Ms. Seneca

We had to say goodbye to Seneca, our fuzzy family member, this week.  I can't tell you how difficult this has been.  Seneca brought us such joy, laughter, and comfort every single day.  She had a wonderful 13 and a half years...just doesn't seem long enough though.  We are trying to focus on the good memories.  The void that is left in our home and in our family is deep.

The first picture ever on my blog was of Seneca.  I was newly in love with Mike, early in our relationship.  At the time, I was a doctoral student and TA, and worked a lot at home.  When Mike went off to work each morning, Seneca would come to my house for the day.  She would play with Mylo (my roommate's dog, who is well missed too), or she would chase the chickens, or she would sit right next to me while I worked.  It was around this time that I was inspired to start a blog.  It was a new wonderful relationship with Mike and with his dog.

Seneca loved new friends, she loved the moms and grandma's, she loved little kids who stood at her level because they were close enough to kiss.  She loved treats and sneaking on the couch or leather chair while we were out. Seneca loved new toys and all of her dog cousins and dog friends.  Right to the end, Seneca would become super pup when she was outside.  She loved going to parks, and loved snow.  A few weeks ago, we had just a light dusting of snow and I took her out for a walk and she instantly turned into her pup self, running in the snow all excited.  She just had so much love in her and it spread around her.

She was our fuzzy and loving family member,  there for us every moment.  Words can't say enough, words can't explain this loss.  We will miss her forever.

Did I tell you about Ophelia?!

Another belated but important blog post - I have a brand new, gorgeous niece, Ophelia Wren!  We met her when she was just 5 days old!! I am in love again!! She is a little bundle of love!!

FOUR YEARS!

Happy 4 Years of Bliss, Babe! I had some techinically difficulties so this is a bit belated but I wanted to stop in and say that I am the luckiest gal ever because I have this amazing and wonderful partner next to me in my life.  Love you!

dealing with sandy

Well, it has been a week since Sandy hit our area.  It has been hard to learn of the devestation left in her tracks.  Memories of Katrina are stirring.  Friends with no heat, seriously scary long gas station lines, power lines down all over...There seems to be an outpouring of help, though.

I had a bit of survivor's guilt because we never lost power.  They say 90% of our town was in the dark, and for a week, but we were in this tiny pocket of town with our lights and heat and tv.  We had some family in and out to charge and eat some hot food.  One evening, Donna wanted to eat dinner by candlelight.  So we had a Bring-your-own-flashlight Risotto party.  Mike and I made Lemon Risotto and Donna made Mushroom Risotto.  We enjoyed eating in candlelight by the fire.

Donna and little mike finishing up with stirring

donna's beautiful table despite darkness

donna and big mike ready to eat

Mike and I also attended a black tie wedding despite power outages.  our friends had to haul in some major generators but the party was on! By the way, Mike and I didn't realize it was black tie until 2 days prior to the event and when everything was still closed post-storm.  Luckily Michael helped us out with some black tie assessories.  After 6 hours in a gas station line and a few guys with a siphon, we were ready to party. 

Sewing area

I have the best husband.  He scouted out an old fashion sewing cupboard at an antique store around the corner and dragged it home.  It was just the piece of furniture we needed to finish out my little sewing corner.  It stores fabric and thread and little notions and also, my machine for when we need to use our dining rooms as an actual dining room!  It is so awesome.  It was in great condition, but the top was a bit rough so I whipped up a little runner for the top.  A reversible one so I can flip it when I am in the mood for a change.  I love my sewing cupboard so much!!

Auntie time

Well, this auntie was lucky enough to keep her auntie hat on for a whole day last week!  Kevin had a training in the great state of Jersey and Holly had to work, so the boys drove to our house the night before Kevin's training.  The next morning, Kevin and Mike went to work and I got to hang out with Orion ALL day.   This auntie did a whole lot of singing, coloring, and puzzle making.  It was a special day! xox

Embracing new

We just unpacked our last box in our new home this weekend!! We actually got to enjoy dinner in our dining room.  It is actually our dining room/record collection area/sewing corner, and it is a work in progress (the fun with living in apartments - rooms are sometimes multipurpose).  However, it is organized just enough to be able to eat at a clean table!! We have also been enjoying the new neighorhood around us.  We get a nice feel, when we are walking the dog, just a lot of nice people around and it is always active and alive.  We walked to a few antique stores nearby yesterday for fun, and our favorite Italian restaurant is just an 8 minute walk away! The best bagels I have ever had are dangeroulsy close too...

It's been about 5 weeks and we are nicely settled into our new home.  It is nice to be on the other side of moving.

Mike, selecting the dinner music.