Still No Camera But I Have Ratbone Photos!

I took a little time off from Ratbone during graduation and my Dad's visit (he is still in Florida but visiting my Aunt this week) so I missed a week or so of posting the new dogs. Sorry to those who enjoy the photos:( Remember, if you are interested in seeing more go to Ratbone Rescues web site...or Petfinder.com...or 1-800 Save-A-Pet!

Lolita in Washington

Mohawk in Washington

Button in Florida

Hunter

Mali in Florida

Molly Too in Wisconsin

Still No Camera :(

On the bright side, I've read 1 1/2 books with my "leisure" time!

Vickie

More Quilt Blocks

I made 3 more - sorry I cannot show them to you :(

It's Offical

My digicamera is dead. I did receive a nice check for graduation so perhaps there will be a new one soon. Hub wants me to wait on some 4th of July sale at his store - sounds soooo far away. You may not be seeing posts from me for a while unless I decide to go "archive".

Vickie

Graduation Day

We are back from graduation. It was a glorious day with only one fatality - will explain that later. Cousin Erica and her mom (Lee) and Dad (Don) joined me, Jerry, my mom (Vee) and my Dad (Carl) at our house for a cocktail of fresh squeezed orange juice and champagne. The limo arrived at 7:45 and we were on our way before 8am. (By the way, Lee is my first cousin so Erica is my first cousin once removed but since my mom & Lee sorta grew up together some, seems more like Erica is my first cousin.)

This is a lousy photo of my family inside the Tampa Convention Center - they all had red eye but it is the only one of them inside so I'm posting it.

There was a processional into the center, a welcoming address, the presenation of colors and national anthem, the introduction, student speaker, faculty awards, and a commencement speaker. The speaker was great - she was both a a standup comic and a family therapist, really.

Then there was the conferring of 600 degrees, presentation of the class of 2008, before the recessional pictures above - I'm the white girl on the right, LOL.

This is me, bad hair day and sick headache, showing off my new diploma channelside. It was so sunny we couldn't take this photo without sunglasses because I couldn't keep my eyes open. The mortarboard cap was so unflattering and did horrible things to your hair/bangs (think conehead).

Here's Jerry getting into the limo. We were then off the the Colonnade for a nice seafood lunch.

The trip seemed super short after we opened a bottle of champaigne and toasted our way to the restaurant. (you can see the pitcher of mimosa from the ride TO the convention center).

Here we all are about to go into the restaurant albiet a little tipsy from champaign on an empty stomach!

The fatality - Jerry gave me roses and had the waiter bring a pitcher of water to put them in on the table. Suddenly the pitcher tipped over and water was everywhere including inside my digital camer. I was lucky to get these off before it quit functioning completely. That's why the pre-restaurant photos are the final photos.

Garden Shots Today - no text, just photos

Birdhouse Blocks

Great day so far. Met mom for manicures, facial, waxing and brunch. Then went shopping with Dad at the exchange where hubby works. Got a new Donney purse for graduation. Also did some shopping for someone else but can't mention it yet - it's a surprize. Got thank you notes and Dad's day card. Next we are on our way to the Golden Corral where Dad likes to eat. It's a very nice buffet. Then to Target for some sort of plastic container to make Mimosa's in for the limo ride to graduation tomorrow. Oh, I bought fresh squeezed orange juice from the groves for the mimosas! That will be yummy.

Remember when I said I was going to add a few blocks to the birdhouse blocks given to me by my old guild? Well, here are two that I have made. The top uses a log cabin center (quilters will know what I mean) and the second one uses some great fabric but a very poor selection of background. I thought it would look like the birdhouse was in the flowers but the print just isn't strong enough. Too bad too because I used some cool fabrics for the house.
The pattern below is one that no one in the guild selected so I am going to make three of them. I'm thinking one in soft yellows and light blue and another in bright greens and orange. I'm undecided on the color scheme for the last one. Any suggestions? I am open to your ideas.

Dad at Dog Park

Time has been precious the last week or so but now I am off work until next Tuesday. My Dad and I took the rat terriers to the Clearwater dog park today - it was hot and the dogs didn't last long. Now it's overcast and raining. Hard to tell it's the same town!

Many thanks to those of you who have sent graduation cards and gifts. I will get around to thanking you all individually but it's going to be a whirlwind weekend for now, but fun!

Vickie

Dad's Here!

My Dad arrived Saturday afternoon and I've not paid much attention to the blog since - actually before as I prepared for his arrival. Will catch up soon. I promise.

Vickie

Ratties Looking for Homes......

Mid Week Garden Photos

Been a little busy this week getting ready for Dad's visit - he comes on Saturday! It's been awfully hot and my orchids, as well as other plants, are looking stressed. In the midst of my unhappy plants I was able to find a few photo worthy volunteers. My Tampa orchid has ONE single bloom open but many, many more waiting. It will be FABULOUS!

Isn't my shrimp plant beautiful? You can see a little of my bromeliad broder but it is stressed right now because it turned so hot when it was newly planted. I am thinking next year will be much better. Also, notice the limbs from the papaya tree - more on that below.

I have couple shots of my dendrobian that blooms on the old canes after the leafs drop off. You'll see one cane is blooming while the other is closed.
Hey! There's a man in my pool! I was taking a far away of the dendrobian and didn't realize he had moved from the other side of the pool.

I have a cactus starting to bloom. I believe these are giant red, fragrant flowers. But then again, I said that before and they weren't. I believe this is the plant that I confused with last month's bloomer.

The ever dependable psyclops is at it again. Fully opened and strange.

To be fair, I need to show garden nightmares too. OK, I bought this 5 years ago as a sapling papaya. It grew huge and we were enjoying it's fruits. Then a bad hurricane season came and bent the thing over which turned out ok because the tree had grown and the fruit was almost out of reach. Then a frost came and parts of it melted but that was ok because new branches grew and we could reachthe fruit again. Haven't been able to reach fruit, although someone has (probably rats) and we were ocnsidering removing it but it dedicded to die on it's own. It got a moldly look (possibly overspray from moving orchids outside and watering) and now the giant branches are pulling off easily. I love papaya ad will miss it.

Another bad photo of the Hot Pink orchid. I don't know what it is about me and this plant. I cannot get a clear photo and I am using the close up feature on my camera. It works in the other photos :(

Green Thumb Sunday

Didn't get to do my Sunday morning garden shots that I like so much because of the morning light. Camera battery was dead and couldn't figure out where hubby stashed the rechargable box :)

These are my phalanopsis. Still waiting for the yellow one....perhaps it was a dream. LOL

Hey! How did this photo of Eddie get in here?

Another example of my bad photography. I took several photos of this plant and all were bad.

The photo above and the one below are two different angles of the same dendrobian that blooms right on the cane. It's been working on making blooms for several weeks now. Looks like it is getting close. perhaps the next Sunday garden blog will have it in full bloom. You'll just have to stop back by to see ;)

A close up my Tampa orchid and then one a step back showing an ever blooming oncydium. My Tampa's buds are swollen and look like they could pop at any minute. I am so looking forward.