Introducing Lilly Bean!!!

What an adventure it has been so far!!!

Lilly's first two days have been packed full of excitement! The first
day was a lot of sniffing and getting used to being held by both of us.
Lilly didn't want to show us she could even move her little legs... she just
sat and cuddled.

Her first night was a quiet night, no whining at all! At one point I heard some
rustling that continued for about 15 minutes. Because I took Monday off and Derek
was working, we made a pact that I would take her out. Well I decided it was time. I
put on my coat, my shoes and went to her crate inviting her out. Well I have since learned that you are not to make a big deal when getting them out of the crate. When I picked her up... I thought I felt a little wetness on my pajama pants leg, and then I felt like my leg was soaked... however, seeing as thought it was about 2 am I thought no this cant be. Until we got outside and under the light I looked down to note that, yes, I was officially covered in Lilly puppy pee. And so began the bond between me and Lilly Bean!

The next day (yesterday) I stayed home with her for lots of cuddle time and getting used to us, her new family, without her brothers and sisters (sigh, tear). We had a wonderful day of cuddling and meeting people! We met a pet "au pair" who was simply wonderful! (I thought they were called dog walkers... not anymore!!) I was out walking with Lilly... carrying her of course (she isnt quite ready for leash walking) when I met this nice woman who has a Cavalier King Charles named Layla!
Lilly met a big black lab named Wix who was so sweet to her, he licked her ears and Lilly was very friendly! We also met a nice neighbor with 3 children... Lilly got to meet 2, 3 year old little boys and a 5 year old little girl... and was SO sweet! She is a cuddle bug!

Lilly has had a few visitors which she has loved! She has played with them and snuggled with them! She loves all of her auntie's (and she loves having lots of them!)

Things we have learned so far...
1. she loves little nooks and crannies and corners...
2. she isnt quite sure what a water bowl is... perhaps the breeder had some other fancy way of feeding her water...
3. she is alarmed by fire engines (they must not have many where she came from in texas)
4. she loves licking hands (not chewing ... just lots of licking... and her tongue is extremely long)
5. she hearts soft toys!
6. she has not figured out treats yet... so if anyone has any suggestions please send them our way!
7. she loves sitting on dry ground when its raining
8. she is extremely smart.. you show her how to climb the stairs outside once, and shes got it!
9. she is afraid of the poofy white dog from next door, just like we are! (not really afraid.. just a little surprised how such a poofy white thing could bark so so much!)
10. she hearts the color pink and wearing one simple little bow.. she is a lady!

Lilly Bean's Arrival

Welcome to our home Miss Lilly Bean!!!

We are so excited to welcome you to our family!!! We were all ready for your arrival... with a comfy bed, a nice cozy crate (because you are crate trained!), lots of toys, the food that the breeder has been feeding you, treats and of course a cute collar and leash!

It took months to make the decision about getting you, weeks to find you, and more weeks to schedule your arrival and confirm all of the details with the breeder for your adventure all the way from Houston, Texas. For such a little puppy.. that sure is a long way! 4 hours in the plane you traveled... our little unaccompanied minor...

However, you arrived safe and sound... and simply PRECIOUS.

The Last Lecture

by: Randy Pausch

is one of the most moving, heartwarming, and well written books I have read in a long time. It has some similarities to Tuesdays with Morrie; however, touches a completely different set of topics and connects in a different way...

I would highly suggest this book as a vacation read, Sunday afternoon read, train read or plane read... (but have your tissues ready if you are traveling... I made that mistake on the flight home from Naples...my tissues were nowhere to be found and the lovely gentleman next to me asked if I was ok, and politely offered me kleenex...)

As you are reading... I suggest paying attention to the following lessons... they are my favorites...

3. The Elephant in the room
35. Start by sitting together
36. Look for the best in everybody
41. The Lost art of thank-you notes
44. Show gratitude
46. All you have is what you bring with you
51. No Job is beneath you

"That is what it is. We can't change it. We just have to decide how we'll respond. We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand." -Randy

Sunshine and Sand.

Sunshine. Sand. Flip Flops. Rafts in the pool. Laying at the pool. Fresh seafood. Mint chocolate chop ice cream from Kilwin's. Captiva & Sanibel Islands. Pink and green sundresses. happy hour. Girl time.

...Naples.

Our mom and daughter girl's trip to Naples was sprinkled with sunshine and a gorgeous "cool front" of about 75 on the last day. We enjoyed every second and had time to reminisce about all of our favorite Naples memories!

One group of memories involves The Mucky Duck... a favorite restaurant on Captiva Island from my brother and I's childhood... one where we played in the sand while my mom and dad enjoyed one another's compant at the tables in the sand... during sunset! When we arrived at the Mucky Duck, we shared with the hostess that I had not visited the Mucky duck in at least 23 years. They were all amazed and excited to hear about my Mucky Duck memories from childhood! One memory I have is of my Mucky Duck tshirt with a green ringer around the neck and sleeves! It is truly unreal that Sanibel and Captiva survived Hurricane Katrina, and brought back businesses that thrived there for years. During hurricane katrina, these islands were completely evacuated, as they were flooded and the bridge to the islands was destroyed. The islands were closed for about 2 years, and now they are back up and operating with an island flavor life no other! Live music on the streets and an island pizazz that encourages chillaxing in the island breeze!

We enjoyed some shopping and celebrating my birthday a little bit early at a favorite Nashville, Charlotte, Naples restaurant called Bricktops. They have a dessert that is simply divine... a warm gooey chocolate chop cookie served in an iron skillet with vanilla icecream... it was a wonderful way to start some b-day celebrating! If only I could figure out a way to re-create this perfect dessert at home...

The sunshine was breathtaking, the sunsets were like paintings, the water was like a warm bath and the company was simply perfect!


If only I could just stay!

Naples Bound...

I am ready... with my Lilly goodies from our big Lilly Lovers win all packed and ready to go! (by the way.. this fabulous prize included an awesome straw beach bag, some classic pink McKim's, an adorable towel, a frisbee, a deck of cards, a pink wallet, and one of my most favorite parts... Lilly sunglasses!!!!!)

At this time tomorrow... I will be chillaxing in Naples, FL. Mom and I have not had a girls trip to Naples in over a year, so this will be simply wonderful! We are planning on fun in the sun, some shopping, beach walks, a trip to Sanibel Island and anything else that comes our way! All in all it will be a fabulous fun filled adventure in the sun...

I'm leaving on a jet plane...

Dance your cares away, worry's for another day...

Let the music play... Down at Fraggle Rock!

Jim Henson's Fantastic World is a traveling exhibit that is well worth a visit! Derek and I traveled to Doylestown, PA to visit this exhibit at the James A Michener Art Museum with my dear friend Mel from college and her sister Mary. It was a fascinating exhibit filled with a historical perspective of the Muppet's including original drawings and actual muppets...We didnt know what to expect and who the exhibit was geared towards, however, we were pleasantly surprised!

Who knew that the original Kermit the frog was created from Jim's mothers coat and a ping pong ball?!

The drawings and thoughts from Jim Henson were interesting...Grover was originally purple...the first Bert and Ernie looked NOTHING like they do currently... and Cookie Monster had some pretty scary looking teeth. We were interested that there were many spiral notebooks with Jim Henson's doodlings and random story lines for Sesame Street. There were also many pages of his random thoughts about characters and ideas for both Sesame Street as well as Fraggle rock. I would highly suggest this exhibit to anyone able to visit... it is traveling around the country so check some of the museums near you!

Life's fun when you're having flies. I've got a dream too, but it's about singing and dancing and making people happy. That's the kind of dream that gets better the more people you share it with. - Kermit the Frog

When coffee turns into wine...

we had plans for a cup of coffee to catch up... talk about life... in different cities...now that my dear susie k has moved to annapolis, md...

so you might ask, how did that cup of coffee turn into a glass of wine?

well let me explain... we started chatting on my couch the minute she arrived... as dear friends tend to do... we jumped from moving to missing life in the same city, rings & wedding bells, family, work, friends, puppies, good meals, running, healthcare and every topic in between...and two hours later without skipping a beat... sweet derek came in and casually stated, "clearly you all haven't made it to your cup of coffee... how about a glass of wine?!"

and that my friends is how coffee...turns into wine!

Pink cupcakes and Puppy thoughts

What could be better than eating a hot pink cupcake and thinking about getting a puppy?!

We would LOVE to get a puppy... I, personally, have wanted a puppy since graduate school started so we are going on about 5 years now. I have been patient patient patient; however, every day as I bop around on my running adventures I see more and more puppies and dogs and just get SO excited to have one to join our little family! Currently we are waiting to hear if we can have a lil puppy in this home... so we are keeping our fingers crossed!

Now, for the exciting part... you are probably thinking... what kind of puppy would they get? what would they name her?

let me share...
I would LOVE a big golden retriever to train to run by my side, go on park adventures, play in the ocean etc; however, with a small yard and the fact that Derek has never had a dog... I think we will start with a smaller pup! We are thinking about a cocker spaniel or a king charles spaniel... medium sized, great temperament, love to cuddle and also to play, friendly to children.. really a perfect puppy for us! I have also gotten some great recommendations about breeders for king charles spaniels.... and really they are just precious!

now of course, we would love to adopt a puppy from the humane society; however, the application states that you will not even be considered without a fenced in yard... which I happen to think is a little bit silly. I mean really? We will be perfect puppy parents... even though we don't have a fence!

Will keep you all updated as we patiently await...