My Best Friend

Check out this wonderful site! I found my best friend there!

Sienna, my so sweet golden retriever, was there just waiting for me to come and get her. We spent 13 precious years together. When she went to the rainbow bridge, I cried for days and days.

Now she is waiting on the other side of the bridge for me! I know all dogs go to heaven.
How can it not be so?

Goldens are people, you know. They smile, they love uncondionally, they love to chase tennis balls and go for long walks. Sienna and I went through many tough times together. She was my constant source of comfort and companionship.

When we walked everything seemed to fall into place. At first, Sienna was afraid of cars. She didn't want to walk on busy streets. But after many stops and hugs she stopped being afraid and led the way. If there was ANY water anywhere nearby that's where she headed!

One time she and her friend Kaya got out. They were gone for two days! My daughter and I were heart broken! Then we got a call from a very nice man who said he had the two of them and brought them right back home. A bit muddy and damp, but home!

Goldens are pure gold and full of love and joy! Please click on the Mid Florida Golden Retriever Rescue site to see all of the beautiful dogs they have rescued and are up for adoption!



I just "adopted" a miniature golden retriever for my doll house! It would be "home" without one!

Beautiful Mini Blessings

So if you are looking for a new best friend, please rescue a dog or cat. There are plenty wagging tails to pick from! One would be happy to share your Christmas with you!

Blessings,
Kathi

Katillac Shack Pet Parade!

Are you ready to P-A-R-T-Y ?!

Nugget and Dylan are ready! They didn't look too ready here, but they are now!

They want to show off the cute caps Mom made from the Design Gives Back scarf that Kelee sent us.

Here's Dylan sporting his cap!

He wouldn't look at the camera but wears his cap proudly!

If you look closely you can see that we are smiling real big! Mom tried so hard to get a good photo of use but we just wouldn't be still!

We're really not trying to hide!

We are so happy that Kelee reached her goal! Thanks Kelee for allowing us to participate in this great cause! We hope that many abandoned animals will benefit from the $2,000 donation from your sponsor! Click on over to the Katillac Shack to see the other cute pups and cats (!) who joined in the fun!

Happy tails are wagging here!
Bless you!
Kathi

What's YOUR Song?

This is mine!

Hope you have a great day. Keep a song in your heart!

Blessings, Kathi

What I Love About Vacations!

I've been on vacation this past week and loving every minute of it! It's been a stay at home vacation and very relaxing.

I've had time to rest, time to think and time to work on my new hobby - miniatures!


It's been fun to wear my favorite old pair of jeans, take naps and not watch the clock!

I've been watching the flowers grow instead! We've had a lot of rain this week so everything is green and growing.


I think my puppies have enjoyed mom being home too! I have hardly gone anywhere except to the grocery store. We've just been snuggling up at home and enjoying the peace and quiet.

Dylan

Nugget

I will need to go to work today, just to pick up my paycheck! Then it will back home and back to more rest and relaxation!

Hope you have a beautiful, peaceful day!

Blessings, Kathi

Over Here, Over There!

I feel like I've been neglecting my blog here! I've been reading and following along to see what everyone is doing though! You've found some great things and have had some wonderful ideas too!

I can't believe I missed "Thrifty Tuesdays" and "Hooked on Fridays" this past week! I need to go back and check in!

Right now I am hooked on my garage sale dollhouse! If you want to know where I've been, please come on over to Beautiful Mini Blessings!













So far, I've made this little sofa, a fish pillow and a tiny shell mirror.

I have so many ideas and plans for my little house! The entire house needs to be renovated and re-decorated. It's so much fun and much less expensive that doing a real life house!

Does anyone know if Kelee reached her goal with the scarves for abandoned dogs? I've been checking her site but haven't seen an update yet... I really hope she got the photos she needed!

Hope you are having a great weekend! It's starting to rain here! We really need rain!
I'm putting a new roof on my dollhouse. That is something I can do inside, so let it rain!

Blessings! Kathi

Play Strong for Abandoned Dogs!

Dylan and Nugget are wearing their “scarves” to celebrate Kelee Katillac’s effort to raise money to help abandoned dogs! Kelee is a hero for great causes and this is just one! Click on over to Kelee's site to check out all of the other cuties!

Here’s what my boys looked like with the scarf. A bit too big!

I decided to try to make them little caps instead of just decorating one scarf.

I cut it up! Then I sewed to back together so both Dylan and Nugget could participate!

It was very difficult to contain my pup's excitement about their new hats! I was only able to get one photo and it’s too dark! You get the idea though, right?

I really hope that Kelee has enough participants to win her $2,000 gift for abandoned dogs!

This was really lots of fun! Please go over to Kelee's to see all of the other scarves and dogs/cats! They are all so cute!

Blessings! Kathi

Ice Cream and Donuts and Hershey's, Oh My!

I'm hungry this morning! Not surprised since all I ate this weekend was sweets. Too lazy to cook and too tired to go get something too. So I just ate white powdered donuts, ice cream, a big Hershey bar, some cereal and more ice cream! I'm not worrying about my weight 'cause I'm skinny but this diet can't be good for me!

I don't feel stressed but maybe I am? Now it's Monday and I have to go to work! Perhaps I'll stop at McDonald's and get a cheese/egg biscuit and some orange juice...

Hope you have a good day! Eat something healthy! (words to self)

Blessings, Kathi

Maxine

I received an email from my cousin today. I didn't know who created Maxine until I read this. I've always chuckled at her outlook on life. I love this one!

"John Wagner, Hallmark artist since 1970, says Maxine was inspired by his mother, his maiden aunts and his grandmother. John remembers doodling as a preschooler and says both his grandmother and his mother encouraged his artistic interests.

He eventually attended the Vesper George School of Art in Boston and landed at Hallmark as part of a new artists group. But it was the birth of the humorous Shoebox Greetings (a tiny little division of Hallmark) in 1986 that added a new dimension to John's professional life. The Shoebox way of seeing the world unleashed his talents and he created Maxine.

'Cartoonists are sensitive to the insanities of the world; we just try to humanize them, ' John says. 'If Maxine can get a laugh out of someone who feels lonely or someone who is getting older and hates the thought of another birthday, or if she can make someone chuckle about stressful interpersonal relationships, then I'm happy. Putting a smile on someone's face is what it's all about.'

When the name 'Maxine' 'People at Shoebox started referring to the character as 'John Wagner's old lady,' I knew that would get me into trouble with my wife,' John says. The Shoebox team had a contest among themselves to name the character and three of the approximately 30 entries suggested 'Maxine'.

John says the name is perfect. John, who says he's humbled by such acceptance of Maxine, admits he's proud of her. Now you know the story of how Maxine came to be.

Thanks, John Wagner!

No Sales Today!

My favorite thrift store had a 75% off EVERYTHING sale today and I didn't go! Yep, you read that right! I did not go! I can only imagine the deals I missed out on! Oh well, I'm trying!

I've decided that I really need to get some of my projects DONE before I do any more shopping. It's killing me but I've got to do it!

I spent most of the day searching around for ideas for my dollhouse. Really didn't get much accomplished... Maybe tomorrow I'll actually get something done?

I need to repair, sand and prime my dollhouse. I want it become the beach house I've always wanted! Here are some of the ideas I've gathered...

I'm starting to see everything in miniature! This could really become addicting, just like thrift store shopping!

Can't wait to see all of the thrify things YOU find this weekend!

I'm not shopping... unless you consider that adorable dollhouse doll I got on Etsy today... and the lovely print I bought from Janet Hill's Studio this week!

I'm thinking my dollhouse kitchen should look like this!

Blessings, Kathi

Sick Puppy – Update

My sweet daschund Dylan, is very sick today. I’m taking him to the vet this morning. A “new” vet for us. I hope he can figure out what’s wrong.

Dylan has been have diarrhea and now vomiting. He can’t even keep water down. I hope I haven’t waited too long!

At first I thought maybe he just ate something that didn’t agree with him. I put him on a 24 hour fast but he’s getting worse instead of better. He’s my little hero and I hope he’ll be okay…

Nugget is worried about his big brother too. It amazes me how animals bond with each other. My two daschunds are best buddies!

I can’t wait for Dylan to feel better so he can “Play Strong” like he usually does!

I’ve been working on their scarves for Kelee. Can’t wait to show you! Join the fun if you haven’t already!

Please say a little prayer for my sick puppy. I’m hoping he’s better real soon…

Blessings, Kathi

7:30 PM  I was able to bring Dylan home from the vet today.  He has “hemorrhagic gastritis.”  We’re not sure why yet.  Our new vet was so nice.  He gave him fluids, antibiotics and medicine to help with the nausea and vomiting.  Just this evening I was allowed to give him a little bit of water to drink.  He wanted to drink the entire bowl!  Tomorrow morning I can give him some special food the vet gave us.

So far, he’s doing well.  Still having some diarrhea but no more vomiting.  I’m so glad I took him in!  We’ll rest tonight then he goes back to the vet in morning for another check up.  Thanks for your prayers and concern!  Love,  Kathi and Dylan

Can’t beat FREE!

The power was out this morning at my house. We had another round of thunderstorms last night. I took a shower in the dark and then decided to go over to my daughter’s house to finish getting ready for work.

When I turned the corner at the end of my street, I caught a glimpse of something in the neighbor’s trash. Couldn’t really see what it was but it looked interesting so I backed up to take a closer look.

I’ve never been too proud to go trash picking or dumpster diving. Sometimes people toss out some really cool things! When I got out of the car I practically ran over to the trash cans! I really couldn’t believe what was there!

Don’t ya know I put these babies in my trunk right away!!

They were still wet from all of the rain last night. I can’t believe they sat there ALL night and no one else grabbed them! I’m doing the happy dance right now! What a find!

When I was coming home from my daughter’s house I noticed that the trash men had come by and taken the “trash.” I’m sure glad I got there first!!

I'm on a thrify/garage sale diet so this was really a good deal for me! Check out all of the other finds at Rhoda's too!

Thank Heaven for Little Girls

This is a photo of my little girl when she was about two.  She was “helping me” bake cookies.  Just look at that face!  We sure had fun that day!  We had lots of fun together when she was little.  I was able to stay home and enjoy her childhood.  Here are a some photos I scanned this morning.  Not sure what I’m doing here….

 

Of course, little girls grow up.  Here’s a photo from her wedding.  I love this one!

 

I went with her to pick out her gown.  We went to several shops and she tried on many dresses.  When she tried on this dress, she knew it was the one!  She was so excited standing on the platform to be measured. Then all of a sudden, she fainted and collapsed on the floor!  Mom was frantic and had the store owner call 911!  When the handsome firemen arrived she had revived, but was so embarrassed!  I was very relieved and we all had a good laugh at her expense.  (Sorry honey, had to share this)

Her wedding was beautiful.  An outdoor wedding in January.  In Florida you can do that!  I made her wedding cake, did the flowers and made her veil.  Together we decorated the tables, put up lights and candles.  She was radiant when she walked down the aisle to meet her hubby.  And yes, Mommy did cry.

I’m so thankful to be living close to her now.  I’m so proud of the beautiful woman she has become.

She still calls me “Mommy” and yes, she’s still my little girl!

My Thoughts on Psalm 23

My Father walks before me leading the way

He gives me everything I need in His time

He quiets the storms. Makes rainbows from my tears

He puts flowers in my path

and the song of the birds in my mornings

Even as I stumble along the way

sometimes falling headlong into trouble

His hand is there when I reach out for Him

But more than that, even when I can't

or won't reach out, even when I can't find my way

still He is there guiding me

When I have lost all hope

given up on everything I trusted in before

He gives me the courage to try again

I have seen His faithfulness over

and over again and again

He understands my fear
He understands my doubts
He knows how fragile

and how vulnerable I am

Then
instead of giving me what I deserve

He gives me
the gift of true love.

Blessings, Kathi

(c)

Photo above courtesy of http://birminghamalabamadailyphoto.blogspot.com/