Swimming Lessons

Today was/is beautiful. High 80's, low 90's maybe (quite different then PA 80's and 90's. It's quite comfortable with no humidity)... anyway- we (susie and I) used the pool for the first time today. Our objective is to work on a tan (vain... I know). We both agree that fried chicken is more appetizing than raw chicken... and right now we're both looking like raw chicken. Sid was lingering around the pool, looking a little parched. Instead of going and getting him water we decided to put him in the water. First on my surf board, then on his own. He did swimmingly (pun intended). Typically I'm extremely opposed of putting pictures of myself in a bathing suit on the internet.. or anywhere for that matter, but Sid looks so stinking cute... and maybe a bit terrified









I'm not sure how he felt about the whole experience but it's good exercise for the chubby little pup. I'm sure a few more times will have him jumping in on his own..... maybe

these numbers make me smile..... a lot

oops-

So I've never lived in a house with a pool, let alone had to be responsible for the pool. Our first weekend here the landlord stopped by and told us the only thing we had to do for the pool was top it off every once in while when the weather is hot... something about evaporation and the filter.... the pool man would take care of the rest. Well, I was relaxing on the patio Sunday afternoon when I saw that the water level was a little below where they like it. So I throw in the hose, turn on the water, pat myself on the back for being a good renter and go back to relaxing.

Later that evening... err ummm, that night, I was on the phone with Jamie talking about rainy PA weather when I started to say that when it rains here all the left over fall leaves end up in the pool when it hit me.... I never turned the water off from 4hours before!!!! I ran outside to find the water completely level with the edge of the pool. Any longer and water would have been flooding out.

Truthfully it was really cool looking and thankfully, we don't pay for water!

couple of weeks

It's been a couple of weeks since I moved into the new house. It's been great! It's a great house that has come with a sense of freedom and adulthood....

My roommates, Susie and Jennette, and I have been busy making the house a home. We've planted a ton of flowers on the patio, in the front of the house along a trellis, in the flower bed beside the driveway, on either side of the pool house (morning glories to climb around the gigantic sliding glass doors)and even an organic herb garden (Jennette is a chef.... yeah, I know, I'm lucky!). We spent the first Saturday at the house working on the patio and pool house. My gracious roommies have let me make all the decorating decisions in the house (sadly though we don't get to paint:-(, while Susie has taken over decision making for the pool house (which is furnished with my parents living room furniture- they re-did the whole house as soon as I moved out including getting new furniture- yeah I know, I'm lucky!)

Here are some pictures of the house when it was still empty and the patio. Click on th album to see the captions others otherwise it's just a bunch of white walls

bathtime

Sheli and I gave Bear a bath last night (ok, I gave bear a bath, sheli sat on the bathroom counter eating a snack keeping me company). It was the first time I bathed him in years (no he's not nasty dirty... well, my dad might disagree... he usually goes to a groomer) but he needs his shots and can't get groomed until he gets them and since we're moving this week, I thought it would be nice to have a clean dog in my new house. Mid bath i remembered why I stopped bathing him myself and started taking him to the groomers.... I was more wet than he was.

Lunch

I sat outside today for lunch to enjoy the sun and fresh air. I took this picture with my phone just before heading in. The sweet smell of flowers, warm weather and fresh snow on the mountains from the rain this weekend...... beautiful!!!!

mmmmmmmm.....

...the smell of orange blossoms are everywhere here! It is amazing (and not citrus-y at all like one might think). It is light and sweet and makes me smile because it means spring is here. We have three orange trees at my parents and four at my new house including one that sits right outside the kitchen window so no matter which house I'm in I can always smell it come through the windows on the breeze...

all the more reason to love march.