Happy March!

Hello hello-- happy March to all! This is an even crazier weather month than usual - and it's only March 5th! We had a record high of 81 earlier in the week. The Rickster wanted to turn on the AC!! Coming up this week, the temps will be in the teens and some snow forecast. OY!! Finally, we had some welcome rain last night and thunder! Thunder always make me think of our dear little Scottie, Muffy! She was terrified of thunder and I spent many a night sitting with her in the basement on the sofa with the tv on loud. Sweet baby! She was the best little terrier! Rest in Peace sweet Muffy.

Of course, Frannie the goofy doodle is a good dog too and thunder does not bother her in the least. Wearing a raincoat, however, bothered her a LOT! HA HA HA!

Last weekend when it was sunny and almost 70, Maddie was home. We spent Saturday afternoon at nearby outdoor mall in Omaha called Village Pointe. The place was hopping due to the lovely weather! So many stores there that we don't have in Lincoln. She found an adorable spring/summer dress at a store called Altar'd State. Bonus - it was on sale!

And we even stopped at the outlet mall on the way home. A little bit of retail therapy always does a person good, am I right??

What can I say about the Ukraine and Russia? My heart and prayers go out to their brave leader and all the people there. Every day I wake up hoping the situation has improved. And I have two very special friends with some dire medical issues and have been praying for them nonstop. I know there is power in prayer. We may not get the results we hope and pray for, but I know our prayers are heard. Sending love and prayers to all.

Hello Frannie!

As I'm always saying, I can't believe this month

zipped by so fast!

Seriously -- it really did.

And I kind of hate for it to be over.

Trees are turning color here in Nebraska and are stunning!

Breeder Little Paws of Iowa Photo (probably 6 weeks old)

 It's been a busy month as we welcomed a puppy this month.

I really didn't think we would  welcome another dog so soon, but our hearts were

broken and we were so sad when Muffy died.
The house felt empty and lonely without her.

Our new pup, Miss Frannie, is a Mini-Goldendoodle.

She's a little bundle of energy and is working

overtime healing our broken hearts.

She's almost 12 weeks old now

and probably around 10 pounds.
The breeder estimates she will be 25 pounds full grown.

She's a fast learner and puppy classes are helping her learn new tricks
and how to behave herself.
Stay tuned!  The Adventures of Miss Frannie Doodle will continue!

Hello October!

Hello October!

Hoping it is a better month than September.

Definitely starting out on the extremely rainy side -

yesterday we had nearly 3 inches of rain.

Raining buckets as I was driving and I could barely see -
you know I'm not a confident driver in bad weather!

That was scary -- but saying Hail Mary's out loud

always helps me and I made it through the deluge.

I think cooler temps and lovely days are in the forecast

in a day or two -- more rain today.

Looking back at the life of our sweet pup - Muffy Mei!

Adorable little pup in 2010!





She loved chewy sticks and treats!




Brave girl went down the slide!





Modeling for the bandana business!




Maddie and Muffy featured in our neighborhood magazine!




Yes, we were those people -- we got her a pet
stroller and were able to use it a couple times when
she was too worn out to walk.
Muffy died a week after her cancer diagnosis on September 20, 2019.
We loved that sweet dog so much.

What a Week!

Last week!  It was one that I don't want to repeat

any time soon!

First, Maddie woke up with a bat in her room on Saturday!

EEEEK!!

She and I both hyperventilated!  We were able to 

throw a box over it so that -- you know -- Animal Control

could pick it up to test for rabies!  Since it had been in a room

of a sleeping person for who knows how long --Animal Control

will provide that service!  Then a long wait as the bat person

was out on Monday.  It wasn't until late Wednesday that

we were informed "no rabies."  

Did we google bats and rabies?  Oh yes, you bet we did and

that made us all more nervous.  No one wants to have rabies

shots - happy we were able to avoid those.

I'd insert a cute photo of a bat here - but no such thing exists --

there are no cute bats!

New dishwasher - 2019

That same day, Mr. Tennis informed me that my dishwasher

was leaking!  Why is that appliances belong to me when they break?

Anywhooo - I've  had my dishwasher since 1995!  Wow-- they

made them to last back then.  No parts available so it was

off to dishwasher shopping. It's arriving today - fingers

crossed for easy installation.

Muffy puppy - July 2010

The bat issues and broken dishwasher were nothing 

compared to the news we received on Thursday.

Our darling Scottish terrier, Miss Muffy, is very ill.

She has cancer in her spleen and liver.  Her pancreas is

inflamed and her poor belly is extended and very tender.

As you would guess, the prognosis is not good.

The cancer is a fast-growing one. 

 She is severely anemic which is the answer to why she has been so incredibly tired 

the last couple of months.

We are keeping her comfortable,

taking her on short walks (she really can only walk very short distances), 

and giving her treats and love.

We are simply heartbroken.
Best. Dog. Ever. 

We love our sweet Muffy!

Happy Golden Birthday - #9!

Today, May 9, our Scottish Terrier turns 9!

Muffy and her siblings - 2010

She's the sweetest dog . . . most of the time.

She loves treats and belly rubs.

She still follows Rickster around  like - well --  like a puppy!

Maddie, Muffy and Muffy's parents, Wallace and Logan

She likes a few other neighbor dogs like the

two Corgis across the street and the pups

on either side of our house.

But, she hates the Schnauzer Sisters  (Mildred and Gertrude - mini schnauzers)

from down the block.

No worries -- they don't like her either.

I think it's a terrier thing!

She's not a fan of thunderstorms or fireworks!

We keep a supply of doggie valium for stormy days/nights

and the 4th of July!

She's really one of the best dogs ever!

She's getting a little gray now and really enjoys

her naps -- hmmmm- I guess she's taking after me!

Happy Birthday Muffles!

Five on Friday

Trying something new  -- here's a

"Five on Friday" list.

1.  The Weather  -- Our Scottie loves the snow -

me, Maddie and the Rickster -- not so much.

By February, we are definitely ready for warmer temps and green

grass!

2.  Super Bowl Food -- Can I get a Yum!

We love Mexican dip for the Super Bowl (but, wasn't that game a snoozefest??)

or a salsa dip from Trader Joe's called Cowboy Caviar -- mix it with

some cream cheese and heat it up! It's so good and

has a real cowboy kick to it!

3.  Trees -- There were (operative word is "were" - they are all gone now)

 some huge evergreen trees behind our fence.  

Last week, the utility company sent some incredibly

brave and talented men to cut those trees down so

the power won't be affected during storms with

tree branches falling.

They did an amazing job!

4.  Jane -- A couple weeks ago, we took Jane (almost 9!)

out for her Xmas gift experience.

We went to Barnes and Noble and then to Scooters!

She picked out a book and then a yummy smoothie and a scone!

The boys' experiences will be coming up in the future.

Each little got a coupon for a special fun time

with me and Maddie!

5.  Cookies!  

M and I bought one of these little bitty cookies in a skillet 

mixes at Christmas.  I bought it as a gift and gave it to myself!

We baked it and maybe we did it wrong

as it turned out really dry! 

 Edible and so cute - but dry!

Ever since then, I've been dreaming of baking chocolate chip

cookies!

Have a fun weekend!!

The Weather

Yes, I am already commenting on our wintery weather!

The last four (4) weekends in a row, we've had bad weather.

Rain, ice, snow, cold and frigid temps have descended upon us.

I admit there have been a few times when the temps 

warmed up a little bit during the week and melted the snow and ice.

But the very next weekend -- repeat -- more ice and snow!

It's not even officially winter 

and I'm getting tired of it!

Our pup, Muffy, thinks it is a real treat to go out 

and rub her Scottie nose in the snow and roll around a bit!

Lately, she's taken to going outside and barking

at the snow too!

What a treat!

A warm weather vacation is looking better and better every day!

The Chronicle

Thank you for the sweet messages on the death of my Dad.
Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated.

Earlier this year, Maddie was interviewed for an 

article in our neighborhood newsletter/magazine, 

The Country Club Neighborhood Chronicle,

about

her doggie bandana business - 

The Happy Hound Collection!

It was a fun chat with the writer about how Maddie started it all

with an instagram account of Miss Muffy, our Scottie Wonder Dog, and

how it has grown and changed through the last two years.

Maddie has sold over 700 bandanas!

She wrote a fabulous article about Maddie and the business!

Maddie has expanded the business to include tie-on bandanas in addition

to the original over-the-collar bandanas

and plush doggies!  She was sewing up those pups at the end of summer

so quickly.  I think she made 18 one week!

Soooooo, if you're looking for a doggie bandana

for Christmas photos or to get your pup looking stylish, let us know!  

Classic plaid is a great look for every pup

at the holidays!

So proud of her hard work and her sewing skills!

The Business - Happy Hound Collection

Some of you may remember that Maddy

has a little doggie bandana business.  

Since it's been about a year since she first started it,

I thought I'd do a quick update!

Muffy - modeling one of the flannel tie-on bandanas!

Last year around this time, Maddy and I attended and sold

at our first and only craft fair.

While it was a fun and learning experience, we learned

that most of the people visiting our church-sponsored

craft fair were little old ladies whose dogs had just died.

Soooo, they were not at all interested in our adorable doggie bandanas.  

Nothing against lol [little old ladies], of course,

as I am getting to be one of them, but we quickly figured out they

were not our target audience.

Maddy researched a plan and decided an etsy (homemade items) store

was the way to go!  She made a logo and set up the Etsy

site, listing products and doing all kinds of social media

posts on Instagram.

She's had over 572 sales since her business

started in February, 2017!  That does not include

direct sales to friends and neighbors.

Isn't that amazing!

So proud of her and all her hard work!

She really connects with her customers and has developed

so many Happy Hound friendships!

We love visiting the fabric stores and choosing fabrics and 

sewing, sewing, sewing!

Plus, our Scottie Muffy, has thoroughly enjoyed

modeling and receiving loads of treats for her hard work!

If you'd like to see any bandanas currently available,

check it out at   Happy Hound Collection

Yawning or just waiting for another treat?  Modeling is a tough gig!

A Little Snow and a Birthday!

Our winter weather has been a bit strange!

We had 6 days in February with temps in the 70's!

Most of us were very happy with those

warm and sunny days!

Ahhhh-- felt like spring!

Two days after hitting a record high of 76, we had

thunder, rain, hail, sleet and snow all in the time frame of 2-3 hours!

That's the beauty of living in Nebraska -

the weather can change very quickly!

Our little Scottie thinks she is a snowdog -- she absolutely

loves it and spent a lot of time rolling around in the snow and rubbing her 

face in it every single time she went outside!

She has so much fun that I don't mind (too much) the messy towels 

and blankets she uses to dry off when she comes back into the house 

only to want to go out again in a very short amount of time. 

Who knows what the weatherman will bring us in March and April?

I'm ready for the warm-up to hang-around!

Happy last day of February

and Happy Birthday to my firstborn son Philip today!!

[He'll love that he got to share a blog post with the dog!!!]

I didn't make this cookie-cake, but wish I had a bite of it!

My Little Entrepreneur!

Miss Maddy and Muffy have been big fans of Instagram

dog accounts

and doggie bandanas for quite some time.

They have won many contests and "modeling" gigs -- 

Muffy is the model and paid with many, many doggie treats!

Hmmm -- perhaps that could be contributing to her (Muffy's)

winter weight gain!

Muffy modeling the "Picnic Plaid" bandana

For the past six months, Maddy has been designing 

the perfect doggie bandana in her spare time.  She's tried the tie-on ones,

the snap-on ones, velcro, etc.,

but neither she nor Muffy were fans.

They often came unfastened or caught Muffy's fur.

So, they determined a slide-on over-the-collar

bandana would be the way to go.

Your doggie cannot escape the fashionable bandana look

when it is fastened over the collar!

Sooooooo, she and I developed a pattern of sorts

and hit the fabric stores!

We made quite a few winter/Christmas bandanas, but did not have the 

Etsy store up and running at that time.  

We've really become focused on the spring/summer line!  

Miss M went to work and figured it out and now she has her

own little storefront on Etsy (happyhoundcollection).

Some of the spring collection

My little sewing machine is getting a workout!

If you're wondering about the division of labor in this enterprise,

Maddy is the taskmaster/designer/cutter of fabric/etsy go-to-person,

packaging master and

I am the seamstress.  

One of our favorite fabrics with either pink or purple on the reverse.

We love some of the spring fabrics we've found and the bandanas

are totally reversible!  

We offer two sizes (mini --our Scottie wears a mini) and

standard  size for larger dogs.  By special order, we can do Jumbo

for really big pups!

Easter Peeps and pastel plaid on the reverse side!

If you have time and the inclination, check out 

her Etsy store (happyhoundcollection)!  

Or contact me through the blog and I'll see what I can do.

She's quite the little entrepreneur!

While it is a bit of work when I would normally be lounging

on the sofa watching The Real Housewives or cleaning house (ha),  it's

totally fun to do with Maddy and it reminds me 

of my sweet Mom and how much she loved to sew!

She'd be so proud of us!

Yippee Skippee TGIT/TGIF! What Happened to My Eyebrows???

TGIT/TGIF!

Has this felt like a really LONG week

in a really LONG month to you too?

Icy!!

At the beginning of the week, we had that crazy ice storm to contend with 

and if you know me at all, you

know I was awake worrying

about driving at least 2 or 3 nights

in the past week!

Yes, I am that neurotic person who

drives about 10 mph when it's icy out!

Thank heavens the ice has melted . . . for now!

The ice on the trees was sooo pretty as it melted!

With high school back in session for a couple weeks now,

Miss M is deep into homework

and cheerleading as the

cheerleaders are getting ready 

for a state competition in February.

So, if the poor girl isn't doing homework, she's

either getting up early (6 am practices 2x a week)

or staying up late (sometime 8-9:30 pm practices).
The struggle is real people!

Even Muffy has better eyebrows than me!

In other fun(ny) news, I had my eyebrows dyed the other day.
Have you ever done that?
I have done it before and now I remember why I didn't do it more often!
Yes, my eyebrows took on a life of their own!
Looked a bit like someone drew them on with thick brown crayons!!!!!!!
AAACK!!
Maddy could hardly keep from laughing as we left the salon!
Mr. Tennis looked at me all night long like I was possessed!
Later, Maddy said they looked fine -- just reminded her of a walrus!
WTH!?!!!!
Now, after a couple days, I believe there has been much
improvement and they don't look so brown Crayola-ish or thick!

Hmmm- what maintenance procedure should I try next?
Would love some eyelash extensions (have also tried those), but
they are pricey and take a LOT of maintenance to keep up!
Guess I had a case of the saggy baggy blues and needed a change. 
Maybe next time I'll
book a flight somewhere warm!
Learn from me and just buy a good eyebrow pencil!
Happy weekend!

Photographer in Training!

One of Maddy's favorite things to do over the summer

was to take our Scottie, Muffy, out for photos!

Maddy was determined to build up Muffy's Instagram account and

had a goal to obtain a certain number of followers

She met and exceeded her goal.

Muffy now has over 7,000 followers!! 

Dogs are very popular on IG!

We love following all the Doodle pages!

 Maddy spent a good part of every day this past summer

with her hand-me-down camera capturing the essence

of a Scottish terrier who did not always appreciate

having her photo taken.

Bonus -- that Instagram "fun" goal has turned into a real

interest for her.  She has applied to be the

photographer for choir at school this year.

Even if she doesn't get it, she is looking forward to 

taking some photography courses in high school.

The other bonus of Muffy's popularity on IG, Muffy has

won a few contests!

So far, her prizes have been a new bandana and

a new collar. 

 Muffy is thrilled with both!  :)

And I was able to sneak in a few photos of my high schooler

recently too!

Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That -- Random!

Do you believe it's the end of July already????

Boo hoooo -- July is my favorite month and it's nearly over!

Hibiscus -- Favorite flower!

The last few weeks have been a bit of a blur of 

driving here and there and back again to 6 AM cheer practice,

 8 AM pickup and back again

at 4 PM and another pickup at 6 PM with

other driving duties throughout the day.

Some days I felt like I was . . . in Jackson Browne's words,

"Running on empty, running blind . . ."!

Fave summer drink - Gin & Tonic -- I see one in my future!

Only a couple weeks til  high school starts for my adorable

freshman cheerleader!

Excited nervousness is how I would describe this time

in her life.  There's a bit of worry about the lockers

and locker combinations and getting to class

on time!!!!  I'm sure it will all be just fine!

One of the professional photos from Shane and Sunny

And we've been busy getting our Scottie feeling better!

She's had a rough summer and had to go to the vet's office a couple

times due to allergy problems and hot spots!

Muffy is finally feeling better and able to 

work her Instagram account again!  :)

Have a wonderful weekend!!