Halloween in Hanover

So.. we live in a town that idolizes Halloween. For an entire week you can find a neighborhood that has Trick or Treat and the week than culminates with the town Halloween Parade. Newell and I have managed to stay clear of the parade. There are tons of people, not a lot of parking and total mayhem. Even when the kids were small, we just didn't do that sort of thing. When the kids got older, we would drop them off and then pick them up. We actually prided ourselves of staying clear. Well, this year was different. Our niece and nephew who live in town are opening up an animal hospital in town and what better way to advertise their new business than to walk in the parade. They asked us if we would walk with them with some of our dogs. How could we say no? I mean, tell me, how could we say no? Well, we didn't.

Last night, we hooked Tanner up to his cart and put the new puppy on a flexi lead and off we went to walk the mile or so down the center of town. We were a hit. The puppy had the ultimate temperment test and she passed with flying colors. TAnner lead the group with such control, it was like he was born to pull his cart. And the climax was as we are passing the review stand, the puppy decides this is the perfect time to take a poop. Newell motions to me. I grab my handy dandy ziploc bag and scoop the turds up and the crowd cheered. It was really great.

We had a great time. Family time is always nice to have and we enjoyed showing our great dogs off to the entire town.

The journey has ended???

Well, I survived it. 5 longs months and my boy is finally home. We travelled to Newark Airport yesterday afternoon. We got the directions from Map Quest. Which brought us to Cargo.. Figured out where we had to go and then we waited. We smashed our faces up against the window waiting and waiting to see them. And finally after about an hour, Tuuli, and two crates emerged from the doors. My eyes filled with tears. Would he remember me? He burst out of the crate into my arms and I knew it was OK. The sisters were anxious to get out and explore but it was back in the crate for the ride home. Now we have settled in and all is right with the world.

Lasagna with my Best Friend

So.. one down and two to go. Chris arrived safely yesterday afternoon and now we wait for Tuuli. I have checked the flight status.. The flight from Helsinki to Paris arrived safely and she waits to board the flight to the US.. Chris loves lasagna. Yesterday morning, I made my homemade lasagna and we ate it as we shared a bottle of wine. We are both very excited to see Tuuli and Tanner. The next few days will be a whirlwind but it should be a ton of fun.

It Takes a Village

When this ordeal is all said and done, there will be countless people that I will be forever indebted. First and foremost. Tuuli. She took my man for the summer, put some nice CH on him, won a Group 1 and a BIS 3 and had some simple lovely bitches bred to him. She is my friend for life.

Nelli, who I just met this past Specialty. I invited her to come and spend a relaxing week with us, and then asked her to change her plans so she could escort my new baby home. She did this without flinching. I am totally grateful.. She is my friend for life.

And last but certainly not least.. Chrissie.. Who I totally met briefly in Wisconsin. Not only did she help in the beginning making sure Tanner and Tuuli got on the plane safely in Chicago, when this all began to fall apart this week, she took over. Her parents ( whom I have never met) will travel with my new baby. She will pick her up, spend the night with her, love her to death and than get Nelli on the plane to me. She called numerous friends at Finair to track down Tuuli's flight and ticket information for her and the dogs. I truly believe that had it not been for her, this would have fallen apart days ago. She is my friend for life.

Thank you ladies.. I don't know if I will ever be able to repay you for what you did for me this week, but I want you to know that whatever you need, and whenever you need it, I am there for you.

Thank you.

Finally here!!!

Well, I have spent the better part of a month cleaning, weeding, washing and throwing out. Last night we put all of the bedroom furniture into the bathrooms and the carpet comes today. All of this, in preparation for my very special guests that arrive this weekend. It begins tomorrow with Chris coming from Denver. I will make her favorite dish lasagna. We will enjoy a relaxing evening. Sunday the whirlwind begins. We are off the airport in NJ to get Tuuli and Tanner.. Boy it has been a long 5 months. Wednesday Nelli comes in from Chicago with Fiona. My house is ready, my heart is ready, I just can't wait to get them all here safe and sound..

Not quite as easy as I thought

So. the countdown has begun and Tanner arrives home this weekend. I hope.. We are having a bit of trouble getting everyone on the plane. By some blessed gift Tuuli decided to confirm the reservations and the airline did not have them. They could not fit the larger crates on the plane and she could not travel with Tanner and four puppies. OMG!!! Most of yesterday was spent trying to work this out. I said to Tuuli, "You worry about over there, and I'll worry about over here" She rebooked Tanner and two puppies on a flight from Paris to Newark, a bit farther from me but doable and we are now waiting to confirm the flight from Helsinki to Paris. We still are waiting as I type.

Now, how to get the third puppy over here. So the planning began. A friend whose parents live in Finland are coming to Chicago on Tuesday and they have graciously offered to fly with the puppy. That works. Now, how to get the puppy from Chicago to PA.. And which puppy. If it is Chris's puppy than Chicago to Denver. Nelli is coming for a visit, but she comes Saturday. So that is where I started. Call Nelli and see if she can change her plans.. Come on Wed with the puppy. After much hand wringing I think we worked it out. Nelli will fly with Fiona on Wed and go home on Sunday.. Christina will pick the puppy up on Tuesday and she will spend the night with her and I will get them Wed. I cant' tell you how indebted I am to Christina, her parents and Nelli. I really don't know what I would have done if they had not helped me out.

It is amazing how people come together to make things happen. Its just not always as easy as it should be.

Not quite a 4 star stay

This weekend was the Watchung Regional Specialty. I am a big proponent of the venue, because I love to be on the same site as the show. I love the comraderie and just being able to hang out and not worry about getting back and forth. So, we arrive at the Rhodeway Inn.. Ok,,not the quality that I may be used to but..When I made the reservation months ago, I asked that my room be near where the ring would be.. They put me where the draft ring was the day before, all the way on the other side of the grounds. Well, this was not going to work. So we asked to be moved and were. When we entered our room imagine my surprise when the bed had not been made. Now, I don't really expect much, but I can't sleep in a bed that unknown strangers have slept in. I called the front desk. Sorry, housekeeping was gone (you bet they were) and they could only move me to another room, probably back on the other side of the world. I asked to speak to the manager. She pretty much said the same thing. Sorry, but no help here. I asked her if she could just get me some clean sheets. No she said. They I got mad.. Just get me some clean sheets and I'll make the bed myself. She said she would see what she could do. 30 minutes later, clean sheets arrived, no pillow cases. The guy said they didn't say anything about pillow cases. Well, if the sheets are dirty probably the pillow cases are as well. So he went to get us clean (I hope) pillow cases. So here we were, Newell and I ( just like at home) making our own bed. But this time we had to pay 69.99 for the honor..

But.. we still had a great time..

Better late than Never

So, every year I play in a golf tournament to benefit breast cancer. It is called "Pink Out". Yesterday was the day of the tournament and it was a beautiful day to play golf. I asked a friend of mine to bring my clubs down from the country club and I would meet her there for the 12:00 shotgun. All morning, I puttered around the house. I had the car washed. The plan was to get there around 11:00 or so, have some lunch, say hi to the girls and than enjoy a wonderful day.

Imagine my surprise when I pulled up to the course to see no women there. Seems the shotgun was at 11:00. UH OH.. "Not to worry" they said. "We'll get you out to your girls". Where are your clubs? Well, that was a great question. They were brought down by my friend and I was not playing with her and now my clubs were MIA..

My other friend was late as well. She was the one who told me the 12:00 time. So we searched and searched. And there, in the middle of the driving range was a lone cart with some sad and lonely clubs on them. I said to the nice people, I think there they are. And lo and behold, I was reunited with my sticks. My Bernese head cover still intact.

They rushed me out to my girls and after I woofed down a hot dog and a jello shooter, all was well. There is not much a jello shooter can't fix.. A great time was had by all.

Too Good to be True

So we all know the saying.... Well, I am dropping off some stuff to Good Will the other day. The guy looks into my car and notices I have crates... He askes " Are they crates" I say "Yes they are" Well, he said I just put a wire crate out for sale in the front of the store. Good condition.. I drive the car around to the front and there it was. Beautiful crate, would fit right in and only 30.00 Wow what a bargain.

I am now packing up the car to go to the show this weekend,, and I am so excited to put my new crate in the back.. There it goes, fits perfectly.. What? What is this? I can't open the door. The door is malfunctioned. The door is permanently either stuck open or shut.. I can't believe. Well, maybe I can...

You get what you pay for, and it is always too good to be true.