Dog Pawty

Have you ever heard of an idea that sounds so ridiculous that you are eager to partake? Well, this weekend, I attended Winston's Birthday Pawty. Winston - The Old English Sheepdog. I met Winston and his family at Francesca's while out shopping for some stellar deals. If you haven't ever seen me around an Old English Sheepdog, it's a show in and of itself. I got so excited that we had to take a picture and become friends on Instagram. We later received a birthday party invitation to Winston's Pawty, in which I then took it upon myself to invite my entire family. I'm going to close Oliver's ears and tell you a little secret; I have always wanted an Old English Sheepdog. Oliver is a mix between an Old English Sheepdog and a Standard Party Poodle. He is supposed to have beautiful shaggy hair like the rest, but I'm sometimes a bad mom and don't brush him out as often as I should. So, we have to shave him down. And then I let it grow a couple of inches, and then shave him down. I'm just way too busy cuddling him. Yes, Oliver is spoiled rotten. At Winston's birthday party we got a cute little gift bag and dog treats and goodies. I was so overjoyed with all of this dog sassiness. Just an FYI, Oliver turns two in March.

The party was on Saturday and literally like clockwork, Sunday happens. When I grew up, Sunday was the most important day of the week. I absolutely loved Sundays. We would wake up in the morning and go for a run, head to church, go to the grocery store, make lunch, watch football, and always have a family dinner. Sundays were for spending time with family. Sundays are for spending time with family. Not that we didn't spend enough time together, but for some reason, Sunday was always different. Sunday was special.

Travis and I moved from Austin this year once he graduated from UT. I was very proud of all his accomplishments and wanted him to find the job of his dreams, but both of our hearts were in Austin. The idea of moving to Houston was something we both had to wrap our heads and our hearts around. We would leave behind our little condo where we first lived together and start a new life in Houston. Even though I was sad to leave Austin, I knew we would finally be in a place where we would both have full time jobs, live closer to family, and be able to spend a lot more time together. I had something to look forward to and the move was sounding better each day. I quit my job in Austin, found a job in Houston, and started taking the necessary steps. We found a new apartment and got all of our mail transferred, but I soon found out that the mail wasn't the only thing getting a new address. Travis' work moved him to Louisiana where he would live and work for a year. Sunday doesn't dissolve into thin air when you are going to be alone. I try to spend Sunday with my family when I can and still do family dinner, but it isn't the same without your partner in crime. And yesterday, I had a breakdown. I was looking forward to the weekend so much, that the rest of the week was passing me by. All of the days I had missed were catching up with me at once.

I felt like a failure as a "dog parent" and I felt alone in my day to day life. As silly as it sounds, Oliver got excited and pounced towards somebody in the lobby of our apartment. He was on a leash, he didn't jump, he didn't bark, and he doesn't bite. Oliver is huge and very frightening, especially if you are seeing him for the first time. It startled my neighbor who got very upset with the interaction. I felt horrible. All I wanted to do was make the situation better. I wrote her an apology letter and left it at the concierges desk. I went upstairs and I literally broke down. As we all know, it wasn't the small interaction that made me break, it was everything leading up to it. I was frustrated. I was alone. and I had just been humiliated by Oliver and yelled at in public. Maybe my neighbor was having the Monday Blues, too. We all have struggles. I prayed that my letter made her feel better. As I always preach, remember the good. I had dinner with my parents on Tuesday, got to see my sister three times in one week, drank one too many margaritas, saw half of the movie IT, went on a few runs, drank an excessive amount of coffee, made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, went to a dog party, had family dinner on Sunday, and I was able to make a Juiceland stop. I had a great weekend! You never know what the person in the car next to you is going through. We need to embrace each other through this crazy life. Talk in the elevator. Laugh when it's funny and cry when it hurts. Dance in the rain. Share your smile. Apologize. Be vulnerable. Give hugs often. Snuggle. Find the joy in your everyday life because no day is worth taking for granted. Your smile could change someone else's entire world.

Look at this adorable family (My Dad, Mom, oldest sister, Jennifer, Bonnie, and Me in the middle).

My jeans (below) are the jeans I bought at Franchesca's when I met Winston. I bought them when all jeans were $19.99

My top (below) is from Buffalo Exchange. The brand is "First and I" - Originally $45 and I bought it for $12.

On the left - Me and Winston in Francesca's the day we met. Love at first sight.

Winston and Oliver (right) at the birthday Pawty.

Steve Madden Nola Dress Mules (left) bought for $38, originally $120

#Inspiration #Thrifty