See Biff

See Biff drive. See Biff drive away. See Biff hit the gas to get out if the house. See Biff very motivated to get to his office "to work." Way back when, pre-parenthood, Biff and I were visiting friends with their new baby. Their first daughter, 2 years old, asked the mom, where does daddy go?" Our friend answered, "Daddy goes on vacation at a place called Pfizer." We all laughed. Then we had kids. Now Biff and I say Biff is going on vacation whenever he goes to work, leaving me home with kids....even if they're not new babies.

See Biff.

See Biff with computer case. See Biff run. See Biff run with computer. See Griff run with computer to his office. On vacation days like this, our house is not quiet. Can I go too? Please. We are all home. All of us...mom, dad, kids, dogs, kitties and goldfish. Snow is keeping us close to home...again. After a weekend of cleaning and working on eBay, I never left the house. Really. I love being home. Although, during vacation and time off from school, it sure is nice to get away. This year we hope to ski some more this week. It's that balance again....balance of time...money....work...family. We all try our best.

It's Snow Suprise

Biff

See Biff work. See Biff work at home. See Biff work on computer. See Biff work hard. See Biff desperate to have quiet so he can work.

PeekaBoo!

Cozy Jinx

He's a cozy cat. He's cool. He's King of our jungle. Or he thinks he is.

The End of a Busy Day for Daisy and Fitz

Scratch Paper

Lots of paperwork to do. That's Boo helping out today. As I reached for paper towels in the pantry today I found a roll that had rolled off the shelf. I wondered how it had gotten into such rough shape. The first 3 layers were in shreads. I knew I was "on a roll" cleaning this weekend with my trusty Bounty Towels..."the quicker picker upper." While Biff and I looked at the roll we realized once again, Boo was helping out. It wasn't that hard to figure out since he left a "paper trail."

Boo In A Basket!

Life. Creatures in our home make life so much nicer. Living. Always different. Always something. Personalities. Living together with our family, our personalities and our animals have lots of personality.

Boo In A Box

We never know where we'll find this Kitty. While in the midst of a cleaning frenzy I found Boo saddled up in the box of Selzer. He loves to be a part of the action ...always. If only he would help me clean. In his own way, I suppose he thinks he does lend a helping paw. He sits in the plastic Hefty bag while I fill it. He takes naps on some clean laundry, warm from the dryer. He also has an affinity for rolls of paper towels and toilet paper. Like everyone else who helps out around the house, I don't want to do anything to discourage him.

My Daisy

Always by my side. Loyal. Loving. Gentle. What a gift for me to have her as my very first dog.

Forget-Me-Not!

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Sweet Puppy Face

That's the cute face. Don't let her fool you.

Longer Days

Daylight. Just a little more each day. I'll take it. Funny how we're teased with a few mild days....and still, the weather report is calling for snow on Sunday or Monday? Good thing we like to ski!

Coffee Break Again?

Fitz can't keep her paws off of my coffee. I'd better start drinking decaf. The last thing she needs is caffeine.

Daisy Looks The Other Way

Whose side is she on?

Lips

Ever since Fitz came to live with us, she became one of the family. As with any other new adddition we all had to adapt and make room for our second Golden Retriever. An adorable Golden with a sweet baby face and a nose for mooching, thieving and loving. The loving is easy. Except for when she becomes desperate. A desperate needy girl is not a pretty sight. She, like all of us, loves to be loved. All of the time. Sure we do. Although she has tested us from the moment the other family left her with us and peeled out of the driveway, leaving only dust and their tire marks as they screeched into gear and hit the gas! No forwarding address. They may have gone into the Witness Protection Plan in order to start a new life, post-Fitz, anonymously. We'll never know but I think they may have changed their phone number just in case. Just in case......Fitz, her new name in our family, made a swift move the first night at our busy, yet peaceful, home. Not a good move as it was the dinner of the "master of the house"...Biff. I knew she had come to create havoc in our home on that night.....as our sweet, gentle Daisy barked to warn us and Biff shouted while running, sliding and tackling our new beast! Food. That's her issue! T.V.'s Oprah says she has food "issues".....but do her dogs? I think not. It's been a few years now...maybe 3? 4? It's all a blur. We all love her. We just can't trust her. In the last week, she has eaten 1. salad from the top of the garbage in the kichen 2. half a stick of butter from the kichen counter can before I could pivot back to her 3. she drank my morning coffee while I answered the phone across the room 4. She shredded one damp paper towel used to dry my hands after washing dishes 5. Don't tell T.J. but she licked the silverware in the dishwasher as I loaded it up.....and Biff wonders why my dishwashwer organization is so random! 6. Potato chip bag left behind in the car 7. My orange juice at coffee table height 8. Coffee grounds that spilled from the Starbucks bag. 9. Red hot cinnamon candy that spilled from car to driveway on Valentine's Day 10. A Revlon lipstick that was under the driver's seat of my car There's no accounting for taste. I still love her......and I still dream that I can change her. Lord knows, the others in the family are hoping too....certainly Daisy who has always gone by the rules. Well, the first winter, it was my Ugg boots. At least after all this time, it's just food. Oh! Did I mention the vet says that Fitz has allergies? To what? Dog food?

Case in Point!

Just in case you didn't get my point! Fitz and Starbucks - to - go. After all, she leads a busy life. Daisy isn't phased by another one of Fitz's score. Of course, I don't think Daisy cares for coffee. If it had been a pork chop, Daisy might have been right in there to catch the tidbits that would fly through the air as Fitz scarfed it down. Our sweet Daisy has caught on. Now she sticks close by to takes advantage of the situation.

Happy Beach Days Are Here Again!

Fitz and Daisy

Who's Happier Than Me?

Daisy and Fitz! Joy! Beach sniffing the scents that have been covered by snow and ice for months! Just as the sunny and somewhat milder day was a pleasure for me, I could sense their pleasure in pursuing plenty of uncovered beachy smells...not necessarily the same scents I would choose.

Daisy always takes a dip, rolls in the sand or some stinky old horseshoe crab or clam shell that the seagulls haven't snacked on yet while Fitz dances through the grass in the dunes.

Fitz loves her snacks...she finds them everywhere. Today she found a bag of potato chips...half full. I think she's going to be thirsty later.

Yesterday she got one candy cane....I was kind of happy about that....her dog breath was lovely. That was just one perk of her piggy-ness!

A Daisy Dip

And They're Off

Greetings From Sunny Connecticut?

It's not quite tropical but it's still the beach...with sunshine, seashells, sand, seagulls, sea grass and the Long Island Sound! Today the beach was delightful. The dogs frolicked while I walked along the shoreline taking in the sun and the scenery. The beach was quiet....no people ....no dogs. I love when it's just me and my dogs. It's peaceful. I had time to wander along the beach, playing with the dogs, taking in the colors of the grass, t he shells, rocks, sand and textures. Dreams of warmer days danced through my head! Those days aren't far off. We may have more snow to come this winter. Today much of the snow has melted down at the beach.....it gave me hope. Spring isn't too far off. I love each season but it's still exciting as the upcoming season approaches. And any day at the beach is a good day for me.....and Daisy and Fitz!

Fun and Funny!

Lots of ebay to sell! Once again, I marvel about the ebay customers, what they order and where they live! London? Why not just go to Marks and Spencer or Harrods? Nope. Ebay.  Funny to me.

T.J. is thrilled that he has sold his Abercrombie shirt. He is hungry to make his own money.  I like that. I hope it's not just a phase. The money seems to motivate. He also gave me some boots to sell.  They sold too. O.K. The shirt went to Brazil? Funny.  The boots need to go to Canada!

You just never know. I love to shop. But, really. I still find it all so amazing that someone wants to buy my teenager's boots! Think about it. Teenage boy. Feet. Boots. Really? Go figure, I can't.

I can understand the Coach shoes that are listed right now. I do relate to the Lilly Pulitzer dress, NWT, New With Tags.  Maybe, pre-owned. It's a dress. It can be dry cleaned or washed. Go figure.

I know the dinnerware, antiques and new clothing is something people love to buy. Still, other things amaze me. Not because I judge. Because it's the world we live in. Who knew that little Elvis pitcher would sell. Who expected the Brooks Brothers Madras Patchwork Pants would sell? Well, that really didn't surprise me....but, sending them to Las Vegas did....oxymoron.

Life is funny...and selling on e-bay is lots of fun for me. 

Sunshine, Steeples and Silence

I was moved by the spectacular scenep as I sat today waiting for Grace. The blue sky, the sunny day, the church steeples, the American flag, the sparkling snow blanketing the green......and that was it. No marching band or angels appeared....it was just beautiful. 

With so much on any mom's to-do list, it's always a surprise to realize Right where we are is magic. Today, waiting in the passenger seat for Grace....who was chomping at the bit to return to the driver's seat in order to do some more driving.

While sitting on the sunny side, with my window open, I made a conscious choice to sit....in the quiet. It wasn't very long before Grace appeared at.the door.

I was relaxed, rested and ready to let go and live in the fast lane....with my daughter at the wheel! We're in a whole new phase of our mother/ daughter relationship!!!!! Push/pull. Stop/ Go. Stop/ start. Steady we go.....slowly...carefully ....cautiously... 

Throughout these teen years...thar's all we can do. Watch. Offer advice and suggestions...quietly and carefully. Give feedback. Offer constructive criticism and hope it's taken the right way. Keep trying to stay calm, cool and collected.......even when I want to shout, "STOP!"

It's been that way since we've had children. We can't do it all for them. We can only teach them, guide them and trust them to do the right thing!

Or...I could do what my friend Catherine's mom did.... I could put my feet up on the dashboard and scream Grace's name with my head hidden between knees! It might be rather effective! Certainly no quiet... but effective!

A Valentine for T.J.

Hope for Spring/Hope Springs Eternal