Home Visit

Ava and I are having a home visit today on behalf of the Rescue Group that has Bella, the little girl who we have offered to take into our family. Kind of interesting to see what this is all about, what they want to see. Like, closets, bathrooms?? I'm sure fenced in part of yard etc.... If they don't think we will work then that is the way it is... not sure why that would be but you never know. Casa Ava is a pretty cool spot.

More Cupcake Research

C'mon Sun!

I have two dogs patiently waiting for this storm to pass and the sun to come out - okay, patiently may not be a good description. Mulligan, Ava's Golden cousin, is much more patient and he is even antsy. The moment the sun is out, we'll head down to Schooner Head.

Michael Abbott Band

SOOOO psyched for our friends who have launched their Facebook Page with new music. We are really excited about what is going to happen for these guys. People who love Maine music and want to support it are going to love this - here's link to my favorite song of their's. Check it out! http://soundcloud.com/michael_abbott_band/everything-changes#

Quote

"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."

Summer Project

Working on a Maine Singer Songwriter Showcase for several performances this summer in various venues. Exciting.

AND hoping that stars line up for a television show featuring our Amazing Music of Mainers CD project, could be AMAZING!

First Photo for new campaign. Final Decision.

Top left to right, Mary Herbert and Christine Holt.

Bottom left to right, Kim Swan and Brianne O'Donnell

The Swan Agency Sotheby's International Realty's GPG. Greater Portland Group.

Quote

"You can say any fool thing to a dog, and the dog will give you this look that says, `My God, you're RIGHT! I NEVER would've thought of that!'" - Dave Barry

Need Foster or Forever Home for Hope

Trying to help my wonderful rescue friends find a home for Hope. Hope had five puppies at a high kill shelter and they were ALL going to be killed the next day if Cynthia hadn't saved them. They are now in Maine, all of the puppies have been spayed and neutered and are now all on ways to new homes. Hope, who was very scared and depressed when she was first saved has done a great job being a Mom but now it's time for her to find her own home. If we can't find a forever home right away, we really need a foster. She is a sweetie.

Shifting research to cupcake factory....

Flor

I have never used carpet tiles before but I am designing a new room for Danforth and seriously considering them.

Restoration Hardware... again

I want to walk in a really fabulous house that we are listing and see this in the study. or maybe I'll just do it.

Saturday on the Couch

Ava and I are watching The Kennedys mini series I DVRd. Just looked over at her on other couch, don't think she is that interested.... poor thing is wiped out from barking at deer.

Greater Portland Group The Swan Agency Sotheby's Int'l Realty

Not my very favorite but a fun shot from our Iconic Real Estate marketing campaign.

Protest

There's a sit in going on at our house this morning and it has nothing to do with Politics.

Schooner Head Road House

When we were buying in Florida, many years ago, I asked the broker we were working with which house she would buy. She took us to two condos and a house with a FABULOUS pool, we bought the house. We loved that house and did well when I sold it. Now, if someone were to ask me what house I would personally want, other than the one I am in now, in Bar Harbor - this one would be it. This is my favorite part of town, furthest south you can get in Bar Harbor without being in Acadia. Private beach, funky modern house, privacy - love it!! and now that we have reduced price to under $2M, I know it is going to sell.

Sneak Peek of Photo Session with Jack Michaud

So, the Swan Portland ladies and I enjoyed (got through is more like it :-) a photo shoot for our ICONIC REAL ESTATE marketing campaign with Jack Michaud, who is fantastic. I already recommended him to a friend whose band is going big time for shots of the group. Anyway, there are lots of good ones but this is my particular favorite, of Av - she takes the cake :) THIS is who I am but probably nobody buying or selling real estate would care.

Professional Puppy Pic of my friends from yesterday :-)

Visit to Community Spay-Neuter in Freeport, Maine

Sunday Prayer

NO KILL REVOLUTION QUOTE OF THE DAY... Dear God, We are thankful today because of the many new friends you have brought into our family. New friends that will stand with us in our cause and cry with us when we lose a battle to save a life. Please let us always remember your mercy and help us show compassion to all of your creatures. M...ost of all give us the strength to endure until the end and our battle is won... Amen!

Cygneture Board of Directors

Had a good meeting this afternoon with the Board of Directors of the newest company, coming soon, Cygneture. One of the Directors is 14 and spent most of the time trying to figure out who is hotter, Josh Duhamel or Johnny Depp - she thinks Josh. The other Director is 6 and she was far more intent on flavors and staffing the business but has forbidden anything with nuts or jelly, yukkk. I think the one accomplishment was that the pictured flavor has made the menu.

Bella

Thought a lot about little Bella today while Ava and I walked around the West End visiting with all of the other pups. In fact, we ran into a friend with his baby dachsund and walked and talked with them for quite a while. It was good to see Ava with others so that we can know how she would be with a little sister. Then, we went shopping and Ava bought a little toy for Bella, a squeaky toy - seriously she chose it.

Love this powder room

Ava Shopping for Sconces at Lowe's (because Home Depot doesn't allow dogs... so dumb.)

Spring Swan Marketing Campaign for Portland

Morning Nap

I wish I could ignore Ava's barking as well as they do, how they get any rest time is beyond me.

Show Me Good Land

Looking forward to Downeast Magazine's newest book launch at Danforth next weekend. Shonna Humphry is the author and her husband, Travis, is a music friend of ours and is going to be performing.

Bella :-)

As I was writing about this little girl, Bella, who Ava and I applied to her Rescuers to have in our family,the phone rang and I thought it was one of the people that I had emailed telling them that I used them as a reference for a possible adoption but it was Sue, Bella's rescuer!! What a great conversation. Not only did we talk about Bella but Sue also gave me information important for Ava.

I am totally putting this all in God's hands - don't mean to sound all religous but... - if Ava and I are the right family for this little girl then we will be the best Mom and big sister we can be. Next on the docket is a home visit to our house to see if it, and we, would be a good fit while Bella continues to get the Dr's care she needs with her eye.

You just never know what kind of surprises life brings...

Ava Look Alike

GOAL!!!

1000 pounds of food on way to hungry little pups and kitties. Well, hopefully they aren't hungry right now. Loved doing this and will keep supporting this cause in addition to others. Maine should show the way of taking care of our animals and we are going to help make that happen!

Restoration Hardware

I want somebody to tell me I have to do a whole house, or inn, with Restoration Hardware products...

MDI PET FOOD PANTRY FOOD DRIVE

The girls, and boys, in front of the window at office after Bri brought up a charge of food from Portland. Bri, Erica, Ava, Moose and Howie. Love it!

Design craving....

I need to do a new project.... finding crazy inspiration.

Mulligannnn!!!!

Muggy didn't make the cover of the paper shot - cropped! but he is in this one!

So far, So great!!!

We made FRONT PAGE of Mount Desert Islander for the Animals

SO much better to give than to receive!!!!

Need a pick me up? Give to a cause you believe in. I am so happy with our pet food drive and it is just starting. People - most people - are so fantastic. I have people that are FB friends sending checks from out of state for crying out loud! People dropping off huge bags at office already, the ISLANDER put us on FRONT PAGE to get the word out. So incredible. THIS outpouring makes me smile.

Snoozing....

MDI Pet Food Pantry

Excited about starting our challenge to gather 1000 pounds of food for the MDI Pet Food Pantry next week.!!

Heaven

" If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to... go where they went. "
~ Will Rogers 1879 –1935

From No Kill Nation

NO KILL REVOLUTION
"I looked at all the caged animals in the shelter, the cast offs of human society. I saw in their eyes love, hope, fear, dread, sadness and betrayal. I was angry. "God", I said, "Why don't you do something?" And God replied "I did. I created you."

Hungry and Happy

One more fabric

Still Obsessing about new design project...

Fabric

Getting inspired for the next big thing. Finding it hard not to give in...

Gardens

March 1st, finally. I want to start planning our garden and I want it to look like this.