Two! ♡

We blinked and look who turned two!! Sweet Baby Lyla is growing fast, as she develops a dynamite personality. Be happy, Little Girl.
We love you to the moon and back!!

♥♥

Today's LakeScape and Update

Things are hoppin' at the lake house. Big indoor work is about to begin. Our excitement is palpable. We worked hard, today, in preparation. Enhancing the day was Bri's presence, not to overlook all his help. And the appearance over "our" waters of an exquisite bald eagle. WOW! A photo op missed, for sure, with NIK resting comfortably at the Old Homestead. My iPhone managed to capture the most exquisite nature of the day, though… clearly our reward during frequent breaks. It's tough to resist the urge to just sit and admire, but accomplish we did.

No Way!!!

This one's for Andy:

Don Draper had my total attention for many nights, thus causing my WORDS game to suffer. But with "Orange…," I've no problem multitasking. My "old" favorite gamers, all younger than I, are always first choices to play. But there are a few newbies on the horizon. In such cases, the first order of business is to determine if they employ cheater apps. No way! Sometimes, though, I know they're just smarter or luckier than I. "Rhizoid" and "igneous" didn't bother me a bit, as this player pulled ahead of me. Up for the challenge, I summoned up "equine" and my A-game…

And then it happened. A 13th century word. Who knew? 

After Don Draper

"Mad Men." Jon Hamm. Don Draper. Yeah, yeah, the rest of the cast, too. What to do when you've caught up to 6 ½ seasons and hardcore withdrawal has set in. Yes, that's right. All those episodes of eye candy and drama. Clearly my favorite of ALL series we've watched. Next up?

Well, I'm here to tell you that it's not eye candy.  It's gross and good, all at the same time. From the creator of "Weeds" - long gone by, for us. Yep. "Orange Is The New Black" is currently our nightly fare. And have you noticed…

It's getting dark much earlier, again. We're not happy about that. Summertime flies.

"Sick as a dog…"

This phrase has taken on new meaning for us.

Over the weekend past, our best beach buddy seemed a bit lethargic. But Big Dog loves his sleep. So, we figured he was needing extra zzzzzz's. Monday morning, he didn't eat his yummy. Huge sign. Then, he declined my invitation to go outdoors, preferring to stay on his bed. He wasn't drinking, either.

Sometime in the afternoon, he joined me poolside, but could not get comfortable. Then… two huge symptoms… he declined a piece of chicken and started to drool, non-stop. Black Russian Terriers do not drool, unless under enormous stress. I sent a picture via my iPhone to Joe. I'll spare you of that. It wasn't pretty. We agreed something was terribly wrong and Joe headed home. 

Off to the vet. Thing is, Mambo detests vets, thus the need for Joe to take him. When he starts flinging that huge head, there is no getting near him, let alone opening his mouth. So after several scary thoughts from the doc on what could possibly be wrong, an appointment was made for the next morning. He was to be anesthetized for an exam. Thing is…

About an hour after returning home, he checked out his bowl. We half-filled it, adding an enticing ingredient. He ate at his normal slow pace and then asked for a drink. A long drink. Ten minutes long. He must have been dehydrating. The drooling stopped. He had a great night's sleep and awakened yesterday morning symptom-free. Fetched the newspaper. Ate his yummy. Drank voraciously…

We cancelled the appointment, for the time being. What was it? Will it stay away? Did he inadvertently ingest something alien? 

Fingers crossed and little prayers for our buddy's well being… now, we'll make a non-emergency appointment.

Failed Effort

The elusive Mother Hen Wren is really beginning to piss me off. With Pops nearby and making enough noise to scare away a flock of eagles, she lands in a nearby tree. Her head is nearly invisible because of a mouthful of food for babes in the birdhouse. She's a speck, amongst dense foliage. Her instincts and vision are near perfection, as no amount of Elephant Ear leaves can conceal me.

This was my fourth attempt for the safe capture of a mere photo of her at an entranceway to Home, Sweet Home. 

C'est la vie! Here's to the safekeeping of Momma Nature's treasures.

AN "ALMOST" UPDATE, A FEW HOURS LATER:

First On The First

No calendar is necessary to mark the arrival of the Sunday Of Summer. Instead, August 1st is always announced by the opening of first flowers on a Rose Of Sharon tree. We've three varieties and they take turns - this year's announcement came by way of the hot pink double-rose blooms. What you can't see in this photo are the hummers. They feed naturally, with no need for gardener-provided sugar water. A reprieve till the end of the month, when the lovelies shall need additional sustenance to prepare for migration.

August came too fast, but nonetheless we're still in summertime. Enjoy every minute.

Gremlins In Our Garden?

Black-eyed Susans were gifted to us many moons ago. Some years they're dormant. Other years they bloom. Thing is, this year there's a gorgeous crop of them on the side of the pool opposite to where they were originally planted. Wind, birds or gremlins transporting seeds? You decide!

Crazy Sky by Joe

We had some wild weather goin' on, yesterday. Brilliant, steamy sunshine turned to torrential downpours accompanied by the loudest thunder and fiercest lightning. This happened about three times, over the course of the day and evening, as boomer cells hit our area. With a through-the-windshield view, Joe captured the crazy sky, on his way up 17. Wow!

LakeHouse - Busy Week

Lots happening. Too busy to chronicle each event, but there's a huge hole in the foundation, lakeside! Not to worry. We've a sliding glass door ready to be installed. A long work in progress…

Have to say, though, the roadside bed was fun to finish planting. In addition to a few newly purchased items, we moved a holly, lace-leaf maple, Japanese maple, rhododendron, hens 'n' chicks and live-forevers from the Old Homestead - babies nurtured for this very purpose. This was both satisfying and rewarding.

Mambo supervised each step of the way.

Happy Birthday, Christian! ♡

Our Man-Child ♥ Celebrating 41

When my birthday rolled around 41 years ago, I thought it would be the day Christian was born. I went to an appointment with my obstetrician, armed with a packed suitcase and confident he'd say we were ready to go. Still, I chuckle. Already with a mind of his own, my boy held out for today, the 22nd. It was fun to share our days, on Sunday.

While Dawn and Lyla unselfishly stayed home to prepare an al fresco dinner fit for royalty, the rest of us went to the town pool, where Hunter and Chloe demonstrated their gravity-defying dives from varying boards. Of course, Gramps and Christian had to get in on the act, too.

Happy Birthday, Christian. We love you so much and wish you continued love, happiness and high-dive flips in all you do.

The Roller Coaster

So torn, today, as we head out for a family celebration, knowing the agony that Andrea, Frank, Michael and Marc shall be enduring… not to mention the suffering of scores of extended family members and friends. Michelle left her mark on this crazy roller coaster that is life, in so many ways.

It's exactly a year ago today that I posted the beautiful photograph of hers, gifted to me for my 2013 birthday. Since that time, she had received incredible recognition for her talents. I hope you'll follow this link to read and see for yourselves.

As for my gift, it has long been a prized possession, displayed on the fireplace mantel for  all to enjoy. A treasure by which to remember a treasure.

♡

Michelle ♡

Forever a princess in our hearts, Michelle lost her courageous 5-year battle, yesterday morning. She'd just turned 18. There are simply no words.

July 10, 1996 - July 18, 2014

We Had Fun

Gav enhances the view by the lakeside "surprise"

Some very cool artwork

"G'ma, maybe you could put this picture on your blog!"
♥

Mouths Of Babes - Gav

Gavin is hanging out with us, still in dreamland as I type. We've concluded that he loves his two-on-one time to relax and escape the rigors of sibling rivalry. Tongue-in-cheek, here. I'm laughing…

No visit would be complete without a trip to J's for ice cream. Three little brothers were hanging out with their mother, while we were there last night. The oldest had a super-sized cone, about which Gavin commented…

"He must have a really nice mom."

I asked, "As opposed to?" He laughed.

Then, he said it would be cool to have a bunch of brothers. I agreed, telling him how much fun his Daddy and Uncle Christian had as boys. But then, I mentioned how great it is to have a big sis. He confirmed that he loves Aubs, after which I asked him why he picks on her so much...

"That's how I have fun with her, G'ma… by picking on her!"

LakeHouse - Big Steps!

It's difficult to contain my excitement about the daily progress at the lake. I feel so indebted to Bri for recommending his Rock Hill Fire Company buddy, Aaron, as a carpenter. Aaron is clearly a master of his craft… a perfectionist…. and full of surprises.

Yesterday, he and his fabulous crew not only built new steps and installed side railings...

they laid the bluestone walkway, as well. 

Please stay tuned. Something wonderful is coming by way of the deck's lakeside rail - Aaron's recommendation, so that we can capture every bit of gorgeous view that is ours. Can you guess what it might be??

Bedecked, Bejeweled 'n' Beloved… C'est Moi!

I'm a lucky gal. With a super-duper family and great friends, it's a win-win sort of deal. Always, I think of my parents, as I awaken on my birthday. Imagine. Two full-term pregnancies lost… three babies - a boy and twin girls. And yet they tried again. Here I am. And again, three years later. My brother. They deserved purple hearts for bravery, especially considering that this happened so many years ago, before the age of medical miracles. Must have been G-d's own. 

My Joe. He makes me feel like a queen every day, but always manages that extra touch on my special day. Balloons and jewels, card and cake… and pure, sweet love. Thank you so much, Honey. And thanks for transplanting that "baby" holly tree from the Old Homestead to the LakeHouse, where tradition continues and where…

We are really and truly being bedecked by a great crew of carpenters, headed by Aaron. The rain held off, the sun came out in its brilliant glory and the work actually started. And then...

In spite of long days at work, camp and karate, BKAG came over to celebrate with a swim, pizza and cake. We fêted Kelly, as well, in honor of her July 12th birthday. Enjoyed every second of noisy fun.

Special thanks to Kim, Vick, Ron and Mary, Tigger, Andy, Karin, Christiane, Evelyn, Linda and Howard, Mads, Bonnie and Dale, Michelle and of course…

Can't forget Mambo, out on the portico bright and early with me for a first cuppa and breakfast with Bambi.

And still… STILL!... there's Sunday, when we head to CDHCL's for a shared birthday celebration with Christian. Can't wait to continue the party with more of my beautiful family.

Color Me!
♥

Thoughts To Journal While Burning The Midnight Oil… Don Draper

"We’re flawed because we want so much more.

We’re ruined because we get these things and wish for what we had."

Season 4, Episode 8: “The Summer Man”

LakeScape - Sunday Sun 'n' Sunfish

Sunday Sun was nowhere to be seen, yesterday, replaced by dark and threatening clouds.  That did not deter Sunfish racers from participating in the weekly event. What a pretty view, though we were told there were many more boats prior to our arrival.
We must resurrect our snazzy, aqua-sailed vessel from storage and teach the GrandLoves the art of sailing.

Aubrey's Project

Aubs painted her entire canvas black. She liked Gavin's triangle effect and decided on an altered version to complete her sack. Very cool!