Dogs & training...

I've already posted lots of pics of our dog Annie but I haven't talked about training. Sit, fetch, shake, are all cute but thank goodness one of the commands Annie always follows is "DROP IT". I'll admit sometimes she stands there looking at me before releasing whatever she has in her mouth but she always drops it.
Tonight after dinner we were cleaning up the patio & the barbeque & raking a few more leaves when I saw her grab something out of the patio cabinet & run! I had no idea what she had just taken off with so I shouted "DROP IT". What she had was one of Doug's prized pieces of Mesquite wood. I guess she has good taste! Might have to find a better place for those last pieces of Mesquite!
If you have a dog give her /him a hug and a treat & tell them "good dog"!
Hugs!
Patty

good morning....

Welcome every morning with a smile. Look on the new day as another special gift from your Creator, another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday. Be a self-starter. Let your first hour set the theme of success and positive action that is certain to echo through your entire day. Today will never happen again. Don't waste it with a false start or no start at all. You were not born to fail.
                                                                                  author, Og Mandino

This morning I decided to search Google for a good morning poem to inspire me. It's Friday and it's been a long week. Often when I find a quote or poem on the internet I am curious about the author.Next is what I found about the author, sounds like he was a wise and fascinating soul.

Have a wonderful and joyous day!
Hugs!
Patty

Augustine "Og" Mandino II (December 12, 1923 – September 3, 1996) was an American author. He wrote the bestselling book The Greatest Salesman in the World. His books have sold over 50 million copies and have been translated into over twenty-five different languages. He was the president of Success Unlimited magazine until 1976 and is an inductee of the National Speakers Association's Hall of Fame.

Mandino's main philosophical message is that every person on earth is a miracle and should choose to direct their life with confidence and congruent to the laws that govern abundance. He wrote in Scroll I, "I will not fail as the others, for in my hands I now hold the charts (the Ten Scrolls) which will guide me through perilous waters to shores which only yesterday seemed but a dream." Og was also a proponent of taking action now. In Scroll IX, the phrase I will act now is written 18 times. He recognized that all successful people take on their own lives by "charting" or consciously choosing both the desired destination and the path to reach it. Mandino's philosophical messages have Christian undertones. They are encouragements to build good habits, to live according to the laws that govern abundance and to find a vigor and joy in life as we learn to stand at the helm of our ship charting its course into the safety of the harbor instead of just waiting for someone else to bring it in.

 The Greatest Salesman in the World  contains the "time-tested wisdom of the ancients distilled into ten simple scrolls" which, if followed for the prescribed ten months, will as Og says, "seep into my other mind, that mysterious source which never sleeps, which creates my dreams, and often makes me act in ways I do not comprehend. As the words of these scrolls are consumed by my mysterious mind I will begin to awake, each morning, with a vitality I have never known before. My vigor will increase, my enthusiasm will rise, my desire to meet the world will overcome every fear I once knew at sunrise, and I will be happier than I ever believed it possible to be in this world of strife and sorrow." (Scroll I)
The scrolls each have a principle designed to replace bad habits built up over a lifetime which "threatens to imprison my future" (Scroll I) with good habits developed through a ten month process of studying the scrolls. Each Scroll's principle is life altering. They are:

• Scroll I - Today I begin a new life.
• Scroll II - I will greet this day with love in my heart.
• Scroll III - I will persist until I succeed.
• Scroll IV - I am nature's greatest miracle.
• Scroll V - I will live this day as if it is my last.
• Scroll VI - Today I will be master of my emotions.
• Scroll VII - I will laugh at the world (Keep perspective)
• Scroll VIII - Today I will multiply my value a hundredfold.
• Scroll IX - I will act now, I will act now, I will act now.
• Scroll X - I will pray for guidance.

something fun!

My friend Dawn & I often do tiny favors for each other & the other day I found out that she could use some empty 12 x 12 plastic zip top bags I've been accumulating. Tomorrow I will be in her neighborhood in the afternoon so I decided that will be the perfect time to take her the bags. She won't be home when I stop by so I've made a tag and attached a string to tie them to her door!

This is certainly not the most impressive tag I've ever made but it is multipurpose! I've had a good time making the tag just from stuff close at hand in my craft room... it's going to make Dawn smile when she see's it.... and it will be easy for her find this bag of bags later when she needs them!
Hope you did something fun today!
Hugs!
Patty

the day begins...

well it is what we refer to as our off Friday - which I guess could sound a little odd to some to refer to a Friday as an off day! but what it really means is that Doug & I are both off work today!
each new day is a chance to look forward & anticipate all the good things that might come your way. here's my list for today.

• the stock in my 401k that has been losing more $ than I'd like might go up today!
• the fedex driver is bring me a customer's locket so I get to make someone happy!
• I'll have the opportunity to meet someone new & share the O2 story with them!
• I discovered a new person I have not met is subscribed to my CTMH newsletter!

so I can tell it's going to be a good day!

I hope as you begin your day it too holds lots of promise of good things!

Hugs,
Patty

9/11 2013 - yes,only the good stuff.....

I do consider this the good stuff. On September 11th, 2001 we all witnessed the attempts to destroy our great nation, it's people and all it stood for. Those attempts while devastating & horrific failed.  Our nation showed it's strength and unity that day and in the days that followed.
This paper flag came folded in our morning newspaper a few days after 9/11. It has been tacked to my wall ever since.

"The world will see that the strength of this nation is found in the character and courage of everyday citzens."President George W. Bush

When you count your blessings today be grateful that you live in America, the greatest nation in the world.

God Bless & Hugs,
Patty

Annie

These pictures were taken a couple weeks ago. Annie does not like having her picture taken! She just won't look at the camera!
But tonight while I have been busy she has been such a good dog I thought I'd post these.
Hugs!
Patty

family

Weddings are always fun - Bryan & Michael - brothers of the Bride!

and Bryan's wild child Jeremy!

Before the ceremony! This child is always happy! Always up to something! A lot like his daddy! But he's a good boy! Thank goodness he has his dad's blue eyes, the smile that can melt your heart & charm! He's going to need them!
Hugs to all!
Patty

dogs....

My friend Lauren seems to find these great postings then adds them to her blog. I think this one is perfect for sharing here.

Thanks Lauren for this great find!

Hugs,

Patty

I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY by Janine Allen

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.

I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the overworked shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms.

I would promise to keep her safe.
I would promise to always be by her side.
I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.

I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY by Janine Allen

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.

I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the overworked shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms.

I would promise to keep her safe.
I would promise to always be by her side.
I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.

I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

- See more at: http://rescuemedog.org/dog-blog/i-rescued-a-human-today-by-janine-allen/#sthash.Ued27LRz.dpuf

Baby Wipes - note to self.....

Buy Huggies! Huggies Simply Clean.......
for household cleaning I've discovered that Huggies brand baby wipes are so much better than Pampers.
So if you are thinking of using baby wipes for household cleaning you'll probably want to get Huggies. The Pampers brand are softer material and come apart too easily.
Have a great day!
Hugs!
Patty

More hot days! It's that time of year!

Getting laundry done during hot weather is a bit of a challenge since we only do it early in the morning or late in the evening and we don't run the washer or dryer if the AC is on. But when it comes to doing laundry I have 2 things I love! the laundry rack in the garage and the clothes line in the back yard! The laundry rack in the garage is especially nice because it also acts as an overflow space for our small closets in the house. And this time of year I really don't mind leaving things hang here because this also serves as part of our fire emergency plan, which is to grab whatever is hanging on the rack & throw it in the car if we have to go!
I love making sun tea too and on a hot day it doesn't take long at all. Years ago I quit using the fancy glass jars created especially for brewing sun tea and now I just use recycled plastic mayo jars. These are easier to store in the fridge & easier to manage for pouring.
And what would life be without a computer! Using the laptop at the kitchen table under the ceiling fan is another way we stay cool on these hot days.

Hope your staying cool!
Hugs!
Patty