Meet Achilles Greer

In July of 2012, we decided to "adopt" another Boston. The family we got him from was unable to keep him when they moved to Texas. He turned 5 months old the day after we got him. He's been a great addition to our family!

Achilles

At first, we were a little concerned about how Rueger would react to the situation, but he adapted really well. Rueger was our only fur baby for about a year and half, so I wasn't sure that he was going to like sharing Momma and Daddy's attention. It took about a month until he fully adjusted. Now, they are best buds and I can't imagine what it would be like if we had to separate them.

Similar to my introduction on Rueger, I'm going to post some fun facts about Achilles.

1. He loves to chew! {This might be an understatement.} We've had a couple of destroyed things in our home, but we've learned that is ONLY okay to chew on our toys.

2. He loves to snuggle and burrow. If he's sleeping, he prefers to be touching someone or trying to burrow behind/under them.

3. He thinks he's tough and a guard dog. He barks at strangers and foreign noises outside.

4. He loves to ride in the car.

5. When he's ready for bed, it's best to leave him alone because he gets cranky.

6. He's protective of Rueger and doesn't like other dogs to play with Rueger. (This can be cute and endearing, but it's something we are working at lessening.)

7. Achilles follows Rueger's lead - he's learned sit, stay, and up by watching Rueger.

8. Adam belongs to him! He definitely thinks Adam is his human.

9. He is a jumper! He can jump high. When he gets excited, he's like a spring - he bounces repeatedly.

10. Most importantly, he seems to love being a Greer!

Until next time,

XOXO Amanda

Bluebonnets of Texas

Adam and I made a trip to Ennis, TX this weekend to picnic and look at the Bluebonnets of Texas. Oh, and of course we took Rueger with us! :)

There are a few bluebonnets here and there in the DFW area on the side of highways, but we wanted to see them in their full glory.

We started out at Bluebonnet park and had a picnic. At the park, you can get in the bluebonnets to take pictures and look around. We most definitely took pictures (anyone who knows me, knows this was a must)! After our picnic and pictures, we made our way to the other side of Ennis to drive the Bluebonnet trails.

There is a map online that says the trails can take up to 2 hours. We decided not to do the whole trail, but we still got to see a bunch of beautiful bluebonnets.

Before we went, I thought Rueger might have liked to play in the bluebonnets. He was happy to be with us, but was indifferent to the flowers. ;) He was more interested in the other people there to look. He is such a people-lover!

Here are some of our pictures from the trip!

Family Traditions

I didn't do a post yesterday. Shameful, I know. I've been prepping for Thanksgiving the past 2 days. And it's finally here! :) I wanted to make up my post for yesterday and then I will do my post for today (Thanksgiving).

I made all of the dishes for Thanksgiving (except for the turkey, stuffing, and gravy) ahead of time. I figured it would be easier and make today more relaxing. Boy, was I right! I'm so glad I did. I didn't even have to do much today. My hubby made the turkey and stuffing. :) He's so sweet and helpful. All I have left to do is heat the sides and make some gravy. Woo hoo!

Anyway, let's get to the giving of thanks. Yesterday, I was thankful for family traditions. One of the dishes I made is my Gran's famous asparagus casserole. This is the first time I've ever made it, so I called her last night to make sure I had all the details right. She was really excited I was going to make it and that made me happy. She has been making it for Thanksgiving, and sometimes Christmas, since the 1950s. :) It's a family favorite and I'm thankful to continue the tradition.

Thanksgiving Is Near

I forgot to do my thankful post yesterday. I know, it's unacceptable. Here's the deal. I spent all day researching recipes for Thanksgiving. See, the hubby and I will not be traveling to our hometown for Thanksgiving this year. It just isn't possible with his work schedule. I think I mentioned this in a previous post. We thought it was just going to be us, but a friend from college lives in the area and his son will be here. So, they are going to join us. The more the merrier!

Needless to say, I was excited to be able to cook for more people. When it was just going to be me and the hubs, we were just going to do a simple, yet traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Now that we have some guests coming, I made a feast - okay, not quite a feast, but a slightly bigger dinner.

After researching recipes all day (yesterday), I wanted to go to the store to get all of the things I need for Thanksgiving dinner. I didn't want to wait any longer and:

1. fight crowds of people

2. not be able to get what I needed because it was all gone.

So, I made a list of every thing I needed and was going to head to the store. My sweet hubby told me he didn't want me to go until later because it was storming, and if I would wait, he would go with me. :) So I waited, and we went together. It's not the thing I am thankful for today, but I am thankful he is always thinking of me and willing to help me with chores.

I am thankful that the hubby and I will be spending Thanksgiving together ( we were apart last year). I'm also thankful for the friends who will be joining us. It will be nice to have a "traditional" Thanksgiving!

New Recipe Results

Before I did my thankful post today, I just wanted to give you a little update about the recipes I tried out last night. The crock pot buffalo chicken was yummy! The hubby and I both liked it. Success! We decided to add it to our rotation of favorites. To find the recipe refer to the link in my previous post.

The sweet potato fries weren't much of a success. :( They were decent in flavor, but definitely were not crispy. I'm going to have to keep working on that one. With a little practice, I'm sure I can get crispy sweet taters one day!

What's For Dinner?

Today, I am thankful for the ability to cook. I like to cook (and bake) a lot! Just ask the hubby! :) I'm also thankful that the hubby is willing to try new things and is NOT a picky eater, unlike me. As a matter of fact, I'm trying a new recipe tonight. It's buffalo chicken sandwiches cooked in the slow cooker (Crock Pot). I got the recipe from My Kitchen Apron. She has some great recipes on her blog. I can't wait to see how it turns out!

I'm also making sweet potato fries with dilly dip. I've made sweet potato fries before, but they didn't get as crispy as I would have liked. So I've found a new recipe I'm going to try and if it turns out, I'll share it later. The dilly dip is a mix I bought from a small antique/craft store in my hometown.

Until next time,

XOXO Amanda

Dirty Dishes

Today, I am thankful to have a dishwasher and a husband who helps with the dishes (when I cook) that can't be washed in the dishwasher. When he cooks I help with the dishes. We've perfected a routine of helping each other and doing daily chores and tasks together! :) It makes it much more enjoyable and seems to help it get done more quickly.

I know some people don't have a dishwasher and it is a luxury that I am thankful for often.

Until next time,

XOXO Amanda

Care Packages

Today, I am thankful for care packages. I just love getting them in the mail. Yes, I still get care packages from my Mom, Nana, and Gran. It started when I went away for college and they haven't stopped yet! :) I got a package today that had things from each of them. It's so nice to know that they are thinking about me and the hubby (they send him stuff too) when we aren't around.

There were some awesome Christmas decorations that I will post pictures of once I decorate (which won't be until after Thanksgiving). I really enjoy decorating for each and every holiday, but I firmly believe in celebrating one holiday at a time. I think it's just like the seasons of our life--we should focus on the one we are currently in and be content. There was also some things for baking Christmas goodies. I LOVE to bake and cook! So treats like this are always appreciated.

There was also a catalog from my Gran. She gets the neatest catalogs in the mail and forwards them to me. The last one she sent had some really neat college gift ideas. Yes, I know I'm an old soul. I still like shopping from random catalogues (the kinds that only your grandparents and great-grandparents receive) and I say things like "neat".

Oh! And how could I forget to mention the Boston Terrier Christmas cards in honor of our Rueger! My family knows me so well. It makes my heart happy. :)

Until next time,

XOXO Amanda

Working 9 to 5...

It's a way to make a living. It's a Dolly Parton song, just in case you didn't know! And I'm not exactly working 9 to 5. I'm currently not working, but that's about to change.

When the hubby and I first got married, we decided I wouldn't work right away. I had just moved and he had already been here for about a year. We thought it would be good for me to take some time to get adjusted to the big city life! I had never lived in a place with a population of more than 260,000ish people, and now I'm in a place of 1,000,000+ people.

Anyway, I've had ample time to get familiar with the area and I've learned my way around. So I began looking for a job. I did the whole job search grind--applying, interviewing, applying, waiting, and more applying. Finally, I found a job that is somewhat related to my degree. I received an offer today! Praise the Lord!

Today, I am thankful to have found a job.

Until next time,

XOXO Amanda

Rock & Roll Car

Do you name your car(s)? I don't know what it is about my family, but we name our cars. Yep, each person's car has a name and it's usually a girl's name. But my car, well, my car is a dude! That's right! My car is named Mr. Berry, after Chuck Berry to be exact. See the factory color of my Saturn is Berry Red, so it only seemed appropriate to name the car Mr. Chuck Berry. :)

Ol' Chuck has been good to me since 2004 and is still truckin'! Today, I am thankful for my car (that my wonderful Mom bought for me). It has been a great, dependable mode of transportation that always gets me where I need to go, and it's still going strong. Hopefully it lasts us for a couple of more years because the hubby and I like not having a car payment. That is definitely another thing we are thankful for.

Well, look at that--two things I am thankful for today. See, we can always find things to be thankful for. Blessings are all around us!

Until next time,

XOXO Amanda

24 Things I'm Thankful For

It's the month of November, and what does that mean?! Thanksgiving is near! Anyone who is on facebook should be familiar with the annual "I am thankful for..." status updates. It seems like everybody does them around this time of year. So, I thought to myself last night, "I should do a blog post each day of the month until Thanksgiving of something I am thankful for." Now, I know it's the 9th day of the month already. Eek! (Where does the time go?) But, it's better late than never, right?!

Catching up on things I am thankful for: 1-9

1. I am thankful for My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Because of the price He paid, we have redemption. --"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace..." Ephesians 1:7 --We've been given a pardon; the free gift of His forgiveness. "For this is My blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26:28 --Amen!

2. I am thankful for my Mom. She has always been my #1 fan. I can't recall all the times I have needed her and could call anytime (and still do). We have so much fun when we are together and talk at least once a day. She has and continues to do so much for me--through supporting me, to sending me a card or a just because treat, to helping me become the woman I am today. She is my best friend and I love her bunches. :)

3. I am thankful for my husband, Adam. He is a wonderful, loving man of God. I appreciate all he does for us. He works hard, but he never complains. One thing I really love about my husband is his personality. He has helped me to relax and just go with the flow.

4. I am thankful for my Nana (grandmother). My Nana always thinks of me and remembers things that I like or hobbies that I'm interested in. She's constantly fueling my creativity. For this, and more, I love her.

5. I am thankful for my Gran (great grandmother). I am grateful to still have (especially at my age) a living, great-grandparent. She has been a prominent part of my life and I love her.

6. I am thankful for my cousins: Justin, Christopher, and Brayden. These three boys, all brothers, are more like my brothers than cousins. We grew up together and are always together for holidays and important events. I love each of them very much and cannot imagine my life without them.

7. I am thankful for my friends. They are always there for the random phone conversations, the spontaneous outings, and so on. Life would not be as fun without them.

8. I am thankful for my Boston Terrier, Rueger. We rescued him in May of this year. I've wanted a Boston Terrier since I was in high school. We took one in when I was in HS, and I fell in love with this adorable breed. Rueger has been a blessing in our lives and a great little companion for both me and Adam. He is a part of our family and we love him.

9. I am thankful for this blog, that I started at the suggestion of a friend. It began as a way to document our engagement and the wedding planning process. It has developed into a place for me to share what is going on with family and friends, both near and far.

All done for now! These thankful posts will require a post a day, which also means I will be stepping up my blogging. I look forward to sharing the rest of my "thankfuls" with you!

Until next time,

XOXO Amanda

NASCAR

Have you ever wanted to go to a NASCAR race?! Well, I've always wanted to go. At least once. Thanks to my hubby and his awesome job, we got the chance this past weekend. I'm thankful for the opportunities we get to partake in because of the company he works for. (It seems like I've mentioned this a time or two before!) The company rented a condo in the Lone Star Tower. Now, that's the way to watch NASCAR!

When I was in high school, my family and I would go to the dirt track races in a town near by where we lived. It was one of my favorite things to do on the weekends. It was exciting to be out there watching the racers and sensing the competition! This experience always made me think I would like NASCAR if I could go watch it in person. I just can't get into sports on TV...not even watching my alma mater in college football (which my hubby can't understand). I would much rather be there, experiencing it person. Even then, I think I do more people watching than game watching. But still, I enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of a live sporting event, especially college football!

Back to NASCAR. It's pretty much an all day weekend event. It's at Texas Motor Speedway, which is the 2nd largest sports facility in the nation. Who knew?! I have heard about NASCAR fans (one of my besties is one), but didn't realize how serious they are. There were RVs everywhere, both inside and outside of the speedway. It seemed that many of them don't leave the speedway the entire weekend. There were some elaborate set ups with campers, bbq pits, porta-pottys, etc. One thing the hubby and I noticed were the amount of converted school buses on the inside of the speedway. People created decks on the tops of the busses and RVs to sit and watch the races from lawn chairs.

The condo we were in was really nice. What made it even better was all the free food and drinks! But seriously, it was great getting to watch the race from THE PENTHOUSE with minimal noise, no wind, and a view of everything around the speedway. We also had access to a roof top terrace. We went up there about 10 minutes before the races started and stayed about 15 or so minutes in. I was NOT prepared for how loud it was going to be. I mean, every person there warned us but, I really didn't think it would be so loud up on the roof. I was wrong. Also, you could feel the rumble as the cars came around the turn closest to the condo. It was awesome!

Another perk was our access to pit passes and golf carts to go down there. We weren't able to go into the actual pit because the races had started, but we could go into the area near the pit where all of the RVs and busses were. We were told it was like New Orleans/Mardi Gras in there. A few hundred laps into the race (they went for 300 and some odd laps), the hubby and I decided to go down there. Someone had already taken the golf cart, so we walked. It was just as loud inside the speedway, but it was neat getting to see the cars zooming by up close.

Here are some of the pictures I took during the day.

And they're off! 

Coming around the curve.

A view of inside the speedway from the roof.

It looked so close sometimes, but there weren't any wrecks.

The position tower showed how many laps were remaining, how many they had gone, and the position of each driver.

A view of Lone Star Tower from inside the speedway.

The track.

A penthouse view!

The hubby and me.

The winner doing some victory spins!

Texas Tech Race Car! Wreck 'Em Tech!

Get Your Guns Up!

We found some fellow Texas Techsans to take our picture by the car!

Before we went to the speedway, the hubby told me he didn't want to stay for the whole thing. He didn't really think he enjoyed NASCAR because he's never enjoyed watching it on TV. It was a lot more interesting and fun (in person) than he thought it was going to be. We ended up staying until the race was over! :)

Click here if you want to know a little more about Texas Motor Speedway, NASCAR, or who won the race.

Until next time,

XOXO Amanda

Huey Lewis and The News

I love music; all music of all genres (minus techno and [hard-core] rap)! My musical taste is eclectic and ranges from Big Band (the 20's) to present day. I like a little of this and a little of that! What goes along great with music?! Concerts!

My love of both can be attributed to my Mom. She took me to my first concert when I was about 15. It was either Clay Walker, Toby Keith, or Tracy Lawrence. We saw all three of them around the same time, and I can't remember in what order. It's been too long! :) Over the years, we've attended many more together: Neil Diamond, Aerosmith, The All-American Rejects, Alan Jackson, Josh Turner, Eddie Money, and the list goes on...

One of my favorite decades for music is the 80's! I seriously believe some of the best music ever made comes from this decade (no sarcasm intended). There are so many artists/bands I could go on about from the 80's, but I'll save that for a later post. Right now I'm going to tell you about the concert my hubby and I attended at the end of October, Halloween weekend to be exact.

We went to Billy Bob's Texas:The World's Largest Honky Tonk! It's a fun place to attend a concert and the tickets are reasonably priced when compared to a larger venue. If you've never been and you like good music and dancing, you should check it out.  It wasn't our first time there. We saw Dierks Bentley in concert earlier this summer.

Anyway, I'm digressing. On Halloween weekend we saw Huey Lewis and The News! I was so excited and they put on a great show! They didn't play as many of their hits as I would have liked, but the ones they did play were good. They have a new soul CD coming out and played a lot of material from it. (Note to self: check to see if artist/band has a new CD coming out before deciding to go to a concert.) I'm just kidding on that note to self...kind of. But seriously, the concert was great and their hearts of rock n' roll are still beating! ;)