I became a dog lover later in life. I attribute this to my hubby and our Golden Retriever Ace for teaching me the joys of dog friendship. There really isn't anything like it and you just won't understand until you experience it. I grew up around kitties and had to have one as soon as we moved into our own home. I do believe I have transitioned from kitty lover to do doggy lover. Don't get me wrong, I still love the felines, but boy, I've never felt this kind of furry love before.
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My baby girl Ruby
 
I found this recipe on Pillsbury.com. It sounds so yummy doesn't it? Well, I've been having troubles with my oven and it just didn't turn out like I had planned. Bummer! I thought I would share it and see if anyone else wants to give it a try and let me know how it turns out. It sure sounds good!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Monkey Bread

1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
4 cans (7.5 oz each) buttermilk biscuits
1 cup of packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 package of 3oz cream cheese

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 6 cup fluted tube cake pan with cooking spray.
2. In large food storage plastic bag, mix granulated sugar and pumpkin pie spice.
3. Separate each can of dough into 10 biscuits. Cut each biscuit into quarters, adding biscuit pieces to bag and shaking as you go. When pieces are coated, arrange in pan.
4. In 1 quart sauce pan, heat brown sugar, butter, pumpkin and cream cheese over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until butter is melted. Beat mixture with whisk until mostly smooth (there may be some tiny pieces of cream cheese and that's ok.) Pour mixture over biscuits in pan. Place pan on cookie sheet to catch any spills.
5. Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan 2 minutes. Place heatproof plate upside down over pan;
turn plate and pan over. Remove from pan. Cool 10-15 minute before serving. Store in refrigerator.
 
Well, I pretty much have my mind set for this pair of boots. It didn't show up on my poll a few posts pack. If these come in more of a straight toe (pointy? not on this aching feet!) they just might be on my feet by the time my 40th rolls around!
 
That's me on the left...I just went over the edge of a 20 story building!
 
One of the things on my Year of Turning 40 Bucket List is to get a pair of cowgirls boots. I can't wait to rock them with a skirt or pair of jeans. I want to own them. I mean own them. As in strut this butt around when I wear them. As in hold this head up a little higher when I kick up my heals in them. As in act like I was born wearing them. I just don't know how a girl ever decides on a pair!. There are so many that are just wonderful works of art! Can you help me? I think I have narrowed down my favorites. I want a pair that will go with just about anything (see previous post.) Vote for yours below. 
Number 1
Number 2

Source: ep.yimg.com via Holly on Pinterest

Number 3
Number 4
Number 5
Number 6
 
I think every single one of these outfits would look great with one awesome pair of cowgirl boots
 
Wouldn't this look great with jeans and the perfect cowgirl boots?
 
Number Four:
But first, a sidebar: I realized that I was really open with this countdown and perhaps my Hubby would like to keep some things private. I sometimes forget that this blog is spread through out the blog-o-sphere and not just read by my close friends and family. This is why there was a lag time in finishing this countdown as I started to regret how much I had shared. I am pretty much an open book. I decided to be that a few years ago when dealing with Crohn's disease. You kind of leave all inhibitions behind and realize the freedom you gain by being open and honest about your life. But not everyone is like that and that's ok. I know the Hubby hasn't read this list because he hasn't said anything about it yet. So here goes...He still tells me I'm beautiful. As I turn 40 this year and have put on a few more pounds recently, he never hesitates to let me know how beautiful I am. He says it with his words and actions. If how often he slaps my rear as I walk by is any indication, then we are all good. Oops! There I go again with too much information!
Number Three:
I've decided number 3 will remain confidential.
Number Two:
And number 2 too.
Number One:
He loves me unconditionally. If you wrap up all the things in this countdown, it basically amounts to a level of unconditional love that I had never expereinced before. Basically since the day we met over 13 years ago, we have been in each other's lives without any break-ups and get back togethers that so many relationships have. Believe me, we've been on the precipice before (and that is where some of the unconditional has come in) but I think we are in it for the long haul. At least I hope so. Happy 10th Baby, I love you.
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I had this custom wrap cuff made for our anniversary. It has pennies dated from each of our birth years and one from the year we got married. I have permission to share this photo from Love Crazy Designs. Reagan is the wonderful artist who makes these one of a kind cuffs. Check her out on facebook at Love Crazy Designs.
 
You watched the debate didn't you? And now you realize my countdown wasn't that bad afterall, was it? Onward...
Number Seven:
He surprises me.  I will never forget the day he brought me home a gift card to Kenneth's Hair Salon. I was beyond shocked but even more shocked when I learned he won his college basketball bracket at work and split the winnings with me by getting me the gift card.  I know. I am lucky.

Number Six:
He prays with me.  I've really never prayed out loud, except in church. But one day I asked the Hubby to lead us in prayer, and he did it. He held my hand and just did it. I was so pleasantly surprised because we had never done anything like that together before. And he is really good at it. It makes me feel so close to him and closer to God. I love that he uses the Holy Water my Grandma gave us and puts it on the dogs in the morning. You might never guess that he is a pretty spiritual guy. God and I know and I guess that's all that matters...Oh wait, now everyone knows. I hope he doesn't mind that I am sharing all this stuff about him. He doesn't get on here much anyway, so I should be fine right? Ok, that's what I thought.

Number Five:
He forgives me. I have had so many people ask me how I deal with my husband. He can be a loud and crazy kind of guy. Well, what most people don't know is that I hide my crazy pretty well. (At least I hope I do.) And most of the time my crazy seeps out with him. When I said marriage is hard, I meant it. I admit that I can be mean, cranky, bitchy and down right rude to the man I love most in this world. And he forgives me, pretty much on a daily basis. Especially when I go shopping and bring home another pair of shoes with money we don't really have. Love you honey...stay out of the closet!

 
Well, I guess many of you don't care about my top ten list because hits to my page are lower now than when I wasn't even posting anything! Sorry honey, our love isn't that popular! lol. I don't really give a rats-butt. Well, maybe I do. I don't just write for me, I write for you too. So, I'll take a break today. It's ok. I know you all will be glued to your TV watching the debate anyway.