Let's Pick Up Where We Left Off..

Where has the time gone?  I cannot believe that the last time I posted was on May 18th!!  And to think, I had such high expectations on that date, that I was jumping back into the blogging that I love so much.

Well..here we are some 3 months later....so let's just pick up where we left off.  When I last posted, I was just beginning my new "position" at my part-time job in the restaurant where I had previously been working as a Hostess. To say that I was a little fearful and apprehensive about the prospect of waiting tables for the first time in my life, would have been an understatement!  I think that most people have waited tables at some time in their lives, but I never had.  I began working part-time in a dental office when I was 15 years old and never had the opportunity to wait tables.  So...at age 54 (Yikes!)...I waited on my first guests in a fine dining restaurant!  And, I am here to tell you that I absolutely LOVE it!

I have known for some time that my "love language" is "Acts of Service", so this is "right up my alley".  There are so many things to remember and I am still learning how to think ahead and know what my guests are going to need before they even need it, but I truly love taking care of them. I love seeing people have a wonderful dining experience, and I really take pride in offering them the best time service I possibly can. I am currently averaging about 23% in tips, so I am thankful to God for providing me with this opportunity and helping me to learn all that I have to learn. I can do ALL things through Christ!

On another happy note, we have a new addition to our family.  For some time now, I have wanted a little "lap dog"...in a house filled with 2 big dogs and a 13 pound Ragdoll cat!

So, without further ado...

I am pleased to introduce to you, Isabella, who we affectionately call, "Izzie".

"Izzie" is a Bolognese puppy and currently weighs about 7 1/2 lbs.  The vet expects that she will probably weigh about 10 lbs. when full grown, so she is the perfect addition to our pet family. When I found her through a friend on FaceBook, I knew absolutely nothing about this breed, but only that she was a "lap dog" as I had wanted for sometime AND she was adorable!  I drove 4 hrs. (round trip) on the Friday before Memorial Day in a terrible storm, and as soon as I saw her, I knew she was mine!

Bolognese are of the Bichon type and have a single coat which flows in loose ringlets; sort of woolly, rather than silky.  They are not to be trimmed or clipped.  They are very intelligent and have a very keen sense of hearing. (The girl can hear a pin drop in the house next door, but thankfully, she is NOT a "yapper"!

After researching more about this breed, I learned that they were bred in Italy to be companion dogs --- and companion dog she is!  They are known for forming a close bond with their owners.  She is in the middle of everything and is clearly the boss of EVERYONE in the house.

Thus, the name "Izzy-Busy-Body" that we have nicknamed her!

Another reason for wanting a new puppy was that my Boxer, Champ, is now almost 11 years old and is starting to "slow down" a little.  The vet said that it would be good for Champ to have another dog around - that it would help to keep him young.

I think she was exactly right, but I'll let you decide for yourself....

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Prayers for My Fur Baby...

. 

One of my sweet "fur babies", Champ, had to have surgery today and is feeling a little under the weather this evening.
If you know anything about Boxers, you know that they are prone to all kinds of "bumps" and growths.  This was my sweet boy's 3rd or 4th surgery to have a tumor removed and the second one on the same leg.

When we picked him up from the vet this afternoon he was still very disoriented from the anesthetic and he was wearing an Elizabethan collar to keep him from licking the wound and possibly pulling out the sutures. Bless his heart...he looked like he had a lampshade on his head! ) :

In addition to having surgery on his hind left leg, he had his teeth cleaned and he also had to have 2 teeth extracted that were abscessed! He keeps licking his front left leg where his IV was inserted so it must be a little sore, too. It's so hard to watch my buddy feel like this...he looks so pitiful.

He was able to have a light meal before bedtime and has been tucked in his bed ever since.  Tomorrow he starts on his prescription medicines...praying he feels much better tomorrow after a good night's rest.

I love you, "Champer Doodle"!

"The Eyes Have It"

** UPDATE : Champ went back to the vet Wednesday morning and the doctor thinks that maybe he did not run into anything after all. She said that Boxers and Pugs are known for eye problems and that some of them actually have their cornea pop off! She said they sometimes lose their eyes due to ulcers. She prescribed another antibiotic, in addition to the drops we were already giving and we have to take him back for another recheck next week.

Ironically, when I went for a walk tonight, I saw a 12 yr. old Boxer that had both eyes so hazed over that it appeared that the dog could not see. The owner said that she had had ulcers and had surgery to do a lens implant and she can see fine despite the cloudiness.

I pray that Champ does not have to go through anything like that. Thank you so much for all your sweet comments and prayers and I will keep you posted on his progress.

One morning last year, we discovered that Champ, our Boxer, had somehow injured his eye. We took him to the vet and she determined that his eye had an abscess on it, most likely from running into a stick or some sharp object.  After a round of antibiotic drops, the condition seemed to be resolved.

Well.... this past Sunday evening, I looked at Champ, and his left eye was all hazy, draining and had an area that appeared to have some blood in it.  It looked just like it had last year.

Walt took him to the vet yesterday and, once again, he has an abscess on his eye. The vet thinks that he ran into another sharp object. I am beginning to think that maybe "our boy" cannot see as well since he is getting on up in years.

Here is a picture of my boy waiting for his eye drops tonight. Bless his little heart. It seems to be so painful.

Please pray for Champ. He goes back to the vet tomorrow morning for a recheck. It doesn't seem to look much better to us, so we are hopeful that he has not done any permanent damage to his eye.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

GOD'S SCHOOL OF OBEDIENCE TRAINING

Sometimes on Saturday mornings, we have a young man that comes downtown on the "green" in our little town and brings numerous dogs and their owners that he has been working with in obedience training. He also brings his own "personal" dogs with him and the things he gets these animals to do is just incredible! It doesn't matter what is going on around them, they are not distracted and their attention is directed solely on their master. Anything he commands them to do, they do it without hesitation and a lot of the commands are given without speaking a word - just by a hand signal. It is really amazing to watch!

Dog owners enroll their dogs in obedience training to teach their pet to listen and obey their master's voice, as well as to break them of unacceptable behaviors. Some of these "bad" behaviors might be - barking, biting, chewing, digging, running away, messing in the house, etc.  (As I write this, I have a hole big enough to put a Volkswagen in in my backyard that my son's dog dug! lol)

As I thought about how amazing these animals were to watch, it reminded me that many times in God's Word He refers to us as His "sheep". "For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand..."

 (Psalm 95:7) 

God demands obedience in His "sheep".  When He calls us He wants us to obey Him. He tells us in His word that, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me". (Jn. 10:27) 

This got me to thinking......If God has me in "obedience training", (and He does!) I wonder what behaviors He is trying to "break" me of in my life. 

 

** Am I guilty of "biting" words?   

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Ps. 19:14)

** Do I continue to "chew" on things that the Lord wants me to let Him handle? 

"...do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" (Matt. 6:25)

** Do I suffer from separation anxiety?  

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." (I Peter 5:7)

** Have I been "digging" into things that I know are "off-limits" to me? 

"Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith , love and peace.." (2 Tim. 2:22)

** Are some of my bad behaviors stemming from fear or lack of trust?  

"And those who know Thy name will put their trust in Thee, for Thou, O Lord, hast not forsaken those who seek You. (Psalm 9:10)

** Do I have a bad habit of "barking" that I can't seem to break?

"Do not talk out of both sides of your mouth. Avoid careless banter, white lies and gossip." (Prov. 4:24 The Message)

** Am I trying to listen to more than one master? 

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other..." Matthew 6:24

When these animals are in obedience training, they attend classes with their master. Their ONLY master. They learn to recognize their master's voice and his commands. They don't concern themselves with anyone or anything else around them. They are totally devoted to their owner/master.

To teach obedience or break bad habits, some pet owners resort to various means of teaching their animals, i.e. invisible fencing, choke collars, electric shock collars, etc. 

What if God used some of those same tactics with His "sheep"?

What if every time we exhibited one of these "bad" behaviors we got a choking sensation around our neck? 

If every time we "ran away" to some place that we knew we shouldn't go, we got shocked? 

If every time we "barked", or "bit" someone with our words, we got "zapped"?

God has given us a wonderful way that we can become more obedient to His voice - by spending more time in His Word - listening to His voice, becoming more familiar with His voice, hiding His word in our hearts. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee." - (Psalm 119:11)

We are continually in God's School of Obedience Training. Thank You, Lord that You never give up on us!

"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."

John 14:15

Happy Birthday, LEWIS !!

One year ago today, our sweet Ragdoll cat, Lewis, was born.   He is a Blue Bicolor Ragdoll.

This is a picture of Lewis on the day that we picked him. He was the largest kitten that the breeder had ever had in any of her previous litters.

This is a picture of him on the way to his new home on May 23, 2008.

Since that time, he has continued to grow....

And grow....

And grow!!!

He's a big ole' boy now and we are thinking maybe we should have named him "Hoss"!!! 

Happy 1st Birthday, "Lou Lou"!!

Chillin' In The Chaise

Last night while we were eating dinner, I glanced out the window in the Breakfast Room and I had to do a "double-take".

This is what I saw.......

I can't help but wonder....

Is this what Champ does all day while I'm at work?!?!?!  No wonder he always has such an awesome TAN!

Hope ya'll have a great weekend!

Champ Got Tagged!

One of my "GrandDogs", Calie, at Walk With Me By Faith, tagged Champ, with a fun little game. He is very excited to play along!

Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person that tagged you.

2. Post the rules on your blog.

3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.

4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.

5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

Champ wants to tell you a few little random things about himself so I am turning my blog over to him at this point:

1. I stay outside during the day (while my parents are at work) in this really awesome cedar "condo" that my Dad built me about 3 1/2 years ago. It has a little veranda on the front of it and hardwood floors throughout.  I have a nice thick fleece bed inside that is filled with cedar shavings to keep me warm and make me smell absolutely irresistible!  (I love it when my Mom calls me "Champster" since I smell like a hamster after having been in my house!)

2. My parents taught me as a youngster, to always say my blessing before I eat.  I know not to touch my food until after I hear the final words, "In Jesus' Name. Amen." Sometimes when they get busy after they have prepared my food, I will sit there for what seems like FOREVER waiting to eat my food! Finally, they will realize we haven't prayed yet and at least say "In Jesus' Name. AMEN," so I can get on with my meal.  Don't they know I am starving?!?!? 

3. And speaking of eating...NOW they have me on this "Light" dog food!  What's up with that? Do they think I'm getting a little pudgy or something?  I wonder have they looked in the mirror lately? I think I am looking pretty good for a 56 year old man!!!

4.  Over the years, I have been FORCED to share my home with several cats, but I currently have to share it with Lewis--the biggest 9 month old cat you have ever seen! (Wonder if they have HIM on "Light" food?) He walks around like he owns the place and HE is able to get all up on all the furniture, but NOT ME!  OH, NO! I get yelled at if I even THINK about getting up on my Mom's furniture! 

5. And...get this....I even have to share a room with Lewis!  Thank goodness my parents finally upgraded me to a king size bed not too long ago so there's room for both of us.

6. And finally, (I don't mean to brag) but I am seriously one of the best Frisbee players around -- especially in the Senior Division!  I can run circles around my younger cousin, Turk!  I am still working with him trying to teach him some of my techniques!

All in all, I'd have to say that I lead a pretty good life!  I am well-loved by my mom and dad and my entire family!

What a fun little game!  Thanks for tagging me, Calie Girl!

Unfortunately, I do not know 6 other blogging animals to tag for this game. Several people I know have already done this little pet meme, and the only other people that I know their pet names have already been tagged by Faith. 

But, if you have a pet and would like to play along ---that would be great!  Just leave me a comment and let me know you are joining in, because I would love to hear what your fur baby has to say!

Thanksgiving 2008

Lewis trying to go as a "stowaway" on Poppa's and Bubba's hunting trip.

"E" checking out how the deer antlers would look on her!

Poppa getting excited about wearing all of his "get up" !

 

Bubba donning the antlers, too.

"E" loving her some "Callie Boo".

Do you remember THIS guy?  Look how BIG he has gotten!

Champ playing some "keepaway" with Turk. Cutest "cousins" ever, huh?

Josh is always appointed to be the carver.

Mimi's Making Meals, of course!!

Sisters having some "Girl Talk". (Moms not invited!)

Finally.....ready to call everyone to the table! (Note: Fancy jug of sweet tea already waiting!)

Hope you and yours had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of great family memories!

RESTING ON HIS WORD TODAY

Every Dog Has His Day

Our family is celebrating yet ANOTHER birthday today!

It's the birthday of a very special man in our family.

He is the best friend that anyone could have.  He loves everyone and lets little children sit on him and pull on him without ever growing tired of it. He has seen various cats and dogs come and go in our home, but he's STILL THE MAN!!

Seems like it was just yesterday that he was this size.

And now he is 56 years old today!

(Well....in people years, that is!)

Happy 8th Birthday, Champ!  We love you very much!

Champ with his special rawhide birthday treat!

"Baby Lewis"

Turns out that Lewis absolutely LOVES riding in E's babydoll stroller!  

He gets in the stroller on his own and she runs through my house, full speed, and he makes no attempt to get out of the stroller.

When he wants to ride in it, he goes up to the back side of it, stands up on his hind legs and pushes the stroller across the room until it runs into something.

I'm not sure who is having more fun --"E" or Lewis?!?!??

I have a new GRANDDOG!!!!

My son, Josh, and his girlfriend, Michelle, got a very special, long awaited shipment all the way from California on Thursday night!
Meet TURK!  He is a third generation Labradoodle and is he not the cutest thing ever! We all think he needs to be named Teddy because he absolutely looks just like a little teddy bear.

Josh has wanted a Labradoodle for quite some time because they are virtually hypoallergenic and he has such extreme sensitivities to so many things in the environment. He has been talking to a friend of mine that is a breeder of Labradoodles about possibly being a Guardian home for one of her dogs and they finally got their special little guy!

Josh and Michelle love dogs and have always been so good about coming over to play with Champ and take him for walks, but now they have their own little guy to love. (Champ seemed sort of sad last night when they came over for a visit because, as you might guess, all of the attention was directed on this precious little face!)

I now have three little Granddogs to love - Calie, Mason and now Turk!