Animal House

Sunday morning:

Step out of the shower and race to answer the phone.   The bassets (AWOL since yesterday afternoon and as usual, not wearing I.D. tags) have shown up at the Davidson's, who are quite familiar with Gracie, though this is the first trip for Duchess.  Throw on some sweats and with hair dripping wet, jump in the car to retrieve the runaways.

Get the dogs fed and in their proper place and return to the house.  The kittens have finally succeeded in knocking over the trash can, and the stinkers who are finicky about their cat food are chowing down on coffee grounds and paper towels.  Go figure.

Trying to quickly finish getting ready for church when I hear a strange noise.  Now the kittens have managed to knock the bowl of pecans off the table, and tiny bits of nut shells are scattered all over the dining room floor.

Just about ready to leave, quickly step into the guest bathroom to apply lipstick.  The toilet tissue is in shreds on the floor.  More of the kitten's handiwork.

This is why I'm not an animal person.

Top Ten

Top ten reasons to drive 500 miles round trip to attend your second cousin's wedding.

#10
The ceremony may be performed by Patton Oswalt (King of Queens), moonlighting as a minister.

Hmmmm?

#9

Your son can talk "oil & gas" with your cousin.

#8

Photoshop practice.

Although my beautiful cousins, Misty and Tammy, look like angels perched on our shoulders....

We might want a more neutral background.  Nothing personal.

#7
Lots and lots of family, that we seem to only see at funerals and weddings.  I prefer weddings.

#6
You get to meet one of the many young additions to the family that, so far, you've only met on Facebook.

#5
Decorating ideas.....

No, Neal, these are not party favors.  Jesse will notice if any are missing.

#4

The party could end up at Aunt Sue's.  And she may have brisket.

#3

You get to see your favorite cousin, smiling ear-to-ear.

#2

Welcoming a wonderful new member to the family.  (Does she really know what she's getting into?)

Jesse--spit and polished.  Bonus!

And the NUMBER ONE reason to travel 500 miles round trip to your second cousin's wedding.....drum roll...

WEDDING CAKE!

Corner piece, with lots of icing, please.

1/11/11

Jeremy, my oldest son, is 33 today, 1/11/11.  Love all those repeating numbers.

Probably won't love them so much in a few weeks when I turn 55.  But this isn't about me.

It's about him.

Love you son.  Happy Birthday!

New Year's Day

Jeremy & Trista are enjoying a weekend of skiing, and the grandkids are enjoying a weekend with the grandparents.  The other set (MeMe and PaPa) have had them since Wednesday night, and we took the hand-off this morning.

It was all fun and games, until the rip-roaring raucous disturbed Uncle Jeff's nap.

  

Our little "sensitive" guy took his feelings to the drawing pad.

Lauren sympathetically looks on.

Okay, I think we get the picture.

Apologies and hugs are accepted all 'round.

And all is right with the world again.

Sophie cuddles with Lauren during a game of Wahoo.

And just waits for an opportunity to pounce on the marbles.

I can't think of a better way to start the new year.