BYE BYE BEX AND DANTE

Bex and Dante are flying to Invercargill today.
Sadly Steve has to stay here and work.

Bex is going down to attend her Dad's internment at their home town of Invercargill. AND catch up with all of her family, show off Dante etc.
I am sure she will have a lovely week... and I hope Dante isn't too disgruntled with travelling and being in strange places.

We will miss them both very much.

Now I think I mentioned taking heaps of photos of the pups last night, so here's the results:

Ruby, the biggest girl, but only just.

She's playful and likes to get in on any of the action.  Loves cuddles.  Very playful and will ALWAYS join in on a playfight.

Polly, the smallest girl but my gosh she makes up for it with ATTITUDE.  She is always starting a playfight with someone.

Sure can stand up for herself!

She is always on the go, and will only stay still if you flip her on her back and rub her tummy!

She likes that!

 Paisley, our other big girl.  There's not much in it between her and Ruby.  Paisley is a bit more reserved, but certainly loves to join in on any playfight that's going on.

LOVES biting feet and toes.  And licking them too... Seriously.  Who needs a foot bath when she's around!  Loves cuddles too.

 'Puppy A' (Jasper) is just so sweet.  He is a real cuddly boy, but loves having playfights with Polly.  If anyone is having a playfight, it's HIM and POLLY! 

He was the leanest of the pups, until yesterday!  Yesterday he gained 78 grams in a day!!!  That is the biggest gain in a day by any of the pups.

Why?  Simple.  He ♥loves♥ the puppy food!  He's the first to get his nose in the bowl and the last to leave!

 Puppy E (Jet)... omgosh he is just the cutest little boy ever!  He's the smallest of all the pups, shy and very cuddly.  BUT... when all the other pups are having a playfight, he's the one who holds back... all innocent like.  Then, when he sees his chance he very quietly sneaks up and bites someone on the bum/leg/tail!

Then our clever boy slinks backwards and pretends it wasn't him.  lol

I dearly love all my pups. It will be hard to see them leave home.  BUT... I know that in another 3 weeks I will be rather tired of having to get up early every morning to crying babies (5 of them!) all screaming for their breakfast!

And let's not even think about the number of times I will have cleaned up puppy poop in the next 3 weeks!

At least this year it's so much warmer outside, they can spend longer periods of time on the grass and do their 'business' out there!

Yaaaaaaaaaaaa   *smiles*

Right, gotta go.  Puppies to feed.  Washing to get on.  Bid the travellers farewell.  bla bla bla

ONWARD...

Today I am working on Paisley's blankie... you can see a snippet of it above.

Bex and Dante have left, Stew is dropping them off at the airport.  I hope she manages OK, she has a large suitcase, two 'day' bags and of course Dante to keep a hold of too.

Good news from Bex.  Jet Star have been really, really helpful.  They took her bags and put them on the plane right away, so she only has to deal with her day bag and Dante.  
This is unusual as Jet Star have a very bad reputation for being useless!  Maybe they are pulling up their socks?

ABOVE: Denise the travel case arrived for Paisley.  Very impressed with how prompt the seller was.  Sorry it's not PINK.  lol

 ABOVE:  Our little man Dante.  Sound asleep in his Uncle's truck.  Bex said he slept on the plane, and he's asleep again!  So, as Bex said, he will be a little live wire once he wakes up!

I reckon that will be good, cos he's got lots of family to meet and greet.  *smiles*

ABOVE:  I just finished Paisley's blanket.  It's LONG... cos her name is LONG.  Here's hoping neither of the boys end up with a very long name like Washington!  Nah, I shall just shrink the letters down... silly me, I should have done that with Paisley's,  but didn't think of it in time.  Derrrr.

Right, I'm off to continue Christmas presents.

I got mail!  Yep, it's a big deal... the only mail that usually arrives is bills...

 ABOVE:  first up... Felicity down in Christchurch sent me these totally cute 'nautical' bits 'n' bobs.  Most are for sewing onto projects, and there is a cute little anchor and blingy thing that is going on my key ring.  AND a nautical brooch.  So cute.  THANK YOU Felicity!   YOU ROCK.

ABOVE:  2nd item in the post today:  a Belated Birthday card, with gift inside.  Thank You so much Sandi in Washington USA.  You know what I am doing with your gift... I sent you an email about it.  THANK YOU!!!

Gosh people are so lovely!  

I just took all the puppies outside for a play, but they didn't like being outside today.  It's blowing a gale and threatening to bucket down any moment now.  The sky has gone really black...oooo  thunder and lightening would be neat.

ABOVE:  just talked with Lacy.... and she pointed out that I'd not put any photos of Miss Muppet on the blog today.  WHOOPS.  I did have this collage ready to go up, but fogot. 
So, here they are Lacy... just for you.  Miss Muppet having fun.

Some days I think I overdo it.  Today is one of those days.  I've been sewing every minute I could.  My shoulders and back are killing me!
Time to stop.  I accomplished heaps today... so it was worth it.

End of Day:  knackered.  Time to take a pill for the pain in me back and go to bed.
nite nite

ANOTHER RE-NAMED PUPPY

First up for the day... we have a new name for Pearl.

ABOVE:  her Mum Denise has named her Paisley, and I love her name.  Denise, this was Paisley last night.

I have made two puppy blankets:

Now I can go ahead and make Paisley's too.

I got an email photo from little Peppa's Grandma last night.  They had put an elf hat on Peppa... and quickly got a photo before she shook it off and took off with it.  *smiles*

ABOVE: poor girl!  I would have run away with it too... and buried it!  Peppa is a little girl from Coco's litter last year.  She is about 14 and a half months old now.

Today I am going over to pick Keera up, we will be having her to stay until Sunday as Lacy is out of town again.  I plan on taking Coco and the pups with me (in a travelling crate)... so the pups get a taste of travelling in a car before they leave home.

I'm looking forward to Stew coming home today... he should be early as he's been out of town at a Manager's meeting.
Lucky buggers have been staying at Omaha... my DREAM HOLIDAY HOME destination.
Stew and the other guys even had a swim yesterday.  I am green with envy.

So... I'm out for a little while this morning, then home with Miss Muppet all day.
I wonder if I will get much sewing done today?
Maybe while Keera sleeps?

ONWARD...

This is for anyone who is new to blog world and does not know how to leave a comment:

 ABOVE:  1.  at the bottom of every day's post you will see  this.  It is how many comments have been made so far.
CLICK ON IT.

 ABOVE:  2. comments left and a comment box will now show up under the post.

 ABOVE:  3. Look for 'Comment as' (my red arrow is coverning it), click on the little downward arrow and a drop box will appear...

ABOVE: 4.  If you do not have any of the options like Google Account etc... you can comment as an Anonymous commentor.  Then you can type in your comment in the comment box.  Don't forget to leave your name at the end of your comment so I know who has left it.

Right, I'm off to pick up Keera...

TWO VIDEOS TODAY...

Today I have one little video of the puppies taken last night, and a few photos.

ABOVE:  quite a long video this time.
I do have another one to upload, it will be on later.

Today I am sewing.  Full stop.  End of Story.  I must get everything finished in the next week or so, then I can send off parcels in the post.
Christmas is just around the corner, it creeps up on ya far too fast.

The pups are going to require more of my time now too. They need exercise outside, and feeding, and their pen will need to be cleaned up more often now that they are eating solids.  So... maybe a bit less time on me computer for now?
We will see... I'm pretty good at popping back on and off during the day.

As for me reading blogs?  Nah, probably won't happen for a few more days!  Rather.... busy!

ONWARD...

ABOVE:  Robyn's little ratbag!


ABOVE:  the 2nd little video from last night.

ONLY TWO TO GO!

Yesterday saw Pearl and Jet sold... and going to lovely homes by the sound of it.

Jade... might go today, not sure yet if the lady from yesterday will get back to me or not.

If she doesn't take her, I'm sure someone else will.  *smiles*

NOW, in no particular order:

ABOVE:  Bex saw this at our local Hospice Shop and bought it for me.  How sweet of her!  

ABOVE: the kid in his first pair of shoes.  They are so cute!

ABOVE:  three of our pups, taken last night.  Ruby, Jade (J) and Jasper (A).

ABOVE: photos of Sienna and Bodhi.  OMGosh they have grown so much!  They are just gorgeous.

Today:  staying home most likely.  Do more Christmas sewing.  Maybe some Felting.
And hopefully get the puppies out on the lawn for some romping around.

ONWARD...

RANT AHEAD!

6 Weeks ago, when I was picking up Coco from the groomers, I discussed with Rhonda (the groomer) the dogs next visit.

I told her Coco would be nursing her pups at the time of her next groom... and could I have her groomed as soon as she arrived, so I could then get her home again before the pups needed feeding again?

Rhonda said "YES, not a problem, we can do that".

I rang to confirm those details yesterday morning.  And was told no way were they going to groom a nursing dog,  Rhonda was concerned about perhaps cutting a teat by accident, AND there was no way they could guarantee she would be groomed right away.

PISSED OFF doesn't even touch it.  I was right mad as hell.

So I got out our dog clippers and groomed Coco myself last night.  It's a crap job cos I find it really hard to do the dog's legs and feet.  
And I can't clip toenails either.
AND our clippers are shite, they keep clogging up, like I took over an hour and a half just doing Coco's body!

I'm going to have a go at Teddy today.  Wish me luck... cos he plays 'dead' and it's really difficult trying to groom him when he's lying down all limp and floppy!

...And then there was one.  
JADE is sold.  She is going to live in Napier!

Our puppies are going all over the country.  *smiles*

Now we only have to find Jasper a new Forever Family.

Hee hee... it's 9 am and I'm still in me jammas!
Been on the phone and computer almost all morning so far.

Might go shower and dress me thinks...

Hells bells... I've not been back on here for ages today!
Better show some puppy photos!

I seem to have busy all day, doing nothing!
Seriously, I can't think how I've filled the day.
I did duck out to look at prices of travel cases for Pearl's new Mum, Denise.
Denise is having her puppy flown down to Wellington as it's the closest airport for them.

I do plan on grooming Teddy, but I will leave that until after dinner.  I get dog hair all over me and will want a shower after doing him.  

Bex is cooking dinner... Beef Spare Ribs and salad.  Sounds excellent.

JASPER.... has a home!  His new Mum, Stephanie, is ringing me tonight to confirm everything.  

Can you believe all the puppies sold in LESS than 2 days!

End of Day:  well a good day all round... didn't get much done I must admit.  So pleased all the pups have Forever Homes already.  I can relax now and just enjoy the next three weeks until they all leave home.
nite nite

MY TRADEME AD IS UP AND RUNNING...

I listed the pups for sale last night, and 17 MINUTES after the ad was up I had a text from a lady who wants to look at the pups THIS MORNING!

I was gobsmacked that someone would arrange to come and see them so quick!

She is coming around at about 9.30.  Quite exciting!

If you want to have a look at my Trademe listing, it's LISTING No# 666994521.

CLARIFICATION of who's who in the ad:  

Puppy E is : JET (SOLD)
Puppy A is : JASPER
Puppy P is : Pearl
Puppy J is : Jade

For You TRACY:

 ABOVE: a couple of cute photos of your wee girl.  She had just woken up and was trying to climb out of the whelping pen in the 2nd photo.

I didn't manage to get any more work done on my felt projects yesterday.
This is what they look like so far, I've sewn them onto a bought piece of felt:

I hope to do some hand stitching on them this afternoon.

After my visitor has been I plan on going down to the mall to meet up with Lacy and Keera.

ONWARD...

JET.... is sold!  He is going to a really lovely family in Pukekohe.  (he has been taken off the Trademe advert now)

Now... I'm waiting until Bex gets back from shopping, then I will go out and do a couple of things myself.
Lacy has passed on meeting us today, she didn't sleep well in the heat.

I am LOVING being in the garage!  It's cooler.  *smiles*

I got a bit of stuff from David's Emporium and Spotlight... some for felting and some for sewing...

ABOVE: this lot should 'do' me for ages.

Bex took a phone call from a lady while I was out.  I just rang her back and she's coming to look at JADE tonight.
My puppies are obviously just too gorgeous to pass up on! 

AND.... I have a lady in Featherston who is very interested in PEARL.  She is ringing back later tonight, if she can organise how to get Pearl down there (flight?), she will take her.

I've just finished cooking up more dog food.  We have enough for another month at least now.

Pizza (homemade) for dinner tonight... 


LYNDA: Pet Bus is only operating on a very limited schedule.  The next trip from Auckland to Wellington is not until the 26th of January!  So, not an option.  Little Pearl is going to be flying to her new home instead.  It's much quicker and puppy has less time to get stressed.

So... YES... Pearl has a Forever Home now.

The lady who was coming to see Jade hasn't been able to make it tonight.  So... we shall see if she does ring back tomorrow or not.

PIZZA.   OMGosh, so yummy!  I did Ham/Cheese/Pineapple/Italian Sausage, on a herb tomato base.

End of Day:  an excellent day, busy and hot.
nite nite

FELTING, GORGEOUS BABY AND ???

It's a beautiful day!
I'm feeling really happy.
Not sure why?

But... long may this mood last.

Bex and Dante go to Playcentre today.
I plan on sewing, doing housework and maybe felting too.

Talking of felting, this is what I had a play with yesterday afternoon:

ABOVE:  of course I had to make a blue heart for my very first attempt at making felt!!! *smiles*

 ABOVE:  for my second attempt I tried doing a leaf ( YES, a blue leaf, lol).  
The photo shows how much the wool shrinks as you work it.  
I couldn't believe how many steps there were involved in making felt, but by the time I was onto the second project I had it sorted in me head.

The next step with these two projects is to hand and machine embellish them.  THAT should be fun too!

Next up:  

 ABOVE:  Steve and his baby Dante.  I love these photos.

ABOVE:  Bex teaching Brylee how to crochet and add on.  So relieved I don't have to do it!  I've not crocheted in 25 years.

Right, I'm off to get some washing on, play with the pups for a while, take some photos of them so I can post them later on...

ONWARD...

BLONDIE:  the wool felts itself together with friction... caused by one rubbing one's hands over it with warm, soapy water, then rolling it and rolling it and bloody rolling it.  Plus there's a couple more steps to the process.  There's heaps of tutorials on YouTube... OMGosh I love YouTube!

Bex and Dante had a lovely visit from a friend and her baby boy at lunchtime today.

AND I had a bloke knock on my door... so I invited him into my 'bedroom'.

Heee heee.... he was a drainage surveyor, looking for the manhole which he thought was in my backyard.
I had all the plans from when this home was built, so I showed them to him... on me bed (cos they were beside my bed funnily enough).

I then showed him through the garden gate into my neighbour's backyard, and where the manhole was.

It ain't on my property.  Yaaa for that.

My little felt heart and leaf have now had some machine stitching added, now I want to do some hand work on them too... and bling.  Can't forget the 'bling'!

I'm working on the Advertisment for the Puppies on Trademe.  I should have them listed by late tonight.
It always exciting to see how the ad looks once it's up!

End of Day:  sorry, no puppy photos today, but there will be some tomorrow.
Been busy.  Sewing.  Taking photos for  advert. And now I'm looking after Dante while Steve and Bex go to the movies.
nite nite