HI friends!  Are you all having a superb summer?  I hope so.  Jameson and I are having a wonderfully eventful summer filled with family, fun, and sun.  In fact, a little too much sun.  In case you haven't been watching the weather channel, perhaps you're unaware the midwest is going through a bit of a heat wave.  It's so hot, I heard on the news that someone baked chocolate chip cookies outside on the street!  I wouldn't eat them, but I believe it without a doubt.  Every time I walk outside I feel like I've been banished to Satan's sauna.  Most of you know that fall is my favorite season and this year it can't come soon enough!

Jameson has been lucky enough to avoid some of the heat as he has had to travel back to Tennessee quite a bit.  I'm sure it's hot and sticky there as well, but he has the benefit of cooling off in Cherokee Lake and cliff diving after dark.  However it's not all fun & games in the "dirty dirty," the other night he called me from the job site at 2:30am ET.  No one can say the boy doesn't do what it takes to get the job done well.

I haven't been so fortunate in the job arena, but I haven't given up!  I know the right job is out there.  I would love to do something where I can write or somehow be involved in interior design or home renovation.  I did buy some home design software the other day so now I spend lots of time designing pretend rooms for pretend people.  If anyone hears of any opportunities, please pass them on.

And now for an update on the newest Gardiner family member, Scout.  What can I say about the world's most awesome dog?  He is awesome.  He has had a few misadventures that resulted in me pulling stickers from his coat for hours & hours and a trip to the groomers, but he remains the best dog ever.  He is funny, sweet, and I'm so glad he's mine.

Well thanks for stopping by to see what's up with us.  We hope everything is well with you and please stop by again soon!

WARNING!  All but one of these pictures are of my dog or someone else's dog.  If you are not a dog person, I urge your to end you visit to this blog now.

Jameson and I at the College World Series in Omaha.  Please ignore the shiny sweaty glow on our faces. 

Practicing for Scout's first airplane ride.  Practice went well, the actual trip was a disaster.  This dog is completely resistant to sedatives and, not surprisingly, doesn't enjoy being shoved underneath an airplane seat.  His first airplane ride will also be his last.

The dog park sticker incident.

All better.  He's clean, he's cut, and he is a happy puppy.

Click here to vote for Scout.  If you've already voted, go ahead and do it again! 

I've landed in Kansas and got me a Toto

Hey friends and family!  Long time no blog.  Though we were sad to leave Tennessee, I can't tell you how happy I am to be in Kansas!  Not only is it beautiful with rolly hills and green greenness everywhere, but they have lightning bugs and tons of lightning, so I'm set.  Oh and we are no longer living in the middle of nowhere.  We found a brand new apartment smack dab in the middle of everywhere.  I haven't cooked in months and we rarely find ourselves wondering how to spend our time.  It's great.

Jameson is finally getting used to working only 10 hour days and sitting in a cubicle.  I don't think he was quite prepared to be a "company man" spending all day in a glitzy office building as opposed to a dusty modular office trailer surrounded by steel, cement, and crew workers, but now that he's been here a little awhile I think he's settling into his polo shirts and team building exercises quite nicely.

I am still looking for work which in itself seems to be a full time job, but no complaints because 3 weeks ago my long time dream of becoming a mommy was realized, a doggy mommy to be exact.  Last month Jameson and I adopted a dog from a local shelter and named him Scout.  He is a mix between a lhasa apso and nobody knows, but he is awesome.  He loves to hang out wherever I am and he looks like he came from a Disney movie or an after school special.  If you are annoyed by people constantly posting pictures of their dog and writing about every adorable move they make, then I suggest you avoid this blog for awhile, bc I just can't help myself.  He is so cute, I feel like he's a cartoon come to life to be my friend.  He is the perfect dog for us.

So we're happy here and we hope you're happy there.  It's going to be a great summer and I hope you all enjoy it.  Ciao bellas!

Scout's first day home.  He was just a tad apprehensive.

A couple weeks ago in Iowa.  Happy as can be. 

My mud nook before, blah & boring.

And after, snazzy & jazzy.

My sister asked me to decorate the twins' rooms.  Annie's room before...

And after.  Not totally finished, but a big improvement, no?

Before

After

Ellie's room before...

And after.

Before

After