SNOW in South Louisiana?!?!

What will people think?? Two posts in two days!!

This is a big one though! It's something so rare...that not many people can say they have ever seen this in South Louisiana! :-) SNOW! And, LOTS of it! David woke us all up at 5:30 this morning and told us we better get up and see the snow before it stopped. Well...it didn't stop...it just kept coming and then it got heavier and heavier...and it actually stuck to the ground! It was a pretty exciting morning for all of us...and got even better once school was cancelled! Even Lucie loved it...she just couldn't get enough of it! I took LOTS of pictures and couldn't figure out the best way to show them.

I came across a way of creating my own Web site to show off pictures. So...try this out. It is not supposed to make you sign in...so, let me know if you have trouble. There are also pictures of my Christmas decorations.

http://jenknight.shutterfly.com/

Enjoy!

I'M BACK...AGAIN!!!

Thanks Cheryl for checking in on me. I know it's been awhile. It actually took being home sick today to find time to update here.

It's been so long that I'm not sure where to start. So, I'll just start with Thanksgiving. David, his girls and I spent Thanskgiving in Navarre Beach, Florida. It was SOO nice.

We had a week of beautiful sunsets...

We stayed in a beautiful house...

With LOTS of beautiful kids... (right to left, Emelie, Angela, Milo, Sarie and Victoria)

And...LOTS of birds!! :-) We all had the bright idea of feeding the birds from our back deck. They were NOT happy when the bread ran out! :-)

I think I may get David to take some pictures of my Christmas decorations to post tomorrow...or one day soon! :-)

What else?? OH yes...we are house shopping! Well, we're not sure if we are actually moving...but, just looking. Trying to decide if we want to move or just remodel the house we are in. Up until today, I had decided to just remodel this house...but, the realtor sent us a house today that I LOVE! It's in our price range...but NOT in the area David wants. He does not even consider this area Baton Rouge! :-) Oh well...we will just keep looking...or I'll just beg a little harder!!

Ok...I must share my latest addiction too. My friend, Amanda, introduced me to Twilight. Yes, I was hooked. I've read all 4 books and seen the movie...3 times. Yes, Amanda and I are addicted!! (Sorry to call you out Amanda...but, I never go down alone!) So, anyway...I have asked Santa for the 4 hardbacks so I can start reading them again. :-) If you haven't read them...I recommend that you do!

I'm going back to sleep now! Hope you all are enjoying the COLD day. I hope to post my Christmas decor soon!!

I'M BACK!!!

Two weeks ago YESTERDAY...I was getting married in Lake Tahoe!

It was GORGEOUS! The view was amazing. I have used the word "perfect" to describe it to everyone. I may have overused it a bit...but, it was PERFECT! It was the perfect setting, perfect ceremony, my flowers were perfect. We were sooo happy with everything. My parents were there and one of David's brothers from San Francisco was there with his wife and baby. We had a wonderful time!

Being that I am not a huge fan of flying...the flights there were a little scary...even for David. So, being that he knew I was a little anxious coming home...he surprised me and upgraded us to first class coming home! Did I marry a great guy, or what!?! It was pretty nice, I have to say. I've never flown first class, but I told him I was spoiled now...I can never fly in the back with the "common" people again!! :-) Yea...he just said NOT to get used to it...so, I guess I am back to being a "common" person again! Oh well...it was fun while it lasted!

I wish I could post ALL of my pictures...but, obviously, I can't. I'll post a few and then see if I can at least post a link to snapfish where all of my pictures are uploaded. Then, you can go and look if you would like. We did take TONS of pictures!! (Ok...couldn't do the snapfish thing. Sorry...I'll try to figure something else out.)

This is my mom and me.

This is our family who was there. Left to right...David's brother Jonathan, his son Milo and his wife Sarah; David and me; and my mom and dad.

One of the highlights of our trip was the BEAR SIGHTING! He was only about 20 yards from us. He didn't do too much but just stand there...but, I was pretty excited. I'll post the video of that! Sorry...didn't have the actual video on my computer...so, here is a link to You Tube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfG9zbpO6sU

So, the last week and a half we have been slowly moving me in. It has been a LONG slow process...but, we're getting settled. After our HUGE garage sale this weekend...I'll finally be able to clear out a TON of boxes. So...if you're in the Baton Rouge area this weekend and are looking for some good JUNK...just email me and I'll give you the address! :-)

Thanks for all the comments, too, on the LSU letters in the yard. I have a bit of sad news. The tradition of the letters is that they begin growing in early August. The letters continue to grow until LSU loses. Now, exceptions have been made if LSU has a good game but just can't pull out the win. HOWEVER...after Saturday nights game against Florida...well, I don't even have the words. THE LETTERS ARE GONE!!! David was out Sunday morning mowing them down! I would have taken a picture but...it's just too sad to see a grown man cry! :-) So...we need to move on...and just hope our players actually SHOW UP for this Saturday's game!! GEAUX TIGERS!!

One Week From Today...

I will be Mrs. David Knight!!

AWW...isn't it sweet?? :-) So...we have a busy week ahead of us. And I am SOO one to make many LISTS. It drives David crazy...but, I keep us organized! My sweet friends have been sooo...well, SWEET!! Three of my wonderful friends gave me a surprise shower last Tuesday night and we are going out for a small bachelorette dinner tomorrow night. On Tuesday, my work peeps are giving me a shower too! Isn't that sweet?? Ok...I need to lay off the "sweet." Anyway...everyone has been so nice to make this a special time for David and I and we are so very grateful!

My parents will be here on Wednesday. They are leaving for Tahoe on Thursday and we are leaving on Friday. I think it's a little unfair that they get to leave for OUR wedding trip before us!! But, that's ok...they have to leave earlier than us...so, I guess it's ok. :-)

I won't even share my list with you...it so massive that it makes me a little anxious. And, can you believe they are actually making me WORK this week!! Who has time for that?? I actually went in for about 5 hours yesterday. As soon as I workout and finish this blog, I am going back to work again. BIG FUN! :-)

So...I'll try to update again this week. If not...sorry, but, it will be after we get back from Tahoe. IF anyone is reading anyway! :-)

Have a great week!! GEAUX TIGERS!! Here is a picture of David's front yard. He let's the letters grow until LSU loses. He really thought he was going to have to mow them down last night. Thank GOODNESS, he didn't have too!!

And on the 8th Day, God said...

LET THERE BE LIGHT!!

Thank you, JESUS!! I have power in my apartment...AND CABLE!!! WHOO HOO!! I have been missing me some junk TV. Just in time for Big Brother tonight!! :-)

Ok...just stopped by to say that...on my way out to be fitted for my wedding dress...which is less than 3 weeks away!! LOVE my dress. My mom and I finally found it yesterday...it finally seems like a real wedding now!

Ok...more later. Keep praying...it is HOT down here and there are still many without power. My sweet fiance being one of the them...and MY side of the street at work.

THREE WEEKS FROM TODAY...

THANK GOD...I will be getting married in TAHOE! FAR FAR AWAY from anything named Gustav and Ike. Going on DAY SIX with NO power or Internet...and I think I'm handling it pretty well! If you ask David...he may tell you different. Considering the damage around town...we are extremely lucky. Except I have no power anywhere. David is out, my apartment is still out and my work is still out. We are keeping our fingers crossed that it is soon...but, we are told at least 5 more days for David. Just in time for...HURRICANE IKE!! I can't wish on anyone else...so, I will just PRAY HARD that it will fizzle out. We have faith, right??

We are sitting in a laundry mat washing much needed towels and soaking up some wireless INTERNET!! WOOHOO! I'm getting my fix for now. I hope everyone else survived as well as we did. We have our home and apartment completely in tacked. David had several large limbs down in his back yard...but, both of his beautiful oak trees survived. My apartment lost two trees, the wooden fence along the back of the apartment (right behind me) and a power pole with a transformer fell on a state troopers car in our complex. But, no one was hurt...that is what is important.

Here are a few pictures for you...
Ok...I'm having trouble posting the pictures. The one with the swing set is David's backyard. There is one of his two girls standing next to the down tree behind his house. The other two of the many trees in David's neighborhood.

Four Weeks From Today...

...I'll be starting my honeymoon in a LOVELY place that does NOT have HURRICANES!! :-) Yes...I'm aware we are in the middle of a potentially disastrous hurricane...but, what better way to wait than to update my blog. :-) Plus...we could lose power soon and who knows when it will come back.

So...let me share with you my soon-to-be niece, Angela.










Yes, that is her...Number 35! She lives in Los Angeles and is the ONLY GIRL on an ALL BOYS' team!! Isn't that awesome?! She is a fast little girl! And, just in case you are wondering, no...this is NOT flag football. This is a full on tackle football team. We are very proud of her and wish we could get to see her play. She is such a sweetie too. She and her sister, Victoria, both are such sweet girls. I'm trying to talk David into taking a detour through LA on our way back to get to see her play. So...we'll see.

Ok...I was going to say more...but, our lights just flickered. I better get off now.

Hope everyone is staying safe and survives with LITTLE to NO damage!! STAY SAFE!!!

Five Weeks From Today...

I just love the rain. Love sleeping and hearing the rain outside...AHH, what a nice morning. :-)

David bought himself a new toy yesterday...a golf cart! Wish I had thought to take pictures...but, for whatever reason I just didn't think. Oh well...there will be plenty other opportunities. Even Lucie got to go for a ride. She LOVED that! She has had a fun weekend with Emelie and Sarie too. She and Emelie have shared popsicles, she and Sarie have played babies (Lucie being the baby wrapped in a blanket)...not sure she appreciated that too much. Overall, it was a nice weekend.

Here's a video of Lucie sharing her popsicle with Emelie:

And, here is a picture of Sarie swaddling her "baby"...you can see how happy Lucie is:

ONE more week until LSU's first football game! Geaux Tigers!!

Six Weeks From Today...

Seriously, if I say that one more time to David...he just might call off the wedding! :-) Since the weekend I have been saying to him, "Six weeks from today...we will be in Tahoe!" or, "Six weeks from today...we will be getting married!" or, "Six weeks from today..." Well, you get the picture. :-) I think I am making him crazy...between that my "lists"...I think I'm stressing him out. I did, however, convince him to take the weekend off from golf! YEA...score one for ME over GOLF!!

So...the transition is beginning. We are cleaning out David's house...packing up things for a HUGE garage sale or just throwing away. Even the girls have gotten in on the fun. David told them that they could have the money made off of their own things. SOO...now we are having to keep a close eye on them. We've warned the dogs to steer clear of the little people or else they may find themselves tagged with a pricetag!

Once we have cleared out what is going...we are having a cleaning service come in to do a major cleaning. Bless his heart...he does try...but there is some major cleaning that has been neglected for quite a while. Anyway..."Six weeks from today..." we will be returning from Tahoe and getting ready to MOVE ME IN!

Work is going good...it is just crazy busy and it is not going to settle down until...AFTER CHRISTMAS! And, I am not even kidding! Oh well...I suppose I can handle it!

Work??

Yes...I am at work. And, Yes, I should be working!! I KNOW...oh well. I need a break...at 8:37 in the morning. :-)

The countdown is getting closer...not sure the exact number of days, but it is just over 6 weeks now until our WEDDING IN TAHOE!! :-) Have I mentioned how happy I am?? OK...in case not...I AM SO VERY HAPPY! I am reminded daily what a great guy I have. His daughters and I had a fun day school clothes shopping on Saturday. They go to private school and wear uniforms but can wear any (almost any) bottoms they want. I was surprised at how relaxed they are about this. So, anyway...the three of us spent the entire day shopping while dad played in a golf tournament. (He won 3 of the 4 matches, by the way!) But, still came in 11th place. :-( Oh well...there is always next year.

Hmm...what else?? Oh interviews. OK...so, I know you all will think I am the most indecisive person alive. But, I really think this process was important. It made me realize that YES, I can go somewhere else and make more money, maybe not do exactly what I want (as far as duties go) and probably would have frustrations there too. (All jobs have them, right?) OR, I can stay here...have FAITH that things will get better (and they have improved), make a little less money...but, do a job I LOVE with co-workers and a boss that I LOVE! So...I searched and have realized that I just need to stay right where I am for now. When and if the time is ever right...God will give me a peace about it. Right now...it feels right to stay right where I am. I did get a second interview with one of the interviews. It was supposed to be yesterday and I called and cancelled. It was a new position that basically had one duty. I just can't imagine that this would have kept me busy? Plus, I would have only been using ONE of the skills I have been working on since college. I just didn't feel this was the right fit for me. SOO...Amanda, you haven't gotten rid of me yet! :-)

Now, I am on to a crafty project. I started this....FIVE years ago. Yes, I'm so ashamed. After my grandmother died, we found her recipe box that was STUFFED with recipes that she had jotted down on scratch pieces paper. I thought it would be nice to have all of these recipes in a recipe book. BUT...I didn't want just the recipes...I wanted them in HER handwriting. Some are hard to read and some have misspellings...but, they were from HER. (I SOO MISS HER!) Anyway, the only type of publication program I had on my home computer at the time was publisher. So, that's what I had to do it in. (As someone who does graphic design type work- no, I'm not really a graphic designer, I just do layout for publications - anyway, I HATE this program.) So...when I got a divorce, I had him put all of my documents on disk for me. Until this weekend, I haven't even been able to OPEN it. I thought maybe because the document is so large? Anyway...now that I have it back open...I am DETERMINED to finish this project for my mom by Christmas. HERE IS WHERE I COULD USE HELP! Does anyone know of a better (preferably FREE) program that is good for publications? Also, does anyone have any thoughts on where I could have this printed? I've been looking around and it looks like it will be around $500 for about 20 copies. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions...they would be greatly appreciated!!

Ok...going back to work now. Say a little prayer for David. He is flying out New Orleans (in the next 10 minutes) to go visit two of his clients in Minnesota. Pray for a safe and easy trip. OH...(a little selfish) pray that he can change his flight and be home earlier on Saturday for our friends Kasey and Trey's wedding!

Hope you are all having a great week!

Random Weekend Events...

Well...I think the interview went well on Friday. I don't want to say too much right now...but, we'll just have to wait and see if I am what they are looking for. I also have another interview on Monday.

We've had a fun weekend. David and I rode about 5 miles on our bikes on Saturday morning...around the LSU lakes and back...well, not all the way around the lakes...just the small one and a few small detours and back home. Then, I played golf with him. Just 9 holes. I did OK...not good...but OK. I shot 55 on 9 holes. I think par is like 32...so, whatever. It's only the 2nd time to play in my entire life. So...I'm proud of it. The fact that I FINISHED was accomplishment enough. It was HOT out there! In fact, I almost quite after 7 holes...but, I decided I couldn't quit! I'd never hear the end of it. :-) I actually did bring the camera to take pictures....but, I was hot and sweaty and NOT feeling real cute for pictures. MO...if you're reading...I was wearing my Jake Owen Raborn Foundation shirt though!! Sorry...no pics though!

Last night we went to a couple's shower for Kasey and Trey. Their big day is in just TWO WEEKS!! OHH...speaking of big news. My friends Tiffany and Josh had their baby this week. She has kept us in suspense on the sex and name of this child. So...baby Ory is officially Jonas Arthur Ory!! I don't suppose I have to say...IT'S A BOY!!

Hmmm....what's next?? David is in Houma playing in a qualifier for some National Amateur game in...Milwaukee?? Or some place like that. Then, next week he will be competing in the City Amateur Tournament. So, his girls and I will be on our own. Hmm...what will we do??? He mentioned they need new clothes...so, maybe we'll do some shopping!!

School is getting ready to start!! I'd say UGH...but, I've been there all summer...so, it really doesn't make any difference to me. In fact, I think I will like being back on a regular schedule. Orientation starts this week...wish us luck that we survive two days of that!!

I don't have any new updated pictures so I'll leave you with a few of Lucie from her visit to the Dog Park a few months ago.

She looks like she was enjoying it other than trying to claw her way up my leg...and it was all fun and games until....

another dog came over to say hello! Do you see the cute dog at the bottom of the picture?? Lucie buried her head between my legs! Silly girl!!

Jones Reception...

I am EXHAUSTED...but we had such a fun weekend!! Here's a brief rundown of the weekend and a few pics...then, I am off to bed early!! I need some rest before my interview tomorrow...more on that in a bit!

Ok...so, I arrived in Monroe Friday afternoon...just in time to visit my friends at the CVB where I used to work. I always think of them as my "out of town" moms when I lived there. I miss them so much...so that was a nice visit!



That evening, Brandy's sister and brother-in-law hosted a fajita dinner for family and ME who were just in from out of town. Afterwards, Brandy and I escaped the chaos and treated ourselves to a pedicure! The first one I've allowed myself to indulge in this summer...so, that was a nice treat!



Saturday was a long and busy day preparing for the reception. I'm not much on the creative side...but, I take orders well! The reception was beautiful and LOTS OF FUN! Brandy's 3 year old daughter, Larra, entertained us all on the dance floor ALL night! Man, to have that girls energy and DANCE MOVES! She is precious! The reception was held at Aubrey Hall in Monroe. LOTS of dancing and a few drinks later...the limo picked us up and took the bride and groom and 9 of us friends from out of town to Chris' parents house boat. GORGEOUS! We slept on the houseboat and woke up to a brunch cruise on the River with the rest of the family. It was a wonderful weekend and I am so very happy for Chris and Brandy. They are such a sweet couple!


Now to brag a bit. My honey didn't make the trip. He was supposed to come but at the last minute realized he had one last opportunity to qualify for the City Amateur Golf Tournament next month. So, he stayed in Baton Rouge to play. So, I told him if he was going to skip out on being my date for the weekend...he better at least play well! SOO...he just went ahead and placed FIRST with a score of 69! For those of you do not know golf...that is really good! And he even made the headline in The Advocate today!! Here's a link for your reading pleasure! http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/25949434.html


Job Hunt: Now, I am on a job hunt! For my one co-worker who reads my blog...SHHH! :-) I have a few opportunities that I am looking into right now. I just want to see what is out there and what might be a good fit for me. I'm not necessarily looking to make an immediate move...I definitely want to take my time and make the right decision!


Ok...Lucie and I are pooped! She spent the weekend with her mawmaw and pawpaw. She LOVES visiting them because it is out in the country and she can just run free without a leash! So...we are off to get our beauty rest!! NITE!


Soo...wish me luck!

68 Days!!!

Have I mentioned that I'm getting married in 68 days!?!? OK...if not...I'M GETTING MARRIED IN 68 DAYS to the sweetest, kindest, SWEETEST man with the two most beautiful daughters!

I am very excited!! Here is the view in Tahoe from where we will be getting married!

Isn't it beautiful!! We've made all of the arrangements. I love the idea of a destination wedding. I COMPLETELY say that it is the way to go. I made one phone call and the officiant, flowers, photographer and location were taken care of!! NO STRESS!! We are leaving on September 26...getting married at sunset on September 28 and coming home...well, I don't even want to think about that date...not important! :-)

OH yea...and here is the ring! Only a month late...but it's been a busy month!

Not that they read...but congrats to my friends Chris and Brandy!! They are in Costa Rica right now getting married!! I will be in FUNroe on Saturday helping them celebrate!! Soo happy for them and Miss Larra, Brandy's daughter!! I'll post pics when I get home!!

News, News and MORE News...

OK...it has been quite a while since I've written here and it has been a BUSY summer!!

I've been working part time at Victoria's Secret in addition to my full time job. Being that I was averaging about a half day off a week...I don't call that part time! WHEW!! I'm glad that is over. I was going to work until the end of July...but, after taking two weeks off, I guess they thought I quit. So, oh well! Now, I can just enjoy the rest of my summer!

Now for the BIG NEWS!!! David and I are getting married!!!! We've been engaged about 3 weeks. We are SOO very happy and very excited. We are getting married on September 28 in Lake Tahoe! We couldn't be happier and his girls are very excited too!! Oops...sorry, was going to post a picture of the ring...but it must be on my computer at work. I'll post it later.

Ok...what's next?? I spent a week in Boston for work. But, we managed to find some time for fun. This picture was at the Florentine Cafe where the guy running the conference had an open tab! It was a great conference! :-) We also got to see the Red Sox and Diamondbacks play at Fenway Park! Red Sox came from behind with a score of 4-1 and beat the Diamondbacks 5-4! Awesome game!

I came home from Bostin and left a few days later to go to Austin to visit David's parents. We had a very good time. David's nieces from Los Angeles were there and are the same ages as David's girls. They get along soo good so they had a great time! Here is a picture of three of the four. My soon-to-be step daughters are the two on the ends...Sarie is on the left, she is 8, and Emelie is on the right, she is 12 and TALLER and me...which doesn't take too much. The other picture is of all 4 girls being sprayed with water guns at the 4th of July parade in the little town where his parents live. We had big fun. David and I were able to get away by ourselves for dinner and visited a winery near his parents house.

Ok...next news...Lucie just turned 4 years old!! She's such a BIG girl! :-)

This is her birthday cake I made for her. Yep...I did! And she LOVED it! :-) And even shared it with David's two dogs while the rest of us celebrated with cup cakes! :-)

Now, I get to finish enjoying the rest of my summer. It's going to be busy. One friend having a baby in the next month or so...one getting married next week in Costa Rica so we will be in Monroe in a few weeks for her reception...another friend getting married in August and ME AND DAVID in September!! Busy months ahead! Hope you are all enjoying your summer. I HAVE to leave you with a video of what a GENIUS my Lucie is. Please ignore my annoying voice...I can't possibly really sound like that, right?? Ok...hope this works!!

Such is life...

Well...life has been somewhat busy. I just took a part-time job, working nights and weekends at Victoria's Secret! No...not loving it, but it is my punishment for accruing so much debt. I could blame my ex-husband...being as I had ZERO debt when I met him! But, I guess I will have to take responsibility for this myself...no one else to blame! I'll give him a break...today! :-)

Anyway...I just started this week and as soon as they get their act together it may be ok. Long story...but they just do not seem to be all that organized. I'm a little concerned too that based on their lack of organization and the fact that they just hired, at least, 5 new people...hmm...I'm sensing problems but I'll stick it out for as long as I need to. You definitely see some interesting things, that's for sure!! Ladies...let me just give you some advice. #1 We can give you a bra fitting OVER your clothes!! Do not surprise the sales people when they come to your dressing room to measure you! That's all I will say about that! And, #2 It is YOUR body! Wear the bra YOU like and are comfortable in. Don't let some MAN tell you what HE likes!! Some men get WAY to involved in the bra shopping process!!

Lucie is healing well. We had a brief moment of panic this week. I came home on Monday and noticed that there were two little bumps/welts on the side of her leg. I panicked...just knowing that this was her pins coming out of place. I just saw another surgery and another part time job in my future! Two days later we finally were able to see the vet and he says it is just scar tissue around the sutures on the inside. SOO...Yea!! No surgery and no THIRD job! He still says to keep her calm and crated for the next month. HA! We just smiled and agreed. We are honestly doing our best. My baby just has WAY too much energy!

Let me leave you with a cutie picture...

We are going to watch the LSU Baseball game tonight! Geaux Tigers!! AND...the school I work for is in the playoffs too. They play tonight and hopefully tomorrow. Geaux Bears!!

National Marrow Drive Program

In case any of you who may be reading may be interested....

Between the dates of May 5 and May 19 you can be added to the National Marrow Registry for FREE if you are one of the first 10,000 to join online or first 35,000 to join in person!! For those of you not familiar, you can be added for free if you find a Bone Marrow Drive in your area...if you go it alone it is somewhere around $50 or $60. So...if you have ever thought about it but hesitated because of the cost...now is a good time to reconsider!

I realize this is a HUGE, PERSONAL decision...just wanted to make you informed! :-)

http://www.marrow.org/HELP/Events/Thanks_Mom/index.html?src=ThxMGarden413500

Bare Bum!

Lucie is doing good. She has a lot of swelling today but we just iced her down a little and it is looking a little better. If I can just get her to STOP jumping up and down off the furniture we will be doing good! I HATE doing it, but I guess I'm going to have to lock her in her crate even when I am home. :-( I'm not sure I'm brave enough to do that. I also hurt her last night. She was between my legs in bed and I was trying to move her over. I guess I accidentally touched her incision and she screamed...I screamed...and then I cried!! I spent the next hour apologizing and promising her the biggest toy at the pet store next time I go! :-)

Here are a few pics of her incision and her bare hiney! Seriously...I think someone got a little happy with the razor. I don't think it was really necessary to shave THIS much!! My baby has a bald butt!! :-)

Feeling a little better today. Not great though. Still have a scratchy throat and stopped up ears. (Lack of a better description).

Hope you all have a great weekend!!

Give to your favorite charity!

Being home sick, I have had too much time on my hands. But, I did come across something interesting that I thought I would share.

www.igive.com.

This is a Web site I found that will donate a certain percentage of your sale when you shop online at participating retailers. Click here for a list of participating merchants. All you have to do is go to www.igive.com and sign up and download the software. You can choose any charity of your choice. I, of course, chose St. Jude. You are not charged extra, it just takes a percentage of your total. SOOO...if you shop online anyway, this is a great way to give to your favorite charity!

HAPPY SHOPPING!

Update on Luc and me.
I have a dr. appointment at 3:15. I woke up...well, let's just say I ate breakfast but didn't keep it in long.

I heard from Lucie and was told she is ready to come home and that I could pick her up whenever! Well, I suddenly found a boost of energy and was almost out the door when the dr. said he wouldn't have time to discharge her until 4. SOO MEAN to TEASE me that way! :-) Oh well...I'll go to the dr. and then pick her up. At least I'll only have to get out once.

Lucie has a new Leg!!

I FINALLY heard back from the vet. Lucie went through surgery fine and had woken up and was doing well. She was napping when I talked to them. I hope to bring her home tomorrow!!

Actually, while I am typing her Dr. called with his update. Basically saying the same thing. He did exactly what he said he needed to do. They made the "groove" deeper so that the knee cap will sit further in and will not slip out as easy. They also tightened the tendons to keep it in place. He said she shouldn't have any more problems with that knee. (Of course, I'm thinking she better not!!) He said Lucie was awake and looking around. (Probably feeling pretty good with all the "drugs" she is on.) She will spend the night in their ICU and will be watched all night. He didn't foresee anything that would keep us from bringing her home tomorrow evening!

Thanks to those who are checking in...
Still sick....going back to bed. :-(

Surgery It Is!!

I just got home and oohh how quiet and lonely my little apartment is. Toys everywhere...but NO LUC!

The Dr. at LSU decided it definitely needs surgery. My poor baby...I left her this morning with no food, water, treats, nothing! She kept sitting pretty on the chair surely wondering what she did that was so bad to not deserve food today!! I promised her that as soon as we left there that she was getting a BIG treat! Well...I then had to revise that promise and promise that as soon as I pick her up on Wednesday that we will drive thru the FIRST McDonald's we see and she is getting a HAPPY MEAL ALL TO HERSELF!! I told the vet to just pretend he did not hear that! :-)

I HATED leaving her but I know it is for the best. Lucie needs a new leg! HA! She'll be fine...but please keep her in your prayers tomorrow!!

ONE good thing about not having her here tonight...I AM SICK AS A DOG! HA! No really...REALLY sick. So, at least I do not have to worry about having to take her out 10 times tonight. So...I'm off to medicate myself!! Thanks for checking in!

Who says, "It's like riding a bike??" It wasn't that easy!

What a busy weekend! It was pretty fun though. I started out at the Heart Walk yesterday morning. Got up EARLY on a Saturday and ended up walking in the rain! Oh well...it was a good cause. Lucie went too and was SOAKED by the time we got home. Needless to say we both needed a bath! No...didn't get any pictures. It was too wet and yucky...but here's a few cute ones to make up for it.


Yesterday afternoon I had a fun afternoon at the Beer Fest at the Rural Life Museum. It was fun being outside and listening to the band. Again...no pictures.











Today, I decided I wanted a bike to ride around the LSU lakes. So...went to Target and bought a
bike!! Here's my bike! It was fun riding...my hiney is a little sore...but it was fun!! :-)

I tried to share the experience with Lucie...but that didn't work out so well. I didn't take her to the lakes but I tried in my apartment complex when I got home. I have a harness for her that i can wear...I put her in and went for a ride. It didn't seem all that comfortable but she didn't seem to mind. It was going great until she spotted a squirrel!! She tried to jump right out of the harness while we were moving! It was a bit scary. I have not ridden a bike in years...so I was not too sturdy. We almost both went down...now THAT would have made a pretty picture!

So...hope you all had a fun weekend too! Have a great week!

Here's a fun quiz to take....http://www.positivelymary.com/True-Colors-Personality-Test.html. It is a quiz to determine your personality color. I was a GOLD, which was not too surprising!

Happy Easter!

Hope everyone has had a nice Easter weekend! My mom came to visit for the weekend. We went shopping on Saturday...fun! And went to church today!

And the big news...I FINALLY found a way to stabilize Lucie's leg.

She got new PJ's for Easter. She was not too thrilled...but aren't they cute!?! She stood paralyzed in this spot until I finally picked her up. Well...she wasn't running on her leg!! :-) She also got a stuffed lamb and monkey too. So, it wasn't a complete bust for her!! :-)

Hope you all had a Happy Easter!! I am off until Wednesday and only work until 2 Wed. - Fri....not a bad week!!

Moving on...

Well...I did get some small amount of good news today. I finally called to make Lucie's appointment at the LSU Vet School. They can't see her until April 21. And, they suggest I keep her calm and still until then. HAHAHAHA!!! That's funny! They don't know my Luc very well. Anyway...the good news is...I was originally told (by two different sources) that this surgery would cost me about $2000. Today, I was told (ballpark figure) that it would be about $1200 - $1500. Well....it's better than $2000!!! :-) Ok...I'm grasping, but my baby needs a new leg!! HA! My apartment manager said we could have a bake sale..."Save Lucie's leg!!" HA!! Ok...I'm amusing myself tonight.

Oh...and Melanie...I did try to wrap her knee. It is definitely a two or three person job. I think it helped for awhile...she is just WAY too active!

Have a great week everyone....I have one last birthday dinner tomorrow night. Then, that is IT! Back to the diet!! :-)

HE IS in Control!!

Well...I'm not sure exactly where to start tonight. There seems to be a lot of negativity in all areas of my life right now. So, I have made the decision that this blog is going to be the ONE place that negativity can not get to me!! With that said, all I will say is that I was given news this weekend that will change our lives forever. I'm not ready to share the details just yet...I still need some time to absorb it myself. However, I do want to share something that happened....well, you'll understand after you read it.

On Friday I received some news that just devistated me. There were more events later that night that left me even more crushed and with just a sick feeling the rest of the weekend. That night I just cried to my mom...basically saying, Hasn't our family been through enough this year?!? I completely believe that God never gives us more than we can handle and I already thought he was giving me WAY too much credit...but this was just beyond what I could handle. I hate to even admit this out loud...but I was really starting to question where is GOD??? WE have needed him soo much this last year and I have PRAYED and PRAYED so why do things seem to be getting worse?? I told my mom how ashamed of myself I was to hear myself say that. GOD has shown himself SOO many times in my life...even in the last year. No...my prayers have not been completely answered the way I want...but I know it is HIS way!

On Saturday morning I read a journal entry of someone whose mom is going through cancer. She had been to a conference and posted the following in her journal...

Adversity is not always a bad thing. God is still GOOD, even if He doesn’t heal. We need to learn to embrace what He allows us to experience, knowing that He will give us the grace to experience it. It’s okay to pray that He will take it away (the adversity), but sometimes it’s even greater, when He doesn’t, because it forces us to dig deeper – get deeper with God – relying on Him for an eternal “joy”, rather than depending on a circumstantial “happy.”

The funny part is...she kept referring to the speaker at the conference as Jennifer R. Of course, those who know my last name...I AM Jennifer R! Anyway...I just thought it was God's way of speaking directly to me. I always tell him not to be subtle...I need a knock on the head sometimes!

I got home today and my mom called to tell me this...She had gone to an Easter event for our church and was talking with a friend from her Sunday School class. She is someone I've known most of my life but not someone I am close to. She asked my mom how I was doing. She said she woke up on Saturday morning with me strongly on her mind. She got up to do her morning devotional and prayer and had me in her prayers. Again...God showing me HE is here, He IS in control and HE WILL see us through this.

I will eventually share more with you...but until then, please keep my family in your prayers.

I will leave you with some happy pictures from my cousins wedding on Saturday. A beautiful bride! :-)




The bride and groom
Tiffany and Dustin...








My cousins (l to r) Tonya, Shaye, Tiffany, me and Melissa









Shaye and me...

I AM a good mom!!

My poor Lucie...



Unfortunately, my sweet girl is a bit of a drama queen. In fact, I'm sure our records at the vet are flagged as "Mommy and daughter - Drama Queens!" Friday night we were playing...she has me well trained, I throw the toy and she just picks it up for me. As she LEAPED from the chair and hit the floor, she let out a little cry. And the more I fussed over her...the more she limped. Well, we have been through this MANY times. I freak out....go to the vet...put out $80 - $100...she walks away (sometimes INTO the vet) miraculously cured. So...based on our past experiences....I was a little hesitant about going to the emergency hospital over the weekend.



SOOO...being the GREAT mom I am...I waiting until Monday morning to go have it checked out. At that point, she wouldn't even walk on it anymore. Couldn't get up in the chair or out of my bed without help.

Long story short (HA! TOO LATE!) Lucie has a knee cap that is popping in and out of place. Pain meds for temporary relief...SURGERY for a permanent fix. They referred me to the LSU Vet School where I am told will cost me....$2,000!!!! I'm not sure why I want to cry...Could be that I made her wait all weekend while in pain, Could be the $2,000 it will cost to make her better, or it could be that I will have to sell my car to pay for it!! :-) Ok...that may be a slight exagerration...but we are Drama Queens, remember?! :-)

So, to keep her from trying to jump on the furniture to get to me...I made us a bed on the floor where we have spent tonight watching tv. Poor Boo Boo...

Where do the years go??

I am WAY too young to be saying that!

Today is a very special day for someone very special!! My sweet nephew, Jeremy, turns 18 TODAY!! I remember the day he was born!! As I should...I was 13. Had only been a teenager for 6 days and already an aunt! :-)

He was sooo iddy biddy!! Only 2 lbs and 8 oz. His lungs were not fully developed. His first few days were very scary...we weren't given a lot of uplifting news. After spending 9 weeks in the neonatal in Alex...we brought him home! He was still soo tiny. The premie diapers they bought were too BIG...they had to use surgical masks as diapers!! I'm sure he would appreciate Dee Dee (that's what he has always called me) telling the world about that...but I am just a proud aunt!

Today, he is not TALL by any means...but it does not take much to tower over his 5' 2" aunt. We tease him that some day he will surely grow into those large feet of his. HEE HEE! His sister just got a great dane puppy last week. She was laughing at how he keeps tripping over his own feet...I said, "OH...kinda like your brother!" He is so good humored...he takes it all with a smile!!

Today is a HAPPY day...so I won't divulge details...but he has not had the easiest life and has had MANY obstacles put in his way. But, pushes through each one! I am SOOO PROUD of him. Ok...now, I'm going to cry. But, he just makes us so proud. He has goals set for himself and is dead set on reaching them!! And I know he will!

I really wanted to post before and after pics of him...but, didn't request the baby pictures from my mom early enough. She and my dad are supposed to be working on that project later today...so, maybe I'll have some later today. Until then...here are two recent pics. One with his Dee Dee and one with his sister Kateleen.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY MAN!! I love you bunches and bunches!!!

What now?

Okay...so I created this blog back in June. Now what? :-) I'm not married...so nothing to blog about there. I don't have children...YET, so nothing to blog about there. I do have a life though....right? Sure I do!! HA! If you want to call it that.




So....who am I and why do I feel my life deserves it's own place out in the World Wide Web?? I don't know...maybe this "dating" thing will take off soon and I'll, if nothing else, have some funny stories to share with you. My friends and I laugh that we could write a book on bad dates! SOOO TRUE! HA! Maybe I'll start posting some back stories on bad dates! HEE HEE! That could be pretty entertaining.


Okay...I'm off to make a trip to Wal-Mart so I can RE-Pot plants today!! Ooooh! You should definitely check back later on an update on that! :-)

Ok...so, if the bad date posts do not surface, you can be SURE you will hear lots about my "child." I did say I did not have children...but my 3 year old Min Pin...LUCIE, has no clue that she is not human. So, here is a preview of MANY pics to come!

Yes, I'm aware that she just may kill me in my sleep one day for this picture! :-)