"Off to Never-Never Land"

Team Carey, the "Weekend Warriors," took off to good ole New Orleans last weekend to see Metallica play at the Voodoo Rock Fest in City Park, New Orleans. Now, 8 hours is a long way to drive for a band, but Metallica is one of Dylan's all time favorite bands. Plus, they are getting ready to tour out of country for a year, so it just seemed ridiculous to pass up this chance.

The 3 of us headed out Friday, arriving in New Orleans Saturday morning. Goobz travels very well in the car, hotel, etc. He likes to either sit curled up in my lap or on top of the console. He watches the road just like Dylan.. too cute!

Spent Saturday morning playing in City Park with Goobz

Voodoo Fest 2012: Saw the bands Revivalists (good), AWOLNATION (good), Seven Suns Pick Up (lame) and Metallica (brought down the house!!)

Lead singer James Hetfield

This was my first hard rock/metal concert. It was an experience!!! I loved the intensity of the band. I was blown away by the serious musical talent these men have on their instruments and vocals. I was impressed by the fact these men can still rock for 2 hours at the age of 50 or older. The music which Dylan plays all the time and I have listened to for the past 7 years now meant so much more to hear it live. I have never heard music that loud though, and did feel as if I would not hear again for a few days. The bass was ridiculous.. I could feel it all the way into my bones.

My one negative comment about this whole experience is the "habits" and "indulgences" people choose to imbibe and inhale in while at a concert. These things make you drunk, high and STUPID. Seriously never seen so many stupid people in one place at one time in my entire life. That, I can sooo live without experiencing for a very long time.

 Bada** drummer Lars Ulrich

Lead guitarist Kirk Hammett

Roads

Tonight I find myself in a me-lan-cho-ly mood (thanks MegaMind). Life has not been going as planned of late, causing me to truly evaluate the decisions I have previously made and those I still must make. 

It is a strange feeling to finally find myself getting to make a decision purely based on how I feel, what I want (also including Dylan and Goobz). I am 26 years old and have basically made decisions based upon what was necessary in life at the time or more recently, the "grown-up" thing to do, minus a few key moments. And to be quite honest, as exciting as this may seem, from a person who is a typical Type-A personality, bent on pleasing everyone else around me all the time, this feeling is extremely scary and terrifying, not going to lie. 

This song by Chris Mann, my pick for winner of the TV show The Voice last year, spoke to my heart this weekend. I know I go with the promises of God and His faithfulness, but until the decision has been revealed or made, let us walk along the roads....

There are roads in this life that we all travel.

There are scars and there are battles where we roam. 

When we are lost or wherever we may go, 

They will always lead you home

There are roads that have lead me to another

To a friend or to a lover I have known.

For every turn is a year that I have grown,

As I walk along these roads

Some are long and some are weathered.

Some will lead you through a storm.

When you’ve gone astray you will find your way,

As you walk along these roads

There were times when I stumbled and I wondered.

But every choice and every step I don’t regret,

Cause I have lived and I have loved like no other.

I won’t fear what lies ahead.

Some are long and some are weathered.

Some will lead you through a storm.

When you’ve gone astray you will find your way,

As you walk along these roads

There are roads in this life that I have traveled.

There are scars and there are battles, these I know,

Cause I’d be lost but no matter where I go,

They will one day lead me home.

They will one day lead me home.

"It's all right to be a Lil Bitty...."

"A good ole boy and a pretty little girl... (and a) little bitty dog..."

-Alan Jackson-

Fall has officially come to San Antonio this year, in 2012, and my little family is so excited!! Highs have been in the mid-80s with lows in the 60s and today, Oct. 7th, the high was 53!!! It smells so unbelievably good in San Anton; the air is crisp and clean. Crazy, I know?! Cool enough to turn your nose pink and make you want a jacket and scarf, but not enough to freeze you out just yet. Pretty sure my little family is beginning to think we belong somewhere with cooler weather because all 3 of us, Goobz included, have been in great moods these past weeks and especially this weekend. 

Goobz has been a hoot lately, which I realize is no different than any other day, but I just have to share his latest exploits because they make Dylan and I laugh so dad gum hard!!! 

We have started playing outside right after I get home from work. Goobz just wants to run around outside, roll around in the grass and chase his toy bone. 

Still likes to drop his toys down the stairs and have you throw them back to him. Repeat process over and over and over and over and one more time... over again.

Sometimes we think there is a little too much love going on in this house. Goobz has started mimicking Dylan and I, and frankly, it is a little scary. He talks to you when you ask him questions. The more you laugh, the more excited he becomes when you play with him. He watches the TV screen when we watch movies and likes to sit in my lap while I read and look at the pages too. He likes to hug you... puts his paws on your chest and moves in close to put his head on your shoulder. Most importantly though, he wants to give you smoochies "kisses" all the time. He is an equal opportunity kisser- both Dylan and I get an equal share of the love. He can do this for up to 10 minutes; we have timed him before. You just make it worse if you try to pull away, so it is just best to close your eyes, shut your mouth and endure.

The weather has cooled off, so Goober is back sleeping in bed with us. He prefers the rug on the floor when it is hot and we are grateful for this. But now he is back in bed, wanting to be right in the middle of Dylan and I. He does not bother me at all, but apparently he likes to kick Dylan. hehe! He is awfully cute though when he wants to snuggle.

Goobz has been finding "treasures" on our walks of late. His latest find is a golf ball, which has turned out to become a great toy because it is indestructible! Only one other toy has managed to stand up to Goobz' ferocious teeth; therefore, I am excited to have another toy that causes Goobz to work hard and get angry because he cannot conquer it.

We have a massive acorn tree in our front yard and the acorns just drive Goober nuts! He cannot put them all in his mouth at a time, so he gets angry when they fall out. He cannot crack them, so he just carries them around in his mouth and deposits them in small piles all around the yard and sometimes they find their way into our house as well. If you let a big handful of them go at one time, it is hilarious to watch because he cannot decide which one to go after so he just runs around like a chicken with his head cut off!! :)

  "Wise, wise canine"

Best of all though, an REI opened in San Anton, right down the street from us! We are both super excited, but Dylan is even more excited than I am. They had their Grand Opening this past weekend and gave away free gear and gift cards ranging to $100 bucks to the first 100 or so customers each morning. We got up on Sunday around 4:45 am to be one of the first people in line in 45 degree weather. That's dedication folks!!