The Excitement is Building.....

After class last night we ran over to help Tim put Gavin's tube back in then raced home to watch LOST...we had it recording so we can zip through the commercials. I had such a headache during class that I wasn't sure I would make it and sure enough I fell asleep halfway through the darn show. I am going to have to watch it again to actually decide if I like the way things are going this year.

We had hard freeze warnings here last night & we woke up to this

FROST

It has been so cold here in Central Florida that my dogs don't even want to go out unless they REALLY have to go.

Today we are trying to get things completely packed into the camper before Gavin arrives. So there is a lot of scurrying in & out into the brisk air.
I might have to drive down myself with the family following a little later tomorrow as I don't want to be late this year for the Florida Scrub Hooking. I want to see all Polly has packed before it is gone this time. Instead of bringing a rug to finish I am going to start a new one instead this should lessen the amount of things I need to pack. Making sure the family has food (mine is covered at the Inn) the dogs have their leashes, food & medications, everyone has enough clothing/shoes/sweatshirts etc. Thank GOD it will be warmer than it has been during the daytime but the nights will still be in the 40's or 50's.

As I am typing this 'Conehead' is sitting on my lap to keep warm. If I get a few minutes later today I hope to update the Rug Hooking Blog as Cyndi sent me some photos' of the rugs she just mailed off. I still think there are a few finished photo's I am missing, Jo's, Cheryl's & Lois' Rugs?

Back to work have to make sure the Camera & Charger are packed!

BLESSINGS 2 U Friends

Michael I hope you have a safe trip home from your racing Corvettes in Nevada and that you have some exciting weather to report in Chicago!

LOST

Last Thursday I started a post and thought I published it but it must have been a dream because it is not here! It is LOST...speaking of which anyone watching the season premiere on Wednesday? I AM!

Sahara took this photo and is using it on her Birthday invitations

What is everyone doing to stay warm? Personally I am trying to keep busy, which as you know is not hard around our home.

We babysat Gavin Thursday & Saturday last week, he is crawling (short lengths) and has cut his first tooth. He still vomits his formula and is on the NG feeding tube each night. This last week Tim gave him a break because the tape was irritating his skin.

Thursday Susan & I tried to dye up some browns so she could finish her ottoman/stool

Thanks to this cold/virus I missed hooking a week ago but did make it this Saturday. I found out another lady from last year was back but Nancy didn't attend this week so I will have to wait until next Saturday to give her hugs. Class was full and even Sahara came along with me. Amy had made her this adorable purse from an old silk tie, she made me promise not to show it since it was her first, I think it looks wonderful but will wait for her next one to show you.
Four Seasons Class Project
Maggie's Ottoman ready to be mounted


Sunday was FOOTBALL at our house, the entire family was here, even Gavin for the games. Gabriel made Mojito's that were wonderful. I worked on my rug during the game and got a little more finished.



Today we took Casper back to the Veterinary Ophthalmologist in Tampa, he is doing wonderfully we have to continue a few meds for 2 more weeks then the cone can come off & he only has to have eye drops & gel to keep his eyes well lubricated for the rest of his life. There is some cloudiness but we are hopeful it will clear eventually. His Right eye has a slight cataract but nothing that should ever impair his vision! Thank you for all the Prayers!

Calvin is doing well on his meds currently and we hope the infection was averted & the anti-inflammatory meds will help long term.

This weekend is the Sebring Hook-In so I hope to have TONS of great photos of all the attendees', teachers & rugs. I just saw Polly's newest rug which will be featured in next months Country Home Magazine I am hoping she will have it or a kit with her Friday.

Next week the influx of Cardinal & Steeler fans will invade our lovely area for Superbowl 43 I hope the weather is perfect!

Well off to accomplish some things around here the annuals need to be covered again later today along with packing the camper, taking down the Christmas tree, daily domestic jobs, school & animal medicating.
Stay Warm were ever you are today!


Blessings 2 U Friends

FINALLY got a few things finished YIPPEE

Well I was able to finish Gavin's Christmas present and my No Melt Southern Snowball ornaments are listed on ETSY.

Got the Christmas Tree decorated last night after falling off the ladder & breaking one of my vintage glass angels & possibly my tail bone AGAIN!

The garage sale went fairly well we sold a few things and the rest are going to Goodwill.

Casper was seen again this morning at Dr. Wolf's and his eye is healing the iris prolapsed through the laceration so now we have to keep his Elizabethan Collar on and medications 5 x a day for the next 10 days until his next recheck.

Now to clean up the house again & finish wrapping the few little gifts the kids are getting, we are not buying lots of gifts because we bought them all tickets to the World Series so they better remember that gift.

Can't stay sitting long it is too painful so this is short!!

Help our Economy & buy HANDMADE IN AMERICA!

Blessings 2 U Friends!

Still hanging in there...I think I am!

Well I don't know about you friends but I can barely find time to breathe these days?
I am not one to over-schedule during the holidays & I usually say NO to any extra activities in order to maintain my sanity.
This month has been full of unexpected activities that have to be done, outside of daily things, like laundry, dishwasher, school etc. Apparently we are going to end the year the same way it began.

Saturday's 2nd annual Hooker's Christmas Party was the highlight of my week. Sahara & I drove the hour to Lake Jovita just arriving seconds before Susan.
Jonnys house was beautiful as always and she had 3 different breakfast breads & coffee waiting for us.





After checking out what 'new' things she created we sat down to do a little hooking and exchange gifts before group pictures.
Lunch was served & we had a delicious Beef Soup/Stew with an assortment of Cheese & crackers, cucumbers & hummus and for dessert, homemade pumpkin pie.
Here are Maggie's Twin Rugs

One of our class projects for next year
Then started the chaos ...I got a text that Casper's eye was bleeding & swollen shut, so Sahara & I packed up and raced home. Where I quickly assessed this needed to be checked by a Vet. While everyone changed into their recital outfits I found a Vet in the area we were going for the Christmas Recitals. DH dropped Casper & I off at the Vet and drove down the road to the recital.

An hour later & another $120 Casper was now on 5 medications, 3 are ointments that needed to be rotated every 2 hours and a referral to a Veterinary Ophthalmologist, I started walking towards the Church 1/4 mile down the road carrying the dog.
While walking I found $10 on the side of the road, this comes into play later!
We gathered the kids up and orders for Meredith & Sarah and drove for to Mickey D's for a quick bite before the next Recital stared. Casper was a trouper and after eating a hamburger he slept through the second one.
Meredith made an announcement regarding recital fees...which I had forgotten to pay....ahhh $10 THANK YOU GOD!

We missed the Church Christmas Party and on the way home got the call that Tim needed help putting Gavin's tube back in, he is now weighing in at 11 lbs 12 oz and will be 5 mo old next week, only gaining 9 oz since the hospital released him on the 1st, so we headed over there next and we finally got home around 9 pm
The rest of the weekend is a blur as I have had minimal sleep, getting up every two hours to put ointment in Casper's eye. I do remember our family did the reading & lit the Advent candle at church.

Monday I called my Vet for a referral to an Ophthalmologist and made his appointment for today. We drove to Tampa & Dr. Wolf is WONDERFUL, he sent me home with more medications along with orders to continue the ointment every two hours for another 48 hrs and return on Saturday.
Great I still need to put up our Christmas Decorations and get ready for a Garage Sale to try to recoup these Vet bills.

Here is just one of the items I mailed off to Yvonne my Christmas Gift Exchange Buddy...


Did I mention the day before DH left on his business trip he snapped the shower head off ? It was leaking down the inside of the wall, which of course he had to cut open. So I was changing a towel in the wall every 3 hours to soak up the drips until I thought of stuffing a #8 cut wool strip into the front of the pipe to wick the water into the shower & not the wall on Monday.

Libby & those of you who asked there is nothing definite on the relocation yet, which makes me happy since the weather everywhere else seems to be FRIGID! It also means we can spend Christmas with the kids and I won't miss Hooking in Sebring with Polly in January!


A couple Rugs from Class on the 6th
Jonny's Pig

Melanie's Stained Glass Dragonfly

Forgive me I have forgotten who hooked these...



Here is Casper after today's Vet visit with his brand new Elizabethan Collar


Time for his meds again as well as more laundry before our Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Class this evening.

BLESSINGS 2 U FRIENDS!!!


*disclaimer* any incomplete thoughts or sentences/ misspelled words or inaccurate credit given is due to lack of R.E.M. sleep and blog author should be forgiven.

Ahhh the smell of Autumn in the Air

Well at least cooler air this morning....all the doors & windows are wide open again
Sounds of birds from all around our home are dancing in on the breeze.

It has been a doozy of a few days here since my last post. After getting all 'psyched' up to start back on the road of disciplined money management we came home to find Casper had gotten into the trash...not only had gotten into it but ate the leftover pork ribs from Sunday night and GOD only knows what else. So looking like a little pot bellied pig he waddled around in the discomfort of his gluttony for the rest of the night.

The next morning he 'lost' his breakfast and a few undigested rib bones...still his belly looked a bit swollen. So we kept an eye on him (of course Dr. Mac is Closed on Thursdays) through out the day and while he was still moving around he was uncomfortable & bloated. Finally about 5 I decided we should get him in somewhere to have an xray & blood work done to make sure there wasn't an obstruction or his kidney stones weren't causing another infection.

Thankfully my walking buddy works for a wonderful Vet nearby & they got me in at the last second...ran some tests, did a couple xrays and gave him some meds. There is no visible obstruction from the bones he ate, the stones seem to be all in his bladder again (from what we could see through the engorged stomach) however bloodwork showed possible pancreatitis, we are watching him over the next 48 hours to see if anything changes. I did manage to get these few Cards done to preview next months Cards & Tags class

Hopefully I can finish the other 30 sometime today.

Saturday is my BIG yearly Croptoberfest here at the house so today is cleaning & moving furniture day so I can finish setting up the tables & chairs for all the ladies. Larry was making scones, Pumpkin Caramel Scones & White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Scones, last night & the house smelled wonderful when Brittany came to pick up Gavin oh yeah I forgot to mention he had to be dropped off at the Vet while we were there....lol The girls at the desk looked at me funny when I came out with his car seat, they didn't see Brit come in, I told them we were here so long I gave birth. :-) Not to mention another $330 dent in that emergency fund that we didn't get set back up after all the other emergencies this year....
Please say a prayer that everything Casper ate passes quickly and there is no pancreatitis, I want to make sure all the ladies have a great time & not have to worry about the dog tomorrow. We have so much planned with hourly door prizes, gifts, food, and fun things to make during the day.

Heres hoping you have a SPECTACULAR FALL DAY where ever you live!

Blessings 2 U Friends

if it ain't one thing it's another

Well even though Casper hasn't left my side he does seem to be feeling better...Otis is a little out of sorts though LOL

Now that I think we can get back to some sort of normal Sahara tells me she has a sore throat last night.
She has been in bed most of the day with 101 degree fever.

In case I forgot "UNCLE, I give up" ...Please GOD enough.

He's Home He's Home Yippee

We were able to pick up Casper from Dr.MacDaniel's this morning.
He came home with two different meds but over all he is looking a lot better!
He has his bright yellow pressure bandage on his IV site, we call it is POWER RANGER
wrist band.
He was spoiled with some steak pieces and banana (his favorite treat)
He wanted to nap on the lanai in the sun after 5 minutes followed me in & is sleeping on my lap right now



As nice & comfortable as he is I have to go finish those two items so I can list them soon.
The damages weren't as bad as my dental bills but none the less $410 is a tank of gas these days. . . for my suburban


Blessings 2 U Friends

We found the problem ...

We found what was causing Casper to be sooooo sick...
He had a Kidney infection due to the small stones which are Sturvite poor baby had sepsis

The ones he had earlier this year were Calcium Oxalate the change in his diet to prevent these caused his urine to go from acidic to alkaline.
He also can go back to his old brand of food and will have to drink distilled water from now on...which might be best for all of them seeing how Calvin has issues with re-occurring bladder infections.

As long as he can keep his food down and the fever stays down he can come home tomorrow with antibiotics.

Back to work finishing things to list to cover this bill.

OH before I forget again....I am selling these fabulous rugs to raise money for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.

This rug is from Moda Home © and was released in conjuction with Polly Minick & Laurie Simpsons "Everyday Folk Art...Hooked Rugs and Quilts to make" book and the Nantucket Line of Fabrics a few years ago.

A very limited number of these rugs are being offered for sale to benefit the Semper Fi Injured Marines Fund.

Each Rug is exquisitely crafted of 100% Cotton in 3 shades of Blue squares with white stars in each, based on Polly's original White Star Rug.

The rugs are all BRAND new and in their packages and measures 4ft x 2ft the perfect size for in front of your favorite chair, by the porch door, in your American Themed, next to your bathtub or in front of the kitchen sink.
Would go beautifully with a beach themed patio or lanai.
Your also helping a well deserving cause, by helping those who have defended our freedom and returned Home as Wounded Warriors.




You can purchase these directly through me by contacting me or by clicking on my Etsy or Ebay Links.

Blessings 2 U Friend!

Off to the Vet this morning

After waking up worrying and Casper vomiting a little (he didn't eat or drink anything of significance yesterday) at 4:30 this morning. I finally got back to sleep around 6am then awoke at 7am got ready & took him in to Dr. Mac this morning, his temp was still up & he was still lethargic.

She drew blood right away which will be sent off this morning, then took x-rays to make sure there was no bowel obstruction and saw more tiny stones in his bladder & now in his kidney.
I got a urine sample & there is some blood in it so he is staying there over the weekend on antibiotics & fluids to rehydrate him.
It is days like this I wish I would have gotten my degree and had my own practice, but since I didn't there is no one I trust more to care for my animals.

So now to keep busy and not worry until I receive news on his condition, diagnosis & what treatment course we will be taking.

Not to mention get somethings listed & sold to pay this bill....:-)
Anyone want to buy a lightweight craft display booth??? :-)

Blessings 2 U today Friend!

Just one thing after another around here

Woke up to poor Casper not feeling well, he has a slight temp & some type of intestinal bug (Hoping for only 2 4hours)
He wouldn't eat his breakfast and has been sleeping on the couch all day. I have taken him out a couple of times to make sure he potties and got him to eat 1/2 a piece of sliced ham and drink a little water.

In the meantime I am trying to keep busy finishing up a couple of "TO DO" items, like rearrange my crop/art studio room.
I have decided to sell off the display I used for the Craft Shows and set up the room so that I can use it for inventory & storing my wool/foundations/patterns. In the process I am trying to remember to find my black beads to finish a wall hanging I hope to list next week for our PRHG "HOT Fun in the Summertime" Launch and a vintage box to mount my needlepunch bunny onto. Oh yeah and the crib/changing pad sheet for the nursery at church.

Okay back to work...then piano lessons, then the eye doctor (who is a NUT) Hi Dr. Petro! :-)

Have a Blessed Day & Stay Safe, we are praying for ALL those affected by fires, tornados, floods, earthquakes & the heat.

Blessings 2 U Friend

So I am watching the Westminster Dog Show & who do I see?

MARY....DR. MAC ...Dr. Mary McDaniel,

My VET!!! You could have knocked me over with a feather! I was watching the terrier group when in the ring on the side is what looks to be Mary McDaniel, my DVM.

Now normally I wouldn't be shocked because I know she travels all over showing her Glen of Imaal Terriers.
She apparently won Best of Breedas she was in the Terrier Group Ring
with Ch Finnabair Rocket's Red Glare
What shocked me is that I was at the office a couple of weeks ago when she did surgery on Casper to remove his kidney stones and she didn't say a word to me.

We have run into each other, outside the 'office', throughout the last 10 yrs at the Imperial Polk County Dog Shows & she even asked me once if I would be at the Eukanuba Dog Show in Tampa a few years ago.
She KNOWS how much I love dogs & other animals!!! She didn't tell me....not a hint from any of the girls either

Here is the conundrum I know she won Best of Breed but not the Terrier Group.....
do I call her on her cell & congratulate her tonight or tomorrow when things have calmed down?

CONGRATULATIONS MARY on your well deserved WIN!!!