Samson....

Last night was a rough night for Samson with the storming and it was warm in my apartment because they still have the heat on!!!  

This morning while I was in the shower, he was sitting up against the tub on that little green mat.  Considering the bathroom is where BATHS HAPPEN... he doesn't really ever go in there.  Every so often when it storms I catch him lying on the little rug near the sink.  

So when I was done showering, I opened the door to grab my towel and he climbed right in.

Into the tub.  Voluntarily.

I figured when I was done drying off he would come out and follow up.  He did not.  So I grabbed this photo...

Then, I went into my room to finish getting dressed.  After I dried my hair, I went to check on him... and he was lying in there.

I thought FOR SURE when I turned the light off, he would come out.  But he didn't.  I actually gave him his treat and left the house while he was still lying in there.  We'll see where he is when I come home.

My big furry baby

Yesterday I had to make an impromptu visit to the vet with Samson.  I can't explain exactly what prompted me to take him except that he was not acting like his normal self.  He wasn't excited on the walks and Tuesday night he followed me around the apartment.

The vet thinks he pulled a muscle in his back.  They gave him some pain medication and restricted his exercise (boy, he's going to hate that soon).  So I stayed and worked from home yesterday so I could keep an eye on him.  I'm not sure if it was good or bad... because he spent most of the afternoon bugging the crap out of me.

Case in point.... he would sit at my feet and stare at me/put his head on my computer.  Then he would lay down on the floor and sleep for a bit.... but not without giving me this sad face first.

Finally, he took a good nap at my feet so I could actually get some things done.  Later in the afternoon, he got all pathetic on me.  I wish I had grabbed pictures, but I video chatted with my mom to show her.  He was on the couch, trying to sit on my lap and at one point was sitting on my chest with his feet on the arm of the couch.  At last, he laid down on the couch next to me for an hour or so.

Thankfully, this morning he had a bit of pep back in his step.  I have a feeling the short walks are really going to annoy him in a couple days, but I prefer to be cautious right now.  Good luck Megan while you watch him this weekend. :)

On un-Samson related note, I finally was able to paint my nails for the wedding this weekend.  I went for a mauve-nude color with some silver sparkle.  I like that the sparkle is light enough that you can't really see it, but sparkly on the tips.

 *nude color - OPI "My very first Knockwurst", sparkles - OPI "Which is Witch?"

Lastly, it's been in the 70s here most of this week.  Which is awesome.  Today I tried to throw on a casual look that I could wear at work and then out to dinner tonight with some work people.  I may change shoes before dinner, but I think the outfit is on the nice enough side.

*shirt - Express, pants - Gap (last year), shoes - Target

Everyone is getting really excited for Lauren and Kevin's wedding this weekend and getting to see all the family.  I can't wait until 3pm so I can leave work and start my weekend!

Weekend Roundup

Okay, this really isn't a proper weekend round out.  But I snagged a few photos so here it goes...

Friday, I went to the Cubs game with a CVB group.  The weather was pretty gloomy, but I still had fun.  The game was pretty exciting at the end which made it worth sitting through to weather.  Also, suites - not that bad.

 Not a bad view, huh?

Also, since I got back into town, Samson has been SUPER clingy... for a not clingy dog.  He follows me in whatever room I am in.  He was lying by my feet the whole time I was on the couch.  He's been sleeping the whole night next to my bed.  Even this morning, he laid in my room while I got ready and followed me to the door.  It's making it really hard for me to leave in the morning.  He's still his peppy self when we walk even though he's not eating a ton.  I don't know if something is going on with him or if he's just feeling weird.  This Saturday is his 9th birthday.  Old man!

After running errands on Sunday, I walked over to Marshalls with the goal to find a tiered serving tray that I could use for my jewelry and ended up finding these towels for the bathroom.   Mom found some great fabric for me to use in the kitchen for a curtain and I think I can use some of this in the bathroom as well.  I've been needing to buy some new towels, so I'm glad I found nice ones.  With the blue in the tub and the yellow, I think its a nice mix of color.

Lastly, and totally random, I played Michael Jackson experience yesterday afternoon for an hour or so.  By myself... and I worked up quite a sweat.  Next time I'll move the couch and REALLY get into it. :)

Spring... it's here (but I don't want to jinx it)

Today, on my first day back from Baltimore, I went to the Cub's Opening day game.

I love baseball.  I love the atmosphere and I love my crazy neighborhood.

I didn't stay too long because it was a business function and I was there alone.  I ended up coming home early (perks to being walking distance from the park) and took Samson for a nice long walk along the lakeshore path.  We took a pit stop at the little doggie beach so he can interact with some dogs off the leash.

Doesn't he look so happy??

I'm really excited for spring and summer.

The one with a random list of updates

As the title suggests, please enjoy this random list-style update.  Those of you that care, this will include a NEW date update.

1. I finally found shoes to wear for Lauren's wedding.  I don't know why I had such a hard time with this, but I did.  I managed to find this pair of Steve Madden's on the clearance rack at DSW for under $40.  Awesome!  (sorry this picture is blurry, I was rushing.)

1. So I had a date on Friday.  A date I had completely forgotten about.  This was one of the last guys I was talking to before my Match subscription ended.  We had a hard time scheduling something and had tentatively planned an outing for Friday.  I basically left it up to him and on Thursday night, he texted me to confirm plans.  We met up for dinner and it was nice.  He was cute (and actually looked pretty much like his picture), though pretty quiet.  Could've been because he's quiet in general or that he worked all day and was tired, but I carried the bulk of the conversation.  We left the night with a hug and him saying he would be in touch.  I had a good enough time to at least go on a second date, but I'm not too sure he did.  So we'll see.  By the way, this is what I wore out.

*shoes, Target, jeans, Express, Shirt - Express

1. On Sunday, I ended up staying home to get some things done and Samson attempted to lay outside for like 10 minutes.  Seeing as how we've almost lived here for a year, I'm taking that as progress.  Baby steps, Samson.  :)

I'm heading tomorrow to DC to spend a day visiting with Sara and I can't wait!!  A day of activity and fun before I head up to Baltimore for a week for work.

Interruption

I interrupt my regularly scheduled outfit posts, whining about match, and general crabbiness to share some photos of Samson.

Why?

Because he's just so darn cute!!

 *lying on my lap because of the storm

 *following me EVERYWHERE and sitting next to my while I make dinner... because of the storm

 *Loving the snowy cold

<3

One Week...

One week until Christmas and I am not ready!  I only have about 20% of my gifts bought.  Nothing is wrapped.

I have two reviews to give for work today and two more later this week.

I CANNOT wait to be off work all next week.  I'm going to take one day of doing nothing but reading in bed.

For now.... enjoy this picture of Samson.  He's so spoiled, I let him lay on the couch with me on Sunday.

Why I am not a full time artist

I posted on Monday about my attempt to create some artwork for my living room.  Something I had been avoiding for over a month.

Well, after nights of working and reworking... and reworking the art, I finally put the paints away and stepped away from the canvases.  :)

here's a close up

I have a deep respect for people who are truly artists.  It's agonizing for me to sit there any not scrutinize my work.  I would never get anything accomplished.

Finally, last night after the canvases were completely dry, I hung them and cleaned up my mess in the dining room before my mom gets here this weekend.

I had two of the same size canvases but I hung one vertically and one horizontally to fit in the two walls that separate the dining room and living room.

The longer they are up there, the more I like them.  So at least I have that going for me.

  The full view - please note who has found his way onto the couch...

This guy is now just starting to use the rain as an excuse.  It was barely raining and not even storming when he forced himself onto the couch while I was skyping with Kayla and the Hales last night.

As you can tell, it was super stressful...

He's lucky I love him so much.  My yellow couch is starting to look a little less yellow.

The weekend wrap up.

This weekend was a cleaning smack down on my apartment.  The level of dog hair that had accumulated in the corners was down right embarrassing.  My hardwood floors got a good scrubbing.  It was a great way to get a good base clean before I have my first party at my place in two weeks.  It will certainly make the cleaning in the next couple of weeks much easier.

It was nice to have a weekend to just get things done.

After cleaning, I made a trip over to Brooke's place to help her do her hair for a wedding and then had a get together with my grade school friends down at one girl's house in Indiana.  It was a lot of fun.

Sunday morning, Samson and I took a long walk along the lake - it was so nice out!  I think I wore him out because he spent most of Sunday like this...

so cute that I almost forget how annoying he can be sometimes :)

Then, Sunday afternoon I decided to tackle the two large canvases that have been leaning against the wall since I bought them over a month ago.  Having this party in two weeks have forced me to get some things done that I have been avoiding.

I found this great inspiration online and thought two large canvases that flank my living room would be perfect.

source

So I started a few layers of the painting.  I like where it is going but I think covering the entire canvas would look better. So does my mom when I asked what she thought.  So I'll be working this week on finishing the paintings.

Here's the mid-point:

I still have another layer or two to add on top, to bring out some of the bright colors that are on the first layer.

Honestly, if you don't mind the designing part (which I enjoy), DIY paintings are some of the cheapest ways to create bold artwork for your place.

The first weekend home in a while

Not the catchiest title, but it summarizes my weekend for sure.  I was finally home from traveling and able to accomplish some things at my place.

First, I headed up to the Hales' house to meet Brody.  Of course, I was equally excited to see Kayla - she's just so darn funny.

She just LOVES the phone!!!  (PS, all photos taken with my new Iphone 5.... honestly, the photo quality (especially with the front facing camera) is WAY better!)

Little Brody is such a sweet boy.  He was sleeping most of the time we were there, but I did get some time holding him.

After that visit, I was able to get some things done at my place.  I FINALLY spray painted the rack I got from MEM as well as most of the black frames in my hallway (sorry, forgot to take a photo of those).

I'm so glad I decided to paint this rack.  It adds some color to my bathroom.  Now I just have to buy some new towels so I can fill it.  I also spray painted the garbage can I had in there as well to match.

I did run a couple errands this weekend.  One was to World Market to return these curtains I wasn't completely sold on.  I saw these two couches that I think would be great in my sun room.  This teal option can fold down to a sleeping space, which would be nice.

They also had the cute button loveseat that I have pinned before.

 Finally, I took a trip over to the Marshalls down the street from me just to check out what they had.  They had a set of two bathmats in a pomegranate red that I bought to use in the kitchen.

Of course, last night I couldn't find Samson in all his usual spaces so I got up to investigate...

Apparently, Samson approves of the new rugs.

I've been seriously overwhelmed with everything I need to do in my space.  My mom reminded me to just focus on one space at a time... so I'm going to try to remember that.

A little Samson love

Just a little howling on a a lovely Tuesday evening.  :)

I love this dog.

Air & Water Show Weekend

My first full weekend at my new place just happened to be the same weekend as the Air & Water show downtown.  I was happy to get to have some time at my place, and visit with some friends.

Before I post some pictures I took during the show, I have to backtrack to Friday afternoon.

After a trip to the grocery store, Samson and I met Brooke and went went walking down by the lake for like an hour and a half.  We found this great park area (pretty close to my place) where we sat down for a while.  Samson was fascinated.

Of course, that walk really wiped him out...

So back to the show...  My friend Ryan had an all-day rooftop party.  I managed to grab a couple of sweet shots of the Blue Angels.

 It was a fun day - the weather was awesome!

On a random, last note - I saw this artwork on some random street while walking Samson on Sunday morning.  There is a matching one across the street.

Getting a feel for the neighborhood

Yesterday when I got home, I tried my best to get myself out of the funk I was in yesterday.  It was HOT HOT HOT in my apartment yesterday, so Samson and I took a long walk down to the lake and up to the little dog beach that is near by.

I think it was a little too hot for him.  He sniffed around, checked out the other husky that was there and then was ready to go.  I don't think he's stopped panting since I brought him there on Sunday.  Hopefully, the window unit that is coming tomorrow will help.

Love him.

Enjoying sitting by the lake

Full house

You know what was fun?  Being woken up at 3am when Brendan and his friends came stumbling home from whatever bar he took them out to.  THEN, I was "entertained" while trying to eat breakfast before I had to head to work.

It's a miracle I was in a good mood this morning.

Not sure how I'm feeling about this outfit, but considering it's ridiculously humid at 6am, I'm going with it.

*shirt - some boutique in San Diego, skirt - JCrew, shoes - Nine West

Also, last night while I was watching TV in the living, I saw Samson wander aimlessly into my parent's bedroom.  Almost an hour later, I was looking for him so I could take him outside and this is where I found him...

He was sleeping in the dark in my parent's closet.... in the way back of the closet.

My mom is sure it's because he misses her.  :)  I have a sneaking suspicion that this area was the coolest place in the house yesterday.

Happy birthday Samson!!!

Samson turns 8 today.  8.  I can't believe it.  It honestly doesn't seem like I have had him for 8 years.

I remember going to visit Barb and the 4 week old puppies and falling in love with the one that sat in the middle of the litter just howling.

I remember having to hide him in our townhouse for the last year of school.  God bless Amanda and Brooke for putting up with puppy Samson.

Eight years old....  still as good looking as ever!

A Dog's Life

He's clearly having a hard time adjusting....

Wednesday Rambling

*I'm posting this photo only because I love you blog peeps!

Yesterday was candlelight yoga.  When I came home I noticed a little something different....

Magenta arm pits.  Note to self: Remember to pre-wash new workout clothes (especially bright colored ones) BEFORE you sweat in them!

Two showers later and there is still a hint of pink in my armpits.

Also, my mom is spoiling Samson.  She bought him Frosty Paws at the grocery store yesterday.  This is the longest I could get him to look away from the treat.  Notice his posture.  Very protective and won't use his paws to grip the treat.  He just dips his nose down into it.