WARNING: Being a dog lover can be hazardous to your life!

So, I was walking the other day, minding my own business, zoning out, enjoying the cool morning air. Then this monster dog comes up from behind and scares me to death. If you're thinking I'm nuts, remember that our big dog weighs 9.5 lbs. , the little one is only 9 lbs. Guess the main thing is that it came from behind and I caught the shadow before sighting the actual dog. She was the most gorgeous mahogany red color, so sweet, obviously very young, and had no idea how long her body was. She wouldn't stop following me and the closer I got to Hartman (a main road leaving the neighborhood) the more worried I got. She kept running out in the road, would pull back and run in front of the next car, run across the road and seemed to love all the honking. When I got called all kind of names, honked at, fists shaken at me, she laughed, really she did, I saw it.

I finally called Jon, he came and caught her with the help of another good citizen, and then came around to meet me as I came down our street. That was when the fun really got started! Our poor little dogs could not believe we actually brought that monster beast into our house. No choice, part of our fence is only 3 feet tall, at the most.

We fixed breakfast, tripped over the big dog, stepped on the little dogs, trying to hide behind our feet. Made signs, tripped on the big dog. Put away the dishes, tripped on the big dog. Tried to get out of the door, got tangled up with the big dog. Tried to get on with our plans for the day, and oh yeah, tripped over the big dog. fixed lunch, tripped over the big dog. Sat on the couch to eat lunch and watch the news, pushed the big dog off the couch, over and over. I can't believe we actually had two golden retrievers for about 8 years. They didn't seem to get in the way half as much as this lurpy dog did, and they were both bigger than she is. That night I slept in the bedroom with our dogs and Jon got stuck in the other room keeping Lurpy Lou company. Am I good or what?

The next morning we went very early and put up more posters and came home to sit on top of the phone. Half hour before I was gioing to give up and haul her into the dog pound we finally got THE call. What a relief! I did realize that maybe I didn't make a mistake getting little dogs for living in the city. The grandkids have made me miss our big old lovable goldens, but boy howdy! The grandkids will just have to calm down over here . . . yeah right . . . . or maybe my dumb little mutts need to learn to run and hide . . . . or most likely, things will probably stay the same. Ya gotta love it!

Calls to Nanny

So I get this cute little call from Gabriel.

"Nanny can I come to you's house and sleep in the big bed".

"You can come over and sleep tonight but Papa will be here and you will need to sleep on the special bed on the floor in our room ".

"No, Papa can sleep there. I wanna sleep in you's big bed with you".

"No, Papa is too big and besides the big bed is Papa's and Nana's bed. He gets to sleep in it".

One guess who slept on the couch ... anyone got a good chiropractor?

(The book next to Gabriel is "Strangling Your Husband Is Not An Option" ) It's actually pretty good and has great ideas on how to be a good wife or how to butter up your hubby, which ever applies. Jon rolled his eyes when he saw it ... giggle .... at least I'm still trying, right?

Sister Problem Solved

Gabriel needed a new little sister and found one. It's this little beany lion. Daddy took the tag off so well that it had an injury. Nanny took care of that and of course all ouchies need a bandaid. All is well in the world.

ANYONE NEED A NEW ONESIE?

Don't need this for now, that's OK. Gabriel even said that Mommie would make his sister later and there might be even more brothers after this one. That is also OK. As long as Jesus sends her some day. Papa's mind has been set at ease, the sister will show up when it is time.

Tradition Holds!

For those who might not have caught Mariah's Blog, it's a boy! Poor Gabriel is a little disappointed because "I have a brother and why didn't Jesus send my sister?" He seemed OK today, so he will probably be just fine. Both boys love babies, so the excitment will be fun to watch when Spring comes. Frankly, I was kind of surprised. I feel very young children often still have a closer connection with the other side of the veil. It was fun thinking about it, but I had pictured the "twins" (Mariah & Stephen became the "Bobbsy Twins" to us during their courtship) with a whole string of rowdy little boys. Heaven help a little girl if and when she does make her appearance!

In the meantime ... anyone need a onesy?!?!

Surviving Sunday Talks

Today Jon & I gave talks in Sacrament Meeting. The topic was Being Independent & Self Sufficient. It was a little nerve wracking but we made it through. It sure gave me some serious food for thought.

My part was about staying out of debt. Kind of funny in a way, I have had to learn that lesson more than once, the hard way. It puts so much stress into your life that it can bring eveything else in your to a halt. I feel so badly for the young who get drawn into this easy money idea. I have seen it bring so much destruction into lives. Surely must be one of Satan's favorite tools.

Jon talked about how important it was to get your education, but then be willing to enter any open doors that you may come across. He also talked about how important our Patriarchal Blessings are in guiding us while making decisions that can effect our lives on a long term basis. While he was talking, I could feel such a strong spirit. As mild mannered as he is, I forget his strengths. I have truely been blessed in my life. He introduced me to principles of the gospel that I had never understood and has been patient as he led me along in this 30 year (and counting) journey of ours. Life is good!

Sharing Culture With Toddlers

Yesterday we went to see a play at UA called the Deaf Duckling. What I saw of it was pretty cute, but 22 month old little girls have places to go and things to do. So Tati and Granny Nanny took a nice long walk. Great way to people watch. We got so many different reactions, you know, crazy old lady singing while she is pushing a little girl around in a half empty 2-place stroller. Some looked like we had a lot of nerve invading their domain, some laughed, others showed indifference. We even saw what looked like embarrassment, too funny. Actually very few smiles and reaction to Tati ... and come on now... she is a doll ... and not just to grandma!

All the kids loved climbing and running around outside before hand and three enjoyed the play well enough to tell you all about it later. Top it off with lunch at Wendi's and it is a day well spent.

I snagged a schedule in the lobby. Did you know the preview performances are quite cheap? Like in the afternoon while the kids are still in school ... something to think about ... anyone game?

Break the Fast

For the last year or so, Sarah has been one of the BTF co-chairs. It has been kind of fun watching her grow in her concern and desire to make this a successful event at her ward each month. By growing up in our home, she has learned that hospitality means, FEED (good ole southern style, of course).

Now Jon & I get to watch her in action. Wow! She and her new co-chair, Jose, can really get things done. They have some fun ideas and can lead quite a good group of voluteers to feed over 120 people in very short order. I tried to get a picture of all the helpers last Sunday, but was too slow. I'll get better, faster and sneakier in future months. Anyway, here are the pics I did get last week.

This is a wonderful group of young people and is gratifying spending a few hours each week in their company. Nice way to charge your batteries for the coming week and a good way to look back and remember one's hopes and dreams of the past.

It's an interesting experience comparing past plans and the realities of today. It could be a downer or one can look at what turned out better than even what the dreams were. I'm so gratful for the blessings that were not dreamed up by a naive, young woman. It was often very difficult, but I was blessed with a partner in life, who has stayed at my side and taught me as he led the family. The Lord is wise and He has allowed the right challenges to help that woman grow into someone wiser (hopefully) and has reset many priorities through an understanding for what is important in life.

Life is good and I hope I have many years left with Jon here in this mortal life.