Whew!

It has been non stop wackiness around Rabbit Run Cottage of late!

I have had little to no time at all to visit or post here and for that, I humbly apologize!

 I know all of you are up to sweet things around your places and I promise to drop by soon!

We celebrated our dear son's birthday last week. He is so much like his Dad...cherishes the simple and quiet things in life...so a little family party here at home was just what he wanted. His favorite coconut cake finished off a dinner of grilled hot dogs, french fries, shrimp and yes. Sushi. The boy loves his sushi!

Grace knows exactly what to get her big brother...the gift of Starbucks!

Then we attended an awards event at Grace's school. She had no idea she was

winning anything nor that we would be there!

This is the "What are you two doing here?" look we got when she spotted us!

Thankfully, the surprised look changed to a big smile for us!

We knew she was recieving awards for orchestra and art club as well as the coveted "Most Improved Student" award but they surprised all of us with another...

Grace was given one of the Presidential Awards For Educational Excellence.

The award is quite lovely, signed by the President and the Secretary of Education and came with a Presidential Seal pin.

Her teachers told us she has worked so hard, been so dedicated to learning and come so very far in the last few years. We are so proud of her, of both of our children, and all they have accomplished!

Lots more to talk about but too little time to post! Today is Grace's last day of Elementary sachool! Yikes! Where did the time go? The PTO is throwing the kids a wonderful party at the Township Rec Center. I am on the decorating committee so need to run! I have a lot of balloons to blow up! *laugh* Should be easy for me! After all, I am filled with hot air!

Thinking of you all and sending each one of you lots of love!

I hope your June is going beautifully!

And The Oscar Goes To...

Carolyn, the Magpie Pixie herself,

is celebrating her birthday today! And whoa. Does this lovely woman know how to throw a blowout gala!

Stop by to check it all out and to hop on links to other bloggers who will be celebrating with her!

Everyone who is anyone will be there...oh yeah, and I'll be there too.

Now most of you know how much I love the art of film. Okay, so I am absolutely gaga over the movies and have enjoyed watching the award shows since I was but a sprout! I adore the Oscars...the dresses, the hairstyles, the glitz, the glamor, the sheer unbridled excess of it all!

But to actually BE there, to walk the red carpet...this is truly a dream come true.

And now, thanks to Carolyn's generosity, I will be there! Whew! So much to do, so little time...where do I begin...

A dress...I need a dress. Hmmm...let's rummage through my closet...oof...what about...nah...too much cleavage shows...let's try...ooh. Too tight...aw...I hear Kate Winslett is wearing this one and I wouldn't want to show her up poor thing...sooo...whatcha think? How about this one? Understated, really expresses who I am...

Too much?? Okay...

What about this? Doesn't show too much skin...LOVE

the red...what d'ya think?

Sheesh are you people hard to please!

Ah...now THIS is it. I think it says,

"I am elegant and sophisticated but in a youthful and childish way...er...childlike way." That's the one...

What am I forgetting...uh...OH! Shoes! How about these sweet little numbers? Comfy and just made to bounce down that red carpet!

Now Carolyn requested that our dates all be "Toy Boys" but as most of you well know, my heart belongs to one Mr. Dennehy. Besides, he has been to so many of these award shebangs that

he is JUST the person I want to be with...yeah, that's the only reason...um...but Brian is who I pick to be my escort! Yup. He is it...my date. M.Y. D.A.T.E.

* Did I just get goosebunps?*

Yoo hoo...Brian?

Oh you silly man...put that weapon down...this will be fun! I promise...Brian! Put that gun DOWN! NOW!

Yes sweetie, I SEE that you have your own tuxes. Whole closets of them. After all, you HAVE done this type of gig a time or two. But I have chosen the most PERFECTO tux to compliment my dress. Heads will turn my handsome man...heads will turn!

See darlin? You will stand out in the crowd!!

Stop crying Brian! Puleeze! Just put it on!

You are making such a scene...

Now doesn't my date look tickled pink about all of this?? I can not wait to step down that red carpet with Brian on my arm...or...ME on HIS arm? Which ever...as long as I get to touch his arm. For your gift dear Carolyn, I wish to present you with an Oscar Gift Basket filled with just a few of those odds and ends that all award nominees and presenters receive. It is only fair that you receive one after all...it is YOUR big day!

Your treasures will include: • A Krups kitchen set. Not just a coffeemaker, either. This year's gift includes a toaster, an electric kettle and a year's supply of coffee and tea ($700) • A two-night stay at The Carlyle hotel in New York ($2,300) • A red leather case filled with Shu Uemura cosmetics, including mink eyelashes ($600) • A year's supply of Vonage broadband phone service ($500) • A three-night stay for two at Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina ($3,600) • A two-night stay for two at Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley (Calif.) wine country ($2,500) • A three-night stay for two (plus a "personal surf-butler") at St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa in Dana Point, Calif. ($5,900) • A dinner party at any Morton's, The Steakhouse ($1,500) • Kay Unger cashmere pajama bottoms ($500) • An assortment of Manni Oils' extra virgin olive oil ($540) • An unlimited day of services at Cornelia Day Resort, which just opened this month on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue ($3,500) • A three-night stay at San Ysidro Ranch, a popular celebrity honeymoon spot in Montecito, Calif. ($3,000)

And, as an added touch, I will add some of the swag from other Oscar years...goodies like:

-- Three-night stay at the Esperanza resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico ($3, 000) (Paul McCartney recently took advantage of the gift certificate he received in last year's package) or Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe (San Diego County) OSCARS 2003 -- SkinCeuticals skin care products: antioxidant serum, skin lightener and sunscreen lotion ($208) -- Dinner party at Morton's steakhouse ($1,500 gift certificate) and a set of six steak knives -- Two-night stay at the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts' Willow Stream spa (six locations) -- Gaiam's Organic Night's Sleep Bag ($475) including sheets, blanket and alarm clock -- Custom shirt from Oliveri Fashion ($100 to $300) -- Four-night stay at Rosewood's Badrutt's Palace Hotel in St. Moritz, Switzerland($1,500) -- Charles Worthington shampoo and conditioner made of champagne extract and truffle oil, with a diamond hair pin designed by Erikson Beamon ($2,000) -- Jean Patou Enjoy perfume, not yet available in stores ($85) -- Kiehl's Academy Collection of skin care products ($200) -- Beamer Phone Video Station -- Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard and Amy Reiley's Pocket Gourmet software for Palm OS devices and Pocket PCs -- Palm Pilot software -- KATA Eyewear by Blake Kuwahar Sesna sunglasses ($350) -- Danier Leather flask with two shot glasses ($28) -- Jay Strongwater mirror compacts with salamander or frog detail adorned with Swarovski jewels ($275-$325) -- "Handbags World According to Jess" book -- A.T. Cross Liquid Saffron Ion Pen -- SkyMeals gift certificate ($150) -- Sanyo 5300 Camera Phone with one year of free service from Sprint -- Sleep Number Bed by Select Comfort ($2,600 gift certificate) -- Cargo cosmetics in sterling silver gift box ($600) -- Nomination Composable Charm Bracelet made of stainless steel, 18-karat gold and precious stones -- Christofle Collection 3000 silver cocktail spoon -- Dooney & Bourke leather tassel bag -- Leather Accent Table from Thomasville Furniture Bogart Collection ($840) -- Revlon cosmetics Red Carpet Bag -- Trip to Kenya from Micato Safaris -- A.T. Cross Ion Pen with gel-ink ($25) -- Giorgio Armani cosmetics ($250)

Well, thank you so, so much Carolyn for letting me come along and experience the Oscars as only YOUR birthday party guests can do! It was

an experience to remember...and does anyone know where Brian went??

Happy Birthday Carolyn!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

When I Schmooze, Do You Snooze?

Our darlin' sweet Pea has passed this delightful award on to me! Now, I am tickled pink by this as I simply love awards! I will have to look at gowns to wear for the ceremony, get my hair done and oh my! A pedicure! Does anyone know who the master of ceremonies will be? Could it be Brian Dennehy? One can live and hope can't one? Will there be awardee gift baskets? You know, the ones filled with decedent material goods worth thousands of dollars. No? Sheesh. How about a 10 percent off coupon for Burger King? OOH! Whoppers for everyone! I am also a bit confused about something. I looked up the meaning of the word *Schmooze*. FORMS : schmoozed or schmoosed also shmoozed, schmooz-ing or schmoos-ing, shmooz-ing, schmooz-es or schmoos-es shmooz-es. SLANG: to converse casually, especially in order to make a social connection. In other words, to schmooze is to talk. Now, you all know me by now. I am rather quiet and reserved. I am so very shy and delicate. I seldom speak above a hushed whisper. I never speak to strangers or talk in public. I am also a liar. A very bad liar. A huge fibber really. I DO talk, A LOT. I talk so much that poor Kipper has been known to hide under the bed, surrounding himself with Rubbermaid boxes full of wrapping paper and ribbons, just to avoid being *talked at* any longer. The cats hide in the bathtubs, praying that no one will feel unclean and discover them. In the event that someone feels the need to bathe and they are discovered, Lucy immediately drops into a cat nap like trance for hours hoping I will go away. Dan stays at work until the wee hours in hopes that Mom will be *talked out* by the time he arrives home. Then he actually pretends to be tired from working all day! Can you believe that?

Bill purposely chose flying as a career so he would develop hearing loss due to aircraft engines and therefore, not hear 92 % of what I talk about. Hmpf.Grace...schmoozing

Grace on the other hand has decided that she will fight fire with fire.She has been known to talk so much that I have not been able to get a word in edge wise. Thus, I have been rendered, yes, speechless. So, in an effort to express myself, I began a blog. And on this blog I talk. I speak, I bemoan, I belabor, I shout, I chat, I opine, I blabber, I yak, I flap my gums, I lecture, I jabber, I schmooze. Yes. I schmooze. S.C.H.M.O.O.Z.E. And I love every minute of it. I have a big mouth. I need a support group. "Hello, my name is Susie Q and I schmooze." Thank you dear Pea. You are a true delight! Now I am to choose 5 more bloggers who have been known to schmooze. I think of this as a good trait! These are 5 ladies who can spin a yarn and leave you smiling from ear to ear. They offer all sorts of interesting bits and bobs on their blogs, treats to amuse us, make us think, inspire. Here are 5 ladies who will delight you! Cheryl ....is an amazing writer and tells wonderful stories about her family and, well, her life! She has a handsome husband and 3 adorable daughters who are pretty spiffy, just like their Mom. In fact, it was Cheryl who has given us a new family tradition. We bounce on hotel beds. Yup. We jump, bounce and hop. Ask Grace. Melissa ....also writes extremely well and spins a good yarn or two. She an endearing style and never fails to leave me grinning. A fun lady who just happens to have loads of talent, a great looking husband and of the cutest daughters on Earth. I am one of her little girl's biggest fans! Really. I am thinking of starting a fan club. Rhoda ....one of the most creative and talented decorators I have ever seen. She has tons of delightful ideas and is always willing to share them with all of us. She is always ready to share a memorable trip or two, delicious recipes and sweet photos that tell great stories in themselves. Andrea ....has such an easy and warm manner and readily shares her area's landmarks and travel tips, recipes, historical houses and her own decorating style. I am always inspired and intrugued by her ideas and hints and stories. Pat ....is a delight! She takes the most glorious trips and shares all the fun with us. Her photos are a treat in of themselves. She has such a pleasant manner and relates her stories with grace and warmth.

And The Surprises Just Keep Comin'...

From dear Karla at Sugar Bear Designs...another Rockin' Girl Blogger Award! Thank you Karla! That is pretty awesome coming from someone as talented and creative as yourself! Karla is a sweetheart...she is a wonderful designer. Her Etsy shop jewelry is stunning! I plan on ordering one of her Grace bracelets (Named for one of her personal heroines, Grace Kelly) as a gift for OUR Grace. She also has the most delightful online Doggie treat boutique! Drop by and see her....you will love her! I truly do not take these awards lightly. It humbles me, lifts me. Thank you so much....now, I need to go and turn up the volume on my stereo. Where is that Metallica CD. Ah...A/C D/C!! Let's R.O.C.K! that all my blogging friends are R.O.C.K.I.N'! So, here goes that first dart....Can you hear me?? The music is LOUD I know! Now then...I need to pass this award on to 5 more Rockin' girls....so, I shall do as before and randomly choose! I just must admit that I think ALL my blogging friends R.O.C.K. So, I must randomly choose...here goes the first dart... Shwoosh...PLUNK... Kate at The French Nest! She's smart, witty and loves all things French. You cannot beat that! The perfect Trifecta! Naturegirl...an amazing photographer and gardener. She has the heart and soul of a poet. She will dazzle you. Mama P...this girl can write. Oh yeah. And she will make you laugh so hard that milk will come out of your nose! Okay, that was just me... Pamela...such a wonderful writer and person. Check out her latest post...Global Worming indeed! . Brown English Muffin...she is funny, thought provoking, smart and has this adorable little girl...Ooh! Stop by and visit these special ladies and give yourself a treat! But, if you are in need of even more goodies, visit any one of the women whose links you will find just to the left...they ALL R.O.C.K! Now, back to the music...wait! Is that Misty Mountain Hop and Led Zeppelin? Oooh. Gotta dance!