Now We're Cooking!

Well, watching a cooking show at least. It's a great afternoon. T.J. and I are sitting in the family room...with dogs and cats, watching p.b.s. cooking shows and chatting. T.J. was up and out early for some high school lacrosse. Biff is out doing some clean up volunteering after the lacrosse event with some other high school parents. T.J. is impatiently waiting for Biff to return.

Sometimes I get the feeling that when I find a perfectly wonderful way to lay back, intentionally, not attempting to accomplish one more thing in or around the house......our children seem to have an urgent and pressing matter that can only be satisfied by parental support. Why? Because as much as things change, things will always be the same.

Oh well. The cooking shows are over. The garden show has begun....and NOW Biff is home. He's the only one who can handle the T.J. request. Phew!

Skinnydipping Birthday Girl!

What birthday girl doesn't love a beach birthday?

Birthday at the Beach!

Happy Birthday Daisy!

A Girl Needs Her Beauty Sleep

Beauty sleep before the big day tomorrow! We're just trying on the party hats. Accessories have always been a priority for Daisy. Only the best for our birthday girl and only the snazziest accessories will do!

We had to try on her party hat. Tomorrow we'll have some real partying with happy paws, tail wagging and ear flapping fun! We all LOVE Daisy!

Refreshing

No coughing here. Well, at least Fitz has no cough and her breath is minty fresh.

It only took a moment. Fitzy ate them before I knew they were there.

I live like a presidential secret service agent.... constantly scanning and surveying the areas in which we walk. Groceries are at risk if left in the car. Dinners, snacks, drinks, coffee in to-go cups, candies are all up for grabs. I live on guard...always. Except for the times I think I'm normal....like today.

T.J. had to have a ride to a practise today. Daisy and Fitz were in the very back of the car. As T.J. got his gear out of the back of the car he asked,"Mom. What's the deal with Fitzy's leash?"

I couldn't begin to explain. I was just glad that T.J. didn't ask for a cough drop.

Follow Your Nose

Literally.One of Fitzy's greatest retriever qualities again, NOT. That cute snoot gets her in so much trouble. That nose gets all of us in trouble too! Daisy too!

Some of the places her nose has taken her.....

1. She's invited herself into each of the neighbors houses
2. She ran through one of the neighbors' cars just as the kids got out.....vacuumed up every cheerio and cracker in the car....in one door and out the other ....the family stood, in shock, as they watched.
2. Ran off while we were walking the trails in the woods to a retired couple's house to check out their garbage pails. The O'Toole's gave her doggie treats and called me to pick her up. They saw her everytime we let Fitz off the leash in the woods......it was the treats! She is no longer let off the leash...ever.
3. She literally crashed a senior citizens' cocktail party at the beach. She wiped out the Cheetos and chip baskets. I cried and offered to replace the food. I was not received well either. Very unpleasant for all but Fitz.
4. She ran through a neighbors yard. The screaming kids were scooped up just as Fitz enthusiastically approached their Easter baskets.
5. Ran to another neighbor and ransacked their garbage pails in the garage, did loops around their house, their dog, the grandparents while we attempted to lasso her. .
6. While walking near the beach, she Houdini-ed off her leash and held a darling older man hostage at his own barbeque grill. Kind man.

There are many more stories but they are beginning to blur together....

I'm not sure that's a good sign. Good thing she's cute....people always assume it was her first offense.




I left Fitz in the back of the car for a couple of

Surprises!

I picked T.J up from school today. When we walked in the door, I passed by my quilted pink bag. T.J. called me back. He asked me to go out the door and walk in again...slowly. There was Boo!........ Peekaboo! Boo!.......he has definitely lived up to his name!

Trying New Things

Change is good. Change keeps us energized. It's scary too. Depending on the change Painting a room is terrifying for some of us while for others the thinking is ...It's only a can of paint, it can always be repainted!

No matter what kind of thinking....it can be a challenge for us to move forward. Some of us like to dive right into the pool while others ease in a little at a time.

Me? Sometimes I jump right in and sometimes I over-think the possibilities and I'm afraid.

"The swing" photo above is from this afternoon. This morning, "The swing" below was taken this morning. I'm so happy that the snow has melted! I love the change of seasons....Spring is newness and change and rebirth! That's exciting!

Try something new....

Just Tell God Your Plans

If you want to make Him laugh. Snow. I was thinking of pansies. They are o.k. to put out in our planters...they say IF we cover them at night. Not now. Not planning to do this for awhile. Tell God to hold the laughter ....I'm just not ready to tuck in my plants at night. They'll probably call to me for a glass of water.

Say This 3 Times Fast

Snow boat. Snow boat. Snow boat

Beach Best

 BUOYS WILL BE BUOYS!

Beach Best

 DON'T FENCE ME IN!

Beach Best

 ROLLING STONES

Beach Best

 MARSH MELLOW

Beach Best

GET MY DRIFT

Beach Best

WEATHERED SHINGLES

Beach Best

LAP IT UP

Beach Best

SEA GLASS GREEN

Beach Best

SEA GLASS WHITE

Beach Best

IN THE DUNES

Beach Best

TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE!

Wet Pause for Fitz

Pause. It's not often that Fitz slows down...after her dip with Daisy she seems to be considering more water play. I love to see them play at the beach....even though they take most of the sand home with us.

Splashing Through The Snow

Daisy took a quick dip today. So happy.

Double Trouble

Cozy kitties sleepy ...while it SNOWS today. Snow surprise.

Hello. My name is....

Earlier today I had some stops to make...places to go...people to see....and a nametag to wear.

After my people and places and nametags...there were more things to do. Walk the dogs and more random stops.

When I stopped to say hello to a friendly neighbor....we chatted about the snow, the dogs and happy color...that's when Lisa informed me that there was something in my hair..."Hello. My Name is...." crumpled and stuck. THAT'S where it went!