Around the house: pity party

If you were to join me in a cup of jo this morning, I would most likely be less than mediocre company.

Excuse me for a second while I bemoan the life of a graduate student.

Sitting next to you on the couch, drinking coffee I would tell you that 

I am more easily stressed than previously thought

My husband has eaten cereal for more meals this week than I wish (and is ok with it)

I wish I was better at working in groups at school

A 4.0 is all I want 

I realize that school isn't the most important thing, but sometimes I feel like it is (even when I deal with life and death at work)

I hate when my professors think less of me

Working full time and studying is tiring, but totally doable

I realize people deal with much more tiring things daily

I would also tell you that I am truly grateful for this opportunity and want nothing more than to do really well

(there are a lot of "I's" in this post)

Some things that can cheer ya up

senior portraits

bodily contortions of canines

little doggies cutting their eyes

fires and full moons

pretty dresses borrowed from cousins

family photos on canvas

little Isaac man crawling!

 a hand on the hip

Thanks for coming to my pity party
it's over now
you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here
i'm moving on to another homework assignment

happy friday friends,
Kate

a name for the pup

Our littlest pup is fitting right in!

He is already the perfect yard dog, staying close by at all times. Even when Woodrow runs off.

We shall soon nip them both in the bud(if you know what i mean) to help keep 'em both close! 

The pup loves to sit by your feet, hence the name "heeler".

I think that he's particularly fond of my dads boots. 

He's also trying to be the head dog, forgetting that he's 65 pounds shy of his rival.

Not going so well.

these two are still bffs

busy keeping the meanies off of our property

regular ole starsky and hutch

We spent a week calling him everything from Scratchy, Puppy, Dude, Nugget, and various other terms.

So, we finally agreed on a name.

Actually, GT came up with it.

See...our little friend shares a birthplace with Willie Nelson. 

GT had a good time with this one, as the names associated with Willie are limitless.

After calling out name after name, he finally landed on the perfect one.

the name of Willies guitar.

Wearing his new collar proudly

Trigger.

our little Trig.

fits just perfectly.

Our little Heeler

The next day was full of conversations like this...

Me "so, have you decided which one you want yet"

the FIL "whichever one you don't want"

Me "but really, they're both great"

All "i like them both for different reasons"

me whispering to GT all day long "let's just take them both home" 

you'd say the same thing

while the boys were inside watching football, i was most likely out with these dudes

 Max, the in-laws doggie, got to play with the pups

isn't he the coolest looking dog? i just love his markings

he let them crawl all over him

I'll have to write about Max sometime.

Mark and Del rescued him earlier this year. 

He has quite a story, if it could be told. 

He responds well to women, but wants nothing to do with men.

If they're around, he's in the woods. no joke.

 He stays in the woods behind their house, but will come out when Del calls him.

If Mark walks out...he gone.

But i just love him. He has a sweet disposition.

You can tell that he wants so badly to play and love you, but something inside of him just won't let him. 

He'll come around. 

He's in good hands.

Time is all it takes. And maybe a new pup around the house will help!

i couldn't resist this little photo shoot

they could

This is the short story of how we chose our pup.

We left earlier in the morning from Huntsville, around 5am.

GT loaded up the Tahoe while i slept until the last minute (me and waking up early don't get along to well).

Then he sweetly whispered in my ear, "get in the car".

So I slept walked my way, socks and bun, to the car.

Climbed in and got settled with my pillow and blanket for the drive to WM.

GT got in the drivers seat and leaned over to hand me something.

I opened my eyes and remembered..."we're taking a puppy home with us!"

It took me a second to realize which one he chose. 

the sweet little one

showing his soft side

I did and still do feel pretty awful about separating these brothers

but, it happens

it happened to Woodrow and he's fine

after all, they both got a new bro

even though Woodrow is not so sure about this annoying little guy who is getting attention

 Woodrow is laying down the law for him

i left them outside together for a while and opened to the door to find this

what a crime fighting duo, huh?

and this.

their bodies don't even make sense

i think they'll be buddies 

taking care of our neck of the woods

by peeing on every inch of it

Now...the big decision.

What to name him?

thinking,

Kate

Cut off Mountain and pup

*warning: picture overload*

For the last month or two I've been on the lookout for a blue heeler pup.

GT wants one.

See, our little lad Woodrow..remember him here, isn't so much a watch dog or even a yard dog.

I've kind of made him soft around the edges.

If a stranger drives up, he's likely to hop in their truck bed or drop a tennis ball at their feet.

We're in need of a yard dog.

GT grew up with heelers. He also grew up raising a variety of animals.

  Heelers are what he knows and likes, i reckon.

Now, don't get me wrong. He loves him some Woodrow, but not for looking out for our yard and barn and what not.

So, no luck on finding a pup for my boo for Christmas morning.

But, his dad found some the day after!!!

perfect!

This was actually better b/c it allowed GT to be a part of picking the right one.

Here in lies the problem.

He got 2.

Yep, 2 puppies

He brought them to Cut Off Mountain for the New Years hunt so we could pick our pup.

"Seriously, just one!", i cried.

they belong together

brothers

yin and yang

we gotta take em both! gotta!

So we carried on with our weekend of hunting.

4 of the Taylor men.

Love me some Taylors

GT started it out by killing a doe

But, really. We all just loved on the pups.

Even Grandad

He told the boys that they had to have the deer cleaned by the time he finished his cigar

I think they won.

There were 2 of them after all

(for those of you who aren't familiar with deer hunting..

cleaning a deer means guttin',skinnin' and quarterin' the deer. basically getting to the meat)

racing the cigar

men at work or something like that

meanwhile, i played with these dudes

and photographed the mess out of em

seriously...they even intertwine their bodies. we must have them both!

then Garrett had to play 

We all went back out to hunt for the evening 

 I got down from the stand early to catch the sunset

Sure, my priorities are a little out o whack. But did I mention...i got a new camera!!!!!

So, do you blame me??

So...back at the ranch

cozy cabin

Now. Time to celebrate the New Year!

My wonderful F-I-L took us into town to the Ranchers Steakhouse & Grill.

You bet your bottom dollar we celebrated in high style.

I even put on my nice boots

Then we all proceeded to fall asleep before 10. 

Holler

The next day, New Years day, brought another doe kill by the B-I-L.

and lots more pictures 

and lots more puppy time!

handsome boo

can you see him in his camo?

(sorry, had to)

Under Armour model anyone?

beautiful Cut Off Mountain

lack of shower and makeup. yikes!

GT is being very patient with me and my new camera

with the BIL

sometimes they just need some straightening up

The FIL

poser

gotta watch the kick there Gare Bear

caught 'em.

they were all being patient with me and the new camera. Thanks guys!

good ole' cabin

The late afternoon was my favorite.

We took the Bronco out for a spin around the lease

Perfect day listening to music, riding around with my man and BIL, great weather, easy convo.

my kind of fine

These guys were loaded up and we drove to Huntsville to spend another day with the fam, watching Bowl games!

How to choose the right pup?

I'll follow up in the next post.

smitten,

Kate