March 2024

The internet is a constructed environment-- a false reality. These pictures are solid proof of those truths. One would think that all we did in March was lounge around and sleep! 

I remember constantly being on the computer-- finishing the invitation design and beginning the program; making long charts of what must be done and when it must be done; pricing bulk chicken and ingredients; ordering paper products, lollipop oils, ribbons, flowergirl sweaters, chocolate-covered coffee beans...it seemed like everything under the sun was arriving in a steady stream at our door. I'm surprised I didn't make Amazon crash.

Judging by the snapshots I have of Millie, she stood in the library practicing violin and looking beautiful, but I know she must have done more than that.  Millie and Susannah went to Poiema, and Millie probably made delicious sourdough and started packing up her room, among other things (like vaccinating the puppies because I was too wimpy to use a needle), though I have no photographic reminders of her movements in March. 

While I had my nose glued to a glowing screen, Susannah, Piper, and Zeke were busy cleaning up after puppies in the basement several times a day.  It was far too cold still for the puppies to be outside, so John enclosed part of the basement with plywood and lined the floor with a tarp so they could run around and make their prodigious messes. And prodigious they were. I feel a little guilty now for removing myself from the equation entirely, but at the time, I had no emotional fortitude. They saved me from a nervous breakdown, receiving only the profit left after dog food and vaccines and paper towels and cleaning supplies were accounted for. They deserved a lot more than that, believe me. 

As for the rest of the children, maybe they did just lounge around and sleep all month. And I must have nursed Mallory a lot for her to gain that belly chub. 

Glamour Shots (March 2024)

 

We gladly gave a few puppies away to good homes, but since we'd spent at least $500 on them by the time they reached 8 weeks, I was pretty desperate to sell a few so that we could recoup expenses, especially since we were in the thick of Wedding Number 2 in less than a year, and also to give some money to the children who kept them clean and alive for their time in our house.

Look how cute they are outside! 😉  I still get occasional updates from owners who've bought these puppies, and based on the photographs, many are living lives of pampered luxury. 

This solid, little guy was the sweetest. We absolutely could not keep another puppy, but I was tempted by him. He now lives near Ithaca and is a hunting and fishing dog, traipsing around the Finger Lakes with his owner. 

 This guy was pretty sweet, too. We ended up keeping him.

Vanity and Commerce in the Library (March 2024)

 

The children must also have had a sleepover with Ineke. Look! Photographic proof! Grandma Owen gave the younger two girls their very own "My First Princess Makeup Set" zippered bags. (Though it sounds like I'm lampooning the gift, I'm not! The bags really were labeled so.)

So on their first post-Christmas sleepover, they set up a makeup shop, and business BOOMED.

March 4, 2024

What do kids do the second the snow melts?  They go swimming in the garden, silly. 

Lephtovers Phrom the Phone (March 2024)

 

I took these of Mallory because she's cute when she's awake, too.

And Aidan sat in a pot because it was the right thing to do. 

Bonus Videos, in Which I *Hiccup* a Lot (March 2024)

 

February 2024

 

 

February = card games, puppies, Baby, tree-tapping, birthday couches, all the Wedding Stuff, making valentines by the truckload, Baby some more, and ALL THE WEDDING STUFF.

John continued to take Mallory from me at five o'clock nearly every morning, letting me sleep in until he had to start getting ready for work, and she is still Papa's girl. <3

Marigold gave birth to eleven puppies in our bathroom. 

Tim and Annika visited for a weekend, and we were grateful to spend time with them when they weren't sick. 

We celebrated our February birthday girls with rich food and rowdy singing.

I continued to neglect my camera, yet I still have many low-quality snapshots to post (how?!).

That's all, folks.