pillows

We need pillowcases that can come off quickly and be washed extensively.

None of those designer pillows for us.

This is because she loves to lay on pillows and leave the gift of fur.

This is also because he places every body part on a pillow (oh, how he loves our pillows!)

So, I quickly whipped up some easy going pillowcases this past vacation.

These guys are worth whatever decorating modifications I need to make!

Take care, 

Denise

Surprise, honey!

Five years ago today,

I quickly headed out to the pet store

to grab some cat food before Christmas Eve.

Whenever I would go to this pet store,

I would always avoid glancing over at the rescued pets that were up for adoption.

Well, this day

I heard a couple of women talking about this dog that was blind.

So, I headed over to that area of the store.

Right by the blind dog

was the cutest, little ball of fluff.

When I picked him up, he still had that new puppy smell.

I was in love.

I was told he had been in a foster home, but was up for adoption.

I was also told that the foster mom was thinking about adopting him.

Okay, I had a million things to do, so I said so long to the little fella and headed home.

After finishing up some last minute chores and taking a shower,

I remembered that little dog and told Michelle the story.

She looked at me and suggested we get over there, at that moment, to see if he was still there.

So, off we went (me with wet hair on December 23.)

Circumstances being what they were that day, the foster mother (and her high school son)

were there, looking in on little "Dopey."

(This family's name for him.)

"Dopey" was the runt, and the only one left.

I immediately asked her if she was going to adopt the puppy.

She said, "no."

Well, my hair was a mess, and we had to be somewhere soon,

so, as Michelle was smiling ear to ear,

I went over to buy this puppy.

The clerk asked if I was going to foster or adopt.

I must have paused because she said it would take around

one hour to adopt and about five minutes to foster.

Five minutes later, we were a foster family,

ready to adopt this cutie pie in a week, when I had more time.

Wow, I usually over think purchases.

Not this time.

On the way home, it dawned on me that Steve didn't

even know about "Mr. Cutie Pie" since he had been

out and about that afternoon and unaware of our plot.

Living with a man who really likes dogs helps.

The minute he walked in and saw the little guy,

he was also in love.

Best Christmas present!

"Dopey"/ "Mr. Cutie Pie" quickly became Henry.

Boy oh boy are we happy Mookie was almost out of food on that day.

Take care,

Denise

favorite places

Henry loves watching

the world go round,

just outside his door.

Sitting on the couch,

he just fits and can

even rest his head.

Mookie loves

laying by

the computer

(or on it, if we

would let her!)

Cozy

little

sweeties!

Take care,

Denise

so much for my guard dog

I was in bed around 12:30 last night (this morning.)

I know I went right to sleep with Henry by my side.

At about 1:15, I woke up to a sound like a car going down the street

with a very flat tire.

I dozed and woke up to that sound a few minutes later.

At that point it sounded like someone was knocking at my door.

My heart was pounding.

Guard dog was snoozing by my side.

Awake, I heard it again, and again, and again.

Until it finally dawned on me---

as I was cleaning the craft room, the closet door was open.

Of course, in typical Mookie style, she wandered in and found

a cozy, hiding place to take a cat nap.

Then I closed the door.

Mookie was pawing at the door to get out -

going at it full force.

Silly cat.

I think I turned on every light in the house to

go down and let her out.

Out she slunk, angrily meowing at me all the way.

She seems put out with me this morning.

I think Henry feels guilty for sleeping through the whole thing

and not trying to save me.

Take care,

Denise

Thursday

Michelle and Steve are on their way to Cincinnati

for the Paul McCartney concert.

Birthday present for Steve from me.

Kind of wish I was going,

but it will be a nice father/daughter adventure.

So, I am on my own until tomorrow.

First of all today, I tried to get a picture of Miss Mookie.

With half a dozen very blurry pictures, this is the best.

Mookie is leaving her "food cave" where her

food is safe from Henry.

Bought a Starbucks gift card for a teacher friend

at school who helped me yesterday with my new

Smartboard and my new laptop.

He is very helpful with this sort of thing and seems

to enjoy helping some of us teachers who aren't

so gifted in the area of technology.

I just remembered I have $$$ on a Starbucks card.

Why can't I ever remember I have those?

Hopped over to Mom's church for their annual

Mission Sale.

We donated tons this year.

Of course, I always find stuff there to buy, too.

I rationalize that I am donating to a good cause.

I came home with these...

The brown case is some sort of old camera case.

There are a few old photographic odds and ends inside.

I will let Eric look at them.

The leather is in great shape.

I will probably use it as storage at school.

The tackle box is a great green color.

Hardly any rust (just the right amount.)

With cubbies inside,

I may use it in the craft room

or at school.

Plus, inside there is this really cool folding, wooden ruler.

These are Mom's sweet friends who charged all of three dollars

for everything.

I also found out that the tackle box belonged to his father.

I like that.

 Later, I think I may

paint some frames,

clean up the craft room,

read a book,

take Henry for a walk,

sweep up cat hair (always!)

craft in my journals,

or

watch a movie.

I'll just see how the day goes.

At least I have a guard dog!

Take care,

Denise

how I spent my afternoon

Today, along with Gus, I met friends for lunch in Plainfield.

Having a choice of footware, Gus chose his gardening boots.

By the time I remembered to take a picture, 

Kathy had already left to go back to work, 

but Laurie and Mary (both being retired now) took their time.

Gus sat for over an hour, 

good as gold, while we ate and visited.  

But, as with most 21 month olds, when he was ready to go, he was ready to go!

As a reward for such good behavior, I called Aunt Meesh to come over to Gus' to play.

Michelle brought Henry with her, much to the happiness of Gus.

The day was such fun that Gus told me "I Love You" (in Gus' way of signing.)

I do love summer.

Denise

quiet time

I love to get up early, before anyone else in our home is up.

I fix myself some coffee and sit at the computer.

Oh, I guess I am usually not alone.

Dear Mookie loves to be up early, too!

Denise

And who is our favorite?

My new couch is one of the best purchases in a long time. 

The taller arms just invite me to curl up and read.

Mookie usually doesn't like to sleep here.

However, today she seems perfectly happy.

Henry thinks life is unfair.

Denise

Snow day one

Okay, a snow day is always fun
(even though we will miss a four day weekend in another couple of weeks due to a snow makeup day.)  

The best part is not driving to school on sloshy, icy, snowy, slick, and/or slow-moving roads. 

So, today during our ice storm, I graded papers (put off for far too long.)

I crafted with some bookends I picked up at a garage sale a couple of years ago.

Now I need to complete the other bookend!

I read.

Of course, then there is Henry. 

He has to be forced outside and will only dribble because he freaks out so easily.

I think he may be depressed.

He is not sleeping.

He just won't look at me.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Update:  I just received the phone call - my school district will not have school tomorrow.

Denise