The best night ever???

Well, I was so happy when 5:00 came.  I had the weekend ahead of me, and it was time to get this party started!

I went to Mom's to pick up the girls, and Dad was home, so I visited a while.  We loaded into the car and headed this way.  Everyone was happy and chatting, listening to the radio.

When we got here, I found that Kevin (who left town today) had locked us out.  My house key was given to the girls, and is hidden in the shed, where it got dropped a couple of weeks ago.  It was behind a piece of drywall, which had tons of stuff piled in front of it.

I lifted the drywall, and had Natalie reach past the broken Christmas lights to retrieve it. (note to self: clean out the shed)  As she pulled it free, I dropped the drywall...on my foot!  OUCH! 

We got the door unlocked, and walked in to a horrid smell.  My dear, sweet, loving husband had given Hawkeye some hefty bites of week-old ham.  Yes, the dog was ill, and left proof of that on the floor.  Without getting too graphic, let me just say that it was VERY messy.

So, I started cleaning it up, gagging and heaving all the while, and Monica stepped onto the back porch, stepping barefoot on a board with a nail in it.  Do you think this is a sign of things to come this weekend?  Or maybe, we've hit our low, and things will be up from here.

I'm scared to find out.

Some beach/sunrise pictures

Here are a bunch of pictures from my trip.  It was a good trip, and a heavenly location.  I'm glad to be home, that's for sure.  Kevin made dinner and I'm chillin' out, just enjoying being home. 

I wish the family could go on these cool trips with me.  Everything I do, and everything I see, makes me wish I could share it with them.  The girls would have a ball on that beach.  Kevin would like to walk the pier with me.  Yeah, I need to get rich and take this family on some major vacations!

A Happy Bird

This little guy was hanging around on the pier at Springmaid Beach, near Myrtle Beach.  He was singing a "good morning" to anyone who would listen.  Boy, did I listen!

 

Good Morning!

I'm on my way home!  I got up early to watch the sun rise over the ocean.  What an incredible experience.  I'll post some pictures this evening, but I need to edit them down.  Can we say, "overkill"? 

 

notes from the road

This is Kevin , sitting in for Rachel. I feel like Leno sitting in for Johnny Carson all those years ago. Where to start. Rachel arrived safely in Myrtle Beach, but she left the directions to the hotel at home. 25 minutes on the phone and we got her to the hotel in one piece. She doesn't have a high speed connection in her room and saw no need to pay for dial-up. So no pictures until Monday. She said something about sitting on the balcony with all the lights off, sipping a beer and watching the ocean. Yeah, I'm jealous. I'll update y'all later if the boss tells me it's OK.

Some random left overs, 'n stuff.

I've posted some random, left-over pictures.  I've been working about 11 hours a day, and it's catching up...hard core.  Tomorrow, I'll have to get up around 3 to get out the door on time.  For a 7:15 flight, I need to be there around 5:45.  I am 1 1/2 hours from the airport, and I have to park, then catch the bus to the terminal.  Yeah, I'm leaving early.

Grammy came up to care for her boy for a couple of days.  They had a good time, playing cards and hitting garage sales like nobody's business.  She left today, but not before fixing a ham dinner.  Good Lord, I love that woman.  In the course of the garage sale expedition, Kevin became the owner of a .410 shot gun, and a .22 rifle.  I hope to confiscate the .22.  We don't hunt, but I like to shoot cans, you know?  Anyway, his Mom treated him well while she was here, so that was good.

Someone mentioned that he better heal fast, for the golf tournament.  He won't be "playing" golf, he'll just be working.  He'll run the concessions, deliver drinks, take raffle entries, etc.  He never gets to participate, but I'm sure Steve would appreciate what he does to keep the scholorship going.

The cats are blending in well.  When Hawkeye is outside, we let them come up to explore the upstairs.  They are cautious, but getting braver all the time.  I can't wait until they are comfortable here.

Well, I have to go fill the aquarium, which has been sad for the last few weeks.  I just can't bring myself to clean and fill it with the broken bucket, but until I buy a new bucket, I'm stuck, so off I go!

My next post will be from Myrtle Beach, so expect pictures!

Kevin, cats, and assorted nonsense

I knew I'd only get to work until 12:30 today, so I left home around 5 this morning, stopped for fuel, and got to work at 6:15.  At 12:30, I left work, hoping to see Kevin before they took him back to do the procedure.  I got there in time to wait for over an hour with him! LOL  They wheeled him away at 2:20, and I made a quick run down the street for my first food of the day.

I walked back into the surgery center at 2:29 and the lady said, "The Dr. was looking for you, they're all done."  WHAT?  ACK!  What a terrible wife.  LOL  Everything went fine, and I was able to go get him from recovery around 3:15.  He is sore, but no more so than usual, right now.  He's off work for 2 weeks, during which he'll be doing physical therapy.

Amy asked about Snowbelle.  Yes, we had cats before.  I got sick of being the one taking care of them, so two went to live with Mom, and one became the pampered pet of a neighbor.  The barn cats turned out to be good barn cats, and Snowbelle became the queen of the joint.  She pops out mouse chasing babies like there's no tomorrow, and lets Mom know when it's time to refill the food bowl.  You can see a picture here.

A few months ago, the girls took on a lot more responsibility around here.  It proved good for them, and things go rather smoothly.  We told them that we'd try cats again if they kept up the good work, and the right opportunity came along.  It came along this past weekend, so we have two new cats (fixed and front declawed and litter box trained) who the girls have named Simba and Nala.

He is orange, she is orange and white.  They don't look like lions, exactly, but he has a "mane" of hair around his head.  I'll post pictures later today, or tomorrow, when I can get some good ones.  They are still a bit skiddish about the new surroundings, and they've yet to be introduced to the dog.  We'll do that after they aremore comfortable here.  The basement is as big as the upstairs, so they are living down there, right now.  That way, they are with the girls while they sleep, getting used to being around them.

They're probably getting used to hearing snoring and farting and giggling, too, but that's a different matter.  Hopefully, the girls will keep up the good work, and take good care of them, so I don't resent them being here.  Or else, the cats better act like mine.  That's why Hawkeye gets to stay, with me doing most of the care.  He loves me.  That's all it takes.