Klyde Warren Park

My friend Lesli and I went to the Klyde Warren Park (click name for link) today with her dog Ozzie.  It completely turned our day into an uplifting getaway.  It's so fun and euphoric that you won't want to leave or at least not go home.  It made us immediately think of what other treats Dallas has to offer.

Every space of the park had a reason and gift.  Every Tuesday from 1:00 - 3:00 pm there will be knitting lessons for beginners in the knitting circle.  Also a reading and games courtyard and lunch time piano playing on Wednesdays.   

I want to utilize the free exercise classes including yoga, zumba, run club, boot camp, tai chi, and ballroom dancing.

 The playground was adorable, with an extended area still being constructed. 

There was even ping-pong, petanque, badminton, croquet, foosball, and a putting green.  All the supplies are free to use with a valid drivers license.

Ozzie loved the dog park and though he doesn't need it, there's dog training lessons available on Saturday's from 1:00 - 2:00 pm.

You can check out the full schedule on klydewarrenpark.org

Love, Sarah

New Orleans Picture Diary

I have so many pictures - especially for only being in NOLA for less than 48 hours.  

I picked out some of my favorite moments...

Our hotel lobby at Bourbon Orleans. 

My view from lunch at Muriel's.  

  

Of course we had to enjoy Cafe Du Monde.  

Jackson Square

Amanda and Justin - the newlyweds

Cathy bought her cd - she was amazing and full of soul.

Cathy, my beautiful hotel roomy.  We have never spent more than a dinner or party together and knew that this would be the ultimate test to see how we get along - and I can speak for the two of us that we had a fantastic time.  :)

My favorite meal of the trip - The Triple D at The Old Coffeepot.  

Then it became night...

I fell in love with the charming city - music filled the air, people warmed the soul, and the food never stopped.  Can't wait to go back.

Love, Sarah

My +16 Hours New Orleans to Dallas Story

Have you ever had a day that everything you touched went wrong?  That was me today.

I had an amazing time in New Orleans with some dear friends but trying to leave was a different story.

5:00 am - Left for the airport after three hours of sleep

5:30 am - checked in to be on stand-by for the 7:25 am flight

7:20 am - was allotted a ticket and boarded the plane

7:21 am - they took my bag to check it in so we could quickly fly out

7:22 am - texting Paul and my friends that I made it on - woohoo!

7:23 am - as I was buckling my seat belt I heard my name being called over the loud speaker that I must exit the plane.  They mistakenly let someone through without scanning his ticket so there wasn't room for me since another passenger had just shown up for the flight

7:25 am - an employee telling me that my bag is already on the plane and I can get it whenever I reach Dallas

8:45 am - didn't make it on the second flight

8:50 am - blisters really wearing in from my "nice" stand-by attire 

 ...and dang it, my flip flops are in my checked bag

9:30 am - didn't make it on the third flight

9:35 am - called to hitch a car ride from New Orleans to Shreveport with my friends 

(thinking... one step closer to Dallas)

10:00 am - got up to meet them outside

10:05 am - realized I left my camera on the seat next to me in the airport

10:06 am - was not allowed back in the airport without going back through the security line

10:07 am - yelling for help for someone to go grab my bag before it was a goner 

10:08 am - tearfully begging someone to just find it for me

10:09 am - making some extremely awful ugly cry faces while waiting for my camera

10:15 am - sobbing thank you and hanging on tightly to my bag as I go out to meet Amanda and Justin

3:30 pm - realized I was missing the Cowboys game that we had suite tickets to from Paul's client.  Don't worry - Paul sent me some pictures of how fun it was (until they lost)

4:30 pm - Justin spotted a crocodile on the side of the road and we looped around to snag a picture :)

5:15 pm - got a car rental in Shreveport and said bye to Amanda and Justin

5:46 pm - returned the rental with a flat tire as I was trying to get back to the highway

5:50 pm - back on the road with a new rental

9:11 pm - returned my rental at the Dallas Love Field Airport

9:35 pm - found my bag in lost luggage 

10:10 pm - came home to some sweet furry babies and a handsome hubby!

I honestly feel silly that I'm complaining but a lot of good happened today as well.  I spent more time with my friends, saw a beautiful sunset, and any time you go through something challenging in your day - it immediately makes you grateful for the smoother days.

Hope your day was a blessing and send your prayers to everyone stuck without flights home in the Northeast due to the hurricane.

Love, Sarah

Gun Protection

This morning I heard this story about the 12-year-old Oklahoma girl that shot an intruder that broke into her home while she was there alone.  The intruder even had an abduction on his record and was opening the closet the girl was hiding in when she shot him.  It gives me chills to think of what could have happened and the protection that gun gave that little girl.  

I'm currently getting my CHL this weekend.  We have guns in our home and I thought it would only be responsible to learn the laws, be prepared, and learn to shoot them all properly without hesitation.  I believe ignorance is not bliss and we definitely don't live with a false sense of security living in downtown.  We have had several occurrences that I don't believe needed a deadly way to stop the intruder but "to have it and not need it, than need and not have it" is always something that comes to my mind.

Going through the CHL course has taught me several important facts:

-You can never retract a bullet.

-It only takes a fraction of a second to put your finger on the trigger, so always have your finger off the trigger until ready to pull.

-Always treat every gun as loaded, even when not.

-If you have to shoot someone with deadly force - aim for the center of their chest to avoid most organs and it's the strongest part of their body to withstand a bullet.  The goal is to stop and not kill.

I pray to the Lord I will never have to use my gun - but think of the little 12-year-old girl that has the ability to have a childhood because of their household protection.

Please educate yourself and others around firearms.

Love, Sarah

WINDOW VIEW

I've been rearranging our art in the house today - with the addition from pieces from the show.  I was almost done when I realized it was too quiet.  I took a peek in the office and there they all were.  Just watching cars pass by.  

 

After calling Shadow and Sergeant awful names this morning - it's good to see them acting so sweet and innocent.

Hope your day is going smooth for you.

Love, Sarah

   

Katie's Bachelorette Weekend - Fredericksburg, TX

This weekend I went down with my friends to celebrate Katie McKinley's bachelorette party in Fredericksburg.  Her friend opened her family's party home to us and we partied the whole time.

Katie was her sorority's president and I felt this weekend was the closest thing to being in a sorority as I will ever get to.  Personalized everything, schedules, one easy payment for the whole weekend, organized to the "t", and perfected group pictures.  I LOVED it.  

The first night we had a lingerie shower and really got to know everyone that came.  We took full advantage of the fireplace and hot tub - couldn't of been more perfect.

Katie soaking in the view before breakfast.

Wait, what?!  Then yes, a baby kangaroo came in to say hi.  

The owner Max, has two kangaroo's, elk, fainting goats, bob cat, and a horse on the property.

After we calmed down over the kangaroo, we all got ready for our wine tour afternoon. 

I love this girl.

Of course being the professionals that they are we had a bus to take us all over Fredericksburg. 

First stop - Pedernales Cellars 

The four of us all worked together at Children's Medical Center.  Isn't it amazing how jobs can produce life long friendships? 

We did a flight tasting of their nine wines. 

Next up - Becker Vineyards 

They grew and sold lavender products as well. 

We all used our wine glass holders that the perfect Katie gifted to us. 

 The band played Katie a song before we headed out.

Third vineyard - 4.0 Cellars 

We did another flight and then headed outside to share a couple bottles.

Nicole looking amazing. 

I snuck off with the bride and her maid-of-honors to get a couple quick pictures. 

While heading back to the house we all jumped out of the bus to see the zebras close up.  

I don't think they could be anymore precious.

 Now you knew we couldn't skip getting dressed up and hitting the country town, did you?

 I'm going to end with this picture right here - taken in the beginning of the night.  Let's just say we all had fun.

Bye Twin Boar Ranch...

 

We couldn't thank the owner enough for his hospitality.

LOVE YOU KATIE MCKINLEY!

Love, Sarah