We're Not Lazy...

just hanging out

and enjoying

quality time.

Stealth Cat

I went out this morning to check on the progress of the patio. The guys had worked past dark last night and I never got a chance to see how far they got. All of a sudden our 1 year old cat, Mickey, ran by and flung himself into the hole where the sprinkler was removed.

Is he hiding from someone? Yes, but it's not what you think. He's not afraid of anyone. He's the terror of the neighborhood. He spent yesterday chasing squirrels out of the pecan tree but this morning he was ambushing bigger game...

the dreaded yellow lab beast. These two have such a weird relationship. I really think Mickey thinks he's a dog. Sunny is like his big brother. They chase and wrestle and steal each others' food just like real brothers. Sometimes Mickey is meowing at the door and I think he wants out, then when I open it Sunny comes in and Mickey is happy. He didn't want out, just wanted to be with big brother.

Mickey often ambushes the dogs from a chair, the bed or the back of the couch. He's never tried an aerial attack from this height though! Notice the "wild" cat hiding against the wall. As I said, Mickey terrorizes the whole neighborhood. He doesn't take off as much since that last vet visit...the one where they "fixed" his desire to wander. But anything at home is fair game.

Even Oreo, who doesn't put up with the sharp kitty teeth biting at her ears near as well as Sunny does. At least these two look like they're related, sort of. She is a good big sister and tells him to behave, in no uncertain terms.

So anyway, you can see we're making progress on this project.

But there is still a lot to do. Did I mention we're having a big luau birthday party for my son here on the 25th? Why do we do this to ourselves?

Tolerance

Hamsters and Night Lights

It was a rough afternoon yesterday.

So different from the day we brought Buddy home

for my daughter's birthday last year.

All of life's questions wrapped up

in one little lifeless furball.

I try to keep the answers simple.

We talked about life and death, faith and heaven.

We've done so before but this was different.

And the questions kept coming.

No vague answers would do.

She wanted specifics.

It went on all evening,

long after we had said our goodbyes to him.

I cried at times .

I don't think she saw.

She was sad but seemed content.

I discovered this morning she had turned on

her bedroom light in the middle of the night.

Something she hasn't done in a really long time.

He was a good hamster.

We miss you Buddy.

What's a Mom To Do?

This morning my daughter and hubby were eating breakfast together while I was in another room. I heard hubby say, "Next time use your fingers instead of your fork." Now, I knew she was eating waffles with syrup so I'm thinking what the heck is going on in there? Then I hear her sweet little voice saying, " You like syrup, don't you Sunny?" Gotta love them all, even if hygiene isn't their strong suit.

Psst, It's Me, Buddy

That's right, the hamster. I may not get as much blog time as those smart dogs or that cute cat but if you want the 411 on what's going down in the 209 I'm the guy you need to see.

But first check out this cute trick. Look, I'm a potato! Naw, not really, I just run so fast even the sports setting on Dawn's camera can't catch me!

Anyway, back to the 411. I sit right here in the office all the time so I get to hear all the good stuff when Dawn's on the phone. Right now she's staring out the window muttering something about "bloggers block". Sounds painful. I thought I'd give you some updates till she gets her act together.

Remember this picture. Well, she tried hanging it ON the mirror with those new Command picture hanging strips. It seemed to work until the next morning when she discovered the adhesive wasn't sticking to the mirror any more. Luckily it hadn't fallen all the way down yet. So she got out the fishing line and hung it from the picture rail. It worked well, you couldn't really see the fishing line, but it hung at an angle and you could see the back of the print. So for now it's just leaning there till she decides what to do.

I did hear her say she was thrilled the wash house rose bush had survived the pruning and would be flowering any day. She's getting a bit impatient to get the inside cleaned and went poking around. She was excited to find some old posters from a chocolate candy company and will be sharing them soon. Otherwise she is waiting, rather impatiently, for some muscle to help start moving things out! I'm fast but not very strong so I guess I'm no help. Besides...there are wild cats out there!

The kids are off from school this week so she's keeping them busy with lots of projects. This one is a little stinker though.

Just look what she did to herself.

Poor Sunny slept right through her antics!

Dawn was so excited when the auction signs came off the rentals across the street. They started tearing out the old stuff the very next day. Then left it for over a month, just like this.

But they came with dump trucks and front loaders and cleared out everything from two of the buildings yesterday. It looks like they are renovating from the floor up so it will be NICE and new for some NICE new families!

So that's the scoop. Speaking of scoop, Dawn's headed over here to clean my cage. You probably don't want to stick around for that!

Thinking of You!

This is just a quick post to let you all know I'm thinking about you. I appreciate all the nice comments and will be by to visit as soon as I can. The photo is of Mickey trying to figure out what the pool sweeper is and how he can get to it on the other side of the safety fence. It was the first time he'd seen it run and was mesmerized by it. I'm off to Special Olympics basketball practice now. "See" you soon!

Hugs,

Dawn

Come. Sit. Stay....You don't want to miss this giveaway!

If your a dog lover you won't want to miss your chance to win this great version of Monopoly ~ It's Dog-opoly and is the cutest game ever. Much better than the Spongebob Monopoly version my kids force me to play on a regular basis! If you've got a smart dog like a Lab they can play too, just don't let them be the banker, the money gets all wet and slimy!

Now RUN over to Murphy Grace Home and fetch a chance at this wonderful prize Gwen is offering. The giveaway closes Sunday, Feb. 7th, so don't waste time scratching or chasing butterflies! Go!

Rednesday ~ Winter Fashion Show

Like the lady says, today is REDnesday,or it soon will be, time follows different rules in blogland!Please visit our wonderful hostess Sue, at It's a Very Cherry World after the show!

~Penny ~

Let me in, my tail's freezing!

Does this jacket make my butt look long?

~Maisy ~

Can someone please help?

My coat's all wrinkled!

~Porsha~

This bolero is so last season!

~Sachi~

I'm so hot!

No, really, it's warm in here.

I thought this was going to be an outside shoot.

Shhh everyone, I think someone just said "dog park".

Ooooo, I love shooting on location!

Pet Follies

Got Milk?

If I did it wouldn't be there!

Knick knack paddy whack give the dog a bone.

Look, I'm a walrus.




Throw it, I'm open!

Kick it already!

You ok mom? You look a little dizzy.

Why cats win...

at hide and seek.

Now what?

Maybe if I go this way...

or through here...

Gravity to the rescue.

Th...th...that's all folks!

Hope you enjoyed the show. I have to go look for my missing battery charger so you won't have to look at more silly pet photos tomorrow!

Thrifty Thursday ~ Puppy Love

Yeah! It's Thursday, that means it's time to show off our thrifty finds or ideas. Leigh has a great thrifty idea today so make sure you stop over in Bloggeritaville to see what she's up to.

I couldn't pass up this adorable little country print at Goodwill and I'm sure you know why. It reminded me so much of Sunny when he was little. Personally, I think Labbie pups are the cutest pups in the world but I'm sure a few of you will disagree. This print with the double matting and frame was $5.00. Now don't laugh when you scroll down to the next photo. Sunny really did look just like these little pups,

but for about a month...

he looked like a pup on steroids!

He quickly grew into a nicely proportioned Lab and is the sweetest dog around. If anyone ever comes across some vintage looking Labrador Retriever art or classic style figurines, I'd love to hear about it. Most of what I find is from the 70's on and involves a lot of dead ducks or are very modern. Of course if you spot something with a thrifty price tag that would be even better!

Thanks for letting me indulge in a little puppy love!

Dawn

Bad Kitty

Who, me?

No one here but us statues.

I'm sorry. Please don't tell Santa!