HAPPY NEW YEAR!

From our "Four Dog Home" to yours! Happy New Year! I hope you have good health and happiness in 2010. Dream big and may all those dreams come true!

Laughter

We need to make sure that in 2010 we laugh more often, love always, live simply, speak kindly, care deeply, love generously. LAUGH, as much as you breathe and LOVE as long as you live.......... The laughter on the faces of my granddaughters is precious and makes everyone smile...... Take it from them..... Laughter is the best medicine!

Christmas Woof!

Isn't this adorable? Our neighbors the Walsh's got us an early Christmas present from their dog Annie for taking care of her. This is perfect for the 4 dog home. First decorating I have done so far. Hoping to maybe put the trees up this weekend. Chilly rainy day here in Georgia today. Hopefully it will warm up for the weekend so we can do Christmas lights outside. This past weekend was so nice but we were a bit tired and decided to rest up instead. I hope all is well and that you enjoyed your holiday. Can you believe it is December tomorrow? Wow, almost 2010 and I still don't have my Jetson car? :-)

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is now complete, we had a very nice dinner with my son Andrew and his girlfriend Lauren. I was able to eat some turkey and mashed potatoes and I did make a more bland dressing so I was a happy camper. The 4 dogs were also happy to have a little turkey with their normal sweet potatoes for dinner. The next day my husband Bob and me did head out for some Black Friday shopping. We did not get up early and hit Kohl's around 10:ooam. I was able to get some door busters but lost out on one that I had wanted. So overall not to bad. We then hit Best Buy and we did get a few deals there also. I couldn't resist getting Hotel for Dogs, it has so many cute dogs on the cover and I am sure the grandkids will like it... me too :-) The picture is a candle holder I got at Kohl's, I thought it was so cute. Been a long few days. We might need a rest day before going back to work on Monday........ I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and now on to Christmas..... we all just need to stand back and remember the Reason for the Season!

I have been feeling a bit like this lately, this is my Guinness chilling in his chair. Seems like since I have been sick , I have been chilling on the couch. Getting stronger each day! Got to learn how to keep up with blogging. I love to read others, but sometimes it is a bit difficult in writing one. Going to try to get better at this. 2 days till Thanksgiving! I finally got out to the store today! Yippee, got a turkey for Thursday. I can't tell you how excited the 4 dogs are about Turkey Day! Also, stopped by Kohl's and got the cutest lettered candle holder. I need to post a picture. Well, those 4 dogs need their dinner..... talk to you soon, I hope!

been awhile

I haven't been on it so long. I have been pretty sick lately. Been out of work for over 2 weeks, in the hospital for a few days..... so many tests..... Today, I am trying to get back to the real world. Still not feeling that great. If no better by nov.10th, then i have more testing to be done. A CT Scan to be exact. I am just praying for healing so I won't have to go for more testing.....My hubby has been taking wonderful care of me. It has been a stressful time for the both of us. But when I read the blogs I follow they are an inspiration to me. To put the fears away and have a positive look, to hope and be less stressful.... doc said I am not to have stress, hummm does he really know who I am ? You look up stressball in the dictionary and there is a picture of me.....But I need to lift those fears up and he will take the burden from me..... look forward not back.....

crisp, fresh

Love this white family room.... do you think that would of worked at our 4 dog home? Wouldn't Georgia red clay look good on all that white. I don't think so, but it is very fresh and crisp. Posting pictures of the family room soon, finally got those curtain rods up. 6 months later...... :-)

photo courtesy of country living

over a month

it has been soon long since i sat down to blog. i have extremely busy at work and haven't had time, or haven't made the time is more like it. I am going to get myself refocus on this blog in the next few weeks. It is a good place to right my thoughts and keep you updated on my puppies. hope to add more soon, take care

So need a vacation!

It has been a long few months. I have been very busy at work and haven't taken much vacation time yet. Now this bedroom looks so comfy almost as good as a vacation.. But I am looking forward to our trip to Florida in a fews weeks, first week in August to be exact. Now most people don't want to go to Florida in August, but we are going for my company's meeting and making a little vacation out of it. First, we are going to Tampa and we got tickets to see the Red Sox play the Rays, should be fun. Then it is over to Disney for 4 days! Staying at the Floridian. Now we are talking! 4 dogs will be well taken care of. My son and neighbors will take good care of them for us. They don't like it when we are gone, we have to hide the suitcases from them but they always survive. It is hard to leave them at times, they look so sad and they need a vacation too. I better quit talking about it or they may start to get upset already. Still have over 3 weeks before we go. Doesn't look like the family room is getting painted any time soon, it has been too hot my husband says. I am hoping that maybe the new curtains rods can go up now. I will let you know how that goes. Well got to go let our neighbor dog Buddy out ! Take care and TGIF

PHOTO COURTESY OF BHG.COM

Peace

Saw this quote on a blog I visit and I really like it and wanted to share it.

peace.

it does not mean to be in a place

where there is no noise, trouble

or hard work. it means to be in

the midst of those things and still

be calm in your heart.
unknown

One thing I need to do is to be more calm in my heart, least anxious about everything and everyone.... to find that peace that will let me be free of the anxiety, that will be a calming to my being and those around me...... I am working on this. Breathe, be thankful and move forward.....

Love Chalk paint on the door. Don't forget to add doggie treats on that list!

OK, I said I loved a Kitchen a few days ago. This one is so nice. I love the checkerboard floor and the unique island. Screaming Country all the way and I love it! I have paint, just need to get myself motivated to start painting. It has been so hot and the family room is next, might need to wait a bit as the 4 dogs will need to be outside when painting in there. Too hot for my puppies in Hotlanta! Soon though! Still have those curtain rods from Tuesday Mornings to put up after we get the painting done! Stay cool...... I could do so very easily in a kitchen like this! :-)

photos courtesy of countryliving.com

IT'S FRIDAY!

Have you ever felt this way by Friday? The week dragged so long it seemed like Friday would never get here? But, guess what? It's here! You did it! I hope you have a great weekend full of fun and family times! It has been so hot, take it easy in the heat.....

loving this kitchen!

I love this kitchen! It is so open and airy. The island is just so big and awesome. I wish I had enough room for an island this size. Love the open shelves too. Nice for displaying your dish collections, etc.



photo from bhg.com

Family ties.....

This is my family, my sons, my nieces and nephew. Missing a few but what a great time they all still have together. I can remember when this bunch would put on plays in their Grandmother's basement( my Mom) for us. They would print out tickets for us and have assigned seating. We were in for a treat of break dancing and singing.... How did they all grow up so fast? Most all have their own families now that are running around dancing!
Family ties...... never let that bond be untied. No matter how far we are from each other, we will always be tied together. Enjoy each day....... make the most of each day.... be thankful for each day!

Hotlanta

Can you believe how hot it has been already. They are calling for 97 degrees tomorrow maybe even 100 degrees! whew....... that is pretty warm for only June. I can't imagine what August will bring. I guess they don't call it Hotlanta for nothing. The 4 dogs , plus one (we are petsitting) are feeling the effects of the heat. Their walks are earlier and shorter, out door time is limited as we don't want them to get overheated. They are pretty fond of a nice air-conditioned house , who doesn't, especially during a heat wave! Now, don't fret, the weather man did say it will cool down to 89 degrees by Monday. Stay cool,,,,,,,,

Shades of Bailey.....

My big guy at his best, as you can tell by the pose in from of the stove he is saying "FEED ME" , hint hint. The life of leisure is what Bailey lives for as you can tell. Mommy gets up from her sit on the couch, hmmm a Saint Bernard takes it. Catching some cool drink from the water spigot, living large and easy! He is my big bubby! He is almost 9 years old already. I can't believe it, he was just this little ball of fur when I brought him home......

Chocolate!!!!!!!

I do have this love for chocolate so it was fitting that when I saw a plant called a chocolate Iris, I knew that I had to get it. I planted it last year and it is just now blooming this year. It is very pretty and unique. Just the perfect type of chocolate the kind that doesn't end up on your hips! :-)

You looking at me?

Don't you just love this picture. Seems to be saying.. "are you looking at me?" We went the Georgia Aquarium and this guy was one of my favorites. I know that Thumper (one of the 4 dogs) would love to go to the aquarium. He loves the fish at Petsmart :-) I think they need a take your dog to the aquarium day! Wouldn't that be a hoot? Thumper would camp out for that one. Maybe we should all start a petition! Are you in?

I couldn't resist

See these beautiful hydrangeas? Well, I sort of picked them yesterday without asking. There were alot of them...... I have the hardest time trying to grow these flowers. My sister Cindy in Ohio has numerous beautiful hydrangeas. Not me, I have tried and tried and they just die. So when I saw these ones, I sneaked a few in the car. My excuse was going to be a dog accidentally broke them off. Blaming the dog again. :-0 They are just so lovely and perk up the kitchen table!

Company! 4 dogs loving it!

We have company at the 4 dog home! Andrew, my son has moved in for a while. He just graduated from college and is waiting for that phone call to say he "got the job". He has move to Georgia from Ohio. He brought his girlfriend along for a visit for a week so she can see Georgia. The 4 dogs are loving having company. More hands for petting them!!! Today, we went to the Georgia Aquarium. We love that place, if fact we have annual passes. Watching the fish is so calming and relaxing. What a life huh? Sometimes we may feel we live in a fishbowl but we can strive to change that feeling to a 2-story fish tank! It truly is up to us to make the changes and be more relaxed and calm. I do have a personal problem in doing this. It is hard for me to slow down, smell the roses and learn to relax. I am trying though. Be more like fish, I guess? I hope you find it in your day today to stop and smell those roses. I know my 4 dogs sure like to sniff alot when they are walking and I am always trying to get them to go, go, go.... I guess I need to see the life lesson my 4 dogs are trying to teach me!

Playing around with a new design

Okay, I am figuring out how to jazz up the blog... I think it looks better, learning more :-)) Hope to add more interesting content also. I got to hit the sack. My son Andew and his new girlfriend are coming in tomorrow from Ohio. I have to get up early also for work! Hope you had a nice weekend, can you believe it is going to 90 degrees tomorrow! Summer is early!

More Flower bags

This is the one at the nursery, I bought the bag and made my own. I am hoping mine will fill in nicely like this one. So pretty isn't it?

Bag for planting flowers, fill with potting soil, put plants in the slits in the bag.
I filled this one with begonias, I will keep you posted on how it goes. You can hang these a fence, deck railing, etc. Neat way to display your flowers and keep them away from the 4 dogs~~~~~~

painting my kitchen again

I just can't take it! We painted our kitchen in January a very bright yellow to make it cheerful and it is just too bright. I would love to go plain jane, pottery barn , light colors in the kitchen and family room (they connect) but I am getting opposition from my other half. Who likes color. My wardrobe consists of mostly, black, brown, gray and white. After a confrontation.. we are looking to compromise.... :-( lighter yellow and still the green in the family room. I brought home 2 samples of a paint , one lemon creme, and the the one I really really really like called coconut milk. I will keep you update on the outcome. Need to prime the wall and test them... keep your fingers crossed. Don't think he will budge on this one folks......

Summer is coming soon!

We have had so much lately that it is so nice to see the sun. My flowers are growing due to the rain, thank goodness for them. I do have a bad habit of forgetting that watering thing! But since we have had so much rain, the gardens are in need of some serious attention. At work it seems like someone is always in need of my attention, at home I tend to zone out.... my poor hubby. I do remember to feed the 4 dogs! :-)) I just have been so busy at work that it seems to have taken a lot out of me lately. I guess I need some watering also. If I don't take care of myself, then who will right? I guess my garden and myself need some watering! I am feeling a bit thirsty!

Memorial Day Memories

I can remember those Memorial Days when I was younger. I would be marching in the annual Memorial Day parade each year. Twirling my baton, not a care in the world. Things have changed quite a bit since those days. I still think I can twirl a baton if I wanted too. I remember once I dented our new TV cabinet twirling that baton in the house ( i wasn't allowed too do that ) my parents knew I was abit clumsy. :-)) I was always twirling outside , took my baton everyone.... I guess in life it is nice to be able to twirl abit everyday. Have fun, don't take ourselves so seriously. I know many this weekend will mourn our fallen heroes as well as those that we have loved that have passed to a better place. My friend called me today and told me her brother in law had committed suicide. I feel so bad for her and her husband, his brother was the only family he had in the world other than his children. Remember that phone call to a love one or friend you forgot to make, ran out of time, etc?? Make that call. Life can be so short, I think I just might have to get me a new baton....... Go twirl today! :-))

Back in the day.....

Are you "young enough to remember a 5 & 10 store? Just visited one not to long ago, now I didn't see anything for 5 or 10 cents but it just reminded me of how I use to visit these type of stores when I was a young girl. Was life simpler then? I remember sitting at the soda counter getting a "coke" with my Mom. The big ceiling fans above me and a coke in front of me. This must of been the start of my diet coke addiction. :-) But it is a memory that I will always have of me and my Mom. I urge you all to make a memory with someone that is important to you, see what a simple "coke" can do. Life is too short... make those memories now!

Happy Graduation!

Mother's Day was great this year again. Going back to Ohio is always a treat. My children (grown) live in Ohio. My son, Andrew graduated on Mother's Day from the University Of Toledo. This was a proud moment for me and his family. Awesome job Andrew. You do have the world at your feet. Cherish each day and live your life to the fullest.

Good to be home!

Home from a long weekend in Ohio for my son's graduation. Andrew graduated from the University of Toledo on Mother's Day. What a great gift! We are very proud of him. He now has the world ahead of him. I know that he will succeed in whatever he chooses to do. The 4 dogs handled us being gone. Thanks to our neighbors for pet sitting our furry family. I know they missed us, mostly they missed their routines. They like their routines, just like their Mommy, and if it gets messed up they can be out of sorts. But they did good! It is nice to be back home, but I do miss my family up in Ohio. It was great fun!

Houseguest

This little pup was found by our neighbors at track practice at the local high school. We have tried to find his family with no luck. He spent most of day at our house with the 4 dogs. He is adorable. Since we are full at the 4 dog home with our puppies, we thought he might have to go to the shelter. He is so adorable that I don't think he would be there for to long. But our other neighbors "Jennifer and her son Scott" are taking him in for a few days on a trial basis. Nothing is for sure yet, but this give us time to either find his owners or a possible new family for this well behaved little guy. I will keep you updated!

Monday....

Happy Monday! After a long day at work it is nice to be home. One thing about my 4 dogs is that when I come home they are waiting for their Mommy! Everyday when I get home, I announce that I am going up to "change". Guinness and Libby race up the steps to beat me to the top. Then they race down the hall way and JUMP into our bed. Then usually Guinness will run back down the hall way, jump on the front bedroom's bed and then to the back bedroom bed and then run down the hall to jump on our bed again! This is a daily happening at the O'Brien's household
Above pic is them saying "what Mommy we didn't mess up the bed"

My hometown... going to Ohio next week!

This is the Lorain Lighthouse. I grew up in Lorain, OH. The lighthouse is a landmark ( or lakemark) :-) on Lake Erie. I took this pic a few years ago when we were back for a visit. Going back for my son's graduation from Toledo University next weekend and to celebrate Mother's Day.

Yard sale find, for the doggies

This is Guinness enjoying my yard sale find! Bailey our Saint Bernard loves these fold out chairs. His second one is in pieces in the garage, but he loves to lay on it. I found this one this weekend at a local yard sale for $3.00! Can't beat that for a comfy dog bed. This has replaced the one in the garage. So for now, no more foam is being tracked inside the house. Tis the season for garage/yard sales, so get on out there and get yourself a bargain!

Nice evening last night

Bob and I had a nice evening last night visiting the Kekels and their pack! Lori is doing a makeover on her kitchen and ask me to come over to help pick out paint colors for the walls. We choose an nice neutral color and going a shade darker for the dining room. Some chunky shelves for storage and it is going to be fab! We had so much fun with their doggies. They are so nice and sweet. Kat, Lori's daughter is fostering a Mommy cat and her kittens. I am going to post some pics of those adorable kittens soon. She has done an awesome job in fostering. They are lucky kittens to have her. Her dedication to animals is amazing. What a lovely young lady. Well dinner is late tonight, just got back from a nice walk with our 4 dogs. They are laid out now :-))) Stay tune for some pics!

Four Dogs Relaxing, Such a nice day!

Oh what a beautiful day we had today. The 4 dogs are enjoying their back yard. They love to lay in the sun and soak in the rays.

Yard work today!

I made this hanging basket with different flowers that caught my eye at the nursery today. They had them all made up like this, but I decided to go the cheaper route and make mine own. I think it turn out nicely. Just got to keep it alive now. Hmm Watering is a good thing! :-)

House Numbers

I added house numbers to the front door. I think it brings some charm to the door. You can get wonderful wall sayings, house numbers on numerous websites. I used Wonderful Graffiti. Check it out!

Dog Days of Summer Already?

Thumper digging a hole under the bush to stay cool. It was super warm today in Georgia. The 4 dogs got their walk early morning to avoid the heat. Even with the AC on,they seem to be zapped from the heat. We have gone from low 60's to 86 degrees. Where is Spring? We want 70's and sunny! They don't call it Hotlanta for nothing.

Great Auction Deals!

You never know what you can get at an auction. I got the chandelier (Brand new in box) and stain glass window at the local Cherokee Humane Society auction. It is great to support your local auctions for charity. You never know what kind of great deal you may get. These types of fundraisers help so many animals that are in need!

chalkboard paint

I am finding uses for chalkboard paint. It is so neat. I repainted our Hoosier cabinet green and put a glaze on it. I decided to paint the doors with chalkboard paint. Neat way to write your grocery list, reminders, just have fun! I painted some clay pots (earlier post). Hmmm what else can I use it on, dogs are scared! They are sure not to stand still for too long! :-)) I will keep you updated.. but if you want to have some fun, get a can. Great for a child's room, kitchen, craft room. Have fun!

Monday Madness...The 3 that got away!

When I got home today from work, I opened the garage door and 3 out of the 4 dogs came running out. Bob forgot to close the door from the garage to the house. Do you think they came to greet Mommy? They all zoomed right by me across the street to the neighbors back yard. Got back in my car just to see them running back across the street two doors down and our neighbors house, Jennifer. Libby woof at the handyman in the driveway. She and Guinness ran up to the front door. No doubt to visit their friend"Trouble"who lives there. They were looking in the sidelights for their little buddy. Bob came running with leashes just as Thumper appeared. We had them trapped! YEAH! In the old days, we might not of seen Thumper for a few hours if he got out, now you can see him thinking.... I am too old for this and heck it is dinner time! We got Guinness and Thumper on their leashes to head home. As we started to go, Thumper ran into the freshly planted flower pot on Jennifer's stairs. It overturned, and all the flowers came out. Oh my, we felt so bad. The picture is after Bob repotted Jennifer's flowers. Scott, Jennifer's son looks on. Thanks for snapping the picture for me Jennifer. I hope the flowers survive. Thumper feels bad....

Learning how to import pictures from Picasa

A few pics I have from our home.... learning how to do this! Bear with me.