A Farmhouse In The Valley: New Look

I hope you all like the "new" look of my blog! I got bored and changed it up a bit. New colors , new season. A girl can change her look if she wants to.

Well it seems as though I have been sidelined with a case of "kennel cough". No didn't catch this from dear Bella. Got it from you know who. It started a week ago and hasn't let up much. I'm not really sick, but I have been coughing like a dog. I finally called the doctor and he started me on some meds, so let's hope they kick in soon. I have barely left the house except for a few trips around the block with Bella. Which got me thinking about our new hood. It's a strange feeling when you don't know your neighbors. I walked the same streets for 28 years and knew just about everybody. By saying I knew them I mean I often waved and exchanged pleasantries. Most of these folks never knew my name, but probably thought of me as that crazy lady who always walks dogs. In the 28 years that I strolled the streets of my old neighborhood I walked 7 different dogs. For 14 of those years I walked 2 dogs together. Now not all of my encounters were cordial mind you. You see I have something to admit. Come very close. Closer. Just an eeny bit closer....I don't always pick up poop. There I said it. I am deeply ashamed and sorry! To be totally honest that is why we moved. I have had several "incidents" with my neighbors over the years. There was the time my dog Timber made a "deposit" on an elderly Russian gentleman's lawn. He must have seen me through the window and came running out of his front door screaming, "Miss, Miss!" Well I did what every self respecting crazy person would do. I ran! Ran all the way home. Came in the door huffing and puffing and had to explain why I was in cardiac arrest to my beloved hubby. He admonished me - again. I know I should pick up. I know. Then there was the time I thought no one was looking and my Bernese Tucker "left a deposit" and just as he finished the couple from up the street turned the corner. I looked away in doodie shame just in time to hear the husband say, "She doesn't pick up the shit?" He said it loud as he had earphones in and probably didn't realize how loud he was. Well folks that's what did it. He shamed me right in to going to Petco and buying a 10 pack of poop bags. I am proud to say - I now pick up!! Yeah me! I even bought a bumper sticker stating this :) Anyhoo....now we are in a new place and I must make a good impression. I am the new girl. I don't know these folks and I want them to like me. And like Bella. And Cliff. It is hard to make new neighbor friends in a world where everyone just whizzes by on the street. I have met a few dog people and they are nice. They don't know about my past of not picking up, so that's good. Right? We try to put our best foot (and paw) forward and make some new friendly acquaintances. Dogs seem to make friends quickly. A couple of sniffs here and there and then it's off to the races. Bella has 3 boyfriends so far. I am hoping when the warm weather comes I will make some new friends, too.

On the Farmhouse front we had a Landscape Architect come by to give us some ideas. I have been doing some crafting while I've been sidelined with my cough.