Coffee with Mom

This weekend Jason and I were in the Gatlinburg area.  Jason headed that way to help out with the Men and Women of Action Rally (he used to work for them).  Whenever I think about Gatlinburg I always think of my mom.  She used to make handmade candles and twice a year she would go to Gatlinburg to sell them at the Gatlinburg Craftsmen Festival. I spent weekends in October and weeks in the summer hanging out with her and bumming around Gatlinburg.  One of the things I remember most is this little coffee shop tucked away in an alcove downtown.  After she closed up for the day, we would walk to the store and she would mix her own special collection of beans to make the most delicious blend of flavored coffee.  While they were grinding the beans we would order our drinks and mosey into the courtyard to drink them.  We would set in front of this big fountain and chit-chat.  I know this is a simple memory but it is little memories like this that are getting harder and harder to remember.  

I got to visit the coffee shop again this weekend.  I hadn't been in downtown Gatlinburg years.   We made our way to the coffee shop.  It was exactly where we left it.  The smell of the coffee made my eyes fill with tears.  It is amazing how much smells and sounds can bring back memories.  For a brief moment I thought that I might turn around to find mom standing behind me agonizing over what kind of beans to buy.  I grabbed a bag of coffee to take home.  I am hopping that tonight, when I brew a cup of flavored coffee, I will feel her that close again. 

Jason and I in front of the courtyard fountain. 

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Photo Text from Jason

"I may have given someone toast"

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The Year of The Dog

This week marks Ann's first birthday. This little video tribute is less about Ann and more about us surviving a year with her. She has pushed us to our wits end on more than one occasion. She has eaten our books, destroyed my shoes, and devoured my knock out Roses. We have had many conversations about giving her away. Then she looks at us with those big brown eyes and floppy ears and we know we couldn't kick her puppy tail to the curb.

PS. Just wait until our kid is born. If we do this for our dogs I know it is going to be 10 times worse with a baby. You've been warned.

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A little love . . .

On Sunday afternoon Miss Mary stopped by to give me this little coffee cup filled with a teddy bear and nail polish as an early Valentine's Gift.  When she brought it over she told me that in the bible we are told love our neighbors like we love ourselves.  She said she wanted to love on me a little because I have loved on her so much.  We give her little gifts all the time just to keep her on our good side but I never really stopped to think about what it might mean to her.  It is hard at times to remember that behind all her crazy is a normal lady.  A normal lady who needs a little love and some clothes.  She keeps asking me to bring her any clothing I don't want.  Mary threatened to walk around naked if I did not bring her something from my closet.  She laughed, but I wouldn't be surprised if I walked out one morning to find her naked as a jay bird sitting on her front porch.  

PS.  I just realized that one of our first baby's gifts is in the background.  It is our very own copy of "Where the Wild Things Are!"  Thank you Ben and Cassie for this awesome gift, it was one Jason's favorite books as a child.  We cannot wait to read it to our baby boy (who has yet to be named)! 

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The Things We Do for our Dogs

Ann got spayed this week. I took her to the clinic all by myself and we had an adventure.  I was going to write all about it but my pregnancy brain wouldn't allow it. Here lately it has been quite hard for me to focus.  So, I am giving you the reader's digest version.  There was dog vomit (in my car), Ann's suicide attempt (running into traffic is better that being in the car apparently) and my keys getting locked in the car.   Oh, it was fun.  By the end of the morning I was standing in a parking lot sobbing to Jason on the phone while I waited for AAA.  Thanks to Jason's parents for AAA.  I don't know what I would have done without it.

I am happy to report that Ann is back home and is recovering nicely.  She is a little clingy, I think she is afraid that we might send her away again.  I wish we could use this as leverage to get her to behave.  If you jump on Adam when he comes over we are taking you to the CLINIC.  She would never misbehave again. 

I was planning on taking a picture on Lil'Ann all alone on her bed recovering.  However, Prissy wouldn't have it.  As soon as she saw me grab the camera she followed me. She sat down right in front of me as if to say "I am tired of Ann getting all the pictures around here, I am cute now take my picture."  So here is Ann and Prissy on Ann's bed.  I would like to note that as soon as the camera was put away Priss went to play leaving poor little Ann alone on her sick bed. 

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Boy Oh Boy

Yes, that is right ladies and gentleman we are having a little boy.  I have been walking around in a state of shock.  I always just assumed that we would have a little girl.  Well surprise, surprise we are having a boy.  Jason, of corse, is thrilled to be having a son.  His excitement almost counter balanced my freak out during the ultrasound.  He is just glowing at the thought of having someone to share video games and power tools.  Yes, my future is going to be full of G.I. Joes and rough housing.  

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