Day 59 - Bittersweet

Today was a sad day for me. You may recall a few weeks ago I posted about being mad at my big dog, Metro, because he bit my small dog. The week after the biting happened I took my Yorkie, Gomer, to meet my dad who is a Veterinarian in Kentucky. As it turns out my little dogs arm (leg) was actually broken in the fight. To make a long story short, my mom brought him home to us this weekend on her trip down to visit. After talking with my mom, I talked her into keeping Gomer. Indefinitely. This morning I dropped him off to her because she stayed with my sister last night. I had no idea how sad I would get as I was crying like a baby all the way home! Although he has really put me through the ringer and doesn't really behave all that well, he's still my dog and I do love him! I've had him for what would be 9 years this year. I know its a good thing. My mom has a little yorkie and they will play together and he will be much happier. He's just not getting the attention he needs and deserves here anymore and he will never learn and get along with the big dog. I'm happy that my mom took him and I can always see him or even bring him back home if I want. So. Its a bittersweet day for me and my photo of the day today is a collage tribute to my little Gomie.

Day 58 - Puffer the Truck

Meet Puffer. He's an old work truck of my husbands that he bought several years ago. We named the truck Puffer because it smokes. A lot. Like big, black clouds of smoke out the tailpipe. Hence, puffer. These days Puffer has become more of a piece of yard junk that stays parked in the back of our yard by the storage shed calling my sons name. He loves to play inside the cab of this junkie old thing. I asked Chris to take O out for a bit today while I did some cleaning and this is where I found them. Owen was having a blast hanging out this window and asking me to get in the truck. I got a lot of really cute shots of him hanging out in Puffer. Or hanging out of Puffer, rather. I wonder if I can sell this truck behind hubby's back and how long it would take him to notice. Afterall, he mostly only used it to take the trash to the dump and since he started slacking on that I signed us up for trash service. Sometimes a girls just gotta take matters into her own hands. I may just have to put it on Craigslist and put the money I make off of it towards a new lens fund. ;-)

Day 57 - Cousins

My mom and granny came down tonight to spend the night with us. I ordered pizza and my sister and her son came by as well. It's great to visit with everyone. I can't get over how big my nephew is getting! Here's the cousins, O and Jordon!

Day 52 - Top of the World Restaurant

Ahh, I totally got my days off and messed up the numbering! I got out of line at Day 52...we were in Vegas and went to the Stratosphere. The view from the top is amazing! This pic is of the the sun setting over Vegas from 1000+ feet up. We were having appetizers at The Top of the World Restaurant.

Day 56 - Momma's Horsey

As a treat from Vegas we brought Owen this horse trailor and truck set with a set of 4 horses. I have to say it has been a huge hit! I was in the Kids store at the Flamingo looking around at everything and finally decided on this because he doesn't have anything like it. The closest we have is a tractor and trailor. Its been such a hit that we had to take it away the other night when his buddy came over becuase neither one of them wanted to share and were fighting over it. Who knew?!? That's my horse there in the foreground...momma's horsey. Or the one that O and Chris have deemed mine. Chris told Owen that was my favorite kind of horse and that if I was going to get a horse it would be like that one. He's close. I'm not a fan of the patches/dots on it, but I do love those lighter colored khaki horses with blonde hair. I think I'd look good sitting on one of those...until it decides to throw me off...that's a story for another day. :)

Day 55- Puddle

I missed yesterday so I'm posting two pics today. :) I just took these about 30 minutes ago. I took Owen out for a little while. Although its rather chilly out there, we needed to stretch the legs. Here he is stomping in a small puddle on the top of our hottub cover. It sounds scary but no worries, he won't go through. We stayed out for about 30 minutes and I had to basically carry him back into the house because he didn't want to come in. Everything is so gray and ick. I'm so ready for spring!

Day 53- Bye Bye, Las Vegas

I shot this one through the window of the shuttle back to the the airport yesterday. That's Mandalay Bay in the background there. We went to Mandalay Bay the first night we were there to a bar called Minus 5. It's an ice bar. They give you coats and gloves and you go into the the really cold bar and everything in there is made out of ice, down to the glasses you drink from. I've never experienced anything like it. It was so cool! Literally! :)

Day 51 - The Bride

Meet my friend, Misty. The beautiful Bride. She's the reason we went to Vegas, her wedding. She wanted me to take some pics of her and the groom and their families before the ceremony in the gardens at The Flamingo. I have a lot to edit from the shoot, but this is one of my favorites so far.

Day 50 - The View

We stayed at The Flamingo in Las Vegas. This is the view from our room...and also one of the only two pictures I took with my camera this day. We were right across from Caesar's Palace. I think hubs is on the phone with his parents checking on our little man here enjoying a cup of coffee.

Day 49 - Leaving for Vegas

Our little trip to Vegas has left me behind on my bloggity blog...especially since internet was going to cost me $13.99 per 24 hours in our hotel. This is from last Thursday. Meet Chris, my cutie husband. We're at the Nasvhille airport here waiting on our first flight to Dallas, our connection to Vegas.

Day 48 - Hello Mr. Blue

As I post this I'm watching an even more stunning blue bird at the feeder tree. He's so...well...blue! I don't feel like getting my camera and swithcing lenses again though. These birds are in love with our feeders hanging from our curly willow tree. I have to admit I think they are pretty cool to watch. And take pictures of. Oh, now there's a red bird/cardinal out there! So pretty. Anyway...I'm waiting on my in-laws to arrive. They should be here any minute to stay with Owen while we're away. I've been cleaning for forever it seems and have started to pack (lay things on the bed), but am not sure what all to take! I forget what 65 feels like! hehe. Tomorrow peeps, I'm leaving on a jet plane! Wahoo! Will try to blog from Vegas, but if not I'll certainly be taking pics. Talk soon!

Day 47 - Fatty

My gosh, look how fat this bird is! He/she certainly isn't starving this winter! Is she getting ready to lay eggs or something? Ha! That's how clueless I am about birds. Can you see it? I love how it blends in with the two different color fences so well. That's my fence and my neighbors fence. In an effort to get some more creative pics during the dreary days of winter, and to give O and I something to do, we went and bought 2 bird feeders today. The little guys/girls have already found the feeders. It didn't take long at all. I never knew how difficult it would be to grab focus of these little guys. They are fast! I got a really cool pic of one flapping his wings at the feeder, by sheer luck, but focus is a little off. I'll post it as well. I'm inspired by Owen's bird feeder he made at school and by some really cool pics I've seen of birds. We will see how this goes. Maybe I'll learn some of the different kinds of birds now. Note to self - do not fill up the bird feeders in the kitchen floor...unless you want to sweep. :)

Day 46 - ICE

We woke to more snow on the ground today. Nothing too crazy, about an inch or two. Its been flurrying today on and off as well. This is an icicle hanging off the bottom of our grill lid near the handle. The deck is about as far as I made it today. I'm counting down the sleeps until I'll be in warm, sunny, Las Vegas! Well - 60s and sunny, Las Vegas. I'll take that. It certainly beats the 20s from today. 3 more sleeps!

Day 45 - Cupid is My Homeboy!

That's what Owens shirt says. You can't see it all because of that little pink bag he's holding that contained my Valentine's Day gift! My two favorite guys got me 3 new charms for my Pandora Bracelet. An "O", a "C", and another one that has a bead the color of Owen's birthstone dangling from it. I love it. I love my bracelet. Can't wait for the next charm to come along. I never got around to getting a specific Valentine's picture of Owen in his shirt so I wanted to get one today. Just ignore the breakfast bar he has shoved in the corner of his mouth. :) I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day with your loves.

Day 44 - Woodpecker?

Maybe? That's what the hubby said anyway. I've taken an interest in birds lately. More specifically in trying to get pictures of birds. I have no clue what the different birds are but they are always in our backyard and around here. I'm wanting to make some more of those homemade bird feeders with Owen and get some bird seed/feeders. Then maybe I can get some good bird pics! I took this one today through the front door after Chris told me that there was a woodpecker in the tree. I always thought woodpeckers were bigger, but maybe this one is a baby? Or better yet I'm probably just dumb when it comes to birds! This probably isn't even a woodpecker. That would be funny. It's not perfect, and my focus is a little off, but I guess its a start to my bird pics. I'm probably gonna need to use my tripod for some of these so I need to get my feeders in place. :)

Day 43 - Team Umizoomi Trance

O has a new favorite show...Team Umizoomi! He will sit and watch the same episode over and over and over again! Ahhh, thanks for introducing him to this one Dad! At least its somewhat educational. They teach about shapes, counting, math, etc. I'm a day late in posting again. We went out with some friends last night for dinner at Bonefish Grille and then drinks at BWW. It was so nice to have an adult night out! Anyhow, I took this one yesterday as I was getting ready for our big night out. O was on my bed having a snack and in his Umizoomi trance. Hence the crumbs on the face..and tv catchlights in his eyes!

Day 42 - Yogurt Face

Another pretty uninspired day from me...I sure wish it would warm up and Spring was here. Hopefully next week I will have some nice shots. This time a week from today the hubby and I will be in Vegas!! Oh I simply can't wait! Owen dumped nearly 1/2 a bottle of Johnson's in the tub tonight. Yes. That much. I left him with his father and thats what happens. I thought I was never going to get all the soap out of his hair...I may not have actually. I learned tonight that 1/2 a bottle of Johnson's and the jets make a HUGE amount of bubbles. I grabbed my camera since the bubbles were practically to Owen's shoulders. It was hilarious, but none of the pics turned out to my liking. Anyway, this is dinner after his bath. With his Donald Trump combover, santa pj's and yogurt face. He be stylin! :)

Day 41 - Painting with Water

Yep. That's what he's doing. That's my cup of water that has become his imaginary "paint" while his hands became the "paintbrushes" and my table the "canvas"...as far as laying across the table...I'm not really sure what that's all about. He's probably just trying to get that mess to reach as far as he possibly can...or licking the table or something. :) No telling! There's not much artistically going on with this shot but I wanted to share it anyway. I had great plans of posting a pic of him helping put together his Valentine goody bags for school tomorrow, but that didn't happen once he found out we were putting gummies in. Quickly he became distracted. I did get a few of him dropping some candy in a bag, but this one makes for a better memory. Sometimes all I can do is just laugh and let him go with it...and take a picture!

Day 40 - Bath Time

Day 40 was the first day that I have honestly forgotten all about posting my pic until I was in bed. In fact I think it may have been the middle of the night when I woke up and realized I had forgotten! I did take the pic, but then I got invited out to dinner and Target with some lady friends so I couldn't pass that up. It was much needed. So by the time I got home my blog totally slipped my mind. Here we are, day 40! Wow!! I always think of the great flood, 40 days and 40 nights...hard to imagine if it has been raining this entire time that we have been doing our blogs. That's a looooong time! Wow. Anyway, enough rambling on. This was taken at bath time last night. Its hard to believe after this huge smile that he had actually just thrown a near 20-30 minute fit not long before this because I made him stop watching a show and come upstairs. He is very stubborn....wonder where he could possibly get that? :)

Day 39 - The $3.99 Hat

I stopped in a local gas station last week...Sugg's Creek Market to be exact. Uh huh, how's that for country sounding? hehe! As I was getting ready to pay I noticed they had a hat selection hanging on the wall. Mostly old caps, but this little (well bigger than I thought it was) blue hat was hanging up there and caught my eye. So I asked how much it was. It has probably hung on that wall for YEARS. It was only $3.99 and I was thinking that it would make a cute photo prop or hat for O, or both! After washing away the years of wall hanging this morning I wanted to get a pic of O in it. I got lucky with this shot. He wasn't really digging the hat, maybe because it was a little damp still from the washer, maybe because I actually wanted him to wear it, who knows. I did get several really cute (mommy goggles on) pics! This is my fave. Its got a little brim on the hat but its turned sideways on him. The hat matches his jammies that he is still in from last night. I'd say the $3.99 hat was a steal!

Day 38 - Sick essentials

I'm posting this one a day late...Owen and I returned home last night around 8pm and I was too worn out to do much, although I did take a pic. I think this is probably where my hubby spent a lot of time while we were out of town. That's him in the foreground. Check out the side table armed with the essentials - water, gatorade, crackers and three phones. Not sure why both house phones are on there?? There's also a remote on the chair and heating pad draped over the side. He did get up and clean some things before we returned home. I'm not so sure how well he did so I've already had my can of lysol out again this morning. :) He says he's feeling better and did go to work today. I sure hope so because he kissed me goodbye this morning as I was still in bed. First kiss I've had from him in days! I'm praying that we're in the clear of getting this awful stomach virus. I guess time will tell.

Day 37 - Waiting on Fish Sticks

Owen and I got the heck out of dodge today. The hubs is still sick, well worse today, so we decided to just get while the getting was good! We're back in Kentucky staying with a friend for a few days. This is the boys watching Dora this evening waiting on their fish sticks to finish cooking. Thank goodness for portable DVD players. That's all I gotta say. :) I'm gonna keep this short since he's running wild here. Will post more tomorrow!

Day 36 - My husband is sick. I hate my countertops.

Lysol pleeeeaaaaase be my friend. My husband came home sick today. Fever of 101.5. Jeesh. I've been on a lysol mission ever since he came down from his quarantine confinement in our bonus room to make something to eat. I even sprayed down the microwave buttons. I do not want my son or I to get this. I'm sooooo very over sickness. I'm hoping the groundhog was wrong and spring will come sooner rather than later. My title says it all. My pic today is probably my most uncreative yet...I'm lucky to even have a picture today...but it's life right now. These are his meds and my army of 1 lysol can and I'm embarrsed to even show my ugly mauve formica countertop. Our kitchen is going to be under remodel very soon hopefully. We're replacing this countertop, having our cabinets painted, installing a backsplash up to the cabinets of some sort and replacing hardware. Oh the hardware that we currently have. I will not even go there. I am very anxious for this to begin. Its one of the last things we need to do to our "fixer upper" that my hubs is so notorious for wanting to buy. But one thing always leads to another and I'm already thinking of ideas to do after the kitchen. Ughh. Anyway...way off topic here, but yes. My husband is sick. I hate my countertops. Here's hoping the Lysol spares me and O.

Day 35 - Me, My Camera, & My Straight Hair!

Today has been a crazy busy day. Amongst all the craziness, though, I was able to go to the salon and get my hair done. It was waaaay past due. Major root'age going on. It was so lovely to sit there and relax and read my book on my iPhone. Anyway, she straightened it out for me afterwards. This is something rarely seen - Mel with straight hair. I'm a curly headed gal by nature so I feel like a new woman when its straight! A new, sexy, straight-haired woman. haha! As fate would have it, it is of course raining now. I'm sure its just a matter of time before the kinky curls are back. Tis life. I'll enjoy it (and not wash it) for as long as I can. ;)

Day 34 - The Boys

This is O (on the left with the wild bed head) and his best buddy, Drew. Drew came over to our house bright and early this morning because his daycare was opening late. I took him in for his momma. But before we left the boys had a little time to play and watch Cars...that's what they are doing here. It was perfect. I told Owen to lay like Drew...he did because he always wants to be like his buddy...and then I snapped. Well the flash distracted them. I only got this one of them laying down, but I love it. I had to lighten it up quite a bit and also played with actions and textures on it. Boys will be boys and these boys love their cars. The movie. The cups. The car toys are strewn in the background. Boys. Gotta love them. But man I hate that brass plate around the fireplace...must change that this year! :)

Day 33 - No, its not a bear...

...its my big moose of a dog, Metro. Or Checho, as Owen calls him. He's a huge, wirey hair, mess of a thing. Strong. Thinks he's a lapdog. Has eyes that look human. A mixed-breed street dog. I rescued him from my old place of employment. He's actually a pretty good dog, but I'm mad at him today. Like ready to get rid of him, mad. He bit my other dog (5 pound yorkie) this morning and now he's having a hard time getting around. Grant it, the small dog totally brings it upon himself so I don't feel too sorry for him. I'm so over these dogs. I used to be such a dog person...until I had a kid. I simply don't have time for their crap anymore! They've never gotten along, due to the little one with little mans syndrome, and we've had them both together since 2003. When will Gomer (thats his name) learn? I don't think he ever will. I wish I could find a nice home for Metro. On a farm. I wish my dad would take him. Do you want him? I'll ship him to you!!! :)

Day 32 - Change

I need to eat more of this

Grilled Chicken Salad

And less of this

Lofthouse Cookies (notice package is almost empty)

I need to get back into working out. Ugghh. Motivation, where art thou?!? I need to change!