Air Time

Hey all! I'm wiped. Today was crazy busy at work. It's definitely a good thing but I'm exhausted!! I have to get back in the groove of doing back to back....to back to back....to back to back haircuts.


My weekend starts right now! It's going to be a great one! Razorback football is here, the pool (and hopefully sun) will be calling my name.....a long weekend of nothing but fun....Check! I'm real excited!!
So Ivy & Madison slept with us last night....not the night before though. I'm so conflicted. What am I going to do with these two when it comes to bedtime? It's so hard!! I feel like we have children in our house. There's at least 2 toys in every room. Including closets and bathrooms. Of course my OCD kicks in and I always have to put them back in their rightful place and the girls just look at me like "why are you doing that Mom? Please leave them where they were." Its super lively in this house.
For those of you that watch Big Brother: last nights episode horrified me!! Dan is way evil but like, an evil genius. I cannot believe that happened!!!!! It was such a smart move but I hate it because it affected my girl Britney.
Also, did anyone notice her beautiful hair this season?!! She sent me a FB message a few months back to inform me that she watched my hair curling tutorial and loved it and she does her hair that way ALL the time thanks to me. Love. It. I told her she needed to talk about it on BB but she never did so that's a major bummer. I'm sure it came up in the house at some point when one of the girls was like "OMG I love your hair like that" and she was like "OMG my BFF taught it to me." and they just cut it out to save air time. Obviously thats what happened.
Umm...I guess that's all. Unless you want to hear about my day, which consisted of haircuts and pomade, I've got nothing else to say.

Today

I miss my little Gracie Grace!! Mom and I talk every day and text pictures and videos of the girls and I received this a few days ago.


Isn't she such a cutie! I love that little munchkin.
Today wasn't real eventful. I went to work, had lunch with Jaclyn (yes it was at McAlisters, duh) worked more, came home to the Schwans Man, ordered lots of goodies (obviously.....I love Mr Schwan), watched the RNC all night with a Big Brother break in between (OMG! Tonights episode left me speechless) and did so much laundry my basket is empty. Now I'm laying in bed talking to you guys. It's time to call it a night. Scott's trying to convince me to go to the gym with him tomorrow morning at 7 AM to cycle. That's a little early to arrive at the gym. So we'll see.

What Doesn't Kill You

My Tuesday....


Started like this. I always try to be good about eating fruit but I definitely don't eat enough of it. I eat tons of vegetables but I give fruit the cold shoulder. Well....Wait. Does wine count as fruit?


Tonight I judged the Washington County Fair Queen Pageant. It was fun and the girls were great. I really enjoy judging.
After the pageant I came home and watched the RNC (duh) and now I'm sleepy and ready for bed. Like always, Scott has already fallen asleep on the sofa.
I'm tired, ready for bed and will now go through the torture of making my little nuggets sleep in the laundry room while they give me the sad eyes as I shut the door. I tried doing the 'you can sleep in the living room' thing but they (Ivy) stood at my door and cried so that didn't last more than 30 minutes. Scott wants them to sleep with us. It would totally be fine but I just feel like its not smart. You have to think about the future and certain circumstances and situations. Even if its something you may not have to worry about for 10 years!! I don't know. I'm torn. Holly slept with us and it was totally fine. However, I said I'd never do it again.
This weekend I put their little bed in our room to feel that option out. They were out cold in their bed when I fell asleep but I always woke up with them in MY bed!!! So that didn't work. They're super quiet and sneaky. I could hear a bird land on my roof while I'm sleeping.
It's time for bed. To let them or not let them join me? Such a hard question.
Be strong Kara. Be strong...

Weekend Decorating

My weekend was spent dining with friends and getting my house more complete. I thought I'd give you a little sneak peek at my living room!!I finally found a white round table to go in between my two chairs and we managed to get our massive new painting hung! I'm quite pleased with the way everything is coming together. We still need a rug but I don't plan on getting one anytime soon because of the girls. They're definitely potty trained but only have been 100% for about a month now so I still don't feel like I can trust them. It will probably be Spring before I make that purchase. Something also needs to go on that bare wall (which I believe I've already found) but other than that we're almost golden. The progress I made this week helped make my living room look so much better and it makes me feel good. An incomplete, empty home stresses me out.

Since I didn't have to work today I stayed at the house all day long with Madison and Ivy. They don't really care for having a working Momma and it makes me sad. Since I'm going to be working long hours for the rest of the week I decided to be lazy and just hang with them on the sofa today. They loved it and I did too! Sometimes it's good to have a day where you literally never leave the house.
This week I'm judging the Miss Washington County Fair Queen pageant. We had interviews last night so I put on my serious interview attire and went for the tough, intimidating questions! Ha. Yeah right. I can never contain how I feel about the cuteness over the girls and I smile at them the entire time. Tomorrow night is the pageant and I'm looking forward to it! The group of girls that are competing are quite impressive!!!!

Running

There isn't much to blog about today!! I woke up, went to work, came home. That's basically it.


I have been back to running recently now that the weather is nice again. I never run in the hot summer or cold winter. I call myself a runner but I just can't do it in extreme weather!! And I don't like to run on a treadmill so only nice weather it is!! I haven't gone for a run since May and I started back on Sunday. I managed 3 miles. I always work out at the gym doing cardio--Elliptical or Spinning--but running is different. I'm proud of myself. I always wanted to be a runner and it took me over a year to even build up enough stamina to go for very long. I'm glad the stamina stays with me even if I take a 3 month break. It pleasantly surprises me every time.
I'm sleepy! I've always been a night owl but now that I'm working again I find myself going to bed earlier. Night folks!

Art

I had a really nice weekend! Scott and I spent our Saturday in Fayetteville. We ate lunch at Hugos and popped in a few local stores. We also purchased a new piece of art for our living room!! It's HUGE and will take up an entire wall in our house. I'm kind of really excited about my new piece.

The house is very slowly coming together. I'm so anxious to get it completed. It's been very challenging doing a monochromatic white/grey look. Everything has brown!! I think we're actually going to have a custom piece of furniture made for our living room. A guy is working on a sketch for it now. I love the way our house is turning out and I'm so glad I chose the pallet I did but it's definitely making it a slower process than I hoped for. I guess part of the fun of decorating a new house is the process though, right?

I finally managed to get my date night!! Saturday evening we went to dinner at the new Theos here in Rogers. I'd been once before for drinks and appetizers but had never been back in the dining area. It was so great and I'm definitely looking forward to going back many, many times. I'm so happy they opened Theos up here because it's mine and Scott's favorite restaurant in NWA! After church on Sunday we rented The Hunger Games and relaxed the rest of the day!

I had a short work day today. My new boss and I talked about it and decided it would be better if I worked Tuesday-Thursday from now. Mondays are slow and I think working on Thursday will be a lot better so I'm excited about the change. Time for my shows! Enjoy the rest of your Monday!!

Hacked, Sweaters & Snoozing

TGIF right? My week hasn't allowed much downtime. I'm glad it's the weekend. Let me tell ya something that's bothering me.

My email has been getting hacked for a little over a month now and it's driving me crazy. I get text messages on my phone from Yahoo saying "I" kept failing my email security questions. Twice someone has figured out the answers, changed my password and gotten into my email. Scott did some research and figured out via the IP address that this lovely person is from a small town in Arkansas. Scott and I made up our own security questions with answers that only us would know. And if I get another text saying someone was trying to get into my email again we're going to hire someone to find this person. It's a major invasion of privacy and I seriously don't appreciate it. Like really? Get a life. And your own J. Crew emails. Loser.

I was at Walmart today browsing the pet section and I discovered these sweaters so, obviously, I got them for the girls. Could you die?! It's clearly summertime so we don't need them but I decided to try them on for size. I got an XS but I don't think they'll be able to fit into them when winter actually rolls around. Just like Holly, they'll be a small. And just like Holly, the small will be too big but the XS will be too small. Holly liked wearing her sweaters because she was very cold natured. I don't think Ivy and Madison get cold so sweaters may not get worn much with them. Or maybe they will because I like the way a little puppy looks in a little sweater!! Not stupid dog clothes--just sweaters. And a Halloween costume because, let's be honest, they're irresistible. Oh and a Razorback jersey for game days....obviously.

I'm loving these little nuggets so much. And they love me so much too. It sure does make me feel good! I can't do anything without company. They're literally on my heels everywhere I go. It's so cute!! Every night I so badly want to put them in bed with me. It's hard to make them sleep in the laundry room even though they don't care at all. They've slept with me a few times and they're good little sleepers! I'm looking towards the future though and I just don't think it's a good idea for them to get in that habit. Holly will be my only girl who got to enjoy that...and I kind of love that snoozing together was our thing and nobody else's. :)

"Was is this? Get it off me!!"

Booked.

This week has been busy!! Work is going good. My books have been really full which has been delightfully surprising especially since this was just my second week. I only work Monday-Wednesday but the people who work Thursdays had completely full schedules so they asked me if I could come in today. I worked a half day and was busy for almost all of it. I like staying busy. It makes the day go by really quickly.


I feel bad leaving these girls alone for so long. Scott and I haven't been getting home until 7ish every night this week. It makes me so sad for them!! Madison and Ivy definitely aren't used to being alone during the day and I can tell they don't like it. They officially know that when I'm getting dressed it means I'm about to leave them. Even though I have a lot to do tomorrow, I will definitely make it up to these girls by spending a lot of quality time with them.


Rose and I are currently watching Harry Potter (she's fascinated) while Ivy and Madison are passed out next to us.

7

I wake up so early these days. I don't think I've been up at 7 am every morning since I was in high school. Unfortunately, 7 is when Ivy and Madison decide its time to start the day. I miss Holly. She would have found it perfectly acceptable to stay in bed all day long and if I got out of bed before 9 she was always so confused. I always thought Holly could lay in bed all day, every day and love it but in December I got sick and was in bed for 3 days straight and about halfway through the 2nd day she got bored with the whole bed thing so I guess my assessment wasn't correct. I miss my girl so much. I think about her every single day and my heart always sinks down into my stomach when I do. Everything reminds me of her. I'm crying right now typing this! It's been 4 months. It seems like its been a lifetime but it also seems like no time has passed. I don't believe I'll ever be the same and I don't think my heart will ever truly find peace again. The only thing that gives me comfort is knowing that one day I will get to hold that sweet baby in my arms and from then on I will never have to be without her again.


I didn't intend on this post being so depressing. Sometimes I look at this blog as a diary. Sorry! I should probably get some sleep. It's almost midnight which means 7 am is going to come very early--like always.

Splish Splash

This has been a good weekend! It's been very non-eventful which is why it was so good! Scott and I took advantage of the pool on Saturday so that was fun. This morning we went to church then spent the afternoon watching a Harry Potter marathon. I will never not watch a Harry Potter marathon!! We didn't end up going on that date I so badly wanted to go on because we ended up staying at the pool last night until about 7:00. Next weekend though--for sure--no excuses!!!

One noteworthy thing did actually happen this weekend. It involves Crazy Madison.

I can't do anything without the girls. They follow me everywhere and if I try to shut them out they stand by the door and cry so it's just easier, sometimes, to give them free reign.

So on Friday night I was trying to take a relaxing bath. I poured myself a glass of wine, turned on a little smooth jazz, threw in some bubbles and turned on the jets. It all seems very serene and it was actually if you ignore the puppies who's paws are propped up on the edge watching intently. I've gotten really good at ignoring them and that's exactly what I was doing when "SPLASH!!!!!!!!"

Madison, who can't get on the sofa without help, managed to hurl herself into my bathtub. Shocked but not shocked, I immediately scooped up the puppy that went straight to the bottom and didn't even have to wonder within that split second who my new company was. Needless to say, my relaxing bath was cut very short. I told you, we don't call her Crazy Madison for nothing.

"Madison, why in the world would you jump into the bathtub with Momma?"

"I don't know Ivy. It seemed like such a good idea at the time."

Chillaxin

Today was so great! I completed my puzzle (took me forever) laid by the pool and finished my book. Hello lazy Friday--I love you! I haven't had a relaxing day in I don't know how long so it was much needed and very appreciated.


That's literally all I did today. It was so fantastic. Scott and I may have eaten at On The Border for dinner. I just love it so much and I haven't had it in so long! It did not disappoint. They have the best salsa ever.


We have a house guest for the next week! Pretty little Rose is staying with us! Rose is so sweet and such a good little girl. She cracks me up so hard because anytime a dog comes on the TV she goes crazy and barks. I told Scott that I really want to rent 101 Dalmatians this weekend just to see what she'll do.
My weekend is going to be so easy. I'm looking forward to it so much!! Hope you enjoy yours!!

Exhausting Week

I intended on blogging all week but I forgot how much a new job can wipe you out when you aren't used to it being a part of your routine.

This week hasn't been real exciting. I caught up on a lot of errands today. I'm dying to lay by the pool. I fully intend on doing that tomorrow. I've got a book to complete and I can't think of a better way to finish it than in the sun while getting a tan.

Ivy and Madison don't care for the new work routine. I came home from work on Tuesday to eat lunch and Ivy cried for (almost) the whole hour and wouldn't let me put her down. I felt horrible!! I'm so glad they have each other though. That's precisely why I always said if I did it again I would get two. The sad eyes never fail to break my heart and I've always felt that if they had a companion it would be okay to leave them be for a few hours. It definitely helps. I couldn't do this to Holly.

Honestly, I left my old job for Holly. She was getting old and I wanted to be home with her all day, every day. I'm so blessed and grateful that I was able to do that and I truly believe it enriched her life and kept her around longer. I always said after I lost Hol that I would get a job but then I got Ivy and Madison so that put the job thing on hold. Anyways, I can't even talk about it or I'll erupt into a ball of tears. I miss my doodlebug like crazy. BUT--I'm definitely glad I got two and even if it can be more work sometimes it also makes things so much easier as well!!

Speaking of the little nuggets, they're doing really great! They'll be 21 weeks on Saturday and I bet they're getting close to weighing 5 pounds now. We're doing great with potty training. I used to have 3 different puppy pad spots all over my house and I've slowly picked them up. I want them to go in the laundry room only and so far so good!! I can't quite trust them on the carpet upstairs though. My bedroom has carpet and they never have an accident but the upstairs carpet seems to bring trouble so it's forbidden for now.

I really missed them while I was away last weekend! They're capturing this broken heart and slowly mending it back together again......

I'm looking forward to the weekend and will demand that my cute husband join me for a date! We haven't had a fun date night in so long which is so abnormal for us. I don't care what we do, I just need a delicious meal away from home. See you back here tomorrow?!

Big Weekend, Big Changes

We had a great weekend in the teeny tiny town of Carlinville, Illinois!


We arrived into town and had a few hours to relax before getting ready for the rehearsal dinner. Even though Carlinville is a small town it's very neat and quaint. I'm not one who really cares to live in a small town but I could see why the people who live there enjoy it.
I got to sleep in until 9:30 on Saturday and it was so nice! My puppies wake me up at 7:30 every morning so I felt like I got great sleep! Scott had to be at the church early so I laid around the hotel and watched the Olympics.


The ceremony was lovely and Elyse was gorgeous! The wedding started at 3:00 and Scott and I didn't leave the reception until 12:30. Needless to say, it was one big party!!


The reception decor was so neat. It looked like a photo from Pinterest. It was at her parents house--outside! Our group of friends snagged a table by one of the big fans but we managed to keep ourselves cool with some kind of yummy punch that we all couldn't get enough of!!!


I bought this beautiful Rebecca Taylor dress for the wedding a few weeks ago. It managed to give me more of a headache than any dress I've ever owned. I took it out of the hanging bag for the first time since I bought it and the big massive censor thing was still on it!!! Luckily it was on the lining of the skirt so I was able to pin it up and hide it quite nicely. Then I'm sitting at the reception minding my own business when all of a sudden the zipper totally busted open top to bottom. I mean, thank goodness I hooked it at the top or the wedding guests would have gotten a flashy surprise. As I was walking into the house to try to fix it I ran into Elyse who told me to just go to her room and raid her closet. How awesome is she? So I emerged with a beautiful coral number and was so grateful that A) the bride has amazing taste in clothes and B) she let me borrow a dress that I'm sure she plans to take on her honeymoon. They aren't leaving until Thursday so I'll be sure to get it back to her before they leave.


I want to be really mad at my dress but she's so pretty so I'll just fix and forget. Other than my dress disaster, the wedding weekend was perfect! Now Scott and I are on our way back home and I'm anxious to see my little puppies!!


This is a big week for the Johnson's full of big life changes. Scott quit his job at Sara Lee and tomorrow he starts a new job in a totally different career field. Scott's going into the family business and will work with his Dad building homes now. It's something he's always wanted to do and we've always known he would do it eventually. It ended up being a little sooner than we had originally thought but he's so excited about his new career and the fact that he won't be working 80 hours a week anymore! His last day at Sara Lee was Thursday and he's been so carefree since then. No more stress!!!
As for myself, I decided to go get a new job too. Look at me go. I decided on Monday that I wanted to work again so I went into a salon and asked if they were hiring, they said yes and that was that. I've been getting bored at home and the puppies aren't as much work as they used to be and now that summer is almost over I figured, ehh why not. I'm just going to work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for now. If I get really busy I may pick up more days but for now three will do. I start tomorrow. I'm looking forward to doing hair again. I miss it!

Road Trippin

I'm spending my Friday in a car. Scott and I are currently on our way to Illinois for Trey and Elyse's wedding! Mom and Grammy are watching my girls and this is the first time for me to ever be away from them. I doubt they'll miss me too terribly much. They love my Mom. Looking forward to a fun wedding weekend with friends! Hope you enjoy yours!

Grace

I know Grace isn't technically my puppy but I think of her as my own! Gracie Grace is what I call her. Dad calls her Gracie and Mom calls her Grace so to me she's Gracie Grace....or Sweet Grace because she's so, so sweet! Grace has some black tips now but she will be solid gold all over, just like her little paws. Her colors are gorgeous and her hair is so thick and pretty.Grace acts so different than Ivy and Madison. You would never know Grace is in the room. She's so calm and quiet and gentle. Grace aims to please! She completely goes with the flow and lets you do to her whatever you like. You could hang Grace upside down and walk around with her and she would just go with it. Ivy or Madison will take a treat or toy away from Grace and she just looks at them like, "aw man" but doesn't do anything about it. For some reason, one of Grace's ears is always flopped back. I have no idea how it happens since she's never crazy and reckless!!

Grace is the definition of a lap dog. Nothing would please her more than to just lay on the sofa or in bed all day long and have a lazy day. Grace loves her sleep and is most definitely not a morning gal. She isn't totally functioning until after 11 am.Grace is so obsessed with my Mom. She knows she's her Momma and she loves her so much already. She's also crazy about little kids and Winston, my brothers dog. They're boyfriend and girlfriend. Grace and Winston LOVE each other and it's so cute to watch them play. Even if Ivy and Madison are around, Grace and Winston only have eyes for each other.

Grace and I have really bonded this week. She's SO excited to see me in the morning or when I come home after being out running errands. She just looks with love in her eyes!! Grace just wants to love and be loved!

Grace is such an easy dog. She just hangs and loves and gives kisses. She also can stand on her two back feet for so long and she looks incredibly graceful and pretty while doing it! I tried to get a picture of her "dancing" but apparently she gets camera shy with stuff like that.

I love Grace. She's easy to love. She's so well behaved and a precious little nugget. Ivy and Madison LOVE Grace oo tand I look forward to seeing them all together for the many, many years to come!