Goodbye Betsey Sue

On January 12, 2011 we said a tearful goodbye to our sweet girl Betsey Sue. Four months to the day after we said goodbye to our sweet boy Buster Brown. Life is so strange without them. My heart is sad, but I know they are both in a better place and not suffering anymore.

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened" ~Anatole France

Fab Five

You know the Fab Five I talk about so often? Well, they were gracious enough to pose for some yuletide pictures. They even sported a fancified Santa doggie hat. Ok, they really had no choice but they cooperated fantastically.

Macy Jewels
Brayden Michael

McKenzie Elizabeth

Allison Jeanne

Arizona Claire

Next up....the cat (that thinks she's a dog) Betsey Sue. Yup, this is gonna be interesting!!

Betsey Sue

Betsey got a new kitty house on Friday.

I had a few Cheetos's and our cat, who thinks she's a dog decided she wanted to lick my cheesy fingers. I just love how her tongue is sticking out mid lick.

She is doing so good since we had to put Buster down. We weren't sure how Betsey would do with being an only cat amongst all our pups. I am happy to report, she is the most lovable, social little butterfly than she has ever been. She even runs to the back door when I let the pups out. I recently bought her the collar she's wearing and a leash. To my surprise, she loves going for walks!! Pretty odd seeing she has never, in her 16yrs been on a leash.

We are unsure of her actual birth date but it's sometime around the beginning of November. Happy Birthday my sweet feline princess kid Betsey Sue.

Our McKenzie Elizabeth loves to chillaz on the couch. Yes, we allow our pets to sit on the furniture. She just had surgery on the 23rd to have a growth on her neck removed. I dunno about you, but this doesn't look too comfy to me.

"My true friends dont mind if the dogs bark at them, the dogs drool on them, the dogs jump on them, when they sit on the couch they get hairy, the dogs drop slobbered toys in their laps, the dogs lick them on the lips, the dogs have bodily functions in their presence, and most, my true friends dont mind the sign on the door.. DOGS LIVE HERE... IF YOU DONT LIKE IT .... GO LAY BY YOUR BOWL!
The Dog"

We are so happy our sweet sweet girl is going to be alright and is recovering nicely. =)

McKenzie Elizabeth

This picture was taken a couple months ago of our Mckenzie Elizabeth. She loves to snuggle buggle and be covered up. Today we dropped her off at the vet to have the growth on her neck removed. The vet had to do a urinalysis to be sure her kidneys were functioning properly before they could put her under. Everything came back superb and they were able to operate.

I am pleased to tell you, Kenzie pup is home and resting comfortably. =)

Dog-gone-it my pups are spoiled

I know it's not Foodie Friday but I just had to post this. I made these biscuits Wednesday for my pups from the "Three Dog Bakery Cookbook" by Dan Dye & Mark Beckloff.

I was only able to capture McKenzie eating hers as the other 4 puparoodles scurried off & left me with flashes of a furry blur. Gosh darn I love my furry kids!! LOL

A lazy Sunday afternoon

Just doing a few odds and ends around the house today. Laundry, changing cat litter, baking, and some serious football watching. While we were working this is what our furry kids were doing:


Allison & Brayden all snuggled on the couch. Notice they need pillows to prop their heads up. Nooo, they are not spoiled....

Allison showin off her chubby belly. At least she had the decency to cover her privates with her tail!! What a princess!!

Macey has no care in the World & is happy on the love seat by herself.

Even our cat Betsey joined in on the chillaxin action. Mckenzie & Arizona were in the den with our other cat , Buster. It's not too often the lil Woodbury Zoo is quite this calm.

Big Changes

Exciting changes going on here. This past Sunday a friend asked if I would make a quilt for him for his wife for Christmas and several friends contacted me about commissioning me to crochet some items. Then a random woman contacted me about making a sweater for her 10 month old niece & also asked if I could do some drawing & painting in her home. I'm so excited!! I guess I really never thought selling my handmades would actually bring in some extra money.

The other big change is Ken was offered the local job with the company he works for...and he accepted the job yesterday. It's a pay cut but to have my hubby home every night would kick all sorts of fannie. We'll be making some sacrifices but we have no doubt those sacrifices are beyond worth it. I've always been drawn to the way our ancestors did things way back when & now we will be implementing more of those things. I can honestly tell you I get my kicks out of making things with my own 2 hands rather than purchasing at the store. Some of the things I have already implemented are homemade laundry detergent, cleaners, baking breads, preserving food, stockpiling, crocheting many items, mending clothes & we only have energy efficient light bulbs in our fixtures. I feel guilty purchasing anything at the store if it's not on sale or if I don't have a coupon for it and I only purchase it if it is absolutely necessary. Our stockpile in the basement pantry keeps us out of the stores as well. I will be making our dog & cat treats and hopefully baking all of our breads. We are huge on enjoying the outdoors & I'll tell you, Upper Michigan has some of the most gorgeous places if one just gets of their butt to experience. The added bonus is it's FREE!!! We're looking forward to being able to spend time with our friends & family, sitting around the table playing boardgames and just having a 'normal' life. I'm sure it'll be quite an adjustment as it's been almost 10 years since we had a daily structure but it shall be fun!!

Ken & Kenzie have a Birthday!!

On May 24th two Woodbury's had a birthday.....

I'll do McKenzie 1st cuz she's the youngest...she's our 3rd oldest pup & turned a whoppan 8yrs old. And yup, she was born on Kensters 24th birthday .....

which makes Ken a whoppan 32yrs old!!!!

We were camping up at Ken's family's camp for the special day. We rescued McKenzie from a home that totally neglected her and she's been nothing but awesome! I do encourage anyone who is in the market for a pup to rescue one from a shelter or a neglected home. They are the most loyalist lil fluffy friends you'll ever have!! And the hubbykins is pretty swell too!! But you can't adopt him. =)

Arizona Claire

Here's our lil Joker Arizona Claire....today is her 2nd birthday =)

By no means was another dog in our plans...we had enough with the 4 we had...but seriously...look at lil lil muffin of snuggle luv!!!
It seem like she was just this small....
Now let me tell you the amazing story of lil Zoney Bologna also knows as Zoner Boners, Zoney Groanyand Zoney...Ken came home from the store & said they had cute pups there...so I said "see ya later" and he warned me not to take another da$% dog home!! Well...you'd think he'd of learned by now...1st don't even mention a pup needing a home & 2...NEVER ever tell me No, don't that I can't...because I will prove you wrong & DO IT!!!! I had no idea what kind of dog I was going to go get....just that they were cute pups...and well, all pups are cute if you ask me!!! Well we got home & Ken fell in love with her. My original name for her was Kora...but Ken & I also had the name Arizona picked out....Why Arizona for an Alaskan Husky do you wonder....

In 2006 Ken & I had celebrated our 10th anniversary. We had a big party at the hall where we actually got married. Anyways, our good friend & fellow trucker Bill, dubbed "Arizona Bill" came to the party to celebrate with us. Bill was an amazing, caring, full of P&V, funny, compassionate man. Always willing to help & just a good guy. Sadly a couple months after our anniversary party we got the news that Airzona Bill had died in his semi from a heart attack....it was a very sad day...the man meant so much to both of us.

So, Ken was dead set on naming the new lil fluffer nutter Arizona. I must also mention...Arizona Bill raised dogs....Husky's to be precise!! Now what a kwinkidink eh!! Now, most people don't give their pets middles names...well we do!!! For years Ken's nana has asked why one wasn't named after her. We have others that have middle names of loved ones. LOL Anytoots, we decided Claire (Nana's name) & I assure you...Nana loves it! LOL It's an honor to have such an amazing dog. She, along with our other 4 have completely filled our hearts. I know...I sound like a wakadoodle!!! Ok...off to the kitchen to bake a cake for the birthday girl...KIDDING!!!! They got rice krispie treats earlier =)

They like it!!!!

Woooohooooo! Total stokage here!!! The birds found the pine cone creations!! There were about 20 birds on the lil liac tree when I got up to take the pictures. I take it only the photogenic ones stayed around. Once I was done snapping pics (from inside the living room) they all came back. Not a single pigeon either!!! YAHOOOOOOO!!!!

Ken noticed this today. Our two fat cats in the small cat condo. Ok, I confess, the condo is normal sized & our cats may be slightly "pudgy". Buster on top & Betsey below.

I completed my "secret project" today and can't wait to post about it next week!!!!! =)

FREE!! And a resolution

You are looking at the picture we are going to use in our Christmas cards. We have never done the whole picture in the card type thing. But it's not too often we can get Ken, myself & our fab 5 doggies in one picture and I couldn't pass up the deal I ran across while reading one of my favoritist blogs EVER!!! http://www.moneysavingmom.com/. 75 FREE 4x6 prints from Kodak Gallery for joining!! Wooohooo! I could have paid the $4.35 to have them shipped to my house or pay $2.49 to have them delivered to Shopko (or a store closest to you) I opted for the shipping to Shopko & should have my prints by Wednesday!! Wooohoooo! How stinkan neato!!!

Another blog that has consumed A LOT of my time reading is http://jane4girls800dollarannualbudget.blogspot.com/ What this woman achieves is nothing less than AMAZING!! I can't seem to step away from my computer when her page is up. How in tarnation does one feed their family for $800 a year?!?!

I haven't always been the best shopper & I tend to do frivolous things a bit too much. But I'm getting better & so is the hubby. Our goal is ultimately to be debt free & buy something in the country & have a garden & all that jazz. It's a ways off but wouldn't it be super fab!! As of right now we have 3 loans with the credit union. One for our pickup truck, one for our suburban & one for our camper. We also have our mortgage & a new semi. I've come to the conclusion we'll always have a semi payment but it sure would be nice to eliminate the others! Imagine the $ saved! We can squirrel some away , or heck, take a vacation...we have NEVER done that together since we've been together. There are home improvements in our future & 2 doggies upcoming surgeries. Imagine what an extra grand a month could do to our savings account!!! Heck, we'd actually have one!

I think a lot about our economy & our future. Most people wouldn't know me as a deep thinker. But actually my deep thoughts can be somewhat scary at times! LOL

Every year I make a New Years Resolution...a realistic one!! This year it is to save $ & pay things off. We are not credit card fiends but do have a couple. Well I am stoked to say, we are one less now! It's been paid off. None of them have high balances but still. If we can't afford it, we don't get it.

In years passed I have had the resolution of working on my stubborn-ness, my cussing (the reasoning behind my swellacious wording) , weeding out the negative people in my life, allowing others to "know" me. This year is all about getting out of debt & using our resources!!! How bout you? What's your resolution?

Allison Jeanne

Our baby Allison Jeanne turned 7 today!!! And well, we love our pets so here's some pictures of the lil chunky monkey butt!! =)



Last winter we took a ride up to camp during a snowstorm to let the pups run. She has a tendancy of burying her head & catching snowflakes.

Last New Years before we left for the party.

Camping at Lyman Lake. We are not able to keep her out of the water if we tried.

Our truckin pup Alleybellison chillin in the sleeper of the semi. =)

Macey Jewels

Our oldest doggie Macey Jewels the wonder pup turned 9 yesterday!!!!! Whew, 9yrs old. She is an ultra fab girl, our 1st truckin pup. In fact she basically grew up in the truck. She's one smart girl too. If I say to her, go give daddy a kiss, well she does & visa versa!! She listens & snuggles & has the best disposition. She's proof that fabulous pets come from the shelter!!! I highly urge people, if you're looking for a pet, whether it be a dog or cat, please check out your local shelter. I bet you could be fortunate enough to get a pet such as Macey Jewels!!! =)


up at camp

Lyman Lake camping

Our truckin pup in the semi

It's Official

I have lazy, not to mention spoiled rotten dogs!!!

This was taken on Brayden's 8th birthday. Little Allison Jeanne is snuggled with her brother.

Then I look over onto the other couch & we have McKenzie, Arizona & Macey all sprawled out. I'm so glad they allow me to live in their house...and occasionaly sit on the couch ;)

Some ultra cuteness

Last night Ken dished up some sherbet for himself. Well, he's not one much for cats & well, Buster has been known to be a mommy's boy. Well not last night!







With just a small amout left Ken decided to feed Buster some!

Ken admiring Busters sorbet mustache & beard

LOL! This cracks me up. Isn't he a fabulous Daddy =)

Bray Bray turns 8!!

Today is my boy Brayden Michael's 8th birthday!!!! =)

He's an avid Red Sox fan too!!! -) For serious though...the doggie sits on my lap or right by me when a BOSOX game is on!!

I just had to show off his extreme amount of cuteness!!!

Now call me a silly nillie but every year the puparoodles get cupcakes or a small picnic cake for their birthday. Well November is a busy month for birthdays here. Macey is on the 22nd, Allisons is on the 28th & our two cats were born sometime in November. So we've got lotsa cake to be makin' in the coming days! =)