Friday, October 30, 2009

Halloween's Pink Saturday!


HAPPY PINK~HAPPY HALLOWEEN


Once again we gather to celebrate all things in the land of PINK.
Thank you to our hostess Beverly @ How Sweet The Sound,
she holds all the pink links, so click on her banner to go and visit.




The Mouse and the Clown!!!

My big sister and I in costumes handmade by our Mom.
This is the only picture I hav
e of us dressed for Halloween
and it's one of my favorite all time pictures. I'm thinking the
pink ears qualify it for Pink
Saturday.



Anybody else feel like this? Have you snuck into the Halloween candy
meant for the trick or treaters? I shamefully admit it, I've been a
bad bad little witch and have eaten enough for a few kids. The worst
of it is Halloween might be passing through, but next is Thanksgiving
and then Christmas. I'm a goner for sure. Oh well, I'll get back in line
after New Years...maybe...possible...hopefully.

Photobucket


Have a Happy Happy Pink Halloween!



A Day in the Life of a Pumpkin...







Nighty Night my loveleigh little pumpkins,
Have the spookiest, ookiest, cookiest of Halloweens!


P.S. Little Pumpkins, hop over to HERE @ Loveleigh Occasions,
I've posted a few of my favorite Halloween witches I've
found browsing the world wide web (no spiders thank goodness),
I just HAD to post them before Halloween is over!


Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Twilight Hunk In Training...


"The Little Dazzler"



The Man Cub would like to dedicate this photo shoot to a few of his female
relations that have a minor fixation with the movie Twilight and a certain
hunky Edward.





The Man Cub is a "hunk in training" himself and plans on breaking

many a young girl's heart when he gets a bit older, therefor
he derives much inspiration from Edward. Not the whole
vampire thang, just the "hunk" part.



The Man Cub also asked that I NOT reveal the names of these Twilight
obsessed relations, in order to protect their innocence. He doesn't want
to embarrass these GROWN WOMEN and wants to keep his "adorable
status" intact while he's working on his "hunk status".



Yes indeed, there is trouble ahead for a whole new generation of
young ladies!





Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Remembering Amy


Dear Amy Dawn,

For someone whom we knew only through the world of blogging and
through your families loving words, we came to know your gentle caring
spirit, your sense of wonderment and fun and your unfailing courage.

Thank you for allowing your family to share your story with us, for letting
us all be a small part of your journey and inspiring us each and every day.

You will be greatly missed.


Sunday, October 25, 2009

Pink Saturday


Even the criminal element loves pink!






As always, our Pink Saturday comes to us from Beverly at
How Sweet
The Sound. See her for all the links to PINK!



Have a beautiful PINK filled weekend.


Tuesday, October 20, 2009

The Story of Tank

I recently received this story in an email from my Aunt and knew I wanted
to share it with all of you. It' s one of the most moving and beautiful things
I've read in a long long time...

The Story of Tank
Thursday, August 6th, 2009
http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/article/just-a-dog-story/the-story-of-tank



The Story of Tank

They told me the big black Lab’s name
was Reggie as I looked at him lying in his pen. the shelter was clean,
no-kill, and the people really friendly. I'd only been in the area for six
months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were
welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street.

But something was still missing as I
attempted to settle in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn't
hurt. Give me someone to talk to. And I had just seen Reggie’s
advertisement on the local news. The shelter said they had received numerous
calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just
didn't look like “Lab people,” whatever that meant. They must've
thought I did.

But at first, I thought the shelter had
misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog
pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes,
and a sealed letter from his previous owner. See, Reggie and I didn't really
hit it off when we got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long
the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the
fact that I was trying to adjust, too. Maybe we were too much alike.

For some reason, his stuff (except for the
tennis balls – he wouldn't go anywhere without two stuffed in his
mouth) got tossed in with all of my other unpacked boxes. I guess I didn't
really think he'd need all his old stuff, that I'd get him new things once he
settled in but it became pretty clear pretty soon that he wasn't going to

I tried the normal commands the shelter told me he knew, ones
like “sit” and “stay” and “come” and “heel,”
and he'd follow them – when he felt like it. He never really seemed to
listen when I called his name – sure, he'd look in my direction after
the fourth of fifth time I said it, but then he'd just go back to doing
whatever. When I'd ask again, you could almost see him sigh and then
grudgingly obey.

This just wasn't going to work. He chewed a couple
shoes and some unpacked boxes. I was a little too stern with him and he
resented it, I could tell. The friction got so bad that I couldn't wait for
the two weeks to be up, and when it was, I was in full-on search mode for my
cell phone amid all of my unpacked stuff. I remembered leaving it on the
stack of boxes for the guest room, but I also mumbled, rather cynically, that
the “damn dog probably hid it on me..”

Finally I found it, but before I could punch
up the shelter’s number, I also found his pad and other toys from the
shelter. I tossed the pad in Reggie’s direction and he snuffed it and
wagged, some of the most enthusiasm I'd seen since bringing him home. But
then I called, “Hey, Reggie, you like that? Come here and I'll give you
a treat.” Instead, he sort of glanced in my direction – maybe “glared”
is more accurate – and then gave a discontented sigh and flopped down.
With his back to me.

Well, that’s not going to do it
either, I thought. And I punched the shelter phone number.

But I hung up when I saw the sealed
envelope. I had completely forgotten about that, too. “Okay, Reggie,”
I said out loud, “let’s see if your previous owner has any
advice.”


To Whoever Gets My Dog: Well, I can't say that I'm happy
you're reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by
Reggie’s new owner. I'm not even happy writing it. If you're reading
this, it means I just got back from my last car ride with my Lab after
dropping him off at the shelter. He knew something was different.. I have
packed up his pad and toys before and set them by the back door before a
trip, but this time… it’s like he knew something was wrong. And
something is wrong… which is why I have to go to try to make it right.

So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it
will help you bond with him and he with you.

First, he loves tennis balls, the more the merrier.
Sometimes I think he’s part squirrel, the way he hordes them. He
usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there.
Hasn't done it yet. Doesn't matter where you throw them, he'll bound after
it, so be careful – really don't do it by any roads. I made that
mistake once, and it almost cost him dearly.

Next, commands. Maybe the shelter staff already told
you, but I'll go over them again: Reggie knows the obvious ones – “sit,”
“stay,” “come,” “heel.” He knows hand
signals: “back” to turn around and go back when you put your hand
straight up; and “over” if you put your hand out right or left. “Shake”
for shaking water off, and “paw” for a high-five. He does “down”
when he feels like lying down – I bet you could work on that with him
some more. He knows “ball” and “food” and “bone”
and “treat” like nobody’s business.

I trained Reggie with small food treats. Nothing opens
his ears like little pieces of hot dog.

Feeding schedule: twice a day, once about seven in the
morning, and again at six in the evening. Regular store-bought stuff; the
shelter has the brand.

He’s up on his shots. Call the clinic on 9th Street and
update his info with yours; they'll make sure to send you reminders for when
he’s due. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet. Good luck getting him in
the car – I don't know how he knows when it’s time to go to the
vet, but he knows.

Finally, give him some time. I've never been married, so
it’s only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He’s gone
everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can.
He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn't bark or complain. He just loves
to be around people, and me most especially.

Which means that this transition is going to be hard,
with him going to live with someone new.

And that’s why I need to share one more bit of
info with you….

His name’s not Reggie.

I don't know what made me do it, but when I dropped him
off at the shelter, I told them his name was Reggie. He’s a smart dog,
he'll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt but I
just couldn't bear to give them his real name. For me to do that, it seemed
so final, that handing him over to the shelter was as good as me admitting
that I'd never see him again. And if I end up coming back, getting him, and
tearing up this letter, it means everything’s fine.

But if someone else is reading it, well… well it
means that his new owner should know his real name. It'll help you bond with
him. Who knows, maybe you'll even notice a change in his demeanor if he’s
been giving you problems.

His real name is Tank.

Because that is what I drive.

Again, if you're reading this and you're from the area,
maybe my name has been on the news. I told the shelter that they couldn't
make “Reggie” available for adoption until they received word
from my company commander. See, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no
one I could've left Tank with… and it was my only real request of the
Army upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone call the shelter…
in the “event”… to tell them that Tank could be put up for
adoption. Luckily, my colonel is a dog guy, too, and he knew where my platoon
was headed. He said he'd do it personally. And if you're reading this, then
he made good on his word.

Well, this letter is getting too downright depressing,
even though, frankly, I'm just writing it for my dog. I couldn't imagine if I
was writing it for a wife and kids and family. But still, Tank has been my
family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family.

And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your
family and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me.

That unconditional love from a dog is what I took with
me to Iraq
as an inspiration to do something selfless, to protect innocent people from
those who would do terrible things… and to keep those terrible people
from coming over here. If I had to give up Tank in order to do it, I am glad
to have done so. He was my example of service and of love. I hope I honored
him by my service to my country and comrades..

All right, that’s enough. I deploy this evening
and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. I don't think I'll say
another good-bye to Tank, though. I cried too much the first time. Maybe I'll
peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth.

Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him
an extra kiss goodnight – every night – from me.

Thank you, Paul Mallory


I folded the letter and slipped it back in
the envelope. Sure I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him,
even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and
posthumously being awarded the Silver Star because he gave his
life to save three buddies. Flags had been at half-mast all summer.

I leaned forward in my chair and rested my
elbows on my knees, staring at the dog. “Hey, Tank,” I said
quietly. The dog’s head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes
bright.

“C’ mere boy.”

He was instantly on his feet, his nails
clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted,
searching for the name he hadn't heard in months.

“Tank,” I whispered. His tail
swished.

I kept whispering his name, over and over,
and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed
as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked his ears, rubbed
his shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him.

“It’s me now, Tank, just you and
me. Your old pal gave you to me.”

Tank reached up and licked my cheek. “So
whatdaya say we play some ball? His ears perked again. “Yeah? Ball? You
like that? Ball?” Tank tore from my hands and disappeared in the next room.

And when he came back, he had three tennis
balls in his mouth.

***************

This story, an no doubt there are
many more like this in one way or another, showcase love, loyalty, service
and companionship of both our beloved canine companions and our troops.
Those men and women who put their lives on the line so that others many live
with the freedoms we take for granted.



Friday, October 16, 2009

Pink Saturday


Happy Pink Saturday my pretty pink people!

As always, you can find all the pink links at our pink home
How Sweet The Sound. Be sure to see Beverly and she will
hook you up with some major pink.



Today I'm sharing a glimpse from a Halloween Party I'm attending at my
other blog Loveleigh Occasions, if you wish to see more come on over for a
visit. I have opened the
family vault and am sharing lots of old family
pictures. I hope you are all
having a glorious fall and getting into
the Halloween Spirit.


Pumpkins and ghouls and bats, oh my!


Thursday, October 15, 2009

Traditions Party!


It's time for our last party in the series from Marie at Emma Calls Me
Mama! Today's party celebrates traditions surrounding the Holidays.

(Sares, Cousin, Sister)

When I was little, we pretty much had the same routine around the
Christmas holidays. We would all load in the car and travel down the road
3 1/2 hours to my parents hometown. We would have Christmas with
both sides of the family, but we always stayed at my Mom's parent's house.
My Aunts, Uncles and Cousins all stayed there too. There would be 12-14
of us crammed into the little two bedroom house my Mom and her two
Sisters grew up in.


There were 5 of us little girls very close in age, so the gifts were usually
very similar. Each Christmas morning Santa would leave us a stuffed
animal or a doll, or both! They'd all be lined up in a row waiting for us to
wake up.
My gift this particular year was the bear on the far left and
the doll
behind it!

This is a picture of my Pappy and my Mom. At least I think it's my Mom!
Sometimes it's hard to tell because she has an identical twin sister and
they often look the same in old pictures. They are playing cards, another
favorite family tradition, usually played at every get together to this day!

If you'll notice all the red stockings, this was my favorite part! They had
our names spelled out on them in gold glitter on the front and were stuffed
to the gills with Christmas goodies of every shape and size! It was a the
Christmas jackpot, although they look empty here. It must have been
too early to stuff them or after the big opening.


Christmas morning and I'm surrounded by presents and wrapping paper
in my red nightgown. I still remember how silky soft it was.

You can't tell in any of these pictures, but one of the things I remember
most about a visit to Nana and Pappy's is that my Nana used to keep lots
of extra "housecoats" on pegs behind the spare room bedroom door. Every
morning, the Moms would grab one of these robes, usually ugly, no offense
Nana, and go and get their morning cup of coffee. Then a couple of them
would make their way to the porch with Pappy to have a morning ciggie.
Talk about family bonding time right!


My Cousin and I discovering our treasures, often we would have to open
the same gift at the same time so the surprise wouldn't be ruined, or
be very careful not to watch while your neighbor was tearing into
theirs. It could be dangerous, the surprise ruined. We still have to
do this on occasion. No kidding.

I'm in the purple Polo shirt smiling for the camera here.

We always had so much fun. We'd play games, later the Atari which even
the adults got in on, created skits, played with our Christmas gifts and spent
hours outside exploring the yard and nearby "creek" which was actually a
drainage ditch that ran down a hill! My Nana also had a neighbor named
Ann that we would always go and visit, she was very sweet to us.


All these traditions came together to make up the traditions I remember
as a child at Christmas. It was a special, magical time when all we had to
do was play. The only downfall...sharing one tiny bathroom with all
those people. Mornings could be torture waiting for my Pappy to come
out of the bathroom!!!

If you'd like to see more Holiday Traditions be sure to hop over to Emma
Calls Me Mama or feel free to join, it's not too late, she always has the Mr.
Linky button up the night before the party. All you have to do is post your
memories and traditions and add your link at her site and you're ready to go!

Thank s for joing me on my stroll down memory lane!


Dream Rooms the Results Revealed!

Look #1
Picked by Lee Laurie, Rebecca and Teresa
1 vote for me

I've got a batch of living room eye candy for you from Country Living
Magazine. Your MISSION, should you choose t
o accept it...is to scroll
through the rooms and tell me which 1 or 2 you like best. Which one most
resembles your own home or better yet, which roo
m could you see
yourself living in. In what room would you feel most
at home, at ease?
Please leave me a comment and let me know! I'm just a little curious
which style YOU all would pick for yourselves! T
hen I want you to
guess what my pick would be and I'll let you know on the next post.
Just for fun, to keep you all in suspense and on th
e edges of your
seats!


Look #2
No Votes, poor lonely room!


Look #3
Picked by Valerie (if she had no little children or messy men to
contend with, lol!), Claudia, Rebecca, Leann, and Martha

Look #4
Picked by Leann, Christine and Gwendolyn
1 vote for me


Look #5
No one chose this room for themselves,
2 of you thought I chose this room!


Look #6
No votes


Look #7
Valerie also chose this room if she were a bachelorette and had
no fear of dirty paws!

Look #8
The imPerfect Housewife


Look #9
Picked by Debra


Look #10
Picked by Lee Laurie, Claudia, Aunt Amelia, and Pony Girl
1 vote for me

Look #11
No Votes


Look #12
No Votes


Look #13
Picked by Dusty Devoe and Debra
2 Votes for me

Look #14
No Votes


Look # 15
Picked by Pony Girl and Dusty Devoe
5 Votes for me, this was the room that got the most votes,
the room most of you thought I would choose...wrong!


Look #16
Picked by Aunt Amelia and Martha
1 vote for me


Look #17
No Votes


Look # 18
Picked by Claudia


Look # 19
Picked by Valerie, taking the kiddies and the Husband into consideration!
1 Vote for me

Look #20
No Votes


Look #21
Picked by Christine


None of the above!
Look #22



I hope you all found at least one room you liked, or something
close to what you like. Did you decide which rooms I love?!
Please let me know, I am going to re-post this with your names
under the rooms you chose and we'll see who has similar tastes!

Which room would you LOVE to enter when you walk
through the f
ront door!

Now what is my pick?




Room # 4! Only Christine guessed it right, but to be fair, she had three
guesses! This would be the living room I would love the most with a few
small changes. Change the coffee table for an ottoman, the gold to silver
(I LOVE silver), throw in lots of books and picture frames and there
you have it. I have decided I am a color girl. Give me rich reds and
browns and blues and rusts. However this is where my Gemini side
comes into play-my dual personalities if you will because..


This is my second favorite. A crisp white palate you can add color into
as the season changes, or your taste, or the fashion! I like too many
styles, especially the shabby look here. I think I'll take the first look for
Fall/winter and this look for Spring/Summer, can I do that?! Only
Lee Laurie chose this room for me.

Here is another view of the same room. Isn't it yummy!

I did love the pink room most of you chose, however I tend to keep
pink in my bedroom. I prefer softer colors in there.

Thanks everyone for playing along and congrats to Christine
and Lee Laurie for guessing right, you smart ladies!