogs and hamburgers... but not my dad's BBQ's!!  He was up at 5 am putting meat in his smoker.  He loves me.  My dad is probably the best cook I know.  He really goes all out!!  We had smoked brisket, ribs, sausage and pulled pork.  He also made jalapeno poppers, baked beans, homemade coleslaw, cornbread and my FAVORITE - fried okra.  It was quite the spread and I'm mad I didn't take a pic of it!  Some brews and a few games of washers completed the afternoon/evening.  So blessed to have such a wonderful family!! 

My cousin Reagan and I.  Early Birthday Princesses:

Blowing out the candles:

Opening presents:

Gparents, aunt, uncles, and pops:

Margo and Riley watching some washers.  I love this pic!

My mama and pops - they are the best!!

Winos

This weekend Tony took me to a couple of local winerys around the KC area for an early birthday celebration.  We started on Saturday around 11 am (it was 5:00 somewhere).  We headed to Somerset Ridge which is about 30 minutes south of Overland Park.  We walked in and the lady had us belly up at the tasting bar.  We tasted about 13-14 wines- white, red, blush, dessert, and port selections.  I heart wine, but don't know much about it so it was really interesting hearing her talk about each one.  I had never tried Port Wine, which I guess is a combo of wine and brandy and meant to be sipped... I didn't like it.  Tony did.  I should mention that the pours were very generous, and I started worrying about being able to make it to the next winery on our list :) 

Tony and I both prefer red wines, but it was HOT out so we picked a cold white to buy, open, and drink while we walked around the vinard.  It was a beautiful day!!!

We sort of felt like it was our honeymoon all over again from the individual pictures of each other.... 'I'll take one of you... okay now take one of me...'

Here's the grapes that were used in the bottle of white that we were drinking. Chardonel.  I thought it was a fancy word for Chardonney, but it was totally different.  See, I learned something!

After a quick walk around the vineyard we sat in this adorable area outside of the tasting building.  Tony packed a picnic - crackers, cream cheese, hummus, smoked salmon, cheese, and sushi.  Delish!  How cute is he?!?

Finished the bottle of wine sitting outside and listening to a guy play his guitar.  I could have stayed out there all day, but we had more drinking to do... on to the next...

So we headed to Holy Field which is up by Leavenworth.  Basically the same scenerio there - tasting, more tasting, buying a bottle and sitting outside enjoying the weather. 

Not the greatest picture of us, but when a stranger is snapping the photo, you just go with it. 

This was followed by a nap and then dinner at PierPonts - tasting/wine pairing dinner.  As if we hadn't consumed enough wine throughout the day :)  I thought we both were going to turn into grapes.  It was an amazing dinner to finish our amazing day.  I have the best hubby ever!!

Here's a pic at dinner - again, not the best picture.  Hello droopy eyes.  I blame the wine... or the giant gin and tonic sitting in front of me.  Pattern in the last 2 pictures??  Apparently wine makes me hunchbacked...

Babies Babies Babies

These are my pregnant friends Erin and Sarah - aren't they cute???  Erin is due in September with a boy and Sarah is due in October with a we-don't-know-yet.  I'm very happy for them and also happy for me.  You see, I absolutely LOVE little baby things.  Tiny little clothes, or shoes, or hats... I could go on but I won't.  Tony and I are not quite ready to have a baby of our own, so I will live through my friends for now.  I can 'browse' the baby sections of stores with an actual purpose now.  Thanks friends! :)

Erin & Margo - Marg loves Erin.  And cute little Sarah and her dog, Mack. 

Marg giving Baby Brockus some love.  I heart this pic!

A.I. or BUST!!!

Another season of American Idol is about to wrap up.  The top 2 will be announced tonight. 
I'm hoping for... Lee and Crystal

 They've been my favs from the start.  Well minus cutie patootie Tim Urban, but we all knew he wasn't going to get to the end.  He was always so surprised when he made it through... deer in the headlights face. 

This is really only the 3rd year I have really been into it.  I watched it here and there before, but after my boyfriend  (it's okay Tony knows) David Cook was on it, I was hooked.  Ahh small sigh for DC.  Side note: I saved his 'always be my baby' show on our DVR for a good year and a half until we changed cable companies and it was gone forever.  Tear.

Last year I loved Adam Lambert - not in the boyfriend way though... pretty positive he is into dudes. He is just amazing and so talented! 

This year I struggled a bit getting into it.  Most of the Top24 annoyed me.  I did however always love Crystal.  I like her story and even though I think she should have more personality on stage, I think she is wonderful.  Then out of the blue, this Lee character started ROCKING it!  Last night's performance of Hallaluyah was incredible!!  Major goosebumps.  P.S. I made Tony save it on our DVR... wonder how long that will be around??  Anyways, Gina and I have been sending our love through our calling votes.  He will thank us personally when he wins I'm sure. 

I didn't get to go to the A.I. concert to see David Cook, so when he came into town for a solo concert I. was. going.  Tickets on sale at 9 am - got it.  I'm at work, 9 am hits, I call and I'm on hold................ 7 minutes later a lady answers and tells me that it's sold out.  In 7 minutes??!!  Wtf?  I think I was depressed for a good 2 weeks. 

Last year was the first year I experienced the A.I. concert ... maybe the best time of my summer.  Sunday concert at P&L when it's nice outside = Funday Sunday day drinking with friends early.  Gina, Emily and I had SO much fun!!  And getting to see Adam Lambert sing in person was pretty awesome (ask Emily about it, I'm sure she can give you a play by play of the whole concert... or not) :)  We were a little worried about being the oldest people there and getting stuck behind the million teenieboppers with glittery signs, but surprisingly there were a ton of mom's that were more excited to be there then we were!

This year we are going again - can't wait for August.  It's on a Friday this year... thank God! 

See you soon Lee!!! 

And I need to give a shout out to Gina for giving me the idea of this post :)

Big Ass Binder

I've had a few people ask about this amazing coupon binder I have, so I'm finally putting up pictures of it.  It's okay, you can laugh.  This is what I stroll through the grocery stores with - no biggie :)

The binder is Studio C - I believe it's just a regular binder.  The coupon inserts are from Mrs. A's Coupon Organizer. 
I have colored dividers separating pages so I can find each catagory easily.  Breakdown: condiments, snacks, cereal, dairy, frozen foods, pet coupons, cleaning products, medicine, etc. 

Isn't it cute??  I'm obsessed. 

Bring It

I know, it's another post about my dog... please refer to Awkward Positions if you need an explaination. 

Margo is very VERY used to going to the vet.  We'll just say, she's had issues.  Tony normally takes her and then sends me pictures from his phone.  I ran across these the other day and it made me chuckle. 

First time to the vet = scared

Last time she went to the vet = not so much

Bring it, Vet...

To My Mama

I have the most amazing mom - she is wonderful, caring, kind, funny, very extremely athletic, energetic, charismatic, beautiful, giving, creative, talented, and the most self-less person I know.  She is not just these things, I could go on forever.  I sometimes think that she is supernatural :) 

I am so blessed to have her as my mom and more importantly my best friend. 

She has taught me so much and made me who I am today.  So here's to you Mom!! 

Thanks for everything you have done and you do for me...

I might not tell you often enough, but I think you rock! 

Love,

Cal 

Dynamic Duo

Tony's parents came into town this weekend for Rich's birthday and Mother's Day.  Had a great weekend!  Margo and Rich were quite the team.  She had to be beside him at all times... it was pretty funny :)
Sorry Rich, she is the closest thing you get to a grandchild for now! 

Awkward Positions

We don't have kids (yet), so my dog is pretty much my kid for now.  I will (already do) blog about her as if she is my baby.  Sorry if this bores you... she just makes me laugh. 
Here are her top 4 favorite positions...  (apologies for not 'censoring' her privates... she is not very lady like)

Score!!

Another great day for checking my mailbox!!

Full size ReNu contact solution
Full size Redken styling product
Small secret deoderant
Small size Pantene S&C (shampoo & conditioner)
Sample Lorel S&C
Sample Pantene S&C
Cascade Action Paks
OK Magazine
Shape Magazine

Oh and a pair of heels... but I did pay for those :)

Wedding Weekend

Lindsay and Scott got married this weekend!  It was such a fun weekend seeing everyone and catching up.  Here's a few pics! 

Started out the afternoon at Rockabelly...

Got to stop off at 509 (Tony's old house) for a few brews...

Rehersal dinner @ Kites Banquet Room...

We stopped by Kites after the ceremony for a quick drink before the reception...

 

Wally Judge and Rodney McGruder at After Hours.  Story:  Tony tells me he saw McGruder walk by Kites... Emily and I run sprint out the door and down the street yelling 'Rodney Rodney!!'  He is adorable and my favorite.  Then I noticed that Wally was next to him (how I missed that I have no idea... he is 7')

Margo had a rough weekend too... 

We took her to a boarding place in Manhattan where she could run around with other dogs.  Not sure how she would do, Tony and I were a little nervous about it.  (in case you haven't noticed, we love our dog like obsessed parents)  They gave her a report card :) 

Here's what it says: 

Margo played & PLAYED!!! She had a blast with all her friends.  She wrestled from sun up 'til sun down

Yep, sounds about right...

They gave her an A+.  Guess she didn't miss us much.  :)  She was super excited to get home though... this was the position she layed in for at least 5 hours on Sunday.