Computer Issues ~ UGH

My computer died last Saturday so it was off to Best Buy for a new one.  I am old fashioned, I guess.  I have an iPad but we don't get along too well.  I prefer my desktop.  I was assured if I paid the Geek Squad to transfer my files, all I had to do was bring it home, plug it in and I was good to go.  N-O-T :(  When my DSO plugged it in yesterday, nothing was where it had been.  Everything was in one location.  All my email contacts are GONE.  Their definition of ready to go and mine was totally different.  So . . . this will be a learning experience for me.  DSO got my email set up and I will have to rebuild my contact list.  Now I have to learn a new operating system.  Like most people, I'm not wild about change but I don't have a choice . . . sigh.

I do have a few finishes to share . . . BUT . . . I can't get the pictures to load to the blog.  I am able to choose files, the pictures load there, but they won't load to the blog.  I am getting frustrated.

Oh, I just figured I could drag the pictures to my post.  Yippee.  Here is my first finish.  Finally finished the snowman with the braided edge.  I like the look but not sure how often I'll do this.

I was going to make a little wool sprig, but for now took the easy way out.  Of course I could not find my spare greens, so I cut a few pieces off the bottom of a small Christmas tree. 

The theme for this year's Western Reserve guild hook in is "beach party".  Members were asked to hook a small mat or two for door prizes.  Not quite beach party, but I think these will do.  The whale was whipped with 8 cut wool.  I've just recently started finishing that way and I do like the look.

This one was finished with wool binding.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Thank You ~

 

I don't even know how to begin to say thank you for all the kind comments, emails, messages and cards.  Our hearts are broken and the tears have not yet stopped.  With each passing day, I know they will lessen.  Ellen, Miss Ellie, Ellie Mae, Missy ~ she had many monikers.  She was such a loving little girl.  She will be sorely missed and never forgotten.

 

Here she is in her favorite spot ~ sitting by me in the hooking room on her favorite blankie.  My constant companion.  Run fast and free, dear Ellie.  Someday we will meet again.

 

 

 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

xoxo,

Lauren

With Heavy Heart ~

Dear DSO and I had to help Ellie cross the Rainbow Bridge this morning.  They don't know why things went so wrong but she was not going to recover.  It is one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make, but it was the right decision for Ellie.  We are heartbroken.

 

Since I am a pug girl at heart, I called her my "pug in the witness protection program". 

 

 

She loved to sleep under the covers . . .

 

 

. . . fall over to get belly rubs . . .

 

 

 

. . . curl up on her favorite blankie . . .

 

 

. . . hang out with Jake . . .

 

 

. . . and bury bones in my wool baskets.

 

 

My Ellie rug.  A True Friend says it all.

 

 

Run fast and free, Miss Ellie. 

 

From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for all the kind comments, Facebook messages and emails.  It is heartwarming to know so many people care.

 

xoxo

Lauren

Just a Quick Ellie Update ~

 

Thank you so much for all your kind comments and emails.  It is heartwarming to know how many people care.

 

Ellie and I did not go to work today.  She had a really bad night and this morning could not stand and would not drink.  She was totally lethargic.  By noon she was at a new puppy hospital. She will be there for at least 2 or 3 days.  I just got home a bit ago from visiting her.  She is so pathetic it just breaks my heart.  I am happy she is somewhere getting the care she needs.  I hope she can recover from this.  Please keep her in your puppy prayers and hug your furbaby tonight.

 

Here she is in happier times giving me the stink eye.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Ellie Update ~

 

I know some of you have heard about Ellie.  For those of you who haven't, she was attacked Friday evening just as we were leaving the garage for a walk.  A young man just happened to be across the street and came  to Ellie's rescue.  Without his efforts, Ellie would not have survived.  Another kind neighbor drove me to the vet.  I'll spare the details, but she had emergency surgery and came home this evening.  Thankfully her organs weren't damaged other than the spleen which was removed.  Poor baby is hurting.  She is on my lap as I type and often whimpers.  It just breaks my heart.  She will go to work with me tomorrow so she won't be alone.  The first two pictures were taken yesterday . . .

 

. . . and here she is today before coming home.  

This really ticks me off (to put it politely).  These signs are in several areas of the pet hospital.  I had to pay for the surgery before it was performed.  What they charged me for an additional 34 hours of care would make your head spin.  When I was checking out, I asked them what if people couldn't pay?  They said they just don't treat them.  "So you let them die?", I asked.  No, we just don't treat them was there response.  I know it's a business, but I just have a hard time comprehending how they can be so callous.

 

Please say a little prayer for a speedy recovery.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

A True Story ~

 

I work for a city Street Department.  We do get some unusual calls.  Yesterday I answered a call that was transferred from our Safety/Service Department.  The caller stated that someone had planted a tree on her tree lawn (the area between the sidewalk and road - owned by the homeowner but our city has a right-of-way).  She wanted to know who planted it and let me know that she did not want it there.  She lived on a road that had trees removed due to a new water line being installed, so I made the assumption that it was a tree replaced by our Engineering Department.  WRONG!  Engineering stated that they are not replacing any trees, so my boss drove down to see the tree.  This is the "tree" that was in her tree lawn.  A dead limb that had fallen and "planted" itself in the soft ground or put there as a joke.  We got a good laugh out of that . . .

 

 

. . . and decided we would "plant" it and decorate it for the holidays.  Here is our Easter tree ~ lacking in branches but loads of character ~

 

~ now sporting little lights and Easter eggs.  Perhaps we'll add a bunny or two.

I think we are going to get lots of laughs :)  We've already had several people just shake their heads in disbelief when they hear the story.

 

I haven't shared a picture of Sam the work cat in quite a while.  Here he is all decked out for St. Patty's Day.  To say he was less than thrilled is an understatement.

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Happy St. Patrick's Day.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Primary Day ~

 

 

Today was primary day in Ohio.  I hope you will be sure to vote (or have already voted) in your state's primary.  The election this fall will shape the future of our great nation ~ and I hope and pray it will remain great.  We don't need any more of the change that has happened for the last eight years.  'Nuff said.

 

I am working on another small mat for the Western Reserve Rug Hookers hook in this June.  Not quite "beach party", but beachy none the less. 

 

 

Saturday I'm off to a small hook in.  It will be good to spend the day with a bunch of hookers.  I think I am just going to take things to "finish" ~ the two mats for the June hook in, my snowman, perhaps a pumpkin to finish "Betsy style".

 

Not much else going on in my life.  All work and (almost) no play makes Lauren a dull, dull girl.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren