A Taste of Our Summer

I've been feeling restless lately, always wanting to go somewhere and do something. As often happens, Denver straightened me out.

"Mom, I love it when we don't do much.  That way the time goes slower and you can really taste the summer."

Amen, Little Buddy.

Enjoying the pool.

Denver and Mr. Shakespeare,
a souvenir from his first full
length Shakespeare play.

Making lemonade.

Celebrating Spencer's 12th Birthday!

Fun trip with the boys to Fernbank's new
exhibit-- Brain, The Inside Story.

John made the Minecraft Cake for
the Birthday party!

Swim meets . . . Two a week.  Four days of practice a week.
TWO double practice days a week.

To My Darling on Father's Day

My Darling,

I know you and I could never have predicted this life we would make together.  

How could we know in 1985 when we met that 30 years later we would be here?

With all the joys and disappointments, fears and triumphs, three boys, four dogs, and decades of shared dreams  . . . who better to spend my life (and little bit of money) with than you?  

These days already gone . . . 

Your Mini Me Clown.

The Warrior.

A Triumphant John Robert.

I am so sorry about all this . . . 

Belated Happy Birthday-- I love you very Mulch

Some wives get flowers for their birthdays or a gift certificate to the spa or jewelry.

My romantic hubby bought me two truckloads of . . . MULCH.

He and the boys trimmed the azaleas, weeded, and raked until it looks like a middle class person lives here instead of us :-)

Just in time for my grandmother's beautiful flowers to begin blooming.

Thank you, Baby.  You are nothing if not unique.

Gone to the Dogs

This is what happens when you start rescuing dogs.

It's embarrassing really.  I'll just go ahead and say it.  We have four dogs.  And three of them are big.  They shed.  They track dirt through the house.  They like to jump on the furniture when you're not looking.  And except for the last one, they're all my fault.

Our last acquisition was done as a favor to a police chief whom I much admire.  He was looking for a home for a young german shepard.  If I didn't take him, he was going to the animal shelter because his elderly owner was unable to handle him.  How could I say no?  I've been saying I'm his foster mom and looking for a good home for him; meanwhile, our whole family (in-laws excluded) has fallen in love with him.

But here is the real truth . . . 

My girl, Lady.  She would wait near my running shoes.

We lost our beautiful german shepard, Lady, last July.  My last words to her as we lay together on the cold tile of the emergency vet's office were, "I'm sorry I can't save you.  I'm so sorry I can't save you."  I stroked her soft fur, and for the first time ever, she didn't look at me or lean into me.  Her eyes stayed closed.  Her death was unexpected. She had gone running with me two days before.  I cried for weeks.

Sometimes Happiness just sneaks up on you.

A month later, when I had the opportunity to save a puppy's life and give it a good home, I did. When Denver wanted his own dog, we chose a likely looking fellow who was homeless. When John wanted a big, black german shepard named Maximus, I made it happen.

Maximus and Apollo--
The World's Best Running Partners
(Okay, not the Best; but the most enthusiastic!)

This is what I get every time
I crack open the back hatch!

Now our house is full to bursting with dogs and boys and all the accessories that go with each.    

I spend a disproportionate amount of time vacuuming and mopping.

And yet . . . after a six mile trail run with the shepards; after I watch Spencer and Denver dote on the dogs and hug them for comfort; and after obedience training, agility work with Audrey, and a rousing game of fetch with Jake, I have to say . . . it's worth it.

Did someone say Park?

Denver and Lieutenant Jake

Audrey loves racing through her tunnel.