The adventures of E and J in the new chevrolet

Well...I was finally fortunate enough to get me a new truck this week. My previous one was 14 years and 310,000 miles old and I knew that any day that the transmission was going to go out on it and the front end was going to just fall apart. I drive a lot of miles both ways to work and home so I am very blessed to have found the truck that I did with more reliability and less headaches. It is a 2004 Chevrolet crew cab, with leather interior and a lot of other luxuries that I don't know if I will ever use. Today Emily and I went and got her car inspected and registered here in Texas and after we were done we came home and the got in the truck and went cruising around. I have been telling her that here in Canton, all the water is spring fed, and a purified water company called Ozarka had been trying to come in a take this water from us, but I think the county fought them for several years and they finally stopped trying. Anyway I wanted to take her down to the place were you can go and fill your containers up with spring fed water. We got to the place but I really didn't recognize it (it had been several years since I had been there) and there was a fence up all around it and looked like it had been shut down. I went past it and told her, "I am not sure if that is it or not, lets drive down this road to see if its down here." Well we did and the road got narrower by the second until finally only one car could fit and if someone was coming the other way you had to find a place to pull over or back up. We finally got to the end of this road and there was a gate on the right side of the road that was locked up tight, dead end in front of us and then an open field to the left, and of all things there was a down and out couple backed up in that field, not but 10 feet from us, and they were eating some pic stics and probably doing something illegal. They never in a million years thought they would see anyone else drive down this dead end road....they looked surprise like I was the law or something. Well we got turned around and was heading down the one lane road and heck if someone else wasn't driving down this same small road coming right at me!! I found a place to basically get over (if that's what you call it) and as they passed me I could see it was a little old man and lady in a big ole buick....what were they doing down there??? Oh well all I know is that I wanted to get out of this scene from deliverance pretty quick so we zoomed on out of there and down the road we went, but this time we stayed on two lane roads and just cruised the county side...it was a beautiful fall day. I took Emily too some places that she hadn't seen before, we both enjoyed it as it was better then just sitting at home doing nothing. I have been off work this week, but I do have to go back tomorrow, although I am excited to show off my ride to my buddies at work. I had to go wash it again one last time, so it will be ready to go tomorrow!
I think both Emily and I are going to enjoy this truck for years to come. We will take trips in it (I even told her that I think it may actually make a run out to California one day) go out with other couples from time to time, and it has room for car seats for when the kiddo's come into our lives. It will be an all around great family vehicle.

DARN GOOD....

I couldn't resist to share this recipe for those who love chocolate! One of the girls at work made this on Tuesday for our November birthday luncheon. It was the best chocolate cake I have ever eaten honestly, so here it is. ( Enjoy Genevieve Ana)

DARN GOOD CHOCOLATE CAKE

1 PKG Devils food or dark chocolate cake mix
1 PKG ( 3.9 oz) chocolate instant pudding mix
4 large eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups semi- chocolate chips

* Preheat Oven to 350

* Place cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, water, and oil in a large mixing bowl. Blend with mixer on medium. Mix until all is blended.

* Stir in chocolate chips

* Pour batter into a bundt pan, that has been sprayed slightly and floured lightly.

* Bake the cake until it springs back when lightly pressed with your finger and justs starts to pull away from the side of pan ( 45-50 minutes)

*Let cool 20 minutes. Should slide right out of pan.

* Frost cake with extra chocolate frosting... the sweeter the better.

This is definitely a keeper!

Thanks Darla... it's YUMMO!

Becoming a little more TEXAN

One year ago today I moved to Texas to be with Justin. So in honor of my one year annivesary I decided to become a little more texan. I went and registered my vehicle and attempted to get my license changed over.







Justin and I do both have to admit it took a little longer to get me switched over but we both had the day off so we decided to make it a day outing.

Perks of driving with an OUT-OF-STATE vechicle:
The cops don't pay attention to you as much, because they are probably thinking " oh, their from california, they won't be here long, so we will let it slide". ( Justins thoughts not mine! I promise Dad, Justin obeys the laws of the road)

Perks of driving with the Texas plates:
People don't drive by you and cut you off, look at you and try to run you off the road as much... they feel as though we are equal now, we are both TEXAN!

I said "attempted" to get my licence, but they have a new rule that you have to have your birth certificate to get a new license for the first time in the state of Texas. So... that step will have to wait a bit longer. Maybe on my 2 year mark!

Happy Halloween!

My first Halloween in Texas. It was a blast!!

I had the day off, so I was busy decorating for our trick or treaters. The night before we started our festivities and carved our pumpkins. Justin remembered carving pumpkins when he was like 13, so he wasn't all excited about it this year. He told me he "grew out of that stage"... well I got news for everyone. We stayed up until 11:30 carving and creating our masterpieces. And guess who loved it---- JUSTIN!! He was a kid again with his pumpkins and they turned out adorable.



STARS!!!Representing Texas(or the Dallas cowboys, even though they aren't doing very well this season, we still have to show spirit)



The Classic Jolly pumpkin!! Because we are "jolly" people!



Justins favorite!!! Dale Earnhart JR #. Isn't it creative!

One thing that I love and my parents have instilled in me is Traditions, starting your own and keeping them going. I have my favorite Halloween memories and I am trying my hardest to start traditions with Justin. We rented a scary movie and had taco soup for dinner and our Halloween doughnuts for dessert. A good start of traditions so far.



I was anxiously waiting for trick or treaters. I did not know if we were going to get any this year. Last year Justin kept all the lights off, but not this year. Our house was lit up with pumpkins and scary eye ball lights and the scary music.( A little to scary for me.. dollar store find).



We did get trick or treaters...



Justins Mom and Dad were our trick or treaters. We did get two other little kids, but these two were our favorites.



ELVIS



Sweet Clown



Justin wore his blonde wig for a short whileand missing tooth . The funny part of the night was watching him play with it ank keep pushing it back from his shoulders. It was hilarious!




We had a very fun evening. I was sad to take it down so fast... but I just can't wait for the next holiday and new traditions that come with those!

Skinny or Fat

Mental note... DON'T keep it simple. A conversation I had this week with the girls at work. ( g= girls at work, e= me)


g-Hey Emily you like a cold drink?

e- A cold what?

g-A cold drink?

e- OK sure?

g- giggle giggle.. do you know what a cold drink is?

e-Well it's drink thats cold.

g-Do you want a cold drink?

e-Sure... a coke please,

g- skinny or fat one?

e-Oh my goodness, Darla you draw it out to much,

just ask me if I want a diet coke or a regular coke to drink.

g-Na... Emily around here in the south we like to draw things out.


No simple conversations here.

AHHH HAAAA

I now know why I should wear my "house shoes" (aka- flip flops)all the time. The lizards that are now finding there way into the house are being harassed by Sam and Tubby. Mostly Sam, Tubby just looks at it and then looks at me to make sure I am aware that there is a reptile in the house. But, after they tear it apart and eat the tail a few times, these pesky reptiles find there way into the seams of the carpet and nestle right in. The cats then can smell it and follow it in the carpet. Creepy... I know!. By this time I usually am on the phone with Justin crying about these ugly snake like lizards--- YUCK!!!

Conversation of the week!

Working at the Dental office has opened my eyes to many things. I have become good friends with two of the ladies up at the front desk. Debbie and Darla. The other morning we were talking about the weekend before. Debbie was telling me about unexpected visitor's at her house.... this was our conversation. (now remember- think strong southern accent,as you read below)

Debbie: "it was almost noon, and my daughter Amber came into my bedroom to tell me that Nanna and Pawpaw were here. I was surprised, I only had my shirt tail on"

Emily :"You're what?"

Debbie:(laughing, because my expression on my face)" You don't know what a shirt tail is?"

Emily:"UHHH NO", what is it"

Debbie: (still laughing ) "Darla do you wear a shirt tail?"

Darla:" Oh girl,are you telling me you don't know what that is?"

Emily:"Do I want to know?"

Debbie:"It's a shirt I wear to bed"

Emily:"A night gown or why don't you just call it pajamas?..."

Darla: "yeah, I guess if that's what you want to call it"

Debbie:"Do you know what a house coat is?"

Emily "You mean a robe?"

Darla and Debbie: ( laughing at me in hysterics)

Darla:"Do you wear house shoes?"

Emily:"Slippers?... Uh no. just flip flops."

PS... I do have pictures from my retreat extravganza--- I will post those ridiculous pics soon! I know you are all waiting anxiously.

SAMUEL

Meet Sam, our new CAT! I have been hinting to Justin for awhile now that I wanted a new kitten. Well... Justin drove almost 2 hours with this cat on his lap from work just to make me happy. That's why I love him so much. He really does listen to me when I whine.

We named him SAM, because he acts like a Sam... trust me! We went through alot of names, starting with Bernie Mac,(in remembrance of course) Eddie, (as in Murphy) Obama (just because, that would be funny),George (Tubby's actual name is Troubadour, which George Straight sings) but then we decided on Sam. We call him Samuel and Sammy. We like the "eeeee" sounding names. TUBBEEEEE and SAMMEEEE.



Tubby took to Sam very fast. As you can see in this picture Tubby adores him. They are best friends now.



Whatever Tubby does, Sam does. Tubby does not drink water, unless it has fallen from the ice maker on the fridge or from my bathroom sink. Which now Sam does. As soon as I push the ice maker they both make a beeline to the kitchen floor watching for all the dropped ice cubes and then they lick it up. If any of ya'll come out, just make sure you watch your step in the kitchen, There are usually puddles of water here and there. Justin loves it.

I forgot though that kittens are wild and crazy and into everything. He is extremely skinny, but he is a table scrap eater.He ate Justin's ham sandwich today, plus chips. Oh YES, I have another ones of those. Lily (my cat who is staying with Grandma and Grandpa Fausett) and Sam are the emotional cat eaters. They're bored... uhhh... they eat!!!


( As I was typing this I thought to myself "how pathetic, I am writing about my two cats, which we treat like our children... oh my).....!( Sorry for the fuzziness in the pictures, they were taken from my phone)

Getting Paid to go to CAMP!

Yea... you read it right, I will be getting paid to go to CAMP. WHAT??? Emily Fausett camping, well not quite. As you know I am working again. Finally HOORAY!. Of all places a Dentist office. I guess it's "all part of the experience" to participate in working in an dental office in my family.

This week is a "RETREAT" at a lodge here in Canton. Let me begin by saying that I am the 23rd FEMALE in the office - plus the four dentist who are such nice men. (Bless them) The group of gals are.. well... how should I put it, they are all gossip queens. Everyone knows everyone and what and why they are doing the things they are doing. I have already learned how to cook fried okra the correct way, it's not "thanks guys", it's "thanks ya'll". And it's only proper to call the all the cute little Lady's by Miss (first AND middle name)and all the little ol' men , babies or dolls. I now know where to go get my hair "frosted" here in town, rather then flying 6 hours back to California to get it done. I have a few options now.. IN TOWN. (And I thought orangevale was bad).

I already know more things about the people living in Canton and all the cities in a 25 mile radius then Justin does and he has lived here for many years. It doesn't help, when on my first official work meeting the doctors sent us on a scavenger hunt for two hours to pick up odd end things. The group who wins receives $100 each. I realized on that scavenger hunt that #1)Canton is a pretty big town with more schools and Dr offices then I would imagine and #2) If I mentioned that I was from LEGACY DENTAL, they said "oh you're the new one, how are ya liking it? Are they treating you alright over there". They already knew. It was small talk.
By the way, my team won 2nd place. We didn't get the REAL LIFE lizard or snake. SHUCKS.

Anyways back to the retreat. Every year the office does a two day retreat away from the office. The lodge is here in Canton, so we can go home after the day is over, which is great. It's a break from all the patients and do some bonding with the girls. I have been asking a million questions, because I received a packet with the rules and regulations and and I had to sign a consent form stating that I am in good enough shape ( sure I am ) to actively participate in all the outdoor activities. Outdoor activities, include tug of war, a bean bag toss, role playing ( whatever that means), walk the straight rope with your eyes blindfolded and all the girls hang in on. I had to tell them my favorite game shows, which #1 is Family Feud, so just remember ya'll when you want to go on that show, pick me. It's supposed to be a leadership/build your teamwork skills workshop. Along with my packet I received a what to bring list... tennis shoes (2) jeans (2) , shorts, sweaters, bathing suit, sunglasses, hat etc etc. It reminds me of girl camp days. The ONE that I went to. HA HA HA. There will be a family night when families come together and play games and eat and play in a bouncy house. I am not kidding. I bet Justin is glad for the first moment in his life that he will be working and won't get off soon enough to join in on the activities! At the end of the retreat, Friday night there is a time when everyone goes around and gets to talk. Bonfire time. They want us to have a fresh new beginning on Monday when we get back to the office. WOW, this will be an adventure! I will update everyone on my KOOMBAYAA. It's payback on all those times I didn't want to to go camp or EFY. Just wait, I may become a counselor or something at some camp here in Canton.

Here's the dental office's web page that I work at. Take a look at it and imagine me playing tug of war and doing skits with all my new girlfriends! WHOOPIE.


www.cantondental.com

But actually, I am very blessed that I am working with a great group of people. I literally laugh all day and definitely learn new things. Thanks to all who prayed for me... this job was sent to me from higher power.

Happy 30th Birthday Justin !!!

It was almost a month ago that Justin turned the big "30", but here are some photos to show you of the fun weekend.

Justin's parents took Justin and I to a fancy steak dinner for his birthday, "THE FOURWINDS". It was just the four of us, and it was so relaxing. We love spending time with Bob and Sharon. They are hilarious to be around and make us laugh. It was a delicious dinner.






The big day of turning the big 30!

I woke up that morning and decorated the house for Justin. I made a chocolate cake and hung balloons all around. It was Sunday afternoon and we were going over to his parents house to open presents and eat cake with the gang. It seems the older we get the more "low key" the birthdays are. We like those kind of family gatherings.



Opening presents... he got a John Deere t-shirt ( which he opened earlier in the day), gift cards, a BBQ utensil set and of course the big surprise was the BBQ grill.



WOW the cake is on fire--- nah it's just the 30 candles that we lit. Make a wish Justin... awww it's already come true he has me!





Sitting on Bob and Sharon's front porch! HOT HOT day in Texas!



** 10 little known facts about Justin Guion Bogle **

1) He is the youngest of three children. Sister Deb was starting college and brother Brad was starting high school when he was born! What a surprise! The biggest in his family and so loved!

2) He is 6'5 and 260 lbs. Pure MALE!

3) He has lived in Texas all of his life. He has lived in Dallas, Forney, Mesquite, Commerce and Canton.

4) He has 3 Nieces and 3 Nephews... Gatlin, Cody, Bobbye Raye, Brandon, Layton and Miranda (ages 26-14).

5) He was a defensive end/quick tackle in high school football.

6) He talks extremely southern everywhere but the OFFICE.

7) He Hates snakes... who doesn't.

8) Loves NASCAR, favorite is Dale Earnhardt JR. and the legend Dale Earnhardt himself. ( just take a look at the den ).He recalls the day that Dale Earnhardt died was the saddest day he could remember.

9)New hobby--- BBQ!!! Just tonight he commented on how he needs to "go online and get BBQ recipes" What a chef, watch out food network. Actually he says it's an "ART!"

10) He will be getting married next year in Lake Tahoe California!YIPPEE!!

Home Sweet Country Home

Well here they are... the pictures of our home. Now ya'll can see where Justin and I spend all of our time. Welcome to CANTON!





The Front Living room



Our computer area as well where I store my clothes and shoes. It is the room right now that seems to collect all the stuff that I am slowing finding space for. A little messy still




The Kitchen






Justin's Nascar room, aka "THE DEN". It's the only boy room in the house now. Poor Justin.






Emily's Bedroom







Justin's Bedroom



Back Porch--- Justin's hang out (when it's not 105 degrees outside... HOT!)



Notice the BBQ! Justin's birthday present. He is a master at BBQ-n hamburgers. He is now working on conquering STEAKS! YUMMO.



The Back yard





Our vehicles