Wordless Wednesday ~ Springer Spaniel

10 Reasons To Foster a Dog

I have a 2014 New Years Resolution for you. If you've always wanted to help animals but never took the plunge into fostering (or adoption), this is your year.  If you're doing the One Word thing, your word is "Foster", or courage, or fearless, or rescue, or care.... :)

You're stronger than you think you are. You can do this. 

Wick Photography

1. Because you are needed.  It saves lives.  Every animal taken in by a foster family, means there is more room at the shelter.  Every foster dog adopted, means we can take on another.  It's a cycle. Shelter-->Foster-->Adopted-->...then we go back for more.  See how it works?  We need you. 

Gorgeous Mr. Bingley was a former Puppy Mill stud 

2. Because you are a project oriented person and love a good challenge.  Seeing progress and recovery with a traumatized foster is the most rewarding thing you can imagine.  You'll have to think outside the box, trying different things to help each new dog.  You'll grow in knowledge and when you see a rescued puppy mill dog run for the first time (maybe in their life), your heart explodes.  

Marshall's so proud.  He wants me to watch how fast he can run. 

3. Because you are a great admirer of "feeling happy" and you like smiling. "Petting a dog for just 15 minutes releases the feel-good hormones serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin, and lowers the stress hormone cortisol, a University of Missouri–Columbia study says."  

Our Charlie...

4. Fostering a shelter animal can be healing.  My husband had been horribly ill with Graves Disease for over 2 years, possibly longer.  My husband felt like he was DYING. ALL. THE. TIME. We took the leap into fostering, and his health immediately improved.  His mood improved.  His spirit improved. His color improved. He was eventually announced "cured". I know the big turn around for him started the day we got our first foster, Charlie. 

Charlie was severally abused.  He bonded with Tim immediately and Tim started feeling better too.
They healed each other. 

5. Because you're bored, in need of entertainment.  Let's face it. Dogs are fun.  We are never bored.  We're always playing with our kids dogs and cats.  Who needs TV?  We've got our own comedy troupe right here in our house.  

BFF's

6. Because the relationships in your home could use some strengthening.  I can affirm, this has been one of the most rewarding things my husband and I have ever done together.  Our home is an empty nest now. We've raised 2 fabulous human beings (you're welcome). Now what? We've both been living our own lives.  I had my interests and he had his.  We know, together, we are really good at projects and parenting.  When fostering dogs, both our awesome skills are used, bringing us back TOGETHER.  You have to communicate and work as a team to help each animal. 

Wick Photography

7. Because your children need to learn the world is not about them.  They learn compassion, servanthood, nurturing, responsibility and develop a generous spirit.  Having a sick or severally traumatized animal in your home forces you to think before you act.  I see how our son has learned to think responsibly towards pet ownership.  He sees the BIG picture.  Just because you're dying for a Boxer, doesn't mean you should have one, right now.  (If more people understood this...we wouldn't have such a big problem with pet abandonment)

My daughter's adopted English Bulldog, Bruiser

8. Because you need exercise and you're unmotivated.  Your dog needs to go to the bathroom. Now!  And a 2 minute walk isn't enough.  It needs to burn off that energy, learn how to be a dog outside of a cage, socialize with neighbors and sniff things. Voila! You've just burned calories and got some Vitamin D.  

9.  Because your other animals are open to new companions. Our dogs need socializing too and they enjoy having fur friends. We have 3 dogs, all have been rescued, with their own set of issues.  Having new dogs come and go has been good discipline and training for them.  They in turn, have been very good for incoming foster dogs, teaching and showing them the ropes.  Mill dogs especially have no idea how to "just be a dog".  

10. Because you're stronger than you think you are.  Of course, you bond with them. Yes, it hurts to give them up.  But you can give them to a new, beautifully perfect family and be at peace.  

This is Marshall's new family. He bonded immediately. We are so happy for all of them.

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I have a 100 more good reasons to foster, but for the sake of brevity, I stopped at 10.  Do you have some to add?  I would love to hear from you, and discuss this subject further, so please leave a comment.  

If you have any questions about fostering, I'm happy to answer as honestly as I can. 

If you're interested in fostering, you can call your local animal shelter and find out more.  Also, if you have a favorite breed of dog or cat, there are specific organizations all over.  You can volunteer for them.  We volunteer for ESRA and rescue Springer Spaniels.  

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I hope you'll follow me and keep up with our fostering shenanigans.  :)  Lots of good times, with occasional animal drama 

Cats and Quilts go together like Peas and Carrots.

THINK ADOPTION FIRST

ADOPT, DON'T SHOP

Sharing with these Sweet bloggers: Mom's The Word ~ Making Your Home Sing Sumo Sweet Stuff ~ Block Party Say not Sweet Anne ~ Sweet Sharing Monday DIY Home Sweet Home ~ More the Merrier Monday Create With Joy ~ Inspire Me Monday I Should Be Mopping the Floor ~ Inspiration Monday Rain On A Tin Roof ~ Give Me the Goods My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia ~ Tuesday's Treasures A Stroll Thru Life ~ Inspire Me Tuesday Our Table For Seven ~ Share Your Stuff Tuesday Life On Lake Shore Drive ~ Last Bouquet of Talent

Christmas Sugar Cookie Tradition

The Christmas tradition I loved the most was 

making rolled sugar cookie cut outs every year.  

It was a big production. Mom made the 

dough the night before.

My sister and her son

We cut and baked them the next morning.

Then the icing and decorating began. 

They don't have to be perfect!  
Just make the memory and enjoy the company.

The hardest part was not eating them as fast as we made them. 
The goal was to have some to eat on Christmas Eve. 

There were lots of grandparents around on 
Sugar Cookie baking day. 
It was a multi-generational family celebration.  

I especially remember my Great Grandma Ellen and how much she smiled on Sugar Cookie day.  

She was widowed and lonely maybe, 
so it was a big delight for her

to spend the day with her great grandchildren.  

We always pulled the best and most beautifully decorated ones for Santa.  He got our prettiest Sugar Cookies on a pretty plate with a glass of milk.  (Lucky guy!)

I've tried dozens of different recipes and I 

always go back to mom's. 

Is it the memory that tastes so good 
or is it the actually sugar and vanilla yumminess, I taste?  

I love how humbly delicious unpretentious cookies taste.  
They taste like HOME.  
Like MAMA. 
Like HAPPINESS

And I guarantee you, it's the orange peel that makes the difference.  

If you enjoy your sugar cookie recipe, 

add 1/2 tsp fresh orange peel next time and see how you like it.

What are your favorite traditions and cookie memories?

Check out this blog Entry where I share 
 Cut Out Sugar Cookie Round Up links, 
tips and recipes.  You'll enjoy it.  :)

Thank you for stopping by.  

Be blessed and Be a Blessing to others.
Choose Joy.

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Throw Back Thursday 1971 "Mean Girl"

I'm the oldest sister and you know, we like to pick on the little ones and make them cry. 

I loved making my little brother cry.

I still do. *wink* waaaaaa....ya big baby. Take that, ya little punk.

I steal the coloring book cause you broke my arm by pushing me off the piano bench. Honestly he is my "Irish twin" and has been my best friend for 43 years. I would probably, literally die without my brother. He is a genius. I adore his brilliant mind, his humor and his passion for life. I love laughing with him. We can read each other's mind and bust out laughing.

Such an incredibly beautiful human being and BRIGHT light in my world.

u 

Love you brother!  I'm sorry I took the coloring book and made you cry.  xoxo

You're kidding me right? ~thrift store adventures~

Just had a Twilight Zone moment and thought I would share while it was fresh on my mind. 

 

~Background~

 

I collect hard back children's books, mostly the classics. 

Rarely a paper back, but sometimes the need arises.

 

My dad's name was Freddie. 

He "worked" for the "government" and was "assassinated" in 1993. 

(True story.  I, sadly, kid you not). 

 

His second daughter, my sister, is named Allyson.

 

I liked that name so much, I named my only daughter, Allyson.

Spelled, 2 L's and 1 Y. 

Not very original of me, but I love the classic name.  The minute I found out I was pregnant,

I knew it was a girl and her name was Allyson. 

There was nothing to discuss!

 Period. 

My poor husband never got a chance to contribute name ideas.  *shrugs*

 

My dad only got to meet 1 grandchild before he "died".  That would be Allyson.

He has had 3 more born since then.  They will never know his humor. 

He was the funniest (and smartest) man I ever knew. 

 

I have 2 children's books with "Freddy" on the front cover.  This is my second.  

I have a nice collection of Freddy books growing.  LOL

Big deal.  I was happy to find it but thought nothing of it. 

It was a .25 thrift store purchase. 

 

This totally looks like my dad too.  He would be the type to stand on a box and think he's all smart and important.  Well.  He kinda was.  But anyway,

Notice anything up top? 

 

Yep.  Are you seeing what I'm seeing? 

Someone else wrote that, not me. 

 

Woah.  What are the odds?  Freddy is not a common name and

spelling Allyson this way is not the most common. 

 

Is it me, or is this freaky weird?  Did my dad just say hi to me.  Is he playing a joke on me?  Just think it's so stinkin' funny...and kinda creepy.  Good creepy, not bad creepy. 

 

So to the average Joe, this is just a stupid coincidence. 

 

I don't believe in coincidences. 

I think sometimes God smiles on us or comforts us with sweet little things.

 

I really miss him. 

 

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing.

 

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Pooh, the "I Know Nothing" cat, is extraordinarily SPOOKED

and wants to get to bottom of this.

 

 

~ The End ~

 

I guess next, I will have to read I, Freddy, Book 1 in the Golden Hamster Saga, , by Dietlof Reiche, and give you a book report.  :)

 

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Sir Thrift A Lot

The Vintage Sweater Reunion

I think about this every winter when I'm reunited with my father who is no longer with us.  I look forward to cold, so I can wear the two sweaters I stole from him when I was 18 years old.

I'm glad I was a thief. 

 

My father nurtured my love affair with cashmere. My dad was a classy dresser and always looked very handsome and smart. When we were living in Turkey, we experienced cold winters.  He let me borrow his sweaters, which I carelessly - accidentally - on purpose - refused to surrender when it was time to move back to the states.  I reasoned Daddy would never miss them.  I was right, he didn't.  

When I stole those sweaters, no one knew he would be with us only 6 more winters.

20 years later, I'm still wearing those two cashmere sweaters.  I swear sometimes I can still smell him when I wear them during chilly, cuddly days. I've had them dry cleaned many times so I don't understand it. It's probably in my head, but I feel very close to him when I wear them.

 

  I hope God forgives my lack of remorse over stealing these two sweaters. They are a blessing to me. My daughter wears them too. I guess she'll probably end up stealing them from me in time.  :) 

 

Be blessed and Be a blessing to others.

 

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"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that’s why its called the present." - Pooh

Be a Blessing

 

~ The End ~

 

Here is another favorite sweater story, posted years ago. :)

The Children's Hour at 17...it's possible

 Between the dark and the daylight,

When the night is beginning to lower,

Comes a pause in the day's occupations,

That is known as the Children's Hour... 

(just a pinch of Longfellow for your day)

 

One of my greatest blessings is how my quiet, reserved, cautious, but ever so sweet

17 year old son, still allows me in his life.  He lets me into his world late at night before bed.  He shares with me his day.  His hurt feelings.  His hopes.  His to-do list. 

His loves.  How his friends are doing.  His enemies and who needs prayer the most

He sometimes brings his phone and shares Tumbler jokes and we laugh till we cry. 

 

 

I treasure these brief few minutes he gives me because I know most mothers are "cut off" by this age. And although I am publicly cut off from all forms of affection,

which I understand and am cool with now (just barely)...

privately, I'm still his mother.  He likes talking to me and we're still buddies.

 

 

He doesn't like me very much during the day because he's grumpy or I'm bossy, but at 10:30 PM each evening, peace is declared and Mom and Teenager are friends. Friends on his terms only, which I have gradually come to terms with myself. No matter how much it hurts, he has to pull away and go his own way. Cutting the cord is a good thing, right?

 

 

Soon, he'll be gone, living his own life. I hope my kids look back on their childhood and treasure the "Children's Hours" we've spent, whispering the private language spoken within families.

 

Good night sweet boy. Thank you for letting me in your world and for allowing these photos,

even though you hate my camera. :)

 

 

... I have you fast in my fortress,
And will not let you depart,
But put you down into the dungeon
In the round-tower of my heart.

And there will I keep you forever,
Yes, forever and a day,
Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,
And moulder in dust away!

 

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Cool, but we all know who the favorite kid is, right. ME!

 

 

 

Be blessed and be a blessing! 

 

~ The End ~

 

Sharing with:

Make it Pretty Monday over at The Dedicated House (a really sweet place)

 

Simple Things Sunday Photo

 

Sunday Snapshot at Ni Hao Y'all

 

  

Wordless Wednesday



Children Rejoicing for the Lord

 Click on the Link to read more Word Filled Wednesday

One of the sweet, tender moments of childhood. Captured is their gregarious, joyful spirit, playing in the backyard without a care in the world. Whenever my mind or heart isn't focused, I look at these pictures of my niece and nephew and am reminded of where my heart needs to be.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Be happy and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually." 1 Thessalonians 5: 16
  Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise. Psalm 33:3
  “And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.” 2 Samuel 6:14


"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness." Psalm 30:11

  "But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits.
Psalm 5:11

To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. Psalms 30:12

"Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." Luke 18:15-17

Post Christmas update la la la...

Hey there folks. Been busy here in Florida trying to keep warm, reading, quilting, cleaning and snuggling.

All our Christmas company (we had 11 people here at one time) went back home to the great state of Texas (without me). Boo hoo. This is my mom with 4 grandchildren. Who is ready to open presents and is sick of taking pictures? LOL



My daughter left for her second semester at college. This is her in the green. She's the oldest grandchild and everyone's right hand girl. Our home doesn't glow nearly as bright when her light is gone.



My husband left to work in Pennsylvania. I'm um....pretty certain he's coming home at the end of this week...Lord willing. :)



My son and I are working hard on his school, and started back to co-op last week.



I've bound 4 quilts, started a new one and my fingers are super sore. Ouch. No, I can't use a thimble. I try, but I can't. "Tex" is what I'm called by the people who will receive this baby quilt. I guess if your going to be called something other than your name, Tex is at least a kind endearment


...But the real reason my poor blog has been abandoned is because I got a Kindle for Christmas and I've read 4 books. Time to put it down and get the house put back together. I still need to put Christmas away. Yikes! Look at my domesticated "shadows". They go every where with me and they think they own the place. They're always invading my body bubble!