Oscar turns ONE!

Can it really be that Oscar is a year old already?  This time last year we were still mourning the death of our dear Darcy with no idea that just 40 mins. away from us a litter of 8 puppies were being born to a delightful grey Poodle named 'Lacy'.  The litter's sire, a gorgeous black Labradore named 'Clyde' was resting in the next room - as the males of all species are apt to do during the messy business of birth.  Soon, the five black and three blond newborn labradoodles were scrambling all over 'mom', eyes still tight shut, little mewing sounds coming from little snouts, but already hungry mouths looking for the all important milk-bearing teats.  In just two and a half weeks, not being able to stand the quiet and order of a dog-less home any longer, we drove to view this litter.

Immediately drawn to the little one with crinkly black fur wearing the red collar, all our previous thoughts of "Let's just LOOK at the litter, then come home and think rationally about it" flew out the window.  Deposit paid, we were told we would be the 3rd family to choose our puppy from the brood. I begged her not to let numbers 1 and 2 choose little red collar!!

Little red collar became ours, and the rest is history.

He adored being cuddled as a little pup, and as a 60 lb grown dog we've indulged him in the evenings when we watch TV - letting him climb up onto our laps!  Never, NEVER, have we ever let our dogs climb on our laps ... but, there's something about Oscar ... the sweetest dog we've ever owned!

Oscar loved the little boys in his first home, and can't stay away from Josh when he visits!

Happy Birthday Oscar!

Second Chances

Have I mentioned lately how much I adore being a grandmother?

Yesterday we had our two grandchildren for a sleepover, and Makayla has been asking me to show her how to use my sewing machine.  I have a lovely set-up in our basement area - sewing machine, craft things, large work table, but I am so negligent at using it.  I start a project feeling very excited and motivated, buy all the fabric and notions, then get distracted by another new project leaving the first one unfinished and in pieces ... and so it goes on.  Very poor work habits! :-(

Anyway, Makayla, who is 9, pushed my guilt buttons and asked again if she could make something, so since yesterday was rainy and dismal outside it seemed a good idea to sew.  Clearing the space on my worktable and pulling the piles of accumulated clutter off my sewing machine, I asked her what she'd like to make (hoping it would be something simple)  "An apron!" she joyfully exclaimed - perfect, I thought I could remember how to do that.

From my drawers of long-ago bought fabric, she chose a bright purple cotton, and we got started.  What fun we had.  She picked up the sewing machine very quickly - coordinating her foot pressure on the peddle with her fingers guiding the fabric through the needle part took a bit of practice and a lot of concentration, but once she got the hang of it she loved it.  Not satisfied with a simple waist apron, she wanted a bib on it too, so it became a full day's project.  She found my long-lost odd-buttons collection, and chose some bright pretty ones which we sewed on the waist band.  How proud she was at the end!

After Ray left to drive them both home, Makayla clutching her apron neatly wrapped in tissue in a gift bag, I sat pondering and musing over the day.  I have had a sewing machine almost all my life and at one time made most of my clothes, curtains, cushions etc.  Yet, I never taught my own daughter to sew.  Not even hand sewing.  No time.  No energy. I felt rather sad about that.

I feel so fortunate to have this second chance to get it right ... and am adoring it!