Good-bye Spring Break, Helloooo Summer!

We just got home from camping at Refugio Beach for the weekend and had a taste of what the summer is going to be like. I love that we are able to pick up and go camping, beach or other, it is one of my favorite things to do. It helps that we grew up camping but I never really appreciated it until a few years ago. This weekend we went with some families from Brian's Friday softball group "The Cellar Dwellers". There were three campers, one tent (that's us), two dogs, six kids and nine adults - pretty close to going camping with the Stringer Zoo :)

As soon as we finished setting up Hannah and I took off down the beach to explore the tide pools. It was alot of fun to walk with her. She is so animated and is a funny girl. I have enjoyed hanging with her more and more and wish that time would stand still sometimes. We were gone for quite awhile and when we got back the guys had starting playing football between campsites while the kids were off climbing trees (miraculously there was only one tumble out of a tree). The two dogs that were there (Buster and Rabbit) were ADORABLE boxers so we got to take them on a few walks (or other way around). Once Brian and I took the dogs and Brian had to use the restroom so I was holding to both of the dogs. As my family knows, I tend to get the dogs (both my moms and sisters) riled up with my shrill voice. I found out that was not such a great idea with two hyper boxers that can jump as high as my face.....all of the sudden the dogs were jumping all over each other and me, trying to get their leashes and barking away. Meantime I was yelling, "Rabbit, NO! Buster, NO! Rabbit, Buster get OOOOOFFF!!!" and getting all tangled up. Brian came out of the bathroom laughing his buns off and to rescue me. I guess charma got me for all the times I have riled up my mom's dog and gotten her in trouble. :)

The night brought a HUGE bonfire, hamburgers and smores and lots of laughter going around. Like my day playing hooky the other day with the girls, this was also a much needed weekend.

This morning one of the guys made us cinnamon pancakes that were SOOO good - which reminds me, I have to get to the gym tonight! Hannah and Brian went off and played football on the beach, then we packed up and headed to Woodstocks in Isla Vista, Santa Barbara for some home cooked pizza.

I have put everything away and am settling down to do some work but wanted to recap my weekend. The summer holds many more weekends like that and I can't wait!

Playin' Hooky

Work has been insane lately so I decided to take the day off and spend of day of Hannah's Spring Break with her and have some fun. We took a friend of hers to the beach and boy was it just what I needed.

The girls and I laid out in the sun, read magazines, played mad libs and just relaxed! At the end of the day we went to a lookout point and asked some looky lou's to take our picture and capture the day. Hanging out with the girls was a great way to get away from it all. They love life and love to giggle, be goofy and just be real. Too bad that this stage doesn't last forever with them huh?

Suggestions anyone?

Here's my dilema: (Is that how you spell it??)

#1 Due to Jack's recent run in with some bad food he now has permanent kidney damage and needs to eat a different, prescription food than the other two cats for the rest of his days here on earth AND for the next 7 days he is on antiobiotics to continue to flush/fight the junk in his system. So, I need to keep Jack's food away from Smokey and Zoey but have NO idea how to do this. Last night he was locked up in Hannah's room but that meant that I had litter boxes and food in 2 locations and those of you that know me know that I can't stand mess (and litter is so disgusting). AND I can't keep them apart ALL day long. Suggestions?

#2 How in the world do you get a cat to take a pill? I chopped it up and put it in Jack's food but he won't touch it. I tried holding him and shoving it down his throat but Hannah and I were almost scratched to death. The vet makes it look so easy....

I am searching the internet for ideas but thought that one of you might have a good suggestion. Aunt Lucy???

Jack is coming home!!!!!!!!!!!!

For those of you who have been praying for us these past two days I am sending you a little message to say THANK YOU! I spoke to the vet this afternoon and we are allowed to bring him home where he can be more comfortable. Not out of the woods yet but he is alive and my daughter is going to be THEE happiest 10 year old today at 5:00 PM. Janell, mom, dad thank you for letting me cry and express my sorrow and anger. Brian - thank you for being there to support Hannah and I and keeping us busy last night. Now life can return to normal and Jack can go back to sleeping with his girl.






More to come on the details of the Jack drama later tonight!