Weekend Photos in Review

Apologies for my absence. Explanation below. :)

A little Winston Churchill. A little Alfred Hitchcock. No matter the historical reference, love this shot of my youngest niece, Eloise, thoroughly enjoying her Sonic slush.

Went down to visit with my nieces for a few hours, and as any good aunt would do, I brought a bag of tricks (along with slushes and mini cupcakes):

I think they might have enjoyed it. ;)

We also spent a little time watching videos of some of their (and my) favorite songs, including Miley’s Party in the USA, Taylor Swift, and Blurred Lines from Robin Thicke. It cracks me up when kids their age (and Madeline’s) know all the words to these songs. I don’t remember mainstream pop being such an attraction when I was their age! And just a programming note, if you google for Robin Thicke’s video, be sure to use this version with Jimmy Fallon and Roots, which is my absolute favorite, instead of the, um, explicit one. It’s quite possible the girls got an eyeful before I realized just how explicit it really was.

Spent a few hours with a friend at a vendor show, and when I saw this empty half of the building, I immediately thought how much fun the kids would have there … all that flat empty space is perfect for bike riding and skateboarding.

On Friday night, a friend and I did a double feature at the movies, beginning with Jobs (starring Ashton Kutcher) and then Lee Daniels The Butler. Unfortunately there was a fire alarm during Jobs, and we are short the last thirty minutes of the movie. That being said, there were huge gaps in the bulk of what we did see. I blame the writer. There are certain parts of the storyline that are a must, and you know how much time you have to fit it all into. When there are several huge, noticeable gaps, it’s a problem. I still want to see the last half hour though. The Butler was awesome. Stirring, poignant, and a great cast. Very worth seeing.

New stuffed burger recipe coming this week.

2.25 miles with this girl this morning.

And now a minute to end on a somber note. Last week, we found out that Rosie, a dog that has been living with us since March, had cancer. In a major way. And if you following me in a few other places, Instagram for example, you no doubt saw how hard that hit us. And why I took a few days off from this space last week. Unfortunately the diagnosis came out of nowhere and we had to put her down on Thursday. A gut-wrenching decision, because in the short time that she was with us, she wiggled her happy little 11-year-old self into our hearts in a major way. Although it was hard, one of the hardest things I’ve done, and the energy in the house is completely different, I know I made the right decision. That being said, it never gets easier.

This was right before a friend and I took Rosie to the vet to see what was wrong with her (at the time, she couldn’t walk). My friend suggested we stop and get a quick picture before we left, and Madeline immediately said “In case Rosie dies.” My friend, of course, didn’t say that, but Madeline is a pretty smart cookie. Rosie did come home for one more day, and we spoiled her rotten until the very last second.

And then this happened.

And man, let me tell you, I have the very best group of family and friends I could possibly have. It honestly tears me up just thinking about how their Friday morning went. Having a lemonade stand has been on our Summer Bucket List since the beginning. And if I’m being honest, it’s on the kids’ list every year. The week before everything came up with Rosie, we had decided to do it this past Friday. And then we put her down on Thursday, but still ended up going through with our plans. And it was the very best distraction the kids could have had. Absolutely perfect timing.

We decided to add baked goods to it (and I have a very nice double burn mark on my forearm to prove it), and Nick also sold his rainbow loom bracelets, and we also decided to donate half the proceeds to the rescue group that we volunteer with, and, more importantly, the one that brought us Rosie.

Before the lemonade/bake stand was even open, one friend had asked for two cupcakes to be set aside, and my mom bought six cupcakes and a dozen cookies.

We had decided on two hours for the stand, and I posted the details on facebook. And then a friend posted it on her facebook feed. And the babysitter put it on facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. And from there it went. Neighbors and friends went out of their way to stop by. Text me pictures (I was at work). And just fill up Nick and Maddie’s hearts to the brim.

It was so good for them. To see how much everyone loved them and supported them.

And I could not be more thankful.

And they raised over $150!! Friends, family, strangers, completely generous and gave above and beyond.

A truly happy end to a truly terrible week.