An Old Lady

We had a wonderful day on my birthday! Does that sound strange? The WE part? But WE did....all of us. The family, the dogs, the neighbors and especially me. We started out going to Fuel - which I have talked about here before. I love Fuel. It is just my kind of place...very casual, outdoors, good food, good ale and dogs welcome. We met the Shumbies there and the 5 of us plus 3 dogs made our way to the patio. We all orderd a different drink...I got my favorite - Drifter Ale. The dogs went in circles as much as their tethers would let them and tried to adjust to the new smells and sounds. Jake was especially nervous about all of it. Socks has done this before so she knew a little more what to expect. Lacy is just 10 weeks old - what does she care about anything?? Jake pretty much just layed down and was good. Socks talked to our neighbors about their food!

And talk about food. I had a "to die for" Chorizo Burger"! Never had anything like that before and certainly will have it again! It was fantastic!

Then it was to Shumbies for Fudgie Brownies and the celebration of becoming an even older lady than I was the day before. After the fattening goodies we went next door to see the puppies that Ed and Barb have in their garage. I hadn't seen them in about 3 weeks. I believe that 2 of our friends are each taking one so we will get to watch them grow up along with Lacy. That will be a blast. (Lacy was just "one of the kids" as you can see from this picture!)

It was a really good birthday but I am feeling all of my 63 years! Aren't I lucky to have lived such a rich life?? And there is more to come!

Oh, and I just think this picture of Jake is so funny. He really does not like riding in the car and he really wants on my lap. This was what I saw when I looked back at him!

Christie's Birthday

(I just love Black and White pictures!) Just in case you have happened upon this blog and don't know me, Christie is my firstborn child. She had her birthday yesterday and here are some of the pictures. It did cause me to reflect on that day and what my life was like at the time. I remembered that my baby was due on October 15th! Big difference from what really happened. So we went to a Halloween Party and dressed in Chinese Lounging Pajamas that matched. They covered my body!! I wonder what I would see if I looked those up on the internet today? They were big, black jammy bottoms of cotton and red chinese print tops with a tie belt. Funny memories. And she was born many hours before the doctor thought she would be born....I think she was in a hurry....she had a lot to do and needed to get busy....she has always been that way.

Anyway we had a lovely party at her house. I took the day off from work and cooked her dinner and then took it over there. (She can't leave her new puppy for very long yet so dinner had to be at home.) It was a lovely evening watching our 3 yellow dogs play and spending time together.

Only things (persons) missing were Kirby and Brendan. Brendan is my oldest grandson and is away at college. Hopefully he will be home for Thanksgiving....we miss him so much. Kirby, my sweetheart and my husband, was home sick with a cold. He is much better today.
So what do you think of my M&M's cake? It really was good! I made 3 layers and then put a layer of M&M's between each. Ah, decadence!
And that is Casey, my 2nd oldest grandson who leaves us next year for college.

Update to My Life

Well, most of you already know that Kirby is in Virginia on a boat. Last weekend I drove him up there to meet Ken and Connie at their boat (OZ, a Gulfstar 45) and help get it ready to sail south. They have not been able to launch the boat yet but will be in the water soon and on their way south. And of course I forgot the camera so don't have one picture to post of Ken and Connie.
In the meantime, Jake and I are at home missing our old man! Jake has been rather confused and looks for his "Daddy" at the strangest times. Tonight he looked for him in the van as we got in. OK, Jake, Daddy has not been hiding in the van for 6 days!


The big news in the Shumbie family this week is the addition of a precious little baby girl....of the yellow hair variety! So I am a Grandma to a dog again! Glad she is theirs and not mine! Lacy is a beautiful little yellow lab, just 8 weeks old. She is not from the litter shown last week (I will have more on those babies soon). Lacy was actually born in Virginia and Christie and Michael were picking her up about the same time I was dropping Kirby off. Interesting trade??? Jake was very interested in Lacy and they had a good time sniffing each other. When Lacy got too vocal with Jake (yes, she barks and growls at 8 weeks!) Socks (her new "Mom") reminded her of her place and told her to respect her new "Dad".
I am sure we are in for many, many doggie adventures with 3 yellow dogs! Heaven Help US!!

Hot off the Press

I just received these pictures from Lisa. They went to a Halloween Party! So cute!

Boats and Babies

I feel like I haven't stopped in days. I returned from California on Monday afternoon and was back to the grind on Tuesday. Saturday bright and early Kirby and I were off for Virginia. Kirby is going sailing! He is so excited. Ken and Connie on their 45 foot Gulfstar "Oz" have invited him to crew with them. We arrived in Deltaville, VA about 3 PM yesterday after an 8 hour drive, and had dinner out with Ken, Connie, Ruth from Ontario, CA and Rich who just happened to arrive on his boat, Kellie Rae. Kirby and I stayed at the Dockside Inn which was pretty yukky but it was mostly clean and backed up to the boat yard where "Oz" is still on the hard. Then this morning I left at 7:15 AM and drove back home. Tired is all I can say.

I am tired so I have just sat here at the computer and uploaded some of my pictures of my San Diego trip. You can view them by CLICKING HERE. There are a lot of them but that is because I had a lot of fun!

I was really bad yesterday and didn't get one picture. So you will just have to imagine the big smile on Kirby's face!

San Diego Trip

I know everyone is waiting with baited breath to hear about my trip to San Diego to visit my family there. Well, first of all, it was a really quick trip. I had a hard time getting away from work so 2 and a half days is what worked. My flight from Charleston at 6:00 AM (yup - before morning almost) went without a hitch - thank you Delta. I arrived on time at 10:15 and there was Ryan! He met me at luggage and it was so delightful to look up when I heard my name and see my son! He is still so good looking! Looks just like me!

Ryan had managed to plan his day around my visit and we headed right home - no work for him! Both of my wonderful little grandchildren were awake and waiting for me when we arrived. I was prepared for Kevin (3 and a half) to be stand-off-ish for some time but that did not happen. After letting Blackjack (Ryan and Lisa's wonderful German Shepherd) cover me with hair Kevin was ready to hold my hand and show me to my casita.

From that moment on it was grandsons and grandsons! I loved it! We talked and played the whole time. I played Lego and watched Kevin ride his bike in the yard, I played a fair amount of pretend (I loved being a Fireman!) and had a wonderful time listening to Justin laugh! Nothing like a baby giggle! We went to the Pumpkin Patch and road rides, did the slide and visited the animals. We took a walk in the canyon behind their house. I had never taken a walk in the rough with a stroller...not easy but do-able. Lisa is a real sport - pushing that stroller everywhere so that she and Justin can be a part of the activities. Kevin spent a fair amount of time on Dad's shoulders - and the rest with his hand in mine! I loved it!

I had to wake up before morning again to come home but at the end of the long day I had Kirby there meeting me at the airport and it was so good to see him. The weekend was fast but so very wonderful. I love those little guys!

Traveling

Well, I am off to San Diego and my California family before you wake up tomorrow so there will be no puppy pictures this weekend. But stand by for grandson pictures! Here is one to whet your whistle!

Puppies # 2

Here they are - Puppy Update #2 - which means they are 2 1/2 weeks old now. Are they cute or what!

My San Diego Family

I am going out to San Diego next weekend for a quick 2 days of hugs and playing on the floor....just hope I can get up afterward.
Click here for a preview of what I will see when I am there!

Puppies #1

Dixie is our neighbor's dog and last Thursday Dixie had 7 little puppies. I think this is going to be really fun to follow. So enjoy with me as we watch these little guys and gals grow.