Buddy, Books, and Flowers

We received three inches of rain overnight and during the morning today.  It is still sprinkling and overcast.  A lazy day for sure again today.  However, much is on the agenda to enjoy a long nap.

First thing this morning when letting the dogs in, Buddy had escaped from his house and was back.  The little fellow just tromped into the house with Sally B and Missy.  Off to the food bowl he went and settled right in to the morning routine.  He evidently likes it here.

Buddy getting some loving from Egee.

I texted his owner to let her know we had him.  Someone will be here latter today to pick him up and take him home.  So while he waits, he is enjoying napping with Egee and Little Man.  Although, Little Man will not nap.

Napping while the kids watch t.v.

Egee's book project was due today.  She had to get up early to finish it.  She did a great job and Ms. Terri was impressed.  Ms. Terri said it was the best book out of the group and was impressed.  Egee has really enjoyed grammar and writing class with Ms. Terri.  The book was a perfect way to complete the year.

Egee loves to write stories, poems, notes, etc.  Her book was on caterpillars and two friends.  She made me a Mother's Day puzzle today during library class.

My flowers looked beautiful this morning with all the rain they have received.  I just love my flowers.  Here are some random pics from my flower gardens.

The lamb's ear has beautiful purple flowers. 

My rosebush from Mother's Day 2011 is in bloom.

I just love these!  Their color is amazing.

The camera does not do them justice.  They are like little puffs of velvet.

Cone flowers of blue, pink, and purple.

Lamb's ear.

Rain and Sun

It's raining!  Oh what a joyous site.  We have been in a moderate drought and every bit of the liquid is a welcome site.  However, it won't last long.  The sun is starting to play peek-a-boo with the clouds.

Flowers enjoying the rain.

My wild flowers

More wild flowers

We are practically finished with our school year.  At least the daily grind is over.   Little Man definitely has spring fever.  He is interested in anything other than school work.  Egee is finishing her book for class tomorrow.  So Little Man has found it to be a prime opportunity to aggravate.

We will spend part of the afternoon snuggled on the couch reading.  It is the perfect day to read and nap.  We just might do the latter like Sally B!

Buddy: Part Two

We had come to the conclusion that Buddy may just be part of our family by the end of the week.  The little salt and pepper miniature schnauzer had decided that we were his new family.   He had stayed around the house all of last week and the weekend.

Buddy was winning over Hubby's affection. We decided if no one claimed the little rascal by Friday, we would keep him.  The kids were excited and really hoping that Buddy would be part of our family.

I decided to check on Craig's List to see if anyone had posted him missing.  The search for schnauzer and our subdivision came up empty.  Then I saw an ad about a stolen salt and pepper dog.  I hesitated to click.  The ad said the dog had been missing for only three days.  The pictures looked like our Buddy with longer hair. I decided to call, just in case.

The lady that answered the phone sounded hopeful.  She had explained her dog was missing and described him.  It sounded like Buddy.  I sent her a picture of him and she was excited that it might be her dog.  She was on her way to come see him.

The kids were devastated.  They didn't want Buddy to leave.  There was hope that maybe it wasn't her dog.

About thirty minutes after the phone call, the young woman stopped at our house.  Buddy started barking to protect his new family.  Then he saw that the young woman was his owner.  He jumped down and started jumping for her to pick him up.  She did and he kissed her all over her face.  The kids were happy for Buddy.

The young lady said Buddy had been a gift from her husband when they were engaged last year.  Buddy was staying at her parents, while they lived in an apartment.  Next month, they were to move into a house and Buddy was to join them.  Then he went missing.  She had been so worried.  Now she had him back.

Goodbye, Buddy.  It was fun having you around.

Women of Joy Weekend Getaway

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to accompany my sister and two others to Myrtle Beach for the Women of Joy conference.  Now I really had no idea what to expect at the conference, but was insured we would have a great time.

The conference kicked off on Friday night and we were ready.  Charles Billingsley led the music.  He was great!  Very contemporary and energetic.  The mood was set and the audience was having a lovely time.

The speaker was Carol Kent.  Her message was about how life does not always turn out the way we have planned.  Her story brought the audience from joy to sadness and heartache to hope.  She and her family have had to face a tragedy, so horrific and unthinkable, and rebuild a kind of life they never thought they would be experiencing.  This new life has led them to touch others that they may have never had the opportunity to help.

Saturday was  awesome!  Charles was back with his inspirational music.  Sheri Rose Shepard spoke during the morning session.  This lady has overcome so much as a young woman and now again in the recent years of her life.  Part of her message was that "No one is thinking about you as much as you are, so get over it!"  How true it is.  We tend to obsess on our own faults and vanity that we imagine others doing the same to us.  Where in fact, no one really gives you a second thought.  If we would just let go and allow God to show us the way, we would be amazed at how our life would change.  However, most of the time we do not allow this and it leads to doubt in God's will.  She provided many examples from her own life that was so touching.

My sister could not wait to see Anita Renfroe.  Mrs. Renfroe was the mid session entertainment.  A pastor's wife and church pianist for twenty years has turned into a comedian.  She was absolutely hilarious!  Her song on motherhood was wonderful and everyone that has had a child relates.  Poking fun at the obvious things women put up with and do.  She is a woman's comic.  The one-hour performance flew by and people left wanting more.

We had a wonderful weekend.  Now to plan for next year's conference.....

The Clothesline

Now that pollen season has died down, I can finally utilize my clothesline. I love the smell of sun dried laundry. When I worked, I could not hang out the laundry during the week. Now I have the luxury of time and can savor the nice, warm, spring days to dry my laundry.

Egee likes to help me with the laundry. She is in charge of handing me clothespins. She watches as I hang each piece onto the line. She asks why I hang clothes a certain way. I explain the reason. She will be ready to hang laundry on her own soon!

Little Man has no interest in the activity, except to play with the clothespins. That is fine. It gives Egee and myself time to talk. 

Buddy

The schnauzer showed up again today. We didn’t see him all weekend. I was hoping that his owners had fixed his fence. Little Man was ecstatic over the fact that ‘Buddy’ came back. He loves that little dog.

Buddy waiting on Little Man

Seeing how Little Man won’t leave the dog alone, I decided to detick and deflea the rascal. He has been groomed because his hair is short,so he is definitely not a stray. I gave the fellow a bath. He was a perfect gentleman during the ordeal.

Little Man decided that Buddy needed to come inside. I told him no. However, Little Man ignored my warning and snuck the dog indoors. It was a battle getting him out.

I know I am a sucker for animals. The little fellow is so cute! But, we have two dogs, one cat, and three turtles. Hubby said no more! Little Man isn’t convinced his father means no. Four times today I have found Buddy secured in the garage. 

Buddy seems to really like Little Man. He lets Little Man carry him and waits for him. I’m not sure if this dog is going to go back home. He probably has it better here than his home. We shall wait and see what happens.

The Pool

The weather has drastically warmed over the past few days. Hubby finally ordered a new pool ladder over the weekend. The kids are ready to jump into the cool water. So it is time to get the pool in shape for the swim season.

pool construction spring 2009

I love having a pool, but I dread the time it takes to get it into shape in the spring. I thought this year would be a breeze. We have used a salt water pool chlorinator for the past two years. Our winter was very mild and I ran the chlorinator all winter to keep the pull clear. We bought a leaf cover last fall and it has kept the piles of leave out. So, I thought this spring would be the easiest pool opening. Boy did I get thrown for a loop!

The first time in the new pool (2009)

The chlorinator started reading low salt about a month ago. I added more salt and it would work for a week and then it would complain again. So I added more salt. Then it said low salt again and wouldn’t work. I decided to call the manufacturer and told them the problem. My warranty was good for seven more days! They told me they would seen new plates and that would fix the problem. Now I had to wait for the part. The pool was slowly turning green while I waited.

The part finally arrives and I replaced it. When I started the thing up everything worked for a few minutes. Then a low flow sensor sounded and the chlorinator shut down. The probe went out! I am out of warranty for the thing! So this last weekend, we bought a new chlorinator. At least, I have replacement plates for the new one.

building raised veggie beds summer 2009

veggie beds spring 2012

I installed the new chlorinator and things were running great. The pool is a light green color, but it should be clearing soon. Then the high salt sensor sounded! Now I have to drain twenty percent of the pool water and replace it with fresh water! 

Needless to say, my visions of a hassle free pool opening have come and gone. Maybe, next year will be the year.

A little less green and almost ready to swim!