Get well Grandpa Jim.....

Mom & Dad got a call last Saturday evening that Grandpa Jim had been in a motorcycle accident. He was riding with 5 other guys and had an asthma attack while riding in the hills of Arkansas. He ran off the road and flipped off the bike. He ended up being life flighted by helicopter from Arkansas to St. John's Hospital in Springfield, MO. He broke his right collar bone and all of his ribs on his right side. He also has a punctured lung. As bad as it is, it could of been a lot worse, as there was a 30 foot drop off about twenty feet from where he laid the bike down. He was in ICU up until a couple of days ago. He is in much pain and will be for some time, as there is not much they can do for broken ribs and collarbone. I ask that everyone will keep him in your prayers as he is on his road to recovery. He is still in St. Johns Hospital and it appears he will be for a few more days. St. John's in Springfield is a great hospital and they are taking very good care of Grandpa Jim.
I have been staying home taking care of Eric and the two cats while Mom & Dad have been away. Mom and Dad came home yesterday. Dad brought Mom home and he went back down to Springfield early this morning to be with Grandpa.

Take care and "Don't forget to hug a dog today!"

Happy Memorial Day and Flowers

I would like to take this time to remember all those that have gone before us. You will always be in our hearts. Also, to Molly and Samantha, the two doggies that lived here before I came along, you are still missed. I know how you felt living here. Someday I will meet you and we can exchange stories of our lives and just how well we have had it here on this great earth. As always, we want to remember the men and women that have given their life serving our country for our freedom.

I spent a large amount of the weekend taking it easy (what's new?) I like to rest at the top of the steps. Mom and Dad took some pictures of the backyard and of the house. We had a cookout of ribs, corn on the cob, potato salad and baked beans. I really thought those ribs looked good, as well as all the other people food they had. Dad did fix me a Hot Dog on the grille. However, I often wonder where it gets it's name "Hot Dog". I like to just call them "Tube Steaks".

I would like to share a few photos that were taken of my house over the weekend.
Here's a couple of shots from the front yard.

Here's one of the old bike Mom found at a flea market (I hate the word 'flea") Why do they need a market to sell fleas anyway? I'm starting to itch just thinking about it.

I do like the flowers Mom put in the basket.

Here are a few taken in the back yard. This is my stomping grounds. I hang out here most of the time. Well, some of the time. I'm really mostly inside sleeping near Mom and Dad while they are working. But, I do enjoy my back yard the most. Mom has so many pretty flowers there. Here are a few.

Here I am peeking through the gate. I see my next door neighbor outside. His name is Cooper. He is a Collie.
Here's Cooper, he is such a sweet guy.

Hope you enjoyed Mom's flowers. Take care and until next time.......... Don't forget to hug a dog!

Another Great Weekend

This is my sad Teddy Bear look. I have been doing this look for a few days now. It drives Mom & Dad crazy. That is one of the reasons I do it........ This has been another great weekend. The weather has been fantastic. Mom & Dad had a couple of graduation party's to go to. I stayed at home and rested up. They went to Lexington, MO. for Tony's party on Saturday afternoon. Tony is the son of Kari and Mark McCurry and grandson of Linda and Jerry Markley. Tony is a good kid. We are very proud of him. Tony is going to go to Wentworth Jr. College next year. On Sunday they went to Drake's graduation party. Drake is the son of Roger and Kim Siegel. Drake is going to Iowa Wesleyan Jr. College. He will play football there. Drake is also a good kid. Good luck to both of these guys.Here I am laying out back while Dad was cooking out on the grille. I usually go where Dad goes. Especially if he goes outside. It doesn't matter if he is cooking out, mowing, cleaning up his motorcycle or just sitting on the deck. I want to be with him. I am usually laying next to him when he is in his office working also.

Here I am sleeping next to him as he works on the computer. Dad works from home a lot and I get to sit or lay next to him while he works. We keep each other company. We get along with each other real swell. Sometimes if Dad is working away and has a snack, he will share a little bit with me. It may be the sad Teddy Bear look that makes Dad give in and share with me. That is not the main reason I am always next to him, but it is one of them.
Here I am again, in my bed in Mom & Dad's room. The weekend is winding down and I am worn out. It has been another fun one. I got to spend a lot of time with Mom, Dad & Eric. My good friend Linda stopped by to visit with me on Saturday. Linda used to live across the street from me. She moved to an apartment downtown. I don't get to see her as much as when she lived next door. I always like it when she stops by to visit. One of my other friends, Winnie, also stopped by for a visit. I have fun when Winnie comes by also. They are both very special humans. Hope every one''s weekend was as good as mine was. Don't forget to hug a dog......we like it when you do!

Happy Mother's Day

Saturday was a good day! The sun was out and we had a nice breeze, temps in the low 70's. Just a perfect day. We celebrated Mother's Day at our house. We ordered out for pizza, since we didn't want the Mom's to have to cook. Dad fixed a gluten free pizza for Amber. I spent most of the day outside enjoying the day. I love to lay next to Mom's flowers. Every once in a while I'll take a quick sniff of them. They smell so gooooood............ Amber and Scott came over, as well as Grandma & Aunt Patti. Uncle Keith had to work. Mom, Dad & Eric were here as well. We spent a lot of time outside on the deck. Eric brought out Callie to also enjoy the nice day. Bailey was upstairs sleeping and didn't want to be disturbed. Here are a few pictures from the day.

Eric & Callie


Amber & Mom Amber & Scott


Me again, laying in one of my favorite spots. Next to some of Mom's flowers. Mom has many flowers and she really enjoys being outside with me working in her flower gardens. I'll have to get more pictures of our gardens once they are in full bloom.

Later that afternoon, Dad took off for a ride on his Harley. He had a nice ride. Here is a picture of Dad's bike. He loves his bike.The next day, Sunday (Mother's Day). Eric fixed dinner for Mom & Dad. It was his Mother's Day gift to Mom. He went to the store to buy all of the goodies and came home to fix the meal. Mom & Dad didn't have to do anything. They relaxed and watched TV while Eric prepared dinner. (He even did all of the dishes.) I'm told it was very good, however I had my usual.........Purina One, yummy.... yum!

Here is Eric, hard at work on dinner........

And the finished masterpiece.........

"Sauteed Chicken with Sicilian Olives, Capers and Roasted Lemons"
We all had a good weekend. Why are weekends so darn short and quick to come to an end? Oh well, later that evening, I finished off the day with a quick nap before bedtime.
Happy Mother's Day Grandma Ruby. We all love and miss you so very much.......... Until next time.............."Don't forget to hug a dog!"

Way to go Eric!

Amber and Eric

This past weekend, Eric received his Masters. It was 10 years and 1 day to the date from when his sister, Amber graduated from the same school. Northwest Missouri State University.....Go Bearcats! We are so very proud of both. Now, it's off to the work world. He is waiting to hear about his trip to Spain to teach for a couple of semesters. He would leave this October. He's real excited about this trip.

This is a picture of Eric and his friend Susan. They have know each other for several years. It was a happy day for both. Congrats Susan. I, myself, didn't get to go to the graduation, however I did attend the graduation party last weekend.

Well, I had promised a "Manly" photo of Dad. Well, here it is. He was breaking broncos at the early age of three years old. Hope everyone is having a good week. Don't forget all the Mother's this Sunday.

Most of all...........don't forget to hug a dog!

My cousin, Owen

Here's a picture of my cousin Owen. Owen lives about an hour away from my house. I hardly get to see Owen much. He snores a lot when he sleeps. His Mom and Dad are Kenny and Suzette. They treat Owen real nice and sometimes they spoil him, but you could never tell it. He is built real close to the ground and he wobbles a little when he walks. Owen is a real good fella!


This is a picture of my Mommy. Isn't she cute in her blue rain suit? She will probably get a little upset with me for this picture, but I think she looks real cute. Mommy looks cute no matter what she wears. Her and Dad like to go on little trips on their Harley. Dad calls it a Hog, but I've seen pictures of hogs before and that doesn't look like any hogs I've seen. I miss Mom and Dad when they leave on these trips. I don't know if they just like to get away for a couple of days or enjoy getting a away from me and the cats. Nah....I'm sure they miss me when they're gone (not so sure about the cats though) and I really miss them.

Hey, you've seen pictures of the spoiled cats, Me, Mom, Eric, Grandma Chickie, my cousins, and my red neck friends. But you haven't seen Amber and Scott yet. Well, here they are. What a great looking couple! They are getting married on July 11th and we are all so excited. We can not wait to have Scott become a part of our big family. He fits right in and we love him. We are so very happy for the two of them and we know they will enjoy spending the rest of their life growing old together. Just like Mom and Dad do. (not that Mom & Dad are old by any means) Scott & Amber spent last weekend on a get away with friends and we can't wait to see the pictures. Check out Amber's new blog here: http://www.avocado-owlet.blogspot.com/

So long everyone, maybe next time I'll post a picture of my Dad. He is quite an adventurous sort of a man. I'm sure I can find a real manly picture of him to post. It seems that most of his photos are that way........ until then, "Don't forget to hug a dog."

Busy and Fun Day

Here's a picture of Eric and his new Dell laptop. He will graduate next Saturday and he will earn his Master's Degree in European History. Way to go Eric, we are all so proud of you. He is hoping to go to Spain in August and teach over there for a couple of semesters. We also celebrated his 25th birthday, as well as Grandma Doris's xx birthday. Dad cooked out on the grill and it was fun seeing everyone. Our dear friend Linda also stopped by for a visit. It was such a nice day out. I spent some time outside on the deck, doing one of my favorite things. Making mulch.............

Making mulch is such a hard job. It really wears me out form all of the physical labor involved in this type of activity. I usually try to rest a little after working like this.

Here I am walking everyone to the gate as they left for the day. Mom and Aunt Patti gave Grandma Doris a ride home. Grandma couldn't stay too late, as she had to get home and check on cousin Boo. If you remember, Boo has been sick and had to spend some time in the Doggie Hospital. He is feeling a lot better now. (Thanks Dr. Pete) Boo has to eat special food and take it easy for a while.

Mom took the camera to get a couple of pictures of Boo. I am so happy that he is feeling much better. Boo likes it out on the deck also. He likes to lay in the sun and soak in some rays.


This is his favorite position to relax in. I think he looks like a miniature bear rug myself. I can't get this flat. I hope everyone had a good weekend. I sure did. Don't forget to hug a dog.