Sangria and Ice Cream

I went to the dentist for an exam, ended up with a cavity being filled. In the way back lower molar. Difficult to get at, double dose of novocaine, still a little sore. Unexpected costs. Then I traveled an hour each way to pick up raw meat for the dogs, finding that it started to bleed as it started to thaw in the back of the wagon, trying to fit it all in the freezer that R. unexpectedly filled yesterday with raw meat, smelling gas and finding that the tank is leaking, Harley having Tourette's type of barking....It was a "Calgon take me away" kind of day. Time for a shot and a beer. 

The other day I was given a pre-made bottled of carbonated Sangria to try. So I popped it open. I'm not really inclined to chew food tonight so I knew I'd be having some ice cream, too. 

Then it hit me. 

Sangria with a couple scoops of strawberry ice cream. A 'root beer' float for adults. Yeyyyy....and yummy! You should try it.

Sad But True - A Dog's Story

A friend put this on her fb page, taken from a woman named Lynda Bloomberg. I don't know who the original author is, maybe it is she. It is a sad story of what often happens when humans don't know how to own a dog.

"I died today. You got tired of me and took me to the shelter. They were overcrowded and I drew an unlucky number. I am in a black plastic bag in a landfill now. Some other puppy will get the barely used leash you left. My collar was dirty and too small, but the lady took it off before she sent me to the Rainbow Bridge . Would I still be at home if I hadn’t chewed your shoe? I didn’t know what it was, but it was leather, and it was on the floor. I was just playing. You forgot to get puppy toys. Would I still be at home if I had been housebroken? Rubbing my nose in what I did only made me ashamed that I had to go at all. There are books and obedience teachers that would have taught you how to teach me to go to the door. Would I still be at home if I hadn’t brought fleas into the house? Without anti-flea medicine, I couldn’t get them off of me after you left me in the yard for days. Would I still be at home if I hadn’t barked? I was only saying, “I’m scared, I’m lonely, I’m here, I’m here! I want to be your best friend.” Would I still be at home if I had made you happy? Hitting me didn’t make me learn how. Would I still be at home if you had taken the time to care for me and to teach manners to me? You didn’t pay attention to me after the first week or so, but I spent all my time waiting for you to love me. I died today. Love, Your Puppy" 


She added: 


"This is really sad that some people do this! 


Please forward this to everyone, its time to stop animal abuse.Copy and paste this if you are an animal lover."

Sewing Machines and Dare I Say...an Idiot

Or should I be nice and say "not cerebral?"

badged Famous full size -- picture is crap, it's a beautiful emerald green

badged Ambassador (a Japanese model with a Morse motor)

Singer 185J (a 3/4 machine)

I have recently pulled all of my sewing machines into the kitchen/dining room. OK, not all of them...6 are still in the garage, 3 of which are treadles with cabinets, one is a Patch machine treadle, a 201 head only and a 301 portable. And 3 are in the living room with cabinets, a 201 with stool, a G. Fox badged blue and white (I have a thing for the blue and whites) and a White, probably early 70's. I have a couple that I have to clean up to sell to a couple women I know, and I know I need to do the same with some others, so I figure if they are in front of me I will get on the ball. I really would like to display them but my house is very small and being able to do that is a pipe dream. Of course, I will be keeping a handful, but really, do I need them all here just because I went on a tangent of picking them up because I can't help myself and I fall in love (ok, love may be too strong a word) very very much IN LIKE with them? The portables aren't as bad to have around but the cabinets take up space. I thought I had 21 altogether...turns out I have 31. Ooops. Should I be letting you know this? I have a particular fondness for the Morse machines. Strong running, blue and white color combo, chrome.....mmmmmmm. I figure, I can't buy vintage cars, this is the next best thing. There are also a selection of Singers I am keeping and looking for, I would like to have the line of 201, 201k, 301 the mocha and the black, 401a and the 503 which had been nicknamed the Rocketeer. It's a 'George Jetson' looking machine that is pretty cool. I have a 201, and a 301 mocha short bed and long bed. I like the black of the 301's but so do a lot of other people. The 401a has the cams and the 501 I don't see a lot of them for sale. But if I put it out into the Universe....

So that's the sewing machine part.


Here comes the idiot part...


I was perusing Craigslist as far out as the 90 miles. Yes, I was looking to see what sewing machines were for sale, I'm an addict, what can I say? I found an ad from someone that is looking to buy vintage Singers, which I have a few of that I'm not keeping, so I thought I hit the jackpot. 


I responded to this ad --


"WANTED SINGER SEWING MACHINES
VINTAGE AND OLDER ONES .CASH PAID,,,,,,,,,,,THANK YOU"


this was the conversation (and I quote as it was written):


ME:
Hi, 


from what year to what year are you looking for? what kind of condition? 
I have collected a few and I'm starting to go through them to see which ones I don't want to keep.
Do you travel? I am in the Hartford area of CT.
If you do, I would send you pics first to see if you were interested before you make a trip.


denise


HER: 
the 221 .301 . and fancy table table tops . not floore models


ME: 
which ones do you find are the fancy ones? I'm assuming by table tops you mean portables?
what kind of condition? do you fix/clean them up for resale?


HER: 
yes nice designs

OH MY ACHING ASSSSSS!!!!
OK, REEEEEAALYYY? what the f@&# kind of answer is that????
Needless to say, I won't be calling her.


I sent this to my friend Angela. She was laughing so hard she almost pee'd her pants! 

Hurricane Irene At Camp

When Irene came along, we stayed at camp. I think R. and I were the only two there, except the owners but they have a house. Call us crazy. Plus we had Little Bug, Hanz and Bella, who I often dog sit. There was a lot of this going on....

Then for variety, they moved to the sofa....

So Bug had to join in the comfort, although she's not looking real happy...

We survived, lost electricity for a couple hours and got some reading done. 

Two weeks later, one of my best friends couldn't keep it to himself anymore...he told me that he was mad at me for taking a risk like that. Isn't that sweet? I assured him we felt safe and yes, the camper could have had one of many trees drop on it but it didn't and we had already planned to stay the whole rest of the week so we didn't want to come home and wait it out. Turns out that at home electricity was lost for days and damage was done to trees and power lines. I think we faired better than many. Besides, I was with R. and if any survival techniques had to be employed, he's the guy you wanted to be with... 2nd Recon Marine... need I say more? 

Meet Harley

Harley is a 4 year old Liver colored petite male Miniature Schnauzer. At the beginning of August he was hit by a car and his right left leg was damaged in the muscles and nerves. His owners could not afford the expense of veterinary care so he was brought to us. We were hoping that feeling would come back to his forearm and paw but it doesn't seem to be the case. He has Radial Nerve Paralysis. Occasionally, the nerve damage can be restored but from what I'm gathering, it doesn't seem likely. On Sept. 30 he has an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon. In speaking to the surgeon, he feels that most likely it will require amputation of this leg.

This leg 'issue' has not stopped him. He is a sweet boy that runs around and wrestles with Little Bug. He has gotten used to his peg leg and although it occasionally gets in the way, he keeps moving. He is full of life and loves human companionship, yet, can be independent also.

I have recently added a plea on the sidebar for donations to my rescue. Unfortunately, we have gotten dogs in that have needed veterinary care and the two current ones have pushed the $$ numbers way up. My partner Shelly has a young boy named Rex in her care that has already had $1400 worth of tests and x-rays to try to find out what is wrong with him. He is unable to keep his food down and is now on a number of medications, which he also vomits back up. The tests are not done as we will search out the answer for as long as we can. Although this has caused him to lose quite a bit of weight, he remains happy and active.

So please, if you have an extra dollar or two, and I'm serious when I say even if it's a dollar, please consider donating it to the medical expenses of these two dogs so that we can continue with their veterinary care.

Miniature Schnauzer Rescue

Yes, I've been lax, for a few reasons, and will be back on track soon. In the meantime...

I was asked to spread the word about this little pup...



How cute is he? He's a Mini Schnauzer mix, possibly with Jack Russell. On Kara Ogushi's blog, I Love Dogs, this little cutie has been posted. This month she is spot lighting the Miniature Schnauzer and on every Monday she spotlights a homeless dog. This week, it's Jude, he's in Marina Del Ray, CA. Go to her site to read more.