Buster says.............

Let us know your out there! Delurk!!!

Dorothy...grab Toto we're going to Oz!

We woke up at 5am this morning to wind, wind, wind! Our front storm had blown open (thankfully didn't break), the gate on the deck was blown over and the Pugs did NOT want to go potty outside! They said the worst had passed, but we are still getting gusts out there now of 50 to 50mph. Makes me very happy we had those bad pines taken down last year! My dad's mailbox blew over at the barn, my recycling and garbage was in the road, and I chased one of our gutters around the yard....I'm sure a sight for anyone driving by. We are slightly worried about our camper, but have no way to check on it unless we drive up there. Not something I want to do today!

Rosie says she is NOT going out there....

The others wait for their treat after doing their good deeds....

I think I'll come home at lunchtime today to be sure everything and every furrybody is okay!

Just checking..is this January?

At lunchtime today I went to the post office. First, let me say it was 70 degrees outside...yes, 70 degrees! Is this Miami?

On the way I saw a couple of these.... and passed a golf course where a couple of guys were doing this......
and yes, the sun is out too......

Reality check...Saturday's forecast 35 degrees and snow.

Back...at last

I hadn't realized that coming back would actually take "back ground" work by me. Email accounts, programs, re-installations. Finding where things go, etc. Thankfully we have a great computer guy! He charged us a ton less than we anticipated paying..woohoo! Of course, he is my bosses nephew and does our office networking, but still a great find.

Anyhow back to BLOGGING for real..photos, videos, my own hard drive. Sweet.


I didn't take a lot of photos during my week of no hard drive. I think maybe my own hard drive was out of sync too, but here's a little of what went on around here.


Chewing...

more chewing...
waiting for water (notice the dual bowl....messy drinkers around our house)

Surfing on borrowed laptop...

Cold.....
Wearing the magic Valentines Beads. I only have one strand of these and I let the furry ones take turns wearing them. You never know who'll have them on. This may have been Zoey's third time, she loves them. You say what's magic about them? It's magical that I actually come across them every year!

The front porch tree changes for Valentine's Day....
Lights off.....


Lights on.....

First January Saturday aka Clean Sweep

P worked last night until 9:30 pm and was gone this am when I got up at 7. I jumped back into taking down Christmas 2007. He called around 9:30 am to say he doubted he would make it home in time for the drive to meetup. Since I was a mess, the house was a mess, and I didn't want to drive an hour alone , I know those that know I drove 14 hours alone to bloggy meetup, but heh, that was different! Anyhow, then the phone rang with a call from my BF with family troubles. After an hour on the phone, meetup was out of the question. Don't tell the Pugs!!!!

So 95% of Christmas is packed neatly away in the new red/green containers I purchased early on in the season. Some items are set aside for donating, broken things tossed, you get the picture. Now all the containers are in the upstairs front landing, waiting for P to carry them to the attic.

I also got the front tree decorated for Valentine's...oh, so darn cute!!!! I WILL post a picture of it real soon...soon as you know the computer is back from repair..which is tomarrow at 1pm.

I am deeming January Clean Sweep month. If it's broke and can't be fixed - out it goes; If I haven't used it or won't - give it away. I need to de-clutter and de-junk my life and my house!!! I REALLY want to find something WHEN I am looking for it.

Do you guys save everything? Have a junk drawer? or two? or three?

First January Friday Post aka is Winter done yet?

Two more days until the computer is home. I can't wait. I feel lost not being able to fill up the hard drive with a million Puggy photos. I am keeping up with reading blogs when I can knock P off C's laptop or when I have a moment at work. P is learning to LOVE laptops. It would be nice to be able to purchase one for each of us. Maybe I can talk him into returning his new GPS for the boat to put towards one? Somehow I doubt it.

I ventured out to Michael's at lunch today and picked up a few items for Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day. I know, I know...don't say it! I also got a nice organizer for my scrapbook supplies. I will post a photo when I organize it all. Almost all the inside Christmas Decorations are down...almost I say. The living room tree is still up, as is the village. Honestly, the village consists of a wharf scene, so I like to leave it up until the end of January.

My wrist has been very sore. I may be pushing it a little much. I am getting antsy to get crafted. I will probably do some machine applique quilting first, mixed in with scrapbooking.

Tomarrow is one of the local Pug meetups we go to. This is the one that is an hour away. Did I say local? I'll decide if I'm really going once I see how the weather is going to be. I heard we were supposed to "warm up" (it was 17 this morning). I don't mind the cold, but do worry about snow/ice/etc.

These long weekends are easy to get used to

Yesterday we went to my dad's and watched the "ice bowl" hockey game. P and I both love hockey. Our son played from the time he was 3. C learned to toddle around at the games. This game was amazing as it was played on a football field. I'm sure no hockey team has EVER played with 71,000 fans present. I tried to get P tickets, but they were sold out almost immediately. I think it was much nicer to sit with a glass of wine by the fire watching the game! After the game we had homemade chili and homemade chicken soup. A is so good to us and my dad. We are truly blessed she came into all our lives.

We got home around 6:30pm. All the forecasts were calling for some really bad morning driving, so we were in bed by 7:30pm. I fell asleep immediately, as did the four furry ones. I guess P did too as I heard no sounds from him. Then I woke up...I thought it must be 1 or 2 in the morning. P was also awake and turned on the tv when he heard me awake....it was only 10:30pm!!! I thought I'd never get back to sleep. The Pugs were sprawled, I think I was barely hanging on to the edge of the bed!

Then today...back to work...ugh. I am starting out the New Year busy at work. It's going to be a long haul until the next day off on January 21st!

In computer news we still do not have our hard drive back. It has only been since Sunday, but it feels much, much longer! I think C is getting tired of us using her Christmas gift! I'm tired of not transferring photos from my camera.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all our friends. May 2008 be a happy and healthy year for you and all your families.

We went out for our annual dinner with my bf and her husband. Dinner was nice, but seemed much more expensive than last year. She was tired and we left the restaurant at around 10:30pm. We took the lake route home and viewed all the lights. We were both exhausted and I hate to say dozed off with only about 10 minutes to go before midnight! At 12:39 am the phone rang, but no connection, a little later again. It was C's boyfriend's line. I tried for the next 20 minutes to contact them thinking something was wrong. They infact were also trying to contact us. C said she tried both our cells and the home line and couldn't get thru. She did talk to R, so we knew he was home and fine. I guess the wireless companies were overloaded!

Rosie turns two and bad habits

As of a few minutes ago Rosie turned two, Crazy girl should be a little less crazy now? Seriously, I doubt it! Since I have no access to my photos and don't want to mess too much with C's laptop here, Rosie will not be showing her two year old photo until later.

In other Pug news I doubt you will ever hear "give mommy a kiss" to my furry ones for a very, very long time. Now honestly Marty's breath would sink a ship and I have NEVER asked him for a kiss....never. Chloe also has the bad breath working, but Zoey, ahhhh, sweet baby she has been fine and Rosie, well she dishes out kisses without asking. Gross your saying right? Well, it gets a whole lot grosser, We have taken notice lately that Chloe has been licking Marty's butt!!! So P says, heh put some hot pepper on his butt?????? What the heck P have you thought about how that would feel???? Gah, horrible....but that is not the worst part! Yesterday we caught Marty pushing open the laundry room door and helping himself to items in the cat box!!!! OMG...I can't even think about it. Three times yesterday he went in there! Then Rosie goes over to clean Chloe's face. It seems three of them now have the horrible poop curse. I know some of you have problems with this out there, but P says he has "never heard" of anything this gross...ever! I say is this anyway to end the year? Suggestions??????

Posting from a laptop

Here I am ending the year posting on c's new laptop. Our computer guru came over today to hook up wireless in the house and get our desktop running better. We have been having "flash player" issues and hoped that everything would be up and running good as new. Unfortunatly, as I have found out over and over again, that is not always true.

The wireless is super, the laptop is great, our computer is having the hard drive WIPED OUT and starting over......gah.

I have copied off over 1,000 pics, saved emails, lists, etc.

Now we wait......although I have to say, this laptop is something I could get used to.

The holiday post....finally

Christmas Eve was at our house. The pre-made dinner worked out nicely. Especially since everyone's schedules were a little off and dinner had to be a little later than planned. Before the rest of the family arrived we (P, me, R, H (his finance') and C) exchanged gifts, since R and H would not be with us Christmas morning. One of H's gifts to me was this frame she made for me.

Here R tries to figure out why we gave him snowboard bindings? Perhaps he should look under the sofa to see. He was pleasantly surprised to find a new snowboard, especially since he thought he was getting nothing for Christmas since we have given him money for his new apartment.

My bf dropped off this cookie tray to us. She does this every year. Thankfully she has decreased the size over the years.

P was in charge of photos and obviously neglected to take ANY of the festivities. R did get this one of Zoey in the den. Oops, I think she has dress issues.

Rosie, well she was just plain EXHAUSTED.

We never did get to my aunt's house. After everyone left, around 9:30pm, P and I headed over to my dad's for some quiet time. He and A had been at our house, but she really wanted us over for more dessert.

Forward to Christmas morning. After sleeping in until 8:30am! Presents got underway. P decided the gang should get dressed again and Marty put on his Santa Suit.

Chloe was very intrigued by the whole thing.

Heh, C what did you get?????

Zoey - "She got a laptop Chloe, can't you read?"

Merry Christmas

From our family to yours, we hope you all have a blessed and wonderful Christmas. Remember happiness is not the size or number of gifts, but the love that gift is given with!!

We love you all! Punchy and her "fearsome, but exhausted foursome".....Chloe, Zoey, Marty and Rosie.

We interrupt Christmas preparation for a nap....

I believe I may be ready for the holiday. I think I could have been ready days ago, but P and I have chosen to do a little at a time. I am trying to de-stress myself. I think if I get any more de-stressed I will need to hire PugPosse to refinish me!

Today I did something my mother would faint over if she were alive to faint....I ordered Christmas Eve dinner! Yes, ordered the dinner...dinner for 14 Punchy coming on up. Now actually I ordered dinner for 10 as I am actually still making my Seafood Newburg and Rice. P says he hopes I am not unhappy with what someone else thinks dinner for 10 should look like. I just know I am not up to the prep, the mess and the doctor says NO DISHES for another week. Darn, and I so wanted to do dishes. He also said no hot tubs or pools, but since Norman's hot tube has not been installed yet, and our pool is covered and frozen over, I don't think either of those will be a problem. But back to the dinner. Because of the second visit we must do Christmas Eve, I have made dinner appetizers at 4ish, dinner at 5. I like perfect. I like the food, the timing, the table, everything to be PERFECT. So I ordered dinner...lol

Oh, by the way I bought paper plates too! Now let me say I bought expensive paper plates, oh and matching napkins...and because I felt a tiny bit lazy about the dinner and the paper, P bought me "chargers" for the table. So the paper plates won't look, you know....like paper. Oh, yeah, and now I'm off to nap....

Bloggy Parade of Homes Chirstmas Edition

First stop the nutcracker line-up....


This guy hangs out alone...
Next stop the dining room mirror which is displaying this years cards.

The vase...I think this arrangement has been around for at least 7 years. Each year it seems to be in a different spot, but I always end up putting it out. The antique photo behind it is a chalked photo of our house done in 1865. Someone had cut it into an oval shape, but I found this frame at a flea market and had a mat cut to make it all fit.
Dining Room chandelier. Girlville gave me the idea to hang ornaments. I didn't put the tree up in dining room this year doing this instead.

The ornament in the center is one my mom made for me. Each Christmas my mom ALWAYS made us something. One year it was candles, another year centerpieces. Always something made especially for my sister and I from her. I treasure this ornament with it's little crystal angel. She'll watch over us at our Christmas table.


Of course my red Pug Tree in my office. I need to take a picture with lights on..maybe later.
I made myself a mini Pug Angel tree-topper.



Rosie looking angelic by the tree...yeah, right.
My little "beach tree" in the second floor bathroom. These are shells we have collected on trips to the shore, hung with ribbon....simple but cute. Guess I should take a pic of this one with lights on too.
Kitchen table area. I put lights along my Pug garland.



The gingerbread house C and I made this year.

I didn't take photos of the den, porch, or outside....maybe another day.
In less than 16 hours no more stiches....I can't wait!

Secret Santa and more

Last night when P got home from work he took his "out to the mailbox" trip. He came in with 2 packages....wow!

The first contained adorable snowmen candles from Alfred's mom. So cute and I love snowmen! I always hate to burn cute candles. I think I may put these around for Christmas Eve dinner.

Then the next box....a couple of wrapped gifts and a tin of cookies! Now I knew from the box that this was from Norman and the woman...and I've had cookies made by the woman and the mean one, so I dug in...literally. P tried to check things out and I bit him...only kidding! What an assortment of treats! I told the woman that the doctor said to add a glass of milk to my diet, do you think she meant milk AND COOKIES????

I thought about saving the wrapped gifts for Christmas, but then decided "heck no". The woman made me this BEAUTIFUL SCARF!!!! Honestly, as a crafter, I so LOVE getting a gift made for me! My Secret Santa, Norman, gave me the beautiful necklace! It is so different. That Norman he knows I love the Pug stuff!!!! Thanks thanks thanks!!!!

I put on a turtleneck, my necklace and my scarf and my girlfriend here took me out for a bit of shopping.
Now move forward to this morning. C woke me to help with the banana bread she was baking for work. We put it in the oven and I set the "timer" on the microwave for 45 minutes. After 21 minutes I heard a popping noise and the house smelled like pumpkin spice...hmmmmm, strange....
UH OH.....that wasn't the timer.....that was COOK!!!! Apparently the drugs from surgery have not yet worn off. I put a cup of coffee in the micro last night to reheat. Obviously, I never reheated but did indeed COOK it for 21 minutes. Could have been worse, it could have cooked for 45! The microwave is clean...the cup....well, it may be a pencil holder now.

I did venture to work today. I drove P's truck. Turning the key left handed was interesting. I think I may have drove like a granny, but I got there and worked until 1pm, then headed to drs. appt. and home. P wanted to go shopping, but my hand was hurting and I said I needed to take a quick nap....I got up 2 1/2 hours later. I'm not sure having this surgery before Christmas was such a good idea.

Get your butt outta that RUT

This past seven days I have felt myself fall into a rut.......

rut - noun, verb, rut·ted, rut·ting.
1. a furrow or track in the ground, esp. one made by the passage of a vehicle or vehicles.

no not that kind of rut...2. any furrow, groove, etc.

no, not that one either..
3. a fixed or established mode of procedure or course of life, usually dull or unpromising: to fall into a rut.

Yes, this one!

I'm not seriously ill, abused, homeless, hungry....just in a rut. I'm not used to being home all day. I don't watch tv. I'm used to being the worker, the mom, the wife, go, go, go. The hand is achy, stiff, waiting for release. I'm not ready for Christmas. I haven't even turned the Christmas Tree lights on lately. It sort of feels like February....

Then I went to let the Pugs out and find a delivery on the porch. Wow, treats!!!!!

Thank you "Priscilla". Delicious and thoughtful, chocolate rut medicine!
Then when P got home from work he admired the Californy' treats and then I sent him out to the mailbox. In came another package and lots of cards. He laughed and told me "this has to stop". As I sat at the table opening I came upon a notice that flowers for me had been delivered next store, so back on went his boots and over he went. Sweet Sugar...Roy & Gwen....Girlville...30 Something....
Yep, darn good rut medicine....



From 30 Something, an adorable ornament. This will have to hang on the Pug tree in my office! Roy and Gwen that is the ultimate Christmas Card!!!! The best ever!!!!