A Tribute to Our Sally Girl

I'm behind in my blogging and this post has taken me awhile to do. It's a tribute to Sally, our beloved Mini Schnauzer who passed away on February 10th at 14 years old. I am heartbroken to say the very least.

Sally at six weeks old.

She was always quite adorable.

When Sally became a family member, she was a little over five weeks old. For the first few days, she was rather quiet other than a little fussing the first night. It was around that time when I opened the back door very wide, and she decided it was the perfect time to let the neighborhood know she had arrived. 

Stepping boldly into the doorway, our new baby poked her head outside, and threw it high into the air. Starting on the right, she began a slow and steady bark. With each woof that came out of her mouth, she gradually moved her head one notch toward the left until it was completely turned.  It was bark, move head, bark, move head, bark, move head. You get the picture. 

She then paused and methodically repeated her barking procedure back in the other direction until she returned to the starting position. George and I don't speak Schnauzer but we were sure that she was saying, "Hello people! I live here now and this is my territory!"

It was hilarious coming from this tiny girl! 

This is what Sally looked like when she 

introduced herself to the neighborhood.
Can you see the humor?

Sally is giving the pretty pansies a sniff!

When Sally was nine months old, our beloved Shih Tzu, Mitzi Mae, joined the family.  Mitzi was eight weeks old at the time and they became fast friends.

Together they enjoyed a 
visit to the Tennessee River.

They also had fun hanging 
out with their friend Boo.

Being outside was one 

of their favorite things.

They loved relaxing A LOT too!

Mitzi was a sweetheart and quite entertaining! We were heartbroken when she passed away three years ago at the age of ten. We continue to miss this delightful lady. To read the Mitzi Mae tribute, click here.

Six years ago, Sally & Daisy made a new friend when we adopted my Mom's dog, Daisy Mae, a Boston Terrier. 

Three friends, Daisy, Mitzi & Sally.

(L - R) 

These three were always 

on neighborhood watch.

And worn out from neighborhood watch too!

Then last June, we had this sweet 
guy show up in our backyard.  

After having him for nine happy days and falling in love with him, we located his owner.  Sadly and reluctantly, we returned him.  After all, it was the right thing to do.  I made sure to let his owner know how much we loved him and enjoyed having him.

As a result, I'm happy to say that my sadness was short-lived when the owner called the next day and let us have him!  Woo-hoo!

He's a Chihuahua and his name 
is Chewy a.k.a. Choo-Choo.  

He immediately took to Sally!
Get a load of this Mom!
Does HE have to be in the bed with me?

Chewy loved his new friend Sally! 

We found out that Sally was quite the RVer too.

She preferred to drive but we weren't 
too sure her eyesight was up to par.

So she settled for being strapped 

into her seat and enjoying the ride.

Peeking out the window with Daisy 

was a much loved activity too.

Here they are absorbing the view at

By the River RV Park

in Kerrville, Texas

Loving a walk at 

Daisy State Park

in Kirby, Arkansas

And a stroll on the beach near 
Dellanera RV Park

in Galveston, Texas

An early morning cruise around 

Gregory E. Moore RV Resort at
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in

Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Sally had a fondness for all seasons too.

She appreciated the newness of spring

And became a hip chick 
in the summertime.

Dressing spiffy for fall was quite alright.

Oh, and how she loved running in 
the snow with Sally & Daisy Mae

She needed boots though because 
her paws quickly collected tiny snowballs.

Sally and Mitzi Mae celebrated 
many a Christmas season together!

Get these antlers off us Mom!
It's not Halloween!

She looked quite nifty in her life jacket.

And knew how to rock a scarf.

She was a

Little Miss

Scarf Fashionista!

Such a pretty girl!

Oh Sally, those were the days my friend.

We thought they'd never end

We'd sing and dance forever and a day...

Those song lyrics pretty much sum up the way I feel about our wonderful years with Sally girl. Life with Sally was always a happy song and a fun dance!

Always a joy!

Oh, what I wouldn't give to start at the beginning, and do another 14 years with sweet Sally by my side (and Mitzi Mae).  George and I have a plethora of heartwarming, cheerful memories but at the moment, it doesn't seem like enough.  I know that will change though.  I do look forward to seeing Sally & Mitzi Mae again one day.

May Wonderful Memories Always Keep You Smilin',

D~~~~

Next up:  

A happy post about our 
wonderful Cayman Island trip! 

Meet Nicolas, Our New Family Member

We have a precious new family member.

His name is Nicolas Howard Keller.

Hubby George's middle name is Howard.

His Dad's first name was Howard too.

Nicolas weighed 7lbs. 11-1/2 oz.

He's a little doll too!

And he puts a smile on everybody's face!

We sure do love him!

George and I think he looks like Josh, his Daddy, and that seems to be the popular opinion!

Have a glorious day everyone!

See you soon.

Big Smiles,

D~~~~

Miscellaneous Holiday Events

When Sue was here during Thanksgiving, we met up with our friends, Donnie & Joy, at BJ's Brewhouse for lunch one afternoon.  

Happy, happy!

We like this place a lot.  

The menu is quite large and the food is yummy!

Due to work schedules, we had to do Christmas with the kids and granndkids on Thursday the 18th of December, and guess what?

We forgot to take pictures! 

I did attempt the panoramic pic (below).

Clearly, something went awry!

It's a jumbled mess.

What a hoot!

The morning before Christmas, Mom's nursing home had their Christmas party.

Mom is wearing her new scarf and hat.

Tracy, Linda, Mom and me

She also got a blue hat and scarf.

Merry Christmas Mom!

On Christmas day, our nieces, 

Brandy and Tracy, 

came over for dinner.

 As always, it was a nice visit.

Onward to 2015!

Happy New Year to All of our Family & Friends!

Smiles,

D~~~~

Thanksgiving and More

This year, we had Thanksgiving at my sister Linda's house. Our sister Sue was here visiting from Indiana.

Sue, me & Geo before leaving our house and heading to Linda's house.

It was a fairly small gathering this year since our kids and grandkids couldn't be there. Linda's kiddos made it though but her cute and entertaining little granddaughter couldn't make it.

Kyle and his girlfriend Adriana

Brandy & Tracy

David and Geo


Sue & Linda

Except for the Cowboys losing, we had a good time!

The next day we picked up the boys for the weekend.  

The first thing we did was head to a train store.

Gage & Preston

Geo bought more "O" gauge trains and they 

started working on a layout as soon as we got home.

Since Michael worked on Thanksgiving and Crystal was sick, the boys didn't get a Thanksgiving meal so we cooked a little altered version on Saturday--ham, stuffing, green beans and a pumpkin roll. I cheated and purchased some Bob Owens mashed potatoes though. They're really good!

Triston Gage helped me cook.


Stuffing

Our second Thanksgiving was a good one too, and we sent plenty home for Mom & Dad. 

The weekend flew by way too fast though but we all enjoyed it.

Smiles,
D~~~~

The Baby Shower for Nicolas

We're expecting a grandson, Nicolas, around February 1st.  YAY!  A baby shower was held on Sunday afternoon in the Fellowship Hall at the First Baptist Church in Plano.  Josh & Sheri chose a whale theme for Nicolas' room so that was the shower theme.

Sheri and her sister Annette

Jim & Beverly (Sheri's parents), Sheri, 

Jacqueline (Sheri's niece), Annette & Josh

Me, Sheri, Josh & Geo

Josh's Mom and her hubby Tim

Instead of cards, Josh & Sheri requested books to start a library for Nicolas.  They requested that the books be signed too in order to add a personal touch.  

I was told that this was Josh's favorite book as a child.  I think he still likes it because he didn't want to put it down!

Of course, Nicolas received clothes GALORE!

Uh-Oh!  

A house divided!  

A Texas A&M shirt and a Texas Longhorn shirt.  

Go Texas!

Nicolas was given this cute quilt.  

It reminds me of Toy Story.

Geo and I also made a quilt for Nicolas.

It's a crib-size quilt with whales on it.

We had it professionally 

quilted and requested waves.

Can you see them?

 For more about the quilt, you can go 

to my other blog by clicking HERE.   

Of course, there was more but things were in boxes and you don't really want to see pictures of boxes, do you?

It was a nice shower and we enjoyed it.  

Now we anxiously await February!

Smiles,

D~~~~