Is It Spring Yet?

It’s been a while since I posted – so sorry! But it’s been crazy around here!

The kids were on spring break the first week of April – we had about one nice weather day that week. Some friends and I managed to slip in a trip with the kids to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA:

It was nice to see some signs of spring! Of course, then the weather went downhill…

So I took advantage of the yucky days to clean out the closets. I ended up donating 16 bags of stuff to Purple Heart – I found some T-shirts that I’ve had since 1994! Time to let them go…

As far as crafts go, we also managed a trip to the Stamp Scrap Art Tour when it came to NJ. Taking me there was like taking an alcoholic to an open bar! I spent WAY too much money but bought some FABULOUS stamps from lots of different vendors. That’s right – I cheated on Stampin’ Up! – but it felt really good! 🙂

I’ve also been doing quite a bit of yardsale-ing with my friends. I managed to pick up some real bargains last week like some vintage teddy bears, a desk for my daughter and a stack of vintage suitcases that I’m using for an end table. Going to yardsales is like going on a treasure hunt – plus, it satisfies my shopping addiction while spending very little actual cash (unlike my trip to the stamp show!).

But the most exciting news of the month is the newest addition to our family. Let me introduce you to Daisy:

Daisy is a 10-week-old goldendoodle puppy. What is a goldendoodle, you ask? A goldendoodle is a cross between a golden retriever and a standard poodle. They were originally bred to act as service dogs for those who need a dog, but have allergies. They are supposed to pick up the wonderful temperament of the golden retriever, the intelligence of the poodle and – the best part – they shed very little, if at all.

These dogs (as well as their counterparts – labradoodles) have become very popular – we have actually been researching the breed for over a year now. We wanted to get a puppy last fall, but decided that housebreaking in the fall/winter would be too difficult, so we thought we’d wait until the spring.

After losing Maggie a few weeks ago, I was so upset – I cried for days and started all over again after I picked up her ashes from the vet. I thought about it and decided that for my birthday this year, I would like to have a puppy as my present. So my wonderful husband found a goldendoodle breeder online and we drove up to get her last weekend.

It was a LONG ride – 3 1/2 hours each way! And we actually came back with 2 puppies – we brought one back for one of Mike’s co-workers. It was an interesting ride, that’s for sure! Here are both puppies climbing on my son and daughter in the car…

And here’s Daisy with the little guys on Easter morning:

Having a new puppy is like having a baby – I’m exhausted! But she is so sweet and so adorable…she’s just also very….hmmm….ornery is the word that comes to mind! Here’s a photo of her trying to get under the fence to play with the neighbor’s basset hound:

She actually fit through that hole and ran into their yard!

She’s also already climbed the baby gate:

But is learning to get along with our cat, Jingles. Here they are actually co-existing on the couch with me (notice…Daisy is sleeping):

She is so sweet, soft, cuddly and adorable – it’s really helping to keep me occupied (as if I didn’t already have enough to do that!).

Along with everything else going on, yesterday was opening day for Pitman Little League. Mike coaches TWO teams – one with my son Andrew and one with my son Matt. Here’s Andrew’s team:

Mike is the second from the left (number 16) and Andrew is the second from the right). It turned out to be a nice day, but it’s still VERY cold!

Speaking of which…we’re in the middle of a nor’easter today and the puppy refuses to go outside….it’s going to be a LONG day….maybe I can sneak into my craft room at some point while the puppy is sleeping.  I want to try out some of my new stamps!!!!