Kohl's and Kids

 In Texas, we have tax free weekend right before school starts back. I have tried it before, and it just seems to me that they raise prices and then cut them to make you think you are getting a deal. On top of that, you have to fight crowds. After it is over, everything is wiped out.

My oldest has needed a few shirts for awhile now. He hates shopping for clothes, and I am tired of buying clothes for him and having to return them. I knew, if I did not force him to go with me, it would mean facing crowds or wiped out merchandise. So, I somehow got him to Kohl's today and got a few things. It's a good thing he is not a girl, or he will make no sacrifice what-so-ever in the name of fashion. It can look great or have his favorite game logo. It does not matter unless it is completely comfortable.

I tried on few things. I think the heat has me so over summer that I am even sick of the clothes. Truthfully, I am hoping to lose weight before fall.

Paisley waiting patiently in Kohl's dressing room.

I make pink look good

I ran to Target and just happened to go down the pet isle. I glanced at the collars, and there was one I just could not resist. Pink and sparkly. If it had been one or the other, then I might have resisted. It did not help matters that I had recently picked up a pink polka dot bow. They were meant to go together and meant for Miss Paisley. I came home an put them together and on Paisley. So cute and so girly. Love it! I don't know what it is about pink but I just absolutely love it. It just makes me feel happy!

Okay, did any one else catch the Bachelorette? Of course, I watched it. I thought all along it might be Chris. They seem very happy. So nice to see a happy ending.

Farmer's Market

We have had a nice weekend. Saturday morning we got up early and went to the little farmers market where we live. We came home and had a nice breakfast with some items found at the market.

Today on Iron Chef, the secret ingredient is chihuahua! 

Say What?!?!

It has been so very hot. I am always torn between wanting to get out and go somewhere and do something or staying home and hiding out from the heat. I try and tell my self to work on projects or cross things off the dreaded to do list on days when it is so hot. So, that is what I did Saturday. I worked on some things around the house and cooked. I like to have food ready for Sunday, so we can just relax before the week starts.

Oh, and of course I took pictures of  Paisley. She is such a good sport. I don't think that I have had this much fun since my kids were babies!  

Crazy days but Paisley makes it better

We have had a busy and kind of crazy end to this week. The crazy part started with a  Dr's appointment. I got to the doctors office and got out of my car. I saw one of Paisley's dog bags, that looks more like a purse, and thought I might better toss it in the trunk. I forgot that my trunk has been temperamental about closing, or I never would have considered this.

First of all it makes this noise when you use the remote that I can only describe as someone killing a Penguin. It's a kind of shrieking sound. Second of all, you have to push the button about three times and then it finally shuts.

Well, I pushed the button repeatedly to no avail, and due to the horrid sound people around are looking. I would try and shut it, nothing. Maybe a good slam? Nope. I finally had to surrender to the fact that it was not going to close. So I called from the parking lot and canceled my appt. I found an old phone charger, tied it semi sort of shut, and drove slowly home. It popped open before I was even half way there.

I really wanted to discuss changing my thyroid medicine that I am on, so I was really frustrated that I have to wait! The bright side I got to come home to my sweet Paisley girl. It really does make you feel better when you come home to sweet snugly puppy who is so thrilled to see you. I remember Bonnie Hunt saying for most people "Your dog is the only one that is going to greet you like your a rock star when you walk through the door." So true!

Oh and miss Paisley has adjusted quite well to staying in the bathroom. That's my girl. I am so proud of her!

Another hot day in Texas. Paisley staying cool in front of a fan.

Heatwave and shopping. Gotta love Texas!

We needed to get dog food and desperately needed to get groceries today. The weather man said it would hit a high of around 102 today. So Paisley, the boys, and I decided to head out early.

I am from California originally and, even though I have lived in Texas much longer, I have forever been spoiled by California weather. I complain through the heat and humidity of summer and the near death tornado fears of spring here in Texas. I guess I complain a little through winter when it has been gloomy for what seems like forever and I long to see the sun. I am a very happy fall person, and I really do love Texas. It is a wonderful place to live. At certain temperatures, too hot or too cold, I tend to plan my days around the weather if I can. So today was an early day.

Petsmart, Walmart and Costco.

Paisley rode in her new bag in the front of the cart at Costco.

Can you see me? I am in here.

She was a very good girl. She just laid in her bag and chewed her Nylabone. They had Popcornopolis today at Costco. That stuff is my Kryptonite. I wanted to run the other direction when my youngest son said look. Then I thought, why should they suffer because of my weakness. So I gave in. I  am pretty safe as long as they don't choose zebra flavor. They chose cheese, kettle corn, and a new flavor cinnamon bun.We opened the cinnamon bun tonight. I just thought I would have a little taste. Yum! Who knew popcorn could taste so much like a cinnamon bun. So much for low carbs for today!
 

Hey, where's the cinnamon bun flavor? I'll never tell.

As you can see Paisley was worn out from our day. She will most likely get a second wind about the time I am ready for bed.

Lazy Sunday afternoons and Hallmark

We had a lazy Sunday morning.

Even the dogs were lazy.

Miley loves to snuggle on a good blanket or anything else for that matter. 

My husband made my favorite meal. I call it pizza eggs because to me they taste like pizza. I guess it's because they have ham, sausage, bell peppers and onion. Yum!
 

Paisley cannot have onions, so she had her usual fried egg. I would not dare try to give her scrambled eggs again.

 We watched a Hallmark movie that we had recorded and also the new Hallmark series Cedar Cove featuring Andie McDowell. It was only the second episode We really like it so far. I love the Hallmark channel. I like that it has movies that are generally kind of happy and uplifting with a good message.

I am trying to get Paisley used to staying in the bathroom this week since she is obviously done with her crate. I thought I might leave her out with the big dogs but no matter how I try to puppy proof I just see too much for her to get into. So I am giving her short stays in the bathroom. Maybe Bella will stay in with her on the first stay that is a little longer. I am sure she will be thrilled.

We watched the Bachelorette tonight. It was kind of sad and a little painful to watch. A whole lot of crying. Reminded me of dating and break up days, and I have to say I don't miss it. If I were in her shoes I would have saved my tears for after he left and focused on the guys that seemed to really care. I know, easier said than done.

Miss Priss

I have been putting Paisley in her car seat in the back seat lately, because the kids have been with me most everywhere I have been. My youngest sits back there with her, and she has been fine with it. Today, I ran to Sonic for happy hour. It is just around the corner, and it is so hot. So, I just sat her next me.

Later today, I had to run the kids a few places. So, I put Paisley in the back seat in her car seat, and we headed out. Paisley started whining and fussing almost as bad as when I leave her. I thought maybe her fur was stuck in the buckle or something. I had my son check and there was not a thing wrong. I was really getting worried and then it hit me. She was having a fit, because I had put her up front with me earlier in the day.

Sometimes it shocks me that she could be that smart. I stuck to my guns and made her stay in the back, and she settled down once she figured out that I was not giving in. Safety first.    

Collars and chewing

Paisley has this weird issue with collars. She crams her lower jaw under them and very patiently chews. It looks horrible and painful and completely freaks me out! I want to put her in all sorts of cute collars. The only one I have found so far that she can not manage to get her lower jaw under is a rather inexpensive one from Target.

I guess I just need to go purchase several different patterns of that collar. I just finished trying to unclasp her new cute chevron collar while her lower jaw was stuck in it. I am kind of panicking. What is Paisley doing? She is chewing, as I work on the clasp. I have said it before and I will say it again. It's a good thing she is so cute, and I love her so much!

Some pictures of Paisley in two new dress that I bought at Ross.

Looking angelic

 

Paisley may be a fashionista, but she is a frugal fashionista. Her dresses were $4.99 at Ross and her collars were $3.99 for two. Not too bad.

Speaking of  Ross, I have a funny story. One day I was near Ross, so I decided to pop in and see if they had any new pet items. I have taken Paisley there forever. I always walk right past the quality control/security guy that is in the front with her fully in view and he says hello.

The first time I took her there, I checked the sign it said nothing about dogs. So on this particular day, I found a few items and was standing in line. The cashier kept giving me the dirtiest look. When it was my turn, she said "you know we do not allow dogs in here". It was not that she said it that bothered me but how she said it. So very rude.

The lady behind me talked about how calm and quite Paisley was, and she had thought I had a stuffed animal in my arms. So the cashier said it again to me only this time she mentioned the sign. I really was not in the mood to get into it with her, so I did not say anything. I did however take my phone out to the sign snap a picture and take it back to her.

Here it is:

 I told her the sign said nothing about dogs and since we were not eating, drinking, soliciting, or smoking there really should not be a problem. She went on to say, in her ugly tone, "well they must have changed it".

I understand that dogs are not welcome everywhere and honestly don't mind. I just don't understand how some people have to be so nasty. The really funny thing is the next time I went in with Paisley the security guy stopped me and asked me all about Paisley. He told me all about his dog while petting her. That lady was just a few feet away.

Funny moments during photo shoot:

Excuse me?!?!?!

Much better

 

"Momma" Miley making sure everything is OK

Kind of gives you a new perspective of how small she actually is!

A shopping we will go

Paisley and I are headed out to do a little shopping and get some lunch.

Paisley loves bags

 

Paisley will get it in any bag without hesitation at 10 months old. She loves to go "bye-bye" in bags and will stay in one the whole time we are out. She is all girl (loves bags and shopping)!

This N That

I was so tired yesterday. My son woke me up twice the night before because he had a nightmare. I knew I had a day of running my oldest a few places, so I just wanted to sleep in a little. Paisley is usually really good about sleeping when I sleep. Not yesterday. She was running around and getting into any little thing she could find. It has been awhile since we have had a puppy and usually Paisley is so good that I can almost forget she's still a puppy. Yesterday morning she reminded me. I finally gave her a chew toy and tucked her beside me for awhile.

Today we went to get my hair cut and ran to one store to grab something. I guess being still that long allowed her to store up some energy. She and Miley were chasing each other all around the house. Our floors are a little slick so every once in awhile one of them does what I call the cartoon run. They try to build up some speed but just end up running in place. They love to play together. We are lucky that Miley is very gentle.

We took Miley to obedience school when she was very young. She was taught the command gentle when taking food from your hand, and she is so smart that you can tell her to be gentle in other ways and she will. Paisley is so trusting when they play that she will sometimes stick her whole head in Miley's mouth. A little gross if  you ask me. It reminds me of the man sticking his head in the lions mouth.

I think everyone is getting a bit of cabin fever. It is so hot and humid that it makes it hard to get outside as much as we would like. I love summer but I am starting to look forward to fall.    

Princess Paisley

2 Questions:

Am I still a princess if my tiara is on my head with tape?
Am I still a princess if my tiara is actually a party favor purchased at Target?

No matter, she is my little princess!

The Chihuahua Diet

I have been working around the house today, so I am just now sitting down to eat something for lunch. I decided to sit at the computer desk to eat and get caught up on a little Facebook. Naturally, I am holding Paisley. It dawned on me that I may have just discovered the Chihuahua diet. If you hold the Chihuahua while eating, of course you are going to share your food with her and if  she is sitting in your lap against your stomach,  you are going to feel full sooner. So all the way around you eat less. Having a Chihuahua makes me healthier in sooo many ways.

Cupcakes and car seats

You're my Honeybunch, Sugarplum Pumpy-umpy-umpkin, You're my Sweetie Pie You're my Cuppycake, Gumdrop Snoogums-Boogums, You're the Apple of my Eye And I love you so and I want you to know That I'll always be right here And I love to sing sweet songs to you Because you are so dear . © 1994 Amy J. Music (ASCAP) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Paisley rode in the back seat in her car seat today. I was afraid that she might whine or cry being in the back seat. But, Paisley, being true to form, just went with the flow. We haven't had this seat for long, but she loves it. She can see out of the window. She had a harness dog seat belt that she was less than thrilled with. The car seat was one of my Tuesday Morning finds for $19.99.

Can you tell that it was hot today?

The Greater Escape

We went to a party yesterday, so Paisley had to stay home with the other dogs. I always put her in the hallway in her dog crate, and there is a baby gate that separates the hallway from the living room. We come home, and I hear Paisley's "good you're home, come get me out of this thing, I can't believe you would actually leave me" shrieking, but it seems different this time. It seems closer. It seems closer because it is. I look at my husband as we approach the door and say "I think she is right there. I think she is right behind the door". We open the door and sure enough there she is.

We get inside and I walk over to the hall to inspect the scene of the crime. The baby gate is still up and her crate door is open.  The only thing we can figure is that she worked on the latch with her little paws until she got it open. I have seen her use her paws kind of like a raccoon before. She has probably been practicing every time we leave her, and yesterday was the day she perfected her technique. As far as the baby gate goes, I have left her with my husband before, and he will have her on that side with him.When I get home, she crawls up it to a point or jumps so high she could almost clear it. No real surprise there.

So, she may be staying out with the other dogs now. Thankfully I take her most places with me. My baby is growing up. No one puts Paisley in the corner.

No more kennel for me! I am staying out with the big dogs.

Today was national ice cream day. So of course we had to celebrate by having ice cream at one our favorites, Bruster's.

Paisley had her very own dish of vanilla with a dog bone. She loves ice cream but was not touching hers. Finally I took the bone out she ate the ice cream then the bone. I guess she likes her ice cream with the bone on the side.

A little bit of Sarah

We were recently asked to get some pictures together for a party. In going back through all of our pictures, it was so neat to look back at our lives. We have been so blessed. I have such a wonderful husband, and when I look back through the years, I am reminded so much of how he loves me and our kids and how hard he has worked to give us a great life and make us happy.

I know this does not have much to do with Paisley, but in a way it does. She is just another example of one of those wonderful things my husband has done to make me happy.

The other thing that going back through pictures has reminded me of is a little red dachshund we had named Sarah. I got Sarah through a friend of mine. A girl that she worked with had to flee from an abusive husband, and so she turned her over to my friend to find her to a good home. I drove up to my house and there was my friend with Sarah. I took her then and there. You could tell she had really been loved. You could also tell she had experienced some unpleasant things. She was afraid of men for awhile.

She was such a sweet, easy going dog. She had the perfect dachshund color and form. I got her when my husband and I were dating. She was with us through dating, marriage, moving, 2 miscarriages, and two babies. She loved my kids. She just went with the flow. As long as she was with us she was happy. She lived to be seventeen. I always wished I could have found her original owner and told her what a blessing she had been to our family and that she lived a long and happy life.

It broke my heart when I had to make the decision to put her down. My kids still cry over her from time to time to this day. I am so glad she lived long enough for them to know her. She was a great dog. Paisley reminds so much of  Sarah in so many ways. I told my husband I believe God made Paisley just for me, and when he did he sent down a little of  Sarah within her.

My little Paisley sleeping.

My precious Sarah a few months before going to heaven

    

In my car seat on our way to go shopping.

Traveling can be tiring.

Just hanging out with some new friends at the toy store.

Mall with friends

Lunch at the mall today with friends. Waiting for mom to give me a bite.

Out cold. Can you tell where I have chewed my bag? Good thing that I am cute!

Falling asleep in my bag

Crazy Chihuahua Lady

It's official. I am the crazy chihuahua lady! I have told you that I like taking Paisley on dreaded errand runs. The post office is one of my worst. I dread it. I put it off as long as I can. The next one is getting the oil changed in my car. So the day finally arrived that I had to get the oil changed.

Paisley and I took a seat and waited for our car. We talked to a very nice lady. She left and a man walked in and sat down next to me. So here I sit with Paisley on my lap, and I tell her that they are almost done and then we will go. The man next to me says "excuse me". He thought I was talking to him. I casually reply, "oh I'm sorry. I was just talking to my dog". I realize this sounds a little nuts. So I launch into an explanation that I'm really not a crazy chihuahua lady at the auto lube with a chihuahua on my lap.

"It's just that, well you see, I have boys, and boys don't always want to go shopping with you. I told my husband for years that I wanted a little dog that I could take with me, and he finally got her for me and she goes everywhere with me." At the end of my explanation, I realize this still could be construed as a little nutty so I say, "okay maybe I am the crazy chihuahua lady". He laughs and says no. I then pull out my cell phone and get a few pictures of her sitting in the chair all by herself. I am just so darn proud that she will  just sit in a chair in public if  I tell her to. Not bad for a nine month old dog. I had to get a picture so I could share it.

Then, there was this morning. Last Thursday I completely slept through trash pick up. I was so mad at myself! When it is 102 degrees out you do not want to miss trash day! I did not care what happened this morning. The trash was going out.

Paisley hates, and I mean hates, to be put in her kennel. When I put her in her kennel, she screams like there is no tomorrow.The only thing worse, than her screaming, is my youngest whining because she is screaming. So I stuck her in her front carrier ( yes I have one) and strapped her to me. It was raining pretty good, so I threw on a jacket over the dog carrier. My oldest son was helping me. I made the comment to him that I hoped none of the neighbors were watching me with a dog strapped to the front of me in a big jacket taking out the trash. They would probably think I had completely lost it. Out comes my neighbors daughter she stands in the rain and watches us for a moment. She comments, "Is it trash day?" I really wanted to say "uh, no we just thought it would be fun to strap on a dog and some jackets and haul trash to the curb in the rain for sport." Instead, I just told her it was.

Oh well, to be honest I really don't care if people think I am the crazy chihuahua lady. For the record I don't think that most people do. Paisley makes me happy everyday. She makes life fun. She also allows me to meet many people that I normally would not even talk to.

Sonic Saturday, Sunday Nap, and rain in July

We had very busy weekend, a long but great day at church, and Vacation Bible School last week. It had been so hot, but today we finally got some relief. Temps in the 70's and rain glorious rain. The kind of rain I like, consistent but soft and nothing life threatening. We really need it!

Friday night it was so hot, my husband and I looked at each other and said this is ice cream weather. So off to Sonic we went for half price shakes after 8:00. Paisley agreed.

Waiting for my ice cream.

 She is always up for a car ride and always up for ice cream. Don't worry, she just had a little and shared the rest with Bella and the labs when we got home.

Mmmm....yummy!

I have to add that my oldest and most finicky child( when it comes to food) ordered a peanut butter and bacon milk shake.Yuck! He actually loved it. That's just a waist of calories if  you a ask me.

Saturday was just kind of a blur of getting things done around the house and preparing for a busy Sunday.
Finally this afternoon we got to slow down and do things like read the paper and take a nice Sunday after noon nap while it rained.

Do you want to read this or take a nap?

I love my doggy brother!

I love Sunday afternoon naps. My parents always made us take one and I guess it is just ingrained into my body. Glad to have my Paisley to snuggle with.

We are supposed to continue to have good weather this week so we are looking forward to getting outside and enjoying it before the heat returns. I can't believe this is Texas in July but I won't complain!