Home (and Heart) Expansion

Home (and Heart) Expansion

As life would have it, we are once again a home with three redheads.  It all happened quickly, but already it’s been a blessing.  To be honest, I wasn’t sure that I was ready for another pupalup, but I’ve known for awhile now that Lucy has been needing that kind of companionship.

I already knew that I wanted a golden retriever (because I didn’t have the heart for another lab, and goldens are the next best thing), so over Christmas I looked into Golden Retriever Rescues.  There were lots of great-looking dogs, but none of them  “spoke” to me.  I just couldn’t get excited about the adoption process.

Then I saw my next furbaby in a photo on Facebook, and I knew he was the one.  I think it was Divine Intervention that he was in the shelter, and that I saw him online, AND that I was able to adopt him so quickly.  (In shelter on Friday, adopted on Monday, home on Tuesday.)

We were happy to have him join our little home, but for him it was a pretty traumatic week.  From the shelter to being adopted, to getting neutered, adjusting to Lucy and I, me leaving for Market and dad dog-sitting for the weekend… By the end of the week (of course while I was gone), he had stopped eating and dad had to take him to the vet twice.  When I got home, one barium treatment and one stomach exploratory surgery later, we discovered that his GI tract had stopped working completely.  They said it could have been inflamed from stress.  So he had two major surgeries within a week, the poor fella!

I’m happy to report that now he is healthy, happy and playful puppy!  He’s still adjusting (we all are), but it’s been (mostly) fun!

The vet thinks he is about a year old and what appears to be full {red} golden retriever.  He is beautiful and a sweetheart, there’s no doubt about it.  He is also a chewer and thief, but we’re working on that.   My favorite thing is that he smiles – all the time – it warms my heart.

Speaking of the heart, I’ll admit that I was caught off-guard by how little capacity I thought I had to love this “new dog”… and surprised by how much my heart has expanded to include him.  (Just like the Grinch’s heart!)  I didn’t think I was ready, but now that he’s mine, he has a piece of my heart too.  And that’s a good thing (for both Lucy and I).

All that to say… our home (and hearts) have expanded by four feet!

Friends, meet Linus!  Of course this occasion calls for an adoption announcement…

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{BTW, the name Linus was my brother’s idea – he’s clever like that!}

We’re looking forward to lots of fun with Linus in the future!  Just search for #ohlinus and #redlucyandlinus on Instagram

 

 

 

Happy Wednesday, friends!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Valentine’s!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Valentine’s!

When I take down the Christmas decorations, it always feels so… empty in the house.  To cheer myself up, I like to pull out my Valentine’s Day decorations as soon as possible.  It’s nothing fancy, just a few little things that make me happy.

Being the paper lover that I am, it’s no surprise that I’m a collector of vintage Valentines.  I love finding them at antique stores and estate sales, especially when they have unique graphics or clever phrases.  I have far too many to display, but every year I select a few to display on the mantle on tiny easels.

DSC_0705smThe bunting I made a few years ago out of some leftover burlap and red felt (and ric rac), but I think it spruces up the fireplaces quite nicely.

DSC_0700smThis is probably my favorite treasure of all.  It’s the classroom Valentine box from when I was in the first grade.  Yes, I’ve held onto a painted cardboard box for close to thirty years.  Surely that must be some sort of record?  Why on earth would I do that?  Because it’s sentimental of course!

When I was in the first grade, our class made this Valentine box to house all of the cards we were to exchange.  We each drew a portrait of ourselves and taped them in the windows.  DSC_0699sm

We cut hearts out of construction paper and tiled the roof.  On Valentine’s Day, I was home sick, so I missed the doling out of the cards (and I was so sad).  My sweet teacher, Mrs. White, stopped by after school and delivered the Valentines I had missed, as well as the schoolhouse.  To date, it was one of the nicest things anyone has done for me.  It meant a lot that she did that, and I honestly love how cute the schoolhouse is (although thirty years has started taking its toll on the poor thing).

Do you decorate for Valentine’s Day?  If so, what kind of items are sentimental to you?  What keepsakes make your heart happy?

It’s a BOY!

It’s a BOY!

DSC_0553smWell, it’s official… Lucy and I are adding a BOY to our little family!  He’s a (red) golden retriever and approximately a year old… and I get to meet him today!  I know that sounds a little cooky to adopt a dog you’ve never met, but it just felt right.    He’s a shelter dog, and I knew from the moment I saw him (on facebook), I HAD to have him.  I just knew that HE was MY dog.  There were a few hurdles to jump, but they just kept working out, so we’re going with it!  (God has this funny way of doing this in my life.  I say,  “I’ll keep going, as long as you keep opening doors.”  And He does.  That’s how I ended up with the store to begin with, but that’s another story for another day.)

Banner Word for 2014

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Well, I’ve been seeing all over Instagram and Facebook that my friends and inspirations have been choosing a word to focus on for 2014. I tried to pick one pre-year’s end, but none of them really stuck…. It doesn’t help that everyone around me seems to be wanting LESS and trying to SIMPLIFY. Sorry, but that is not how I feel about this year. I’m happy where I am, don’t get me wrong, but I want… MORE! I want more stability, more fun, more down time with family and friends, more travel, more goal setting, more goal accomplishing, more love, more happiness and more business (hey, just being honest here)!
So even though this year’s word may seem selfish, I’m standing by it- more is more, and I want it! 2014, I’m a-comin’-for-ya!

2014 is Here!

2014 is Here!

Happy New Year!  It’s officially 2014, and if you don’t have a calendar yet… you need one!  Here are my two favorite picks from this year.  In fact, I’m keeping one of each!

#1 – This Letterpress Calendar from 1canoe2 letterpress – I love the style of this calendar!  It’s got cute imagery, but my favorite part is the “holder” (a sawed piece of tree branch, which I lovingly call the “stump”).  Only $28.99stump

#2 – A colorful and bright option is this gold foil gorgeousness from Waste Not Paper.  It’s a steal too at just $19.99.  The holder is simple – just fold back the clear tray it comes in!

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