Childhood Memories

I grew up with woods like this in front and behind my house. We used to run on the trails, dirt bike, find animals, and have all kinds of fun.

A few years ago, they cut down most of the woods behind my house and it now looks like this. It makes me kind of sad.
At least it is full of butterflies though (and oak saplings!).

Fun Times with Uncle D

Note: No children were harmed in the making of this blog post.

Around the Shop

One of our favorite activities in the East is visiting my uncle's motorcycle/watercraft shop. There are always some fun hi jinx and often it involves jet ski testing.

Eliza helps Big Al with customers.

Uncle D backs in a ski for testing.

D and Big Al test the ski before taking it out.

Success! All fixed!

Note: Testing a jet ski on open water is actually quite necessary. Tanks don't provide necessary acceleration to assure that water is getting fully into the pumps.

If you are in Maryland and need something fixed. Stop by and see Big Al. He does great work:

Pleasanton Cycle and Watercraft

Main Street, Cecilton, MD

(410) 275-2775

Reason #1

Reason #1 that Eliza thinks Uncle D is tops-- He does things Mom never would. Exhibit A: Uncle D teaches 3 year old Eliza how to drive a jet ski (and actually she was amazing!).

Mimi's Big Green Truck

One of Eliza's favorite parts about coming to the East Coast is riding in "Mimi's Big Green Truck." I'm not sure why she loves it so much. It might be that it has the diesel roar. It might be that it has a DVD player. But, most likely it is because it always has Skittles!

Spotlight: Mary

Name: Mary Black Diamond

Age: 1 year

Breed: German Shepherd (German)

Nicknames: Crazy, Hot Mess, Beauty Queen

Tricks: Posing, Catching the Frisbee

Loves: Men, Having her Boobies Rubbed, Frisbees, Babies, Digging Holes

Hates: Thunderstorms, Her Own Shadow

Favorite Foods: Simon's Hairballs, Meat

Least Favorite Foods: None

Spotlight: Simon

Name: Simon

Age: 10 years

Breed: Blue Point Ragdoll

Nicknames: Mehmeh, Lovin'

Tricks: Supreme Tolerance (Laziness), Super Mouse Skinning Abilities

Loves: Sunshine, Sleeping, Cleaning Mary

Hates: Other "dogs", Getting Caught Outside

Favorite Foods: Ice Cream, Chicken, Yogurt, Oatmeal

Least Favorite Foods: Anything not involving meat, milk or potato chips/cheese curls

Note: Simon is actually my cat. He is on loan to my parents. ;-)

Spotlight: Franque

Name: Franque

Age: 12 years

Breed: Great Dane/Lab

Nicknames: Poo Poo

Tricks: Super Obedience

Loves: My Mom, Working (He was a Hospice dog for years), Riding in the truck, Fetching sticks, Swimming in the Bay

Hates: Getting old

Favorite Foods: McDonalds Hamburgers with Ketchup, Cheesy Poofs, Beggin' Strips

Least Favorite Foods: Mustard, Pickles, Crackers

Spotlight: KC

I figured I'd start out with some fun stuff. I took lots of pictures of my parents menagerie, and I thought I'd share. We'll go from oldest to youngest.

Name: KC

Age: 25 years

Breed: Congo African Grey Parrot

Nicknames: K-bird, Love Chicken, KL, Biiiiiirrrrrdddddd

Tricks: Talks - Favorite Phrases include "Wanna bite?", "Good night. I'll see you in the morning.", "Bye bye I'll see you later.", "Good morning.", and "&%$!?". KC does not just mimic. He speaks appropriately.

Loves: "Duffy" (aka my mother. He renamed her.), Yo Gabba Gabba!, The "Happy Birthday Song," Terrorizing my Daddy & Dancing

Hates: Anything Red, Fly Swatters, Water Guns & Sometimes my Brother

Favorite Foods: Coffee, Chicken Wings (yes, he is a cannibal), Jelly Beans, and Peanuts

Least Favorite Foods: None

Busy, busy, busy bees

Hi all,
We are back from the East. It was an emotional roller coaster. I will be posting a lot soon. If you need to talk to me, and I haven't called you back, call me again!
A

You take the girl out of Maryland, but...

Picture this...

I'm cleaning a chicken. I pull the guts out of the middle. I see the chicken neck. I think, "Ooooo... I should freeze these for crabbin'."

Really! Who thinks these crazy things! Couldn't you see that TSA conversation. No, no, officer, those are chicken necks for crabbin' with my daddy.