Happy Father's Day

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Wishing all the fathers, step-fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, and single mothers acting as mother and father a very happy Father's Day.  Hope you are surrounded by family, happiness, and lots of love.

Although I had a difficult relationship with my father, he was a wonderful grandfather to my boys and they miss him terribly. For all you did for my boys, thank you and wish you were still here, Dad.

The last photo of my boys with my dad 

As for my husband, Bill, he is not only the most wonderful husband in the world, he is the best father and step-father ever. When we got married in 1997, my boys were 9 and 6 and Bill has always been there for them, whether it is for a school function, help with repairing a bicycle, or just to talk... he especially has a way of making our lives special by always having a way to make us laugh. For that and so much more, I want to say thank you and I love you with my whole heart.

Bill and Nikolaus at his Army Basic Training Graduation

Bill and Alex at Universal Studios.

The first summer Alex was taller than both of us.

May you all have a fabulous Father's Day and a wonderful weekend, surrounded by those you love.


P.S. The babies would like to say that they love daddy so much and thank him for all he has done for them.

Our Babies: (L-R)  Nano, Mia, Mandie, Wiggles, and Mumbo

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God Made a Dog

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I got an email from a friend that moved me so much, I just had to share it with all of you. Hope you enjoy this.....

 

 

Enjoy your day!

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Happy 5th Birthday Nano

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Nano as a baby.

 

 

My favorite photo of Nano

 

 

Nano celebrating today with an ice cream.

 

 

Happy Birthday to our little baby...

Mommy & Daddy love you very much!!

 

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We Miss You Mai-Li

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One year ago today, we lost our beloved Mai-Li Louise.  She went peacefully in her sleep and had eaten well earlier that evening and was even watching TV and playing just an hour before she passed. 

Mai-Li was such as special doggie, she loved to watch TV and never missed a dog on screen.  She also adored "Maxwell" the Geico piggy - she would get up on the arm of the chair or the little table she would be lying on and almost dance with excitement and had a special bark for Maxwell.  =)

Mai-Li loved to go for walks with Bill and I but because of her breathing problems, didn't always last the full walk.  So she liked to snuggle close to my heart either in my arms, in a carrier, or even in the pouch of my overalls.

We miss you Mai-Li so much, there are so many things every day that remind me of you.  You were such a special little lady and I'm so glad that you were in our lives, if only for a short time.  Thank you for giving us so many memories and so much love; and thank you for letting us care for your babies, Mumbo and Wiggles.  We are taking really good care of them, and love them, too.

Here are a few photos of our beloved Mai-Li just to show you how adorable she was and how much she meant to us....

Rest in peace, Mai-Li, I hope you are enjoying your time as you play over the Rainbow Bridge.

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Merry Christmas from The Shewbridges

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Well, as usual, I'm late.... But know that I love you all deeply an pray that you had the most wonderful of Christmases, surrounded by those you love.

I sure did.  I was with Bill, Nano, Mia, Mandie, Mumbo, and Wiggles. Don't they all look so adorable in their Christmas clothes? We also heard from all our children, who were having a fantastic time, except for wishing we could all be together. 

Praying for those who cannot be together as they are serving our country, protecting us so that we may have our religious freedoms to celebrate all our holidays in the way we wish. Also a prayer that they will all return home safely and soon to their loving families!

HUGGLES to you all!!

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Countdown to Christmas..... Nano and Mia's New Christmas Outfits

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6 Days Until Christmas

We got all the babies new outfits for Christmas... actually we got them more than one each.  But you probably figured that out already if you know me. HaHa

Here are Nano and Mia in one of their outfits each, if you notice, the bow on Mia's dress matches the print on Nano's outfit. Too cute. =)

 

Hope your Christmas plans are going well..... Stay safe and sane.

 

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Countdown to Christmas...Mia's Christmas Sweater

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With only 30 days until Christmas, I wanted to share with you a photo of Mia in her new Christmas Sweater.

She loved it so much that she was strutting her stuff as we took our walk this afternoon. She just knew she looked pretty.

Hope you are all enjoying your holiday preparations. 

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Flashback Friday ~ Little Mia

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I am linking up with Camille of Crazy Mama for Flashback Friday. Camille is on a partial hiatus due to some carpal tunnel from her pregnancy, but she still managed to post a linky for us to add our photos to her site... what a trooper. Love you, Camille!!

 

Today I have decided to post a photo of our little Mia when she was just 4 years old - she is now 6 1/2 but is still lovable and cuddly. Any of you who know us, know that we totally adore and spoil our fur-babies. As you can see in this photo, Mia even has on her pearl necklace. Can you say DIVA????

 

 

 

So, how about you dig out some old photos and share them with us? I just love seeing what everyone looked like in the past.

 

Post your photo then link up with Camille over at Crazy Mama...... and have a great weekend.

 

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October: Adopt a Dog Month

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My Adopted Baby, Mandie =)

October is American Humane Association's Adopt-A-Dog Month. A dog can bring SO much to your life:

an exercise buddy

a best friend and confidant for your child

a dog you can train with to learn animal-assisted therapy

a partner in agility competitions

a constant companion for your favorite senior citizen

a fuzzy face to greet you after a hard day at work

PLEASE if you are looking to add a furry family member to your household, call or visit your local shelter to find the perfect dog for your needs. There are (unfortunately) so many kinds of doggies at the shelters that I'm sure you can find the one that will fill your home and your heart.

If you are looking for a particular breed that you don't see at the shelter, go online to find a breed-specific rescue group in need of adopters like you.

We are truly happy with everyone of the doggies we have adopted, sure, we may be a little crazy to have five, but we love them all and have gotten five times the love in return!

For more information, or if you're not in a position to adopt but can donate a small amount to help care for these precious creatures until they are adopted, head on over to the Humane Societies website. You can even donate to your local shelter. I know they would appreciate anything you can contribute, be it food, blankets, money, or even your time.

“I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source.”
― Doris Day

 

Image Credit

 

 

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Yes, People We Have Five Doggies.....

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Bill got this photo from a friend of ours and it reminded me of the reaction we get from people whenever we tell them we have five dogs. It really is hysterical and I fell in love with this photo.

Here are my babies.....



(L-R) Lady Mia, Nano, Mumbo, Mandy, Wiggles

I don't know if you would call us crazy, but how can you resist these faces?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 OK, yep, we ARE crazy, but we sure do have a lot of love in our house!


If you have enough room in your heart and home for a dog (or any other pet), PLEASE adopt don't buy - save a life with your love.

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Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day

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Image Credit

 

Today, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012 is the 10th anniversary of the International Talk Like a Pirate Day.  An original concept created in a moment of temporary insanity by John Baur and Mark Summers, as they like to say, it has now become a full-blown international phenomenon.

 

Just check out the map on their website to see where it is being celebrated this year.  Look, even my doggies have gotten into the act... they have been walking around the house saying, "AARRRRFFF" all day.  (OK, I couldn't resist.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even Krispie Kreme got into the act... anyone who went into the store and talked like a pirate, got a free donut..... If you dressed in full pirate regalia, you were rewarded with a full dozen of their glazed donuts.

 

Now if you know me, I will do just about anything for free Krispie Kreme donuts, so here is what I did:

 

 

 

 

..... and here is my reward:

 

 

YUMMY!!  They were even hot. I made the lady behind the counter laugh, however it turns out that I wasn't the only one who took advantage of the deal... while I was there, another girl came in dressed up in a homemade costume with a paper plate on a ruler with a pirate face drawn on, a parrot colored in and taped to her shoulder, plus she was hiding her hand and holding a wooden fork as a a hook, she looked adorable. Her friend was taking a video of the whole thing while we were all cracking up, including the people who worked there.

 

The funniest thing that happened was on our way home, we stopped at a local drug store to pick up some things for our Halloween baggies - me in that silly Pirate getup - and it didn't phase anyone. I got not a single funny look, not a question, or even a second glance. At first Bill and I couldn't believe it... then I realized where I live: In the heart of tourist-ville. There are the parks (Disney and Universal) and other attractions (2 Pirate golf places within 10 miles of my house), so there are people walking around in costume ALL THE TIME. I have seen them in Celebration and never even looked twice. Oh, well... I got my donuts!!

 

What did you do on Talk Like a Pirate Day?????

 

 

 

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PSST..... Today is my Birthday!

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Hello, my name is Mandie and today is my 3rd birthday.... well, as close to my birthday as I know, I don't really know when my real birthday is, I was abandoned by my original person after being hurt by him. It IS a day to celebrate, however!

Two years ago my life changed dramatically. The two most wonderful people walked into my life and they never looked back. As soon as mommy came into the room, I saw her and just knew that she was the one I wanted to be mine. So, I peered at her with my green eyes and gave her the, "please pick me up" look - and she did pick me up. I put my paws on her chest and stuck my nose under her ear and snuggled right into her. She started to scratch my ears and rub my back so softly. She gave me kisses on the top of my head - I had only been hit there before, I kind-of liked the kisses.

I sat there snuggling with her for over a half hour. I wouldn't let her look at any of the other doggies and I wouldn't let any of the other people see me. I could feel mommy's heart warming and beating in time with mine - this was love at first sight, we were meant to be together.

I didn't understand at first when she left me with the nice people who brought me to the store and they took me back to the cage - I was sad. But two days later, at Petco, I saw Mommy and Daddy come in with big smiles on their faces and a fluffy blanket, I went right into Mommy's arms and stuck my nose under her ear and snuggled with her - this time I was NOT going to let her go and neither was she!! They put me in a carriage and took me shopping for some new toys and a new bed, and even a special treat. Then we went HOME!! To my Forever Home.

I love living with Mommy, Daddy, and my brothers and sisters. I get to play all the time, I go for walks with the whole family, I get fed every day - twice a day, really good food (Mommy is a good cook), I even get treats every day, and I NEVER get hit, even if I have an accident in the house (sorry you had to wash the carpet, Daddy). I get all the love I could ever ask for... I am SO happy that Mommy and Daddy chose me to live with them.... that is the BEST birthday gift a puppy could ask for.

I love you, Mommy (you, too Daddy),
Mandie

P.S. We love you, too, Mandie! Mommy & Daddy xoxox 

If you have the room in your heart and home for a dog (or cat), PLEASE check your local shelter, you will be saving a life, and you will get SO much love in return. Thank you!

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Blog Hop - Hey Girl.....

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Image Credit

Trisha over at Momdot has been doing some bloghops and I have missed several of them (BooHoo) because I haven't been feeling well and haven't been on my computer much. However, yesterday she started a "Hey Girl" meme.

Now to be honest, I had no idea what this was all about and had to Google it, but when I saw the other participants posts, I truly wanted to join in on this meme.

So post your photos and link up with Trisha over at Momdot... 

I am also doing catch-up with one of the blog-hops Trisha did last week - Get to Know How Badly I Eat by Sharing Your Fridge and Pantry AS IS:

This is the bottom of the pantry that is really a mess and embarrassing.

Hope you enjoyed these blog hops and you join in. I am having so much fun checking out everyone elses posts, some of which make me laugh so hard, I actually snort. =)

Looking forward to the next one.....

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