My Dog

Hello there!  Today, I thought I would tell you about my dog.  He's one of the greatest joys in my life.  We got Nathan in 2008 from a rescue organization.  He is a purebred Shih Tzu that was surrendered to the rescue organization from a puppy mill.  This "breeder" didn't want boy puppies and was going to put him down.  I don't know what made him decide to turn him over to the rescue organization but I am so glad he did. 

The day I got Nathan, I had no intentions of coming home with a dog.  I actually had gone to Best Buy with my mother-in-law because I wanted to buy an Adele CD.  But, the Petco right next door was doing a dog adoption event and we decided to stop in just to pet the dogs.  Fate stepped in!  I saw Nathan in his little cage and noticed with every person that walked by he was eagerly watching for someone to come say hi to him.  I also noticed he was nearly bald because they had to shave him almost to the skin due to all the mats he had in his fur.  He had spent the first five months of his life in a cage.  I decided to pet this sweet little fella and he stole my heart in an instant.  I called my husband and we decided to adopt him.

That was the best $200.00 I ever spent.  We got a purebred dog who was already neutered and had his shots for only $200.00.  Let me say, I don't care that he was a burebred dog, I just want to point out that you can get a purebred dog from a rescue organization if you care about that sort of thing.  What drew me to him was his total love for everyone that walked by even though he had been completely mistreated his whole life.

Nathan is the most loving dog.  He loves the whole family and has never been afraid of people.  He is very outgoing and also very laid back.  When we take him for walks he doesn't try to run off or bark at other dogs or anything.  He just enjoys the walk.  He loves riding in the car too.  The only thing he seems to get nervous about is going to the groomer.  Even then, he is all waggy tailed to the groomer, but he doesn't like the part where he has to be in a kennel. 

Nathan has his own Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nate-the-Dog/136975859649383.  He has also been in every year of a calendar that the rescue group we got him from puts out.  They started the calendar 4 years ago.  All of the proceeds go to the rescue and care of animals.  We were so lucky they rescued Nathan.  He didn't really have to be fostered long because we adopted him the week after they rescued him.  I still can't believe how sweet and gentle and loving he is even after starting out under terrible circumstances with the puppy mill.  I thank my lucky stars I went looking for a CD that day!  Can you tell I love my little dog?

Cheated on the Yarn Diet

So, I cheated on the yarn diet and I'm not even sorry.  Herrchners had a $0.99 cent shipping deal for one day only and I just couldn't resist. I didn't have any Christmas yarn so I bought some of the multi-colored comfy fleece.

They also had my favorite kind of yarn to make scarves with on sale for $1.99 so of course I had to buy 3 colors of that.  Pink, hot pink, and a multi-color called stillness.  Who could pass that up?

I enjoy looking at yarn in person much better than I do ordering it online, but even looking online is fun.  I just couldn't resist, and I have done so good I'm not feeling the slightest bit guilty.  :)

Weekend Happenings

Have you ever banned someone from your house?  I have after this weekend.  Let me start from the beginning. 

It was a bright and sunny beautiful Friday afternoon, and my Mom and brother got to my house.  They were staying at our house because of a family reunion the following day.  Friday was great with a very nice visit and a nice dinner out.  I am the oldest of 7 kids, and 4 of us were able to make it for the reunion. 

Saturday, the reunion was pretty nice although I have a bit of a nervous issue with crowds.  I barely knew most of the people there, but it was neat to meet my Mom's cousins, aunts, uncles, etc.  My Mom's sister (my Aunt) and her grown kids and their kids were there, and I knew all of them.  And my cousins from my Mom's brother who had passed away were there and I knew them.  Plus, of course I knew my brother who arrived with my Mom.  Another of my brothers was also there, and I got to meet his girlfriend for the first time.  She was very nice and I think (hope) he may have found "the one".  One of my sisters also came with her kids, and her new boyfriend (he seemed nice too, but she has had so many of them.....).  I truly hope she finds "the one" some day.  My brother who wasn't staying with me came up and went home in the same day.  My sister, boyfriend, and her kids stayed at a hotel.

Saturday was a nice day catching up with the people I knew but had not seen for a long time.  I didn't get to visit with my Mom too much during the day because she was catching up with long lost relatives, etc.  It was pretty cool to meet some of her cousins who were playmates of hers she had told stories about.  One of them she had been in a fist fight with when they were kids and my Mom told me she had punched her cousin out.  That totally cracked me up.  Isn't it funny the stories you get to hear about your parents when they were kids?

Saturday night was nice.  My Mom, brother and I stayed up past midnight talking and eating pumpkin bread and junk food.  That was very enjoyable!

Sunday started as a bright and beautiful day.  We got up early and sat around the kitchen table drinking coffee and talking before my Mom and brother had to leave to go back home.  My sister, boyfriend and kids were going to come over to our house for a visit before they also had to go back home.  She actually lives right next door to my Mom and Dad.  When they arrived, my Mom and brother were still here at the house.  For quite a while we had a very pleasant visit and everyone was happy.  My husband was entertaining my sister's sons playing video games with them and talking.  After awhile my Mom and brother had to leave.  :(

Let me tell you a little bit about one of my sister's sons.  He's a brat.  As long ago as I can remember he has been a brat.  He is now 13 years old and hasn't changed.  He's still a brat.  Unfortunately he has been diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder.  My youngest son also got diagnosed with that at a very young age and was in therapy for it long ago (all is great now and he is a fine young 15 year old).  The problem with my nephew is he has basically been told nothing is his fault for a long time, and he hasn't gotten the help he needs, and he is impossible to be around.  He throws tantrums and back talks his mother.  He also did some back talking to me during the reunion (he's damned lucky I didn't pop him in the mouth because I sure wanted to). 

Anyway, I have really tried to like him.  I have been his friend on Facebook and play some of the same games with him and so I have given him little gifts in the games, talk to him via instant message, and try to boost his self esteem.  Even while he was here, the first time I saw him I told him how grown up he was getting, etc.  I wanted to have a conversation with him, but he just wanted to pout because his Mom wasn't going to let him go swimming at the hotel, and he wanted another soda pop.  I tried to explain how pools don't let you swim if you don't have proper swim attire and he said "well that's their problem". 

Today, while he was playing a video game he got really angry at it and decided to throw the controller, throw himself down on the sofa, and throw my sofa pillows onto the floor while he cried (keep in mind he's 13 years old).  It was like watching a 3 year old.  So, his Mom told him he could no longer play the video game.  His reaction to that was to whine more and then go outside and get in their car.  After several minutes he comes back in all sweaty from sitting in the car with the windows up and all upset because nobody came to check on him.  I told him I figured he wanted to be alone and he needed to calm himself down.  It was very rude for him to throw things around my living room.  So, he proceeded to back talk me and his mother.  Then, decided he would pretend to shoot my dog.  When I asked him to stop doing that he proceeded to pretend to shoot me.  When I asked him to stop doing that he said "why it's just a hand gesture", and it just blew up from there (more back and forth).  I have had it with this kid.  I told him he was a guest in my house and he was being very rude.  And he said "so".  After that of course his Mom was getting onto him.  And then I finally told him if he wanted to act like that to get out of my house.  I feel a tiny bit bad because I am a grown up and shouldn't engage in a back and forth with a kid like that, but seriously he was getting on my last nerve and I just wanted him to get the hell out.  I know it was awkward for my sister.  This kid should have been disciplined and gotten the right help long ago.  It has gone on too long with him using ODD as an excuse to act any way he wants.  Well, he can act that way somewhere else.

So, after they left I immediately un-friended him from Facebook.  I'm done with him.  If he ever acts like something other than a misbehaving 3 year old, I might try again, but as far as I'm concerned that's it.  Yes, I know that's probably my child-side coming out too, but at least I didn't throw myself down on the ground and start throwing things and crying.  I also didn't punch him out.    ;)

Decorating for Halloween

I started decorating for Halloween!  Yes, I know it's a little early, but I love the decorations so much I wanted to enjoy them longer.  This skeleton, ghost and plaque are in front of my television.  I also have some creepy fabric and chain in the display. 

This is in the entry way of my living room (the table was inherited from my husbands grandmother and I love it).  The picture changes when you move.  The vase with black roses I just love.  And, the book is "haunted".  When you make a loud noise or touch it, the feather writes all by itself with a ghostly voice talking to you.  It is so cool!

This is one of the end tables.  I put a black light in the lamp.  Of course I had to have a skull, and the orange lantern lights up really neat.  You can't even tell how neat it is from the picture.

This is the other end table.  I put a black light in this lamp too.  The creepy phone is cool and I searched all over for it before finally finding it online.  And, now I am seeing it all over the place (Walgreens, Target, Walmart, etc.). If I would have just had patience - -  LOL.  The skeleton is a crow and this lantern lights up green and is really neat too.

This is my kitchen table. Again with the skull theme.  I just can't get enough.  ha ha

This is my new shower curtain I got from LTD Commodities.  I also have a matching rug and towels.  It's kind of wrinkled because I just took it out of the package (and I'm too lazy to iron it).  Along with the matching rug, I bought another rug that is purple for in front of the tub.  It looks really nice. 



I am not done yet, but close.  I have a few things up in the attic I still want to get down, but it got too hot to stay up there for long.  So, over the next few days once it cools off in the mornings I'll get back up there.  I still have the coffee table to go, and a few other things.


This makes me so happy.  Once I am done, I will film things for my Vlog so you can see them in action.  :)

No Babies Please

Just a quick blog today.  Why is it that some people automatically assume you want to hold their baby?  Just because I am a female and a mother does not mean I want to hold your baby.  Now, if it is in regards to babies who I am related to, or babies of people I know very well, no problem, I want to hold that baby.  But a stranger, or someone I barely know?  No way.  Nope.  Nada.  Not holding your baby, sorry. 

Maybe it's just me, but I am almost afraid to hold a baby of someone whom I barely know.  The little person will probably start crying or maybe I will accidentally drop it (which I have never done).  It just makes me really nervous.  I always pretend like I am coming down with something.  "Oh I really shouldn't, I've been under the weather and would hate to give your baby my illness".  Works like a charm.  ;)

Family members or people I am comfortable with I have no issues with.  I guess it's just a nervous "thing" I have going.  Otherwise I just love little babies.  I could look at them all day.  If they aren't crying......

Today is going to be a mini rant.  I love the temperatures when they are in the high 70's or low 80's.  Those are perfect days to me.  And, if swimming is in my future, maybe even a bit warmer.  Mother Nature just doesn't care what I want though.  And, Missouri weather is crazy.  Earlier this week it was in the 90's.  It's still summer so that's not unusual.  But yesterday and today it didn't get out of the 50's.  Tomorrow the lows will be in the 30's!  Highs in the 60's.  Then, back up into the 70's by the end of the week next week.  Good grief!  Lately, I have to look at the weather every day to see how I need to dress the following day. 

I love fall, but I'm not quite ready for it.  Once October hits, I'm ready for fall.  But it shouldn't be arriving already in early September.  I feel like I'm being robbed of the last little bit of warmth in the summer.  And, I am a complete hater of winter.  I don't like being cold, I don't like snow.  I think snow is pretty when it's freshly fallen, but it gets dirty and disgusting in no time flat.  I hate driving in it and especially hate it when it comes with ice too.  Winter is really the only season I dislike.  And, these cold temperatures are making me dread winter earlier than I normally do.  30's in September?  Are you kidding me!?

I hope this isn't an indication of how winter will be.  If so, consider this your warning I will be whining and bitching about it.  ;)

Friends

Happy Friday!  Today I want to talk about friends, and how thankful I am for them.  Some of you who have been my friends through our mutual crafting love, know that I have talked about really only having one friend.  My friend Charlotte.  But you know what?  That isn't correct.  I have many friends.  I feel like you are all my friends.  I have grown so much in the past year from what I have learned from my internet friends, and I love learning about them and their lives.  For example, Pam, Debi, Lorri, Margaret, and Kathy, I feel like I could sit down at any time and have a cup of tea or coffee with you and just talk for hours.  Thank you for being my friend.  I look forward to your blogs, vlogs, comments, etc.  You are such great talented women and I am thankful to know you.

Of course I have my best friend Charlotte whom I don't see nearly enough even though we only live about 45 minutes apart.  I can tell her anything and she will never judge me.  She is also a woman I admire very much. She has been through a lot in life and always comes out stronger than ever.  I have never been one of those women who feel like I need to "compete" with other women.  I have always felt like we should have each others backs.  If I see a beautiful woman, I can admire her beauty without being jealous of it (mostly - hee hee).  If I see another woman struggling, I want to help, not judge (mostly - hee hee).  Hey, I'm not perfect, but for the most part that is who I am.  My friend Charlotte is that way too.  She doesn't judge me, and we have never competed with one another to see who dresses the best, etc.  We will be honest with one another if we like something or don't, etc.  I love that about our friendship.

And, I have the incredible good fortune of having past co-workers who I have remained friends with.  I was so blessed to work with the most amazing people before the moving of all our work and everyone losing their jobs.  We were truly a little family and I miss them.  We still get together now and then.  Last night I had dinner with two of my closest friends who I used to work with.  I look forward to those times we get together so much.  It's nice to hear about their lives and their jobs and everything.  At times though, I feel like the fact I still work there is making it harder for me to move on because I have so many reminders of when we were all together, but I am so thankful to still have a job I am not complaining.  I treasure those memories and look forward to the next time we see each other.

And, my husband of course.  He is my best friend in the entire world.  I love him with all my heart and soul.  I don't talk "girl talk" with him and sometimes I think he just pretends to care about whatever I am loom knitting, the latest make-up, clothes, jewelry or crafty items I bought, etc. but the fact he pretends is an important thing.  I can't say I pretend to like football for him.  So, I would say that makes him very special. 

Last but certainly not least, my family I grew up with, my Mom and Dad, and sisters and brothers and extended family.  I don't get to see them very often, but we have grown from parents/siblings into friends.  And, I wouldn't trade them for the world (most of the time - hee hee). 


So, I would say I am very lucky.  I don't just have one friend after all.  Duh!  How could I ever think that?