I Let Myself Down

So when people have been putting up facebook status' about decorating for Christmas, or being excited about Starbucks Red Christmas cups, or starting their Christmas shopping, or excited that a mall, etc has put up their tree. While these people were doing that, I was secretly scolding them, saying to myself, and sometimes, on Twitter (@bulldawgbelle) ...LET THANKSGIVING HAVE IT'S DAY.

Yesterday.....

I went to Starbucks, had one of the Christmas latte's in a red cup....NOTHING!

I went to Marshalls/Home Goods to see if they had random pieces of my Christmas china (which I use starting the beginning of November because it's not very christmasy...more wintry (Johnson Brothers, Friendly Village) . But about this time the Home Goods stores might get a random piece or two. While there.....ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE!!! I started doing Christmas shopping, and got wrapping paper!! My "Give Thanksgiving it's day" outer shell broke into a million tiny pieces.

Next I went to Target to buy some gift tags for the soon to be wrapped presents, but instead of getting in, and getting out.... I bought a few more gifts....It was over, because at that point, all I wanted to do was find a Christmas tree (which thank goodness the fresh cut trees aren't available yet), then run home put on Christmas flannel pants and sip wine, listen to music and decorate for Christmas!!! (This picture below didn't help! Sleigh rides around Northcross shopping Center)

What saved me from listening to Christmas music was the Georgia game on....but wait half time is here.....I don't want to listen to the ESPN announcers talk about other games.....oh wait.....Dish Network has a special channel just for Christmas music....just through half time....that's it.

My sister sends a text message about an hour and a half later with something about the game....Oh SHIT.... I am STILL listening to Christmas music!!!!

Well not only did I pull out decorations, I got creative for my wall about my fireplace!! I made my own artwork. I had the old painters canvas' that I just covered with red silk fabric last year, and hadn't done anything with them. So I pulled out my paints, dipped different sized glasses in them and put circles on them, then sewed on a few gold ornaments to it. I think it looks kind of fun, different, and kind of fabulous!! Haha, but that's the crazy me, drugged out on Christmas spirit.

Now here I sit, sipping out of a red Starbucks coffee cup and looking at the Christmas tree in Birkdale, and listening the the wonderful Christmas music in Starbucks....and I think I have finally just giving up on fighting the spirit.

Well...Thanksgiving, I will give you your day...I just had to have a few moments of early Christmas to myself!!!

Now off to watch the Movie "The Blind Side" by myself....I do love seeing a movie by myself every once in awhile.

I hate TWEENS

I once was a teenage girl, and after last night I loathe it. I went and watched the second part of the Twilight Saga last night. Of course, I knew what I was getting into, these books and movies are meant for the teenage group. It was packed full of tweens. They all gasp or laugh louder than needed (remember they have to be dramatic about EVERYTHING), they play with their phones that the light on their screens are lighting up the place, and oh wait for it….ANSWER THE PHONE DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE MOVIE!!! (The teeny bopper in front of me answered her phone and said “I’m in a movie”. First off don’t all you kids know what texting is, and secondly….It’s rude for you to think that you are the most important person in the room, and COME on!!!

Here is the difference from when I was a teenager versus the teenagers of today. We didn’t have cell phones that had battery power long enoug to make it past unplugging it from the car charger to actually getting out of the car, cause we had Zack Morris phones! We didn’t know what Starbucks coffee was. We knew who Katie Holmes was before Tom Cruise. We were either “Team Pacey, or Team Dawson”. Most importantly, we knew our place in the world much better, and weren’t rude to other people older than us. I mean I am just baffled with the rudeness of all of these kids. They think they are more important than anything else. I just don’t get it.

All I know is I hate teenage girls and loathe that I once was one!!!

What team do you bat for?

All I see these days is everyone saying "Team Edward" or "Team Jacob" (if you don't know those teams, you obviously don't know anything about the Twilight craze running through every teenage girl and okay, stay at home mom, and every other female in general. I have read the first two books, and like them, watched the first movie, and was disappointed, and now going this weekend to see film #2!

I don't want to be a follower, so I am going to set a new precedent! I am team "Carol Hannah", and if you are scratching your head, wondering what Twilight character that is, you will be scratching for awhile. Carol Hannah is from Lifetime and Heidi Klum's Project Runway. I love this little designer and I hope that tonight she will win the season finale.

Here is some info on Carol Hannah! First of all...She Southern!!!! That's the #1 fact! She is 24 years old and from Charleston, South Carolina and is a self-taught designer, which means she's never gone to fashion school or studied fashion in Paris, Milan, etc. Her favorite designers that inspire her are Valentino and Oscar de la Renta. The first thing she ever designed and made was clothes for her Barbies...how precious is that!

She just great! I encourage you to watch this season of Project Runway!

Her Etsy Shop : http://www.etsy.com/shop/carolhannah

Volunteering at the rescue

Today I went to volunteer orientation at the Great Dane Rescue of the Carolinas, which is about 5-8 minutes from my house. I spent around 4 hours learning the ropes of the facility and meeting some AMAZING dogs.

Since I have been unemployed, I sometime feel like I lose my sense of worth and don't feel important in this world, and that will get you into a slump. When I left the rescue today, I felt on top of the world, I had a better feeling of self confidence, and I felt like a worthy human being. There are over 70 dogs there that have the ability to heal the human soul. I truly feel like a different person. I feel tears welling up just talking about it. I wanted to volunteer because I felt dogs without a family need someone to show them love and show them how important they are, but in reality, these dogs helped me. It's like I will help you and you will help me.

These dogs are amazing beings, they live on this farm waiting for someone to take them and love them for the wonderful dogs that they are, they aren't just laying around pouting, they are happy for anyone to show them love. We as humans can learn a thing or two from a homeless dog. Don't judge someone before you really get to meet them and make the best out of any situation you are in.

We think that going and volunteering to walk the dogs and give them love is something to temporarily help them until they get a home, but even after one the dogs is adopted, the time we spend with them makes a difference in their lives forever. They may be a little more gentler with a child because of the belly rubs. They may start to not be afraid of humans if they were once abused because I showed them that their are humans that want to love them and make them a home. As we have grown up in this world, tiny acts of kindness that strangers have shown us among the passing years have stuck and we remember, the same goes with dogs. They will remember all the kindness showered over them and will help make someones house a home because of it.

I know that I am truly thankful for what these dogs have done for me, and I hope that I can repay them by helping them find homes!!

The picture above is one of my favorites, a Dane named Abbey. She was the first dog from the rescue that I took for a walk, okay, I lie, she took me skiing. But in reality, she doesn't get walked very much, due to the volume of dogs, and when she was let out, she pulled the leash raring to go, and I happened to still be attached!! Here is some info on her: Abbey is still a young girl at heart looking for her TRUE forever home. Abbey has been in several homes and was surrendered to our rescue recently. Because she has been in different homes, Abbey needs someone who will be patient with her and gain her trust. When people first approach her kennel, she will bark at them because she is so untrusting of others and nervous. But inside, there is a wonderful heart who is looking for a nice place to lay her head, eat her meals, and go on long walks. Abbey does get along with other dogs and would do great with a medium to large male dog who will run and play with her. Abbey would also be best in a home with kids over 10.

The Picture above is Amos. Here is some info on him:Amos is a beautiful black Lab mix that came from a high kill shelter with his brother, Andy. Amos is very scared at the rescue, but is starting to come around. Amos feels very safe with his brother, but would be fine adopted without him. Amos needs someone who is patient and willing to take the time to get to know all of his special gifts. Amos would do well in a home with Andy or as the only dog to start.

The picture above is of a sweet little girl named Ebby! She is dachshund/basset hound, and totally the best of both worlds...I love her and want her for myself, but I want to wait to get another dog! She is currently in foster, so she is being well loved!! Here is some info on her: I love to ride in the car. I love treats and I like to play with toys. I am such a good girl. I hope you have room for me in your car, your home and your heart! Really...I don't take up much space.

Here is the website for the rescue! http://www.greatdanerescue.org/

PLEASE HELP THESE DOGS FIND FOREVER HOMES!!

Pretty Leaves...My Ass!!

Oh yes...at first I was one of the people from the South that usually sees nothing but pine trees all year long. There isn't one season in which they look beautiful and people stop and admire them. I did take a picture and gasp when the tree (picture below) in front of my North Carolina home turned a shade of orange I have never seen before . It was beautiful. That was then, this is now, only a week or two later. Leaves changing.....SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why you ask? Well it's because we North Carolinian's have to rake those beautiful leaves off the ground. Oh, yes, gorgeous when still attached to the branches, but when they all break loose about the same time, which happened when a rain and when came through, the a four letter word that starts with F pops out of the sweet little Southern mouth. I won't lie, I repeated the F word (Friggin'...duh) about 10 times when I realized how much raking was involved. I had enough leaves covering the ground that I could lose my dog in there. Okay, yes he's a dachshund and short, but still that's a crap load of leaves!! So next time you stop and admire the beautiful colors cloaking the fall leaves, say a prayer for those folks that actually have to get those off the ground.......NOT FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Need a Dentist!?!?

Go to Welborne, White and O'Leary if you are in the Lake Norman area.

I chipped a tooth on Friday, chewing freaking Halloween candy...Yes, bitter about it! I officially don't like Halloween anymore after my Friday! Another blog post will follow in more detail.

This morning I went it to get it fixed, afterwards he told me...No charge, just refer us to a friend.

Seriously, Seriously...that is freaking awesome...I really thought this was going to be the most expensive Halloween ever!!

So here is there info:

Welborne, White, and O'Leary

9700 Caldwell Commons Circle Cornelius, NC 28031

704.896.7955

Call them! Tell them I sent you!!