PA is so GREEN

I am visiting home for a few days and marveling at the spring colors! I just finished mowing the grass and it's just gorgeous how lush green every looks. As soon as I return to Florida, I am working on landscaping my own front yard!

Dog Sitting

Mav and Sheb's had a great time dogsitting with me this weekend- they played outside all day long with two other big doggies, one brown, one black.  Don't Sheba and Rocco look like twins?  He wears a glow-in-the-dark collar and she has a white patch on her chest and little white she-toes, but when they are in a full sprint, its just a black blur.  Maverick hunted for hours and hours in the woods, looking up the sky for birds, and sniffing around everywhere.  We're all back home tonight, snuggled in our own bed together (and Sheba is snoring!)

April is Pet Birthday Month

Sharing the Doggie Water Fountain

Maverick and Otis both celebrated their 8th birthdays on April Fool's Day!  We took a trip to the dog park and had birthday bones with Sister Sheba, who turned 7 on April 25th.  The month of April seemed to just fly by!



Mav's Birthday at the Dog Park







Mav thinks he is not too big to fit under sofa




Sheba makes herself comfy at any cost

 



Looking very guilty (I caught him napping in the flowers)





Otis's new mug shot- just in case he escapes again



choosing paint colors

I've been living with newly plastered, white walls throughout the house since October and I'm going nuts for some color!  My red sofa is so loud that choosing a wall paint is quite challenging.  These swatches are the ones I've narrowed down, so far...

Family Visits

Mom and cousins visited all on the same day!  The Kosienski's spent the afternoon picking grapefruits and making juice and Mom did a lot of loving on the pups.  And soaking up sunshine- her tan is darker than Maverick!  We sure did have a nice time.  Lots of beach time with Mom, shopping, cooking, and relaxing.  Miss you!

Prescribed Burning



Burn Boss Greg monitors the edge of the trail



The burn team at work has been keeping fuel loads down with prescribed fires these past few weeks.  Its such an interesting concept, considering we all grew up with Smokey Bear preaching that only YOU can prevent forest fires.  In fact, fire is a necessary component in Florida's environment- the plants and animals here need it to survive.  Enough from me- these pictures speak a thousand words.  It looks and smells incredible out there!



one day after burn





two weeks later



New Bathroom



The guest bathroom is just about done!  I learned a lot about painting, bathroom hardware, plumbing, and the cost of moving pipes to accommodate a vanity with drawers.  I was stubborn about removing the old 70's tile, so I picked a wall color to compliment it and I think it worked out just fine.  New tile, new paint, new shower curtain, new toilet, new vanity, new fixtures, and this job is nearly complete.  Thanks to all of my friends who helped!

PS- I'm learning that projects are never really ever completely done; I still need to paint the door and install molding.  But for now it is a fully functional bathroom!

PSS- I realize I never took pictures of the initial linoleum floor and old toilet.  Below is my only before and after comparison.





Last week



This week