New Year's Resolutions

2012! Another year...... more resolutions. I will be a better daughter.  I will be a better mother.  I will be a better grandmother.  I will be a better friend. I will exercise more and eat less and healthier. I will spend less money.  I will finish my projects.  I will read more.  I will hold my temper. I will keep my house cleaner.  I will walk Cooper more.  I will cherish each day.  I will, I will, I will.  Too many to think about. I can't do them all.  Cooper cocks his head to the side and wags his tail.  I know, I know Cooper.....don't smile at me.  Too much, too much. I've got a couple of days yet. Let me prioritize.  I know Cooper.....don't laugh out loud.  Maybe I'll eliminate some of the items on my list  and I won't feel so much pressure.... I know Cooper.....don't hide your face.  Oh the pressure.  Maybe just one resolution.  That's it, I'll just make one and then when I finish that one, I will feel a sense of accomplishment.  What do you think of that idea Cooper? Cooper!!!  Cooper where are you?  I think Cooper has left the building!

Cooper Conundrum #12

"If I get in Mom's chair with her and keep scooting over, will she finally get up and and let me have it all to myself?"    Cooper Carter 12/29/11

"Wistful" Thinking

As I stated in my profile, I do a lot of wishful thinking. Lately it has been more like "wistful" thinking.  In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I find myself thinking about warmer weather and calmer times.   I love the actual celebrations.....it's just the getting ready that's getting harder.  A vet told my friend recently that dogs have no concept of time. She said that "two hours is like five minutes to them."  I asked Cooper if that was true and as usual he just cocked his head to the side and stared at me, wagging his tail, wanting so desperately to answer my question.  He revels in the moment, not caring what is ahead or gone before.  It occurred to me, that there is a lesson in that.  Cherish each moment that God has given you as if it is your last.  Treat your loved ones each day as if it will be the last time you see them.  Get your spiritual life in order as if it is your last day on earth. These are the good times, even if there are ups and downs.  They will never come again! Don't "wist" them away.

Cooper Conundrum #11

"If I lay here very still and close my eyes real tight, will Mom think I'm still asleep and not make me get up and go outside? Uh Oh........too late!"  Cooper Carter 12/18/11

Forget Me Nots

Well the hectic Christmas season is moving fast.  Stores are crowded with increasingly grumpier people. (I'm one of them this year)  I'm trying to keep upbeat, but the pressure to get all the presents bought, wrapped and under the tree gets harder with every passing day. Then there are the forget me nots.  These are the traditions each family has developed throughout their lives together.  As we grow and evolve, some traditions have to change too.  Sad, but necessary, as much as we'd like, it is not possible for things to stay the same. We can remember Christmas pasts, however, and the memories fondly recalled of loved ones that life has chosen to take away from us. Know that they are watching over us and whispering in our ears, along with the Real Reason for the Season, JESUS, all of them saying softly......"Forget Me Not".

My Christmas Card

"One of my fondest memories growing up was receiving that first Christmas card in the mail.  It heralded the beginning of a wonderful and festive season and I looked forward to it with great anticipation.  Everyone sent them, not just friends that lived a great distance, but even neighbors that were right next door.  An unsaid message accompanied these gifts in an envelope. " You are thought of and loved, especially this time of year, even if we haven't been in touch lately."  It gave me reason to pause and reflect on the blessing of friends both old and new.  So here's to you my dear friends.  Have a blessed Christmas season!  You are thought of and loved!

Too Much Time

Ok, when you see this project, your first reaction will be... too much time on her hands.......really?  The truth is I was inspired by a dear friend after I saw the results of her beautiful pantry makeover.  My house is open concept and my kitchen and pantry are in plain view of the living area.  I have always tried to keep the storage area neat, but never really considered "decorating" it.  I must say, I am pleased with the result.  All I really did was hang some pictures on the bare white wall and do a little organization. My friend did a lot more work on hers and it is much more elaborate and beautiful than mine, but I have to say, when I open the door to my new look, it makes me smile!

Cooper Patrol

My Cooper has once again earned his keep.  When he is on patrol I never have to worry about those dreaded newspaper ads!

Cooper Conundrum #10

"If I sit like a sphynx with my big paw on Mom's arm, will she get off that dang computer?"
                                            Cooper Carter 12/2/11

Old and Rusty but Not Useless

While going through some boxes in my garage, I found these two rusty iron locks.  I started to throw  them away. After all, they were both frozen, one permanently open, the other permanently shut.  Even if I could budge them, I didn't  have the keys.  Useless, I muttered, and  in the trash they went.  A thought brought me back.  What if God discarded us when we got old and rusted.  When our joints quit working properly, He could just put us in that trash pile, but God doesn't work that way.  When others think we are useless, God knows we are beautiful works of art. I retrieved  those rusty locks from the garbage to bring enjoyment to another day!

Pansy Update

Haven't given a pansy update in a while.  Apparently, Zorro, the Roadrunner, has moved on to greener pastures.  My flowers have been thriving in this cooler weather and fortunately have not fallen prey to some hungry critter.  We've had several nights of temps in the thirties, but, so far no hard freeze.  Even the petunias are looking better than in the spring.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could enjoy this respite from extreme heat and cold for about 6 more months? Not gonna happen

The Gift

"The secret of contentment is the realization that life is a gift not a right."  God's Little Instruction Book

Moving On

Thanksgiving is over for another year and I am moving on to Christmas.  I love the music, the lights, the memories of my kids delighting in their Christmas stockings. They are grown now and have families of their own . Now that I am older, the hustle and bustle of shopping is not as much fun as it used to be, so maybe this year I will sit in my pajamas and rely on the internet.  Technology......ain't it grand?

Cooper Conundrum #9

"If I sit up real straight with my back to Mom, will she know that I am ticked?"

Cooper Carter 11/27/11

Thanksgiving 2011

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting."
Psalm 136:1

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Cooper Conundrum #8

"If I jump into Mom's chair the moment she gets up, will she think I'm just keeping it warm for her?"
   Cooper Carter 11/21/11

Don't Forget The Flower Pots!

Whatever works for display purposes, use it!  This little bird cage really pops when sitting in the middle of a pot of colorful Johnny Jump Ups.  Unfinished cages are plentiful and, with a can of spray paint and some sandpaper you can transform them into works of art.

Cooper Conundrum #7

"If I stare at Mom intently and tilt my head to one side, will she know I care what she is thinking?"  Cooper Carter 11/18/11

Talking Too Fast

"The trouble with the guy who talks too fast is that he often says something he hasn't thought of yet."  God's Little Instruction Book.

"Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God; for God is in heaven and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few."  Ecclesiastes 5:2

Doggie Spa

How did we get from hosing our dogs down in the backyard to Doggie Day Spas??? Cooper was smelling a little funky the other day and was in desperate need of a toenail makeover, so I scheduled an appointment. He's such a big fella, it is getting harder for me to do this myself.  What did I expect?  Let's see, maybe a storefront with an unobtrusive sign that said something simple and to the point like.......Dog Grooming? Instead I drove up to the well manicured and landscaped  _______'s Paw Spa.  The decorative sign wasn't plain at all and informed me that " all dogs have their day. " In the fireplace adorned foyer, two ladies greeted Cooper warmly and in dog speak.  I might as well have been a fly on the wall.  Calling him "Big Boy" and "Precious",  they took him to the spa area and I think he smiled at me over his shoulder as they led him away to the masseuse!

Simple

As an ode to a simpler time, this small collection is one to consider.  I like the old sprinklers, faucets, and hose spray nozzles.  They are decorative, relatively inexpensive, work better than the new plastic ones, and best of all,  THEY LAST FOREVER!  All you have to do is replace the rubber gasket every now and then.  You can find them in brass, painted metal and sometimes even copper, usually for $10 or less. Now the best part, placed in a bucket or flower pot, they look great as bowl fillers on your back porch or deck. 

Our Faults

"Jesus knows all our faults and loves us anyway."   "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  Romans 5:8

Bird Cage Lover

I'm not a bird lover.  I prefer dogs.  Cooper doesn't screech like a banshee and he doesn't flap his wings and scatter bird seed all over the floor.  He listens when I talk and doesn't interupt me with incessant chirping. Where then, did I get this obsession with bird cages? All shapes, sizes and colors, I'm always drawn to them.  At one time I had quite a few.  Now my collection has dwindled to one.  Tempting me in every antique mall, I resist the urge to start buying them again.  Guess I'll have to settle for pictures.

Collections

I've always loved collections.  When I was a child, I had a dachshund.  Her name was Penny and I thought she was beautiful.  I started collecting china dachshund figurines and filled my room with them. After I married, I moved on to owls, every shape and size.  A few years later vintage toys became my obsession. I am older now and, hopefully, a little wiser.  Now, I collect memories.

Cooper Conundrum #6

"What would Mom do without me?  Who would she get to protect her shoes?"  Cooper Carter 11/12/11

Kiss The Cook!





My granddaughter carving her first pumpkin.