The Princess and the Pea

Yes, I am the single mother to a princess Chihuahua... One pillow was not enough cushion for this little diva!

Sorry, personal blog!

Ok, I really seem to have abandoned my blogging here. But I promise to be better over the Christmas break and fill you in on my past semester.

Anyways, I wanted to share with you that I've actually been blogging for the University of Arkansas Graduate School. It's really great for prospective graduate students, or if you're interested in taking a peek at what graduate school is like for me.

I invite you all to read it by clicking here.

Thanks, and see y'all soon!

Cuddle Cup!

OK, so last night, I made Miley her FIRST cuddle cup! Let me explain...

Cuddle cups or snuggle sacks are these cute little sleeping bags for little dogs. It's basically their own, cute little blanket sack to burrow in. So adorable! And of course, my little princess had to have one. However, they are quite pricey, and I could never find colors that were exactly what Miley wanted. I solved this by finding a pattern for one at Hobby Lobby! Although, on a side note, they have tons of patterns for some of the weirdest things like a bib for people in walkers...

Anyways, Mom and I went to the new JoAnn store to get fabric for Miley's cuddle cup. I swear, the people who work in fabric there are idiots. But despite the flood of mediocrity in their staff, I found a really cute printed fleece for Miley's cuddle cup. It took practically no time to make, and turned out really well. Check it out below!

Miley's Cuddle Cup (check out the cute 70's pattern!)

Miley saying "Thanks, Ma! I love it! I never wanna get out except to run into your loving, giving arms..."

Chase & Kimberly's Wedding

This past weekend was Trase's brother, Chase's wedding. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! We went to the rehearsal dinner on Friday night. We went to the church (Chapel on the Creeks) for the practice of the ceremony, then off to P.F. Chang's for dinner. Wow, were we spoiled! They had ordered so many different dishes. I know I sound like a crazy fatty right now, but it was so exciting because I always order the same thing (lettuce wraps, buddah's feast, or general chang's chicken) so it was really fun to be able to try out some other dishes that I had never ordered before. We had what felt like 20 different appetizers and entrees, then the staff through in all different kinds of desserts because they had messed up the reservation. On top of that, there was also cake. It was so pretty! It looked like a little pink present (everyone knows the best things in life are pink). Also, Kimberly & Chase were so sweet and gave me a little gift even though I wasn't technically in the wedding party (just dating a member of it, lol). I got a flask blinged out in a leopard print design! Really cute and sassy--I love it! Trase got a set of cuff links and dress socks for the wedding--they were grey with hot pink polka dots. Isn't that adorable? Manly. I mean, manly (but mostly adorable).

The ceremony was on Saturday and was so pretty. The best part was seeing Trase all dressed up--he looked so cute! I mean, handsome. Handsome. I know guys hate being "cute" (even though he was...). As soon as Chase & Kimberly Cunningham (aw!) ran out, everyone threw hot pink rose petals as they ran into the limo. Isn't that so glamourous? I wish that would happen to me whenever I left anywhere, not just my wedding ceremony. Although, I'd want glitter thrown in as well, and maybe a dove release. I wonder who I need to get in touch with to arrange this....

Anyways, we left Chapel on the Creeks to go to the reception at the Fayetteville Town Center. OMG it was so chic! They had the main ballroom sectioned off so that we walked into a mini-lounge area. It was all lit with hot pink lighting, there were people walking around serving appetizers, and there were these white leather settees with hot pink silk pillows on them (the colors were hot pink & silver). Our names were written on these cute little card circles and on the back our table number written with a little jewel on there (I love bling!).

Then we walked into the ball room and it was so cool. It was like a really chic jazz lounge or someplace expensive. There was a dance floor in the center with a pink light gobo saying "Kimberly & Chase" surrounded by huge dining tables with silver table cloths and hot pink napkins. There were also like loose diamonds over the table (not real diamonds of course because that'd be ridiculous, but it was pretty). And then there was an ice sculpture where you'd put your glass underneath and then the bar tender could pour your champagne THROUGH it! It was really cool. After we ate dinner & had wedding cake, Trase and I danced ALL night! It was so much fun! We hadn't danced really since the night we first hung out because he felt forced to since I dragged him to the drag queen show on the false pretense that it was not gay night. Although, it did work. :) Anyways, below are some pictures of our weekend!

Rehearsal Dinner Cake. It was red velvet.

Kimberly & Chase (and the cake) at the rehearsal dinner

Our table. Check out the white chairs for Kim and Chase--just like a king and queen!

The Wedding Cake from Shelby Lynn's (featured on Food Network!)

The diamonds & my champagne

Trase and Me

The dance floor stayed packed!

Trase and his brother, Justin. The Cunningham men fancy themselves comedians

Trase doesn't like to smile in photos....

Trase and me at the dinner table

Trase spinning his mom around the dance floor

Trase, Chase, Kimberly, Edmund (their dad), and Justin

Me and Trase's mom, Vanessa. A new Mary Kay consultant, too!

Chase, Kim, and Trase. Say that five times and fast!

Me and the newlyweds!

Tale as Old as Time...

Me & Victoria

Me & Trase

Ok, so yes, I've practically abandoned my poor bloggy-poo here. :( But no fear! I fully intend to digitize my journal from Ghana on here at some point. I think that's before or after I finish knitting that scarf I started 4 years ago... Anyhow, I do have intentions of making my travels in Africa known. Just not now.

So today, my dream (well, one of them) came true. Yes, this is in fact the second life dream of mine to come true that involved a musical performance in the past year. First, Andy Williams's Christmas Show. Today? Beauty and the Beast! I've been DYING to see it since I was little and today my dream came true at the Walton Arts Center! And it was??????? FABOOSH! Words cannot describe my happiness! But an image of my happiness is pretty much summed up in a bowl full of glitter.... In fact, the show was so funny, so wonderful, so fantastic, that I'm going again Thursday night.

A funny anecdote about the live production of Beauty and the Beast and my father. Yes, there is actually a story connecting the two. When I was young, I had seen a wonderful news piece on some watered-down news show like Good Morning America or the Today Show highlighting the new live production of Beauty and the Beast. Already a theatre freak, I knew I HAD to see this show. Disney made it for me! right?

So Dad went to a business meeting a few weeks later, to leave me at home hoping that the wildflower I found in the field was perhaps enchanted, and practicing my waltz while being careful to mind the imaginary (and oddly) upright lion-creature/cursed prince. So, I get a call from Daddy, normal enough. I asked how his business meeting was going and he said "Ah, not bad. Had some free time. Went to dinner. Saw Beauty and the Beast. It was good." (my dad doesn't always talk like Tonto, but in this memory, he did...) In so many words, I was an angry 10 year old! My Daddy saw MY show! MY Beauty and the Beast! Mine, MINE, MINE! (ok, so obviously I stink at sharing, but I was upset!) Fortunately, I was a fat kid, so my unhappiness was easily replaced by the joy of a foot-long cheese coney from Sonic. But still, I was upset about this and held a (slight) grudge. However, today, my Daddy did in fact take me to see my show, so he is redeemed. :) Thank you Daddy! I love you!

This Past Semester

Ok, so those of you that I spoke to this past spring semester know that it was a toughie for me! I love grad school and I love history, but I never cease to be challenged by both. I honestly have never worked so hard at school in my entire life! But it felt good to put 200% into something. Anyways, here's a few photo highlights of the past semester...

Celebrated Miley's First Easter.

Here she is by my Easter basket

And her Easter dress was a birthday present to her from her Aunt Sissy! Thank you!

Celebrated Miley's First Birthday

Here she is opening presents

and eating her birthday biscuit

I attended & presented at my very first conference, the Texas A&M Graduate History Conference

Here I am with Dr. Betty Unterburger. The conference was held in her honor. I wish I had been smart enough to suck in in the photo! :( Unfortunately, they don't teach that in history...

I met Martin Luther King III (MLK's son)

Cleanin' up!

Ok, even the blog isn't safe from my spring cleaning! I will be updating from the past semester this next week, so the blog will see lots of updates! Even Miley is put on her cleaning kerchief to help...