Challenge Day 27: Pets

I've had a lot of pets in my life. I remember the names of every single one of them [well.. at least the furry ones. The scaly ones... not so much.]
There was Dottie the Great Dane we had when I was 3 and 4 and lived in North Little Rock. We had to get rid of her because my neighbor was afraid of her.

Then there were a handful of cats we had when we lived in Branson. It was before the spay and neuter your pets thing was a big deal. Aubrey was a calico stray that we took care of, but basically just fed and loved her. She had 3 litters of kittens. One every year around Easter. Her kittens [these are totals]: Mustard, Sunshine, Coffee, Cream, Amy, Bear, and a few more. They all met untimely demises... we lived in the country/woods. Apparently owls get hungry...

We moved by to Arkansas when I was 8 and I got 2 parakeets from my cousin. Their names were Elvis and Priscilla. Elvis liked people... Priscilla only like males. I didn't have them long. Birds are pretty and all, but they are MESSY to take care of.

After my mom remarried I finally got another dog. My step-dad insisted on getting a Sheltie. We looked all day one day for a Sheltie puppy. We saw several, and after driving all over central AR looking for a dog we met someone at a flea market that had one puppy left, and that was the day we got Rockie. We registered that poor dog as Razzle's Fancy Rockie Top. It was his AKC name. Word of advice... don't look for a puppy with your 4th grader all day long and think you won't take a dog home at the end of the day. They put that big ball of fluff in my arms, and he licked my chin, and it was love. Best birthday gift.

After we got Rockie my cousin that I got Elvis and Priscilla from gave us two "boy guinea pigs". Well... they most definitely weren't two boys. Scooter and Buttercup. They were cute. They reproduced once. Cinnamon. She was cute too.

Then 2 years later my family decided that Rockie needed a friend. So we went on the search. New Year's Eve we brought Kaci home. We went from Rockie, who was the best puppy and dog. He was basically house broken when we got him. Good natured. Then we brought wild woman home. She was a mess. But she was mine. My name was on the papers so that was a huge deal to me at 11 years old. With both Rockie and Kaci, the first few nights after we brought them home I'd sleep in the bathroom on the floor with them so they wouldn't be lonely. I was pretty committed to them. I don't have them anymore. My former step-dad has them. Of all the things he got in the divorce and it was my dogs. I miss them.

Here's Kaci [l] and Rockie [r].


Also while I had the Shelties I also inherited two hamsters [separate times]. One was Wally, and the other was Tag. Wally was awesome. Tag was evil. He had a rough start though because I rescued him.

Then there was Bentlie. I made my mom get a cat during her brief single-hood. I didn't want Bentlie. I wanted a different cat. However, since mom didn't really want a cat in the first place... she got to pick. She picked the cute little calico that was precious at the shelter. Key words "at the shelter". We got her home... actually we just got her in the car, and she went bisserk. I have scars from her. She would jump from a sitting position on the floor to the top of a 7 foot bookshelf. She fetched. Yes... FETCHED. She loved water. She climbed on everything. She ran, flipped, bit, clawed. She was kind of crazy like Aleasa's Delilah. I loved her. Even if she was crazy. We kind of discovered she loved water the hard way... I was in the shower a few days after we brought her home, and I was rinsing my hair when I felt something furry on my leg. It was her tail. She was a bit of a creeper. When mom remarried she had to re-home her... to a halfway house for men. I was NOT happy, but she had a place to always run, and endless people to love on her.

Benny-Boo


Like I said... she was a bit of an acrobat. Yes... she's walking a shower rod...


Now I have Tessa. Sweet T-Dawg. I have had Tessa for a year and a half. I rescued her in May 2009. I was really getting discouraged finding a rescue because every time I had one picked out I didn't have a fence up yet. I'd been interested in Catahoula's. They're just awesome and unique dogs. Well the day before I was going to give up on the search for a rescue and just go to a breeder I went to Petfinder, and typed in Catahoula. That's when "Gia" popped up at a local shelter about 30 minutes from my house. I called the next day to see if I could go look at her. I went into that shelter, they let her out, and it was love. I knew before I left that I was keeping her. They held her for two weeks until I got my fence up.
She is the best dog I've ever had. She rarely barks. Doesn't dig, jump, bite, chew, beg. She has her wild spurt for about 30 minutes after I bring her inside, and that's it. I'm so crazy about this crazy dog it's not even funny. She's super smart, and too sweet. She's part Chocolate Lab and part Catahoula Leopard [it's a herding dog that originated from Louisiana], BUT I'm going to send her DNA in to find out everything for sure. I just think it would be interesting. Everyone she meets loves her, and she loves everyone. The only people she's a little wary of her men who smoke. It's weird.
She has weird little quirks about her. She is scared to death of lighters. I can't light a candle without her tucking tail. She apparently thinks the flash and/or red pre flash on my camera are going to steal her soul. She plays hide and go seek. She is super obedient unless we're outside. Then all bets are off. She also is not such a fan of nerf guns. Loves car rides. Loves to go on run, but she ends up putting MY life in danger by running in front of me and nearly killing me.
This is the first time I ever saw T on Petfinder...


I had to be sneaky to get this photo...


Playing Fetch


Snow day!


Liek I said... I'm pretty crazy about this pup.

Day 26: Family

Oh the fam. My family basically consists of my mom's side of thing. I have my friends. I have my dog. It's an oddball family, but it's mine. And I am blessed.
I was going to put pictures up, but the only one's I have are ones I've already loaded. It comes down to the fact that I'm nuts about my family. I've always loved them, but it's just been in the past few years that I feel like I'm really enjoying my family [and friends].

Day 25: i-Tunes

Not gonna lie... I was SUPER pumped when I saw this as one of the 30 day topics. I'm a music fanatic, and basically any opportunity to discuss my i-Tunes is a bonus.

I Will Carry You (Audrey's Song)- Selah: This song makes me cry. It's based on the story of Audrey Caroline. Her mom's blog is found here. She's married to Selah's Todd Smith. Such an incredible testimony of faith and strength.

"there were photographs I wanted to take

things I wanted to show you"

Love Will Bring You Home- Nicol Sponberg: This song kind of breaks my heart too.

"where did you lose the faith you had? did you put it into something that has only left you empty and sad?"

God's Will- Martina McBride: When I saw this music video it basically ripped my heart out.

"i've been searchin, wonderin', thinkin'. lost and lookin' all my life. i've been wounded, jaded, loved and hated. i've wrestled wrong and right."

Jesus Freak- DC Talk: Who doesn't love DC Talk?! That's all I have to say to that.

"separated, i cut myself clean from a past that comes back in my darkest of dreams"

Catch the Wave- LeCrae's Theme Song [written for Kanakuk]: The most fun song. Dance moves include lots of jumping.

The Story- Brandi Carlile: The super high parts in this song stress me out. Still I like the song.

"all of these lines across my face, tell you the story of who i am, so many stories of where i've been, and how I got to i where i am"

Margaritaville- Jimmy Buffett: It's catchy. I'm a fan.

Why- Bethany Dillon: I have two songs by this name. I like this one, but my favorite one is Nichole Nordeman's version. Listen to it. You won't be disappointed.

"you're a good strategy when i need one

an angle when there is none

like a doormat

that always says welcome

no matter how much dirt i rub on

but when i am tired and run through

look over this hill, i'm running to You"

-Bethany Dillon

"the power in Your blood destroys all of the lies
soon You'll see past their unmerciful eyes
look there below, see the child
trembling by her father's side
now I can tell You why
she is why You must die"

-Nichole Nordeman

Wally- Aslyn: This song is so fun. My friend Brooke introduced me to this artist via this song. She might have been a one hit wonder. I don't know, but love her music.

"when your eyes found me i could hardly breathe

i wanted you

glad you wanted me"

Unredeemed- Selah: This song kind of seems like it was written for me... and a lot of other people who have problems grasping grace. It's pretty powerful to me.

"life breaks and falls apart

but we know these are

places where grace is soon to be so amazing

it may be unfulfilled

it may be unrestored

but when anything that's shattered is laid before the Lord

just watch and see

it will not be unredeemed"

Okay... I did ten songs. Technically I didn't put the first 10 songs on shuffle though. I have a LOT of music on my iPod that I've never listened to. I'm trying to work through the music. Better yet... maybe I'll just delete the stuff I know I'll never listen too. I love music though. Ten songs was not enough.

Day 24-Something You've Learned

Maybe it's just me, but most of these topics have list potential. I lurv me some lists. :)
I've learned...
-your friends are the best fashion consultants due to brutal honesty.
-rescued dogs make the best pets.
-there is NOTHING like my friends from college. they beat all.
-no matter how bad I think it's gotten, things will get better.
-God has a sense of humor.
-don't plan for God to tell you what to do and be done with it. He likes a good process.
-sometimes you just need to act a little crazy.
-it takes a lot less energy to forgive someone then it does to be mad at someone.
-life, and the moments you love the most, flies by whether I like it or not.
-just when I think i've done too much for God to work in my life... He proves me wrong.
-never underestimate the power of a muscle relaxer.
-don't take said muscle relaxer, and then blog. you will not remember anything write.
-God always brings the right person in my life at the exact moment that I need them most.
-God is good all time. All the time God is good.

I'm super bad at lessons learned off the top of my head. I'm sure I'll think of more lessons. Oh well.

Leasal Tagged Me

So... I've never been tagged on a blog. So I'm childishly excited about these questions. Haha!

1. What is your current favorite song?
Well considering I love music a lot I'm going to have to do a top 5.
-Glee music. All of it.
-Rockstar 101- Rihanna
-My First Kiss- 3OH!3
-Glory- Nichole Nordeman & Selah
-Unredeemed- Selah
-The Way I Am- Ingrid Michaelson
I know, I know. It's a wide range. The first two are a bit of a guilty pleasure. Now if I go according to my i-Tunes most played songs... it consists of Bethany Dillon, Glee, Avalon, Nichole Nordeman, Nicol Spongberg, Selah, Avalon, Dave Barnes, Jon Mclaughlin, Derek Webb, musicals, etc. Like I said... I'm a little obsessed with music.

2. What were you doing last year at this time?
The same thing I'm doing right now. Working at a bank. Dog sitting. Hanging out with friends. Playing with friends kids that I absolutely adore. Wondering what God is going to do in my life. Wondering if God still attempts to work in my life considering how much I fail Him. The only difference between this year and last year is that I don't have weddings going on everywhere... which I'm grateful for. Loved it, but they are stressful!

3. Name your top three TV shows.
-Glee
-Grey's
-One Tree Hill
Let me just say that the fact that I'm not adding my other 5 or so favorites... WILL POWER!

4. What's your favorite restaurant or cuisine? or both?
My current faves are Japanese or good little cafes. My favorite restaurants though are P.F. Chang's, The Villa [Italian], and Mimi's [cafe].

5. What's for dinner tonight?
Leftovers from last night. I made up something. I took chicken and cut it up into little chunks, cooked that, put in McCormick's chicken taco seasoning. While that was still simmering I rinsed, then poured in pinto beans so they'd get the flavor of the seasoning, THEN I put that Uncle Ben's microwave Spanish Rice in and let it all simmer together. I put cheese on top and when it melted I put it in tortillas to make burritos. It's also super tasty with chips!

6. What's new for you in 2011?
Well... Lord willing I'm starting nursing school in January. I find out officially on November 15th. I find out tomorrow, after my Practical Nursing Math test that I took on Saturday, if I'm still eligible to even still be considered for the program. Stressed much? Yes I am.

7. If you could bring back one trend, what would it be?
Fun trend: tie-dye. Don't judge. I love it.
Serious trend: MORALITY. Come on people. We're struggling.

8. What is your favorite piece of decor or furniture in your house? (pictures if you've got 'em!)
Well my favorite is a painting that my friend did for the living room, and I have a panda bear cookie jar that my grandma got about 30 years ago for her grandchildren. It sits on my table or my fridge most of the time. It's not pretty, but I love it. When I refinish my coffee table that my friend got off the side of the road I'm sure that'll be my favorite. Oh! And I have a pocket watch in a shadow box in my room. It was my grandpa's. He gave it to me for graduation because he knew how much I loved it. I only love it so much because it belonged to him.

Day 23: Favorite Vacation

Ahh vacation. I've not been on a vacation in years. I mean... I've gone on little weekend vacations to Branson. However, a really REAL vacation hasn't happened since I was a senior in high school. Some of the best trips I've been on have involved K-Life. I'm picking 4 favorites.
-I went to Dallas one summer with my mom, step-dad, and best friend Nikki when I was in 10th grade [I think. Maybe it was 9th]. Either way... it was an absolute blast. Just getting to spend a week strictly with your best friend is enough.
-I went to Dallas with K-Life for Spring Break my junior year. There were about 20 of us, but we all got along great. We went to Dave and Buster's and Cheesecake Factory. Me and Nikki were in HEAVEN at Cheesecake Factory. It was just a good trip with everyone. No fighting or bickering. Just uninhibited fun.
-Senior year for spring break I went with K-Life and 7 other people to Orlando. It was a week of the most ridiculously fun time. We went to Disney World [most of us for the first time], Universal Studios, Planet Hollywood, and lots of other fun places. I was like a kid at Magic Kingdom.
-Senior trip I went with my church youth group [the seniors only of course] to Myrtle Beach. We rode in a church van to there and back, and on the trip back lost the A/C. It was interesting to say the least, but the MOST fun. It was the last trip that me and Nikki went on together. [We had a rough friendship spell from our senior year up until about a year ago.]

If I get to go to San Diego in March as planned, THAT very well may be my best vacation. I miss my college best buddy. And these favorite vacations probably sound kind of lame, but they have a lot of memories. Good times with friends.

Day 22: Favorite City

Here's the thing. I've not been to a lot of fun cities. I mean.. I'm not recluse. However, I don't have the money to travel. Typically when asked though, and I mean this with all sinceirty, my favorite city is wherever my friends are. I love my friends a lot, and miss the ones that are far off [Leasal! That means you!]. Here's some of my favorite cities.
-St. Louis. It has my small group leader from 7th to 9th grade. AND it has Ted Drewe's. It's also the place I first got to experience the awesomeness that is the musical Wicked.
-Branson. Once again... it is where some of the most godly women I know and respect, live. It also is where Kanakuk is. It doesn't hurt that I use to live in B-town. I just love redneck Las Vegas. :)
- Los Angeles. I'm going to be honest. As a whole I'm a huge fan of California. I've only ever been to LA though.
-Orlando. Come on! It's got Disney World, Universal Studios, AND Sea World. It's freaking awesome!
-Dallas. It's just good taste.

Places that COULD be favorites if given the chance [though some of these aren't cities]... NYC [I'm DYING to go], San Diego, D.C., Africa and Austrailia. [I've been given an oppurtunity to go to Africa this summer for a week and a half for a mission trip. I'm definitely praying about it because it would be amazing.] I want to go to Ireland too. For a girl who doesn't travel a lot, I LOVE new places.

Aleasa tagged me in a question game. I'm going to do it tomorrow. I'm medicated, and starting to lose my ability to type and think properly.