On the Go

I am heading out to Clearwater Florida next Saturday for a week with my darling family. No, I am not driving. It would take three weeks just to get there on my Harley. I am hoping to come back with a more positive regard for Judyvan. Wearing a swimsuit at age 61 is very scarey. I can't even swim -terrified of drowning - but I like to paddle around in the shallow end of the pool with my inflated donut to keep me afloat. I was quite adorable in a suit when I was younger, but even then I always found something to feel bad about. Most of us will never look like the swimsuit models, so I just have to give that one up. I am trying to love myself with all the bags and wrinkles and pudgey spots. I shall overcome.

A new collar for Dudley

For those of you who do not know, I have a huge crush on Cesar Millan, "The Dog Whisperer." I checked out his new book, "Be The Pack leader" from the library and checked out his web site. His wife, Illusion, developed a special collar, named afer her. It is supposed to give the Pack Leader (that's me) greater control so the little bugger is not pulling me all over the place. He is so darn strong. He has been to puppy kindergarten, obedience school, and tested to be a therapy dog. He almost made the therapy dog status, until he did a little number 2 right there in front of the trainer and was immediately kicked out. Very, very embarassing. I guess you can't go doing that business in the nursing homes. Anyway, I ordered the collar and am thinking of sending in a video to Cesar. I want him to come to my house and do a show on Dudley. I told my husband about the crush and he is very worried now.

Judyvan's Darling Suitcase

Here is an adorable suitcase I made for my granddaughter to store all the fun things I make for her. She can also use it for sleepovers. I had so much fun making it. I took an old suitcase from a garage sale, cleaned it up and painted it. Then I found all the pictures of her from birth to twelve and scanned them all, then cut

them out. I bought some ribbons, trim,

stickers, and other trinkets I had around the house. I layed out the pictures on the table first to get a sense of how I wanted to arrange them. Then used mode podge glue and pasted them all on. After it all dried, I put several more coats of the paste to make it good and secure. You can see both side are different. My granddaughter just loved it. I made one for my grandson too, but can't find the photo I took of it. So don't throw those little old suitcases away. Just make it into a piece of art.

Portraits of My Grandchildren

My first novel

This short novel is based on a true story about my Westhighland White Terrior, Charlie. He was terrified of thunderstorms and one summer day when he was let out in the backyard to play, he bolted like a strike a lightening. We searched all over our fenced in yard, but there was no sign of him. I even crawled in the mud on my belly under the porch in case he was stuck or too afraid to come out. Still no Charlie. We finally did find him a few blocks away. Some kind neighbors saw him running scared through their backyard and called him in. They dried him off and gave him some warm milk and loved him up until we found him and loved him up some more. I told the story to my grandchildren over the telephone and they wanted me to retell it so many times that I decided I would just write a book. So I did and here it is. There are only two copies published in 2000. If you would like to order a copy I will just make another one. Sweet Charlie died five years ago and the ripe old age of 14. I still miss him.

Dudley, Belle (my 14 yr old Collie) and my neighbor, Linda, went for a lovely spring walk this evening. We passed a huge German Shepard and as usual, Dudley tried to take him down. He is such a bugger. Thinks he is Super Dog, King of the Neighborhood. That shepard could have swallowed him whole. I want to send a video to Cesar Milan, Dog Whisperer. I have a big crush on him and maybe he will fly to Wisconsin and share some of his calm, assertive energy with Mr. D.

Dudley Doodle's Rules for Loving Each Other

Dudley wrote this for his sister Sara and her loved one, Fred. I thought it was quite smart of him.

• Be kind to each and never go to bed mad.
• Remember how much you love each other. Everything else is secondary.
• If you are in a bad mood, do not take it out on the one you love.
• Laugh a lot. Life does not have to be so serious.
• Know what each other's goals and dreams are foster their growth.
• Relax, be silly, cuddle, and rub each other's feet.
• Always be truthful and honest with each other.
• Your beloved's well-being is very important. Support and encourage each other.
• Really loving another takes a lot of work. It's worth it, so work hard.