Charles County Fair

We went to the fair 2 weeks ago and I am finally taking the time to post pics! Lacey had a cold and was clingy while we were there (in other words, didn't get out of my arms the entire time). Butch didn't want to bring in the stroller b/c he was convinced she'd be running around with excitement.

She loved the animals! She just about jumped in with the sheep. One of the ladies let us in a pin with 2 ducks and geese. That was cool, except she wouldn't get out of my arms to really enjoy it! ;-)

Lacey & I road on the carousel, but she wouldn't sit on the horse! She was just taking it all in. When Butch got on one of the rides, she was afraid for him. She kept fussing until he got off.

It was a fun day and we were lucky with weather. It had rained off & on for several days before. You can imagine the mud. Blah!

We got home & kicked back to relax!






I thought about going to the St. Mary's or Calvert County fairs since they were last & this weekend, but never got organized enough to do it. So, we'll make plans for next year & hope she is more into the rides then!

Toonces 1990-Sept. 25, 2006

It's been a very sad several days. Over the last week, we've found big areas of pee in the sunroom and assumed that Toonces was having a hard time getting all the way to the litter box. On Saturday, I realized it was worse than that. He was just peeing wherever he was laying....and then barely moving out of the way. He did it twice on Saturday. I know it must not have been nice to be so sick and weak that you can't even move away from it.

So, on Monday morning, I called the vet. And, waited for a call back for about 5 hours. At that point, I think I had already decided that it was time. Every time that day I started to change my mind, I'd find Toonces in his own urine. I talked to him several times throughout the day to say good-bye and tell him how much I would miss him.

Anyway, the vet & a vet tech/nurse came out within about an hour from the call. If you have never watched a pet be euthanized, it is very quick. Thankfully, Dee had warned me of that & I had read it, too. Within seconds, my baby was gone.

Butch buried him back in our woods in a spot that we can see from our window.

Even with Frisbee & Kramer, the house seems weird. Toonces always wanted to be in the same room with me, so he was always there. Kramer is more of a loner. (Although for the last 2 nights he has been around a bit more.) And, Frisbee wants to be in the same room, but wants to be pet and played with constantly. Toonces was just hanging out.

I know he had a very good, long life. But, that doesn't really help me to be less sad.

The Annual Family Party

Yesterday was the annual Lacey Family Party.....always lots of fun! Dad has hosted it for more years than I remember. This is the first year we've had it in September and I think it worked really well! The weather was BEAUTIFUL. By avoiding August, we were able to avoid the humidity, too. And, while the pool water was cool, the kids didn't care at all.


The party usually starts around 1:00 and goes into the evening. Of course, Butch & I left around 7:00 so Lacey could go to bed. When we left, there were 3-4 poker games going. From what I hear, the last people didn't leave until 12:30. Of course, those last people were Dee, Buck, there friends (Chip, Lynn, Dana, Gordon, etc.) and Kristin/Kyle and their friends.

Aunt Alice (Dad's sister) and Don came, along with my cousins, Lacey & Lee. (Yes, there is another Lacey in the family.) They live in FL and we don't get to see them very often, so it made the day extra special.

Even with all the family that lives close by, we don't see most them much more than once a year. It's crazy. We really need to be better about that.

Lacey thoroughly enjoyed herself. The past few weeks, she seems to have come out of her shell a little more. She is easing into situations much better and is more sociable.

She adored Andrew -- my 2nd cousin. I told KarenAnn (his mom) that I was going to hire him to entertain!

Butch & I spent most of the day chasing her around and we were truly worn out from it. I wanted to go to bed at 8:30, but refused to do that on a Saturday night!!! We agreed that we had more fun this year (compared to last), but that it was just more exhausting! Funny how a toddler can do that to you.