Caught In The Act

 

 

Toby was caught and can't deny it! For someone who isn't allowed on the furniture, and usually abides by that rule. Toby seems to think that rule is null and void when I am gone, since he can't see out the window (to watch for me) unless he gets up on the couch. This position he has himself in however, is new...hahaha



Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas!!

Got all sorts of goodies this year :)

 Up "bright" and early on Christmas morning!

 

Toby enjoying one of his gifts, a new chipmunk toy :)

 

Then we all dove in.....

Presents, presents and more presents :)

Grampa loved his lil' sign "Great Dads get promoted to Grampa" :)

Kathy gave Jason some big boy power tools! 

Spoiled boy, new Patriots collar and jersey :) and my Lordy is that dog furry! :)

 

After the mass chaos settled down..it was time for a nap (with his new blanket)...before we headed out for Chistmas dinner at Gramma and Grampa's.

 

 

All in all, had an absolutely fantastic day. Full of laughs and some great stuff. I love my family! We are blessed.

 

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas too!

 

Annual Christmas Cookie Makin'

This year was no exception! We helped Beepa make her famous, Christmas cookies! :)

 Oodles, and oodles...

..and oodles of them!

 

We have our system set in place by now. Kathy and I measure out, mix, kneed, roll out, and cut out the cookies. From there, Beepa mans the oven. She knows when they are perfectly done. Then Cortney is assigned to the frosting/sprinkle station.

 

This was Kathy, helping make more frosting, for our froster...

 ...who broke a cookie! *gasp*

 

She fixed it...withhhh, another cookie, hahaha

 

Our #1 rule...one must eat any cookie that is broken, through this long process. This rule is strictly reinforced. :)

(frosting/sprinkle station)

 

Sugar Rush!



 

Toby is an excellent kitchen helper...we didn't need to clean the floor after ;)

 

Almost ready for Christmas!!!

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving this year seemed to suddenly appear and leave just as quickly. As always, lots and lots of family fun!

 

Before we all stuffed our faces, we of course were put through the never-ending, poses and pictures!

 Toby and I..and me 40 lbs or so, smaller! Hurray!

 Sisters

 

 Kathy and Jason, the newlyweds

 Gramma and Grampa, not so new, but still happily married :)

 D and D with their dogs :)

 

 Mother and Son

 



 

Mustaches anyone? (Everyone neglected to inform me that as we were taking pictures, mine was falling off, hah)

The Lorax??

 

I have no idea :)

Sister'staches

Could...not...smile...or else they would fall off :) 

This is what I am always most thankful for!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

☼flowers

I have been pretty quiet on here for awhile. Though there have been little goings-on. Other than the constant job search, I have been getting myself back in shape, and I did actually go on my first date since the divorce. But for the most part, it's summer, so hiding from the extreme heat. Had a full week of over 100 degrees. Can't say that I am am fan of that. Though, my sunflowers sure seem to be!

Last year, they were all pummeled by hail, which killed all but one little straggler. This year, though they were again hit with hail, they were bigger this time around and survived with just some holy leaves. ☺ They are getting big! Can't wait until they bloom. ☼  

Learning Curve

My mother purchased and installed one of those silly "Seen On TV" products.

What I am calling a screen curtain...you are suppose to be able to install it over any doorway, and walk right through it. While the screen shuts directly behind you, using all of its magnets. *click click click*

Toby doesn't quite understand the concept yet.
Which I find amusing, cuz he is the one that headbutts the doors and lets himself out. ☺

Surprising Find In The South

I have one happy puppy! ♥

Yup, that's a New England Patriots doggy toy. I dunno who was more excited about finding it, Toby or I. ☺

My Pup

3 years ago today, I drove to the middle of no-where...after answering an ad on craigslist and some back and forth emails about an adorable 'lil dog.

Toby has literally followed me everyday since then.

Though I will admit, not even a week after getting him I was asking myself "Why, oh, why, did I get a dog?!". Emergency visits to the vet (was one sick pup when I got him), anxious and afraid of everything (he was abused by a previous owner), not housebroken, problematic back legs (was kept in a crate by someone for far too long),

he was shedding like a beast, and had no manners what-so-ever. I felt like I bit off way more then I could chew.

But after lots of vet visits, many many walks to get his legs better, and an abundance of re-training...I don't ask myself why I got him anymore. I love him to pieces. I know he is "just a dog" but they give out the most unconditional love and ask nothing in return. He has been with me through some of my worst stuff. And I feel lucky everyday that I have my lil' shadow ♥

Investigatin'

Toby...trying to figure out if that there is a rock?? or a turtle??

It's another eastern box turtle ☺

Can We Build It?

"Yes We Can!" ☺

Another weekend (well, more like day) of helping dismantle and put back together an even bigger deck! (for more pics click here) (Want to have it noted that Toby doesn't ride on the tractor. When it's in motion he safely trots behind it. ☺)

"A lil closer...closer..." And to think he trusted me to pull up the deck with the bucket...just a hair... When not in use...the dogs like to hold the tractor down ☺

Color Differences

Just recently I got the crazy idea in my head (though someone may of put it there) to paint my bedroom! I don't like painting at all...but I went and did it anyways. ☺

Before:

Lots of 'tan' trim and off-white walls.

And after:

Grey walls (though as the day goes by it seems to change colors in the light) and white trim!

...the lil' helpers...

Much improved ☺