Kontan’s Place

I’ve mentioned her before, but this is Snoopy. I don’t know what it is about my laptop case but Alli and Tiki like sleeping in it as well. I try not to leave it available for napping. Snoopy is our new addition. Two weeks ago she came up with two of her friends. Her friends went home, but Snoopy decided she was home. When she caught the door open she trotted on in and made herself at home. She is a beagle so I asked around. Long story short, Snoopy is still with us. I can’t say that I am unhappy with this arrangement. She is a real sweetie and Tiki loves having a playmate that doesn’t outweigh her by 70 lbs. Snoopy isn’t the most patient of animals. When she is tired Tiki had best beware. It is also hilarious to me that Djembe actually likes her. She is pretty lovable.

The problem…she lives up to her name. Snoopy is a thief. She goes around the house looking for things to chew up or steal. Her favorite, socks. She has established her dominance over Tiki.

That didn’t take long since she outweighs Tiki by a good ten pounds and simply has to maneuver herself into a sitting position in all wrestling matches…that is a sitting position with Tiki as the chair. It is hilarious to watch. Snoopy also spent several days stalking Tiki. Each time Tiki went to her basket for a new toy, or found a new spot to sit, Snoopy would show up to take over. I tried to stop it at first, then realized that it only created grief so I let them sort it out. A few yelps later Tiki is willing to give Snoopy the alpha dog respect she demands. I will not let Snoopy into Tikis kennel cage. That will always remain Tiki’s domain. The girls learned it and Snoopy had best do the same.

Yes visitors and lurkers, this is our life. The dogs are my entertainment.

Easter is probably my favorite holiday. Yes, Christmas is exciting and wonderful, but I have great memories of Easter. With Gran being sick all of my life and not having much money, she made Easter extra special. She would make my basket, up until I was given my special basket, and she would make the candy too. We dyed eggs together and made the most beautiful creations. Our eggs were vivid and amazing. These days you dye eggs and they all end up pastels. We used real coloring that you had to be careful or it wouldn’t come off your hands for days. We would also paint eggs with whatever paint was around and a small brush. It was something we could do together. Because she was so creative her eggs were always spectacular. The basket I remember most was made out of a clorox bottle with an opening cut. It was covered in cotton balls so it would look like a rabbit. I was probably 6 years old that year. It was filled with candy. Homemade fudge, popcorn, and caramel were my favorites. There were a few store bought things. Peeps and tootsie rolls, but yummy caramel was my thing. I can’t remember when I received MY Easter basket, but it is beautiful. Woven sturdily with different colored wood strips it is perfect for holding candy and eggs. I’ll have to take a picture tomorrow, it is now my oldest daughter’s basket.

Usually I go to Birmingham the night before Easter and share it with my Aunt. Gran was her mom so she the holiday is really special to her too. We have an egg dying contest and then create the baskets after the kids go to bed. Store bought baskets may be easy, but they just aren’t as special to me. We put a lot of energy into creating cute baskets with the individual preferences in mind.

This year I decided to stay home for Easter eve. I don’t regret the decision, but the rest of my family isn’t “into” it as much as me. Sure, the girls love to dye eggs but it is a rather quick process. When in Bham the kids would finish but my aunt, cousin, and I would still be creating. Staying home has its advantages. Djembe gets to see the Easter basket reveal. He can’t go to Bham with us because he usually has a church to perform at. I get to take the girls to our home church for Easter services. Less stress, less people.

I will still take the girls to Bham tomorrow. It will be fun for them to hunt eggs and enjoy their cousins, but it will be great to sleep in my own bed tonight and tomorrow night.

For those celebrating…Happy Easter!

And after a long day comes a much welcomed sleep! We spent the morning at a conference. Typical teacher thing if you wish to imagine the excitement level. The speaker was long and disjointed. We had entertainment this year and that was pretty awesome.

This evening the girls had TKD rank tests. Both did well. They have worked really hard to move up. It looks like the day took a toll on Tweety and Snoopy. I don’t know why Snoopy is so tired, but she, like Tiki, is usually out by 8:30. Aren’t they cute, all curled up and snoring!

And on the chair we have Tiki and Froggy!

And the belt test beginning:

Out of the hospital and back home!

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Had some people over this weekend, church related activity. The kids had a blast playing with the dogs and playing twister. A bonfire was the plan, but the wind put that idea to rest. We acquired a long term visitor as well…

Snoopy decided she wanted to visit the party too. The thing is she made herself at home and came on in.

She took up with Djembe and Tiki loves having a playmate. We’re trying to figure out where she belongs. So far she is pretty content where she is.