Pupdate: Waffle

Posted on September 5, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

Shelley, Tucker, Waffle and Lola

Just 6 days until our “F” puppy comes and 8 days until Emma leaves but we got some news about Waffle this week that I wanted to share. Sunday marked two years since Waffle and Carole met so I sent off and email to mark the day. I got back an email with news on a big change coming in Waffle’s life. It turns out that while Waffle is wonderfully behaved everywhere she goes with Carole as a medical service dog, she really doesn’t like her job. Add to that is that she lacks confidence in new situations (saw this as a puppy) and Waffle can get stubborn when she doesn’t want to do something (saw this too).

So Carole has been looking for a new service dog to replace Waffle. I knew she had rescued a feral dog, Shelley, from a trip to Costa Rica but didn’t know until now that she had hoped that Shelley could take Waffle’s place. But while Shelley is smart she can’t deal with the long plane flights etc. and her prey drive is intense. Not surprising when you think about her origins.

At that point Carole had four dogs in her household. Tucker, an old boxer, Waffle a soon to be retired service dog, Shelley, a now healthy and happy rescued dog but not cut out for service, plus Lola who belongs to a family that helps with things when Carole is away for work. Adding a fifth dog just isn’t going to work. Time to cut back before adding a new dog. Shelley went to live with a couple, both veterinarians, with lots of land and things for Shelley to chase.

Waffle is going to Cape Cod to a wonderful family with an old lab, 2 boys (5 and 12 years old) and their parents. The mother met Waffle about a year ago at a two-week seminar in Tucson. She bonded with Waffle during the conference and went running with her everyday. Lauren never forgot Waffle and felt like Waffle was “the dog of her heart”. So when Carole started looking for new homes for Waffle Lauren asked if she could have her. They have sent Waffle cards, texts, and photos! Isn’t that so sweet. They are sending shirts with Waffle’s sent on it to Cape Cod and vice versa to help the two dogs get used to each other. I’m sure that Waffle will have no problems adjusting to the new dog. She has never been the only dog in the household in all of her life. Carole and Waffle will be going to Massachusetts Halloween weekend and Carole will stay for 3 days while Waffle settles into her new household and reconnects with Lauren and bonds with the rest of the family.

Carole will make sure that we get contact information for her the new family and they get ours. I’m a little sad because Waffle won’t be a service dog anymore. But she just isn’t cut out for it and I appreciate that Carole wants her to be happy in her work. Mostly I’m sad because I was looking forward to meeting Carole and seeing Waffle when Emma graduates in a few months from San Rafael (that is assuming she isn’t career changed). Carole lives not far from there and assuming the timing worked for her to be in town. The only possible way Emma could graduate by the end of October would be as a breeder and that is still fast to get all the tests back and her status confirmed as a breeder. But mostly I’m happy. I think that Waffle will love her new home and family. Now we will have another pup on the east coat, the farther east you can go in fact. Maybe we will get a chance to see her out there and meet her new family. Cape Cod is a beautiful place and the family sounds perfect for her.

Candy Window Update: welding

Posted on September 1, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

Bill getting ready to weld a part of the Ferris wheel

September is here and we are still working on the structure. It was so unrealistic to think it could be finished by now. The main strategy I’m following is making sure I have stuff for the Youth Council to do when they come.

One of the biggest tasks with the most unknowns is building the structure for the Ferris wheel. It is going to be metal except for the cars, they are out of plywood. So Bill has to do lots of welding. He took a shop class in high school and did a really nice job with the spot welder. We are borrowing a wire welder from one of the other candy window artist and Bill is getting the hang of that. He has run into a few hurdles and has found ways over or around some of them. One was how to hold the short metal bars in at a right angle to the washers that he wants to weld them to. The washers will be attached to the cars and the metal rods will connect to the Ferris wheel. Last week he learned about an inexpensive jig with magnets that is perfect for what he needs to do. Yeah! So today he worked getting all 12 of those welds done.

finished parts

I worked on prepping the plywood for the car pattern. I’m hoping we can use their band saw tomorrow to cut them out when we return the welder. We can only use the welder on weekends when their shop is closed. Bill helped me by cutting the 4’x8′ sheet of plywood into 16″x12″ pieces. We then screwed 6 of those together and spray mounted the paper patterns on top. We the table saw we cut all four sets of straight pieces and trimmed of the straight edges on the back and the side pieces. Yeah for progress.

Bill is still trying to figure out how to get the threads cut in the ends of some of the metal rods. He isn’t sure if the problem is too cheap of dies that her purchased to cut the threads or if it is something else.

The South Jordan Youth Council kids will be coming on Wednesday and Saturday this week. We have 3 more polycarbonate trees to assemble and lots of candy to put on those. Getting wholes punched in the green gels to line the trees is a big pain. But I haven’t come up with a better way to do it. It doesn’t look like I have enough mini green gummy bears for the trees. I have to decide if I want to use a variety of green candy for the trees or if I should get another case of mini gummy bears. The ones I have are left over from last year. Also the gummy gumdrops I got for the lights aren’t going to be enough. I need to get more or pick another kind of candy to add to it.

I think I could have the kids paint the seats on Wednesday if they are cut out. It should work to paint them first and then assemble them. Not sure if my drilling and screwing skills are good enough to get them together in the really square fashion that they need to be for them not to cause problems when the Ferris wheel turns.

Pupdate: All pups

Posted on August 29, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

As I looked back I realized I haven’t done an update on most of my pups since March so here goes:

Apex curled up on the car seat

Apex, the senior pup of the group turned 6 years old in May. He is still a happy and healthy boy. They went on a cruise to Key West in the spring. Apex is a frequent traveler. I wish I traveled to as many fun places as he does. Sue retired from a long-time position a couple of months ago, so Apex’s days are a little slower, though she has been super busy taking care of family and friends in need. Sue starts a substitute teaching job this fall. I’m sure Apex will enjoy being around the kids again after the summer off.

Mark and Banta at the Furry Scurry

Banta still loves being a guide dog. She and Mark went out to dinner a while ago and as they were leaving a group of people where admiring Banta. One of them said, “your dog looks so happy.” She had her head and tail up and wagging as they walked out. Mark loves her spunky personality. They are such a perfect match. He wrote this about her recently:

She has learned a new bad habit. When we are going home and I have my cane, I undo her leash when we are getting close to our back gate. She lets me walk about 5 feet and then runs and either jumps and hits me in the back or runs around and punches me in the stomach. She does this about every 5 feet until we get home. It probably does not help that I start to laugh and give her treats when she punches me. Sometimes I reach out to grab her and she will jump and do a 360 turn in the air, of course that is worth another treat.

Casey curled up on her bed

Casey and Carrie spent 10 days in Italy this year. She enjoyed the cobblestone streets and lounging in the sun. When they got home Carrie went through the final ceremonies for becoming a lawyer. She is working in the same firm where she articled. They moved her office to the sunny side of the building so that Casey could enjoy the sun. She is a fair weather girl.

Waffle met Carole two years ago on Sunday. She gained another sibling this year. It is a four dog household now. With Emma going to San Rafael there is a good chance we will be taking a trip there in a few months. Waffle lives in the area so I’m hoping the timing works out to see Waffle and meet Carole while we are there. No new photos of Waffle to share but Carole posted this Short Video on Facebook. I think you will be able to see it. Waffle plays the supporting role to her sister Shelley.

Sharan and Yakira on the cruise to Key West

Yakira got to go on her first cruise in May. Apex who is a veteran cruiser was there to show her the ropes. So awesome that two of our pups got to go on a cruise together. Sharan had hip replacements soon after the cruise and is now starting to get out and about again. Yakira is enjoying life in Florida at just the pace she likes, slow and easy.

Zodiac and friend Roxie watching over Kolton

Zodiac and David just passed their year mark as a team this month. They are now officially a successful guide dog team. Zodiac is devoted to David and remains the same fun-loving dog he was as a puppy. I am hoping to plan a road trip to Missouri to see them in the near future.

Dune chillin’ out in her new digs

Dune and Ashleigh have been a team for two months now. Though she is not a fan of the Arizona heat she loves being a guide dog. Here is some of what Ashleigh has said about Dune:

I have to say, Dune is an amazing guide. Dune is a spark plug. She always wants to get going and I am so happy to see her tail wag when I grab the harness. I really have seen her excitement and joy at being told she did a great job and getting a good pat on the head. It makes me smile regularly to see her tail wag in excitement at finding that tricky doorway or that randomly placed light post.

Emma’s Farewell Party Invitation

Emma will be getting on the puppy truck in two weeks from tomorrow. The last few weeks always go so fast. So much to fit into those last days. I never seem to get enough photos taken. I still need a really good picture for her official portrait. We are having the traditional farewell party for Emma a week from Sunday in the afternoon. If you are in the area and want to come let me know and I’ll send you our address. We are going to miss her lots, but she is ready to go and I’m excited to see if she wants to be a guide dog.

F puppy comes in just 13 days! Time to get geared up for a cute but clueless puppy. It is such a shock to go from a well-trained dog to the brand new puppy but it is also fun to see them for the first time, learn their name, and get to figure out their personality. Each puppy is different and we learn so much from each one of them. Still time to add names to the name guessing contest.

Boy that took longer than I planned. Guess I’d better do updates on the pups as they come in instead of doing them all at once. It will be my goal to get updates done every Friday.

Something Sweet 2014: South Jordan

Posted on August 25, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

polycarbonate tree for this years candy window

I haven’t posted anything on the Candy Window project all year. It is about time I did. So first thing to do is catch you up on what has happened so far. In January we picked the theme “Hearts All a Glow”. Then not much happened for several months. I thought about window ideas but didn’t settle on anything because I didn’t know where my window was going to be and some ideas just aren’t very conducive to some spaces. Things have been up in the air on funding. Last year the developer of the shopping area gave us some money but the property was sold to a new developer and we still don’t know if they are going to come through with money. The back up plan is the South Jordan Arts Council.

I had hoped to work with the Bingham High School Art Club (they helped a little last year). But the adviser for the club has too much going on to do the club again and no other teachers came forward to help. Then in the spring there were some rumblings about having the South Jordan Youth Council help on the project. About that same time I found out that my window was going to go between the main front doors of South Jordan City Hall. I went to see the space and it was about 4 feet by 8 feet, so generously sized. My big concern was getting power to the space. It is in the entry way between the sets of doors. Not an area that normal has electrical outlets.

About that time I got the news that the Youth Council wanted to help. So I got together with the kids and their leaders to brainstorm ideas. I didn’t want to pick an idea and then tell them what we were doing. I wanted them to feel like they were part of the project from the beginning. There are two things I’d like to accomplish by using a youth group. First is just hands to help get it done. There is lots of gluing to be done and my hands are starting to show the wear and tear of the repetitive motion. The second and in the long run the more important, teach them how to do a candy window and hopefully over the years a few of them will catch the vision and want to do windows of their own. I’d like to move into a more advisory role with the windows but to do that we need more artists.

On the day of my meeting with the Youth Council, in July, the power for the window got worked out. The city is installing outlets in the back wall above the window. I asked them to put outlets in the two side areas too. It would be super fun to have a three-part window the could be walked between. I can image it would be like walking through candyland.

half-scale model of the Ferris wheel

After some brainstorming with the Youth Council we came up with a really fun idea. A big project for sure that I wouldn’t tackle without their help and couldn’t pull off without Bill’s help too. We are building a Ferris wheel with more than a dozen different Christmas characters on and around the wheel. The plan is to have lights on it and to have it rotate. I’ve been meeting with the Youth Council a couple of times a week to work on getting things going. They start school this week so hopefully they will still have time to come regularly to help. Their leaders are great and easy to work with.

section of snow with dehydrated mini marshmallows

Last week we got miniature dried marshmallow glued down on half of the snow for the base. We have 5 polycarbonate Christmas trees that will have light inside them. All the plastic is cut out but only one is assembled and ready for gummy bears. Bill has the steel to build the Ferris wheel but has only done a little bit of the cutting. There are lots of technical details to work out on the Ferris wheel. We have the plywood for the seats on the Ferris wheel and the pattern printed and ready to go for cutting them out. The original goal was to have the structure done by the end of August. That wasn’t realistic but I hope we can have most of it done by the time the new puppy comes on September 11th.

It is kind of funny because Bill and I were busy working on the very first candy window we ever did when the World Trade Center collapsed all those years ago. Interesting the connections we make to different events in our lives.

Pupdate: Coming & Going

Posted on August 22, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

Just 20 days until our new “F” puppy comes. Here is the current list of names from the naming contest. It is an impressive list of names. But there is still time to add your suggestions. Additions don’t have to be unique. This is also about guessing what her name will be, so you can “vote” for a name already on the list. If I’ve failed to credit you for a suggestion let me know and I’ll add your name to a suggestion. I see a couple that I don’t have anyone down for suggesting (oops).

Faberge Karen (Lisbon)

Fabia Minh

Fabian Jan

Fabiana   Karen (Lisbon)

Fabianna   Karen (Lisbon)

Fabianne Karen (Lisbon)

Fabrica Kellie

Fabiola Minh

Fable Karen (Lisbon)

Fabray Karen (Lisbon)

Fabrice Karen (Lisbon)

Fabulous Karen (Lisbon)

Facet Tina

Fáelán Karen (Lisbon)

Fahari Janine

Fahrenheit Tara

Fairfax Karen (Lisbon)

Fairlane Kellie

Fairy   Karen (Lisbon), Minh

Fairytale Kellie

Faith Jo Ann, Louise, Kellie

Fajita Martha, Tara

Fala   Karen (Lisbon), Janine

Falafel Karen (Lisbon)

Falcon Janine, Louise

Falina Karen (Lisbon)

Faline Kellie

Falkland Karen (Lisbon)

Falla Tina

Fame Martha

Famous Karen (Lisbon)

Fancine Laurel

Fancy Holly, Randy, Karen (Lisbon), Brianne, Tara

Fandango Jan

Fanfare Janine

Fanny Karen (Lisbon), Laurel, Kellie

Fanta Karen (Lisbon)

Fantastic Karen (Lisbon)

Fantasy Karen (Lisbon), Tara, Kellie

Fantine Karen (Lisbon), Minh

Fanya Karen (Lisbon)

Fantasia Donna, Holly, Laurel

Fantine Kellie

Fara   Karen (Lisbon)

Farckle Tara

Faren   Karen (Lisbon)

Farewell Karen (Lisbon)

Fargo Toni

Farhana Laurel

Farica Janine

Farida Laurel

Farina   Karen (Lisbon)

Farissa   Karen (Lisbon)

Farley Minh

Faro Tina

Farrah Jo Ann, Tara, Karen (Lisbon), Toni

Farsi MInh, Linsay

Fascia Tina

Fashion   Karen (Lisbon), Laurel

Fate   Karen (Lisbon)

Fatima Karen (Lisbon)

Faun Tina

Fauna Karen (Lisbon), Minh

Fausta   Karen (Lisbon)

Faustine Karen (Lisbon)

Fava   Karen (Lisbon)

Favor   Karen (Lisbon)

Fawn Donna, Kellie, Karen (Lisbon), Janine

Fawna Kellie

Fax Karen (Lisbon), Jan

Fayda   Karen (Lisbon)

Faydra Kellie

Faye Louise, Karen (Lisbon), Minh

Fayette   Karen (Lisbon), Laurel

Fayla Karen (Lisbon)

Falin Kellie

Fayna Janine

Feather Jo Ann, Karen (Lisbon)

Febe Minh

February Louise

FedEx Jan

Fedora Karen (Lisbon), Jo Ann

Feisty Karen (Lisbon)

Felda Karen (Lisbon)

Felena Karen (Lisbon)

Felice Karen (Lisbon), Laurel, Janine

Felicia Kellie, Karen (Lisbon)

Felicidad Karen (Lisbon)

Felicity Karen (Lisbon), Minh, Kellie

Felipa Karen (Lisbon)

Felisha Karen (Lisbon)

Felita   Karen (Lisbon)

Felix Minh, Jan

Feliz Laurel

Fema Minh

Fender Marilyn

Fennel   Karen (Lisbon)

Ferdinand Minh

Fergie   Karen (Lisbon), Toni

Ferguson Toni

Fermata Jan

Fern Kellie, Bill, Karen (Lisbon), Janine

Fernanda Karen (Lisbon)

Ferrah Kellie

Ferrari Roxanne

Ferris Kellie

Festal Jan

Festival Tara, Karen (Lisbon), Laurel, Jan

Festive Donna, Karen (Lisbon), Laurel

Feta Martha

Fez Laurel

Fianna   Karen (Lisbon), Katie

Fiat   Karen (Lisbon)

Fiddle   Karen (Lisbon), Laurel, Janine, Tara

Fiddler Tara, Kellie

Fidel Tara

Fidela Janine

Fiera   Karen (Lisbon)

Fiero Minh

Fiery Karen (Lisbon)

Fiesta Tara, Karen (Lisbon). Laurel

Fifa Minh

Fife Tina

Fifer Kellie

Fifi   Karen (Lisbon), Laurel

Fig Karen (Lisbon)

Figaro Jan

Fiji Tara

Filamena Brianne

Filene   Karen (Lisbon), Minh, Tina

Filigree   Karen (Lisbon)

Filipa Karen (Lisbon)

Filippa Donna

Filly   Karen (Lisbon)

Film Tara

Filomena Minh

Fina   Karen (Lisbon), Meagan

Finaky Louise

Finale Janine, Jan

Finbar Tara

Finder   Karen (Lisbon)

Finesse Donna, Karen (Lisbon)

Finish Louise

Fink Tara

Finley Minh

Finn Minh

Finnian Jan

Finola Karen (Lisbon), Lindsay, Tara, Katie, Jo Ann

Fiona Jo Ann, Donna, Karen (Lisbon). Kellie

Fionna   Karen (Lisbon)

Fir   Karen (Lisbon)

Fireball Tara

Firebird   Karen (Lisbon)

Firecracker Tara

Firefly   Karen (Lisbon), Laurel, Kellie

Firelight Laurel

Firework Tara

Firenze Karen (Lisbon)

Fisher Minh

Fisk Jan

Fix Tara

Fizz Tara, Laurel

Fjord Laurel

Flag Jan

Flagler Jan

Flake Kellie

Flair Jo Ann, Karen (Lisbon)

Flamingo Karen (Lisbon)

Flan Randy, Karen (Lisbon)

Flame Lindsay, Laurel, Tara

Flannel Karen (Lisbon)

Flare Randy, Tina

Flash Randy, Lindsay, Minh

Flavia Karen (Lisbon)

Flavor Laurel

Flax Tina

Fleece Laurel, Tara

Fleur Karen (Lisbon), Minh

Fletch Kellie

Fletcher Minh

Flick Kellie

Flicka   Karen (Lisbon), Marilyn, Katie, Kellie

Flicker Minh

Flickr Kellie

Flight Karen (Lisbon)

Flirt Jo Ann, Karen (Lisbon)

Flit Kellie

Flo Karen (Lisbon), Toni

Float Jan

Flora Jo Ann, Kellie. currentdescendent, Karen (Lisbon), Marilyn

Floral Jo Ann

Florella   Karen (Lisbon)

Florence   Karen (Lisbon)

Florencia   Karen (Lisbon). Laurel

Florentina Karen (Lisbon)

Florette Laurel

Florianne Karen (Lisbon)

Florida Karen (Viansa & Ballad), Donna, Karen (Lisbon), Laurel, Kellie

Floriah Marilyn

Florie   Karen (Lisbon)

Florinda Karen (Lisbon)

Florine Kellie

Flossie Kellie

Flouta Laurel

Flower Jo Ann, Louise, Karen (Lisbon)

Fluffy Karen (Lisbon), Laurel

Flurry Jo Ann, Kellie, Karen (Lisbon), Laurel

Flute   Karen (Lisbon), Marilyn, Jo Ann

Flutter Karen (Lisbon)

Flyer Jan, Loiuse

Foggy   Karen (Lisbon)

Folly   Karen (Lisbon)

Fonda Karen (Lisbon), Janine, Tina

Fondant Jo Ann

Fondue Jo Ann, Karen (Lisbon), Lindsay

Font Jan

Fontina Jan

Fontaine Laurel

Fontainot Laurel

Fontana Jo Ann, Karen (Lisbon)

Fontina Jo Ann, Kellie

Fordham Minh

Forest   Karen (Lisbon), Jan

Formosa   Karen (Lisbon)

Forsythia   Karen (Lisbon)

Forte Jan

Fortitude Minh

Fortissima   Karen (Lisbon)

Fortunata   Karen (Lisbon)

Fortuna Jan, Jo Ann

Fortune   Karen (Lisbon), Kellie, Jan, Loiuse

Fountain Tara, Laurel

Forward Craig

Fossey   Karen (Lisbon)

Fountain   Karen (Lisbon)

Foxy Karen (Lisbon), Marilyn

Fraline Donna, Laurel

France Karen (Lisbon), Marilyn, Lindsay

Frances Jan

Francesca Tara, Karen (Lisbon), Minh

Francisco Minh

Francine Tara, Randy, Karen (Lisbon), Kellie

Francis   Karen (Lisbon), Kellie, Jan, Toni

Francisca   Karen (Lisbon)

Francoise   Karen (Lisbon), Laurel

Franconia Jan

Frankenstein Karen (Lisbon)

Frankfort Minh

Frankie Lisa, cottonthemaltese

Franklin

Franklynn Katie

Franky Marilyn

Franna Karen (Lisbon)

Frannie Becky

Freckles   Karen (Viansa & Ballad)

Fred Toni

Freda Donna

Frederica Karen (Lisbon)

Frederick Minh

Fredrick’a Kellie

Freedom Holly, Tara, Karen (Lisbon)

Freetown Laurel

Freesia   Karen (Viansa & Ballad)

Freezee Louise

French Tara

Frenchie Randy

Frenchy Karen (Lisbon), Laurel

Fresca Crystal, Karen (Lisbon), Lindsay, Minh

Fresh Randy

Fresia Kellie

Frey Tina

Freya Joanie, Karen (Lisbon)

Frida currentdescendent

Friday Louise, Karen (Lisbon), Laurel

Frieda Karen (Lisbon), Jan

Friend Tara, Kellie

Friendship Laurel

Frieze Tara

Fringe Tara

Frisbee Tara, Karen (Lisbon)

Frisco Randy, Toni

Friska Brianne

Frisky Randy

Fritter Jan, Kellie

Fritos Tara

Fritter   Karen (Lisbon)

Fritz   Karen (Lisbon), Tara, Minh

Fritzi Karen (Lisbon), Janine

Fizz Donna

Frizzle Tara

Frolic Janinie, Karen (Lisbon), Holly

Frost   Karen (Lisbon), Kellie

Frosty Minh, Jen

Frozen   Karen (Lisbon), Tara

Fruit Karen (Lisbon), Tara

Fuchsia Kellie, Karen (Lisbon)

Fudge Louise, Karen (Lisbon)

Fugue Tina

Fulani Laurel

Fun Randy, Karen (Lisbon)

Funky Karen (Lisbon)

Fusion Laurel

Futura   Karen (Lisbon), Jan

Future Karen (Lisbon), Laurel, Jan

Fuzz Tara

Fuzzy Donna

Fye

Fynn Minh

Fyodor Minh

Emma had her official eval today. It was planned for Liberty Park but the rain moved it to PetSmart. She has a hard time with pet stores so she wasn’t on her best behavior. She was super sniffy and some distracted. But she did fine anyway and she is on the September recall. So she will be leaving in 22 days for San Rafael, California. Our pups usually go to Boring, Oregon but for some reason this recall is for San Rafael. Banta was our only other pup to be recalled to San Rafael. While I’m excited to see what Emma decides to do with her life, I was hoping that she would be around for a few weeks to mentor miss “F”. But she is ready, more ready than Dune or Zodiac where. So there will be just two days of overlap between the new puppy and Emma, the time it takes for the puppy truck to go to Colorado and drop off baby puppies and then return picking up grown-up recall dogs.

I need to take lots more photos of Emma over the next 3 weeks and see if I can get her puppyhood book done to send a digital copy along with her on the puppy truck. Oh my, there is always so much to get done. Yikes! I’m sure they would like her end of project report asap too. Most of all we are going to miss that sweet little girl. I’ll just have to enjoying everyone of the next 22 days.

A New Plan

Posted on August 22, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

Since the writing challenge is over and I don’t want to post everyday about my progress on the Key West history for my Dad, I need a new plan for posts. Lets mix things up a bit with more variety than I’ve had for the last few months. Here is my plan:

Mondays: Candy Window Project – we are in full swing on this year’s Christmas display made of candy for South Jordan, so a weekly update will be a great time to share what we are doing.

Tuesdays: 50 Jar Gift Ideas – this has been long neglected but I’m determined to pick up where I left on and get it finished.

Wednesdays: Key West Project – a weekly update will help me be accountable and I can share what I’m learning along the way.

Thursdays: 50 Jar Gift Ideas – with only 18 weeks until Christmas it is going to take more than one idea a week to get finished.

Fridays: Pupdates – haven’t done many updates about my puppies other than for the big things like graduations and such. Weekly posts about our current and past puppies is a good way to keep a record of their lives.

So there is my plan. Now I just have to follow it. Planning is easy, it is the doing that is hard. But with focus and self-discipline I can do it!

F Puppy naming contest

Posted on August 14, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

Another day of delinquency. Not good, I’ve got to get back on track tomorrow. New puppy only a little to blame. I’m also busy getting things started on this years candy window Christmas display. The real problem is giving this history enough priority each and everyday. Thank goodness tomorrow is a new day and time for a fresh start.

Now to the other purpose for this post. It is traditional to let friends guess the name of our puppies before they arrive. We don’t find out their names until they hand us the puppy of the truck. So for little miss “F” I’ve decided to make an official contest to guess her name. The prize is a personalized fleece travel mat designed for dogs but it also works well for babies and it would work for a lap blanket too. If more than one person guesses her name, I’ll do a drawing to pick the winner of the blanket.

You can enter the contest by commenting below or send me an email. Facebook also works. Have fun guessing. Guide Dogs for the Blind is very creative in naming their puppies since they need unique names for all working guide dogs, puppies in training and breeder dogs. Have fun thinking up “F” names!

Puppy #9

Posted on August 13, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

I’m delinquent on my writing challenge today. My excuses are a busy day followed by the long-awaited news of our next puppy in training. Our little black lab will be arriving on September 11th and her name starts with an “F”! Yeah I’m so excited to get my “F” puppy.

We still don’t know if Emma will be leaving on the same truck but my guess is that she won’t go back until the next truck. It is a partly scientific guess based on the previous recalls this year. Emma is ready to go but it will be good to have her around to mentor our new little one.

Dune’s Tune

Posted on July 18, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

We are off for a quick weekend camping trip so I’m taking a vacation from the writing challenge today, but I thought I’d share this crazy video I put together for Dune. The lyrics were a collaborative effort of an email group I’m on called the GDB Lounge with guide dog users and puppy raisers. I song is so much fun that we did our best to sing it at Dune’s graduation. It certainly isn’t a musical master piece but it is very Dune. I hope you enjoy it and that our very imperfect voices don’t mess up the spirit of the video too much. Click on the image above to see the video.

Dune’s Book

Posted on July 7, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/invited/4753332/b1d96a96d02d06cfb80e40b7164a95f5566e9f8e?ce=blurb_ew&utm_source=widget

I finally finished Dune’s puppyhood book. I’m excited to see it in print and share it with Ashleigh. Even though she has no vision, I’m sure her family will enjoy the photos and she will enjoy the stories about Dune’s growing up year.