Our little guy!

We've had the pleasure of owning a Yorkshire Terrier named Samson for almost 2.5 years. He came to us at 9 weeks old and he is a handful! We love him dearly, but both of us will tell you that we haven't always felt that way. I don't know if any of you (my two readers) have ownded a small dog, but they are very difficult to potty train. It is a very intense and involved process. We did all the research and we knew that it was going to be a long process, but nothing prepared us for the actual experience. "They" say that it can take up to a full year to train a yorkie, sometimes even longer. I will say that it took us a good year until Samson finally turned a corner and is pretty much trained. The first weekend I went up north to pick him up (where we got him from a breeder), I was alone. The Husband had a bachelor party to attend that weekend and I had to take care of the dog myself. By Sunday, I was sitting on the steps outside our condo building, crying because I thought we'd made a mistake. It was a huge undertaking (especially when we live on the 2nd floor of a building with no private yard) and I was beginning to doubt that we were ready.

2.5 years later and I am happy to say that we WERE ready and it's been the best thing we've done, so far. We are so in love with our little guy! He is a very well traveled dog and is always taking trips up north to visit his grandma (my mother-in-law) and great-grandma (my grandma) - HA! Sometimes my mother even takes him up north without us! Samson adores my grandma and doesn't leave her side when he's up north with her. He sleeps all night with her, wakes up around 6:30am and goes to my mom to let him out, eats and then gets back into bed with my grandma to sleep some more. He is ridiculous! Anyway, Samson's been up north for the last week and a half and we miss him very much! He is coming home today and I can't wait to see him :)

Samson, the first day we had him (he's so tiny!):







and Samson recently:



Samson sleeping with my niece up north last summer. Aren't they the cutest?!?

Ray Lamontagne + David Gray = SUCCESS!

The husband and I went to the Ray Lamontagne and David Gray show last night with my cousin and her husband. The venue we went to is such a great place to see a show. It's much smaller than a lot of other venues, so the shows are always more personal and intimate, plus it's outdoors. Last night the weather was perfect - cool, but not cold, and a clear sky. David Gray actually mentioned how awesome it was to be able to see the moon rising up over the back of the hill (it's one of those venues that has the stage, then pavillion seating and then a hill where you can purchase lawn seats).

The performances were outstanding! I'd never seen Ray live before, but have always enjoyed his music. Man, he is an amazing performer!!! He is painfully shy and barely speaks or makes contact with his audience while on stage, but he sings from his GUT!! He is super talented and both The Husband and I are interested in getting more of his music.

I have been a huge fan of David Gray's for many, many years. The first time I ever heard him sing was late one night (around 3am) around 12 years ago after coming home from the bar. I was still living with my parents at the time. I came home, went into my room and turned the TV on. I flipped through the channels and came across a public television show hosted by one of the DJs from a local radio station. Some guy I'd never heard of was singing a song I'd never heard of, but I was instantly hooked. I waited to find out his name (David Gray...duh), the name of the song ("Please Forgive Me") and album (White Ladder) and woke up promptly (at 12pm) the next day to head to my local Borders to purchase a copy of his fourth (!!!) album. At the time, it was the only David Gray CD they had. For those of you who know David Gray's music, you'll understand how surprised I was to hear the studio version of "Please Forgive Me" on the album and how different it was from the acoustic version I'd heard the night before, but I LOVED it!!! So much so that I listened to nothing but that CD for weeks. I went on to purchase all of his previous albums from Amazon UK since I couldn't find them anywhere in the U.S. And it's been true love ever since. I gobble up his albums as they come out and I've seen him about 10 times, probably more. I've met him twice and I've seen smaller, private shows where it's just him, his guitar and 20 or so lucky audience members. Now I've got The Husband hooked, too. David Gray is phenomenal.

Anyway, here some pictures from tailgating before, one of Ray Lamontagne and one of David Gray on stage. Sorry the David Gray one is small and dark, but it was taken with my mobile and it was dark out. My mobile takes CRAPPY pics!

How do I get more followers?

I know I haven't blogged in a while, but it's kind of a vicious circle. It's hard to post when no one's reading, but I'm not exactly sure how to get more followers or readers. I've been reading many, many blogs for a while and I try to comment on their blogs, but I'm not exactly sure how to let them know I have a blog of my own.

So, for the very, very few who may or may not be reading...what can I do?

Giveaway

Over at Magnolias, Marriage, and Manhattan, she's hosting a month of giveaways in honor of her 30th birthday on August 15th! How fun!

You can enter for a chance to win one of these adorable vase wraps from Donovan Designs, compliments of Prim and Paper!



One lucky reader is going to win this black damask with their choice of 1 initial in the green circle.



There are also four chances to get four additional entries, so head on over and enter. Goodluck!

Randomness

The Husband and I frequently joke that we got married way too late in life because we are both completely stubborn and set in our ways.

I love the smell of plastic. Not like plastic cups or garbage bag, but the plastic smell that comes with shower curtains, halloween costumes and ponchos. I know. I'm weird.

My favorit 80's movie is "Better off Dead" with John Cusack.

I absolutely loved (and still love) "Dawson's Creek." Joey and Pacey = TRUE LOVE FOREVER!

I was an extra for 3 days for an episode of "Dawson's Creek." I made an ass out of myself in front of Joshua Jackson and still didn't get the picture with him that I was (and still am) wanting. Idiot.

I made the cut and found myself on television during the sixth season of "Dawson's Creek." There is actually a pretty big close up of my face on the screen and I make the most horrendous face (in reaction to something said by one of the characters).

I love to sing and have a decent voice. I was in the women's choir while in college and did musicals in high school. However, I hate to sing in front of people unless I'm in a large group of people. I get nervous and my voice cracks and shakes.

I love my brother and I know he'd do anything for me, but he is the Golden Child in our family and I kind of resent him, and my parents, for it.

I adore the movie "A Christmas Story" and love to watch it whenever I can during the holiday season (or any other time of the year for that matter). When TBS airs the 24-hour marathon, I just turn the TV on and leave it on all day. My husband (and most of my in-laws) hate this movie and can't stand that I can watch it over and over again. I also own the board game and want to go see the musical when it comes to town this year.

Since the end of June, 2009, I have lost 120 lbs. That's equivalent to one whole person. Insane.

A good friend of mine from high school was married on the TV show "Extreme Makeover: Wedding Edition" and I flew to L.A. (on ABC's dime, natch) and attended their nuptials. It was crazy and an extremely long day, but totally awesome. Liza Minelli (who is crazy in her own right) sang at their wedding!

I LOVE christmas music! I have a ton of songs on my iPod and won't skip them if they come on while I'm listening. I start listening to Christmas music exclusively as soon as they start playing it on the radio (usually at the beginning of November) OR I start listening whenever the heck I want to (usually in mid-October).

I am one of those people who loves their birthday. I know a lot of people dread them and getting older, but it happens no matter how you feel about it. Why not celebrate yourself?!? Seriously, I start "reminding" The Husband that my birthday's coming up at the beginning of the month. It's the one day each year that's about me and my start in this lovely world, so why not enjoy it?