Fridays are Golden

I've been complaining about the dog beds in the great room.  Impossible to keep clean and sliding all over the floor.  Well, we have fixed that problem.

Lucy checks out the package from LL Bean.

I just know it's something for us!  Come check it out Ellie!

Um...I'll just watch from a careful distance if you don't mind.

Uh, Dad...it says no sharp objects.

Oh, I knew it was something for me!  Blue is a good color for me.

Yep...I like it.

Maybe I'll check it out after all.

Oh, I like it too!

So how long will it take before Lucy plops down and crowds Ellie?

Not long at all.

The new beds are a bit hit with the dogs and with me.  The covers are denim, very easy to vacuum.  They don't slide all over the place and they make nice little nests.  The girls love them.

Here we are approaching another weekend.  We will set the clocks for Daylight Savings Time and lose an hour's sleep.  College basketball tournaments will be on constantly and the remote will be busy switching from game to game.  Well, except when the TarHeels are playing.  There will be shouting and excitement and a great time will be had by all, win or lose.  It ain't called "March Madness" for nothing.  We definitely go mad around here.

And this weekend we will keep our thoughts on those affected by tragedy...natural disasters and man-made disasters.  We count our many blessings and reflect on those less fortunate.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!

Fridays are Golden

When we built our house, we designed a room for the dogs, complete with an elevated tub/shower so we could bathe them. We did all of their grooming and bathing ourselves.

Two years ago my husband injured his leg, and while I could certainly have done both dogs myself, it would have been a two-day job. So we found a local groomer. Oh, were we surprised! She did a marvelous job and charged us ONLY TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS per dog. We did some quick calculations. On the one hand, we could take the time to trim their nails, clip their pawpads, trim inside their ears, bathe and dry each dog, wash a load of towels and our wet clothing, and clean up the room. On the other hand, we could take them downtown for a morning, pay fifty dollars plus tip, and bring home two clean dogs. We still use the shower to cleanse dirty feet, but we no longer bathe the dogs ourselves.

The morning at the groomer's is exhausting for both of them. They are not very active at all for the remainder of the day.

Lucy lies between a chair and the sofa, her head under the end table. (Jeez, I just dusted under there. I'm sure of it.)

Or she plops over and lies with Ellie on one of the beds upstairs.

That evening, Ellie lies in the corner of her large bed.

She seems to be moping about having been to the groomer.

Lucy stretches out, using her bed and part of Ellie's.

Suddenly Lucy gets a spurt of energy and grabs the blue tug. "Hey, Ellie, want to play?"

"Not a chance, you silly thing."

They don't mind going to the groomer. After all, she gives them lots of treats and seems to really like them. But they are all done-in on bath day.

This weekend has brought severe weather across our country. Milwaukee, where we lived for twenty years was inundated with a stalled weather system that dumped 8-11 inches of rain on the city and surrounding suburbs. We ask you to send positive vibes to our friends, former neighbors, and all the residents living there. Our daughter is fine and for that we are extremely grateful.

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND, EVERYONE.

Fridays are Golden

The Golden Girls have complained recently about the quality (or lack of quality) of their beds in the den. The other week my husband and I noticed the beds are getting a bit ratty. With each washing of the covering, the foam inside is a little more lumpy. Perhaps it is time to get the girls new beds.

On the other hand...they certainly don't seem to have any trouble at all sleeping in these as this picture of Lucy suggests.

But you don't know how much circling and pawing I had to do to finally get to sleep. And look how my head is hanging over the side, and my paw as well.

Ellie is sound asleep in her bed as well.

Yes, Mom. I may be asleep but I'm not all that comfortable. These bolsters don't hold up all that well.

Imagine their surprise the other afternoon when my husband picked up both beds to take them outside.

Lucy immediately follows him and almost grabbed one of them.

Whoa Dad. What are you doing?

Both dogs are keenly interested in what is going on. The dogs don't like change. They don't even like it when the covers are being washed, or when the beds are moved for vacuuming. And now their beds are being dragged out right in front of them.

Lucy looks dismayed to see the beds outside on the steps.

I don't get it. Are we going somewhere? We never take these old beds with us.

Ellie takes her typical defensive action.

This is too scary for me. I'm going to get in my crate.

My husband has gone up the stairs and Lucy stares up there in wonderment.

Dad! Have you lost it? You left our beds outside!

Well, girls. Remember that really big package we got before went on vacation? And you were really interested in it?

And soon another identical one arrived.

The tag on the box may give you a clue about the contents.

[TO BE CONTINUED]

After a beautiful sunny week, it is raining and windy here today. The trees are swaying and the leaves are falling in huge numbers. The birds are flocking to the feeders this morning.

WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING THIS WEEKEND AND NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE, PLEASE THINK OF YOURSELF AND RELAX A LITTLE.

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND, EVERYONE!