Welcome to Tails From the Dog House!

Thank-you for coming to visit! I'll share with you the daily ins and outs of my life, my little family, special fur kids, and humor that I find in daily life. I hope you come back often!

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I would love to know what you have to say! If you would like to leave a comment, at the end of every post is a link that says "comments" Click on this, write your comment. Then, if you don''t have a Google account, click on Name/URL. Type in your name, your URL is optional. Then just publish your comment! I can't wait to hear from YOU!

Wednesday, March 31, 2010


I found this message, and thought it beautiful. So if you ever feel like you serve no purpose, think again!

Just Think
You're here not by chance,
but by God's choosing.
His hand formed you
and made you
the person you are.
He compares you to no one else-
you are one of a kind.
You lack nothing
that His grace can't give you.
He has allowed you to be here
at this time in history
to fulfill His special purpose
for this generation.

Monday, March 29, 2010

A Busy Weekend!

Well, as I said I would do, I made some more change purses. I don't know what I'm going to do with all of them, but they're addicting!
Then it was off to my sister Kathy's, to do Pysanky eggs.

From the left, Kathy, my mother, my sister Marti, and our family friend and adopted sister Nancy. To do an egg takes at least an hour, a task of layering dyes and wax.
After finishing the egg, it's time to remove the wax. This is done with a candle, paper towels, and a steady hand!
These are a few of the many eggs that were made yesterday, most their owners took home with them!

These are three that I did,
and these are eggs of Easter's past, one which is 15 years old. If you've never tried this art form, do give it a whirl, it's really a lot of fun!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

What I Was Doing Yesterday

I was sewing! I found a pattern on line for this adorable origami coin purse, and had to make one. I'll be doing more of these today before going to my sisters to do pysanky eggs.
Then I finished up this needle case that I made for my sister Wendy. She loves fairies, and when I found this fabric with fairies by Cicely Barker, my favorite fairy artist, I knew that was what I would use to make hers.
There's several prints on the fabric, so I cut out one for the front,
one for the scissor pocket,
one for the back pocket,
And one for the back cover. This was so much fun, I'll be making more of these too!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Furry Friends Friday

While working in my craft room yesterday, I saw Mitzy and Andy intently watching and listening to the birds outside the window. Luckily my camera was right there so I could catch the cuteness!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

What Is Happening to US!

I've never wanted this blog to be a place to air politics. I still don't. But I am afraid. I can't watch the news anymore, I can't hear what is happening in our country. I've never seen such division, such hate, prejudice, heard such hateful fear mongering, and never thought I would in the United States. United. That's what we used to be. But not anymore. Far right conservatives striking fear into every one's hearts, spreading their propaganda, I feel like the days of Nazi Germany have returned, only we are the targets this time. I fear for our President, who by the way is NOT the anti-Christ, and I fear for the black members of congress who are facing threats, racial slurs, violence and hatred. I fear for a country that has senators who can block congressional hearings at will, totally ignoring the needs of the people they were elected to represent. I fear for my family,and yours, who will suffer from the results of this upheaval, from those who have such disregard and disrespect for the people they serve. I want no comments to this from those who believe that this type of treatment is o.k., is deserved, or warranted. I've already heard your side. I ask all of you to please pray. Pray hard. For our leaders, for our President, and for us.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

What You See on the Outside....

Andy is my constant companion. If you haven't met him in previous posts, he was adopted from our humane society where I did volunteer work. He's 2 now, but as a kitten, people would come in to look for a pet to adopt, and Andy was always made fun of for his "different" looks. No one bothered to look beyond those eyes and into his soul. I guess that's what attracted me most to this poor little creature, brought in sickly, wormy, and undernourished. As a person who has put up with the same treatment, I knew what it was like for him. Andy had to come home with me. Since that day, he has become my little man. His personality far outshines what others consider to be the homeliest creature they've ever seen. Andy, short for Andromeda, a heavenly place of beauty, has a heart of gold, a funny attitude, is a true pal, and the light of my life. We could all take a lesson from this little cat. Don't judge on race, color, attractiveness, or one's religion. Get to know a person and what they stand for before passing judgement. Especially in this day and age, it's time to let go of prejudices and embrace one another in love. Now go in peace, serve the Lord.

Friday, March 19, 2010

I Figured it Out!!

I finally figured it out!!!!!!!!! I was determined to not leave this computer til I figured how to file these pictures on this program, and low and behold, I did it. Now if I can just remember how I did!!
So here's what I've been up to!



Last Saturday, my sisters, our friend (adopted sister) Nancy, and I went to Hamtramck, a polish town about an hour from home. We make the yearly trip to get the supplies to make psanky eggs, a tradition for the past 17 years. These are pictures of the display windows at this fantastic little store, loaded with polish pottery, linens, candies, jewelry, all from Poland.
Then Sunday, my sister Kathy and I went to Mikado, the little town in the northern lower penninsula, to visit my brother Jay and my sister-in-law Cheryl. If you're a regular reader, you know my brother makes his living teaching primitive skill/native americans workshops. He also built a log cabin on their property nestled in the national forest. The cabin was built the old fashioned way, he harvested the trees, stripped the bark, and used no modern electric tools to do it. The results are amazing! I'm so proud of him!


On Monday night, we all gathered in the dining room with our craft projects and had the nicest time sharing our talents, and creating .
Cheryl, Kathy and I did quilting, and Jay worked on a 4 ft. replica of a canoe, built just as theIndians did. You can go to his website to also see the full canoe he builds, and his other skills.
These are 2 of the ash baskets he made, he pounds the wood himself into the strips to weave, and twine is actually made from deer tendon. If you haven't yet, be sure to click on the above to visit his website. Details on building the cabin, the canoes, and other skills are all there!
We had such a nice time, I can't wait for the next trip north!

AARGHH!!

I have a new computer. And it's driving me nuts!! I really want to post pictures of what I've been up to, but this computer won't let me put my pictures into files so I can browse and put them in my posts! It's driving me crazy! So as soon as I figure this out, I'll be sharing more.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

A Very Sweet and Special Gift!

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Tonight I received this beautiful doll from my sister Wendy.  Click on the picture to see the detail in the stitching she used to embellish her.  She did such a beautiful job on her, the embroidery, the painted face, I’ll cherish her forever Wendy, thank-you!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Me Monday

TO MY DEAREST FRIENDS. I'M SO GLAD I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS!

The correct way to weigh yourself

Picture (Device Independent Bitmap)
I can't believe that I was doing it wrong all these years!
WE MUST SPREAD THE WORD.


So ladies! Did you take your "me time" today!? I went for a very long drive in the country with my little pom Chip. Unfortunately, I can't get my pictures to download on to my new laptop! I still have to figure out a few things on here, but my other computer I would just right click and save my pictures to whatever file. I can't do that with this one! But anyway, we had such a nice time, driving through the hills and seeing signs of life coming back. There were a lot of people walking their dogs, which I probably should have done instead of taking him for a ride! What did you do today?

Picture (Device  Independent Bitmap)

Saturday, March 6, 2010

I keep asking myself...

What would Jesus do? I know he would say "forgive him and move on." I try. Really, I try. After all, he is a man of the cloth, a pastor, a man of God. He is the Pastor of my mother's church, formerly my church. At this point in my life, I can't even enter that church. What would cause me to be so bitter and unforgiving? I've had many issues with this man, but this is what broke the camel's back.
My father died in March of 2005. Dad gave his all to this church. He was in charge of the sound for the radio broadcast on Sunday morning, he was there to record the sound for all church events, weddings, funerals, baptisms, etc. The fee for his services was always given back to the church, he never kept a dime. He was a deacon for many years, headed up the puppetry program for Sunday School and special events, wrote the scripts, spent hours on sound. He never missed church except when ill, and tithed every dime brought into the house. He was a true man of God.
When there are funerals, the Mission Guild and the ladies of the church would put on a pot luck meal for the families after burial services, as I'm sure most churches do. It's a mission, and a biblical call to take care of widows and their families. When this pastor took over the helm, he saw funeral luncheons as a way to line his pocket. I was at the council meeting, ( I was council secretary) when he brought up charging the widow-widowers $3 a head for the luncheon. I strongly objected, and was told this wouldn't be for faithful members of the congregation, but for those outside the church using this service. Still not totally on board, the resolution passed.
When my father died, I was shocked to find out that my Mother would have to pay $300 for the funeral luncheon. Against my better judgement, the family agreed. Mom didn't have that kind of money, and the tab was picked up by the grandsons. After the luncheon, NO leftovers were given to the family. Some was given to each helper to take home. Instead, this pastor SOLD the leftovers of the food we payed for, to the Wednesday night supper. Wonderful Wednesdays as they are called, have dinner that costs $3. So, he made double the money on my father's funeral. Does this money go back to the church!? Absolutely not! It goes into his pocket. He buys the meat, the ladies of the congregation bring food and dessert. His argument? It costs more than $3 to go out to dinner.
So here is my complaint. We aren't talking about a casual night out to dinner. We're not talking entertainment. We are talking about a mission to take care of widows after the death of a spouse. I thought this was just that, a mission. Not a chance to take advantage of a family in a time of tragedy to line pockets.
Can someone out here explain to me where this is right? What is the procedure at your church? Can this be justified or am I unnecessarily upset? Please talk to me. This is swallowing me up and has been for 5 years. It's effecting my prayer life, my health, and with the anniversary of Dad's death on the 12th, it's all come to surface. My mother is sorry I feel this way. I'm sorry she doesn't.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Furry Friends Friday! TOPS! March Fourth Party!!!

Or not so furry friends! This is Andy, my sphynx mix, sitting in the window behind the curtain. Any sunlight he can get on his little bare body is most welcome!


Today was our TOPS meeting, and I was very honored to be nominated and elected chapter co-leader! I'm doing good with my loses, and will report my milestones as I accomplish them. I don't want to jinx myself by reporting every loss, I always seem to set myself up for failure that way. I will say though, that I a close to my first milestone! I love this group of ladies, the support is wonderful.
My sister Wendy has started a tradition in our family, of celebrating March 4th, the only day of the year that is a command. On this day, we celebrate with one of her fun parties! Our family and family friend Nancy get together to celebrate, and we have a riot! These are her foot sugar cookies. We also had foot long subs and Barefoot Wine! (Yes this really is a brand of wine!)
Her husband Dan made a "table runner",

and made a matching shoe print border that went around the dining room.

We had a whimsical sock contest, Mom won with her classy "Betty Boop" socks!

We played Hangman, all the words had to do with feet. This one was 'hammertoe". All the prizes for the games were foot things. My sister Kathy won for Best Foot in Mouth story. We had such a great time! Thanks Wendy, your second annual March 4th was a riot, and I can't wait to see what you come up with next year!!
My husband Ken with his "foot in mouth"

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

And Now For Something Completely Different!!




O.K. my blog friends, I am going to put a challenge out to you, and hope to see some of you sign up! On Monday, March 8th, I am asking that for 1 to 3 hours at some point of the day, you put away the cell phones, turn off the t.v., put away the i pods, and anything else electronic, and spend those hours doing something for yourself. The only technology you will be allowed is a camera. So whatever it is that you do with that time, document it. Then, on the 9th, post a blog about your "me time" day. Be creative! This time is strictly for you! To participate, leave a comment, so we'll know who's blogs to visit. Are you with me!?

Monday, March 1, 2010

Furry Friends Friday, a Little Late!

On cold, snowy days like this,
It's nice to have someone to keep you warm.