Meet Snowball!

Last Thursday when the doorbell rang and the 3 little children from next door were standing there wanting to talk to Paul, it wasn't that big of a surprise. They often come over to rouse him out of house and engage him in a game of catch or "watch me!" things. But this time, they asked if he would make sure their dog had water for the next several days as they were off to Florida for spring break! Well! No problem ...

They left on Friday, so Paul went over on Saturday to "water the dog" ... but when he got there he was sadly aghast at the situation with the dog. He was out in the elements (and according to the neighborhood, has NEVER been any place besides chained to the front porch - in his 13 or so years of life!) ... remember, it snows here all the time. So, Paul, being the fixer of broken spirits, brought our little neighbor dog home. He bathed him, groomed him (including cutting out millions of wads of matting from his hair on his body and around his face) and gave him back some dignity, as well as making him smell a big bunch better! We dried him off (no simple feat here in wet world) and put him on our front porch with the shelter of Paul's truck camper to get under. Unfortunately, this little guy is decrepit from arthritis and just can't crawl under things ... not to mention, I'm sure he's frozen from years in the snow and lying on the concrete. Poor little fella is even missing half his nose, and he is most definitely deaf. (huh?) So we just brought him inside, gave him his own personal space heater, and have showered him with love and affection since then. Paul walks him around the lower 40 everyday after work and they've really got a bond going on! Snowball is slowly becoming relaxed and is now eating like a horse and is probably warm for the first time in years. We don't know what his name is, so I've affectionately labeled him Snowball ... seemed appropriate since it snowed like crazy here on Sunday and he just melted right into the snow when he went out for his duties... So, we don't know when the family is coming home from the spring break ... but I think we might be requesting visitation rights ... from them to come and visit Snowball here. Should be an interesting tale to tell when all is said and done! Our kitties have still not figured out just WHAT he is ... and Spartacus has decided when I'm in the den w/ the dog, he can come in. But Artemis won't get within 20 feet of him ... no matter WHO is beside him! They've never seen any other animal besides humans and cats, so I guess it's normal for them to be skeptical!! Just wait until they see that that neighborhood goat comes around!! HA!!!

Last weekend was a definite stay inside weekend, and Paul did some brilliant woodwork for me. He made cornices for the bedroom windows and for over the bed ... and he also hung about a million more pictures, the flag pole bracket and worked a little bit on the Saab. It was just too cold for him to be in the garage/basement though, so that project got pushed back until this weekend when it's supposed to be in the high 60s, low 70s. A M E N !!!!! When I get all the drapes up and the trim in place, etc., I'll post pics of his beautiful handiwork. Before it's all over, we will probably have attempted most EVERYTHING a home owner can find to try!

We are anxious to see Pedro, Janet and Pedrito who are supposed to be coming for a visit around the 28th of this month! Finally, friends!!! I hope mother nature manages a warm visit for them! Being from Cuba originally, and then Orlando, I don't want them to freeze!!!!! So, I've ordered 65 and above ... hope that all works out!

Right now I'm making costumes for the clogging team, so ta-ta for now! Happy trails and hope all is right with every one of you!!! Paul & Cheri