After being fixed to Fox News for the last week watching all the devastation that's occured down South, it was nice to just chill this weekend with Pugsley and the family. Saturday was my brothers Birthday / annual Labor Day bash and so the whacky celebration ensued. I can tell you now that he laughed out loud when he opened up the Box O' Hellgrammites that I wrapped in Birthday paper and all.. The River bugs were well received.

The other highlight of the party for me was spending time with my wild and crazy cousins who I don't see nearly enough. I have to tell you I love these cousins and now they all have children who are chips off the old block to adore too.

They are the side of the family who hugs, kisses, and says I Love you everytime. They are the cousins I used to play with when our families would go on picnics and camping. Sleepovers, bowling, and rollerskating parties. The cousins I learned to swim in the lake with when our fathers and uncles threw us out of the boat into the deep end.

It’s important to feel understood by people who get you, who were reared with similar values. The people who knew you when.. The family who isn’t afraid to tie on a good drunk in front of the elders, start singing at the top of our lungs, or dance like fools when nobody else is and just not care. Yes we did all of these things. It's nothing new though, we've been carrying on this way for years. But we were long overdue.

I've been hearing a lot of horrific stories in the news about people trying to get out of New Orleans alive and having to leave their pets behind. Hearing about Shelters that don't allow animals so they have no place to go. I can't imagine any situation where I would leave Pugsley behind. I really feel that if a shelter didn't allow me to bring Pugsley, I wouldn't go. But the reality is that many people don't know where their families or pets are right now. And I guess it's all made me put my little problems into perspective and feel grateful for the things I do have. Like knowing where my family and friends are all sleeping tonight. Like frolicking on the lawn with Pugsley or taking him for a car ride.

Taking a break from frolicking on the lawn

Pugsley loves going for car rides

He's very curious about the sites

Car rides also make him very sleepy these days