You asked for it, you got it

Toyota!

 

Sorry, The title of this post was part of a commercial for Toyota cars.   But, that's not what I'm writing about today.
The post that you have been waiting for.....(drum roll, please)

Walking the Paths, Backyard Edition

I know you have been dying to see other people's backyards.   The good and the bad.  We have it all  here. 
This backyard is off the secret path (I love the secret path).  It's a really small yard, but has a lot of stuff in it.

Here is a little sneak peak the other way down the secret path.

love this

I love the cozy feel of it, don't you?

Ok, can you cram any more stuff in your yard?  2 swing sets, lots and lots of white chairs (you can see them from the other angle) tables with chairs a trampoline.  I'm sure there's a grill in there somewhere, too.

My camera wouldn't take the picture from the other angle.  They have some lovely flowers.

Notice the yellow house, yellow deck, yellow grass.

good to keep with the same color scheme

Have you seen the movie, A Night at the Museum?  Look to thecenter of my picture and you will see something similiar to this:

Do you see it?  Cute, huh?

It's off this path, here.

Well, I will have to make another edition.  I have a few more pictures to show you.  I know you're just dying to see them!  

Until next time!

Girls Week!

You read that right. 
It's girls only this week.  All week.  Pink.  Pink.  Pink.  Glitter.   More pink.  Lots and lots of glitter.
The boys are hiking in Colorado.  Fishing, hiking, climbing mountains, laying in hot springs.
Us girls are here at home living it up.
We have had a lot of pool time.  I think we have been every day.
We visited the zoo.

Almost as tall as a polar bear

reaction to the smell in the Karibu exhibit

No trip is complete until you visit the restroom

(yes, I took a picture of the restroom)

And, my favorite:

We hung out with some friends and made s'mores.
Went on walks with Newton.

quite excited about his walks

Newton has to check his p-mail

Went on our morning walks (for my exercise).
Polished our nails.
And Newton's nails.

yes, he's a boy and wasn't too happy about it, but, hey!  it's girls week!

 I think Newton might want to join the boys next time. 

Then we visited a candy store!

OOOOHHHHH!!!

"I'll take one of everything, please!"

Hey!  It's girl's week!  Anything goes!

*this would have been posted a lot earlier, but, RT took my camera with him on vacation and I thought I would use my phone to take pictures. It takes ok pictures, but, I really miss my camera. At least I figured out how to upload my pictures!

Bella gets a hold of my camera

Leave the camera alone for just one minute, and Bella the professional photographer steps in, grabs the camera and gets to work.
She is great at working RT's camera.  She knows how to set the timer and take her own picture.  (as the third child, she's just trying to make sure there are a lot of pictures of her)
She didn't have the tripod this time, so, the pictures are interesting.
Here is what I found on my camera. 

As you can see, today's subject was Newton

He's so good about putting up with Bella's photo shoots.

Inspector Newton

"How much longer?"

I really need a nap

Now a group shot

a little better

still trying to figure it out

cute

 I think she needs RT's camera and tripod.

Post - less

Having difficulty uploading my pictures from my phone.  I'm feeling technically challenged.
Hoping to figure this out real soon. 

Baseball season

Alas, the baseball season has come and gone here.
It was a great season for the Scrappers.  Winning every game. 
My favorite plays by my favorite player.  I try to get action shots.   Difficult to do, because the only action is gnawing on her baseball mitt.  (I think they flavor them because a couple of the other players were chewing on theirs).

not sure if that's a yawn

yea, just try and hit the ball over here

if you look closely, the game is going on behind the "star" player

waiting for her turn to bat

she's really into the game, can you tell?

My favorite picture, the attitude pose

It's good to pose while in the outfield.  Better when you show some attitude

and, of course, a bathroom shot

this is where we spent a lot of time during every game

Batter up!

And, the rookie card picture

I'm stepping out

The other night we were at a neighbor's house for a barbeque.  Everyone brought something (I brought a fruit salad) (and, I found out several other people did, too). 
The food was ready and people started eating.  I thought I would wait until it died down a bit.  RT an I were one of the last ones to go eat.  They were serving hot dogs and hamburgers.  RT mentioned that I am a vegetarian.  (I haven't gone around and told anyone)  A few people were worried about what I would eat.  Another said, What brings this on?  (like it's a disease)  And another asked how long I will be doing this "vegetarian thing?" 
I haven't announced it to anyone.  Well, I guess I am now.  I am not doing this to inconvenience anyone.  I don't need any special meals made for me.   I just feel better when I eat this way.  I did do grass fed beef and was better eating that than the corn fed beef.  After watching "Forks over Knives," I felt the need to at least try going vegetarian and see how I like it.  I feel better.  It hasn't been that long (maybe 6 or 8 weeks?). 
So, I guess I am stepping out of the closet and letting everyone know that I am now a vegetarian. 
By the way, I ate fruit salad for dinner at the party and felt great afterwards.
I feel better being out of that stuffy closet.

Now What?

That's the question that I have been dodging for the last two months.  A question I did not feel like answering until everything was in order and complete.  A question that became quite annoying.  And something that I did not want to think about until I knew it was true.  Done.  Over.  Complete.
Guess what?
It's official. 
I'm unemployed.
We sold our business last Friday.  It feels a little strange.  I feel the need to answer security camera questions, fill an order, check messages, make calls, describe features of a system or camera, explain wireless cameras, discuss the features of a DVR, explain what web ready means or help someone build their own system for their home or business. 
The upside is I do not have to deal with crabby customers.  Whoever said that the customer is always right?
I also have more time to lay by the pool sipping margaritas.  Staring at the pool boy, being fanned by the cabana boy. 
Well, they don't allow alcohol at our town pool and there is no sitting because I'm usually running/swimming around with Bella.
It's nice to dream, tho.
It also makes an interesting reply to that annoying question, "Now what?"

Walking...thoughts

Just a small post with a couple of the things that run through my head while I'm walking.  I can't post ALL of the things that run through my head because that would take forever.  I'll try to just post the few that stand out.
For instance, I know you have a great body at your age (I would say over 60) and you look great in daisy dukes and a sport bra, but, I REALLY don't think you should wear it out in public, if you know what I mean.  Do it for the safety of others.  Thank you.
And to the older couple who I see every morning.  You know, the wife who looks like she's doing a dance while they are walking.  Yea, them.  Disco Momma has to bend down and untie her shoe every time I walk by while her husband looks on.  That is why this morning I sped up so I could miss you and your dance routine this morning.  So sorry, but, I'll catch up with you tomorrow.

A little fire excitement

Last night, we had a fire by the park sign (right behind our house).  Alex told RT that, "the haystacks are burning!"  No, we don't live on a farm.  The "haystacks" are the tall grass on either side of the sign.  One of them was on fire.  Alex heard the crackling of the fire from his bed room. 

We all ran outside.  RT got the hose and I called the fire department.  RT put the fire out.  We were trying to figure out if it was a cigarette that was thrown in there.  The fire fighters told us that it was because it was so dry.  This is the explanation:  the wood chips are so dry and could (somehow) spark and start on fire.  I still had to check it out in the morning to see if there was a cigarette butt.  It's odd that only one side (haystack) was on fire and not the other.  RT soaked the whole area around the sign to prevent future haystack fires.  I think we need some rain. 

Here are the pictures of the burnt haystack (now I'm saying it).  (next I'll have to come up with some pictures of the barn) 

Alex gets a haircut

That's a major holiday in our house.  It doesn't happen very often.  Alex wants to grow his hair long, but, his hair is so thick and he has these (beautiful) curls and it makes his hair bushy.   When he does get his hair cut it is usually just a trim.  This time he agreed to let RT cut it.  RT has been waiting a long time for this opportunity.

Here are some before shots.  The first pictures are just how his hair normally is on a daily basis.

RT made Alex brush his hair out and the next two shots are the result

I think he would have been a hit in the '70's

RT used the hedge trimmer  hair clippers on his head.  There were protestors lined up.  It was getting ugly out there.  Well, only Newton was out there.  He didn't like all of the hair messing up his area on the side yard.  Large clumps of hair were EVERYWHERE.  A few birds flew out and are in need of a new home.  Some empty coke cans and candy wrappers fell out. 

The final result:

(drum roll, please)

The new Alex

I think we need a new pair of clippers

Newton

Had to post about my doggy.  He turned 10 yesterday.  He still acts like a cute puppy.  But, then, the tired old man comes out and he finds his blanket and takes a nap.

He was a little spoiled yesterday.  Got lots of extra special treats.  He even had a little doggy birthday party with a homemade doggy cake. 

He got a little tired and decided to lay down

waiting for cake is a tiresome job

I think Bella was more excited than Newton. 

Bella helping blow out the candle

Newton is enjoying his retirement.  He loves laying outside in the sun, eating lots of treats, going for  long walks and never passes up a nap.  He is serious at times, but,

knows how to have a good time.