Photos

Rosebank Market is huge market where people sell their crafts to tourists and some locals. Lots of bargaining and TONS of unique things to buy.

Dancing outside the market

Yael, Matt, Graham & Dani

Graham's family was so wonderful to take us around and show me the country. We went on a mini safari at Glen Afric, just outside of Johannesburg. I'm only posting a few animal pics because I have too many! We had the opportunity to pet a zebra & a few elephants.

More pics coming soon....

We're Back!

Graham and I have been gone for the past couple of weeks in South Africa. I met all of his cousins, aunts & uncles. What a gorgeous country! We did a mini safari (viewing only of course), visited Johannesburg (family), Cape Town (the Southern most part of the country) & Durban (beach town on the Indian Ocean). In Cape Town we stayed BUSY drinking wine at Groot Constania (vineyard), visiting museums, driving to Cape Pointe (where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean), checking out the penguins who naturally live on Boulders Beach, enjoying the views/mountains and walking on the beach. I'll upload the pics shortly so that you check out what we saw on our amazing trip! I'm counting down to our next visit!

Picasso & Paws

We were invited to Picasso & Paws, an art fundraiser for a local animal adoption group. The dogs made art, and we were able to take it home. Jeepers made a beautiful picture. The event took place at an art gallery co-op, and after the dogs made the art, we were all invited into the gallery to look around and enjoy food and drinks. Such a fun Sunday afternoon!

Bella getting cleaned up after making her picture (very messy process, as you can imagine)!

Group shot!

Graham and Jeepers enjoying the gallery after Jeepers created her masterpiece

Have a fantastic week! I'm going to try to do better about updating with pics. I will have some great pics to upload in a few weeks, so check back!

As Promised...

I have updates with pics over the past seveal months! In October, I met a fantastic guy named Graham, and we spend a lot of time together (when he's not working). Most of our time is spent with our families and close friends or mini weekend side trips. We feel so lucky to have found each other.

The Woodlands

Big dinner w/Graham's family when Alice & Trevor were visiting

Brenham for Heather's PT graduation/Birthday party!

I entered Jeepers into a Halloween contest at Petco... Although she was the prettiest fairy there, she didn't win. Apparently the costume had to fit her personality (if you know Jeepers, you know that she's not the most graceful)


Jeepers has a couple of friends (Niko & Sasha) who celebrated their Birthday. They had the party at a custom frame shop (Niko & Sasha's parents own it):


They even had doggy ice cream, which is Jeepers new favorite snack:

Weekend visit with Pawpaw!

Graham's parents & my parents came over for brunch to meet each other. Although I don't have any pics of people, here's the set up:

Drink area

Breakfast buffet area (egg casserole was still in the oven)


The table set up

Long Time

OK... I know... I haven't updated in months. I have had so many new changes and new things going on that I haven't known where to start. Over the past several months I have gone on lots of small side trips, and I'm getting ready to go to South Africa! Life has been busy and exciting, which is always a good thing. Jeepers & Dexter are doing well (in case you were wondering). This weekend, I'm taking Jeepers to an art fundraiser where she will make her own piece of art! I can't wait to show you pics next week!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Change

Sorry I haven't written in a while... I started a new job, and it is a fantastic change! I am very happy. I am learning a lot, and I am able to take on a lot. I love it! Hopefully I'll have photos before the end of the week to show you some things that have been going on!

Yay for new beginnings!

Happy Birthday Bella!

Bella had her 1st Birthday party this weekend! This was Jeepers first doggy Birthday party, and she had a blast. It was also the first time for her to swim in a human pool (instead of the doggy pool at the dog park). I'm pretty sure that she prefers to swim in the dog park pool over the human pool...

The dogs enjoyed running around the pool and jumping in to get the balls

Andrew hosing down Sasha with Bella & Jeepers in the background

Bella & Sasha running around

Bella with one of her Birthday presents- a baby pool

Happy Birthday, Bella!!!!

Rosh Hashanah!

My family celebrated Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish new year) Wednesday evening and Thursday. Wednesday, we had a fantastic dinner at Heidi & David's house before heading off to services. This year Heidi's brother celebrated with us this year. He lives out of the country, and I had not seen him in at least 5 years. Thursday, Grandma hosted a late family lunch (sorry- I forgot to take pictures while we were there)!

Heidi did a beautiful job setting the table!

The family (minus me) eating dessert before we head out for services

Jeepers & Bella

Jeepers & Bella had another play date... I know it's probably VERY boring to see so many pictures of Jeepers, but too bad! I'm so relieved that Jeepers is finally starting to get out of her puppy stage! I'm starting to leave her out of her crate (very short amounts of time), and she's (so far) doing really well! On Wednesday, Jeepers & I went over to Farin's so that she could play with Bella:

Jeepers found Bella's half eaten football

...which turned into a game of keep away!

Stand off!

Don't let Bella get the football! Jeepers in action.

Bella!

I didn't get much accomplished this week, in terms of shopping, but I'll keep you posted with the deals I get on groceries and food. I won't be able to do the $50 in September challege, as a few things have popped up which will prevent me from doing it. :( Hopefully I'll be able to do it in October!

Have a great & safe long weekend!

Happy Birthday Grandma!!!

Last night our family celebrated Grandma's Birthday at Tony's in Houston. My Aunt Ricki came intown from DC to celebrate. I got to catch up with my cousin, Ria (I don't see her very often because she's so busy with tennis) and enjoy a nice dinner with the rest of my family!

Aunt Ricki, Uncle David, Dad & Grandma

Grandma & the cotton candy!

Ria, me & Adam with Grandma, Ricki & Dad

Chocolate Souffle- YUM

Happy Birthday, Grandma!!!!

Tax Free Weekend

This past weekend was 'tax-free' weekend in Texas, so all clothing under $100/item was tax free. Gap had a promotion that the first 50 customers in their stores will receive a new pair of jeans valued up to $69.50. I got to Gap on Saturday morning at 8am expecting to wait in line. Not a single person there! The location near me didn't even know that they were supposed to open at 9am. They ended up opening the doors at 9:25, I grabbed my jeans & headed over to a different Gap to get another pair! Amazing deal- 2 FREE pair of jeans (aka $140 FREE!!!!!). I had also purchased a Gap Groupon ($25 for $50 worth of clothes). I was able to stock up on undies & comfy clothes.

Weekend shopping:

$140 jeans--------------------> FREE

$126 Gap clothes/Groupon---->$25

$36 groceries------------------>$12.36

$61 Target run----------------> $34.26

Approx $70 for groceries, clothes & essentials!

I'll be living off of my groceries (the weekend trip and last week's trip) for the next week! Starting September 1, I'm going to challenge myself to live off of $50 worth of food for a month ($50 will include all meals)!

Have a fantastic week!

Kroger Groceries

I have one perscription that is renewed monthly. I transfer it around to different pharamacies because many of them offer gift cards to their store. I recently transfered a perscription to Kroger to get $25 in groceries. I went to the grocery store last night to stock up on frozen foods (for nights when I'm too tired to prepare dinner) & snacks (for while I'm at work). Although I didn't use many coupons, I still had a great savings because many of the Kroger brand items were on sale. Before I went to the store, I loaded coupons electronically to my Kroger card.

Kroger brand chips: $1/bag--> online coupon $0.25 off --> $0.75 per bag

Quaker rice cakes (hiding in the back): $1.99 --> on Sale $1.48--> Kroger plus card --> $0.99

Kroger brand wheat crisps: $1.89--> on Sale $1.48

Southbeach protein bars: $2.89 --> $1.50 online coupon -->$1.39

Kroger brand crackers: $1.50 (on sale)

Kroger brand oatmael: $1.46 (on sale)

Skinny cow: $1.39 -$1.00 coupon --> $0.39

Kroger ice cream: $2.89 on sale for $1.38 -$0.50 --> $0.88

Raspberries: $2.50 (on sale)

Tina's burrito: $0.49

Budget Gourmet frozen dishes: on clearance for $0.71

SPLURGES OF THE DAY:

Nestle's mango popsicles (I'm obsessed): $3.49

Jarlsburg cheese dip (I'm obsessed): $3.22

Total Spending: $22.39 (but really free because I had a $25 credit... Now I have $2.61 left on the card). If I had skipped out on my 2 splurges, I would have spent $15.68.