Dog Toy Violence.....Really???

This is little Gingy and he came to live with us at Christmas.  He was a gift for Maddie and BJ.  Yes - those are brains now coming out of the side of his head.  His chipper smile is deceptive because he has taken quite the blow and left to his own resources, he will be stuffless or destuffed in short order.  In the spirit of full disclosure, he does have a squeaker inside his little chest and I am aware that is more than likely the cause of his demise.

But......is there nothing we can do about this dog toy violence that occurs during the night, unprovoked???  I have tried all sorts of little "friends" for my two chewers and even the toughest of tough cannot withstand their quest to commit murder ---- slow tortuous murder.  The poor little toys suffer the loss of body parts - normally the nose or an eye goes first but many times it is a single blow to the head as in this case.  Their toy basket is strewn with parts and pieces of their pets and when all else fails they use the lifeless carcuss for a rowdy game of tug of war.  Does the violence never end for these little souls??

I am on a quest to find a pet for my pets that will not succumb to their torture.  I know there must be a fabric that I can work with to make them a friend that they cannot and will not mercilessly murder.  If you have any ideas or suggestions, I welcome them.  No one around here is admitting to this particular attack but they know I know the truth.

Words in a House.....

This adorable little house was created by Artist Susan Branch whom I love!  Looking at it gave me the idea that I should create something out of words this year.  Not a novel idea but I thought it would be fun.  I have been working on another blog about Thanksgiving - something different to be thankful each day for 365 days.  How wonderful would it be to have a shape made up of the words of thanksgiving.  I surely don't have any of the talent or imagination that Susan Branch has but I may just borrow her idea.  She has another one on her site that is a tea pot full of recipes - just love it.  You can find her at SusanBranch.com.  You won't be disappointed if you visit her site - it is full of wonderful ideas and recipes and colorful artwork that will tickle your brain.  I just can't get enough.  I have one of her Christmas books and it is so worn from my use of it and I keep it out all year long.  So thankful for people like Susan who keep us smiling!  ;o)

Organization.......

Ah Organization - the buzz word for every new year, almost as popular as dieting.  Is it a dirty word?? - does it have to be?  Anyone who knows me knows that I am very organizationally challenged!  I border on being a hoarder and if I didn't live with other people, things would not be pretty.  No this is not my space on the left but a link on Martha Stewart's web site. This is my dream.....my goal - probably not one I will ever reach.....

Soooo each and every year and many times in between, I get very excited about organization.  For me it is the hope of organization - what could be.  I peruse web sites that show beautifully organized rooms, labels, shelves.  I spend hours looking at books and magazines, mark pages, save ideas and I really do attempt at least some of these.  If a magazine has an article on the cover with the word organization in it then I want it.   I try to look at myself as always learning - I will probably never be a very organized person - that is unless there comes a time in my life where I have no possessions at all.  Sad but true, but I try to make the best of this handicap  and I chose to make organization a positive ongoing process which will probably last as long as I draw breath.  Here are a few little things that I have learned that actually work for me without much effort.

• I save shoe boxes (I know more clutter) but if your guy or anyone you know has big feet, the boxes are wide enough to put file folders in them.  You can do so many things with this sturdy staple - cover them with fabric or paper; use them for shelf storage; use them in the kitchen cabinets to hold all sorts of thing to keep your pantry organized and best of all they are free!!!
• I save the little somewhat square tissue boxes after the tissues are all gone --- I know, I know.  Anyway - put an empty one on your dryer and put all of those lint pieces, etc. when you clean out the filter, in there.  When it is full, just chunk it.  Keep one near your sewing machine for all of the loose threads and trash - the uses are endless and when full, then you can throw it away - that is unless you find another use for it.
• Shoe bags - I know this idea is not knew, but they are so useful.  Throw one on the back of every closet door, bedrooms, etc.  I even have one hanging in my laundry area for dog leashes, collars, shampoos, etc.  There are all kinds and some are very pretty.  If the slots are not clear you can have fun labeling them.
• Notebooks - I can't say this enough.  Notebooks should be on the 12 step program for the disorganized!  Buy the kind with a sleeve in the front so that you can customize the covers and they can help you in every area of your life.  I use them for ideas, recipes, web site info, instructions for projects----the possibilities are endless....
• Alpha File Folders - I picked up one of these years ago - it is like a big file folder with sections labeled for the alphabet.  I keep it in my file drawer and when I purge my paper in box, I do a presort into the letters that correspond with the items.  That way I am not so bummed about filing - it can be broken down into small jobs.  These can normally be found at office supply stores - hint:  They will fit into your big shoe box...

I will share more as I can - we can all share and learn together....organization is possible for the organizationally challenged-hoarder type people.

Looking for Inspiration....

Allsorts.com

I don't know about you, but I am always looking online for inspiration and ideas for creativity.  One of my very favorite haunts is Allsorts.com!  This is her little winter Zoe and there are so many ideas and free templates tumbling out of her site that you can't possibly leave without some ideas in your head.  My Pinterest is just full of her pics.  Right now I am hoping to make something out of her Advent Calendar idea - so adorable.

Another sight I really love is the Better Homes and Gardens web site - they are packed with all sorts of food and sewing, crafting and more - many free patterns and beautiful pictures. 

Next in my daily inspiration trek is The Inspired Room - such a fun place to hang out and she gathers ideas from all over the online community and I just drool over the rooms there.  From there you can travel to hundreds of similarly creative sites through her links.  Get settled in with a warm drink and a comfy chair for this one.  I can browse these sites for hours until my fingers are numb!

As we make our way through the holidays, I am searching for inspiring sites and their ideas and I will keep you posted on my adventures here.....lots of free fun and I can feel my brain buzzing already!!

It's Always Time for Thanksgiving.......

It is to nice to log onto Facebook now a days and find so many who are trying to count their blessings each day --- rather than dwelling on the problems we all face.  Not only it is it a blessing to those who are counting, it is so inspiring for those of us reading their posts. 

So, I felt compelled to note some of my own - some that I overlook on many days and shouldn't.  As always, the simple things in life that mean so much are the ones that we often overlook and take for granted - until we are without them.  Of course there are the big ones like my four wonderful boys and their mates, my wonderful hubby, our home which we fought so hard for and our fur babies who bring so much to our lives each and every day.  But - I have to take the time to remember the ones that we think of as expected --- but I now know, as do many others in this time we live in, nothing can be taken for granted because tomorrow could bring a very different life for any one of us.  So here goes.....

I am so very thankful for

• good friends who really care
• a warm clean bed to sleep in
• heat when it's cold and air conditioning when it is hot
• clean water to drink and bathe in
• simple good food to eat
• clean clothes and a place to wash and dry them at home
• beautiful falling colorful leaves
• something to do that keeps me busy- even if it is not what I once did
• daily routines that keep me alert and thoughtful
• internet access and my little computer
• ways to express myself and be creative
• kind doctors and nurses who really care
• holidays to celebrate with friends and family
• cool crisp fall days to enjoy
• cold weather so that I enjoy the warm when it comes
• blankets to snuggle under
• fires in the fireplace on a cold evening
• sweaters - I love my sweaters
• comfortable shoes
• HGTV and Food Network - Hallmark TV and Lifetime (heheh)
• walks in the sunshine
• visiting new places
• rainy days
• sunny days
• occasionally getting out of the house
• strong feelings --- love, happiness, joy, sadness, ......
• forgiveness
• and the list goes on and on......

While my list will be different than yours, we all have one and it is a good idea to keep it handy and add to it daily, weekly - it will make a huge difference in your perspective in life.  One day - it may keep you company on a rainy day when you need to remember.....