A girl and her baby.....and dog!

This is my great nephew, Teddy and his dog, Maddy. I love how they are both asleep on the "Great" aunt. Are you practing "great aunt nene" with Teddy? You know he can only call me "great" if he says I'm his favorite!lol

Simpsonized!

One of the girls I work with is totally into the Simpsons and insisted I do this.....Can't say I was ever a big fan but.........Who knew that even I could be Simpsonized? Go here to have a go at it!

Happy Birthday, Vicki!

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Hope you have a wonderful day, Vicki!

Tim Hortons Coffee

 



















I posted a coffee shop on my other blog not too long ago and mentioned that I wasn't a big fan of Starbucks.....WAY too bitter for me...I don't care how rich the guy is he doesn't appeal to my tastes. One of my fellow Daily Photo bloggers mentioned that he prefers Tim Hortons that is like Starbucks in Canada. For the fun of it, I looked to see if they sold Tim Hortons in the USA. Well, imagine my surprise that not only do they sell it, there is a Tim Hortons in my hometown of St. Albans, West Virginia. Of all places. Not one in Illinois...or anywhere close...but there are quite a few in Michigan. If I had only known I could've picked some coffee up in Michigan instead of having my mom send me a can from St. Albans. It has arrived and I'll be the first to tell you that this is GOOD coffee. Thanks North Bay Daily Photo. I appreciate the tip...and thanks mom for finding it, buying it and sending it! I'll share if anyone wants a cup!

Girl Club!!!!

The last night of camp 3 of my nieces came to our cabin for a sleepover/girl club. This was instigated by the 2 younger nieces who wanted to spend time with the 2 older girl cousins....Why not at my place? I had 4 empty beds. We spent a lot of that day playing beauty shop (I braided their hair) and I did manicures and pedicures on them so the evening they came over we were going to giggle and laugh and play cards. Well, some how we started with the younger ones giving the older ones a back rub. The older girl in pink shorts fell asleep pretty quickly and the rest of us chatted until the wee hours....We had a lot of fun! Can't wait to do it again next year! And, yes, we all ended up with either pink or orange toenails. Fun, fun fun.

Johannes and Mina

Mom and I went on the canoe float with Shannon and Johannes was out with Mina. He very kindly offered to take our picture but we were too far out. I love the way this looks.(Click on the photo to make it bigger.)

Almost the whole fam Damily

This is our portrait at camp. Many of you know who we are but for those of you who don't.....here goes.The number after some names indicates what number in the line up of 10 children they are. (6 of the 10 kids were at camp)
Back row standing: Johannes, Fred(6), Kevin, Janet(7), Brenda, Matthew
Standing in front of Fred: Kathleen(2),Kieran, Frances, Gean, Douglas
Sitting by herself:Sheila(10)
Sitting on bench: Ellen(9),Motherinlaw with baby Mina,Avis(my mom), Me(neva), Shannon, Charley(1)
on the deck:Kelly, AnnaMay, Colin.
And another break down for those that are curious...Sheila and Johannes, AnnaMay, Frances and Mina; Fred and Gean, Douglas, Kelly; Janet and Kevin, Brenda, Matthew, Colin; Ellen and Kieran; Charley and Neva, Shannon; Kathleen had none of her kids here. Hope this was a reminder for you, mom!Just imagine trying to figure out which kid goes with what parent if you haven't seen the kids before or their parents for 30 years....mom did an amazing job remembering and she for sure has Kevin and Janet's kids in order!!!! It was a great week at camp and if you weren't there....you missed a fun week. Looking forward to next year!

No good deed goes unpunished!

You know I was watching Chin the chinchilla and he went off to Camp with my daughter. We were at camp this past week and the real owner of Chin was so glad I took such good care of him that I got this award.



I thought you would like to see how well Chin is doing. Here is a picture of him in his chin condominium.


I am thrilled he is at camp and having fun. I am sure he will enjoy his new semester at the University of Michigan with his real owner.
By the way....he remembered me and promptly ran up my arm when I went to pet him. I am sure this makes you as happy as it made me!

Visiting Dogs

 

I have 2 visitors....we are having a sleepover with the Akita/Lab mix(Nicki) and an evening visit (doggy play dates...who knew?) with Emma, the springer spaniel......isn't it amazing that they know where I keep the dog treats? And how patient they are! lol

How do you lose a........

I have two items I am missing....How does one lose a 6 ft vacuum cleaner hose that is used every week? I went to vacuum with the hose attachment and wonder of wonders...it is not where it belongs(in the closest with the vacuum cleaner). When I tell you I have torn the house upside down looking for it, it is not much of an exaggeration.....my husband swears I threw it out.....threw it out????? an item I CLEAN with???? not in this lifetime, baby. He swears I just don't remember where I put it....ok, how hard is it to locate a 6 ft hose EVEN if, for some reason, I didn't put it away?...and the last I checked, I didn't have Alzheimer's......or any reason to believe it might be setting in. I can't even begin to tell you how frustrating this is....I even went so far as to ask the 24 y/o son if (and this would qualify as a miracle ) he had used it to clean his car out....the only way it could have come close to the trash can.....he said no....I believe him only because I have seen his car.....
The other item is my battery charger for my digital camera....It is always by the computer and I put the battery in to recharge once a week...sometimes more... sometimes less.....so, yesterday I went to recharge my battery for my camera so I can take some pictures (for my other blog....Inverness, Il (USA) Daily Photo)and IT is nowhere to be found.....again.....something I use a lot and no, I wouldn't "throw it out" (from the husband again!). I will admit to throwing things out that aren't important....some stuff he might have needed or wanted....but, in general, I don't throw that much away.....
I can't even begin to tell you how frustrating this is not being able to find the 2 items I not only use but need.....and , of course, now that I can't find the hose to the vacuum, I can only think of 100 uses for it.......
sigh......how annoying.

the musical aunt....

It may surprise no one more than me that I have used my musical ability...what it is...as an adult. I play the piano..not well, the cello...not well anymore...used to play the clarinet and saxophone (tenor). I sang in high school. I still play the piano but only for my own enjoyment. I can sight read very well....to the point that I won't practice cause I never get much better than the original sight reading.....I used to play the cello with my son and nephew when they were 10 and 11, I played with my niece and other nephew when they were on the violin....I played for my niece at a family wedding reception, I played for my nephew when he got married (that was hard because I was crying). I play at Christmas, I play for my nephew who is studying opera sometimes as accompaniment for the family...I have another nephew getting married in Sept. and I am playing a song for their wedding breakfast....ok--really I won't be playing...but I will be playing before then when we all practice together. Who new that out of all the things I did as a kid that the very thing I was only so so at (both of my sisters played waaaayyy better than me) would turn out to be so special to me?

Charley and Mom at Lowe's

 
 

I know I know...you should've felt the earth move the moment I entered Lowe's....I had to take a picture just to prove I was there. We were waiting for Charley to find what he needed in the plywood section....he didn't...we had to go to 84 lumber....another store you won't catch me in normally but I didn't have my camera! Look way in the back....he is the one with the white hat on.

Lipstick

I was out yesterday and ran into someone I see about once a month. We chatted and as I left, her comment was how nice it was to see me looking so nice. ??? was all I could think ( I was not dressed up....just some capris and a t-shirt--what I usually wear) and said as much to her...She said..oh no...she meant because I had on lipstick. Oh, I said....got in my car and immediately checked...yep still had lipstick on.....

cause, people, I NEVER go out without lipstick....NEVER. My one girlfriend (who I went to Paris with) laughs and says that if I were stranded on a desert island, I would never have sunburned lips because I have lipstick in every pocket I ever wear....can't be with out it...guess I will make sure when I see my other friend again that I have on the correct COLOR next time.........

Neva and the dogs...Tessie and Clancy

A good friend of mine does dog pictures on the side. Here is one she took of Tessie and Clancy....Clancy was not that interested and neither was Tessie...they were both trying to pull away---the opposite ways!

Clancy and his pillows

 

I know, I know...you are tired of hearing dog/puppy stories but what can I do? We took the gate down from the family room so Clancy could get used to being in that room.....He has decided that ALL the pillows on the couches are his....no matter how many times I take them away from him...he retrieves them....again....I looked up from doing something on the computer, and here he was with all his pillows surrounding him.....I thought it was pretty funny.

Who's taller?

 
It isn't often that you have to decide who is taller by putting a shoe on top of your head! We had a party for the nephew and his fiance(with the shoe!) yesterday.....I now know why the bride looks like she belongs to our family...her dad(the one with the beard) is as tall as my husband.(the oldest of 10- and the tallest at 6'7"..)It is a photo finish as to who really is taller but my husband swears he is!

Arby's Drive thru

While at Arby's drive-thru I heard a horn beeping. I looked back...no one I knew....but the horn kept beeping..so I put by head out to see who it was. This lady (who was violently waving her hand trying to get my attention) said:
..."Hi Neva!! do you remember me? I met you in a Walmart check out line when I was pregnant 5 years ago and we started talking...I saw your name and LOVED it. I had a little girl and I named her Neva...I am so happy to see you..I see you all over town(my license plate has my name on it). Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.. we love her name!!! Have a nice day".


Believe me when I tell you that even for me that was a strange encounter....and , NO, I don't remember her....I talk to a lot of people I don't know!

A new home

 







This birdhouse was a gift I won at a bridal shower...it has been sitting in a box for a few years...When my Hollyhocks bloomed, I remembered the bird house matches them so I put it out in the garden as decoration.....the wrens(I think) have decided to make a home out of it. I am amazed....(Look very closely as the opening of this birdhouse and you will see a bird going in).

A Lawn Ornament

 

Husband: "Honey?"
me: "yes, dear?"
Husband:"When can I expect the Jockey to arrive?"
me: "*sigh*"

Guess you can tell....he is not a big fan of the lawn ornament!

What's in a name...a DOG name?

I was chatting with my girlfriend about dog names(Hi Liz)and she commented that we hadn't named our dogs doggie names but people names....I thought about that and guess I never gave it any thought before. We have had 5 dogs. Molly, the basset hound, Chelsea, the chocolate lab, Mason , the yellow lab German Shepard mix, Tessie the current Chocolate Lab and Clancy, the black lab puppy...None of those are doggie names...like Rover or Spike or Killer or Fido. I have never met a dog with any of those names. Liz said one of their beagles was named Rover.....seems appropriate for a beagle...rovers that they are! Other dog names I know:
Tara(pronounced TAR.....a not TEAR....a) soft coated wheaton terrier
Lady-sister's beagle(RIP)
Lucy-sister's current beagle
Tasha-mother's dog lab, German Shepard mutt(RIP)
Ginger- current mother's dog WV coon hound... you don't want one of these...really
Viper-friend's French Briard(they name their dogs after sports cars)
Porshe-friend's other French Briard
Gryffindor-neighbor's Bernese Mountain Dog...awesome name for him BTW
Lucky-BIL's mutt in Texas...closest to a dog name on the list!
Baily-neighbor's golden retriever
Emma-neighbor's basset hound
Josie-MIL's lab mix that is no longer with us(RIP)
Casey-other sister's dog
Wrigley-neighbor's beagle(does this come close to a doggie name?)
Houston-neighbor's beagle (RIP)
Princess-neighbor's Cavaliar-a perfect name for this dog
Kava-friend's St. Bernard(RIP)
Charlie=friend's new puppy labrodoodle
Mia-friend's golden retriever
I am sure there are other dog names I am forgetting but you get my drift...
not a Killer or a Fido amongst them...so where did those names come from and why do we not name them those names?
Is it because we don't live in the south where dogs names are:
Blackie
Queenie
Die-doe(pronounced just like it is written BTW)
and Missy- the beagle I grew up with...not really a dog's name either come to think of it....so give me your best dog name if I haven't mentioned it!

Sunday morning coffee

 

My sister in law and I came home with this as a souvenir from the Grand Canyon. Sitting out in my gazebo...on my new lawn furniture....I just really liked the way the sun hit this with the reflection on the table. Reminds me of how much fun we had in Arizona....a place I will go again!

Winter vs Summer

 

 

I think these are both pretty pictures but it is easier to enjoy the flowers! Notice the 2 trees down near the street....They are Ash trees and we are fairly confident the Ash borer will make mincemeat of these within the next year. Sad, isn't it?

..how does your garden grow?

 

This is our perinnel garden. The husband plants it and I weed it....a good way to share the outside work....I like the way it looks...the reds are not as obvious as they are in real life but what are you going to do?





I particularly like the bird house with the Holly hocks....the birdhouse is just for show...I don't think a real bird would chose to live there even though the paint job is beautiful...but I liked the way it blends in with the flowers.

"Little Switzerland"

 

West Virginia is a beautiful state...it is called "little Switzerland" as it has the Appalachian Mountains running through the state. The roads and interstates curve...they are NOT straight...it is one of the few places you can get car sick on the interstate because of the curves!

This picture was taken by my aunt. It is across from the graveyard where her parents are buried(my grandparents). She took this out the car window when she was there with my mom. Tallmansville is a very small town in northeast West Virginia.....it is the site of the terrible mine disaster cave-in that killed 12 last year....
When I was a little girl, mom would take us out to visit her grandmother(my great grandmother :o))in the "country". It truly was the country..no indoor plumbing...I have used the outhouse with the Sears and Roebuck catalog as the toilet paper...and with the words ringing in my ears "watch out for copperheads" gag.....snakes I don't do ...especially poisonous ones...so my sister and I would yell all the way to the outhouse hoping to scare any and all snakes, animals and other things away....trust me when I tell you that we REALLY had to go to the bathroom when we did this....at night..if you were unlucky enough to get to spend the night..you had chamber pots under the bed to use....sounds good...until you realize that you are responsible for emptying it in the outhouse the next morning....when it is cool and the snakes are more likely to be resting near the warmth.....for 2 girls who were born in the '50s this was like stepping back into the previous century....we never did figure out why the 2 of us were so lucky and our oldest sister never had the pleasure of an overnight visit ....we think is was she had a louder voice and a cousin closer to her age that she would go and stay with!!
My younger sister and I have a lot of memories of this little town... it was fun to go but more fun to come back to civilization....TV, running water, bikes, telephones not on a party line, cars, town...you get my drift! But when we tell these stories it is hard for people to believe that we experienced what we did.....as even in the '60s, it seemed unusual not to have some of the amenities one gets used to...Looking back now, it was comparable to abject poverty but no one felt that way...we were always welcomed with food and love and as much as we dreaded sleeping over.....we loved to go and visit.

Concert in the park

Saturday we went to a concert in the park.....It is an outdoor area with a covered pavilion and grass for lawn seating...we usually go once a summer and we decided to go with a group I work with..we picked a convenient day...not really paying any attention to who was playing...Everyone that comes is good. We love jazz...and that's what we thought we were going to listen to.....The Chicago Symphony Orchestra plays here in the summer so how bad can it be?
I will pay closer attention next year....I really didn't like
CONGO SQUARE ----it is exactly what you think it is..........
The beating of congo drums and chanting of african somethings....
Opera, ok
classical, ok
rock, ok
jazz, ok
odadahh...not so much....the congo drums gave me quite a headache....
Thank heavens the company was good.

BUNCO!

It has been a few years since I was in a Bunco group....I had never heard of this game until I was asked to join..it really is a fun, easy, relaxing game(especially if there is alcohol involved!). After the kids were out of junior high, the bunco group I was in dispersed. I didn't miss it that much as I also bowl and I was in 2 bridge groups.
Imagine my surprise when the bridge group I am currently in wanted to switch to BUNCO! for the summer instead of bridge...too much thinking in the heat???? not sure why..
Let me just tell you...there are no hard and fast rules in Bunco....not like bowling or bridge where it is pretty hard core and you need some talent or practice...not so in bunco...if you can roll the die you can play bunco and even if you can't...no big deal.
The problem, or at least the problem at tonight's bunco, was which rules do we follow? Because if there is one thing that I can tell you....there are numerous ways to play ...some examples...with 3 or 4 die....keeping track of any of the combinations of wins, loses, high points, low points, BUNCOS!, baby buncos or how many times you are at the Head Table.
I had fun regardless of how we decided to play...my only suggestion was which ever way we decide to play, let's WRITE them down so we remember what we did the NEXT time we play!!!

Black dogs and amusement parks

I am NOT an Amusement Park girl...I get sea sick just thinking of the teacups--forget watching them....but I also have fear of physcis failing as you flip upside down and then the ride breaks and you are UPSIDE down...does not the law of gravity take over?? I am not willing to find out...even if I didn't get seasick watching rides...but when you hear this on the radio
"and in Kentucky, a 13 y/o girl had both her feet sliced off while on the Superman ride.....and they have closed this ride down at 4 other amusement parks....."
Ok....close them ALL down.....and gives me another reason to remember this blog "I knew someone who died that way".
This is one thing my sister and I have in common...the worry factor and the reminders of being careful...I mean...really...we lived with a policeman (dad) while growing up and then all 3 of us went into medicine at some level and you see SO many things that could happen...and do....I remind people that I live off the misfortune of others....husband being a doctor and all ... and there are ALOT of misfortunate people....sheesh...so some safety tips just come naturally...but if this ever happens to me and our
black lab and you read about me on the news...the rest of that story is
"...and the last you saw Clancy was as his owner chased him down the street....."

Blogging world

I started blogging after my little sister convinced me it would be fun.....I wasn't so sure....seemed like a lot of effort for no good reason...
Imagine my surprise to find out that I really enjoyed it! It's nice to know that my family can catch up --or not---on what is happening here...very helpful to the son in Beijing who then remembers WHY he moved to the other side of the world!!!
But really, the same sister has not been blogging for half a year now....she read all my blogs she had missed and was amazed I hadn't mentioned some of the things to her when I had talked to her via the phone....well....that IS why I blog....don't want to repeat or anything!
She has been really busy with many things...not the least she has become a new grandmother, but she was amazed that so many people read my blog....ok, people, to be fair.....not that many!! some people have thousands!! I don't but she was surprised to see so many from around the world.....
I thought that was what blogging was about...go and read and see what's out there, make a comment or 2, they come and read yours and the circle goes on...
I have "met" some wonderful friends thru blogging...blog gal pals, photo bloggers...it has been very fun for me......and I will continue to do so.
I wish I was as witty as some I read and could take pictures like others....
Even though she has given up blogging...and she is very witty with her writing....I will continue to do what I enjoy and hopefully....
I will meet up with some of my gal pals in real life....

One last Chin story.....

When Chin's owner came to see Chin once he was back at camp the first words out of his mouth were:
"OMG Chin is so FAT!"

Hmmmmm and I thought that is what they were supposed to look like.....
Could it be that I wouldn't let him out to run?
Maybe
could it be that Chin became a man chin instead of a baby chin?
Maybe
Could it be that I really don't care?
Darn right.


He is lucky Chin is alive and well....

and I miss the chin just a little bit...how sad is that???

A happy camper

Chin is back at camp with his owner--even though the daughter will still be in charge of him during the summer---
his condo will be gracing his owner's dorm/apartment come the fall......
I am sure the chin is a happy little camper but even if he isn't, I am a happy little camper.
It was worth the 700 miles I drove to give Chin ROOMMATES..He is now sharing his space at camp with:
A gerbil, 2 rats, a hamster and 2 mice who just had 2 babies........
He is the biggest and the NICEST of these and they can all spin their wheels at night and have at it....

Go Chin.

Nosy neighbors.

I really don't have bad neighbors...we live on an acre and we can be as friendly as we want to be or they want to be...
However......I am not a mean person...pretty friendly..outside a lot(we have a puppy remember) it is not like I am unavailable.....no school... I am at home mostly.
So.
When I got a call from the Home Owners Association president (who lives next door and is a GOOD friend and we are NOT members of the HOA(not required...it is a long story...suffice it to say that we will NEVER be a member)....she was calling in her official capacity and said that a neighbor wanted to know what we were doing in our back yard I was a little taken aback.....ok for those of you that know me...you know I was ALOT taken aback.....
Apparently our Bocce Ball court can be seen from a neighbors house and they wanted to know what we planned to do with it...Did we get a building permit, was it going to stay up what exactly were our plans????
Here was my response.....
Listen up a neighbor and listen closely--

This is NOT your problem...
it is NOT a permanent structure
It does NOT require a building permit
It is NOT your business to police me and the day you (THE HOA) feel the need to do that.....make sure you have a legal document or you will be thrown off my property so fast your head will swim.

In case you wondered.....the Bocce ball court (which is made out of plumbing PVC)..will be a Permanent structure in my back yard until the snow flies and maybe even longer and I will make darn sure you can see it from your house....even if I have to move it everyday......

What kind of soul are you?

OK everytime I do this I get a different profile....who's the real me?
http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofsoulareyouquiz/

You Are a Peacemaker Soul

You strive to please others and compromise anyway you can. War or conflict bothers you, and you would do anything to keep the peace. You are a good mediator and a true negotiator. Sometimes you do too much, trying so hard to make people happy. While you keep the peace, you tend to be secretly judgmental. You lose respect for people who don't like to both give and take. On the flip side, you've got a graet sense of humor and wit. You're always dimplomatic and able to give good advice. Souls you are most compatible with: Warrior Soul, Hunter Soul and Visionary Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

You Are a Warrior Soul

You're a strong person and sometimes seen as intimidating. You don't give up. You're committed and brave. Truly adventuresome, you are not afraid of going to battle. Extremely protective of loved ones, you root for the underdog. You are picky about details and rigorous in your methods. You also value honesty and fairness a great deal. You can be outspoken, intimidating, headstrong, and demanding. You're a hardliner who demands the best from themselves and others. Souls you are most compatible with: Old Soul and Peacemaker Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

The dog park

Last weekend I took Clancy to the dog water park. He is a water dog after all and I thought he might enjoy the water.....
Well, his ancestors were probably rolling over in their graves as he WOULD NOT go deeper than his knees....I was a bit embarrassed, to tell the truth...
So, we decided to go back this weekend on the off chance he might just like it this time...
My friend and I finally pushed him in over his head and VOILA! he is a Labrador after all!!!!! I was so proud of him.....I really need to get a life!!He fetched, the ball, sticks, other dogs....he was nondiscriminatory about what he was fetching....he had a BLAST!

After they swim, we take a walk around the dog park so they can dry off a little. All the dogs there sorta run in a pack and hang out....well....Clancy kinda likes to be top dog....we had a few times we had to remind him of his manners...but we left the dog park in disgrace anyway.....

He managed to run full tilt into a lady that appeared to be recovering from a stroke or something. Her big 90 lb German Shepard mix was chasing Clancy and Clancy ran right through her legs and down she went....not once but twice before I could catch him...thankfully I still had his leash on him but I couldn't believe he wouldn't stop---well, I can believe it I just don't want too!

Talk about embarrassing!!! Well, it will be a few more obedience lessons off leash before I will want to try that again.......and, yet....he had sooooo much fun.

The story of trying to be a responsible dog owner. I shudder to think what he would be like with someone less forceful than I!!

Bad owner?

I became just like some of the parents I know and love.....
Clancy graduated from Beginner Obedience 1....got a diploma and everything... and then they suggested that he might need to take Beginner 1 again....
I thought about that for all of 2 seconds....heck no I said.. you passed him and I don't recall reading anything about "no dog left behind" so you MUST think he can do beginner obedience 2.....so that's what we'll do thankyouverymuch.

We will see if I come out of this smelling like a rose or like the overachieving dog owner I want to be!!!

Chinchilla escape

You will remember I am watching Chin the chinchilla for the daughter while she is at camp. Yesterday I cleaned out his condo cage. This involves me getting him into a different facility..like a big ball or his travel cage....all this is done without me actually touching him....he is after all a RODENT.......To be fair...I do let him walk up my arm..I can handle that but actually picking him up...not so much....he likes to be touched but not held....go figure....well....
I cleaned everything up, rearranged his levels so he gets more exercise and retrieved him from his ball and put him back in his condo and left to take Clancy to his graduation class.
Imagine my HORROR, while driving, when I remembered that I had opened the top of his condo and had not closed it..If I could have turned around I would've but I was almost to class.....4 frantic phone calls to neighbors later, I get the neighbor who is TERRIFIED of the Akita that I am babysitting....I BEGGED her to please go and at least close the bedroom door so Chin wasn't roaming throughout the upstairs......
A bottle of wine seems cheap at that price!! so, over she went and I get a phone call from her saying she got to the daughter's bedroom and as she started to walk into the room, here is this little furry thing looking at her...she screams and Chin takes off for under the bed...she slams the bedroom door shut and calls and leaves.....

I am sure all of you will sleep better tonight knowing that I was able to corner him into his cage when I got home.......I know I will be able to sleep better....

Puppy Graduation

Today is Clancy's graduation class for Beginner Obedience....

While we were driving I kept telling him that not all dogs get a diploma and not to be upset if/when they denied him a diploma....he seemed ok with that.....
and YET....
he came in 6 out of 6 dogs and they gave him a "CLANCY THE LABRADOR" has graduated to Beginner Obedience 2...

Well, just let me tell you how proud I am of THAT!!!!

School's out!!!

Just keep humming the 60's song....school's out for the summer....and you will know what I am doing!!!!!

AKKKKKKK!!!

This is what we all felt like when we heard that Dan had a run in with an aluminum folding chair at school....We are thrilled he is ok but sorry about the loss of his little finger tip....never good to lose a body part.....

Good luck and whew.....what a week....new baby and a lost body part....wow....not everyone can say that!

A new baby!!!

I am a great Aunt again!!!!......yeah for Teddy born May 30, 2007....
Congratulations to the new mommy and daddy....hope you get some good sleep!!
Here is where you go to see the newest addition to our family.
http://thisismyquestion.blogspot.com/
http://gr8umps3.blogspot.com/

Memorial Day Bocce Ball

We learned how to play bocce ball at Camp Michigania. Or at least the version they taught us! My sisterinlaw got a very nice bocce ball set and brought it over and my hubby "made" a court....this involved buying PVC pipes and mowing the lawn an inch and 1-2 shorter than the rest of the yard. The court is 60 feet by 12 feet. Here is a picture.......


and then we proceeded to spend the afternoon playing.
When we played in the morning to try out the court....it was hard to play with Clancy(black lab 7 month old puppy) retrieving all the balls.
He did not understand that these balls were not for him. When the real Bocce ball set arrived, the balls were so heavy he could not get them in his mouth....that was a good thing.
Hope your Memorial Day was as fun as ours!


Hubby,Kathleen behind hubby, son#2, Tessie(chocolate lab) Clancy (black lab) Bailey (golden retriever) enjoying the beautiful afternoon.

Perennial Garden

You would think that after the corneal abrasion I would stop weeding ....
but I decided to weed where I could see the results....
I am only sorry that I did not take a before picture.
Here is a picture of our perennial garden that I spent 8 hours weeding!

Outside work

Over the years we have defined different jobs as inside or outside.
You'd think this would be an obvious decision...Inside stuff..mine outside stuff...his
....but there are many jobs inside that fall to husband as well(things like painting the walls, fixing the toilet, sinks, faucet drips, you know...husband jobs)
and there are many jobs outside that I like to do even though they are husband jobs (mowing the lawn, planting flowers, weeding, blowing the leaves).

Well, after my experience yesterday with weeding, he can have that job back.

It had rained and the ground was perfect for weeding...a job that is very gratifying...if there wasn't so much to do!!!!While pulling weeds under the Austrian pines.....a branch went into my eye..I now have a corneal abrasion....not a big deal..I hope...but it does not feel so grand.
Yes, I had glasses on.
Yes, I was being careful or so I thought.
Yes, I went to the doctor ASAP.
and yes I will weed again...
but I am checking that marriage contract and making sure that is says it is an outside HUSBAND job and get the compensation I deserve!!!

Puppies

Don't get me wrong....I love my dogs...but my girlfriend-that I work with- and I, have decided that this is the last puppy either one of us will have.

We have lots in common, my friend and I.....we have a secrets we will take to the grave with us...we are joined at the hip....
we cover each others backs....
we proof read each others in house emails (in case one of us is being just a little bit b**** uh,,,I mean unprofessional(there is a typical example!!) She is a wonderful person, articulate, intelligent and so many adjectives I can't write them all down.
Considering how different we are on one hand....we are very alike on another.

We have a few things we wish we didn't have in common. One of them is the untimely passing of our 7 year old dogs. My 7 year old lab died in Oct and her 7 year old St. Bernard needed to go 6 months later. She has an 11 year old golden retriever and I have an 11 year old chocolate lab. We are also the proud of owners of puppies.

To be fair.....I did warn her that they are a lot more work than I remembered since I got Clancy first....
but......she is now the proud owner of Charlie ,
(no ..it has NOTHING to do with my husband!!) the labradoodle
isn't he cute??


She also is taking him to puppy kindergarten class...ok...her HUSBAND is taking him...

and we are both just waiting until they aren't puppies any more.

It can't happen fast enough.....
so be warned....
puppies are a LOT more work than us over 50 crowd remember.......11 years ago it didn't seem like soooo much work.

Babies and puppies....truly for the younger crowd.

Dwarf Korean Lilacs

.....if these are DWARF what do the regular ones look like cause these are AWESOME!!!
The smell is incredible....

and they are in my front yard!

Clancy's friend Bailey

It turns out that the dog that lives next door LOVES Clancy. The feeling is mutual. They play and play and play and they wear each other out....or that is the hope.


Tessie, on the other hand....is quite happy to lay on the couch and be a couch potato.

Happy 26th Birthday, Gregory!

For you , I found the superman picture!!

Hope your birthday was wonderful.

Love, Mom

Motocross ----who knew????

I am embarrassed to tell you that I went and looked this up as I could not believe my husband was correct on this. So here you are.......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motocross

who knew this was for real????? I had no idea....ok, honey, you are/were right.

Does that make you happy!!??

So for all of you contemplating taking this up as an amateur sport in W. Va. ....be assured that ALL the medical staff will be available to you...no exceptions made!!

Happy Mother's Day

To all the mothers in my family and circle of friends both near and far......Hope you have a great day!

and for those of you who thought the West Virginia story was a typical redneck tale, here is this tid bit of information!

The driving force behind Mother's Day was Anna Jarvis, who organized observances in Grafton, W.Va., and Philadelphia on May 10, 1908. While the annual celebration spread around the country, Jarvis began lobbying politicians to set aside a day to honor mothers. She finally succeeded in 1914, when Congress designated the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.


So put that in your pipe and smoke it!

A West Virginia story

My husband was at a medical meeting today. When he came home he told me 2 things I had never heard before about West Virginia that the presenter had told them since he had worked in W.Va. for a few years.

Apparently, there are 2 days in the year that ALL hospital staff report to duty...no exceptions period.

Husband: Any idea what they would be.
ME: New Year's Eve(we do like our liquor--some of it even homemade!).
Husband: Nope, that would not be one of them, he said. Care to take another guess?
Me: Uh not really.
Husband: Ok, here they are........West Virginia Rattlesnake CatchingDay.
Me: you're joking
Husband: no I am not and the next one? Amateur Moto Cross Day.
Me: What is that?
Husband: You know. where amateurs ride moto crosses.

I would like to think that he is pulling my leg...but I have a feeling that if I make a big deal about this-( I mean--really--I lived in the state for 22 years and never heard of either one of these)he will prove it to me via the Internet or something.

He said that the hospitals have to send for anti-venom from the east coast so they have enough....Ok this I believe but moto crosses..aww come on....pull the other leg.

Chin the chinchilla

One of the results of the daughter's bike accident is I am now in charge of her chinchilla......



To be fair, she is watching it for a friend who is out of the country for a semester abroad. She knows Chin from camp. He has been in her care for the past 2 summers.
I, on the other hand, am like a "girl" when it comes to rodents...which is what this is part of. It is pretty to look at but it does not like to be held and looks for ways to escape.

I spent some time reading about chinchillas. Here is what I learned.....

They are from the Andes Mountains....
They live in large colonies but can live alone......
Their life span is about 15 years.....
They need a lot of space to roam (hence the chinchilla castle/ 3 story condo that is set up in the bedroom)....
They pee in the same place but poo everywhere...they look like black pieces of rice...hard as a rock....
They can spray you(with urine) if they don't like your smell..
They test you with their teeth to see if they like your smell(translate that to bite---fortunately they don't bite hard)....
They need to have lava stones to bite on as their teeth continue to grow...
They don't take water baths, they take dust bath--special sand that is found in the mountains in lieu of water.....
They can be trained but don't like to be held....(this makes no sense to me)...
They need to have their cages cleaned once a week....
AND they don't do heat very well at all....hence the fan on 24 hrs a day.

My daughter's piece of advice before she left was that Chin likes to escape his cage, so be careful when you feed him.

Well,
how fast can someone come and take this little rodent back to Michigan so I don't have to try and make friends with it so it doesn't spray me and doesn't get lost in her bedroom after he escapes his cage?

NOT FAST ENOUGH!

Bike Accident

We have had a very stressful few days. The daughter wrecked her bike at college and ended up in the ER with a possible broken jaw*. I went down to school to get her to bring her home to consult with our doctors and felt I was handling the situation with perfect equanimity, under control, what will be will be and all that attitude, thankful it wasn't anything worse.
Before we left campus I needed gas so pulled into a gas station, pulled out the credit card and proceeded to try and fill up. After numerous attempts to slide the card in the proper slot and hearing "See attendant" I finally went inside--with the credit card-- and moseyed up to the counter with a few other items we thought we might need for the trip home.
Waited in line, finally handed her my card and other purchases.

The attendant was by this point pretty exasperated with me as she had been telling me to come see her so she grabbed my card, slid it through the machine and then looked at me, at the card and said:
"We don't take Mobile credit cards at this Marathon gas station."

Did I feel like a fool or what?

*final note, the jaw is not broken and the cracked tooth did not need a root canal and she has 10 stitches in her chin...for something that started out pretty scary, she was very lucky. She always wears her helmet, but her dad has now revoked her bike license.


And many thanks to Dennis for going to the ER to see how she really was until I could get there...You're the best nephew ever!!

Happy Birthday, Dennis!

If I had a picture of you and Greg and Eric and Dan in your camouflage outfits I would post it! Or, more embarrassing, your superman outfit!
I hope you have a wonderful birthday....
Love Aunt Neva