Coffee, Cocktails & Chaos: Missing Bulldogs, Swimming Bears & French Fries !

Hey Peeps!!!

I'm here on Thursday again, bringing you another week's worth of caffeine, OOTDs, and the ongoing questionable food choices that come with being me.

Hold on to your britches, because we've got cooler temperatures, a swimming bear, a missing dog, and more French fries than one person should rightfully consume!

And that's just the stuff I can remember. 🤣

🐾 The Doggie Diaries

Well, well, well. Let's start this week's Doggie Diaries with the one and only Miss Rouxby Sue, who decided to go MISSING for approximately an hour and a half this past Monday.

Y'all.

If you ever need to wake up quickly on a Monday morning without coffee, just let your crazy bulldog disappear to gosh-knows-where and drag half the neighborhood into the search.

Works like a charm. I do NOT recommend it.

Monday morning, I had the doors open, enjoying this glorious fall weather, and Little Miss Divalicious was wandering in and out of the house while Hubster was walking Reggie.

She'd gone outside, and I hadn't seen her for a while when I heard a sad little yip. Not a normal Rouxby bark, but more of an I might need some help over here kind of yip.

So I went to investigate.

I searched the backyard high and low and everywhere in between.

No Rouxby.

I ran inside, yelling her name, checking all her usual spots, and offering treats.

Still no Rouxby.

Hubster returned from his walk, and we BOTH started looking.

Nothing. Not a peep.

At this point, I'm 100% convinced someone has swiped my girl from the backyard because she's not tall enough to get out on her own. And let me tell you, I have now spun completely out of control like a cat on meth!

I sent a frantic text to our neighborhood ladies' group, and OH. MY. GOSH.

You guys, they showed up in a BIG way.

Everyone was searching high and low for little Roux. I'm a complete mess, Hubster is probably wondering if I've reached a level of crazy he's never witnessed before, and the neighbors just keep looking.

My sweet neighbor SC decided to come inside for a fresh set of eyes because OBVIOUSLY I'd reached maximum panic and probably couldn't have found my own arse at that moment.

And then…

We heard little yips.

I went flying through the house like my pants were on fire, and there stood the little 💩.

IN. MY. BATHROOM.

WHERE HAD SHE BEEN???

Nobody knows!

An hour and a half of searching, half the neighborhood on high alert, and this little diva was apparently somewhere in the house the entire time.

I kissed her little face approximately 47 times and then proceeded to read her the riot act about NEVER, EVER doing that to me again.

I'm sure she understood every single one of my blubbering words. 

I sent this picture to the neighbors to let everyone know Little Diva was home and safe, thanked them profusely for helping us search, and expressed my appreciation that nobody called the folks with the white coats and restraints to come collect me.

And look at her.

Does that look like the face of a dog who feels even remotely sorry???

I THINK NOT!

Meanwhile, in Reggie World…

Speaking of little 💩s, as I started writing this, we were T-minus 45 minutes from Reggie's appointment for shots.

He'd already had most of his anxiety medications, with one more liquid sedative to take before we headed out.

Anything to make the Tasmanian Devil a little less anxious!

UPDATE: IT WENT SO WELL!!!

He was pretty heavily medicated, but Dr. McEndree was nothing short of a superhero, and we all came home with our body parts intact!

Reggie is home sleeping off all that medication and doing fabulous, provided Little Miss Diva leaves him alone.

Y'all, if I had champagne in the house, I'd bust it out to celebrate!

A successful vet visit AND all the humans still have their fingers? That's a WIN!

👚 What I've Been Putting on My Body to Go Out in Public

Okay, let's get to the questionable clothing choices I've made over the past week.

I mean, I DID actually get dressed a few times to leave the house, so there's that!

Friday

Last Friday, I had to get up and get moving because I had an embroidery class with my Silver Frogs.

And for the record, I have YET to do my homework for tomorrow's class.

Problem student, indeed!

Since we're actually experiencing some fall weather, I pulled on my britches (XS)  from Wallyworld and my sweatshirt (XS)).

I'm 100% sure I wore shoes, but Rouxby Sue is covering my feet in the photo, and I cannot recall what they were.

But shoes WERE worn!!!

You'll just have to trust me on that one.

On the way home, I stopped to do my civic duty and voted early.

I posted about it on Instagram, and honestly, the best part is that for several days afterward, I stopped receiving unwanted texts from all those yahoos running for office!

Now THAT is something worth celebrating.

Friday Night: A Swimming Bear!

Hubster and the MereBear were in Austin for Court's dance show, so I got on the ol' Gametime site and bought myself a ticket to see a swimming bear.

Or maybe it was Teddy Swims.

Either way, I did something I never thought I'd do in my life.

I WENT TO A CONCERT ALONE!!!

Yessireeeee Bob, I DID!

And it was FANTASTIC!!!

The couples sitting around me were so nice, and there was a group of five ladies behind me who let me sing and dance right along with them.

Turns out, going to a concert alone isn't nearly as scary as I thought. Who knew???

A clothing change was in order because it had started raining again, and I knew it would be chilly inside the arena.

And MERCY, was it ever!

I pulled on my favorite barrel pants (XS), a plain white tee, and an old denim jacket. I finished it off with my purple Fluevog boots (8)

Now, those boots have a story.

I bought them in New Orleans when AprilMayJune and I went shopping after partaking in a few of Bartender Courtney's Bloody Marys.

But that's a story for another day.

Let's just say there was some explaining to do when the credit card bill arrived. 😜

Good thing I grabbed that denim jacket because it was FRIGID in that arena.

I almost bought a dang $70 sweatshirt just to keep from freezing to death!

Saturday

The next day was Halloween, and for some reason, I completely forgot to snap an outfit picture.

Not that you missed much.

Denim shorts and a VERY old Halloween sweatshirt for handing out candy to all the little goblins who came to our house.

Fashion icon, I am not.

Sunday

Sunday had Hubster, MereBear, and me heading over to Weatherford Trade Days for a bit before spending the rest of the day hanging around the house.

I pulled on my Vineyard Vines (s)  and Gap shorts (26.

I wore tennis shoes because they got really muddy, and I had to wash them afterward. But the picture was snapped either before I put them on or after we got home.

I'm not entirely sure.

But there's a picture, and I feel like I deserve some kind of credit for that!

Also, we had the time change, and now it feels like midnight at 5 p.m.

My brain is officially discombobulated.

Monday

I must have looked REALLY ratchet on Monday because I have absolutely no outfit pictures.

Then again, we spent half the morning searching for Little Miss Thing, and she took approximately 20 years off my life.

Can't say snapping an OOTD was particularly high on my priority list.

I'm just happy I remembered to put on pants!

Tuesday

Tuesday was hair day!

I washed and colored my hair, which already made it a banner day.

Especially since I didn't have to conduct a neighborhood-wide search for the little Houdini.

We also started working on our Mardi Gras tambourines, so I was actually somewhat productive!

I pulled on some brown/white gingham pants (s) , which Hubster later informed me were WAY too baggy.

Well, thank you for that unsolicited fashion critique, sir.

I say comfort wins over style any day!

I threw on a sweatshirt from Tar-jay that I bought last year and called it good.

Wednesday

Yesterday was Happy Hour night with Hubster!

I grabbed my AG Brindley (27) jeans, rugby shirt (s) and my tennis shoes (8) from the Wall of Mart.

I also had to run to the vet to pick up Reggie's medications, but I wanted something a little warmer since we planned to enjoy a patio for Happy Hour.

And I knew that once darkness surrounded us at approximately 5 p.m., I'd be chilly.

Seriously, this time change is for the birds!

Thursday

And finally, we're up to today.

The dreaded shot day.

Full confession: If you notice my shoes aren't all the way on in the picture, it's because I forgot to take an outfit photo.

So I ran back, slipped my shoes on halfway, and snapped one.

You're welcome.

My trusty Joe's Jeans shorts (27), striped t-shirt (s) and leopard Vans (8)were the outfit of choice for taking Reggie to the vet.

Tennis shoes were a MUST.

I wasn't about to wear sandals or slides and risk being the last person out of the room if things went sideways.

Errrrrybody knows the last one out is the one who gets bitten! 🤣

Thankfully, no running was required!

🍔 Let's Talk Food

I hope you didn't come here today looking for inspiration for your family's weekly meals.

Because if you did…

Well, you're going to be SORELY disappointed.

The food situation has been sparse, and there's even one night when I don't remember what we ate.

But let's see what we've got!

Friday: Fries and a Swimming Bear

Friday night, I ventured to the newly renamed Ariat Arena to see Mr. Swims, who was, by the way, dressed as SHREK!

That was NOT on my bingo card!

While the opening act was playing, I grabbed some fries and my beverage of choice.

And really, why would this dinner surprise anyone?

I think we've firmly established my love of French fries at this point.

Personally, I think we should focus on the fact that I actually remembered to take a food picture.

FOCUS ON THE POSITIVES, PEOPLE!

And in true Samma fashion, I'm going to give you another little food recap and ask you to use your imagination because I was once again rather lackadaisical about taking pictures.

Either that, or I'm getting a case of old-timers brain.

Could go either way at this point in life!

Saturday: Halloween Porch Party

Saturday was Halloween, and at the last minute, we decided to invite some neighbors over to sit on the porch and help us pass out candy.

I whipped up some queso, grabbed some premade turkey sandwiches from the grocery store, a veggie tray, popcorn, and, of course, we had a LOT of leftover Halloween candy.

And THAT, my friends, is why you always buy Halloween candy you actually enjoy.

You're either going to have too much or not enough, so you might as well be prepared to raise your glucose levels with something you like!

That's just good planning.

Sunday: More Fries. Obviously.

In a development that will surprise absolutely nobody, I ordered loaded fries.

Come on, you'd have been disappointed if I hadn't!

Since I was sharing with the MereBear, I asked them to put the brisket on the side.

I don't eat chicken, and she doesn't eat meat, so everybody was happy!

And for a food truck, that was some kind of tasty brisket, Peeps!

For the record, I have ZERO recollection of what we ate for dinner that night.

Also, have I mentioned that I NEVER choose ranch dressing?

I know, I might be weird, but I find it way too overpowering.

There. Another completely random fact about me that you didn't ask for!

Monday: Costco Magic

Monday night, we had these little pizzas we picked up at Costco.

They were delicious when we sampled them at Costco and just… okay when we made them at home.

I'm convinced they put some kind of Costco magic in those samples.

Probably the same sorcery that makes you go in for paper towels and leave with $300 worth of things you didn't know you needed.

SORCERERS!

Tuesday: A Baked Potato Extravaganza

Tuesday night, we had baked potatoes.

Yep. Baked potatoes for dinner.

I told y'all, these dinners haven't exactly been photo-worthy.

But they were good because who doesn't love a baked potato?

Wednesday: Happy Hour Returns!

WOOHOOO! Happy Hour night!

We headed to The Archibald, and while it turned out we weren't getting Happy Hour prices, the food was DEEEELISH!

You'll hear more about our evening when I get the Happy Hour post up, which will most likely be next week.

No sense making promises I won't keep! 😜

Look, if you ever think I'm starving, just send me pizza and French fries.

Those seem to be two of my main food groups lately.

Thursday: An Actual Dinner!

Since I totally forgot earlier, I'm going to include tonight's dinner in the rotation because:

1. I forgot to take a picture.

2. It wasn't fries or pizza.

3. By next week, I'll probably have forgotten we ate it.

We had Irish stew from Costco, and once we added some salt and pepper, it was pretty tasty!

Look at us, eating something resembling a proper meal!

If you thought my diet looked like that of a four-year-old last week, I can't say I've done much to change your opinion.

Don't worry. At some point, we're going to have to get back to some kind of responsible eating around here.

And in MORE surprising news, I have YET to make a proper grocery store run.

At this point, it's becoming a game to see how long we can actually make it.

Stay tuned. Things could get interesting!

📚 Reading

I'm still reading The Primrose Murder Academy, and I would like to formally retract my previous statement about the little girl not being a brat.

Because she most DEFINITELY is still a brat!

Hopefully, the book will be good enough to make me forget how much that little turd irritates me.

It's just a book, Samma.

JUST. A. BOOK.

I haven't made much progress on The Impossible Fortune  because I completely forgot that I have a class starting Monday, and I haven't even BEGUN reading the assigned book.

So now I'm also reading/listening to W is for Wasted.

Nothing like a little last-minute panic reading to keep life exciting!

📺 Watching

Right on the heels of Halloween Baking Championship comes Holiday Baking Championship, and my pastry dreams continue!

All those gorgeous cakes, cookies, and desserts, and here I am eating French fries for dinner.

The irony is not lost on me.

Hubster is currently driving me BONKERS because he wants to watch The Traitors, and I'm over here trying to get this blog post finished.

Sir, some of us have important literary obligations!

We watched the first episode of The Gilded Age, and WOW!

That show came back with a HELLUVA start!!!

We're still watching Survivor and The Amazing Race, and the DVR is already filling up with Christmas movies!

Not to worry, though.

It's hunting season, which means Hubster will be venturing off to the deer lease, and Rouxby Sue and I will be snuggled up on the couch living our best holiday movie lives.

Bring on the cheesy Christmas romances, predictable endings, and ridiculously decorated small towns!

I'm READY!

📅 What's Coming Up?

Tomorrow is my last hand-embroidery class, and hopefully we'll get that little pink snow lady stitched up and ready for the Christmas tree.

Assuming, of course, that I actually get my homework done.

Details, details.

Hubster's birthday is Sunday, and we're planning a low-key hot dog roasting dinner with some of the neighbors.

I'll REALLY try to take some food pictures.

No promises, though. You know how that goes!

Monday is my first Bucket List Books class, so I'll be frantically reading and listening, trying to get that book finished before then.

And next Friday, I have my first class on Jazz Family Tree.

Seriously, do I take the most random classes ever or WHAT?

One day I'm embroidering Christmas ornaments, the next I'm reading mysteries, and then I'm learning about jazz history.

Keeping life exciting over here, am I right?

And hopefully, next week will involve fewer missing dogs, less vet drama, and maybe even a meal that doesn't feature French fries.

Although let's not get carried away with that last one.

Until next time, Peeps!

Peace, Love, & French Fries! 🍟