Do You Ever....

....feel like you are on a treadmill in life?  Frantically rushing forward, but getting nowhere? I can't seem to shake that feeling.


This little online journal is so important to me.  It is a way to document my life, and to connect with so many of you!  I cheer for your successes (CONGRATULATIONS BRYNN!!), and mourn your losses.  As silly as it may sound, this blog gives me much happiness.  No matter what is going on in my life, it is here.  My constant. 

Lately I blog in my head.  Which is fine and dandy, but it hasn't seemed to make it "to print" often.  And that makes me sad.  I don't want to forget last weekend.  I don't want to forget Louis being a scaredy pups in the storm on Saturday.  I want to remember it all.  I also don't want to bullet point everything to just "get it down".  I want to document the story.  And I feel as if that, the most important part, is getting lost in the shuffle :(

But I won't stop trying. 

This weekend I took some T time to recoup from my trip to Austin.  I had been to the nursery a few weeks ago, and purchased bunches of plants.  I also purchased a Knockout Rose that my mother bought for me for my birthday.  It's finally in the ground:

I also planted a few more flowers, and got things looking a bit more "spring-ish" in the back yard :) 

On Saturday, Smalltown, VA had quite the storm!  Lots of thunder and lightning and other scary things.  Louis usually likes to stay near me during a storm, but isn't overly terrified.  This storm was different. 

He did not want to come out of the blanket.  And do you know what?  I didn't make him :)  I snuggled him and loved him and let him feel safe.  Because that's what Mummys do, right?

On Sunday, TEN and I did a mini wine trek.  Just the two of us.  We visited two wineries that neither of us had been to before, and we met the most lovely people. 

It was a sunny day in the 80's.  I wore a sundress, and actually got a little bit of color on my shoulders and cheeks :)  We tasted the MOST GLORIOUS Sangria at one of the wineries, and the owner gave me the recipe.  I can't wait to spend a Saturday evening on the patio enjoying some.

We also learned about a local Dog Rescue Group, and I have connected with the people that run the organization.  I'm really excited to learn how I may be able to help out! 

All in all, one of the nicest days I've had in a long time :)

Last night I attempted to mow the grass, and to put down some grass see.  "Tried" being the operative word.  Apparently you are supposed to replace your air filter and spark plug in your lawnmower every year.  Who knew? 

The man at the True Value Hardware Store glared at me over his spectacles.  "I'm sorry", he said, "you haven't changed your filter or spark plug in HOW MANY YEARS?!?!?"  I hung my head and mumbled the answer.  He replied "WELL!  It's a wonder your poor lawn mower has lasted this long!" 

Of course, they were out of my air filter AND my spark plug.  I had to restrain myself from saying "How could you be OUT of lawnmower filters and spark plugs?!?!  DON'T YOU KNOW that this is the time of year when people are changing these things on their lawnmowers?!??!" 

Instead, I shuffled out of the hardware store with my head hanging.  The other two hardware stores were out of what I needed too.

Needless to say, I did not mow the grass.  I did, however, put down much grass seed.  I hope it takes root before I get the replacement parts for the lawnmower :-o  Louis made a game of running around trying to eat the grass seed before it landed on the ground.  Although he wasn't very successful at catching it in his mouth, he did a bang up job of catching bunches in his fur.  Silly pups.

After I worked in the yard I did another round of my It Works! wraps.  I wrapped both thighs and my stomach/side.  I swear, this stuff really does tone you up.  Or something?  I feel much more toned today.  I didn't measure myself, so I have no scientific results to share this time...but I feel better.  And that, my friends, is worth all the money in the world :) 

Today Daisy and I went to visit Marilyn Monroe in the hospital.  Never fear, never fear...Marilyn Monroe is fine!  She had to have surgery to remove a cyst from her innards and such.  She's out of surgery and fine.  She looked absolutely beautiful propped up in the chair in a hospital gown.  Very few people have that much natural beauty :)  She is going to be out of work for 4-6 weeks it seems, and can't really get around well at the moment.  No cooking class this week, but Daisy and I are prepared to bring cooking class to Marilyn Monroe as soon as she feels up to it.  Who is going to let surgery and a hospital stay interfere with their cooking knowledge?  Not these girls!

Tonight is Wine Club.  I'm ready to guzzle a bottle right now.  And that scares me.  Perhaps I should take Louis for a walk to simmer down a bit before I head over? Hmmm...

Happy Tuesday!

T