Something I've Never Done Before...

May of you know my cat, Thomas. He is quite an interesting cat, much more of human than a cat. He sleeps on his own pillow next to me in bed, he sits in chairs while I watch tv and is quite a great companion. He is my warrior cat. Well Thomas has pretty much always lived in a house where he could go outside as much as he wanted and in my SA apartment I had a balcony so he would come and go out there as he pleased. Well, here in Tucson we have none of those luxuries and Thomas cannot go outside at all. I think he's been very sad about this and I was feeling quite guilty that Thomas was stuck inside. So yesterday I put the harness and leash on him (which he HATES...makes him think I'm taking him in the car, which he hates even more!), and we headed outside the apartment.

At first Thomas didn't know what to think about it but he soon realized he could roam about and smell everything and "secure the perimeter" as my warrior cat likes to do. This worked out well until we ran into the dog. I scooped up Thomas real quick until the dog passed while Thomas hissed and snarled at his enemy. I also realized how funny we actually looked. I mean, how many people walk their cats. I plan to continue doing this to see if I can train Thomas to like being on the leash since it means he gets to go outside. I'll let you know how it works out!

Mt. Lemmon

This morning I decided to take a drive up Mt. Lemmon, a mountain that peaks at 9000 feet. Who knew there could be mountains in the desert? This Colorado girl is thankful for them because it makes me feel a little bit more at home. I actually have a good view of the mountains from my apartment. So this morning I filled up with gas ($3.70 thank you very much!), picked up a Subway sandwich and went on my own little mountain adventure, armed with Diet Coke and a great AM radio station I found that only plays music from the 1940s and 50s! Here is a little bit of what I saw...







There were all these great rock formations everywhere! The one with me in the picture is one that I got out and hiked around a bit. It was very peaceful sitting on these giant rocks that overlook the valley. I only went to about 6500 feet today but I will drive to the top soon I'm sure!









The biggest difference from the mountains in Colorado and the mountains in Arizona is the fact that they are covered in cacti rather than pine and aspen trees! But it wouldn't be Arizona without the unique cacti would it??

NKOTB

The love of my life is back...Jordan is even more handsome now than when I was 8 years old! I can't tell you how happy I am about their comeback...and I have tickets!!! I love my pal Lacy for many things...our love of cheesy novels, our deep appreciation for shoes and clothes, our similar tastes in undiscovered music, and...our obsession with NKOTB that has lasted almost two decades!!! Jordan and I have a date on October 17...it's going to be FANTASTIC!

Then...


Now...

Another Video...

Many of you know my good friend from high school in good ol' P-town. His name is Josh Rael (I call him Hotlips although we've never actually kissed!) and I'm his Sassafrass (my blog is named for that nickname which he still calls me to this day 13 years later). Josh was in music with me and he's one of my most favorite people ever! I just saw this video of him performing in Denver and wanted to share it with you all that know him!


Josh Rael "Luck Be A Lady Tonight"

Amanda's Such a Girl...and So Am I...

So my best friend posted this video of a lizzard who apparently walks on its hind legs. Well the greatest part of this video is Amanda's commentary and girly screams as the lizzard moves. I laughed so hard when I saw it because I was jumping just watching it! Amanda, you are much braver than I. I would have been far far away from that lizzard as soon as I saw it!

Thomas' New Chair

I just posted a blog about my new papasan chair. Thomas, my cat and only friend in Tucson has taken to my new chair. He was really freaked out about it at first. This made me happy since it is dark teal and he is blonde (I'll let you put those two together). Then I walk in one day to find my cat napping in the middle of my chair.
So now my pretty chair is covered in a blanket so Thomas won't get hair all over it! You can see what color it is in one of the pictures.

Random Act of Kindness

So I don't have any furniture and I found a great papason chair I liked. I decided I could make it fit in my car so I go to the store and buy it. As I'm struggling to fit this awkward piece of furniture into my car and woman walks up to me and asks me if I live far from there. She offers to put my chair in her truck and follow me back to my apartment! I told her how grateful I am and we go on our way. Once we get to my apartment, I take the chair out and again tell her thank you again and again for doing such a nice thing for me. She proceeds to tell me that the drive over was good for her because it gave her time to think, because just 30 minutes before running into me, she found out she had kidney cancer. WOW! Not only did this woman go out of her way to help a complete stranger but she did it on a day that she had every right not to! I told her I would keep her in my prayers and I am hoping you will too. Her name is Joyce. Do something for someone today! I know I have been humbled...

Catching Up...

So not having an internet connection really affected my life!! It has been a crazy month. I arrived safely to Tucson, AZ and just got the internet at my apartment connected....here is a quick update of some of the key events since losing my internet connection...



I graduated with my Masters in Music History and Literature. Ben sent me these beautiful flowers to help me celebrate!



I turned 27 on June 3. I had a great night out with my favorite San Antonio girls and Ben was off in the middle of the ocean. But before he left, he built me my very own Sailor Build-a-Bear! Please meet Lt. Benjamin Bear!







My roommate got married! Trent and Karessa tied the knot on June 14 in ConCan, TX. It was a great weekend!!

I will try to post some pictures of my apartment in Tucson before too long!