Tidbits from Grayce

Shirt: Anthropologie
Skinnies: army green from Milk & Honey
Belt: thrift store
Ankle Booties: taupe suede from Steve Madden

Well, this year has flown by at record breaking speed....

We started the year off with my brother & new sister's wedding, had a scorching summer, developed a great relationship with my new sisters, my brother & Christa moving to Oregon, myself turning 30, while finishing off with putting my beloved dog and best friend to sleep with whom I miss dearly, a White Christmas, and a rainy foggy New Years filled with confetti, pop rocks, sparkling apple cider, chocolate chip cookies, Ronnie, Baylee, Nilla, Baxter, Scooby, and my hello kitty fluffy pants.

Welcome 2013. I pray this year will bring renewed relationships, new relationships, comforted relationships, stronger relationships, fulfilling relationships, kind relationships, loving relationships, compassionate relationships, and worthwhile relationships......after all, life is all about people.

I found my verse for the year that I would like to focus on. I have a hard time sometimes considering what others may be going thru when I am having issues that I am dealing with. I want to consider them first and foremost above myself. I want to be THAT girl....who has no selfish ambitions....and I don't think that manicures count as selfish...I want to hear the other person before I hear myself.

Well, I did the unthinkable. I finally got the inner strength that I needed and the confidence that I needed to tell myself that I was doing the right thing. I had my precious Zoey put to sleep on Wednesday morning. She has had many things in her life that she has been battling.

Most recently she was diagnosed 100% blind, with arthritis, severe case of diabetes to which I had to feed her the exact same thing every day and then give her a shot of insulin. I remember when the nurse was trying to tell me how I need to administer the shot.....what she didn't know was the I am terrified of needles and was fixing to start hyperventilating. But I was able to pull myself together in order to help zoey. It did however take 45 min to teach me.

She had some kind of growth in her tummy that they couldn't identify. She had constant blood in her urine, and lets not even talk about the other part of that. She was just suffering. Everyday I wrestled with wondering if today was gonna be the day that we would all know it was time to take her in. She would get deathly ill for 3 days and then bounce back and wanna roll in the leaves. She was a fighter for sure. The last night I spent with her, she was really sick and throwing up. It just kind of clicked inside that i needed to be brave for zoey and do this for her. Her quality of life was so small compared to the distressing things. She would have forever wagged her tail at you and made you feel like a million bucks regardless of how she felt. Which is what made it so hard. Her not talking to me and being able to tell me what she wants me to do.
When I was laying with her the night before, I was just talking to her and telling her that she was so brave for mama, and always took care of her mama. I told her how beautiful she was and that she was such a good girl. I wanted her to hear me saying all the words she knew to be good words for her. I stayed up almost the entire night and sang her songs about doggies and little fun songs I would sing to her as a puppy. She would turn and lick my face and grunt as she did it like it was the best night ever. I would tell her that she was my first doggy ever and she played her role so well that it opened up my heart to all doggies. I was scared of dogs before I got zoey. She has forever changed my heart in more ways than one.

I brought home some cheeseburgers for her to have for her last meal. I knew that is what she would want. She loved them. I know she felt so special when I gave them to her. Mission accomplished! I wanted her to feel more loved and special and wanted that last night than in all her life. I think I did that well. I petted her all nightlong and slept on the couch with her....well I only slept about 2 hrs actually. It was a very bittersweet situation. Telling her how wonderful she is only to be really saying goodbye.

I manned up and thought that I needed to take her alone as her mommy. So I made a comfy palette in the front seat and loaded her up. It's was a very unreal drive to the vet. I just kept telling her she was beautiful and so precious and I loved her more than anything and that I was sorry. When we got there, that was unreal as well. Actually having to hold her and tell her all the love I have for her in one good bye. There wasn't enough time in the world to he able to fit all the love I have for that dog into one good bye. It was horrible. In one sense , I feel guilt for doing it. But in the next breath I was doing the right thing. I had to leave her in the room. I wasn't brave enough to go in the actually room with the vet during the procedure. I feel like a coward and I let her down because of that. I had to leave her alone in the room. Walking out with her sitting there not knowing what was going on was the hardest and saddest thing I have ever done. I still can't believe that I did it. I will never get to see her again. I miss her so much. So so so so much. You don't ever really consider having to deal with death of a pet while u have them. And then when the time comes, it is so grievous.

The book I am reading talks about how incredible the bond is with a human and their dog. U usually get 10-12 years of unconditional love from this creature and then they have to go. He was saying that he can't imagine how incredibly painful it would be if u have a bond any longer than those few years......we wouldn't survive the pain from it. And I totally agree. Zoey showed me the true definition of unconditional love and compassion. She always knew when I was upset and wanted to comfort me.

It's different putting zoey to sleep when they have done no wrong. She has always been there for me thru all the hard times that I thought would pull me under basically. To make a decision to take a helpless life when she needs u the most, it ripped my heart apart completely.

Zoey was the most kind, gentle, loyal, loving, compassionate, obedient, warm hearted doggy that I have ever met. I will miss her dearly. There hasn't been a day that goes by that I don't think of her and shed a tear. I know that Nilla and Baxter miss her too. They just stay really close to me now and don't leave my side. Like they know I need their comfort.

My dad said this verse one time when I had a little kitten die that I was upset about. It has stuck with me especially now knowing that God mourns zoey's death with me.
"What is the price of two sparrows--one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing" Matthew 10:29

God knows zoey died. He has her up in heaven now watching over all the other doggies and kitties up there. She is running pain free and thinking of all the good times we had together while she was here. I sure do miss her. And still love her dearly. Her will always be "my little zophie."

I would like to personally thank the Redneck Crafter that did this to my car last night at Hobby Lobby. I appreciate the fact that they felt the need to park all the way out by my car just to do this too. I did feel like my car was missing something...I just wasn't sure exactly what it was. Now that this lovely item has been permanently etched and dented into my driver side door, I am pretty sure that this was NOT what I needed. But thank you for the thoughtfulness. And yes, the white part IS painting missing from my car. Have a GREAT DAY!

Well folks.....it's that time again......it's over. There will be NO MORE. Nothing to look forward to. Nothing to plan on. No hope for the future. None whatsoever. I might as well just quit my job and just let myself go....no more showering, brushing my teeth, eating (well....I will have to consider this one a litte more...I have no problem with the no brushing of teeth though), exercising, brushing my hair, no more Botox (just kidding, I don't get botox....but I am 30....), no more planning, no more obsessing...... What is my problem you ask? Well, if you insist......

The last TWILIGHT movie opened that night. There aren't going to be anymore Edward and Bella movies. NONE! 5 movies, and that was the last! No, I didn't go to the marathon that they were having yesterday where they played the first 4 movies back to back. Who in the WORLD would go to that?....Ok I will admit it....I considered it. And the only thing holding me back was the fact that I have a boney backside and it won't last that long in a chair....it was 12 hrs and 56 minutes.....I don't ever even SLEEP that long! I can't even SHOP for that long! I can't even....well yeah, I could lay around and do nothing for that long. Actually....I don't even think that I could lay around and do nothing for that long. Yes I love Edward. And yes I love Bella (eventhough she is a man stealer and marriage breaker-upper), but I don't love them THAT much!

So what do I plan to do with my life now that the Twilight Saga has ended?....Hunger Games opens next year.....don't worry :) KATNISS & PEETA FOREVER!!!!!

Happy Birthday to my big girl Zoey! She is 11 years old today! Can't believe that I have had her for 11 years! Feels like yesterday when I was rescuing her from getting caught in a hanger cuz she was so small! LOL

I was talking with my mom today about how Zoey is my oldest possession. She is definately the possession that I am most thankful for. I can always count on her to give kisses when needed and when not needed! I have had her since I was 20 years old! Now that I have turned 30, I can't remember a time without Zoey in it! She is the kindest, funniest, stinkinest breathed cow print doggy ever.

I was telling her the other day that she has played the MOST important roll of any pet that I will ever have. Before Zoey, I was scared of dogs. I didn't like them at all. She has opened my heart up to animals in a way that I never thought possible. She is my very first doggy.

I always remind her that we have an agreement: she is gonna live forever cuz I don't ever want to be without her. I know that it really isn't possible, but with all of the health issues that she has been having for the past 3 years, I feel like she might! LOL. She has made it over 2 years past what the vets said that she would. Her is an incredible Super Dog!

She has shown me unconditional love over the years. She has shown me strength in times that most doggies would have given up! I love to hear to snore. I love to see her wag her tail in the morning under the blanket when I wake her up. I love to see her roll around. I love to see her bark and her little front feet come off the floor. I love when she gets up to greet you even though she doesn't feel good or has been fast asleep.

So happy birthday little Zo. I am so glad that you are my doggy!

I don't really think I need to add anything to this post.......

So I watched the CoCo Chanel movie this last weekend. I didn't realize this entire movie was going to be in French with English subtitles......you know how movies start off in another language and then switch to English after a little bit.....well.....NOT this one. But I was too far into the movie to just turn it off at this point! Lol. I couldn't have ANY snacks during this movie.....I won't tell u how many times I had to rewind to re-read something! Anyways.......46 hrs, no snacks, and 1 headache later I have learned 5 things and have a favorite quote from the movie:

1) CoCo is just her nickname from her dad....her real name is Gabrielle

2) she was a wee bit friendly if u catch my drift....

3) she started out her design career by making straw hats

4) she tried to be a horse jockey

5) she never married and thought men were unnecessary in life :)

My favorite quote from the movie is between her and her "friend" named Balsar....

Balsar: "Coco you are skin and bones, don't you eat???"
Coco: "No I did a lot of THAT as a child....."

Hahahaha!

Contrary to popular belief Scooby, you are NOT helping me.....

Just a little proof so everyone knows that this IS the official Grayce posting these items...I still love.....CORN, CAKE, CANDY, CLOTHES....I am sensing a pattern here....and I might be a little embarrassed.....and the fact that it took me 3 times to spell "embarassed" before it was correct.

Hello all my followers......my faithful followers.....the ones that wanted to me continue on my random blogging world! Like usual, life got hectic and excuses came a-flying at me and out of me to not worry about my blog. WHAT A WASTE! I mean, do you realize all the hilarious and educational items that I didn't share with the world for the past 11 months?!?!?!?!?!? :) It make take a little warming up to doing, buuuuuuut I'MMMMMM BBAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!

When u go thru the drive thru of Burger King and they give u 2 extra Whoppers, u KNOW it is gonna be a good day.....lol

.......WWKD? =What Would Kardashians Do?.....then do the opposite. Lol

Wow! I cannot believe that I am in the last hour of 2011! The older I get, the faster time goes! The day goes by slow, yet I look up, and it's time to get off work, go home, and prepare for the next day......then all of a sudden it's time for the weekend, then time for church on Sunday, then time to start a new week and start the routine all over again.

I am a 29 year old wife, daughter, sister, mama to my animals, aunt, cousin, step mom, friend, coworker, neighbor, role model......crazy to think one person can be so many different things to so many different people everyday.

Every year I look back on the things I have and have not done for the year. I always have regrets and things that I am proud of. I am the type of person that seems to focus more on the things that I have failed instead of the things that I have accomplished. So lets start with the things I have accomplished!

Things I have accomplished: now don't make fun of me, but I was able to get my blood drawn 2 times in one month. Now, I know that sounds retarded, but that is my main unreasonable fear in life, having blood drawn. The 1st time I did it, I went alone! That is like double brave, Lol. I was also able to train myself to run a 5k without stopping and I am NOT a runner. I didn't get any speeding tickets, lol. I have also managed to not wear the same outfit more than 2 times this year.....so vain, yet I am so proud, lol. I broke a habit of not wearing my seatbelt. So now every time I get in the car, I automatically put it on. I have been able to mentally not allow myself to have pride when it comes to apologizing to people. I heard a quote this year, more like a question, that made me put pride into perspective: "What is more important, your pride or the relationship?" When you say that out loud, it's kind of hard to not say you are sorry and mean it. I have broken myself of drinking soft drinks. In a world where giving up is the easiest option and applauded as "well, you gave it your best shot", I celebrated my 4th wedding anniversary with Ronnie. I have managed to not lose my mind in the commute from Dallas to Longview and back every week. I am sure there are other things that I am forgetting....

You know, I am reading back over everything that I consider little personal accomplishments, and I feel like I did nothing. I know that I could do so much more. At least more for other people and less for myself.

My 2011 Regrets: I could have held my tongue a lot more. I know I had many chances to be kinder to people in circumstances. I could have said "I love you" many more times than I did. DEFINATELY could have saved more money......well, no I pretty much needed all the clothes that I bought......I would have never been able to it wear the same thing more than twice! Lol. I know that I could have cussed less, thought less negative things about other people, been more patient, been more giving, more compassionate, more loving, and the list goes on and on! Good grief! What DID I do worth anything?!? Lol

I hate to have New Years Resolutions......why?.....well because it's so cliche! I am so NOT a cliche acting and speaking person. If its cliche, I want to go the other way, say the other thing, make a different impression. I also think that if I need to be doing it, why am waiting til January 1st to start? I don't want to be one of those people that say, "I am gonna go to the gym everyday!"....come on......really?......why start the year off as a liar to your own self....maybe .5% of those people actually keep that resolution.....and it's because they are a celebrity and they have an army of people making their food for them and cheering them on.....they don't live in reality and have to put their own socks on and wipe their own hiney. Lol. So I am not making any New Years Resolutions. I am going to make myself a few promises and goals that I should be doing everyday anyways.

My 2012 promises and goals: to be true to myself. That means a lot of different things.....for different instances and situations. I know in my heart what applies where and what I should be doing. I don't mean that I am picking myself over others.....that isn't what that means. Being true to myself means being true to the woman that I want to be known as. Being true to the legacy that I want to leave one day. I think I leave a mini legacy everyday to the people that I have contact with. I want those people to walk away from me thinking positive things, and hoping that they are that funny and good looking too! Jk LOL. I want to be consistent. I don't want to be that person that you never know what you are going to get. I want to be that woman that thrives under pressure and that you would never know about any hardships in my life. I also read a quote on pinterest....yes pinterest......at least I didn't say on some bathroom wall in some bar.....mainly because I don't remember the last time that I stepped into a bar.....but anyways....it went something like this: "Women are like tea bags, you never know how strong she is until she is put in hot water." I want to be a very potent tea bag. Lol. Not that I like hot water, but I want to know that I can make it no latter how hot or lukewarm the situation is.

Things that I am looking forward to in 2012: my brother getting married, gaining 2 sisters in the process, getting my motorcycle license....yeah I am a bada**, lol, finding out what is wrong with me (calm down, I meant the whole arthritis situation.....not mentally....that will remain a mystery), being able to get back to a normal active life, celebrating my 5th wedding anniversary, turning dirty 30 (lol), Bethany moving to Dallas, continuing to grow my relationship with ronnie, building good relationships with my new sisters, hopefully making some friends in Dallas, blah blah blah......

So I had to let the last post of the year be super boring.......so to make it up to you all, I will leave you with 2 photos that make me laugh.......enjoy!

It's a purple tights kind of day today....

Well people, I finally did it. I went to the doctor. Yes, it had finally come to that....I needed to know what is wrong with me. Many of you are thinking that you already KNOW what is wrong with me....I would probably not disagree with what you are thinking. LOL But, I went to get some answers for all this arthritis and joint pain/ swelling/stiffness that I have had since JULY! Yes, July. Yes, It is December. Yes, I know that I waited a long time to go...but I am the girl that will wait it out until it is gone....and it doesn't matter how long that will take.

I finally just couldn't take it anymore. I was tired of not being able to open my own bottle of vanilla coffee in the morning. Tired of not being able to turn door knobs. Tired of not being able to put my feet in my shoes. Tired of not being able to blow dry my hair....ok, yeah, I didn't blow dry my hair BEFORE this started, but I am using it as an excuse anyways...lol.

I have been afraid that they were going to need to take blood....and I was completely right. They needed to. I have this SERIOUS case of anxiety of needles. I don't know why.I don't think that anything happened as a child....but I do remember feeling this same way AS a child....so it is nothing new. I would rather have the flu than the flu shot. Yes, I am a nut case.....but I am a nut case that doesn't care what you think about it. :)

To make a long story short....crossing your fingers and promising Jesus to not say or even THINK cuss words didn't work. They still needed my blood. I even tried calling on the name of Edward Cullen (he's my boyfriend from Twilight), but since he is a vampire, and I am even more lovely than Bella Swan, once he tasted my blood, he said that he wouldn't be able to stop....so my safest bet was the needle. Well, considering that I am a big girl...I was pretty sure that I could handle it now at the ripe old age of 29. NEWS FLASH......not the case. So 3 nurses and 45 minutes later (there was a lot of crying, hyperventilating, snot, tears, apologizing, involuntary body shaking, more crying, did I mention 3 nurses to try to hold me still....) I BARELY walked out alive...LITERALLY....I had to sit down for a bit because I was going to pass out....they even told me that I looked pale. I tried to assure them that I just haven't tanned in quite awhile...they said it was a different pale...like I was gonna hit the floor pale. LOL.


Anyways....I was finally able to leave....and they are gonna send me a bill for the lab work.....gee thanks...you give me a panic attack, take my blood, and then you are gonna send ME a bill in the mail? Oh boy....I don't even want to know how much THAT will be. In fact, I don't think that I even want to know WHAT is wrong with me....ignorance is bliss. Bliss=no needle and no diagnosis which = no pills to take and no giant bill from the lab.

What, don't believe me? Well check out the gruesome photo below.....you can CLEARLY see where they stabbed me and maimed me for life.....

I am lovin me some pink ombré ends in my hair tonight! Tomorrow, I am thinking purple or peach...

Yummmmmmmm

Happy Birthday to my wonderful beautiful mother! I hope she has a great day today with lots of naps and cake! I love her so very much! She has been my solid rock in life and I don't know where I would be without her! She is the best!

Sent from Grayce Weaver
www.grayceweaver.blogspot.com

Oh Christmas Tree, oh Christmas Treeeeeeeee....how prickly are thy branches....

Ok, so anyone who calls you dumb or stupid or ignorant...please direct them to this video....because they will never call you dumb again....this girl wins the ignorant crown with flying color of stupid glory.....

http://youtu.be/ScgFIKXKFkc

wow.....

I am thinking this color for my hair after the wedding.....I wanna be just like Lizzie Maguire! Lol

Christa makes a WAAAAY better chipmunk/monkey face than me....I must go practice in the mirror....

Chloe is a big girl now!!! Her is sitting up all by herself! No more face planting! Lol!

Got to see my long lost fren Stephanie....I mean Bethany for breakfast yesterday!!! Sure do miss me some Bethany!

Happy Early Thanksgiving all! I am thankful that I am fluent in 3 languages just like this lady below....

BAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

I forgot to put which item I was talking about in the picture with Victoria Beckham and her little girl.....I was MOST DEF referring to the FUR COAT! Yesssssssssssssss!

Sent from Grayce Weaver
www.grayceweaver.blogspot.com

Best thing ever purchased from Nordstrom......Hello Kitty Rainbow Walking on Clouds Slippers......heavenly.....and from the kids department.....lol

Obviously, I was waaaaay more athletic than Jeffrey.....videos don't lie....

The good ol days.......Jeff still pouts like this when he doesn't get his way.....and I am pretty sure I can still hoola hoop like a pro....

Watching the movie Bridesmaids for the 47,358th time this year.....I am already laughing at the scenes that haven't even played yet....I love this movie. I hope that Brettany and I can reenact some of the speeches and stuff at the wedding.....it would be so funny.....

Sent from Grayce Weaver
www.grayceweaver.blogspot.com

My first attempt at nail design/art that I pinned on my pinterest board "Claw your little eyes out". It has all the nail designs that I want to try. So cute!!!