Halloween

Guess I better post about Halloween...considering tomorrow is Thanksgiving!

So this Halloween was super fun because well...we actually live in a neighborhood! With kids and everything! ha 

But before Halloween we had a costume show at work (for the pets!). So, I dressed up little Cocoa as a bumblebee and she looked adorbs. Everyone gave out a big "aww" as she walked across the stage. She absolutely hated her costume, though. She would only keep the headpiece on for about 5 seconds. Petey was a prince and Sammy was a biker dude. We had grand plans to dress them up as 3 different colored crayons, but UPS lost our package and we didn't get it in time. :( But the event was great and I even got my picture with the Fancy Feast cat!

Excuse my face...I think I was talking. But this pic of Cocoa says it all. She's like "get this thing off of me!" 

Sammy was so cute and kept his hat on really well.

Petey as a prince :)

And here's me with the Fancy Feast cat! (I was looking at a different camera)

The actual day of Halloween we lit the candles in the pumpkins and got the candy ready. I put on my devil's outfit (cause I didn't want to buy anything new) and prepared for the kiddos to come. We had so many kids come and they were adorable! Apparently, in St. Louis, kids tell a joke instead of saying "trick or treat" so that was very entertaining. One of my favorite jokes was "What did the ocean say to the beach? Nothing, just waved!" So cute!

Overall is was a great Halloween. Pets in costumes are the best, and the kids are cute too :)

Mizzou Homecoming

A few weekends ago I attended Mizzou's 101st homecoming. It was so great to see my college friends, and to be back in Columbia. I really have missed it!

We arrived Friday, and after a huge fiasco at the Econolodge (NEVER STAY THERE), we headed out the infamous McGinty's. I started going there after college and I just love it. I know the owner and it's a very laid back place, which is what I like these days.

We headed back to the nasty hotel to prepare for an early morning.

Saturday morning we arrived bright and early for some tailgating! The game was at 11am so the tailgating started around 8. It was kind of cold, but not too bad.

Finally, reunited with my sorority sisters! Aren't they so pretty? :)

Doesn't the field look awesome? They revamped it for the SEC.

   

We napped after the game and then ended the night at Trops. Man, I forgot how good that place is! I also got the "Big O" sushi roll from Sake. Nothing beats it. I really wish there was something in St. Louis as good as this roll. YUM.

Like I said before, it was so great to see everyone. I really wish we all lived in the same house (or neighborhood) like the good days at Mizzou. Oh well, the memories I have are priceless.

Randomness.

I don't really have one thing to blog about...so here are some random tidbits :)

1. I went Graph Expo in Chicago for work. It was a crazy long day, but I learned a lot and got to see some awesome new equipment in the printing world. 

2. The Cards lost. Not much else to say. But Jessica went down in style.

3. The fall color is BEAUTIFUL this year! I was in awe, seriously, when I drove down to Cape last Friday. Wow. The first photo was taken in Perryville and the second at Trail of Tears state park. The second photo is un-instagramed and un-photoshoped. The colors were really that beautiful!

4. Cocoa has been extra cute lately, but what's new?

You are welcome for the extra dose of cuteness to brighten up your day!

Jason Aldean / Luke Bryan LIVE!

This past Friday I went to an amazing concert! A few friends of mine and I went to see Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean. It has to be one of the best concerts I have ever been to! Wow are these men talented...

 Here are a few pictures from the night.

Katie, me, Maggie, Katie

Katie and me with Mason and Remy from the Mason and Remy Morning Show.

Shake it for me Luke Bryan!

Katie let me borrow her cowboy boots!

View from our seats.

My old roommate, Maggie, and me. Thanks for getting the tickets! (they sold out in 5 mins!)

A view of how many people were there! It was crazy packed. This picture is from the Bull facebook page.

I had a great time at the concert and I am really pulling for Jason Aldean for entertainer of the year :)

He is my most favorite country singer right now...and he deserves it!

A "no labor" Labor Day weekend

This Labor Day weekend was nice. I didn't do much, which is exactly what I wanted to do. The weekend started Friday night with a trip to Stray Rescue. It was pouring torrential rains, but I remember the girl from orientation saying that when it rains, volunteers don't come. So while I was thinking of many reasons not to go, I talked myself into it. Im so glad I did! I had a great time. Everyone was very nice and so thankful I showed up to help. I only walked two dogs because it started getting scary out there with the wind and everything. I also accidentally saw a very injured and abused dog just out of surgery and I broke down. Started crying right then and there. So between that and the severe weather I decided to go fold some laundry instead. They have TONS since they replace the towels and linens daily. So I folded a tableful of linens and met a very nice special needs man. We had some great conversation. I love meeting people and hearing their stories. I'm not sure if I will be back this week because I am dog sitting! Maybe Saturday or Sunday I'll make it in.

Here's the little guy we are dog sitting!

I think he's really enjoying our house and backyard.

And of course, I have to post a picture of Cocoa too. Duh. 

This is her on Sunday morning being all cuddly.

Sunday evening my parents came up before they left of their trip to VEGAS (jealous) and we went out to dinner and then watched Tower Heist. It was good to get to see them. We cleaned the house, which already needs cleaning again haha.

Monday, Jessica and I went shopping! I got a few shirts and some heels. We ate at a place called "Nacho Mamas." Pretty good! When we returned I made some homemade bread. Well, the breakmaker actually made it, but I put the ingredients in! My mom brought it up for me to borrow. The bread is delicious and much cheaper than buying it. I can't wait to try different variations.

Other than that it was a pretty stress-free weekend. I love having a nice weekend without much going on sometimes, especially since my next few weekends are booked up.

Volunteering is hard.

As some of you may know from my Facebook page, I recently decided to start volunteering at Stray Rescue of St. Louis.

Now a few things you should know...
1. I have never volunteered anywhere before (on a continual basis).
2. Dogs in shelters make me sad. Like very sad. Keep in mind too that Stray Rescue isn't just any "shelter" either. They take in dogs (mostly pit bull mixes) that have been severely beaten, mistreated, under-fed and lots of them have been bait dogs in dog fighting rings. The bait dogs are the ones who they tie down while the fighting dogs "practice". Most of them have scars all over their bodies and heads.
3. I didn't know if I could overcome the overwhelming sadness I would feel.

BUT, I had a realization.

I can't just sit back and not help. Whether I volunteer or not, these dogs will be in the shelter. They need to be walked. They need attention. They need laundry done and kennels cleaned. They need time. They need ME.

As hard as it is for me, it's been a much harder road for them. Just because it upsets me to see all of these dogs waiting to be adopted doesn't mean I shouldn't help.

So I attended orientation. And I almost had a breakdown. I was reassured that no matter how the dogs looked, they were in a MUCH better place than they were before. So I just kept telling myself that.

Afterwards I walked a few dogs and it was really a lot of fun! These dogs are so misunderstood. They are so happy and sweet! I couldn't believe how willing they are to love humans, after being so mistreated by them. The dogs still had scars all over their body and some were still very skinny. Since the orientation, I have gone back once. This time when I went, the volunteers were NOT friendly. I mean not at all. I was so discouraged, and considered not going back. But I realized through this journey there will be lots of trials. I will not let stuff like this stop me from helping these dogs have a better life.

So, I will return Wednesday. I'm hoping for a positive experience with the staff this time. I will keep you all updated on how it goes. I can't wait to see the cute dogs and give them some love and attention!

If you want to know more about Stray Rescue, click here.

Housewarming Party

On Friday night we had a housewarming party! It was so great to have friends come over, see the new place, and drink and eat some bbq. So many people were able to stop by and we had a great time. So enjoy some photos from the evening!

Thanks to everyone for coming!