Purrrrr-lease Let Me Introduce

Another fine member of our family. It's official...."Patton" has been adopted and is well loved by everyone in the house. He is the antithesis of Sophie - playful, loves everyone, visible in the house when the sun is out, and purrs like there's no tomorrow. [Sophie in her defense does purr, loves Lester and I (only) and when the stars are aligned, shows herself (briefly) during the day ;] We decided to name him Patton due to the fact it was Memorial Day weekend and Lester felt he should have a patriotic name. My first thoughts for his name were Sampson (and "De-Lexi"), Lancelot, then we got into the patriotic aspect and started with Revolutionary era names.... Jefferson, Washington, Harrison, Benedict (Arnold - well, not so much), Revere etc., but we didn't find anything we liked. Then we started thinking more contemporary and agreed that we liked Stormin' Norman Schwartzkopf or "Scwhartz." That lasted for about 12 hours, and Lester just couldn't get "may the schwartz be with you" out of his head, and it just didn't seem right. That's when Patton came along....and it stuck. He even had the patriotic collar to go with the name. Very fitting. [A very small disclaimer to our good friends the Frey's....we hope you don't mind sharing the name ;]
It's going to be an interesting summer - I'm swapping dog watching services with some friends, so Patton is going to find himself confined to our bedroom while the dogs are in the house, but I'm sure he'll fare just fine.
Patton and Lexi get along just fine....with Lexi just a bit on the rough side. I'm sure she'll back off once the kitten's nails sharpen up!! (I clipped them in case Madison got too rough...go figure)

Oh and one last thing....to all the animals that are looking for a good home near me, THIS animal rescue is at full capacity. Please try the house four doors down on the left.

They Make Your Mouth Water Don't They?

We spent part of our Memorial Day together picking strawberries at a local patch. It was easy to tell the berries that Madison picked as they were all leaking red juice from her "powerful grip." Corben was the pro picker/spotter, and we filled our flat pretty fast. We didn't even make it half way down the row and had more than enough. When it came to weigh and pay, I got a little nervous thinking it was going to cost an arm and a leg but was thrilled to be told that our over NINE pounds of berries was only $7.60. You can't even get that many at the super WalMart for that price. We might have to go out again and get more before they're gone.


The rest of the afternoon was spent in the movie theater watching the new Indiana Jones movie, riding Corben's dirt bike, barbecuing some delicious burgers and we topped off the day with some fresh strawberry shortcake of course!

His skills are improving -- here he's trying to ride dirt track style!

Now Seriously

Is it the rule that when you take in a stray the word gets out in the animal kingdom that you have an open door policy?? If this is true, then word is spreading here like wildfire. Tonight while I was repotting some garden seedlings I heard a mewling kitten. That is a definite sign that it is a young animal. I do have an affinity for cats as it is, so I peeked my head over the fence hoping to see someone walking down the street with their new pet. Uhmmmm, not so! I quickly went out front with Madison in tow and we sat in the rocking chair to see what the dealio was. Shortly thereafter, I saw a small fur ball coming down the neighbors driveway. I whistled and "kissed the air" [animal lovers will know what that means] and here came this kitten bounding into our yard and right up to my leg. GEEZ!!! Like I said, word is spreading. I checked with the neighbor to see if perhaps it was his and that was a big negative. I'm sure this guy has a family, since most stray cats aren't friendly at all and don't come running up to you. I've already posted on craigslist in the lost and found, and the pets categories. Jack Hannah -- be aware....I'm trudging into your territory or so it seems!

On another subject, my garden fence/tomato trellises are finished and I've already planted some corn, green beans, peppers and eggplant. My seedlings (as mentioned above) are slowly getting used to being outside and will be planted shortly. I have strawberries and sungold cherry tomatoes coming in the mail and those will get planted as well.

We went to the fair two weeks ago and just who do you think we found there? I hope you're jealous, I was within reach out and grab distance :]

(disclaimer -- person in picutre may or may not be who you are led to believe....you decide!)

Four Paws, Seedlings and More Progression!

This is definitely a power packed post - I have been MIA for a few days.... Well first and foremost, our family has grown by four PAWS. Yep, the little poochie that had no home has found her place with us. Introducing Lexi Gebski......the object of constant adoration from Corben and Maddie:
I've been working with her in the evenings after the kiddos are in bed to teach her some manners, and hopefully soon she will be able to walk on a leash. Cesar Millan [the true Dog Whisperer] has provided some very insightful and helpful training/behavioral tips in the videos I found at the library. I AM a pack leader in this family! ;]

Switching gears, here are my seedlings for the garden [three days ago]. I have everything in there from tomatoes, squash/zucchini, watermelon, cantaloupe, pumpkins to flowers for the front yard. Shortly after I took these pictures Sophie decided to sharpen her teeth on a few little plants and I lost a pumpkin and a cucumber leaf.
















I need to harden off the seedlings before I can plant them in my newly roto-tilled, soon to be fenced [Lexi deterrent] garden plot:
My little flowers have started to grow in the front yard as well [you might have to see the picture larger to see them]

and tomorrow I'll be putting in another rose bush, a cosmos and some more day lilies. I'm definitely working hard on my farmer's tan, I'm sure at this point I'd win the prize for "ghost shoulders." Perhaps I'll get a picture this weekend....no promises! ;]

As far as progression.....I'm getting closer to the final product. My friend Elizabeth was vital to the current state of organization -- She is an amazing organizer!!! We're going to continue getting things put away and more functional, and at that point I'll be able to scrap/sew/craft any time I want. So local friends who want to scrap or make cards.....the end is in sight!

Wild kingdom, or should I say animal shelter?

...yes, I've done it again. Let me paint the picture for you; one fall day in 2007 after walking Corben to school, we happened upon a stray dog. The location of the school is on a busy thoroughfare and drivers go pretty fast. The fate of that beagle was certain death if I had let it go, as there are animals hit very frequently here in our city. I took in the stray dog, which neither had been house trained or any good manners to speak of. I thought I'd do a good turn and find the dogs home, since it obviously had one as it was wearing a nice collar. I drove the dog to a vet to check for a microchip (none -- highly recommended for all you pet lovers out there!!!) which was an adventure as the dog detested riding in a car. NEVER again I said! After 30+ signs and a few long days, the owners called and came and picked up the dog. Happy ending.

So fast forward to yesterday -- again after walking Corben to school, a little stray dog wandered up to my friend and I. I must say, this dog is a total opposite of the previous canine. Friendly, sweet and not aggressive. As sweet as she was, I couldn't think of her getting hit and she is mostly just skin and bones. She's still a puppy but my guess is at least 3-4 months old. No collar this time, and with lots of fleas and ticks (I was thrilled) so I'm almost certain she's been abandoned from the get-go. Corben thought it was a great present (HA!) and Madison wants to spend every waking moment with the pup--they want her to be here for good.... The shelters here in our area are bursting, and I would have a hard time taking her to the pound for a certain fate. I'm probably going to post some flyers just in case, but I doubt she has a family. Anyone looking for a canine to add to their family? ;] I'll keep you posted as to the outcome!