m.o.M - mother of Michael

He's Baaaack!

If I see this snake one more time, I think I'll have to name him.

Today, he was in the back of my gardening shed stalking that nasty tree frog that keeps trying to attack me every time I open the shed door. Needless to say, I was rooting for the snake!

After much thought, the poor guy just couldn't figure out a way to get around to the frog. I missed the shot of him finally throwing himself around the lip and striking the frog on the head. The frog screamed twice and jumped right at me! I then screamed and just about dropped the camera! A classic "Funniest Video" moment.

Hmmm, something about that last picture reminds me that there's a McCain/Obama debate tonight!

Damn! I Missed It!

I drive by this "restaurant" at least twice a week...Always with my camera!

Remember

On The Inside Looking Out

Time for an oil change. I hope they were gentle. It was Agnes' first time.

I'm a Weiner!

Finally! Mo beat Mic AND Lizz! I won! I won!

Isn't this what we're supposed to teach the kinder? That winning really is everything?

School Daze II

I sure hope this sticks for more than one day this time!

See ya!

I Love a Parade!

Especially when it's a parade of tree trimmers after a big storm!

These guys must have been headed west to clean up there. It proves the point that we really do rely upon the kindness of strangers because these people come from far and wide to help when help is needed.

The Pitter-Patter of Tiny Feet

I should have blogged about the long process of adoption: Paperwork, home visits, telephone interviews and really long applications. I had to submit references, doctor's names and reasons why I wanted to adopt.

Finally, after two grueling months of waiting and watching, the adoption is complete!

We met the sweetest little seven-year-old boy and brought him home. He's handsome in a funny way, missing one ear due to frostbite and the other one is crumpled because of ear infections, but his head is carried high, his chest is puffed out and he looks you straight in the eye.

Meet Hank! (he's on the left - that's Nikko on the right) The newest member of this zoo we call a household:

Hank came to us through the Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network, a group of wonderful  and caring individuals who make sure that the right dog ends up in the right home. So far, it looks like they have made the perfect match for us.

The other night, Michael asked, "Mommy, tell me again why we're getting another dog?" That's a good question. One I'm sure I'll ask myself as I trip over these two.

Actually, when Nikko went blind, we joked about getting her a seeing-eye dog to help her when she gets lost in the backyard or can't find her ball. One thing led to another and here we are. So far, Hank watches her in disgust as she plays with her slobbery, slimy ball. The expression on his face seems to say, "I may be wearing a diaper, but at least it's not in my mouth! Have you no self-respect? Running and jumping and throwing that disgusting thing? Lay down and be quiet you crazy dog! Life's about belly rubs, not balls!"

Hank's more like a teddy bear than a dog and if I were forty years younger, I'd probably put a hat on his head and push him around in a baby stroller. On second thought, maybe I'll do it anyway.

Look! Up in the Sky! It's a Bird! It's a Plane! No! It's...

It's the SUN!

We All Live in a Yellow Submarine

As if buckets and buckets of rain isn't enough, school is canceled for the rest of the week! As Lizzy said, "Last Monday was just a dry run. Next Monday's the real start." How lucky am I to get to be that happy two Mondays in a row!

At 10:30 last night I was merrily knitting away, listening to the wind howl and the rain splash when all of a sudden there was that sickening pop and flash of a transformer blowing. Instant darkness. Out came the lanterns, on when the candles and since there was now absolutely nothing to do, I continued knitting.

This morning we fired up the generator and supplied coffee to neighbors. Nothing else to do but watch the rain and knit; that's definitly the upside to weather like this, but it is getting ridiculous!

Good deeds must pay because mid-afternoon our Angel of Mercy arrived in his chariot of silver bearing the initials FPL on the side. In no time we were up and running again!

As always after a power outage, I am struck by how much electricity we can absolutely do without and how very much we use without thinking.