Isn't she cute????  Unfortunately, this is my "WIP" basket, and she's on a half-finished scarf......

I had the honor of babysitting Master Nicholas Saturday night (okay - the text I got was along the lines of "OMG, our babysitter just flaked on us - can you watch Nicholas tonight?") Obviously, I wasn't first choice, but.....I am the first non-family member to get to watch him.

Unfortunately, that means he's not used to being left by Mom and Dad, and after about an hour, he was ready for them to come back. They didn't.  He spent the next 45 minutes crying.  I could distract him for a minute or two, but he was pretty determined that he wanted Mom and Dad to come get him.  (It didn't help that he hadn't napped that day....)

He and I went out to the fire pit and rocked in one of the chairs out there - nice peaceful evening, cool, but not wet, and he started to calm down.  Big sigh....and then he started crying again, and this time, threw up.  It was time to let Mom know, though I hated to ruin her first evening out in a while. (But - it was after 9:00 by now, so I thought we had done pretty good!  They were only supposed to be gone a couple of hours, and had already stretched it to 3 - turns out it was Prom Night, so the restaurant was packed and slow!)

Nicholas and I went back inside, got both of us cleaned up, and sent the text to Mom, just letting her know that Nicholas wasn't a happy camper.  She said they were just getting ready to leave anyway, so would be in shortly.  As soon as I sent the text, Picot came to visit and started talking to me. That got Nicholas's attention!  I sent another text to Mom - never mind - he discovered the cat, and he's perfectly happy again.  

Picot sat on the table for him to pet her.  

Then she moved just out of reach.  (Darn cat!)  

I pulled a chair out for Nicholas and told him he could climb up on the chair and pet the cat.  Next thing I know.....

He spent the next half-hour playing with Picot - she hid just out of reach, and then would come out for a pet.  I told her she was finally good for something!!!

I've neglected the blog!  I didn't mean too - I've just feel like I've been on the go for the last two weeks.....

Book club was Wednesday, and we read The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens - very good book!  I finished it too late to make bookmarks that went with the book (snowflakes would have been great!) and made Easter gifts instead.  I made up chickens that are a cover for a plastic Easter egg - which I put jelly beans and chocolate eggs in.

Jasper was sleeping quietly on the floor the other night, and Luna snuck in, lay down beside her, and weaseled her way in underneath her.  Poor Jasper - she never gets a break!

AJ and I took the dogs for a quick walk the other afternoon - and found the ducks again.  And once again, scared them off before I could get a good picture.

I've started the journey to get my CCW permit - my own personal carry - Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9 mm....my class is April 5th.

Another walk - another sunset photo.....

With the time change today, I should have more time to go for a walk after work.  I just got a Fitbit Charge 2 on Friday, and have been having fun with it.  I'm hoping it provides enough motivation that I get moving a bit more.  I've slowly gained weight this winter, and I know that it will go away even slower....but only if I try ! So.....new motivations are needed!

Some are easy - the weather has finally cleared up, so the lawn is going wild - I need to mow, weed-eat, and spray for weeds now, so I'll be moving on the weekends again!  I'm also going to try to start walking/running with Margene.  I'm not a good runner, and if my knees aren't happy, I'll go back to walking, but...I need to try!  Go me!!!

Finally!  I finished a quilt!  (and it's already gone to it's new home....) This is one that I bought as a kit, pieced the top, and quilted myself. Not a good quilting job - too many issues with it, but I learned a lot, and Margene loves it!  I'm quilting one now (red, white and blue) that is going much smoother......

The puppies and I went for a walk the other night, and the clouds reflected in the puddles were beautiful!

I'm trying to take the dogs for walk after work every day - we'll see how long that lasts.  I'm sure that eventually, it will switch to going for a walk before work as the temperature rises, but for now - until the rain comes in - it's been beautiful!

We found a couple of ducks floating on the creek and tried to sneak up for pictures.  

Getting closer.....

And then, Luna helped.....

This would have been a great shot if I had a 'real' camera, but all I had was my phone, and it doesn't do great action shots.  Oh well....next time!