Presenting the Great Boo-dini!

(Drum-roll please......) Ladies and Gents I give you the "Great Boo-dini"! Master escape artist extraordinaire!

Okay , this is Bailey (a.k.a. Boo). Today I took Bail's, Cookie, and Bunny to my daughters for grooming. I do the grooming, Steph supplies lunch and her three dogs, that I also groom. Being a good "doggie" mom I have seat belt harnesses for my dogs. They lock the dog in the seat so that if I have to stop suddenly, or gosh forbid have an accident, they are safe and won't risk being flung about. Dogs left loose in a car with no protection (especially these little ones) risk broken limbs, torn muscles, or worse (broken backs and necks).

After grooming my dogs are ready to go home. So I carefully adjust the harnesses and lock them down and head out. As I pull out of my daughters sub I look back and see Bailey standing there, happy as clam, NO harness! So I pull over. Okay maybe I need to tighten the straps, he was groomed. I do all that lock him in and we are off again.

About three miles later I feel a wet nose touch my arm, yep, it's Boo and once more he has shed his harness. So I pull over. Get out, tighten the straps, stick my fingers to make sure they are not too tight, and off we go.

I am just going to tell you this happened "twice" more before we got home, I was ready to krazy glue the darn thing on him! I didn't even remove that much hair?

He was just so stinkin proud of himself every time he did it too!

Here is our other Yorkie the "Cookie" (little monster). Steve was complaining about her hair in her face, so today she got her bangs cut so you can really see her eyes. Her fur is more thin and wiry that Baileys so all she has done is wash, brush, bum and "lady" parts trimmed, paws, eyes and ears. (she managed to stay in her harness!)

On a sadder note. I was asked by my daughter to groom a dog who would be going up for adoption. A Llaso male about 3 years (?) old who was adopted by a woman who did not want to see him put down. She took him to a groomer, whom he bit and the woman became afraid to handle him. This in turn let this dominant little dog really get out of control.

She gave them to Harley's Haven and my daughter was fostering him. She really had not had any issues with him (other than having to correct him a couple times), that is until today.

She brought him out to be groomed and I don't know what happened to this dog in his short life but apparently this triggered something in him. He went "crazy". I mean "C-R-A-Z-Y", biting tearing, clawing crazy. Thank goodness she had bite proof gloves on.

All I know is that he was fine, letting me pet him. I turned on my razor (with the guard on it. I do this to see if they are okay with the sound, then with the guard on I touch them with it to see how they react to the vibration, before attempting any cut). He seemed okay. Then all Steph did was touch the long hair on the one side of his face, and BAM! Crazy, violent dog. Foaming, biting and snarling.

The thing was this was not a "fear"based reaction. Even after holding him and getting him calm, all she had to do was try to touch him and the crazy started again. He bit her "leather padded" protection gloves so hard he broke a blood vessel in her finger and shook her up. This grooming was not going to happen.

The real problem was that after this, he was taken for an assessment and it was decided that he be put down. They could not guarantee that this behavior could be corrected. Poor "fozzie" was too great a liability to ever be adopted out. So he was euthanized. I felt so bad. Steph was clearly shaken and upset, all she said was "its too bad people do this to animals, let their bad behavior take over until they cannot be helped". I felt awful. They have worked with some pretty messed up animals, most can be corrected and placed, but this was the first time they had to accept that this would not be the case.

A Christening Card for Logan

It was the baptism for my latest "great-nephew" this weekend. I made this card to send as we could not attend. I did not pay very close attention to the invite. Most, well "all" of the baptism's I've attended were in the afternoon, after mass. This was at 9:00am in the morning, before mass? It's a fair distance from us so we made our apologies and did not attend. It was raining all weekend, and the thought of driving early in the morning in the rain was a bit much.

Let's see that makes me a Great Aunt now of "eight" nephews and only one niece! I haven't even seen the niece as she is in Florida. What's with all the boys??? I don't mind boys, but I would really like to make a frilly girl card. Hmmmm, with 3 brothers and 3 sisters, and Steve comes from a family of 6 you would think the odds of a girl here and there would be better.

I used my christening stamp from Lily of the Valley. The paper is Debbie Mumm.

Friday Fun

So off to Terri's (after a few errands) for a "creative" day. We both purchased the TH die of the little town. Gosh its a lot smaller than I anticipated. Terri was going to do a "Tim Holtz" inspired town. Since I am not as organized as her I decided to go what I could easily get my hands on. at the time it was some "shabby chic" paper and trims. I had not seen the dies up close yet so I guess-timated at the dimensions and printed up some images I had to use. Throwing some bits and bobs into a couple bags I headed over.

Here is my finished town, I used jump rings I made with wire to bind the houses together.

Here it is laid flat..... sorry the flash totally washes out the glitter. Its been rainy and overcast all day so no natural light for a good photo.

After finishing the little TH "town" we made a tag. I decided to use the papers left over from the our first project to make this.....

Terri contributed the sweet trimming along the bottom, the pretty blue flowers, and the cool little sequins that look like mini rosettes on my mini banner. It was fun, we even managed to steal away for a "frozen custard", which was just what I needed. It was a rough week at work. Business is not good, and the downtown here has been all torn up.

I have some of my charms in a local shop here, but with the construction company botching things up there has been no way to get to the shops. The shop owners are understandably upset. They (The construction company) was supposed to only tear up one side on the street at a time. Instead they took out "all" the sidewalks downtown. You cannot get near a shop without going way out of your way. I won't even begin to tell you what a nightmare it is trying to get home from work every night.

So nothing is selling there, and to make matters worse she had to use the money she did have to pay her rent, so she could not pay me yet for the pieces she did sell! I may have to pull my charms out and try another place, since she just informed me that she was told that now they don't expect to be by the July 1st deadline. Mix in trouble with where my husband works, our dehumidifier breaking down, and unexpected bills and well I was not really in the mood to create.

I have to thank Terri for being so supportive and getting me out of my funk, long enough to have a little fun. Now please head over to her blog TerrisBloomingIdeas and check out her town and tag.

Mothers Day Weekend

It was a busy productive weekend. Spent Friday packing our freezer. The nearby IGA had their semi-annual meat sale. Time to stock up. Started off at 8:00am, and finished wrapping up and packing up around 3:30! After cleaning up a shower and off to see our son, John, play at the Magic Bag in dowtown Ferndale. He was sitting on on the first two bands and playing with his band "The Infatuations". They won the Vitamin Water "Peoples Choice Award" this year (at the Detroit Music awards). It was a nice evening out with our daughter Steph, and son-in-law Pat. Saturday a set of stamps I had ordered from My Favorite Things arrived. After some light housecleaning I made a few cards with them. The set I purchased came with the die to cut out the typewriter and the paper. I used my Stampin Up background stamp, and some vintage seam binding to make the bows. These stamps included some clever saying, my favorite being "don't make me use ALL CAPS!"

Later I had to fill some soldered charm orders I received. No, not for all of these, but if I am going to solder, well I might as well do a few extra. I had done some "lock and key" charms and which were a big hit. This time I played with some small bevels, clear baubles, and added a few vintage glass crystals to some of them.

My husband and my children surprised me at work Friday. My cubicle is right next to the delivery door for the office. So often I am the one to sign and recieve incoming packages and registgered materials that arrive. When our Fed-Ex delivery lady showed up I jokingly saw the long bax and said "You shouldn't have". She laughed and said "Sure", and when I looked down I saw my name was on the box! Inside was two dozen lovely Carnations and a vase. I love Carnations and getting them at work was a nice surprise. I knew that although the card read "From Steven, and the children" my daughter Steph had masterminded this. She is so good that way and knows how special getting flowers sent makes me feel. It was nice of her to organize this and for my children and Steve to think of this... On Sunday morning Steve gave me this card. Love it! I am always telling them I am the Queen. The card he gave me says "Mothers Day, is a chance for us to treat you like a Queen!", inside it says "Yeah, like a Queen with lazy subjects who don't listen!" Hmmmm, I wondered if someone hadn't been spying on me, because this was so something I would say! Ha Ha

Mothers Day was so nice. We went to Steph and Pat's home, John joined us, and later Kimberly joined us via Skype from Kalamazoo (where she attends college). We had grilled burgers and wine. We also got to enjoy their 1st anniversary cake (provided by the company that made their wedding cake, as part of their wedding package).

It was a relaxing day, the weather was lovely, the food good, and what better company than ones family.

Scrap-a-lopes!

Yesterday I was lucky enough to catch my friend Sarah (3dogsand2kids on YouTube) on Ustream showing how she makes her "scrap-a-lopes". These are the cutest custom envies that you can make for almost any size cards. Many times I make a 3", 4", or 5" card and no envie.

Now thanks to Sarah, I can use up all those pieces of scrap paper, and those "off" papers that come in the large packs that you had no use for.

My little 4" tent cards fit perfectly in these. I had not used them because I just had no envelopes that fit. There are other templates out there but this one was just so cute (and easy).

Please visit Sarahs blog "The Handmade Card" and you can find out how to make them!

Welcome "Bunny"

We have been busy here, work, family and life in general. We have recently been involved with a "Dog" rescue. Our eldest daughter Stephanie has worked with various companies regarding dog care, and boarding has been involved with the rescue "Harley's Haven" out of Clawson, MI. Both she and Robin have been helping rescue dogs from precarious situations. Whether it's a family that is no longer able to care for a pet, or an animal suffering abuse at the hands of careless owner. They offer to come take the animal and help find a home for them. They make sure they see a vet, have all their shots and are "neutered or spayed" before they are placed. Hoping to stop some of the accidental or careless breeding of unwanted animals. It was only a matter of time before she "sucked" us in to help. It seems there is a big lack of Foster families willing to care for an animal while they wait for a "Fur-ever home". So we agreed to help with the small breed dogs. We started with Bella, a sweet terrier (actually one of my Yorkie's offspring) who's family could not give her the time she needed. She was only with us two weeks, but she did so well and is now at "home" in a family that loves her. Next is "Pepper", a Chihuahua mix abandoned outside in January with her sister (who recently was placed), left to fend for themselves, it is no wonder she is so fearful of people. She is doing so much better now, although she still gets spooked at loud noises or quick movements. She still seems afraid that she will not have food, we work with her to try to help her understand she is safe now. There is plenty of food, and a warm place of her own. She loves us, especially my husband Steve. Having been initially befriended by a man, she seems to trust men more easily. Although she and I have become good friends. She seems to look at me with her sad lonely eyes with such longing. I pet her and tell her how sweet she is and that she is safe. I hope we will be able to find a home for her soon, she deserves to feel special and loved (although Terri keeps saying she has "adopted" us). I have my Yorkie's, Bailey and Cookie. They are such sweet dogs and have for the most part, been very good about sharing their space. We did have a young male Dachshund named Gus, though for two weeks that Bailey was not happy about. He was a good puppy just rowdy and was getting on Boos nerves. He went to his new home last Friday. Which brings us to "Bunny". She is a little (and I mean little, she weighs only 1 1/2 pounds) Maltese mix. When she was rescued she was having hypoglycemic seizures from the lack of proper nutrition. Her sister was dead, and her two brothers, Cotton and Scruffy (available for adoption, go to Facebook - Harley's haven in Clawson to see them) the more dominant puppies were undernourished, but in much better shape. Robin nursed her back to a state where she still has to be watched, but able to be placed with us. She is learning to eat little meals and regulate her blood sugar on her own. These little babies need to eat more often as their fast metabolisms burn through calories quickly. Puppies need so much more during their early months until they reach their adult weight. Bunny was lucky. She was able to make a comeback with minimal damage, although its still early to tell if her early malnutrition will have any long term effect. Stephanie knew placing her with us she would be safe and well cared for, she also knew "Bunny" would have a "Fur-ever" home. Yeah, I am a sucker for this little gal. She is so feisty and thinks she is 50lbs of Doberman instead of a fluffy speck of a puppy. She doesn't walk or run, she "hops", and loves to play. So much energy. I know Boo and Cookie get a bit annoyed with her boundless energy, but they are patient with her. When she gets to be too much they jump up on the registers or couch and watch her as she bounces and jumps trying to get them to play.

She is so sweet and tiny. We have to be careful not to let her get on anything she could jump down and hurt herself. Many of these fine boned, little "toy or teacup" type dogs are easily broken. Careless breeding has lead to so many flaws and problems with these tiny breeds. Bunny will require a bit more care when it comes to that. My Bailey (Boo) who is 9 lbs of Yorkie has had to have knee surgery for slipping off a stair last year. Steph knows of a small dog who broke his back jumping off a couch. So we will have our work cut out for us.

Still it's hard not to love this cute sweet face.

1st Anniversary

Today March 13th is the "first" Wedding Anniversary of our daughter Stephanie and her husband Pat (Pasquale). Boy has time flown by for us. I cannot believe it. So when they asked us to watch Tillie (one of their four dogs, who doesn't get along with other people. They have someone staying to take care of the others) so they could go away for the night we of course said yes.

So while Tillie runs around with Bailey, Cookie, and the two foster dogs we are caring for, I am keeping busy. Tonight I finished these soldered charms.....

While I was working away, I thought wouldn't it be nice to take the few photos I had from the wedding and make something for Steph and Pat as a keepsake for their Anniversary. I do not have many photos from the wedding, you see the photographer "lost" them. (Audible gasp)

Yeah, I know we were all devastated when we were finally told. While the photographer apologized and offered to re-shoot Pat & Steph in their wedding attire, it hardly made up for losing all the memories. So I decided to touch up the few bad photos I had taken, and some that were "found" of the reception, make Steph a charm bracelet, and Pat a key chain.

I am going to place them in the box I decorated tomorrow when they come to get Tillie. I am going to make dinner for them, and although it is little compensation for not having a Wedding photo album, it will be something to look at and reminisce.

P.S. I was so happy to find a photo of her dancing with her father (the father and daughter dance) , she was hugging her Dad, and the tears were about to fall. Of all my wedding photos I cherish the photo with my father, I am so glad she has that.