Puppy 101

Someone started Puppy Classes! Our first class was last night, every Tuesday night for one hour for 6 weeks. The first night in class he was the best behaved puppy there. Another dog owner, having trouble with her rambunctious hound, even pointed to Charlie who was lying quietly at my feet and said "I want that puppy!"

What she didn't know at the time is that the main reason we are taking this "class" is to help Charlie socialize around other dogs and people as he's a little on the shy side. Just wait until he starts feeling comfortable! I probably won't hear that comment again. Although I have to report potty training is going well, he's beginning to "tell" us when he wants to go outside and so far (knock wood) hasn't chewed up anything expensive or precious (like Howard's $100 loafers that Zoe found so attractive 3 years ago when she was a puppy). I'm keeping my fingers crossed and my eyes open! And the best news: he's sleeping through the night! Talk about your progress!

Staining, painting, cleaning and a little shopping

We were so busy this weekend! Howard especially got alot accomplished. He painted the master bedroom and bathroom this weekend. And of course when you paint you have to clean so he did lots of that too. I finished up staining the cabinets in the master bathroom which has taken about a month now. I had to finish up the door faces in the basement and have been waiting for a little sunlight to help me out. Finally on Friday I got some sun and finished up. They aren't perfect but better than they were before. Now the bathroom looks so nice we need a new countertop! Isn't that always the way? You fix one thing up and then the others look old and dingy!
I didn't go out into the crowds on Friday but managed to do a little internet shopping instead, my favorite kind! No crowds, no cold, no long lines, presents delivered right to my front door in just a few days! My kind of shopping!
I also managed to take the dogs for a couple walks and then today we went to the park for some "snow frisbee"!
So, it's back to work and school tomorrow. Howard is looking forward to the rest!



I love this picture!



Isn't this always the way? Little brother wants what big sister has!

And before we know it, he'll be big enough to get it!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

This is what we awoke to this Thanksgiving morning!

The first real snow of the season that sticks is always so pretty. Of course, it helps that we didn't have to drive anywhere today. That would have been a whole other story!

Little Charlie really enjoyed his first steps in the white stuff! I figured he would like it as Zoe always has.


The weather man says we got 3 inches but it doesn't look like quite that much here. It's still coming down but very slowly and lightly right now.

The turkey is almost ready and we will be sitting down to eat soon. It's just the three of us here this year, Howard, Scott and me. Amber is cooking dinner for Andrew and one of her friends and Tyler is going to a pot-luck in Hawaii.

I have much to be thankful for this year. We are all healthy and happy and safe. We have plenty to eat and a nice home to come back to at the end of the day. Life is good. There are always things that aren't perfect but on the whole, I am very thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving from The Mitchells in Michigan!

Turkey? Did somebody say turkey???

No Posts Lately Because....

I have a job! At least a temporary job. Actually a long-term sub job. Of course the "long term" part of it is open for interpretation, depending on whom you ask! It could be until the end of November, it could be until the end of the school year!

I got a call the week before last to work a long term sub job in special education at the same school where I used to work and since I was going in on Monday, subbing for someone else in special ed, I said I would talk to the teacher and see what the job entailed. So I subbed Monday and started working the long term sub job on Tuesday. Basically I go from classroom to classroom helping kids who have trouble keeping up in class or have trouble paying attention. It's more hours but less pay than before but if it becomes long term it will pay more. We'll see. Right now it's just good to be making some money!! With Christmas right on the door step I'm feeling pressure to have a little extra money coming in. So, that's why I haven't posted or even been able to take any pictures lately. By the time I get home at 4:00 I usually take the pups for a walk or to the park, hurry back to cook dinner, if I can muster the energy and that's it! I barely have the energy to check my e-mail.

Charlie went to the vet last Thursday evening. He's gained 3 pounds though I don't know how as he now has been diagnosed with a tape worm!! He also had another flea so the Vet wants him on flea medication because supposedly infected fleas are what cause tape worms. And of course, both dogs have to be on the flea medicine because if Zoe gets fleas then she can get the tape worms or give the fleas to Charlie! What a racket! We also discovered why his right ear is sticking up lately. Seems the tip of the ear is missing. The Vet speculates that it was possibly an injury as a newborn or possibly later in puppy life. Because of the hair on the tip of his ear you would never notice it. The Vet happened to be looking for fleas and noticed it.


See how that ear is sticking up?? We are just saying it gives him character!! He's cute no matter how you cut it. He and Zoe are getting along great. I tell people we didn't get a puppy, we bought Zoe a puppy. He wants to be with her all the time and she is so tolerant!

He lays in her bed, takes her bones and toys and she lets him. Now if only she could house-break him!! And, knock wood, he has slept through the night the last two nights!! I think that's part of the reason I was so tired going back to work last week. Besides getting up early and working hard, I was up at least once during the night to take Charlie out, sometimes twice! It's just like having a baby again and I'm getting too old for this! Thankfully this puppy stage won't last too much longer and Christmas vacation is right around the corner!!

One more cute picture for the road! Charlie says HI Andy and he can't wait to meet you next month!! Watch your toes!

Look Who Came To Visit For The Weekend!!

Amber came to Michigan this weekend for a visit (and to meet Charlie). She flew in Saturday morning and out Sunday night.


We managed to fit in a little shopping, dinner at Mr. B's, a little more shopping and just hanging out.

Amber & Charlie got along just fine and Zoe wasn't too jealous! Zoe and Charlie are getting along great and Zoe keeps him pretty much in line. He watches her and tries to do what she does. Now if only he would stay quietly in his crate! He still does not like it in there and let's us know quite loudly.
I'm still getting up with him at least once during the night, sometimes twice. This is one of the times it's handy that I'm a very light sleeper as I hear him whine just once and I'm up and we're on our way outside. Hopefully this stage won't last too much longer and soon he will be sleeping all night.

Beautiful Fall Weekend

It was a beautiful Fall weekend. We didn't do a whole lot but we spent a bit of time outside both taking care of business and having some fun. Saturday Howard found himself up on a ladder after we heard an annoying knocking noise outside the window. When he got up there to investigate he found a golf ball size hole courtesy of a Woodpecker. He had to get back up there and put some metal over the hole and hope our friend finds a new home to live in. All was quiet today so that's a good sign.

We took Zoe and Charlie to the park on Saturday and high school field on Sunday. Zoe loves to get out and run and surprisingly Charlie is keeping up with her pretty well. Then I spent a little time out in the backyard with Charlie trying to capture his puppy hood! He's just as photogenic as his sister and not as annoyed with it as she has become in 3 years!




This is what Zoe thinks of all the pictures I take of her!


When I looked out the kitchen window this morning I saw a very shocking sight! This little bird was hopping around on the ground. You don't see him around here except during one particular season and, hint, hint, it's not fall.

It's a little Junco and folk lore says that you only see the Junco when it's getting ready to snow. Every year when I see him I know snow isn't far behind. And what do you know; the weather man is predicting some light snow flurries for Tuesday! The Junco tells me winter is on the way just like the Robin announces spring.

Then I saw this little guy. It's a Goldfinch who seems to have his winter feathers except for his head! At first I thought it was a Canary or something but then saw his stripes and knew it was a Goldfinch. I've just never seen one with a yellow head like this before.
With the time change everyone needed to squeeze in a nap or two this weekend. I'll spare you the pictures of Howard and I taking ours! Zoe and Charlie look much cuter.

I hope everyone had a nice weekend, wherever you were!
:-)