Puppy Antics

What have we done? The double puppy saga begins!

Happy Sunday! Well, here we are...at the beginning of our two puppy saga!!! We picked Cody up this morning at a Starbucks in South Denver....my two favorite things: puppies and Starbucks! A nice way to start the morning.

Here he is, sweet little Cody, during a quiet moment on the way home. He whined most of the way home then fell asleep.

Kimi seems to have adjusted well already to him. She's been playing with him and doesn't seem to be too annoyed by him. I think he got tired of her because she just wouldn't leave him alone. But here they are, our little berner babies. I'll keep you posted on future antics!!!

Blog Love Award

Wow!! I've been given a blog award...tee hee. My new friend, Fifi, who painted the beautiful Tuscan Courtyard scene for me has given me some blog love! I'm so excited!!! And we're gonna have a big blogland party along the Seine!! Do stop by her blog, check out her incredible art and give her a big hello!

Of course I belong in Paris!

I Belong in Paris What City Do You Belong In? (Take Quiz Here)

Stylish and expressive, you were meant for Paris. The art, the fashion, the wine! Whether you're enjoying the cafe life or a beautiful park... You'll love living in the most chic place on earth.

I Miss Italy

One of the things I miss most about Italy is my friends. Ron, Pam, Gina, David & Stanage all live in North Carolina...makes it kind of hard to see them on a regular basis. Luckily I have Sally here, otherwise I would be all alone (except for DH) with no Italy buds to reminisce with. I posted this pic back when we were in Italy but I look at it every day and it makes me smile. This was the first day we walked into Montespertoli so we were at the very beginning of our adventure and so eager to explore everything!!!

FYI, this little fun pic was done using http://www.picnik.com/. Check it out...lots of fun stuff for camera amateurs like me!


“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” - Bill Bryson

TV I Hate to Admit I Watch

Well, only 4 more days before new puppy boy comes home. I have finally decided on Cody...just seems to suit the pair better, don't you think? Kimi & Cody?? I think it's cute.

I can't believe I watched this!!!!




Everyone who knows me knows that although I love TV (I mean I really love TV) and movies, I despise reality shows. I think I have enough reality in my life...give me pure fiction and entertainment when I'm watching TV. Which is why I surprised myself twice in the last month because I watched Tory & Dean Home Sweet Hollywood. Not only did I watch but I cried during last night's episode. It freaked me out...LOL!!! She was in San Francisco for her book signing and went to see her Uncle Danny - her Dad, Aaron's, brother. It was such a sweet scene and he looked so much like her dad. Dean said at one point that he thought it was so sweet because it was like watching her with her dad. Having lost my dad six years ago, I completely related to how she felt being around her uncle. It was a really heartfelt episode and made me weep. And I thought those tears were reserved for "Gray's Anatomy"!!!!!

Monday & Missing Paris

Wow, postings two days in a row! It was a pretty busy weekend. A run, coffee & Pilates with Sally on Saturday then a mad rush to shower and get my hair done. Another mad rush to meet Judy for dinner and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival's "The Three Muskateers". It was a fun day but I was exhausted as I fell into bed around midnight. Sunday was spent recharging my batteries...cleaning out my frig, a playdate for Kimi with Marty. She should be very excited when Cody (yes, I've decided on a name) arrives...she'll have a built in playmate! But enough of that. One of my co-workers just came back from a working trip to Paris & Rennes. He and I had spent a little time before he left, going over things that he should see in Paris "off the beaten path". In return, all I asked was that he bring me back great photos. And he did...obviously I can't post them all but these two almost made me sob! The Eiffel Tower...as cheesy as it may sound...is still one of my favorite sites in Paris. Maybe because it's just so PARIS!!! It makes me tear up every single time I see it in person....so, here's a few of Nick's views of Paris.

This was taken from the top of Tour Montparnasse...isn't it beautiful? And the weather looks gorgeous. Be still my heart.

Notre Dame Cathedral is always on my must see list....even though I have seen it a zillion times. I just adore the gargoyles...doesn't he just seem to be contemplating life?

But look how scary these guys look!!! I love Nick's camera - he took some awesome pics!

I want to be here!!!!!

And a last look at this beauty!

Finally...we know which puppy is ours!

Happy Saturday and let's see who the lucky dog is! It's Bobby...although we have already decided on a name: Cody. We've been thinking about "Cody" for the last weeks but now I'm having second thoughts....Bobby is such a cute name and that's what we've been calling him since he was born so I don't know....I think we'll bring him home and see what sticks! Isn't he adorable? He's got a great personality and when we were visiting them at 4 weeks, he was under Kimi's feet the entire time....following her around like a "little puppy dog". It was too cute. She, on the other hand, didn't want to have anything to do with him but next Sunday she won't have a choice...she'll have to cohabitate with her new little brother. Yep, next Sunday, the 27th is when we bring him home. I'm very excited but a little nervous...an 8 month old and a new puppy...whew!

Company Picnic

I had a few minutes so I thought I'd share some pics from our Atrato company picnic. We had it on July 3 which was great since it gave us a 4 day weekend!!

It was held at the Boulder Res and there was beach volleyball, bocce games (my team won...must have been the practice I got in Montespertoli), watermelon, boats and plenty of camaraderie amongst all of our employees. It's always great fun to get our families together in a social atmosphere.

Dog Days of Summer

Happy to report that there's not much going on around here these days. We are so glad to be home with no travel in our near future...at least not personal travel. It seems like summer is just flying by!! Do you feel that way too? We get our new puppy in less than 2 weeks. I am very excited, but nervous at the same time...two dogs...ugh! What were we thinking. Kimi continues to grow and continues to amaze us with her "smarts". She got a bunch of neighborhood dog buds now and we bought her a plastic swimming pool for the back yard so she's quite popular in the dog community...tee hee. Dick is still playing with his car on the track. He spent this past weekend in Pueblo and had some great times. He's also been promoted to instructor so he's really having a good time both driving his own car and helping new drivers become addicted to the track!!! It's Concert in the Park time here in Erie so this past weekend, I went down to the park with our neighbors, the Simeons. A good time was had by all on Saturday night. I've started running again. Although my ankle is still a little sore the next day, I can manage close to 3 miles now. I've also started doing Body Pump at the local community center...so I'm moving again...slowly but surely. I had gotten way too lazy during my semi-retirement. Other than that, not much else is going on. Just enjoying our beautiful Colorado summer weather. Hope all my friends out there are having fun summers as well!

Art & Dogs

If only I were a better photographer! Here's a gorgeous painting that Fifi (http://fififlowersdecor.blogspot.com/) did of the courtyard of our Italian villa. I adore it and it is now hanging in a great spot in our living room where I can see it every single day. It makes me smile and brings me back to a "happy, happy place". You have to go over to her blog and check out her gorgeous art...and members of 8 in Italy (you know who you are), be on the watch for something special for you also coming in the mail this week!!! You definitely need to check out her Etsy site that has some great stuff. I think I'm addicted to Fifi art!!!





And of course, no post in complete without a pic of my baby! Can you believe how big she's getting???? And no, those aren't my young, skinny legs in the photo!!!!