Another BBQ is Upon Us

It's that time of year again! The Annual Sweeney Neighborhood BBQ! Yay! Not. I'm so over this whole bbq situation. The only reason I tolerate it is because it prompts John to do work around the house. For this year, we're installing new front steps, some new plants, a white picket fence (how quaint of me) and completely re-doing the porch. More on the porch later.

We've got about 80 people coming to the BBQ. This year we're hosting it on a Saturday because John's softball buddies want to party late into the night. Well, whatever the softball guys want, they get, right? So we're starting at 3 pm and who knows when everyone will clear out. I've also been informed that the boys want a band to play, which really pushed me over the edge. You want a band? You go hire one. The nerve. I've was then informed that if the band won't be there, the boys want really good music. OK, peckerheads, now I've really had enough. We always play great music. John's looking into some kind of iPod dock that can go outside and we can just stick our iPods into it. I'm sure the boys will love mine: Barry Manilow, The Carpenters, Helen Reddy.....

Campbell has completed one week of physical therapy for her left leg. The left ACL was done last December, but she has simply not healed well from it. The right knee (done in April) doesn't seem to give her any trouble. So we've got her enrolled at Canine Aquatics. She goes MWF all day and has a couple of sessions throughtout the day. Cami walks on the underwater treadmill and has just started swimming in the pool. I really hope this helps her little leg. It's so sad to see her limping around.

So, back to the house. My Dad has been working feverishly to complete the porch project before the party. What in incredible job he's done! Dad removed the ceiling, removed joists and raised other joists to create an open pitched ceiling. Then he added wainscoting to finish it and painted it white. He added an overhead fan, which is great for moving the air around. We got a swing and a rocker and those really look terrific out on the porch. John hired a guy to install a wood floor over the existing flagstone floor, and that came out beautifully as well. We're just waiting to have the floor oiled, then we're all set. This is what the porch looked like last year before the picnic (the patio and landscaping was the pay off for that party):

We sill have to add the new plants to the planter and add some other "finishing touches," but this is how the porch looks now:






Much better. It seems much more spacious and is certainly more inviting. The swing is really great. Very comfortable and a nice place to relax after a long day. I'll be enjoy a nightly glass off wine out there!

The front steps are still being worked on, so I'll post some photos of them later. If you'd like to see more pics of the porch (and I know you're just dying to) check out my smugmug.

Memorial Day Festivities

I'm a bit late in getting a post up regarding Memorial Day, but hey, it's my blog and I'll blog when I want to.

John, Gretchen and I went to Manasquan for the long Memorial Day weekend. We cruised down with The Girls on Friday after my doctor's appointment. This ridiculous uterine/bladder/urinary tract infection bullshit just won't go away. I've really had it with feeling like crap and being in so much pain that it's nearly impossible to sit still for more than 5 minutes. I'm doing a dance in my chair over here. Very appropriate for the office. Anyway, I digress....

Back to The Girls! Oh, they are the best! Cami and Baa-Baa passenger really well, so we have no problems tossing them in the truck and taking off. They are such the shore puppies. Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure:

Here is Cami on our way down to Manasquan. She's quite content to snooze.



The Girls are a bit pooped after an afternoon of frolicking at the Doggy Beach.



John and Gretch having drinks at Sunsets.



And here are Gretch and myself getting ready to head out for the night.



Campbell's surgeon gave us the go-ahead to walk Cami "until she drops." The intention is to get some of her excess energy out of her system. Our concern has been that she gets so riled up in the house that she'll hurt herself worse by jumping all around than walking calmly on a leash. So we walked her while down the shore and continue to do so now. Needless to say, Cami is a much happier camper.

OK, just had a really wacky experience. Nightline has been in our office all day to do a story on our company. Natch, we've been on our best behavior all day and wearing our Sunday best. So it's late in the afternoon now and it looks like the camera guys are taking some "filler" shots of AJ walking through the office and the such. Next thing you know, he pops into my office, camera crew in tow. Now, I was fairly certain that I would not be making the taping so I pulled my hair up in a clip, took off my blazer and pretty much relaxed. Oh, and I started to blog. So not only does the camera crew film me, they walk behind my desk and film my blog. This is so not good. Worse, I'm so thrown off by being exposed by Nightline, that I answer AJ's questions like a complete idiot. Crap. Nice way to end the day.

Mother's Day Weekend

Mother's Day weekend is upon us. John and I have some fun plans, beginning tonight as we head out to our favorite restaurant, Casa de Pasta. We're regulars there and really enjoy hanging out on Friday nights, having a few drinks and enjoying a great meal.

Tomorrow afternoon we're going to John's sister's house to celebrate Mother's Day. My sister-in-law and her family share a mother/daughter with her parents. My mother-in-law is jonesing for some lobster, so we're having a fish fest. Should be fun. The weather is supposed to be nice, so it will be great to spend the day outside (after I spend all morning having my nails, toes, and hair done inside).

John is golfing Sunday morning with my dad and my Uncle Rich. Mom and Aunt Sharon will carpool over to my house, so when the guys return, everyone will be together for a BBQ. Haven't really decided on the menu yet....I just know the cocktails will be flowing and there will be a lot of laughter. I'm very lucky that I'm able to enjoy my parents company. Some people never get out of the "parent mode," but my parents have evolved into my friends. They're still Mom and Dad first, but it's nice that we can have an easy relationship as we age. John really enjoys spending time with them as well, along with my Uncle Rich and Aunt Sharon, so it's going to be a great day.

Cami is recovering from her second ACL surgery. This operation seems to have gone much more smoothly than the first. I'm glad she's doing well, but it's also presenting some issues. Campbell is completely out of her mind. She's been so cooped up for so long that she is just dying to get outside and run with her sister, Barrett. It's just killing her to be in her crate all day. She gives me such the face. I emailed her surgeon and the good news is that I can take Cami for longer walks (longer than the 5 minutes she gets right now). So hopefully that will help cut her nervousness and energy level. I'll let you know how it goes.