Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Goodbye Sweet Girl

I have gone back and forth on writing this post because honestly I am not one to open up when I am hurting, I tend to build a bit of a wall and unless I am alone or with a close friend I keep things to myself. But my darling first baby, Agatha Marie Hunter, otherwise known as MooMoo or Moomie, or Ags, or Aggie has passed on. The pain that I feel is excruciating. It feels like I have been kicked in the stomach and I guess I kind of have. Aggie was 11 years old, she was suppose to live to be 13 or 14 that was the plan, well it was my plan however someone else had a different idea.

Aggie came to me in the back of a Mitsubishi Eclipse all the way from Chicago. I had seen a picture of her and told my best friend she was the cutest dog I had ever seen. My best friend told me you can have her if you want her, my mother-in-law doesn't want to keep her. She said "my mother-in-law will probably fly the dog out here if you want her." Well instead her mother-in-law drove her out to me. It was March of 2002. Aggie was 1 1/2 years old. I had just moved to Shelton a few months before, had not found a job yet and was in desperate need of a friend. Aggie was perfect. Aggie was adorable. She was lovable and yes as some girls are she was bossy. She would bark at you until you either pet her, got up out of the seat she wanted or you fed her. She was full of personality and she was perfect. She would attack you with kisses in the morning, she would drink a rum and coke if an unsuspecting party goer left their drink unattended. She loved catching mice and snakes and anything else she could find in the field. Aggie would meet Arturo in the field at 7am and stay out with him and the crew until they left at 5pm. She was a farm dog and loved every inch of our 5 acre piece of land.

Over the last few months she started getting a little bit more sweet, a little more clingy a little more "old" but you know what, my husband and I were actually excited. She was finally slowing down as all old dogs should. But a week ago she stopped being really interested in food and then she started sleeping a lot. Next her breathing changed and on December 26, 2011 we had to say goodbye. She could barely stand to greet us when we went to say goodbye, although she did give me one last kiss and snuggled her head into my leg as I pet her soft fur.

My heart hurts to the point of no return. I know in time it will get easier, but for now there is void that hurts uncontrollably. I love you Moomie, until we meet again. Godspeed.

Friday, December 09, 2011

Matt Damon is Perfection

Normally this time of year you would be blessed with my annual Wreath Season rant. However, this year I will spare you the rant and instead leave you with the wonderful Matt Damon. I just love Matt Damon! The face, the TEETH, his adorable personality and right now more than anything his love for clean water. It's like we were meant to be together, yet somehow that has not happened.

Anyway many of you know that I work in the water industry at a non-profit that provides training and technical assistance to water and wastewater operators throughout the fine State of Washington. Matt Damon is a huge supporter of water.org and they have put together an adorable video on making a water bottle the "hot" toy for this holiday season. I am certain after watching the video you will feel the same about Matt Damon as I do...perfection!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

School Days!

This past week has been filled with first days of school for our family. It started last week with Georgia. She is now a big first grader, going to school all day long and riding the bus. She seems to be doing great and enjoying her class, tonight she told me she was picked as team leader...nice!



Georgia

Natalie started Pre-K today. She has been telling me for the last month that she is not attending Pre-K. She says she already goes to school so she doesn't need to go to Pre-K. With that, I was a little frightened that my shy girl would not walk nicely into the classroom, however she did! Andy took her to school instead of me which probably helped a great deal, but there is the small chance that she was just ready to take on a new adventure.

Natalie
Speaking of new adventures, I have gone back to school too. I am taking a NonProfit Leadership Certification course through a local community college. Classes are one day a month from now until May. So far I have learned my Meyers Briggs personality INFJ, and had a class on Ethics. You know what, it is really fun to learn when you want to! I am looking forward the rest of my classes throughout the school year.

Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Family, Friends and the Fourth of July


What a gorgeous weekend we had here in the PNW. And what a rarity that it was sunny and warm on the 4th of July. We had a wonderful 4th of July BBQ with our friends and family as we do every year. We had tank wars, and new this year car races and boat races as well as a stretch hummer limousine (they were all fireworks, we don't have THAT much fun at our BBQ). The girls decorated themselves with tattoos, we filled our tummys with shrimp, salmon and pulled pork, and topped the night off with cake balls and strawberry shortcake. By 10:30 the finale was over I was ready for bed. What a wonderful night.
The Gang

Andy & Tony having tank wars.


Smile Tony!

1/2 of the Bennett Family

All the girls waiting to play tank wars!

Bennett Kiddos

Natalie lighting her tank.

Natalie showing off her sleeve tattoo.

Could he BE and cuter?

Georgia & Morgen, cousins & BFFs

Lily and Hannah, sparkler time!

Sunday, May 08, 2011

Spring Is Blooming!


I love tulips! Last year Andy bought bags and bags of tulip bulbs for us to plant around the house. As things go around our house I completely forgot about them until about March of this year. So the girls and I planted some in the flower beds but we still had oodles and oodles of tulip bulbs left over. Well, and this is when I love the fact that my husband is a farmer and loves to plant things and play in the dirt, Andy planted all of our hanging baskets and all of our planters with the remaining bulbs. Our yard and deck look fabulous!!!




Hanging tulip basket



Besides the tulips blooming our fruit trees have begun to bloom too. The we have two cherry trees, one Rainier Cherry and one Bing Cherry. They are both in full bloom and I love looking out my kitchen window at them. Our apple trees have started to bloom as well, they aren't quite as loaded as the cherry trees but their pretty pink blossoms are the perfect touch of spring.

Apple Blossom
Cherry Blossom

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

I Need A Party to Plan!

I have a new favorite blog and a new favorite obsession...One Charming Party. It is the most adorable blog about children's parties, there is a DIY section,a place to order their party plans, and they show you adorable ideas for party favors.

I can't get enough. Poor Georgia, she just wants to go to Charlie Safari for her birthday and I am trying to throw her an over the top adorable party at home.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Lynch Creek Farm is Blogging

Lynch Creek Farm (my husband's blood, sweat and tears) has a blog!!! A big thanks to Carolyn Maddux who is taking on this endeavor for the farm. Check it out! http://blog.lynchcreekdahlias.com/