It's All Over And *I* Didn't Even Sing...

Hey, it WAS hot ya know! Grace at third waiting to be brought home...

*Smack*

The team...Grace is 4th from the right.

Our own MVP

...uh huh. The fat lady must have been singin' 'cause Grace's softball season came to an end late Saturday afternoon. It came during the second round of tourney play and wow. It was a real heart breaker at the end...7-8. But the girls played hard and well, were great sports and had so much fun. They learned a lot this season and worked together as a team and as friends. It doesn't get better than that!

There will be a cook out for the team this Saturday, to celebrate their season and get together again. We all look forward to that!

I hope you all had a sweet weekend and that all the dads in your lives were treated well!

Have a wonderful week...stay cool and smile a lot! Life is such a precious gift!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Weekend Shenanigans

I hope your weekend has been a sweet one. We started ours on Saturday morning with a visit to Rolandia Miniature Golf Course.

Grace and her BFF, The beautiful Ms. K. What better way to cool yourself on a warm day than a Water War! There was the sweetest Mama and Papa Mallard living right in the middle of the golf course. Their little ones seemed happy and healthy and I just had to get a few shots of them!

You first...no, YOU first...noooo...YOU first... Sssh...come on. She will never know we left.... Surf's Up!

And then we said goodbye.... On Sunday we enjoyed a wonderful sermon at our church and had a delicious brunch at The First Watch, one of our favorite spots. Grace and I LOVE their omelets and fresh fruit. Mom had the spinach Eggs Benedict which looked amazing. Bill usually gets their cranberry pecan pancakes. Yummy! After eating all that great food, we headed over to Cox Arboretum, where we met some friends for walk through the park.Our Grace with the lovely Ms. N. This is Zipp....he is a highly trained Border Collie who lives in and works for the Metro Parks. He keeps the geese at bay, never hurting them, so there is little to no problem with those lovely creatures. Zipp is amazing to watch. He is also a love...he had lots of down time on this day, so was making sure that each of us had a chance to scratch his head and rub his ears! I considered it an honor! There was a wedding in the park this day...how could I not take a peek? I was able to get this shot while the couple were having photos taken. The groom's family is from India and I was able to chat with them and the bride's father. Such lovely people. This little guy was not a guest at the wedding...and he seemed a bit miffed. Grace had been invited to her BFF's Uncle's home for swimming and a cook out this evening. Bill and I jumped at this chance to see "Indiana Jones and The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull". Did I enjoy it? Oh YEAH!! Then it was off to our community's Dog Park. Kipper loves to go and *run with the pack*! I did not take my camera but here is a play by play....Kip gets shy at first, the dogs already there come up for a sniff. They all do the "Bumsniff Mambo" (A term coined by a dear friend!), decide they can all be friends and begin playing. Eventually the big dogs on the other side of the fence begin to taunt the little guys and challenge them to an, "up and down, next to the fence, until the first one drops", race. Then it is off.... Up and down, up and down, back and forth...until all doggies are panting and slurping water and collapsed on the grass. Oh it was sight to behold! Today will find us working in the yard and then hosting a little family cookout.

For those of you here in the US, I wish you a happy and safe Memorial Day. To ALL of my blogger friends, I wish each of you a safe, happy and sunny week!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

A Little Bit Of This And A Whole Lot Of That

Gee, has it been 3 days since I was last here? It must be old age. I have no idea what happens to the days anymore! I hope you are all well and warm and happy. It is snowing here...again...but the accumulation amounts are going down, which is a GOOD thing. It does look so pretty though...just soft, fluffy bits of cotton floating down from Heaven. We had a busy weekend with volunteer activities and church, movies with friends and errands. We really enjoyed seeing "Michael Clayton" and didn't George Clooney look smashing at the Oscars? Almost Cary Grant-ish but then, No one does Cary Grant better than Cary himself! I miss that man. My buddy *T*, Mom and I had a girl's afternoon out which included seeing the movie, "Vantage Point". *T* is a huge Matthew Fox fan and my Mom has a wee bit of a crush on one Mr. Dennis Quaid. Let us just say that the 3 of us have been known to appreciate a nice looking gentleman and this movie had lots of nice looking men. Ahem... It was a thrill ride of a movie, loads of action and not at all *gory*. Ala The Jason Bourne films. Good triumphed over evil and the best men won... On this *gory* note, has anyone seen "Let There Be Blood" or "No Country For Old Men"? I realize that violence plays a part in many films, a vehicle with which to relate a story. But does violence need to be of the stomach churning, *gory* variety? Do I sound like a wimp? Probably, but even though I would like to see the characters portrayed by brilliant actors like Javier Bardem, Tommy Lee Jones and Daniel Day Lewis, I have stayed away due to the graphic nature of the violence that many reviewers spoke about. Okay, I AM a wimp. That said, I read an interview with actress Reece Witherspoon today that I enjoyed. She was discussing the films she has had the best time working in and the ones she is now helping to create. She wants to provide movie goers more uplifting and joyful experiences. To paraphrase Ms. Witherspoon, what is wrong with offering the public films with a sweet message, one where the boy kisses the girl at the end and the conclusion has everyone living happily ever after? Two of her more recent films are now among my favorites, "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Just Like Heaven". Both are ever so dear romantic comedies, girl hugs boy and all ends charmingly. What's so wrong with that? The large numbers of patrons sitting in the theaters which feature such films must not think there is a single thing to object about in a lovely romantic comedy! And darn it, men like them too. Even when they don't like to admit it! Life is hard enough for many, do we really need to plunk down $9 to be reminded how awful it can be? Alright, alright, enough whining from me but heck. Is Hollywood listening? This year's Oscars did not do well in the ratings. Most folks I have spoken with did not see the *Best* Picture winner. I would love to hear from anyone who DID see it and give me their review. I love a finely crafted, well acted film and would love to be able to see this one. Can anyone fill me in or am I destined to be a sorry wimp forever? Like I said, I DO realize that violence in many films is warranted, no one goes to see a Western and expect the gun slingers to use bubble blowers but does it need to be shown as graphically as it was in many of the nominated films last year? Just my two pennies and we all know they are not worth a whole heck of a lot! Bill gave me a dozen yellow roses for Valentine's Day and they are just about at their end. I always take photos of my flowers so I can enjoy them awhile longer... Bill usually buys me yellow roses as he knows they are my favorites. Yellow roses and daisies....so pretty together. Gracie made her own Mardi Gras mask and wanted to show it off a bit! The next day, a very naughty Henry the cat decided it was a toy. Poor, pink feathers will never be the same... I never did post this picture of my mother and daughter on Chinese New Year. We went to dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant with Mom, our buddy *T*, and one of Grace's best friends, *Miss E* and her parents. We had a lovely time and I thought my special "ladies in red" looked beautiful! I wanted to show you this precious box and lovely tussie mussie made with the loving hands of our fellow blogger, Rosemary! Rosemary, at RosesPetiteMaison , is a blessing! Rosemary makes the sweetest boxes and tussie mussies! You must take a peek! She is a real talent and the dearest lady. I purchased these delights through dear Jennifer at The Old Painted Cottage. Both her blog and her extraordinary shop are a feast for your eyes. We spent a great deal of last week baby sitting our neighbor's precious Toy Fox Terriers. I got this shot of Grace with Elliot under the fur babies' Mama's coffee table!

This is Olivia & Grace.

This is Grace with Elliot...Oh, and yes, their Mama is a HUGE fan of Law and Order SVU!

Little puppy dog paws in the snow... I hope your Tuesday is a sweet one. I am off to do a bit of cleaning and dog walking and laundry! Take care and remember to smile! Love and Hugs, Susie Q

Just Some More Weekend Photos...From The Goofball

Just some more of my weekend photos. Some may be a little *goofball* so prepare yourselves! This is the Bed and Breakfast in Wyandot, Michigan that was our home away from home. We can not wait to go back in the Spring. Gerry and Vicki were phenomenal! They are two of the dearest people and made us feel so welcome. We had great fellow guests so the conversation was lively. Their home is just lovely...

Another of the 4 pretty guest rooms. Our room...we had a small sitting area, huge bathroom and a powder room. A little fireplace, A bottle of sherry and crystal glasses, nice window views, television and a DVD player. We also had a BIG walk in shower AND a claw foot tub! Now that was Heaven! While we were at dinner (at Portofino's On The Lake and oh wow! Was it delicious!) our bed was turned down, the fireplace turned on and dark chocolates were resting on our pillows. Here are a few more pictures from The Henry Ford Museum Any school child in the 50s and early 60s will remember class rooms like this as well as the chalkboard instructions! "Okay children..duck and cover!" Uh huh. This was going to save us from nuclear annihilation!

Abraham Lincoln's rocker from Ford's Theater. Anyone as old as I am remembers gas station rest rooms like this...and gas stations with full service too. "Wash your windows Ma'am? Check your oil?" I loved this letter from Clyde Barrow to Henry Ford. "...my business hasn't been strictly legal..." And if you have to ask who Clyde Barrow is...well...do NOT tell me. I am already feeling my age today! The limousine in which JFK was assassinated. The Montgomery, Alabama transit bus in which Rosa Parks made her courageous stand. Oh yes, the original weinermobile. "Oh I wish I was an Oscar Mayer...."Okay, so these neon signs take me back a few years. I KNOW I am old! Loved this actual diner...and yes you young whippersnappers! I have eaten in such places!! Quit reminding me how old I am! And no, I did not KNOW Thomas A. Edison in person...ha ha. You are SO funny! It was such a sweet weekend and Bill and I really enjoyed getting away together. Thank you for sharing our weekend with us through these pictures...goofball and otherwise!