Home Sweet Home!

We arrived home Saturday afternoon. I was so tired, that I almost fell asleep between the freeway and home. Although our trip was too too too short and we hated to leave "home" (Washington will always be my first home) it was good to be home.

I am much better although my ears still feel plugged and will not unplug no matter what I do. It was not strep after all but just a nasty virus. Glad to be on the recovery phase of that virus!

The day after returning from Spring Break, I was sustained as the Primary President. I kept hoping someone would oppose but no such luck!!! I guess everyone else was just so glad it was me and not them, everyone that is except the Young Women and Relief Society President!

With this new calling I will not be blogging so dutifully for a while. I will need to get organized and into the grove. I need to go and get ready for presidency meeting number one. Talk about a marathon! I am huffing and puffing already!

PS I am having a few computer difficulites so pictures will have to wait! Sorry!

Out of State and Order!

I am in Washington and still wondering why we ever moved away. It is so green an d beautiful here. I guess I am a bit homesick.

I seem to have come down with strep on the way. So, if you do not hear from me for the next few days, those are two reasons.

Usually I am very healthy. This is all too strange. I guess it is my turn to be ill this year. I hope my turn will be over soon!:)

PS Jen, I hope you nor any of your family will come down with this!!!

Goodbye Tesher!

I talked to my mom today and she said they put Tesher down last night. There is a hole in my heart. I would not want him to suffer but I really wanted to have a chance to say goodbye.

Part of me felt he was waiting for David, the kids and I to show up before he left us. He was such a noble dog that I am quite certain he was. He should have died months ago. This thought did not occur to me until just a few days ago. Tesher I miss you already!

Mom just told me today that every time a blue van drove onto their property he would get so excited thinking it was us. He would be disappointed if it was not us. When it was us, he was the first to meet us with a big Tesher smile.

Some say that dogs can not smile, they never met Tesher. He would lift up his upper lip and show all his teeth when he greeted you after a long separation. He would come right up to you and affectionately let you pet him. I think it was his way of hugging you.

Tesher, could run like the wind in his prime! Obviously he was part greyhound. We would throw the frisbee and before it could land on the ground Tesher would be there waiting for it to land.

When David and I had been married about 6 months, I saw some greyhounds. It was love at first sight. I talked to owners and knew that I needed a greyhound. I was lonesome for a dog. Dogs have always been important members of our family!

We were trying to save the few dollars we had as newlyweds and get a retired greyhound. It was going to cost us $150, a lot of money especially for poor college students. A few months later David was driving by the animal shelter when he saw a greyhound. We immediately went to the shelter and discovered for $5 we could adopt him!

He was 10 months old. He was not a pure bred but most people could not tell that from looking at him. His previous owner had moved to Alaska and could not take him.

Tesher was desperate to get out of the shelter because he was with a sheepdog that kept biting his feet to herd him. You could see in his eyes him saying please take me home far a way from this place. He never bit back!

The first time we brought him home, he ran into our home like he had lived there for years. He ran straight to our bed and jumped right onto it. This was before I had bathed him, ugh!

Oh how Tesher disliked baths. So much so that he would not come in or near a bathroom no matter WHAT! One time I wanted to see if I could get him into the bathroom without water in the tube. No amount of loves or doggie treats would entice him in. He just patiently waited outside the bathroom until I finally gave up and came out. During his baths, you could read those eyes again, saying, "Is it over yet?" So patient, so gentle, so kind.

There was always room for Tesher to love another person, dog, being... Every baby we brought home, every friend, every family member, every pet. Tesher knew how to love and to forgive.

Tesher did not like to be left alone. He coped with the stress by chewing up my wedding shoes, down jacket, and mom's couch! Not to mention a quilt I designed and made for Bryce.

This was a time that Tesher was not getting the attention he needed (I had a toddler and was pregnant with a husband that was either on a business trip or working horrendous hours) and Tesher sensed the love I had put into that quilt. One time he let his jealousy for one of our kids go too far.

If there is something I regret, it was when I scolded him for chewing that blanket I never hit him but I hit the ground and the chair near where he was sitting on. He was so sad. Sad for what he did, but also that I was not giving him the love and attention he needed. I realized this and tried to give him more. He accepted any love and attention I had to give and forgave me readily.

He never ever bite us nor one of the kids. Even when a baby would crawl all over him. One time when Bryce climbed on him and stepped on Tesher 's privates. Tesher did a little grumble and got up and left the room.

I could go on and on. He was a marvelous dog. My last thought, is this; I have wondered who will come to get me when I die. A bit morbid sorry. Now I know at least one being who will be there...Tesher!

PS I just read this to Ross and when I read the last sentence, Ross said Jesus the same moment I said Tesher! Perhaps both! I hope I am worthy of that! I wonder if Tesher is with Jesus?

Now it is Ross's turn!

Last week it was Bryce's week to be sick. Now it is Ross's turn. At least I know what to expect. High fever, running nose, dry dry dry lips, lathargic, and achey for what, four days and then two more days of larthargic and slight aches before back to a weakened normal condition. The whole time having zero appetite.

In this condition, they do not sleep well. It is a restless sleep and Ross tends to talk in his sleep which wakes him. Yesterday he said in his sleep, "Red Slug Bug." Immediately his eyes shot open and he looked around surprised.

I smiled at him and said, "Did you see a red Herbie car?"

He said, "No, my imagination did."

I said, "You have a great imagination!"

Today, he was singing softly in his sleep, so that he did not wake up. "Here kitty, kitty, kitty!"

I hope that he is the last one to suffer from this horrible bug. Otherwise we will not be able to go to Grandma's and Grandpa's place for spring break. We have not been for over a year. Every time we make plans to visit, we are unable to go due to other visitors.

Even this summer plans were disrupted. We thought that spring break is a good time to go since most people have spring breaks at different time. We would all be heartbroken to not be able to go next week. It might be another year before we get another chance to go.

I am also hopeful to get there and see Tesher, our dog that my parents 'stole' from me, before he dies. He could go any day. He is a Greyhound and is 13, almost 14.

He lived with us for 5 years until we moved to Arizona and could not take him since we were moving to an apartment until we could buy a home. Mom and Dad generously took him 'temporarily' until we found a home. Once we had a home we got Tesher back. However Tesher missed the 50+ acres of freedom on a horse ranch. Our little 1/4 acre lot was miserable not to mention the horrible heat of Phoenix.

Finally, I could not take it any longer and called Mom. "Mom, Tesher is homesick." Mom exclaimed, "Good, I miss him so much." Ever since they have had him and he has had a good good good life.

We have also lost our last dog to the horse ranch. Lexy, a Manchester Terrier, went to liv

e with them in our last move. They have now had Lexy as long as we had her and Dad is "in love."

They are inseparable. She helps him feed and muck the horses, fix fence, and with all his business affairs. The writing is on the walls and I will not even bother asking for her back.

No matter the amount of love we give our pooches. We are no match to the beauties and freedoms of the horse ranch. Not to mention the unlimited table scrabs and doggie adoration from one and all there.

We hope to find a home soon, where we will never have to move from again. Then get a dog that will never see the horse ranch, not even for a visit! That way, we hope to be able to keep the pup for the duration of the dog's life. Here is to dreaming!

Another favorite Calvin & Hobbes

This one you have to laugh at or you would cry!

Hilarious ad for adopting a dog

I thought this was hilarious. I will put " around the especially amusing descriptions. At least whoever adopts this puppy will have few surprises!

Name: Gordo Breed: Chihuahua / Chihuahua Age: Mature Color/Gender: Red and White, Male Description: My name is Gordo and I am a cute Chihuahua about 5 yrs old. I am looking for a "special home" without kids. I am a "couch potato" and a lap dog and "will sleep in the bed with you." I do not like strangers and will "nip at their heels." Thus, a home without kids is a must! I am house trained and a very loyal dog just again no kids or "strangers." My adoption fee includes the following services: 1st sets of shots, dewormer, kennel cough vac., spay/neuter, 1 month free health insurance, free post adoption health exam. CASH ADOPTION FEE: $100

I just laughed at this! I think they should re-name him Porky, he looks part pig! I am thinking they should give the potential dog owner $100 to take him, instead of charging.

I love dogs and just got a kick out of this. We are a bit dog-sick (like homesick) and are ready to have a home again so that we can have pets again!

I want to apologize!

I put word verification back on my blog's comments. I am sorry to make it inconvenient for you to comment.

I am tired of the rude comments that keep popping up on my blog from complete strangers that seem to want to only spread their filth. My hopes are to put this back up only temporarily and try again to take it off.

Those of you who have removed word verification, have you had many problems with comments?

My amazing Sister!

Did you all notice my new header? I wish I could take the credit but I would hate for my sister to have to sue me.

Isn't she amazing? For more beautiful work by Mechelle check out her personal, professional and Janell's blogs. Their links are here to the right and down a bit.

I found this today and laughed!

We can never laugh too much. Laughing is God's gift and is the sweetest when trials are the bitterest.

The Minature Earth

The You Tube video to your right is worth watching!!! Promise me you will watch it ASAP. My sister had this on her blog and I copied it without even asking her. I have no pride! I know she won't mind, she is an angel on earth.

I think this must be seen by us all. Especially those of you who are in the middle of a grave trial. Warning: It makes you want to get up and make a difference in this world. It makes me want to become a Mother Teresa. My only problem is I am not Catholic and I am married with children. I guess I will have to do it my own Latter Day Saint way.


Tell me what you think.

Bryce's Fever finally broke!!!

Bryce has been sick for a week now. Saturday he seemed well and I allowed him to go to a birthday party. I am such a chum and should have kept him home.

It has been hard being the new kid in town (actually state). He has had no friends to socialize with. He is so social and it has been a lonely year. Finally he has a few really good friends. He seemed well and I wanted him to go so badly. I guess I learned a good lesson.


The next morning, in the middle of Sacrament meeting he leaned over and said he was achy again. I sent him home. He has had a fever ever since. That is until last night about midnight, when his fever finally broke.


Yesterday I asked my neighbor and uncle to come over to bless him. I am so thankful for the miracle of priesthood blessings. I could not help but think of all those people who do not or did not have the miracle of blessings and how it could change their lives.



We are listening to the Laura Ingalls Wilder books on CD. How their lives could have been blessed. It is a little overwhelming to think of the blessings I have. What a relieve that that fever broke!

HELP, I think I am dying!

I have not wanted chocolate all day. Ross even tried to force a chocolate butterfiner Easter Egg down my throat and I flat refused him! Quick call 911!

Mechelle you can have all my Halmarks!

Janell- the Mexican Dishes!

Anne Taintor's work

What do you think? I love most of them. Some are hilarious but not postable. I will never confess to those though!

An April Fools Day memory!

What I am really trying to do is avoid cleaning. I have been ill for 6 days and finally have energy to tackle the ant smorgasbord in my kitchen! YUCKO! How can we humans be so disgusting?

I'm digressing. So as I was scrubbing my tables and chairs (I don't want us to be stuck to our chairs after eating, UGH)! Thinking about the funny April Fools Day jokes from the previous post, when I suddenly remember Bruce McKinney.

Bruce was a classmate that I adored. Not in a romantic sense but in a great pal sense. He was funny, no hilarious! Like I have said, if you can make me laugh I will adore you forever and ever! I will never forget this April Fools day way back in high school.

Bruce came to school prepared. Not with school work but far more important. He had April Fools Day jokes and notepad. His goal was to see how many people he could fool that day and kept an accountant accurate tally of each fooling.

I overheard him telling Greg Turner that he was moving at the end of the school year. I, loving him so, said, "No Bruce you can not move." His eyes lite up like a Christmas Tree, and with complete joy exclaimed, "ALRIGHT!!! I get to count two for this joke!!!" He quickly added two tallies to his notepad.

I was just thankful that he did not play the "hard boiled egg" April Fools Day joke on me. I don't remember the poor soul who got that one. Bruce, after all these years you are still one of my favorite classmates!

Top April Fools Jokes of all time

My new virtual friend, Jen, had this on her blog and I am TOTALLY copying her, something I usually do not do. Jen, I hope you will forgive me and still be my friend.

They were just too too too funny, hilarious, gut splitting that I had to share it with all my other virtual friends and family! I LOVE to laugh and enjoyed reading these. They absolutely made my day, thanks Jen for the smiles!

Which one is your favorite?

Go to http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/aprilfool/ and tell me what you think.

By the way, my favorite is the "Planetary Alignment Decreases Gravity."

April Fools Day!!!

Did you do any jokes today? I told my kids that there was no school, not too nice but fun! Bryce and I are still ill. I did not have the energy to come up with much. What did you do? Mechelle's family loves April Fools Day and always has a lot of fun! What did you do?

New Look!!!

Do you like it? I am not sure. I love pink and brown together, pink is my favorite color. The brown reminds me of chocolate and since the new name...