Gratitude Friday

This week has been a different type of week. It was the 8th year of my multiple sclerosis diagnosis and I really felt the blunt of it this week. It was sad and I guess I had to have this time to mourn what I have lost. But I know have things to be grateful for because I am truly blessed! I've just had to really look for it because I don't think I felt like it. Grab a cup of coffee (new today -- Survivor Coffee by Cravens!) and tell me how you show you're grateful even when you don't feel like being grateful. I need help in this department!

Here's my list --

1. meeting a Spokane Company Girl for coffee and yummy banana bread! We talked and shared for a few hours. What a treat!!! And we both agree, we can't wait til there's a Company Girl get together -- we are SO there! Thanks, Melissa!!

Company Girls!

2. a daytime trip with David to warm & sunny Ellensburg and Yakima. It also included lunch with Jen at Olive Garden.

3. two very long walks with the Beagle Boys at Spokane's Riverside State Park and Ellensburg's Riverfront Park. The snifferdoodle noses were working overtime at both of these places.

snifferdoodles and the Spokane River

Yakima River

Ubu sitting so nicely!

4. an amazing lunch with Lisa V. at Riverpark Square today. Salad, fries and Pink Martinis -- "pink-tini!" It was a delightful afternoon of shopping at Godiva Chocolates, Nordstrom coffee bar and the cosmetic counter, lots of window shopping, laughter and great conversation. I need more days like this!

Pink-tinis in support of the Susan Komen Foundation!

5. Spring break and no responsibility of kiddos! It was time to rest and re-charge. Armed with my laptop, cell phone and good books, I was the Princess in bed for most of the weekend. 10 hours of sleep almost every day. It's just what I needed!

6. the sunshine when it came out. We had snow here a few times (did I mention that it was supposed to be SPRING BREAK?!) and when the sun came out, I was cheering big time.

Mr. York getting the car ready for us on Thursday morning!

7. I had two dr appts today and am thankful for having such caring drs! I'm headed on Sunday to participate in the MS Walk with the staff of the MS Center at Holy Family. I love these ladies!!

Beagle Boys and Puppy Boot Camp!

They survived their first night and so did their owners. Neither one got kicked out of class like Marley did in the film. (my biggest fear!) They sure barked at first, though, so our first lesson was how to get them to be "good quiet!" Here they are at the end of their first training night:

Ubu is on the left, Dieter is on the right.

Waiting, waiting...

I know exactly how the Beagle Boys are feeling...they're bored and want to go on a walk!!! That's my sock they stole. It's been a very long morning.

I'm waiting for an authorization to see the orthopaedic surgeon. Getting closer but still waiting!

"Arrrrrooooo!"

That's beagle talk for "have a WONDERFUL day!" I'm on my way out to teach 3rd and 4th grade in one of my all time favorite classrooms! The beagle boys thought they might just be going with me today...nope, they're on their way to the crate in the basement, but they're looking cute for you!!

The Beagle Boys!

Dieter and Ubu

The Beagle Boys snoozing...Ubu says "No more pictures!"

Beagle Boys

Super Duper Snifferdoodles Ubu and Dieter

They're getting big! Ubu has found his voice ("arrrroooooooooooooo!") and is quick to answer any dog in the neighborhood. Dieter is still content to just listen, thank goodness.

Photo Hunt: #145 Hats

Our beagle snifferdoodles in their Bavarian hats

(not very cooperative today, either, but still cute!)

For more of this week's photo hunt, go to tnchick's website!

What Influences Your Color Schemes?

Meet the new dog bed! I fell in love with the colors and decided that these are the colors I want in my craft room/office. I have spent a lot of time deliberating on how I want to decorate. The rest of the house is pretty much Americana; imagine that being an Air Force family! I didn't want this room to be teacher-ish or hodge podge. When I spotted the dog bed (ahem, the colors!) last week, I knew I had to get it for the dogs! (ok, ME!) I dragged my friend Lisa into Costco today to see it and she said it was PERFECT!! Now to see if my painting friend can come up with something to match the dog bed and the colors/designs.

By the way, the snifferdoodles love their new bed. While I'm blogging, creating or just puttering, they're content to lay on their beautifully color designed bed and probably hope I don't take another picture of them! :)

How many things have you seen and/or bought thinking this would make a wonderful background paper for scrapbooking and/or rubberstamping? There's certain color combinations I just love and after spending time today on the Unity Stamp Company's Hip Hop Thursday blogs, perhaps they were part of my inspiration to look beyond the original function of the dog bed and create something even bigger!

Snoozing Snifferdoodles

As I was doing computer work at the kitchen table this morning, the puppies were napping on the big dog bed. I'll have to agree with them; napping is probably one of the best Spokane activity available today!

Lessons from "Marley and Me"

A quote from "Marley and Me"

(by author John Grogan)

"What I really wanted to say was how this animal touched our souls and taught us some of the most important lessons of our lives. A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exhuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things. As he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly he taught me about friendship, selflessness and above all else, unwavering loyalty."

Sick Snifferdoodle...Update!!

Yesterday Ubu, one of our puppies, was taken to Pet Emergency because he just was not his normal bouncing beagle self. Turns out he has a bacterial infection so he's being treated with antibiotics and such. We're so glad it wasn't parvo!! Hopefully we get to pick him up today. That little guy has wiggled himself into our hearts in just two short weeks. His buddy, Dieter, misses him terribly, too!

Update: Ubu's home and doing well! He'll be on meds for a few days and a bland diet to make sure his tummy doesn't start having problems again. Here's a picture of the welcome home -- Ubu is in the box, checking it out just because. Dieter's giving him a kiss!

Time to Decorate?

Everyone else has been busy decorating and I have yet to put anything out!! The two snifferdoodles (aka beagle puppies Ubu and Dieter) and the terrorist kitten (aka Klaus) are the busiest little guys ever and I don't think much would be safe this year! However, I have seen some cute decorations when I've been at some of my guest teaching schools. I saw one yesterday that I loved so I am going to try to re-create it -- a big glass/plastic jar with a red ribbon tied at the mouth of the jar. Inside: everything green, red, white and gold....buttons of all shapes and sizes, jingle bells, etc. I'm going to have to look at it again to see what else was in it and sneak a picture, too, to post. It was so simple and very me! It'll go perfect on top of the piano~ safe!

ps I think I will search through Grandma Zimmer's button boxes; I'm sure there's Christmasy ones! I love going through those boxes --what a fun way to remember her during this Christmas season!

My two German Snifferdoodles

Our sweet little beagles, Ubu and Dieter, were the recipients of

these German hats from the trip to Leavenworth yesterday.

Aren't they cute?!

Gratitude Friday list...

Here's my gratitude list, included with pictures from today. We drove west to the Bavarian town of Leavenworth. While it's not quite the traditions of the German Christmas Market we're accustomed to, it was a wonderful day. Enjoy the pictures of Leavenworth and the one picture of the puppies at the house, too! Things I am thankful for....

Snifferdoodle blessings. I just love their beagle noses.



Leavenworth, WA!

David and Jen in front of their favorite food place!

Starbucks, anywhere, anytime!

homemade Christmas gifts

Beautiful creations from God! This is up off of Icecicle Road.

My two Snifferdoodles!

My two Snifferdoodles, aka beagles Dieter and Ubu!

Happy Thanksgiving!!