Haircut

Here are the pictures of the new haircut!!

I'm getting used to it but I feel almost bald when I'm shampooing =)

CMG

Whew

It's been a whirl wind around here lately! I journeyed out of Midland last weekend/week to spend sometime with my family and left BEG at the hotel with the pets. BEG has asked that I never leave him with our furry children (or real ones for that matter whenever we have them) for 7 days ever again!! =) Their "dudes week" started out adventuresome but grew tiresome by about day 4, or so I've been told!

I flew out last Friday headed to Jackson, MS where my parents picked me up at the airport and we continued east to Tupelo for Rebecca and Tom's baby shower. It was a lot of fun seeing them, some close family friends and my cousin and his fiance. We headed out Sunday morning en route to Shreveport for a couple of days. It was great being home, if only for a brief moment! I ate lots of sushi, Superior and Petroleum Club so it was definitely a successful trip on the meal side!! I was able to pack up some more clothes and random things that BEG and I need in West Texas and clean the house good since we left in such a hurry last time. I also got my hair cut; LOTS of hair cut!!! I love it but it is SOOOOO short (I'll post a pic later.)

Wednesday morning Momma and I headed to Dallas to eat some more and shop a bit. It was a nice little getaway. We stayed with mom's childhood friend and enjoyed catching up with Bunny and her husband. After an hour and a half delay, my flight finally left Friday evening headed back to Midland. It was SO good to see all my men again. I think they missed me as much as I missed them (or at least I hope they did!)

Blake and I got news the Thursday before I left that we would be moving to Lubbock immediately. We decided that BEG would just make the drive the week I was gone and we would move once I got back into town. Since Lubbock is our end destination anyway we had decided to go ahead and get a rent house instead of living in the Residence Inn because that is beginning to take it's toll on everyone here!! So we got up Saturday morning and headed to Lubbock. After looking at many houses online and a few in the flesh and weaving all through Tech Terrace we found a winner yesterday afternoon and we are thrilled. It is a precious 2 bedroom, 1 bath with a red door and an open floor plan. It also has a BIG backyard with a new fence for RHETT and george. I have been told that it is on the "prime" street in the "prime" neighborhood so I am thrilled that 1) we found it 2) we liked it & it would fit all of our needs 3) it fit our budget. It's 2 blocks from campus and 1 block from Tech Terrace Park so perfectly located for our needs!

We are planning to head to Shreveport (again) this Thursday to pack up our furniture that we need and head back west Saturday (we have to be all moved in by Sunday evening so we can watch the SuperBowl) to move into our cute little home for the next 3.5 years!! So if you ever find yourself out west, please give us a call we would love to have you!!!

1 busy week down, another to go and then I think we might calm down just in time for miserably cold weather!

Have a good week.

CMG

Bad Dog

I take RHETT's collar off at night because his tags clanking together make so much noise in the middle of the night. And inevitably the nights I forget to take it off, he shakes his ears all night long! I normally don't put it back on him until we go outside in the morning. Well this morning he apparently got his bone and his collar confused..............(that part is supposed to snap into the other side....but now there is nothing to snap!)

So he is without a collar until his new one arrives in 5-7 days.

George on the other hand.......

still sleeps.

CMG

Guinness Milkshakes

So one of BEG's favorite things in Shreveport was The Real Pickle's Guinness Milkshakes. I was a bit skeptical at first but they really are pretty tasty! He got one the day before we left and then took it upon himself to pack the blender so he could make them out here. Well him gave it ago the other night and although it wasn't as tasty as the "original" I will say it will do.

The milkshake master

For those of you who are curious the ingredients are Guinness beer and ice cream (we prefer Dutch Chocolate Blue Bell) mix them together in a blender.......delicious!

CMG

Caddie Mae

Bizzy doing what she does best...shopping online (note the wallet to her right)

Caddie Mae is always up to something, hence "Bizzy"

So with the full distinguishment of my inaugural post, I'm turning the camera on the cameraman[woman], so to speak. Since you all have been privy to our world through her eyes, you can now share in what it's like to experience our world from a different perspective.

I can't recall all of her sentiments she has shared with regard to our new circumstances out here in West Texas but I am certain that she will grow to love my part of the world as it is hard to leave this place without having acquired an affinity for it. Absence makes the heart grow fonder so I'll report back when we're at our next destination and she reflects upon all the things she will then be missing. As you all know, Bizzy is an incredible person always with a wonderful heart and attitude regardless of the situation; afterall, that's why I married the girl (at least in part). She's made the time out here enjoyable and has made the most of it as we've already done some of the things that we do for fun out here (i.e.: drive-in, bowling, etc.), so I think we'll make it memorable and take full advantage of being in this part of the world.

So now I'd like to share what I've learned so far about girls in my 8 months of marital bliss. In order to do so and convey a complete picture, I'll first share the fact that I am foremost a private person and not at all comfortable in social settings where there are a lot of people; my element is in the one-on-one or even behind a pen or keyboard. Also private in that I prefer not to share a lot of personal things with anyone except my family and Caddie Mae. Now juxtapose that understanding with these two things: this blog is very very public and my bride is a very social person. To deal, I just am focusing on the fact that this will be a good documentary for the public aspect of our lives and I'm glad that this is a very good medium for her to share with every one of her friends and loved ones so you all can know what we're up to. All that to say being out here where we don't know anyone is quite therapeutic for me. We get to lean on and rely on only one another and the pace of life is very much ideal, for me at least. I digress.

So the two main things that I've learned about girls so far: they use a lot of toilet paper. I don't get it. Why pull off 3 feet of toilet paper every time you go to the bathroom? Oh well; it just doesn't make sense to me. Secondly, given 60+ channels of television, girls will pick the absolute worst programming out of the entire menu of channels. It would be like being given 5 different programs available to watch and prioritizing them; well, Bizzy's 1-5 would correspondingly be my 5-1. It's uncanny!

So I guess that's all I've got for now. I hope you enjoyed my perspective and hope that I did not come across as begrudging or complaining because I could not be happier sharing 500 square feet with 2 animals that somehow continuously shed hair and a beautiful woman that is the kindest and most precious person I know.

Life is good.

Blake

Weekend Recap

We got such good sleep Friday night! I woke up at 9:52am and frantically got dressed and sprinted to the breakfast area hoping they hadn't put everything away yet (breakfast ends at 10 on the weekends!) Thankfully the waffle maker and chocolate chips were still out, whew! (My weekend breakfast treat is a chocolate chip waffle and it is delicious.)

After breakfast, we hung out in the room, BEG working on homework and me working on his Valentine's Day present (a 2010 photobook) It's a great gift for him and one that we will both treasure forever. To say that this last year was busy would be an understatement so 2010's book took nearly all day to make!

Then when the fog and nasty finally wore off (around 1ish) we went out with RHETT for our daily walk. It's nice for everyone to be able to get outside and get some fresh air (you begin to forget what the outside looks/smells like living in a hotel room!) We tried to take george outside for awhile but I get so nervous with the preying hawks everywhere that the poor guy can barely take a step without me freaking out, grabbing him and running back inside. Momma got a "kitty harness" for their cat, Bella, that I am going to borrow when I am home next week to try on george. If he takes to it I will buy him his own so he can enjoy the outside a little bit! Hopefully I won't have too many battle scars trying to get the thing on the little guy. I can't wait to get RHETT those booties and try them out on him!

By 9pm we both realized that we weren't tired because we had slept late and hadn't done anything to make us tired so I suggested Intergalactic Bowling (I am normally never up late enough to do it.) We called the bowling alley and they said that they did offer it and it started at 11pm (we were also told the bowling alley was smoke free, LIE.) I was SO excited. So 11pm rolls round and they turned up the music and turned off the lights......and that was it!!!!! I couldn't believe it...no glow in the dark anything but we still had fun (and I beat BEG in BOTH games; our bowling league is paying off!)

Here are some pictures:

Action shot

It's a little hard to read with the flash

CMG 123

BEG 101

Game 2

CMG 137

BEG 91

Keep checking back in with us. we are always up to something new! We hope everyone had a wonderful, relaxing weekend.

CMG

Clarification

A couple of people have asked my momma questions because they are a little confused about BEG and I's situation; (to be quite honest, we are too but we just go with it!) So I'll clarify the best I can about what has, is and will happen with us!

Right after our wedding in May, BEG and I started discussing the topic of him going back to school to seek a Petroleum Engineering or Geology degree if he had intentions of staying in the Oil and Gas industry (which he does.) So he applied to Texas Tech's Petroleum Engineering program and we waited until he got accepted to decide what we were going to do.

The second week of September he received a letter in the mail congratulating him on his acceptance into their program!! We were thrilled and immediately began taking the steps we needed to tie up loose ends in Shreveport for the move to Lubbock in June (house on the market, etc.)

About 5-7 days later, I was let go (BEG and I worked together) along with 25-30 other people at our company due to 4th quarter budget cuts for many oil and gas companies. This made us realize for certain that the decision we were making for him to go back to school was the right one for us. When all of this happened, our boss told us both that he would do his absolute best to find me work again in the new year once the new budgets were out.

Well he was true to his word! Chris asked Blake the Monday before Christmas if we would be interested in moving to El Paso as they had a new project coming up and he would be able to hire me back and we could go together. BEG called me and I agreed. By Monday afternoon we didn't know if it was going to happen anymore (and to be completely honest, I was a little bummed out!) When BEG got to the office Tuesday morning, Chris told him plans had changed. We were needed in Midland and work started Monday the 26th. BEG called me and I immediately panicked but agreed. We were heading to Abilene the next day (Wednesday) for Christmas and were having a Christmas gathering at our house that night (Tuesday) and we had only been home for 2 nights from a week long ski trip to Jackson Hole, WY.....ahhh.....I had no idea what was happening but if I meant I got a paycheck and our family could stay together than I was okay with it.

So we packed our bags and headed to Abilene for Christmas on Wednesday. Sunday we drove to Dallas where we caught a Southwest flight to Midland, rented a car and drove 1.5 hours further west to Pecos, Texas where we stayed for the next 4 days working. We flew back to Dallas Friday, drove to Shreveport, had Christmas with my family, celebrated the New year, undecorated our house, packed our bags and pets and headed out Sunday morning for the 10 hour trek back to Midland. And that brings you up to date with us.

The current project we are working on should have us here until at least June 1 when BEG will quit his job and head up to Lubbock for summer school and I will go where ever I can find work (hopefully in Lubbock but might have to stay in Midland for a little while, thankfully it's only a 2 hour drive!)

Hope this explains a little bit better what has, had, is happening currently, or will happen to you. I was as serious as I could be in my opening paragraph that literally everyday is a new day in this business so we are just taking it one day at a time!

CMG

Big Sky Drive In

We took our 1st ever Garrett family outing last night to the drive in and it was a success for all!

I was so excited when we moved into the hotel because there was a drive in movie theatre right down the street; I told BEG then that we would be going often. While searching for movie times and shows I saw where they were pet friendly so we loaded up RHETT and george and off we went.

We saw a double feature of True Grit and The Fighter

(lots of movie watching but they were both fantastic!)

George took a front row seat for the 1st movie

but fell fast asleep on RHETT's bed in the back during the 2nd

RHETT would watch every so often but wasn't really that interested;

George was still loving it!

Our original plan was to go to the drive in on Wednesday nights since it is the "poor boy special" meaning the tickets are half price ($6 for $3) so we could potentially see 2 movies (showing in swanky theaters) for $6 and in the comfort of our own car, ha!! I'm all about a deal but unfortunately BEG's class in on Monday and Wednesday nights so we can't take part in the special.

But (sometimes) we are still able to reap the benefits of the double feature. For those of you who don't know, a double feature is back to back movies on the same screen and you only have to buy 1 ticket; the only catch is you CAN NOT change screens without buying another ticket (and they are serious about it!) So for us last night, True Grit and The Fighter were on the same screen so we only spent $12 for all 4 of us to watch 2 GREAT movies. I was happy with that deal!

No big plans for the long weekend other than resting! We did stumble upon a Putt-Putt tonight while running errands so if the weather is good tomorrow and we get antsy to get out of the room, we just might happen to find ourselves hanging out with all the small children in this town =)

Have a good weekend.

CMG

School Days

As most of you already know, BEG is going back to school in June for his Petroleum Engineering degree. He is having to take Calculus II on Mondays and Wednesdays this semester to have all of the pre-requistes required out of the way once he gets to Lubbock in June.

This was BEG last night before class...

Just thinking about school made him need a nap!!

And here he is tonight...

made a 100% on his first homework assignment, woo hoo!!

Good Luck Babe!!

CMG

YAY RHETT!!!

Contrary to what he believed, RHETT actually survived his first day of staying in the room while we went to work.

I refused to let him go with us today. The weather was FREEZING (17 degrees) and I wasn't willing to take the Jeep (heater doesn't work) so that he could be more comfortable (the Tahoe has bucket seats so he can't lay down.)

When we came back for lunch the message light on our phone was blinking and I just knew it was the front desk telling us he had barked the entire time we were gone. Well, it was in fact the front desk but they were telling us that we had mail, whew!!

So we are making progress!!!

As cold as it is, he behaves so much better when I exercise him everyday. I cut his walks short when we first got here because it is so windy and cold but he showed me who was boss by acting like a BRAT!! So BEG and I bundle up and take him on a 3 mile (feels like 15 miles with 20 mph winds in your face) walk around the hotel premises and he is back to his old self (plus it's good exercise for us.) He really enjoys the brisk, cold air (unlike his momma) and the newness of all the smells (unlike his momma again!) but I'm convinced his walks are why he is acting/sleeping better so I will continue to bundle up to ensure I get a good night's sleep and no phone calls from the front desk!!

Hope everyone is having a good week!

CMG

George

I am confident that George has no idea he is not at home. We bought him an XL dog kennel to get him from Shreveport to Midland and I thought for sure he would freak out being locked up but he actually did quite well and didn't fuss or anything. He has a litter box, a cube, all of his toys and his food and water in there so it's like a home on wheels just for George.

Our biggest problem with George right now is that he has his days and nights confused. He does a lot of this during the day

therefore, he is up all night. I have had to confiscate his toys that make noise because he literally starts playing with them about 3-4am EVERY single morning.

I suppose he thought RHETT needed a cleaning so he decided to help him out!

Just hanging out

We used to think that George never ate. Well, we are quickly learning that he eats all throughout the night (we hear him) because he is too busy sleeping during the day! And his food of choice is RHETT's dog food, so we have had to start feeding RHETT before bed and putting his food away or else this is what we find.

So no need to worry about George, he is adapting just fine.

CMG

RHETT

To say that West Texas has been an adjustment for RHETT would be an understatement. He is not adapting well at all, poor guy.

He does a lot of this

when he is not doing this

One of the major challenges for RHETT has been the lack of places to go to the bathroom. For some reason RHETT has always been a very private bathroom user (usually backs into bushes so no one can see him) but being that the terrain out here looks like this

he doesn't have many options as to to where to use the bathroom. So for the first couple of days, he found a tumble weed; that was until a big wind gust hit and the tumble weed took off on him mid-potty. He was terrified and stayed away from the tumble weeds for a few days. He finally found the courage to attempt the tumble weed again but again it blew off mid-potty so I think he is officially over the tumble weeds. He appears to be dealing with his fear and he actually went to the potty in the wide open this morning (I think he is quickly learning that's about the only option he's got!)

Another problem we are having with RHETT is his separation anxiety. Here is a picture of RHETT in the car. He refuses to stay in the hotel room when we leave (he scratches on the door, barks, whines, you name it) so he literally goes everywhere we do and just sits in the car all day while we work. He seems to be 100% content just being with us so whatever works.

And here is what he looks like when we get back to the car in the afternoons! For those of you who are wondering, yes I do go out to the car multiple times throughout the day and let him run around and go to the bathroom.

Another problem RHETT is having out here is with his paws and the dead grass. I guess I never realized how soft his paws where until we got out here. When I take him for walks it's so hard for him to walk in the "grass" because it is so dead and hurts him to walk on. It is also covered in stickers. So we did a little research online and found some doggy booties (for hunting dogs) that we are going to try out on him and see if they will allow him to better enjoy his walks! Hopefully, he will embrace them!

The final problem we are having with RHETT is his need to feel like he needs to protect our room from anyone who walks down the hall. I am glad he is protecting but am growing a bit tired of him growling and barking at all hours of the night when anyone walks down the hall in front of our room (literally midnight, 3am.) This can grow a little tiresome, especially considering we are living in a hotel!! I found a box fan at Lowe's this afternoon so we are going to start sleeping with that on in hopes that it will block out any noise from the hallway so maybe he won't be able to hear it!?!?!

Hopefully he will continue to adjust. I feel so sorry for the guy but I try and spend as much time with him as I can; seems to be the only thing I can do!

CMG

Sandhills Stockshow & Rodeo

So I experienced my 1st Texas Rodeo last night! Blake and I heard on the radio the other day that 2011's first rodeo was taking place this weekend in Odessa and we thought it would be fun and different so we called and bought tickets (our tickets were supposed to cover a free concert by Casey Donahue after the rodeo but when we got there they told us our particular tickets didn't cover the concert,boo.) I figured we would be a little out of place but we were A LOT out of place!! We had no bedazzeled or bejeweled anything, no Ed Hardy or Affliction and no cowboy hats or belt buckles but we still had fun. Below are some photos we took; some aren't that great but enjoy!!

Bareback Riding

Mutton Bustin'

(there's a kiddo riding a sheep..look close)

Steer Wrestling

Team Tie Down Roping

(exclusive to the Sandhills Rodeo)

Tie Down Roping

still trying to catch the calf.....

still Tie Down Roping

un-tying the calf

Calf Scramble...hilarious!!!

kids trying to catch a calf

apparently a lot harder than it looks

FINALLY got one!

Saddle Bronc

Barrel Racing (ladies only)

I know nothing about Rodeo's but there were a few famous people there last night (or so I was told!) The NFR in Vegas is like the Olympics for cowboys and some of the guys last night have qualified for the NFR multiple times. I will say even though I know nothing about what happened last night, some of the cowboys were pretty impressive!!

Until our next adventure...

CMG

Our Room

So I am going to start the photos with BEG's favorite part of our new room....his closet!! The closet space in a hotel room is non existent so the fact that we both brought a lot of clothes since we will be here awhile we knew we needed to come up with some sort of alternative. So off to Bed, Bath and Beyond we went and wa la.....Beg's new closet!! This is the coolest thing I've seen for only $30. There's a shelf on top for his britches, a shelf below for his shoes and 2 extendable rods on either side of the regular rod to hang more clothes!! Not bad.

My closet

Our bedroom, ha!

The Den

complete with geroge's "room"

The Office

The Kitchen

The pets

We are continuing to settle in each day and hopefully (fingers crossed) RHETT will become more accustomed to this our new home soon, very soon!!

We've got big west Texas plans this weekend that I can't wait to share with y'all next week!!

CMG