Yes! Already 64 degrees. Sunny, no wind---just a beautiful day. Went to Mass, gassed up/washed car on the way home, ate breakfast and am now OTD and DTR to run errands so I can get home and work in the flower beds.
Had an interrogation session today with Spencer to ask what he was thinking when he took off Sunday. Got a lot of sass but no concrete info. (Buster is just wanting all the chatter to end). Spencer is treated like a king, has a roof over his head, a great yard/house to run free in, gets all meals/treats served in a timely manner and a king sized bed to sleep in every night. What more could you want??? I think I want to be my dog!!!!!
Don't call him precious----call him a felon on parole. He is a run away "boy." The back garage door was left open yesterday for what only seemed like seconds while the carpenter was putting away his tools and the "boy" bolted. Did not see him leave---but could only account for 2 dogs. Had the neighbors on alert and canvassed the entire neighborhood (both by foot and car). Finally received a call from someone to tell me they had "my sweet little dog." Naturally, it was a house with a Bar-B-Q grill in the back yard. The "boy" loves cook outs.
Sun up, no breeze, looks like a great day for deck work. We'll see how it goes. Putting Nick to work w/sledge hammer and pry bar to tear off old deck seat/railing. Excited to get it done. Reminds me of all the "fun" we had tearing down the basement/storage wall w/hammers on our first house. Will be great to have full view of the backyard.
Pulled up all of the landscape edging, dug up/moved all the plants/rocks by the back deck area, and trimmed back all the ornamental grasses in the flower gardens yesterday. Had lots of help. The "boys" ran, played, barked at everything/one that moved----we loved every minute of working in the yard/sun yesterday. Our kind of day!!
YES!!! Spring is here---again. Have the back doors open, listening to the birds, watching the dogs chase the squirrels, and loving the sunshine. Had to share this pic of Jax taken at his day care center on St Patirick's Day. Now, is that a cute "boy"?
We did have rain, snow, wind and cold, cold temperatures. We no longer have snow on the ground, no snow in the sky, only the breeze and a 23 degree morning. Notice: not griping--just reporting. It is now officially Spring and it came with gusto.
Thinking about fixing some soup and staying in today. Have plenty of things I can busy myself with in the house. Might just cut to the chase, go build that fire and settle in to read for awhile this AM. This is going to be an "I guess I can do anything I want to day"----as long as it is inside.
Okay, I am really confused--nothing new but more so w/rain, 4-7" of snow, blowing snow, possibly 24 degrees this weekend and ice predicted---who wouldn't be? So is it Winter or Spring? Planning on bringing in more firewood and getting ready to settle in by the fireplace.
Speaking of check out (double click) --- Check out this pic of the Church I went yesterday (and today) for 7:00am Mass. It is really beautiful with all the wood and stone. Sat behind a family of 8 (Mom, Dad, the little kids ranged from approx 9 to newborn) and it brought back fond memories of our family filling up an entire pew. Think about it----this was a 7AM Mass on a weekday. The kids were so well behaved an attentive. Speaking of Mass--a Mass will be said for Pop, Ken, and Kelli on the Monday, March 22 at 8:00am at St Patrick's Church.
)
(2009 Spiderwort---double click for great detail) 
Okay, time change has arrived---I am moving forward---now where is Spring??? Went to Mass yesterday evening and spent the rest of the evening w/ the pup posse.
Ran errands and spent yesterday afternoon w/Allie. Spring break has started. Fun day---the girl is a sweetie. Got to see her prom dress/shoes---good choices Allie!!! How fun can that be to have a granddaughter call and want to hang out w/Ma???!!! Glad I got most errands completed yesterday as the town is celebrating St. Patrick's Day today. Plan Mass this AM, pick up the house, take a dog snicker tour, clean out fireplace, load more firewood and get settled for an evening of reading/TV/"boy" snuggling. Boy!!----my life is exciting!!! Really---have no complaints, am graced to be healthy and able to do the things I want and need to do. Life is good!! (2009 pic of Daffodil--Kelli sent them one year in a pot as a Spring "hostess gift." They are just now popping through the soil--will send updated pic when 2010 blooming occurs.)
Off to Mass, run errands, straighten up garage/garage cabinets, get garden implements in order, and do the flower garden dance. The dance goes on forever---either in my feet (touring the yard/garden space) or head (thinking/planning). Just another certifiable Ma event. (2009 Dappled Willow pic)
Making my list and checking it twice---Know that Spring is around the corner and that is so nice!!! Walk around the yard a couple of times a day and cannot believe the changes in just a matter of hours. Love Spring!
Cool here this AM. Waiting for the ground to dry out to get those bulbs planted. Stopped by one of my favorite neighborhood greenhouses yesterday, scoped out the hanging baskets, and talked w/the owner about new plant arrivals. Planning on replacing the wood on the back deck this Spring. Will meet w/carpenter this AM to purchase materials and possibly get it started by next week. Will be nice not to have to pound nails down all summer. The new wood will be secured w/screws.
Went to SLC for Harvest House (old folks) Lenten Retreat this morning, then stopped at the rectory to volunteer for an hour. Having a friend spend the night. The weather is wonderful. Warm, everything is greening up and I am wanting to get those bulbs put in the ground. The ground is a little too wet and do not want then to rot.
Stopped by a greenhouse just to look around on the way home from Mass/breakfast on Saturday. Looking for seedlings to start an herb garden on the front porch. Did not find herbs but found/bought the most beautiful Ranunculus and packets of Liatris, Croscomia, and varieties of Asian lily bulbs. The bulbs can be put in the ground now and will enjoy the Ranunculus on the kitchen windowsill until warm enough to set in the ground. 
There shall be flowers---Spring flowers. Could not pass up the opportunity to capture a little of Spring. Walked through the flower beds at different times yesterday while on Dog Snicker Patrol and saw this patch of Crocus. (Double click--used my new camera). It was like a Disney slow motion grow scene---by evening the tulips were making their appearance. Can hardly wait to get back from Mass and take another tour.
Good Stuff: Jax is 3 years old today. Terry will be slightly older than that tomorrow. Plan my usual day day of going to Mass and putt--zing about doing housekeeping chores, running errands, doing some filing for a friend etc. Watching Spring work its way into town and loving being out in it--fresh air, sun shine, warmer temperatures, seeing plants popping up through the mulch....Great stuff!!!!
What a year 2009 turned out to be for our family. You all played an integral part in Pop's life and I can assure you that each of you did it right. The care and concern each of you expressed and demonstrated meant so much to Pop. Have such warm thoughts of the time spent with Pop. Remember him saying "I've had a good life" in the throes of his last days, never heard a complaint pass those lips, heard him praise each and everyone of you, and watched him peacefully leave our presence on this day a year ago. He did have a good life---each of you were part of it---how much more could one ask for? You are a treasure to me and he is a legend to all of us. (Taylor and I are attending Mass this AM at Church of the Resurrection--know you will have Pop in your thoughts and prayers today.)
Back from Mass, off for a road trip to Haven, KS to take the car in for maintenance checkup, and plan to paint the fence this afternoon if it is not windy. Slightly overcast, 38 degrees and Spring is officially 17 days away.
