July 15th

Ha, my pictures are way out of order. This photo was taken this morning at Homestead Gardens. Did Kathy just catch a fly?















Hi, sorry about the 2 week lag in posts. I was able to snap one pic of the 4th Parade, before my camera batteries went dead. Jake was riding in the fire truck, but we didn't see him because we were on the wrong side. Other than that, it was a pretty good parade. The dumb politicians really need to stay home next time, their heartless campaigning ruins it for me.






Homestead again, Nan is happy and Kathy approves.

It's July

FINALLY, another post. Where do the days go? Tangles was helping me read the paper this morning, wasn't that nice of her? She is so darned cute.












Many of you responded with your guesses of "who is my worst enemy". I had some interesting answers, but Nan got it - the Japanese Beetle! It was hard to get a close up with my camera, but you can see the damage the beetle is doing to my rose. We go thru this every year, the beetles and I. They arrive, eat my roses, I kill them. This year I put out the traps and have only had to manually kill about 20. Usually, I off hundreds in a week (I am NOT exaggerating.)





Sean goes to camp tomorrow evening for, almost, a whole week. Here is a view from the dinning hall. He loves going, and it's only 2 minutes up the street from our house - very convenient.












Sean staggering under Tangles incredible bulk. Notice Mrs Butterworth came to visit (or is that Aunt Jememiah?)












My lace cap hydrangea has bloomed like crazy. The dumb camera did not capture the purple, blue and pink. That's what we get for being low budget I guess.

Thursday

Scarlet got a crew cut! Jeff shaved her over the weekend. So, this picture is what she looks like after a 3 mile walk, in the heat. I sort of look the same.











Hey Melissa, you need some hollyhocks, butterfly bush and salvia in your sun garden. The hollyhocks get about 10 feet tall and are easy to grow. The butterfly bush does attract honey bees, as well as butterflies, so you make the call.




















Salvia is hardy and easy - and blue.














Nan, this is that wierd flower I was describing to you. Is this a weed or a legitimate plant? It's not very attractive, so I may rip it out anyway.

In my next post, be prepared for pics of my arch enemies. Some of you may know who I mean. Here's a hint: they come to call each June, I hate them and I kill them.

Sean's Promotion

Okay, Sean has passed 5th grade. The school had a big promotion party/ceremony for the kids. It was a zoo. Also, most of my pics turned out dark, making them unpostable. Here is Sean eating a cupcake in front of a drapey thing. That is NOT a urinal to the right, it's a water fountain - duh.







Posing in his Mr. Man ensemble.



















Isn't this a cool cake? There was one for each class. Sean's face is sticking out of the cupcake at the very bottom right.













Sean and Shawn, both looking cool and happy.














Here is one of my dark shots. Sean and the kids were supposed to be singing, but were barely making any sound. These are the same kids that burst your eardrums in the lunchroom. Weird.

Anyway, congrats to Shady Side Elem. 5th grade and good luck in Middle School.

Sean's Promotion

Saturday

Here is a pic of my neighbor surrounded by the animals. They just love her.














Let's see, I wonder why Yoda is so sleepy. Hmmm, I suppose if I was up all night maiming and decapitating poor defenseless bunnies, I'd be tired too. He is now sporting a new lilac collar with a purple bell. And, he will be in lockdown until the spring babies grow up.








Poor Tangles, she's not very ladylike sometimes. Believe it or not, she is sleeping in this picture. And, why are there always swords or weapons, of some sort, on my floors?

posted by: Amy

Fire Academy Graduation

Jake graduated from the Fire Cadet Program last Tuesday. The ceremony was held at Odenton Volunteer Fire Company. Here are Danny and Jeff.











Jake and the other "Deale" boys getting their Firemen's Prayers. The Lady in the photo had them framed as gifts. It was very nice of her to do it.













Jake and company. The Deale Fire Station had 4 Cadets in the program this year. The class was made up of kids from stations all over the county.













Wow we all look wierd, whats uppp?














Jake getting his diploma.

Saturday

Here are the two bohemian crystal goblets Jeff brought back from Czech Republic. They are really beautiful. Also, new toaster. Having a 4-slot is such a luxury!












Here is some bounty from our small garden. The last of the lettuce, and two of a million radishes. For those of you who think you don't like radishes, give them another try. They are spicy and crunchy and fun to eat.

note: not endorsed by the National Radish Assoc.









Some duckies came to call today. .......













and Scarlet promptly chased them away.

Jeff's trip

Bet you thought I'd never post again. It's been a very long time, but I'm back for a spell. Here are some pics of Jeff's trip the Czech Republic. He is not here to describe them, so I will do my best. Okay, this one is some sort of elaborate building, maybe a church. Like you couldn't have deduced that for yourselves.








Next up, we have some street mimes. Fairly self-explanatory - and creepy.













Here, you see a classic, narrow, cobblestoned, European street. The archway in the back is sort of a bonus.

















And, another narrow cobblestoned street. Very clean.




















This seems to be some sort of tram. Jeff said the trams were everywhere, and inexpensive too. Looks like lots of people ready to hop on.

This concludes todays tour. Tune in next time for another non-exciting blog post.
Amy

visiting friends

Went to visit my friend, Sue, at her super fab new house, this week. Here is a pic of her cute courtyard. For some reason, it makes me crave a drink with an umbrella in it.


















This pool is not finished yet. I repeat, this is not finished! I promised I would make that clear. It looks pretty darn good so far, so you know it will be great when it's done. Don't worry, I'll post "after" pics as soon as they become available.










Pretty kitty! (Patches)














These turtles are super swimmers.

I Love Spring

This is why I love spring. Beautiful flowers and they're FREE.













Sean holding up some sort of toy he got at school. It looks like we're in the parking lot at the dentist's office. Good times!
















This rose is going crazy. Lots of flowers and good scent. You'll notice that I don't grow the tea roses. I have enough children to take care of.



















This is the new peony, I just planted last year. I was expecting no blooms this spring, but was rewarded with two. This one is just starting to open. The smell is fab.











My mother was kind enough to buy me this old English rose for Mother's day. It's called Geoff Hamilton or something. Anyway, not only is it beautiful, but again, the smell is lovely. I'll be planting this tomorrow. Thanks Mom!

That is why I love spring.

Beach

Went to Ocean City over the weekend. The weather was decent for being off season. Here is a photo of Sean in the museum, on the boardwalk. I forget the name of it, but it's all about rescues at sea. That is not a real snake.
















Tried to have dinner with my friend Sherry and her family. Unfortunately, little Audrey had an upset stomach. She projectile vomited in the car, and I took a picture of it to share with all you good people. Thank me later.












Here is Sean, on the boardwalk. This time, he's posing in front of a shark in a case. You can see me and Jeff reflected in the glass. How efficient.












In the pool.



















Now, we are back to the museum. Don't you just love the old timey bathing costumes? I would totally wear the green and white number on the right.

Wednesday May 3rd

Here is the latest pic of the shed. The roof is on. Pity you can't see the super-cool sky light on the other side. I think the ghetto trash can in the foreground is just the right accessory.












Here is Sean doing his homework. He appears to be really bogged down.













Here is Jeff tirelessly working in the veggie patch.














Anybody need wood? I keep telling people to come and get it, but no one does. What you see is only half of our inventory.