Blogger Awards!

My friend, Hilary, from Blissfully Enamored, honored me with a Blogging Award! I am so excited to have received my first award! I honestly never thought I would get into this blogging stuff as much as I have. I originally started my first blog in 2006 out of shear boredom, then I started a different blog (THIS blog) as a way to keep family members up to date on the latest Buie Family news! This is still my blog's first priority, to update family and friends on the latest news, but this year I have had fun exploring other blogs and getting ideas on home decorating, crafts, cooking, gardening and so much more. It's amazing who and what you can find in Blog World!

So now for the rules...The Best Blog Award rules are:

To accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his/her blog link.

Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you have recently discovered and think are great!

Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.
So, here are my FIRST FIVE picks (in no particular order): Drum roll, please!

5. Blue Hydrangea

4. Two Dogs and a Blog 3. Baby Byrds 2. Bless Our Nest 1. Blue Print Bliss

* Please note, these are only my first five blogs awarded today. The next 10 will be awarded in the next couple of days! Keep watching for more GREAT blogs!

rainy day blues!

I don't know about y'all but this weather is getting me DOWN! Having fibromyalgia is no fun on days like today. Last night I got home from work, took 4 Ibuprophen, (Yes, I said FOUR~) and just sat there like a lump on a log for well over an hour. I literally could not move. My muscles ache from head to toe! While I was sitting there, complaining and being unproductive, I started looking through pictures from earlier this year and found this one of me running. Oh, how I miss running! I think I look funny in this picture but then again, I guess most people look funny while they are running.

I'm ready for sunshine and running again!

I didn't have anything particularly interesting to write about today (except to complain about the weather and fibro) but I DO have some incredibly cute pictures of my dogs wallowing around in the mud! Enjoy!

Aren't they the cutest?

2nd Annual Pumpkin Fest

Buie and I are getting excited about Pumpkin Fest '09! We had so much fun last year at Pumpkin Fest '08 that we decided to make it an annual tradition amoung our friends. We even carved pumpkins this last Friday night to get us in the mood! I printed off some stencils from Martha Stewart's website and went to town! I went with a cheerful Jack-O-Lantern and Buie went with a more spooky carving. The look great on our front porch together and we plan to add more soon! Here are a few projects I'm thinking about trying this Friday at our Pumpkin Fest!

Remember the apothocary jars I picked up at Pier One a few weeks ago? Wouldn't they be just perfect for this candy table!? I went and picked up some candy sticks, candy corn and lolipops at Cracker Barrell!

Weekend Review:

This weekend I drove down to the Crescent City with one of my childhood best friends, Melissa (remember her?) She is getting married in November, and I am so excited to be a bridesmaid. We thought we would celebrate her last month of singleness in style in NOLA, one of our favorite cities! The weekend started out wonderfully with fun gifts and cake and yummy New Orleans food. But Saturday morning I knew immediately that I had consumed gluten the night before. I felt aweful and spent all day in bed nursing on sprites and watching "Knocked Up." Here is a picture of me, Melissa and Julie, Melissa's maid of honor. I look aweful but please keep in mind that I had just consumed a huge beef patty full of bread crumbs without my knowledge! GLUTEN ATTACK! I was feeling aweful at this point of the night. I mean, who puts bread crumbs in hamburger patties! Apparently it is pretty common but I have never made a hamburger in my life. That's what Buie is for. :) And he, of course, makes mine gluten free and oh so yummy!

Click on links for more information about Celiac Disease and eating gluten free.

..... Ok so the sad news........

Also, Friday night we recieved some aweful news about a family friend that had passed away. He was only 23. Here is a picture of Seth. His older sister is another childhood friend of mine, Caroline Brock, but I have called her Brocky since I could talk! Here is her beautiful family on her wedding day. Today would have been Seth's 24th birthday. I am so saddened by his death but am smiling knowing that Seth is resting in peace.

If you are reading this and are a believer, please lift up a prayer for this wonderful family who is grief stricken over the loss of their youngest son and brother. Pray especially for my dear friend Brocky. She is more than precious to me!

So what was suppossed to be a GRAND weekend in New Orleans didn't really turn out that way. But I was thankful to spend time with two of my best friend's Brocky and Melissa. I think that friends grow even closer in times of sorrow. My heart aches for Brocky, but I know she is strong.
Melissa and Caroline Brock

I am so blessed to have stayed close to my childhood friends through elementary, high school, even attending separate colleges and now in adulthood - I always know I can reply on them.

This picture was taken at Brocky's wedding. I just love it. Even though we were all posing, somehow each pose represents our personalities. Another shot from Brocky's wedding. This was is definitely a favorite. This was such an emotional moment for all three of us. The three of us have literally known each other for more than 20 years and Brocky was the first to get married. We were so happy yet so sad that we were putting one step into adulthood and leaving childhood behind. The tears were definitely flowing that day.

As I think about my childhood friends, my highschool friends, my college friends and even those friendships I have formed in the last five years since college... all I can say is thank you, God. I am truly blessed.

Giveaway!

I love free stuff! Once again Hilary is doing a giveaway. Head on over to her blog, Blissfully Enamored, and see what she's offering. Here's a peak!

10 Things You Didn't Know About Me:

1. I think I was born in the wrong decade.

2. I already have a few grey hairs coming in but I really don't want to start dyeing my hair because I know I will have to keep it up forever!

3. I want to write a book, even though it's my husband who is the writer in our family.

4. I wish I could start a dog rescue program - that one probably wasn't a real surprise to anyone, was it?

5. I am honestly scared to have kids. The whole process of being pregnant doesn't sound fun and the delivery process sounds even worse. I love kids and want to have them but it's just scary sounding. I wish a stork would deliver them on my doorstep...which brings me to #6.

6. I want to adopt at least one child. I would love to have a child of a different race and culture.

7. I secretly dream of staying home having all of my laundry neatly folded and put away each day, have all of Buie's work shirts ironed each night, fixing a fabulous dinner each night, working out everyday, taking my dogs for a walk each night, seeing my husband off for work with a steaming cup of coffee for him fixed just the way he likes it..... But then again, it's not 1950. Sigh...

8. I really miss eating normal pizza. Having Celiac Disease means I can't just walk into Johnny's Pizza and order my favorite, pepperoni pizza.

9. I used to play basketball, run track and be a cheerleader. You really wouldn't know it by my athletic (or lack there of) abilities today.

10. I love traveling. I have been to Italy, Switzerland, France, England, Canada, Brazil, and South Africa.

I was trying to think of people to tag but I'm really not sure who has done this and who hasn't. So...if you are reading this and you haven't, then leave me a comment and a link to your blog and tell us 10 things we don't know about YOU! Look forward to getting to know you better!

We're Famous!

Okay not really but we are going to be a magazine! Cool huh?

Here's the story: About a month ago, I saw this twitter post from @petwriter - Looking for foster families to interview who wound-up adopting the animal in their care. Story for Rally to Rescue mag. Please DM if int... Since we just recently adopted our very first foster dog, Scooter, I twittered back. I thought it would be a cool thing if by chance this writer wanted to write about us and our newest addition! Well, she did! @petwriter interviewed me over the phone and week or two later, an article was email to me for approval. It is several short stories, each about a paragraph long, about different adoption stories. Our story is called "Becoming Best Friends" about it's about Scooter and Conner becoming best buds!

After I read the article and sent it back approved, the editor called me on Friday and asked that we have our pictures professionally taken and sent back to her by MONDAY! This was crazy weekend to have a photo shoot but we managed to squeeze it in between early church and the Cowboys/Chiefs game (Thank GOODNESS for DVR!)

I quickly started calling photographer friends in a frenzy!~ The editor offered to line one up for me, but I mentioned that I had a few friends I might could call. Grant Harrison came through for me. We did a quick last minute shoot at McArthur Park in Little Rock and I think they came out great! What do you think??

Adopt a Dog Month

Every day, thousands of lovable, loyal dogs are surrendered to our nation’s shelters — not because they’re bad, but because their owners just couldn’t take care of them anymore. Be a hero, and give a homeless dog the chance to find happiness and a forever home during American Humane’s Adopt-A-Dog Month in October. Dogs are fun-loving, loyal and make great sidekicks for all of life’s adventures— and animal shelters are filled with amazing dogs just waiting for a hero like you: large, small, mixed breeds, even purebreds. Save the day by adopting a homeless dog who’ll reward you with years ofhappiness and companionship. Visit a local shelter during American Humane’s Adopt-A-Dog Month this October. There’s a loyal sidekick waiting just for you! To learn more, or visit us online American Human Society's website.
Dog Care Tips from American Humane

Keep your dog safe, happy and healthy by following these tips:

Identification: Tagging and microchipping your dog are essential to helping him find his way home if he islost. The tag should indicate your dog’s name, as well as your name, address, home phone number and cell phonenumber. Microchips are miniature electronic capsules embedded under the pet’s skin. They are safe and effectiveand provide excellent backup identification in case your pet’s collar and tags are lost.

Spay/Neuter: It is estimated that approximately 3.7 million animals are euthanized at shelters each yearbecause there are not enough homes for them. Having your pet spayed or neutered ensures that you will notadd to this tremendous burden. Spaying or neutering will also eliminate the risk of certain diseases and cancersof the reproductive organs, as well as reduce the risk of behavior problems such as aggression and territorialmarking. A dog that is spayed or neutered will live a happier, healthier and longer life.

Veterinary Exams: To keep your dog healthy, be sure to take him to the veterinarian for an annualexamination. Your veterinarian can detect signs of a problem — such as dental disease or heart problems —before it becomes serious, and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Vaccinations: To protect your pet from getting a serious disease, keep his vaccinations up to date. Thisis important even if your dog mostly stays inside or at home. All dogs should be vaccinated for distemper,parvovirus and rabies. Depending on where you live, vaccinations for other common diseases may also berecommended by your veterinarian.

Feeding: Make sure your dog eats high-quality food every day and has fresh water available at all times.

Training and Behavior: Most behavior problems — like constant barking or getting into the trash —can be solved with a little training. Don’t give up; contact an animal trainer or behavior consultant for help.

Exercise: Spend quality time with your pet every day. Playing with and walking your dog will allow you both to bond. It will also relieve your dog’s boredom, which can lead to behavior problems such as digging and barking.

Grooming: Pets need regular brushing, bathing and dental care, and breeds with long fur require frequenttrips to the groomer.

Dog-Proofing Your Home:

• Use childproof latches on your cabinets.

• Place medications, cosmetics, cleaners, chemicals and detergents on high shelves.

• Keep trash cans covered or inside a latched cabinet.

• Keep food out of reach (even if the food isn’t harmful, the wrapper could be).

• Keep the toilet lid closed to prevent your dog from drinking harmful cleaning chemicals.

• Place electrical and phone wires out of reach.

• Put away children’s toys and games.

• Move houseplants out of reach — they may be fatal if ingested.

• Clean antifreeze from the garage floor and driveway — one taste can be lethal.

• Keep all sharp objects and tools out of reach.

Open Truck Beds: Don’t let your dog ride in an open truck bed. An estimated 100,000 dogs die each yearby being bumped from truck beds onto the road and into traffic. Also, do not leash your pet inside a truck bed.Many dogs have been strangled when bumped over the sides of trucks and left helplessly dangling. If your dogmust ride in the back of the truck, put him in a crate secured to the truck bed.

Unattended Pets in Your Vehicle: Dogs are much moresusceptible to heat stroke than humans. Temperatures inside a parkedcar can quickly reach levels that are lethal to your dog, even when theoutdoor temperature is moderate. With an outdoor temperature of 72 degrees, the temperature in a parked car can reach 102 degrees in just 30 minutes.

Sarah is just one a the THOUSANDS of dogs that are up for adoption just here in Central Arkansas!

Mums & Pumpkins!!

Well, unless you've been in a cave somewhere, then you know that it's FALL- my favorite time of year!~ That's right, folks- it's time for pumpkins, hot cocoa, football games, cool weather, mums and did I mention pumpkins!?

So I picked up a few mums a couple of weeks ago and this is what our porch looked like, but kind of boring, huh? Still needs a little more...

So I picked up some pumpkins today and WA-LA! So much better than before, don't you think? Pumpkins make everything better. While I was taking pictures, this little guy ran across my bare foot and scared me to death, but I'm pretty sure I scared HIM worse! He just sat there stunned for like two minutes, so of course I snapped a few pics. This one was my favorite! Anyway, back to the mums...
Scooter was dying to come out and see the pumpkins, too. (Notice the two little guys in the background. hehe)
Our fall wreath! This letter 'B' can be taken off and used anywhere around the house or on another wreath!
Our mantle...
more mums!


Did anyone notice my mums are LSU colors?? :) Happy Fall, y'all! My parents are coming in town this weekend - so excited to see them!

Stella & Dot

Do you like jewelry? Sure, what woman doesn't! Take a look at these fabulous pieces!

I went to my very first Stella & Dot jewelry party last night and fell even more in love with jewelry! I first heard of Stella & Dot through a friend; she sent me a link to the website. I liked what a saw online so I ordered these two pieces. The Serenity necklace and earings set. When they arrived a few days later in the mail, I couldn't wait to put them on. Then after seeing the jewelry in person, it is even more fabulous in real life! I am even thinking about selling it myself part time! :) Here are some of the pieces I ordered last night! The pieces shipped today, so I should be wearing them soon and very soon! Stella & Dot jewelry have been spotted in magazines such as Lucky and Instyle and even mentioned on shows like The View! Paris Hilton has been spotted and photographed SEVERAL times wearing THIS piece.
So the question is would YOU buy this jewelry? And better yet would you let me host a party at your house? Let me know! I'll let you know if I decide to sell this jewelry... Don't you just LOVE it?