Good Morning to you; this just got me singing a song I sang to my daughters, in the morning, when they were growing up.  Firstly, I am so thankful for all your prayers, my friends-for my little guy Hunter.  As of this morning, he is back to his normal self, lifting his leg and not having any other issues.  I will talk to the vet today though and also get symptoms to look for in the future with bladder issues etc. Bichons have several issues they are prone to and I don't want to be caught off guard.  This pic was taken last night while he was on my lap cuddled up.  I'm not sure he liked it when I grabbed my phone,  but I figure I've been slacking off in posting photos.  Yesterday, late afternoon, I ran over to my church and helped with Samaritan's Purse-Operation Christmas Child.  I had never done this before and hadn't even heard of this program until this year, but it was wonderful just to lend my hands.  I have done several other ministry related Christmas outreaches before, but what I like about this particular program is that everyone can easily fill a shoe box; in fact you can do it instead of going out to lunch one day.  For those of us retired and on a fixed income, this is doable.  I love to know that children might just have a brighter Christmas because of my small effort.  Even my daughters children are getting involved-yippee!  This organization was started by Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham and if my figures are correct they have given away(as of last year)one hundred million boxes around the world.  So today, I am so thankful for this organization. I am thankful for all those who donate these boxes in order for a child to have a Christmas present.
I am thankful that my husband successfully got one moving truck packed and a good amount of his brothers belongings moved to his home. I'm not sure if they are going to try to get another truck load  or not.  I am thankful that my hubby has a heart of gold and is willing to go help his brother.  Since I don't like being home alone, more than a day, I am thankful for our little Hunter who keeps me company.  I am thankful for the unconditional love of dogs and that even from a young age, I had such a passion for dogs.
I hope you have a wonderful, thankful day!
Noreen & Hunter

Tuesday Tidbits

Happy Tuesday dear friends~I hope your week has started out on a pleasant note.  This morning is it 30 degrees at 8:00 a.m. which is really warm compared to the last several days.  Yesterday, I took hubby to the airport; he is off to Ca. for the week.  The poor man will be helping his brother move all his belongings out of his mom's house and taking them up to his brother's home in the Sierra foothills.
Today I am going on a walk shortly and then have a hair appt.-I desperately need a cut.  However, yesterday Hunter started behaving differently-he'd lift his leg to go potty and nothing would come out.  Later on, he wouldn't even lift his leg.  I am very concerned that he might have a bladder infection or something; tomorrow he has a vet appt. but depending on how he does this morning with his walk, I may have to cancel my hair and take him in this morning.  I don't want him being in pain and not knowing.  This morning when he went out, he lifted his leg a bit and then put it down so he could squat.  I am hoping it is nothing more than a pulled muscle but I'd rather be safe than sorry.  I don't want to wait and also have to pay a huge bill because we waited.  That sounds uncaring, but you all know how much this little guy means to us.
The rest of the day is pretty relaxed; still have my bible study to work on and two books to read so I can write reviews.  I love it when my schedule is totally freed up when hubby is away.
Again I forgot to list my gratitude for today...
~I am thankful that hubby has a smooth flight to Ca.
~I am so thankful that Hunter had a good walk and seems to be doing better this afternoon. 
~I am thankful for a hair cut! 
~I am thankful for Love; family and friends and of course from our furbabies.
I hope you have a warm beautiful day filled with joy.
Hugs, Noreen & Hunter

From My Library

Recently, I received this book from Bethany House to review. I had not read anything by Jody Hedlund before, so I was excited to read this book. I will tell you the story line was taken from an actual town and lumber area. Below is the story line for you to read.

"In 1883 Michigan, Lily Young is on a mission to save her lost sister, or die trying. Heedless of the danger, her searches of logging camps lead her to Harrison and into the sights of Connell McCormick, a man doing his best to add to the hard-earned fortunes of his lumber-baron father.
Posing during the day as a photographer’s assistant, Lily can’t understand why any God-fearing citizen would allow evil to persist and why men like Connell McCormick turn a blind eye to the crime rampant in the town. But Connell is boss-man of three of his father’s lumber camps in the area, and like most of the other men, he’s interested in clearing the pine and earning a profit. He figures as long as he’s living an upright life, that’s what matters.
Lily challenges everything he thought he knew, and together they work not only to save her sister but to put an end to the corruption that’s dominated Harrison for so long."

I have not received any payment for my review and the book was sent to me, free, from Bethany House. I enjoyed this book but found it a bit long; I also thought some of it could have been made into a second book.  I would definitely read another of her books; she developed her characters in a deep manner and you felt like you had known them in today's world.
I would love to send this book to one of my readers to enjoy; if you are interested please leave me a comment and I will draw a name on Thursday.
I forgot to add this on-I am thankful for receiving free books to read and I am thankful for the gift of eyesight and the ability to read.  
Have a great day!
Noreen

Thank You

Although this day is set aside to honor all our service people, I think we should be honoring them every day.  To all those who are serving, have served or are the loved ones of those fighting for our country, I salute you and say thank you for all you give for our freedom.  God Bless You!
I am so thankful that we live in this country and for all the freedoms you secure for us!
Noreen

Christmas Music and Snow

Happy Saturday Friends~Yesterday  I remembered that one radio station starts playing Christmas songs on Nov. 1st, so I did what any gal would do and turned our stereo to that station.  Had a busy and tiring day yesterday but was refreshed when our friends came for dinner.  They are home for the holidays and then will head to the desert after New Year's.  We always have such fun times together and I love it when they are back here!  This morning it is cold and snow is coming; I still marvel at the fact that I can smell it in the air.  I've got the stereo going and would be content to stay inside all day.  We do have some friends coming for dinner, a simple dinner of Enchiladas and Beans.  I also have to run to the dollar store to get some things for our "Operation Christmas Child" box before we turn it in next week. 
Tomorrow we are going to a Bronco's party-taking our favorite soup; actually it will be our second favorite because Chicken Noodle is always number one in our home, but I decided to take Taco Soup.  It should be a fun gathering; don't know if we will be able to stay the entire time because Hunter will be home alone, crated since the sliding door won't be open due to the snow.  He is really good if the door is open to the outside and there aren't tempting things within his vision. 
Today I am thankful for relaxed days ahead where I can just stay inside and sew or blog.  I am thankful that we have super Tuesday Senior Days at the movies; during snowy days, hubby and I try to go out for a movie each week-it helps him not get stir crazy.  I am thankful that Monday's weather forecast is clear since I'll be taking him to the airport.  I do not like traveling during bad storms. 
I am thankful that we have computers that can link us to each other, if not face to face.  I am thankful for the little fluff ball snuggled up on my feet. 
I am thankful for Christmas music-the joy it brings.
Hugs, Noreen & Hunter

Happy Happy Friday my friends~I hope your week has been productive and good!  There is a big storm coming to the mountains this weekend, but the projected amount of snow isn't as much for us; this is great.  I had a lovely day yesterday; my ladies study in the morning which I was leading, as our leader was away.  I do have to say though that everyone was really late and I was wondering if anyone was coming.  I got to hold our little guy while his mama did some chores and in the afternoon we headed up to Carrie's house.  Papa and the kids are making a wooden advent wreath so they had to go get the wood.  The kids love doing projects with my hubby and this should be a fun one.  I felt fine yesterday, all my energy was back; don't quite know what was going on Wednesday when I was fatigued walking, it might just have been from not eating enough breakfast.  Today, Kam and I are going to some garage sales before we walk the dogs.  Hunter is generally really good when left home alone, if the outside door is left open but five hours is a long time to be left alone.  Today, we are having a fly-over by a Air Force jet so I will leave him crated.  The noise always scares me, if I'm not expecting it and I don't want him freaking out.  Tonight we are having our friends, who are snowbirds and back for the holidays, over for a welcome home dinner.  The rest of the weekend is just as crazy-dinner here with friends tomorrow night and then a Broncos & Soup party at another home on Sunday.  When is a girl supposed to sew? I am still working on the border, have half done already but I think I will need to wait until next week to work on it.  I am thankful for days that are spent how I choose,not by a time clock.  I am thankful for different interests-hubby's woodworking and my quilting.  I am thankful that my schedule will be more relaxed next week, while hubby is away-but I have to say I wish he didn't need to take this particular trip as it is going to be very stressful.  I am thankful for the little fluff ball that will be keeping my company while he is gone.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Noreen & Hunter

Hi there,  Half the day has already flown by and I'm just now thinking about a post.  Yesterday was a busy and tiring day-hubby and I decided to walk around our town lake, the one we always ride bikes around in the summer. I could tell one of two things yesterday-either I was very tired and hadn't eaten enough breakfast or I am really out of shape.  It might just be the combination of both; the path is at least 3 miles, which normally is a really nice and easy walk but for some strange reason I was exhausted and feeling a bit shaky.  Hunter was so enthralled at the new sights and smells that his training pretty much flew out the window.  You'd think he'd never heard the word "watch" before because he wouldn't do it.  I had tried to get a halti type harness for him the day before but it was a small and he needs an extra small so we had returned it; coming away without one because they don't stock many in that size.  The afternoon I had craft group and made three Santa ornaments that I saw on Pinterest.  It was fun!  Last evening we watched the Voice and I dozed on and off. 
Today, I had my ladies study and then stopped by my youngest girls house to see if she needed any help before her in-laws arrive this afternoon.  I was able to hold the baby while she did last minute chores.
This afternoon I will probably read and try to finish my two books for reviews. 
I am thankful that the only mischief Hunter got into while I was gone was to chew up the back pages of a new Country Sampler.  I had forgotten to check and make sure everything was out of his eyesight. 
I am thankful for the beauty of a fall day.  I am thankful for the first snow forecast for this weekend.
I am thankful for computers-really, what would we do without them!  I am thankful for the golf tournament that the course is hosting for all Vets.
I am thankful for those, past present and future, who serve our country and secure our freedom. 
Blessings on your day!  Noreen & Hunter