Meet little Miss Annabelle

I felt this would be a good time to introduce my first baby to the blog world. About a year and a half ago, I got this little girl:

Annabelle

(Also answers to Munchkin, Annamunch, Munch, Munchers, Chunkers… you get the point).

I got her when she was a little less than a year old.

My mom and I were going through a beta fish phase where at one point, we each owned about 4. No joke.

(Going on a tangent now, feel free to skip: I don’t know why more people don’t have beta fish. They cost all of about a dollar, require little to no attention, are super pretty and playful and live in about a cup of water at a pet store were you not to adopt them. If not for just the last reason alone, you should get one right now! Go! Don’t be heartless.)

OK I’m back. So my mom and I were going to buy yet another beta fish and we saw that there were pet adoptions at Petsmart. We obviously went to go see who was there. This isn’t that abnormal for us. I don’t think there has ever been a pet adoption that I haven’t gone to check out. Somehow on the walk over, I had talked myself in to the fact that I wanted a white kitten. Well Annabelle or Gizmo as she was at the time, ick (no offense), was the closest they had. I picked her up and she looked me right in the eyes and hissed. Love. I wanted a sassy friend and she seemed perfect! However, if you know my Dad, you know that just ‘picking up a pet on a whim’ is not really his favorite idea. So, my mom and I left her at the store and went home to discuss it with him first (and my roommates- yes, roommates. I was not living at home). After a looooooong lunch full of ‘responsibility talk', my mom and I decided we had heard enough (and clearly took it all to heart J haha) and headed straight back to adopt her. I was SO excited to have my first pet.

Actually, I guess Penny (my black and white little puppy) was my first pet.

Seriously. Cutest dog ever, am I right??

But, seeing as she lives at my parents house and probably will never leave, I’m not going to completely count her.

After all the paperwork was done and we had purchased about 1 of everything Petsmart had to sell…

I just love her little pink bed :)

We brought her home to a shocked Dad (well maybe not that shocked). Look at this picture-

this is from the first night- he clearly softened up quickly J He’s a big animal lover.

Okay, now for some reasons that I love Annabelle, and you should too:

She loves shoving herself into tiny, tiny places. On a weekly basis, I’ll find her hanging out inside my purse. She weighs all of about 4 pounds and fits in everything. Also on that note, you can often find her under the bottom cabinets in my kitchen, trying to dig her way up into them?? (She has no claws… not that that’s the weird part).

She kisses a LOT. If you stick your nose in front of her face, she’ll give you a kiss. She’s a big cuddler too. She’s always laying in my lap, licking me. I might also note that being licked by a cat is about equivalent to being rubbed by sandpaper. Super fun.

To steal a Jersey Shore term (yes, I went there), Annabelle is the REAL ‘sweetest bitch you’ll ever meet’. See #2 for the ‘sweet’ part. But don’t let that cute little face fool you… if you try to brush her, cut her nails, or really do anything that isn’t her idea, she will bite you so hard and make the strangest noise. Sidenote: If you’re ever in the need for a good laugh, ask me to see her pedicure video.

She LOVES chicken, jelly and crackers. This isn’t even a joke. If I open a jelly jar, she’ll come sprinting!! I tried to feed her salmon, tuna, shrimp, you know… typical cat favorites and she was not at all interested. Now if there’s some chicken on my plate, she will try to nab it.

She is a little, miniature silk ball.

She has the MOST adorable little behind. See? No tail… well I guess technically, she has a nub… and she wags it as hard as she can, all the time

This might not be that unique- but when she gets herself all excited, she RUNS and RUNS as fast as she can and slides across the ground, then sprints back and does that back and forth until the energy burns off.

Last but not least, she has the most beautiful blue eyes.

If you couldn’t tell- getting Annabelle was about the BEST idea I’ve had. I love my little munchkin.

A lil' trip to the Big D!

This weekend, Shawn and I took a little road trip up I-45 to the Big D to spend some time with his family.

Shawn, Sherry and Brendan

Saturday afternoon at White Rock Lake in Dallas

We were celebrating his brother Brendan’s 23^rd birthday! This is the 3^rd birthday I’ve gotten to celebrate with Brendan, all of which have been very memorable (party bus, anyone??)

Here are some pictures I’ve gathered over the years … enjoy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BJ!

21 year old

Signature birthday pose?

6th Street- Austin, TX

Party Bus to 6th Street!

21st Birthday- night 2 in San Marcos

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22 years old

party bus, again!

Signature pose, part 2

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23 years old

Manhattan's in Dallas

Brothers :)

Nita and Lem

If you couldn’t tell, he’s a pretty fun guy!

On a different note, Spring is officially here! I’m sad to see our (barely eligible) winter leave, but after seeing everyone’s spring break tans, I am ready to catch up!

Yeeehaw! It's Rodeo Season!

2 for 2! I can promise this won’t last long.

What is the best thing about being a Texan in March... the Rodeo!!! I know, I know, easy question. Maybe it's because I'm not from here, but I am so drawn to everything about it. I mean, what’s not to love? For those of you not from Texas, you have no idea what you’re missing out on.

The first Rodeo I ever went to was during my freshman year of college to see Brooks & Dunn with my Dad. I’m pretty sure we picked this concert due to our name, considering we didn’t know a single song.

One thing that surprised me is that the Rodeo is so much more than bull riding and concerts.

For the past 2 years, I ran the Connoco Phillips Rodeo 10K. I’ve never been a big long-distance runner. It’s not that I don’t like working out, it’s really that I just HATE the monotony of running. Treadmills (without a TV) might be the least appealing thing to do. Ever. Despite that, I have a long-term goal of running a half-marathon. However, until I reach that point, I will consider these 10K races a decent accomplishment.

This year, my friend Sarah invited me to go to the Rodeo Cook-Off with her. I was way excited about this! In addition to the carnival, there was a huge stage where people such as Cory Morrow and Casey Donahew played, tons and tons of tents, beer, boots and more! Our tent had a live band, open bar and yummy BBQ (Yes, I just admitted I enjoyed a BBQ meal, baby steps). I had the BEST time with some really awesome friends. It is weekends like this when I realize how many special people I have in my life (cliché, I know). But I just love those weekends where you have so much fun with your friends and leave on such a *Natural* high.

Rodeo Cook-Off Friday Night! The 10K was Saturday morning. Not sure that was the best planning.

Rodeo Cook-Off Saturday!

In the past few years, I think I’ve pretty much seen about all the “regular” artists that come to play at the Houston Rodeo. This year, I got to see Clay Walker, Sugarland, Billy Currington and Keith Urban. Believe it or not, Sugarland and Keith Urban were my favorite! After Sugarland’s performance at the CMA’s, I have been less than a fan of her music (her skin-tight shiny leotard and AWFUL dance moves, yes she also pulled those out at the Rodeo, were enough to do me in)… BUT she sang some Britney and Beyonce and completely MADE my night. (Sidenote: Britney Spears will always and forever be my favorite concert). As for Keith Urban, should he ever decide to give Nicole the boot, I will be MORE than willing to step-in.

My sweet, little family at Billy Currington

Shawn and I at Sugarland (in the suite!)

Last, but not least, the livestock!!! Katy and I made it to the Rodeo a little bit before our friends one night and we got a chance to walk thru the cows. Animal lover to a fault here. We met this little fella:

Breakfast Jack (his owner was not that funny) and he was all of 1.5 weeks old. Such a sweet pea.

Although Rodeo Season isn’t quite over yet… it is for me,boo. Maybe I’ll be able to sneak in one more concert before March is over J

Here are a few more pics from year's past:

Nita and I at the Rodeo during college

Black Eyed Peas- AMAZING.

Brooks and Dunn

:)

Brad Paisley (I think)

Rascall Flatts- senior year of college

Silly me, I almost forgot: FRIED FOOD!!!! Pictured below: Fried Oreos and Fried Snickers.

Chi-Town Travels

I have been (secretly) reading many people’s blogs for the last few months and am finally mustering up the motivation to start my own. I am by no means an extraordinary writer, but will try my best :)

About a month ago, I took a trip back home to Chi-Town. For those of you who don’t know, I was born and raised in the Chicago Suburbs (in a town called Naperville). It has been years since I went home and this time, I decided to take someone special with me.

A few realizations I made along the way:

• Driving into Naperville, I didn’t recognize a single thing until we were less than 2 miles from my home. Uhh.. Not sure if I was one of the least-observant children ever or if it has really changed that much?? But I was shocked at how little I remembered.
• It SNOWED our first day in Naperville. I was beyond excited! Our trip was 1 week after one of the worst Blizzards in Chicago history and there was only a 10% chance of snow the entire time we were there… Timing = perfection.
• Downtown Naperville Riverwalk
• I had my first ever drink of alcohol in Naperville (at the age of 24). Yes, I was one of those kids in high school. I was actually quite proud when Shawn pointed this out to me.
• 
  
  First drink = beer. Bar = Jimmy's. No brainer.
  
  
• The museums are not nearly as entertaining as I remember. With that said, the dolphins, whales and sea lions (Aquarium) are still adorable and that will never change.
• The Billy Goat Tavern is one of the most entertaining restaurants... especially if there is a newbie in your group. (Look up the SNL skit)
• I have conquered a big fear of mine. After a few encouraging words (Read: big push), I did this:This is the top of the Sears (Willis) Tower. Sherry and Shawn were not nearly as frightful.
  
• Portillos is still amazing. Italian beef sandwich, mmmm
• Shawn’s family = so much fun. Shawn’s mom Sherry, her boyfriend Jim, his cousin Erin and her husband Sean all came to Chicago with us. Traveling in a group can be one of the best experiences. We had an amazing few days with his family.
• Sherry, Erin and I pic:
• Boot shopping is stressful. Erin and I ended up with the same pair after a frustrating few hours on Michigan Ave. We decided there should be a way to ‘window shop’ from people’s outfits. Seriously, where do they all shop? Upside: good company :)
• We found a bar by Wrigley field, Sluggers, that has batting cages and arcade games. I would be in trouble if all bars were this fun.
• I no longer have my northern accent. Not sure how I feel about this. Especially since I don’t think I have a southern one either. Not sure where that puts me…
• I am much happier in cold weather. Yes, I realize I live in Houston and thus live in outrageous heat about 10 months of the year.
• My boyfriend is truly special. This trip was my birthday gift from him AND he gave me diamond earrings for V-day on our last night in Chicago! More importantly, I think how you travel with someone says a lot about a relationship... and Shawn was the perfect travel buddy.

In summary, this vacation was the best. I highly recommend Chicago to anyone looking for a get-a-way.