Sad News

When we got our foster puppy, Comet, he had a sore back leg. They said it was probably just a pulled muscle, but it has lasted all week and he never sleeps on his right side. It seems like a puppy would get over a pulled muscle faster. They took him to the vet today and his leg is BROKEN. They are keeping him for 2 days at the vet, on strong drugs to keep him still. We won't get him back until Sunday. Poor little guy. I'm sad!

25 Random Things

I'm such a follower. On Facebook there is a crazy "tag" game going on where you have to put down 25 random things about yourself. I'm following another friend who also posted it on her blog, for those of you who don't do Facebook. J, I hope you don't mind!

1. I am a very sarcastic person. I was sad when there was a General Conference talk which said that sarcasm is not good. I guess I don't sustain everything they say at conference. Ha, ha!

2. One of my favorite flavors is chocolate mint. I learned that about myself with my first pregnancy.

3. I love doing crafty things: paint, scrapbook, quilt, computer design.

4. I didn't know I had any artistic ability until after I was married. My husband encouraged me to try things out.

5. I love cooking. I would love to cook for a living, but wouldn't like someone else to tell me what to make.

6. I also love baking. I get very energized to make gourmet treats, but I often don't want to eat them. My husband LOVES that quality. He is a happy food taster!

7. I never know who famous people are. I just can't keep up and have never cared. Even in High School. Good thing my husband has an amazing memory and holds on to trivial stuff like that for me.

8. I have never had a life's dream. You know, "if I could be anything what would I be", type of thing. I admire people who have a dream! I am a really hard worker and think if I had a direction like that I could accomplish anything, but I don't know what I'd want to accomplish.

9. I've had many un-related jobs that could have opened the door for a real career: telemarketer (okay, not this one, but it's fun to admit I did it), TV camera person, drug & alcohol counselor, director of marketing.

10. I can talk to anyone, but only connect with few.

11. I could people watch all day long. I am fascinated by people and why they do what they do.

12. I'm far too judgmental for my own good.

13. I love driving. When we go on vacations I always prefer to drive rather than fly ... even if it is across country. I am horrible at reading maps, though. I find driving relaxing! I usually do at least 1/2 the driving on all trips.

14. The church/gospel is so important to me, I find it hard to understand when friends and family members don't get it.

15. One of the most attractive characteristics of my husband is his willingness to serve others! It was one of the first things I noticed about him, and the thing that impresses me most even today.

16. Many people think my husband is very quiet and don't get how we could be together. He makes me laugh like no one else can. I think he is hilarious.

17. I love to read and study politics, but then have to step away because I get overwhelmed in the negativity and dishonesty.

18. I never wanted to raise my kids in California because of the school system and fast pace of life.

19. I love to read. Especially when it rains!!! On my mission it rained so much that I decided I wouldn't go in the rain unless I HAD to. In SD there are so few rainy days, I can always put things off for a day and just snuggle under a blanket with a good book.

20. I would love to live in the country with all the benefits of the city: shopping, theatre, colleges, etc.

21. I love cars. The old muscle cars that go really fast and make a lot of noise. I like Harley Davison motorcycles for the same reason.

22. I think being a stay at home mom is the most amazing thing I've ever been, but I assume other people think I'm lazy for not working outside the home.

23. My kids get my sense of humor and that makes me worry for their future. Ha! Ok, not really, but I really love that they get me! Their future is their own problem, right?!

24. I cry at the drop of a hat. Commercials, talks at church, knowing someone is sad.

25. Talking in front of a large group of people doesn't bother me at all.

Obedience Training

I am having so much fun with this puppy. He's learning to sit, walk a leash, has had no accidents in the house, and hasn't chased any of the cats. He sleeps in the crate, but it's not his favorite thing. I think he'd rather sleep upstairs with the family. Still, he doesn't whine about it so I'll be grateful for small favors! I'm making it sound like we're such great trainers, when in reality I think Chance is doing all the work. Comet sees how Chance behaves and he mimics it. It gets him treats, so I guess he's a pretty smart dog. ha!

Chance on the left, Comet on the right. They are demonstrating how to behave when they've been kicked out of the dining room at dinner time.

It's a Boy!!!

Brian and I have been talking about possibly fostering or adopting for quite awhile. A friend contacted us this weekend with this opportunity and we had to take it!
His name is Comet and he's about 6 months old. He is a terrier mix and so calm and sweet. So far we haven't had many problems with him, but I'm sure he'll start showing his true colors after hanging out for a few days. We don't know how long he'll be here, so the kids are loving him up and much as possible. If you know anyone interested in a little cutie like this one, let me know. But not for a couple of days. We're having too much fun with him!

Oh, and for the record. Brian is NOT thrilled with another dog in the house. We really have been talking about fostering or adopting a (human) baby. This was just cheaper and required no paperwork. Ha!

Lurkers

Have you ever thought about the possibility that there are complete strangers reading your blog? People who have just happened to find you by clicking on someone else's blog, or because of a google search, and now there you are. Your world wide open to whoever decides to take a peak. I have some friends who worry so much about this possibility that they hide the names of their children, or just use initials. (I privately speculate that these people are really under the Federal Witness Protection Program and must be more cautious than most).

Then there are the lurkers who aren't even strangers. Family and friends who read your blog, even comment in personal conversation about it, but have never left a comment, so there's no certainty that they are there, or when. These types are the ones that worry me today.

My cousin, in Texas, is having her first baby girl next month. This is so exciting. She is 11 years younger than me, and growing up I thought she was AMAZING! Not having a sister of my own and being the youngest, "L" (in case she is reading) became the little sister I always wanted. I am so thrilled that she and "G" are doing so well and their little family is growing. So, in true crafter's fashion I made her a baby quilt. Now, this is where the lurking worry comes in. I really doubt that she reads this blog but, "L", if you are reading please act surprised when you get the package.

I have been collecting denim for over 2 years now. From friends, goodwill, waiting for kids to out grow the really cute jeans. I thought it fit the style of a Texas girl. I've never worked with denim before, so there are some things I would have done different, but still I think it worked out okay. Click on the picture to see the detail of the cute paisley printed denim. I think that was a skirt.


The other side is this really cute dragonfly flannel. It is so soft and warm. And the way the denim mixes with the flannel is really fun. I hope she likes it, because each square was truly stitched with love.

What I Did Over Christmas Vacation

Ok, this really has more to do with what Brian did than what I did. My entire vacation was cook a meal, clean it up, cook another meal, clean it up, cook another meal ... well, you see where that was going.

This is the first year Brian took 2 weeks off during the holidays. He is not a guy that can not sit around during his time off (much to my delight). He built this 8 foot book case in the garage under the watchful, and envious, eyes of the neighbors.

This one book case holds the same amount of books that were stored in 2 weak, ugly bookcases. It's made our office so much more roomy. We might even be able to use it as a guest room now.

He now has plans to make another book case for our room upstairs. We're hoping to get some of the books stored in the attic down and accessible.

Verdict's In

The Urgent Care called and said there is no fracture, only soft tissue damage. Then he threw in just a little something to keep a mom worrying. He said there is so much swelling that there is a concern that Jon's growth platelets may be damaged. Seriously, I'm not stressed. What's the worse that could happen? His hand grows normal and he has an iddy biddy little pinkie. Ha! No, he's not in any pain - which is what the doctor told us to be looking for - so he's fine.