HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

 Happy Birthday Daisy! Today is Daisy's 8th birthday.  We've had her for most of that time ... we got her as a puppy from the breeder in July 2017.  We had lost our other dogs ... Bella and Sissy ... by that point, although I don't remember exactly when that happened.  Since Bella and Sissy were Labrador Retrievers (or a mix as in the case of Bella) I decided to get another Labrador as they are friendly, good tempered dogs. Daisy has lived up to that! My other dogs have all been friendly, but I do believe Bella is the friendliest we've had. We love her lots ... she is the BEST dog!! 

MY TWO BABIES

Meet my two babies!  A lot has changed since 2009 ... one of those things being pets.  Then we had, if I remember correctly, dogs Sissy and Bella, both black Labrador retrievers, and cats Luna and Harry.  The dogs and Harry have died (the dogs some time ago ... years ... and Harry died last August at age 19.  Luna is still with us and the top photo is of her.  She is 20 years old this month ... old for a cat!  Other than a sore on her leg we have spent weeks trying to heal (it's much better so hopefully we will be successful soon) she seems pretty healthy.  She aggravates me nightly ... every night around 3 or 4 AM she decides she wants to eat.  She has convinced herself she can't jump up on the counter in the bathroom where her food is located (to keep the dog out of it) and so I must get up and put her up there.  The thing is she jumps on the bed, which is just as high as the counter, all by herself with no problem, so I don't know what the problem with the food is! Then, when she's done she wants to play with me ... so getting sleep is a challenge! Sometimes I get frustrated and put her out of the room.  But then she cries and I feel guilty and usually end up letting her back in.  Ah well!  She has been much more clingy since Harry died.  They were close and I think she misses him greatly (as do I!).  The second photo is out current dog, Daisy, a yellow Labrador Retriever. We've had her since she was a puppy. She turns 8 years old on May 23rd. She weighs around 95 pounds and is one of the friendliest dogs we've had (although truthfully all our dogs through the years have been friendly). She is no ones dog in particular ... I think she likes us all equally!! Paul usually walks her  so I suppose he gets points for that. She is quite spoiled ... she gets a box of treats and toys once a month and already has a million toys it seems. Every time something ordered arrives at the door she thinks it hers ... whether it is or not!
 

Time Flies While We're Having Fun!

 Haven't looked at this blog for years ... 16 to be exact!  In fact I had forgotten all about it!  I got a new computer today and the information popped up while I was reviewing my contacts information.  So I guess I should catch things up!  First, I should note that Larry died in a motorcycle accident 9 years ago on August 12th of 2016.  He wasn't killed instantly but died later at the hospital.  It seems both ages ago and only yesterday at the same time.  I miss him greatly!!  Also in the last 16 years the kids have all grown up. Laurence will be 32 on August 23rd.  He works at Walmart here on the island (as opposed to Super Walmart off island) and has been there 9 years ... since a couple months before Larry passed. He is unmarried and as far as I know doesn't have a girlfriend. He lives as home.  Paul is unmarried, just turned 28 and lives as home.  He doesn't work. Patrick will be 26 on August 9th. He is unmarried but has a boyfriend who lives in Michigan who he is I am quite sure, very serious about.  It wouldn't surprise me if they eventually marry, although he hasn't mentioned such to me about it ... just my observations of the situation. He currently is a teachers aid at an elementary school in Jacksonville, teaching 4th graders. He plans to go back to school and get his teaching certificate ... and ultimately teach Highschool science.  He graduated from Florida Tech (college) 3 years ago now I think (2022 if I remember correctly) with a BS in Marine Biology.  Natalie passed 18 years with us last November 13th and will be 20 years old on August 18th.  She was just shy of 11 when she lost her father.  She graduated from high school 3 years ago I think ... my brain isn't working great today!  She just received her associates degree (college) in general studies I think and plans to attend The University of South Florida in the fall to finish up her 4 year degree in Art History.  I don't think she has decided what to do with her life.  Right now she works at Walmart here on the island.  She and Patrick both live at home although she will move to a dorm or apartment in Tampa when school starts.  It's good to see her moving on with her life, but I will miss her.  As for me ... not much goes on ... I read a lot and watch tv and movies. Just celebrated my 32nd Mothers Day yesterday ... hard to believe ... time flies by so quickly!  Well I guess this catches us up for now. Will try to write more than once every 16 years from now on!