Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Happy Surprises

I've received some wonderful gifts and happy surprises in the past week. I'm so very fortunate in life to have many, many wonderful friends! First up, from Parsnip in Tucson:


A care package for Ginger and George! They love the chicken crisps (she's sent them to our lucky canines before) and George loooooooooves new toys. He's been hoarding both of these in the dog bed and he barks like mad when Ginger grabs one of them. Which she does strictly to annoy him; she's never been big on toys but she delights in anything that bothers George. (As you've probably surmised, she's feeling much better!) Thank you so much, Parsnip. You're a thoughtful and dear friend.

Next: I won a book giveaway for the first week of October from the delightful Rue! Her Great October Book Giveaway is an event to look forward to each year. Pop over to her blog if you're interested and leave her a comment for a chance to win a magical/Halloween/Samhain themed book! This is what the package that arrived looked like:



And here's the book I got, which is very serendipitous considering a craft project that I'll be starting next week (more about that later!!)….


What fun!

On Sunday morning I texted Marla just to say hello, since what with one thing and another we hadn't seen each other in a couple of months. We decided to have a little impromptu visit that afternoon and she showed up about 4pm with this little cutie-pie:




Isn't she precious? I love those pink cheeks and big brown eyes. It was so good to see little Carsen, who's already walking and talking. Man, that happened fast!


She's been fascinated with our aquariums since she was a tiny thing. Speaking of Carsen and tiny things...…….we had a small house sparrow that lived with us for over a decade named Chip. After Chip died a while back Marco stopped saying his name....until Carsen came along. He's always (and consistently) called her "Chip". Every time he sees her, he says, "Hey Chip! Heeeeyyyy Chip Chip!"  I guess in his mind Tiny Bird = Tiny Human. How cool is that?

After Carsen spent about 30 minutes here, her daddy came and picked her up and took her home so that Marla and I could have some baby free time to hang out. It was so much fun! We got caught up and we even had wine together for the first time in two years! Marla didn't drink while pregnant, of course, and after that she was too cautious to even have a small glass of wine while breastfeeding. I totally respect her for that, but I'm glad we can finally have drinks together again! My new back porch was just made for wine and conversation. It was so very good to see her. :)

All of these happy surprises really helped lift my spirits after several weeks of stress and unhappiness. Things are feeling much lighter around here!

14 comments:

  1. That baby girl is a wonder. She is truly beautiful. I know you enjoyed your visit with her and then with just her mama. That was a gift to all of you.
    And how it melts my heart that Marco calls her "Chip."

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  2. friends are a light in one's life. I am so grateful for all my blog friends!

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  3. This is a happy, happy, chippy post. Thanks.

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  4. I see Chip and Carson being so close. Marco can be a sweety when he wants. Love the visit you had with your friend happy to hear the back porch is coming in handy.
    As for Ginger teasing George . . . happy to hear she is better ! Glad they liked the Tucson Toys.
    parsnip

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  5. Friends are the best medicine of all. That baby Carson is adorable

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  6. For some reason, babies like that remind me of little monkeys. I mean that in a good way!

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  7. I'm glad you've had some good vibes coming your way lately. Carsen certainly HAS grown! It's so interesting that Marco appears to associate her with Chip. Makes you wonder how that avian brain works, doesn't it?

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  8. So great. Carsen is adorable. And I love that Marco connects her with Chip!

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  9. Loved hearing about how Marco's mind works.

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  10. What a lovely post, Jennifer! Dear friend, it is good to know things are looking up for you now and you (and Ginger!) are much better. Friends make a huge difference, don't they! I have even read somewhere that loneliness (in the sense of not having any friends) can indeed kill a person.

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  11. I love that Marco has decided Carsen is to be called Chip. What a clever bird he is and nice to see the doggie gift bag. Tonight my older son is coming over to cook us a fabuluous Blue Apron dinner, it is so good to be cared for.

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  12. I am delighted to find you in good spirits with happy things to report. Carsen looks so tall for a child of that age. What a strange thing for Marco to refer to her as "Chip". It is so easy to underestimate the workings of an animal's mind.

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  13. I, for one, do not underestimate the size and quality of Marco's brain. Any day now, he's going to be teaching Carsen how to drive.

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  14. Lovely to read about your happiness !

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