A tribute to Prince

Almost exactly 11 years ago,  after doing much research, we set out on a icy winter day to a town a few hours away.  With much anticipation, we picked out two Bichon puppies - one for our family and one for my parents, lovingly known as Naana and Pa in our house.  Naana and Pa named their puppy Prince and ours is Buddy.  These brothers have grown up close by each other and were always happy to see each other. 

Prince grew up very loved and very spoiled.  These are the things he loved:  licking Pa's plate after Pa was finished with it,  going to Sonic for Happy Hour or the cleaners or especially Petsmart,  sleeping in between Naana and Pa,  having company,  taking walks,  and kids.  When I would pull up to their house,  he would continue to look out the door to see if I had brought his brother, Buddy or the kids with me.  That's who he preferred.  He loved kids and would never snap at anyone.   
                                                         He also kept Naana fit as he always wanted to take a walk in the evenings.  He was usually a bit fluffier and softer than Buddy because most evenings he would sit on Pa's lap while Pa brushed him.  He went everywhere he could with Naana and Pa.  He was a great traveler.   When he couldn't go, he would stay with us where he would get to play with his brother and later Boo and Jack.  (It took awhile to get used to them.)  He was always a welcome part to our family. 

His downfall was dark chocolate.  One trip we took a few years ago, he got into our snack food, and ate a bunch  of dark chocolate.  He loved it, but it didn't love him.  We immediately took him to a vet.  They induced vomiting and saved his life but said he could suffer some consequences to this later in the form of pancreatitis.  Just a few months ago, it came on rather suddenly, and Prince became very sick.  He stayed overnight at the vet's receiving fluids and had blood work.  The vet said he had acute pancreatitis.  He survived that episode but seemed to go downhill.  He continued to lose weight and muscle and his vitality.  The vet said he was dying of liver failure, and just to take him home and love him.  Naana said they could spoil him anymore than they already do.  He made it through Christmas and continued to get love and be spoiled, but he passed away on their bed 2 nights ago.

They will really miss him and so will we.  Here is what Naana wrote about him:

And God said - You know, these little children in heaven need a little doggy to run and play with. And Jesus said - the Doty's have a sweet, white little dog that has been very sick for the last couple months, and the Vet says there's nothing else he can do for him. And he loves kids. So Jesus came to our house this evening and very lovingly picked up our 11 year old faithful forever friend, Prince, to take him to play with the children in heaven. We will miss him terribly.

RIP Prince.

Help us Find Haley

Update:  Haley has been found in California.  Her father flew to her, and she chose to return home with him.  Praise God!

I haven't blogged in a couple of months, but this is something important that I wanted to share with you.   

A friend's daughter who is 17 years old ran away from home on December 26, 2011.  Her family wants to know that she is safe.  They are reaching out through social media to try to find her as she left her cell phone behind.   Here is a You Tube video her father put together to get the word out:

If you could help pass this information along, the family and friends would be so appreciative.   And of course, if you were to spot her, please contact the number on the poster.  Thank you all so much.

Preserving Memories: Part Two

Making photo calendars for loved ones is something I've done for many years now.  I use the website, Shutterfly.com, but there are many photo sites that do the same thing.  I always have given them for Christmas presents, and now they are expected.  If a Grandparent did not get a photo calendar, I cannot imagine the wrath I would receive.  Just kidding.  Maybe not.

In order to create these calendars, I need to take pictures all year long.  Sometimes toward the end of the year, I find myself wondering why I didn't take more pictures.  I also try to take pictures of all the family members because a Grandparent wants ALL of their grandchildren in the calendar.  I try to include a picture of the grandchild on the month of their birthday.  Most of these companies will also include printing the names of everyone on their birthdate.  You can also choose templates which can include many photos on a page or just one big photo.  Other ideas for calendars might include friends, family, school fund raisers, etc.  Maybe you'll be able to use this idea for a Christmas present this year.  Beware, it can become expected. 

Snowing in October

It's October 27 and it's snowing in Texas.  I've got to say, I'm more of a summer girl, but you've got to love this!  Tomorrow it's supposed to be up to about 54 degrees so it will melt quickly.  We REALLY needed the moisture.  Thank you, Lord, for your many blessings!

  

Notice Jack at the door.  He doesn't particularly like getting out in it.

20 Questions. . .

  

I don't think I've filled one of these out before, but I thought it might help you to get to know me a little bit.

1. How often do you go over the speed limit?  Probably a little 
everyday

2. Do you dance like crazy when no one is looking?  Sure, doesn't everybody?

3. If you were going to be stuck on a desert island, which book, which movie, and which CD would you take with you?  Francine Rivers' Her Mother's Hope (I love Francine Rivers' books and haven't read that one yet.),  can't think of a movie I'd even like to take, a CD of my daughter's own music that she has written and sung with her acoustic guitar (She's promised me a CD.)

4. What did you get in trouble for when you were a kid?  Being hyper and talking too much

Amy in her new dress (#18)

5. What really gives you the creeps?  Snakes

6. What was your favorite toy when you were a kid? my dolls, especially the one that you pulled the string and she spoke

7. You run into a friend while shopping. Where are you? the grocery store

8. When you fall asleep, are you usually on your side, your stomach, or your back? on my side, in the fetal position, or sometimes, flat on my back

9. If fat or calorie intake wasn't an issue, what one food would you eat the most?  Pizza
 
10. If you could hire one of the following, which one would it be? Driver, chef, maid, or stylist? Do I have to pick just one?  First, should probably be a chef, since I hate to cook and am not very good at it.  Second, a maid.

11. What movie have you watched the most?  Body Guard with Richard Gere and Whitney Houston

12. What kind of perfume do you wear?  I don't wear just one.  I rotate between several.  My favorites are Beautiful,  Ralph Lauren's Notorious, and Liz Claiborne.

13. What was your favorite sitcom growing up?  Happy Days

14. What were you doing the last time you had a really good laugh? playing a game called Quelf with my family

15. What was the very first concert you ever attended?  Petra

16. Who is the fourth person on your missed call list?  my mom

17. How long does it take you to get ready in the mornings? From shower to completion, about 50 minutes

18. When is the last time you went to the mall and what did you buy?  a couple of weeks ago.  I bought Amy a nice dress for a special occasion (which she doesn't have yet).

19. Ever go to camp? Every summer - Camp Good News 

20. Do you collect anything?  Nope

Camp Good News - I'm on the front, far right.  I'm back to the same camp as a teacher. #19

 

Preserving Memories: Part One

I'd like to share an idea with you that you might enjoy, especially if you are a mother of young children.  If you don't fall into this category, maybe you could share the idea with someone who does.

My kids are now in 6th grade, 10th grade, and Freshman in College.  When my first one started school, (Homeschool),  I started this process of preserving some of her school work by binding a sampling of that year's school work into a book form.

I usually keep their best work.  I also keep anything that they have written themselves, such as:  a report, a story, a report, a speech, etc.  Other ideas of things to put into this special book are special awards, report cards, class schedule, class pictures, notes from teachers, art work. 

Having these books cut down on clutter.  I don't have a drawer full of papers. The kids love to go through these books, remember the projects and work they did that year.  I try to get this completed during the summer right after school has ended.  I go through the papers finding the BEST work and the things we would want to preserve, then I take them to a UPS store or FED EX store.  They will bind the papers into a book for a small price.  I don't remember the exact price but I know it's under $10. 

By the way, I will not be doing this for my College student this year.  Sorry, Emily.

Bath Day for Buddy

Today was bath day for Buddy.  Buddy is the white Bichon Frise.   He needs a bath quite often because he gets smelly and doesn't look as nice.  He also goes to the groomer about once every 6 weeks so he's what you might consider "high maintenance".   Boo, on the other hand , rarely gets a bath.  Because of that, she really hates them.  Boo is a Boston Terrier.  Jack is our newest puppy.  He's a miniature Yorkie.  He requires regular baths, and also goes to a groomer about once a month.   We just enjoy snuggling him more when he smells nice.  Plus, he just looks cuter.  I thought you might enjoy these cute wet dog pictures.