Monday Dog Blog: Dog Days of Summer

Sibling Love

Every once in a while I capture a moment of pure sibling love. 

A Moment of Peace Before Tovah Got Mad At G for Being In HER Space

And my heart melts a little bit every single time.

This Fancy Fountain is for Me, Right?

Summer seems to be flying by for us. The days have been relatively cool, so Gershwin hasn't gotten to play in the baby pool at all. Instead, he is satisfied to take a drink out of the fountain on the patio.

Look Who Completed Agility Foundations!

Miss Tovah Rose completed her first Foundations in Agility class with Mom. I wish so much that I could go, but the class is early in the morning, in a warm building and requires a lot of physical exertion. Tovah LOVES to most everything in the class except the teeter-totter. 

Upside Down

All of that hard work completely wears her out!

Whew.

She is tired for the rest of the day!

We Love TV Time

I'd say, in general, her life is pretty good. This was her on my lap tonight while Mom and I watched an episode of Last Tango in Halifax.

Evening StRoll at the Golf Course

This summer has been glorious so far, and many nights of the week we've been able to enjoy a 'family  StRoll' with Tovah Rose on my lap in the Rolls, Gershwin walking beside the Rolls, and Mom doing the hard work of pushing us. We love this time together.

May you enjoy simple pleasures as well.

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Emily

Monday Dog Blog: G's Birthday Bash

What's in Here?
(G is on the Left, Tovah Rose on the Right)

I think our little G had a good birthday celebration. And since he came into the family as the third child, he is always ready to share and he let Tovah help him open his presents. 

We Learned How to Open Presents from Asher

These two haven't quite learned how to open presents the way Asher used to!

I Got It!

So I was very impressed when he figured out how to get the toy out of the box.

Yay!

And open it!

And I Like It!

I think he liked it. :)

Is That It?

Wow. That Was Hard Work.

Hmmm, This is More Fun

But then, Tovah and Gershwin found Mom's Pellegrino bottle and thought that was MORE fun!

My Buddy

Gershwin opened presents, pre-washed dishes, had an extra taste of goat's milk kefir (which he LOVES and waits for EVERY day when I get my smoothie ready), snuggled with me in the middle of the afternoon to watch TV (a rare treat, but I wasn't feeling well), went for a walk, spent lots of time outside, got to chew on his Busy Bone, and, well, had an all-around good day when it comes to being a dog. :)

Sweet Boy

We hope being TWO is Fantabulous for our little guy!

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Emily

Happy 2nd Birthday to Our Little Light

Happy 2nd Birthday Gershwin Leor!

I asked our little Gershwin Leor Shall We Dance what he wanted for his birthday. Our little light said that he wanted Mommy and Mom to just sit all day and cuddle with him. :)

I sure am glad this little guy never grew out of wanting to snuggle. He really does fit his middle name, Leor, meaning "I have light". His wagging tail, his jumping like a pogo stick, his bounding up on my lap to snuggle, his pre-washing of the dishes, and his adoring personality always light up my days.

He'll be getting a new toy, a box of treats, and plenty of snuggle time.

As I type this, the tears well in my eyes. I can't imagine life without this guy. I can only be grateful that Dayle thought we were the perfect home for G and that we took the huge leap of faith to get a third dog, even when we knew it was a wee bit on the crazy side. 

Life is immeasurably better with my little G and little T.

Blessings,

Emily

Our Arts Fest Outings

My New Jewelry Set by Will Olney of Olney Originals

My sweet sixteen continues. I made it to Arts Fest again this year, as we were blessed with a cool, cloudy (and bit rainy) Thursday afternoon. Mom and I spent four hours StRolling around the festival. The joy we feel in being able to engage together again in these activities we love so much is difficult to express. Our hearts were so full at the end of the day on Thursday.

Double Ring Necklace

Last year, I mostly focused on buying artwork for my bedroom and bathroom. But towards the end of our time at the festival last year, I had seen jewelry by one artist in particular that stuck with me--and when the festival guide was published I eagerly checked to see if Olney Originals would be back again this year. And he was!

Even after four hours and probably about 150 booths--I still knew this was the purchase I wanted to make. 

When I showed my purchase to Sarah and Bob, Lana chimed in to tell me how much she liked it. :)

I have so enjoyed every piece of jewelry and artwork that I picked out last year, that I again splurged and treated myself to something special that I know I will enjoy for years and years--and that will remind me of my sweet sixteen. Until this year, I had never treated myself to nice jewelry!

Necklace with the Longer Earrings

Just as I was deciding which piece of jewelry to purchase from Will Olney, in rolled a thunderstorm. So Will joined us on the porch of one of the houses across the street while we waited out the storm. How fun to chat so long with the artist that I bought my jewelry from this year. 

I couldn't decide between the two pairs of earrings--a longer pair and a shorter pair--and in the end Will gave me the shorter ones for free! Mom bought me the matching bracelet and put it away for my birthday. I'm not sure why Will spoiled me, but he did, and I will certainly enjoy every piece of this set.

Engaging with the artists and supporting their craft is so much of what makes going to Fest such a soul-filling experience. I remember the pieces we bought at Fest over the years--whether they be hanging on our walls or a piece of jewelry like the opal ring I got for my 21st birthday. I remember the pieces we purchased and the time Mom and I spent together enjoying art and each other's company.

Love the Different Ways the Necklace Can be Worn!

After our big outing, I did not suffer from a major ANS storm--no forceful heartbeats, sweating, or other bothersome symptoms. I felt tired and happy, but not sick. I did not even need extra meds for sleep! This is definitely due to the mestinon!

I did wake up on Friday feeling very tired--and rather than following my gut to relish in what we were able to do on Thursday--I tried to go to another festival in town where we met Dad and Abbie for dinner. The festival was loud, crowded, hot, and sunny--a brutal combination for my already overtired self. I came home terribly sick, and spent all day Saturday feeling miserable. 

As I start to feel better, I struggle even more with pacing. I want to do and try everything--sometimes all at the same time! Ha! Sometimes, I need to remember not to enter every single door that opens, and instead, close them gently and give my body and soul time to renew and restore. It's okay to choose a night in--eating BLTs and watching a movie over going out to a big festival. 

Life is as much about the quiet moments as it is about the busy, active ones. I will gently remind myself of this next time my gut says 'no' and my head says 'yes'.

I'll never forget our Thursday at Fest this year. And all of the fun ways I've gotten to 'get my pretty on' this year and express my personality--with jewelry, clothes, and make-up. It's so much fun!

Blessings,

Emily

Baking Cookies with Lana

Baking Cookies with Auntie Em (In Coordinated Outfits)

Guess who else visited during Fest week? Miss Lanadoodles and family. 

When Lana arrived I was scooping dough to put on cookie sheets, so she helped me make the rest of the cookies. Sarah did all of the 'hard labor'-- putting all of the trays in the oven, taking them out, washing all of the dishes, and putting all of the cookies away. Seriously, am I spoiled or what?

Tovah and Gershwin with Sarah

The puppies thanked Sarah for her hard work by cuddling with her. :) 

Cookie Time: Bob and Lana

After baking the cookies we made sure to enjoy some!

Sarah, Bob, Lana and I had a wonderful visit--listening to the Frozen soundtrack, baking cookies, playing hide and seek, playing with my dolls (who are now named Elsa and Anna--and both seem to have a peanut allergy), getting lots of hugs, and catching up. Lana just turned four--and she's at such a fun age!

I love you all! When can I start counting down to the next visit? :)

Love,

Auntie Em

Monday Dog Blog: Toilet Paper Extravaganza

Look What I Did!

Aunt Ellen visied us last week for a photo session, girl time, and pedicures and manicures. Many months ago she had given each of the puppies a wrapped roll of toilet paper. I kept one for another visit so that Ellen could enjoy watching the unveiling of this wonderful gift.

This is SO Fun!

Tovah grabbed the wrapped roll, trotted off to her bed and had a blast!

Um, Helllooooo, a Lap Please?!

G had little interest in the TP, preferring instead to camp out on the recliner hoping for a lap to snuggle in.

How Much Cuter Can I Be?

That Was EXHAUSTING

Tovah Rose worked so hard shredding that roll of TP that she wore herself out! 

Asleep In Shredded TP

We just may have discovered the quickest and cheapest way to tire out our little girl.

Summer Fun Toenails

In addition to entertainment from the pooches, Ellen and I got to catch up and have fun with nail polish. 

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Emily

Fest Is Here: Kate Visits!

Kate and Me

It's one of my favorite weeks of the year--our town's arts festival. Last year was the first time I had actually been to Fest since getting sick, but every year I can't wait to see my friends who come into town for the festival and to visit family. 

Sometimes a larger group of us manage to get together, and we really missed being able to have Jess with us today.

Still, I got three hours of one on one time with Kate--which is something that is a tremendous treat. The comfort of being with childhood friends never changes. In fact, I think it just may get better and more meaningful with each passing year--the comfort, the authenticity, the ease of being together, and the knowledge that we're in this for the long haul. 

Can't wait to see you again in three weeks for the reunion, Kate! 

Blessings,

Emily

Monday Dog Blog: A Gotcha Day and Some Summer Shots

Wanna Cuddle In Bed Now?

Since we're back to the grind of a Monday after a long holiday weekend, it's a good thing the puppies have provided me with lots of entertainment for my Monday Dog Blog.

Our Water Boy

July 2nd was a hot and humid day--perfect for some fun with water! The puppies were headed to the groomer the next day anyways.

Gershwin and Tovah Rose

They sure do look better all cleaned up!

Our Girl

Even though Miss Tovah Rose had spent the day at the beauty parlor on her Gotcha Day, she had very little interest in being photographed. Little stinker!

Princess On Her Gotcha Day

But here she is, our sweet little Twinkle Toes, on her Gotcha Day--July 3rd.

I'm Still Stinkin' Cute

 I cannot believe it has been two years since we brought this baby into our home and our hearts. She's changed so much! 

Rough Life

When I tried to take her photo by the pretty pink hydrangeas, this is where she settled instead. 

Get Me Out Of Jail!

Stubborn little thing!

No More Smelling Like A Wet Dog

Gershwin, on the other hand, was very much into having his photo taken. He's a loved and happy boy, but oh, those sad sack eyes get me every time!

Sure, I'll Pose For Some Pics

Don't I Look Handsome?

Sad Sack

I am not sure why, but Gershwin loves to settle in near the dappled willows or cypress. 

I've Got A Good View Here

Can You Find Me?

Oh! You're Home From The Library. Good. I Needed A Lap.

Mom made a visit to the library. Upon return Gershwin was eager to settle in for some cuddling. It is hard for us to even sit down completely before Gershwin has leapt into our laps. Sometimes, when he anticipates we are ready to sit down, he jumps up in anticipation of the lap that will soon be his.

Maybe I'll Read This One

Tovah tried to tackle And the Mountains Echoed.

I'm Not Sure Reading Is For Me

But she got sleepy.

It's Always A Good Time For A Nap

Gershwin didn't show any interest in reading.

Spooning

And while most of the days are filled with friendly wrestling, spending time in separate beds, hanging out by the fence and watching the world, and sometimes even full on fights--I caught this moment of sibling love.

We have learned that while the puppies are at the groomer they are inseparable. When one is out of sight of the other, s/he cries--especially Gershwin. They even share a crate when they are at the groomer! 

One day, when Mom left to take Tovah Rose to agility class and I was still asleep in bed, I heard Gershwin howling in distress over the absence of his big sister. He was not comforted until I brought him in the bedroom with me, or until our cleaning person, Sue, sat with him.

Four Paws and Two Lowchen Tails

Since that Gotcha Day two years ago, my heart continues to swell with joy and love for these fur babies of mine.

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Emily