Lazy bum

When I tried to strip the sheets off the bed to wash on Monday morning (my weekly routine), I simply could not budge Dakota off the bottom of the bed.

I couldn't decide which of these captions best fit this photo:

"But it's National Sleep-in Day!"

"Looks like somebody's got a case of the Mondays ... "

"Can I have five more minutes?"

Great girls weekend

Nicole & I escaped to sunny Arkansas for the weekend. Kurtis was in Little Rock for work, so we had Amanda's apartment to ourselves. It was my first visit there since Amanda became a Mrs., and, as fun as my Matron of Honor duties have been, I must admit that it was nice to spend some time together without having to worry about wedding details.

Amanda got a great haircut. It's five inches shorter now, the shortest it's been in five years or so. Very cute. While she was stuck at the salon, Nicole & I checked out the Fayetteville Farmers' Market at the quaint Downtown Fayetteville Square, where Kurtis proposed to Amanda. Shoppers, dogs, vendors and performers were out in droves. The flowers were amazing, and I found fresh basil, garlic and peaches that we used to make yummy treats later in the weekend. Nicole & I were tickled that we were enjoying the gorgeous 70-degree weather while it was drab and rainy back in Wichita. A few images from that morning:






(Double click the picture above to see the soft-shoe dancer's SpongeBob "GroovePants" T-shirt. Nice.)

The three of us shopped and browsed a bit at an outdoor art fair at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade, dined out, caught up and took advantage of a photo opp in a giant outdoor chair. (Odd, yes. But that's how we roll in Arkansas.)



The Mr. got home in time for a late Sunday lunch. Toby, their adorable toy poodle, continued to get lots and lots of attention from all of us. It was fun to play with him throughout the weekend.

Nicole & I barely listened the radio or my iPod the whole drive back and instead chatted, laughed and reminisced. Good visit. Gotta love girls weekends.

See you soon, Toby & Co.!

Which of these is not like the other, indeed

If you've not yet seen the cover of the September issue of Budget Travel -- and if you're a fellow Kansan -- you're in for a really perplexing little treat.

I experienced a swell of pride when I found my copy in the mail and read the big type (double click the image to see for yourself):

"Best places you've never heard of: Australia, Brazil, South Africa, England, France, Turkey, Czech Republic, Kansas, Japan, and more!"

Go Kansas! Inside, on page 69, the magazine gives details about Wilson, Kan., where Wilson State Park offers a 13-mile Switchgrass bike path. Page 68 is a full-page color photo of a lovely scene from the park.

Day trip, anyone? (I'm already humming "I want to ride my bicycle.")

Too bad not all Kansas news making headlines nationally is as good.

TGIT

I met a bunch of co-workers tonight for a little get-together on the patio at Oeno, where we enjoyed complimentary appetizers and $5 martinis and pondered the past, present & future. Not too bad for a Thursday night.

Sock it to him

I don't even want to calculate how much money Brian & I have spent on tug toys, Kongs, balls, Cuz toys and more since this little fur ball entered our lives.

Yet, what did I find Dakota playing with when I came home tonight?

Old socks.

Feline facial

It's so cute to catch Meow Meow in the act of grooming one of the pups. It happens more often that you might imagine, as it did this morning with Dakota. Doesn't he look relaxed?

Celebration times two

Tony thought he was having a cookout this afternoon with Nicole & his parents to celebrate his 33rd b-day, which is Wednesday. But then Brian & I and another friend, Rob, showed up as a surprise to spend the day with him and help him celebrate.







There was a double surprise, though: Tony's mom had an anniversary cake for Brian & me. Very sweet. It was a great way to celebrate two important occasions with good friends. Too bad that the lottery ticket that Mario & Madeline gave us as an anniversary gift wasn't a winner. On the bright side, though, Nicole made a delicious cheesecake for Tony's b-day, so we had two yummy desserts.


We played yard games (including washers with a sweet homemade oak set that Brian made for Tony's b-day gift), played with Roxy & Nanook, chatted and enjoyed the gorgeous day.

Needless to say, there was very little laboring happening on this Labor Day. Wish Mondays were always this great!