Hunter gets a job!

Hunter- in the single picture and also the 2nd from left- is my first to go to his new family, with a specific job already lined up!. He's going to be a service/companion dog to a paralyzed woman. She lost the use of her legs in a vehicle accident. He already has a trainer lined up. That's my vision! There's a lot to be done with using dogs for Therapy and Service. The more I look into it, the more excited I get. They are so trainable. Now- I just need the training too. It's one of my goals......

Rouen?

I was just checking my cluster map. Is someone checking my blog from Rouen? It looks about like it. That would be SO nice. Oh, how we loved living there. France was a lot of fun.

By the way, speaking of Rouen, France, it is almost Titus' birthday. I lugged his birthday gift to the post office tonight and managed to get it mailed. I stuffed the Flat Rate box so full and sat on it to seal it. When he opens it, it will literally jump out at him.
I had a big discussion with the Postal clerk about Titus's life history. They always ask about the kids. The Airport PO team are about the nicest people in the world but I think they are about in a position to write a book about my family. They always want a run down on the kids when I mail anything. They are all grand parents too. We grandparents all stick together.

Wanted- good snow shoes-Cheap!

I was asked recently, what I would like to do if I could go somewhere for a week. I didn't have to even have to think a second about that....to visit Joplin! And of course, that includes all the inhabitants of their snowy enclave. I got out my calendar and thick red pen and started figuring out all the details. First, to De-tail my puppy operation. Well, actually to just get their little tails out the door and on to their new homes. That looks like it's working out fine. Goodbye doodles! Boo Hoodles!
Then, I need to clear out under my bed so I don't get embarrassed by all the junk I store underneath. I may discover lost treasures.That is just in case someone has the courage to peek. We'll be having visitors in our absence. I really should stop being messy after all these years.
Then, I have to pack the car with lots of blankets, thermos jugs, foot warmers, flares (in case we get lost in a blizzard), ear muffs, nose warmers, toe socks and energy bars and toothpaste! Not to forget battery operated radios, a supply of cell phones and a GPS system.
The last time I was lost in the wilderness, we were in the Oil crisis of 74 and it was so snowy and cold. We were somewhere in the Swedish wastelands Our little car had it's extra gas jugs wedged in the back seat and we were really lost in a blizzard, stuck in snow and trudging through the night to find help. Our little VW just refused to stay on the roads. It either resorted to breaking down or heading for the nearest snow bank. We couldn't really see the roads anyhow.
Well anyway. That is our plan for now. If it was only spring!
I can't wait to see the grand kids!

The '09er Gold Rush is on....I hope!

Hold on to your hats and wallets....the Gold Rush is on again in Northern California! I just heard that my niece and her new husband just added 2 Golden Doodles to their household and that they are enthralled.
Of course, they don't have kids yet. They are just newly weds. This is Angie, Matt (from Oklahoma) and my dad.
GoldenDoodles are the enhanced pets of the future! Ha!

A Drenched Computer

I called my mom today and she told me how she had been using her laptop and it was seeming a bit hot. It looked to her like it was stuck on a picture and overheating so she picked it up and was afraid to lay it down on anything so she placed it in the dry bathtub to cool down on a safe surface. Well, you have probably guessed what happened.
My dad is a hard worker and keeps a big garden going there in sunny California. I imagine he just got in a bit of a hurry to get his shower done after a days work and didn't notice the computer. He turned on the shower. The common consensus is that it might not have survived the cool down treatment.
I felt so bad, I had tried to help her a bit with her computer when I was out there as she loves to have that window to the world and her family (like us!). My parents seemed to enjoy discovering the things they had access to on YouTube. My dad can't read much nowdays but he has some authors he definitely enjoys. He must have a bit of doctor in him as he enjoys anything about medicine. As a kid, I was quite impressed when we had a chicken that had it's craw completely torn open by dogs and my dad pulled out a needle and thread patched it up. If I remember right, the chicken just got up and walked away like nothing happened.
When I was there in California last November, I sat my dad down and after I chased away all the dachshunds that jump on his lap at every opportunity, showed him YouTube. He was able to see how to get some of his favorite stuff there. Josh Groban's Christmas Carols were also a hit.

My dad also has a garden that emotes personality and life and is a feast for the eyes. I spent hours taking photos just to document that for myself and so they could show their treasure off to everyone else too. I had just put a few on my mom's computer and had big plans for a slide show. Anyway, I know the computer was a big loss for so many reasons.
Well, we need to pray for a new computer for her......soon

Swing Vote

Watching this movie was so much fun as the 11 year old girl is an Olivia" look-act" alike. I had to see it twice. Check it out! At least look at the trailer.

A little bit of deadpan......

The expressions come later. Right now they are passing through a serious stage.... It's hard to communicate at 3 weeks old!

My way of handling the cold

Well, as everybody knows, Ike passed right over our humble abode a few months back and knocked down an enormous amount of old stately trees. He seemed to pass by a lot of the smaller ones and the sickly ones and target the tall and strong, Well, one of my thoughts was that there would be firewood galore here in Houston this year and those fellas that sell small stacks on FM 1960 would go broke this year. They often grossly overcharge the city folk for junk wood.

My one request for lumberjack Miguel, that came to do our tree- was to leave the wood small enough for firewood. I figured we should have enough wood for the next ten years!
Well, Miguel finished and left and to my dismay, he must have been an avid reader of John Bunyan. The fire logs would have worked fine for the giant bonfire they used to have every year at Texas A&M. Well, to my dismay, I had a lot of trouble moving any one of them. Worse yet, I began to see furry little creatures scurrying about and I really cringe when the rats are hanging out around our property. I feel like a mass murderer when I put out the poison and would prefer if they just by pass out house.
Well, despite Global warming- Houston still gets cold. It even snowed for 2 days! I had to have a fire!I employed the assistance of a big metal pole and used all my granny strength to move aside the major logs, freeing my pecan wood from last year. We had a little pile we picked up from a guy that was giving away wood last year but the Ike logs got dumped on top. That was my winter survival supply. So, we are at least fine for a few fires.
Does anyone out there like Chile beans? I make an amazing pot every week- usually attracting a number of fans from around town. We get a lot of visitors that just happen to be hungry. It only comes 2nd to my famous chicken soup. Well, you are more than welcome to drop by.
Is there a fee??????Yes, just muscle and a chain saw and a willingness to reduce the Ike logs to usable size and to recover the rest of my buried pecan logs from last year. In a pinch, we have iron wedges and you can bring an axe and sledge hammer and just split the smaller stuff. I'm not kidding, the Chile really is great! I make it to order. IT's about all I make anymore however.....
Happy and warm......January! Y'all come visit now, y'hear?