Hello......are you there?

 Wait, you just may be asking me that. Yes I am still here. Hope your Christmas was wonderful. We enjoyed ourselves and Sammy, well he was very interested in tearing gift wrap. We loved all our gifts.

Things have happened in the time away. The Brother Alan had surgery on both hands, first the left then the right. He is doing well, still gaining strength in both hands, Lisa has retired from working and we certainly have enjoyed the freedom of gallivanting when we want.  Surprising that we are not out everyday. Sammy is now 8 months old and fully adapted to being our baby. He loves collecting socks and toilet paper, tissues and anything paper is for tearing into tiny pieces. He like to prune plants in the garden and find sticks to bring inside.  He zooms around at 100 miles a minute!... did I mention I have had a couple of falls? We love him 💓💓💓💓

I needed a think about blogging so I took a break, a 4 month break. I have been feeling a change with my self. My interests have taken a turn. I am still interested in quilting/sewing, embroidery and knitting/crochet. I recently have been looking to making a journal. I like the process of making and creating a book. I have been watching videos on book binding and how to make signatures interesting. I also have been looking into pen pals. However, many of the sites are more of exchanging items not just the old school writing letters and waiting for the reply. That is what I want, write a letter and eagerly await a letter in return. Still will look into that.  I remember my pen pal from many years ago. Her name was Peggy. 

I have been enjoying my grandchildren; Devin, Julian and Rosie even long distance with sending them packages and Face Tine. My great niece Natalia has also been delightful and texts me all the time. Currently I am knitting a copy of the afghan I made her for her best friend. So I have been busy. Oh and I am once again playing around with origami. 

Alan and Lisa and I have been redesigning my sewing area. We picked out new furniture and once the holidays are cleared we will begin. I have begun to re-home some of my things. Time to let go and make room for the new. My granddaughter Rosie and niece Natalia love dolls so they will be getting some of my treasures. It is nice to know that these things will be loved.

Yes, I agree that this is a  l o n g  post. I do not make New Year resolutions but I do make possible plans. The top one is to return to blogging with my new interests and hope you follow along.

I sincerely wish all of you a wonderful happy, healthy and peaceful New Year, 2026. thank you for stopping by and for your continued friendship.

A good month

 Can you believe but this is the last of August. The days have flown by. Arizona has been in a heat advisory and it does not look to end soon. Monsoon officially ends on September 15th. 

This little guy has kept me on my toes. He investigates gets into everything. Last night it was my craft cart.  Upset because he could not have the roll of toilet paper or the decorations on my tree....Sammy wants everything.
 He had a busy day the past Wednesday.  We, Sammy. Lisa and I, went to the pet store to buy him shoes as he lost one of his socks. He had no problems wearing or walking in the shoes. The guys in the store could not believe how cute he is and took a picture of him wearing his shoes.

Then it was to the vet. Sammy is now 10 pounds of energy. He made friends with all the techs and the doctors. You could hear them laughing and gushing over him. Of course Sammy was only to happy to be held and give kisses.

I do not like pets in the market but we had to stop for dinner items so off to Fry's. He was so well behaved. This is how he rode in the shopping cart....taking it all in. Now before you think all my time is spent loving this pooch....I am busy with other things. 

I am still crocheting the afghan for Natalia. The color is really a smoky lavender and white panels. This  is the first afghan pattern that I ever made. 

Also crocheted a bee and some mice

Not fond of the grey one...might need to find it a new home. Also still with crocheting, I mad a floral wreath.

On my working cart is a fat cat in the works. 

My dear friend Dianna has got me interested in baseball. We watch the Arizona Diamondbacks play from a distance, she at her home and me in mine....texting goes on. We live 10 miles apart (about 25 minute drive). I had stopped watching baseball years ago as I found it too long and boring. Now, the rules of play have changed and I don't mind following it again. Used to be the Yankees! After 20 years here in Arizona it is about time to follow the local teams....Diamondbacks/baseball and Cardinals/football. Guess that covers this past month. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words.

Side note: if anyone has pet insurance please share with me. We are looking to get it for Sammy. 

Introducing......

 Oh friends, it has been a long month of adjustments. Thankfully I do keep busy. All of us miss Murphy in the same way but different. Alan and I sat and both told each other...no more pets. Lisa did not feel the same. We had not only lost our boy but so much money spent. The other day Lisa said I want a dog. I said, oh I don not know and that Alan said no more. I kept getting emails and texts for puppies/dogs.  We looked at rescues but, well nothing hit it. I looked into the site where we bought Murphy. Lisa and I started to look more. 

Alan sent us a text on Wednesday around 3pm. He sent this picture and told us to look into "him" and then face time him.

It was love at first sight and I said we are on our way, One hour later this little guy was in our car and headed home. Meet Sammy. He is a very affectionate mini schnauzer who is 3 months old and weighs  about 11 pounds. From the moment his little feet hit the floor  Sammy ran around the house and made himself at home. He is a cuddle bug....loves to be held and gives many kisses.

 

Look at that ear! It is 3 inches long. I was happy that his ears are not cropped. Sammy already knows how to get out of the screened lanai and comes when his name is called. He has gone outside for doing business but hasn't quite got to make it into the yard. He does not know about walking on a leash yet but it is so hot that that can wait. What is the expression?....Never say never.

Saying good-bye

 Murphy was readmitted to ICU on Saturday. He is not eating and the diabetes is still not under control and top that with pancreatitis and now an eye infection....just too much for him. We love our babies with so much of our being but must face realistic decisions at times. This is the time. IVs, catheters, NG tube....just not fair to put him through it all with a very uncertain outcome. He can not stay in hospital indefinitely which at this point is what is happening. 

This precious baby has brought so much love and fun to this home. From the moment he stepped into his new home he made himself very much at home. My heart is empty.....

Today I ruffled his fur and held  his furry paw one last time. 
     

                           

 

Murphy , taken at 4 months old

      August 3, 2019 - July 7, 2025