~2008 Edition~

01/26/08** It's 2008 and already 26 days into this new year!!!  Hooking up the new computer has caused me to be a bit behind with some updates here but...AH... s'all good I'm still working our site from the old computer but that will only be for a couple more weeks and then we'll be flying by the seat of our pants on the new one.

If you remember McCoy was having a pretty good time without hurting anything...YEAH well that has ended.  Last night he was outside, it was dark and I could hear him barking with Teddy next door and I called him in.  Well as soon as he came running in I could tell something hurt he some how cut the inside of his back leg.  He wouldn't lay down to sleep all night long and today...to the vet!!!  It looks worse then it is, even the vet said it wasn't that bad.  We have to clean it twice a day and he's on an antibiotic for 10 days.  Oh yeah, on the way to the vet is when he decides to catch a few zzzzz's and right on lap in the passenger seat

I can't complain about the weather.  It's damn cold but we've only had small dustings of snow, that's a a good thing.  Even Mike has been bundling up for work cause of the cold... he says, "the old gray horse just ain't what he used to be' AND I go no where with out my gloves.

02/01/08** Isn't it the greatest feeling when you can get something done much before you thought you would Hold on... cause we're flying by the seat of your pants from the new computer.  One last check of the old one and I think I've finally finished the move.  Time to get the decorations up for Valentines Day.  Ya know it's much easier to decorate in cyberland then my home...and to take down and put away too

03/09/08**  Mike and I decided to paint the kitchen.  I, of course, wanted something different then just normal paint so we went with Ralph Lauren River Rock paint.  I don't usually buy designer paint but I like the texture so we go for it.  Well, here it is 4 weeks later and we're still painting the kitchen and we gave up the technique on the first day.  We had painted one wall, good thing it was the one with the double windows, and the paint looked blue.  It's NOT supposed to be blue.  OK... so we have to prime which we really should have done in the first place but....oh well.  We prime the rest of the walls and paint what we can so some stuff can be moved back and don'tcha know it I have to touch up the ceiling...we weren't going to paint the ceiling....BUT now we've painted the ceiling  All that's left to be painted now is the wall behind the stove   It looks really nice

03-15/08**  After 5 years we finally ordered the SO needed shed for the back yard.  Mike is really excited (I mean like a kid with a new toy excited) and I'm just beside myself knowing that we won't have to spend another Spring and Summer with all the stuff stored on the back porch.  We got a great deal on it and it'll be here within 3 to 4 weeks...delivered and assembled for us on site...and all included in the price Wonder how McCoy's gonna react to this   It seems Deb & Susan are doin' some spending also...I heard something about some new furniture and Mom & Ted are talking of re-doing the kitchen in their Florida house.  We count our blessings that at this time of foreclosures and recession we can have these luxuries

03/17/08**  For my Irish friends....Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!!!

04/13/08**  I love when Spring first rolls around.  Everything is all new and growin'.  Sometimes tough on the allergies, but it's so nice to see a new season begin.  Oh... I so have to catch you up on some news!!!  OK...the shed was delivered and assembled on the 2nd.  Much earlier then we thought but...WooHoo!!!  We still have to finish making the ramp, we're on a slope and the one that came with the shed isn't long enough, and then it's all about interior design   I asked Mike if he needed curtains for the windows but he told me 'men don't put curtains in their shed'...it was quite funny   It's like a little home away from home...

I've added flowerpots to either side.  We're gonna try the tomatoe plants there this year.  Wish us luck....please   I'm not planting as many herbs this year.  My chives and mint are in pots and have been coming back every year and now I've moved them to under the big tree.  They'll get shade and sun there.  Of course I'll keep you updated on them cause our plantings do seem to become a saga every year   Speaking of a saga....the peach tree is blooming and it's so pretty.  Cheers for getting peaches this year   The cherry tree it budding.  Wonder if we'll get a cherry

And now some more big news......I got a new toy...no not the car TOYota....a new laptop!!!!  Her name is Little1 and I can't wait to be sitting out on the deck surfin' through cyber world and waving to Mike in the new shed   Susan got a new PC for her birthday, which has really moved her into a new cyber speed and I just know Deb wants that new MAC laptop but she's holdin' out Mom and Ted have completed the kitchen makeover in their Florida house...very nice you guys

Mike spent yesterday with his family doing their annual Fantasy Baseball Pool and then the annual 'after the pool' card game  With such a large family and you throw in all the friends, that can be quite a competition   He doesn't get to see his family much, but he really enjoys the time he does spend with them.  He's very close to his family...it's and endearing quality 

Tomorrow is my birthday.  I'll be 49.  How did I get here ... and I'm glad that I have

09/01/08**  Happy September 1st The summer was hot, humid and stormy and since I haven't written since April I have a lot to say. McCoy's annual check up is always in the spring...May.  I called to make his appointment later in April, like I always do, and got the saddest news.  My vet had passed away of a sudden heart attack a week earlier.  I was so sad.  He was like family.  I trusted him like he were my own doctor.  He was also Hatfield's vet, one of the reasons it made my heart even heavier   The new vet we chose is more local and came with excellent credentials from coworkers.  It's a vet clinic made up of all women so I knew this was going to be a real change for McCoy....and...OH...let me tell you about our first visit!!!  The vet is located off a pretty busy road but nice parking in the back.  McCoy and I get out of the car and of course he smells every thing, body and animal that's been there and we go off on a sniffing expedition.  I steer him towards the door, he's just frolicking along and suddenly he realizes what's going on, puts on his brakes and some how manages to back out of his collar.   Just then the UPS man pulls up as I'm screaming...HELP!!!!  He was such a nice guy.  He helped me try to catch him and it was a good thing McCoy had to take a poop cause it sure would have taken a lot longer if he hadn't   The UPS guy even held him for me while I put his collar back on.  I was so afraid he would head out to the main road and they fly on that road and....  Any who we get inside, wait our turn and when we get in the room he did all he could to get OUT.  He backed up to the door, he stood with his nose in the door jam like someone had sent him to the corner and even held his nose up under the door knob   anything to get OUT!!!  He all about broke my arm pulling to get back IN the car It must have taken a lot out of him cause he laid right down for a nap when we got home and I learned we put him in his harness next visit

It was so hot this summer that again my herbs didn't do so well, but not cause of where they are but cause I just couldn't seem to give them enough water.  We got a few tomatoes and are now getting small amounts of hot peppers which you know I'll be putting in my jam/jelly   The peaches were a SUCCESS this year!!!  I've made up 24 jars of Peach Jam   We still had to compete with the squirrels, but I think we did better then they did this year   We lost a limb, do to the weight of the peaches, so we decided to trim back the whole tree.  Next year we're gonna try netting it.....may mean more jars of peaches but really at this point I think it's a competition between Mike and the squirrels and Mike is determined to win   It's funny really...the squirrels seem to be edging Mike on. We picked the first and biggest batch of peaches on a Sunday night with the thought in mind to get the rest after work Monday.  The squirrels had been in the tree while we were at work and left hidden messages around the yard.  Check'em out...

The one hidden in the planter really made me laugh   I can't say I blame the squirrels....it was a fight for moisture and the peaches do taste damn good

Mike and I have also been making beer.  I bought him a Mr. Beer maker last year for Christmas.  The first 2 batches were really good.  He's even given some to friends and they LOVE it. We've named our little adventure '2Labs Homemade Brew'.  I've even made up labels for the bottles   It's been fun Check out our quart size bottle

We didn't have any parties this summer.  It was either to hot or we had thunderstorms.  Now that fall is on our heels I guess we'll be closing down the Tiki Lounge for another year soon.  Maybe we can fit something in before though   We got new neighbors.  They moved into PopPop's house. They're younger then us, they take nice care of their yard, which is a great joy to Mike, they have 2 dogs and don't mind our barking 1      

12/31/08**  Click for the next edition....see you in 2009

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