Elusive Critters!

Today was a full throttle day! Started with an early morning doc appt for PMM (everything's fine, just a normal checkup!) and a few errands to run. Got PMM a pool so she can splash around in the backyard. (Believe me, the girl is a fish!) But before the pool assembly, I got to do my favorite thing, putter around on the riding mower! Yipee!! Took hours to fill up the pool (geez, I dread the water bill!) but finally my little fish got to go splashing in the water! She had a good time, even though most of the neighborhood kids weren't about.

After a trip to work-out (UGH!) I smelled really really nice! I was in the backyard trying to get the perfect picture of this butterfly that was loving my "butterfly bush". My dear sweet neighbor invited me over for an impromptu "have a glass of wine and chat with me while our kids play in the pool". I love those times. I tried like crazy to capture the dozens of hummingbirds that frequent their backyard. I got one picture, but then the little critters eluded me...maybe tomorrow evening!

YAY! She's home!

My girl is finally home! It is so good to have my family all back in the same house! I can't believe how much she has grown up over the summer!!! She's looking less and less like a little girl and more like, (as she likes to call herself a 'tween'!) LOL! Everytime, I call her my little girl she reminds me of that.

The car ride to Louisville and back was UGH! Corn fields all the way from here to there, not one exciting thing on that trip. It was really good to see my mom again though. I am so excited to hear that she is planning a visit in October. I wish my dad would come too, but I know Daddy isn't much of a traveler.

PMM had a little trouble going to sleep last night, but after reading her a chapter and frequent 10-minute checks from Momma soon she was sound asleep and looking all angelic. I just wonder when the nightly chapter book reading went from fun things like "Little House on the Prarie" to "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi". It's pretty bad whenever your nine-year-old has to translate the names of the characters because Ol Momma can't pronounce them! GEEZ!

It's funny how she is so into all the things that were popular when I was younger and in elementary school...aka Star Wars, Indiana Jones, etc. I just love to see her eyes bug out when I tell her that I saw those movies in the late 70's and early 80's. It's amazing to her that Mom used to be cool! LOL!

*Whew* I'm whipped!

Spent the better part of the day cleaning the upstairs in preperation for PMM's return! I'm so excited I can't stand it...seems as if it's been years since I've seen her. So, I've been a busy little bee today, dusting, carpet cleaning, moving furniture, washing windows....the whole spcheel! But it's nice and shiny clean for her to come home to, but her momma is pooped! LOL! And my body forgot to tell my brain that I have to work tonight until 11pm! (What in the world was I thinking?)

I did go outside briefly to check the mail.....geez, could the humidity get any worse. The second you step outisde it's like a big hot damp wall hits you in the face. UGH!

I have been so lazy when it comes to creativity lately, I think all the stress of BB's surgery, CHA, PMM being in West Virginia needless to say life has been kinda hectic. Hopefully once the family unit is all under the same roof again, my creative muse will return.

I did recieve some sad and rather shocking news yesterday. A good friend of mine that I used to work with was diagnosed with MS some months ago. It came as a total shock because this guy seemingly had the world stretched in front of him....a lucrative career, good looks, charm and a genuinely nice guy. My heart aches for him and the troubles he's going through. He will remain in my thoughts and I hope he's on his way to a more managable life with MS, if that is possible.

Anyone who knows me very well knows that I'm a pretty happy person most of the time. I'm usually very patient and always has a joke to make someone smile...but I have to confess, my pets are driving me bonkers! We have three cats (Fred & Ethel Mertz, and Oscar) and a golden Retriever, Zack aka Bubba. Now usually, I am an animal lover but I think they know that our home has been in a state of limbo with PMM being gone and BB being in the hospital and moving around slowly. One cat, Fred (who is jet black and a little creepy looking to me! LOL!) has been howling.....yes I said HOWLING at the doors to get out. Remind you that Fred and Ethel have never lived outside nor have they ever been outside. It's driving me crazy!!! At first I thought maybe it was a female cat outside somewhere that...erm, well desired some male company if you will. But it's been going on three weeks now and it's starting to make me have a twitch for goodness sake!

Oscar, well.....Os is just mean! The other cats will be just relaxing and he has to come up and mess with them, biting hissing and chasing each other through the house. And believe me, a herd of elephants have softer feet! Os is the cat who bites your toes under the covers at night and pounces on your hands if they are under the covers. That and he has a penchant for licking BB's underarm to wake him up at 5am.....ewww!

Zack, *sigh* has always been the neediest animal I've ever seen. He's super jealous if you show any attention to the cats, he follows you around everywhere and we're always tripping over him when we turn around. I mean, he's a loveable lug but he's driving me ape! Then of course, there is the barking to come in (which is five seconds after he's done the 'pee-pee' dance for you to let him out! ARGGHHHHH!

Ethel is the only one who is halfway normal. She is a regal little priss. She can't be bothered to chase or run. Her only time of actual awakedness is standing up on the back of the couch, stretching, walking in a circle and settling back in. *LOL* what a life.

Well, I'm guessing pre-work shower is calling.....

Just another Day in Paradise!

I have to tell you I am so enjoying being home with BB as he recovers. Today, all the anesthesia has totally worn off and he was feeling a little bit of pain and stiffness, but my stoic spouse swears it's "not that bad".

The day was spent in a lazy humdrum. We didn't really get into a hurry to do much at all....I love those kind of days. Of course, I spent part of the day doing my favorite thing...mowing the grass. I swear, I am a sick individual. BB swears if the grass grows 1/4 of an inch that I'm running toward the riding mower to cut it down! He isn't far from the truth, to be honest.

Of course, I also created an excuse to go the SBF to see what new things have come in this week. OOOOhhh...there are so many new things. New Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas Bo Bunny, new Snowy Jo collection from Imaginesce (*does a happy dance rubbing my hands together as I squeal*) Needless to say, I won't actually be GETTING a paycheck until well after Christmas if we keep getting all this new stuff in.

The fun of having no agenda screetches to a big halt tomorrow though. Being ever the procrastinator, I have put off really CLEANING PMM's room while she's been visiting my PU. And now, I've waited until the last minute so I have to get into the thick of it tomorrow before I go to work. (and honestly, I'm not looking forward to it.....she is precious, but she isn't exactly tidy!)

Saturday will be spent on the road to pick up PMM and bring her home. I can not wait....I have missed my little munchkin so much I just can't wait to hug her tight and kiss her little cheeks (only to have her moan..."MOOOOMMMM!" because I'm embarrassing her to death!) LOL

I have actually been scouring past books searching for THE Chrismas card for the upcoming season. (Yes, I realize that it's near 100 degrees and miserably hot...but I have to pre-plan these things if I actually want them sent out a few days before Christmas!) Last year's theme was snowflakes using light blues, iridescent whites and vellum. (and if I can remeber I will dig it out and snap a photo of it) Sooo, only time will tell what I actually find that will please me enough to create! More to follow on that topic...

Meanwhile, I will enjoy the pictures of my blooming flowers and other goodies I have snapped photos of....

I absolutely LOVE this picture I snapped of a pristine white peony. I didn't even realize I had a little spider that wanted in on the image, but I love the way it turned out.

I was in awe of this beautiful fellow. The contrast of my momma's black car really makes the brightness of the colors show up.

Kind of makes carrying a big camera everywhere I go, so worth it!