A Letter to my Neighbors

Dear Neighbors:

I would ask that you please refrain from firing any firearms that you own after the hour of 11:00 pm. Because, when you do, this causes my not-easily-alarmed husband to wake me up, (not a good idea) and ask, "Did you hear that?" And even though I was not awakened by your loud disturbance, my husband, who I repeat, is very calm and not easily alarmed, the tone in his voice causes me to sit straight up in bed and turn on the light.

Now, we are not sure which one of you was the source of the noise. What I do know is that my husband felt the need to walk through the house with our gun (in his skivies, nonetheless), making sure that none of you had gotten the idea in your heads that we wanted company at 11:30 pm. This was utterly terrifying to myself, who still has nightmares about clowns and who requires at least 30 minutes to think clearly.

I would also ask you to refrain from making any noise that resembles a chainsaw or any other heavy machinery at such late hours as well. Just in case you didn't know, we actually did hear you loud and clear the first time. Making more noise was not a good idea. In fact, I was very tempted to come over and show you my Mac Light, which is very heavy and sits right by the bed.

If it was you, neighbors-who-live-in-the-house/mini-fortress-with-the-scary-siren-that-goes-off-occasionally, we are willing to forgive. Mostly because we are a little scared of you, but also because you helped us when our dog got out of the fence. And if it was you, neighbors-who-painted-their-house-the-color-of-a-booger, we will also forgive you, as long as you promise not to shoot anyone and if you paint your house a different color (let's be honest, it would be better for everyone's re-sell value).

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely, the Kerlins

Out like a lamb?

The beautiful jasmine...we have three vines in the yard and we LOVE it! They are amazing and smell great too.

Shiloh...this is the only picture that I have ever been able to take of her looking directly at the camera. It took about 200 tries.

A picture of Buster. He's the guardian of the backyard, defender against the UPS man.... and really any other car that has a particularly loud engine.

The first blooms of spring are gone....I noticed pulling into my driveway last week that the blooms of our jasmine that lines our fence are almost all gone. My camillas aren't blooming any more. The big beautiful blooming tree in the backyard isn't blooming any more. (we really should find out exactly what kind of tree that is.) It was sudden, overnight....and usually a clear sign that the hot summer and gnats are on their way soon. 

Except, this weekend it got colder....after a slew of thunderstoms and tornado warnings, I was wondering, what happened to the beautiful warm weather? Isn't there that old saying that March "comes in like a lion, goes out like a lamb?" I can't really remember. Is it me or Mother Nature that has it backwards this year?

Anyway, enjoy these pictures of a few perfectly beautiful late afternoons over the last two weeks, spent in the backyard with the dogs. 

Publix

This afternoon, I made a quick stop at Publix for some things I needed for dinner. I knew that my cashier had a big personality before I even reached the front of the line....she very kindly (and loudly) offered to spy on a customer's daughter's potential boyfriend. I never did hear if this spying would take place in the grocery store or not.

I got to the front of the line, paid, and was signing the credit card receipt when the following conversation took place:

Cashier: (having just seen my wedding ring) Are you married??!!
Me: Yes. (smiling...because I knew what was coming next.)
Cashier: Are you old enough?
Me: Yes, I'm 23.
Cashier: No you're not. Are you SURE?
Me: Yes.
Cashier: Are you sure??

While shaking her head, she said, "Well, I thought you were 16 or 17, and then I saw your ring and I was like, NO WAY, she's too young...."

Thanks Publix cashier. There's nothing like a little dose of reality at 4:30 in the afternoon.