Rocks in the Dryer

Must be dog week...

Ok, fine, last post about my four-legged friend.  He got a new bed and it rocks and we love it and it's so sassy!  From Bowwow Beds on Etsy.  Check it out!  Just the cover, stuff with bed pillows - simply divine.  Nite-nite pup dog.

Guiding Eyes Campus Tour: Emotional Verison

I introduced you to our new dog Vince, but waited to tell you the rest of the story.  Vince was bred as and trained to be a seeing eye dog by Guiding Eyes for the Blind.  I've plowed through their website over the years and thought I was well prepared for the day I would visit the campus and meet our new dog.  I had known this day was coming for many years, I assure you, prepared I was not.

"Through These Eyes, We Can See"

I am the first to admit I can be emotional.  I am an excellent crier and when a stimulus tugs at my soul there is nothing stopping me from being consumed by emotion.  We arrived at Guiding Eyes about 30 minutes early and I was a blubbering mess as the boys and I finished our self-guided tour of the campus.

I knew seeing eye dogs were exceptional creatures, I just had no idea what went into creating them.  The army of dedicated people involved in raising and training them, the amount of love, dedication and gratitude of this community and it's work was overwhelming.

This was a great big lesson in "What I didn't know I didn't know".  I had introduced myself and my boys to a world that I knew was going to change our lives, but in no way was going to offer us the impact it has for so many.  We were standing to gain a pet to love and care for.  My boys were standing to gain responsibility and the boy/dog relationship I craved for them.  I couldn't begin to wrap my head around what it must be for others who come to receive their service dog.  I had an immediate need to do more than just adopt Vince, but to enroll myself in the ongoing work of the school and the community, I was aching to be a part of it.

We have yet to sign up for any more active duty, the day to day of caring for our new companion is enough for now.  What I know is possible is exciting, and as each day we become more competent and comfortable "dog people" I know we will have more to give and more to do.

You can "Like" Guiding Eyes for the Blind on Facebook :  https://www.facebook.com/#!/guidingeyes

I could spend hours trolling through their photos.  Of my favorites are those from "Sit Stay Competitions", or this one with an army of angel dogs awaiting their next mission.

This one made me laugh - remind me to make these "Get Busy Cupcakes" ("get busy" is the Guiding eyes elimination command) for Vince's next birthday.

Those cupcakes tell the story of my current life, but needless to say,  I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Where Have I Been?

No secret I have been a little absent.  The only excuse I can muster is my new BFF, Block Head.  Where I have been you ask? I have been walking my dog. 

I walk him around this fair town until my heels bleed, I sweep and vacuum his hair, I pick up his poop, I go to the pet store acquiring his necessities, I make tantalizing treats and activities to entertain him in my absence.  He is sucking up all of my time.  Time beautiful time.

Lucky he's so darn cute and sweet, I have to contain myself from eating him.  I love him, my little boys are over the moon, but gracious sakes alive, where does the time go?

 

 

 

Decorate for Thanksgiving?

On my last pilgrimage to Brimfield, where I normally tote home a plethora of vintage Christmas decorations, I had a revelation that perhaps I should share the love with the other many holidays throughout the year.  It's no secret that my Christmas collection just may be complete.  This time, I  turned my eye to Halloween and Thanksgiving.  I am sorry to have not shared Halloween with you, I've been busy, doing what? I am not quite sure.... but It was with unbridled joy that I packed up Halloween and broke out Thanksgiving.

How!

It is rather helpful that most every room in my house is already accented with harvest orange, makes Christmas a bit challenging, but Thanksgiving, oh Thanksgiving - the palate is perfect.

Dippy vintage planters have been the launching point and I look forward to growing my meek collection.  Since you can't make it to Brimfield before Turkey Day (next show isn't until May 2012) there are loads of them on ETSY.  (the link was searched in "Vintage" for "turkey planter") I see many a multiple of the few I have already acquired - and look how many more!  I usually put a $10 price limit on any of my vintage holiday necessities.  Easily achieve on ETSY and Brimmy. 

Need a hostess gift for your Thanksgiving celebration - grab one of these babies and plonk some mums in it - done!  Now that is something for which to be Thankful!