It's called "dog food" for a reason!

I think they call it that because it was created to feed dogs! Little dogs, big dogs, Chihuahuas, mutts, Quakers!
If it barks, chases it's tail and eats dog food, it's a dog, Right!
No, it's a bird that thinks it's a dog!
It's "Alex"!

Alex's favorite new thing is to get up very early in the morning, when I do. He climbs down, off his cage. Follows me around a bit. Chases "Mocha" and "Junior" away from their food bowl and helps himself to his favorite crunchy bits, in the "Kibbles and Bits".
Sometimes he doesn't even bother to chase the puppies away first, he just perches himself on the edge of their dish and glares at them. I know he is getting really spoiled, but I can't seem to help myself. "Alex" has such a funny personality. How can you possibly speak sternly to anything that makes you laugh so much.

Speaking of puppies, "Mocha" and "Junior" have become "Best Buds". Tonight, they played for hours. I watched them play "Tag, you're it" and "Keep Away". Then almost together, they collapsed and fell asleep! "Junior" is responding to his name. We have started "crating" them at night. "Mocha" sleeps better (like: all night, for a change) and as a result the rest of us sleep better. "Mocha", barking at her shadow, in the middle of the night, can make your heart stop beating. "Sami" still roams the house. I guess, he has earned a little special treatment.

Well, time to go to bed. Gotta work tomorrow! See ya!!!!

What a Catch!!!!

Jerry left early this morning, as is his usual routine on Saturday. Saturday is my "sleeping in, until I feel like getting up" Day. Jerry always leaves early, without waking me, and goes fishing. This morning, he stayed gone a little longer than usual. I wasn't really, too concerned, because, if he starts catching fish, he won't come home until the fish quit biting.
Needless to say, today, THEY WERE BITING!!!!!!!
I finally heard from him around 2:30 this afternoon.
He showed up at home with 17 of the biggest crappie, I have ever seen.
One monster was 16" long. It was so big, I couldn't get it to fit in the clip on my cleaning board.
There were several more between 14-15" and just a couple around 12". Not a one smaller.
I cleaned them all and put them in 7 "quart size" freezer bags. 7 quarts of crappie! Now, that's a fish fry!!!!!!

Oh yeah! I almost forgot. He caught this beauties, while paddling around in his kayak!
What a catch!! (Jerry, not the fish) And what a catch!!(the fish)

Just An Update!

"Alex" is still enjoying his new playground.

"Junior" and "Mocha" are now best buddies.
They do everything together. Eat, Sleep, Play, Snuggle.
"Sam" is not too impressed with having two rowdy, little puppies in the house,
but he is still "THE BOSS" and they don't worry him too much.
They have too much fun playing with each other to mess with a grumpy old man.

Speaking of, Jerry is doing great. He is still losing weight each week on Weight Watchers.
He has really become a big fan of Fly Fishing and goes almost every weekend. I think the crappie boat is getting jealous of the kayak. Now he is thinking about trying his hand at (building? making?) his own fly rod.

Tish is gaining more weight. Not too much! She looks so cute with her round belly! We are having a great time getting ready for the new baby boy. We have the nursery pretty well set up. The Baby Shower is in the works for November 10. We still have to address and send out invitations, so if you haven't gotten one, it's because they haven't been mailed.

The rest of the gang is doing well. I put the nesting box back in the finch cage. "Digory" is getting big and fat. "Saul" has decided to be the neighborhood "barking dog".

Plans are still in the works for Mom, Eddy and Beth to come out for several days at Thanksgiving. Tish and I are planning a "Black Friday" outing with Mom and Beth. The last time, I got to go, I took Jerry and he pretty much looked like a cat surrounded by pit bulls and no tree to climb. I don't think I will ever convince him to go again. Mom is bringing her boxing gloves for the occasion.

All in All, life is great and I feel blessed to be a part of it all. God is GOOD all the time.

Hi, from "Alex"

I bought "Alex" a new playground.
I think it is pretty cool.
He only bit me three times, while I was trying to get him to sit on it.
Parrot Trivia: Parrots are very suspicious of new things and should be introduced to them slowly. According to the experts, you can really upset a parrot by introducing a new piece of furniture into a room. So, new play gyms, should definately be introduced slowly over a period of a few days. You are 'supposed to' put the new item in the room, and over a period of several days, move it closer and closer to the parrot a little at a time until he is no longer upset by it's presence.
So much for that!! I put it together, picked "Alex" up and put him on it!
He survived, meeting his new toy. I survived his protests, now we are both happy!!!!


NOW MEET "JUNIOR"

Any one who knows us, know how devastated we were at the loss of our beloved "Snickers".
He was probably the smartest dog I have ever had the previlege to share my home with. When he was killed, it left a big hole in our lives.
However, "Snickers" did not leave us to be lonely. He made sure there would be someone special to help fill that void.
This is "Junior"
"Snickers" son!!!!
He is 6 weeks old. He is already bigger than "Mocha" and making his presence well known.
He bounces around here as if he never lived anywhere else. He plays with "Mocha" and answers to his name already.
When I look at his sweet little face, I see my "Snickers" in his eyes!

Little Pig, Little Pig, let me come in!

Only coins, that is. Or bills if your just wanting to be different. Here is a picture of Liam's first piggy bank. Hand painted by his Mom. I think she did a great job. I really enjoy watching Tish create her own special additions to the baby's corner.
I love to do crafts and it makes me feel proud that my children are imaginative and creative.
Of course, I can't take all the credit, her Dad is a pretty creative and imaginative guy, too.
He has been tying flies as well as jigs and comes up with some really attractive and imaginative designs. The cool thing is his flies and jigs catch fish. That is the ultimate test.
I looked to see if he had posted a picture of his kayak on this computer, but I can't find one. I guess I will have to wait to post that.

On to other news. Thanksgiving is getting closer. I can't hardly wait. I am so excited about having my family over. I want Mom, Eddy and Beth to have such a good time, they will never want to go back to Shreveport.

new baby belly pic

Tish
6 Months and counting.
She has gained 9 pounds so far
and it's all belly.
She is still wearing her pre-pregnancy jeans.
Of course, they are low-rise jeans so they don't interfere with
her growing bump.
Isn't she just too cute!!!!!

One more project completed

We finished the changing table, today.
I had to run up to Lowes and get the correct size screws, so I could assemble it safely. Then, Tish and I put the completed pad and bumper pads and baskets on it. I think it turned out cute. Everything coordinates with the bedding and wall decorations that we had completed earlier.
Only, one unfinished, sewing project left. I have the bed skirt partially completed. When it is done, I will post pictures of the completed nursery area.
We are pretty much ready. We still need to get daily living items, like bottles, nipples, pacifiers, diapers, baby care items (body wash, shampoo, lotion), etc.
Of course there are plenty of things we need still. Towels, baby wash cloths, blankets and infant toys. We have not been able to find any suitable infant toys. We still need a mobile for the crib, bassinet sheets, car seat and misc. other things.
Most all of that is small items we can buy a little at a time over the next few months. I think we are real close to being ready!

Can't Sleep!

I'm tired, but I can't sleep.
We had a good day, today! We worked on finishing projects for the "little man". I finished the pad for the changing table and the bumper pads. I covered the wicker basket with fabric that matches the theme of the room. Tish and I also worked on a couple of small projects. She found a piggy bank that she liked and bought an unfinished one at Michaels. She spent the afternoon, painting it. It turned out really cute. I made another plaque that matches the ones Tish made.
Tomorrow we will work on getting everything put together.


Jerry has a new passion. He bought a kayak. Hopefully the rain will clear enough tomorrow, he will be able to take it out for a little while in the morning.


We also saw "Junior" today. He is looking more and more like "Snickers" each time I see him. He is growing really fast and is bigger than any of his litter mates. He also is the most active, according to Beth, the lady they all belong to. In just a couple of more weeks, he will come to live with us.

Tonight was really nice. I worked on my sewing projects for the baby. Tish painted her piggy bank. Jerry sat at his work table and tied flies. We didn't even talk. We didn't have the T.V. on. It was quiet, we just enjoyed being together. Each one of us concentrating on our individual project and thinking our own private thoughts, knowing that the others were nearby, keeping us company and admiring the work we were doing. Being together doesn't always include talking. Sometimes, it's just being together. Sometimes, together time, is the best time of all.

Tish's baby is a very fortunate little boy. He will be born into a family who loves him and one another without limits. We are a very fortunate family. We are being blessed by one of God's greatest gifts. A beautiful baby boy to love. Without limits!

Shopping!

O.K. So, what will the" well-dressed baby" be wearing this winter?
We have cute little "onesies", blanket sleepers, sweaters, over-alls, tennis shoes, a button up plaid shirt, bluejeans, crawlers, jackets, socks and bibs. All in coordinating "mix&match" colors from "Old Navy", "Carters", "Little Me", "The Childrens Place" and of course "Toys 'R' Us".
Tish and I have been shopping. She bought some things on Wed. after we found out we are having a boy and I bought some more things tonight. I love outlet stores. We found some really cute things. Some of my favorites are a little blanket sleeper that is soft as down and has sweet little ears on the hood and bear foot prints on the bottom of the feet, then there are the bibs. We had to buy them. One of them says,"My Great Grandma loves me", the other one says, Grandpa's little angel". The navy blue crawler says," S.B.G., spoiled by grandpa". We really found some wonderful little boy clothes. I saw a lot of really cute little girl things, too. I can't wait to find out what Krysta is having. Tish and I will be doing some more shopping.
I love the fact that this baby will arrive during the winter. Winter clothes are so much cuter than summer clothes. All the little fuzzy and furry little outfits.
I am having too much fun.
I laid everything out on Tish's bed and there wasn't enough room to spread it all out and take a picture. This little man already has a lot of great clothes.
Hurry up, Krysta and find out. I am in the mood to do some BABY SHOPPING!!!!!!!!!!!

It's Official!

No more guess work. We have the official sonogram results. Tish is having a baby boy! Names are still not a certainty.
We are all really excited and happy to know. Now we can get down to some real shopping.

Stolen Poetry

The following post was stolen from my Mom's blog. I wanted to post it on mine because there are people who read my blog that don't read my Mom's. It is a poem written by my little sister in remembrance of our brother, Roger on the anniversary of his death. The poem touched me deeply, as did the death of my brother.
I hope that it touches the hearts of all who read it. Roger was 44 years old, when he died.
I vowed at that time not to let time get away from me again. Rogers' death was a sad reminder of how important family is. Of how much we share in this world and how much we truly need one another.
I want my family, my Mom, my sister, Beth, my Step-dad, Eddy, my brother, Frankie, my children and my grand-children to know how much I love them all.
I had not seen Roger for many years and had just begun to get to know him again, when he was taken from me. I grieve for all those lost years, when we could have been a family. I squandered them on resentment. I could not let go of the past. I don't ever want to suffer those feelings of grief again. Knowing in my heart that I had the ability to change things. The means to make things right between us.
To my friends, my wish for you is that you will find that place where love survives.
Hold close to your heart those whom you care about.
Let them know.
Before you lose them and never again have the chance.

"Rogers' Song" by Beth Sanderson

Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Remembering

Sunday was the one year anniversary of Roger's death. It was a hard day for everyone. We took some new flowers out to the cemetery, and it didn't look like anyone had been to see him since we went last time. When we got home, Beth wrote a poem. It's the first thing she's written since he died. I really wanted to share it here. She hasn't thought of a name for it yet, but it's very touching.


Another year has passed
Another year older and wiser, they say
Another year of missing you
Another year of wishing I could see your face

The rain pours down, hard and heavy
Like it did the night you left
Like the tears I hide from everyone around me
The thunder masks my cries of grief on this mournful anniversary

It wasn’t that you left, really
You’re always here, I know
Beside me, to guide me
To keep me safe from harm

I hear your voice every time the slightest breeze picks up
I see you face smiling at me out of the corner of my eye
But when I look, you’re already gone again
I wake in the night from a dream so real, I know you were there

I ask myself if any of this is consolation
For loosing you
It isn’t, and never will be
But if glimpses and whispers are all I can get, I’ll take them

I try to picture you with angel wings
But that sort of thing was never your style
And I wonder if the rain that falls are your tears
Be they happy or sad

I hear a song on the radio
And I think of you
I turn it up a little, and sing a little louder
And sometimes, I almost hear you singing along

Sometimes I’ll miss you
Wish you were here
Just so you can fix the little things that don’t work just right
Even though they never seemed to go wrong with you around

I know you’re up there
Turning on the stars at Twilight’s first sighting
Lighting the path of safety and love my life should follow
Carrying me on your shoulders when times are rough, like so many years ago

I know the others miss you just as much
But the pain doesn’t feel the same
Doesn’t feel as real
I wonder if you cross their minds as often as you do mine

I’ve heard time will heal my broken heart
Ease the ache, and dry my tears
Heard it more times then I can count, from more people then I dare recall
But each passing day seems to cut a little deeper into my soul

I know I’ll move on, past the pain
And one day I’ll hear your name
Speak your name without crying
Some day, I’ll be able to look back and laugh at all the good times we shared

That will change with time, but I know something that won’t
Your memory will never fade, not even after all your photos have
I will never stop thinking of you, longing to see you once more
And I will never stop loving you

Because I know you will never stop watching me
Guiding me
Protecting me
Loving me

I miss you, Bubba
I love you, Bubba
I always have
I always will

Written 9-23-07

Posted by Nana at 4:22 PM

Yeah! Company for Thanksgiving! (and other random thoughts)

Mom, Eddy and Beth are coming to Texas for a visit next month! I am so excited. It has been forever since I got to entertain my Mom at my house. I can hardly wait. Thanksgiving is not that far away. Just a few weeks.
I know this because the stores are now stocking "Chocolate Mint Truffle" creamer again. They only sell it during the Holiday season! Which means of course, my favorite time of the year is just around the corner. I am gearing up for a busy next few months.
First, Thanksgiving, then, Jerry's Birthday (Dec. 11), our 31st Anniversary (Dec. 18), after that, we have Christmas, New Years, Tish's baby is due the end of Jan. then Lucy's birthday, Krysta's baby will be born shortly after that. Then it's birthday time for sure, Cotton, Krysta, Jacob, Ashley, Aaron, Me and Tish, Beth, Geri, I don't know when Bryans' birthday is. Oh and there's Mothers Day, Fathers' Day, Independence Day...........
Well, after Thanksgiving, it's just one joyous celebration after another. Hopefully, I will be able to convince Mom and Eddy to move to Texas before all the celebrating begins.
I left out the June Wedding, Aaron and Ashley will be getting married.
I'm making my own head hurt thinking about it. I better stop now.
I have gone from November to July in one paragragh. I love family and I love celebrations.