Happy Birthday, Mom

Mom would have turned 65 on Wednesday. Dave, being the superstar husband he is, suggested that we have Bruce's family over, have mom's favorite pie (lemon meringue), and set off a few of the chinese lanterns we couldn't use at our reception sendoff because the wind was too crazy. I thought it was a beautiful idea.

 

We watched the funeral slideshow while we ate pie. Dave had never seen it, and I wanted him to know a little bit more about her. I cried (of course), but it was so nice to have Dave next to me. He fills so much of that dark void. I'm so grateful for him.

We didn't manage to take video of the lanters, but they were beautiful. 

I really miss her.

Happy birthday, Mom.

Fixed

Leo was, um, loving everything in sight when we got him, so Dave made the decision to get him fixed. Called, made the appointment...everything but actually taking the little guy to get fixed. I had the joy of that job. Let me tell you, dogs KNOW when they are going to the vet. Chloe was like, "sucker," as I took Leo out the door. Little did she know (until later, then she KNEW) that she would end up there in a few hours for a checkup and shots. 

Poor little guy. He was so stoned the first day. Dave could not stop laughing. I laughed but felt guilty. He was just so pathetic looking!  It was the first of many of Leo's and my bonding experiences.  Sadly, the fixing did not end the "loving." The vet said it would take a month, so I guess we'll see...

How on earth the dog-hater ended up with two dogs who like to sit at her feet, I will never know.

This has become his new favorite place to curl up and sleep in the evenings.

Solar Eclipse

The last solar eclipse I can remember was when I was a teenager. Dad busted out his welding mask, and we tried to take pictures with film cameras through it. The lighting was so bizarre, as the eclipse happened around noon, and I remember feeling like I was in some sort of science fiction film.

Dave and I had purchased a new patio set the day before the eclipse, so we decided to host a little eclipse party with my brother's family, Dave's sister's family, and Meg and Jim who were stopping through on their way down to San Diego. It was the first real big party we've hosted, and I LOVED it.

The eclipse was cool, too.

 Our awesome pinhole camera.

 The shadows the sun made on my dress.

So cool!!