Happy Halloween!!!!

Would you all be mad if I told you.....

56 days till Christmas?

still painting, still sewing, still scrapbooking....cleaning? not so much!

Someone recently purchased one of my fawn paintings and wanted a black one also, so I painted this one....I really wanted to keep it...sigh....I like the look of "surprise" on the face! I thought once the rush of activities were over and camp was closed that I would have a lot more "free" time to do all the things I want to. Unfortunately my full-time job really gets in the way! By the time I get home, make/eat dinner it's dark outside! It's really hard to start working on stuff as once I start I tend to stay up very, very late. So if I haven't worked on something by 7pm, I say forget it! How do you guys keep motivated when the days seem to get shorter????

Different Kind of Tour

Last night P, C, her friend and I went on the *MtHopeCemeteryLuminaryTour*. I have always been intrigued by cemetary's. The Victorian's had an interesting outlook concerning death and due to disease, childbirth, war, were subjected to death of loved ones at early ages. The rich purchased large family plots for their families to be together in their final sleep. I wish I had a better camera as the night time look with the torches burning was fascinating. I'm sure it could have been spooky had there not been around 500 people milling about on the tours and waiting!

C and her friend pose form me! Look at the size of that tree trunk! There are also MANY unique trees here. Lots dating back to the 1800's.

The tour covered only a brief area of this place. The cemetery itself is 196 acres!!!! There are over 370,000 people buried here and it dates back to 1838. There are 14 1/2 miles of roadways and honestly a very, very cool place to visit! My own great-grandfather is buried here as are P's great-grandparents. The cemetery has many masoleum's and ornate family tributes. I know now that on past "visits" I covered only a very small portion of this place!

This bronze dog actually rested outside one masoleum. He was stolen in the 80's and a random call came in years later telling of his location. It was decided that he would relax inside to prevent another taking. He was actual size and HEAVY. Can you imagine the goings on to take him????

A couple of interesting notables buried here, besides my great-grandfather, are: Susan B. Anthony - ladies we have the vote due to her diligence and Frederick Douglas - escaped slave who became the country's renowned leader of the anti-slavery movement.

We actually joined theFriendsofMtHope last night. I'm always looking for something to do with my free time! HAHA Funny, eh? Actually, I love the feeling of the place and think it would be great to volunteer some time. The FOMH raise money to preserve and restore within the cemetery. I'd love to eventually become a tour-giver and I'd love to do mine in actual Victorian dress! Wonder how P would feel about that???

Pet's Prayer

A Pet's Prayer - author unknown

Now I lay me down to sleep
My humans' bed is soft and deep
I sleep right in the center grove
My human beings can hardly move!

I've trapped their legs, they're tucked in tight
And here is where I pass the night
Peacfully, without a doubt
Til morning comes and I want out!

I sneak up slowly to begin
nibbling on my humans' chin
They soon awake to care for me
Cuz I'm their critter, don't you see?

Now mornings here and time to play
I always seem to get my way!
From first light to the setting sun
I count my blessings one-by-one!

So thank you Lord for giving me
These human people that love me
The ones who hug and hold me tight
And share their bed with me at night!

Psssst....

Belle: "Heh Chloe I heard your mom say that in 9 days you'll be celebrating her 4 year blogaversay. "

Chloe: "Yeah Bella, that day may also be her 1000th post!"

Rosie: "Chloe, what's a blog?"

Stay tuned as I'll be announcing a contest!

Surprise!

PJ, C's boyfriend has had a big year this year. He graduated from college, is in the process of closing on his first home and last week was his birthday. His parents wanted to celebrate his accomplishments so they decided to have a "surprise" party for him. His dad took him hunting for the afternoon and when he got home we were all there.

He was surprised. The three "P"s...funny PJ's grandfather, our P, and PJ all have the same name, spelled the same way. PJ and his mom.

He had a great time.

We gave him a combined gift....a rake for his new yard...*home*depot* gift card and some photo coasters. Crazy but those darn coasters were a big hit! I put in photos of their trip to LasVegas and everyone thought they were the greatest.....so funny.

Happy Raking PJ!

C wants everyone to know she doesn't do rakes!

Sleepy Saturday

The grey day made everyone sleepy.....

except Marty who follows me around and stays by my feet to avoid photos....

Treats

Winston & Clemintine's mom gave these treats to me to bring home to the Pugs.... Clover & Chewie's pawrents gave us these cookies for the Pugs......

The Pugs are very happy.

Trust me their happy!

A sick Puggy friend.....

Please join me in sending our get well hugs to Lilo and her family. Lilo has not been feeling well and we all know how worried it makes us. We're praying for your speedy recovery Lilo!

The newlyweds...

The newlyweds attended a wedding a couple of weeks ago and had this cute pic taken. They've been married 5 1/2 weeks now! Weren't we just worrying about cake and the weather?

Bloggy Meetup 2009 - Part 4

We got up early and headed out to Virginia Beach for a day of sun and surf! We really didn't have beach attire, but made the best of it....well, I really didn't have beach attire..... the day was glorious!

It seemed surreal to be sitting on the beach, hours from home, in October!

We walked up to the Fishing Pier, but didn't want to pay to just walk out....so we headed back to relax and wait for our "visitors"....

We connected with Sequoia & Petunia's mom by cell phone and she brought the girls to the to meet us. I tell you there is nothing like the mixture of sand and Pug hair and new friends! These two were so, so, cute! Petunia is so tiny! Sequoia....she was hilarious. She REALLY enjoyed herself on the beach! We heard this was their first visit! Sequoia relaxes.....

Petunia sits with her mom....

Clover's mom takes Sequoia for a jaunt by the surf. Her favorite thing seemed to be digging like crazy in the sand.

Gosh SO DARN CUTE!!!!

Sadly we left the beach, but we headed to meet Winston & Clemintine! Rachel had spent the day with us over the weekend, but we really wanted to meet the Pugs!!! Clemintine was hilarious! A little spitfire for certain! She jumped on and off the back of the sofa and that tongue! Gosh that tongue, she can pick the whole thing back in her mouth and then plop, out it comes again!

Winston is adorable....he has the softest fur. We hated to only be able to spend an hour visiting with them too!

A crazy little look before we left....

It is so different meeting the Pugs in person! You feel like you already know them from the blogs, but then meet them and they become "alive". They are ALL more adorable in person!!!!

We headed back to the condo, hoping to leave by 5pm for the drive home.....that just didn't happen! The three of us picked up, cleaned out the fridge and packed the car. We sadly left at 7pm!!! I drove the first 3 1/2 hours, but I was just exhausted, so C took over the driving. Clover's mom was co-pilot and on we continued. We got in at 5am. I woke my own Puggy gang so J could play with them for a bit. She went in for a quick nap and I visited with P. C had gone up to get a few hours sleep before class! We really took every last minute to enjoy ourselves. I drove J to the airport (sadly) and dropped her off and continued on to work.....gosh, was I tired!

Big thanks to my driving companions!!!! You two were the best!

Bloggy Meetup 2009 - Part 3b

After dropping Norman's Woman at the airport we decided to head to the Yankee*Candle store. This was more like a mini-mall once inside! We spent a lot of time in the candle area where every smell is! Crazy but it is not overwhelming in the smell department! There is a room with retired smells. Bins and bins of tarts and votives. Next there was a room where you could do wax hands, or design your own candle. We skipped over this part and headed through the candy room. It was so overwhelming in there I kept forgetting to take photos. Next was the princess area.....we stopped for a tea party....

and played princess....

Then onto the winter wonderland.....this place was AMAZING....

It was like a village at Christmas time. It actually snowed in this room...REAL SNOW....every 3 1/2 minutes!

Santa was in his office working on "requests". He was happy to see us and checked to be sure we were behaving.

I found a nutcracker for my collection, but sadly C reminded me that it would not fit in the car!

I looked these over, but they were several HUNDRED dollars each!

There was a room full of Santas for those that collect these.

After leaving we headed over to purchase our tickets for the ghost tour, stopped to pick up stuff we wanted at Trader*Joes and then stopped at *New*Town*. This place was very cool. Alternative living style with great shops and people living in apartments above. We had to introduce Clover's mom to *Maggie*Moo* icecream! YUM!!!!

After all this we went back to condo and C grabbed a 26 minute nap. We ate leftovers and raced off to the GhostTour. The city looks different after dark.....

This is photo of most haunted house there.....see anything?????? Both C and Clover's mom agreed that they would NOT stay there if invited....I on the other had would!

Another spot of ghostly activity. There was also a tour put on by the city itself that allowed you in to a few buildings...this was one of them. A tour went inside while we were outside. We did NOT hear any screams and no one ran from the building....


The guide told us some great local folklore and there were places we wished we had time to visit, but our trip was sadly coming to an end....

Next...last day, the beach and PUGS!!!!

Bloggy Meetup 2009 - Part 3a

Monday Girlville left and Norman's Woman, J, C and I headed to the WilliamsburgPotteryFactory. Norman's Woman found these "great" hats and since it was actually the Canadian Thanksgiving, she asked Jess and I to model them....Do you see the family resemblance????? After the hat thing we ran into a guy with his Pugs.....seems most places are dog friendly. Who knew? We enjoyed visiting with them.

After the store we took Norman's Woman to the airport to catch her flight home.

Bloggy Meetup 2009 - Part 2

Day two we headed here.... C took us to the main parking lot, which required a scenic walk to the historical area.....

a small private cemetary....so many died so young.....
the most unbelievable candied apples I have EVER seen....

Governer's mansion.....sleeping on the job....yes, this was a real person and yes...he was sleeping...

a rabbit hutch...no rabbits...but I did see Girlville!

Have you ever seen how much one of these oxen can pee????? Simply amazing!

Somehow I don't think she was dressed appropriately for this job.....

Can you imagine cooking here?

The group with Jefferson.....

We ate a late lunch at one of the taverns...the pot pie was amazing....We finally found a spoon Jess thought was big enough....

The walkway had really cool bronze plates on the way in/out

The courtyard had a beautiful waterfall.....C and I were a bit tired.

When we got back to the condo, Tammy took a short nap (2HOURS!!!) and the rest of us lounged at the pool and hottub. We met up with my nephew who is stationed in the area. He joined us for dinner, which sadly I took no photos of. We chatted until we couldn't keep our eyes open and headed off to bed.