Photo Hunt: Lock

See other Photo Hunt entries at Tnchick.com

Protection ~ Duke's Story

When we first moved into our house, I developed a slight fear/phobia that someone would break into my house. I would often have to get up out of bed to double check the locks on the doors and the windows (even though we never opened the windows). Sometimes I would lay in bed and could not go to sleep because my eyes kept wondering to the pitch black hallway. Jeremy didn't understand it. 'Have you ever had your home broken into?'..he would ask. Well, no. And I've never been physically attacked by someone in my home either. I know, it didn't make sense. I didn't feel protected even though I knew Jeremy would never let anything happen to me.


One day at work, as I was waiting for the elevator to make its way to my floor, I noticed a flyer on the wall. There were often flyers placed on each floor by the elevators to advertise all types of events. The one that caught my eye was for a mobile pet adoption that was being held in a few days. It provided a website to go and view the animals that would be available for adoption. Jeremy and I hadn't really talked about getting a dog at this point, so I'm not sure what compelled me to go to the website..but I did. I wish, so badly, that I had saved the first picture I ever saw of Duke. He looked so sad, so skinny, so scared. I read the quick bio about him. He was a 'special need' dog. Turns out Duke was missing a leg. It doesn't seem that his previous owner had protected him. I was very interested in Duke, but I didn't mention him to Jeremy. Instead, on the day of the mobile adoption (that was at the mall), I told Jeremy I needed to go look for a new pair of jeans. Sneaky, I know.


When we walked into the mall there were several people holding on to several leashes attached to several dogs. Duke was actually the first dog to hop over and say hello. He actually leaned against my legs and looked up with the warmest brown eyes ever. My heart melted, right there on the spot. Jeremy likes to say he didn't stand a chance. It would have been pretty hard for him to tell me (and Duke) no. So, we took him home that day. Now, I know that a scrawny (he only weighed 22 lbs when we got him), slightly handicapped (and understandably clumsy), collie mix isn't exactly guard dog material. But, I felt protected with Duke in the house, sleeping by the bed at night. He needed a home, and I needed him. He is the most sweet natured dog on the planet, a lover..not a fighter. However, I know in my heart that if anyone came into my home and threatened me Duke would protect me the best he could.

Photo Hunt: Yellow

Photo Hunt: Furry

See other "furry" pictures over at TNCHICK

Photo Hunt: Favorite

My favorite four-legged...er..AND three-legged mutts.

Weekly Winners ~ Photo Hunt ~ Shutter Sisters

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home." ~ Edith Sitwell

I'm rolling a few different things together in todays post. First off, this weeks Photo Hunt was ruin(ed). I couldn't find a thing that was ruined..except for me. These kids have absolutely ruined me. They are amazing little people and I love watching them grow and learn and laugh.



Over at Shutter Sisters they asked about what we do to make indoor time at home fun and cozy or just bearable.

Well...We make chili and sweet cornbread. My husband makes the BEST chili. It's out of this world good. And when it gets colder its always the first thing we think of.



I break out my warm fuzzy socks.



I drink lots of coffee.



And I snuggle up with our fleece blankets and Lola. She is great for keeping me warm.



The kids have to find things to keep entertained as well, since the days can't be spent outside. We break out a lot of toys.




And we all dream about Sping when things start to warm back up again.



To see MORE weekly winners (trust me, you'll want to) check out Sarcastic Mom.

Photo Hunt: Blue

"One of the great disappointments of a football game is that the cheerleaders never seem to get injured." ~ Author Unknown

I kid, I kid. I would never wish an injury on anyone. Now, if one of their boobs happened to deflate...that would be another matter all together.

Photo Hunt: Lazy

"It's true hard work never killed anybody, but I figure, why take the chance?" ~ Ronald Reagan

A View...into October

"Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter." ~ Carol Bishop Hipps











Come see other Photo Hunters and Weekly Winners!

Photo Hunt: String(s)

A string of pearls from my friend, Jill, all the way from Saudi Arabia.

“I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens, but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls off a string.”

The brand of guitar strings that my husband favors.

A roll of twine that I sometimes use to wrap presents with.

A small collection of colorful ribbon.

Yarn is always good to keep around.

Photo Hunt: Beautiful

"By plucking her petals, you do not gather the beauty of the flower." ~ Rabindrath Tagore




Pictures taken by myself in my In-laws backyard.

Photo Hunt: Dark

Picture taken by myself at a CD release party.

"Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark." ~ Rabindranath Tagore

Photo Hunt: Cloud(s)

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time” ~ John Lubbock quotes

Photo Hunt: What IS that?

"You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." ~ Mark Twain