Valentine's Day 2015!

Happy Valentine's Day to my blogging family!!! 

I love & appreciate the kindness, respect, support, advice, tears & laughter that 

we all share!

XOXOXO's to all of you from me! 

Since we received a handheld scanner for Christmas, hubby has been scanning a lot of sentimental photos and cards.  So, today I will share a few precious items with you.  

This is a Valentine card that Kyle made for me 

when he was in Kindergarten.  

I love you, my sweet boy, Kyle.

                                                     

      This is Kyle and I at Silver Springs in Florida.  

  Kyle loved SS because of all the animals.  

 This is the mother, there was a baby Giraffe as well.

This is me and hubby before we became husband & wife.

As my Granddaddy Alphin would say,

we were still courtin'.  :)  

I love you, Craig.

  

This is Sami, Kyle's first puppy dog.

Here she had gone to my parents coastal home with us.

She loved the boat almost as much as 

Kyle loved her..

the date is off by about 7 yrs. lol

It's all about 
LOVE...

Making A Difference

As I was doing some online research I came across this website, https://www.booster.com/  On this website you can raise money and awareness for your cause by designing t-shirts.  I love this idea!  I'm one of those people that can't turn my back to what is going on in this world regarding animals.  I have so much respect for people that run animal rescues and shelters.  If I saw the abuse that these people see so often I wouldn't be able to sleep or eat.  So, I do what I can to make a difference.  I'm better at donating items, money and getting the word out regarding wonderful organizations.  Now, don't get me wrong because if I'm faced with an injured or lost animal I don't ignore it.  I've done a lot of wildlife rescue and have helped return several dogs to their owners.  If I can't physically help, then I will call someone who can.  In Orlando I saw dogs left in cars with no windows cracked and I called 911.  I saw large watch dogs abandoned at old commercial businesses left with no water or food and I called for help.  In Orlando you could call 311 for SPCA and they would take your info regarding the situation and then send out an investigator.  My son is just like me and he has shared his passion for animals with his friends.  I'll never forget the day that one of his friend's called me, she saw Beagle Puppies crammed into a tiny cage in a back yard and there was no water.  She called SPCA to report what she saw.  She felt so good about herself and she should because she made a difference. :)  Kind hearts are contagious!  My eyes and heart always seem to be drawn to animals and the elderly.

I chose this story to share with you.  Please take the time to read this girl's story, she's a survivor. 
  
They could chain her, starve her. They could breed her, fight her. They could beat her, neglect her. They could not break her. Tillie - #367 Survivor More about this campaign

About Tillie

Please join Handsome Dan's Rescue in celebrating Tillie's one year anniversary of living in a home as part of a family. 

Tillie now wears a pink collar and a necklace of big faux pearls. Her legs are bowed and she has trouble walking because her legs broke under the weight of a heavy collar and chain that choked her for years to the buried car axle.  She has a broken sternum, a broken tail, and is battling heart worms. But her spirit could not be broken. In August 2013, law enforcement and dog advocacy agents rescued Tillie and 366 other dogs in the second largest dog-fighting raid in U.S. history which spanned across Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Texas. Federal and local agents also seized firearms and drugs and $500,000 in cash from dogfighting gambling that took place over the course of a three-year investigation. And now Tillie is living her new, chain-free life in Rhode Island. Please help support Tillie, her fellow #367 survivors, and Handsome Dan's Rescue. 

    This is Dog Handsome Dan

                Visit handsomedanrescue.org

Watch Dogs

The front door is a favorite spot for our pups.  They love watching our neighbor walk their new black lab puppy, kids playing chase, big dogs on walks and even the UPS truck that happens to come by everyday just like the mail man.
I think at times they're jealous of our neighbor, Rollo.  Rollo is an adorable chocolate lab that lives directly next to us and he gets to run around his front and backyard because of their invisible fence.  We considered the invisible fence, but I've heard of too many problems with them so we put up a good old fashion wood fence.  The pickets are three inches apart so the pups do get to chat with Rollo when they're all in the backyard. :) Have you ever heard Labradors chit chat?  They're really loud! LOL
Happy February to everyone!  

Cute Critters

These beauties visit our backyard regularly and we love it!  We believe in "Live & Let Live".  They're all so beautiful and entertaining!  I'll probably go shopping for a bird bath or two soon so I can encourage more visitors, including bees.  As far as squirrels, I make sure to feed them away from the house and I don't feed them too much, I don't want them to become dependent on us. :)  I do have a feeder for them to reach and two other feeders that are just for the birds.  We have rabbits that live in our front yard so we're careful to not blow all the leaves away or clean up too well. lol  
We're also trying to be careful when treating our yard for fleas, weeds, etc..  We use soap & water or vinegar as much as possible.  Vinegar is a favorite for me when cleaning inside, but I prefer the smell of lemons. 

Any of you have cleaning advice to share?  I would love to hear it. :)    

One of our Mama Squirrels.

 Tufted Titmouse
This is my first time seeing them in person!  So cute!

He found a treat!

Love watching Robins..

This little guy is extra special to me.
He is the squirrel that welcomed us here when we first moved in.
He was quite young and brave.  Not everyone is kind to furry visitors.
 He is the only one that will walk up to the sliding glass doors and say hi to our pups. :)

I hope to have a family of Blue Birds in our backyard this spring.

Bare Beauty

It's a different kind of winter here in Cary, it's cold!  In Orlando 55 degrees was freezing to us, but here 55 degrees with the sunshine is a perfect day.  I wish it was going to be 55 today or even 45, not happening.  It was 12 degrees at 6:30 this morning and now it's a sunny 18 degrees!

These trees make me think of my son.  When Kyle was young and wanted a toy or something I would remind him that having fun and nice things is fine, but if one day you no longer have things make sure You're a good and kind person because that's all that really matters.  These trees are mostly bare, but yet are still beautiful.  

in our neighborhood

our backyard

Around the corner from our home,  yep that's 5 o'clock traffic
 and that's a pretty tree I look at just about every time I leave home. :)

2014 A Very Eventful Year For Our Family

We will always remember 2014!  My baby boy graduated high school!  He graduated with a university ready diploma, two years of sign language and even with a plumbing tech degree.  I've always told him don't go with easy, go with smart, at least he listens part of the time. :)  We are so proud of him! 
In the spring we moved from Orlando, home, to Cary, NC.  It has turned out to be a wonderful decision!  We live closer to family, Kyle has already made some real friends and hubby and I just love this City!  Our pups love their new home and are enjoying the cooler weather, larger yard and new smells!  Every time my parents visit they tell me how much they love it here!  I'm sure they will be moving up here soon and live close by.  
In the summer, Kyle turned 18!  Where has the time gone?!  I still remember hearing "Mommy" about 100 times a day and loving it!  I remember those little arms that wrapped around my neck so tightly with many hugs every day.  Do you know that he still tells me goodnight every night with a hug and a kiss on my forehead, he's my sweet boy. :)
Hubby started his career with the State of NC and really likes it!   
In the fall Kyle started college!    
I had a scare with my health, but I'm here and very grateful!
We're all grateful for our many blessings!  

How about you, was 2014 a memorable year for you and your family?  I hope you have many fond memories. :)

Class of 2014 Rocks!

Kyle, my Dad, my Mom, my Uncle, me and hubby. :)
2014

Happy New Year's Eve!
hugs,
Marie

 Kyle, my Mom, my Dad, me and hubby. :)
2014

Kyle with his grandparents.
Christmas 2014

Kyle with Roxanne & Rambo
Christmas 2014