Farewell to Middi

Just a quick announcement that my cat, Middi, who was only three years old, has crossed the Rainbow Bridge last night unexpectedly. 

If you wish, you can read more about it here: Amazing Animal Lover's blog

She will be missed!

A Thursday in the life of a Gizzy: by Gizzy

I wanted to say thanks for your get-well wishes when I was feeling yukkie from the chicken. I'm all better now, see?

(taken at Roquemore Park a couple of days ago)

Yesterday was a fun day for mommy and me. We went to Bank's Lake in the morning to sniff around and visit The Outpost.

The nice lady by the name of Sharon gave me a big, meaty piece of beef jerkey for breakfast. Mmmmmm...my favorite!

Mommy bought that birdwatching book she always wanted. Our next door neighbor has a bird feeding station and they all come to eat very early in the morning.

It was a nice day outside, but I don't like going too close to the water (gators, you know!)

Then mom found something in a bucket...she was all excited exclaiming "I love forget-me-nots"...what's that all about? I guess we're going to have some of those now too.

We walked around a little more smelling the scents and enjoying the sights

Soon it was time to head for home to avoid the hotter heat, but first I had to have a nice, long drink before getting back into the car:

We took a little detour and when mommy saw these three horses, she jumped out to photograph and pet them. She told me their noses felt like velvet - How absurd! Surely she was thinking about MY muzzle.

Horeseplay

Horsing around

Mom said we'll be back again some day with apples and carrots

(pardon my derriere)

I guess the grass really IS greener on the other side:

 

Arriving back home, I had to rest a spell in the living room. It felt nice and cool coming in from the heat.

Then I had to check on my toys to be sure none had disappeared while I was gone

Hmmmm...chosing is so difficult...I have 998 toys and not a thing to play with (I heard of people having that very problem with cable TV.)

My auntie Betty gave this poor ole rubber tree plant to mommy for rehabilitation - it has lost almost all of its leaves (how sad...right?)

Now I have to take a nap, because mommy's watching her silly man (Johnny Depp) on the computer -

"Who needs Johnny, when you've got a Gizmo like me?"

Don't forget to enter mom's July Giveaway!

Mooooore Bloooooberries...

Greetings from blueberry country!

Last week my neighbor and I went to pick more blueberries out in the country. We passed some cows on the way home. I have a soft spot in my heart for those big eyed gentle creatures.

A little black calf was curiously watching me.

When I arrived at home, I took Gizzy to Bank's Lake, because it was a beautiful morning and not as hot and muggy than usual.

Since it was a holiday weekend, we saw more activity with people fishing and boating.

There was a slight breeze that rippled the water, while billowy clouds moved up above.

The water's edge was dotted with water lilies.

Here's a close-up. I think they are lovely.

\

Gizzy was enjoying the view. He loves to people watch!

Oh, yeah, the blueberries went from here...

to here:

(my freezer door)

(inside my freezer)

Don't forget to enter my July Giveaway!

Long live friendship

My friend in California sent me this e-mail and it touched my heart so deeply that I felt compelled to share this story with you, my dear friends:

After losing his parents, this three year old orangutan, Roscoe, was so depressed he wouldn't eat and didn't respond to any medical treatments. The veterinarians thought he would surely die from sadness. The zoo keepers found an old sick dog on the grounds in the park at the zoo where the orangutan lived and took the dog to the animal treatment center. The dog arrived at the same time the orangutan was there being treated. The two lost souls met and have been inseparable ever since.

The orangutan found a new reason to live and each always tries his best to be a good companion to his new found friend. They are together 24 hours a day in all their activities.

They live in Northern California where swimming is their favorite past time, although Roscoe (the orangutan) is a little afraid of the water and needs his friend's help to swim.

Together they have discovered the joy and laughter in life and the value of friendship.

They have found more than a friendly shoulder to lean on.

Long Live Friendship!!!!!!!

I don't know... some say life is too short, others say it is too long, but I know that nothing that we do makes sense if we don't touch the hearts of others... while it lasts!

Thanks for being my friends!

Don't forget to enter my July Giveaway!

My own personal challenge

I'm taking a short break from reorganizing and shuffling around my crafting supplies, especially my yarns. I can't believe how much yarn I have. I filled two more big, plastic storage bins, but could use a couple more to be rid of the cardboard boxes once and for all. My bedroom is quickly becoming my personal hobby lobby, but since I live alone, it doesn't much matter.

So here's my personal challenge: to make this Peacock Afghan with only yarn I already have on hand.

The colors will not be exactly the same, but I will do my best to make it look nice, but I have so much yarn that needs to be used. The most difficult part will be finding 42 oz of the same yarn for the background...it'll probably have to be white or off white.

If anyone's interested in making this, I found the free pattern here on Free Pattern.com.

If it turns out nice, I want to send it to my dad and his wife in Germany for Christmas this year.  That means having to get started right away as I have other projects, like finally crocheting this Creche that I didn't have time for last year:

If anyone wants to make this, you can buy the pattern at e-Patterns Central.com.

Well, I'd best get back to my chores and hope I can find that box of vaccum bags for my Bissell so I can finish up here and get on with my more important crochet projects. (I know, housework sucks!)

Don't forget to enter my July Giveaway!

A few degrees cooler in the shade

Yesterday, my friend hung up the last of the three shades that I asked him to pick up for me at Home Depot (since he drives to the city every day.)  Since the shade trees out front were cut down by Apartment Management, my electric bill has increased by over $30. It has not been fun living in the dark with dark sheets covering my windows and the doors closed all the time. Now, with these shades, we can at least look outside somewhat without compromising the electric bill too much ... (hopefully!)

I know it doesn't look that great, but at least it helps block out the afternoon sun that burns down relentlessly till past 7 pm. I ordered three, one for the living room window, the bedroom window and one for over the door. The front door gets soo hot that you could actually cook on it. I burned my forearm on it once before I realized it was metal and not wood (because it looks like wood.)

Also, I have some major rearranging/organizing of my "stuff" (yarn, etc) to do, because we're having another inspection, only this time not from the apartment manager, but from the USDA Rural Development. Even though they are generally interested in structrual conditions, they do pop in randomly so that we all have to be prepared for an official visit on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Thankfully, Gizzy is getting his yukkies out today and should be fit by then. As usual, it's my fault, for giving him some chicken from Hardees yesterday, even though I know how chicken affects him - if only the tiniest bit. Poor boy! He's been in the bathtub four times already this morning while the mop is on standby. All I can say: thank God for vinyl flooring!

(I'm a bad mama - when will I ever learn?)

I'm also finishing a potholder for my Potholder Swap that I have entered in my group called Pins and Needles. I won't be able to tell (or show) you till my partner receives it in the mail. I don't want to spoil the surprise for her in case she reads my blog.

So, now back to doing some reorganizing (hiding) and crocheting and hoping the Gizz will sleep it off.

Don't forget to enter my July Giveaway!

My July Giveaway

I am offering all my fellow blogging buddies, old and new, (including my overseas friends) one of my cotton bee scrubbies AND

a lovely kitchen towel with one of my blue crocheted towel toppers.

These towel toppers have a loop inside so that you can attach any dish towel you want.

The rules are the same as always: Post something here and indicate that you want to be included in the drawing. Drawing is open to anyone and everyone, so pass it on...also, my Followers get an additional entry and if you want to post this on your blog's sidebar and link back to me, then you'll earn an additional entry.

Please note that last day to enter is July 22th, 2010. I will announce the winner on the following day (July 23, 2010.) Good luck!

REMEMBER:  Indicate that you want to be included in this giveaway when you leave a comment!