Happy Birthday attack_laurel! I'm sure she has a Dorien Grey like portrait hidden at the farm, cause she sure doesn't look forty. And somehow it's fitting that we have a full moon in the sky tonight.

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I've decided that Sunday birthdays are the best.

I got to take Friday off work to give myself a three day weekend and indulged myself in; sleeping in, a massage, shoe shopping and new made-in-America kicks for dog walking, a late lunch reading by myself, a nap, and then Indian food for dinner.

Saturday was more sleeping in, a liesurely trip to Holiday Faire for fun visiting, early birthday wishes, and a little shopping. After getting home and walking the pup we settled into the basement to introduce Chris (a high school friend and our second longterm guest while he finds a place to live in the area) to the wonder that is Firefly.

Today was the best for my actual birthday. I slept in very late and Alan brought me breakfast in bed, cold Diet Coke, mango sausages and eggs with Gouda. Then I got to check FB and pet the dog while he cleaned up the kitchen. :) We went out shopping to ultimately get me a new laptop (pink Viao!) look at other fun electronics, get noms for the pup and coffee for himself. I managed a quick nap before we took off to the Snuggery at the Old Brogue to see Iona with Beth Patterson in concert, which was awesome. The bangers and mash were tasty, the Irish Whisky cake with Jameson's ice cream is almost worth the drive alone, but the music was great fun too.

And the evening has been topped off with a visit from the Morgensterns who also brought apple pie and oatmeal cookie dough. Fresh warm pie with ice cream then fresh warm cookies and then fun conversation makes for an evening of win.

And now I think it is time for bed. Must remember to turn back on the alarm for tomorrow.
(I just wish said new laptop would come back from the Windows Update it thinks it is doing. Sigh.)

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Last night I took a break from the embroidery to relax into the heating pad for a bit and then attack the mail-avanche in the foyer. Paperwork purged I went to bed with a flexeril and slept for 9 hours, finally waking up to a pup desperate for a walk. We've now had our 1.5 mile mosey and sniff and she's all crashed out on the living room floor.
I should make the guest bed, spend some time cleaning the sewing room, and head out to yoga, but the snoozing Ladybug has powerful sleep vibes.
I hope folks are having dry fun at the tourney today.

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If happiness is a warm puppy, then I should be in the height of bliss.

Personally I'll settle for content, and I'm sure she'd like more noms and noggin rubs. The rain outside makes the fire within all the more welcome.

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At this 76th session of the University of Atlantia, in the fair Shire of Cathanar, we recognize the contribution of one whose exceptional dedication has been key in maintaining and expanding the University system of the Kingdom. A dedicated teacher and student across the wide spectrum of arts, this gentleman has given freely of his time and energy to serve the University of Atlantia in body and spirit. With fulsome thanks, the Honorary degree of Doctor of Arts of the University of Atlantia is awarded to Master Eldred Aelfwald on October 3rd, Anno Societatis 44.

Attested to and conferred by
Genevieve d'Aquitaine, Chancellor
--------------

So this Chancellor gig isn't all bad. ;) University this weekend was lots of fun. Though the session was small, we happy few had a good time. Muchos Gracias for my many wonderful instructors, and eager students.

Of course making the trip ten times more enjoyable was Jimmy and Kit's fine company. Whether it was our driver keeping us laughing and entertained during the road time, helping me with the load of stuff, my faithful registrar keeping everything on an even keel such that I could kick her away from the table to take some of the rapier classes, and making sure I was up and on site in time. Early risers that they are, they even let me sleep in this morning a bit. Big thanks go to the Cunnings for the fine dinner choice and amazing company for Saturday evenings activities. I even got to meet the cute and energetic Yap Yap.

Good weekend. Perhaps I'll read a bit in bed before crashing out. Although it almost seems a shame to disturb the snoozing pup and snoring husband just to drag them upstairs. :)

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Yesterday and today have been spent managing the pain in my jaw, head and neck. I went to the dentist on Wednesday afternoon for a new impression for a new nightguard and a filling. Apparently the time was rougher on me than anticipated, and I'm frankly tired of the ow. Yesterday I had oatmeal and applesauce for breakfast, tomato soup for lunch, and a very mushed up lean cuisine meal for dinner.

Today I graduated back to adding raisins to my oatmeal for breakfast and had sweet potato soup and some mac n cheese for lunch. Alan called to see if he could pick up steaks, salad and corn on the cob for dinner and I had to whine that it would be fine for him but I'm still sore. So instead on the drive home I get an offer of fresh homemade soup from theodorad for dinner. I got home, took pain meds, crashed out on the couch with an ice pack on the back of my neck, and woke up to a delivery of tomato soup, butternut squash with ginger soup, potato salad and a truly scrumptious lemon curd sponge cake. And it came with entertaining company as well. Best!

I'm truly undeserving of such a fine friend. I'd like to think I'm undeserving of the headaches too, but gardens don't grow without rain, right?

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I have a cute husband snoring on the couch, and a tired pup crashed out on her bed while I watch more of the Dirty Jobs marathon.

We've had a fun full weekend. Spent Friday night at home out on the patio enjoying grilled streaks with mashed taters and a crisp salad. Good food, lovely weather and the best company of my sweetie and our pup.

Saturday I slept in nice and late, made a yummy brunch of the leftover steak and some eggs, and we got on the road to Arvonia. I got to embroider while Alan drove to the farm, where we got to see the progress made and spend some time with friends. Saw Cyndi's progress on her embroidered sleeves, plans for Tom and Heather's new country home and plot, and awww over the poor gimpy feet. After dessert we said our goodbyes and made our way to M&M's place for more pup play and good conversation with Mike and Kirsten before crashing.

Sunday dawned with the sound of the pond waterfall, the occassional frog chirp, and eventually fresh scones for breakfast. While we had fun company, we got back on the road home before noon. The pup spent most of the time crashed out in the back of the truck, but I did try to keep a bit of vigilance for the cool truck I spotted on the way down. In Warrenton I saw the truck again so we pulled a u-turn to go inspect it. A pretty silver 65 Chevy truck with a 350 engine and locking hubs for 4x4. Nice old truck.

Once home Alan was useful and the pup and I napped solidly. But we had more plans for that evening. Around 5 we headed up North to the Toscano's to help celebrate Carla's birthday, which also gave the Bug time to run around with the beagles. The food was as good as anticipated, the company was charming, and the conversation never ceased to entertain.

Today we did some shopping at IKEA (alas a bust), Lowe's which was mostly window shopping, Behnke's for crape myrtles, and Home Depot. I sandwiched the shopping with the Dirty Jobs marathon on the Discovery Channel and some work organizing UofA class proposals. Not a bad weekend at all, but I could use another one.

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Here comes Ladybug
Here comes Ladybug
Right down Olivine Lane
She's got a sniff for every shrub
That's planted along the way
Hear her leash go jingle jangle
See her sniff with delight
Hide your bunnies and all your squirrels
Cause Ladybug walks alright

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Squirrel update. I shouldn't have named them in my head. I started referring to them as Bubble and Squeak, since only one of them seemed to be vocal. When I called to check on Tuesday Bubble had passed on but Squeak was hanging in there. It seems that Squeak passed on this morning as well.

*pout*
Something from Leverage last night about not being able to control Life is ringing true about now.

In their cozy environment after drop off on Monday.

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Squirrels. Cute and wiggly baby squirrels.

These little guys appeared in our path while walking Ladybug last night. They were actually in the middle of the sidewalk, one on our way out and another one on our way back. Alan picked them each up with his hankey and moved them to under a nearby hosta in hopes that momma might find and rescue them. Alas they were both still there this morning, only dirty from rolling around in the dirt.

So I was already running late, but I found a shoebox to line with papertowels to place them in, cleaned them up, tried to get them to take some water from a qtip, and placed them in the box on our front porch in hopes that I could find someone to take them to a wildlife rescue center. No luck so far with finding alternate means of transportation, and I'm considering taking a long lunch to make the run to Rockville myself before this afternoon. As soon as this work requirement is done, I'll check work email and see if there is anything pressing, and then get on the road.

Then I can also change out of my dog-walking shoes and into work shoes. Sheesh, what a Monday.

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Hey Theo*
I'm in ur garden stealing ur tomatos.
Pink

The Harvest

But don't worry, the deer and I haven't decimated them,
there are some waiting for your return before they ripen.
Especially on your hanging plants

And on your cherry tomato plants

*btw I was texting her for permission during said theft, and she was happy someone would eat them since Roland won't eat them raw and won't take the effort to cook them.

The small handful of cherry tomatos was yummy!

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This morning our fourth and final lotus blossom of the Summer bloomed in all it's glory.

A week ago we lost the fairest of the fair. As I sat admiring the flower this morning some parrallels struck me. Let's start with the obvious, for it is lovely as was she. Her favorite color was pink and on the first day the blossoms are a gorgeous shade of pink. It smells nice, not overpowering, but sweet and delicate. They both have a heart of gold. Each lotus blossom takes a week or two to form and is only with us for a brief time, but completely worth the wait. The large leaves of the lotus provide shade and shelter for the fish and frogs and other fauna. And finally the lotus can be surprisingly fierce. Much like roses have thorns, the lotus has rough bumps on each stem forming a serated edge to cut out anything not working in harmony with it.

Or I could be a bit nuts. Regardless, I wore all pink today, from my scrunchie to my shoes, in Courtney's honor.

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The rain barrel is full for the first time since installing it. The sound of rain on the pond and awning is soothing. The feel of rain splashed up on my toes is cool. The smell of the rain pounding the Rosemary is pleasant.

Ahhhhhh...

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"My friend, according to the book, This parting is temporary
Your essential being isn't really gone
Were you scared on your last journey, did you suffer long in darkness?
Will you greet me when it's my turn to pass on?
It's impossible not to be saddened as you meet the eternal dawn

So Goodbye my old friend
I hope that if I see you again
You will recognize me past physical array
They say we walk into the light
And all souls as one there unite
So I know it's just goodnight when I say
Goodbye my old friend"

Goodbye My Old Friend
Beth Patterson
Caught In The Act

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Back sailing for another day. I took a turn at the helm for an hour or so. Warm, but breezy enough to be fun. Got the genoa up for a bit, but proved too rough to maintain easily. We are hapily bobbing about in the Gulf of Mexico now.

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Doing about 5 knots in the Gulf of Mexico aboard the Roselynn Sky. Alan seems to be enjoying himself at the helm. Ahhhh...

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Testing posting to lj from my new iPhone. Certainly not for long diatribes or essays, unless I get really good with this keyboard. But I am alive, still at work, and my feet and back are getting sore.

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