Just Hanging Out

At the lake the other day I saw this guy - hanging out on this log.... minding his own business

And as he turned around and watched Katie row by  I realised - he had the  Best Seat in the House!

Heading North for the Winter!!?

They're off  - my nephews are off to be with their dad in Alaska!  A whole country away!  

 It's going to be very strange not to have them here... although we didn't get to see them very much with school and work and everything keeping us apart during the week....

Just knowing they were here, close - where we could get together for a special occasion - like a birthday party - or christmas, thanksgiving, halloween... you know - all those family times when you usually see each other.... made it ok!

Needless to say - the boys were really excited to see their dad...... and those of us left behind will be ok..... eventually!

Puppy sitting Casualty

So last weekend we puppysat my sister in laws adorable... energetic corgi puppies so she could attend the UT football game....

They absolutely LOVE to play with our dogs and the four fluffer-butts run in and out of the house ALL DAY LONG!!  Which is great for them.... and works to keep the activity in the house down while they race around the back yard then come into the house to cool off for a bit - then do it all over again.

The next day, however, when I was outside feeding the squirrels - I happened to look back over my shoulder and saw THIS backing itself down our tree.....right off of our deck...

 My guess is that with all the wild furball activity the night before... our nightly masked visitor (who comes to finish off whatever the squirrels don't eat during the day) probably got treed and never had the opportunity to leave... then fell asleep in the tree when it got too late.... He was trying to sneak away when I caught sight of him.....

When I started talking to him, however... he quickly reversed direction - going back up the tree and started circling towards the back of  the tree to try to get out of sight.... but - it was bright out and he was tired... so I think he thought he was invisible... when really - - - I could see him quite clearly!

Even the branches really didn't really help hide him since I knew where he was - but after taking a few pictures - I left him to exit gracefully and just enjoyed the moment I'd had with this furry visitor!

Squeeker, Squiggles, Squigbert, Benny and.... Barbara?

We've had an invasion of cuteness at our house.......

 Not IN our house exactly.... in our back yard.... we had a visitor a while back - and apparently - she had a family.... and... well - you know.....

Our family being the pet rat owning type... we've had a little trouble knowing what to do with them..... but when one  turned into two then three then five - we decided we'd better make some choices before they decided to move INTO our house this winter.  And, as much as I love our domesticated pets... the thought of a non-domesticated rat in my house (cute as they may be) really icks me out!!

 So - we have been trying the Haveaheart - catch and release trap... in hopes of catching the whole family and relocating them to the woods away from peoples homes..... so far, however, these little critters have outwitted us - taken the bait and run laughing into their holes....

life is but a dream...

Katies new Passion ... rowing .....katie has been practicing with the oak ridge rowing team the last week in hopes that she'll get to be a young 7th grade rower on this years team! And finally - yesterday - we got the news.....

She made it!! She'll be a reserve this season but the coach assured us that everyone would get to race. Plus.... Next year she'll be one year more seasoned and a year ahead of the other 8th graders that will be just starting!

So - now - it's daily practices on the lake - with blisters and sunburns - and a lot of smiles and camaraderie! Can't wait to watch those long boats fly!