Blog Archives
A soggy trip
Posted by doggonedmysteries
It is still raining and our yard is soggy. After my last trip out there with Gavin so am I. I do mean trip. Gavin was wandering along the fence line and I walked back toward the shed. The wind we had last night knocked a small branch or two off the magnolia, I didn’t see the one that sent me flying until after I’d landed splat in the deepest puddle out there.
Gavin is always ready to play and when he saw me hit the ground, he thought PLAY TIME! Sixty five pounds of wet dog landed on me. I started laughing, I was laughing so hard I couldn’t get up. Well, let’s say that the laughing and the extra sixty five pounds didn’t help my efforts. Never laugh at or with a Bull Terrier, it makes them sillier.
By the time we made it back inside, I was soaked, muddy, and cold. Gavin was muddy, wet, and full of himself. Furthermore, he had the nerve to beg for a cookie.
I was about to remove my muddy coat when Patty rang the bells—she wanted her turn out. She had a quick trip.
My coat and jeans went into the washer. After a hot shower and a cup of Bengal Spice tea, I was feeling warmer.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
All I need
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Outside, rain, wind, and cold.
Stay in.
A warm, snug house.
A well fed and happy Hubby.
Having no stress is good for him.
Two cuddly dogs piled in my chair.
They are happy too.
A tall glass of fine wine.
Movie marathon—a combination of action and comedy films.
What more could a person want?
I told him no gifts and this time he listened.
Color me happy.
I look around and smile.
I have all I need.
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Santa’s little helpers
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Sometime around 11:00 tonight I’ll take the pups for a walk. First I’ll walk one around the block to the east of us and then I’ll walk the other to the west.
What makes these walks special? The dogs will wear sleigh bells. Any children still awake will have the thrill of hearing Santa pass by. I do this every year. In fact, I’ve done this for 36 years.
It’s a hoot because I’ve heard about ‘Santa’s Bells’ for years from parents and kids. They’ve yet to figure out where they come from. 😉
Have a Merry and a Happy everyone!
The two pups enjoyed their reindeer walk. However, of the two I think Patty was the one who enjoyed it the most. I’ve never seen her trot so happy or proud–she loves the bells. She extended the walk by a couple of blocks. Gavin had fun since he ran into a young woman who thought he was very clever to be wearing bells but he didn’t want to walk as far or as fast as his sister did.
Posted in Holidays
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Holidays, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Santa, Santa's Bells, Writer, Writing
Hit and passed the 50,000 mark!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I get to go out to dinner! To everyone who helped, thank you! A special thank you to Delaney for that 50,000th hit. I’ll think of all of you when we are sitting in a restaurant for the first time in a long time. You all twisted Dear Hubby’s arm by helping me to win the bet.
Usually, if I don’t want to cook, he’ll order delivery food. I mean that’s wonderful and I love him dearly for it but it also means I still have to do dishes afterwards. At that rate, I might as well cook too. For once, I just want to go out for dinner. Let someone else cook our meal and clean up afterwards. Let me relax and lounge over a cup of coffee without thinking about doing the dishes.
I’m a cheap date. To make me happy it doesn’t have to be fancy, expensive, or even come with drinks, though dessert is a necessary given. What’s dinner out without a dessert too? I’d be completely happy with one of several local diners that serve exceptional meals at a nominal price. Four of which have the most wonderful cheesecakes.
I’ll leave it up to him.
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Food, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Welcome to electric massager addicts anonymous
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Our dog Gavin has a problem. He’s addicted to the Homedics back massager. We can’t turn the thing on without him leaping to attention and begging us to use it on him. I think he needs a support group. Poor boy, I think I’ll send him to one tonight…
“My name is Gavin and I’m an addict.”
“Hello, Gavin.”
“I’m addicted to the back massager. It’s my humans’ fault. They got me started. I can’t hear that thing turn on without turning into a drooling, rolling on the floor, whore for it. I must have it. I insist my humans use it on me first. Turn it on. NOW. I need it. It is MINE.”
“Whoa, whoa there boy.”
“Sorry, I can’t help it.”
“We understand.”
“It started when my Dad human brought the thing home from the pharmacy. He bought the wonderful thing for his back but then thought it would be funny to try it out on me. Oh, it felt soooooooo good! Later that night, I tried to turn it on myself, but couldn’t, and even if I could I have no thumbs and can’t hold it.”
“You poor boy.”
“Now they hide it behind the sofa where I can’t get at it. It’s no fair. I need it. I WANT IT.”
(Patty: Geez, he’s such an idiot.)
Posted in Dog related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Old friends finally meet
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Years ago, I met Jackie online. We’ve instant messaged and talked in chat rooms for ages and ages. We even talked on the phone once or twice. Today, we finally met in person. We had a great time visiting over many cups of coffee.
Gavin and Patty were ecstatic over meeting someone who knew all the right places to scratch them and didn’t mind a few puppy kisses. Although there were a couple of times that I had to send the pups to their crates to calm down because each wanted the pets the other was getting from Jackie they were well behaved for the most part.
I’m not sure if we were what Jackie expected but then I have no idea what she expected. 😉
Posted in Misc
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, friends, friendships, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, old friends, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Puppies and kittens for Christmas—not a good idea
Posted by doggonedmysteries
There’s nothing more stressful to a young animal than to arrive in a new home smack dab in the middle of the holiday confusion and excitement. For quite a few years, I managed a small pet store. We specialized in purebred kittens. Around Christmas, the owner would push the sale of them and offered to stay late on Christmas Eve so they could be picked up then. I protested his zeal the first year I worked there and managed to get him to change his policy a bit. We still sold the kittens but the new policy saved the babies from the stress of the holidays.
I talked my boss into holding the Christmas gift kittens until after Christmas. So what if they stayed with us a couple days longer? Instead of taking the new pet home for the holidays, our customers would present their gifts to the intended people in a different way. Some would buy all the needed supplies, wrap them, and put them under the tree with a note that the kitten would be theirs after the holidays. Others would give the intended giftee a picture of their new pet to be along with a collar, or toy, or bag of food. Most of our customers thought this a great idea when I explained how stressful arriving in a new home is on a normal day and was so much more so during the holidays. In fact, they took great pleasure in buying twice as many things for the new pet to put under the tree for the giftee than they would normally buy.
I managed to schedule pick up dates so we weren’t jammed with people on the same day too. All of this saved the kittens the stress of being in a new home when stress and activity levels are off the scale. They would enter their new homes when things were calm and they had time to acclimate to their new families.
I know several dog breeders who have done this for many years. Many of them refuse to allow a pet to leave their premises until after Christmas. Reputable breeders will gladly hold the pups (or kittens) until after the holidays.
If you plan to give someone a pet for the holidays, spare the animal the stress, present the person with the pet’s supplies or a picture, and a note that their new companion is waiting for them.
Posted in Dog related, Holidays, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, gifts, Holidays, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Enough snow already.
Posted by doggonedmysteries
the pond is somewhere out there--follow the pawprints
We’ve had quite a snowstorm come through here. It finally stopped around 2 a.m. I, being the fool that I am, went outside and shoveled. I shoveled, and I shoveled, and by gum I shoveled some more. I completed a 150 foot+ long by 3 foot wide path through snow about one foot deep. (Okay, officially it was only 4 to 5 inches deep here but at 3 a.m. it sure looked like a foot of snow.) It’s legal, I’m pooped, and I know I’m gonna feel it when I wake up.
Dear Mother Nature,
We have enough snow for a white Christmas, so when people are wishing for one, please don’t listen. We have enough snow for sledding, so when the children ask for more, please don’t listen. Since Dave so gleefully E-mailed me about let it snow, let it snow, etc. IF you must dump more snow around here, please target Dave’s house and skip mine. (Quit laughing Lee, you’re next on my list.)
Sincerely,
MWH
By the way everyone, today is Elena’s birthday. Happy Birthday E!
Posted in Holidays, Misc, My blog, Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Mother Nature, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Snow, weather, Writer, Writing
Have A Happy Holiday!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Whatever holiday you celebrate at this time of year we hope it brings you joy, warmth, wishes granted, and love.
With all our love,
MW, DH, Gavin, and Patty
Posted in Holidays
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Fish, Food, Gardening, Gardens, gifts, Holidays, Home, Humor, Koi, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Pond, Ponds, Rescue Dogs, Snow, Writer, Writing
To Bo-tax or not to Bo-tax that is the question
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I’m all for a tax on elective cosmetic procedures. Don’t tell me that Botox injections and plastic er um fake tatas aren’t a luxury. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about reconstructive surgery after breast cancer or some other problem that causes a real need.
I’m talking about when Mummsy and Daddy buy Muffy a new set of tatas for her sixteenth birthday because she absolutely can’t go through life with a 34B bust line and she’ll just die if she doesn’t have those 38DDs. They’d be smarter to buy her a brain.
I’m talking about when Mrs. Rich Bitch decides her 40 year old bust line needs to be as perky as nineteen year olds are so her hubby doesn’t find himself another piece of arm candy. How about when Mrs. I’m So Vain’s wrinkle spackle isn’t working and she wants to Botox the hell out of her face? Oh, hell yes tax her a$$. Tax the elective procedures and use that money for good healthcare for everyone.
Boobs sag, wrinkles deepen, and one should live with it. It’s life. It’s proof you’ve lived, loved, and have experience. Get over it.
Posted in Misc, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Is Fampridine a ray of hope for those with forms of progressive MS?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
It seems that once a patient goes beyond the realms of relapsing remitting MS into primary progressive or secondary progressive his/her chances of finding any form of relief disappears. I’m sorry, but to tell my Dear Hubby to use mobility devices, cope with it, and move on with your life seems to me to be very unsympathetic.
What I say is, “Hey researchers, quit sitting there with your thumbs up you’re a$$es when it comes to progressive forms of MS. Sure they aren’t as interesting or as exciting as relapsing remitting but geez, r & r is not the only form of MS out there.”
The only drug that seems to be a small ray of hope for patients with progressive forms of MS is Fampridine, which is as yet, not approved by the FDA. That might change in January.
I’ve heard both good and bad things about this drug. Reading the possible side effects is enough to scare the beejeesis out of you. Fampridine might help improve the progressive MS patient’s ability to walk faster, handle stairs better, be on their feet longer, and walk longer distances. For this Dear Hubby would willingly risk the side effects. He’s tired of being tired, in pain, unable to keep his balance, unable to walk far, or to stand for long.
I’ve put a link to Fampridine on the right, under the blog rolls, for those interested in finding out more.
Posted in MS related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
What if?…
Posted by doggonedmysteries
The hits on my blog have made incredible progress towards my 50,000 hits goal and making me the winner of the ‘dinner out bet’ with Dear Hubby. So many hits in so short a time—amazing.
This brings me to an even more exciting ‘what if’ scenario.
What would happen if I reach out to all the wonderful people who have participated in helping me reach this particular goal when my books are FINALLY finished, sold, and published? Will I sell enough books to make the best sellers list with my first book? Will the publishers then decide to give me a multi-book deal? Will more than two people want an autograph?
The possibilities are endless.
Posted in Misc, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
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