Smocking, stockings, and a Week with my Folks

I was gone to my parents' house for the past week. It was quite enjoyable.

I went shopping with my mom and bought my first pair of support hose. Explanation: Okay, I'm slightly neurotic and worry about varicose veins...I don't have any and I'd like to keep it that way.

We went everywhere. Friday night I went to a "bunko" party with my mom & sis. Saturday, I went to a baby shower for my cousins' wife. Sunday, I went to a birthday party for my brother-in-law, Monday, it was the pool with my sister. Tuesday, I attended a community birthday party at an assisted living community. Wednesday, I rode 18-20 miles with my dad and nephew all around town. Thursday, I had a night out with my sis. Friday was a joint birthday/fathers' day party for my mom and dad, and Saturday was a smocking class and the drive back home.

My Family knows how to keep me busy! Thank goodness. Only 13 more days until I see my husband.

Yay for Bikes

On my adventures here in C-town, I had the pleasure of taking a bike ride with my dad and nephew. 18 miles later we were still trying to complete daring feats on little ramps and racing one another around a self made track. It was pretty darn fun. Yay for bikes.

One thing that I took away from my ride - my little commute is totally achievable seeing that in real life rides, you have the opportunity to coast. Whereas rides on trainers (which I love), really allow for zero coasting. So...perhaps...all my training is paying off.

Why I Need My Husband

So, when gardening last weekend I was bitten or exposed to something. Well, today the bite, rash, bruise, etc. started getting really red and it looked to be spreading. Hubby saw it on video chat, got nervous and told me to go see the doctor. I went to the ER. $200, 3 hours, and a headache later and I now know for sure that I indeed have a rash, bruise, bite or scrape and some hydro-cortisone cream. That's All.

Pumpkin in May!?

Monday, my good friends Heather and Randy called me up and asked if I wanted a dog. My immediate response was, "What did Mal (their dog) do?" Mal had done nothing. They had come across a little stray who had been trotting after joggers in their neighborhood. The little stray had spied their dog, Mal, from across the way and came over to play.



Well, hub unit is out of town with both our puppies, so I am pretty lonely. I went over to check out the little one (at least and if anything to have something to keep me busy). She completely enchants you when you first see her. She's a wee thing with a wiggle in her bottom and a need to cuddle. Heather's guess was that she's about 4 mos. old and some sort of yellow lab mix. Needless to say, I stole her away and took her back to my house to keep me busy. I named her pumpkin. We spent the day on our porch. She slept and I graded.

Tuesday, I went to work and immediately found a home for her. It was bitter sweet. She was such an adorable little girl and was such nice company, but she'll have another dog and lots of land at her new home. My first venture into being a foster parent...as much as it hurt to see her go, it was so awesome to see her find an amazing family where she'll be happy.

Yard Work

As you have read, the hub - unit is away on an internship and I have had to take over some of his "duties." First and foremost being the yard. Well, I mowed the front lawn all by myself...which was pretty much awesome considering our riding lawn mower is in a most progressed state of decrepitude.

Well, my parents came up for the weekend in order to rescue me from loneliness and utter boredom (Although there were plenty of things to keep me busy that weekend - I really wanted to see them). Anyhow, we went to a birthday party for my cousin on Saturday and then on Sunday - before I was even awake - both of my parents had already torn into the yard.

The hubster I desperately pleaded with them (prior to their visit) not to entangle themselves with our shameful, forgotten wilderness; however, they insisted. Five hours later the hedges were trimmed, the front lawn was edged, the weeds were eaten, the pine straw was raked, and the back lawn was mowed - and we were exhausted.




It was and still is beautiful. Afterwards I paid them with some yummy Mexican food. It was a good day - one I am sure will be remembered with fondness by all.

Thanks, Mom and Dad. You truly are two of the best parents a girl could be blessed with.