We're BAAACKKK!

Well... we are back from our trip to West Virginia! It was great spending time with family! I have to say; I am ready for a vacation from the vacation... Boomer and I STILL seem to be suffering from some type of allergy which really affected him most of the trip! We missed Mr. Rondeau terribly as he spent the week in NJ training.

Things should be returning to normal... as normal as things can be here in the land of Goosie and Boomer. The fence is going to be constructed this week in our backyard and there is ALL types of talk about getting a dog. Oh... and some fish. Actually, there was QUITE a discussion at the dinner table last night about what to name a dog. Boomer suggested "WALL-E" or "ROLY POLY OLIE." I can't really invision yelling either one of those names at the dog :).

So.... after a long 14 hour drive back to our great state... we are HOME! We appreciate Nana and Pop Pop putting up with our craziness for a week!

Do it!!!!!!!!

I have been discharged from physical therapy!!!!!!!!!!!
Well... sorta...

I have to go back every four weeks to get "realigned" by my very handsome Physical Therapist... (shhh... don't tell Leo :).

Mr. Jay... the very handsome Mr. Jay... has demanded two things... 5 pounds off every 4 weeks and an assignment:
FIND A YOGA CLASS

I think Yoga is great but... the last time I did it... I went with a bunch of girlfriends from the school I was teaching with at the time... and...

I


fell


asleep..................

I confessed this to Mr. Jay... and now, he is thinking POWER YOGA.

When he said that, he lost a little bit of his "cute."

He's right for reminding me that weightloss is the key to my painfree living. And... I did overdo it once we crossed the Kentucky line and headed towards IL... So... all craftiness aside... I need to drop 5 pounds. It's going to be a long Spring with Mr. Jay.

And Mr. Jay... I got news for you:
When you go to crack someone's back and they tell a joke; don't drop them from laughing... 'cause that means I will have to have more therapy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I mean really... the joke reduced him to tears!

party for one

Anyone care to join me? Yes, it's all going in one bowl... it's been that kinda day.

Passing of Birdman...ode to a Stonebridge resident

If you ever followed our personal blog, you know all about the birdhouse fiasco across the street from our old house in West Virginia. Leo and I would plot and devise way to rid ourselves of the 14 birdhouses across the street from our home.

I remember vividly, the day a most brilliant storm whipped through our area and knocked the poor "gourd" house down... I was immediately on the phone with my fellow neighbors rejoicing in the event... only to look out my window mere moments later to see that it was being repaired and placed back into an upright position, once again.

The male owner of this birdhouse became sick before we left our first home. He always had back problems so we assumed we hadn't seen him due to his back hurting... but no, it was an aggressive form of brain cancer. And... despite our differences over the birdhouse (and their infamous driveway where their van lost control one day and nearly took out our garage) we enjoyed the birdman and it was always something to talk about... like our cars looking as though they were parked at a beachside resort from all the droppings.

Yesterday, we received the call from Boomer's Godparents (they lived right next door to us)... the owner of the birdhouse died. He is gone... second neighbor in about a year. Both to cancer. One neighbor suffered for years and the other had little time to battle... virtually inoperable. It's a sad day here at the Goosie and Boomer house. Despite differences that you have with someone, you NEVER wish to hear of someone's loss. He was a brother, husband, grandfather, son, and neighbor... Now, he flies with his friends, the birds, soaring through Heaven.

My First Dress!

I have done it! I completed my first dress for Goosie! I even made a small tote bag for her! Of course, she needed a hairbow and some fabric covered button hair clips to match! I cannot believe I did this! Granted the material is VERY easy to work with and required only a hem at the bottom and a seam up the back. I added the ribbon straps, ribbon along the bottom, and matching buttons for embellishment... in an attempt to make it look like it came from a boutique. I am nearly finished with my first pillowcase dress for her. That dress cost a total of $4.00 to make! I cannot wait for the warm weather and watching her parade around in her new dress!!!!!

across the beautiful spectrum

This was the view from our patio this evening! What a beautiful double rainbow. This picture really doesn't do justice to the magnificent colors... but, I grabbed the camera in such a hurry!

Our neighbors saw us bounding to the door and they flew out of the house as well... everyone was looking to the sky and enjoying the colors of nature.

This is the second time we have witnessed the double rainbow here... each time in the same exact spot!

Goosie stood at the patio door and sang her rainbow song... what a great evening... as they say, "after the rain, sunshine appears."

dressy donation

Over the weekend, Mr. Rondeau went to Minnesota for work... so... I took the time to complete three tutus for Goosie's school. They have a dress up closet for exploratory time and I had offered to make some tutus for the school. It is my hope that many dreams are created and fun times are had by sending these to school for the little ones to play!I have made the decision to sell tutus such as these. The cost is $25 each plus shipping (I use three layers of tulle). If you are interested, feel free to contact me through this post or email me: hils12ac@yahoo.com. I am currently exploring the idea of working on items for a small show. I would love to customize a tutu for you and your little ballerina!