He Was Lost But Found His Way Back Home !!

Night before last, I did a stupid thing. My cat Kelly was afraid to go outside because there was men on a neighbors roof replacing the shingles. Kelly is very afraid of men. So instead of putting him out in the back yard....I put him out the front door. Much to my sadness he was not at the back door in the morning.

I spent many hours walking and driving around our neighborhood looking for Kelly. Some children saw him crossing the street....some other children saw him hiding under a silver car half way down the block.

At sunset, I went out again and called his name over and over again. When I came home, Kelly had come home and entered the house through the open back door. He just looked at me and walked to his food dish as though nothing had happened.

He was lost but he found his way back home and I am joyful.

Have a wonderful day!

Laraine


UPDATE...Kelly has come home and disappeared again. I guess spring is in the air and he is seeking the company of other cats in the neighborhood. He has been altered so he probably won't be getting in fights. I can only hope for the best.

Happy Birthday Dearest Dustin !!!

Today is the 42ed Birthday of my dearest son Dustin. He is a happily married man with two daughters. When Dustin was little, he was all elbows and knees. He did not like being held or put in the play pen. One day he was dozing in the play pen in the front yard when a neighbor came by to say hello. When the neighbors very large black German Shepard, "Raven" put his head in the play pen poor Dustin went ballistic. Needless to say he does not like large dogs to this day.

This photo was taken at the beach in Norwalk Ct. after a swimming lesson. I loved spending time with the children, I will always remember it as the best time of my life.


Have a wonderful day!!

Laraine

Happy Birthday Dear Dean !!!

Today is my son "Dean's " 44th Birthday. He is a happily married man with a little boy who looks just like him. Dean was always a sweet child. He made his bed and picked up his toys and in general was the perfect little boy. The time I spent raising my children will always be remembered as the happiest days of my life.


Happy Birthday Dean !


Love Mom

Baby it's Cold Outside

I took the boys to the groomer last week and had them all trimmed in the "Puppy Cut". However we had a cold snap a few days later and the poor little babies were shivering. I pulled the doggy sweaters down from the top shelf of my bedroom closet and popped them on. Everyone is happy now.

Have a great day.

Laraine

Toowoomba Flood 2011.01.10

The power of mother nature is awesome. Pray for the many people in Australia who have been affected by these floods. I simply can't imagine watching one of my largest worldly possessions, next to my home, being washed away.

Have a peaceful prayerful day.

Laraine

Father Christmas

May your Christmas be peaceful and full of joy. Remember to give thanks for our many blessings and pray for peace in the world.
I am going to travel up from the gulf coast to San Antonio to be with my daughter and her beautiful family. I wish I could see all my grandchildren and hug them tight and kiss their rosy cheeks.
I will always be thankful for my neighbors, who have gone out of their way to help me through tough times. My blessings are many.
May you have a blessed Christmas.
Laraine

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!

I would have loved to be there. I am getting better, little by little every day. The Doctor had me do one more test before he will tell me for sure, what I have to look forward to. Not earth shattering but it is an interference into my peaceful life, that I simply cannot abide.
I am hard at work making heirloom ornaments for my family and friends. I took photo's and will post a small tutorial in the very near future.
Have a wonderful day!
Laraine

Thanksgiving Turkey Cookies

Sadly I was to sick to get out of bed and go up to San Antonio to visit my beautiful daughter and her beautiful family for Thanksgiving this year. My daughter used her daughters hand print to construct these beautiful turkey cookies.
Thankfully they had received an invitation from my son in laws side of the family for a get together. I was of course included in the invitation but did not have the strength to make the trip.
I am eternally thankful for my neighbors on both sides of my house. They are taking turns mowing my front yard and on thanksgiving day they both visited me loaded with plates of wonderful food.
I hope you all had a blessed and happy Thanksgiving.
Laraine

My Peaceful Life

I like my life to be peaceful....I don't like changes. My IBS has flared up for no reason at all and I am not happy about it.



I have a doctors appointment for the second week of November. I have to go for some blood tests next week. Perhaps my doctor will just give me a pill and pat me on the head and tell me all is well....but I don't think so.
Have a peaceful wonderful day.
Laraine

Sport is My Name !

Rooting around in an old box of photo's I found the picture of "Sport" that is most like his personality. His joy and zest for life is contagious. If I open my arms and call him to me, he comes with his tail wagging always ready to jump up and steal a kiss.
Have a great day....now.....go make something beautiful!
Laraine

Some Pictures of My Little Shih-Tzu "Sport"

I realized after my long post of yesterday that I had not included any photos of the dog in question. His name is "Sport". He was found wearing his coat long and a top knot on his head. The top knot was so tight the flesh had been pulled up in the elastic band.
The fur under his arms was so matted he could hardly walk. I spent hours with him laying in my lap on his back while I carefully cut the mats out.
He had been owned by a hairdresser who left him home all day. When she came home she beat him bacause he made pee pee on the floor. Even now, when I call him he sometimes comes to me with his head down walking very slowly, as though he is expecting a beating.
He is afraid of the broom and will leave the room when I sweep the floor. He is so very tiny. He probably weigs no more than ten pounds, but his heart is full of love for me.
His name is "Sport" and he is worth more than the $150.00 I paid for him so long ago.
Have a great day.....now.....go make something beautiful.
Laraine

We Caught A Little Of Hermine Here In South Texas

My grass and garden are happily singing. We caught a little rain from Tropical Storm Hermine. Boy....didn't Hermine pop up quickly. One day it's sunny and hot, hot, hot and the next day it's pouring rain and wind and hot, hot, hot.
I have two dogs that sleep on my bed with me (TJ and Sport) and the other three (Tuffy Tibadeaux and Teddy ) sleep on their beds on the floor. Teddy will some time sleep in my closet...way in the back under my clothes.
Little Sport ( one of the dogs on the bed ) is very afraid of loud noises. I awoke to little Sport shivering like mad trying to hide behind my head. He was inconsolable for hours. As I am typing this post he is asleep at my feet.
Sport was a rescue that I brought home back when Jim was alive. I found Sport in a metal cage with no food or water in a fly by night pet shop. The owner said she wanted $150.00 cash.....no checks. I left the shop and went immediately to the bank and the rest is history.
Have a beautiful day.....be kind to those who love you....and go make something beautiful!
Laraine

Feeling Better Today

This adorable photo of a happy little dog enjoying a sprinkler was just snagged off the internet. ( If it's yours just let me know ) My shih-tzu's and my malti-poo can smile exactly like that when they are with me. Our routine is the same every day. I gather strength from that sameness.....I hate change...I hate the unexpected....the surprise.
Me and my little dogs are trying to make the best of a bad situation ( talked about in my last post ) I resolve to enjoy each day and try to make something beautiful every day.
Laraine

For the Love of all things French Inspired

I just finished making two lovely French inspired locket charm necklaces for my granddaughters Jenna and Brianna. The lockets hang from vintage seam binding and look very dainty. I will package them up today for their journey "back east". Now go make something beautiful.
Laraine

My Mothers Mother

This is a photo of my mothers mother. She died before I was born so I never got to know her. My interest in the family tree was sparked by a question from my granddaughter in regards to our family history. I am so sorry to say....I don't remember her name.....I remember her story, but not her name and there is no one left alive who remembers. I plan to search for wedding records and perhaps I'll get lucky. By the way......I look amazingly like her.....so this is what I will look like in my old age.......

UPDATE.........An afternoon on the computer and I now know that she was "Marie" She and my grandfather "Oscar" had 5 children Herbert, Alice, Edna, Edith and Laura...my mother.