Counting...

my blessings. February has been an outstanding celebration at our house. There's been outrageously delicious chocolate treats, imported chocolates, and plenty of naughty-but-nice threats, dares, activities, festivities, orchestras and nights dancing the tango - on the dance floor and elsewhere.

As o-l-d as the giant squid is, he's still got what it takes to make me glad I married him. More than one of you has asked exactly how old is he? O-L-D!

SWAT!

LOL!

Valentine's day was spectacular! A few days before the holiday I received a lunch invitation in the mail. It was from 11-year old Patrick. He said he'd pick me up at 12 on the dot and to please wear a dress and look like a lady. Hmmm... I thought... I don't look like a lady? And then I wondered if I was driving since it will be a few years before Patrick can get a license...

I wore a floor-length "dance" dress with a beret and short gloves. Patrick rang the doorbell at 12 on the dot wearing a really smart suit Santa brought for Christmas. He handed me a single red rose that I promptly put between my teeth. A LIMO was in the driveway and a tall fellow - chauffeur - was leaning on the driver's door. It was the giant squid! And he was wearing a chauffeur's jacket and cap! I had to smother my giggles. Then Patrick had to smother his when the chauffeur opened my door and gave me a not-so-gentle swat when I bent over to get in the car. Tsk.

As soon as we were seated in the limo, Patrick opened 2 containers of instant chocolate pudding that we devoured before our chauffeur backed out of the driveway. Sigh That's my boy.

He took me a local Mom & Pop place I favor where we had steaks, fries and root beer. Mom and Pop served us themselves. Cowboy came into the restaurant and stood in an obscure place and watched us the whole time. I think he was jealous because Patrick and I had our heads together, whispering sweet nothings... about his bloodhound, his Segway, the letter he is thinking of composing to Santa. I taught him to get those letters in early and often... couldn't hurt.

The bill had been prepaid and we had ice cream in the limo drizzled with hot chocolate syrup. I imagine Mom & Pop took care of that detail. It was absolutely a delicious Valentine's present from our favorite belongs-to-somebody-else child... er... young man.

Patrick repeated the whole "date" with his Mom that evening for dinner. Bull was chauffeur and this time Butler, his bloodhound, went along for the date. Butler is a service dog and can go into restaurants when he's wearing his service dog jacket.

I asked the giant squid what he was going to do to make my Valentine's day as special as Patrick had done. In turn, he asked me the SAME question. I had ideas of my own but I have to admit, as wonderful as Cowboy's plans were, and they were! I was really overwhelmed by Patrick's thoughtfulness.

Other: Did I tell you we are fostering two Doberman puppies? They're very young, about 12-14 weeks when we got them, their ears already bandaged to make them stay upright. Wasn't sure about that but we're fostering, not adopting, so I didn't comment when the rescue group turned them over. Have had them a few weeks now; they're too young to stay in the kennels so I've kept them in the house. Housetrained them immediately... they are as goofy as puppies can be. Tripping over their feet, occasionally placing a paw in their food dish, slobbering on the cats, not sure about stairs, and yearn to be lap dogs. The cats have adopted them; washing their faces, smacking them if they nip too hard, etc. I've named them and renamed them several times. So far, it's Harpo and Lucy Ricardo because they're both giant clutzes.

Washington state is a "peach" growing state, a fact the giant squid is always reminding me. At the moment, nectarines are sweeter and firmer than peaches and if he doesn't know I've used them in a recipe... he's none the wiser.

"I know the difference between peaches and nectarines, imp!"

"Yeah, yeah and you can name and find all the countries that end with "stan" on the map. Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Bet you can't do that."

"Maybe not but I can see a spanking in your future, your immediate future."

People... the man has not gained any couth since he retired. And... I noticed he didn't have any trouble devouring the nectarine upside down cake I made.

More: I noticed I haven't been able to log into a few blogs lately... Cassie, PK, Eva... tsk. I know I'm not posting regularly or even been online much lately. However...

Max and Vi and Glory are staying out at David's house, enjoying some privacy and giving us some. Max is doing remarkably well and it won't be long before the trio will be off to visit friends in New Orleans.

February and March are filled with annual, semi-annual and quarterly medical appointments. Because of my overactive thyroid I get that checked often. I think medics draw straws... Honestly, I've been quite mellow recently; I haven't hit, bit or kicked anyone lately. Wellll there was that one incident with the blood sucking vampires... but reasonable people would find that understandable. I mean... when you know you're going to be in a small room with a couple of vampires, you bring holy water and a large cross... just in case. Was it my fault I also brought two Rottweilers and a wooden stake? Maybe next time, I should leave the wooden stake at home.

~Sar~