Table for Eight

Harriet on a walk yesterday in our neighborhood. She's wearing a Halloween friendship bracelet (tied to her collar). Bam made it for her. The kids have matching ones, PS. There's a reason this expression exists: LUCKY DOG. Because seriously, some dogs are so dang LUCKY. They've hit the cosmic lottery and have found tender-loving-care in literally every interaction they have here on Planet E. (In addition to a pretty sweet arrangement when it comes to work/life/family balance. We're talking stress-free living at its finest.) And I'm pretty certain our dog Harriet would back me up on this one--IF she could talk. Because I have never seen a dog so cherished by its owners.  All 6 of our kids--Elder Meehan, Bam, Papaya, Jr, Zu and Lu--SHOWER this dog with love. It is nothing short of incredible. She's a 5 year-old mixed "something" terrier and I'm not sure she's ever known a day when someone ...

Harriet-the-dog LOVES ducks. Like L-O-V-E-S them. I'm pretty sure she dreamt about them all night last night. Ha! I have not been this excited for a weekend in a long time. It has felt like the busiest week ever. Thank goodness for weekends. Here's hoping we all have a wonderfully calm and relaxing weekend! **** PS: For those of you who've asked for my input on the newest season of Survivor (which started last Wed.) ... I have to be honest: I'm not watching this season.  I am definitely a Survivor die-hard fan, but the last time I played was SO emotional, draining, and downright painful, I'm not really ready to re-live that experience anytime soon (in HD, no less). (Plus, they are in the same location we were in ... so it's like flashback-central for me.) That being said, I am friends with Tyson--who's playing with his loved one Rachel--this season (S27 is called Blood vs. Water), and I absolutely love Tyson and Rachel! --We are all 3 ...

Harriet with her homemade Service Dog backpack. (Made by Lu. Filled with First Aid supplies.) We have always been a pet family. (In fact, Dave brought his dog--a Golden Retriever, Barney--on our very first date.) There's just something about having animals that makes our family/life seem more normal and more fun. So over the years we have had cats, guinea pigs, fish, turtles and beautiful dogs. They have each been a huge part of our lives. (And the reason for our expertise in carpet cleaning. Ugh.) But my point! This past week I read a book about a "Service Dog" entitled "Comet's Tale," and as a result I learned that there's a whole world of animal care/life I didn't even know existed. Sure, I'd always known what a "Seeing Eye Dog" was, and our local library has a "Therapy Dog" that the kids can read with once a month, oh--and I remember from childhood cartoons that Saint Bernards carry bourbon in a tiny b...