Barking Dogs

I live in a dog neighborhood. We all have obnoxious, barking, adorable pet dogs. Lots of them. (I own 3). A guy has moved in up holler from us. A guy who is definitely not from around here. A guy who doesn't have a dog. He turned up in my driveway tonight (when my husband was at the grocery store) and told me my dogs were driving him crazy. Before I could open my mouth to apologize (my dogs do bark a lot) he informed me that I was going to have to do something- he then suggested a shock collar (which might work but I don't have a spare $300 - 1 per dog) and then repeated that my dogs were horrible. He then proceeded talking to say that even though he had just moved in, he had found 6 people to sign a complaint about my dogs.(I'm not sure who - my neighbors talk to me pretty regularly and they're not shy about expressing their opinions.)

I finally got a word in edgewise to tell him that 1 - I didn't appreciate being threatened, 2 - I didn't want to talk to him anymore because I was losing my temper and 3 - the whole neighborhood has barking dogs (we really do have a bunch of very vocal dogs - that's why I don't worry about mine too much). My daughter was standing there and she stepped in to tell him that dogs barked and he needed to not worry about it and he interrupted her too. I then asked him to leave. I was getting angry and I don't like conflict at all (especially with strangers). He proceeded to call me an a****** (in front of my teen) and I went back in the house.

I can't wait until he complains about the chickens.

My stomach hurts. Thanks for letting me vent. I want my old neighbors back.

Subway and moon in DC
Posted by Picasa

Gator!
Posted by Picasa

It's a hot day in DC (taken by my daughter!)
Posted by Picasa

Baby Elephant playing with her toys at the Natl Zoo. She was having a really good time hooking the toys in the bars and then unhooking them.
Posted by Picasa

Giraffes at the zoo in DC
Posted by Picasa

Vacation

As you can see from my pictures this week, I just got back from Washington, D.C. I used the excuse of the National Board for Prof. Teaching Standards Conference to go - and then invited my sister to meet me there and packed the kids in the car. We stayed with my cousin Will for the first 2 days. He has a most awesome townhome and was very gracious about letting us invade his space. The kids were such troopers - we had temperatures in the 90s and high humidity, but we drank lots of water and looked for shade as often as possible. Since the kids had never been to DC we did the regulation tour - the mall, Air and Space and the Zoo. We also visited the American History Museum so I could see the First Ladies Exhibit - that's my favorite. The new baby panda is an estimated 6 oz. (born in June) and daddy panda came outside to have a popsicle and ignore the crowds. The conference was interesting, I'm still processing all the new information. Look for vacation pictures for the rest of the week. It's too hot to go out and shoot anything new.

Air and Space Museum
Posted by Picasa

Looking up at the World War II Memorial
Posted by Picasa

We toured the National Mall on the hottest day Washington's seen in 3 years.
Posted by Picasa

Just back from Washington, D.C.!
Posted by Picasa

Sense and Sensibility

I discovered Jane Austin late in life and am very fond of her books, but I have 1 very serious question... How could anyone manage with that many teenage girls in one household? Having just 1 such young woman in my home is somewhat like living with a hurricane - sometimes you're on the outer bands of the storm, sometimes you're in the calm of the eye, and sometimes you're in that northern band of the eyewall. My daughter just finished a social whirl which included (in 3 short days) 2 sleepovers, 1 party, a movie and pizza with her BFF, and 2 days of being a jr camp counselor for 6 year olds. When I informed her that she needed to stay home and rest I was informed that was "mean and unfair". A door slam and pout followed for the rest of the evening. The next day, I was asked to cuddle on the coach with said teenager, look through a catalog together and watch a DVD. I was given a hand drawn card and told I was the "best mom ever". And she didn't even ask for anything! I remember this age all too well and I just stand back and keep telling her that I love her. She'll pull through. And hurricanes tend to be followed by absolutely fabulous weather.

A Potter Sunday

I spent 4 hours yesterday as a visiting Wizard at our local booksellers managing an activity table for young Harry Potter fans. In exchange, I received a free copy of the newest book. I had such a great time. I did the same thing for the last release date and it was neat to see how the kids had grown from the last release (I live in a small town). The teenagers were the best - they would fly in at least 20 feet in front of the paying parent and then immediately sit down on a bench in the mall and start reading. I sat down and read my book today. I loved it. It really is a well written series. J.K. Rowling has a pretty nifty website as well. I also really love the work Jim Dale does on the audio books. I'm not as fond of the movies, but that's no surprise! Ah, book reading at its finest - a cup of tea, some cheddar goldfish and a comfy couch.

Tuesday's rainbow - I actually saw the end of it!
Posted by Picasa

Visual Images

I was with a really neat group of people last night and the question was asked, "What do you think God looks like?" We started with the flowing beard, old man archetype, moved on to the new age energy vibe, and laughed over a Close Encounters type bright light, flowing robes version as well. Then we discussed Hindu gods; Greek and Roman gods; and the prohibition some religions have against imaging a visual of god at all. So, in the spirit of sharing and good camaraderie - What do you think God looks like?" Remember, there is no wrong answer. And you can pick more than one!

BTW - I came up with 3 versions - a bright light, the Da Vinci painting (the one with the pointing finger and stretched out hand), and the Close Encounters Aliens.

Hens - I've got 9 chickens. 2 hens. Humphf.
Posted by Picasa

Updates on June

I've had a request for an update on the camping trip. First - the batteries on my camera died as soon as I got there and I forgot to pack my backups. Second, it rained all afternoon on Saturday. It was, however, beautiful. The kids were wet in the rain and on Sunday they were wet in the swimming hole. My son was in 13 year old heaven because he was the only boy of the group. (Look at me, look at me!) I have definitely raised campers. I still think that the Holiday Inn Express is enough roughing it for me. I was reading about camping in Norway. You hike from hut to (hot dinner and soft bed) hut. That's more like it!

Math camp was another success. Many kudos to cool Adam, tattooed math genius, who was my daughter's camp counselor. I quote, "He rocks, Mom." Math phobic daughter got the most improved award for the week and is planning to attend next year. She has also requested that cool Adam, pierced math genius, be contacted for tutoring during the school year. We'll see...

These little white flowers are in bloom in the fields around the county. I call them little daisies, but I'm sure that's not their real name. It's raining today, so here's a sunny day picture from the weekend.
Posted by Picasa

Purple Thistle in honor of the Scots!
Posted by Picasa

All Things Scottish

The Highland Games were up at Grandfather Mountain this weekend. I don't usually go to the games, but my sister runs the Grandfather Marathon each year and I love cheering on all the runners. It was a beautiful day for a run and an even better day to be a spectator! Sister finished the race in under 4 hours. I don't thing she was happy with her time, but she finished 2nd in her age group and 11th out of the women. It impressed me! All of the rain last week has made some amazing waterfalls on Hwy 221. I saw Marie out working for a living near the finish. She is such a talented photog.

The view over the Railroad Grade near Todd. The old (chickens) making way for the new (Christmas Trees). What a beautiful weekend!
Posted by Picasa