Watch Me Grow

Today was picture day! The puppies were all really good about getting their pictures taken despite the fact our yard is incredibly soupy and swampy.  We had horrible storms hit us last night. It was raining so hard that it actually looked like waterfalls were falling from the sky. I honestly can’t remember a wetter spring – ever. I think we might be giving some of the wettest places on earth a run for their money. If we ever by chance get to see the sun – we run outside just to get a glimpse of the bright foreign object in the sky. Even though we didn’t get to see the sun again today – I managed to get some great pictures of our puppies. They change so much from week to week it is really fun to watch them grow. Here is our little black collar girl from Trixie’s double doodle litter.  See how much she has grown?

First her little eyes are closed and her little ears are closed.  She can’t see or hear but she knows just how to find her mommy.

Then her little eyes open and the whole world is out there for her to discover.

Shortly after she can see, she can start to hear. This is when it is really fun to discover that she can bark and we can hear her bark and she can hear herself bark. She can talk!!!!

Once she is big enough to eat solid foods – she really starts to grow.

And grow

And soon it will be time for her to meet her new family!

Back Home Again....with a little help from some M&Ms

My long drive home yesterday was MUCH more enjoyable with a little help from some friends. I like to call them M and M.  My big bag of M&Ms kept me company alllllll the way home.  They were really essential!  I mean I was super sleepy and what in the world could I possibly do to stay awake? Why eat one M&M every minute! A blue one here, a yellow one there, a green one...next thing I know - I was home!  My younger daughter of course helped with the M&M consumption because one should never eat M&Ms and drive alone! You need company to share in the glorious chocolate goodness.  I arrived home just in time to make dinner.  Lucky me. Honestly -I really can't complain. My older daughter filled, and by filled, I mean packed every square inch of my gigantic SUV with her stuff from the Naval Academy.  If you listened closely, you could almost hear the metal creaking as it was literally bursting at the seams. How in the world can one person - who shows up at the Naval Academy gates with nothing more than a toothbrush - amass such an enormous mountain of belongings is beyond me.  The only thing more enjoyable than lugging all her stuff home is unloading the car full of her stuff.....which I left for Mr. Yesteryear Acres and my son.  Aren't I thoughtful?  I let them unload the entire car. Box after box after box after box.  I think Mr. Yesteryear Acres favorite part was when he found my daughter's wet and muddy boots from Sea Trials.  They were shoved in a bag completely covered in wet soupy stinky mud.  Gee thanks sweet daughter of ours.  You made your dad's day.  Now we have to figure out where to store all of this stuff for the summer. I know you are probably thinking that we should store it in her bedroom - but her room is WAY too small for all of her junk. Hmmmm. Looks like it is a project for the weekend.  I am sure Mr. Yesteryear Acres will come up with a good plan and have everything put away nice and tidy ....well everything except the boots!  Those things are NOT coming inside! Dear daughter....your boots will be waiting for you outside. We are happy to bring them back at the end of the summer along with the rest of your things. Until then, they will keep the back yard company. Love us.

Complete Contrast

In complete and total contrast to yesterday's posting of Mud, Sweat and Tears - today is all bright and shiny.  Last night the Naval Academy held its "Ring Dance" ball. The Ring Dance is a significant and momentous occasion for rising firsties (soon to be seniors) where they dip their United States Naval Academy Ring into the waters from the seven seas.  After the ceremony, they are then allowed to wear their class rings.  It is the end of their 2C year and marks the beginning of their very last year at the Academy. My younger daughter was asked to accompany one of the midshipman at the Academy so she got to go as well. It is a formal affair and I was lucky enough to be there to take a few pictures.
My older daughter and her date:

My younger daughter and her date:

All together

My daughter's roommate joined in the fun

Me and my 2 girls:

My Midmom Friends.  We make up the "31st" company at the Naval Academy :)  Well at least we think we do!

Then it was time for my daughter to get into regulation dress for the big dance

The Ring Ceremony:

The dipping of the ring:

The official wearing of the ring

Up next....my daughter goes off to Quantico for an entire month to train with the marines. I guess it is time to go Back to the Mud!!!!!

Well at least someone loves the mud!

This week the Naval Academy held their Sea Trials for the plebe class.  This is a grueling all day endurance type training for the plebes to signify the end of their first year at the Academy. The plebes are run through different stations from O'Dark- Thirty until the end of the day.  My daughter was in charge of the "Wet and Sandy" station.  Always a big favorite for the plebes (ha ha ha).  The trenches are prepared in advance with barb wire, logs, and lots and lots of mud.

The plebes then have to crawl through the trenches, keeping their rifles up and bodies well below the barbed wire. There are quite a few motivational speeches that occur throughout the day.

Quite a few

Oh yes - and push ups



Here my daughter is pictured on the front page of the Capital Newspaper:

When the day of training is finally over - every one feels a huge sense of relief and accomplishment. 

And with the completion of each training revolution - they are one step closer to graduation

Sea Trials 2011

Thanks to everyone who sent me the pictures of my daughter!

I will forever treasure them!

Chocolate HAPPENED!!!

OH HAPPINESS!  OH JOY!  Everything is right again in the world! Chocolate Happened!!!!  Today I delivered some cute little bundles of joy and as a surprise.......I got chocolate in return!!!!  I am so happy. I am so appreciative. I am .....EATING CHOCOLATE! My younger daughter who came along to help deliver the puppies is equally happy.  My older daughter who is here in the hotel for the night is also equally happy.  We are going to enjoy a chocolate festival of goodness while watching a movie.  What is better than that!?  Thank you SOOOOO much for my chocolate presents! It was just the very best part of the day.  One little girl that I met today said that this day was the best day of her life.  She fell in love with her puppy the second she saw it.  I told her my day was pretty awesome too! Puppy deliveries are always so much fun and if you combine that with chocolate....well then....that is one AWESOME day! I hope all my sweet little puppies have as much fun in their new homes as I will be having hanging out with my 2 daughters.  Happy Puppy Day!  Happy Chocolate Day!  Happy Happy!

CHOCOLATE Must Happen!

Okay....WHERE is all the chocolate in the house? And no - I am not talking about chocolate DOODLE Puppies because I KNOW where they are. I am talking about CHOCOLATE.  Good ole delicious satisfying milk chocolate! I can't find any! I just checked my Easter basket and it was EMPTY.  GONE!  No foil wrapped chocolate Easter eggs! No chocolate Easter bunnies!  No chocolate bunny lollipops!  No chocolate caramel eggs! GONE!  Mr. Yesteryear Acres ATE ALL THE CANDY!  ALL of it! Oh my gosh.  Anytime we have chocolate candy it goes like this:

Me....Oh my. I love chocolate so much. I will savor every bite. I will eat only ONE piece a day and make it last forever. I will love my chocolate and save my chocolate and see how long I can keep it with me.  I treasure you my sweet milk chocolate candy.  I love you.

Mr. Yesteryear Acres........OH BOY! CHOCOLATE! nom nom nom nom smork gulp smork nom nom......ALL GONE! Man that was good.

ACK!  How can he eat the candy with so little regard? How can he put multiple pieces in his mouth and consume it with lightening speed?  What is he thinking?  I checked our pantry. No Oreos! No chocolate cookies!  I checked everywhere. WE... ARE... OUT.... OF.... CHOCOLATE!!!!
My son called me from the store this afternoon and asked me if he and his dad could bring anything home. I said, "YES! PLEASE! Bring home some plain M&M's!"  Oh yay. Oh goodie! Chocolate is on the way..........
or is it?
When they walked in the door - they had a bag of PEANUT BUTTER M&Ms.  WHAT THE HECK? I have a 5lb jar of Peanut Butter in my kitchen. I don't need PEANUT BUTTER.  OH my gosh! How can "PLEASE bring home M&M's mean please grab PEANUT BUTTER? *sigh*  It looks like it is time for action. A woman's gotta do what a woman's gotta do! Clearly - I need to make some Brownies pronto! Chocolate must happen!

Doodle Ducks

Well we have decided to officially start raising a new breed of doggie.....The Doodle Duck. Doodle Ducks are very sweet puppies.  They love the water. They love the rain. They love that what used to be a backyard is now a swampy lake.  They love to roll around and splash and get completely soaked and full of mud and then happily run into the kitchen and shake all that muddy water right onto the floor.  Jumping right into your lap with soaking wet muddy paws is what Doodle Ducks love the very most.  I have lots of Doodle Duck puppies right now.  In fact, my chocolate doodle ducks love water SO much that all the water and rain outside is not enough for them. Oh no sireee!  My chocolate doodle ducks LOVE a clean pan of water.  It is their favorite thing in the whole world.  ALL of my chocolate doodle ducks completely submerge their heads in the water dish as if they were going snorkeling.  Then they like to walk right through the water and try to get their bellies wet.  I mean it IS raining outside. It IS wet enough for EVERYONE outside but not enough for my sweet chocolate doodle ducks.  They are the wettest sweetest chocolate doodle ducks you will ever meet. They will be sure to give you a VERY wet snuggle hug the second they see you.  They just have so much love to give. Don't you want a wet doodle duck hug of your very own?

3 Dog Night.....and a cat!

 Oh my gosh - I was SOOOOO cold last night!  I woke up at 3am freezing and had to go look for my blanket.  I decided to make a cocoon out of my blanket, doggies and the cat just to stay warm. When I woke up this morning, all the doggies had made little tunnels in my blanket and only had their noses sticking out. Even the cat was covered up.  What IS this weather? November? Honestly! I checked the calendar, I looked outside and it IS May but man - this is just not right.  Of course it rained non-stop all day today.  I went through 2 pairs of pants today taking the puppies in and out to go to the bathroom. I was just soaked despite the fact I was wearing my ever so stylish "Gorton's Fisherman" yellow rainsuit. Tomorrow I think I will just buy a kayak to take the pups out.  I feel so bad that I can't get any decent photos of our cute puppies! It is just miserable outside. I heard a rumor that Thursday something called "The Sun" will make an appearance.  I hope so!!!  I will be the biggest fan! Our little chocolate doodle puppies go home this weekend so today I put together their take home care packages. Every little puppy gets a bag with a baby blanket and new collar and puppy food etc.  I got that all done so I am actually ahead of schedule! Amazing! I also started trimming my doggie's coat and he is looking marvelous.  I hope to finish his coat tomorrow and start my daughter's dog then as well. Who knows - I might be SO far ahead of schedule, I could go fishing.....in my backyard! LOL.  Tonight I will be prepared for the cold. Blankets are on the bed and the doggies are ready to keep me warm. Looks like another snuggle night!

Why Hello Ridiculously Cold and Rainy Weather!

Um....didn't I JUST say HELLO SUMMER!? Didn't I just sing the praises of a glorious summer day with warm sunbeams and brilliant blue skies?  Wasn't I appreciative enough? Didn't I extol the wonderfulness of warm summer days? What happened?  Why is it cold enough for winter coats outside? Why is it pouring down rain? I think I need to turn the HEAT on as it is FREEZING in the house.  Oh my.  This is just NOT what May is supposed to bring.  May is supposed to bring FLOWERS ...and Sunshine!....and Sunbonnets.... and homemade ice cream, blue skies, warm weather and thoughts of summer! This drizzly cold dreary rainy yucky weather is just too much.  I spent hours trying to get pictures of our puppies today but the lighting in the house isn't bright enough to get good pictures so they all turned out blurry. The puppies are WAY cuter than the pictures I took today. I need to take the photos outdoors but thanks to our lovely weather I would have 3999 pictures of soaking wet cold puppies. Hopefully tomorrow there will be a slight break in the rain so I can get some good photos. If not, I might have to build an ark just to take the pictures! The puppies are all being very good sports about the weather. I think secretly they are enjoying all the mud puddles. Or maybe not so secretly because they all bound out for the messiest, wettest, muddiest puddles out there and splash and splash and splash until they are all a lovely uniform chocolate color. They are probably thinking, "Everyone Loves Chocolate!" Aren't they so thoughtful?

Good-byes

Today was my older daughter's last day at home. *sigh*  It is harder to say goodbye to her when she is home as opposed to saying goodbye to her when she is at school. Having her here the past few days has felt so good. It is nice to see her in the morning. It is nice to see her at lunch and dinner and at night and all the times in between. It is awesome to see her laugh with her brother and sister and spend some quality time with her dad.  They have done a few special things together and just watching them interact always brings a warmth to my heart.  The whole week has been just perfect with her here. Tonight when I set the table for four - I will feel a bit empty inside.  I know she is off to do amazing things - so I will continue to focus on all the wonderful things in her future. Today was also my younger daughter's senior award program at the high school.  Lots of goodbyes there as well.  You could feel all the emotions in the auditorium....an equal mix of sadness and pride. We were all thinking about how much we were going to miss our children as they head off to college and how proud we were of all they accomplished. It was a really nice program and Mr. Yesteryear Acres and I were filled with feeling beyond lucky to have such awesome children. I think tonight we will just take it easy and enjoy being together.  The days of having a full house continue to be numbered. I am thankful for every one.

Beauty Salon ala Yesteryear Acres

Today was my younger daughter's senior prom.  Our whole day was dedicated to PROM DAY.  First on the agenda was the all important manicure and pedicure. A girl cannot possibly go to the prom without having her fingernails and toenails polished. I started the beauty salon treatment early this morning so my daughter's nails would have plenty of time to dry.  My older daughter decided that since I already had all the nail polish out and since I was already in the mood.....that I should go ahead and paint her toes as well. Of course I obliged.  What girl doesn't like freshly painted nails? I have to say I did an awesome job.  Their nails look ever so professional and they were quite happy with the finished product.  We then had a lovely lunch while the girls waited for their nails to dry.  Next up was hair.  My older daughter had the perfect updo all planned out so she took over the prom preparations. She was in charge of hair and makeup.

She did an awesome job

I love the little braids woven in with all the curls.

All ready for the prom

One last picture before she was out the door with her friends for the big evening's festivities



Of course I will be up all night waiting to see how her evening went.  My older daughter and I have a movie marathon planned for the evening. The theme of this year's prom is "The Way You Look Tonight"...I say Beautiful!

Fire Chief

The start of the day was definitely work-filled but the end was awesome.  Late this evening my daughter and I went to watch my son's last track meet of the season.  We got there a bit too early and I was thinking about all the things I still had to do at home but then decided I should just enjoy the moment which was a good move.  My son was really happy we came and it was so much fun to go with my daughter. She made it a point to really cheer for her brother. She cheered with everything she had as he ran the mile.  At the half-mile mark, my son was smiling which was a sight that just warmed my heart.  Here he was running with everything he had, in the blistering heat, and he still had a smile just for his sister who was cheering with everything she had.  She was his inspiration for the day and he ran his best time ever.  I was  just filled with complete contentment to see such love between them.  It just is the best feeling in the whole world to see your children love each other so much.  After the meet, my son came over and was smiling from ear to ear.  He had the best day ever.  The school had a Youth-In-Government Day and my son was appointed Fire Chief.  He had the opportunity to do everything with the fire department from using the fire hoses to climbing the ladders.  I haven't seen him that enthusiastic in a while.  He loved every minute.  He is still talking about it.  I think I have heard, "that was just SO cool" at least 100 times.  The fire department did a great job of showing the kids around and made the day something they will always remember.  My son's favorite part was working the fire hose.  Here he is in full uniform:

He is already talking about going back to visit the Fire Station. He wants to hang out with all the firefighters again. After all ....he IS the Fire Chief!

Why Hello Summer!

I didn’t realize you would be stopping by so soon!  For the past month I have been talking about the non-stop rain. We truly have had what seems to be a solid 40 days and 40 nights of dreary grey rainy stormy days but now…..IT IS SUMMER.  It was 86* today and HOT HOT HOT.  So we celebrated summer!  The puppies had a blast playing outside and we got a big play area full of water for them to splash and have fun in.  They played and played until they were too tired to play any longer.  Then they all came into the kitchen and crashed for a big long happy nap.  While the puppies took their afternoon siesta, my daughter and I headed out to the dock for some much appreciated sunshine.  We made sure we had all the required items for a complete dock experience. Ice Cold Drinks – Check. Popsicles – Check. Cushions and Towels – check. Reading Material – Check. My daughter took a break from all her Chemistry studies and got caught up on some back issues of People Magazine and I got to finish a book. It was awesome. We baked in the sun for almost 2 hours. It got so warm that I ended up jumping in our pond which was quite refreshing.  For dinner tonight we had roasted vegetables from our garden, poached eggs and homemade rolls. Ahhhh – good ole summertime! I didn’t know it would be here so soon but am so happy for the warm sunny summer day!

Turkey is in the Oven

Tonight we are having a big dinner with all the trimmings.  Mr. Yesteryear Acres parents are coming for dinner and so is our lovely dear neighbor Wilma.  We haven't had Wilma over for a while and we are all looking forward to tonight's feast. Mr. Yesteryear Acres put a big 22lb turkey in the oven earlier today. The whole house smells soooooo good.  The doggies have been walking around the house with their noses in the air inhaling all the goodness. I think I might have been doing that as well. Nothing smells so delicious as a big ole turkey roasting in the oven. It is making my stomach growl with anticipation.  Along with the feasting of feasts.....we have one more person coming to dinner.......My daughter!!!!! YEA!!!  She is on a short leave from the Naval Academy! I am soooo happy. I just love having her home.  Mr. Yesteryear Acres loves having her home. Her brother and sister love having her home. The doggies really love having her home. She is always worried they will forget about her when she is gone and the second she walks in the door - they surround her with doodle hugs.  Their tails wag a million miles an hour and she is given the biggest furry welcome ever.  They miss her when she is gone so when she walks in the door - she is immediately followed with every step she takes.  She loves that.  I love that.  I am looking forward to a dinner full of laughter and love.  Having my family home - best thing ever.

Picture Tuesday!

Yea!  I was able to get the pictures done today!  Hurray!  I feel better just getting that accomplished. I am slowly making it back towards the land of the living.  I am not moving swiftly, but I am moving, which is a big improvement. The puppies were very cooperative with their photo session and took some really cute pictures.  The sun even came out to join us!

Warm Dry Grass....Heavenly! 

Do you think I look like a pillow?

Why yes I do....and you are so comfy!

Lilacs are my favorite!

The sunshine feels SO good!

I could stay out here allllllll day long

Tomorrow is supposed to be another sunny day! We might set the all time record of TWO solid days without rain! I hope so.  A little more time outside soaking up the sun is just what the Doctor ordered!



No Picture Monday

Alas I was not able to get my puppy pictures taken today and posted to the website.  I am still not feeling well.  This bug is kicking my butt! I so wanted to get the pictures done but I just couldn't find the strength.  My entire day consisted of just barely being able to get the puppies out every 2 hours and nothing more.  I am that whipped. *sigh*  I was hoping the antibiotics would have kicked in by now.  Maybe tomorrow!  My daughter is being so sweet and making dinner again tonight so I can rest. She took over the puppy duties as soon as she came home.  I was really thinking I would be all better by today! I am going to go to bed early. I am going to drink my fluids. I am going to rest all night and TOMORROW when I wake up...I WILL BE WELL.  Then I can take all new puppy pictures and share how adorable they all are.  Maybe I will be lucky enough to say hi to Mr. Sunshine!  The sun was actually out today!  I couldn't believe my eyes. Bright blue skies and beautiful warm shining sun. It was enough to make me feel a bit better - if not physically - definitely mentally! Everything looks better when it is bright and sunny outside. I am going to save all the good energy and all the good thoughts and tomorrow when I wake up - I just know I will feel better! Sorry for the delay in the pictures.......I will take extra cute ones to make up for the lateness!

Happy Mother's Day to Moms Everywhere

Mother's Day is a time for reflection on how wonderful it is to be a mom. When I was younger, that is all I wanted to be when I grew up. I wanted to be a mom who loved her kids unconditionally and was there for her children whenever they needed her. I wanted to be a mom that showered her children with love all the days of their lives.  I was lucky because I met a wonderful man and he wanted to be a dad who was there for his children. He too wanted to be a part of his children's lives and shower them with unconditional love.  And of course - that is what we did. We have 3 amazing children that bring us endless joy and love. I could not be more blessed.  Each child brings something a little different into my life. Each child brings me peace and happiness and fulfillment more than I could ever imagine possible. I love being their mom. It is the very essence of who I am.  My older daughter sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers today with the sweetest, most thoughtful card.

It made me miss her all the more but thankfully, we will be together again soon.  My younger daughter brought me fresh squeezed grapefruit juice to start my morning and made me breakfast, lunch and is making dinner for the family. 

 She has been giving me a Mother's Day - where I am not doing any of the Mommy work. I guess my Mother's Day is a day off so to speak.  The dishes are done, the laundry is folded, the family is fed.  We even had time to go out and sit on our dock and read books for a little while. It was heavenly.  Mr. Yesteryear Acres and my son have been busy caring for all the animals and working on the farm chores.  They always give their all to make things just right and every day around here is really Mother's Day.  I feel lucky to be a mom every day of every week of every month of every year. It is the best feeling in the whole world.  And how did I happen to grow up to be a mom who loves her kids more than anything? Well simply put -  because I am loved more than anything by my mom. She loves me with her whole Mommy heart. I am doubly lucky because Mr. Yesteryear Acres mom loves me more than anything too. She loves me with her whole Mommy heart. When you grow up with that much love, bringing things full circle and loving your own children with all the love you possess is the easiest thing and most natural thing in the world. And for me - it is the best part. Happy Mother's Day.

Taking it Easy

I am trying to take things a little easy today.  I don't know that I will get an A+ on my efforts but I am trying. My parents are coming for dinner tonight.  We are celebrating Mother's Day and my Dad's 77th birthday all at once. It has been on the calendar for a while so I hated to cancel. Mr. Yesteryear Acres is doing most of the work as he is just a magnificent chef and I only have to make the julienned sweet potato/yukon gold potato medley. The whole meal should be delightful! I think that after dinner we are just going to relax and watch a movie together. It should be a really nice evening. The puppies have been very thoughtful all day today.  They have been really good about going potty outside and no one has made any messes. I think they wanted me to have an easy day too.  They have saved their best tail wags and kisses for me and are definitely helping me feel better. I have been surrounded by thoughtfulness all day.  My daughter even made me macaroni and cheese for lunch which was so sweet of her. I am lucky to have my whole family - both two-legged and four take such good care of me. With all this love - I will be better in no time!!!

How much does the Truth Cost?

Well for today - the truth costs exactly $60. That is the price I paid to be seen at Urgent Care when I reluctantly crawled my way into be seen. I made it clear at the receptionist window that I was absolutely NOT sick.  The Doctor made it clear that I was an absolute idiot and was INDEED sick. All the pretending and denial of my current health status did not make me a well person. The truth is ....  I. Am. Sick. Evidently I am really sick.  I have a fever. I have a bacterial sinus infection. I have a severe upper respiratory infection. My throat and lymph nodes and airways are so swollen that not only did I need a course of antibiotics and cough suppressants, but I need a round of steroids as well. Hmmmmm.  It does seem like those medications are something a sick person would take! I guess when it comes down to it - If I willingly drive myself to Urgent Care, willingly plunk down $60 just to be seen, willingly wait in the waiting room....I already know I am for real sick. Mr. Yesteryear Acres is glad I finally went.  He has been begging me to go for the past few days.  Now I guess I will really have to go and crawl up on the couch and watch a movie or two.  I have a Doctor's excuse.  Luckily it is the weekend so I have extra help at home.  My daughter is already going to the pharmacy for me to get my prescriptions filled. Mr. Yesteryear Acres and my son are taking care of all the puppies and doggies.  I guess the only thing left for me to do is...take care of myself. I think I will take the night off and rest.  Hopefully tomorrow the medication will kick in and I can legitimately say, I am NOT sick (anymore).

I am still not sick

In case you were wondering - I am still not sick. Well not officially anyway.  I did eat nothing but soup today. I did cough my head off until I think I may have a cracked rib. I did feel slightly sorry for myself at one point - but I am still not sick. I got all my work done. I got all the puppies taken care of. I helped my daughter study for the dreaded AP exams. I got my son to and from track. I am a shining example of someone who is definitely not sick. Even though I am clearly not sick - I hope tomorrow I am less not sick than I am today.  I have a puppy going home bright and early so I can't sleep in but after that - I think I may take a slight break. I think I might drink a big glass of orange juice and perhaps stay under a blanket for an hour or two. That is not the measure of a sick person - it is just something that for some odd reason sounds appealing to me. It is like an activity!  It is like a planned event!  Yes - I am planning on (not because I am sick mind you but rather because I WANT to) curl up on my couch with a glass of OJ and a blankie and watch a movie.  Yes. That is my plan for tomorrow.  Anyone want to place bets as to whether that actually happens?  It is 9:40pm right now and I haven't stopped all day ....but it could happen tomorrow. Right? Right? I mean anything is possible. Possible....but not probable! I guess we shall see!

Cough Cough

For the past 2 days I have been in total denial as to my current health status.  I am thinking I may have to admit out loud that I might just be SICK. ACK!  I don't want to be sick. I don't have time to be sick. I hate being sick! I haven't slept well for the past few days and I have been coughing my head off.  I also am wearing several jackets and sweaters - in the house - but I have been telling myself it is because it is 39* outside and RAINING.  I am convinced I do not feel well because of all the RAIN. It has been raining every day of May. It rained 28 out of 30 days in April. It rained almost all of March.  I think my body is coughing and coughing because it wants me to go somewhere warm and sunny. It is rebelling against the constant grayness. It is probably the rain's fault.  I am sure it is not my daughter's friend's fault. The one who came over Saturday and sat with me while she was coughing and sneezing and snotting.  I would hate to blame her because she is a kind and thoughtful person and even though she was clearly sick - I will blame the rain. I am not sure how much longer I can keep up the pretext that I am well.  I mean I have been doing a good job of pretending. Today I went to City Hall to get my son's paperwork for the Naval Academy notarized, ran to the post office, went to the bank, picked up my son from track, made a loaf of potato bread, fixed a lovely dinner, trimmed puppy nails and combed puppy coats, worked on my daughter's invitations for her graduation party and answered emails.  See?  How can *cough* I *cough* be *cough* sick? I am almost to the point that I might just have to maybe admit that I should call the doctor.  Except tomorrow I am really busy and have a full schedule and some puppies are going home and I have to get their care packages ready so maybe on FRIDAY I will think about maybe admitting that I am sick. For today *cough cough* I am fine! See?!

Orange Light

Two weekends ago - I wrote about my very bad day.  The puppy that missed its flight. The long drive home through the torrential downpours. The broken toe. Little did I know....that was not all.  Today Mr. Yesteryear Acres brought in the mail.  Right on top was an envelope addressed to Mr. Yesteryear Acres from Anne Arundel County.  Evidently someone driving a Silver SUV with our license plate got a ticket. A ticket!  A moving violation! ACK!  Mr. Yesteryear Acres handed me the letter. *sigh*.  Do you know that Mr. Yesteryear Acres has NEVER EVER gotten a ticket? He always drives the speed limit. Always.  If he were in Montana, driving down the interstate, with absolutely NO chance of being seen, he would never even think of speeding. Not even 1 mile over the speed limit.  He completely stops at all stops, always keeps a safe assured distance, never forgets to use his blinker and is a perfect driver. He even went to some safety driving school in Texas to be certified as a defensive safe driver - or something like that.  So you can imagine his face when he handed me the envelope. ARGH!  The ticket even came with pictures and a link to watch the video of the un-named driver going through what is clearly an ORANGE light.  I mean here is the set up. The light is YELLOW. YELLOW. YELLOW. YELLOW.  There goes some person with curly hair who really looks JUST like me - driving my SUV - with my license plates - through the YELLOW light.  The second my front tires were in the intersection - BAM!  The light turns red! I mean honestly. It was yellow when I started!!!  If I were in a deserted town and the light was red and no one was around for miles - I WOULD WAIT for the light to turn green. I am not a red light runner! I mean doesn't a yellow light mean CAUTION?  I was taking caution.  Doesn't caution mean you don't slam on your breaks potentially sending 8-10 gallons of milk flying into the front seat? I mean think of the destruction! Those milk missiles are positively dangerous!  Or what if I slammed on the breaks and made one of my sweet puppies fall over? That is not nice at all!  Being cautious - I kept the exact same speed driving through the intersection, giving my passengers a nice smooth ride.  Isn't being a considerate driver worth anything? Evidently - the answer is NO. Evidently - I am guilty of running a red light. Me. Guilty. Even though the light was clearly ORANGE not red.  Mean automatic hidden cruel evil red light cameras!  I didn't do it on purpose. I didn't even think the light was red. Now I have to go pay my fine online and then pay extra money to pay my fine online. No more caution for me. I am throwing caution to the wind! Here is a warning to any and all drivers that may be behind me in the future. If you see a big Silver SUV in front of you and the light turns yellow.....be prepared to come to a screeching halt.  From now on yellow means PUT ON THE BRAKES NOW!

Home of the Brave

Last night the entire country expressed a collective sigh of relief as the news of Osama Bin Laden's death spread across the land.  We were a nation unified in thought. We were a nation brought together by a momentous occasion. We were a nation free from one man's hatred. College students poured out of their dorms to cheer for America.  People flooded the gates of the White House to sing America's praises. The many many people who lost loved ones on 9/11 could feel a weight lifted after 10 long years. America the Beautiful. America, the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.  The Midshipman at United States Naval Academy cheered in unison and sang the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America proudly so everyone could feel the passion and dedication they have to keeping our country safe from tyranny. My daughter and I texted long into the night as the news continued to unfold. She has many close friends that have service selected Navy Seals and felt proud to know them. I felt an overwhelming sense of pride as well. When my daughter first entered the gates of the Naval Academy - I didn't know anyone else at the Academy. I didn't know any of the moms or dads or midshipmen. Now I have friends across the globe.  When I see pictures of the midshipmen celebrating - I will often recognize someone in the picture and think that is "Marian's" son or that is "Patty's" daughter or hey - that is "Joe". It is quite a different feeling when you actually know someone who is a Navy Seal or a Submarine Officer or a Marine Corp officer. I feel a deeper connection. A deeper passion for our country's security and freedom. I know what commitment it takes to be in the service. I know what is at stake.  Today is one of those days where I wish I could just hug my daughter. Of course I can't - and there will be so many more days to come where we will be separated but I know she is meant to be there. I know she is out there and her friends are out there sacrificing their wants and needs so we can be free.  The only thing I can think of today is Thank You. Thank you to my daughter, to her friends, to the friends of her friends and thank you to all that serve.

8 years of Swim Banquets

Tonight we went to my daughter's swim banquet. This is my 8th swim banquet in a row that I have attended as both my daughters are swimmers. They both are very accomplished swimmers and I have enjoyed being their biggest fan.  One of the parents had a slide show of swimming pictures running during the banquet.  It was fun to try to identify all the swimcap clad swimmers.  It takes a real talent to pick your son/daughter out of a sea of orange swim caps swimming freestyle in the pool. My daughter was awarded several plaques and I was a bit teary watching her receive her very last swimming awards. I realized I will not be attending any more meets. I won't be sitting for 10 hours just to watch her swim an event that lasts less than one minute. My bathroom won't have the overwhelming aroma of chlorine any more. I won't have to do an entire load of wet towels. I won't have to remind her to put her hat on because once again her hair is frozen solid. You think all of those thoughts would bring a little smile to my face - but really the only thing I can think of is..... I won't see my daughter's face as soon as she touches the wall at the end of her event. She looks for me in the crowd and smiles at me every time. It is a smile that can light up a room. And no matter how she finishes - I smile right back. I will miss that. I will miss her very wet hugs and all the stories about her swim practices and swim friends and swim finishes. It will be a long winter season next year without all the swim antics to break up the dreary winter days. Both coaches came up to me and said they didn't know what they were going to do without a Yesteryear Acres kid swimming for them.  I agreed. What are we going to do? Hmmmmmm. Well - my son IS going to be starting high school next year.  He is rather tall and very athletic. He already runs cross country and track sooooooooo maybe my days of wet towels aren't behind me! I have 6 months to work on him before swim season starts again. I need to be subtle. I need to be understated.  Maybe I will start by leaving swim goggles under his pillow and then while he sleeps - thoughts of swimming will enter his subconscious and suddenly he will wake up one morning and think, "Hey, I think I will join the swim team!"  Yes. Good Plan. I can smell the chlorine already!

STEM is awesome!

Last summer my son attended the STEM camp at the United States Naval Academy. STEM is the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program for future Engineer/Technology/Science Majors. The Naval Academy has one of the top Engineering schools in the country and their program is just amazing.  The students get first hand exposure to Robotics, Chemistry, Biometrics, Cryptography, Forensics and more.  They get to work in labs and have the opportunity to learn so much more than they ever dreamed possible.  It is a tough program to get accepted to and my son had the best time last year.  It was without a doubt the academic highlight of his entire life.  As soon as the admissions board opened this year, my son reapplied.  It is almost impossible to get chosen twice, but my son was determined to do all he could to get selected again this year. He was so impressed with all he learned last summer, he just couldn't wait to learn even more this year.  He has been checking his mail every day for weeks and weeks with eager anticipation. Well today the mail arrived.  There on top was the thin white envelope from the United States Navy.  We gathered around as he opened the envelope and he braced himself for the disappointing news. As soon as he opened the letter his face brightened and was filled with the biggest smile I think I have ever seen. He just kept saying NO WAY! NO WAY! NO WAY!  The very first word on the letter was, "Congratulations!" He is still in disbelief. He is SO excited!!!!  I am so excited too. The Naval Academy has a way to reach the center of his core interests. A way to bring out the desire in him to be all that he can be.  It makes him excited to learn. It makes him want to succeed and to learn and to do his very best.  I am so grateful that he has this opportunity again.  It means the world to him and to me.  The very first person he called was of course his sister who is a Chemistry major at the Naval Academy.  She was SO proud of him. He is already planning on what he needs to bring.  First up.....we need to go to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.  My soon to be 15 year old son needs some sort of picture ID.  He is not old enough for a driver's permit of course -but the only ID card he has is a YMCA membership card with a picture of him from when he was 6 years old.  He is now almost 6'3" and NO one believes me when I say he is 14 years old.  I am thinking the airlines might want some proof that my very tall son is indeed only 14. I found out that the BMV will do picture ID's which is great.  He will need one to get on the Naval Base. You must present a picture ID at the gate if you are over 16 years of age and last time I think they were starting to question why he didn't have an ID. The last few visits he has been mistaken for a midshipman. My son is ready to go first thing Monday to get the ID.  I told him he had to go to school first. You know - school which equals learning which equals good grades which equals getting into the Naval Academy. OH I am SUCH a mean Mommy! I guess he will have to wait all the way until AFTER school before getting his new ID.  Egads! How will he ever stand it?!

Well....then you would be a SMURF!

Lately, our lovely pond has been visited by some serious fishing creatures and I am not talking about the human kind.  We have a couple of fisher hawks and herons that think Yesteryear Acres is the ideal spot for fishing and lounging around for the day. 

To say that Mr. Yesteryear Acres does not enjoy watching his fish flying off into the sunset would be an understatement.  A few years ago we found that if we use a algae reducer blue dye the birds can't see the fish as well. I let Mr. Yesteryear Acres know that the pond was a muddy green and it was time to make it beautiful!!!  This is an awesome argument for me - because I LOVE the color blue and if I remind Mr. Yesteryear Acres that the fish will ALL be gone....suddenly he loves the color blue too! I mean does this look like like a lovely color blue to you?  It is most definitely a murky green!

So off to the farm store for the delightful BLUE! YEA!  I love how beautiful it makes our pond!!!!  I can just sit out there for hours. Mr. Yesteryear Acres and my daughter had fun putting the mixture in.

My daughter wanted to touch it.....My daughter wanted to swim in it...

She asked Mr. Yesteryear Acres what would happen if she jumped in and Mr Yesteryear Acres said, "Well then you would be a SMURF!"

She decided perhaps she would skip the swimming idea.

Here it is slowly making its way across the water.

And AH VOILA!!!!  It is a BEAUTIFUL BLUE!

It makes the whole pond look lovely.

It will stay like this all summer long.  I love love love it! I feel like I am someplace tropical as I gaze across my little blue sea.

 Here is to Blue Skies and Blue Seas!

HAPPY BLUE DAY!

A Break in the Clouds

OH my gosh!!!!  For one brief shining moment --------- I saw the color blue!!!!! I am not kidding.  The color blue!!!!! The minute I saw the tiny break in our unending constant cloud cover, I ran outside with my camera to capture the moment of beauty.

I felt revived and happy and so glad to see something other than grey!!!

Look who else was happy for the break in the clouds....

Mr. Yesteryear Acres found her in our lilac tree right outside our door.

I was very careful not to disturb her while I took the pictures.

She couldn't have picked a better location. Our lilac tree is just starting to bloom.  We have one in our backyard and quite a few out front. I LOVE the way the lilacs smell when they come into bloom. The whole world smells lovely.

It won't be long before the entire tree will be in full bloom.  I quickly got one more shot of our spring flowers ...

And then the rain started once again. Right now we have fierce howling winds and tons of rain. Sigh.....tomorrow they say we may see the sky again!  I hope so! The fact that 2 ducks are "swimming" in our horse field is not a good sign.  I keep telling them --- that is NOT a pond! I suppose by all the splashing they are doing - they might be onto something. If we are lucky enough to see "GASP".... "THE SUN!!!!"...I will be running outside with my face turned upwards and I will welcome Mr. Sun with overwhelming joy. Let's all think bright happy thoughts! Come on Mr. Sun!!!!

Everybody loves Presents!

Today was present day! Yea! Who doesn't love presents?  My first present of the day was my delicious cup of coffee from my sweetie Mr. Yesteryear Acres. He makes me my coffee every morning with just the right amount of Demerara sugar and real heavy whipping cream. He only drinks coffee BLACK so for him to get out all the extra stuff just for me and make my cup of coffee perfect every single morning is always an awesome and most appreciated present. After my delicious coffee - the door bell rang and it was ANOTHER present!!!  A very lovely puppy family sent me a gourmet basket full of yummy goodies.  I love goodies!!!  I love blueberries and maple syrup and mmmmmmmm!  So happy!  It was a really nice thing for them to do and just made my whole day. Then Mother Nature was so kind to give us a very brief respite from the drowning rains and Mr. Yesteryear Acres asked me if I wanted to take a walk with him. At first I was thinking HECK NO! It is all muddy and wet outside and I am too busy and I have too much to do - but he had his very cute irresistible face on - so I didn't say any of those things and just said YES.  We put on our tall rain boots and enjoyed a nice walk in the woods together. It was really nice.  The gift of being together is the best present in the world.  It also reminds me to live in the present.  Being aware of lovely things happening in the moment is a good way to live.  As wet as I was when we got back - I can still say I enjoyed every moment.  When the mail arrived today....there was yet another present! I am not sure what I did to deserve such a day full of lovely surprises but I am quite thankful!!!!  My mom sent me an adorable little stuffed toy bear for Mother's Day. She said it was because I was such a good mom. Awwww. To make my day complete, several families emailed pictures of their sweet doodle doggies to me. I just love getting picture updates!
Here is Molly.  She is a Double Doodle.

And here is Finley. He is an F1 Labradoodle.

And here is Moose in a carpet of Bluebonnet flowers.  Isn't that adorable?

Today I thoroughly enjoyed my presents. The presents that came in the mail.  The present of pictures. The present of spending a quiet moment in Nature. Most of all I enjoyed the present of the day.