Miscellaneous

Don't you love that word?  Miscellaneous.  I do.  And I can't do it the injustice of abbreviating it. Misc. drives me crazy.  A beautiful word like Miscellaneous has to be spelled out!  Don't you think? 

Just wanted to let you know that I haven't fallen off the face....I'm still here.  Just super busy, as always.  

Last week was an emotional week.  It was Clara's last week at her old school.  I'd always dreamed of sending one of my kids to a Waldorf/Montessori/Reggio oriented school.  It finally worked out this year and I was so happy.  This school was really close to home and small and I loved it.  BUT, as is typical for her, my Clara had other plans.  It just wasn't a good fit for her!  Oh, I did everything to try and make it work and I probably dragged on longer than I should.  I was going a little coocoo. You see, it was the perfect school for ME.  And I had a love connection with one of her teachers.  Let's just say that a lot of tears were shed last week.  I knew I'd miss the school, especially the curriculum and overall philosophy, but mainly Ms. Lisa.  You should have seen us saying goodbye to one another, crying like babies!  I will truly miss seeing her everyday.  I also knew that, while I needed more time for myself (Clara goes to school longer at her new school), I'd miss my little doodlebug.  She had a stomach bug last week and it was hard but I took some pictures to look at when I'm missing her.....

What I won't miss is the copious amount of laundry I did last week.  Whew!

What helped get me through?

As always.

To my delight, Clara is CRAZY happy at her new preschool.  She squeals in the morning when I tell her she gets to go again.  It's pretty obvious that she loves it and it's going to be a better fit for her. The good news? I can scrap those dreams of the Montessori education. That was an epic fail.  But at least I know now...and I'm happy we tried it.

We also went to visit my parents (and Kenzie) this past weekend for my Mom's birthday.  But I'm a total dork.  Even though I dragged my big-girl camera all the way to Lynchburg, I didn't take a  single photo.  Argh.

I did finally have my parents and my grandmother take the NY Times Dialect Quiz.  Have you taken it?  It's too much fun.  If you're really honest and answer according to HOW you speak (as opposed to how you'd LIKE to speak or how you think you speak!), it's amazingly accurate.  Take it and let me know how it turns out.  NOTE: this quiz is really only good for Americans.  You might even learn a cool new word like I did.....kittywampus.  My family is so sick of me using this word.....but it's fabulous and it cracks me up!

The real reason I haven't been blogging is because I've been watching these guys.  I am so addicted to these owls.  As are a bunch of my friends and family who are constantly texting and emailing with "owl updates".  If you haven't watched the owls yet, please check them out.  It's the most exciting in the evening when they're awake and active.

In addition, I've been reading TONS.  Over the past couple weeks I've noticed a lot of talk in the blogging universe about how most bloggers are introverts.  I found that interesting.  I don't think it's a secret that I'm a strong introvert.  So I broke down and finally decided to read this book....

.....and it's kind of blowing my mind a little bit.  Have you guys read this?  And are any of you introverted bloggers?  I'm curious....

There's so much other stuff.....I could go on and on.....but I'm meeting a friend for lunch.  WHAT?  Audrey is meeting a friend for lunch?  Unheard of.  I can't even remember the last time! But this is a HUGE benefit of Clara's new school schedule!  So exciting....

Before I leave, I wanted to share my new favorite picture:

Because, even though this winter seems like it's going to drag on for all of eternity, I truly do love winter and snow and cold.....and I REALLY love my Sophie. (photo taken by Alain)

Oh and ONE LAST THING.  We helped rescue a dog yesterday.  Luckily he was microchipped and his owner came to claim him.  But he was overweight and untrained (and RIDICULOUSLY strong).  He wasn't vaccinated and didn't have a current rabies shot. He had no collar and no tag.  He had a collar from an electric fence (which we all know DOES NOT WORK!) but the owner admitted that she knew the fence wasn't working.  Not to mention that he'd been wandering for at least a good hour and a half (if not longer) and she didn't even notice that he was missing.  But the worst part?  When she walked in, I was sitting in a corner with this dog (Zach) and my two crying, screaming children.....and SHE DIDN'T EVEN SAY THANK YOU!  My heart was broken.  It ruined my entire evening.  I couldn't even feel good about getting him back to his home because he has the WORST DOG OWNERS EVER.  This type of thing is devastatingly sad to me.  Have you ever had an experience like that? I really need to let it go and move on but it's hard for me....

Okay, enough with the Miscellaneous.  Hope you're all well and happy!

XOXO,

Audrey 

The New Feeder

After my Bird Walk, I bought a new feeder.  Bugs, Nuts & Fruits.  

It's a large cylinder and it looks a little something like this....

Yum yum.

I was very curious how long it would take my birds to find it.  Would they like it?  Who would eat from it?

The sweet Chickadees found it first, within a few hours.  They dipped and dived and pecked at it for hours.

Then it was ON.  I don't think there's a single bird in our yard who has not feasted from this awesome concoction of treats!  I was happy I put it up right before the snow.  It was THE PLACE TO BE during those two days of heavy snow.  See for yourself!

After the Chickadees, my man Harry was the next to arrive.  He pretty much made it his mission to live next to this new feeder.  Without fail, if I looked out the window, he was sitting on the branch right above.  My friend Carissa was here for a while last week and she was amazed at how he stayed in that one place dipping down to get a snack every once in a while.

Then came the Blue Jays.....

There was a pair....one would snack and the other would hang out on a branch above, almost like he/she was on lookout duty!

Anyone recognize this next bird?  I have no idea what bird this is but he/she is a cutie!

Then came the Robins......and I was amazed....I've never seen them eat anything from a feeder.  They're ground feeders!  I'm assuming this was because of the snow!?!?

And, of course, the wren was there a lot.  He's one of the easiest birds to photograph because he's less skittish.

I didn't get any pictures of the other bird visitors but I can assure you there were plenty.  Even my sweet Towhees.

Anyway, thanks for indulging me.  I was so thankful to have the new feeder last week.  It was almost like a little project I had to keep me busy!  I just noticed this morning that the last piece of the feeder was eaten off this morning.  I'm hoping the bird store has another one in stock.  When I bought this one, it was the last one on the shelf.  And now I'm kind of addicted.....along with the birds!

An Old Lady in the Snow

My Dad sent me these pictures this morning.  My Kenzie, age 14, playing in the snow.  

I don't think I've mentioned it on the blog because I have a hard time getting the words out BUT, in mid-October, Kenzie's vet gave her yet another death sentence.  We were warned that her time is limited (um, HELLO, her time has always been limited!).  How much time, we asked with tight hearts, knowing that no human can really answer our question.  A few weeks to several months they told us.  Need I point out that it's now mid-February?  She's winding down, yes, and her legs are slowly giving out on her.  Yet here she is......deep in the throes of another winter....spriteful and as beautiful as ever in the snow.

My Kenzie Snooter.  Always defying the odds.  Still amazing me.  In her old age.

In her old age!  You can't imagine how happy it makes me to type those words.

In this picture, I can still see her 4-month old puppy face!

Kenzie, hang on another week and a half because Mommy is coming to give you some love!

I miss you, my first baby.

XOXO

PS ~

This is Jada, Kenzie's "bestie".  I hold her largely responsible (along with my parents, saints that they are!) for keeping my Kenzie alive and well.  Jada always keeps Kenzie company and loves her as only another dog can.

Thanks, as always, Mom & Dad!

JEEP Weather

When we got a little stir crazy this afternoon, I decided to take action.  I went out and shoveled the driveway. It took a long time and I was sweating my ass off  (there was a frozen layer ~ whew!).  Why would I do such a thing?  

So the girls could drive the Jeep around, of course!

I loved when Sophie carved out a little "parking spot" in the icy snow.

Look at my big girl!  She won't be able to even fit in the Jeep much longer. The Jeep was a gift from my parents for Sophie's third birthday. She was too small to fit in it at first and look at her now!  Sniff sniff. 

She takes her Jeep driving seriously! 

Yep, it's a Jeep thing.

I hope I'll be able to move my limbs tomorrow morning.

Whew.

Snow Daze

Like most of the Southeast, the girls and I have been snowed in at home for two days.  Alain's been traveling for work so I went it alone.  Whew.  I am WORN OUT but, overall, had a REALLY wonderful time.  I will always be thankful for these two days alone in the snow with my girls....

I am ALWAYS happy when I get to put on my snow boots.

With our neighbors' two girls.  LOVE.

Clara and her "bestie"

I can't get enough of this girl lately. Love, adore, admire her.

One of my absolute favorite things in life.....untouched snow, speckled with sunlight.  Truly divine.

  

This morning we had the most beautiful snow I've ever seen with flakes the size of quarters.  The girls and I just stood in the middle of the street with our arms out turning in circles....laughing and giggling and smiling the entire time!

I purchased some fresh flowers in advance of the storm.  I knew they'd help get me through!

The birds have been AMAZING!  Our yard has definitely been their hangout during the storm.  The girls and I walked the street behind our house this morning.  We walked along in the quiet but, as we passed our house (in the back), we suddenly noticed tons of birdsong.  We stopped in our tracks and listened for several minutes.  It was so awesome and made me incredibly happy!  More bird pictures to come....

Okay, one more view of the lavender flowers.

How else did I survive?  Well, we had many dance parties to "get the wiggles out".  Out of thousands of songs, we chose Macklemore.  Oh Macklemore!  "White Walls' was my personal favorite during this storm and will probably always remind me of these two days.

Tonight the girls and I had dinner with our neighbors and, as we walked back home, we couldn't believe how beautiful the moon was.  Full and bright. I have no idea how to get a good photo of the moon (need to study this post!) and you know this silly picture does not do it justice.  It was the best I could do with a screaming child in my arms!  As I closed the garage behind us my only thought was that this perfect moon was the best ending to our two snowy days.

Hope all of our Southeast family and friends stayed safe and warm!

XOXO