Thinking about others.

Lucas and I were talking about charity, food drives etc…. He also heard me talking about our bunco group doing a food drive.  He wanted to do one.  I didn’t think he was serious, so a couple of days later I told him that he really could do one this Saturday if he really wanted.  He was serious and started planning.  We asked one of his friends to join him.  They collected 106 items of food. They never complained once about their bags being heavy walking up hills, or that is was cold.  They walked 3/4 of the time, but I drove them up our last hill.  It took them a little over 3 hours.  They were ready to keep going………it was me that put an end to it.  Now my Highlander is full of food.  I had no idea it would be so hard to find someone to take it off my hands.  I went to both fire stations…….and a closed food bank.  Guess I’ll try Monday.  

I am so proud of that kid, proud of his integrity.  His kind spirit and wholesome character. 

Of course Mabie went along.  We’re trying to teach her too that there are less fortunate dogs out there too.  She enjoyed visiting with my neighbor……she’s hanging her head out the window waiting for her to come back.

Here’s she’s waiting for Lucas….you can see him in the background.

Food banks are desperately low.  So many places are taking food donations……don’t be caught without a can.  Keep a couple in your trunk for those least expected moments.

Sisterly Love

Every morning Jim has the fire on while reading the paper.  Every morning Peaches has been laying in front of the fire for the last 4 years.  Since this is Mabie’s first Autumn, she’s starting to see that perhaps this silly cat that won’t wrestle with her, isn’t so dumb after all.

They have been cuddling together almost every morning. 

Yes, I know she has wonky eyes.  I tried the red eye edit, but it didn’t take the glow away.  It’s hard photographing a black dog.

Mud Ball

  Soccer season in the NW can get a bit…………….muddy.  Lucas LOVES soccer.  He’s had a hard season with a new team and all.    I’m so proud of him for staying positive.  The boys are coming along.The mud was SO thick, shoes were being pulled off……feet were stuck, the ball would just stop……the boys would slip……..but I must say it was the most entertaining game we’ve watched all season. This poor kid below……in black……the other team……he fell in that mud so many times.  This photo cracks me up.  Yes, I’m aware that I probably built up some bad karma by giggling at a little boy.It was so funny to watch them try to run in this stinky mud.  Yes, it smelled!  Lucas loved every minute of it.  Even falling in it……

  Do you see Lucas’ socks?  They were white when we started.  He also had some white stripes on his shorts.  After many soakings, shout and tide……they actually came out pretty clean.  His friend Ethan.  Great kid.  These two are darling together.  Lucas is lucky to make friends easily. Please let our Holiday Bowl in December be dry.

Crazy for Collars

Suzanne sent me an email awhile ago saying I needed one of her collars for my “amazingly, adorable gifted Labradoodle pup”………OK, well maybe she didn’t say amazinglly, adorable gifted Labradoodle……but I know she meant to.

So I hopped on over to her etsy shop and blog Crazy For Collars and you know what?  I did need one of her collars…..a holiday collar! I mean if you’re going to treat your dog like a real member of the family, she’s going to need some new duds for the holidays……right?  Maybelline….we call her Mabie…… isn’t so sure about the bow, she’s a bit of a tomboy. But it’s removable for everyday use…….and she loves the patterns of her new bling.  No there’s nothing shiny on it, but she doesn’t know what bling really is, so don’t tell her.   As far as she knows……she’s wearing diamonds.  That’s what I tell her anyway. 

Mabie also needed a pink collar because she wants people to know she’s a girl when we go to the dog park. 

She felt so glamorous, she threw herself on the floor and struck a pose.  

    I must say that Suzanne’s collars are very well made.  More sewing talent. I was also very impressed with her packaging.  I should have taken an photo of it, but my son ripped it open before I could say anything.  Along with the collars, she sent me gift tags…..thank you, and little matchbook note pad…….thank you!  I’m thinking you’re safe ordering from her to drop ship a gift to someone…….it will look special and the recipient will love it……unless they don’t have a dog.  

Don’t forget to enter the Fabulous Friday Giveaway….scroll down.  Closes Sunday 5pm pacific time.

Happy Halloween!

A day in the life at our house on Halloween. Ryan spent the day and evening with us since his parents are in Hawaii…….he was supposed to spend the night along with another boy, but the sleep over was off with Lucas having H1N1 during the week. Ryan hates having his picture taken…….I had to bribe him with candy.  One piece for every photo. I love this shot.  Lucas thought his expression says “hey, whattya doin Saturday night?”…….but I love it because I have almost the exact shot from a few years ago.

See?  Somewhat the same……….just different.

For lunch I made Wrapped Mummies.  They thought it was pretty cool. 

Then they passed the time playing Wii and Monopoly.  

It was finally ready to get dressed, wait for Bryce and head out.  They thought they were extra cool since we let them do our neighborhood on their own.  Jim was especially happy about that because he could watch the duck game a little longer.

  Lucas’ pumpkin.  He designed it…… Blurry decorations  My costume……my new tatts.  You can see a bit of my dreads too. 

Our scary yard……. 

Happy Halloween everyone………..

Oink Oink

We’re not confirmed, but all the symptoms are there.  Doesn’t he look miserable? 

Although I love these shots.  I think he was starting to whine in this first one.  :)

He’s concerned about Halloween.  He asked me if I would buy him a couple of bags of candy if he couldn’t go trick or treating.  Bless his heart.  If he does go, perhaps he should dress up as a pig with wings?  Don’t worry…..he’s not going unless he’s been fever free for 24 hours.

Halloween isn’t his holiday.  Remember this?

Maybe Mabie……

Hi, my name is Mabie…..my mom calls me Maybelline when she’s mad. Like when I went on a poop fest at 4am. 

I’m glad my fur is finally growing out after that lady shaved me. I’m much cuter this way.  People now ask if I’m a Portuguese Water dog rather than asking “What is she?”  Most people are surprised to learn that I’m a Labradoodle. 

At home, I like to harass the cat.  I know she secretly likes it too. See that black basket?  That’s where my mom puts all my toys……the ones I like to tear up.  I also like to hang with my homey’s at the dog park.  I’m the one running after the ball, but I’m way too busy to bring it back, so I just drop it on the trail.  Mom’s coming that way anyway.  I don’t like the big dogs that bark, so that’s when I run back to mom and hide my face in her knees.  Sometimes she’ll pick me up if I look really scared.

Just another shot of me trying to look cute. 

We spend a lot of time with The Boy and that ball.  I love my boy.  He’s the bestest human ever.  Mom really likes him too.  Mom usually takes me on a walk while he’s running around with the other humans.    We don’t like that neighborhood since we saw a pitbull jumping and hanging onto a piece of meat hooked to a rope.  Call me a snob, but that’s just not lady like.  So my mom drives me to another neighborhood that has nice trees (on the parking strip) to smell……..Sometimes a cranky lady will come out and yell at my mom to “get her DAMN dog off her yard”  My mom just smiles, tells her we’re not in her yard, that I’m not going to the bathroom and to have a nice day.  I think she’s way to nice to that lady.

I’d love to chat longer, but my dad is going to take me on a run……I can tell….he’s got those shoes on.  My dad is pretty nice too, but he’s always wanting to cuddle. 

See ya………….