A Family Member

I'm so happy to write this post... grab a quick cup of java and prepare yourself for a story with a happy ending.

Dad & Riley Nov. '08

Back in December (2 weeks before Christmas) my Mom & Dad had to kiss their beloved Riley good-bye for one final time before he crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.  Riley wasn't just a dog, he was a member of our family.  He had health challenges for a number of years, but he had just turned 8.  And as small dogs go, you never expect their lives to be short.  But as fall turned to winter, Riley's heart grew heavy and ultimately he was called home to Heaven.

While Christmas was wonderful having all of us kids home, and the grandkids, there was something missing for Mom & Dad.  At the end of the day, when the slippers and jammies were on, there was a silence... something was missing.

After the holidays the quiet & loneliness really set in.  During the day, the house was really quiet... there's something about sharing a home with another living breathing creature that just makes it warmer.  At night, when Dad came home from work, there was no little Riley waiting at the top of the stairs to kiss him.

But the loss was sooooooo hard, and their hearts needed to heal.  Riley was so special to Mom & Dad.  He's the only dog my Dad has ever owned.  He was everything to my Dad.  Could he ever love another dog like he loved Riley?

And then they received a message - a sign - that just maybe the best way to heal was to bring another dog home and shower it in love.  They received an e-mail from their veterinarian, a vert trusted vet and friend.  She knew about a breeder that had a litter of puppies that were a championship bloodline.  They had one female left and she's 4 months old.  The vet has been seeing the parents (both dog and human) for generations with their Cavaliers.  She gave them the name and phone number of the breeders.

Mom calls to tell me about them.  Like a good daughter, I look up the breeders on the web and find a video of the last two females they had in the litter.  The puppies were precious.  They were the same breed as Riley, but a different color.  Could those little girls warm Mom & Dad's hurting hearts?

Proud Papa

One look at the video had my Dad giddy as a kid at Christmas.  It was as if you had refilled his vitamins.  He had bounce in his step and a true twinkle in his eye.  And he hadn't even met the pup in person yet! 

Well today was the day.  They went down to meet the breeders, the puppy, and the parent dogs.  The owners were beyond generous, so kind and truly passionate about their dogs.  They too treat their Cavaliers as family members.  When they send a puppy to a home, it's as if a member of their family is moving out.  There is a happiness for the puppy starting their new lives with wonderful owners, but a sadness as their little one is moving on.

It took only moments for this little girl to melt Mom & Dad's heart.  They knew she was meant to be theirs.  She nuzzled into my Mom's neck.  Her sister in the litter (whom the owners are keeping) was beyond playful and showed off just how much love the owners have been giving all the pups.

Hugs were exchanged and Mom & Dad brought LUCY home!  Lucy is a snuggler.  We stopped over to meet the new baby, felt we should be bringing some dog bone cigars to celebrate the arrival.  The best part is seeing how in an instant, how the love of a dog can make so many people smile.  How she can bring peace to a grieving home and how she makes us all feel so very important.

Mom, Dad & Baby Lucy

I promised you a happy ending!  I know Mom & Dad are happy, but I'm over the moon with happiness that they both have that fuzzy warm little bundle of fur there to shower them with kisses every morning and waggles every night!

Chris snuggling with little Lucy

Hope your weekend is filled with happiness and love.... and if you have fur babies like my family does.... give them an extra pat from me!

{Hugs & Love!}

The Beads are Talking

Focal Bead Created By Julianna Cannon - JulsBeads

In my brain... yes, I think they're whooping it up in there singing We are the Champions, We are the Champions, there's no time for... ♫ you get the drift?  I was able to snap some pictures yesterday while the sun was all beautiful and such... and then got turned sideways and upside down and by then the sun set.  So the mission continues... stay focused, but not too focused.

I have to focus enough to make some dandy new creations - BUT - not too focused that I accumulate 1,493 pieces that all need to be photographed and listed in my store.  In helping to "organize" (and I use that term loosely" my designs and my work space, I've noticed my designing goes in spurts.  Sometimes I'm just jamming on the strung and wire wrapped pieces.  Other weeks the seed beads massage my back, and sweet talk me so I give them all my attention.  I know these two styles often appeal to different people, so in my infinite search of "organization" I'm trying to spotlight these pieces in different ways.

Make Sense?

Dandy!  So now, that you have a little sneak peek into the elves in my brain that never stop working (bless those elves) I'm going to let them get back to work as I enjoy just oneeeee more cup of coffee!

What's on tap for your weekend?
{Hugs!}

Grand Intentions for 2011

99% of the time I start a new year with a similar goal... be more committed to exercising and eating better.  I can't help it I love oreos and sometimes Mac & Cheese just gets the best of me.  Usually my appetite beats out common sense and I set the work out DVDs aside in lieu of doing much more enlightening things... such as __________ (fill in the blank with whatever you want.)

So this year, dag nab it, I'm really going to do it... but do it my way, Dawn Style.  SO I've started out the new year doing osmosis exercising.  You see, I put that workout DVD under my pillow and away I went.  I haven't had a problem sticking to it yet!!!

I wake up so refreshed and feel better already for sticking to it.  Actually, it's working so well I think I'm going to start my own club - Osmosis Exercise by Dawn... anybody in?

Okay, back to the grapefruit... Hope your New Year is Wonderful!!!  P.S. Are you a resolution setter or not?

The Gift of Creativity

Photo courtesy of Juli Cannon - Julsbeads

Yesterday I posted and shared with you a little secret... "the bead fairies are spoiling me rotten!"  I've had so much creativity flowing through this body that I'm practically bouncing like Tigger.  Yesterday I snapped some photos of a necklace I designed with a set of really, really cool beads from JulsBeads.  I'm telling you, these beads started talking to me the moment we laid eyes on each other.

They are the coolest round bead with a "ribbed" exterior in clear glass.  In the middle is a blend of beautiful purples and blues with a hint of maroon... maybe... or maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me. :o)  Either way, they are beautiful!

So they were the inspiration for this necklace.  I love swirls & curls (which is why wire jewelry originally caught my attention when I was toying with the idea of where to go next in Dawn's Great Life Adventure).  So I carried the swirly pattern through creating a chain of seed beads in a swirl pattern.  The necklace turned out really colorful, and tons of fun.

I have another project in the works that will also be wonderful!  Can't wait to share more... but for now, the beads are calling! Hope your day is full of creativity and love!

{Hugs!}
Dawn

Champagne Anyone!

I had this ornament hand-painted with our dog's pictures.

I'm still savoring all the wonderful memories that were made over Christmas.  We have lots of family close buy, so our Christmas started a week early and ran all the way through the weekend.

The highlight of the holiday - my niece and nephew (2 1/2 and 14 months) enjoying the Sterlite tub we brought our gifts in.  First it was a boat.  Then it was a drum (upside down) and then my sister Amy gave the kids a big bag of soft vinyl colorful balls... upon them dumping in the tub it became a "Bubble Bath in the Living Room Auntie Dawn - Squeeeee!"

Frog Toe Socks for Ashlynn!

We laughed so hard, and shared so much love it was really wonderful.  We also had created an Elf Yourself video using photos of Chris' parents (who are 75 & 76).  We again laughed our fannies off watching Nana & Papa break it down disco style!  I think during that 8 minute video we each added at least 10 years to our lives!

Yesterday I had an AMAZING day with the beads.  Seriously the bead fairies were so generous with me, my creativity was seeping out my pores and I think even my dogs are wanting to learn how to bead.  I have to get photos to share, but I promise you... you'll absolutely love it too! 

I'm getting re-organized and back into a rhythm this week.  Then Saturday is the ROSE BOWL with our very own Wisconsin Badgers!  So it'll be another fun weekend!  In the mean time, I hope the bead fairies are just as kind to you!

{Hugs & Peace!}
Dawn

Wordless Wednesday

What Every Woman Wants Giveaway

Guess what my dear friends... I've partnered with my good friend Sky Purington, an incredible author to do one last giveaway of the year!  Our theme is What Every Woman Wants and I've created two... not one but TWO custom pieces of jewelry for this special giveaway.

Anybody can enter and to do so, just head on over to Sky's Blog and take a look at our little visit.  We chat about our Christmas Traditions and Memories and look forward to hearing some of yours!  To get to Sky's blog, here's the address:  http://skypuringtonwrites.blogspot.com/2010/12/what-every-woman-wants-under-her_20.html

Sky is a wonderful author.  She writes of Scottish Highland hunks, and mystical travels... adds a bit of history and blends it all together to make an indredible fantasy adventure.  While you are visiting her blog, please take the time to look at her works.  Personally, I LOVE to soak in my antique bath tub, steam rolling out, and Sky's books creating the scene!  But that's just me!

Good luck!  Hope your holiday's are wonderful!
{Hugs!}