Crasher Doxie

So, the pups and humans over at Who's Your Dachshund are holding this great contest for all dachshund lovers. You have heard of the Crasher Squirrel, the cute little guy who stole the spotlight from the couple in Canada...well now there is Crasher Doxie. As soon as I saw this...I knew I had to submit an entry. I came up with 2 pretty cute ones I think. Check them out below.

Passport Carrying Citizen

My passport came in the mail yesterday! It was very exciting...now I can travel about the world at my leisure, ha ha. I was really surprised at the pages inside...they are really pretty...they have lots of different patriotic pictures printed on the pages where they will stamp the Visas...I guess its to remind you to come back, who knows. Anyways...I officially have my passport...Colombia here I come!

A Pretty Little Apron

The sewing skills are improving...I made this little apron a few days ago. I think it turned out really well for a first attempt. I found this cute apron at lululollylegs, she has posted a great tutorial. I think I used about 1/2 yard or so fabric of the bright floral and about 3/4 yard of the green fabric. Enjoy the pictures and the freakin' hot model at the end! She looks ready to whip up a batch o'something! Ha Ha!

We're Leaving On a Jet Plane....

...to Colombia. We booked our tickets last night and we will be going to Colombia for Christmas this year. We are really excited. This will be my first time to Colombia and Andres' first time in several years. So, to get in the mood for my future travel plans, I made a passport cover to match my wristlet. I think it turned out super cute and fits just perfect. (That's actually Andres' passport...I have to get mine this week!)

2 Pretty Wristlets

I found a great tuorial for these cute little wristlets at Javajem Knits blog. It is really easy and didn't take too long. I made 2 yesterday. I need a little improvement in the zipper area but for a 1st attempt, I was pretty satisfied. See how cute.

Doggie Vests

One of my favorite blogs in Kalyxcornucopia, a daily blog posted by Baxter, the red dachshund and his human. It is really cute and just fun reading. As I was reading one day, I noticed Baxter had a super cute harness/vest and the post said his human made it. I decided to make a few harnesses for my 2 little doxies. I got the pattern from Hancock Fabrics; Kwik Sew 3517. It was super easy and they turned out really cute. I made a few modifications to meet my specific needs. I got some blue herringbone denim and lime green fleece from the remnants bin, a 1/2 yard of nylon webbing, velcro, and a couple of D rings and got to work. See how they turned out.

A New Toy...

I found myself feeling a little bored this summer and decided I would get a little something to play with to keep my busy. A sewing machine. I am so excited and having a lot of fun. I got a Brother Project Runway Limited Edition from Wal Mart...its a pretty basic machine that has a few bells and whistles. It is really cool. I have my little sewing center all set up in the spare bedroom and am having a ball. Happy Sewing!

Puppy Photo Shoot

With my dad celebrating his birthday this July, the puppies had a photoshoot for his "homemade" gift. Andres and I took the dogs to a beautiful park here in Tyler and took tons of pictures. My dad and Brenda have just bought a beautiful new house and my dad has his very own "Man Cave". What does every Man Cave need? Puppy dog wall art of course. See the puupy pictures below. Enjoy!

Communication Skills Workshop...oh my!

This summer, myself and 4 other deaf ed teachers decided to face the challenge of Communication Skills Workshop held yearly at Texas School for the Deaf in Austin. It was an amazing experience but one that did not come completely easy. We spent 5 days fully imersed in a signing environment while attending 21 different classes learning all we could about American Sign Language, deaf culture, vocabulary, and language. I had a blast and can't wait to go back next summer. Super fun!

I am a Master!

I have officially finished my Master's Degree. I am still in shock...I actaully made it. Who'da thunk it? I finished up this summer and am awaiting my diploma. It seems very strange to not be enrolled in school and worrying about when I am going to do all the assignments I have put off until the last minute. I am so very glad it is done. I feel very accomplished!

Who is a permanent resident?

Andres is! YAY! Andres offically became a permanent resident of the United States this summer, actually on July 3rd to be exact. As we prepared to go out of town to celebrate America's Independence, Andres celebrated his personal American Independence. It was a great day. Almost a year in the making and the light at the end of the tunnel was finally realized. We are so very blessed and excited!

Worst Blogger Award

...and the winner is: Lindsey! It has been FOREVER since I posted. It has been busy around here, but that is no excuse. Things are going really good in our little world. Andres and I will celebrate our 1st anniversary on August 16th. I can't believe it! Seems like just yesterday, yet seems like a lifetime ago that we said "I do". I finished my 2nd year of teaching at Clarkston. I just love my job and have so much fun everyday! Andres is still working hard in school at TJC. I am going to be posting several updates today about everything that has transpired since I posted last. Hope you enjoy!

Where Oh Where???

Sorry I have not posted in a while, things have been pretty busy around here. I have started a new hobby/business venture. I have always loved photography and have always wanted to be a photographer. After feeling the need for a creative outlet, I got a used digitial SLR camera; Canon 20d. I have had a lot of fun already reading and learning and researching and taking pictures of course. I am trying to start my own little photography business and am slowly building a portfolio. Check out my photography blog at http://www.lindseyzeaphotography.blogspot.com/ I am also getting things together to start my website and really advertise my business. Hope you enjoy!

Hmmm...What Next?

My journey as a graduate student is nearing its end and I will soon hold that diploma in my hot little hands. But the closer it gets to being over, I find myself thinking: "Well, what's next?" I have been pondering this question and know without a doubt that the answer is not "Now get my doctrate!" NO MORE SCHOOL! I was thinking the other day about how I would love to write children's books. I don't know the first thing about writing books or anything about the process it takes to get publihsed but it was a thought I had entertained in my brain and thought to myself: "I am going to look into this more. Later. When school is out, etc, etc."

Well, last week we had the TAKS test going on all over campus and I went into the interpreter's office to visit with Karri after she had finished giving the test. As we were visiting, I went into the closet in that office and found lots and lots of teacher books, old student workbooks, textbooks, and right in the middle of the shelf, right at eye level was a book titled: "How to Write and Illustrate Children's Book and Get Them Published" by: Treld Bicknell. I took it from the shelf and began leafing through it. I couldn't believe I was just thinking about this exact thing and there was a book right there, telling me how to do it...spooky huh?!? Now, the book is old and outdated but it was the sign I needed to know that just maybe I can become a published author...how cool would that be? I took the book back to my classroom and am reading through several of the chapters. Anyways...I think that is my next big goal. I am going to write a children's book. I am currently thinking about what kind of book I want to write. I will keep you updated as I move forward on this new journey.

Sweet Smart Dreams....

Andres' car finally bit the dust. We had hoped it would hold us through summer but we weren't so lucky. We have been throwing around ideas about what to get next. I have wanted a Smart Car since the first time I saw one. I think they are so cute, and fun, not to mention totally gas efficient. Well, I think that I might get one! I have sweet Smart Car dreams...ha ha. I think Andres is going to keep driving the Altima and I am going to try and find a used or "orphaned" Smart Car. I can't wait! Check that baby out!

Interview Time

Right after we returned from Austin, we received a notice in the mail from USCIS scheduling our interview. This is another huge step in the process. We will go to Irving on March 12th for our interivew. We will answer questions about ourselves, provide proof and pictures of our life together, etc. It is a nerve wracking thing to think about but we have nothing to hide and are just excited to get going. After our interivew, Andres will get his permant resident status card, yay! One step closer!

On the road to recovery...

It has been a while since I have updated...there has been a lot going on lately. On January 19th, my beloved doxie Oskar had to have emergency back surgery. We had gone to Austin to visit my dad and Brenda and also to pick up my bridesmaid dress for my friend Rachel's wedding. While we were gone, Oskar started acting like he really didn't feel well. By the time we got home Sunday night, he was very wobbily in his back legs, super lethargic, and hardly able to stand. By the next morning, he was totally down in his back legs. We went into the vet that morning and on directions of the doctor, continued on to Dallas to see a specialist. Dr. Bertrand, in Dallas, agreed that Oskar was an excellent candidate for back surgery to repair his ruptured discs which were pushing on his spinal cord and causing him to lose feeling in his back legs.

Oskar had surgery on Monday and was able to come home on Wednesday. Since he has come home, he is healing really well. As part of his recovery he must stay in a pen during the day, sleep in a crate at night, and be on full rest while sitting with me on the couch for 8 weeks. It is a long time but will hopefully ensure Oskar is back and raring to go.

To all Doxie lovers, please keep those little rascals from jumping, on and off furniture, keep their back aligned when they are being held and carried, and also avoid letting the climb stairs.

Cooking and Working Out??

You read right...and Hell hasn't froze over. With the new year came New Years Resolutions. I am finally committing to getting my weight under control, I am tired of fighting it. I am doing Weight Watchers Simply Filling technique. I love it. I am not hungry, feel good, and am eating delicious, healthy foods. So where do these delicious foods come from....my kitchen of course. You heard right...I am COOKING! I never liked to cook before but I have found a new passion. I am constantly on the Weight Watchers boards looking for new recipes. Andres even likes the food...you would never know it is "diet food". I feel so good being able to prepare healthy foods for he and I...I cook and he cleans the kitchen...its a win win!!! Ha! So in the same vein of losing weight came the dreaded exercise. I HATE exercising. I had some Christmas money and decided to give myself the best gift I could...I hired a personal trainer to help me get started with a fitness program and on the right track to LOVING exercising. He is awesome; Aaron. I really am starting to love exercise. We meet once a week and he gives me a routine. I follow it for the week and then we meet again the the end of the week and I get a new routine...I am loving lifting weights and feel so good that I am doing something for me and taking care of myself. Andres is working out too. Tonight, we even tried spinning class...ouch! The seats are entirely too small for my hiney but I think they would be for anyone over the age of 8. We only made it about 1/2 way through the class but I will definetly go back and try again. I did feel good with my sweat soaked hair and shirt! We will keep you posted on our weight loss journey.

Have you missed us?

It has been a great start to the new year, definetly busy. Andres got his work permit right around New Years Day...it was a glorious day. It felt so good to have 1 thing behind us...it was complete and we are on the track to getting his Greencard. He is actively looking for a job now. He got started back in school and is having a great time. He gets to play tennis everyday - he has a good time. I am back at work; it's busy but good. I love my job and my students so that is a blessing. Hope you all had a wonderful New Year and are enjoying 2009 as much as we are.