Sunshine Award

Happy Monday friends.  Another day and week; have you ever noticed as you have gotten older the days pass more quickly-especially if you aren't working.  This weekend a blogging buddy, actually two beautiful Doodle brothers, gave me this award.  While I don't usually take awards, this was so pretty and asked some simple questions so I decided to partially participate.  You see there are just too many wonderful blogs that I follow, I just can't pick 10 to highlight.  I would like to nominate all of you for this award, because you all bring sunshine into my life. 

Sunshine Award

Answer the 7 questions!
Pass the award on to 10  friends!
Let them know they received the award!

1. Favorite number?  This is a tough one-but I'm going to say 10 because we will have 10 grands this coming Sept.

2. Favorite non-alcholic beverage?  Arnold Palmer tea/lemonade

3. Facebook or Twitter? Facebook, no contest.

4. Your Passion?  A toss up between dogs and quilting

5. Favorite Pattern?  Something feminine-such as toile

6. Favorite Day of the Week? They are all the same when you don't have to get up to go to work!

7. Favorite Flower?  Another toss up, probably Gardenias because of their wonderful scent.

I do want to say thank you to Murphy & Stanley for giving me this award.  Stop by and say hello to these adorable fellows; http://murphyandstanley.blogspot.com/


We had a great Father's Day and also anniversary; went to a new restaurant called The Bent Fork for a light dinner.  Afterward we walked to Barn*s & Nob*e to look at books; I got the magazine moderndog, which I hadn't seen before.  It has some wonderful recipes, crafts and articles about training your dog. 
Hugs to you, Noreen & Hunter




Noreen

Happy Father's Day

I was just cruising blogland and read a post my friend Diana wrote about her dad; this prompted me to write one as well. I don't have any photos handy but want to share about the man who meant so much to me.
Dad was 45 when I was born; he often said that I was the light in his life.  My sister and brother were in their teens and I was his little princess.  From a very early age, he was my hero, my Prince and my heart was his.  I remember him teaching me how to skip and ride my bike.  I well remember the times he took me to the babysitters and I would cling to his leg, sobbing and not wanting to be left.  He spoiled me rotten and soothed my tears.  I never wanted to disappoint him but when I hit high school, I well remember having major differences-we were taught alot of socialism in the public school I attended and dad could not tolerate most of it.  He would always write me little notes each day, telling me to have a good day and how much he loved me.  I know those times when I got angry with him hurt him, but he always wrote notes to try to smoothe things over.  He saw me married and happy; with two little girls that adored him.  A strong Irish Catholic with an incredible sense of humor and he loved to tell stories. 
Oh how I miss him but I rest knowing he is in heaven and I will see him again.  He would love seeing his granddaughters and also his great grandchildren.  I was blessed beyond measure by my dad.
Happy Father's Day Da.
Love, your baby girl.

Happy Father's Day to you   Today is also my anniversary and I wanted to post of photo of hubby and I on our wedding day but blogger seems to be having some issues; at least since yesterday I can't retrieve comments awaiting moderation or my post list.  I did send an email to blogger but haven't heard; I was hoping the situation would be fixed by now but no such luck.  It is indeed frustrating when there are issues that we can't fix.  I keep getting a code for the problem but again have no idea what it means.  I wonder if any of you are having problems this weekend.
Hopefully I'll be back on board tomorrow.  Have a wonderful day.
Noreen

Happy Friday to you.    How has your week been?  Is your current weather typical for your area or are you experiencing dryer/warmer weather this year?  Yesterday was cool in the morning but it warmed up nicely by the afternoon.  This morning we are cool but it is very windy; I'm expecting this again will fuel the fire. 
Besides our dinner tonight with our friends, tomorrow night we've been invited to a Jimmy Buffet block party-actually a Parrot Head party. I'm not sure where that comes from but I'm sure it will be fun.  Sunday is not only Father's Day but also is also our 34th Anniversary; we will be having a bbq over at our daughter's home to celebrate.  Hubby and I don't exchange gifts anymore, just cards. We have everything we need, well maybe not everything, but we have each other and that is enough.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Noreen & Hunterr

Can you believe it's Thursday already?  There is so much in this life to be thankful for; here are a few of mine today.
I am thankful for our dear little Hunter; what an incredible puppy he is. Maybe he isn't learning as quick as I'd like, but I love his joyful spirit and wonderful kisses.  I am thankful we finally found a kibble he likes!  Now if I could find a rescue or humane society to take the two bags that we hardly used, I'd be happy. 
I am thankful that we are having cooler temps today, unfortunately the wind is already blowing and I'm concerned that this might wreck havoc on the firefighters.
I am thankful that what looked like a new furnace/ac unit was needed at our daughter's(one estimate was $6,000),turned out to be an easy fix and a repairman only charged $60.  Thank you Lord.
I am thankful that our dear friends will be coming for dinner tomorrow night and bringing her mom & dad from South Africa; this is the friend that got me my very own autographed copy of Maxdog.
I am thankful that I have a home to clean today, when so many have lost theirs in the fire.
My list could go on and on but I think I need to get a move on and start cleaning.
What about you, what things are you thankful for today?
I'm always thankful for the friends who read this!
Noreen & Hunter

Misc. Wednesday

Happy Wednesday friends! Hope you are having a great day so far. I've had a busy morning and now have to get ready for a thank you lunch, a friend is hosting, for those of us who helped her pack her home for a move. So this will be short and sweet.

Hunter and his gal pal, Lexie, along with her mom and my bff, Kam.

Three of our grands had riding lessons yesterday; it was such fun to watch and brought back memories of my girls riding.  This was the first time they were in a saddle; the trainer wanted them to get the feeling of the horse by riding bare back initially.

Faith loves horses and if you could have seen her, you would have seen a smile that went from ear to ear. 

I loved the fact that the trainer ran next to the horse for the entire lesson; our girls just had a trainer in the center of the ring who shouted out directions-wasn't too reassuring for this momma.
The fire is still going but at least 10% is contained; it is so smokey here and it could be a month before it is out totally.
Have a great day!
Noreen & Hunter

Fun Furry Times

Last weekend, while hubby was away, Hunter & I went out to our oldest daughter's home to visit and let the pups play. Hunter loves hanging out with Lily; they play so well together and I think there must be something about them being the same size and looking alike.

They are just too cute together; they love playing together as well as kicking back in the shade.  I'm glad that they are so close,not only in proximity but also in temperament.  Hunter loves being with other dogs, especially small ones.  Yesterday afternoon, hubby and I went over to some friends who have a really old Cairn named Hobbs.  He gets so excited when Hunter comes to his house and although he can't really play, he does take Hunter around the yard showing him the sights.  Next door to Hobbs is a Goldendoodle and Hunter just doesn't know what to make of this big energetic dog.  I think it the pup were calm or smaller, Hunter would be at the fence wanting to play but when you add in big, bouncy and pretty wild, Hunter keeps his distance.  I really need to look into puppy classes for more socialization; Hunter is somewhat timid and I want him to learn to socialize well.  Also in the morning yesterday, another acquaintance came over to walk her small dog with Kam & Lexie and Hunter & I. The dog is a Teddy-Bear, cross between a Bichon and Shih Tzu and Hunter thought it was great having him along.  I do notice that if other dogs are on walks for us, Hunter is willing to go for a longer walk than if it is just us. 
In addition, I finally found a food he likes-Royal Canine; this is the food that Lily eats and I caught him eating hers up.  I wondered if it was just because we were at their house but he continues to eat it here. Yippee!!!  Now I've got two bags of kibble and I might call the Red Cross and see if they could use it at the evacuation center; otherwise it will go to the Humane Society to feed strays.
Hope you have a wonderful day.
Joy to you.  Noreen & Hunter