Oh, Boy!

Coal is the Newfoundland in front

We have a lot of friends from the dog park. Coal is one of our favorites. He is the 130 pound Newfy in front in the photograph. Finn is the much larger Newfy in the background. Finn weighs over 200 pounds. Coal was the runt of his litter.

Carol, Coal's mom, has to go out of town on business this weekend. So I volunteered to keep him for 3 days. Gracie and Sarge get along very well with Coal, so I know there won't be a problem. Now please keep in mind that Gracie weighs 36 pounds, and Sarge weighs 28. And Coal is the size of a bookcase. He doesn't sleep on the bed, which is a very good thing.

But I am also helping out another dog mom who is starting her own Premier Designs Jewelry business by having a home jewelry party this Sunday. 3 dogs and a house full of women.  Do I know how to throw a party or what?

Don't answer that.
Linda

Busy Monday

Just before sunrise

Storms coming tonight

Christmas album

Good Morning! The sunrise this morning was beautiful, and I couldn't resist taking those two shots. The sky changes so fast when the sun is coming up. It's now just cloudy, so glad I did take the camera outside.

This is a Bo Bunny album in graduated sized pages that I did last year. I used a variety of papers, but mostly Graphic 45. I made myself another album that has photos in it. So can't decide if I want to keep this one, or give it to someone this year.

There are a few changes to the blog. I've added a widget to see who is viewing the blog, and where they are from. I've also added my photostream from Flickr. I will definitely work on adding more photos to it.

I have a link under "scrapbook supplies" to Allyscraps, the store where I work part time. Sad news is that, due to the economy, the actual store is closing. If you are in the area, the closing sale starts this Wednesday, December 1st, at 10a.m. Good news is that Cathy, the owner, has decided to continue with the internet business. So the link will stay. It will take you to the website.

I heard on the news this morning that one of my favorites has passed. Leslie Nielsen of The Naked Gun movies died at the age of 84. He was good.

Have yourself a great day. I'm heading out to take the babies for a very long walk.
Linda
 EDIT: Not that I'm stalking anyone!!! I thought about what I said when we were out on our walk. I'm just curious what visitors I have to the blog. Thought I better clarify that statement. Have a good one.

Images of the Season

The Three Wise Men

Sheep and the donkey

The Shepherd

Baby Jesus

Mary

Baaaaaaaaa!!!

After dinner and a walk on Thanksgiving Day, I hauled out all of my Christmas Decorations and started setting them up around the house. I'm having a jewelry party and a cookie exchange in the next two weeks, so I wanted to spruce things up a bit.

I collect Jim Shore. If you have not heard of him, he is an artist who sells replicas of his original carvings. They are usually in resin. I fell in love with the vivid colors years ago, and started buying a few pieces. Then the kids found out I like them, and have given me a ton of Santas, various animals, and the above Nativity. I've never had a Nativity before, but this one I do indeed put out every Christmas. I like the size, shapes, and most of all the colors used. The detail is excellent. This year it sits on my fireplace mantel. Please note that the shepherd has detailing of sheep on the front of his frock. Uh huh.

Speaking of sheep, I was at the Gingerbread Shed a few weeks ago, and saw this little guy pulling a Christmas tree. I walked by. I went back. I left. I went back and picked him up. Just could not resist having another fake, calm sheep in the house. One that does not intend to knock me to the ground. One that doesn't look at me and say, "Baaaaaaaa!".

We're waiting for the weather to warm up, then heading out for a walk. Beautiful sunshine today but a tad on the nippy side. Enjoy yourselves.


Linda

Black Friday

Are you going shopping?

No, are you?

No. I think the two legged people are nuts myself.

I agree. Let's stay indoors and be warm and cozy today.

Yeah. Pass the remote. Let's see what's on.

Thanksgiving Day

Sarge, Gracie and I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. Please drive safely, if you are driving anywhere, and remember to watch out for the "other guy" on the road.

Central Indiana is in the middle of a rain storm that is suppose to last all day. That's okay with us, because we're staying home. Just me and the dogs, putting out Christmas decorations, trying to catch an old movie on tv.

Be safe.
Linda

Misc Tuesday

Good one, Gracie!

Here. You have something in your fur....

Did you drop a treat? I smell treats.

What???

Doing a lot of miscellaneous stuff today, so we're making this another Misc. Tuesday. Working on a Christmas scrapbook for a friend, distressing some ribbon for the store, and doing laundry. The sun is out bright, but it is winter. Only 38 degrees. We did walk this morning, and Sarge about yanked my arm off pulling on his leash. He wanted those squirrels. There were 3 squirrels sitting on the side of a hill, eating nuts in the sunlight. Sarge wanted to get up close and personal to those guys.

Picked up a special edition of the Rolling Stone yesterday when I made my very (yeah, right) last trip to the grocery store. This is a review of the Best 100 Beatle songs. Some interesting reading, with insights into how some of the songs came to be written and recorded. Also bought a special reissue of a LIFE magazine edition of John Lennon. It will be 30 years in December that John was assassinated. I remember that day vividly. It felt like someone had shot my youth out from under my feet, that a chunk of my life had been destroyed. Ken and I had just, as in the week prior to this event, become engaged, and I was in the middle of planning our wedding for the following February. It is still hard to believe that John Lennon's life ended so tragically.

Still going through cookie recipes for the two cookie exchanges. I love biscotti, and have never tried to make it. I'm thinking this would be a good time to try one of the many biscotti recipes I've come across. Thanks for stopping by, and have a good day.
Linda

Daybreak

I took these shots last week, on a day when we ended up with some rain. The forecast today is for thunderstorms some time this morning. It is November 22nd, and we're going to have thunderstorms. Unbelievable. When Gracie woke me to go out, less than an hour ago, it was already 66 degrees. Kind of makes me wonder how badly we are going to pay for this mild weather later on. Like in December.

The rain is suppose to be off and on today, so I am planning on getting the dogs out for a long walk. My motto is to take advantage of good weather whenever it presents itself. And then (here is a shocker!), Gracie needs a bath. She has been rolling in the dry dirt at the dog park and is really, really dirty. Like ground in. It's only been 3 weeks since the last bath, but I have a tom-boy type of dog. Likes to run and play rough with the boys. I marvel at these dog owners with all white dogs, that always look freshly groomed. Obviously, none of them are Australian Shepherds. Nor do they go sheep herding.

Enjoy your day, and if you are also having it, this wonderful spring weather in November. Weird, people. Really weird.
Linda

Remember?

Green grass. Gee, it's been sooooo long

The yards are still brown. I went through the picture folders on the computer looking for the opposite of yesterday's post with the snow pictures. I can't wait for my grass to look like this again. It's going to be a very long winter.

We have heavy fog this morning. The guys are so ready for a long walk, but I'd like a little bit of sunshine before we set out. I may not get my wish. It now appears that the fog is getting thicker. Dang.

Have lots to do this weekend. I have two cookie exchanges coming up in December, and I'd like to try something different. Of course, that means I have to bake a batch first to try them out. And eat them. This is a good and bad thing. Good for the taste, bad for the added calories. If you have never attended a cookie exchange, they are a lot of fun. You invite a bunch of people, and everyone brings 3 dozen cookies. We have a pitch-in type buffet, and after we eat and visit, we walk around a table loaded with all of the cookies. Each person takes a few cookies from everyone else. You go home with a great variety, and will probably end up with a few new recipes in the bargain. I've been to some elaborate exchanges, where we voted for the best decorated, most unique cookie, etc. We're not doing that here. We just want to eat them!

Whatever you do this weekend, enjoy yourself.
Linda

It will come....

Gracie running full speed in the snow

I'm from Wisconsin!

Oh, yeah!

Hum the music from The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Lily charges towards Gracie

It's 26 degrees as I type this. Dang. Winter is here, there is frost on the plants, and I know that we will soon be seeing flurries, at the very least. I am not a big fan of winter. The first snow fall still holds a childish delight, but beyond that, forget about it.

Last winter in Central Indiana was snow laden. We just kept getting these 6 inch storms, with no chance for the previous snow to melt. So the dog park in Avon was snow packed for weeks. The afternoons would be sunny, in the high 20's. I'd dress in several layers, starting with Cuddle Duds, jeans, then sweat pants over all of that, and a sweatshirt and Columbia coat on top. Off we would go to the dog park in the middle of the afternoon. There were a few hearty souls that would join us.

Lily has these incredibly long legs and she would bound in and out of the drifts alongside the fence. Poor Sarge would plow in after her, and get stuck. But oh, how he loves the snow. Gracie and Sarge would run and play with each other or the rest of the dogs for a full two hours, and still not be ready to leave. The only reason we came home was because mom was frozen, and the sun was starting to go down.

This is one aspect of winter I am looking forward to: watching the dogs in the snow on a sunny afternoon.

Have a good weekend. Enjoy yourselves.
Linda

Reflections

My house, Gracie. My toy.

But I'm a house guest, Max.

Max the Man

The first dog that Gracie learned to interact with was Max. He belonged to my granddaughter, Terra. We're not super sure what Max is. There is definitely Jack Russell, and I think either some type of terrier or one of those fou-fou dogs. You know what I mean.

Gracie met Max when she was about 5 months old. It was love at first sight. They played, ran, jumped, chased, barked, and created general havoc for the entire weekend. At the time, Max was living with Terra at my stepdaughter's house. From that point forward, whenever I visited Gracie would start to whine and quiver when we pulled up in front of the house. Both dogs slept for a full day after a weekend of play.

 Long story, but Max is now living with a friend's mom, not with Terra. The last time we were up to see everyone, Gracie walked around the house searching for her buddy. Sarge could have cared less, as he and Max were not close. Gracie cried a lot that day. I know, Gracie. I miss him, too.

So the point of this post is please be sure that you want an animal forever before you obtain one. I know that circumstances can change, that finances can play a huge role in whether or not you have a dog or cat. But please consider all of the good and bad points in ownership. Yes, it cost a lot to have a dog. Yes, you have to devote time and effort to have a well trained, content pet. And, oh yeah, furniture can be destroyed or damaged.

I don't care. I wouldn't trade my two babies for anything in this world. But that's me. If you are thinking about gifting someone with a pet for Christmas, please think about all of the consequences. That's all I ask. Have a great day.
Linda

Misc Tuesday

Detail on metal

Hanging on the fireplace

Oh, Mom. Flash??? Really???

If you must

I went to a Christmas Open House at The Gingerbread Shed in Eugene, IN. last Friday. Just could not resist this metal container with the red berries. I love the vintage look. Since I bought this house, I have not put up a Christmas tree. First, I'm not sure how the dogs would react to a fake green tree in the living room. But the main reason is that I just don't have the space. If the tree were to be placed in front of a window, it would be knocked to the floor in a very short time. So I make do with my Santa collection and decorations like this one.

I cleaned the house this morning. How can two small dogs shed so much? Not sure if I've posted any photos of Sarge with his "new look". He is now going to the groomer every 5 weeks or so. She cuts the fur on his chest so that it sways when he moves. It is really neat to see him when he runs. I also think he lost 2 pounds since having his fur done properly. My elegant guy.

The cooler weather makes my two feisty and ready to rock and roll. Yesterday they played hard at the dog park for the hour we were there. I walked them twice on top of that. So this morning they are bugging me. We're going for a walk in a bit, before the rain moves in. It's in the forecast, and I hope it rains for hours. Everything is still so dry.
Have a wonderful day.
Linda

Mondays

Baaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

 

Mondays don't normally bother me. After all, I work 2 part time jobs and neither requires my presence on a Monday. But today I am dragging. So this is how I feel: Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! If I let my natural hair color grow out, I'd probably look like that, too.

I have a zillion things to do, waiting for my attention. Not one of them is getting done today. To perk up early this morning, I went to an aerobics class at the pool, then came home and took the dogs for an hour's walk at the park. It is now nap time. Just one of those days that it is hard to keep going. I'm sure everyone has them.

So I think Gracie and I will curl up on my bed, pull up a quilt, and take a little nap. Sarge will lay in the corner of the bedroom, where he can see if I get up for anything. Sounds like a plan. Have a great day.
Linda

Movies

Sunday afternoons in the winter months are usually spent at the movie theater with friends. Here are a few we've seen in recent weeks:


RED with Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and a stuffed, pink pig. Good stuff. Lots of laugh out loud places with plenty of action for the guys. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

Life As We Know It - a last minute choice because the time posted for Hereafter was wrong. This is a really good flick, lots of undertones and ah ha moments. Recommend this.

Hereafter - Produced and Directed by Clint Eastwood, stars Matt Damon and is possibly one of the top five worse movies of all times. Absolutely horrible. A complete waste of time and money. I mean, don't even bother to rent the video, it is that bad. Slow, slow torture without a point.

Due Date - Robert Downey Jr is oh, so easy to look at. I like him as an actor anyway. A storyline that has been used before, but the viewpoint is fresh and funny. Recommend this.

Up next is Morning Glory. Got good reviews, and has Diane Keaton and Harrison Ford, so it should be good. Thanks for stopping by.
Linda

Dogs We Know

Gracie in front of a very large dog

Lexie

Lexie and Gracie

Silly Lily

The above photos were taken in August 2009 at the dog park. Lexie is another small Australian Shepherd that we don't see very often. Lexie is a sweet dog who is extremely shy now. When she was younger, she and Gracie played together fairly well.

Silly Lily is Gracie's best bud. They are only one month apart in age, Gracie being the elder. Lily was suppose to be a beagle. That didn't work out. She is about 55 pounds, tall and long legged. She loves Sarge. I mean, she wiggles and tries to get Sarge to play with her each and every time she sees him. Sarge reacts to Lily by placing his paw on her neck, pushing her to the ground, and snapping at her nose. He growls, then will prance away, breaking poor Lily's heart forever. Until the next time. Lily never gives up.

I wanted to get out today and take some new pictures, but had to work and by the time I got off from the store, it was raining. Not that I'm complaining. This is the first rainfall in weeks, so we'll take what we can get.
Whatever you do this weekend, enjoy your day.
Linda

Misc Friday

A little help here, please!

This is me getting up from the first encounter with the sheep last Sunday. Please notice that everyone is running away. Not one of them (sheep or dog) offered to help me up. Ingrates. One and all.

Lots going on of late, so this is a short post. I need some new photos for the blog and hope to do something about that today. Going to a great Christmas Open House at the Gingerbread Shed in Eugene, IN. It is owned by a woman I have known for 21 years now, Linda Wilson. She started off in a converted school bus in her back yard, and has progressed to 3 or 4 different "sheds", small buildings they have constructed on their land. Inbetween the sheds are walking paths and wild flower and herbal gardens. A unique place, a great woman. I discovered her when we lived in Kingman, IN. years ago.

I taught a Christmas Card class at Allyscraps the other night, and we had a ball. Cathy had designed 5 very cute cards, using vintage images from Creative Secrets, and the ladies in class loved them. We hope to do some more classes this month. And I'm making 2 complete Christmas scrapbooks for a friend to give to her son's families. If you would like to see what else is going on at Allyscraps, just click on the scrapbook supply link at the bottom, or the link for the blog at the right.

Did everyone thank a vet yesterday? I said a silent thank you to the ones no longer with us: Pat's mate, Jose, who served in Vietnam in the Army, her brother Pete, who served in the Navy, my uncle Joe who was in the South Pacific during WWII, Jean's brother Jim, who I think was in the Army. My own brother did 4 years in the Air Force. And Jean's husband, Paul, served in Vietnam. Our thanks to one and all.

Go and enjoy the very last of Indian Summer, I'm sure. It has been wonderful here. Thanks for stopping by.


Linda

Indian Summer continues

His little corner in the kitchen

Gracie by sunlight

It's not yet 9am, and the temperature is 51 degrees. Another 70 degree day is forecast, with lots of sunshine. I can't believe our luck in having this incredible fall. The summer was so blistering hot, with tons of rain up to the 4th of July, then none at all. In a few minutes, I'll put the harnesses on the dogs, and we'll head to the park for squirrel tracking, sniffing, and greeting. They love it, and so do I.

Sarge has started bunching up the throw rug in his corner of the kitchen. When I'm gone, he'll flip over the end and remove the yarn, piece by piece. It's an anxiety thing. He has also started chewing his nails again. My poor, nervous Sheltie. I just keep giving him lots of hugs and exercise.

Lots to do today. Some running around, and I want to get back into the scrapbook room and work on some Christmas projects. But first up, I need to wear my babies out walking. Enjoy the day.
Linda

Part Two

Aren't they beautiful animals?

Havoc, Dan and Amy's pup

Starting to watch the action

Come into the pen, Linda. We like you.

You want me to do what?

No. I'm a stubborn Blue Heeler

Oh, alright. You just won't quit, Mom!

Besides all of the exercise and getting to meet some really nice people, I enjoy taking photos at the farm. In particular, I truly love taking pics of the sheep. Even though they are winning.

Havoc is, I think, 9 months old. They are trying to interest him in herding, so Dan had him on the leash by the fence. He was displaying some interest. Border collies are a nature at this. They instinctively know how to walk up on the herd. That doesn't mean they don't need to be trained, but from my experience, they seem calmer.

Blue Heelers are cattle dogs, and Alex has the same type of problems with Tilly that I have with Gracie. One, they want to dive into the herd. And two, they are stubborn. Alex is performing the movement for the command, "lie down". It took a bit longer than we would like, but she did eventually get Tilly down. I am now working on this at the dog park, when Gracie is excited with all of the other dogs running around. Yesterday was a pretty good day. I kept after her, and she relented. The key is me being consistent with my dog. We're also doing this at home, at odd moments when she doesn't expect it. I want her to get used to my commands regardless of where we are at. The training just never stops, but that's okay. It's part of being a responsible dog owner.

We are having a very late Indian Summer in central Indiana. Great weather to be out with the dogs. I am going to take advantage of this, because I'm sure it will end all too soon. Have a great day.
Linda