Just Chat Time

Well, I spoke with my mother this morning and there is nothing major to report other than CADEN HAD HIS LAST ROUND OF CHEMO!!!! Yeah! I am so happy about that and I can't wait to receive the good news that he is well and has returned home with his mother and brother. I am sure they can't wait to see the end of the hospital no matter how nice they are to them. Something about being in your own home with your own things is comforting and I think it will actually help his recovery. Not to mention, Cameron will be able to be with his friends and go back to his place of comfort. I feel bad for all of them. I know that Schelly wants to get home and so does my mother.

Oh, my mother did say that both her and Caden got food poisoning yesterday. YUCK! Poor babies...as if they didn't have enough to worry about. Apparently the hospital is denying the issue and is stating that is simply an "outbreak of the flu." Pay no attention to the fact that everyone who got sick did so ALL at once. :) Geeze, be honest you know? Just say oops we goofed. Liability I suppose. Whatever. That is one of the many things wrong with our society. So many people get bagged on for telling the truth that all we seem to get from so many people are simply versions of the truth. I am expect NOT to tell people when they have hurt me or made me angry because I might upset them. Frankly, I think it a load of crap, then again, I am no one.

Wow, that all came out like I am upset about something, but actually I had a decent day. There was a little bit of a downer early on, but I got over it. You can bet I didn't get to talk about it to those whom it concerned though :) I did get to talk with my JennyP later on in the evening and she helped me feel better though. I must say though it is nice to have a friend that you can just tell you are having a crappy day and know that they understand. I can tell her that along with all the dumb immature things I do and know there is no judgement there because she has her moments too.

It should go without saying that Michael is like that too, but I will say it so that someone doesn't think I don't like him :) Thing is, she saves even him sometimes because I can bounce my anger off her and she will tell me if I am being unreasonable. As many know, that is WAY better than if he were to do it during a disagreement. I am attaching some pictures of my nephews, my brother and I, my dad and I this time so people know I love my family too. I would attach the page I made with my husband on it, but I was instructed not to. Bossy little Polly Pissy Pants :) Gotta love him.

More Scrapbooking

I really don't have a lot to talk about today. Didn't do much other than hang around the house. pull some weeds, scrapbook, clean up (should have done laundry but didn't), and watch a movie. I did go out in the sun for some happy makers too though. Anyway, I thought that I would post some of the new pages I created using some of the many freebies available out there. VERY COOL! I love free stuff :) These are random pictures taken 0f me and my two other girls. Man I love them something fierce. A little confession: As much as I want to see the youngest one walk, I know when she starts she will lose those 83 jelly rolls she has that make me want to butter, season, stuff her, and cook her for dinner. When that happens, I will be sad cause I do love me some chunky babies.

Does It Count As Crafty? I Wonder.

I was visiting Kelly's BLOG and I saw a link to Shabby Princess. I decided to see what it was about and clicked the link. WELL let me explain that I have made so many dragonflies and spiders that I think I need to dial it back a bit and wait to see what sells and if it sells so I need to fill the void with something new. (Apparently reading, cross stitching, three children, a husband, two dogs, and a house aren't enough) OK, let me stand up for myself and say that I get bored with doing the same thing for too long and need to mix it up. That coupled with the fact that the kids have their own friends and things to do that keep them busy and Michael has his computers, cars, and his other stuff means that I have to entertain myself. Good thing Mommy taught me how :)

Anyway, I saw all the free digital scrap booking stuff and thought I might give it a go. First let me say thank to the Shabby Princess because I think it will be a great thing to create this for compilation into a book for my mother as a Christmas present. Second, those of you who know me know that I am NOT AT ALL into scrap booking. This however is a good thing for me because I LOVE my computer and the fact I can create things with it. OH MY! Something new for me to obsess over! I need that like I need a hole in the head :) Geeze do I have an obsessive and additive personality. So I am attaching some of the pages I created yesterday in order to try the new addiction. Again if you know me you know that "trying" means I was up until 4:30AM in a digital scrap booking zone. Hope you like them.

Working on Display

Well, I kind of put together a little display for the craft show. See, the dragonflies look pretty hanging from trees as well...you know for Christmas. Of course they look good in a window with the sun shining through or on the fridge as well. I want to post a copy of the Christmas Legend with the spiders, and possibly place them on a doily so that it look similar to a web. Maybe I will bring a few pretty rocks for them to sit on too. I am not sure if that will be OK for the store, but I think it should be fine for the craft show. I can't think of a way to hang the dragonflies on the suction hooks though. I guess I will just lay the rest out.

So, that's what I have done so far todayother than give myself a facial. BTW, it made my skin very soft. Anyway, I am going to go outside and enjoy the semi-sunny day for an hour or so. You know sun = happy makers = less depression = more fun to be around. :)

More Spiders :)

Ok all, I had to share these with everyone. I am so happy with how these turned out! I can't wait to put them in the store and have them on the table at the craft show. They are a bit harder to make than the dragonflies-at least for me. They take more thought for the legs AND the beads are way smaller than those for the others. I like making them just as much as the dragonflies though. I like to watch both of them take form and become what I see in my mind before I start. I know that the pictures aren't taken in the light box, but its really not necessary as I am not selling online, which was the main reason for making it. I guess now I will just use it because I have it :)

Spiders, Spiders Everywhere!

I am attaching a picture of my best spider to date. I am giving it to my JennyP because she wants one for her tree (the German Christmas Story) and because, like the picture says, I love her :) I am making a really pretty lavender one now and I am getting better with each spider.

Right now I am taking the Fourth of July dragonflies to the store so that they are out there before the craft fair. Maybe I will get lucky and people will like them as much as I do and buy some. If not I will cry my heart out. OK, not really...I might think they have no taste though :) OH, and by the way the red spider below was upside down because I wasn't paying attention to the way I bent the legs. So NO he is NOT supposed to look like a Rastafarian.

Arachnophobia Conquered

Arachnophobia is an issue that many people suffer with in varying degrees. I wonder if it would be better if all spiders looked like the ones I have created today. I am having difficulty making it so that the legs don't spin and it is frustrating for me but I will keep trying I think. My favorite one is the orange one. I like the legs the best. If any of you crafty people reading this have suggestions regarding the legs and keeping them in place, I would be so happy.

I have placed my dragonflies on etsy inactive so that I can work out some logistical issues with regard to shipping. I am not allowed to ship from my APO address for reasons of military regulation, and after going to the German Post I realized it's NOT cost effective for me to ship that way and I actually ended up losing a little over two dollars on my first sale. Regardless of some obvious loopholes, it isn't worth the risk to me or my husband to ship through the military and I don't mind giving them away to friends but I am not willing to give them away to strangers and what with losing money I actually paid to give them away. Not too bright I suppose :) I am disappointed though. But for now I will confine myself to selling from the Patch Multicraft store--which is fine and still makes me happy.

Oh, a note about the girls...their hair was NOT too ratty last night so that was pretty exciting. Both of them did see my point about hair on your neck in the summer making you hot and wore braids today though. It's funny when children realize their parents actually know a thing or two. Imagine that :)

Straight and Narrow

Well, we straightened the girls' hair last night. They now think that they can wear their hair down without worry as if they are little white girls with bone straight hair. Problem is...they aren't. Their hair is not the same as mine and their friends' even with the straightener in it. Madison wore hers in just a pony tail today and we will see in an hour or so how she feels about that when (and if) her hair is full of rats and hurts to comb. I was able to get Sierra to see reason and let me put it is a single braid. I also tried to get them to understand that they would be hotter with their hair down--even in a pony. There was no reasoning with them so I was out of luck.

I have seven of the ten Independance Day dragonflies done and will be starting on a few spiders along the same line. I hope to sell them at the Arts and Crafts fair at Patch on Friday, 4 July. Once can hope. I will of course have a bunch of other colors that day as well. One thing I forgot to mention about these little guys is that they look great as Christmas ornaments and all you need for that is some ribbon! The lights on the tree look really pretty. I am thinking about creating a small web for the spiders. I will know if I really want to do it if and when it gets done I suppose. I am just trying to keep it mixed up a bit so that I don't get bored with it. Of course I still have two different very large cross stitch projects to do AND a whole bunch of books that I bought during the school year to read over the summer when I had more time. So I have plenty to do that will switch it up, but maybe I will just take a nap :)

Trying Something New

Well, I tried out a new light box that I made (one of the instructions says not to cut yourself...guess what I did) and took pictures of some new stuff. I tried my hand at making a spider. Be kind, it is my first one. Personally, I think he is kind of cute. It was JennyP's idea for me to create a light box for my etsy pictures, so she found one online for me to make, brought me the box, paper and then I bought the required poster board then put the whole thing together. So not only can you see the new beading ideas, but you can also see the new way to take pictures for the Internet. It seems to work great, but I will have to play with it a bit.


I have to say yet again that we had a great time today playing with the Parrish girls. I have so many pictures to choose from for the photo album. I mean I took over 200, JennyP took some, and Big Michael took some. JennyP told me that between the three of us we had over 700. UMMM, maybe we went a bit overboard. The good news is that there are so many to choose from that I can pour over them for hours. The bad new is actually the very same :)

A Day in the Sun With Our Girls

Well, we have had a wonderful day so far. JennyP, Emily, and Ava came over and the girls played in both the slip-n-slide and the baby pool. I am afraid my girls were a little more adventerous than Emily, but first they are older, and second she got braver as we were out longer. She was SSSSOOOO cute telling the girls "your turn" to get them to go down the slip-n-slide. We got some REALLY great pictures and it was entertaining for the adults just as much as the kids. I also created a different dragonfly last night that "flies" around a flower. I think it turned out ok. I have still only sold the one dragonfly, but it hasn't been all that long since I started. I don't know if any sold from the Patch Multicraft Store either. I am also trying my hand at making the spiders. I will post one if it turns out ok. After the water play, we all came in for lunch. The kids had kids quisine...(don't judge, it is a fine meal, afterall it says "quisine" right on the box), and JennyP and I had a barbequed baked potato with real butter, cheese, and sour cream. YUMMY. There is also a really cute picture of Emily telling me to shhhh with her finger because I kept calling her name to look at me so I could take a picture. Too Cute!

Seasonal Dragonfly and Pics of My Mommy

I have decided to create some season specific dragonflies for Fourth of July. It would not be something that I might choose, but lots of people like red, white, and blue things. I am selling ten of them in my etsy store, and will bring some into the store. I will also have some at the arts and crafts show. My friend LeAnn gave me the idea and then I felt silly not having thought of it. Such a simple idea :) I hope they sell OK but if not oh well! I tried!

Also, here are some pictures of my sweet mommy. She is taking a MUCH needed break from the hospital with Caden or the Ronald MacDonald house with Cameron to take a stroll on the beach. Good for you mommy! You have to take care of yourself too. Perhaps you should make it a daily ritual until you leave. You were right though...the pictures turned out really well. I think I can see the stress washing out with waves. For the moment anyway.

Caden Update from Schelly

"Things are going pretty well. Caden is inpatient and well into round 5. Yahooo!!!! We are almost done. It seems like it has been an eternity, but only about two months to go. I thought we would be home sooner, but I was wrong. He had his first week of chemo last sat, sun and mon. He started his second week today. He gets chemo every 12 hours for Sat and Sun. On Monday he will get one last shot of chemo into his thigh muscle. Then he is done with chemo. Hopefully forever. As much as I would like to believe that...the Dr's have warned me that he will get another type of cancer later in life. It's not a matter of 'if' it is a matter of 'when'. So lets hope for age 95 and toe cancer (if there is such a thing, lol, who needs their toes at 95 anyway!!!!). Seriously though...he is doing well now. The docs have also warned that this last round takes the longest for the marrow to recover and he will get some sort of infection at some point because he will have absolutely no immune system for several weeks. He will have to stay inpatient the entire time. I am praying for a miracle. I know they exist because I gave birth to two! Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers! For all of my friends in Alaska...man...I wish I was there enjoying the sunshine with you. Soon. We will see you all soon. "

The update from my sister sounds pretty positive so far, which is a really good thing. I would hate to see him lose his gorgeous little smile. Poor baby!

SUCCESS :)

*Edit* I forgot to write that the person who bought something from me is a total stranger, which makes the purchase that much cooler! Also, six random people have marked me as one of their etsy favorites :) If I knew how to make the spiders, I would sell them on etsy too.

Well surprise! I sold my first dragonfly today. It happened about five minutes after I listed it. I was SO excited. One is a start but more would be great! I sat outside today at our table with my umbrella over the table and created about five or six dragonflies. Every so often one of the kids outside would come over and tell me what color I should make next so today's were based on the whim of children. Well only the colors not the patterns. The one that was purchased was one I made today too :) It was really dainty and sweet. A couple of mothers thought I looked lonely I guess because next thing I knew I had company that I didn't really ask for. It's not that it bothered me, but honestly I just wanted to hang out and bead. Oh well, no worries. It was a bit distracting but I made it through OK. I have created seven so far today and may just take a break or make one or two. I am not sure. I have posted a whole bunch more on my etsy, so you can check them out if you want.

Warning! May Cause Drowsiness

Ok, so last night I took something to help me sleep because I haven't been sleeping well. Let me tell you that no one should ever post ANYTHING while drowsy. One of my poor little dragonflies was listed on etsy comments as being a trouble maker. Why I wrote this I don't know, but look at him there to the right. I ask you, does that sweet little thing look like a trouble maker to you? NO! Poor guy now he will be put into a big lump with all those other trouble making handmade beaded items on etsy...I wonder how many people looked at that listing and thought I was nutso :)

This second little guy was listed as bright, beautiful in the light, and "just hangin." I guess he was quite the little gangster.What does that mean anyway? Why did I write that? Was I momentarily taken over by weird aliens? If it weren't silly and I didn't feel like such a dummy at who might have read it and thought I was looney (I am really), I would think it was funny. Ok, I really do think it's funny but others might just be frightened off by the crazy "JennyBean" chick :) Oh well, to know me is to love me I suppose.

Adventures in Town

Well today was rather uneventful. But aside from being a Crabby Pants this morning, Michael had a good husband day and took me to town so that I could pick up some more material for my dragonflies. He even helped me pick some bead colors. AND he just got back from IKEA where he bought me a tray so that I can have a flat place to make them when I am sitting on the couch. First of all, he hates going down town and IKEA so that fact that he did those things is very sweet and supportive. They all have those great days once in a while.

If I would have thought about it, I would have taken pictures of the kids playing in the slip and slide. They were VERY funny and cute. Also, I have added a couple more dragonflies to my etsy store and added more pictures to existing ones. JennyP said she always likes it when sellers have more than one image of their craft so that she can see them in different lighting. I must say that I agree--and not just because she is my friend. :)

Entreprenuer and Spending Time at the Park

Well, let me start by saying thank you to Corinna (sp) and JennyP. My thanks to JennyP is for encouraging me to take my Dragonflys to the Patch MultiCraft Store and consign them for sale to our community. My thanks to Corinna for allowing me to do it. It was very nice of both of you to support me :) Today I consigned 14 of them with the hopes that others love them as much as I do and that they bring a smile to others' faces. You can currently find them for sale at my Etsy store as well which is called akaJennyBean just like my BLOG...I am really excited about the possibilities. OH, also JennyP asked me if I wanted to share a table with her at the Arts and Crafts fair fourth of July weekend. See how much she loves me? I am so lucky.

Today we went shopping...mommy spent WAY to much money, but we got some cute (and necessary) things at Panzer, AND I got some new beads to make some new dragonflies for the show and for the etsy site. Yesterday we had a good day with Jenny, Emily, and Ava. We met at the store, walked to the commissary, then I drove the girls (illegally) back to Jen's house and we all hung out and played at the park. I am posting some pictures of all of us because we are all so stinking cute.

It's Official!

Well, I did it. I started an ETSY (which is of course called aka jenny bean) shop of my own. The materials that I need are on the way and I will begin in ernest after it all gets here. I have posted a few in the shop for sale just to see if I can generate interest. So far a couple of people have made me their favorite BUT since there is very little to choose from I hope the buying will start later. I hope they sell as well as I would like. I made it so I only accept paypal and noted that if there is special color that someone wants that I could purchase the materials if I don't have them and make batches.

Margaret told me to list some so she could buy them for her daughters room so I hope she checks back here on this BLOG. On a side note, Cooper is doing well and is recovering well enough that he thinks we are being mean by not letting him play with Buddy. Sorry Pal, doctor's orders. I do feel bad but what can we do? I don't really want to risk him tearing his sutures. Cindy and the boys left for the states this morning. I am jealous. I want to go visit my family too. There are a lot of us traveling this summer back home. We will not be one of those families I guess. Oh well. Even with the exchange rate we will visit the pools. I want to do SOMETHING anyway.

I am doing something exciting this summer though. I am getting my long awaited final tattoo. I do have the design already, but I am not posting the picture of it until it is on my back. There are two reasons this will be my final. First, I have been wanting this one for a while and someone finally drew the idea for me (Big Michael was supposed to but never did) so I can make it happen. Second, unless we end up staying for a few years as is planned, I won't have access to Frank and Mandy my tattoo gurus. I am now a full blown tattoo snob and don't want anyone else to put their art on my body. Frank is a tattoo genious. That and the fact that he told me no when he felt I wouldn't be happy with the end result and didn't just take my money and create crap on my body have made me a loyal fan for life. In fact, I pass out his business cards to people who like the work and ask about it. I am a walking billboard...maybe the last one should be at a discount huh? I should be so lucky. Anyway, check out the etsy store if you get a chance and share with friends :)

A Lot of Work

Well, I spent a few hours in the flower garden yesterday. My legs are sore from squatting so much. I did go to the buildings that they are tearing up to get stuff, but traded Cindy D for her Hastas because I get partial sun (which they need) and she gets full sun. They are pretty, but now that area is missing some stuff in the front. I will see what I can do. I was also weeding the flower area and digging down to put bricks. You know the border kind that you can't just put on the edge. My across the street neighbor's house still makes ours look like the ghetto though. I have attached some pictures to this post. It definitely still needs work but I do the best I can. I am in the process of deciding what I want to plant in the empty spots, but I know I have to think of something. I can't have the other building showing us up. I want some more red, pink and purple flowers. I want lots of pretty colors.

Oh! speaking of lot of pretty colors, I am ordering some wire, glass beads, and the pliers necessary to make the dragonflies like my Aunt does. Right now I have 15 hanging in my window along with some sun catchers she made me. I am hoping to be able to sell the dragonflies either on ETSY or at the Patch Multi craft Center. If not...I guess I'll have a lot on my windows. They are fun to make and the finished product is rewarding. My Aunt Ann sells them for $5.00 a piece to include the little suction cups so that they can be hung in the window. I love them personally and they make me feel happy. Maybe I am easily pleased. I am attaching pictures of them so that people who visit the BLOG can see them and let me know what they think. I know my JennyP likes them and even has some of her own. I encouraged my Aunt to sell them online, but I don't know if I was taken seriously. I made several of the ones that are in my house, so I know how to do it. I think it would be fun to try my hand at it. There are more, but I think there are enough posted.

Finally, Cooper has now been neutered and we can pick him up in a half hour. The receptionist told me that he did very well. Poor little guy. Now he will have a real reason to be scared of the VET. I think that I would be too. :) If he ends up needing a little cone or something I will post a picture of that too. UPDATE: Cooper is home safe and sound. He is sore but has used the bathroom and our biggest problem so far is that we have to keep him from playing with Buddy and visa verse for around ten days. No cone unless he won't stop licking the sutures. I am glad that he made it through OK though.

Just Kind of Blah :)

Not sure what to write about today other than I wish the rain would let up for a while. I wanted to walk the dogs through the vineyards today but I have to say I don't relish the soggy nature of walking in the rain. SSSOOO...no walking for us. Darn! I did watch a horrible Disney movie with the girls today that they loved and I ignored. Little Michael hung out with friends and Big Michael was busy working. Last night I stayed up late watching the new movie about Nelson Mandela and another about Che. They were both good if you like that sort of thing. Speaking of movies, I have been told by JennyP that if I want to download movie clips of the kids that they need to be shorter. Guess what that means...no movies!


I have been sprucing the page up today though. It's really coming along if I do say so myself. I am breaking rules a bit because Michael doesn't like us to have photos of the family online. What daddy doesn't know :) I got a bit of bad news after the update that I posted my mother's Caden update. She said that right after she sent the email Caden began vomiting a lot and had to be put back on IV. Poor Baby! Please remember to keep all of them in your prayers.



I don't have pictures to post today of my own so I am attaching a little cartoon I am sure we can all relate to right now. In fact, can I get an Amen? As for the second picture...break out the shotgun ladies because I know you can relate. It makes me want to scream just thinking of it. Luckily, I don't have too much of a problem with that in my house as Big Michael is very careful about it and the little one knows that I might have to cause him bodily injury if he does it.




Yesterday being Father's Day we didn't do too much. Sierra had made a card at school for Daddy and has been hiding it since she brought it home the last day of school. That was three days that drove her nuts. Patience is not the virtue of that six year old. We also got him two picture magnets for the fridge. One is of the kids and I in our Halloween costumes this past year and one is of him and I sitting together on the couch smiling. Those of you who know him know that he doesn't like gifts (freak) but doesn't like fridge magnets even more...LOL! I got him.




I did do some gardening yesterday. I pulled up some flowers in one area and replaced them with another. I didn't like the old ones but the new ones look a bit scraggly because they are new. I need to get some new bricks and more flowers for one area. OH! I talked to our installation coordinator about the fact that there is a big rectangular stone planter at one of the houses they are getting ready to tear up and he said he would bring it to me. SPOILED! It is full of Ivy, and I am pretty excited about it. I am also going to dig up some of the flowers from those areas because if I don't the contractors will just destroy them. Maybe once I get them all planted I will take pictures and post them here. Someone has to share them with grandma if I do.

Update on Caden From Mommy

"Good Morning


I'm here at the hospital with Caden for the beginning of round 5. He was admitted yesterday afternoon and has received 2 doses of chemo so far. It amazes me how calm he is about coming back into the hospital for treatment. However, this round is different as they aren't keeping him hooked to an IV the whole time, only when he gets the chemo. All the other meds are being given orally so he is "free" most of the time. Because his counts are up (ANC 2210) and because he was free, he was able to go with us to the cafeteria last night for dinner. After dinner he thought we were going back to the RMH and was disappointed he had to come back to the room.


Our friend Tom was with us which helped because he interacts well with Caden. In fact they had a pillow fight which got Caden jumping from his bed to a chair, then to my bed while I was trying to make it! So I was "grumpy" and Tom was fun! They did have fun. It's always good to hear Caden laugh and Tom is very good at making both of the boys laugh! They played until he was tired; actually I think they were both tired, when Tom said it was time for them to leave. The shocker was that Caden gave both Tom and Sandy hugs goodnight (not fair since I have to beg for my hugs!) and settled right down for an early night. His temp has been good so far, it is a little elevated (99.7) but not to a point where they consider it a fever. He ate good before and during his first dose of chemo but hasn't wanted anything since. Since he's not receiving any IV fluids we have to make sure he drinks lots of liquids. He was doing good but the nausea hit early this morning (4 AM) and he is afraid to drink. We are still working on his anti-nausea meds.

He will receive 2 more doses of IV chemo this stay, getting the last dose Monday at 2 AM. Then somewhere between 8 AM and 4 PM he will receive a shot of chemo in his leg and will be sent back to the RMH for a week. He will receive the last of his chemo, a repeat of this weekend, next week. The shot is a long lasting drug and it could take up to 3 days for any allergic reactions to show up. If he has a reaction we are to bring him to the ER for a shot of Benedryl. The doctor told me if he complains of anything out of the ordinary to bring him in, don't wait. We will be watching him closely! Of course if he spikes a fever he will not be leaving the hospital at all until treatment is completed and his counts are back up! Schelly is in isolation at the RMH because she has a bad cold again. Thank God Ann is here to help us! At least I won't have to run back and forth to prepare meals and get Cameron. I will check with the doctors to make sure that if Caden is discharged on Monday he can be around Schelly.

Prayers are always needed. Specific prayer for good health for all of us who are here taking care of Caden, no fevers, no more throwing up, Cadens cooperation in taking his oral meds and a good appetite. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Cindy


PS: I've attched a picture of him sleeping so you can see his new hair, eyebrows and eyelashes. I had to capture it while he was sleeping because when he is up he is in perpetual motion! :-)"

A Dachshund by Any Other Name is Just as Sweet

For those of you that have never owned a dog of any sort and wonder to yourself if you would prefer a small or large dog...don't underestimate the true size of a Dachshund. Their personalities are that of a dog far larger than their little frame. They are smart, cunning, obedient (if a bit stubborn), soooooo loving and just about the GREATEST animals have ever owned. I find myself wishing they were sitting with me on the couch when it is 11pm and they are already in bed. There little ears feel like the softest suade I have ever felt and I could rub them for ever. They are warm and will cuddle with me as long as I see fit--honestly, I think they would be happy doing only that. They are social little creatures that love other dogs and most other people. Honestly, if these little guys don't warm up to a person after a few minutes, then I would begin to worry about the character of the person in question.

I owe a personal thanks to DASHING DACKELS for letting me be the proud human of two such beautiful dogs and frankly could not imagine being more in love with any other animals. Someday I hope to own two more and since I already own a red and a dappled piebald, I think I want a chocolate and a black and tan. I would want them all to be smooth hair as they are my favorite, but my buddy's (the black and tan dappled piebald) dad is gorgeous and he is a chocolate dapple long hair. I say thank you to them not for selling them to us, but for being responsible breeders who care for their puppies and their moms and dads. It was a special thing to go there and meet not only the parents of my pups, but also the grandparents. It was helpful to know that even when the are no longer able to breed they are still members of the family. It was also nice to know that they do tell people no and don't sell to everyone. I feel blessed that they felt us worthy of being owned by two of their babies.

For those of you who don't know this, Americans have a bad name as pet owners due to all the "free to good home" adds in the Stars and Stripes for various reasons. We are also well known for not training our animals and for leaving them behind by just abandoning them. It is so horrible for me to think of these poor little animals who depend on their "pack" to care for them being suddenly alone and scared. What kind of heartless person does such a thing? To people like that...there is a special place for them when they die...how we treat the least of HIS creatures is how we will someday be treated when we die. If you don't believe in God, then call it Karma or whatever. I won't lie, animals of any kind are work but they really do bring with them a great reward of unconditional love.

To those of you who spend your love, life, hard earned money, and tears rescuing animals I wish you special blessings because it takes a special kind of person to step out on such a precarious limb and risk the heart-ache, labor, and so much more for what will be--if successful--one of the greatest blessings. You are brave and selfless and I can only aspire to be such. NOTE: to DoxieChick1 from DRNA and The Hotdog Blog your video on You Tube with all the rescue dogs made me cry like a baby. Frankly the Hotdog Blog has been a wonderful source of information and laughs for me and I am glad I found the site.