Friends, now and forever

I’ve mentioned Cathy and Judy several times but I’m not sure if I’ve included their photos, so here they are! They were our “witnesses” at the VRC (Vow Renewal Ceremony). Cathy and Judy were of course the moms of Skipper.

And here is Skipper, along with Spenser, from exactly two years ago today.

Huey Dandelion Kneeland has no doubt met up with them at the Bridge. I’ve known Sue, Huey’s mom, for many years. She very generously and skillfully handled reader questions to Beagles on the Web (before I gave the site to Caron). Sue, your whole family is in my thoughts. May Huey rest in peace.

We’re home!

First off, many, many thanks to Courtneay, Lance and Maggie for taking such good care of the boys. They were waiting when we got home on Friday night, and while they were just a tad confused for a day, as you can see everything and everyone is back to normal. Second, I just loved Courtneay’s photo of Sherman on the laptop and it will definitely go on the 2012 calendar! And third, I’m so sorry for Sue K. and her family on the loss of Huey Dandelion. I’ll post a photo of him this week.

Guess who? Is he a manly scuba diver or what?

This is me and that’s a sea cucumber. They sit on the sand at the bottom with their relatives the starfish. Sea cucumbers are amazingly soft.

Thursday was our 20th anniversary and we renewed our vows on the beach. It was really lovely. Our friends Cathy, Judy, Ron and Sharon all attended, along with the people who were sunning themselves near us. We had a lavish Jamaican fruitcake with champagne after the ceremony. And now we enter the next 20 years! I wonder if that’s when he’ll learn to replace the empty toilet paper roll?

Thanks, Mark…

So out we went, bright and early, eager to walk and/or run on the path that Phillip so gallantly snowblowed. Only to find that our neighbor, out of what I presume was the goodness of his, took HIS snowplow and redid the entire path.

Unfortunately, he made it worse. I ran one loop in 11 minutes, miraculously remaining on two feet the entire time, then called it a day. Back to indoor pursuits!

Thanksgiving recap #2

Talk about special walks! In Brooklyn you have to get dressed up. No mud boots here!

After walking the boys in the rain, I decided to lay down next to the fire to warm up. Next thing I knew, there was an English Mastiff who wanted scritchies. Let me tell you it’s not easy saying no to an English Mastiff who wants scritchies.

Little Schnookums

If you’ve been following the comments you’ll know that Phillip posts under the moniker “C Siding” and that yesterday he called me not only “sweetie” but “love cakes”. Phillip and I call each other “Laurie”, “Phillip” and (mostly) “Bink.” I am Laurie, he is Phillip and we both are Bink. He’s never called me “sweetie” and I’ve only heard “love cakes” as in “I love cakes but I love pies more.” So where did this come from, you ask. Well, two days ago in the comments he wrote, “Where have you been I use dehydrated cow manure every year. I just keep the dogs out until the garden is covered” and when he brought it up again while inspecting the garden that night I told him he’d been way harsh, especially with his brazen use of bold. So now you understand? See if you can count the number of new pet names he comes up with today. (Oh, and yes indeed, those are in fact his sunglasses. Oops.)

Excuse my paw

The winner of the caption contest is Ollie for Bark, who goes there?.

The runner-up is FannieMae’s Mom for Can you see it? Over there we will plant the garden, there will be a big apple tree there. The house will have a wrap-around porch with comfy rocking chairs and a colorful rag rug. The kids will be in the backyard on the swings that I will put up. It will be wonderful.

And many thanks for all your anniversary wishes! Phillip and I took the boys for a long special walk and then we went to our favorite pizza place and clinked plates over our many years together. Next year — Jamaica! — for number twenty.

Happy Anniversary

And speaking of couples, today is Phillip and my 19th anniversary! We met in September of 1990, had our first date in November, were engaged in January and married on April 14, 1991. We invented the word “whirlwind!”