As Seen Recently

Recent Randomness -

1. A few weeks ago we went to Historic Occoquan for the first time.  It's a cute little riverside town with a variety of shops and restaurants.  We had lunch on an outdoor patio overlooking the river.

Then we did some browsing at a number of stores.  My favorite was the dog bakery where we got Allie a mailman-shaped cookie. 

2. After many calls to local pharmacies, we were able to find quadrivalent (four strain) flu shots at a nearby Walgreens.  While waiting for our shots we saw all sorts of weird things that Walgreens carries.


"Digestive health - it's a good thing."

Everyone on my Christmas list
is getting one of these this year!

3. And because Allie using a tiny pillow is about the cutest thing I've ever seen, I'll leave you with this:

Curse You, Ragweed

I've spent the past week suffering from ragweed allergies.  It's amazing how one dumb plant can cause so much misery.

curse you, ragweed!

My allergies really caught up to me on Saturday and I spent the day on the couch.  However, it was a good couch day because:

1. it rained all day
2. the Gators were playing (and won!) and
3. Allie spent the day with me

This pretty much sums up our couch day:



laying around

cuddling (I feel as bad as I look)

eating Reese's

However, in the midst of my suffering I was able to actually get something done and have a good experience.  I was privileged to meet singer/songwriter Jason Gray and be in charge of his green room prior to a local concert.  If you haven't heard him before, check this out:

Here's part of the green room that greeted him on his arrival, including some awesome cookies that I found at our local bakery.

He loved the cookies and even posted a photo of them to his Instagram page.  And the concert he gave was awesome - I'm so glad I was able to be there!

Costume

J thinks this is animal cruelty, but I think it's cute. 

Our Allie Gator will be an alligator for Halloween!

Here is the response J sent (from Allie) after the photos were taken:

Allie's Journal - Day 339: Today the tall ones - specifically the one I'm forced to refer to as "Mommy" - introduced a new form of mockery in yet another attempt to break my steely resolve. She intends to parade me around in a minstrel show they refer to as "Halloween." The purpose of this occasion I know not, but I can only assume that my new ceremonial garb is to distinguish me from other captives during their twisted festivities. Give me strength, journal...I feel I shall need it.

p.s. My only hope is to appeal to "Daddy." He has managed to dissuade Mommy from dressing me in such regalia before...my fate is in his hands.

They Say It's Your Birthday...

A birthday recap:

My co-workers surprised me with several delicious treats.  They gave me a homemade frozen chocolate pie, sea salt caramel gelato, and decorated shortbread cookies.  Yum!

J got me a beautiful necklace!

And he brought me roses (that perfectly match our tablecloth!):

Thanks to everyone who remembered me on my birthday yesterday.  I loved the cards, calls, gifts, messages, and emails!

Molly

Today would have been the birthday of my childhood puppy, Molly. 

A tribute to her, in photos:

Epic Party

I don't mean to brag, but I throw a mean church block party.

Obstacle course, bounce house, DJ: check!

Dunk tank full of kids: check!

Clowns and bubbles: check!

Hamburgers, hot dogs, and cheeseburgers: check!

Drinks, sides, and desserts: check!

 Snow cones, cotton candy, and spin art: check!

Mission projects: check!

I'm proud of how well the event went but also so glad it's over!

Patio Transformation

Our house came with a cute brick patio in the backyard.  However, it was in need of some pressure washing and joint filling to prevent moss and weeds.

The best before picture is mostly of Allie (not surprisingly), but you can see the patio under her pretty well.

After pressure washing, weed pulling, removal of old moss and dirt, and new polymer joint sand added, it looks like this!

Here's a close-up view.

And here it is with the furniture replaced.

Props to J for his great work!