Good morning everyone. Sorry I’ve been pretty much missing in action this past week. I got a flu or something last weekend and really never felt well all week. It’s taken all the energy I have to just get the things done that needed doing. I’m feeling better now so hopefully it lasts. The flus are really making their rounds here.
I’d like those of you who pray to say a prayer for my dad. He goes in for heart surgery tomorrow to repair a flutter he has. He’ll still need another surgery after this one but they are trying this one first. Needless to say I’m pretty scared about it – this is my daddy’s heart they are going to be messing with. I’m in my forties now but I still am and will always be a daddy’s girl. I love my papa more than life itself so I’m going to be a nervous wreck tomorrow until it’s over with and I know he’s ok.
As for books, well I’m still in a reading slump. I can’t believe it’s lasted this long but it has. This week I’ll have my review for Lily of the Nile up and then I’m reading a book called Prayers and Lies by Sherri Wood Emmons next. I hope to read more than that this week but at this point, the way it’s been going for me, I’m not betting on it.
Sammy is still doing well. He’s teething big time right now so chewing and biting are high on his list off priorities. As you will see by his picture he still isn’t cut. I’m debating on how to get him groomed because he’s not well behaved at all even when I try to trim around his eyes. I haven’t worried too much about it because it was so cold out but now that it’s warming up some he’ll need a cut. I may try phoning around to some groomers and checking out what they do if puppies are still really biting. He’s starting to listen a bit better so that’s a plus but he still dislikes having his picture taken. Where Buddy loved to pose for a picture, Sammy likes to walk away. I love Sammy so much but I have to admit it’s been a hard week with missing Buddy. It really seems to come in waves but thank God for Sam because I don’t think I’d be doing half this good without him.
I’ve got a couple of pictures of Sammy this week – a few of his bath which he didn’t really mind all that much. I thought it was going to be a battle but it wasn’t. Then the other in his very standard pose – the one he takes up as soon as he hears the camera turn on and his I’m bored with you mommy pose. The others are of our piles of snow. We’re hoping we don’t get a fast thaw this year or there will be many flooded basements. Not to mention there really isn’t anywhere for more to go. We’re cutting Sam off one half of the yard simply because we need it to put the snow in. He still has a fairly big section to run around in so he’ll be ok once he gets over being ticked off.
This is our backyard on one side when the snow finally finished. I took this from inside the house because you just can’t see the piles all too well when you’re right in them.
This is the other side of the yard. Sammy just stands and looks up the sides of that snow – it’s pretty funny. See all that snow piled up on the shed!
This was the front street before they plowed the snow. It just looked like a field out in the country. You couldn’t even pick out the road because everything was just so white.
Wow, what do you know – there is a road there! They were hauling the piles of snow from the front street out in semi trailers. It was quite the production!
Mommy, what the heck is going on here??? Isn’t it you who is usually in here – what am I doing in here???
Well this isn’t so bad. Hmmmm, I might even be kind of enjoying this…
Awwwww mommy, must you take out that camera again!
Boy, it’s been a rough day. I think I’ll just plop my head up here a while and rest a bit…So, what’s everyone up to today? Did you all have a good weekend? What are you reading this week – is anyone else in a slump? What do you all do when you get into a slump this bad? I have a lot of book commitments so I’m going to have to drag myself out of it somehow. Anyhow, everyone have a great week and please remember to send up a prayer for my Dad!
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I do hope your Dad has a swift recovery. My prayers with you and your family.
I hope your dad's surgery goes OK. That might be why you are experiencing a reading slump, what with being poorly and probably worrying too.
All that snow! That would bring our country to complete standstill.
Over the last two weeks both of my kids have been sick. I am trying to pretend I am immune to the crud! I don't know if I have been in a slump, as much as I just can't concentrate. But the best thing to get me out of it is a good graphic novel. Quick, easy to read, high visual impact!
I can't believe your snow. OMG. Here I'm whining because it is in the 30's!!!
When I'm in a reading slump I throw out my reading commitments (they'll understand if you are a week or two late) and read a comfort read. It usually helps me to snap back to my normal reading self. I'm glad to hear that you are feeling better…we've been passing around a nasty cold at my house. Your Dad will be in my prayers…hope you have a great week!
Your little Sammy is so darn cute!
Best wishes for your dad's speedy recovery!
That's a lot of snow! We've got plenty but not that much! Supposed to be 30 below by morning. Brrr!
Reading slump? It happens occasionally and I just ride it out by doing other things like playing Literati on Yahoo games. My little addiction!
Have a Yay-Dad's-doing-well, I-feel-better, no-snow, can't-read-fast-enough week!
Your Dad will be in my prayers, Dar….I know how worried and scared you must feel. I am also in my forties, and still a Daddy's Girl….my dad calls me every night without fail. He lives in NY and me in NC, so we don't see each other often enough. He is nearing 80 years old, and I love him very very much. I enjoyed seeing the snow pics….beautiful. NC has not seen any snow, just flurries, and some ice. Sammy is adorable…I understand about missing Budster, too. There are days when I miss my lost babies that it feels like a knife in my stomach…I just love and hug the ones that I still have, and know that the others loved me so unconditionally and were there for me always. I read Prayers and Lies, and it is wonderful. I listed it as one of my all time favorite coming-of-age novels. You will enjoy it, I promise. Have a wonderful Sunday~
Dar, your Dad and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers this week. I hope everything goes smoothly with the surgery.
That's a lot of snow! It does get to a point of where are you going to put anymore of it. When we lived up north and had a bad winter, the town would put snow in dump trucks and dump it in the ocean just to clear the downtown area.
I love that last pic of Sammy- so expressive!
{{{Hugs}}}
Definitely sending prayers for your dad!!! I hope you let us know how it goes!
Will be praying for your dad tomorrow… hope all goes well. I finished Excellent Women by Barbara Pym yesterday and loved it. Also went to see The King's Speech. Colin Firth just gets better with age 😉
Snow always looks so pretty in pictures! I'm not sure I'd like having to live in it though–so much cold! Brr.
I am glad you are feeling better, Darlene. Something's been going around my office lately and I've done my best to try and steer clear of it. My hands are so dry from all the hand washing. Ugh.
I'm so glad Buddy didn't mind the bath! Riley hates them with a passion. And what especially sucks right now is that he tolerates it when it's me in the bath with him, but he doesn't like having anyone else bath him. I'm not exactly in a position to be giving the dog a bath right now. And he really could use one. It's $60 to have him professionally groomed–and since he's got short hair and really only needs soap and water applied, it seems silly to pay someone to do it. :-S
When I'm struck by a reading slump, I usually give in to it and turn towards other interests for awhile. Catch up on my magazine reading, watch more movies, write long overdo letters . . . It's harder when you have reading commitments to keep–then I just plow through and hope the book is good enough to break the streak. It usually does at some point. I hope you are able to get out of the slump soon!
I hope you have a good week! I'll be keeping your dad in my prayers.
Holy crap! you have a ton of snow! We have about 6 – 8" but it has been really really cold – 7 right now!
Speaking of cold – I have had a bad cold all week, stuffy, sneezing, sore throat, headache, etc. not good stuff.
Of course I will be praying for your dad! and you as well.
Love ya, Dar!
I'll be praying like crazy for your dad. I know what's it's like to be a daddy's girl because I was one too.
Y'all can keep all that snow!
Of course, I'll be sending love your way tomorrow.
That is a ton of snow! It's so cold here Cooper can only stay outside for a few minutes before his feet start hurting. Of course, he won't wear boots, so we just try to hurry him along.
Now that is some serious snow, Dar! And I love the pictures of Sammy! So cute. On a more serious note, I am definitely sending prayers along to your dad today and tomorrow. let me know if I can do anything to help.
XOXO
I hope your dad will be ok, I will be thinking of him.
We had a lot of snow this week, so even I had to go out to take care of it, made me long for my student flat where I did not care about those things
The prayers are going out for your Dad right now Dar…I know everything will be fine. God will take care of him!
I will never ever complain about snow here in Michigan again…ever! Holy cow…you have a lot of snow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I too am just recovering from something I got from those pesky kids at school….I hate how fast it can knock me down!!
I sure hope you get to feeling better, hug your Dad for me, and give Sammy a kiss on the nose.
Love ya!
Dar, will be sending positive thoughts and prayers for your dad.
You snow accumulation is as bad as ours, with more expected mid-week….sighhhh
Dar, you and your dad will be in my thoughts.
Stay warm… looks like you've lots of snow in your hometown but it looks beautiful though.
Hope you have a great week, Dar!
that is a lot of snow…and that Sammy, as always…is so cute.
Oh, my God! That is SNOW! Here in eastern Ontario we have about 3 inches on the gruond; the roads are full pavement (or gravel on the back roads) but the temperature is -24 at the moment and -30 Celsius expected tonight. I wouldn't try to give Micky Mouse (my cat) a bath without wearing full body armour.
Positive thoughts for your dad!
Reading slumps are hard and I am sorry but I have no good advice on that! I know you have commitments, but pick a book you were anxious to read when you heard about it. Maybe that will work.
I will keep your Dad in my thoughts and prayers.
{{Hugs}} from one Daddy's girl to another 🙂
Hey Dar! I will be saying big prayers for your dad, and I just know everything will turn out ok. I have also been missing from the blogs as I had a wedding out of town to attend this weekend. I am amazed with all the snow you have had and wish I could be there to see some of it! Give Sammy a big hug and kiss for me, and tell him to stop being such a rascal!
Dar, You know that I'm praying for your Dad!! Stay strong, I know it's so hard the waiting. I can't believe all of your snow and having to haul it out in semi trailers, holy cow!! Our city would shut down but your area must be used to it by now. I hope the snow takes a break for a bit, you have enough. Sam is just adorable…love those pics!
Darlene, prayers are with you and your family today. Hope your dad is feeling much better this afternoon.
Glad you have Sammy to be your pal right now. Buddy would be happy to know you had company.
Hope your snow lets up for awhile. I know how bad a quick thaw can be too tho.
Take care,
I hope that you have a better reading week and feel better soon. I'll be thinking about your dad and sending him positive thoughts.
Have you tried bitter apple spray to reduce the biting…that helped Charlee a lot when he was a pup…I think they also make it in orange flavor…though dogs aren't supposed to enjoy the flavor. LOL
oh, and generally, groomers will use muzzles on dogs that bite during the grooming process.
I'm so sorry to get to commenting this late, hope your dad is doing great! I was sending positive energy and healthy thoughts since I read your post on Sunday (hope they helped!)
Your photos are gorgeous, I looove snow!
And of course Sammy is adorable as always, he looks like he liked that bath just a bit though 😛
Hope you're doing well, huge hugs! Have a lovely week 🙂
I hope youre feeling better Dar and I will send a prayer for your dad.
Sammy is very cute, his mommy spoils him lots I can tell…lol.
I'm so tired of the snow! We've got a storm coming tomorrow.
I'll be praying for you and your dad! Hope you're feeling better now. Sammy is very adorable and I love all the pictures and captions. Hehe… The snow is beautiful (but I'm not sure I could withstand the cold…). Take care, my friend!
Oh Dar, I'm so sorry to hear about your father and I hope that the surgery this week went well and that he has a speedy recovery. It's been such a tough year for you and my heart just aches.
On another note–THAT SNOW! Goodness gracious. I won't brag that we're in the 70s yesterday and today. 😉 I know, though, that it could all change in a blink of an eye.
And Sammy looks so precious all clean and fluffy!
Hope you had a great week, Darlene…
LOVE YOUR SITE AND WHEN I SAW ALL THE SNOW,IT REMINDED ME WHEN THE 70'S OF MONTREAL, THEY SAID WE HAD A SNOWSTORM NO SCHOOL ,THIS IS WHAT THEY MEANT ,NOT WHAT WE HAD THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WHERE WE HARDLY HAVE ANY. WHO EVER DID THE SHOVELLING DID A GREAT JOB. GREAT FIND ON THE BOOKS WILL SEND YOUR RECOMMENDATION IN MONTREAL.I AM KATHY FROM K_KAT2009@HOTMAIL.COM
I am so far behind in reading my subsciptions and just saw this. Boy, you sure got a lot of snow there. Sammy is so cute. I'm glad he doesn't mind a bath. Have you thought of doing it in your kitchen sink so you don't have to bend over so much? He's so small.