Letter to my sixteen year old self

Wes and I flew to Arizona to visit his mom and family over the Christmas break. That gave me lots of time to read the SPIRIT magazine Southwest Airlines publishes. I came across a series of letters written by famous people to their sixteen year old-selves. I think it said that these letters were or were going to be compiled into a book. Either way, I loved the letters and thought what a cool concept.

I would love it if all 2 of my blog readers wrote letters to themselves and posted a link to it here on my blog.
Here is my letter.

Dear Brooke,

Take a deep breath and calm down. I know you are all caught up in, well, everything. It is okay not to be perfect and the fact that you didn't stay on the phone with your friend all night last night doesn't mean she doesn't like you. She was just tired.

You are a hard worker and having a job right now, even though most of your friends don't, is going to get you things in the future way before any of your peers. It is okay to have more than one best friend, and it is okay if they don't like to do the same things as one another. They are friends with you, not necessarily with each other. Take time for as many friends as possible. Share your time with all them. Work hard at this.

Be nicer to the boys your age. They think you are cute and would like to ask you out. But, you make fun of the ones you like too much. Sometimes, you talk to loud. Just be yourself, they like you. When the guy you love (you know who) breaks up with you over the phone 5 minutes before he is suppose to pick you up for a date, cry about it at home. But when your friends come to pick you up, have fun with them. He is not worth it now; nor in 2 years when you try to date him again.

Be nicer to your sisters. Wait on them after school. These two people know your deepest, darkest secrets. They love you. You love them. Show them some respect.

Have fun. Oh, I know you will. But please, don't listen to that advice everyone seems to write in your annual about how you are so fun so never change. Always, change. It is the only way to improve YOU!

Much love,

Me

Because I never posted these

Beaux

I have been asking begging Wes to let us get a dog for the whole five years we've been married a while now. A few months ago, he mentioned a dog that might become homeless and asked if I wanted it. To be honest, I wasn't sure. But after much very little thought, I decided YES!! Well, that dog didn't become homeless.

But the seed was planted much to Wes' dismay. Then, the Humane Society started this campaign to save over 2500 lives to win a large sum of money. So, my e-mail and FB feed were bombarded with HSSM messages. I couldn't help it if they were just asking me to look at the poor, pitiful babies that needed new homes. Sooooo... I just happened to see  a few more than a few that I thought were really cute. What is a girl to do but share these cuties with her best friend, Wes? :)

I am not sure what really happened. Wes probably just got tired of it and gave in, but either way, he said if I really wanted a dog, I could get one after Thanksgiving. I decided it would be better to wait until after Christmas. Then last Friday night while casually browsing HSSM's website, I saw this cutie named Rex. I showed him to Wes, and he thought he was worthy of checking out. So after the Christmas parade on Saturday, we headed to the shelter.

Of course it wasn't after Christmas yet, but come on, we all knew the odds of me leaving there without a dog were slim. I learned quickly that Rex had already been chosen by someone else. Beaux, known then as Bumble Bee (I know right), was really the first dog I saw when I arrived. But, he was not the first dog I took out for a walk. The reason was because he was 5 years old. And for some reason, I had this thought that it would be better to get a young dog that I could train. Well, the young dog was insane a little hyper. So, we sadly put him back and out came Beaux.

I feel in love with him almost immediately. He snuggled against my leg because he was a little scared and looked right up at me. He was very calm but curious. He had a cough but tested negative for heart worms. After a few minutes of deliberation, we I decided this was the one. Wes said it was fine. I was soooooooooo excited!

Beaux came home with us Tuesday afternoon. He has been a dream. He is a 6 pound Yorkie/mix. It is apparent that someone at sometime worked with him and took care of him. He uses the bathroom outside. He sleeps in a crate. He walks extremely well on a leash. He gets tired easily after just a few minutes of play and so do I. He loves to cuddle! I can't wait until he gets his bath and haircut, Dec. 17. He is going to be so handsome. I'll post pictures, then. Right now, he still looks like a homeless dog.

If you are considering getting a pet, please consider adopting. There are so many animals out there who need loving homes. Check out all their pictures here.

Until next time...

XOXOXOXO

Welcome Home

BEAUX!!!!

He really needs a haircut and a bath, but he sure is a sweetheart. I will blog a lot about him later, but for now, I have to go play!!! 

Until next time...

XOXOXOX

Trick or Treat?

Happy Halloween!!!

A WORD of advice

Every once in a while, we meet a stranger that touches our lives in unexpected yet delightful ways. This past Thursday, I attended the Coast Big Band concert at the Mary C. Wes plays trombone for the group. Surprisingly, I had the pleasure of sitting next to, none other than, Mrs. Word Taylor. During the two-hour concert, we shared a very entertaining conversation. Although, unintentional (I think), she shared many words of advice.

That trumpet player always get the solos. His tonguing is terrible. That is what happens when you get old. Your tongue gets sloppy just like the rest of you!

Do you have children? You better get off of that stuff that's keeping you from having babies. Before, you miss out on a great joy!

The guitar player should be in the front of the piano. He is good!! When you've got it, you need to show it off. 

In life there are seasons, it a takes a mature person to know when and how to change with each season. 

I told my 26 year old granddaughter that it is dangerous to talk on the cell phone in the car. She did it, anyway, while I was riding with her. I called the police on her. It was the biggest fight we've ever been in, but IT IS DANGEROUS!

I may never cross paths with Word, again, but I will not soon forget her.

Until next time...

XOXOXOXOX

Shop CVS this week, get a $10 giftcard

There is a really good deal going on at CVS this week. You buy $30 worth of selected items and get a $10 gift card. You can use the card to purchase more CVS stuff or choose from any of the cards available at CVS and purchase an early Christmas present for someone. Here is how I did it....

Transaction #1

2 Planters mixed nuts/cashews 2/$6
1 Charmin ultra soft $5.44
1 Carmax healing cream $4.99
1 Iams cat food $6.99
2 Covergirl (powder and concealer) B1G1 50% off $5.99/$2.99

Used:
$4 off $20 email coupon at CVS
$.25 Charmin coupon
$8.00 off 2 Covergirl coupon

Total paid w/ tax: $22.14
Received a coupon for a FREE $10 gift card

Transaction #2

1 $10 CVS gift card

Used:
FREE $10 coupon

Total paid: ZERO

Transaction #3

1 Swiffer Sweeper Starter Kit (the handle broke off of my 8yr old one) $8.99
1 Swiffer Sweeper refill kit $3.99

Used:

$.50 off a Swiffer product
Buy a Starter Kit get a refill FREE coupon

Total ticket: $9.40 paid with gift card.

In summary...

Total CVS ticket: $80.21
Total saved: $58.07
Total paid: $22.14 (I still have $.60 left on the gift card.)

Until next time..

XOXOXOX