Happy early spring, blerg! Just look at our cute little planter, which pops up every year without me having to do ANYthing. It’s wonderful.

Depending on the frequency of our muddy walks (1-2 times a day), the girls get one or two hose-downs on the driveway. I don’t use doggy shampoo unless they really stink. I’m amazed at how often people say to me, “Your dogs’ coats are so beautiful! What do you do?” And the answer is just hose them down…although occasionally, Josh and I remember to put a slather of coconut oil in their dog food. They love it.

I quit obsessively watching true crime documentaries (I watched a lot of “Solved!” on Youtube while working on the neon Mandala) and have switched over to funny stuff. “Key & Peele”, “Broad City”, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”…and it was Josh’s idea to re-watch “Cry-Baby” recently. Ohhhhh Traci Lords is everything in that film! 

Speaking of that neon Mandala, I think we’ve reached the ending point. I guess. I could keep going, but I’m ready to move on. To CAT PAINTINGS! I just got back from Jo Ann Fabrics, where I purchased 4 small canvases for Corinne’s 4 cats for 50% off. Score.

Josh’s parents came into town this past weekend. While Josh and his father and his little friend built a new gate to replace the gate on our house that was thrashed by a storm a few months ago, Fleeta and I talked for hours and went grocery shopping and ate lunch and then did some FUN STUFF: thrifting!

We went to four thrift stores total. Fleeta is perfectly happy thrifting all day, but I get overstimulated easily (not to mention hungry frequently) and four thrift stores was plenty for me. At thrift store #3 I asked the clerk if I could buy this wig head from them, but she told me it was store use only. TOO BAD.

I’ve loved thrifting since I was a teenager, but now I am a lot better at saying NO. NO, to this adorable Peter Max-esque box of vintage aftershave from Avon. I took a picture of it instead! Yeah!

And oooooooh look at this gorgeous pink and gold Czech glassware. So dreamy. So overpriced. I talked myself out of buying a stroller (too early), a rocking chair (too early) and a chair that needed to be heavily DIY’d (too much work).

At thrift shop #4, the grimiest one (all four thrift shops we went to were ones I had never been to before–there are a ton of thrift stores near my house), I scored what I thought was a really cool set of playing cards in a glitter box…but they turned out to be pinochle cards! Now I need to learn how to play pinochle.

For the low low price of only 3.99 per panel, I scored this colorful little triptych, on wood. I thought the colors went with our home nicely. Now, where to put it?

After the thrifting and gate were completed, Josh’s little friend went back home and the four of us went out to Thai food. The next morning we drove over to the Manse to have breakfast with Josh’s parents and his sister and family. I had given little Ronia a coupon for Christmas (in 2014!) for “3 painting lessons from Auntie Liz”, and I never gave her any lessons, so I decided it was time to honor that coupon.

Little Ronia in her painting shirt. She chose the subject (a rocket ship), I made a few suggestions (“Add more stars!”) but ultimately she did all the drawing, and 90% of the painting.

Ta da! I helped her mix Mod Podge and glitter to add a little sparkle. It just wouldn’t be an Auntie Liz painting lesson without glitter, would it? LOVE THAT GIRL.

I never watch the Oscars, but I like to see what all the movie stars are wearing. Cate Blanchett’s Armani dress was my favorite. So, so good.

More flowers in the front yard. After consulting the garden chart I concluded that the bush of light purple flowers is…heather.

Catching a few rays on the bed before getting dressed yesterday, sans make-up. Josh said I looked “Dead”. Thanks a lot, buddy! I suppose I could use some lipstain, sure, but DEAD is a little harsh.

I had to do a little fabric gawking at Jo Ann’s today…mmmmm.

Goals for today: jog two miles on the treadmill, cook a giant 9 x 13 inch quiche with ham/cheese/spinach/onions/mushrooms so Josh will have an easy breakfast to heat up in the morning, photograph the neon Mandala for Etsy, and walk the dogs IF IT EVER STOPS RAINING, UGHHHH. Catch yer later.