So Proud?

So Shelby is my pretend human baby. She had a big week that we have to share with the world. She passed her PetsMart beginners class. She can sit, lay down, stay, leave-it, take-it, and drop it. For good measure, since Nowaks are always show-offs, Shelby rolled over, shook hands and twirled in a circle. 'Cause she can.

You can't look at this pictures without smiling. My sister even printed it out for when she's having a bad day. No lie!

And since human kids get report cards, they give us weirdo dog people certificates to make it legit incase our friends didn't believe us.

So, this proud parent was astonished, and I mean shocked to the core when I come home and find my perfect little graduate being less-than perfect!

I captured the crime.

Looks like Petsmart owes the Nowaks a refund! I mean, she had the hat on. I saw them hand write her name in the certificate. Refund now!!

Spring into American Idol

I'm not gonna lie, I loved American Idol. Not just me, my sister and mom, too! I even guessed the last 2 winning idols far in advance. David Cook and Kris Allen (dreamboats by the way). I STILL think about how awesome last season's finale was where Kris Allen sang "I wanna Kiss a Girl" with Keith Urban, and Allison I. sang "Time After Time" with Cyndi Lauper. I have always loved singing! I was even in charge of our sorority singing group called the Kappa Pickers.

ALLEN and URBAN

So, much to my dismay this year, the talent and production of the show has changed for the worse. Ellen as a judge is suck-tastic and on top of everything Simon is leaving after this season. He probably could care less about the outcome and he's even gone soft.

Now the kids, who are all way better than me, aren't as good OR as entertaining. It seems the producers are more focused on their "STORY" than their singing ability. MANY people have a good/sad/interesting/odd story that happened in their life. Yes, i do think it affects the way they relate and convey the lyrics. However, I can't STAND every other critique stems from ..."Andrew, I mean, it wasn't amazing, but you have a great story..." WHAT?!

Last night I almost threw the remote at the TV. The majority of singers were SO bad. The judges were just as shocked (finally). Honestly, I will still watch the dang show because there is still hope in my precited winner, Shiobhan Magnus, with close runner up likely to be Aaron Kelly (a David Archulette wanna be).

MAGNUS

AARON KELLY - Only 16!

NO, I didn't say Crystal Bowersox. Yes, she's awesome. She is a modern Alanis Morrisette and is above and beyond most of the contestants. However, I have a feeling she's not going to make it, not going to get the votes. Let's face it, the last few winners are good looking boys. Who votes? Not me. Probably 9-17 year olds and their moms. While Crystal is an artist already, the dreadlocks and lip piercing won't get her the win, but she won't need it. Like Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson, and Adam Lambert have shown us...runners up, even 3rd or 4th place, will catapolt you to stardom if you're really that good.

BOWERSOX

Rodeo Time!

It's Rodeo season. The time where normal Houstonians gather up their most western attire and head down to Reliant. We personally can't wait for Rodeo season!

Here's a pic where we borrowed these cowboy hats so we'd look LEGIT.

Though I must say, Cook Off this year was FREEZING!! I wore my warmest jacket and a DRESS and boots. Idiot. Why do I do that to myself?? This lasted until the 2nd or 3rd rum and diet, then I was nice and toasty. =)

Here's a group pic, kinda. And YES that is Panda Tatoo man right up front =)

Basically, Cook Off is a bunch of tents put up by committees, buisnesses, groups of all sizes. You have to score a wrist band to a tent or Cook Off is just pointless. It's free drinks and bar b que all night. Most years I have won tickets to the 100.3 FM tent, but this year we went with UNCLE GLEN. He's a whole blog post in himself, but he DOES have the hook ups! We had a great time!

Next up for Rodeo are the concerts. We're going to see Lady Antebellum and Keith Urban for sure and whoever wants to throw free tickets at us. Though I'd probably pass on "Tejano Night" and Selina Gomez/Justin Beiber night. That kid causes RIOTS in malls I heard!

I really hope you know what Muttin' Bustin' is, because that's probably my fave part of watching the rodeo. It's basically 4 year old kids holding onto sheep for dear life. The one that makes it the longest wins a prize! I think the prize is the sheep actually! LOL

Rodeo 2K10 here we come!!

His Valentine's Surprise

So I got to plan Valentine's Day this year. I decided to have Josh do something he never did before! Before we left on the adventure we made some yummy chocolate-covered strawberries!

We stopped at Bubba's to get our bison burgers to go (yes, romantic...but OH so good). So we headed down 59, he had no idea where we were going and I was so pumped! We came to our stop, "Painting with a Twist" and he laughed. Yep! We're couple's painting!

We were the first people there, so we got to eat and get mentally prepared/drink our booze before class started. It's basically a BYOB with a painting instructor.

I think Josh liked it and was happy to do something other than going out to dinner. I was glad that it was a couple's night, so there were alot of other guys there in the same boat. Our paintings were called "Key to My Heart."

Josh getting really into it...yes he drew that heart free hand!!

And here's our final product!! We had the tag say "N" for Nowak. I can't wait to go back, it was a great night!!

I got some cheap frames at Hobby Lobby and our creations are up in our study! Have a great weekend!! I get to go home to San Antonio and eat some nummy num Mexy food.

I CAN be crafty

So, for some reason I really wanted to make a gift for my friend Jill's baby shower. I could have gone to Target and got some cute little baby things, but my college friends are probably the most thoughtful bunch on the planet and I wanted it to be more special. I sneakily asked her the colors of the nursery and got to craftin'.

I got on You Tube and looked up "How to make a French Board" and got started! The cutest little old lady at Hobby Lobby helped pick out the material (she was really happy when I stopped by to show her my final product).

Here's a little step by step to make your own French/ Memory board! Super easy!!

Here's the supplies you need: a canvas, batting, material, ribbon and buttons. The tools SHOULD be a staple gun, but I used nails and hot glue!

Wrap the batting and staple it tight....

Wrap and nail/staple the material. Make it nice and tight and cut away the access.

After you tack the ribbon at even parallels you weave it through the other way. Make it tight!

I hot glue these little buttons and also a "C" for Caraline. There's so many ways to do it!

There's alot of girls I know having babies...I think this will be my "thing" to make pregs girls! I got Karen in on the gig as well...we made some more for Nikki and Kate...

Jill and Kate loved their gifts and I'm so happy to have found a fun craft to do! I'll post the baby shower pics soon!

Tattoo Panda-monium

Our good friends Charlie and Andrea Mertz are a unique couple. Josh has known them since high school and they really haven't changed. Charlie is a CPA, Aggie grad and Andrea, a Longhorn, is about to start her pediatric residency. A smart, respectable pair, contributing alot to society. They are fun, quirky and perfect for each other.

It started as a regular BBQ at our house (go house parties!) when, after a few beers, the guys starting teasing Charlie that he would never get a tattoo. It came up because Josh's little brother Cody has a bunch of them. The guys were going back and forth, egging him on...us girls were oblivious! We had no idea they were discussing Charlie's future tattoo! We started to catch wind when Charlie sketched Andrea riding a pony, holding a flag that said "Mertz." Hilarious, I thought, but they can't be serious.

Finally, I heard Josh and Brian, another Katy guy, say they would PAY for the tattoo if Charlie went through with it. Well...next thing I knew we were in a car headed to Montrose to find Cody's tattoo place. Each side calling the other's bluff...this was crazy. I kept asking Andrea, really?? Are you going to let this happen?! She laughed and said it was his body. True, but what! Charlie and her were looking through clip art on his iPhone for the perfect PANDA, that was the new idea.

He decided the pandas would be back to back like this.

The best was Charlie explaining what he wanted to the tattoo guy. 'I want two pandas. One feeding the other and holding a flag that says Mertz." The guy looked skeptically and explained that would have to be REALLY big. The guys set the price limit to $120 and Charlie said, "ok, I want $120 worth of these pandas."

It was literally around 2 am when it was finally Charlie's turn. All the while I never believed he'd do it. I mean...the accountant with 2 panda's on his back? Noo.......oh but yes. Here's how I documented the night....

The peanut gallery.

Yep, he said it hurt. Andrea had to cover her eyes!

Aaannnddd...the final product!!!

We texted all their friends and they were shocked, but not TOO shocked. I mean, it's Charlie! He and Andrea had replica bobbleheads made of each other for their wedding cake topper! Now THAT's just complete Panda-monium.

Goodies in the Mail

I LOVE getting stuff in the mail. I'm all for Evites on alot of things, but there's nothing like getting a wedding invitation, baby announcement or something from Amazon. We've signed onto Amazon Prime where you pay a fee for a year and get free shipping. Well, our friend Brian paid for the year, and added me as a user for free...thanks Brian!!

I got 2 goodies from Amazon today, and you know your life is dull when you get pumped for these two doozies!

First prize: The FURminator. Yes, that's the name. I found it at Target and Josh's mom swears by it for her dogs. Apparently it's the best de-shedder on the market. It's $65 for a Large at Target, but my Amazon Prime said $15! Great deal. Always shop online.

You HAVE to see the ridiculous picture on the box. It says all that hair is from one sitting with the FURminator. I laugh everytime...that's like from 8 dogs.

I introduced Shelby to her new friend...she wasn't as excited as me.

My second prize was a self-inking stamp. I have seen some friend's letters with these and HAD to get one!

So much fun...I wanna stamp things. Lots of things. I'll probably stamp Shelby, then FURminator it away.