Our New Super Duper Shade Provider

Bill found a really good deal on this umbrella for the deck.   Now we can sit outside and not roast, although there haven't been many roasting days this summer.

I'm happy to report that it's Tessa approved.

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;o)

Lady Tessa's First Ribbon

As of today, Lady Tessa is a tested and approved CANINE GOOD CITIZEN!  

There are ten different steps that have to be successfully completed in order to pass the test.  Good job pretty girl!

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;o)

Enjoying the Flowers

After a nice walk, we took a mini photo shoot in front of the fabulous rhododendrons.  Amazingly, Tessa actually stayed when I told her to.  I think we're making progress!

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;o)

Oops ;o(

About once a year, Bill has an incident with runaway beard clippers.  The previous time it happened, he was able to salvage a goatee, but not this time.  The incident took some of his beard out right in the middle of his chin.  I foolishly didn't get a picture of the "before" but here is the "after"...

He purposely made a silly face but he wasn't happy and I can't get used to him being bald faced ;o)

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;o)

Wondering Why?

Lady Tessa watching her papa mow the lawn and wondering shy SHE can't be on THAT side of the fence?! 

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;o)

Tiny Little Vase

Wendy gifted me this little vase several years ago.  It's perfect for springtime blossoms like Lily of the Valley and Lamium.

It sits on the shelf in my bathroom, among the clay shapes Ella and I made.

Special things from my special girls.

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;o)

Happy Birthday Beautiful Girl

Today is Wendy's 43rd birthday.  Hard to imagine!  Wishing her the most perfect day and a year filled with everything good!

I love you sweetheart, more than you can imagine and I'm proud to be your mom.  xoxoxo

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;o)

Hello Saturday

Started the day by dropping Tessa's bowl, full of food, in the sink and breaking it.  Damn it!!!  I got the bowl when I worked for the AWS and it was Titan's.  We left her in her crate, got gas at Sam's ($3.09), had breakfast at McDonalds, washed and cleaned the truck and went to Mercer's for our coffee, cookie and cribbage.

It was busy today and there was a group of several teachers sitting on the couches next to us.  They were VERY LOUD and it was hard to think.  Good grief, use your inside voices!

We only played one game, which I managed to win, although it was close.

We stopped by Walgreens so Bill could pick up a prescription, then to the pet store by Publix to get a new bowl.  I didn't really like any of them but finally settled on one...$14 freakin' dollars.  We also needed some kibble to get us home to Maine, so we bought a 14 pound bag for $39 freakin' dollars.  WTF?!  Can't afford to buy anything these days.  Thanks Joe, you stupid ass. 

Came home and made dog food.  I managed to put twice as much rice as I needed into the water. OMG!  I scooped out the extra and dried it on a paper towel.  I think it will be fine.  I took Tessa out for while since no one was home next door.  She sat and looked for geckos.  

When the turkey was done, Bill took her for a ride to buy windshield wipers and brought back frappes!  Woohoo!

He visited with Dr. Steve after dinner. I took a shower, washed and dried my hair.  We started watching "Cardinal", which Dan suggested.

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;o)

The Martineau's Come to Visit...Day 7, Last Day

We walked around Ollie's Pond since it will be the last cool day for awhile.  Ran into Wendy and Dan about half way around.  We had coffee on the harbor, got lunch at Arby's and ate in the truck, then did a little shopping at WM.  Sat outside and read for awhile and played with Tessa.  Bill took her for a walk, we fed her early and left her in her crate while we met Wendy and Dan at The Celtic Ray for dinner.

We met them at 6:00 and sat in one of the new gliders in front.  Our drinks looked nice in the late afternoon sun. 

Wendy and Dan had fish tacos, Bill had chicken fingers and I had the fish and chips.  After a great meal, we walked to the Harbor Scoops ice cream shop and Wendy treated us all to ice cream.  Yum!

It was a nice warm evening and we got to enjoy a beautiful sunset, one of the few we've seen this winter.

We met them back at their rental to pick up a few things, said our goodbyes and were home by 8:30.  

So nice to have them here, always sad to see them leave.

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;o)

The Martineau's Come to Visit...Day 6

We met at Ollie's Pond at 11:00 and walked around the mile loop.

Some of the path is open,

While other sections are more secluded.

Bill, Tessa and I only went around once, Wendy and Dan went around again after we left.  They planned to spend the afternoon hanging out by the pool.

We got our coffees and sat on a bench at Bayshore Park, rather than in the truck, which is where we've sat most days.  

Wendy and Dan came over around 5:30 for dinner.  Bill grilled fillets to go along with the twice baked potatoes.  They brought green beans from the farmer's market, ice cream and a flourless torte.  We ate at 6:00, played three games of dominoes, had dessert and played three more games of dominoes. 

Of course, we had to celebrate Wendy's birthday again, with candles this time ;o)

We did have this outtake of Dan with torte on his teeth, which I didn't notice until Wendy mentioned it.

Dan won dominoes, Bill lost, again.  Dominoes is not Bill's game.  However, he's a good sport and a good loser (unlike someone we know who shall remain nameless.)

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;o)

The Martineaus Come to Visit...Day 5

It was damn chilly today, the high was 70* ;o(  The women next door were gone, so I took Tessa outside for 20 minutes after I put my makeup on.  I needed a sweatshirt!  

We walked in the area of Laishley Park but didn't walk along the water because of the wind.  Had our coffees on the harbor, bought filets and twice baked potatoes at Beef County for Wendy's birthday dinner.  We ate lunch at home, then went to the gym.

Wendy and Dan hung out by the pool this afternoon but had to sit outside because the pool screen cut just enough sun to keep it chilly.

I sat outside with my sweatshirt when we got home from the gym.  Bill took Tessa for a walk before dinner.  We ate dinner at home and met the kids at 7:15 at the Celtic Ray for a drink.  

It was chilly but we sat up on the deck, out of the wind, until after the sunset, then moved inside about 8:30.

We stayed till 9:00, finished our drinks, and headed home.

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;o)

The Martineau's Come to Visit...Day 4

It was damn chilly this morning...57* when I got up.  We walked around Ollie's Pond (because it was cooler) and ran into Wendy and Dan.  A nice surprise.  They were going to Osprey to visit with Ginny.

We had our coffee on the harbor, then home for lunch.

My FB post, and I quote..."Of course it's overcast, barely 60*, winds N @ 12 and predicted to rain...Wendy and Dan are here!"  It never fails.  It's been sunny and hot without a drop of rain for weeks, but as soon as they get here...BAM!

I worked on the blog, took Tessa out to play twice, made iced coffees and read for half an hour.  Gave her a treat and some Benadryl, changed our clothes and met Wendy and Dan at the Mint Thai restaurant at 5:00 for dinner.  They were playing darts at the Icehouse and walked over.

We celebrated Wendy's birthday (April 4) with a gift from Little Lavender Lobster...silver heart earrings.

Dinner was our treat as a "thank you" for everything they do to take care of the house while were away.  This year, that's been a LOT!

They walked back to the Icehouse to play more darts and invited us along, but we declined because we wanted to get back to the dog ;o(

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;o)

The Martineau's Come to Visit...Day 3

We dropped Tessa at daycare and met at Mercer's Fresh Roasted Coffee house, where we enjoyed a nice cup of coffee and conversation that didn't require shouting over loud music.  

We didn't have plans together but we decided to park by Hurricane Charley's and walk along the Harborwalk to look at the car auction.  Tons of really nice cars, some old, some newer and some that sold for more than $150,000.  I cannot even imagine having the money to buy a classic car that I take home and put away so it doesn't get dirty or damaged...

We hung around for maybe 30 minutes and watched the big screen that shows the current vehicle being auctioned.  It's pretty interesting and we could have stayed there for a lot longer but all agreed that we had other things we wanted to do.

We took some pictures, then headed our own way.  

Me and my girl

I really like this one!

If the wind had been blowing from the other direction, this might have been a great Christmas card picture... ;o(

They went to sit by the pool, we did some grocery shopping, grabbed some lunch and ate at a new to us park, Centennial Park.

This park is dog friendly, has picnic tables in the shade, lots of walking paths and several ball fields.  It was nice and quiet today but once all the building is done and everyone has moved in, it won't be anywhere near quiet. 

We picked Tessa up a little early and headed home.

Thanks for stopping by...

;o)

The Martineau's Come to Visit...Day 2

Internet photo

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  May the luck of the Irish be with you!

We dropped Tessa at daycare, then headed to the "kids" rental, arriving a little after 11:00.  We took our traditional photos in front of the garage door, for lack of a better backdrop. ;o). 

This one is kinda blurry for some reason ;o(

From there we headed to The Celtic Ray for the St. Patricks' Day party and it is a party!!!

We didn't find our great places in the shade from last year but our location was next to it and it wasn't terrible, just more sun.  We had a good view of the stage and there was lots of people watching.

We were on a hill but not so steep that we slid out of our chairs.

The guys got in line for food right away, because the line can get really long.  This year it took less than 30 minutes and would have been faster but Bill had to wait for a fresh batch of fish to be prepared.  The price was the same as last year ($18) and you get more than enough food!  

My plate of corned beef and cabbage

Bill had the fish and chips

Wendy also had the corned beef and Dan had chicken fingers, which he said were really good.  Unfortunately, my plate was literally disintegrating from the juice and it was difficult to cut anything with a big hole in the middle of the plate.  Amazingly, I managed to keep everything off my clothes.

Bill and I drank cranberry juice and ginger ale, while Wendy and Dan enjoyed the adult beverages, along with plenty of water.  It was hot again this year, mid 80's.  

Sláinte

We stayed until about 4:00, dropped them off, used the bathroom, checked out the new lanai, then headed to pick up Tessa.  We got home by 5:15, better than last year when we didn't get home till 9ish. 

Such a fun day, can't wait till next year!

Thanks for stopping by...

;o)