Summer weekends rock!!

SUNDAY

Today was just about perfect. We had a nice mix of work/play/family time. After dropping Dej off at work for the day, we went to Madison. Our first stop was Pegasus Games, where M & L got some more D & D figurines for their ongoing game. Next we stopped at the scrapbook store, where L shopped for stickers, and I tried to keep up with her. The point of the trip was actually our final stop, Olbrich Gardens. The weather was lovely, and Olbrich looked great! We all enjoyed ourselves there. We came back to town in time to pick D up from work. We came home and grilled out, ate outside, played badminton, and I even got a bit of weeding in.

The kittens are all fed and tucked in with mommy for the night. I was able to finally remove the vaporizer from their room, which is great. It means their recovery is done, or pretty close to it, and I no longer have to swelter in a tropical rain forest when I spend time with them! Harley still wanted to be hand fed this morning (so I did), but she didn't ask tonight. She was busy eating her canned food. The kittens' eyes have improved dramatically. Little boy's are back to normal, and little girls' left eye still has a bit of staph infection, but her right eye is perfect. They are super fun and snuggly, and now that we've made it through the scary part--I feel so lucky to know them. They are just wonderful, and L & I love to watch them.

SATURDAY

We spent the day in Madison at Chain Off 2007. We were outside along a busy street, wearing collars and chained to dog houses. Chain Off is a national campaign that draws attention to the plight of so many dogs who are forced to spend all or most of their lives chained outside. The boredom, helplessness, often physical pain (due to weather, lack of food/water, etc.), always causes misery to an animal who deserves better. In some cases, this leads to an aggressive dog, who acts out--often violently and dangerously. It was a beautiful day, we got to spend time with wonderful people, and we were promoting something of the utmost importance. It doesn't get any better than that! I will have pics of that after M goes back to work so he can download the pics off his camera.

We were out in a public park with no bathrooms. A really kind shopowner from across the street offered us cold drinks and the use of her bathroom throughout the day. I think the shop was called "Peg's"--it was this great little eclectic/artsy antique and consignment shop. There was a lot of fun stuff. L & I were on our way out of the shop after our bathroom trip, when I saw this gorgeous plant stand. L kept going, so I called to her, "wait--come look at this". She turned around and marched back in and said, "Mom, which is more important, your plant stand, or the animals?" {Mommy waits to laugh until L turns back around and starts walking. Mommy follows, without anymore window-shopping stops.}