Scrappy Dog Sunday

Having an older dog is a mix of emotions. You are happy because the dog is trained (well, mostly in our case), well behaved and laid back. You are sad because you know that the time you have with them is limited. I guess you know that about all pets and people but it seems to resonate more when you can see the change come over your best friend in such a short amount of time.

Lola seemed to be doing a lot better for the past week and then over the weekend slowed down again. Little things seem to take a lot out of her. Just giving her a bath will put her down for the rest of the day. We also noticed that her eye pressure is back up, hopefully not as bad as before but it is slowing her down.

On the upside, a friend sent us a doggy stroller so we can take her out on longer walks with Jujube and Pete and she likes to sit in it next to me while I lay out in the sun. Jujube loves it so she can get away from her stinky brother.

We take her back to the vet tomorrow for a checkup. I know it will take so much out of her and she will be down for a day or two but we will get more information about her eye.

Another great thing is that the urinary tract infection looks as if it has cleared up and we are having no more night accidents.

Don't get me wrong, Lola is still a spitfire. She is still barking at the crows, runs around with her brother and gives Jujube baths. She is eating, although extremely picky. She loves trying to play with Pete at 6 in the morning and runs around the house. The recovery time is a lot longer but I don't think she is willing to give up yet and we aren't either. We adjust our lives to fit her needs right now and really, the adjustments are that extreme at all. We might wake up a little earlier, have to make her food for her and be a little be more gentle but it is worth it.

Her quality of life is still good and she plans on harassing us every chance she gets cause that's what Lolas do.

Winner and Other Stitchy Goodness

Big huge honking thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway. The winner is....(drum roll, please)

Poppy (xperimentl)!!!!!!

Yahoo! Way to go! Never fret, my favorite peeps, there will be other giveaways, just around the corner! 

Now, are you ready for some stitchy goodness? I have been crazy busy stitching up tea towels for a swap with my friend Helen. 

And sticking with the cake theme...

I also stitched this glamour puss up for the Hoopla Along on Craftster but she got ruined! I used quilter's wax to tame the metallic thread, forgot about it and ironed. The wax melted and bled the ink everywhere! WAHHHHH! 

I can't wait to show you what else I have been working on-so many fun summer projects! Stay tune! 

Your Name in Lights

Are you looking for something a little different to give your pop for Father's Day? Well, look no further...Put his name up in lights with this super easy Craftster Quickie.

These faux marquee lights were so easy and turned out awesome! I want to light my whole house up with them.

Scrappy Dog Sunday

What do you do when your dog begins getting older? You begin to notice little things about them, they aren't as quick on the draw, it takes them a little time to get up and down and their eye sight begins to fade. This week it became unbelievably clear that Lola Mae is old. 

We had noticed a few weeks ago that Lola was drinking a tremendous amount of water and  began to use the bathroom in her sleep. Our first thought was that she had diabetes and then we thought that it was her age. We took her to the vet and they did a series of test. We were so happy to find out that she wasn't diabetic. We did find out that she had two urinary tract infections and her kidneys were slightly elevated. Our awesome vet put her on some antibiotics and Lola was on her way...until last week. 

Lola's eye began weeping and she was shutting it. She has cataracts in that eye and the doctor said she was blind, just in the one eye. At the same time, her ear got an infection. We took her in again and found out that she has glaucoma. Glaucoma is very painful for dogs and can lead to the eye being removed. Besides having glaucoma, she had an eye infection. She was now fighting off four infections. We again were given meds. This time, the vet gave us the serious talk about Lola not being around much longer. We asked what we could do more for her and the vet's response was, "just love her." The vet said that she will continue, along with us, to make sure Lola is comfortable and given great care but once her quality of life is less, than we will discuss options. 

For the past week, I have done nothing but go between being numb and crying. Finally, yesterday, I decided I have to "just love her." I have to enjoy my time that I have with her now. To play gently with her, alter our walks, give her little special treats and snuggle more. 

Loving and caring for older dogs is a challenge but I wouldn't trade it for the world. It makes me cherish every day, every second with them a little more. 

Quilting on the Go

I am so excited about the new quilting book, Quilting on the Go by Jessica Alexandrakis. Who knew you could quilt on the go? I can barely walk and chew gum at the same time! 

Quilting on the Go offers several projects you can literally do on the go. It is a wonderful resource for portable patchwork. The book offers step-by-step instructions and patterns for 20 projects. 

I am not a quilter but this book makes it so easy that even I can do it! No kidding! Easy to follow steps, great pictures, awesome tips. 

The book will not be available for purchase until June 11th but guess what...thanks to the awesome people at Potter Craft and Crown Publishing,  I have an advance copy and I want to give it to you! Yep, you, cute face! 

Here's what you need to do, leave a comment and tell me your summer plans. That's it. Just one comment per person, please. The winner will be announced next Thursday, June 6th. 

We Did It!

A very big huge honking thanks to everyone who donated to the heart walk. OMP and I hit our goal and even got a bit more!

There were so many people there! Everyone in the crowd was super upbeat and supportive.

I am so glad that we did the walk and I plan on doing it next year. The best part of the walk was that I had OMP with me! He is my inspiration.

Scrappy Mother's Day

Lola is such a good mama to Jujube. They have never been apart.

From the time Jujube was a baby...



To adulthood...



I take great comfort in my Golden Girls...


And Pete.


Scrappy Mother's Day to all the scrappy moms out there.