MAGICAL, INDEED
Today would have been RoseBud's birthday.

She died unexpectedly, 7 years ago, after a hike.

I documented everything RoseBud. Living and dead.

After she died, we took a bunch of shots from her perspective at The Dad's and Dixon House.

What she saw day to day… under the bed, at the top of the steps, when we would go down to do laundry…

...when she would go bye bye in the car…

Silly to some, I bet.

They will always be some of my favorites.

There's another one from RB's death that I have never put on here. I always hesitated. I'll probably get in trouble for this somehow but I don't fucking care anymore. Dave grabbed the camera and grabbed me and said he wanted to remember this moment. At that moment, I never would have thought we would ever be apart. I hate to say it, but Stitch was wrong. Family isn't forever. People do get left behind and forgotten. In a messed up way, though, it's up there as one of my most favorite pictures as well.

It's funny how a little dog can bring you together.

It's also funny how a little dog can tear you apart…

Watch this video. This couple put a GoPro camera on their Siberian Husky and had him film their wedding day.

Magic.

Happy Birthday, RoseBud. Love The Bud. XO

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN
Our annual (none of us really want to go shopping) Black Friday trip was to Ligonier today.  Lizzie's choice. She wanted to go somewhere where we could be outside since it was so nice out.

BLESS YOUR HEART AND ALL YOUR PARTS
One of the residents always says that. ;-) I had to work today which I was happy to do. I actually volunteered to. It was just me from 10-4.  I made up little treats.

We played Thanksgiving Jingo and did some Thanksgiving trivia. I talked about Black Friday and Friendsgiving. We talked about favorite pies and how they made their stuffing.  We talked about family gatherings and missing home. They asked me what this Cyber Monday was all about.

I had to leave detailed directions with The Dad on how to make the stuffing and green bean casserole. I printed step-by-step directions in 24 pt. type. We had a lovely Friendsgiving at the Knapp's as we always do. Carey gave the pup some turkey.

…and the day was done.

Happy Thanksgiving.

CHANCE OF A SPRINKLE

Nothing like hand stamping a bunch of tags at 3 am. Our surprise went well, my layered salad was delicious and I need to go to bed.

WHILE I'M OUT HERE...
You know, I was laughing on my way to the vet the other day thinking they are going to think I am nuts bringing this dog back again. I'm starting to think they are going to red flag me and say I have Munchausen by proxy syndrome - pet edition.  Apparently it really is a thing!  After my tick discovery yesterday I called the vet and told them and had to give them an update on how she's been doing anyway.. She still seems to be weird. He wants to try a doggy ibuprofen now because he said he can't rule out pain somewhere that we don't know about. So I had to go out and get her pills after work.

… I also stopped at Giant Eagle. It's so different in there!!!

… and Marshall's.


… and Bado's for a couple baby reubens to go.

I really didn't have time for  all that.

We are having a surprise baby shower for my boss tomorrow and it's already midnight and I have to make a layered salad and favors and wash my hair and wrap gifts...

Ready, time me.

TICKED OFF - REVISITED
I was so happy last night. I knew I was off today and I did NOT have a doctor appointment and Lily didn't have to go to the vet! I really didn't have to go out at all. I could get up whenever, I didn't have to get dressed and I could catch up on laundry and other stuff I've been pushing aside.  Well… that didn't happen. I sat down last night and felt something and kind of brushed it off and what do you know… I found a tick. On me. I guess it was bound to happen. I know they are more prevalent now but how the hell, with the venture outdoor hikes and everything, didn't we get bitten years ago???  WTF? So I ended up having to go to the doctor anyway… 3 weeks of antibiotics and test in 6.

BUT WE HAVE FLOWERS

I'm sure this video has been seen.

FRIDAY ADVENTURES
Out to Blairsville today… for the Primitive Pine Christmas open house.



We thought this house looked like the Brady Bunch house…

In reality it doesn't really look like it. Did I ever mention my obsession with the BB house?  I want to build an exact replica of it.


We went here for lunch.

I'll take a fried egg on anything.

There is not much on the main street - a few resale shops and this delicious bakery.

Some interesting finds… I want this. I think it was $600+

We had some time to kill so we went into Apollo and stopped at St Vincent DePaul thrift store. You know how I've been collecting crewel work… well these lovelies were marked 50 cents/pair then down to 10 cents and then out on the FREE table. I was like whaaaaat?  I ran in and gave the ladies a dollar because I felt bad taking them.

Finally, it was time to head to Ford City (for what -  the ninth time in a few weeks) to go to Our Country Home and More open house… They gave out gifts to the first 50 people. We were actually the first two. Yes. First two.

We asked the owners husband where we should eat - he gave us a couple options and we ended up at  Garda's which was really good.  This was mine.

…and Chrissy's

They had four different sauces to choose from and we were having trouble deciding so the waitress let us test them all. We went with the garlic sauce and I think it was a good choice.

W headed back  - pretty late for a school night. We were on the worst road ever. Somewhere in Apollo, I think. Seriously thought I was going to have to wait until morning to make my way down the hill. Damn GPS - the real road was the next road over!

THIS IS FUNNY
Left for work and this was on the radio.

SHOP AT PAT CATAN'S!
Our shed burned down at work that held most of our stuff - casino games and prizes, crafts, Christmas stuff and other holiday decorations… my boss called Catan's and, after hearing our story, the manager was nice enough to donate two trees to put on our floors!

GUESS WHERE WE ARE GOING?

Hint: she's with me.

We were jamming to this…

Well, I was. She's just not acting herself. She didn't even care when I started singing Fleas On My Dog.

How do you like this bit of weirdness as I turned on Dixon…

Of course, she perked up when we got to the vet.

There were two young couples there with new puppies. One of them thanked them for the card and I heard that their first dog died. It reminded me of RoseBud.

How do I get this door open - seriously - get me out of here! Stop taking me to the doctor, psycho dog mom.

TALKING TURKEY
I forgot to post this the other day. This was my craft.

We made sock turkeys! Coffee stained for the light colored ones…

…and brown ones for the darker ones.

Some were tall…

Some were small…

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble.

IS TODAY FRIDAY?
I really like gray houses. I like this one with the garage and truck barn behind it..

Cara was with us today. We went to Kasanicky's Christmas open house and stopped at 1824 Walker Farmhouse then Simple Gatherings. Then we had lunch at Riverside Cafe.

Dinner at Rodney's

And stopped for ice cream.

Peer pressure. Bad girls.

OF FOOD AND SNOWMEN
We went to Lumpy's for lunch and sat with a bunch of old men.

Then we were on our way to creepville…

Everything seemed exceptionally creepy today…

Even the GPS was weird…

We were out and about doing some shopping until the Simple Gatherings open house… which had a line at both doors.

You could hear people getting their game plan together. I'll go left - you go right… I'll get the trees - you get the snowman. It was kind of funny. Chrissy got a bunch of stuff. I just got a tin star tray and a candy cane.

They did have some nice things.

I just don't have the space for anything.

We ended the night closing up G & Gs…