welcoming myself back.

it has been over a month since i've blogged. i have been busy and life gets in the way. we had a crazy heat wave that kept me swamped at work and limited any outdoor activity i would have blogged about. i am doing GREAT on weight watchers. i've lost a total of 16 pounds even though i haven't been able to exercise nearly as much as i'd like since i don't have a gym membership and i don't want heat stroke. the A/C in my car is broken so it has really been hell. a few cool things have happened though that i can share.

i met world-renowned author PATRICIA CORNWELL.

she came to my office to see the crime scene rooms she donated to us.

we went camping for JT's birthday at green ridge state forest, the same place we had our first date and also where we got engaged. we try to go every year now. rivers and creeks are my 'church' and i can spend hours exploring and swimming. while camping a cat wandered into our campsite and refused to leave so we networked a bit and found her a ride to the local no-kill allegany county animal shelter. their resources are tapped so if anyone would like to donate they have an amazon wish list !! 

we named this little lady Scrapple after she snagged half of our breakfast one morning. JT was so smitten but we just cannot afford proper vet care for a 4th animal.

while we were camping, all the kids went to their grandparents' house. Moocow got a haircut while she was there since her akita-fur always has her so overheated and huffy puffy. (and as you can see, Corbin is still painfully handsome)