Update on Annie

Annie has been through her first heartworm treatment.  She is doing really well, not complaining too loudly about the extra time in the crate.  We spend as much time on the couch resting as we can.  I don't want her to think I have abandoned her.  She goes back on the 6th of May for the second, and hopefully final treatment.  I am encouraged by how well she has done thus far, and hopefully by June we can start getting her back to normal. 

 

My eldest child brought her new puppy by today, Annie responded really well. She usually wants to eat dogs she doesn't know. But "Vader", whose name will probably change to "Mater" because of grand #3, is small and non-threatening. Puppy tried to bark at Annie, too cute!  I was so busy playing with puppy, I forgot about my camera.

The Lost Princess Anastacia

This is Anastacia, Annie most of the time.  She showed up on our front porch the second week in November.  She has been a joy!  Such personality, sweet disposition, loves to play!  We found out yesterday that she is heart worm positive.  We were going to get her vaccinated and fixed.  Because she is a stray I am not sure my husband will want to go through the expensive treatment, I hope so.  Yesterday was such an emotional day for me.  Annie and I spent a good part of the day on the couch. She shows no signs, heart sounds good, so hopefully a good candidate for treatment.

Annie at Thanksgiving, with one of the grands.  Annie is awesome with the girls!  She has made herself at home, on the couch, and in my heart.

Moving on up!

I teach two year olds.  When they turn 2 1/2 they move into the next class up.  Today two of my children moved up, and two more moved into my room.  I was excited about one moving in, the other worried me a bit.  No worry necessary!  I had never heard him talk before, only whine...alot!  But, oh my, he can talk...well!  This week we are learning about snow and ice.  We made snowmen out of three paper circles.  Shapes, color, counting, order, size, location...covered.  :)  They really seemed to like gluing the circles down.  The snowflake stickers were definitely a hit!  Tomorrow I am bringing my ice shaver...we are gonna play in the snow!!!  Here in Alabama, snow is never a sure thing.  And if the weathermen dare mention the "S" word....milk, bread, and toilet paper fly off the shelves!  LOL  However, this week, in the two year old's room, we will have snow, and enjoy it!

Have a beautiful day!
Melissa
Be still and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10

Happy New Year!

Today did not start out wonderfully.  My upstairs bathtub drain is leaking into the downstairs bathroom.  A funny side is that the drip is is landing in the cat's litter box.  Aside from that drama, we brought in the new year quietly, just the way I like it.  I spent the evening on the couch with my youngest granddaughter and our latest canine addition, mostly listening to football.  We watched the Rose Parade this morning.  My faith in parades restored.  I did not enjoy the Thanksgiving Day parade that Macy's put on.  Rose Parade much better with the focus on floats, marching bands, and history.  Will be watching the Rose Bowl later, not sure who I will be rooting for.  I am waiting patiently for the BCS Championship game....ROLL TIDE!

I have been spending way too much time on pinterest lately.  But, I am intrigued by all the "make your own" cleaning items.  I will be trying a "make your own" laundry detergent.  I hope it works the way the claims say it does!  I have most of the ingredients, just not in the proper quantities.  I have also used so many of the kids craft ideas at the daycare.  My two year-olds have enjoyed them so much.  I made a felt Christmas tree, with the felt ornaments for them to play with.  Lasted less than 24 hours on the wall.  I do have seven, yes 7, VERY active two year olds though.  So, maybe, that was a long time? 

I have made a few "resolutions" for 2013.

1.   Learn to juggle
2.   Learn 12 new songs on piano, must include at least one David Nevue song
3.   Gatlinburg often
4.   More weekend day trips with Hubby
5.   Continue counting grace
6.   Stress less, laugh more (especially where leaks are concerned)
7.   Make cookies more often
8.   Use my china, all the time!
9.   Learn and use the word "no"
10. Throw/give away stuff I will never use (hard one!)
11. Hug my kids, who are all grown, more

I am sure I will think of more things I would like to accomplish this year.  I always do.


I hope you have a blessed and joyful New Year,
Melissa
Be still and know that I am God - Psalm 46:10

The Napmat

I did actually finish the nap mat for my granddaughter.  She loved it, as did many of the parents at her daycare.  I may have started something...  I used this tutorial by Jenny Garland.  I followed the directions only as far as step 5, there are 10.  I wanted the mat to be all one piece, not have the cover removable.  I am not sure why this is, the mat washes well in cold water in a regular washing machine.  In place of the removable foam I used a package of crib sized quilt batting, doubled.  The batting fit perfectly!  I left a 10 inch opening for the pillow, which I hand sewed closed later.  I also "quilted" the mat itself, just straight lines across the width about 8 inches apart.  I got the material out of the remnant bin at a local fabric store (okay, it was the one I worked at)  :)  So the most expensive thing was the batting, which was half-price as well.  I did use buttons, as in step 10.

A closer look at the material...isn't it adorable?!?

Kitty approves!

Have a wonderful day!
~Melissa
Be still and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10

WHEW!

I am back to one job....what was I thinking?  Playing with two year-olds is both amazingly fun, and exhausting!  Working at the fabric store wasn't much fun anymore.  Part of the reason was I didn't have time to sew anything....and I really enjoy sewing.  So, one full time job it is.

My husband and I did make a rare summer trip to Merciers.  I saw a post on Pinterest for a blueberry cheesecake.  So off we went to their u-pick blueberry morning.  It was HOT! But we got two baskets of really sweet blueberries.  The "bushes" we taller than the hubs!  The cheese cake was amazing!  Recipe here  I could not find my springform pan, so I made mine in an 11x7 dish.



Today I am sewing, but in spurts.  I am working on a napmat for granddaughter #3.  She's a cutie!  Will get pictures up soon...maybe...LOL  Going to try to work on my blog a bit better than I have been.

Grandbaby #3 with her mom at her big sister's baptism.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Melissa

Getting up and out!

After spending 8 LONG and boring weeks on the couch, I am moving again.  I went from being off from one part time job in a fabric store, to having a full time job in a daycare, and still working a few nights a week at the fabric store.  From nothing to chaotic in 6 seconds flat! (happy chaos!)  I spent my time in physical therapy, still doing the excercises.  Had a boot, thank God it's gone!, have a brace for a while...better, but will be glad when it is gone as well.  Trying really hard to walk normally again, the limp becomes majorly evident when I am tired, or trying to move to fast.  (ever chase a bunch of 18mo -2yr olds?!?!) 

Last weekend my wonderful hubby took us along the Ocoee River (above) to Mercier's in Blue Ridge, GA.  I love this place!  The apple and peach trees were in full bloom, but the drive was so beautiful along the Ocoee River that we dawdled long enough to miss the last tour into the orchard.  No worries!  Found a cute Christmas or maybe birthday present for one of my children, bought lots of fried pies to share with the kids, then went on into the small town of Blue Ridge, the part that kind of reminds me of Gatlinburg, in miniature.  The restaurants smelled amazing!  The shops were adorable and amazing!  And then there was the woman yelling at the escaped rooster to get back across the road...tooo funny!  Will post that pic if I figure out my new phone...LOL

There were several rafters and kayakers on the river, going to be me one day...SOON!  I promise myself a kayak now that I am working full time. One promise I will definately keep!


~Melissa
Be still and know that I am God Psalm 46:10