10.31.2005

five years


Well, our 5th anniversary has come and gone, and it was fantastic! On Friday night, I cooked Brian's favorite dinner, complete with 2 desserts! I served it on our wedding china, which we've only used once (our first Thanksgiving in NY--we hosted dinner for about 9 people). We ate by the light of 5 candles, and it was so romantic! The menu: fried chicken, potato casserole, sugar snap peas, dinner rolls, and sweet tea. For dessert: chess cake and yellow cake with chocolate syrup. Yummy! (see photo below)



On Saturday, Brian had a big surprise planned for me. But on Friday night, someone called on his cell and said that we couldn't do our surprise on Saturday because of the weather. Brian explained that we were going to go in a HOT AIR BALLOON!!!! But the wind has to be less than 10 mph to go, so we're going to do it another day. I cannot wait!!!!

So we lounged around and then went out to dinner at Seasons 52. It was delicious! We started out with a rosemary parmesan flat bread. For dinner, Brian had pork with polenta and I had blackened mahi mahi with mashed sweet potatoes and seasonal veggies. My veggies were served in a hollowed-out mini pumpkin that had been carmelized. It was exquisite!

For dessert, they brought out this metal wire-looking container that was holding nine miniature glasses. (see top photo) We were able to pick which ones we wanted! Brian picked apple crumble and pecan pie. I picked red velvet cake and almond amaretto. And we shared key lime pie. All of it was scrumptious!!!!

All in all, it was a great anniversary and we're thankful to be married. The end!

10.27.2005

new best day ever!!!!

Today was fabulous! First of all, I went to Memory Lane in Orlando for a class. We made a Christmas tin. Here's mine:


Of course, I totally copied mine from Tina, the teacher of the class. It was just so cute, I didn't want to change anything! I'm going to use it to store my Christmas lists, gifts I've bought, and receipts. I can't wait to get it all organized!

But the best thing about Memory Lane was the people. I could not believe how friendly they all were! They just started talking to me like I had been there forever! It was great! And I met Denise, an online friend of MY friend Sara's! They are on a design team together at Scrap Forums. She was so nice and I was marvelling at what a small scrappin' world it is.

I signed up for this cool book club thing they do. It's a book club using scrapbook idea books, and it's by Pine Cone Press. I'm so excited! The next meeting is in November, and I can't wait.

Afterward, I shopped in the store (only spent $15! woo!) and then met Brian for lunch at Applebee's. After lunch, I went shopping to get Brian some new jeans, and did some Christmas shopping as well. Fun, fun! I topped it off with a trip to Tuesday Morning to get Meg a scrapbook kit and myself some more picture frames.

Once I got home, I ran over and visited with my neighbors. Penny's daughter Sydney came over and we started making an altered composition book. She had to go eat dinner, so we'll finish it later.

Now I have to do some more scrappin', pick up around the house a little, and then work on my menu for tomorrow--our anniversary! Can't wait!!!! :-)

10.26.2005

ms. pacman

Brian has been working LLLOOOOONNNNNGGGG days at work. This happens when his team (aka: people working on the same game) has a milestone (aka: deadline). They are working on a new game for X-Box called NFL COACH where you are the coach and you get to do all the coach-y things. So he's been working 12-14-16 hour days, and weekends too.

So, in order to see my husband, I went over to EA and had dinner with him tonight. Then he gave me a tour of the building. (He gave me a tour once before, but he was still pretty new and didn't really know his way around then.)

It's the coolest place! They just have the most amazing building! There are plasma tvs everywhere, hooked up to every game system imaginable, and Brian has 2 HUGE computer screens in his little office, and the screens fit next to each other to form one enormous screen! He has a TV and VCR/DVD in there, too! It's all too much.

They have a cereal bar with like 7-8 different kinds of cereal, and a fridge full of milk. There are 25-cent pop machines. There are all kinds of cool pictures, flags, helmets, etc. all around. There are bowls that are filled with candy each morning. Way cool. There's even an EA store where you can buy all kinds of EA gear from shirts, to games of all kinds, to coffee cups and more! AND they have a caterer who brings in dinner and snacks every night, for people who are working late!

But my favorite part is the arcades. There's one on Brian's floor--and it has real live arcade games, like you used to play at the local pizza place when you were in 5th grade. (ours was Mr. Gatti's--remember, Jenni? Jenni was the QUEEN of Ms. Pacman!) One of the arcade platform things has this dial, and you can choose between like 50 games. It had Frogger, Mario Bros., Ms. Pacman, Q-bert, and so many more! I played Ms. Pacman and it was JUST like the arcade! Joystick and all! I had a blast!

Then downstairs is an arcade with pool, ping-pong, foos-ball, darts, and more arcade games. There were 3 pinball machines right in a row. So I played pinball for a long time. I felt like a kid again! It was so cool! You must all come and visit and we will have video game/pinball tournaments while Brian is working!!!!

Oh, and I forgot to mention....you don't need any quarters or tokens!!!! IT'S ALL FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sam's big adventure

Yesterday, at a little after noon, I was sitting on my couch watching TV when my neighbor Penny called to see if I wanted to take a walk. So I got my exercise clothes on, had a little lunch, and went over. It was in the 60's and the sun was shining brightly, so it was a perfect day for a walk.

We walked and talked for about an hour. Then we went to her house and had some iced tea. It was great.

When I came home, I said hello to Max, who was sunning himself by the sliding glass door. Then I did a double take. The sliding glass door was open (I had opened it because of the beautiful weather) and the SCREEN was open, too!! I knew immediately that Sam had taken off. After all, he is notorious for trying to escape. If you've ever been to my house, you know this.

Since I had been gone for over an hour, I began to panic a little. I called Brian and he headed home from work. (I know you think that sounds crazy, but these cats are our CHILDREN!!!!) I did a quick walk around the block, through people's back yards, calling for him in my high-pitched cat voice. I asked everyone I saw if they had seen him. I was proud of myself for not crying yet.

I eventually went over to Penny's (I had already been through her back yard) and asked if she would help me look. She was waiting on her adorable 10-year-old daughter, Sydney, to get home from school. She told me to check under their shed. So I went around and looked under the shed to no avail. On my way back around front, I saw Sydney coming home. I ran and got in my car to drive around and look. As I was pulling out of the driveway, I saw Penny and Sydney come out to start looking. I waved at them and told them I had my cell with me.

I began a very slow drive around another block, with the windows down, still screeching for Sam in soprano tones. You can imagine how this looked! I stopped everyone I saw and asked them if they had seen him. The answer was always no. I was coming around the curve, nearing Penny's house, when my cell rang. It said it was a Florida number. I answered it, and it was Sydney saying that they found him!!!! I rushed around to where they were, and there was Sam, laying in the grass at Penny's feet!!!!

I jumped out of the car and called him, and he came right over to me. Crazy cat! Caused me all kinds of anguish! I thanked Penny and Sydney profusely and called Brian, who was pulling into the neighborhood. We brought Sam in the house and I thought I had felt something in his paw, so I checked it out. On one paw, there was a lot of blood--like he had cut up his little paw pad. Then I checked the other one. There was a really sticky burr in it. Pretty deeply imbedded between two of his toes. Poor thing!

Every time I tried to pull it out, he growled, howled, and bit me. Brian finally had the genious idea of wrapping him in a towel (cat-taco style) so he couldn't see what was coming. Brian held his mouth shut and his back paws while I balanced him in my lap and pulled out the burr. Pitiful.

He's been fine since then. He's been purring and acting as usual. Sitting on the couch last night, Brian and I discussed the afternoon's events. I asked how fast he thought Sam ran out the door once he finagled it open. Brian said that not even a camera could have captured the blur that was Sam as he escaped to freedom.

In other news, the painters painted the majority of my house while I was gone. (INSIDE of the house, that is.) When I get the place cleaned up a little bit more, I'll post some pictures.

I have officially begun my Christmas shopping and preparations. Tis almost the season!!!!

10.24.2005

after the rain

If Wilma came close to us, we slept through it. :-)

Seriously, it just rained a lot and the wind blew some. That's all. I'm SO HAPPY we didn't lose power or have any damage!!!! I hope Nan and Pops' condo in Ft. Myers is all right. Right now the sun is shining bright and it has cooled down a bit. I may have to go take a walk in a little while.

By the by, Friday is our 5th anniversary. 5 YEARS!!!! Brian has something planned for Saturday, and it's a surprise. I LOVE surprises!!!! I can't wait to find out what it is! Don't worry, I'll post pictures.

Today is Nan and Pops' 64th anniversary. And I thought 5 years was a long time!!!!

PS--Happy anniversary, Leslie and Scott! (the 18th) Yes, I got your email, but haven't had a chance to reply yet.

Also, happy anniversary, Jenni and Eric! I can't remember the exact date, but I know it's October. Popular month.

And, last but not least, happy anniversary Sera and Jeff. Theirs is the same day as ours, the 28th.

Cheers!

10.23.2005

hurricane update and how to clean your washer

It's 9:43 pm on Sunday and we're watching some TV. It's pouring rain and there's the occasional clap of thunder and bolt of lightning. We brought the patio furniture in and the cats promptly sniffed it to death. Sam is laying on the patio table now, and Max is looking out the sliding glass door. He's already sharpened his claws on the chairs.

Brian's work will make a decision at 11:00 am tomorrow as to whether they will open or not. We hope NOT!!!! Then we'd feel like school kids having a snow day. Except it's about 4,000 degrees with like 4,000% humidity. Seriously, it's TOO HOT!!!! I went to the store today and bought lots of water and batteries. Now if we lose power, we can lay around in the closet, drinking water and listening to the radio and/or books on CD, while fighting over the teeny battery-powered fan Mom gave me. Sounds like fun, huh? Don't you wish you lived in Florida????

In other news, I've been complaining for a very long while, at least a year, about a foul smell coming from my washer. It's a smell like soured clothes, you know, when you leave them in there too long? Well, it still smells like that when there are no clothes in there. I've been telling Brian we need a new washer. This one is 10 years old, I got it when I moved to Nashville right after college. I was hoping when we moved, the sour water or whatever was smelling bad would drain out, but no such luck.

When I came home from KY on Friday, the smell was worse than ever. Of course, Brian hasn't done any laundry in 10+ days, and he's left the lid shut. It smelled rotten, but I had to do laundry anyway--you can imagine how it was piled up! B only had ONE pair of underwear left!!!!

So I got out the washer manual and looked up "troubleshooting." There was nothing about sour water, but I continued reading and found instructions on how to clean your washer. And would you believe....it WORKED!!!! My washer smells like new. I'm so thrilled. Here's what you do:

Put 2 cups of detergent and 1 cup of bleach in the washer. Run a cycle with HOT water. That's it!!!! It really doesn't take much to make me happy.

I hope B doesn't have to go to work. He's been working like 16-hour days for about 2 weeks, including weekends. We recorded a few movies from HBO, so we'll have those to watch if we have power. I HOPE WE HAVE POWER!!!!

the calm before the storm

It's Sunday afternoon, and we are awaiting Hurricane Wilma.

I came back to Orlando on Friday. When Mom and I left for the airport at 7:40 am, it was 50-something degrees and I was wearing a sweater. When I got to Orlando, it was near 90!

Nan is doing well. She went to rehab last night. She'll be there for at least 10 days, and everyone says it's wonderful. I hope she gets well soon.

Back to the hurricane. Right now, I can hear kids outside playing. It's overcast, but there's no wind or rain. In a little while, Brian is going to bring in the patio furniture and the grill. I think I'll also get the wreath off the front door and bring in the door mat. The schools in Orange County (where we live) have been closed for tomorrow. We're supposed to get strong winds, but the eye is not going to pass over us.

I'm a little apprehensive and a little excited. I've never been in a hurricane, although I've been in at least one tornado that I remember. Brian, growing up on the SC coast, has been through many hurricanes. He was even in Hurricane Hugo, which left his town without power for two weeks!

Please pray that we don't lose power. I can't stand it without my A/C!!!! I'm also praying that our house doesn't sustain any damage.

We'll keep you posted.

10.20.2005

guilt

I was supposed to go back to Orlando on Tuesday the 18th. Mom and I left the house and went to pick up Nan and Pops--they had wanted to come with. Well, then Nan fell while trying to get into the car. It was HORRIBLE--I could see her wobbling, but I couldn't get out of the car fast enough to catch her.

What was I doing in the car anyway? Why didn't I get out and help her? Why didn't Pops or Mom help her, either? The whole thing is actually pretty much my fault. Pops got in the car and I heard Mom get in, and I guess I thought everyone was in--but Nan wasn't. I started going--very slowly, fortunately--and then I heard Mom yell and I looked over and saw Nan fall. I'm sure I will never forget that moment.

We aren't completely sure what happened. I know I didn't knock her over--the door was in front of her and I was going forward. I think it just surprised her and she jumped back and lost her balance. SHE says that the car ran over her foot and she pulled hard to get it out and lost her balance, but there's no evidence to support that. Her foot is fine, and I think it would be broken, or at least some toes would be broken, if that had happened.

Anyway, we managed to get her up and to the hospital. After awhile in the ER, the doctor confirmed that her hip was broken. They did surgery yesterday at noon and it only took a half hour. They replaced the ball joint and said it was an easy surgery and she would be fine. Today she got up and walked to the chair and sat in it for awhile. She's not in pain anymore. That same hip has been bothering her forever, so it's probably good that she had it replaced. She's acting like her normal self today. She'll have to spend a few weeks in rehab, but after that, she'll likely be great.

But I still feel horrible. WHY didn't I make sure everyone was in the car? I KNOW she has trouble walking, so why didn't I help her?

10.17.2005

new favorite picture


I think this one speaks for itself.

10.16.2005

a gift for braden

I made this paint can for Braden a LONG time ago, but I couldn't post it because I hadn't given it to him yet! And I didn't want him to see it, in case he happened to be reading my blog. He's only 5 months old, but he's the smartest and most precious baby ever, so I'm sure he's already reading and posting intelligent and interesting comments.

10.14.2005

insomniac

That's me.

Here I am, awake at 3:27 am. I don't like it. I'm TIRED. I've been working hard. I've been standing up a lot. But I'm awake.

I'm at my parents' house in KY. My mom has a really bad case of sciatica. She has like 5 bulging discs in her back and some of them are bulging onto the sciatic nerve, so she's in excruciating pain. She needed help cleaning and cooking and well, just help in general, so I decided to come visit.

AND my brother and Kari, and BRADEN (!) are coming tomorrow, along with Kari's parents and sister. Brad is speaking at our home church for their homecoming. And they're going to dedicate Braden while everyone is here. Except Brian isn't here, and that makes me sad. He's on deadline at work, working like 12 hour days (or more) on an NFL coach game.

I can't WAIT to see my BABY B!!!! Every time I look at one of his pictures, I just get that much more excited to see him.

Oh, and the painters were at my house today, and they're coming back tomorrow. Brian sent me some pictures via cell phone (I have all the cameras with me--hello, BRADEN will be here!!!!) and my kitchen is now red, the front hallway under the chair rail is green, and the main area (above the chair rail, dining room, family room) are a buttery shade of beige. Tomorrow my bedroom will turn cobalt blue and my bathroom will become light blue instead of Big Bird yellow. I can't WAIT!!!! It's cool that I'm gone too, because I would hate to be there among the mess.

AND....I went to Weight Watchers today....I didn't expect to lose any because I haven't really been counting points, but I haven't been eating bad, either. Well, I lost 2 pounds!!!! That brings my total up to 5. I'm SO happy about that. My first mini-goal is 10. (I set that goal for myself, baby steps, ya know?) We're going to celebrate when I get to 10. I don't know what we'll do. Maybe we'll eat cake. Yum.

I'm going to attempt to sleep again now. About 45 min. ago I took some Tylenol and some sleep vitamins or something--my mom gave them to me when she got up to take her pain meds--so maybe that's kicking in. I'm starting to yawn a little....

10.10.2005

i ~heart~ new york



These are my wonderful and amazing friends from NY. From L to R: Sara, Meg, Serafina, Jennifer, and me.

I miss my girls so much! I just got these pictures back from our last night together and had to share. Aren't they gorgeous?

See you soon, girlies!!!!

10.07.2005

memories expo aka the best day ever!!!!

Today rocked.

It started out with me getting up at the break of dawn -(7:00 am!!!! Insane!!!! I'm rarely up before 10!!!!)- and taking off to meet my neighbor, Penny, at Kohl's for their grand opening. Penny is a wonderful Christian and I'm so glad she came over and introduced herself. Her husband is a computer geek like Brian, and they have a daughter, Sydney, who is 9 years old and adorable.

Anyway, we shopped at Kohl's for almost 2 hours! It was so fun! I got a new purse, a fall centerpiece for my kitchen table, and some Christmas gifts!! Yay! I love shopping early, and getting things on sale!!

After Kohl's, Penny and I went to Panera (yum!) and I had a lowfat bagel with lowfat HAZELNUT CREAM CHEESE!!!! It was heavenly! And iced coffee. Penny is so nice, and we had a great time.

Then I took off to a local scrapbook store. I couldn't find it (I was trying to remember directions I had read online about a week ago!) so I went to Home Depot. We needed a hack saw, so I picked that up. Then I called the LSS and got directions, so I shopped there for a little bit. It was not the most impressive store, but I bought a few cute things. The lady at the store reminded me that today, tomorrow, and Saturday is the MEMORIES EXPO at the Convention Center!! I had forgotten!! So, I hopped in the car and headed to downtown Orlando.

I FINALLY parked and found my way into the Expo, which was awesome! It was a bunch (I mean a BUNCH! Probably over 50) of vendors, all carrying SCRAPBOOK STUFF!!!! I had a ball. I didn't know a soul, but it was fun anyway. I shopped and shopped, and I stayed till they closed at 6:00. I met a really nice girl on the way out who lives pretty near me, and we exchanged phone numbers. She was SO NICE!

So, that's how to make the most of a dreary, rainy day. Spend time doing things you love. My feet are killing me, but I have some cool new stuff. My stash is pictured below. That pink and orange thing is like a tool holder--it holds a TON of stuff, and has pockets inside and out. SO COOL! (Click on the picture to see it larger.) Today was definitely my favorite day in Orlando so far.

10.05.2005

freeze warning in florida

It was in the high 70's last night and everyone got out their sweaters. :-) Seriously, this is the first time in the almost 2 months we've lived here that I've seen a temperature below 80-something! It's REALLY nice!

I'm going to KY next week to visit my parents. They were supposed to come here, but Mom's back is out REALLY bad. She has a bunch of bulging discs, and one of them is bulging into her sciatic nerve!!!! She is in SO much pain. Hopefully I can help her out some while I'm there, at least by keeping the house up and cooking. By the by, BRADEN will be making an appearance while I'm there. (more incentive to go!) I can't WAIT to see him! He is the most precious baby EVER!!!!

Let's talk about books. There are a few I've read lately that are worth mentioning:

"Little Earthquakes" by Jennifer Weiner
I really enjoyed her other books, "Good in Bed" and "In Her Shoes," but this one takes the cake, in my opinion. It's a book about babies and it's really good. It's fiction, but a great story. BTW, "In Her Shoes" has been made into a movie and I'm dying to see it. I think it's either playing now or opening this weekend. Regardless, I hope we can go see it.

The Southern Sister Series by Anne George
These books are hilarious. Think the Golden Girls solving murders. The books are entitled, "Murder on a Girls' Night Out, Murder on a Bad Hair Day, Murder Runs in the Family," and etc. I've read almost the whole series--I have 2 more to read of 8.

The Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich
Again, hilarious. I really enjoy these books! There are 11 in the series, and I just got the 11th one today from the library. I've already read the other 10. Their titles involve numbers, such as, "One for the Money, Two for the Dough, Three to get Deadly," and etc. up to 11. Stephanie is a clumsy bounty hunter who gets into all kinds of trouble.

Anything by Elizabeth Berg
I was at the dentist a few years ago in Albany (my dentist was also my piano student) and the hygenist told me about Elizabeth Berg. I've since read almost everything she's written. I think I have 2 books left. My most recent read was "The Year of Pleasures." It's about a widow who moves to a new town. Good story. Her writing is very distinctive and always interesting.

Wolves in Chic Clothing by Carrie Karasyov and Jill Kargman
OK. Some of you know that I love chic lit. That is, literature that appeals to chics. :-) I LOVE a good girly story, hence my devotion to Sophie Kinsella and her "Shopaholic" series. This book is funny and shocking, with a twist that I did not see coming at all!!!! It is true chic lit and does not disappoint. For more info, read this review.

Anyway, that about does it for what I've been reading lately. Of course, I have my favorite authors, the top two being Jan Karon and Marian Keyes, but I've already read all of their books and am anxiously awaiting new ones from them.

10.04.2005

they're baaa-aaaaack....

So last night, I had finished my (small) bowl of sherbet, so I took it to the kitchen, planning to start the dishwasher while I was in there. I flipped on the light and there was a HUGE roach on my kitchen counter!!!! It was right above the dishwasher! I screamed (I can't control this, screams just come right out when I'm surprised by a bug) and it ran into the crack between the countertop and the dishwasher. Brian came in and looked all around, but couldn't find it. So he started the dishwasher and came to bed.

In about an hour, he went back in to check. I stayed in bed and heard some smacking sounds. He came back in and said he had killed 2 roaches by the cat food. :-( Just yesterday morning, I was walking around the house thinking, "Man, this is great. I have stopped worrying about the bugs and I can just go around without being paranoid." And then this.

Guess who scrubbed the kitchen counters this morning for all she was worth.

This morning, I was using the guest bathroom when I noticed the toilet paper roll was almost out. I reached under the cabinet to get a new roll, and a silverfish fell out. I screamed, nearly peed on myself, and squished it. They're small, so I'm not afraid of them, but they're fast and they run around like maniacs. They do this crazy dance, I'll imitate it for you sometime.

I went about my day, went to Weight Watchers, lost 2.4 pounds!!!! Yay!!!! That brings my total to 3 pounds in 2 weeks. That made me happy. Then I went to Home Depot, Walgreens, Publix. Back home.

Brian and I watched The Biggest Loser and The Office on TiVo--it was late by then. I went into the guest room for some reason and noticed Max flat on his stomach under the computer desk. You could only see the bottom half of him. Well, you know what he was doing, don't you? Brian came in, moved the desk, and killed another HUGE roach.

Soon after, we were getting ready for bed and I noticed Brian had left a plate in the den. I took it to put it in the dishwasher, opened up the dishwasher, and saw a HUGE roach crawling on a bowl. More screams. Brian came and squished it. Good grief! I had had it by then!!!!

I came in the bedroom--there was folded laundry on the bed. I opened the cabinet under Brian's sink to put away some washcloths, and....you guessed it. Another roach. A pretty big one, too. Not a grandpa, but a full-sized adult.

How am I supposed to continue living in this house???? HOW????

10.03.2005

funny felines

I was making lunch today when I looked up and saw this:

People where they're not supposed to be.

Yesterday, we moved the cat castle over next to the armoire. It had been in the kitchen and was crowding the table, and it was bothering me. (You can't see it in this picture, but it's right under the picture to the right of the sliding glass door.) Well, the castle is tall enough for them to jump up on the armoire, then up on the ledge. They are so cute up there, but they chew on my fake plants!!!! We'll be moving the castle again shortly.

Then guess what. Today at the gym I saw the NY Yankees guy again. His skin is leathery looking. Anyway, I was on the treadmill and I saw him sauntering around. Some of the weight benches are by this huge window--it's really a wall that's all glass--and I watched him walk over to a weight bench. I was thinking, "Is he actually going to lift a weight??!!" But instead, he took a seat and proceeded to stare out the window. Maybe he was waiting on a call on his cell!

On the way home from the gym, I stopped at a store called Tuesday Morning. I had heard of it before--there was one near Sera's old house in NY. But I never went. Well, today I spent TWO HOURS in there! It was so cool! I got these really awesome boxes to store things in in my office--they're solid blue, red, and lime green and they have striped lids of the same colors. Love it. I also got a bunch of Christmas presents!!!! (and some rock candy--only 1 point!)

When I got home, I got the mail while I was emptying out the car, and I stuck the mail in one of the boxes. When you enter our house through the garage, you come into a little laundry room, then into the kitchen. We always keep the laundry room door shut so we can come in and not worry about the cats (escape artists) getting out. So I put all my stuff on the washer and dryer, took the mail out of the box, and came in to start dinner.

In a little while, I noticed this:

SOMEONE didn't waste any time trying out the box, did he??!! And SOMEONE ELSE was quite nosy and had to inspect all the boxes!!

That's my exciting news for today. I'll post pictures of my office when I get the boxes organized.

10.02.2005

froggie went a courtin'






Check this out. I was on the phone with my mom a little bit ago and noticed Max come into the living room carrying something in his mouth. He dropped it and it jumped. I screamed. I was SURE it was a roach! Brian ran over (he was cooking dinner, bless his heart) and said, "It's a frog!!"

Sure enough, it was a teeny tiny baby frog. Max kept sniffing it, licking it, pawing at it, walking in circles around it, biting at it, etc. I ran and got the camera. Not to be outdone, Sam came over to sniff and paw at it too. You just never know what might happen around here!

Incidentally, after the photo shoot, Brian scooped up the frog in a plastic cup and took him out to the grass. He's safe. No animals were harmed in this blog.

first layout in florida

Here's a layout I made of Braden at that crop I went to last week. Just thought I'd share!