Balloon Festival

Last night me, my friend Mary Beth, and her son Dylan all went to an annual Hot Air Balloon festival held at a local community college. It was so much fun. As soon as we got there we started with a funnel cake. I hadn't had one since I was little and it was delicous. We walked around and looked at all the vendors that were there. There was one tjhat did face painting, so we stopped and got Dylan's face painted. It was so much fun and he loved it. About this time it got dark and we went to find a good place to stand and see the show. The balloons were awesome to see. They put on this show were they flashed to music it was so cool.

They did a tribute to the military which was also really cool. One of the Balloons raised up the American Flag while they played Lee Greenwoods "God Bless the USA" and the National Anthem. It was very cool to see.

Luckily for us the weather held out. It was suppose to rain, but didn't until we were already on our way home. It was such a great night. Thanks for going with me Mary Beth and Dylan. Hope everyone enjoys the pictures:

2 down

I know that it doesn't seem like much but I am super excited! Travis has been gone for over 2 months!! Can you believe that it has only been 2 months. It seems like a lot longer than that to me. But I guess I finally realized it today and it seems that time really is moving! Now we have almost 3 times that to go, but you never really know! Please continue to pray for him (and me)! Thanks for all the support so far it really means alot to me.

WHAT IS THIS!

I would like to say thank you to whatever hurricane is hitting Texas. Because of this the gas prices here in Knoxville, have sky rocketed!!!! Yesterday, when I was coming home from work the price was $3.69 a gallon. It was that much this morning when I went to school. During class we had talked about how the price was suppose to go up. Well I left to go home and it had gone up to $3.99! In less than an 24 hours it had gone up 30 cents! Crazy, right well that isn't the worst of it. Less then an hour later I left to go run some errands. And it had gone up to $4.49!! 50 cents in one hour! Unbelievable. I think that this is what they call ROBBERY! OK, so maybe that is an over-exaggerating. But that is sure what it feels like. Oh, well nothing I can do right.

Blessed

Today I really realized how much God has blessed me. I have always know that I have a wonderful family, but it is even more obvious to me know! Since, Travis has left I have had good days, and bad. I have been lonely alot. But my family is always there to cheer me up. No matter what is wrong they are always there to fix it in any way that they can. I honestly don't know what I would do with out all of them. My sister is always there for a good laugh when I need it. My parents take care of me. They entertain me when I need it the most. And they are always there to help with problems that I can't seem to fix on my own, like opening a Dr. Pepper bottle! My grandparents put up an electric fence so that my dogs could stay at there place on Tuesday's when I am gone at clinicals all day. And although she isn't family God has blessed me with a great friend. Mary Beth is there to just sit and help make noise in a quiet house. And all the rest of my aunts and uncles and cousins are always praying and supporting me. And I know that I could call on them at anytime of day for any reason. I am so blessed to be loved so unconditionally by so many people, even when I don't always deserve it!

I love you all. You are all the best family that any one could ask for! Thank you for all the support and prayers. I love you soooo much.

safe and sound

So I am back. It has been awhile, but let's face it I am a very busy women these days. But I have finally found a moment to tell you how things are going. Well, I am ok. I have been having a rough few days this past week. With Travis being gone, and starting school, and trying to take care of everything on my own i was a tad bit overwhelmed. But today seemed to be a fairly good day. The dogs decided to give me a break and we laid around and slept for a good portion of the day. It was nice, but unfortunately I did have to go to work but I'll get over it.

Yesterday, was a fun day! My friend Mary Beth came over for awhile last night. We ran a few errands together, and then we came back to my apartment and colored her hair. Actually, I colored her hair. She trusted me enough to do. I even did highlights. I was freaking out and really really nervous. But she was excited. And it actually turned out really well. She loved it, which was a relief to me.

All in all it has been a good day, and tomorrow is looking pretty good.

A note to my parents, I got the door brace today and I immediately put it up when I got home. So I am even more safe than usual. Thanks for buying it for me, I love it. It is nice to have an extra security blanket while being by myself. I love you guys. Have fun with Brandi!!!

Terrible mom!

I am a terrible pet owner. Absolutely terrible. Dewy has a thing with barking at people, well just barking in general. And I have been trying to find ways to stop it. Spanking doesn't work, and yelling doesn't work. So I resorted to something that I thought that I never would. A collar. Not just any collar, but a shock collar. Well this one said it sent out static first to stop them and then really low volts was next again. Well, I bought it after some encouragement from my husband. And I put it on her. She walked around for hours not making a peep. I thought YES!! it worked and she didn't do anything. Not so much. We went out side and she saw another dog, and so she barked at it. Well the collar sent "static", and she FREAKED! She yelped and jumped. Then she barked again. And once again she barked and then yelped and jumped. That sound of her yelping broke my heart. It was such a sad sound that just was terrible. People were looking at me like I was killing her. I felt soooo bad. I immediately took her inside and took it off of her. Now she is laying on the floor on her back with her legs in the air, like she is dead. Ok, ok, yes she sleeps like that sometimes, but still. I feel so bad.

So I need your help. Does anyone else have any ideas on how to get her to stop barking. With out shocking her!? HELP please

Stress,a phone call, and my girls night

Ok, so I have made it through my first week of school. Not without it's share of stresses, but over none the last. I have been stressed lately because of school. I go to school 3 days a week, fixing to start clinicals on the 4th day of the week. Leaving 1 day during the week, in which I work. And I work one day one the weekend, leaving Sunday's as my only day off!! So as you can tell I am a busy women. The dogs and I are trying to get into a new routine. We had a pretty good one since Travis left, but that to has changed since school started. I just keep telling myself that I just have to get through this semester and part of next and then I will be getting some "live in" help, in the form of my husband!!

Speaking of which, I actually got to talk to him this week!! It was so exciting to hear his voice on the other end of the phone. It had been awhile since I had to talk to him. So it was a nice surprise. He is doing well, and seems to be staying busy (obviously!!). He thanks you all for all the thoughts and prayers. And said to tell everyone hello.

So as treat for myself on making through the week, and with some encouragement from my husband to do something for myself, and my sister for giving me the idea. I am spending the night doing fun girly things. I have ordered pizza and cinnamon sticks (I caved Brandi) and plan to watch a girly movie, and possibly even get a bubble bath, but let's not push it. So excuse me while I go and enjoy myself!!