The Gift Of Petuka....

DEATH LEAVES A HEARTACHE NO ONE CAN HEAL, LOVE LEAVES A MEMORY NO ONE CAN STEAL ...THANK YOU KERRI & JIM!

Thank you Rhonda & Bob for the beautiful card about Petuka!!

They will not go quietly, the dogs who've shared our lives.

In subtle ways, they let us know their spirit still survives.

Old habits still can make us think we hear them at the door ...

Or step back when we drop a tasty morsel on the floor.

Our feet still go around the place the food dish used to be,

And sometimes, coming home at night we miss them terribly.

And although time may bring new friends

 And a new food dish to fill,

That one place in our heart belongs to them ... and always will.

See you in 5 minutes Petuka!

Thanks to all of our friends and loved ones,

 For the Facebook posts,

 The e-mails and the phones calls and words of sympathy'

Stephen has always maintained that dogs don't have a real sense of time ...

So when we left the house .... Every time! ... We would always say...

"We'll be back in five minutes Petuka"

She would jump on her chair by the front window to guard the House

And wait the five minutes.....

Time is relative BUT  our love and memories are forever!

Who's Cuko for Coco Puffs?

One Year Ago Today.......

Stephen had his left knee replaced!He's doing fabulously well.... no regrets!  It "pops" a bit here and there but he is definitely a new man!  We are all so proud of you Stephen!!!

Happy Anniversary Beau and Kim!!!!

You have made it two years now!  Keep up the hard work!

Congratulations!

Just A Little Girl.....

Malibu Megan!

Megan just sent me this picture from the beach....yes, I am so jealous!

Meg met up with her friends @ Cafe Habana in Malibu .... a famous restaurant from her NYC days! Now in California!!!  Famous for their cuban corn on the cob.... yes, I'm jealous!

number sixteen

I'm an Anglophile!
It means a person who is fond of or greatly admires England or Britain! Stephen has arranged for us to travel to England this coming Autumn!This is where we will be resting our heads during our time in London town!...
number sixteen hotel!Number Sixteen forms part of a mid-Victorian white stucco terrace and is situated in the heart of bustling South Kensington, just steps away from the Victoria & Albert and Natural History Museums and a short walk to Harrods, Knightsbridge and Brompton Cross shopping. Kensington Gardens is close by and the area is filled with some of London's most interesting bars, cafes and restaurants. It has its own tree-filled private garden and provides all the facilities expected of a luxury hotel!!!!!

Rest In Peace Now Sweet Petuka Doggie....

After Petuka passed away today... I was thinking that I couldn't remember the last time my heart felt so heavy and my soul so sad? Then I remembered dear Grandma (we miss her so much) She loved Petuka so.... and then I remembered it was her birthday today! She would have been 94 and we would have celebrated like we did every year! In some exciting fun way! ...I think we sent Grandma the "Best Birthday Present Ever"!!!! We sent her the most loving little Scotty Dog to rest beside her in heaven!

So Many Very Sad Things Are Going On ... But I Will Look On The Bright Side Of Life!

Our sweet Petuka Scottie Dog is not doing well and this evening may be her last day with us until we join her in heaven! It has been a very sad couple of weeks and most of all we don't want our loving little Petuka Scottie dog to be in any pain, or to suffer in any way! Loosing a beloved pet is the most tragic thing for those who live with them every day.... ooh Petuka... we have loved you for almost 11 years, you are apart of us and always will be!
I love how when Megan came to visit us in Shell Beach, California and we found you in the Pet Store! Petuka was named after Tony Perez (his wife) Daddy has always named our pets after baseball players, you see! We played ball with you everyday, snuggled with you! You have been our friend and confidant and our love! You loved to chase the birds and the squirrels out back when we moved to Oklahoma! You went from frolicking on the beach to the midwest and never said a word....just because you loved us!
Petuka we love you so much! Our tears are because you are our sweet dog! We will cuddle with you tonight and dream of your youth and how you have loved US...... A man and women's best friend is Petuka Taylor!!!!!!!

Beau's Birthday Dinner!

We had a great time! Dillan loved to watch the guy in the giant hat prepare our food....right before our eyes! When we came home we made Beau look at all the crazy comments everyone had posted on Facebook, my silly slideshow, and Megan's wonderful Birthday post....I think he was definitely feeling the love and gratitude!

Happy Birthday Beau! We Love You So Much!!!!

Beau turns 32 today!!
We started celebrating early by going on a big time shopping spree!
Dillan is napping here so that Beau can spend some time at the pool.... and tonight? Why of course, Dinner!
Happiest Birthday Beau!

Monday Movie Time!

Stephen and I took Dillan to the movie show this afternoon! If there hadn't been 25 minutes of previews and such .....she might have made it through most of the movie? Kim, so lovingly packed some goodies for her to munch on (cheese, blueberries & crackers) ....She took turns sitting on our lap and was very quiet & observant! We didn't quite make it to the end and we all assume that the toys got back home safely! The baby doll in the movie was pretty creepy & we won't be getting Dillan a teddy bear that smells like strawberries anytime soon!
Dillan fell asleep right away and was probably dreaming about Mr. Potato Head?

Happy Father's Day From Beau, Kim & Dillan!

Beau, Kim & Dillan came by while Stephen was watching the US Open... to bring him his favorite mexican food from the great
"hole in the wall" El Rio Verde!!! Dillan gave him a bag full of his favorite cookie treats! Stephen had a great day just relaxing!

Megan's Equestrian Birthday Adventure!

Megan met up with all of her best friends for horseback riding @ the famous Griffith Park in Los Angeles!


They rode the trail to a mexican restaurant, tied the horses to a fence and shared a cowgirl dinner! Doesn't this sound like so much fun?


Hop to Megan's blog from mine for more pictures and personal detail.....

Happy Father's Day From Megan!

Stephen had the sweetest smile on his face when he opened up this handmade & hand sewn card from his daughter today!
For all of you that are friends with Megan, work with Megan and get to see her often ... we are so jealous! It's hard on parents that live far away from their beloved children!


It says....
I heart you Dad!
For always being there!
For being the greatest Dad a girl could be lucky enough to have!
For being the MOST fun!
For your guidance and love of Words With Friends!
For your ticket to New York City!
For being so funny!
For all your love and support!
Happy Father's Day! XOXO
The best Dad in the world!
Love, Meg

Just Taking A Break? Wow Wow Wubbzy!

I certainly don't want to plop Dillan down in front of an educational cartoon that often but....
After running around the house and playing "ring around the rosie" a zillion times and chasing her upstairs and down...
I was quite content to have her climb up by herself onto the mission oak recliner to check out a little Nickelodeon TV...
with her new Dora doll!!


Even a 19th month old needs to chill out a bit.... Thank you Wow Wow Wubbzy!
Love, Grandma Tay Tay!

Friday Night Date!!!

We started out our date at a new place in downtown called Elote! Their puffy tacos are fabulous! They make everything from scratch and use local fresh ingredients! AND you can tell the difference.... so yummy!


Then on to the Driller baseball game! I am so proud of myself for not pulling out my Kindle even once to read ...I just enjoyed the game and the lively crowd and of course, my date! After the game the Drillers treated the crowd to.........


An amazing fireworks display! Summertime fun!


Thank you dear Stephen for a ever so pleasant evening! Kiss, Kiss!

Thanks Cousin Jane!

Cousin Jane sent this photo of Grandma & Beau from back in the day.... along with a note saying how much she loved her Aunt Joan! How sweet!

The Little Black Book Of Burgers!

Thanks to my friend Emily... who recently gave me this fun little "Burger" Book! And where did she present this gift to me? Of course ... while we were chowing down a great cheeseburger!!! She was eating a peanut butter & bacon burger!!!!
P.S. I'm still on my search for the "Perfect" cheeseburger!

Reading, Strawberries and Flowers...

The End Of Spring ...The Beginning Of Summer Fun!

I wish you all the best summer of your life!

The Lavender Fields...

This picture was taken several years ago.... if you can ever visit a lavender field, you will be so very happy! And calm!
It's a small aromatic shrub of the mint family ... a pale blue color with a trace of mauve ... so soothing!! When living in LA I put a bunch on my dashboard to keep me calm during the crazy traffic!
There is nothing as beautiful as the wind blowing softly against the lavender fields! (As seen in the background of the photo)....
Enjoy nature when you can....

Swimming Outback In The Kiddie Pool!

Dillan slipped into her tutu swim suit and had so much splishy splashy fun playing with her new Dora boogie board! She also chowed down a bowl full of blue berries!

The Flying Burrito & Friends!

I met up with all sorts of good people at the new Flying Burrito in Brookside!


Lynne & Kerri... always fun & full of good stories and lots of laughter!


Charlie, Her daughter D'Anna & Barbie! They are in town for their 50th high school reunion in Henryetta, Oklahoma!


It was good seeing everyone!! XOXO

Say Aah It's Your Birthday! Happy Birthday Megan!

Do You See The Twinkle In Meg's Eye?

Today is Meg's last day of being 33 years old! She spent it in Palos Verdes (Our first home when we moved to California) ...She did the poolside thing at a very fancy Hotel with friends! She was born during the midnight hours so .... when she awakens in the morrow, she will be officially another year older and wiser and sweeter!
About this time prior to her miraculous birth....I was hanging out with my sister Ann and asking her what to expect when the contractions came! I thought they had started but everyone was convinced that it was a false alarm! Megan was actually born on her "due date" and my Grandpa's birthday! Dear sister Ann took me to the hospital and yes....it seems it was time for our dear Megan to come into this wonderful world! I called Stephen at work to tell him I was at the hospital and he said, "Why?" We were young, I was 22 and he was 26..... you see, hospitals meant injuries and accidents and bad things in our minds!
She arrived a little after 4 in the morning and has been a blessing to everyone who knows her, since that moment! She had oodles of curly brown hair and looked just like an angel Thank you Megan for being our daughter.... for all the things we did wrong ... we did something REALLY right by having YOU ... you have contributed to this great world!!
Please, whatever you do ... don't loose that twinkle in your eye!

Tonight ....The Lakers & Fat Guy Burgers!

The Fat Guy Burger won the "QUEENS" award in Tulsa Town! Go Lakers!

Charlyne's Wedding 1985

Pretty funny picture!!!

It All Goes By So Fast ...This Life Deserves To Be Remembered!

Beau loves Dillan so much!


Kim loves Dillan so much that she jumped into the lake to rescue "Dora"! She's the BEST Mom.....Our hats were off to Kim ...she's cool and calm and the best Mom!


One moment that was ever so sweet was ....standing on our 6th floor balcony over looking the pool...we saw the sweetest couple EVER & child! They were headed out to the pool again for some more swimming fun! Kim had a Monkey float around her waist & Beau was carrying the Juicy Couture bag and holding Dillan's hand while she sported her pink bikini!!

Dillan's New Potty Chair

Beau & Dillan Swimming!!!!

The Chateau on the Lake had a really nice pool overlooking Tablerock Lake! We checked into the hotel and within minutes, Beau and Dillan were swimming!

Memorial Day!