In Honor of McDuff

This past week has been a very difficult one for my family to say the very least. Last Thursday we lost our beloved McDuff. Duffy was 15 years old and he suffered several medical complications over the past several years. He was truly one of the sweetest natured and most gentle dogs that you could ever meet. As my sweet husband reminded me, Duffy lived a life that most humans only dream of. My parents took such incredible care of him. He and his brother, Dreyfus, brought so much love and joy to my family. He will be missed and remembered daily, particularly by my parents whose nest is truly feeling empty. We will find comfort in knowing that Duffy is no longer suffering as he has joined his brother in what my students call "Doggy Heaven".

Snow Day

Banks' first snow!
Winter Wonderland...even if for only a day!
Clay and our "pupsicle" playing in the snow

As I write this, Banks is passed out in my lap...he had an extremely eventful day! As forecasted, and much anticipated by all, this morning Birmingham turned into a Winter Wonderland of sorts. Fun was had by all, especially Banks!! Speaking of fun, we have had a fun-filled and very relaxing weekend. We kicked the weekend off with dinner with good friends that we haven't seen in months. We enjoyed catching up with them and sharing fun stories of married life (they got married exactly one week before we did). Last night we had dinner (followed by good times at Billy's) with two of my good friends from work and their husbands. Other than that I am pleased to report that we have been fairly worthless and lazy! We spent most of the afternoon snuggled up on the couch watching movies as we watched the snow melt...I could really get used to having "snow days"!

Tag, Your It!!!

Perhaps if we did this every night we wouldn't need to join a gym!
Several of my phone tag opponents "shaking their tail-feathers"!

Well, we are just 13 days into the new year, and I have already failed miserably with each of my New Year's resolutions. What does this say about me...don't answer that!! Three dinner parties later, my resolution to "cut back" and make healthy choices was overshadowed by opportunities to try new recipes and the practicality of eating leftovers. My motivation to begin exercising regularly at the start of 2008 has hit a speed bump as Clay and I decide whether to join a gym or attempt to create an exercise room in our home...and finally, my resolution to be much better at corresponding with my friends and family has been neglected in my pursuit to finish writing my thank you notes that have been hanging over my head since our wedding in July! To in some way make up for my failures I am taking a multi-vitamin daily, drinking an excessive amount of water (in between Diet Cokes!), and I am starting this blog! Unlike many of my friends, I have resisted Face Book and My Space for all of this time, so this is uncharted territory for me. Unfortunately, several of my best friends live many miles from me, and each of us could medal in the sport of phone tag. Hopefully this will help me catch up with all of you, both near and far! So, .....tag, your it!!!

(for those of you who have not seen our wedding pictures, these are just a few that I find particularly amusing and endearing!!)